41 May Beauty Launches Our Editors Can't Get Enough Of

Glossier | Nutrafol / Danessa Myricks Beauty and Photo Illustration by Keila Gonzalez
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The month of May means the start of Taurus season, better weather, and (arguably) most important: some of the best beauty launches we've seen this year. With summer just around the corner, brands are starting to release products that are geared toward the warmer incoming weather. Think glossy lip products, cream-based everything, summer scents, and lots of bronzers. If you're looking forward to the perfect beach day or prepping for an upcoming music festival, now's the time to stock up on items to keep you glowing.

Still, with as many exciting launches as there are right now, no one person possibly has the time to test them all — and that's where we come in. Our editors have been hard at work testing the latest crop of beauty products that have dropped in the past few months (or have yet to hit stores), and we're sharing all of our favorites. The best part? There's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for your perfect new fragrance, a self-tanner to help you fake that sun-kissed bronzed look, or the best dry shampoo to get you through a sweaty hike, we've got you covered.

We rounded up the best makeup, hair, skin, body, and nail products that are launching in May. Keep reading to see all of our picks.

Best Vitamin C Serum

Paula's Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster ($55)

"I think of vitamin C serums like I do heterosexual relationships: important for society at large, but not exactly for me. Most formulas are just too potent and cause a reaction on my extra-sensitive skin, including Paula Choice's original Vitamin C Super Booster. Luckily, the brand has given this bestseller a makeover, tweaking the potency and ingredients list ever so slightly to make it more tolerable for sensitive sets. I am grateful to have (finally) found a perfect match." Kelsey Castañon, senior content director, PS

Best Brightening Serum

Mother Science Retinol Synergist ($96)

"I've been using the Mother Science Retinol Synergist for a month now, and my skin is loving it. My complexion looks brighter and more even but I haven't had any issues with irritation or sensitivity. The serum combines two super powerful antiaging ingredients: the brand's exclusive hero ingredient, malassezin, which has wrinkle-reducing and skin barrier-supporting benefits, and tried-and-true retinol for extra skin renewal. The texture is a thin, lightweight formula that absorbs quickly and doesn't feel sticky." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, beauty

Best Anti-Aging Serum

SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst Anti-Aging Serum ($115)

"SkinCeuticals recently launched the Cell Cycle Catalyst Skin Resurfacing Serum, and it's been a game-changer for my sensitive, acne-prone skin. I apply it in the morning after cleansing to dry skin before using my vitamin C serum. It's helped to keep my skin gently exfoliated without irritating it." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Best Hydrating Moisturizer

Lancer Skincare Gravity Defying Moisturizer ($140)

"I've been using this moisturizer for about a month now and I am so impressed by how well it's worked with my typically very-sensitive skin. Though its ingredients are helpful for firming results, I found it to be a lightweight and easy-to-absorb formula that is also oily-skin friendly so it'll be coming with me into the summer months for sure," — Ariel Baker, associate editor, beauty

Best Hydrating Cleanser

Indie Lee CoQ-10 Cleanser ($38)

"I love a creamy, non-drying cleanser, but so many of them don't do a very good job removing makeup. This cleanser from Indie Lee is both seriously cleansing and gently hydrating. It leaves behind just enough grapeseed and jojoba oil that my skin feels super soft and moisturized, but it takes off everything from waterproof eyeliner to foundation residue." — Dawn Davis, executive director, Vox Media

Best Mineral Sunscreen

Herbivore Star Seed Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($38)

"There's nothing more holy to me than a great physical SPF that has a texture that melts into your skin without too much sheen or any white cast. The Herbivore Star Seed Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($38) is a new addition to the growing number of beauty brands that are attempting to make zinc-based SPFs accessible. In my book, this one succeeds. It has a silky texture that sinks into my skin pretty fast and doesn't leave any white cast behind. I also like that it includes vitamin C directly in the formula since the brightening ingredient can help enhance the efficacy of SPF. Plus, there's the addition of glycerin for moisture retention, so your skin won't feel dried out after reapplying." — Aviel Kanter, director, branded content

Best Lightweight Moisturizer

OneSkin Face OS-01 Moisturizer ($118)

"The texture of the OneSkin Essential Moisturizer is divine. It's lightweight and nongreasy, but it still feels luxurious on the skin and coats my face in comfortable hydration. I love how easy the pump makes it to dispense without any mess. The hero ingredient in the formula is the brand's patented OS-01, which helps thicken your epidermal, boost cellular repair, and minimize signs of aging. It layers beautifully with the rest of my skin-care and makeup routine, too." — JH

