The 19 Best Beauty Products Fashionista Editors Tried in July

Ciele Tint & Protect SPF 50+ Tinted Serum Foundation, $44, available here: “Full-coverage foundation and sunscreen are notorious pore cloggers, which is why it’s notable that this hybrid formula came to me as a recommendation from ‘acne whisperer’ facialist Sophie Pavitt. I’m blown away by it: Despite its buildable (up to full, if you want) coverage and SPF 50, it feels completely weightless on skin. The finish is on the dewier side, which I like, but it can also be blotted down easily if you don’t. (Just remember that it’s still important to wear sunscreen under any makeup SPF, since you likely aren’t going to use enough product to really get the full protection listed on the label.)” —Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director

Knemo Right Away Thincognito Spot Patch, $10, available here: “It’s been years since I’ve met a pimple patch worth writing home about but, Mom, I found the one. Each dot has clearly labeled “Step 1 & 2″ tabs, making peeling them off the backing and applying them seamless — no more annoying air bubbles or rolled edges. Second, they actually work: Once, I used three patches on pimples varying in stages overnight, and all three had significantly decreased in size and noticeability by morning. And they’re aptly named, given that they really are practically invisible. (Sometimes I even forget to take them off because they’re so hidden!) ” —Savannah Sitton, Market & Branded Content Editor

Prada Paradoxe Radical Essence Parfum, $205, available here: “For floral and gourmand lovers, this fragrance is the best of both worlds. (And this is coming from someone who doesn’t typically go for either one.) It’s sweet, but not overly so, and grounded by a sandalwood base note that offers a subtle woodiness.” —Janelle Sessoms, Staff Writer

Clearstem VitaminScrub Exfoliating Cleanser, $48, available here: “I’ve been using this gentle polisher as a first step in my skin-care routine as my main means of exfoliation lately. It’s not scary or stripping like a certain early-2000s scrub; instead, it relies on super-soft bamboo pearls that delicately massage skin and prime the surface so the rest of your skin-care products can better take effect.” —Brooke Frischer, Associate Editor and Social Media Manager

BiotechBeauty BiomeBounce Plumping Moisturizer Serum, $58, available here: “When it feels hot and sticky outside (a.k.a. all of July), heavy skin-care products are the last thing my oily T-zone needs. Instead, I’ve swapped my usual creams for this lightweight serum that delivers an instant boost of hydration without feeling like it’s sitting on top of my skin. Its powerhouse formula features phospholipids to lock in moisture, prebiotics and postbiotics to balance the microbiome, ceramides to fortify the skin barrier, naringenin to fight ‘inflammaging’ and more. It’s also safe for acne-prone skin.” —Catie Pusateri, Contributing Writer

Catbird Tarot Deck Travel Candle, $18, available here: “I love a candle that smells like a feeling or moment in time. With notes of pencil shavings and dusty, dry rose petals, this vegan, four-ounce wax votive makes my apartment feel like a cozy, mesmerizing 19th-century library in Paris.” —Brooke

Clementine Sleepwear Lemoncello Dreams Set, $160 $145, available here: “I own many silk hair scrunchies, but none compare to the ones from this “sustainable” silk brand. The elasticity is superior — I’ve stretched these scrunchies to the max, and they have yet to lose their shape. I have and enjoy both the skinny and XL scrunchies from the brand, (this eyemask set includes four of each size) and this golden lemon-yellow hue is so vibrant, it feels regal.” —Savannah 

Biologique Recherche Emulsion Gel Biosensible S.R., $205, available here: “This July has been a particularly humid, heatwave-filled one in NYC, and it’s brutal on my acne-prone skin. But I’m wary of going too hard on harsh breakout fighters that tend to exacerbate inflammation and redness, since soaring temps can also trigger those effects. Enter: this lightweight gel that takes the opposite tack, soothing skin with antioxidants and humectants to lull all forms of inflammation (including pimples) into submission. Formulated specifically to quell the effects of “overheating,” it’s become a daily go-to in my summer routine.” —Steph

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Mango Margz, $22, available here: “One thing about Fenty Beauty, it never misses. I wear this high-shine, non-sticky, shea butter-infused gloss over a lip color for extra sheen or as a solo act for a subtle hint of color. I love that it’s lightweight and doesn’t feel goopy, but is just thick enough to have longevity. And while I usually grimace at flavored glosses, this one’s light peach scent only makes me love it even more.” —Janelle

Half Magic Eyelectric Extreme Lengthening Mascara in New Bombshell, $26, available here: “I’ve been wearing this mascara nonstop for the last month, and I’m happy to report it’s survived both Las Vegas heat and New York City’s humidity without pesky flakes or under-eye smudges. I’m a fan of the shade New Bombshell, a chocolate-y brown that highlights my blue eyes. The tubing formula instantly lengthens my lashes, and removing it at the end of the day is a breeze.” —Catie

