By now, you've probably surmised that we test-drive a lot of beauty products here at Who What Wear HQ. From nail polish and makeup to hair and skincare, we're eyebrow-deep in all things new, exciting, and, yes, wish list–worthy. That said, due to the number of products we come in contact with, we've also transformed into the nitpickiest beauty consumers. Within seconds, we can tell if a new hair oil is too heavy, and we're quick to ignore a serum that yields disappointing results.
The good news? We're far more often impressed than unimpressed after trying out a new product, and usually we simply can't wait to spread the word to all of our fellow beauty junkies (aka you). Therefore, we've decided gushing over our latest fave products should become a monthly ritual, and every 30 days or so, you can expect a full report detailing the highlighters, hair wands, and overnight skincare saviors we've become quickly addicted to.
For the most part, we'll be covering buzzworthy launches (as those typically take up most of the action atop our product-filled desks), but we won't dismiss new-to-us products, either. Because hey, sometimes our best discoveries are found on a friend's vanity or on someone's face at the bar—true story. Ahead, the 23 best beauty products we tried in August! Grab your game face and wallet. You'll be needing both.
"As fall approaches and I have to start accounting for lower temperature–induced dry skin in my skincare routine, I like to wear a foundation that plays nicely with all that extra product. This foundation is a great solution, since the formula is pliable enough to keep coverage natural or build to full, and it doesn't slip too much. I'd swipe a little bit of your favorite sheer setting powder on top for extra staying power."
"Sisley Paris is simply one of the dreamiest beauty brands on earth, and its newest launch—this lush overnight mask—is the epitome. As someone who is acne-prone, I usually avoid products geared toward dry skin, but this restorative formula is truly amazing. It's infused with rare ingredients like saffron flowers, thyme honey, shea, and kokum butters, along with a strategic blend of vitamins. It's become a sacred ritual to apply it post-cleanse one night a week (usually Sunday) in lieu of my normal skincare routine. When I wake up, my skin is radiant, smooth, and buttery soft."
"I have a weakness for double-ended beauty innovations, and this new lip-centric wand from StriVectin has become a daily habit. On the one side, you have a no-sting plumping gloss that builds the natural shape of your lips while also enhancing your natural pout color, and on the other, you have the brand's Vertical Line Treatment, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while rejuvenating the overall contour of your lips. I've been wearing it on its own and over my favorite lipsticks and stains."
"Summer may be coming to an end, but I still have high expectations for my bikini area. And this mask has been a dark horse favorite that has served me well all month long. It could sound like a gimmick, but believe it or not, just 15 or 20 minutes of these biocellulose masks plastered to each side of my bikini line results in skin that's brightened, soothed, and smoothed to perfection. Even though they're coated in an extract-heavy serum (think honey, niacinamide, rose, and other calming botanicals), they don't slide or drip, and I've added the ritual to my Sunday night self-care routine.
"I know some people have mixed feelings on color-changing beauty products, but I love them. Since they work with your natural pH, you wind up with a low-maintenance, customized color that's perfectly flattering to your natural skin or lip tone, thus taking the time, frustration, and guesswork out of your lipstick hunt. Lipstick Queen is an OG power player in the category, and this new shade, Venetian Masquerade, delivers the perfect punch of rich berry for fall."
"Post-launch, this pore-clearing mask from Peach & Lily sold out almost immediately. And after giving it a few wears myself, I'm not at all surprised by the pandemonium. I have breakout-prone skin, so my eyes and ears always prick at the mention (or delivery) of a formula that will help de-gunk and clear my finicky complexion. This soothing mask from Korean-beauty inspired brand Peach & Lily is equipped with kaolin clay and bentonite, but unlike many clay-heavy masks, it still offers gentle nourishment to the skin for ultimate healing—all thanks to hydrating and soothing fares like wild cherry, strawberry, and licorice extracts."
"Any new innovation from La Mer is sure to be nothing short of spectacular, but the brand's new neck-and-décolletage cream is in a league of its own—it looks and feels like liquid silk with the additional perk of having an intoxicatingly good scent. I'm a woman obsessed. Of course, it features the brand's signature cocktail of Miracle Broth (a high-performance cellular-renewing elixir), which is probably why it also single-handedly made a random crop of neck zits (apparently I break out on my neck now) disappear almost overnight while also making my skin feel soft and supple as velvet. It's spendy but worth every dime."
"I pretty much live for Lemonhead.LA's array of glitter, and if it was physically possible, I'd breathe and eat it too. So don't even get me started on the brand's newest set featuring all of the pots and hues worn and inspired by the cast of Euphoria. I'm currently in withdrawal from the show, so breaking out my favorite glitter (I wore the hot pink shade called Hollyweird last weekend!) is all that's keeping me afloat until next season."
"I know you're probably bored of hearing about my breakout-prone skin, but I'm not bored about talking about it. (At least when it comes to the products that help maintain its best behavior.) I'm always on the lookout for complexion-friendly creams and moisturizers, since those are what typically break me out the most, and Omorovicza's new acne-geared formula is the latest standout. In addition to luxe ingredients like colloidal silver, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and the brand's patented Healing Concentrate, it also boasts key zit-busters like zinc, mastic, and salicylic acid. It leaves my skin looking insanely glowy and doesn't break me out—basically my two main goals in life at this point."
"I've loved Lorac and all its perfecting and shimmering skin elixirs since high school and college. (The brand's TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer $21 is EVERYTHING.) But it's this new dry oil that really got me this month. I'll admit that it does look pretty aggressive, sparkle-wise, in the bottle, but just a few pumps spread over the chest and shoulders leaves you with the most flattering glow. It's sparkly but not in that obnoxious second-grade Claire's rollerball way, it smells amazing, and since it's a dry oil, it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave you greasy—a saving grace if you're going out for the night."