Best Lip Balm for Chapped Lips

EOS Electric Cherry & Grape Fizz 2-Pack Lip Balm ($6)

"The Eos Electric Cherry and Grape Fizz 2-Pack Lip Balm has been my go-to product for dry, chapped lips. The duo got me through the windy, dusty nights of Coachella, and both flavors smell and taste amazing. Plus, they give my lips a nice glow." — RR

Best Shimmer SPF

Hello Sunday SPF The Shimmer One SPF 45 ($22)

"This time of year, every product you put on your face might as well have SPF — from your foundation to your lip balm. This stick is essentially a highlighter with mineral SPF 45. It glides on and layers beautifully over blush, bronzer, tinted moisturizer, you name it, while upping your sun protection." — DD

Best Chemical SPF

Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 50 ($32)

"Glossier calls this the 'sunscreen for people who hate wearing sunscreen," and I couldn't have said it better myself. (Mind you, I actually don't mind facial sunscreens, but I understand that the majority do.) The Invisible Shield SPF 50 is a lightweight chemical formula with SPF 50 UVA/UVB protection. It isn't greasy nor leaves behind a white cast on the skin due to its clear formula — two things required for a good sunscreen formula. What I also love about this product is how nicely it layers under makeup — coming from a makeup-first brand, this acts as a primer, providing you with a smooth base for your complexion products. " — JH

Best Toner

Sabbatical Beauty Maple Essence Toner ($108)

"I've been leaning into retinol hard this year, which means I can use all the barrier repair I can get. This silky toner from Korean-inspired skin-care line Sabbatical Beauty contains Maple Water from Drink Simple, which has antioxidant properties, as well as hyaluronic acid, a ceramide complex, and fermented minerals — and they all work together to calm inflammation and strengthen the skin's barrier. It's the perfect complement to my retinol routine, letting me maximize benefits with zero irritation." — DD

Best Collagen Serum

Face Gym Active Collagen Wonder Serum ($118)

"Now that the warm weather has officially landed in Los Angeles, I've been spending a lot more time in the sun. I wear a hat and SPF, but my freckles and dark spots pop up either way. The Face Gym Active Collagen Wonder Serum has been a lifesaver for helping banish my hyperpigmentation with ingredients my skin loves, like hyaluronic acid." — RR

Best Dry Shampoo

Divi Dry Shampoo ($26)

"Dry shampoo is my love language, so any time a new bottle hits my desk, I'm quick to put it to the test. Still, as much as I love the category, most formulas disappoint when I try them on my greasy three- (or four) hair. That is not the case with Divi's dry shampoo, which is made with a rice and corn starch blend that actually sops up oil, without the telltale crunchy or tacky feeling. Be forewarned: it does leave behind some white residue, but I found it easy to mitigate with a mini scalp massage — and well worth the results." — KC

Best Headband

Balmain Acetate Headband ($280)

"I wish you could hear the sound I made when I unboxed the Balmain Acetate Headband in white. As a '90s kid, I was a big fan of headbands back in the day, and this one is allowing me to relive those days — just in a much chicer way. The headband is white with black lining and the cutest little 18K gold-plated "B" on the side. I'm getting married this summer, and this headband feels like the perfect bridal accessory." — JH

Best Scalp Serum

Jooy Scalp Resurfacing Serum ($42)

"I've been on a mission to help get my hair as long and as healthy as possible over the last few years. One of the things that has helped is paying more attention to my scalp. I started using the Jooy Scalp Resurfacing Serum once a week before shampooing, and it's helped keep dry, flaky skin at bay. It's made with salicylic acid and niacinamide — ingredients my face loves just as much as my head." — RR

Best Round Brush For Volume

Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush ($98)

"Something nobody tells you about getting bangs (other than 'don't') is just how long you'll have to deal with an awkward phase when you want to grow them out. Or maybe they told me and I just didn't listen . . . Anyways, the Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Brush ($98) has come to the rescue pretty much every morning when I wake up with two limp, lifeless portions of hair that aren't quite curtain bangs and aren't quite face-framing layers. With just a few rolls of the brush, they're transformed into voluminous layers that (almost) fit right in with the rest of my haircut." — AK

Best Lip Plumper

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm Lip Gloss ($35)

