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.
Before we fully ring in the new year (by repeatedly streaming Taylor Swift’s “New Year’s Day”) and start dreaming about all the new beauty finds 2024 has in store, we’re looking back on the products that got us through December and our end-of-the-year festivities.
Our editors were on the move this past month and found travel-friendly favorites, like shampoo blotting sheets that are amazing for on-the-go touch ups. We also kept our lips moisturized, our skin hydrated and our bodies buttered with a slew of balms, creams and lotions.
Keep scrolling to see (and shop!) our full list of December discoveries.
Topicals Slick Salve Mint Lip Balm, $16, : “This intensive, ceramide-packed moisturizing lip treatment isn’t messing around. With a thick, almost honey-like texture, it has amazing staying power: I slick it on before bed, and can still feel it coating and cushioning my lips in the morning when I wake up. ‘Slick Salve’ is the perfect name, honestly.” —Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 2.0 Teardrop Kabuki Complexion Brush, $30, available here: “The densely packed and super soft bristles make this ergonomic brush my new favorite tool for applying my base makeup. It contours to my face perfectly, works with everything from liquids to powders, and clicks into its own little stand so the bristles don’t get deformed when you stash it away.” —Liza Sokol, Sr. Audience Development Manager
Buttah Skin Luxe Lip Balm 2-Pack, $18, available here: “Thanks to its shea, cocoa and mango butters, this lip balm smooths on so nicely (and smells good, too). As much as I love wearing lip gloss everyday, it doesn’t hydrate my lips nearly as much as they need when the weather changes. This lip balm, however, feels like it brings my cracked lips back to being luscious again.” —Andrea Bossi, Staff Writer
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream, $18, available here: “I love this entire Find Comfort collection from Rare Beauty, but this hand cream specifically speaks to me. The texture is thick, but it absorbs immediately. Aside from the actual product, I love putting this cream on at the end of my day and using the tip of the container to massage my palms.” —Brooke Frischer, Staff Writer
Good Weird Cold Brew Undereye Cream, $26, available here: “I’ve been rolling out of bed and immediately reaching for this under eye cream to quell my morning puffiness (courtesy of my late-night reading habits). I apply this right after my cleanser, and I’ve noticed my eyes look brighter and less puffy by the time I’m finished with the rest of my skin-care routine. The cooling applicator is the extra wake-up call my eyes need in the morning, no coffee necessary.” —Catie Pusateri, Contributing Writer
Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap, $44, available here: “The fresh, summery scent of this hand soap — which exactly mimics the earthy, fresh aroma of a ripe, on-the-vine tomato, with just a hint of additional complexity — is the perfect contrast to the dreary doldrums of winter. It’s a mini sensorial escape every time I use it.” —Steph
Dieux Skin Air Angel Gel Cream, $44, available here: “Thanks to a wild discount on this moisturizer, which I’d been curious about for a while, I made my first TikTok Shop purchase on Black Friday, and I’m glad I did. It simply bathes skin in moisture without any heaviness — it’s a dream for dry, acne-prone skin.” —Dhani Mau, Editor in Chief
Bag Balm Solid Balm Stick, $25, available here: “After having tried (and loved) Bag Balm’s original tin, I picked this handy little stick up at the airport and it immediately became a handbag necessity. I use it on my dry lips and cuticles, cracked elbows and knees — it even moisturized my irritated, runny nose without any pain or burning. I also find the solid stick formula to be significantly less greasy than its metal tin counterpart. Huge win.” —Savannah Sitton, Contributing Market Editor
Peach Slices Snail Rescue All-In-One Oil Free Moisturizer, $17, available here: “I’ve been using this mostly (95%!) snail mucin moisturizer as my daily go-to, as it’s also spiked with hyaluronic acid (more hydration) and cica (which promotes skin healing). It’s super lightweight, doesn’t pill under makeup, and even minimizes excess shininess.” —Liza
Wthn Daily Calm Tablets, $36, available here: “After getting acupuncture and being indirectly called ‘high-stress,’ I got the self-soothing impulse to start experimenting with new-wave anti-anxiety capsules. This formula boasts non-pharmaceutical ingredients like ashwagandha to promote relaxation. It could always be placebo, but I do feel actually feel calmer during the day after popping two of these.” —Andrea
Supergoop Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40, $48, available here: “As someone who is typically a bit lazy when it comes to applying sunscreen, I’ve been loving this SPF-spiked moisturizer. It’s hydrating without feeling heavy and doesn’t leave any uncomfortable residue on the skin.” —Brooke
Elorea Heaven Hand Cream, $38, available here: “Without fail, my hands always become dry and cracked in the winter. But I’ve been using this feather-light cream every night to bring some life back into my hands this year. It’s also probably one of the best smelling hand creams I’ve ever used — it’s like relaxing into a field of roses.” —Catie
Lisa Eldridge Burnt Umber Seamless Glide Eye Pencil, $30, available here: “I usually avoid applying makeup that requires any real skill or concentration, meaning I’m not an eyeliner gal. That is, until I discovered this pencil, which is honestly shockingly smooth and easy to use — even for me.” —Dhani
