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Each month, Fashionista editors try a *lot* of beauty products. And while not every formula we test is a winner, we’re constantly unearthing new favorites. Here, we’ve rounded up our latest hair, skin, fragrance, wellness and makeup discoveries — whether fresh-to-market drops or merely recent additions to our personal routines.
As fall’s crisp weather settles in and our appetite for pumpkin-flavored everything returns, team Fashionista is reflecting on the September beauty discoveries that earned a permanent spot on our vanities — and that helped us survive the New York Fashion Week hustle.
This month, our editors started switching out their summertime fragrance wardrobes in favor of fall scents, including a creamy mocha gourmand, a floral eau de parfum grounded in sandalwood and a warm, woody vanilla body mist. Our body-care discoveries featured a vanilla-and-iris-scented soap as well as a vitamin C-infused body scrub. As for our makeup favorites? We reached for a sensitive skin-friendly foundation, blurring loose setting powder, glowy serum foundation, copper-toned gel eyeliner and radiant illuminator.
Ahead, see (and shop!) our team’s standout beauty picks from September.
Ruti Ruti Ready Layered Clip-In Hair Extensions, $425, available here: “After getting my K-tips taken out last month, I’ve been giving my follicles a much-needed break, but missing the length and fullness. This seven-piece clip-in system of pre-layered extensions — designed by a hairstylist to blend seamlessly with hair — has been a game changer. After a bit of practice (and watching the brand’s how-to videos), I can install them in about five minutes. The high-quality hair also comes in a cute little box with a satin-lined storage bag and teasing comb, creating a delightful overall user experience.” —Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director
Vize Cloudwear Daily SPF 30 and PA+++, $24, available here: “Sunscreen is part of my routine no matter the weather, but considering it’s still a sunny 90 degrees in L.A., I’m even reapplying. My recent go-to is this new hydrating SPF from Hero Cosmetics Co-Founder Ju Rhyu and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aimee Paik. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin (or eyes) and is hydrating enough to use in place of moisturizer. I also love the non-greasy satin finish under makeup.” —Elizabeth Denton, Deputy Content Editor
Tower 28 Swipe Serum Foundation, $36, available here: “Tower 28 expanded its complexion range to (finally!) include a buildable foundation, and it has already become a staple in my beauty routine. As the big sister to the brand’s fan-favorite Swipe Serum Concealer, it’s formulated with portulaca oleracea extract to calm irritation, fermented oat for hydration and lactobacillus ferment to protect against environmental stressors. The sensitive skin-friendly (and non-acnegenic!) formula not only applies beautifully on the skin, but it also lasts all day long. No notes.” —Catie Pusateri, Associate Editor
Valentino Beauty Vendetta Donna Eau de Parfum, $185, available here: “Despite fall being fully in session and calling for my seasonal switch to woody perfumes, I can’t help but keep reaching for this floral fragrance. The key notes of orange nectar and white flower result in a delicious, juicy-floral combination that’s powerful enough to linger all day, but doesn’t overwhelm my senses. The base note of sandalwood thankfully provides a creamy, earthy trail that makes the perfume fall-appropriate enough.” —Janelle Sessoms, Associate Editor
Philosophy Body & Hair Fragrance Mist in Vanilla Hug, $28, available here: “As we move into the colder months, and my floral perfumes feel out of place, this fragrance is my North Star. It’s a subtle warm vanilla with woody notes, a combination that doesn’t induce a headache (as so many vanilla-adjacent scents tend to) and instead gives off a sense of comfort. Even with a light spritz, it sticks around all day long (truly a testament to its apt name, ‘Vanilla Hug’).” —Neia Dizon, Editorial and Multimedia Intern
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Loose Setting Powder, $50, available here: “My relationship with setting powder has gotten more complicated in my mid-30s: I want to hold my makeup in place and blur away textural imperfections, but I don’t want to accentuate the fine lines around my eyes or blot out any semblance of a natural glow. This finely milled loose powder — housed in a smart, spill-resistant jar — is perfect. It creates a gorgeously smooth finish, feels like nothing, doesn’t dry out my skin and actually softens the appearance of those tiny lines. Plus, it keeps oiliness at bay for hours without making my face overly matte.” —Steph
Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Multi-Use Serum Foundation, $42, available here: “When I initially tried Drunk Elephant’s first foundation, I thought it was a little too makeup-y for everyday. But then I learned from MUA Kelsey Deenihan that the high-pigment formula is meant to be sheered out as needed with a cream, serum or oil. Game changer. Now I mix a drop or two into serum or moisturizer (combining them on the back of my hand) for a glowy skin tint look and add more if I want more coverage. I love having the flexibility to play with the coverage depending on what the day brings.” —Elizabeth
DedCool Mocha Magic Eau de Parfum, $90, available here: “Gourmand girls, gather ’round: This rich, creamy mocha fragrance is the perfect fall scent. With delectable notes of espresso, tonka bean and biscotti, DedCool’s Mocha Magic smells like a trip to your favorite coffee shop (with a side of sweetness). It’s warm, it’s grounding and, just like my afternoon espresso, it offers a much-needed energy boost.” —Catie
Guerlain L’Heure Bleue Scented Soap, $40, available here: “When it comes to scented soap, I naturally gravitate toward fresh scents. My latest go-to is Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue, a vanilla-and-iris-imbued bar that leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and refreshed. Its airy, fresh scent is the perfect base for layering my favorite lotions and body oils afterward.” —Janelle
Saltair Coral Coast Vitamin C Oil-Infused Body Scrub, $20, available here: “I’m two-for-two with Saltair, and completely hooked on its Coral Coast scent. This body scrub delivers gentle exfoliation via salt and sugar crystals, as well as a skin-supporting finish with vitamin C and shea butter. Paired with the body wash, this duo has become unmatched in my ‘everything shower’ lineup.” —Neia
Beauty Pie Ultra Color Pro Gel Eyeliner, $17, available here: “This smudge-proof gel eyeliner glides on without any tugging, making it my go-to tightlining tool. A departure from my usual chocolate brown hue, this formula delivers a shimmering coppery shade that makes my stormy blue eyes pop. Plus, I can attest to its waterproof staying power despite teary eyes and Nor’easter storms.” —Catie
Cocokind Soft-Glow Illuminator, $19, available here: “I love the look of a radiant complexion, but my sensitive skin generally doesn’t react well to shimmer-enhanced formulas. Cocokind solved the problem with this ceramide- and rice lipid-infused illuminator: I mix it with the aforementioned Drunk Elephant foundation, and the light-reflecting fine pearls make my skin glow without clogging my pores. (It’s also pretty on its own.)” —Elizabeth
Dazzle Dry Hint of Pink Nail Lacquer, $22, available here: “Gel manicures always leave my nails feeling weak and brittle, so I exclusively use Dazzle Dry’s polishes, which last longer than any other brand I’ve ever tried. The brand recently launched its vintage French manicure collection, including this sheer, glossy pink shade that aces the ‘my-nails-but-better’ trend. It looks great alone or when paired in a French with Whisper White, and my manicure is still going strong after a week.” —Catie
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