Somehow, we woke up this morning and our calendars say "November" across the top of them. Despite the fact that the year seems to be flying by as fast as ever, our editors have still found plenty of time to test out new beauty products [1]. While last month's finds [2] were pretty great, we have to admit: this month's latest launches might be even better.
As temperatures continue to dip, we've been on the hunt for hydrating body lotions [3] that will keep our skin moisturised in even the coldest of weather, deodourants that will keep us feeling fresh [4] underneath layers of clothes, and fragrances that will garner us tons of compliments [5] at all of the mandatory holiday events.
We spritzed, sniffed, swatched, slathered, and sampled hundreds of products and are excited to share our favourites. Whether you're looking to swap out a few items in your skin-care routine to prepare for the colder months, searching for makeup that will keep you "merry" all season long, or if you just want to get a head start on your holiday shopping, we've got you covered. Keep reading to check out the best new launches in the makeup, skin care, body care, hair care, and fragrance categories that have landed a permanent spot on our beauty counters.
Best Makeup: Tower28 MakeWaves Mascara
"I am picky about mascaras, but the first time I tried the Tower28 MakeWaves Mascara [6] ($20), I fell in love. The formula goes on as smooth as butter, it doesn't flake throughout the day, and it's easy to remove. Plus, the curved wand and plastic bristles act like a built-in lash curler, which is an extra step in my makeup routine I'm now more than happy to skip. It's honestly everything I've ever wanted." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Best Makeup: Catrice Plumping Lip Liner
"What if I told you that you could get a lip liner that's highly pigmented, lasts through multiple meals, is surprisingly hydrating, and costs less than your pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks? You wouldn't believe me, right? Don't worry, I wouldn't have either — until I tried the Catrice Plumping Lip Liner [7] ($4). It ticks all the above boxes and then some, because really: you can't beat that price." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty director
Best Makeup: Dibs Beauty One Liner
"Eyeliner pencils have come a long way, and Dibs Beauty One Liner [8] ($16) is the perfect example. It's silky, so it doesn't tug, and it can be smudged for a smoky look or layered for a major cat-eye. It won't transfer or smear once it sets, but it's not impossible to remove. Oh, and the best part? You can combine your two favourite colours to create a custom double-ended pencil. I'll take four." — Dawn Davis, executive director, Vox Media
Best Makeup: EM Cosmetics Soft Spoken Velvet Lip Creme
"The number of lip products that I own is embarrassing, in case that sets the stage of how many I've tried. So when I began fawning over everything about the EM Cosmetics Soft Spoken Velvet Lip Creme [9] ($24) — from the packageing to the formula — I knew the world had to know about it, too. The texture is pillowy soft and feels like silk on my lips. The colour Whisper was the perfect pinky-nude, and the applicator picks up the right amount of product every time. There's a reason this keeps selling out. It's that good." — Ariel Baker, assistant editor, beauty
Best Makeup: Exa Ten18 Lash Amplifying Mascara
"I haven't stopped using the Exa Ten18 Lash Amplifying Mascara [10] ($24) since it arrived at my door. The vegan formula features ingredients you traditionally would find in your skin-care products. It gets its jet-black pigment from bamboo charcoal powder, rice bran wax helps lengthen and lift your lashes, and orange peel fibres up the volume. Even the brush is made from castor bean bioplastic. The result is a flake-free, smudge-proof volumizing mascara." — Jessica Harrington, beauty editor
Best Makeup: Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
"I recently tried out the Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint [11] ($32), and I was beyond impressed. The formula is hydrating and light, but it's also buildable, which means it's perfect for both no-makeup makeup days and a full face of glam. It pairs well with my skin-care products, and it lasts all day long." — RR
Best Makeup: Maybelline Tattoo Studio Gel Pencil
"Coloured pencil eyeliners can be extremely hit-or-miss for me. In fact I'd go as far as to say the majority of them do not work for me, especially the lighter shades. So imagine my surprise when the colour Maybelline's Tattoo Studio Gel Pencil Liner in Citrus Charge [12] ($9) not only showed up on my skin tone but was also vibrant, creamy, and budgeproof. I felt like I stuck gold after discovering this one. " — AB
Ieró Beauty Moonkissed Luminous PH Lip Comforter
