The Best Beauty Products PEOPLE Editors Tried in February
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Including a $15 Neutrogena lip oil that elevated one editor's everyday beauty routine
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 — and then reach for them again and again. From a curler created by one of Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber’s go-to hairstylists to an eye serum from Gwenyth Paltrow’s new (budget-conscious) version of Goop, here are the products we tried and loved the most this month.
Mary Kay Mineral Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
"Even in the dead of winter, it's important to wear sunscreen, since you can still get UVA/UVB damage in cold weather, plus the blue light that emits from your computer and phone screens isn't exactly great for your skin. The key is to find a formula that's lightweight, absorbs quickly and plays nicely with the rest of your skincare and makeup. This new 100 percent mineral formula (it has zinc oxide) checks all the boxes so it's easy to add to your daily routine." — Andrea Lavinthal, Style and Beauty Director
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Oil
"For a night on the town, I love a bold lip — especially if it's red. But my daytime MO (when I am not in testing-mode, of course) is usually "clear balm or bust" because I am naturally averse to anything that requires maintenance throughout the day.
"Recently, however, I took a daytime lip risk and turned my office look up a few notches with this lip oil. I know, I know, I am a rebel. It was the opposite of what I have known other lip oils to be, which is either very slippery or oddly sticky and way too shiny for my taste. Thanks to the wider doe foot applicator I was able to apply it without looking in the mirror, and once on, it definitely felt more like a nourishing balm (it's got hyaluronic acid to hydrate).
"Yes, it gave my lips a sheen, but not so much that I felt the need to reach for a napkin to blot it. With all that and it's cute packaging, it's got me thinking maybe, just maybe, I've found a lip daytime option that is a traditional balm after all." — Jackie Fields, Deputy Beauty Director
Naturium Vitamin C Super Eye Cream Plus
"A makeup artist once told me that if I was going to invest in one product, it should be a good eye cream. However, it's been a while since I've tried an eye cream that produced a noticeable difference in my skin. I've been testing Naturium's Vitamin C Super Eye Cream Plus ahead of its launch, and it is now a staple in my skincare routine. I've been on board with Vitamin C serums and skincare for a while, and this eye cream doesn't disappoint. It provides immediate hydration and brightness that makes me (at least look like I'm) ready to take on the day." — Erin Johnson, Associate Editorial Director
Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
"I know Kylie Jenner’s back in her “King Kylie” era, but I can’t say I was itching to slap a matte lip back on my mouth after the drying liquid lipstick days of my high school youth. But when the new matte version of the Merit’s Signature Lip (that I already own and love) showed up on my doorstep a few weeks ago, I knew I had to give it a shot.
"From the first swipe, I recognized that this formula was nothing like the powdery, drying liquid lips of my past — featherweight and surprisingly moisturizing, the squalane and sunflower seed oil-infused lipstick felt like nothing on my lips, no matter how many layers I swiped on. The color is buildable, but just one swipe was able to give me a hazy dose of color. If you’ve seen me sporting a matte lip over the last month, you now know what it is!" — Alyssa Brascia, Shopping Writer
PEOPLE / Alyssa Brascia
Mane Power Bottom Base
"As the undisputed fairy godmother of cool-girl hair, celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin is known for giving stars like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber effortless 'I woke up like this' waves that, in reality, would take me hours to achieve at home. Knowing we're not all as gifted when it comes to hot tools, Atkin is thankfully taking the guesswork out of her trademark looks with the Mane Power Bottom Base.
"The innovative hair tool is an interchangeable curling iron with three different attachments that allows for an endless array of styles. My personal favorite is the curling wand, which gave me the undone waves of my dreams in less than 10 minutes. I've tried dozens of curling irons (most of which were triple the price) and I've never received as many compliments as I did after using this one." — Karli Bendlin, Director of Content Strategy
Good.clean.goop The Wide Awake Serum
"If you know anything about Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Beauty products, you're probably aware they are, if anything, quite pricey (take the Goop Beauty Youth-Boost Peptide Serum for example, which retails for $150). So when I heard the brand was launching a more affordable sister line, Good.clean.goop at Target and Amazon, I was intrigued. While $40 still may seem like a lot for some to spend on any kind of skincare product, I was truly impressed with the results — and my favorite of the collection thus far has been The Wide Awake Serum.
