Spring cleaning is for more than your bedroom — so many stores are swapping our their Winter-approved beauty products for new seasonal picks. After all, as the temperature changes, so should your makeup, skin, and hair routine. We've tested the following 18 goodies for months, and hand-selected the ones worth Spring-ing for. (See what we did there?)
From a galactic lip gloss to an eye cream that actually works, read on to see our editor-approved picks for April shopping. Buh-bye money!
Algenist Retinol Firming & Lifting Serum
I've always been lowkey afraid of retinol — I'm not quite sure why, but I have had stress dreams about high school me trying one out right before prom and ending up with red, flaky skin. But my friends at Algenist convinced me to try this vegan Retinol Firming & Lifting Serum [2]. My love for the brand's liquid collagen [3] is well documented, but I've started cheating on that product for this retinol. I rarely seen skincare results as fast as I do with this bad boy — within about 10 days, my breakouts have ceased and my overall face texture has seriously improved. I've actually stopped wearing foundation on the weekend. I'm telling all my friends to spend their tax returns on this serum. —Alaina Demopoulos, editorial assistant, beauty
Kiehl's Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask
Overnight masks are becoming a quick trend, but half the time, we're left wondering what makes them any different than, you know, a night cream. Kiehl's Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask [4] ($54) actually feels like a velvety, luxurious mask that you don't have to wash off before bed. You don't need much because it's a thick formula that smooths onto the skin like butter. The point of this mask is to smooth fine lines and firm the skin, so feel free to multi-task while you're hitting the hay. — Kirbie Johnson, host, writer and sr. video reporter
Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Overnight Masque
My new facialist at Heyday introduced me to this spa-only brand (hi, Jenna!). She sent me home with a sample of its Hydrating Enzyme Mask [5] to exfoliate my super sensitive and incredibly dry skin — I'm talking desert-level dry, and, no, I'm not exaggerating. I loved it, but I wanted something a little more multitasking, so I moved on to the new Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Overnight Masque ($55, on sale April 12). It's a clear gel, so there won't be any stains on your pillowcase, with mild versions of exfoliating and brightening vitamin C and blue-green algae extract, and smoothing minerals. When I wake up in the morning, not only do I feel super accomplished because I masked in my sleep (how boss lady of me), my dry skin also looks less red and more supple. — Alessandra Foresto, director, Voices
GLAMGLOW x My Little Pony Glittermask
I've always been a fan of GLAMGLOW's firming peel-off masks, and the brand's new collaboration with My Little Pony has yielded some intense, incredible colors — filled with glitter! I'm partial to the hot pink GLAMGLOW x My Little Pony #Glittermask Gravitymud Firming Treatment [6] ($59), but any of the colors would make a fun addition to your skincare regimen. — Brinton Parker, assistant editor, Trending
Supergoop x Milly Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50
Coachella is nigh, folks, which means I'm curating a bag full of travel-sized beauty products to take with me. (Granted, the bag is gallon-sized, but I digress.) Supergoop teamed up with designer Milly on this limited-edition packaging of Defense Refresh [7] ($12 for 1 oz.). It's a great way to refresh your SPF coverage throughout the day while also giving your makeup a re-up, and since I can only wear powder makeup [8] in the desert, this helps give me a dewy glow, too. — Kirbie
Ilia True Skin Foundation Serum
Confession: I've been wearing the same foundation since I was fourteen. It's an old school department store staple that's not that sexy, but it is reliable, so I stick with it because change is hard, y'all. I decided to switch it up with this Ilia True Skin Foundation Serum [9] ($54), because I love the brand's makeout-proof lip crayon [10]. I think my decision to bring this base home was divine intervention. This rosehip, jojoba, and marula oil-packed skincare/makeup hybrid both treats redness and fine lines while providing a medium, dewy coverage. Since I started using it, everyone's asked me what I did to improve my skin. One friend even called me a "poreless wonder!" TBH, I'd bathe in this base if my tiny, ex-tenement apartment had a bathtub. —AD
La Mer The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream
I know, I know, this is boujie as hell. But if you're going to splurge on a product, one that is coveted by A-listers and regular ol' plebians like myself, and you want something that will hydrate your dry, dull skin without leaving an oily finish, make it La Mer's new The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream [11] ($170 for 1 oz.). I've been using it during the day, after before applying my SPF, because it absorbs nicely but keeps my skin feeling bouncing and luminous — even if hell breaks loose at the office. It works as a nice primer for my makeup and includes all the great ingredients I've come to love from the original Créme de la Mer. — Kirbie
Urban Decay Sin Afterglow Highlighting and Blush Palette
