Best of the Beauty Closet: 12 Products We Used the Most This July

“This has had a permanent home in my beach bag all summer. The silky sunscreen blends into my skin just like a regular body lotion does and truly leaves behind zero white cast, which is pretty damn impressive for a zinc-based formula. As the name suggests, the milk-like texture feels nice and hydrating—and there’s no tacky finish that you’d get from many mineral body sunscreens.” —LB

“I’m already on my third jar of this Reale Actives Cleansing Balm. I’ve especially been loving it for the summer to take off the combo of my skincare and sunscreen after a long day. The texture is super soft—not chunky like the balms of yore—and leaves my skin feeling nice and hydrated.”
—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

“I somehow only discovered the OG Rare Beauty clear brow gel a few months ago, and it’s like Selena read my mind, because a few weeks later, Rare Beauty launched an array of tinted formulas. I truly use this every morning to sculpt my brows, and they stay in place all day, and it gives them nice definition. Plus, the tiny brush ensures that no excess tinted gel gets on my eyelids or forehead.” —JH

“If I’m in my apartment, there’s a 100 percent chance I’m wearing these eye patches. I store the jar in my fridge, so I get an extra shot of de-puffing alongside the infused caffeine. It’s also got a nice gripping texture, so they’re never sliding down my face.” —JH

“I naively assumed that all spray body sunscreens were essentially the same. Of course, a mineral and a chemical pick will have their differences, but they all spray on and protect your skin. Big whoop. But this summer, I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun and needed a really good formula on deck for beach and pool days, festivals, picnics in the park, you name it. For the last month and a half, I’ve brought this bottle everywhere with me, and it’s quickly become clear that I should be a bit more discerning about my body SPF. It goes on completely clear and leaves my body with a soft glow, with no oily residue at all. And it has almost entirely stopped me from getting burnt, potentially because I get so excited to use it, I actually reapply as often as I should. There’s also a soft tropical scent that isn’t too in-your-face but adds to how pleasant the application process is.”
—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

“When Funner hit my inbox, I wasn’t sure how to feel. Listen, I try new hair brands constantly, and the market is seriously saturated. It’s hard to know upon first look if something will actually make it into my routine or just be a flash in the pan. As I’ve made my way through testing much of the line, I’ve completely fallen head over heels for this hair serum. It’s super lightweight, whether I apply it to damp hair or on second-day dry hair, and smells super good (fresh, soft, and warm, like a chic salon). The serum is filled with nourishing ingredients, though, like shea butter, ceramides, amino acids, peptides, and rosemary extract. I used it on my hair extensions, and it made my hair so soft and smooth. But since I got my extensions removed, I’ve also loved it on my natural, fine hair to help repair and strengthen.” —BG

“I have been sweating more than average this summer (and by the smell of my evening subway commute, I’d say I’m not the only one). I’ve grown to love the way natural deodorants feel when I apply them—they glide on and leave my skin feeling smooth and hydrated. But in temps like these, I need aluminum to swear off the midday stink. Gem basically is the best of both worlds: an aluminum-filled antiperspirant with softening skincare ingredients that don’t dry out or irritate my underarms. I’ve fallen in love with the santal scent most of all—it’s woody and warm but not too heavy for the summer months.” —BG

“Blush is still having a moment, and while the market is flooded, this is the one that has stolen my heart. The cream-to-powder formula truly melts into my skin like a dream, and then sets to the prettiest soft-matte finish that looks like a natural flush. I instantly look pulled together. I love how easy it is to build, so it’s perfect for just a little flush or a full-blown beat. The color (I’m wearing 4-Cinnamon) stayed fresh all day, and my skin still looked smooth, soft, and effortlessly polished by the time I took it off.”
—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE

“I’m a true believer that vitamin C serums are a must in your skincare routine, and this cream-serum hybrid is definitely one you should consider. It feels like a little bit of luxury every morning. The silky texture sinks in beautifully, giving my skin instant hydration and a glowy finish. It’s not greasy or heavy in any way. I love that it combines two forms of vitamin C with niacinamide, peptides, ceramides, and squalane. Therefore, it really brightens while protecting my skin barrier. It also layers under makeup really well. I’ve been using it for about two months now, and I can definitely tell my skin is smoother, plumper, and more even.” —JW

“This tub of goodness is from a brand spankin’ new company founded by a dope Black woman. I was locked into all the teases on my Instagram feed and so excited once I had a chance to try it—and it did not disappoint. I’m pretty picky about curl gels because I want definition without that stiff, crunchy feeling. The lightweight, fragrance-free formula gave my curls great definition while still keeping them soft and bouncy. I also loved that it helped with frizz control sans leaving behind flakes or buildup on my scalp. My curls stayed hydrated, defined, and looking fresh for days. I was really able to extend the life of my twist-out by two to three days. I’m hooked!” —JW