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Best of the Beauty Closet: 20 New Products Cosmo Editors Tried and Loved This April

Including a travel-friendly Dyson dryer, Coachella-approved sheet mask, a long-lasting bronzer stain, and more.

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As Cosmo’s beauty director, I wear a lot of hats—but the most important hat of all is testing and reviewing every new makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance launch that enters our beauty closet. What’s a beauty closet, you ask? It’s a 100-square-foot slice of heaven at Cosmo HQ, filled wall to wall with the newest beauty products.

Each day, beauty brands send dozens of packages filled with their latest launches for me and the rest of the team to try out. If something truly lives up to the hype, we share it with you. This month, we’re rounding up all of our favorite April 2026 beauty products into one conveniently curated list below. Keep scrolling for our reviews on new drops from top-rated brands like Dyson, Byredo, Prada Beauty, and more.


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1
A Travel-Friendly Hair Dryer

Dyson Supersonic Travel Hair Dryer

Supersonic Travel Hair Dryer

“I've been talking about how Dyson needs to create a travel-friendly version of their iconic Supersonic hair dryer for years now, and finally, it's here. The compact size is carry-on friendly, but it's still powerful enough to blow-dry my shoulder-length hair in less than 7 minutes. It also has universal voltage compatibility, so you can use this baby abroad without frying your hotel room outlet.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

“These were the only face masks I packed for three days straight in the desert at Coachella, and they were an absolute savior for my dry skin. While the formula is loaded with hydrators, the sheets themselves are lightweight, so they’re not overly difficult to unfold and stick onto skin like other sheet masks. And they even have a neck counterpart. It was my first time using a neck mask, and what sounded like a superfluous product at first glance, honestly, made me feel so much more rejuvenated. This is my petition for all face masks to now come with neck sheets.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

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“I love a product that understands the assignment: effortless, expensive-looking skin. These new bronze water tints for the cheeks give a subtle hue and dimension that really surprised me. I usually avoid liquid bronzers since they can be messy and unforgiving (AKA they can’t be moved or blended the second they hit your face). But leave it to Posh Spice to create a revolutionary formula that performs beautifully. It stains just enough to last throughout the day and make people think your skin is just naturally that good (and I’m not correcting them!).” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE

“Who remembers the Estee Edit? I was obsessed with that youthful offshoot of the iconic brand in my early 20s, and this chic tinted lip balm reminds me of it. It goes on super smooth without sticking to lines or cracks in my lips, and leaves behind a dewy wash of color.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

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“I’m really bad about remembering to exfoliate in the shower, so I love that this multitasking lotion helps get rid of dulling dead skin cells for smoother and brighter skin, while also hydrating for a soft finish. The scent is incredible—medicinal and spa-like for instant relaxing vibes—and the lightweight texture soaks into my arms and legs n seconds so there is no greasy residue.” —LB

6
A Soft Floral Perfume

BYREDO Sister Dreamer

Sister Dreamer

“I love a perfume with a POV, and this one is giving art and main character energy. First of all, the limited-edition scent is a powdery floral with a little edge. It’s airy enough to wear during the day but layered enough to turn heads at night. The dry-down is warm, musky, and deeply addictive. And if that wasn’t enough, the stunning label is a collaboration with artist Lauren Halsey. The colorful park painting is a homage to Lauren’s love for community, the environment, and architecture. I’ve been reaching for this bottle almost every single day. It’s that good.” —JW

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“I gave up wax sticks for styling my slick backs for a while because so many hair wands came out that left my head grease-free, but I decided to give Oribe’s a go. It has such a nice, wide surface area that can smooth so many strands at once, and it doesn’t leave behind that stiff feeling.” —JH

“I’ll admit it: I rarely use drugstore hair products. It’s just not what works for me! I’m in love with my bougie stuff! But I’m on a mission to protect my natural hair and keep my extensions healthy (yes, I got extensions, and I’m obsessed with them), and this formula feels way more high-end than its less-than-$10 price tag. The shampoo is loaded with peptides to strengthen the hair and skin barrier, but there’s also mandelic acid to gently slough away dead skin and product buildup on your scalp.” —BG

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9
This Gentle Hair Towel

Crown Affair The Towel

The Towel

“On the topic of taking care of my extensions, I’ve majorly leveled up my wash days. Part of that has been swapping for this soft towel right after I get out of the shower. It’s so comfortable to wear on my end the entire time I’m getting ready (unlike others that slip off), but most of all, it helps soak up some of the water without making my hair frizzy or damaging it.” —BG