"It's not every day you find a hydrating lip balm that just so happens to magically adjust to the perfect colour for your skin tone, but that's what you get when you try the Ieró Beauty Moonkissed Luminous PH Lip Comforter [13] ($32). It's loaded with shea butter and vitamin E for the hit of moisture that everyone wants, while the PH-reactive technology makes it feel individually tailored to you." — KC
Best Makeup: Make Beauty Lash Prototype Mascara
"This past weekend, I put Make Beauty's Lash Prototype Mascara [14] ($26) to the ultimate test: I wore it to a wedding where I was a bridesmaid. For those of you who don't know, bridesmaids basically have to look fabulous from about 4 pm (when the pre-ceremony group photos are taken) through to the end of the night after hours of dance-floor antics. It's a big ask for any makeup product to last that long without bleeding, creasing, or flaking. Lash Prototype passed with flying colours. It looked great both in photos and up close right up until the moment hastily washed my face and tumbled into bed." — Aviel Kanter, director, branded content
Best Makeup: Summer Fridays Blush Balm Sticks
"Summer Fridays's Blush Balm Sticks [15] ($28) feel as good as they look. With three shades to choose from — a red, a pink, and a caramel-brown — there's a colour there for any skin tone. The sticks are also lightweight and easy to blend out, while the light, fruity scent is the delicious cherry on top." — AB
Best Skin Care: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Jelly Water with Charcoal
"At the start of a new season, my skin is more on edge than the crowd at a horror movie, which is why I lean on micellar waters as the first step to my nightly skin-care routine: they get rid of dirt and grime, gently. The only bad thing about them is they are basic, and that's the point, but not the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Jelly Water with Charcoal [16] ($8). Not only is this micellar formula gentle enough for my skin and effective at removing my foundation, but it also brings a little fun to the party with its cool grey colour and bouncy jelly texture that feels cooling on contact." — KC
Best Skin Care: Replenix Antioxidant Hydrating Cleanser
"I have extremely dry skin, especially in the colder months, so I really rely on having hydrating products in my routine. The Replenix Antioxidant Hydrating Cleanser [17] ($40) cleanses my face without leaving me with that tight and dry feeling. It's packed with powerful antioxidants that help soothe my skin, no matter how irritated it gets." — RR
Best Skin Care: Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Fragrance-Free Serum
"As the weather gets colder in NYC, I've been reaching for as many deeply hydrating products as possible. The Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Fragrance-Free Serum [18] ($30) has been a welcome addition to my nighttime skin-care regimen, as it's formulated with three powerhouse ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides. The texture is lightweight and nonsticky, absorbing quickly into my skin and leaving behind a healthy-looking glow." — JH
Best Skin Care: Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Moisturiser
"I've truly never felt another moisturiser like Cocokind's new Resurrection Polypeptide Moisturiser ($27, out this month). The cream's texture almost has a taffy consistency but without feeling sticky. It contains the resurrection plant, which helps deeply hydrate skin, polypeptides to improve radiance and support collagen, and squalane to lock in moisture. The blue-purple colour, which comes from an antioxidant-rich plant called the jagua, also makes it stand out." — JH
Best Skin Care: Sephora Collection Holy Sheet! Holiday Set
"Something like two or three years into my job as a beauty editor, I inadvertently decided to take on the job of holiday elf every Christmas. Each year, I'd lug home a suitcase packed to the brim with carefully selected beauty minis to fill my entire family's stockings (I know, I know: best gift-giver award, right?). Then, as it goes, my mom got pickier, my five siblings got partners, they had babies, and my stocking stuffer count quadrupled. Recently, I decided to pare it back — I could blame at least three grey hairs a year on this venture — and now, I wait for Sephora's perfect all-in-one gift set that I can divvy up into dozens of mini gifts. Enter: the Sephora Collection Holy Sheet! Holiday Set [19] ($50), a sheet mask masterpiece with 18 curated options for the face, eyes, hands, and feet that I know they'll appreciate . . . without the stress on my end." — KC
Best Skin Care: Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish
"I love love love Dr. Loretta's products (the Tightening Detox Mask and the Intense Replenishing Serum are *chefs kiss*), and the new Resurfacing Enzyme Polish [20] ($60) is my newest favourite. It has the perfect amount of physical exfoliation (aka, scrub) that doesn't feel too harsh or drying and enhances the gentle exfoliation with pomegranate enzymes. Rather than leaving my skin feeling stripped after using — like most physical exfoliators do to my skin — my face is more plump and bouncy than ever, thanks to niacinamide and panthenol." — AK