A few weeks back, I got to work with Patrick Ta, and one thing we kind of went buckwild about was highlighter and cheek palettes. They're so smart, because both products are meant to give you a glow, and they complement each other nicely. Urban Decay has a new Afterglow palette — Sin [12] ($39) — which is inspired by their best-selling highlighter shade of the same name. The palette includes three cult shades and three new ones. Mix both the blush and highlight together for a unique DIY [13] look, and get ready to blush and shine throughout the night. — Kirbie
Mugler Alien Flora Futura Eau de Toilette Spray
I'll be coating my body in this Alien Flora Futura Eau de Toilette Spray [14] ($84) all Summer long. The mix of spicy-and-sweet is half urban sophisticate, half 2000s mall girl and I mean that in the most complimentary way. —AD
Lively Jasmine. Sea. Sun. Fragrance
When Spring rolls around, so do my floral fragrances. This season, I'll be spritzing on the new (first-ever) fragrance from "Leisurée" brand Lively. Its new scent, Jasmine.Sea.Sun [15] ($55) smells like sunshine in a damn bottle. It boasts top notes of sea salt, lychee, and mandarin. The heart blooms into fresh jasmine petals and it dries down to a nice blend of sandalwood and whipped musk. It's the perfect extra hint of confidence that you need to top off any date night or beach day. — Aimee Simeon, social media editor & contributing writer
Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Lotion
It's April, but the weather in NYC is confused: it's forecast to snow during the inaugural week of Spring's first month. Likewise, the undulating temperatures are stressing my skin out. That's why I can't stop reaching for this Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Lotion [16] ($44). It's a lightweight cream that's perfect for anyone with acne-prone skin who also experiences patches of dryness around culprit areas like the lips and nose. On top of all that, this sweetly-scented mixture of rosehip oil, shea butter, and honey naturally de-puffs the face. —AD
Joico Body Shake Texturizing Spray
Sea salt spray works wonders for some, but on my hair it can only wreak havoc. The salty mist typically feels like gooey junk on my naturally coarse hair. So when I want to achieve those sexy slept-in waves, I usually reach for texture spray. I recently discovered Joico's new Body Shake Texturizing Spray [17] ($17) and, y'all, I am obsessed. This superfine mist adds body, texture, and defines waves without making you feel like a salty mess. Just spray some on, tussle your hair, and your waves will be revived. It also has an incredible coconut scent that smells like a glorious beach day. —AS
Josie Maran Argan Moonstone Stick
Fact: good makeup gets even better in chubby stick form. There's just something my instant gratification-loving millennial self can't resist about a swipeable cosmetics. That's exactly why I'm hyperventilating over the release of this Josie Maran Argan Moonstone Stick ($25, available later this month). It's a stick version of Josie's popular, celestial Moonstone Drops Priming and Highlighting Oil [18] ($48). This chubby is made with 100 percent pure argan oil, vitamin E, mango butter, rosehip and lavender essential oils, which work together to smooth over your complexion and totally uplift your morning routing. Along with priming the face, it also gives you an instant natural flush that will help you channel your inner Coachella girl — even if you can't spring for a pricey festival pass. —AD
Real Techniques RTist Brushes
Hi, my name is Aimee and I love me some Real Technique brushes. More than half the brushes in my large collection are from the brand, and now I'm adding three more. Real Techniques is launching its new RTist Brushes exclusively online at www.realtechniques.com [19] starting April 2. The new line features a foundation, finish, and powder brushes for the seasoned makeup-lover. Each brush has super dense bristles that allow a smooth application every time. Whether you're just building out your makeup kit or literally can't stop buying new makeup brushes, these are 100 percent worth having. — AS
Fun Sexy Hair Mermaid Glow Getter
What more can I say about this Fun Sexy Hair Mermaid Glow Getter [20] ($13), other than it gives you sea-blue shimmering roots? If you don't want that in you life, we probably can't be friends. If I were a normal human, I'd say I love to slather this temporary glitter over my roots before a night out or concert, but TBH my extra-as-hell self puts it on before work, too. The formula is extremely easy to work with, so you can comb it over your strands for some nice shiny highlight action, add it to the bottom of your hair for a glitter ombre (glombre?) effect, or throw some onto your brows because why the f*ck not? —AD
Wander Beauty Catch the Light Highlighter and Glowtion
I bought a bigger clutch so it could fit this Wander Beauty Catch the Light Highlighter and Glowtion [21] ($34) into my going-out bag. It's my new favorite on-the-go touch-up product, because just one swipe of this pearl highlighter stick conditions, smooths, and cools your complexion while providing an amazing hint of bronze. The formula is super blendable, meaning you can do your makeup in the Uber and show up to your party not looking like you, well, did your makeup in an Uber. What's inside this magical Glowtion? Glad you asked: a mixture of lavender, aloe, safflower, vitamin E, and ginseng, all of which are responsible for the soothing treatment this swipe-r leaves on your beautiful face. —AD