With the Winter season and the new year upon us, we’re thinking a lot about change, but that doesn’t have to be scary. Sometimes, a change in your self-care routine is just what you need. If a self-care switch up is exactly what you’re looking for to accompany you into those winter months, look no further than our Winter TestTube, packed with everything you need to stay looking and feeling your best all year long.
Our Winter TestTube Essentials
Color Wow Speed Dry Blow-Dry Spray ($24)
What it is:
A hero product from this iconic hair-care brand, Color Wow’s Speed Blow-Dry Spray “works like shrink wrap” to squeeze water out of the hair without dehydrating hair and is shown to reduce hair dry time by 30 percent or more all while protecting the hair from heat damage.
How to use:
After shampooing and towel drying the hair, apply a generous amount of Speed Blow-Dry Spray to the hair and comb through. Apply any other desired styling products, then blow dry as usual and experience the magic of this time-reducing spray.
Editor feedback:
“This is THE your-hair-but-better spray that also gives you that precious gift of time back. “—Liz Ritter, executive editor
Key ingredients:
Cruelty-free and free from alcohol and other harmful ingredients like sulfates and parabens, this essential blow-dry companion keeps the hair healthy while cutting down styling time.
Expert insight:
“Speed Dry cuts drying time by over 30 percent with new technology that doesn’t use alcohol to help dry your hair without dehydrating it by evaporating water. Speed Dry also uses a proprietary crystal-clear polymer that works like a shrink wrap to squeeze excess water from your hair as you blow-dry while a blend of keratin proteins, panthenol and silky amino acids help renew hair’s elasticity and resilience.”—Dr. Joe Cincotta, chief chemist at Color Wow
NEOSTRATA Foaming Glycolic Wash ($40)
What it is:
A high strength AHA cleanser featuring glycolic acid and known to visibly even skin tone, this hero product from science-backed skin-care brand, NEOSTRATA, is designed to exfoliate and cleanse congested pores for skin that is cleaner, brighter and more radiant.
How to use:
Pump one to two pumps of foam into hands, apply to wet skin and rinse thoroughly with water. Use twice daily, as tolerated. For best results, massage over the skin in a circular motion for 60 seconds, or as tolerated.
Editor feedback:
“Why not make your cleanser do more?!? This foaming face wash features two powerful skin boosters: Glycolic Acid and 2% Lactobionic Acid, to help remove dirt and debris, while gently exfoliating! I’ve noticed less congestion in my pores, especially on my nose.” —Amber Milt, senior director of video and multimedia
Key ingredients:
A natural component of sugar cane, glycolic acid is known to visibly even skin tone and be the workhorse of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) family, making it a powerhouse ingredient for those looking to retexture and refinetheir skin’s surface. At the same time, 2% lactobionic acid helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, discoloration, enlarged pores and roughness through gentle exfoliation, while also attracting moisture for added hydration and comfort.
Expert insight:
“This high strength foaming cleanser combines the delightful esthetic of a decadent mousse-like texture with the potent exfoliating power of a 20% AHA/PHA blend for a perfect balance of cleansing and exfoliation. Foaming Glycolic Wash is an ideal solution to prepare skin for your daily routine and paves the way for optimizing the use of serums and moisturizers, making it an essential part of your skincare regimen.”—Kimberly Moore, global education and training leader, NEOSTRATA
Bigger Than Beauty Skincare Defying Gravity Deep Hydration Moisturizer ($49)
What it is:
This rapidly absorbing gel-cream moisturizer locks in hydration and smooths the appearance of fine lines for visibly renewed, radiant skin. Infused with revitalizing antioxidants to nurture and protect skin’s moisture barrier while smoothing the look of fine lines and improving skin’s elasticity and firmness.
How to use:
Apply a quarter-size amount of product to the face, neck, and décolleté and gently sweep in upward and outward motions. Use daily, in the morning or evening, after serums to lock in moisture.
Editor feedback:
“When my skin needs a serious dose of hydration, this is what I reach for. It’s non-sticky and works fast.”—Danielle Fontana Dooley, associate director, digital content
Key ingredients:
Formulated with skincare superstar Youth B5 Complex™ to quench skin’s thirst by boosting hydration, restoring plumpness, and replenishing moisture, this gel-cream moisturizer features Barrier Restore Complex™ technology and several natural, leaf extracts to protect and restore the natural moisture barrier against environmental stressors for skin that feels calmer and more radiant.