"Apparently I was really into shimmer this month. This blush from Benefit Cosmetics isn't new, but I only just discovered it after getting my eyebrows shaped and waxed by one of the brand's star pros. As pretty as it is to look at, it's actually not quite so sparkly and bright once you apply it—which I appreciate. Instead, it delivers a really gorgeous hint of peachy color with a subtle highlighting effect from the gold shimmer. I plan on wearing it all the way into fall."
"I know Weleda Skin Food is not new to those who know what's up in the beauty world, but I just hopped onto the bandwagon, and honestly think I'll use this product for the rest of my life. It has actually turned me into a nightly lotion user—and I couldn't be bothered to use lotion regularly before. How? Why? Well, it smells delicious with a faintly herbal or citrus scent I can't quite nail. It's also super thick, making it feel luxurious despite its affordable price tag.
"Because it's a heavier lotion, I use it mainly on my body, but I occasionally use it on my face as well when I have dry skin. Fun fact: The lotion was created in 1926. Something that has stood the test of time for that long must be good, plus it's formulated with clean ingredients. There's a long list of people who knew and loved this product before me (including Victoria Beckham and Priyanka Chopra), but I'm just glad I know about it now!"
"I've tried plenty of products that promise to reduce blemishes, but nothing I've used in the past compares to these patches from Zitsticka. The adhesive stickers have micro-darts that penetrate active ingredients (including salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid) deeper than anything you would apply topically to your skin. After leaving them on for two hours or overnight, I saw blemishes dramatically reduced or practically gone. Definitely have these on hand if you ever need to clear up your skin fast."
"I don't know what it is about all-natural deodorants, but for the longest time, I couldn't seem to find one that a) actually worked and b) didn't stain all my clothes. Shouldn't be that hard, right? Well, after lots of trial and error, I finally found the natural deodorant to end them all. This one from Agent Nateur goes on clear and immediately sinks into my skin, truly lasts from morning till night, and comes in a cute cylindrical package. As for the scent, it has traces of lavender and eucalyptus, but since it's technically unisex, it's very subtle and natural."
"Do you know how I knew that Versed's brightening serum was legit? I rolled out of bed one morning to find that my skin was dull and dried out from drinking one too many glasses of wine the night before and decided this was the moment I'd put the serum to the test. It brought my skin back to life in a matter of moments (I'm all for products that give me immediate results), and I even earned a few compliments from co-workers on how my skin looked that day. If that's not a success story, I don't know what is."
"Tatcha's water cream is just as dreamy as its gorgeous container makes it look. The light-as-air formula leaves my skin hydrated without that shiny or greasy feeling other moisturizers give off, and since my skin type skews oily, this has made such a difference in reducing any potential breakouts. It's also formulated with Japanese botanicals that purify my skin and minimize the look of my pores. Honestly, I didn't know a moisturizer could do this much."
"I like a lot of cheek color, and sometimes cream blushes are too sheer for me (unless I pile it on, which isn't ideal). Luckily Kosas read my mind and just released its cult cream blush duos (and powders) in High Intensity formulas. The pigment is so good, and they really stay put (even in the humid South, where I live). The coordinating highlighter is so creamy and dewy, which really blurs out the blush, making it look especially natural. With my fair skin tone, I'm partial to this cool pink, but all of the shades look gorgeous."
"I get excited for every Charlotte Tilbury launch, and per usual, her new matte foundation and color corrector really live up to the hype. The foundation honestly makes your skin look flawless. It isn't heavy by any means, but I've been mixing it with a bit of the brand's Wonderglow when I want to sheer it out a bit for daytime. Bonus: It comes in a whopping 44 shades. I've been pairing the foundation with Magic Vanish, which is a godsend for someone like me who never gets enough sleep. I just apply a dab under my eyes before my concealer and I look like I got a full eight hours (which is never the case)."
"This probably sounds like an overstatement, but Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter made me actually look and feel flawless. It's the perfect light layer of coverage for those of us who don't love a heavy foundation situation, and while it looks like you have nothing on, it does so much, giving your skin a glowy, even appearance. I 100% recommend for extending the life of your summer glow indefinitely."
"As someone who's obsessive about sun protection, I was definitely intrigued by Supergoop's new powder designed to protect your scalp where you part your hair. I think it's pretty genius and has worked well for my auburn hair. Whenever I don't want to wear a hat, I'll definitely be using this to protect my scalp."
"I try to keep my skincare routine as simple as possible, so I've never tried an essence before. That said, I might be sold on Facile Skin's version, which made my skin look fresher and perkier than normal. Plus, the hyaluronic acid is super moisturizing."
"I'm already a huge fan of Tatcha's Water Cream ($68), but I started using the brand's Violet-C Serum any marks left behind by acne. I think it's really helped fade the spots and give me a more even skin tone. It should be used at night only, but as my dermatologist reminded me, the post-acne marks will not fade well if you're not using sunscreen every morning as well."
"My skin has been breaking out recently, which is annoying because normally it's pretty low-maintenance. I've been using Versed's Just Breathe Clarifying Serum after washing my face at night. I let it sit for a few minutes, and then I put on my usual night cream. After a week, my skin mellowed out, so I'm still using it daily, along with the line's Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum ($20) in the mornings. The two have made my skin clearer, smoother, and brighter."
Next: The 22 Hair, Makeup, and Skincare Finds WWW Editors Couldn't Stop Using in July
