The Best Beauty Products PEOPLE Editors Tried in January
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From a $13 soap for sensitive skin to the recently launched SKKN by Kim lip liner
People / Alli Waataja
At PEOPLE, we take beauty testing very seriously. We sift through hundreds — nay — thousands of pitches and products on a regular basis, carefully swatching, spritzing, and applying the latest and greatest offerings so that we can then share with you, dear readers, those that are worth your hard-earned money.
And we're keenly aware that beauty products are subjective, which is why we consult with experts like dermatologists, makeup artists, and hairstylists to determine what will best suit our specific skin and hair types. We also boast a large testing pool of varying beauty needs so that we're each giving the products a fair trial before writing them off. Sometimes, though, there are those especially shiny offerings that we feel the need to shout from the mountaintop of bottles, tubes, and compacts, which is why we publish this monthly series of our absolute favorite picks.
Below, we're rounding up the makeup, skincare, and hair products that made us do a double-take last month. From a sensual Balmain hair perfume to Makeup by Mario’s brand-new lipstick that one of our editors wore on her wedding day, here are the products we tried and loved the most this month.
Gently Soap Sensitive Skin Bar Soap
“My daughter has eczema and when she’s experiencing a flare (which is most of winter), we have to hide her beloved bath bombs and watermelon bubble bath (all organic, but still potentially irritating) and stick with the plainest unscented cleansers. Necessary but devastating for an almost five-year-old whose favorite color is ‘unicorn.’
“Enter Gently Soap. The brand was founded by a 22-year-old Horticultural Science and Agricultural Communications major who struggled with eczema her whole life and wanted to bring joy to bathing to people with extra sensitive skin. Her bar soaps contain anti-inflammatory botanical extracts and have the loveliest aromas (yet are magically free of essential oils). And most importantly for my daughter, the lavender ‘Reign Cloud’ variation (her favorite) is a pretty shade of purple and smells ‘so pretty.’” — Andrea Lavinthal, style & beauty director
Balmain Hair Perfume Cardamom 1974
“Scent is my favorite category in the beauty space, but hair perfumes never really got me all that wide-eyed until Balmain Hair entered the space. For the brand's 50th anniversary, it created three, each of which happens to be one of my favorite notes of all time: cardamom, ginger and vetiver.
“As I stood before the trio of bottles, it was impossible to choose ‘the one.’ Ginger 1974 spoke to my spicy side, especially since it's spiked with black pepper and cumin oils. But then there was Vetiver 1974 with its elegant yet earthy vibe (it happened to be combined with two other scent MVPs, bergamot and patchouli). And last but not least, Cardamom 1974, a warmer, sensual scent, which was sweetened with vanilla and gourmand notes.
“Maybe it's because it's the dead of winter and I'm in my layering era, but this one, inspired by the feeling of wearing a Balmain blazer, gave me all the feels.” — Jackie Fields, deputy beauty director
Dr. Med. Christine Schrammek Blemish Balm
“With its gray skies and lack of social holidays, January can be a real bummer of a month. Add in a random acne attack and it's enough to make you want to hibernate until February (still cold, but at least all the candy at CVS is shaped like hearts!). Attempting to cover the spots with concealer and foundation only made them angrier, so I grabbed a BB Cream from my beauty stash (remember them?). Fun fact: Despite often being credited as a Korean beauty trend, the first BB cream was reportedly created in 1967 in Germany by Christine Schrammek, MD.
“I tried her (updated) formula which immediately neutralized the redness, while the soothing ingredients helped with the inflammation. My breakouts were gone within a few days, but I'm still using the BB Cream to keep my skin calm and happy.” — Andrea Lavinthal
Loli Sumo Citrus Cleansing Jelly
“I am not a morning person, so in the past, all I have typically looked forward to before noon was my order of nitro cold brew. But these days I find myself practically leaping into the shower to use this citrus cleanser. Sumo Citrus (yes, the orange brand) and zero-waste beauty company Loli Beauty came together for the sweet collab, a vitamin C-spiked brightening jelly made with various parts of the upcycled fruit that melts onto skin and brightens it over time. (It also contains aloe vera juice and glycerin to hydrate and oils to nourish.)
“Every day I apply it like a mask at the start of my shower and rinse it off at the end. While the refreshing aroma wakes me up, the formula works its magic to make my skin glow. Now that's what I call a win-win for me and my skin.” — Jackie Fields
Jones Road The Neutralizer Pencil
“For me, winter means darkness — darkness outside at 4:30 p.m., and darkness under my eyes. So, I'd be remiss not to give a shoutout to the newly launched Jones Road Neutralizer Pencil.
