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august beauty editor favorites
Khadija Horton

Editor Favorites: Every Skin, Hair, and Makeup Product Cosmo’s Beauty Team Finished This Month

Including a $6 mascara, cult-favorite lip balm, and wildly effective hair growth serum.

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What are the best beauty products right now? As Cosmo’s beauty director, I test beauty skincare, makeup, haircare, and perfumes for a living, so I have plenty of thoughts on what’s worth your time and money. But 9 times out of 10, when someone asks me what’s good, my mind goes blank. Uhh, CeraVe? I usually respond. No shade to CeraVe (it’s the GOAT), but there is much other good stuff out there that you all should know about. So this month—with the help of my fellow beauty editors—I’m writing it all down in a handy list below.

Ahead, check out the 21 products—including a $6 mascara that transforms tiny lashes, an exfoliating body bar that smells better than any dessert, and a blurring skin tint one editor has crowned the greatest of all time—that Cosmo’s beauty team is obsessed with right now. Consider it your ultimate beauty shopping list for August.

“I’m usually indifferent to scented body care, but the smell of this exfoliating bar is mouthwatering. The brand calls it a twist on an affogato (an Italian dessert consisting of gelato topped with espresso), but I’ve had my fair share of affogatos, and this is honestly better. The notes of juicy citrus, warm vanilla, and rich coffee come together in the most delicious way. It’s such a treat to use in the shower.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

“Water is wet and Luminous Silk is my favorite foundation, so I basically knew I would love this skin tint version with a lighter feel and coverage level. But I had no idea it would quickly become my favorite skin tint of all time. It has a blurring look on my skin once it dries down but somehow also makes my face look hydrated and plump. I have acne, so I pair it with a full-coverage concealer, and it’s my current go-to complexion combo.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

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“When I feel a pimple coming on, like the super-painful kind that can’t be extracted, I dab on this sulfur acne spot treatment. It is not overly drying and calms angry breakouts overnight without the need for any irritating actives.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

“I’ve been patiently waiting for this iconic lip balm to launch some shades. The moment has come, and it did not disappoint! I’m particularly partial to this one called Reckon (although I have both new hues, ofc). The badass name says it all—it’s an everyday brownish plum that makes me look alive and fab! Beyond giving me a wash of dope, glossy color, it’s also packed with lip barrier support actives like squalane and raspberry seed oil. In a world of endless lip balms, this one is a top five in my book.” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE

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“At night, I slather on this mask, and when I wake up, I swear my lips are not only smooth as butter but also a little bit fuller. It’s loaded with peptides to help give that plush look as well as fill in all the cracks in my lips. Mostly, it feels really good. Not too sticky or goopy or thick but still rich and hydrating.” —BG

“Although this looks like a highlighter, it’s actually an under-eye balm that hydrates and adds a slight sheen to make them look so bright and awake. I’ve been putting this on every single morning before concealer (or even without anything on top when I’m going to a workout class), and my under-eyes have, genuinely, never looked so good.” —BG

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“I’m currently obsessed with peaches—eating them whole, baking with them, adding them to salads, and making smoothies with them. When I can’t get my fix in the kitchen, I slather on this peachy lip balm instead. It’s the Ole Pout Preserve formula I know and love but with a sweet fruity scent and sheer peachy tint that’s perfect for summer.” —LB

“When K18 announced they were launching their first heat protectant, I knew it was going to be good. The mist protects against heat and UV damage by penetrating the cortex of the hair (aka the innermost layer) rather than just sitting on the surface. It’s so nourishing that it even acts as a hydrating hair mask. I haven’t used any other heat protectants since trying this out a few months ago.” —JH

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“Most days, I skip foundation entirely and just use concealer all over my face instead. Lucky for me, this new concealer from L’Oréal is designed to do exactly that. The applicator is nice and big so you can easily dab and swipe where you want coverage and then quickly blend with your fingers. My skin is super oily, but the lightweight formula (the consistency reminds me of a skin tint) wears perfectly on my face without getting patchy or disappearing.” —LB

“I fully went through a whole bottle of this in about a month and a half’s time. Every morning and night, I’d smooth this salicylic acid and azelaic acid serum all over my face, and it’d help exfoliate gently to clear breakouts while also soothing irritation and reducing my redness. I’m trying out a new serum instead rn, and I already miss this.” —BG

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“Not just another body mist, this feels so moisturizing and soothing on both my skin and hair. But what I love most is the pistachio scent. It instantly cozies me up, like I’m wrapped in a warm blanket sipping a hot matcha. It adds a gourmand touch to any of my fragrances that I layer it with too.” —BG

“Y’all, Dove has officially entered the women’s intimate wellness chat! I’m so excited that this iconic brand has a collection of products made for our particular needs. My favorite product from the launch is this gentle balm that keeps my lady bits hydrated and fresh with a blend of coconut oil, shea butter, mango seed butter, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid.” —JW

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“I’m kinda annoyed I’ve only been using this SPF for a few weeks and not all summer long. It’s one of the best mineral sunscreens I’ve tried for beach days and outdoor workouts (the formula is both gentle and water-resistant, so it’s good for swimming and sweating). To be fair, the 18 percent zinc oxide formula does have a minimal white cast, but with a little bit of rubbing, it disappears quickly.” —LB

“I haven’t been loving black mascara lately (over the summer, I prefer a subtle brown or nothing at all), but I actually loved this black serum-mascara from Kosas. It supports lash strength, which I obviously appreciate and didn’t flake or smudge once during a sweaty 12-hour day.” —JH

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“Even though this body butter looks a little different (Osmia just went through a rebrand), the tried-and-true cream remains the same. The texture is so unique—once you massage it into skin, the fluffy mousse turns into a light oil—and the formula is more moisturizing than anything else I’ve tried. After a long day at the beach full of sun and swimming, it’s exactly what my dry skin needs to feel soft and smooth again.” —LB

“I’ve been using this hair serum for a full month now and, to my utter surprise, I’m seeing some real results. I had some breakage around my edges, and this serum is really helping promote my regrowth journey. Plus, celebrity hairstylist Xia Charles collaborated on its creation, so I know my hair is in good hands.”
—JW

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“I love Tree Hut’s scrubs, so I was really excited to add this new serum to my everything shower routine. You use it after you dry off, and either before or instead of body lotion. It is super silky and sinks into the skin nicely without feeling heavy or sticky. I’m especially obsessed with the Santal Haze scent because it leaves you smelling fresh and cozy—no perfume necessary.” —JH

“This formula does everything you could need in a lip product. It delivers serum-like hydration and is super pigmented. So instead of layering on a lip mask and a gloss, you can just use this one hydrator. I also appreciate the innovative silicone applicator—it’s so comfortable on my lips when I’m feeling extra dry or chapped.”
—JH

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“This face wash is so gentle that I wasn’t even sure it was fully taking off my SPF and makeup the first time I used it, but to my surprise, my skin was totally clean post-cleanse...but not the slightest bit tight or dry. It’s now a regular in my routine and a must-try for anyone with sensitive skin, IMO.” —LB

“Okay, let’s address the 800 lb. gorilla in the room, or in this case, the $550 price tag. Yes, it’s a lot! But I promise you wouldn’t suggest it if it didn’t work. So, if you’re looking for a new fancy serum that’s backed by science and helps make your skin feel brand new (aka firm and smooth), then this is a sound investment.” —JW

Headshot of Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo
Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram

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