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 of 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 best beauty products we tried in March! Grab your game face and wallet. You'll be needing both.
Erin Jahns, Beauty Editor
This product has been my saving grace the past few weeks. I've been a big fan of It Cosmetics' OG Bye Bye Foundation formula for while now, but as someone with perpetually oily, acne-prone skin, this oil-free version now has my heart. It still offers the full-coverage, ultra-hydrating perks of the original moisturizer, but I haven't had to reach for my favorite powder compact by the time 2 p.m. rolls around. If you're looking for a featherlight, skincare- and SPF-enhanced alternative to your normal foundation right now, this one's for you!
I've really leaned into masking this month, so this new detoxifying formula from True Botanicals couldn't have come at a better time. I always prioritize face masks that help clear my pores and any congestion, so the gentle yet clarifying perks of this one are exactly what the doctor ordered. Plant-based squalane keeps my skin from getting parched or dehydrated while key additions like glacial clay and activated bamboo charcoal nix the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and bacteria that can cause pimples, sensitivity, dullness, and anything else I don't want on my face.
I don't know if I've ever been as obsessed with a fragrance as I am with this one. It just smells SO GOOD. The first time I sprayed it in the office and wore it, everyone around my desk immediately jerked their heads around to ask what it was. That was the start of my love affair, and it's the only scent I've worn since. (I've even been spritizing it on while I've been working from home the past couple of weeks.) I'd describe it as a juicy, fresh, and slightly citrusy scent, and the key notes include ambrette seeds, pear nectar, and liquid musk.
My old tried-and-true bronzer brush from MAC has been leading a slow and painful death, with each use leaving more and more errant black hairs on my face and leaving me more and more frustrated. I've had it for years, so it's only to be expected I'd need to find a replacement. Luckily, I found this expert (and affordable!) brush from Milani in my unopened stash of brushes, and it's proved itself to be a worthy match for my old MAC model. It has high-grade synthetic brush hairs so it picks up and applies (versus absorb and accumulate) the perfect amount of product, and it's the perfect size and shape to sweep around my cheekbones, jawline, and forehead.
Another month and another Olive & June polish obsession! (They don't pay me, I swear.) I can't stop with this light buttercup yellow. Not only does it manage to look chic and sophisticated (a feat not all yellow polishes can accomplish, by the way), but the cheery hue also just makes me really happy—something that feels especially important right now. Plus, because it's O&J, it has the best glossy finish, and topping it off with the brand's game-changing topcoat every few days grants gel manicure–esque durability.
My eyes have been in a sorry state recently. Los Angeles weather has been uncharacteristically bizarre (rain, wind, chillier-than-usual temperatures), and I've definitely noticed my eye area has been temperamental and more irritated. That, combined with less sleep and some anxiety, has made things even worse in terms of circles and eye puff. Luckily, my favorite French skincare brand Sisley-Paris just debuted this incredibly lovely eye contour fluid which instantly calms irritation, soothes puff, and helps brighten and lighten my dark shadows. It's infused with the brand's signature black rose elixir and is the ultimate addition to my self-care routine right now.
This is my latest favorite dry shampoo, and I'm convinced it might actually be the best formula on the market. So the fact that it's so affordable is truly the best news a girl could ask for. It's a UK-made brand that is vegan, cruelty-free, and has tons of different scents to choose from (which are all surprisingly lovely, not heavy or tacky). The formula doesn't cause dryness or breakage as some other cheap formulas do, and it expertly soaks up all the grease without leaving a trace of residue. It's a true diamond in the rough, and perhaps somewhat embarrassingly, this Unicorn iteration has been my favorite. (It smells like jasmine and vanilla!)
I love every single thing Kosas makes. Seriously, if there's one brand to keep your eye on and invest stock in, it's Kosas. And its latest launch, a revolutionary concealer, is no different. I finally got around to trying it last week, and wow, was I impressed. I want a concealer that can build and layer with great coverage without looking cakey or feeling tacky, and the creamy, easy-to-blend consistency of this one fits the bill. It effortlessly camouflages circles and blemishes, illuminates your skin, and even features key skincare-grade additions like arnica, caffeine, and peptides.
If you didn't already know, Too Faced makes some of my favorite makeup formulas of all time, so I was beyond psyched to try this new three-in-one compact. Essentially, it's a complexion-enhancing highlighting palette that houses three different finishes so you can choose, build, and easily layer whatever kind of glow you're going for. All three options are enriched with hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and alpine rose, so your skin is also getting a helpful dose of undercover TLC. (Something I'm definitely not mad at!)
Courtney Higgs, Associate Beauty Editor
Although I'm not exactly carrying out my full daily makeup routine right now, I've been having a lot of fun playing with this newly launched mascara from Anastasia Beverly Hills. It's so thickening, volumizing, and lengthening that it legit makes it looks like I'm wearing falsies. On the days when I've actually needed to show my face in virtual meetings, just one swipe of this formula over my lashes opens up my eyes and pulls my face together in a flash.
I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm indoors significantly more right now, or maybe I'm just not using all the products that have kept my skin clear and glowy quite as frequently, but my skin is just looking lackluster as of late. I have plenty of physical exfoliators in my collection, but I gave this one by NxN a shot and am really liking it. It has charcoal, grape seed, oat proteins, and blueberry extracts in it, which are all super-nutrient-dense ingredients I love. It starts out as a gritty powder to gently buff away dead skin and then softens into a soft foam that rinses easily.
