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 can't wait to spread the word to all of our fellow beauty lovers (that's you!) when we do stumble upon a product we love. 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 September! Grab your game face and wallet because you'll need both.
Erin Jahns, Beauty Director
"As someone who used to be in a long-term, completely monogamous relationship with Olaplex (followed by short-lived flings with other famous bond-repairing products), I've officially found my hair-transforming soulmate. I'm linking the Leave-In Cream here, but I highly recommend investing in the entire L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecule line, which consists of a shampoo, a rinse-off serum, a mask, and this leave-in. I've used the lineup once a week for about a month now, and I am truly, unequivocally stunned by the results. Not only has my hair never looked or felt better (the softness, the vibrancy, the shine), but all breakage and hair fall have also ceased to exist. I can't recommend this line enough."
"I honestly feel like I manifested this product launch—yet another epic collaboration between Augustinus Bader and Victoria Beckham Beauty. My dark circles, which look increasingly ghoulish as the years tick by, are truly the bane of my existence. You know that scene in Mean Girls when the Plastics are going around in a circle complaining about their different features? Well, if was perched on Regina George's bed, you can bet I'd verbally condemn my dark under-eyes. Not only is this lightweight concealer perfectly dreamy with a medium but buildable coverage, but the formula is also infused with Augustinus Bader's iconic TFC8 complex that contains amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules to nurture and improve the appearance of the skin. I've had the pleasure of meeting Professor Bader in person, and trust me when I say the TFC8 technology is no joke."
"I've been in a Make Beauty fixation phase, so it's hard to choose just one product to talk about. (The brand's Inner Tube Plumping Treatment, $26, definitely deserves an honorable mention!) As someone who has used liquid liner weekly since college, I have to say this formula is the absolute best I've ever tried. The shade range? Stunning. The pigment? Unmatched. Use the perfectly shaped felt tip to trace in your color of choice, and you'll be left with gorgeous, saturated detail that doesn't fade or budge until you remove it. It's hard to imagine my makeup routine now without my two go-to shades, Onyx and Substellar. Plus, since it's Make, so the packaging couldn't be more luxe."
"Call me childish, but I'm 99% more likely to remember to take my supplements if they're in gummy form. Lately, I've been loving these nostalgic gummy rings from Olly, which contain three key ingredients—apple cider vinegar with the mother, vitamin B12, and chromium. I was taking a similar formula from a different brand in capsule form, but this iteration from Olly has officially bumped my old faithful out of my daily rotation."
Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
"I have heard so many amazing things about Josie Maran products from friends and fellow beauty editors alike. I can't believe I'm just getting around to trying them, but all I have to say is wow. This body butter smells so incredible that I can't believe it contains no synthetic fragrance! I'm not a huge fan of synthetic fragrances in any kind of skincare, and it's hard to find products that smell good, boast a clean formula, and make my skin feel baby soft. This body butter does all that and more. I genuinely get excited to do my evening bodycare routine now that I have this. My skin feels so hydrated and has a bit of a glow after I use this. I'd give this 7/5 stars if I could on Sephora."
"My other favorite from the brand? The bodywash! I have it in the Citrus Vanilla scent, and it is quite literally my favorite bodywash of all time. Like I mentioned above, I've been looking for a clean bodywash for ages, but my issue with most is that they don't lather enough, and I end up using a ton in one wash. That's definitely not the case with Maran's formula. It's so foamy (a little goes a long way), makes your skin feel so soft, and, like every other Josie Maran product, smells divine."
"This perfume is my new obsession. It's sweet, fruity, and a bit floral. The warm notes of raspberry and violet are my favorite, but the richer note of cocoa butter gives it such a unique edge."
Jamie Schneider, Senior Beauty Editor
"I'll slather on just about anything famed esthetician Shani Darden tells me to put on my face, but her hydrating formulas are top-of-the-line. (The Moisture Boost Plumping Serum is a godsend, and if you haven't yet tried it, you must!) Suffice it to say, I was pretty jazzed to get my hands on this new hydrating essence, and I am thrilled to report that this stuff delivers on its juicy claims. I've applied it every morning for the last few weeks after cleansing my face, and my skin feels plump and pillow soft. It's the perfect time to amp up the moisture as we head into fall. Trust me—this is quite the dry-skin savior."
