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 October! Grab your game face and wallet because you'll need both.
"I absolutely love Emi Jay's hair accessories, and this smoothing hair balm stick makes so much sense as the brand's foray into hair products. Prior to trying this one, I had another pomade stick that I was pretty devoted too, but Angelstick has officially usurped the former's favorite-child status. I've been making a larger effort to overhaul my entire haircare routine to more natural formulas, so I love that this is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and other chemicals that can strip or compromise shine and color. (As a newly minted redhead, this appeals to me!) I feel like most sticks can be mattifying and dulling on the strands, so I appreciate that this one really does what it says it will by adding lots of shine without making my hair feel greasy."
"At first glance, these might look like just another pair of chic hair clips you could find on the internet. But because they're the brainchild of Dianna Cohen, creator of cult-loved haircare brand Crown Affair, they actually aren't just your average clip. Of course, I'm obsessed with the new shade called Carrara, but it's really the construction and design that make them truly elite as far as hair accessories are concerned. They're made from Italian plant-based cellulose acetate, the same eco-friendly material the brand uses to make its signature hair combs. Size-wise, they're like Goldilocks, not too big and not too small, and they even feature an extra internal grip to really keep the hair in place and prevent any unwanted slippage. I love wearing them day-to-day, but they also come in clutch for Cohen's viral air-drying technique."
"I'm filing this naturally formulated leave-in conditioner under 'products I desperately wish I had tried sooner.' I had been using the same leave-in conditioner for years and had never had much luck finding a cleaner option that could rival its weightless and shine-inducing detangling magic. Well, I finally found my unicorn. This best-selling formula from Innersense adds lots of hydration while still injecting my fine strands with lots of body. Oh, and it smells like heaven. Consider me converted!"
"After working with master aesthetician Caroline Godsick on this feature, I realized I had this SkinMedica cleanser (which Godsick waxed poetic about) sitting unopened in the back of my beauty cabinet. I love cleansers like this one that combine both physical and chemical exfoliating magic, but I don't know if I've ever met one that makes my skin feel so instantly soft and smooth. (It also doesn't contain any sneaky pore-clogging ingredients, which I can't say for the majority of cleansers on the market.) I've been using it in the evenings, every other night, and my skin has never looked or felt better."
"I don't know what it is about skin tints, but I just never like them. They always leave me wanting more! I'm kind of all-or-nothing with my makeup—you'll either run into me completely bare-faced or I'll be wearing a high-coverage foundation—and for some reason, the in-between thing just never works for me. That said, this new skin tint has finally changed my mind, and it's the only one I will (and want!) to keep in my regular rotation. "First of all, the coverage is really gorgeous. It looks completely invisible on the skin, so no one would ever guess you have any kind of base product on, but it instantly makes your skin look more even, glowier, and bouncier. Basically, it's the bottled form of what I've always wished my makeup-free skin could look like naturally. Plus, since it's a tinted version of the brand's already cult-loved The Super Hydrator, you're still getting all of the same skincare benefits that have made it such a beloved moisturizer. It also plays really nicely with other makeup products, which isn't always the case with skin tints. I've been loving it with Youthforia's viral BYO Blush Oil ($36) especially."
"I got the best haircut of my life recently from celebrity stylist Mara Roszak, which also meant that I was able to experience all of the stunning products from her haircare line, Rōz, in salon as well. As I mentioned earlier, I'm on a major healing journey with my hair and have decided to convert to a more natural haircare routine to really help nourish and nurture my dry and damaged strands. I've been unimpressed with a lot of natural lines in the past, but with Rōz, there are quite literally zero compromises. I've been using the collection in its entirety at home post-cut and have been completely stunned with how fast I've fallen for everything. From the smell to the packaging to the efficacy, it's next-level. I couldn't pick a favorite product to highlight, so I'd recommend getting a kit like this one (which features shampoo, conditioner, styling oil, and a treatment oil) so you can truly experience how beautifully it all works together."
"I discovered Davines through my stylist a while back, but I'm just now starting to get into its products for curls! I'm absolutely in love with the brand's Curl Cleansing Cream and Love Curl Mask, but the OI Hair Butter has to be my favorite. I stopped heat styling recently and have been letting my natural 3C curls regain some of their shape—this hair butter provides the perfect amount of hydration and slip without weighing my thick hair down. It's truly a miracle in a bottle and even reduces frizz."
"I just got the Dyson Supersonic in this ADORABLE new limited-edition Ceramic Pop color scheme, and I am obsessed! It has such a fun '90s-esque feel to it all while being an amazing hair dryer. I don't blow-dry my hair too often, but I love using the diffuser attachment on this because it adds definition to my curls without making them too dry or frizzy."
"This is one of the best squalane oils I've ever used! It's so hydrating and gives your skin such an incredible glow without clogging your pores. I'm definitely going to be using this for the fall-winter seasons since the weather is becoming drier in L.A.!"
"I love Elysium's NAD+ supplement, so I was excited to try the brand's newest offering for skin hydration and collagen support. When I tell you my skin has been glowing after just a few weeks! It really helps increase hydration levels within the skin, helping to plump fine lines and improving skin texture. I can't wait to see what kind of long-term results it offers because it's definitely now a new must-have for me."
