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 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 lovers (also known as 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 quickly 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 May! Grab your game face and wallet—you’ll be needing both.
Whenever someone asks me to name the one makeup product they should most definitely snag at the drugstore, “mascara” can’t escape my mouth fast enough. In fact, the majority of my favorite mascaras of all time come in at under $15, and this new one from CoverGirl is the latest. I crave tons of extra length and curl, but so many formulas are way too heavy and wet or so light that they just flake away. This one is the perfect medium—it’s lightweight enough so you can build lots of length and lift sans droop, but it doesn’t flake off or clump. You’re left with the fluttering, eyebrow-scraping lashes of your dreams.
I can never have too many fragrances, and I never get sick of talking people’s ears off about my latest olfactory fixations. So here we are! Everyone’s favorite luxe skincare line Costa Brazil just launched its first-ever perfume and boy let me tell you—it’s a banger. Uni-sex and inspired by Breu, a natural resin that grows in the Amazon, the brand says Aroma smells like a Brazilian rainforest, and while I personally have never been to a Brazilian rainforest, this perfume is exactly what I would imagine one smelling like. It’s composed of a complex mix of notes featuring white jungle flora, Brazil orange oil, pink pepper, grapefruit zest, geranium bourban, nutmeg oil, cedarwood, myrrh, vetiver, plant-based musks, amber, cypriol, and patchouli. It smells like a $700 spa appointment when they’ve lit incense and you’re just like how the eff can I get my house (or in this case, my body) to smell like this?! It smells yummy before you even spritz it but definitely evolves quite differently for everyone once it mingles with your skin. It’s a treat, and I highly recommend.
I love a product with vanity appeal, and while I didn’t think I could love Merit’s creamy, dreamy cheek balms any more than I already do, the elevated new packaging (a stunning gilded situation that looks even better IRL) has sent me over the edge.
When it comes to eyeshadow, I prefer liquid and cream formulations, subtle neutral color palettes, and a hint of sunshine-catching shimmer that looks as elite in person as it does in photos. Sisley-Paris just launched a new line of long-lasting, featherlight liquid shadows, and they’ve quickly become an essential part of my summer makeup aesthetic. I have every hue but am super obsessed with Champagne and Copper, in particular.
This new SPF offering from Murad has a really silky, serum-like texture that I love. It just glides right on and sinks into the skin so quickly. I also really love that it discourages the formation of dark spots making it a great option for those with darker skin tones who tend to get them easily or have any discoloration in general. It also has beet root extract which provides a lot of extra hydration and supports vitamin D production! Truly a powerhouse product.
I can thank Erin Jahns for this rec. She told me how much she loved St. Rose fragrances and naturally since I know she has great taste, I had to try them for myself. I’m surprised I’d never given this one a spritz because it’s now one of my all-time favorite scents! It smells warm, a little spicy, and just the right amount of sweetly floral. It has everything I could ever want in a fragrance. My only con is that I wish it lasted a tad longer. But other than that, it’s a beautiful fragrance I’ll be wearing on repeat from now on.
Hot tip: don’t sleep on this SPF. I love anything rose-infused so, of course, this one makes my list. It’s really lightweight, airy, and works really well under makeup.
I’ve been on the hunt for the right natural body wash for ages and finally got around to trying this one. My problem with most is that they just don’t lather enough for me and it feels like I need to use a lot to feel clean. This body wash, however, might just be the one. It lathers up so well and smells divine. I use it with the Wake the F*ck Up Body Oil for a full-on spa experience.
I won’t lie to you, normally I’m not a fan of cleansers that have a lotion-like texture. I never felt like they actually helped keep my acne-prone skin clean until I got a lovely QMS facial from esteemed esthetician, Rowan Hall-farrise, who set me straight. This cleanser definitely has that kind of texture and took some getting used to for me, but it leaves my skin feeling so soft, hydrated, and clean. I finally found a winner and can’t recommend it enough for those who struggle with the same issue and feel like they need to use harsh acne-treating cleansers.
I love Muth, it’s honestly one of my favorite beauty brands, but shockingly enough, I hadn’t tried the brand’s cult-loved body butter yet. I love using it with the brand’s Body Contour Serum for rich, long-lasting hydration. I use it after a shower and wake up with the softest skin of my life every day. It’s never greasy, either, which I really appreciate. You’ll also want to try the brand’s body oil if you haven’t, too! All the brand’s bodycare products make my skin incredibly smooth and have helped greatly reduce the appearance of some stretch marks around my upper thighs.
