Refinery29
All The New Beauty Products Refinery29 Editors Loved In January
We may be just a month into 2021, but after the rollercoaster that was last year, we’re still proceeding with extreme caution. While much of our stress results from the things we can’t control, we’re making it a point to find pleasure in the things we can. Our beauty routine is one of those things, and we have a wide range of recent launches to thank for keeping us comfortable and cute when life may seem like the opposite. What kind of friends would we be if we didn’t put you on to the good stuff? Ahead, find the products we’ve been raving about in our group chats, in our heads, and beyond. From luxe lip gloss to a barely-there foundation and an exfoliator that’ll make dark spots disappear, these were our top picks of January 2021.At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream”I like the OG Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb lip gloss, but I don’t love it — not because it isn’t a great formula, but because I’m less of a shimmery lip color type of gal. That’s why I was super hype when the brand dropped the cream version of the bestselling gloss. It’s the best of both worlds: sexy color and comfy formula, minus the shimmer. Fenty Glow, the milky rosy-pink shade, is my go-to.” — Aimee Simeon, senior beauty writerFenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream, $, available at SephoraConair InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap Hair Dryer”Air-dried hair is cool and all, but my head of thick coils takes a lot of time to dry. That’s why I love this new dryer by Conair. I’ve made the machine (with the diffuser attachment) a regular part of my routine, and it dries my curls super quickly without causing frizz. It’s also very lightweight, so my wrist doesn’t hurt by the time I’m finished drying my hair.” — SimeonConair InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap Hair Dryer, $, available at Ulta BeautyAnastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Styling Wax”A full face of makeup isn’t part of my daily routine anymore, but full, polished, wispy brows are non-negotiable. Who knew that adding this product to my routine would give me that and then some. I brush out my hairs with a spoolie coated in Brow Freeze, and I’m left with my arches sculpted to perfection and the perfect base for my brow powder and pencil.” — SimeonAnastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Styling Wax, $, available at SephoraVictoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara“If your average mascara wand is like a round brush for your lashes, this one is more like a fine-tooth comb: teeny-tiny and delicate, perfect for separating lashes individually. The result is truly my dream everyday mascara that makes my lashes curled, defined, and leggy.” — Megan Decker, beauty editorVictoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara, $, available at Victoria Beckham BeautyFekkai Brilliant Gloss Shampoo“I love the idea of smoothing shampoo, but most of the time my fine hair feels heavy and sticky after using one. What’s great about this glossing shampoo is that it’s formulated without silicones, or really any synthetics at all — just organic, cold-pressed olive oil and prickly pear extract, which leave my hair feeling clean and definitely help it dry a bit shinier than usual.” — DeckerFekkai Brilliant Gloss Shampoo, $, available at UltaBase Butter Radiate Face Jelly”This moisturizer gives me the glow I’ve been looking for in other skin-care products. Its blend of aloe and shea butter has a watery consistency, but when rubbed on leaves my skin smooth and soft. It’s so good that sometimes I apply it in layers, especially before bed.” — Sydney Clarke, beauty & entertainment writerBase Butter Radiate Face Jelly, $, available at Base ButterOle Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub”This physical and chemical exfoliant is a new must in my routine. I was nervous to use it because I thought it would be too strong for my skin, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s helped shrink my acne and smooth out the acne scars on my forehead without leaving my face dry and irritated. It is potent, so do a patch test just to be safe, and don’t keep it on for longer than instructed.” — ClarkeOLEHENRIKSEN Lemonade Smoothing Scrub, $, available at SephoraMutha Up All Night Eye Cream”I understand this isn’t how time works, but I can’t help but feel as if I have aged 10 years in the past 10 months. The most dramatic superficial change has been to my under-eye area, which has turned a purplish-blue shade instantly recognizable as the mark of the Very Tired. This new eye cream, which combines proven brightening ingredients like coffee seed and licorice root with a touch of pearl powder, is the only one I’ve tried that instantly adds some much-needed radiance while hydrating and strengthening that famously thin skin with regular use.” — Rachel Krause, deputy beauty directorMUTHA UP ALL NIGHT EYE CREAM, $, available at MUTHAMerit Beauty The Minimalist Complexion Stick”I can’t stop raving about this not-quite-foundation, not-quite-concealer situation that has replaced every other complexion item in my daily routine. The formula is so lightweight and the finish so skin-like and believable that I genuinely forget it’s on, and the twist-up stick format means it couldn’t be easier to apply. I swipe it on where I need some help — generally under my eyes, around my nose, and on my chin — and blend with my fingers or a small concealer brush, layering for additional coverage where needed. The range of 20 shades isn’t the most extensive out there, but there seem to be positive reviews from all over the skin-tone spectrum, which is encouraging.” — KrauseMerit Beauty The Minimalist Complexion Stick, $, available at Merit BeautyILIA Beauty Lip Wrap Clean Hydrating Lip Mask”Sure, I could technically use a $1.99 Chapstick to stay hydrated throughout the dry season, but I swear a super-luxe lip balm that smells great and feels even better does wonders for my winter blues. This one has a really nice texture that’s neither too heavy nor too light, without the slightest hint of stickiness, and sinks in to make my lips feel more comfortable instantly. The papaya extract is a nice addition — it gently exfoliates to clear up dryness so the moisturizing ingredients can work even better.” — KrauseILIA Beauty Lip Wrap Clean Hydrating Lip Mask, $, available at SephoraLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?