Editors' Picks: The Best Beauty Products We Tried in May

Eden Stuart, associate editor

Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil

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As a beauty editor, I feel obligated to try new things as often as possible. But sometimes, I discover products that I simply don't want to pull out of my rotation. Makeup by Mario’s Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in the shade Chris has become one such product for me. The formula is impossibly rich and creamy, the shade is the perfect '90s reddish-brown, and it looks equally beautiful paired with a lipstick or just with a little gloss. I’m definitely going to have to try more shades from this line.

Price at time of publish: $24

Jesa Marie Calaor, editor

Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Weightless Modern Matte Lipstick

4.3

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A “comfortable-wearing matte lipstick” may sound like an oxymoron, but Sunnies Face managed to make this dream formula into a reality. Fluffmatte's creamy formula glides on to deposit rich pigment without drying out lips. My go-to hues are Baked, a warm terracotta, and Girl Crush, a rosy terracotta.

Price at time of publish: $16

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Botanical Night Cream

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Kiehl’s latest addition to its Midnight Recovery lineup is a moisturizer that helped heal the uncomfortably dry patches of skin I had along my cheeks. It’s formulated to strengthen the skin barrier (with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids) and leaves skin feeling juicy. It’s truly a skin savior.

Price at time of publish: $60

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen

4.9

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According to Summer Fridays founder Marianne Hewitt, this SPF launch was years in the making—and it was worth the wait. ShadeDrops is a serum-like mineral sunscreen (yes, you read that right) that blends seamlessly across my medium-tan skin. It has a comfortable feel, whether I wear it alone or under my makeup.

Price at time of publish: $36

Lindsey Metrus, associate general manager

Sundree Ryse + Shyne Hydrating Facial Serum

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This serum, a divine blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, aloe vera, and CBD, is one of those products that gives me consistent, positive results with continued use. My skin has better clarity, less breakouts and redness, and appears smoother and more supple. All of the areas I'm looking to improve in my skin lately, this serum targets.

Price at time of publish: $28

L'Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum

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You've definitely seen this tinted serum all over TikTok, which, as you would expect, caused it to sell out quickly at drugstores and Ultas across the country. Impressed by the dewy, medium-to-full-coverage finish, I set out to try and nab my own bottle. 

As the name indicates, I was able to find the perfect shade for my skin tone. But what was even more impressive is how the product blends seamlessly into my skin, stays put all day, and leaves a natural-looking, hydrated finish that somehow gets better as the day wears on. My mother, who's in her 60s, also tried the foundation, and her skin looked unbelievably fresh and even-toned afterward.

Price at time of publish: $20

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate

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On a recent visit to my mom, I borrowed a few pumps of this retinol-powered moisturizer (I tend to not pack a skincare bag when I go home because her collection is so impressive). I woke up the next morning stunned at how smooth my skin looked. I've been struggling with super congested, bumpy skin lately, and this resurfacing complex has been a godsend in helping to counteract these issues.

Price at time of publish: $30

Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

Fenty Eau de Parfum

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Not a single day in May passed by without me reaching for the Fenty Eau de Parfum. It’s the perfect blend of spicy meets sweet, featuring notes of magnolia, musk, tangerine, patchouli, and more. The bold scent lasts for hours and is sure to bring in a ton of compliments. It’s no surprise that this fragrance sold out immediately twice last year, but it’s back in stock (for now!) and well worth the wait. 

Price at time of publish: $140

Journ Also Daily Moisturizer and Sanitizer

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A moisturizer that also kills 99% of germs and bacteria? Game-changer. I reach for this product multiple times a day—it's perfect for days on the go when you need to cleanse your hands but hate the dry feeling other sanitizers often leave behind. Formulated with shea butter, hibiscus, and jojoba, this two-for-one product is perfect for soothing and repairing dry skin.

Price at time of publish: $22

The Lip Bar Sheer Finish Lip Gloss

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I've said it once and I'll say it again: I'm 100% a gloss girl, but I'm very particular about the ones I keep in rotation. I love a high-shine, non-sticky finish that nourishes my lips. My new fave: The Lip Bar's Sheer Finish Lip Gloss. Created with melanin-rich skin in mind, these lightly pigmented glosses offer an inclusive range of nude shades as well as a moisture boost. While I love to wear this gloss alone daily, it also pairs perfectly with lip liner or over a matte lipstick.

Price at time of publish: $14

Madeline Hirsch, news director

Saie Hydrabeam Brightening + Hydrating Under Eye Concealer

4.9

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Concealer is the work-hard-play-hard hero behind all of my best makeup looks, and this new drop from Saie has quickly earned a prime spot in my makeup bag thanks to its long-wearing formula and soft, light feel. It seamlessly blends into my skin (that’s how I know I’ve found a keeper), and it passed my flashback test with flying colors.

Price at time of publish: $26

Everyday Humans Rose From Above SPF35 Mineral Sunscreen Base

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It’s hard to find a mineral sunscreen that ticks all my boxes. I’ve been on the hunt for a lightweight, easy-to-blend formula for a while, and Rose From Above by Everyday Humans absolutely delivers. It comes in a universal tint to solve for SPF’s notorious white cast problem (and helps to even and prime skin in the process).

Price at time of publish: $26

Star Donaldson, senior social media editor

Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Ink Liquid Eyeliner - White

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I’ve been partial to brown liner over black lately, but I’ve found it pretty difficult to get a brown liquid liner that's actually waterproof. Enter: Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Resist Color Ink 24hr Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Matte Wood. Not only is this liner cry-proof, but it's also incredibly precise. The tiny felt tip is my personal favorite kind of applicator because you can really control where you want it to go and it lends itself to a cat-eye (my go-to). Because of the way my eyes are shaped, even a subtle winged look often leads to smudging at the corners of my eyes. With this liner, I saw no smearing, smudging, or transferring. It's amazing for my waterline, too.

Price at time of publish: $26

Summer Fridays Pool Time Glowing Body Oil

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Summer Fridays' new Pool Time Glowing Body Oil is the grown-up version of the body glitters I had in the early 2000s. Hydrating and shimmery once applied, it gives off that perfect sun-kissed glow all over but isn’t too much for every day. It has a warm, cocoa butter-like scent (my go-to for summer months), and the fragrance is really light but lasts all day. I often like to mix this product with a hydrating body lotion to make a little go a long way, as well as add an extra boost of hydration.

Price at time of publish: $38

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

4.2

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I’m very particular about adding new products into my skincare routine ever since I started a strict acne regimen. However, I recently had an amazing facial with Sunday Riley and was lucky enough to get a few products to take home. After reading through the ingredients of this serum, I realized it wouldn’t break me out and was excited to get the benefits. This particular formula has a stable form of vitamin C, which works to reduce the appearance of pores and refine skin texture. This serum absorbs quickly into the skin, and best of all, I’ve seen my dark spots diminish and overall skin tone become more even.

Price at time of publish: $85