"I can draw a little dab under each eye, and blend it in with my finger (note: it works best when you apply an eye cream first), and the fatigue is completely erased from my face. It comes in 10 shades from 'Fair Pink' to 'Deep Peachy Pink.' You should also consider adding the Jones Road Eye Cream and Sharpener to your cart to enhance the effectiveness of The Neutralizer.” — Madison Yauger, senior shopping writer
Deco Miami Nail Art Stickers (Mon Cheri)
“I've always been a DIY nail girl, which has not only saved me a pretty penny, but allows me to have full autonomy over the look and detail of my manicure (since I'm that person who will never tell a nail tech that I don't like my mani). So when I was sent a box full of Deco Beauty's eccentric nail art stickers, I was over the moon about how much time these handy stickers were going to save me — and how glamorous my nails were about to be.
“This pair in particular is perfect for an at-home Valentine's Day set, complete with a hodgepodge of gold-detailed flowers, bows, heart-adorned locks, and more to create a custom V-Day mani. I loved that these stickers were clear-cut and didn't include excess plastic along the edges of the designs, which can create odd bumps or cause the stickers to lift as your polish dries. They worked beautifully with my UV gel lamp, sticking onto my nail with the help of a tweezer and laying nicely under my gel top coat before curing. I can officially say that my look has never been more romantic.” — Alyssa Brascia, staff shopping writer
Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
“I have very dry skin, and I've tried a lot of moisturizers — as in, too many to count — so trust me when I tell you that the Diex Instant Angel moisturizer stands apart from the crowd.
“I love every aspect of this plumping cream, from the tin tube and included squeeze key to the light yet incredibly hydrating feel. I first got word of this brand after reading (OK, fine, watching TikToks) about its founder, licensed esthetician, and skincare guru Charlotte Palermino. The result of her collaboration with a clinical cosmetic chemist is this ceremide-packed, dewy, use-it-to-the-last-drop cream.” — Cai Cramer, staff shopping writer
Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipstick
“I'm not an everyday lipstick type of gal — I typically resort to my trusty Chapstick (or tinted lip balms, if I'm feeling fancy) for the moisture benefits, especially in the colder months when my lips are prone to drying out. So when it came to choosing what lip product to wear for my wedding this month, I needed something that not only accentuated my natural lip color, but also something that kept them soft and moisturized all night long (with minimal reapplying).
“That's to say I was so impressed with Makeup by Mario's aptly named SuperSatin Lipstick in Bronx Baby, which was a beautiful neutral rosy shade that complemented my fair skin and red undertones. The richly pigmented formula offered a silky smooth finish that felt super comfortable on the pout as I said my vows, ate cheesecake, and sipped on espresso martinis. It's now earned a spot on my go-to beauty shelf and I plan to wear it again on our next date night.” — Erika Reals, senior shopping editor
Tula 24/7 Moisture Intense Ultra Hydrating Day & Night Cream
“I recently moved to Hawai'i (I know, I know, life is so hard), and skin hydration is my top priority now (second to sun protection). This Tula day and night cream has been a lifesaver. It's not only super moisturizing, but it also has a cooling effect that is so welcome on my parched skin at the end of the day.” — Erin Johnson, senior shopping editor
Shani Darden Moisture Boost Plumping Serum
“My perpetually dehydrated skin has been begging for moisture this winter. Enter Shani Darden Moisture Boost Plumping Serum. This newly launched serum is silky-smooth and floods the skin with a blend of antioxidants to visibly plump and retain moisture. With key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, antioxidant fruit complex, and vitamin B5, this serum rapidly hydrates and adds an instant glow.
“Shani suggests pairing with other actives, like retinol, so that’s exactly what I do. I apply right before retinol and moisturizer every night, so I wake up with glowing, hydrated skin. In the mornings, I like to add it right before my sunscreen — it adds a dewy finish to my skin and prevents the dry-skin pilling that I’ve become so used to after applying makeup.” — Kayla Kitts, shopping editor
Related: The 15 Best Retinol Formulas of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Supergoop! Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40
“I can't tell you how much I've grown to detest adding sunscreen on top of my daily skincare and then finally going in with my makeup. It's hard enough layering an eye cream, serum, and moisturizer all before I get to foundation, and by the time I start to rub an SPF product onto my skin, I'll often watch the layers of product pill up right before my eyes. Especially now that I'm experiencing seasonal dryness, sunscreen has not been my friend.
“I've long wished for an actually moisturizing SPF-infused face cream that can eliminate several of my steps in one go, and that's exactly what Supergoop's Triple Prep does. Formulated to not only moisturize your skin with a luscious complex of ectoin, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, this sun-blocking product also shields your skin with SPF 40 and filters blue light as well (a must for my face that's constantly attached to my laptop or phone).
“I always dread the chemical-y smell that most SPF products have, but I'm happy to report that this moisturizer is practically fragrance-free; there's only the slightest hint of a sunscreen scent, which completely disappears once the product absorbs (which is almost instantly) — a huge win for us with sensitive skin.” — Alyssa Brascia
Too Faced Naturally Better Than Sex Mascara
“I’ve gone from hating mascara to never leaving the house without wearing it, but that doesn’t mean I love a bold lash. I’m always on the hunt for a mascara that guarantees a natural look and Too Faced answered my prayers when their Naturally Better Than Sex launch landed right into my hands. It’s just as iconic as their original formula of the same name, and the best part? No clumping! It makes applying mascara hassle-free and gives my lashes that oomph without looking like I tried too hard.” — Michelle Lee, editorial assistant
Related: The 16 Best Mascaras of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
SKKN by Kim Lip Liner
“It should come as no surprise that Kim Kardashian's new lip liners (along with the rest of her highly anticipated KKW beauty relaunch) are an immediate makeup bag must-have. The Skims founder is rarely photographed without a pouty, perfectly over-lined nude lip, so naturally, she knows a thing or two about the difference a creamy, long-wear liner can make.