Kiehls’ first foray into night cream does not disappoint. Their new cream is an extension of their Midnight Recovery line, and it’s supremely hydrating and soothing. When I put it on before bed, I wake up with hyper-glowy, smooth skin, thanks to Omega 3 & 6, which help strengthen your skin’s barrier while you sleep. Not to mention, the texture is absolutely divine—it’s like putting moisturizing whipped cream all over your face (but it sinks in instantly!).
If you have red, inflamed, or otherwise sensitive skin, this is the ultimate serum to help calm it down. This slippery, water-like formula contains a unique blend of actives for skin sensitivity (peony, hawthorne, chamomile, panthenol, polysaccharide, and pink rock rose) that work to calm skin almost instantly. I’ve been on the go a lot this month and my skin has truly been feeling it, but one pump of this serum helps any inflammation go down.
When I found out Olehenrikson was making the leap to body care, I was beyond excited. I’m something of a bodycare fanatic—to me, bodycare is just as important as skincare, and my nightly routine always consists of slathering on a heap of body cream, if not also mixing in a body serum or oil. This body moisture is rich but still sinks in easily without too much rubbing. The best part is that AHAs work to exfoliate and brighten skin, so your skin will not only be moisturized, but it will also be smoother and more even-textured.
I love cleansing balms, but I often have a tough time with them. One of my favorite ways to use cleansing balms is to take off my makeup to go on a post-work run, but often, I’ll either need to use cleansing balms more than once, or they’ll get in my eyes and sting for a while, causing them to water while I run. Not exactly ideal. This one is super gentle, so it never makes my eyes burn, and it takes off makeup in one pass. Plus, it doesn’t leave my skin tight or dry, and it feels hydrating—which is exactly the reason I reach for cleansing balms in lieu of other makeup removers in the first place. I’m already dreading running out!
I know what you’re thinking: a watery oil sounds counterintuitive, but this right here is a real game changer. I don’t think my face has ever felt so moisturized (or looked so plump) for as long as it did after slathering myself with a product. It’s a lotion-oil-serum potion that uses its witchery (read: 95% natural ingredients) to heal and nourish skin. You don’t want to sleep on this one, folks.
This feels so luxurious it makes me want to cry. The texture is extra special in that it feels like butter (seriously) and it’s just so nice slathering it all over your body after a nice warm shower. feels so It’s a whipped trifecta of shea, cocoa, and mango butters, vitamins, fatty acids, and pure seed extracts, all of which lock in serious moisture.
This has quickly become my weekend staple. It’s so lightweight, provides all-day hydration, and broad-spectrum protection, while leaving skin with a sheer, natural glow. The formula is infused with vitamin C and green tea extracts to help combat environmental stressors and sun damage, and hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which help minimize the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. If you’re looking for something easy to enhance your natural complexion (that’ll never let you down), this my friends, is it.
I love serums for my face but using them for my body is pretty new to me. I love that this one is formulated with goat milk, lactic acid, and collagen as it really targets wrinkles and leaves skin feeling soft and radiant. I’ve been using it right after the shower when my skin is still damp, and then follow it up with moisturizer.
I’m low-key obsessed with this tinted lip balm. It’s creamy, it’s made with honey, and it sort of just enhances your natural lip color. It’s very subtle but the formula has serious moisturizing powers.
I’m a pushover when it comes to face masks, but especially clay-based ones. This one currently has my attention, mostly for it being a powerful pore-vacuum. Every time I use it I’m pleasantly surprised to see how much dirt and oil it’s able to suck out—It’s equally alarming and satisfying. It’s therapy for the skin.
I can’t get enough of these newly-launched glow drops. I would say most days I don’t wear makeup, but I do like looking presentable during my Zoom meetings. That’s where this bronzing oil comes in. It can be used on your face or body, mixed in with your other skin tints, primers, or body care but looks just as good on its own. It’s my not-so-secret secret for giving my skin an effortless glow as of late.
I’ve never met a Nécessaire product I didn’t like and this is no exception. It’s made with two of my favorite ingredients, niacinamide which helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and rose water to soothe and nourish the skin. Even though I’ve only been using it for three-ish weeks, I can visibly see a difference in the lines on my neck. Let’s just say, I notice more when I don’t use it!
Everyone’s favorite toner gets a makeover for pride! The formula is the same skincare goodness that you already know and love (jam-packed with watermelon, PHA + BHA, cactus water, and hyaluronic acid), but 100% of the profits from this limited-edition bottle will be donated to nonprofit organizations empowering LGBTQIA + youth globally.
I’ve been on a string of bad flings with brow gel lately. All of them make my eyebrows look great immediately after I apply, but within an hour they’ve completely fallen. That is until I tried Anastasia’s Brow Freeze. The name says it all. Perfectly brushed up, bushy brows for hours on end. Sometimes it almost works too well; for example, if they accidentally get brushed into a clump, it can be a little tricky to separate them and start over. I find it a small price to pay though for brows that actually stay!