Prequel Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray, $17, : “I love hypochlorous acid sprays for their ability to soothe irritation and redness as well as quickly and gently cleanse skin. This one, which also includes minerals for an extra dose of soothing power, is a new favorite.” —Steph
Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé, $29, available here: “Professional makeup artists may laugh that it took me this long to try Givenchy’s viral setting powder, but better late than never. And it did not disappoint. It makes my skin shockingly smooth and super bright.” —Savannah
Moon Juice Sleepy Magnesi-Om, $38, available here: “In my eternal quest to become someone who falls asleep easily, I’ve added Moon Juice’s purple elixir to my nightly routine. The combination of melatonin, magnesium and L-theanine helps me drift off without any next-morning grogginess, and the blackberry flavor isn’t grossly over-sweet (nor is there any sugar or monk fruit).” —Liza
Lush Curl Power, $18, available here: “I’m always a little skeptical when a brand debuts a new curl line, but this cream by Lush does the thing. Not only does it smell delicious (a sweet, nutty-yet-fruity scent), but it also gives my hair shine, definition and hold. I love that it’s available in a travel-friendly 3.3 ounce size, too. Being a thick formula, a little goes a long way.” —Andrea
Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer, $34, available here: “I’ve been using this moisturizer on any dry patches around my body, including some eczema flare-ups that love to show up during freezing weather. With 1% colloidal oatmeal and green tea, it’s lightweight and effective without feeling sticky. As a plus, it even has a light yellow color to feel like you’re actually buttering up your body. Delicious.” —Catie
Nécessaire The Hand Duo, $50, available here: “Now officially in my mid-thirties, I’m getting serious about hand care, and keeping this duo — a retinol and a moisturizer specifically for hands — on my night stand has made that much easier. Nightly use of the retinol, in particular, has done wonders for the (usually) dry, cracked skin around my cuticles.” —Dhani
Naturium The Glow Getter Body Butter, $20, available here: “It’s rare that I’m able to describe my arms and legs as ‘glowy’ in the winter months, but this rich body cream has really changed things for me lately. The pudding-like formula is laced with shea butter, glycerin, squalane and a whole bunch of botanical oils for plenty of glow-giving moisture.” —Steph
Cake Beauty The Take Out Dry Shampoo Blotting Sheets, $10, available here: “Just like the ones for your face, these oil-absorbing rice paper sheets can be thrown in my purse for touch ups on the go. The transparent powder doesn’t make my dark hair look dusty and with a quick press and zhuzh, my hair is magically less greasy.” —Liza
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, $15, available here: “Okay, this stuff really works. It does require consistent use to see results, but I was (and still am) shocked that my lashes appeared longer within just two weeks. To verify, I got my bi-annual lash lift and tint recently, and several people have complimented my ‘lash extensions.'” —Savannah
Mizon 24K Gold and Snail Hydrogel Patches, $17, available here: “I love to pop these on in the morning or before applying makeup to relieve and moisturize my undereye area. ” —Andrea
The Nue Co. Supa Thick Scalp Serum with Rosemary, $45, available here: “After using this consistently for a few weeks pre-shower on some sparse areas near my temples, those areas are suddenly rife with new baby hairs. After learning Minoxidil is toxic to cats, I’m relieved to have found a safer option that works.” —Dhani
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen Liquid Eyeliner Duo, $62, available here: “I discovered this liquid eyeliner after the makeup artist from ‘Priscilla’ said she used it for the titular character in the film. The pen is double-sided, with a calligraphy-style tip on one end a brush on the other — making it super easy to draw sharp corners and precise liquid lines.” —Brooke
Westman Atelier Eye Want You Lengthening + Volumizing Clean Mascara, $45, available here: “I’m very picky about mascara: It must create incredible length and definition, dry down enough that it doesn’t smudge onto my brow bones — but not so much that it turns stiff and irritates my sensitive eyes. And I absolutely detest even the slightest bit of clumping and flakes. This buildable formula checks all my boxes, and the luxurious red packaging is a lovely bonus.” —Steph
Laneige Holiday Lip Sleeping Mask, $24, available here: “This formula looks, smells, tastes and feels exactly like melted caramel in a jar, with a hint of apple undertones. It’s the perfect combination of nostalgia and moisture.” —Savannah
Philips One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush, $25 $17, available here: “I know a toothbrush isn’t the sexiest thing to talk about, but oral hygiene is so important. This battery toothbrush has been a game changer for me for several reasons: It holds a charge for weeks, automatically buzzes to remind you when to start brushing another area of your mouth and is compact enough to tuck into a suitcase while traveling.” —Andrea
Saltair Lip Oil Balm, $9, available here: “I’m always excited to try a new tinted lip balm, and Saltair’s new oil balms are now fully in my rotation. They feel truly nourishing and comforting on my lips. Out of all the subtle-yet-buildable shades, I’ve been partial to ‘Toasted,’ which adds just the right amount of depth and shine to my natural lip color.” —Dhani
In case you missed last month’s picks, you can find them here:
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