Proof Prada Beauty can do no wrong? Their new blush. The texture is unique; it almost reminds me of a cushion foundation that starts as an easy-to-blend cream and sets to a long-lasting powder. It has a blurring effect on cheeks that mimics the watercolor blush trend I’m seeing all over my feed.” —LB

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“Prada Beauty’s blush above is the one I apply in the morning, but Jones Road’s here is the one that comes with me during the day for easy touch-ups. The combo of stick packaging and buttery formula means you can quickly swipe or tap color on your cheeks and blend with fingers for an instant dewy flush. I’m obsessed with the shade Pinch—a rosy hue that doesn’t lean too warm or too cool.” —LB

12
This Tinted Lip Gloss for Sunny Days

G.W.S. Daily Lip Sun Gloss SPF30

Daily Lip Sun Gloss SPF30

“If you’re not protecting your lips from the sun, then what are you doing? It only took one good sunburn on my lips to remind me that my pout needs protection, too. This new SPF 30 hippie from G.W.S. is not only a sunscreen savior, but also pretty damn stunning. The tinted balm is thick without being sticky and actually hydrates instead of just sitting there. Sun protection, shine, and softness all in one tube. Adding this to the list of reasons I love this brand so much.” —JW

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“I was initially skeptical of PDRN skincare, but Rejuran’s serum here (it utilizes salmon-derived DNA, squalane, and niacinamide) has converted me into a believer. I’ve been using it as the first step in my a.m. routine for a month straight, and my skin looks bouncier and smoother as a result. The silky texture gives an immediate glow too, so I look forward to using it every morning.” —LB

“Another Coachella must-have for me, this hypochlorous acid spray helped refresh my skin amid 12 hours in dusty conditions while also wearing makeup. It’s now living in my workout bag for post-hot yoga when I don’t have time to do my entire skincare routine but want to keep my skin as clean as possible.” —JH

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Champi Hair & Scalp Pre-Wash Oil
Credit: Laura Geller

“This hair oil is filled with nourishing ingredients, and the inspiration for the ingredients originates in India (aka home of the hair oil experts) and has been passed down via a family ritual for generations. Now finally in Sephora, the formula helps promote follicle function, hydrates the hair, and strengthens strands. I love massaging it into my scalp before I shower, and after just one use, my hair is significantly softer and shinier.” —JH

16
These Fast-Acting Eye Patches

BIODANCE Caviar PDRN Eye Patches

Caviar PDRN Eye Patches
$23AmazonAlso Consider

“I’ve been obsessed with these hydrating eye patches from Biodance. As soon as I got them, I threw them into my fridge (skincare products genuinely take up half my fridge real estate), and I apply them every morning while I get ready to wake up and de-puff. They leave my under eyes nice and refreshed and ready for makeup.” —JH

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“I love discovering products via Instagram that not many people know about. This is one of them. The reimagining of an edge brush wasn’t something I thought people needed until this little pocket-sized one popped up on my screen. I’m obsessed with its compact size and ability to not only lay down hair, but also create meticulous swoops. Throw it in your bag for on-the-go and discreet touchups.” —JW

“Welcome to bronzer launch season! I’ve tested a handful of new formulas over the last month, but I keep coming back to this powder from Polite Society. It’s like butter the way it smooths over my skin, blurring my pores and making my skin look velvety, but never too matte or dry. I’m using shade Club Tropicana, which mimics exactly how my face would look if I ever let the sun hit it without piles of sunscreen. But they could use some deeper shades, as the darkest version of this definitely wouldn’t suit super-deep complexions.” —BG

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“Although not new, I’ve fully become a convert for this body lotion that I didn’t even know existed (and I’m pretty clued in on every launch; it’s my job, after all). Last year, when I went to Coachella with Neutrogena, I stocked up on Hydro Boost Gel Cream for both my face and body. This year, they included this in my room too, and I have used it every single day since. It’s so lightweight and sinks in upon massaging, but it really hydrates my skin, even smoothing out the bumpy eczema I have on my shoulders from my time in the desert.” —BG

“This amazing balm is from a beauty founder who was once a beauty queen—a Miss World, to be exact. So, right off the bat, I was intrigued. And let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed. The full collection is incredible, but the fade balm is what really stole my heart. I love innovation that makes life easier, and this has definitely made targeting my hyperpigmentation a breeze. Reapplying is effortless, and the formulation also protects my skin barrier. Bravo!” —JW

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan, with more than 13 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories ranging from the best skincare routine for your 30s to a comprehensive roundup of the best drugstore skincare brands. She regularly tests and analyzes new products and treatments while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new brands, trends, and technologies.

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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