"Charlotte Tilbury has nailed my perfect lip plumper formula. As someone with sensitive lips, I tend to stay away from this category of lip products as a whole. Somehow, this brand has roped me back in with the launch of their Plumpgasm lip glosses, and I am not mad about it. They are the perfect amount of spicy on the lips — just enough to feel that something is there and that it's doing something — and glossy. After a few minutes, I'll notice that my lips do, in fact, look more plump, and the glossiness of the formula just amps up the results even more. I'm going to need more colors in this formula, Charlotte!" — AB

Best Blush Duo

Dibs Beauty Duet Blush ($34)

"In the summer, my makeup look is always centered around blush, blush, blush. I try to keep my face out of the sun as much as possible, but I love faking a flushed look no matter what. The new Dibs Duet Baked Blush has become an instant favorite for getting the perfect sunset blush with just one swipe." — RR

Best Face Palette

Danessa Myricks Groundwork: Blooming Romance Palette ($65)

"Danessa Myricks continues to create innovative beauty products, and the Groundwork: Blooming Romance palette is the latest from the brand, and it has not left my makeup bag. It's a multi-use product, and it can be applied to the eyes, lips, and face, but before you scoff at using a powder formula on your lips, note that each pan has two formulas. One side is a traditional powder, but the other is a pomade that uses the brand's signature Upsalite technology. This means that it will start out almost like a cream but dry down as a matte. I've been using this for so many lip and cheek combinations that I'm sure if this palette could talk, it would tell me to relax a little." — AB

Best Makeup Balm

Jones Road Miracle Balm ($38)

"Jones Road just launched new Miracle Balm shades, and to say I'm obsessed is an understatement. I love using Pinched Cheeks to give my face a naturally flushed look, and Cocoa Bronzed is amazing for adding a deep, bronzy glow to my skin. I mix and match both on my eyelids as well, and I love how glowy and refreshed they make my face look." — RR

Best Powder Highlighter

Fenty Beauty Demi'Glow Highlighter ($40)

"I used to be obsessed with highlighters back in the 2016 era of makeup, and I've been slowly working my way back into the category. Making this journey exponentially easier is this new highlighter formula from Fenty Beauty. It's supposed to be a soft-lit, skin-tone-based highlighter that adds a subtle radiance to the face, and I can say that I agree with that description 100 percent. It's not the tin-man highlighters that sometimes looked streaky in certain lights. The best way that I can describe the glow that this product offers is sophisticated. Classy, even. I love it." — AB

Best Mini Eyeshadow Palette


Dibs Beauty The Palm Palette in Coffee in Hand
($36)

"My days of using 24-pan eyeshadow palettes are over. I want convenience and ease, so mini shadow palettes are now my jam. The Dibs Beauty The Palm Palette in Coffee is like summertime in a compact. It contains six shades, ranging from light taupe to tan and a deep mocha brown, in matte and shimmer formulas. The collection of elevated natural tones allow you to create a fun eye look with a product that fits in the palm of your hand." — JH

Best Blush Balm

Pat McGrath Labs Legendary Glow Color Balm ($29)

"On the cream blush front, Pat McGrath has extended the shade range of one of my favorite lines that it offers: the Glow Color Balms. Electric Bloom Glow has become my favorite from the line and it's a perfect bronzy-coral shade that I can't wait to wear to the beach or an outdoor concert this summer. I can already envision the makeup looks in my head." — AB

Best Cream Bronzer

LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick ($20)

"When LYS Beauty first came out with this line of bronzers, I found the shades that would work best for me, whether too dark or too close to my actual skin tone. They recently extended the range, adding the color 'Honest' to the mix, which is my perfect cream bronzer shade. If you're somewhere around an NC47 in MAC and someone who often considers yourself one of the in-between shades of every complexion launch, give this new bronzer a try." — AB

Best Bronzer Brush

One/Size X "Wicked" Off The Handle Complexion Brush ($34)

"I saw this brush and immediately knew that it would be perfect for bronzer. When I actually got my hands on it, I realized that I was right and wanted to panic buy four more of them. I decided to reel in my need to hoard my favorite products, but if you've yet to get your hands on this One Size Beauty and Wicked brush collaboration, I'm telling you right now that you will regret it if it sells out. This limited-edition brush is soft, picks up the perfect amount of product with each swirl, and is in the shape of Elphaba's broomstick. I don't often say that beauty products are a need, but if you're a collector, you'll that yourself for grabbing this in the future." — AB

Best Makeup Bag

Kusshi The Traveler Makeup Bag ($189)