Best Skin Care: Chanel Lift Pro Creme Volume
"I know a product is good when I want to hide it from my girlfriend, which is exactly what I've attempted to do with the Chanel Lift Pro Creme Volume [21] ($195). While my efforts don't work — she still seeks it out because she, too, has experienced the face moisturiser's lifting powers — the product definitely does, thanks to its active ingredient of melipona enzymes (a honey responsibly sourced from Melipona bees in Costa Rica)." — KC
Best Skin Care: Lawless Forget The Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask
"Anyone who knows me in real life knows I'm obsessed with the Lawless Forget the Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask [22] ($21). The brand recently dropped a limited edition flavour, Birthday Cake, which is genuinely one of the best things I've ever smelled or tasted in my life. I use this mask throughout the day to keep my lips hydrated and soft, and it works wonders." — RR
Best Skin Care: Acaderma Oasis Barrier Booster Serum
"I've been travelling a lot lately, which has left my skin irritated and raw. Not has it been dry, but I've also had a lot of acne on my cheeks and chin that just won't go away. I added the Acaderma Oasis Barrier Booster Serum [23] ($68) into my routine hoping that it would help with dryness, and not only did it help to hydrate, but it also smoothed and calmed my skin. I genuinely believe this product is made with magic, and it's become a serum I can no longer live without." — RR
Best Skin Care: Exfoliating Face Wash + Scrub
"I can't lie: just like my boyfriend likes to steal my beauty products at times, I like to do the same. So when he started using the Urban Skin Rx Men's Collection Kit [24] ($49), particularly the Exfoliating Face Wash and Scrub [25] ($14), I tried it too. In short, it's fantastic. I don't use physical exfoliants on my face too often, but when I feel like my skin looks dull is my favourite time to reach for one. This one felt gritty but not harsh, and after I washed my face, there was a noticeable glow. I've also used it on other parts of my body, like my arms and legs, so if you're looking for an exfoliant that can do it all, try this one." — AB
Best Skin Care: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream with Triple Ceramide Complex
"There's nothing I want more in the fall and winter months than my face to feel cocooned by a rich, luxurious cream at night. Luckily, the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream with Triple Ceramide Complex [26] ($95) delivers. It's loaded with a triple whammy of hydrating ingredients — hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and prebiotics — that wraps your skin with moisture but without smearing or staining your pillowcase." — KC
Best Skin Care: PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum
"The key to glowy skin year-round is regular gentle exfoliation. To get my there, I've been using the PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum [27] ($99), which contains a blend of AHAs and PHAs to melt away dead skin cells and congested pores and prickly pear flower extract to support your skin's moisture barrier. This magic combination has left my skin looking radiant without any discomfort. I use it regularly in my skin cycling routine." — JH
Best Skin Care: Glossier Balm Dot Com Swiss Miss
"Glossier's new Balm Dotcom in Swiss Miss [28]($12) is a collaboration with Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, and wow — it's a match made in heaven. The new lip balm smells like actual hot cocoa and coats your lips in a velvety frosting-like chestnut-brown tint. I keep it on my desk and can't stop putting it on — it smells good enough to eat." — JH
Best Skin Care: Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask
"I have a tough time sleeping at night, and typically I need the room to be completely dark before I can actually doze off. The Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask [29] ($80) helps me get a full eight hours, and the silk material protects the delicate skin around my eyes. It's comfortable to wear all night, and because the band goes around my ears, it also muffles sound. Also, I may or may not have seen Jessica Alba [30] wearing it, so, it's definitely a winner." — RR
Best Hair Care: R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
"The R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner [31] ($34) is one of the first conditioners I've tried that doesn't weigh my hair down. The formula is lightweight in texture, but it detangles and leaves my hair feeling soft and silky, too. My hair is also on the frizzy side, and I swear it's helped cut down on flyaways as well." — RR
Best Hair Care: Jennifer Behr Orian Bow Barrette
