As you might imagine, there are quite a few perks to being a beauty editor. Aside from getting to work with the brightest minds and most innovative creatives in the industry—easily the best part, we’d all agree—we also often have the opportunity to preview products and test new launches, for which we are unendingly grateful. But, when we come across a product we just can’t put down, we too will take a trip to Sephora—braving the 10 year olds—and stock up on our favorites.
If you’ve ever wondered which beauty products beauty editors love so much they go out of their way to spend their own dime on it, take a look at these tried-and-true staples that the editors at NewBeauty bought on repeat in 2023.
Garnier Micellar Gentle Peeling Water ($12)
“It’s so refreshing and convenient since you don’t have to rinse afterwards. I love using it in the morning to wake my skin up. It’s also really long-lasting and a great price.”
—Rowan Lynam, staff writer
Deluxe Defying Gravity™ Deep Hydration Moisturizer ($20)
“I recieved one of these in a TestTube and I fell in love and bought one for my mom immediately. It’s soothing and has a gentle cool feeling when you apply it.”
—Rowan Lynam, staff writer
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara ($25)
“This mascara gives me the long, defined lashes of my dreams. But the best part? It’s a tubing formula, so it washes away with just water and zero raccoon eyes. I can’t get enough.”
—Brittany Burhop Fallon, beauty director
Bath & Body Works Hand Soaps (from $7.95)
“I had a ‘mall moment’ over the holidays and hit up Bath & Body works. I sound like a teenager, but their hand soaps give so much joy, and in the current everyone-is-sick climate, it’s something you actually really need.”
—Liz Ritter, executive editor
LiVon Labs Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C ($43)
“I bought these so many times on Amazon last year, that I finally set up automatic delivery. I can actually see a noticeable difference in my skin when I’m good about remembering to take them.”
—Liz Ritter, executive editor
Dr. Teals Pure Epsom Salt ($6)
“One sentence: There is no better product to use a CVS coupon on.”
—Liz Ritter, executive editor
L’Oréal Brow Stylist Shape & Fill Pencil ($12)
“I’ve tried plenty of pricey brow filler products, and a lot of them are great, but when I’m fresh out of stock, I always find myself running to CVS to grab the L’Oréal Brow Stylist Shape & Fill Pencil. It was one of the first brow products I tried ages ago, and it’s been so consistently good even as my brows have changed over time. The triangle tip gives you a lot of flexibility—you can quickly shade brows with a broad stroke or fill in with fine hair-like lines with the tip of the triangle. The spoolie on the end makes life easy as I’m always between brushing and filling.”
—Allie Hogan, associate editor
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ ($47)
“As a no-makeup makeup groupie, this product is my holy grail. It provides solid color correction for my rosacea without making me look like I have layers of makeup on. The formula also features an anti-aging serum and mineral sunscreen, so it’s truly a one-stop-shop. I’ve continuously invested in this product, and I’ve also gotten friends hooked.”
—Allie Hogan, associate editor
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($10)
“I can’t quit these. I always use them as my first ‘cleanse’ to remove all my makeup then go in with a true double cleanse to make sure everything’s off. I notice a whole lot more makeup on my washcloth when I skip this step.”
—Danielle Fontana Dooley, associate director, digital content
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($69)
“No matter how many foundations I try, I always come back to this one (it’s the only one I’ll pack if I’m going on a trip—I don’t need any makeup surprises!). It’s easy to apply, stays on and delivers a radiant, second-skin finish you can rely on.”
—Danielle Fontana Dooley, associate director, digital content
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo ($28)
“I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a dry-shampoo junkie, but not every can cuts it. Not only is this one free of benzene, but it really does the best job for those with oily hair like mine. Excess oil is immediately zapped and you’ll get an extra boost of volume, too. (I’m only a fan of the original scent—the others I find to be a bit overpowering.)”
—Danielle Fontana Dooley, associate director, digital content
Summer Fridays Butter Balm ($24)
“I’d venture as far as to say I may be one of the biggest proponents of this lip balm—I’ll bring it up every chance I get. It’s so hydrating, you don’t need to reapply every four seconds. I love all the scents and tints, but the classic vanilla is my favorite—on its own or over a lip liner, it gives that perfect shine.”
—Isabelle Buneo, editorial assistant
INNBEAUTY Project Face Glaze ($25)
“I think I actually shed a tear when I hit the end of this one. For the longest time, I thought my face just always looked bad with makeup on, but after one application I knew this primer was a game-changer. It gives your skin the most radiant glow that makes for the perfect palette for a no-makeup makeup look or a full glam.”
—Isabelle Buneo, editorial assistant
Violette_Fr Bisou Balm ($28)
“This gives my lips a flush that makes them appear just-bitten no matter what shade I choose. It’s the perfect blurring formula that even somehow makes lips look younger. Calisson is a great every day shade and Sucette is an attention-getter.”
—Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager
Rhode Peptide Lip Tints ($16)
“The Rhode Peptide Lip Jelly Tints satisfy my urges to constantly moisturize my lips. They’re addicting and I love how they give me some color and gloss without a goopy feel.”
—Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager
Treslúce Eye Shadow Palettes (from $16)
“Tresluce Beauty Eyeshadow palettes are great to collect—the shades and formulas are always on-trend and long-lasting and they’re easy to travel with for lots of different eye looks. The I Am Shadow palette is the latest and has a lot of modern, rich, vivid colors infused with Mexican agave nectar that are fun to play with.”
—Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager
Avène A-OXitive Antioxidant Water Cream ($50)
“This is my go-to moisturizer for my dehydrated skin. Not only does it soothe and hydrate instantly, it packs a healthy dose of antioxidants that protect skin from free radicals. The glow it gives is undeniable. Depending on the weather I wear it alone or underneath a heavier moisturizer, but this product is always on my face.”
—Leiana Foye, senior digital content producer
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water ($19)
“I’d heard every French influencer tout the benefits of Bioderma micellar water for years, but it wasn’t until 2023 I actually tried it. This product has changed my cleansing routine forever. It’s the only one I trust to get makeup off, and my skin always feel fresh and truly clean after using it.”
—Leiana Foye, senior digital content producer
Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum ($38)
“This serum shocked me. I love how easily it absorbs into skin. I love how radiant my skin looks all day. I love how much better it makes my makeup look. I buy this one again and again.”
—Leiana Foye, senior digital content producer