Of All the Products We Tried in January, These Were the Best

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream ($100)

This product isn't new, but it is new to me, and has since turned into a mainstay in my routine. My dry, sensitive skin soaks this right up—it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and smooth and perfectly primed for foundation. I use it after my moisturizer on my dryest spots (around the nose and on my cheeks) and let it sink into my skin before applying makeup. 

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. ($28)

I recently did balayage on my natural brunette hair and ended up going pretty blonde at the ends, which meant my strands are now super fragile and very, very dry. Thankfully, senior editor Hallie shared her hot tip for dealing with bleached and color-treated hair: Olaplex. After putting it in my hair once and leaving on for a few hours, my hair feels noticeably softer and more hydrated. 

Alpyn Beauty Creamy Bubbling Cleanser ($36)

This new natural skincare line is wildcrafted and hand-cultivated in the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and features a cocktail of ingredients from plants that have weathered—and thrive in—the town’s extreme weather conditions. My current favorite is this frothy, gentle cleanser, which features gentle exfoliants via papaya and pomegranate extracts, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and even vitamin c to leave my skin feeling soft, clean and refreshed—never stripped.

ApotheCare PhytoQuench Replenishing Serum ($29)

Who says your hyaluronic acid serum has to be pricey? This milky serum has been saving my dried-out skin this month, packing a powerful punch of Japanese blood grass root, which is known as the “survivor plant” for its ability to cling to moisture and maintain balanced hydration. I like that it sinks it instantly and makes my skin look plump and happy. Plus, it’s light enough to pat on throughout the day if I have a dry spot.

Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lip Mask ($10)

I went through a three-day period a few weeks ago where my lips became, inexplicably, as dry as the Sahara. They were cracked and peeling, and my normal, prettily-packaged lip balms weren’t doing the trick. This little tube landed on my desk from Flower Beauty around the same time, and I was intrigued by the packaging and the fact that it came in a nice, Bordeaux tint. I smothered a thick layer on my lips and admired the effect—it added just a hint of color to my lips without being overpowering. A few hours later, my flakes had all but disappeared. I love that this lip mask comes in a bunch of different colors so it doubles as a lip tint and you can treat your lips throughout the day. Genius!

Jafra Royal Cleanse + Tone Wipes ($12)

I'm a bit of face wipe snob, but, as it turns out, when it comes to properly opening a package of them, I'm a total newbie. When I received these beauties in the office, I was so excited that I ripped them open like a baby bear catching its first meal. I realized that I wouldn't be able to close them properly and they'd soon dry out into pieces of copy paper. Miraculously, though, after over a week of air exposure, they stayed completely moist, which is a testament to how hydrating they are. A better test, though, is how dewy and radiant they helped my skin look after swiping them over my (fairly heavy) makeup. I thought my skin looked better after using them, even with just a bit of moisturizer following. The magic lies in Jafra's proprietary Royal Jelly RJx to make skin bouncier and smoother. The wipes are also soaked in coconut water to replenish and refresh parched cells. 

Beautyblender Bounce Foundation ($40)

I've been using Revlon ColorStay foundation for over a decade, but recently, my last bottle ran out and I needed to act quick. I had a bottle of BeautyBlender's Bounce foundation in the beauty stash in my closet and gave it a shot before a night out. Much to my delight, it blended beautifully, gave me full coverage, and didn't budge in the slightest. It even survived a dance-cardio class with Kristin Sudeikis a few days later. It's my new stand-in until I finally head back to the drugstore.

Crest Gum & Enamel Repair ($7)

Ever since getting veneers, I've been obsessed with taking care of my teeth. (To be clear, I was prior to the transformation, but considering the cost of fake teeth, I'm even more invested in their health now more than ever.)

My natural teeth are quite soft, so I need products that are going to strengthen them and keep the enamel in tact (especially since I'm an avid coffee drinker).This new-ish toothpaste from Crest is my favorite. My teeth feel stronger, look brighter, and have that back-from-the-dentist squeaky clean feeling when I'm done brushing.