Expert insight:
“For best use, and an on-the-go glow, store moisturizer in a refrigerator to cool and apply an even layer onto skin for 10 minutes and rinse to reveal brightened skin with a boost of hydration. For barrier protection, apply an even amount of Defying Gravity™ Deep Hydration Moisturizer across the entire face as a buffer for more gentle results when using the Overnight Sensation™ Gentle Retexturizing Solution.”— Karissa Bodnar, founder and CEO of Bigger Than Beauty Skincare and Thrive Causemetics
Riddle Original Roll-On ($58)
Enjoy 20 percent-off your Riddle order using code TTXRO
What it is:
Riddle’s Original Roll-on fragrance oil is a high-end, pheromone oil that adjusts to your body’s natural chemistry and works off an array of individualized factors like hormones, genetics, diet of course, pheromones, in order to enhance and accentuate your unique, individual scent.
How to use:
Roll this unique oil onto your pulse points—the wrists, just below the ears—and gently rub in to reveal your enhanced, natural scent.
Editor feedback:
“My friends and family have got to be sick of me raving about this fragrance oil. I was skeptical about pheromone oils until I tried riddle, and now I never leave the house without it in my bag.”—Isabelle Buneo, editorial assistant
Key ingredients:
Though this innovative formula capitalizes off of your own, natural fragrance, base notes of amber and musk provide a deep, sultry companion to your own pheromone scent.
Expert insight:
“Our Original scent is formulated to mix with your body’s chemistry to create a gentle and subtle pheromone scent that smells different on everyone.”—Chelsea Voge, founder
Saints & Sinners Divine Dry Finish Texture Spray ($27.50)
Receive 20 percent-off your entire Saints & Sinners order with code TESTTUBE–valid through 12/31/23; excludes merchandise, limit one per customer.
What Is It:
Designed for salon use and suitable for all hair types, this innovative texture spray goes on dry, invisible and flake-free, and adds instant volume, texture, fullness and body for runway-ready hair at any time of day.
How to Use:
To harness the power of this multi-tasking spray, simply shake well and spray onto dry hair. Use short bursts on the roots for unparalleled volume and lift or spray throughout the hair for flexible separation, and that divine finish Saints & Sinners is known for.
Editor Feedback:
“The best in low-maintenance hair styling with a lot of bang. This product is everything you need to know when it comes to achieving the volume, texture and fullness.” —Sarah Eggenberger, senior editor-at-large
Key Ingredients:
This cruelty-free formula is created without any harmful or irritation-causing ingredients like parabens, gluten, mineral oil, iron oxides and more, making it the perfect product for salon-quality, healthy hair.
Expert Insight:
“There are simply too many texturizing sprays on the market that are nothing more than fragranced air. We developed Divine Dry Finish Texture Spray for session stylists, and it’s concentrated, ingredient dense formula adds all the body & volume without any of the talcy white residue.”—Diana Wilson, co-founder and chief creative officer at Saints & Sinners
OLLY Goodbye Stress ($13.99)
What it is:
Say goodbye to unneeded stress with just a few bites thanks to the wonders of OLLY’s Goodbye Stress gummies. These delightful, delicious gummies are blended with key actives that help counter the acute effects of stress and mental tension for your most zen self yet.
How to use:
Lowering your stress levels is easy with OLLY. Simply chew two of these gummies everyday as needed—no food or water necessary.
Editor feedback:
“These check four important boxes for me: 1. They’re formulated with natural ingredients that support calm like GABA, L-Theanine and Lemon Balm (no harsh chemicals here!) 2. The gummies form means I don’t have to add more pills to my already-overpacked morning supplement routine.3. They taste like strawberry lemonade. 4. They work! I take them in the morning and an hour later feel calm and less stressed, without feeling sluggish.” —Amber Milt, senior director of video and multimedia
Key ingredients:
Ultra-calming Gaba, L-theanine and lemon balm work together to calm your nervous system and reduce stress.
Dewy Hours Exfoliating Body Glove ($18)
Receive 15 percent-off your entire order using code NEWBEAUTY—valid through 12/31/23.
What it is:
This plant-based exfoliating body glove effortlessly and gently sweeps away dead skin, fake tan and impurities to reveal silky smooth skin. Created to painlessly and deeply exfoliate your body with just water, Dewy Hours’ Exfoliating Body Glove targets an array skin concerns like dry and flaky skin, keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, body acne, razor bumps and more.
How to use:
After taking a warm bath or shower lasting more than 5 minutes, wet the glove and squeeze out the excess water. Then, move away from the water and start scrubbing using long and firm strokes while your skin is still damp. After exfoliating, rinse, moisturize and repeat once a week. For maintenance, handwash the glove with soap or shower gel and hang to air dry. Replace every 3 months or so for best hygiene.