"I love a celestial motif, and I love a big hair bow. This Jennifer Behr Orian Bow Barrette [32] ($450) combines them both in the most extra way. It's fancy, it's fun, it's over-the-top fabulous. It may cost more than all of my utility bills combined, but I'm going to wear it to every party from now until forever because that's how much I'm obsessed with it." — DD
Best Hair Care: Rahua Enchanted Island Hair Care Set
"I can't even tell you how yummy the shampoo and conditioner in the Rahua Enchanted Island Essential Hair Care Set [33] ($74) smells. It's like a holiday in a bottle, with guava and coconut that wraps you in a warm bubbly hug. And the formula is lovely as well: Plant-based biotin, vitamins B6, A, C, and E make up a high-performance complex that strengthens hair follicles, while sacha inchi seed oil works to lock in hair's moisture and soothe the scalp. Bottom line, for a natural shampoo, this one lathers really nicely and without a ton of product needed, and the conditioner leaves my hair feeling silky smooth pretty much immediately." — AK
Best Hair Care: Aquis Flip Hair Drying Tool in Pearl
"I'm always looking for new ways to help protect and strengthen my hair, and the Aquis Flip Hair Drying Tool [34] ($50) is an easy way for me to do just that. It helps to reduce frizz and increase shine, and it's much safer for hair than traditional drying methods. I bring it with me wherever I go, especially if I'm travelling, and it's done wonders for the health of my hair." — RR
Best Body Care: Mustela Eczema Relief Cream Stelatopia Intense
"For some people, fall is the kick-off to pumpkin spice lattes and spiked cider. For me, it's the start of eczema season. During extreme flare-ups — which are an unfortunate reality on cold, windy days that suck moisture from my skin like a vampire — my default is to reach for prescription-strength cortisone creams, but lately, before getting to that point I've been using Mustela Stelatopia Intense [35] ($21). It's surprisingly gentle, contains a heavy dose of colloidal oatmeal, and, unlike other eczema creams on the market, it doesn't feel greasy or heavy. More importantly: it works, soothing my skin of mild bumps early on before it can get worse." — KC
Best Body Care: Costa Brazil Body Scrub
"The Costa Brazil Body Scrub [36] ($88) is truly sumptuous — while it doesn't have an scent added, to me it has a hint of cocoa and coffee that make for such a gorgeous shower experience. The ingredients are also top notch: crushed murumuru seeds hydrate and fortify the skin's lipid barrier, cold-pressed green coffee oil plumps the skin with linoleic acid, sweet almond oil replenishes the skin's moisture barrier with vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, and sugar cane-derived hemi-squalane softens skin. It's a lovely body scrub that I can't wait to use at the end of a long day." — AK
Best Body Care: Jergens Natural Glow Melanin Glow Body Lotion
"I never thought I'd have a 'special occasion' lotion, but the Jergens Natural Glow Melanin Glow Body Lotion [37] is exactly that. The hydrating formula contains tiny, subtle gold shimmers that take the normal glow you get after moisturising up a level. I wore it on a recent trip to the ballet and my décolletage has never looked better." — AB
Best Body Care: Nez Minis Deodourant
"Let me preface this by saying I'm a big believer in aluminium deodourants, so much so that whenever anyone asks me for a natural deodourant recommendation, I (ironically) start to sweat because I haven't found one that really works. That said, the Nez Minis [38] ($20 for 3) have impressed me so far. These travel-sized deodourants come in a three-pack, but you can tailor your bundle to the occasion (a board meeting, workout, or date night) and scent preference (I highly recommend Smoky Date Night — it's like sitting next to a fire on a warm winter night). It also doesn't include potentially irritating bicarbonate of soda, so my sensitive skin is in the clear." — KC
Best Body Care: Bliss Almond Milk & Vanilla Cloud 9 Body Lotion
"I've been the hugest Bliss fan ever since I discovered Bliss Spas, and became hooked on the Vanilla and Bergamot Body Butter that's since been discontinued. The new Bliss Almond Milk & Vanilla Cloud 9 Body Lotion [39] ($15, sold out online; check a Bliss store near you to find it in person) is the closest scent and feel to my beloved former lotion of choice, and I'm so happy I've got a great find on my shelf." — Jada Gomez, executive editor, entertainment and style
Best Body Care: Gold Bond Body Bright Daily Body & Face Lotion With Vitamin C
"I've been trying to take better care of the skin on my body, and that has included incorporating treatment products into my body-care routine. When Goldbond came out with the Body Bright Daily Body & Face Lotion [40] ($12) I immediately jumped on it. Not only is the lotion is hydrating, but it also contains vitamin C to help fade a few hyperpigmentation marks I still have from mosquito bites on holiday this past summer. Even better, I've also used it on my face when I want to scale back on the products I'm carrying for trips and it hasn't caused any breakouts. I'm considering it a staple product from this day forward." — AB
