20 Best Beauty Launches of August 2023, According to Editors
20 Beauty Launches Our Editors Can’t Get Enough Of This Month
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It's officially August, which means many locations around the world are experiencing melt-your-face-off kinds of heat. If you've spent the last few weeks frantically googling "Does sweatproof makeup exist?" don't fret — we're here to help. As beauty editors, our inboxes are consistently flooded with beauty's latest and greatest, and we've spent the last month testing out all the newest summer launches in the hair, skin, makeup, body, and fragrance categories.
Brands have been dropping spanking-new products that are sure to help you beat the heat. We've found facial sunscreens that will protect you from the sun's scorching rays, hair treatments that will smooth frizz no matter how humid it is outside, and the best moisturisers that will keep your skin hydrated even in the driest of climates. To make it easier for you, we've tested hundreds of beauty products that are dropping this month and compiled an editor-vetted list of our absolute favorites.
Whether you're looking to update a few products in your skin-care routine, seeking out makeup in brighter hues to match your warm-weather outfits, or just wanting to be "in the know" when it comes to all things beauty, there are plenty of new launches for you to feast your eyes (and hopefully your hands) on. Keep reading to check out the picks that have landed permanent spots in our beauty bags.
— Additional reporting by Jessica Harrington
Best Lip Treatment
Rhode Skin Peptide Lip Treatment (£16)
"Hailey Bieber is entering her strawberry glaze era. As if the Rhode Skin Peptide Lip Treatments weren't already sweet enough, the brand-new strawberry glaze flavour not only tastes as good as it sounds, it also gives your lips that classic donut glaze finish all day long. Can't choose between this new edition or the original? Read our full review of the OG here." — Chloe Dunn, senior social content producer
Best Cream Blush
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in RiRi (£22)
"This is my go-to product for those days where I just want to bring some life into my cheeks without applying a full face of makeup. Channel your inner Rihanna with the newest shade RiRi, a soft rose mauve inspired by the singer herself." — CD
Best Lengthening Mascara:
KVD Beauty Full Sleeve Mascara (£22)
"No matter how hard I try, I can never completely remove all of my mascara. That was until I tried this new innovation from KVD Beauty. Not only does the 24 hour tat-tubing technology create the thickest, darkest, eyelashes that stay intact all day long, it's also incredibly easy to remove at the end of the day. Just take some warm water and with a gentle wipe, the mascara slides off without a fuss." — CD
Best Matte Blush
Gucci Luminous Matte Beauty Blush (£41)
"Gucci Beauty added new shades to its Luminous Matte Beauty Blush, and if you have anywhere from a medium to deep dark skin tone, I need you to go and get the shade Soft Red immediately. It falls more on the coral side of the spectrum, and the way it adds just a hint of colour to liven up this face is so beautiful. It's my favourite product from the brand's beauty line by far." — AB
Best Lip Balm:
GloWish Super Jelly Lip Balm (£18)
"GloWish is known for its skin-care friendly approach to makeup which is why it only makes sense for it to add a brand-new line of lip balms to its product range. Available in four superfood-infused fruity shades, these little balms really pack a punch of hydration to keep your lips soft and shiny throughout the day." — CD
Best Eye Brightener:
TULA gold glow + get it cooling & brightening eye balm (£29)
"This eye balm is a holiday essential. The cooling effect is a life-saver on hot summer days, adding moisture and refreshing skin after just one application. The brand-new gold edition leaves a dewy, shimmering look. On days when I want to wear less makeup, I just use this before I leave the house." — CD
Best Plumping Gloss
MAC Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick (£22)
"The MAC Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick is completely worth the hype. I particularly love the shade Lower Cut, which is a gorgeous brown that gives the sexiest '90s lip. I haven't stopped wearing it." — AB
Best Eyeshadow Palette:
GloWish Micro Mini Natural Eyeshadow Palette (£22)
"These eyeshadow palettes from GloWish are perfect if you're on-the-go this summer. Ranging from orangey corals to deep greens, there are three new palettes to choose from. Each one contains three matte shades and one shimmer, perfect for creating a casual daytime look and transforming it into something bolder for the evening." — CD
Best Brightening Mask
Kate Somerville Mega-C 30% Vitamin C Brightening Mask (£62)
"I'm not going to lie, it's been a minute since an at-home treatment has actually made me go, 'Whew, OK!' My skin has become almost immune to any tingling sensations from AHAs or resurfacing, so it was kind of a treat to put this mask on and immediately feel a serious zing. It's not uncomfortable — but it certainly makes itself known. I've been using it once a week to help combat hyperpigmentation from being out in the sun, and I've definitely seen some brown starting to lift. Just be ready for a kick." — AK
Best Body-Makeup Brush
Dibs Every Body Brush (£27)
"It's a 'Renaissance' summer, and that means your body shimmer has to be on 10. For my concert look, I wanted to use a mix of powder glitters but didn't want it getting all over my hands (and clothes . . . and walls), so the Dibs Every Body Brush completely saved the day. The bristles are soft and disperse product evenly, and the handle is short and super comfortable in my hand. It's a concert must have for me at this point." — Ariel Baker, assistant editor, beauty
Best Volumizing Mascara
Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Fanning & Volumising Mascara (£26)
"Benefit just launched its first mascara in years, and it was well worth the wait. The Fan Fest Fanning & Volumising Mascara separates, lifts, volumises, and curls your lashes with its curved brush and flex-wave fibre-packed formula. The brush has soft bristles that grab each individual lash, coating it in product, sans any clumps. I wore this before dancing the night away at Beyoncé's concert when it was close to 100 degrees, and it didn't smudge or flake." — Jessica Harrington, editor, beauty
Read our full Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Fanning & Volumising Mascara review here.
