Each month, Fashionista editors try a *lot* of beauty products. And while not every formula we test is a winner, we’re constantly unearthing new favorites. Here, we’ve rounded up our latest hair, skin, fragrance, wellness and makeup discoveries — whether fresh-to-market drops or merely recent additions to our personal routines.
October was packed with international and domestic travel alike for team Fashionista, meaning our jet-setting beauty routines had to withstand long flights and shifting weather conditions. But this month’s standout products were certainly up to the task.
Fragrance shone as one of our stand-out categories this month, with a vanilla buttercream icing-scented gourmand, a complex floral bouquet and an outdoorsy blend capped with a neon-green doll head emerging as our top eau de parfums. Our skin-care finds included a non-comedogenic serum targeting the appearance of fine lines, a creamy rambutan-powered moisturizer, a vanilla-and-caramel-scented body whip and a hyperpigmentation-fighting sunscreen. Meanwhile, a hydrating lip stain, buildable cream foundation and an all-in-one face palette lined our carry-on makeup bags.
Ahead, see (and shop!) all of our favorite beauty discoveries from October.
Lore Lovely and a Little Twisted Eau de Parfum, $88, available here: “Chic new indie fragrance brand Lore pulled me in with its elevated packaging and clever scent names, but it really hooked me with this juice: a warm floral (not usually my thing) that melds patchouli, rose milk and pistachio for a complex, layered effect that’s intriguing, yet subdued.” —Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director
Merit Solo Shadow Sheen, $26, available here: “Even though my eye-shadow stash is overflowing, I simply can never have too many rosy shimmers. Merit’s Solo Shadow Sheen — the new sparkling sister to its fan-favorite matte shadows — has become my go-to for subtle, buildable shine. I can only describe Glacé (a soft rosé glimmer) as fairy dust in a pot, as it swipes on a glistening sprinkle of grown-up shimmer that doesn’t veer into thick glitter territory.” —Catie Pusateri, Staff Writer
Nails Inc Whitney Topless Nail Polish, $9, available here: “I swear this polish delivers salon-worthy manicure results. It helps that it’s a four-in-one formula, with a built-in base coat, treatment, color and top coat. I was able to go a week with perfect nails until the polish slowly started to chip.” —Janelle Sessoms, Staff Writer
Supersuite Butter, But Badder Hydrating Body Whip, $28, available here: “I may be in my mid-30s, but one thing about me is that I’ve never met a gourmand, probably-meant-for-tweens scented body product I didn’t like. This fluffy body cream is no exception: The vanilla-and-caramel-laced scent is grounded with notes of sandalwood, and the formula itself is spiked with coconut oil, shea butter and oat extract to intensely moisturize and soothe skin.” —Steph
The Crème Shop Miffy Glossy Lip Stain, $14, available here: “Cuteness aside, this lip product has become my new daily go-to. It applies and feels like a gloss, but has the staying power of a stain, imparting natural-looking tint. I love it so much that I leave it by my toothbrush and apply post-brush every morning, even if I’m not leaving the house.” —Savannah Sitton, Market & Branded Content Editor
R.E.M. Beauty x “Wicked: For Good” Ozian Forest Eye Shadow Palette, $60, available here: “I loved the first round of R.E.M. Beauty x ‘Wicked’ products last year — specifically the Elphaba eye-shadow palette. This new iteration is just as beautiful: There are glittery, Glinda-esque shimmer shadows that sparkle without looking costume-y and neutral transition shades alongside gorgeous iridescent green tones that Elphaba would surely approve of.” —Brooke Frischer, Associate Editor and Social Media Manager
Saltair HA Body Hydrator Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum, $46, available here: “I’ve fallen in love with this body serum as step one in my nightly body-care routine. Applied directly out of the shower, the gel-like formula draws moisture into my skin with hyaluronic acid. The clear, lightweight serum absorbs beautifully, with zero stickiness. No matter what products I layer over it, it never causes pilling. It’s sold out on the brand’s site, but still stocked on TikTok Shop.” —Savannah
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Instant Look in a Palette, $69, available here: “I’m very into a beautifully packaged eye-shadow palette right now. I love the way this compact looks sitting on my vanity simply as decoration, but it’s what’s inside that truly counts. It’s in the name — this palette has everything you need to finish off a supermodel-like look, from the brand’s seamless finishing powder, bronzer and matte blush to two shimmer eye shadows and a glow-y highlighter to complete a final look.” —Brooke
Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer, $32, available here: “True to its name, this primer achieves a gentle glow that really makes my face look radiant. Powered with vitamin C, the skin-care/makeup hybrid delivers a serious airbrushed effect, without compromising grip.” —Janelle