"I'll admit that it took me a while to finally test the cult-favorite exfoliating pads from Molly Sims's brand, even after multiple beauty editors raved to me about them. I've been using them since I saw Sims backstage at NYFW and noticed her luminous skin, and I'm kicking myself for not introducing them into my routine earlier. I've been dealing with uneven texture and breakouts this summer (sweat and makeup are a dangerous combo), but it's drastically improved since I started treating my skin with these glycolic acid–soaked pads. I can now understand all the hype, and I'm here to say it's warranted."
"My pillowcase now helps me sleep better. No, I’m not exaggerating. This laundry detergent was specifically made for bed sheets, pajamas, and any other fabric you encounter while you wind down, and the intentional blend of lavender, rose, sandalwood, and patchouli helps lull me right into dreamland. I never thought I'd feel so passionate about laundry detergent, but I genuinely look forward to snuggling up in my fresh, faintly perfumed sheets each night. I highly suggest snagging the matching fabric spray too—it's divine."
"Finally, a cream cleanser that doesn't leave behind a film of pore-clogging residue! My skin runs a bit sensitive, so I make sure to use milky cleansers that won't disrupt my skin barrier, but so many of them don't make my skin feel, well, clean. Board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, agrees, so she created a creamy confection that *actually* removes daily grime and makeup without making the skin feel too tight or squeaky. It's the perfect Goldilocks face wash: I don't leave the sink feeling like I have a layer of oil lingering on my face, yet it's gentle enough to use for my morning wash."
Caitie Schlisserman, Group Executive Director, Branded Content and Beauty
"Don't let the bright color scare you—it's truly one of the best blushes and shades I've ever used. It's creamy, adds the perfect pop to my complexion, and leaves a luminous finish. I also like dabbing a bit on my lips for a monochrome look."
"There are some polarizing reviews of this foundation, so I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised with the results. I loved the formula. I'm not a foundation girlie at all and can almost always tell if I'm going to love or hate a product based on its texture. This felt light, applied smoothly, and didn't crease around my nose and chin. It also felt great on. I didn't need a lot of product, so that may be why. My skin felt like it could breathe all day, which is a win in my book."
"As soon as the season starts to change, my skin becomes drier than my houseplants. This stuff has been my saving grace.The formula is deeply hydrating—it's thick and luxurious feeling but absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling nourished for hours. I've used it all over, from head to toe."
"I haven't tried a Caliray product that I haven't loved, and this blush is no different. It's a cream-to-powder blush that packs a serious punch. A little goes a long way, it is very buildable, and it blends like a dream. Every single color is special, but I've grown a connection to the shade Epic—a cool pink orchid that makes my cheeks pop."
Emma Hughes, Associate Social Media Editor
"It is truly a mission to find the perfect aluminum-free deodorant. Not only does it have to smell good, but it also has to have impressive staying power through long workdays and sweaty workouts. If you're a santal scent lover and haven't tried this option from Salt & Stone, I'd highly recommend it. I may have to reapply once throughout the day, but overall, it keeps me feeling super fresh."
"Once you get a whiff of this nourishing leave-in conditioner, you'll be hooked. It has a creamy, slightly gourmand scent that lingers on your hair in the best way throughout the day. It also de-frizzes, hydrates, and works as a heat protectant. I'll be reaching exclusively for this for the foreseeable future."
"If you're looking for a nourishing lip product with a solid ingredient list, I've found just the one. I absolutely love all of Hurraw's regular lip-balm scents (Coffee and Chai Spice are my fall staples), but I've been loving this tinted lip balm lately. It smells like cherry ChapStick in the best way."
Natalie Gray Herder, Editor, Branded Content
"I recently tried a heavily fragranced deodorant, and the results were irritating to say the least. This new launch from Eadem has soothed my skin like no other. I love that it comes in stick form for easy application, and the ingredients do what they are supposed to. It didn't stain my clothes and kept itchy bumps at bay."
"I have been makeup wipe–free since college, but after testing these wipes from Joanna Czech, I've been converted back. Double-cleansing is still the way to go, but these came in handy during my recent travels. Plus, I love keeping them in my work bag to remove makeup before heading to the gym. Drugstore wipes tend to irritate my skin, but these are gentle, luxurious, and refreshing."
"This has been my favorite lip launch to date from Refy. It is long-lasting like a lip liner but easy to apply like a lipstick—truly the best of both worlds. Stone and Opal are my two favorites, and I hope the brand has plans to extend the shade range in the future."
