And exactly why we became so obsessed with them.
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.
As we look toward the new year (and hope like hell it leads to some kind of return to precedented times), we’re also reflecting on 2021, and the many beauty and wellness products we fell in love with over the past 12 months.
Ahead, we’ve compiled all 248 (!) of our very favorite hair, makeup, skin-care, fragrance and wellness discoveries from the year. Click through to learn exactly why we became so obsessed with them — and, of course, shop them for yourself if you’d like.
January
In January, we discovered new candles and perfumes that became instant favorites.
Supergoop Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum, $46, available here: “I love that this hybrid vitamin C serum/sunscreen combines two steps of my morning routine into one quick, simple application process. It does leave a somewhat shiny finish, so those who prefer a matte complexion might want to stay away, but for anyone (like me) who embraces being glow-y, it’s really lovely.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
February
Team Fashionista became enamored with luxurious body creams, fancy scented candles, soothing bath soaks and hair-rehabilitating treatments in February.
London Grant Co. Cocoa & Jojoba Body Soufflé, $32, available here: “This super-rich, fluffy body cream is a sensorial delight to use: It feels plush on contact, then melts into a super-smooth oil as you massage it in, coating skin in a (mild, not cloying) earthy chocolate scent and keeping it moisturized, with a glow-y sheen, for hours. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with an aversion to the lingering feel of thick lotion on skin; but for those desperate to show their dry, winter-ravaged limbs (or hands, feet or cuticles) some intensive moisturization, it’s a real winner.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
March
We spent the month of March finding delightful spring candles, reparative hair treatments and at least one skin-care product all the TikTok cool kids convinced us to try.
Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum, $82, available here: “I was already a huge fan of Drunk Elephant’s Protini Cream, so I was super excited when the brand launched this amped-up serum extension of the line. In addition skin-tightening peptides, the super-light formula is also packed with exfoliating, tone-evening, moisture-boosting lactic acid and amino acids, so it gently plumps and smooths skin. It’s made for a great addition to my transitional spring skin-care routine.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
April
Our April beauty picks included finds that revolutionized our at-home blowout routines, enhanced our overnight skin-care regimens and livened up our Zoom makeup looks.
The Things We Do Liquid Lift Sleeping Mask, $62, available here: “This gel-like sleeping mask is spiked with vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid and peptides to hydrate and smooth skin. I’ve been using it as the final step in my nighttime routine, and waking up with more moisturized, supple, glowier skin.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
May
In May, we discovered cream and oil (yes, oil!) blushes, potent brightening serums and sunscreens we couldn’t wait to wear every single day.
Ami Colé Lip Oil Treatment, $20, available here: “This is easily the most comfortable, moisturizing lip gloss I’ve ever worn. It’s thick and feels cushiony on lips, but not at all sticky. It’s also truly a treatment, with antioxidants and oils to smooth, soften and protect. Plus, I love that it imparts the prettiest hint of pinkish-nude color and a sheen that’s noticeable for sure, but not blindingly shiny.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
June
An under-$10 mascara that seems far more expensive, innovative sunscreens and a nostalgic fragrance that’s a compliment magnet made our product roundup in June.
54 Thrones Ugandan Vanilla + Ethiopian Honey Beauty Butter, $24, available here: “Too often, beauty products with ‘butter’ in the name would be more aptly described as creams or even margarines; not so with this ultra-dense, salve-like balm that melts as you massage it between your hands or into skin. I’ve been especially liking the faintly vanilla-scented moisturizer to coddle cracked cuticles, but it can also be used on dry patches on the face, hands, feet, elbows, lips, split ends — like actual butter, it’s extremely versatile.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
July
In July, our editors fell in love with a non-irritating retinol, hair products that helped us make the most out of our styles and a whole bunch of anxiety-soothing CBD remedies.
Rose Ingleton MD Retexturizing Retinol Booster Serum, $70, available here: “I didn’t really expect a product whose name includes the words ‘retexturizing’ and ‘retinol‘ to actually live up to its claims of being non-irritating, but this fast-absorbing serum does: It includes soothing ingredients like glycerin, aloe and coconut oil to keep skin calm while the retinol does its line-fighting, skin-smoothing thing.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
August
Our August beauty obsessions? Gentle skin-care formulas that actually do what they promise on their labels, hair products that revived our lived-in styles and tinted lip balms with multi-sensory appeal.
Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum, $85, available here: “This glycerin-based antioxidant serum is the loveliest lightweight gel texture, so it absorbs beautifully into skin, making it feel quenched and soothed. I’ve also found it to be gentler than my typical high-concentration vitamin C-spiked antioxidant serums, so I don’t have to avoid it when my skin is going through a sensitized patch.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
September
In September, we discovered plenty of perfect-for-fall candles, pretty makeup we wore to weddings and hair care that became a crucial part of our regular routines.
Topicals Like Butter Hydrating & Soothing Mist, $28, available here: “A lightweight, mist-on iteration of the brand’s mega-popular Like Butter mask, this moisturizing spray calms and soothes my skin — even the weird, extra-dry patches that always crop up with the shift to fall — without the need for slathering on excessive amounts of moisturizer. (Though, I do still like to use some lotion or body oil on top to seal in all of its goodness and make its effects last even longer.)” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
October
October brought us a face oil we slathered on obsessively, eye-brightening makeup and a multi-tasking moisturizing balm that does basically everything.
Klur Unseasonal Kind CoQ10 + Vitamin C Essential Lipid Replenishment Oil, $90, available here: “I always ramp up my face oil use when the weather turns cooler and drier to seal in moisture, and this multi-benefit one from Klur has become an instant favorite. The plant-based squalane and jojoba base is spiked with antioxidants, CoQ10 and vitamin C to moisturize, protect and support skin’s own defense system.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
November
In November, we discovered big-name finds from actually good celebrity beauty brands (well played, Simi & Haze, Harry Styles and Ashley Greene).
Simihaze Velvet Blur Matte Lip Balm, $36, available here: “This buttery, moisturizing matte lip color is a far cry from the concrete-like liquid formulas of five years ago. It creates a blurred, smooth wash of non-shiny color and can be worn sheer or layered for more opacity. I also love to dab this dusty terracotta shade over my cheekbones for a rosy flush in place of blush.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
December
The final month of 2021 led us to overnight treatments that transformed our skin while we snoozed, a buzzy hair tool we became obsessed with and multi-tasking formulas that streamlined our routines.
Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask, $42, available here: “This creamy, almost balm-like mask is packed with a 10% concentration of niacinamide, an ingredient lauded for its soothing, pore-refining, tone-brightening properties. The treatment also includes panthenol and ‘upcycled’ blueberry seed oil (meaning it’s a byproduct from the creation of other blueberry-based products) to protect and replenish skin. After just one use, I woke up with calmer, more supple-looking skin.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
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Source: Fashionista.com
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