By now, you’ve probably surmised we test-drive a lot of beauty products here at Who What Wear. From nail polish and makeup to hair and skincare, we’re eyebrow-deep in all things new, exciting, and wish list–worthy. That said, due to the number of products we come in contact with, we’ve become very nitpicky 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 can’t wait to spread the word to all of our fellow beauty lovers (that’s you!). Therefore, we’ve decided gushing over our latest fave products should become a monthly ritual. You can expect a full report every 30 days or so that details the highlighters, hair wands, and overnight skincare saviors we’ve fallen head over heels for.
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. Sometimes, our best discoveries are found on a friend’s vanity or on someone’s face at the bar (true story). Ahead are the best beauty products we tried in June! Grab your game face and wallet because you’ll need both.
I cannot recommend this line (and this mask, in particular) from Kérastase enough if you have breakage, damage, or are prone to shedding as you brush. My bleach-blonde hair has been revolting against some of the anti-breakage products that used to work for me, so I’ve been switching up my hair routine. Mannnnn, does this stuff work. I’ve been using the shampoo, conditioner, and mask regularly and have noticed a significant—and immediate—improvement in hair loss during my post-wash comb through (like, literally only losing one strand!) plus overall softness, shine, and manageability. I generally only wash my hair two or three times a week, so I’ve been using this mask once a week. Edelweiss native cells, ginger root, and arginine (which triggers healthy hair growth by stimulating blood flow to your roots) work together for next-level detangling, nourishment, and breakage prevention.
Even though I love a glossy finish on my lips, I don’t want anything that looks over the top or feels too sticky, especially on days when I’m wearing less makeup. This product really is the perfect compromise. It gives you a really flattering wash of color that’s noticeable, but not too intense, and it immediately makes your lips look full, juicy, and extremely glassy—without the stick. It has a light, cooling, and refreshing feel after you apply—which I liked—and it’s also one of those no-fuss formulas you can swipe over your lips in two seconds without a mirror and not have to worry about effing things up. Plus, it actually moisturizers and conditions my lips—something so many balms and glosses claim but fail to actually achieve. I’ve been wearing either Impulse (what I have on above) or Desire—both of which are new shades—every single day.
I’m a full coverage type of gal, so the number of tinted moisturizers and BB Creams I’ll actually use and really like are few and far between. I was influenced to try this BB Cream after meeting Hannah Cho on a press trip and oggling her perfect skin (she swears by it), and after wearing it for a week straight, I couldn’t be more impressed. I love that it has a nice dose of SPF for extra protection, but the highly moisturizing formula (which actually has a satisfying and buildable coverage to it) is just so dreamy. It looks completely natural while still blurring any imperfections. It’s perfect for summer and includes some of my favorite ingredients like glycerin for extra hydration and niacinamide for barrier health.
It doesn’t matter how much sleep I get or how much water I drink, my dark circles are so, so stubborn and just seem to get more ornery as I age. I initially bought this after I saw Sydney Sweeney use it, but I didn’t start using it until a few months later when Alex Cooper told me it’s one of her saving grace beauty staples. Now, I can’t imagine my makeup routine without it! Instead of adding roughly five layers of foundation and concealer under and around my eyes, I simply apply this after my skincare and primer and before foundation and concealer. It’s witchcraft camouflage magic that I’m convinced anyone with under-eye drama needs!
By now you probably know that I’m hugely fragrance obsessed, and Phlur is one of my all-time favorite brands. Not only are the scents themselves supreme, but they’re also affordable! The brand recently sent me its Body Ritual Set (featuring a candle, body wash, and body lotion) of Not Your Baby, and it reawakened my love for it. It’s a light, yet head-turning floral—think cardamom, bergamot, violet, milky vanilla, tonka bean, sensual sandalwood. True perfection, and I’m calling it as my signature scent for summer.
I’m always on the quest for products that will help me achieve Paris filter-caliber smoothness. I thought this $4 blurring stick from SheGlam was too good to be true, but it really truly does what it says it will! Not only does it help diffuse the look of pores and fine lines with a few quick swipes, but it also helps absorb excess oil that creeps in throughout the day so your makeup looks freshly applied all day (or night) long.
I’ll be honest, I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money on eye cream and this product proves it. It’s so hydrating and really brightens up my eye area. I also love that the formula just melts into the skin. I’ve used way too many eye creams in the past that were too thick or clumpy and left a weird residue. This one is perfect!
I’m a bit picky about my makeup removers, but this one has become a new favorite. I love that the formula is really gentle on sensitive skin but does a great job of removing makeup. It does take quite a bit for me to remove all of it, but it’s so silky and leaves my skin so soft that I can’t complain.
Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this product and the whole Phyla system. Acne can be such a debilitating and frustrating thing, but this innovative serum offers such an incredible solution. Il’ll admit, I went through a huge purge period when I first started using this and it wasn’t fun, but it works by recalibrating your skin microbiome to curb breakouts—it’s a much gentler and safer solution than taking things like Accutane or antibiotics. With patience and a simple routine, the results are definitely there with this and I’m so glad I found it. My skin is incredibly sensitive, but I’ve noticed it’s now healthier, breaks out a lot less, and is far less reactive since I started using this.
I finally got around to trying this fragrance and I’m so glad that I did. It’s such a light, fruity, and uplifting scent without being overly saccharine. Notes of coconut water, strawberry, waterlily, and neroli really stand out here. It’s definitely now in my top five favorite perfumes of all time.