Circē PhytoFacials Daily Cleansing Capsules, $48, available here: “As a jaded beauty editor who’s tried everything, I’m not often struck by a sense of glee or wonder in my product testing — and that’s even less common when I’m piloting a face wash. But these fun little dosed cleansing ‘capsules’ are a rare exception. The Cadbury Mini Egg-like pellets crumble and then dissolve when mixed with water in your palms, using an encapsulated oil and a biodegradable coconut-derived surfactant to whisk away makeup and grime. Simple, effective and sensorially delightful? I’m in.” —Steph

Self Glow by James Read Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist, $52, available here: “The problem with most self-tanners is that there are way too many ways to mess them up. But this spray-on formula simply doesn’t come with that usual potential for user error: Just spray the lightweight, hydrating face mist on — it doesn’t matter whether you layer it under or over other skin-care products — and that’s it. You don’t even really need to blend it, since the super-fine mist automatically offers even product distribution. It imparts a super subtle wash of (non-orange) color that builds in intensity with subsequent uses. And the 87% rosewater base is soothing, plumping and fresh-smelling.” —Steph

Rare Beauty Positive Light Luminizing Lip Gloss, $20, available here: “I’m more of a lip oil girl these days, but Rare Beauty’s new, cushiony formula has me gravitating back toward gloss. Rather than make my lips feel sticky or overly shiny, the extremely fine shimmer in each shade leaves me with an iridescent finish that not only looks beautiful, but also feels hydrating and comfortable throughout the day.” —Brooke

Organic Hair Co. Hair Dew Spray, $20, available here: “During summer, I’m always looking for products to use for slicked-back styles, and I’ve fallen in love with this multi-tasking spray. The vegan formula is packed with moisturizing jojoba, calming chamomile extract and both lavender and spearmint essential oils, which give it an amazing scent and soothing effect. It serves as both a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant (for both heat styling and shielding against UV rays). My favorite thing about it is that no matter how much I spray on my scalp, it never leaves my hair feeling greasy later.” —Savannah

Voesh Collagen Gloves with Hemp Oil, $26, available here: “These intensely moisturizing gloves have taken the sticky inconvenience out of hydrating my hands. The finger tips on each mask rip off, leaving me completely unrestricted. Plus, the hemp oil’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties are a major bonus for me, especially as someone who deals with chronic pain.” —Brooke

Dr. Jart Every Sun Day Fluid Korean Sunscreen, $45, available here: “With the heatwave New York City is currently experiencing, I’ve never needed high SPF protection more. (And trust, as a Florida girl, I’m no newbie to facing extreme heat.) Dr. Jart’s chemical face sunscreen is as protective as it gets: In addition to being an SPF 50+, the white-cast-free formula (we love a dark skin-friendly sunscreen!) makes for an excellent makeup primer. And for my makeup-free days? I’ll use this as the final product in my skin routine, and it leaves me with a dewy, glass-like complexion.” —Janelle 

Fenty Hair The Clear Thinker Clarifying Detox Shampoo, $32, available here: “My perpetually oily scalp requires constant clarifying, but some oil-reducing shampoos have left my strands feeling stripped and brittle. This one, however, fights unwanted build-up while boosting shine. It creates that fresh hair feeling without leaving my hair feeling dry and stringy. With the help of salicylic acid and fruit-derived pectin, this shampoo quickly breaks down excess oil and sets the stage for a weightless blowout. It’s also formulated with the brand’s proprietary complex ‘Replenicore-5,’ which aims to reduce breakage and strengthen strands.” —Catie

Luseta Rice Water Bundle, $36, available here: “This shampoo and conditioner are infused with real rice water to help promote growth and prevent breakage, so I can stop concocting DIY rice water potions at home. While I can’t completely speak to whether they’ve accomplished new growth for me yet, I do notice how beautifully my hair air-dries whenever I use these formulas. They seem to awaken my natural waves, leaving my hair feeling extra fluffy and full.” —Savannah

Spooge Cheeky Mineral All-Screen SPF 30, $32, available here: “I’m an advocate for absolutely slathering any visible skin with SPF before stepping outside my apartment, but I rarely encounter a sunscreen formula specifically designed for your behind. Yes, you read that right — Spooge’s Cheeky is a mineral sunscreen made for your butt (and the rest of your body, of course). It’s packed with magnesium for hydration, caffeine to ‘revitalize’ skin, uva ursi leaf extract for brightening and iron oxides for a hint of illumination as well as UVA and UVB protection. It also leaves a slight shimmer across the skin, ensuring a glowing complexion sans sun damage.” —Catie