"I'm always testing out new serums for puffy eyes and dark circles since mine teeter on jumpscare level in the morning. The gel-like serum is so refreshing and cool once applied, but it also brightens up my under-eyes and I can physically feel the area tightening up as it sinks into my skin. Safe to say that once I run out I will be heading straight to Target for a refill!" — Erika Reals, Senior Shopping Editor
PEOPLE / Erika Reals
Kopari Sun Shield On-the-Glow Sheer Stick Sunscreen SPF 40
"Given all the outerwear, I haven't had much skin exposed this winter, but I do love an SPF for the face. I've recently been using the newly launched Kopari Sun Shield stick. The packaging is so compact and convenient, so you can throw it on your work bag or purse and touch up your face throughout the day. The formula is made with soothing ingredients that hydrate your skin and create such a subtle glow. It's a great product that's not too pricey — just under the $30 mark!" — Madison Yauger, Shopping Editor
Rahua Enchanted Island Vegan Curl Butter
"I've been testing this curl butter on my thick, wavy hair for a few months, and I can confirm that it's the best hair product I've ever tried for creating soft, bouncy curls. The formula is super thick, and a little bit goes a long way to deeply nourish strands. I love that the ingredient list includes plant-based biotin to encourage hair growth and strength. Plus, it smells divine." — Cai Cramer, Shopping Writer
Related: The 9 Best Brushes for Curly Hair, Tested and Reviewed
Kulfi Free The Brow Volumizing & Laminating Brow Gel
"As someone with thicker eyebrows, it feels like I have tried every brow product out there — from waxes to gels. But nothing locks my eyebrow hairs in place quite like my new favorite brow gel. When Kulfi reached out about their new product, Free The Brow Volumizing and Laminating Brow Gel, I knew I had to try it. I love that the soothing formula conditions my brows while delivering a more defined look that lasts literally all day long — no touchups needed! Even on no-makeup days when I'm just rocking a tinted sunscreen and cream blush, I reach for this brow gel to complete my look." — Kayla Kitts, Shopping Editor
PEOPLE / Kayla Kitts
Skin Pharm Sculpt Set
"I’ve covered a lot of ground in the dark circles sector of the beauty aisle, and written incessantly about my search for a product that can eliminate my perpetually pigmented under-eye shadows. And while they can be credited partly to genetics and partly fatigue, I do know there are products out there that, when used consistently, can help me spot-treat this area a little more effectively. Also loved by Kelsea Ballerini (see her patch-adorned brunch look here), the Skin Pharm Sculpt Set, which includes the brand’s Eye Sculpt Serum and Eye Patches, worked wonders for my dark circles this past month.
"I applied a thin layer of the lightweight serum to my under-eyes and waited a second before applying the silicone patches to my skin. Keeping these patches on for about 20 minutes in the morning was all I needed for my skin to feel tighter, a sensation I hadn’t felt (and actually made a visible difference) under my eyes with any other product. I also loved that these were reusable, as so many of the eye-patches I tried before were one-hit wonders and caused me to keep buying more — making these a total investment worth making (and a sustainable choice, at that). My personal favorite part: popping the serum and patches (once they’ve been rinsed off and patted dry) in the fridge to make my next application nice and cool." — Alyssa Brascia
Canopy Humidifier
"While it's not technically a beauty product, this humidifier has been a lifesaver for my skin since I started using it a month ago. After waking up morning after morning with dry, dull-looking skin, I realized that no amount of moisturizer could compensate for how the cold winter air combined with indoor heat sucks the life out of my skin. I had seen the Canopy all over TikTok and decided to give it a try.
"It's easy to clean (most of the parts go in the dishwasher) and it comes in a range of sizes including the new portable one which I plan to purchase for my office desk (because lets, be honest, a mid-day face mist feels lovely but does nothing for legit dry skin)." — Andrea Lavinthal
Related: The 24 Best Humidifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Soapbox Coconut + Goji Berry Nourishing Body Wash
"I've always been drawn to coconut when it comes to body wash, so I was excited to try the Soapbox Coconut + Goji Berry Nourishing Body Wash — which I've now used for several months. Beyond the amazing scent (I'm obsessed!), it has an incredibly hydrating formula that leaves my skin silky smooth. It's a huge bottle and only costs $10, so you're getting a good value as well as a body wash that will leave your skin nourished and smelling delicious post-shower." — Madison Yauger
PEOPLE / Madison Yauger
Kosas Weightless Lip Color Nourishing Satin Lipstick
"There are a million lipsticks lining the shelves of beauty retailers (and almost just as many sitting at the bottom of my purse), but there's only one that I reach for almost daily: the Kosas Weightless Satin Lipstick. The creamy formula really does feel like nothing on the lips, and it's also super blendable, which means that I can create a light, blotted lip for that just-ate-a-popsicle look or apply a full layer or two to achieve major lip drama.
"Bonus points: I always apply a few daps of the lipstick directly on my cheeks and blend it out with my fingers for a just-pinched blush that complements my lip shade perfectly." — Cai Cramer
Refy Skin Finish Water-Based Powder
"I filmed myself trying this powder for the first time because I knew my reaction would be priceless — I mean, a water-based powder? In my experience, H2O tends to be the enemy of powder, let alone the key ingredient. But to my surprise, this “skin finish” really did set my makeup for the day, giving me a poreless visage and diminishing the oily points of my face while feeling utterly cooling on my skin. The product almost feels wet when your powder-dipped sponge touches your face, but you can rest assured knowing that your makeup will sit perfectly all day long while the hydrating formula keeps your face looking fresh." — Alyssa Brascia
Related: The 13 Best Setting Powders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Mac Cosmetics Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick
"I recently received a set of the new Mac Mac-ximal Silky Matte Lipsticks and they've moved into the top spot in my makeup rotation. I love peach and neutral shades when it comes to lipstick, so the Honeylove shade — a peachy beige — is my ideal color. It goes on smooth and lasts for most of the day (though some touchups are required). The shade range of this new launch is extensive so there's a color for everyone, from Taylor Swift Red to Barbie Pink." — Madison Yauger
PEOPLE / Madison Yauger
Related: The 15 Best Long-Lasting Lipsticks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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