"I'm a huge fan of Happy Mammoth and its formulas—the brand's Complete Gut Repair is a staple in my routine. Lately, I've also been loving this prebiotic collagen from the brand. My skin has improved SO much, and it really helps with overall digestion. I can't say enough good things about the brand and can't wait to try other formulas."
"I'm going to be honest: I really don't like mineral sunscreens. I find that even when they say they'll rub right in, they almost never do, and I'm typically left with a film of sunscreen that I can't shake the feeling of on my face. I trust David Kim, MD, MS, with pretty much everything, so I felt confident his sunscreen would be good, but I didn't try it until this month. The formula is tinted (and is quite a bit darker than my skin, which scared me), but it completely vanishes when you rub it in. It's the best-textured mineral sunscreen I've used, and it wears like a dream under makeup."
"I don't care what anyone says about dryer sheets—I love them. DedCool's dryer sheets don't just reduce static, but they also make my clothes, sheets, and towels smell divine. I'm on a mission to make my entire apartment smell like DedCool's dreamy scents, and the brand just keeps making it easier for me to do so (dryer sheets, room sprays, laundry detergents, hand soaps)."
"I'm not a foundation person, because I don't like covering up my freckles. That's why when I do wear foundation, I opt for lighter, more buildable formulas that I can sheer out. BareMinerals' new foundation is exactly what I want in a foundation. Plus, it's formulated with tons of skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C that boost skin health."
"I'm deep in the trenches of marathon training, and one unpleasant surprise has been how prone I am to chafing. I've been getting such bad chafing under my sports bra line and on my back after long runs that I've bled from it. A few incredibly painful post-run showers later, I realized the chafe product I was using just wasn't cutting it. I decided to try this stick from First Aid Beauty, and so far, I've had less chafing—the real test will be the actual marathon, but I'm feeling much more confident with this in my arsenal."
"I always want to spray hair spray in my hair after styling to make it last longer, but I hate how stiff and crunchy it makes my hair feel, so I normally skip it. This hair spray defies the laws of hair spray, however, because it makes my style last like a strong-hold hair spray would, but I can't tell that it's in my hair at all. It's pricey but, IMO, a good investment!"
"Lately, I've been trying to up my fragrance game outside of just my perfume collection. (See my fancy dryer sheets above.) This body lotion is a great base for any fragrance, or it just smells good on its own. It's fresh and clean smelling, with a touch of bergamot, a hint of ambrox, and a tinge of sandalwood."
"I don't always love fougère scents, but this one has me captivated. It's an extremely fresh and citrusy version of lavender, and amber, tonka, and musks keep it grounded."
"Sometimes I feel too lazy to run through the whole gamut of moisturizing my body post-shower, so I'll use these tiny oil rounds instead. I take one in the shower with me and rub it between my hands in the hot water to melt it. Then, I apply it on my dry legs and arms for easy moisture. It's so convenient, and my skin feels so soft and smooth afterward."
"I finally tested the new Rhode Peptide Lip Tints, and no surprise, I love them. The formula is just as hydrating as the originals but with a soft, subtle tint that makes my lips look bright and healthy. I love all of them, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would have to be the soft pink one called Ribbon."
"This stuff is so thick and creamy that it's a sensorial delight to use. And thanks to coconut milk, argan oil, and a whole host of other nourishing ingredients, it softens my skin and prevents razor burn. I use it every time I shave my legs now."
"When I tell you I'm obsessed with this concealer, I mean it. It's waterproof and full-coverage, so I expected it to be thick and difficult to blend, but actually, it's the complete opposite. It's lightweight and smooth and has a unique blurring action that makes my skin look filtered IRL."
"Probiotics are essential for gut health, so they’ve been a part of my morning supplement routine for years. This is easily the best one I’ve ever tried. I love the clear capsule, the fresh minty taste, and the fact that it’s easy to swallow."
"This body cream just hits. When I apply it, I feel like I’m enveloping myself in a creamy coconut cloud. This is going to be a staple in my post-shower routine for winter to keep my skin hydrated."
"If you’re all about glowing skin like I am, you seriously need these drops. They give a natural golden radiance to your complexion and even have 5% niacinamide for a skincare boost. I mix these with my sunscreen and sometimes the Bronzing Drops, too. I will truly never stop using these."
"I make a protein smoothie every day, but I’ve actually never stayed loyal to one brand of protein powder. This one has changed that. It has nine grams of protein, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and a bunch of superfoods, too. I love that it’s subtly sweet, with a hint of Madagascar vanilla. And can we talk about the holographic pink packaging? It looks so pretty in my cabinet."
"Lip oils have been my go-to over the past year, but About-Face's Light Lock Lip Gloss has me second-guessing my commitment. It's buttery and glossy, leaving my lips feeling hydrated and smooth all day long without any of the stickiness so commonly associated with similar products. Scorcher is my favorite shade, as it's the perfect earthy red shade for deep skin tones like mine."