Wow, do these supplements work. If I’m feeling scattered, yet somehow trying to power through a to-do list, these have become my secret weapon. It’s straight-up focus in a pill. It makes me feel alert, focused, and calm—an ideal combination! And as someone who doesn’t do caffeine, I find the small amount in these perfectly smooth. Will definitely be repurchasing.
I’m usually not one for sweeter-smelling scents, but I’m hooked on Not Your Baby by Phlur. It has notes of vanilla and cardamom, alongside my usual favorite, sandalwood. It’s the kind of perfume that people will stop you to ask about. I also love that it’s a clean formulation, because I’ve been spraying it nonstop!
I’ve heard so much about NuFace from my colleagues, so I was excited to try out the device and super-charge the effects with their new vitamin c serum. You actually put the serum on underneath the conductor gel to get all the amazing benefits of vitamin c (reduces discoloration, brightens skin) while also enhancing the results you’re getting from the microcurrent device. I saw a real difference in my skin about two weeks in—I looked so much more refreshed, with tighter and clearer skin. I also like using the device and the serum together in the morning (rather than just the device by itself at night), because I find I skip sessions less frequently. And we all know you will get results with NuFace, it’s just a matter of consistency!
I’ve worn teeth aligners every night ever since I finished up Invisalign in high school. I still have and wear those original hard plastic aligners, which are now pushing 17 years old. (Note to self: ask my dentist when those should be replaced.) Anyway, I clean them with my electronic toothbrush every day and have been known to use a denture-cleaning tablet (even though they’re not dentures) once in a blue moon on them. Alas, time and wear have made them cloudy and unappealing. Cut to me trying Zima’s retainer cleaner at home, and being so pleased with the results. After a few minutes in the pod being hit with ultrasonic waves, my retainers looked better than they had in a long time. I’m sure it’s better for my overall mouth health too, to have cleaner aligners.
I haven’t shut up about this perfume since I first smelled it. If you love a good margarita, you’ve come to the right place. The fragrance is the perfect combination of mezcal, agave, and lime for a surprisingly sophisticated scent. It arrived just in time for my trip to Mexico and I wore it the entire weekend.
Foundation has never really been my thing. I love to show off my naturally glowy complexion and choose products that accentuate it rather than cover it up. That’s why I switched out my tinted moisturizers and lightweight foundations for SPF and this elixir serum from Charlotte Tillbury. Following it up with a good blush and highlighter is all I need to leave the house glowing and confident.
Lately, I begin and end every day with this lip balm from U Beauty. My lips instantly look their fullest and my natural coloring shine through which I love. As you know by now, I’m a natural beauty stan and I’ve been rarely wearing lipstick ever since I added this to my routine.
It’s no surprise to me to discover yet another Dr. Dennis Gross product that I’m obsessed with. When my skin is feeling a little bit oily or I overdosed on serums I like to have a very lightweight moisturizer in my collection and this one has to be the best I’ve ever tried. I’ve already gifted it to my brother who has been loving it.
I’ve been on the hunt for the best natural deodorant for a really long time and while I’ve found many that I love none compare to my latest favorite. One struggle that I’ve faced with deodorants is that they sometimes clash with my highly curated fragrance collection, but the scent on this one is exquisite. I don’t think I’m ever going anywhere without it again.
Fresh is known for its masks (among other things) and every one I’ve tried in the past has been excellent, so I wasn’t surprised that the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask also lived up to the hype. This is an antioxidant treatment that leaves your skin soft, smooth, and dewy in just 5 to 10 minutes. It’s a particularly good one to use in the summer, as it leaves a cooling sensation that was particularly invigorating. The best way to describe my skin after rinsing it off is velvety.
Tweezers might not be the most exciting type of beauty product, but I was intrigued when I heard that Flamingo was entering the market (I’m already a big fan of its shave cream). After just one use, I’m sold. They’re the most precise tweezers I’ve ever tried and I’m actually choosing them over the brand I’ve been using for the past 15 or so years.
I’ll gladly put anything on my face or body that U Beauty tells me to, its latest release included. That said, I admittedly kind of hate putting moisturizer on my body, but my hopes were high for this one, given U Beauty’s track record. The Super Body Hydrator claims to absorb quickly and leave the skin smooth and toned with a youthful, radiant glow. While it’s an investment, I have to say that after a couple of weeks of use, it’s worth it. My skin feels bouncy and supple, thanks to the five forms of hyaluronic acid it contains, and I’m especially pleased that it contains peptides that promote collagen and elastin. Guess I should probably keep using it.
Up next, see which beauty products we couldn’t get enough of last month.