“The first time I swiped on one of her nude matte pencils, I was floored by how smoothly the product went on, blending into my lips seamlessly while giving that sculpted definition Kim is known for. The shade range is positively gorgeous, too, with a neutral for every possible mood and look.” — Karli Bendlin, associate director of content strategy
Highland Hair Glacial Cream
“I’ve recently been on a mission to uncover the secret to the perfect air-dried hairstyle. I’ve tried every concoction of lotions and potions conceivable, but I found most creams will either weigh down my waves or don’t do enough to control the frizz. Then I tried Highland Style’s Glacier Cream — an ultra-lightweight, minimal-ingredient hair styler that tames flyaways and deeply conditions your strands with absolutely no crunchy feel or sticky residue.
“I rub a dime-sized amount of the cream between my palms to warm it up, then rake it over my waves to give them a little extra hold and a whole lot of shine. The Glacier Cream boasts an impressive ingredient list, with kaolin clay to separate and define texture, vegetable glycerin to deeply nourish your strands, and caffeine to support hair growth. Needless to say, I'm sold.” — Cai Cramer
Pixi Beauty Antioxidant Tonic
“When I've just woken up in the morning, I can't be bothered to do the most with my skincare routine (blasphemous I know!), so I need multi-use products that are going to pack a punch in just one step. That's where this superhero comes in. It's a toner, an essence, and a serum blended into one hydrating, brightening, and silky powerhouse formula (kudos to the birch water and cloudberry) that leaves my skin happy and on cloud nine.” — Michelle Lee
Pat McGrath Labs Daring Desire: Luxe Eyeshadow Palette
“There's nothing I love more than a themed eyeshadow palette, and in the spirit of all things romance ahead of Valentine's Day, you can say that I was swooning for this fanciful quad. (Especially after Pat McGrath's lovestruck doll-inspired looks that took the internet by storm at Maison Margiela's Paris Fashion Week show.)
“Complete with four rich eyeshadow pans — a brown, silky matte, a champagne shimmer, and two metallic violet and fuchsia shades — this palette is surprisingly versatile. Though you may look quizzically at the purple and pink combo when planning your morning eye look, the options are seemingly endless. I like sweeping the violet shade under my lower lash line to bring out the green in my eyes (hazel- and green-eyed friends, this is a great color for you), or dabbing the smallest amount of pink shimmer along my upper lids to add a touch of romantic sparkle.
“Of course, you can always go the ‘date night’ route by darkening the outer corners of your eyes with dark brown and gliding the champagne shade across your inner corners, but I encourage you to get a little more creative with your eyeshadow colors this month with this alluring palette — you may just find your perfect (shade) match.” — Alyssa Brascia
Related: The 9 Best Eyeshadow Primers of 2024 for Every Skin Type and Makeup Routine
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin
“As a K-beauty fan, my friend turned me onto this serum from Beauty of Joseon. As a former sun-worshipper, I’m now experiencing the thrills of hyperpigmentation and sun spots. Infused with rice bran water and alpha arbutin, this serum works to hydrate the skin and reduce melanin production. I love applying this thin serum right after my toner and before my Shani Darden Moisture Boost Plumping Serum to reap all the hydrating and plumping benefits.” — Kayla Kitts
Dossier Ginger & Grapefruit Zing Eau de Parfum
“If you're on the hunt for a fresh, citrusy, lightly earthy fragrance to brighten your day, then I've got great news for you. The Dossier Ginger & Grapefruit Zing perfume is so yummy that it's quickly become the first fragrance I reach for. It has top notes of grapefruit, pink pepper, lime, and melon, complemented by fresh ginger and ylang-ylang in the middle, and base notes of musky ingredients like cedarwood and patchouli. The combination of citrus, floral, and musk creates an intoxicating mixture that feels fresh and sensual.
“Dossier is one of my favorite perfume brands because of the transparent pricing and complex scents that smell like they're worth much, much more than their affordable price tag, and the Ginger & Grapefruit Zing has just become my day-brightening favorite.” — Cai Cramer
Naturium Phyto Glow Lip Balm
“Winter has not been kind to my lips, but the Phyto-Glow Lip Balm from Naturium helps keep them hydrated and moisturized. With shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalane, this sheer berry lip balm adds a subtle swash of color to my lips while leaving them silky, smooth, and soft. It even doubles as a nighttime lip mask! I love to wear Jam on its own and Clear on top of lipsticked lips.” — Kayla Kitts
Related: The 20 Best Lip Balms of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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