"Lately, I've been on a mission to update my skincare routine starting with the basics I've gotten a little lazy about and retiring any that just don't work anymore. This serum by Caudalie has completely transformed my approach to skin prep before makeup. It's lightweight and layerable and addresses my breakouts, large pores, and excess oil using all-natural salicylic acid, niacinamide, and grape-seed polyphenols (my favorite ingredient of all time)."
"A lot of my lip products add plenty of shine but zero hydration. As I've sorted through my collection and tried to narrow things down to only the best of the best, I discovered this lip oil. It has the same amount of hydration as the lip mask I wear to sleep at night and pairs so well with a lip liner. The fact that it's only $12 makes the $50 lip oils that everyone goes crazy for look like a scam."
"A few failed online orders later, I finally found a contour stick that's the right colorway for my skin tone. A few other contours that I've tried in the darkest shade have been too light for me to actually get the shaping look that I'm after. Now I see why the Makeup by Mario contour stick is viral—it last all night, comes in quite a range of shades, and also has its own brush. I give it a 10 out of 10."
"I'm currently doubling down on SPF, and I love layering this serum underneath my makeup at the beginning of the day. A lot of the 'tinted' SPFs are great but also don't work for my skin tone, but I picked out this one in the darkest shade and love how it adds color to my face while keeping me hydrated and protected."
"This latest launch from Naturium is my new holy-grail serum for hydrating and firming the skin. I swear after one week, I noticed such a difference in my forehead fine lines and overall texture. I'm slowly learning about the benefits of peptides, and now I will never be without this star ingredient in my routine."
"I was in the market for a fresh, floral fragrance and I'm all set after discovering Ouai's Rue St. Honoré. It combines notes of violet, gardenia, ylang-ylang, and white musk for a light, sophisticated scent."
"I received this lip gloss in a gift bag not thinking much of it, but after one application, I'm totally hooked. Just like the name, it provides long-lasting hydration, isn't sticky, and has a subtle rose-and-honey scent that I can't get enough of."
"I've been using TonyMoly's The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream for a while now, but I hadn't tried anything else from the line until recently. After trying the Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Essence, I'm officially hooked on using both products together. They complement each other so well. Both products use fermented green tea extract instead of water, so they're packed with antioxidants. The essence really wakes up my skin and is soothing, while the cream is super hydrating."
"I recently finished a course of Accutane, so I'm still babying my skin with gentle, soothing products only. This Caudalie cream makes my skin feel so soft and hydrated. It's formulated for even the most sensitive skin, which is definitely me at the moment. Boasting organic grape water, borage oil, and olive squalane, this cream helps calm down my redness and moisturize my skin."
"I've really been neglecting my skin everywhere but my face, but this new Nécessaire peel is making it easy to change that. It takes care of a slew of skin issues in one fell swoop, so I can no longer feel guilty about doing literally nothing to care for my skin now that this is in my medicine cabinet."
"This new lipstick arrived just in time for winter. It lasts for hours but is actually super moisturizing. It's pretty pigmented, so I apply it with my finger for more of a blurred look. I think Monica is going to be my shade of choice this winter."
"I'll try anything that helps me to avoid getting lip filler, and I always trust Dr. Dennis Gross devices and products, so I jumped at the chance to give this a try. My lips look visibly plumper immediately after using it, but it was subtle (in a good way) and natural. It's also softened the fine lines around my lips, so all in all, it feels like kind of a miracle."
"I've been very impressed with everything I've tried from Alpyn, this duo included. My skin is so glowy and soft the morning after using it, and I've been dealing with some dry patches on my face that it magically eradicated."
"I'll preface this by saying I'm firmly not an eye shadow person. But, of course, like everything that Merit does, I'm suddenly converted after trying its remarkably user-friendly version. Solo Shadow is a creamy, buildable eye shadow that comes in a range of warm-toned neutrals, and it couldn't be any easier to wear, especially as someone who's easily intimidated by massive eye shadow palettes. Instead of a bold pigment, this shadow gives more of a soft matte wash of color, and thanks to its powder-to-cream formula, it stays on forever. I've been wearing the shade Studio in my everyday makeup looks and reaching for shade Brun for moodier evening looks."
"The Rhode hype? Unfortunately, it's so real. I'll be the first to admit that I'm wary of celebrity beauty lines, but I've already blown through three tubes of the Lip Treatment from Rhode, and quite frankly, I'm hooked. I heard mixed reviews about the tinted iterations but ultimately am so happy I got my hands on it in Raspberry Jelly, a deep berry shade. Like many critics, I found the color to be almost barely there when applied to bare lips, but when I layered it over lip liner or lipstick, the color really comes to life. Normally, I have to bring my liner, lipstick, and gloss out with me so I can fully reapply throughout the day, but I like that the tint here is enough so I can just pop on a fresh coat of the gloss without dealing with pulling out my whole lip kit."
"This gel-cream from Furcy Botanik is officially my new go-to. Formulated with potent botanicals that are native to Haiti like djon djon and guava, it's lightweight and layerable but still remarkably hydrating. I've used it consistently for the past month in combination with the Sérum Nuit Mïtik, an evening serum, and my skin has bounced back to life with a more even texture."