The 7 Virtues Buttercream Haze Eau de Parfum, $94, available here: “As if specifically crafted for the sweet tooths and gourmand aficionados of the world, The 7 Virtues’ Buttercream Haze is a decadent dessert-scented dream. With delicious notes of vanilla buttercream icing, maple caramel crème and tonka bean, you almost get a sugar high upon the first spritz. Even though I love my woodsy fall scents, I’m embracing smelling like a fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon roll this October.” —Catie
No Makeup Makeup No Makeup Foundation, $55, available here: “Plenty of foundations marketed as ‘no-makeup makeup’ end up being so sheer, they could more appropriately be named ‘why-even-bother makeup.’ Not this one: Housed in a compact, the cream formula — which you can swipe on with a brush or your finger — offers buildable coverage with a dewy, skin-like finish and completely weightless feel. It’s a true makeup marvel, as far as I’m concerned. And with proper blending and setting, it doesn’t settle into fine lines, which is a major win.” —Steph
Clearstem Bounceback Fine Lines Serum, $98, available here: “This serum is the does-it-all step in my routine: It’s hydrating and plumping, thanks to the inclusion of peptides and plant stem cells; plus, it fends off breakouts at the same time. I’ve nearly gone through a whole bottle this month because I love applying it twice a day for a glossy, glass-skin effect.” —Savannah
Chopova Lowena Great Root, Green Ruth Eau De Parfum, $131, available here: “I love just about everything Chopova Lowena puts out from a design standpoint, so when I saw the brand’s latest perfume launch included this cool, kooky bottle and cap, I was instantly obsessed. Not only is the vessel basically a collectible Chopova Lowena doll, but the scent — which includes notes of amberwood, sandalwood, nutmeg, lavender and white musk — also makes me feel like I’m embodying the garden fairy character myself.” —Brooke
Grown Alchemist Regenerating Face Moisturizer, $70, available here: “My skin-care routine isn’t complete without this revitalizing moisturizer. The star ingredient is rambutan, which the brand touts as a gentle, plant-based retinol alternative that reportedly improves elasticity and stimulates collagen. Creamy (but not heavy) and smooth to the touch (not sticky), it only takes one daily coat of this moisturizer to give me a healthy, hydrated glow and a plump feel.” —Janelle
Damastique SPF Active Serum, $65, available here: “Even though autumn’s cooler weather ushered in cloudier skies, sunscreen is still your skin’s best friend. Damastique launched this month with its hero SPF Active Serum, a 20% non-nano zinc oxide formula that helps to reduce hyperpigmentation before it starts. With SPF 36, the silky serum also blends vitamin C and E with aloe vera, passionfruit seed oil and Mexican arnica extract for soothed skin. To my surprise (and delight), the sunscreen-serum hybrid’s toffee-colored tint melted into my near-translucent pale skin without a trace of pigment or any lingering greasiness.” —Catie
Neocutis Neo Restore Post Treatment Nourishing Mask (Pack of 6), $129, available here: “This isn’t a new find for me, but it’s a sheet mask I consistently find myself going back to when I need a serious refresh. For those cold, windy days where my entire face suddenly feels chapped no matter how much moisturizer and Aquaphor I slather on , this hyaluronic acid- and aloe-packed mask (designed to help accelerate post-treatment healing) makes me feel like I’m hitting a reset button on my skin.” —Brooke
Tocca Laila Eau de Parfum, $86, available here: “Tocca’s Laila strikes a luxurious balance between summer’s fruity fragrances and autumn’s warm gourmands, making it my key transitional scent. It opens with lush green mandarin and bergamot, then shifts to a bouquet of lily of the valley and jasmine nectar. As the embodiment of the Italian expression ‘piacere’ (meaning pleasure), Laila also envelops the senses in grounding notes of toasted vanilla, white woods and golden amber.” —Catie
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask in Vanilla Birthday Cake Scent, $39, available here: “This must be the yummiest hair product I’ve ever tried. The deep conditioning mask not only smells like vanilla birthday cake, but the yellow-tinted formula even feels and looks like cake batter — if I said I wasn’t tempted to taste it, I’d be lying… (I didn’t, swear.) It also hydrates and softens my hair beautifully.” —Savannah
In case you missed last month’s picks, you can find them here:
Kosas Blush Is Life, $29, available here: “As a work-from-home girly, fashion week is about the only time I need my makeup to last from morning to night, and this talc-free powder blush came in clutch. I would use it over my usual subtle cream blush; in addition to adding a bit more color and dimension (while still looking natural), it stayed in place even after sweating through shows in un-air conditioned venues.” —Dhani Mau, Editor in Chief
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Source: Fashionista.com