Kat Collings, Editor in Chief
I will always love the look of Popsicle-stained lips, and this one is my new obsession. In this new era of little makeup and a lot of video conference calls, I've found a pop of color on the lips is the best way to look like I put in a little effort. It glides on effortlessly, and unlike most color lip products I use, it is moisturizing enough to not need a layer of Chapstick underneath. You can also use it on your cheeks and eyes, and the brand is clean, gender-neutral, and female-founded. What is not to love?
Allyson Payer, Senior Editor
I always thought (naïvely so) that primer is a bit pointless, and I try to do everything in my power to cut steps out of my routine, but I'll definitely make time for Tatcha's new Liquid Silk Canvas Primer from now on. It glides on beautifully and doesn't feel heavy in the slightest. My skin looks smooth, and my makeup stays put all day. It's also worth noting that it just came out and already has over 800 amazing reviews on Sephora
Charlotte Tilbury's wildly successful Pillow Talk line just keeps on growing. I recently got my hands on the new shades of the Beauty Light Wand highlighters, and they're my new favorite glow-getters. The shimmer blends right into your skin without being obvious, and they have some pigment so they could even sub for blush. Plus, the sponge-tip applicator is so user-friendly.
I've always been a loyal antiperspirant user, but when cult-favorite bodycare brand Nécessaire announced the launch of its new Eucalyptus deodorant, I had to try it immediately. Besides being the best-smelling deodorant I've ever encountered, it actually keeps you dry with a trio of all-natural ingredients. While I've yet to wear it during a sweaty workout, it works like a charm for everyday, and the packaging looks great in my medicine cabinet.
Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor
When I'm not bugging my beauty-editor colleagues, I'm asking my product-obsessed sister about the best things she's bought recently. This month, she told me she's been using and loving Tata Harper's Illuminating Moisturizer and Chanel's Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick in Transparent almost exclusively, so I had to try them for myself. Of course, I was beyond pleased. I've been putting the Tata Harper moisturizer over my daily SPF moisturizer in the mornings for all-around brightness. Then, I use the Glow Stick to give some extra shine and dewiness to my cheekbones, eyelids, and lips. If you're going for a minimalist beauty look and love using light and easy-to-apply products, I highly recommend both.
Drew Elovitz, Director of Content Strategy
I've been dealing with a patch of melasma on my forehead for way too long. After a few treatments with my esthetician, I was ready to amp up my at-home care. Enter Good Face Stuff, created by a husband-and-wife team (she had melasma; he's a molecular biologist), and this lovely plush peptide retinal serum. It doesn't make my face feel dry like other retinol formulas, and since I'm spending a lot of time indoors right now, I don't have to worry (as much) about exposure to the sun. How's that for a small win?
I've gotten back into the at-home delivery game as of late, especially for things that I always seem to "forget" to pick up while out on my once-a-week errand run. Athena Club solves that problem for me on so many levels. I'm especially enjoying my monthly delivery of its daily probiotic because gut health isn't sexy, but it sure is important!
I'm actually sad to have left this body wash at my boyfriend's place, even though I got it for him. It's a unisex product that lathers great and has a calming, eucalyptus scent that reminds me of a fancy gym. My skin likes it, and it's made showering much more spa-like.
I actually got this product in February but didn't get a chance to put it to the test until March. Although I don't use it as a 100% substitute for good old fashioned handwashing (J.R. Watkins soaps are great for that), it is helpful to have on hand (no pun intended) right now since it manages to be both cleansing and hydrating at the same time.
Let's face it: Right now, skincare is self-care. I am seriously missing my monthly face massages as a part of my wellness routine, so I insomnia-purchased this super-affordable vibrating face roller a week ago on Amazon. I now spend my evenings achieving zen on my couch watching old seasons of Top Chef while face rolling with a bit of rose-hip oil.
Bobby Schuessler, Senior Market Editor
I recently started using this cream by Gladskin to help with some unfortunate eczema. I'm all about it because it soothes and helps with my redness.
Anna LaPlaca, Associate Editor
Not to be dramatic or anything, but I’m convinced this stuff is bottled magic. I didn’t notice an immediate difference after the first few uses, but by the end of a full week where I was applying it morning and night, my skin was on cloud nine living its best life. My bathroom cabinets are very well stocked with skincare products, but after that first week, it became clear to me that Augustinus Bader’s formula is the most effective product I’ve tried. Believe me—I too was a skeptic. I pored over the many reviews my co-workers and friends have given the infamous face cream, attempting to understand if it was really worth the hype or the ultra-splurge-worthy price tag.
Now for the specifics: The unexpected effect I really enjoyed from The Cream was how it sped up the recovery of my existing acne, calming newer breakouts and helping older ones heal that much faster. The other effect it had was in creating a pore-less, dare I say glasslike, surface for my makeup to glide on easily. Count me as another passionate member of the Augustinus Bader fan club because I’m fully addicted. I’ve even been pinching pennies to ensure I can restock my supply as soon it runs out.
I was never a lip gloss girl until (surprise, surprise) I tried the Lip Oil from my go-to makeup brand Kosas. I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but anything it makes, I tend to fall in love with, and that now includes this lovely gloss. It has a nice plumping effect, and I found that the Jaws color gave me a natural-looking flush that I’m always searching for in my lip products. That, and the packaging makes this more fun to reach for than the average lipstick or balm.
Up next: It's Official—These Makeup Brands Score Our Beauty Editors the Most Compliments