"I've been using the small Kusshi pouches when I travel and cannot believe how convenient they've been on flights or just short trips back home. So when I saw that the brand came out with a makeup bag that looked like a purse, of course, I had to grab it, and I was so impressed. Not only is this design next-level adorable (and truly, you can wear it as a purse if you'd like), but the zippers go down so far on the sides that this could almost qualify as a dump bag, which is one of my favorite cosmetic bag designs. This, plus the numerous pockets inside? I'm obsessed." — AB

Best Shower Cream

L'Occitane Almond Delicious Shower Cream ($29)

"I'm a huge fan of the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil — as is nearly every other person I know who's tried it — so when I learned about the new almond shower cream, I had high hopes. No surprise here: it completely blew my mind the first time I used it. It has a whipped, creamy texture that somehow feels lightweight yet thick and luxurious at the same time. And, of course, it's possibly the best thing I've ever had the privilege of smelling with its sweet almond scent." — JH

Best Body SPF

Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Water Mist for Body SPF 30 ($16)

"Around this time every year, I begin stockpiling the best body sunscreens in the game to have on hand for all of my upcoming outdoor activities — hiking, beach trips, softball games, you name it! When I got the Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Water Mist for Body for testing, I immediately sprayed it onto my arm to see if it'd make the cut, and I'm pretty sure I said "Nice!" to myself out loud. The water-based, oil-free formula is lightweight and feels nearly undetectable on the skin after it is absorbed, which happens pretty quickly. It contains SPF 30 protection and is alcohol-free, so it doesn't dry you out no matter how many times you reapply (which should be every 80 minutes). One thing to note: despite being in a spray bottle, it's not a fine mist so you do still need to rub it in." — JH

Best Body Serum

Omorovicza Body Serum ($125)

"I'm not joking when I say I've been slathering the Omorovicza Body Serum ($125) on head to toe since I received the bottle, and I'm beyond impressed with this lightweight serum. The texture is perfect for summertime when you don't want to feel weighed down by a thick body lotion. It's made my skin buttery soft thanks to ceramides, Hungarian thermal water, and hyaluronic acid. My legs are literally glowing because of the combo of gentle exfoliating gluconic and lactic acids, along with Kakadu plum extract and Icelantic microalgae to increase elasticity and firmness. It's definitely on the pricier side, but it's getting a 10 out of 10 from me for the hard work it's been doing on my body." —AK

Best Self Tan Set

Tan Luxe The Future Collection ($49)

"Paris Hilton is the queen of the spray tan, so her latest partnership with Tan Luxe just makes so much sense. She collaborated with the brand to come up with a limited-edition product: The Future Airbrush 360 Self-Tan Mist and Luxe Mitt. It's an ultra-fine mist that develops in one to four hours (with four hours giving you the deepest tan). It promises up to 10 days of color, which avid self self-tanners know is pretty impressive. The scent is amazing (there's no sticky fake tan smell to be found), and it's clear, meaning you don't have to worry about the guide color transferring onto anything. Simply spray, blend, and wash off after the desired time." — JH

Best Mother's Day Gift

Flamingo Estate Spring Botanical Soap Set ($120)

"When I say I can't get enough of all things Flamingo Estate, please believe me: I drool over everything from the brand's candle sets to its olive oil to this brand-new Spring Soap Set. It comes with six impossibly chic body bars that somehow each smell better than the next, although if I had to choose, bury me in Lavendar or Jasmine & Pink Grapefruit scent. I highly recommend these as a gift — for you, or your mom, or literally anyone you like and might want to impress." - KC

Best Bikini & Body Scrub

Beia Bikini & Body Scrub ($38)

"As a big fan of body scrubs, I've tried my fair share of formulas over the years. I want my body scrubs to have a nice grit to them because the skin on the body can take it (unlike the face). At the same time, I don't want it to be so rough that it feels like it's ripping my skin off. The Beia Bikini & Body Scrub strikes up a good balance between the two — you can feel the physical exfoliants working without it being painful. It contains a combination of rice pumice (the physical exfoliant) and glycolic acid (the chemical exfoliant) to reveal smooth, soft skin after one use. You can read my full review here." — JH

Best Anti-Chafe Gel

European Wax Center Anti-Chafe Gel ($16)

"Summertime is coming, which means shorts weather is right around the corner. As much as I love the look of shorts, I hate the inevitable that comes with them as a New Yorker who walks a lot: chafing, and lots of it. Thankfully, products like the European Wax Center Anti-Chafe Gel exist. Though it was developed to relieve irritation and chafing post-wax, it can be used for all situations. It comes out of the tube as a gel, but it dries down to a powder that provides a nice slip for movement." — JH