My coworker Katie convinced me that I needed to try HigherDose’s incredible infrared sauna blanket (which is amazing and gets a more-than-five-star review from me), but the brand’s red light mask is equally as good! I’ve been using it consistently for a few weeks and my skin honestly looks brighter and has more of a glow to it. I also just love how the mask fits. I’ve tried plenty of other ones that don’t stay on your face at all and are generally uncomfortable to wear, but not this one!
This balm is so incredibly hydrating and has worked wonders for my dehydrated skin. It does have coconut oil in it and I have acne-prone skin so I had to use it sparingly, but it really helps calm any redness and seals in moisture at night. Other ingredients like sea buckthorn fruit oil and cocoa seed butter provide the skin with high amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, and essential nutrients.
I was a little worried this new body treatment from Necessaire might be a bit too strong for my sensitive skin after getting a red patch the first time using it, but now, I can’t imagine my routine without it! It contains retinol and a 10% AHA complex that smooths skin and speeds up cell turnover while restoring peptides and other vitamins repair the skin. My whole body feels so soft after using it and I now try to incorporate it at least two to three times a week.
As someone who slicks back their hair all the time, this product is a game-changer. It makes keeping hair in place extremely easy by giving the flexible hold of a gel with all the perks of a hairspray.
You heard it here first—matte liquid lipsticks are back. Don’t worry, they’re not the drying, cracking formulas of yesteryear—the new liquid lipsticks, like this one from Charlotte Tilbury, give lips soft, blurred-out color and help keep lips hydrated so they never feel dry.
Merit’s fiery red lipstick is back for a limited time, and it’s the ultimate summer lip color. It’s hydrating, gives a velvety finish, and can go on as sheer or as pigmented as you want.
I’m very, very picky about cleansing balms, so I didn’t think I was going to like this one. After using it for a few weeks, however, it’s quickly become my new favorite—it has bursting hyaluronic acid beads that help hydrate skin and it removes all makeup without a trace.
This sheer, hydrating blush is so easy to use. It leaves an absolutely gorgeous wash of color on skin, and it’s also buildable.
I struggle with redness and irritation, so when I find a new fragrance-free face wash, I have to try it. This one was developed by a dermatologist, and as such, soothes my skin while cleansing it gently. The key word is ‘gently.’
Now that it’s summer, I’m spending more time in the sun, and my skin shows it. Hyperpigmentation is popping up on my nose and cheeks. I’ve been using these vitamin C-soaked pads to fade dark spots and brighten my complexion, and let me tell you, they work. After only a week or so of using them each morning, my skin is slightly more even and slightly less dull. They’re just so easy and convenient. I love them.
These SPF lip balms are perfectly kitschy. They’re inspired by popular ’80s desserts like bananas foster and pineapple upside-down cake. I have one in each bag I own, so my lips are always protected from the sun.
Admittedly, I haven’t been a huge fan of press-on nails in the past, but these ones are just so good. The designs are on-point, the application process is easy, and they last upwards of two weeks. It’s no surprise I wrote a whole love letter to them.
This cleansing balm did wonders for upping my daily double cleansing game! It smoothes and cleanses the skin using natural papaya enzymes while also melting away stubborn makeup. Since using this, I’ve noticed that my face feels significantly smoother and appears much brighter. Now that I’m hooked, I can imagine ever doing my full skincare routine without it.
I know I’m definitely late to the party; but I’m so glad I’ve finally arrived. I’ve recently begun to play around more with contouring; and this contour stick by Fenty Beauty has been my holy grail. It’s the first ultra-blendable contour stick that’s the perfect match for my skin tone (I can now rock a sculpted face day in and day out). For my dark-skinned beauties out there, do yourself a favor and add this to your makeup collection.
I’ve been on the search for a primer that smooths and blurs my skin while also keeping my makeup looking fresh, and this primer by Stila definitely delivers. I love the soft-focus effect it gives my skin; significantly minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores. It also does an amazing job of keeping my skin hydrated and plum throughout my day.
This new product might just be the hardest working one in my current lineup—it’s a serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and skin tint all in one! The ingredients list is equally impressive: it has brightening niacinamide, soothing bisabolol, and zinc oxide. It gives you a glowing, more even-toned complexion in a snap and is a lifesaver when you have literally five minutes to get ready. (Ahem, me every day.)
You guys, I finally did it—I found the perfect untinted mineral sunscreen. Gone are the days of my ghostly white casts—this liquid formula blends into my skin so seamlessly and imparts this beautiful radiance that looks like I put on a luminizing serum. If you take my advice on one product, let it be this one. Your future self will thank you for getting this!
This body polish is a new staple in my summer shower routine. First, it smells so refreshing and sweet, like a tropical piña colada. It also has ingredients like vitamin c, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that give you a head-to-toe glow. I learned a life-changing way to apply it, too: turn off the shower water while you’re exfoliating so it doesn’t rinse off before you’re done scrubbing. Do this hack with this polish and you’ll have soft skin all summer long (and will smell like a snack.)
I recently learned that gut health specifically can have a huge impact on skin health, so I knew I needed to work on mine, stat. I was psyched when I found this multitasking powder. It has probiotics and calendula flower, which support the gut microbiome, as well as seven grams of collagen protein to support healthy hair, skin, and nails. Even better, this is a supplement you’ll actually enjoy taking. It tastes so delicious—like a sweet vanilla milkshake. I love adding it to smoothies or stirring it into almond milk over ice.
