From a Chili Lip Plumper to Smoothing Foundations—13 Items That Impressed WWW Editors the Most in August

Allow me to set the scene: I received a tiny lab sample of Oak Essentials’s new Moisture Rich Emulsion on one of the sweatiest days of July. The thought of massaging something “rich” on my easily-congested skin sent a shiver up my spine (acne-prone friends, you can relate), but much to my absolute delight, the milky, serum-like texture absorbed like a dream and made my skin look like literal glass. Fast forward to today, and I’m literally scraping the sides of my unlabeled bottle to soak up the last drop. Trust me on this one!

No lie, I didn’t think I’d ever get this excited about a single pot of eye shadow. But Saie’s velvety new formula is so richly pigmented and just plain gorgeous that it legitimately sets my heart aflutter. I’ve been living in this pearly shade called Sorbetto all summer—the perfect ’90s muted neutral with just a bit of shimmer to make things interesting.

If you’re a fan of spicy lip plumpers—not ones that gradually increase volume over time, ones that give you a bee-stung pout, like, immediately—you absolutely need to get your hands on this Aora number. Infused with five (yes, five!) Mexican chilis and peppermint oil, it makes my lips look three times their size in a matter of minutes. I’ve been secretly hoping for a clear balm ever since I tried and loved the brand’s bold red version, and it looks like the founder Nour Tayara has officially answered my prayers!

“As someone who struggles with dry lips year round, I’m really enjoying this lip smoothie from Farmacy. The lemon mint scent is so subtle and fresh, and I love that it has ingredients like peptides, mango seed butter, and vitamin C. I also appreciate the screw on, container-style lid since sometimes regular tubes can break and leak in my bag.”

“To keep my 3B/3C curls frizz-free throughout the summer, I’ve been using this Curl Gel Creme from Pattern. Pattern has been my go-to for well over five years, and I had never tried the gel prior to this month (boy, was I missing out.) It gave me way more definition and shine than I was expecting, and it smells great.”

“I’ve never used a press-on nail remover formula, so I was admittedly a bit skeptical of this formula from Chillhouse, but this actually delivered. I tried coffin press-ons for the first time and turns out, the style wasn’t quite for me (almond nails for the win, IMO). I had put them on just a few days prior, but was worried that taking them off so soon would damage my nails. This nourishing remover came to the rescue and the nails were off in no time.”

“I recently tested a whole host of Prequel skincare products after three dermatologists recommended the brand to me (true story). While I loved virtually every single item I tried, I fell in love with the AM/PM Moisturizer. It’s a true “mid-weight” formula, meaning it’s not too thin or too rich. It’s fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and plays well with makeup. The best part? It features high-grade ingredients like a ferment-peptide complex, ceramides, glycerin, and polyglycerides that quench dry skin and keep moisture locked in place. 10/10 recommend.”

“Cyklar Self Tanning Milky Essence ($36): This is the latest self-tanner to pass—nay, exceed—my strict criteria. Part body serum, part traditional self-tanner, it has a milky formula that contains nourishing ingredients like ceramides, allantoin, squalane, and papaya oil. Meanwhile, sugar-derived tanning agents create a sun-kissed, natural-looking glow. Check out my before-and-after pictures for proof. I’m obsessed.”

“If you’re almost always unimpressed by traditional face mists, I recommend looking into Korean jelly mists. They contain gelling agents that provide long-lasting hydration with a bouncy texture. Translation? They’re basically the face mist version of internet-viral hydrogel masks. This one contains collagen water and a 10-signal peptide complex for smooth skin, deep moisture, minimized pores, and glass-like shine”

As Jahns shared in her monthly newsletter (subscribe here!), Drunk Elephant’s Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops have become a summer-to-fall mainstay. “For makeup, I like to keep things as light and dewy as possible, and our beauty team’s Slack channel has been positively agog since Drunk Elephant debuted its brand-new triple peptide–infused serum foundation,” she writes. “It gets five-star reviews across the board, and it just might be the best complexion product I’ve ever used on my face. (That is very high praise, people.)”

“Oof, I could have cried tears of joy when I applied this dreamy foundation. First off, I’ve been having a big-pore summer like no one’s business, and this stuff smoothed my texture like weightless Spackle. It cancelled out my redness, camouflaged small blemishes, and blended into my skin like a dream. I wore it from 8 am to 10 pm, and my skin still looked flawless when I came home—commutes, crying (I saw a sad movie, okay), eating, and all. The price sounds high, but it’s officially dethroning my much more expensive original top foundation pick. GO BUY IT NOW!”

“I’m skeptical of most facial oils, but this nourishing formula was the product I didn’t know my lineup needed. My sensitive skin can’t tolerate a heavy oil, which makes this thinner, lighter formula a refreshing sip for my temperamental complexion. It’s infused with a retinoid derivative, light doses of squalane, meadowfoam, and jojoba seed oils, plus hyaluronic acid (among a bevy of others) that ensures healthy, hydrated, and glowing skin. Pro tip: Mix a pump into your foundation for a glowier look. Changed my life.”

“Oh, how I love a long-wearing product, especially when it’s hydrating. (The two qualities usually do not co-exist!) This glassy lip stain has been the perfect addition to my summer lineup. One swipe before leaving the house not only gives me a buildable kiss of color that lasts for hours, but also effectively hydrates my lips—leaving my pout plump, punchy, and nourished. I keep every shade in arm’s reach these days.”

McLintock also considers herself a member of the MAC Lustreglass fan club: “It has a hydrating, serum-like formula that cushions my lips in moisture, while transfer-proof ‘stained-glass’ color sets for up to 12 hours. There are so many stunning shades, but I’ve worn Sneaky Pink the most (it’s a pretty, rosy hue). New summer-to-fall lip product, found.”