Best Fruity Perfume

By Rosie Jane Missy Eau de Parfum ($75)

"I was at an event recently and one of my editor friends smelled absolutely heavenly. When she told me it was the By Rosie Jane Missy Eau de Parfum, I knew I needed to get my hands on it ASAP. It's the perfect scent for summer — it has notes of coconut and pineapple and honestly smells like a dream." — RR

Best Sweet Perfume

Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar ($138)

"In my opinion, Kayali can do no wrong, and the Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar is more proof of that statement. The brand's new fragrance smells delicious AF. It has notes of candied pear, rock sugar, and vanilla cream, and I always get asked what I'm wearing whenever I spritz on this fragrance. Plus, it's perfect for layering with other Kayali perfumes." — RR

"I'm usually a fan of really sweet perfumes, but ever since I learned that Kayali fragrances are meant to be layered, I haven't been able to stop using Candy Rock Sugar under my other scents. It's the perfect formula to sweeten up my typically more masculine-leaning perfumes. I've been pairing it with another scent from the brand called Oudgasm Smoky Oud and I very often want to detach my nose and sew it onto my wrists so that I can keep smelling the combination all day long. Was that too much?" — AB

Best Floral Perfume

Amouage Love Delight Eau de Parfum ($380)

"I'm not typically a floral perfume fan, but the notes of heliotrope, jasmine, and rose in the new Amouage Love Delight perfume are flanked by others like ginger, vanilla, and cocoa. The combination is a mouthwateringly sweet yet soft floral scent that can be worn year-round but feels particularly fitting for the spring season." — AB

Best Gourmand Perfume

Forvr Mood I Am Her Eau de Parfum ($28)

"Forvr Mood's I Am Her perfume is nothing short of a masterpiece. Red velvet, pear, and oud are not ingredients I'd often find paired together, but clearly, somebody on this team knew what they were doing because I have not let this perfume rest. It's equal parts sweet and refreshing and somehow avoids being cloying, which means that I can wear it multiple days in a row and not get sick of it. I am so impressed with this entire fragrance line but this one ended up an unexpected favorite, and I'm not mad at it." — AB

Best Laundry Detergent

Snif Sweet Ash Everything Wash ($19)

"Not much can pull me away from my good old-fashioned Gain detergent, but I decided to give this one from Snif a try, and I am in love. I used it by itself without any scent boosters, and the scent lasted for quite a few days after I washed my clothes. Its longevity is a plus, and this product comes in my favorite scent from the brand (Sweet Ash). Yeah, this will be in my laundry rotation permanently." — AB

Best Herbal Candle

Boy Smells Shroom Bloom Scented Candle ($48)

"I wouldn't have put 'mushroom' on my 2024 bingo card of favorite scents, but here we are, all thanks to this candle from Boy Smells. Luckily, it's giving less 'fungal' and leans more in the realm of earthy, herbal, and positively delightful. It's a must if you want to close your eyes and pretend your living room is a bohemian oasis (green thumb not needed)." - KC

Best Sleep Gummies

Stay Asleep CBN Sleep Gummies ($30)

"Sure, a sleep supplement is more beauty-adjacent than beauty product, but since sleep is at the core of looking and feeling good, I think these are worth a mention. My sleep has been a mess since my son was born almost five years ago, but it's never been the falling asleep part that's been the issue — it's staying asleep. Finally, there's a product specifically for that very problem. These gummies have CBN, a cannabinoid derivative proven to help you have fewer sleep disturbances, and they definitely do the trick." — DD

Best Beauty Supplement

Nutrafol Clear Skin Supplement ($88)

"I've been taking the Nutrafuol Women's Vegan Hair Supplement for about six months now and although it looked like I was experiencing an uptick in regrowth, I wasn't entirely sure if it was just in my head until I was in the chair of a celebrity hairstylist. While giving me a blowout, she exclaimed that I had "so much new hair" growing, and right there, I became the brand's biggest fan. This is all to say that when I learned the brand was coming out with a Skin Supplement, I was very excited to try it. As with any supplement (and even a lot of topical products), patience is key because you don't see results overnight, but I know so many people who have had great experiences with the brand." — JH

Additional reporting by Jessica Harrington and Ariel Baker


Ariel Baker is the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.


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