"I love a good beauty release.
Even before beauty became a part of my job, you could guarantee I was trying anything new that hit the market. From lipsticks to hair conditioners, I wanted to try it all. With the release of so many products every month, my need to try everything is fading. I am now paying attention to brands that both make inclusivity a part of their mission and use cleaner ingredients with more sustainable packaging.
Obviously, everything we love isn’t going to fit into those boxes, so we can have beauty cabinets and drawers that are as multifaceted as we are.
Here are a few new releases we’re excited to try this month:
A couple of years back, I tried my first clean mascara, and it is still one of my all-time favorites. I recently discovered a new clean brand of mascara that is water-resistant, made with non-GMO ingredients, and packaged in a glass tube. I know the terms "clean" and "natural" can be a bit confusing, but Crunchi has a list of blacklisted ingredients that defines what clean means to their company.
I could spend hours watching Danessa Myricks' makeup tutorials. After watching one of her foundation how-tos on IGTV, I stumbled upon her line of makeup and purchased a neon pink eyeshadow that I get compliments on each time I rock it. She has now released a formula that you can use on your lips, cheeks, and eyes. Who doesn't love a multi-purpose product? Neon pink might not be your color of choice (though I think everyone should give a bright color a try), but don't you worry, she has everything from nudes to deep-purple hues.
If you didn't catch Lizzo's chocolatey-bedazzled nails at the Brit Awards, please Google it—you won't be disappointed. The moment I saw that mani, I had to know more about the rich, brown color on the tips of her nails. The nail color is a part of Nails Inc Coco For Real Duo, and get this: the color smells like chocolate when applied to your nails.
When Glossier drops a new product, beauty lovers usually pay attention. Skywash is a fragrance-free, liquid-to-powder, buildable eyeshadow that is applied at the swipe of a wand. Glossier is known for their no-makeup makeup products, and this makes it easy for even the lowest maintenance makeup lovers to add a pop of color to their lids.
Since taking out my box braids, my coils have been significantly drier and more tangled. So, deep conditioning has been my goal every wash week, and with ingredients like glycerin, avocado oil, and shea butter, I knew my hair was in good hands with newly released reconstructor. A pro-tip for my coily girls out there: don't skip the plastic cap and 20 minutes of heat coupled with your conditioner, especially after taking down a protective style.
Many sheet masks on the market have fragrance in them, and for those of us with sensitive, reactive skin, even naturally-derived fragrance can cause a breakout. Bliss' latest release is not only pretty to put on, but it is fragrance-free and packed with ingredients like rose flower, glycerin, and colloidal gold. Oh, and be aware that this mask comes in two pieces.
Hydration, especially in the winter months, is vital to keeping skin looking its best. Leave it to The Ordinary to give us a product that not only hydrates, but is sustainably sourced at the same price as a matcha oat milk latte (well, at least in LA). You can only snag this online, but it will be worth the wait.
You may know the woman-led startup Athena Club for their period care options that include organic tampons and pads. But, the company is leaning into body care as well, and their naturally fragrant body wash that doubles as shaving cream is one of my new favorites. Fragrance tends to cause breakouts on my face and back, so this dual-use wash will be a staple in my shower.
The sunscreen experts at SUPERGOOP! just dropped an updated gel version of their Unseen Sunscreen. The Glowscreen still has the same SPF coverage and makeup primer benefits, but is now packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Cocoa Peptides (to help protect the skin from blue-light damage from our phones and computers), so our skin glows while staying protected.
If you love Jackie Aina and Patrick Starrr, get ready to fall in love with these two YouTubers-turned-beauty-icons’ collaboration with black-owned beauty brand UOMA. The collection will feature two shimmer shade lipsticks, lashes, an eyeshadow palette, and a face and body bronzing highlighter just in time for spring vacations!
Famed celebrity hair-stylist Jen Atkin just released six new products: three shampoos (fine, medium, and thick) and three conditioners (fine, medium, and thick). What I love about this release is the bottles are refillable, which helps the brand reduce their carbon footprint by 30 percent.
This hair tool has been out for a couple of months, but I wanted to share it with you all because you asked if there were more budget-friendly blow dryer and diffuser options for natural girls in the comment section of a hair story I wrote. I heard you and have been looking for one, and I think I may have found a good option. While the Dyson has some excellent benefits, one being its compact size, the $400 price tag doesn’t make it the most budget-friendly option. I found this diffuser that gave me frizz-free results, which is always the goal for curly girls, no matter your texture. The dryer has three heat settings and two dryer speed settings—my recommendation is to keep both on low for the best results.
Spring may be around the corner, but the winter temperatures are still here wreaking havoc on our skin, especially sensitive areas like our hands, knees, and elbows. This body butter whipped up with virgin coconut, shea nut butter, and 150 mg of CBD is the perfect dose of self-care and moisture.
Cleaning makeup brushes should be on our weekly to-do lists, but it can be a chore. A silicone cleansing pad can help make the process somewhat easier (and less messy), and on top of that, it will help break down all the product buildup. One thing that makes Anisa's tool stand out is the handle that helps keep the pad securely in the palm of your hand.