Best Lip Balm
Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm (£12)
"I'm not typically much of a lip-gloss gal, but this one rides the line between lip gloss, lip tint, and lip balm like a boss. It is slightly thick to add a nice shine without being too high-gloss, adds just the slightest berry stain tint without going full lipstick, and feels nourishing and soothing like a balm. Nine times out of 10 you'll find it in my pocket any time I leave the house." — Aviel Kanter, director, branded content
Best Blush Duo
Gxve Feelin' Cheeky Clean Amplifying Talc-Free Blush Duo ($28)
"As soon as I tested this Gxve blush for the first time, I immediately fell in love. It gives my skin the most perfect glowy flushed look, and I love the fact that you get two shades in one palette. I like wearing the shades separately or mixing them together, which is essentially a third tone. The formula is blendable, and it doesn't cling to dry patches, which is a must with my super-dry skin." — RR
Best Powder Bronzer
Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer (£69)
"Westman Atelier extended its Beauty Butter Matte Powder Bronzer with a new shade called Beau Soleil, and I am absolutely loving it. The bronzer is lightweight and blends like a dream, and it doesn't feel like a heavy powder on the face. Yes, this one's a bit on the pricey side, but it's definitely going to last you, so I think it's worth it." — AB
Best Skin Tint
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation (£49)
"I'll take a skin tint over foundation any day. Right now, I'm loving this new one from Hourglass. It's lightweight, sheer enough to see my freckles, and super hydrating. A little bit goes a long way and blends seamlessly, giving you a second-skin finish." — JH
Read our full Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint review.
Best Eyeshadow Single
Chantecaille Wild Mustang Collection Matte Eyeshadow (£52)
"I'm in my horse-girl era, and Chantecaille is fuelling the obsession with the new Wild Mustang Collection of lipsticks and eyeshadows. The packaging is seriously stunning with portraits of wild horses, the formulas are wearable and super pretty, and a portion of the purchase price benefits the American Wild Horse Campaign. I want them all, but for now I've got Palomino displayed on my bathroom vanity." — Dawn Davis, executive director, beauty
Best Lip Gloss
Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in Vanilla (£16)
"And now, for the lip treatment that needs no introduction. I got my hands on the newest flavour from Rhode, vanilla, and it takes (and smells) just like a birthday cake. I can't stop applying this gloss all day, every day. It makes my lips look so juicy and feel hydrated without being sticky. I have one in each of my bags so I never have to go without." — JH
Best Cream Blush
Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour Balm (£27)
"Because I'm a self-proclaimed blush connoisseur, I had to try the Pat McGrath Labs Legendary Glow Colour Balm. The shade Divine Rose was my favourite, and if you have a deep skin tone and want a dewy flush of bronzy-pink colour, you can't go wrong with this one." — AB
Best Eyeshadow Palette
Isamaya Beauty Industrial Colour Pigments (£95)
"The Isamaya Beauty Industrial Colour Pigments is my second product from the brand, and it's solidified the fact that I will stan this company for the rest of my days. I don't even particularly like eyeshadows because I'm not very good at it, but the way the colours in this palette have made me feel like an artist is undeniable. I used this by itself and my eyes looked like disco balls. I am obsessed, and you will be too." — AB
Best Barrier Cream
Tower 28 SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturiser (£22)
"You know I loooove a thick cream — honestly, the heavier the better. I'm all about going to bed feeling like I have a nice cushiony layer of barrier-repairing moisture from my forehead to my décolletage. This moisturiser fits the bill and is also super gentle — I recently developed mild rosacea, so I have to be careful about any harsh ingredients. Every time I use it I wake up looking plump and well-rested." — AK