Best Fragrance: Byredo Symphonique Candle
"The Byredo Symphonique Candle [41] ($90) perfectly captures what the fall-to-winter transition smells like — from spiked apple cider to crisp leaves to cold nights by the fire, mixed with a little whimsy and holiday cheer. Every time I light it, my living room transforms into the coziest cabin-like retreat." — KC
Best Fragrance: Le Sirenuse Hotel Eau d'Italie Mystic Sunset
"I'm always on a mission to expand my perfume collection, so I could not pass up the opportunity to test the new Eau d'Italie Mystic Sunset [42] ($170) fragrance by the celebrity-loved Le Sirenuse Hotel. With notes of saffron, cedar wood, cassis, and jasmine, I was immediately impressed by how it smelt so warm and mature, yet stayed light and fresh. I can see how it was inspired by the hotel itself. Over the last few weeks of wearing it, the perfume has truly earned its rightful spot into my small but mighty perfume rotation." — Allison Ingrum, editorial operations manager
Best Fragrance: Studio Sandoval Palo Santo Aromatic Incense
"While I love a good candle, there's just something about a beautiful incense that changes the vibe of a room. Sandoval's new Palo Santo Aromatic Incense [43] ($60) does just that. The large incense cones produce an intoxicating fragrance that can fill several rooms, and lingers long after the smoke has faded. The cones are made from 100% sustainable palo santo wood from the Andes Mountains of Peru, which has long been used to clear energies and purify spaces. According to the brand, the incense 'smells like a good date feels — uncanny, transcendent.' Yes, please." — AK
Best Fragrance: Flamingo Estate Euphora Pulse Point Oil
"Flamingo Estate's latest collection, Euphoria [44], is perfect. Full stop. The scent is truly euphoric — a blend of pink peppercorn, Ionian bergamot, damask rose, and whiitie sandalwood that is all at once soothing and energetic. The Euphoria Pulse Point Oil [45] ($32) is one of my favourites in the collection (which includes a body oil [46], scrub [47], lotion [48], and the best-smelling candle [49] you've ever lit) — I've been keeping the little glass roller in my bag at all times when I need a touch of warmth. Any time I use it on my wrists, I seriously cannot stop inhaling it every five seconds." — AK
Best Fragrance: Initio Parfums Prives Paragon Eau de Parfum
"Initio Parfums Prives latest scent Paragon [50] ($370) smells bold yet refined in a way that feels almost aspirational. I can picture myself wearing it to a really important meeting but it will also turn heads during a casual walk down the street. Notes like bergamot, black pepper, and agarwood make this perfume a serious compliment magnet without that doesn't feel like 'too much.'" — AB
Best Fragrance: Carrière Frères Siberian Pine and Candied Ginger Candle
"The Carrière Frères winter collection is an ode to Siberian pine, and combines other fragrances to add depth to the distinctly woodsy scent. My favourite from the collection is the Siberian Pine and Candied Ginger Candle [51] ($85) — the addition of ginger adds a zesty sweetness to the forest-y fragrance that gives serious winter vibes. And when you're spending the holidays in a perpetually-summery place like Los Angeles, you really have to rely on smells like this to evoke that holiday spirit. Hint hint: this gorgeous candle would also make a lovely gift." — AK
Best Fragrance: Voluspa Sparkling Cuvée
"Voluspa's Sparkling Cuvee Candle [52] ($30) reminds me of my childhood. The notes of sparkling wine and pomelo are fruity and uplifting, but the added sweetness from the woody oak and rose petals rounds it out and reminds me of family reunions in the Caribbean. It's a scent I'll cherish forever." — AB
Best Nail: Olive & June Quick Dry Polish in Smooch
"Olive and June just released a new line of polishes that dry in under a minute. The Quick Dry Polish in Smooch [53] ($8) is a game-changer for last-minute manis. The wide, fan-shaped brush helps deliver ultra-rich pigment in a single swipe, meaning you don't need to go back for another layer. The new formula also comes in a wide variety of colours to fit all of your nail needs." — JH
Best Nail: For Tmrw For the 90s
"I recently decided to take a break from gel manicures, so I've been on the hunt for regular nail lacquer that actually lasts. I fell in love with the For Tmrw For the 90s Nail Polish [54] ($18) because the formula is long-lasting and the colour is gorgeous. It's going to be my go-to nail polish this winter and beyond." — RR
Best Nail: OPI Xpress/On Nail Art Press On Nails
"I'm a sucker for a good pair of press-on nails, and OPI's newly released collection is full of trendy styles. The XPress/ON I Want It, I Got It Press On Nails [55] ($16) come in 33 gel-like styles, multiple different shapes, and range in length from short to long. What's even cooler is the nails and packageing are made from 94 percent post-consumer (PCR) recycled materials." — JH