"I have been struggling with hormonal acne since coming off the pill last year, and just when I was at my wit's end with breakouts, this serum came to my rescue. I have been using this every day for the last month, and I've seen such a difference in my skin. My breakouts have subsided, and my skin is less irritated. It comes with a steep price tag, but I would easily buy this time and again."
"If you love the Summer Fridays SPF but are looking for an option with a higher SPF, this one is for you. The texture is runny but dries down to a satin finish, it doesn't cause breakouts, and it works well under my usual makeup routine."
"I am very particular about the kind of detergent I use. It must be sensitive skin–friendly (free of dyes and synthetic fragrances), have low environmental impact, and, of course, remove stains and odors. After testing a few different brands, Branch Basics is the clear winner. I'm converting everyone I know to this new launch from the brand."
Emma Walsh, Associate Beauty Editor, Branded Content
"Micellar milk > micellar water. This feels so creamy and hydrating on my skin and makes taking off my makeup, especially eye makeup, a breeze."
"I was always skeptical of eye creams, but this high-tech one has made me believe in them. The TLDR is that it's rich in peptides that give you smooth, bright, and hydrated under-eyes."
"Okay, how cute is this lip balm?! It's super hydrating and perfect to throw in your bag, and the adorable packaging and berry flavor are the cherry on top."
"I test a lot of concealers, and this is the first that's actually impressed me in months. It's high coverage but blends seamlessly into my skin. You have to try this one."
"I love a good body scrub, but they can be messy sometimes. I finally tried this cult-favorite exfoliating bar, and I swear it's made my skin feel softer and silkier. I'm so hooked on it that I don't foresee myself going back to a traditional sugar scrub."
"After well over a decade of doing ballet buns and slicked-back updos, I finally found the trick to getting that really sleek look: a pomade stick. I use this to tame my flyaways and smooth back my ponytail. It's the key to an impeccable slicked-back hairstyle."
"This is such a classic and elegant fragrance. Notes of red rose take center stage, and dewy rose water and warm honeycomb blend beautifully in the background. I'm also in love with the opulent packaging—it's just begging to be gifted."
"I've been in love with gourmand fragrances recently, so it's no surprise that I'm obsessed with LoveShackFancy's new trio of decadent hair and body mists. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Sugar Blush—the notes of pink sugar, vanilla, and rose instantly stole my heart."
"This is the perfect little boost to my morning! In one spoonful, you get antioxidants from matcha, protein from collagen, and extra brain power from adaptogenic mushrooms."
"My nightcap for the past few months has been water or sparkling juice with a scoop of magnesium powder. This one has three bioavailable types of magnesium that help me relax before bed, and it also tastes like pink lemonade!"
Allyson Payer, Senior Editor
"As someone who hates wearing lip liner, this one has single-handedly made me want to wear it. It goes on so smoothly (unlike the many waxy ones I've tried) and lasts for hours and hours. I've been wearing it under lip oils when I want a bit more pigment."
"I was loyal to another popular leave-in conditioner before trying this new one from Olaplex, and I'm never going back. It makes my hair look like I just got a fresh cut, and it's so creamy and easy to apply. If you've ever used a leave-in conditioner that's super thick and difficult to work through your hair, this isn't it."
"This concealer is magic, and I plan to buy it for the rest of my days. It's so easy to blend yet provides great coverage. It doesn't cake, and creases are a thing of the past. It also has an excellent shade range."
"I was excited to try these new glosses because they're touted as being a five-in-one formula—gloss, balm, mask, plumper, and oil. I can confirm that they're incredibly moisturizing and definitely make my lips look a bit fuller. Fig and Spice are definitely going to be my go-tos this fall."
Erin Fitzpatrick, Associate Director, Fashion News
"I absolutely love an eye cream in stick form because I can apply it on the go. I'm a freak about washing my hands before touching my face, but eye sticks eliminate that need. This one is my latest obsession because it glides on easily and brightens up my eye area instantly. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid, argan oil, niacinamide, and licorice-root extract to moisturize and help with dark circles."
"T3 just launched its CurlWrap in a new one-inch barrel size, and I've been having so much fun playing around with it. I'm a total dummy when it comes to hair tools, but this one has been as easy as pie to learn. I like tools that do all the work for me—otherwise, I'd surely mess up—so this curling iron's auto-rotating barrel is right up my alley."