Editor feedback:
“I have really sensitive skin, so most exfoliating gloves are too harsh for me. But, Dewy Hours’ Exfoliating Body Glove allows me to slough off dead skin without causing redness or irritation.”—Isabelle Buneo, editorial assistant
Key ingredients:
Hand crafted with 100% plant-based viscose which allows the glove to shrink and adapt to the shape of your hand when wet, this curated formula features a tight weave that ensures that the glove is effective yet gentle on your skin.
Expert insight:
“Exfoliation is often overlooked but is a vital step in the battle against dry, bumpy and dull skin. With this glove, you’ll look forward to scrubbing off dead skin every week and be shocked at how soft and smooth your skin feels afterwards!”—Sally Xu, founder of Dewy Hours
Eufora International Beautifying Serum ($47)
Enjoy 15 percent-off using code NBTT15—valid through 1/31/24.
What it is:
A unique oil complex made for hair, skin and scalp, this lightweight and fast-absorbing formula delivers superb moisture, softness and shine with added antioxidant and antibacterial benefits, making it the perfect all-in-one oil for preventing heat and environmental damage while controlling frizz and creating otherworldly shine.
How to use:
After washing, work completely through towel-dried hair and blow dry, prior to use of any other Eufora styling products. Apply to dry hair for added shine and frizz control or massage a liberal amount into the scalp prior to shampooing for added nourishment.
Editor feedback:
“The oil that does it all and keeps my strands, skin and scalp healthy and hydrated. It makes my hair so shiny, frizz free and healthy without weighing it down.” —Lara Eurdolian King, guest editor
Key ingredients:
Kukui oil enhances shine and supports long-term hair health while cranberry oil keeps the scalp and strands hydrated and argan oil moisturizes and protects against damage.
Expert insight:
“One of my ‘can’t live without’ products, the Beautifying Serum has become essential in my daily routine because it does more than your typical hair oil. A head-to-toe wonder, not only does the Beautifying Serum leave the hair with a silky shine, it also promotes scalp health and nourishes dry skin. In the winter try massaging a small amount into the scalp to alleviate that itchy, dry, tight skin feeling, and in the summer cocktail it with your favorite body lotion to soothe skin stress.” —Beth Bewley Co-Founder & CEO of Eufora International
SIIA Change Agent Magnetic Original Lipstick ($20)
What it is:
More than your average lipstick, the Change Agent Original Lipstick delivers full-impact color with a luxurious satin texture that melts comfortably onto your lips and stays throughout the day to hydrate, heal, and nurture. Available in 20 shades, just one coat of this product provides long-lasting color without the dehydrating feeling that comes with many full-impact lipsticks.
How to use:
Simply swipe this lip-loving product across the lips and enjoy all-day color and long-lasting hydration and healing benefits.
Editor feedback:
“Formulated with skin care, this rich, moisturizing formula stays all day. I like to lightly dab translucent powder over it for a more mattified look.” —Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager
Key ingredients:
Macadamia seed oil maintains skin elasticity and strengthens skin while sunflower seed and jojoba oils moisturize skin, calm irritation, and prevent wrinkles.
Expert insight:
“The Change Agent Original Lipstick is a super creamy, highly-pigented, and blendable lipstick-lipstain hybrid— as it wears off, the color stays on your lips, making it super low maintenance and easy to wear. I love to blot it onto the center of my lips and blend out to create a velvety lipstain look. The Jojoba and Castor oils make it super hydrating nourishing, and the magnetic case mean it will never open in your bag!”—Megan Rein, cofounder of SIIA Cosmetics
Mudmasky Vitamin-Infused Eye Serum ($63)
Enjoy 30 percent-off with code new30—valid through 12/31/2023
What it is:
Created with a blend of natural vitamin C, this powerhouse eye serum moisturizes the delicate skin under the eyes, reduces puffiness, and provides you with your most youthful looking eyes yet.
How to use:
Simply apply this eye-loving serum under the eyes with your finger and enjoy the youth-enhancing, dark circle-eliminating power of vitamin C.
Editor feedback:
“This Vitamin-infused eye serum is basically a multivitamin in a skincare product, and it is a godsent for dark undereye or days when you feel puffy. I also love that it is formulated and packaged in Amsterdam with certified clean ingredients and fair-trade practices, it’s a luxury that you can feel good about using.” —Rowan Lynam, staff writer
Key ingredients:
Jam-packed with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F and K, and a combination of over 20 marine plants, Mudmasky’s vitamin-enriched eye serum simultaneously nourishes, brightens and revitalizes the undereye area.
Expert insight:
“Nourishes and moisturizes the delicate skin around your eyes, reducing puffiness and restoring a youthful appearance.” —Lloyd Diamond, head of research and design
