Every Product Our Beauty Editors Loved Using in August
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We're now eight months into 2020, and if we're being completely honest, things aren't really looking up as far as COVID-19 is concerned.
At this point, it's fair to say that this will be our new normal for the foreseeable future. So instead of moping around, we're trying our best to adapt to this "new normal."
That's why we're stocking up on our favorite candles to make ourselves feel more cozy at home as temperatures begin to cool off, but still keeping dry shampoos handy for the last few scorching days of summer. And we've also got a knockout mascara in our makeup bag that will help you get Zoom ready in under two minutes.
All of our favorite beauty products from August, ahead.
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Kayla Greaves, Senior Beauty Editor
Molton Brown Flora Luminare Bath & Shower Gel
Over the past few months, I'm pretty sure I've washed my hands more than I ever have in my entire life. And if you've read any of my fragrance-related stories before, then you know I'm pretty particular when it comes to scents. After using bottle after bottle of the same hand wash since the beginning of quarantine, I was over the scent of my current soap and ready for something new. I wanted something that smelled warm and cozy, and Molton Brown's Flora Luminare delivered just that. Although it's technically a bath and shower gel, I decided to pour it into my soap dispenser — and I love using it to wash my hands about 50 times a day. But with its vibrant top notes of orange blossom, mandarin, and ylang-ylang, can you really blame me?
To shop: $32; moltonbrown.com
Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star Volumizing Mascara
If you've been wondering if Pat McGrath's latest mascara is worth the hype, I'm here to tell you once and for all that the answer, without a doubt, is yes. In under two minutes, the gel-hybrid formula transforms your lashes, giving you results that quite honestly could rival falsies. Another plus is that the mascara offers flexible polymers, so your lashes won't feel heavy, dry, or crunchy — even if you've layered on a few coats. Definitely keep this one handy before your next video-on Zoom meeting — trust me, it makes all the difference.
To shop: $30; sephora.com
OPI Nail Envy
After accidentally chopping off a piece of my nail while slicing mushrooms a few weeks ago (true story), I decided to give my nails a break from gel polish and opted to treat them to a little TLC. That's when I reached for my old reliable: OPI's Nail Envy. The formula contains hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium to help you grow longer, stronger nails in about two to three weeks. It's been about a month since my cooking tragedy, and the damaged part of my nail has already grown out. So once again, this product has earned my stamp of approval.
To shop: $18; ulta.com
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Function of Beauty Body Wash + Body Lotion
Customized body wash and lotion was something I didn’t know I needed until I made my own via Function of Beauty. The brand is known for its individually formulated haircare products that you create by completing a simple quiz on their site, and the same concept applies to its body care products. Here, you can choose scent, the intensity of said scent, color, and consistency based on your skin type. You’re also able to make your products dye-free and fragrance-free, which as someone whose eczema gets exacerbated by artificial scents, I appreciate the option. As for my picks, I went with a natural eucalyptus scent for my body wash and a scent-free body lotion. My skin is soft, smooth, and both bottles are now a staple in my shower. Special shoutout goes to the body wash for being super lathering without stripping my skin.
To shop: $30; functionofbeauty.com
Shrine Candle in Topiary
After spending six months at my mom’s house, I’m back in my apartment and doing the most to make my time in a cramped NYC apartment feel less, well, cramped. Enter Shrine’s Candles. While I’m a fan of Stems, a floral scent by the brand, I’ve been burning Topiary since I got back to the city. With notes like ivy, cash, English garden, and fresh cut grass, the scent brings a little bit of the outside in. Plus, its green vessel is essentially décor. Bonus: The brand’s candles come in a sustainable, biodegradable arch made from mushrooms and hemp, which can be thrown into your garden (if you’re lucky to have one) to add nutrients back to the soil.
To shop: $38; shopshrine.com
Dove Between Washes Brunette Dry Shampoo
While I typically don’t use dry shampoo all that much, summertime is a different story. Thanks to the heat and humidity, my bangs get sweaty and thus, oiler. Although a few blasts of dry shampoo on my bangs helps hold me over until the next time I wash my hair, many of them leave chalky residue on my dark hair. That’s why I started using this Dove formula specifically for brunettes. And the tint actually makes my hair color look more vibrant and even doubles as a root coverup. It's a win-win.
To shop: $5; target.com
