Best New Beauty Products of 2016
The 25 Beauty Launches of 2016 That You Should Have in Your Stash
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It can be an exhausting job to be a beauty editor. But before you scoff at us, think about all the new products you tried this year . . . and then consider the hundreds (if not thousands!) of items that you still haven't bought or tested yet. It's our responsibility to recommend our favorites to you, and to do that, we sample as many of the year's new launches as humanly possible. It's quite fun, but let us remind you that we have limited time — and sheer physical space on our bodies! — to do so.
Over the past 12 months, we've masked, painted, styled, smudged, and lacquered our way through an enormous assortment of beauty swag. We've now narrowed the selection down to these 25 products that we think are worthy of all the hype. From the much-anticipated Dyson hair dryer to lustworthy lipsticks, read on to see and shop them all.
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick
The product: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26)
Why you need it: It's rare that we deem one formula worthy of replacing the majority of our other lipsticks, but this richly nourishing, intensely pigmented bullet did just that. It's loaded with antioxidants, so you'll never feel dried out, and the color lasts for hours.
Drybar Mr. Incredible Leave-In Conditioner
The product: Drybar Mr. Incredible Leave-In Conditioner ($26)
Why you need it: Women with dry, damaged hair who don't want to sacrifice volume should opt for this uniquely hydrating mist. The formula contains acai, coconut milk, and biotin to add deep moisture and smooth strands.
It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Moisturizer
The product: It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Moisturizer ($48)
Why you need it: The generously sized jar is packed with powerful antiaging, firming, and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and colloidal oatmeal. Unlike many creams that quickly absorb and disappear — along with the hydration — this leaves skin feeling nourished for hours without weighing it down. Even better, it doesn't pill up under foundation, making it an excellent canvas for makeup.
Fake Bake Coconut Tanning Serum
The product: Fake Bake Coconut Tanning Serum ($31)
Why you need it: This lightweight bronzing formula stands apart from its competitors as it absorbs quickly, looks natural, and smells delectable. Try applying it before work — you're bound to get compliments on your glow.
Dove Refresh+Care Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo
The product: Dove Refresh+Care Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo ($5)
Why you need it: Brunettes will find a savior in this clear-misting dry shampoo formula, which soaks up oil and adds a refreshing, clean scent to third-day hair. You'll also see a boost in volume when you focus it at the roots.
Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish
The product: Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish ($9, available in December)
Why you need it: This genius argan-oil-infused formula is designed to be used without a base coat, so the nourishing properties of the lacquer can directly penetrate the nail. It also contains acai and evening primrose oil, both rich in fatty acids that strengthen and condition weak nails.
CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream
The product: CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream ($8)
Why you need it: This BB cream is more pigmented than most — it hides undereye circles, blemishes, and redness easily — yet feels weightless on the skin. The oil-free formula also contains a special powder technology that keeps greasy spots matte all day, so you won't have to worry about touching up your makeup for your afternoon meetings.
Sarah Potempa Beachwaver S1.25
The product: Sarah Potempa Beachwaver S1.25 ($129)
Why you need it: Celebrity stylist Sarah Potempa isn't just a braiding genius, she also created one of the most popular, fuss-free hot tools on the market: the Beachwaver. Victoria's Secret models use her curling iron backstage to achieve beachy waves, and this barrel size in particular will give you that sexy, slept-in look.
Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat
The product: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat ($8)
Why you need it: Gel lacquer can wreak havoc on natural nails and be extremely pricey to boot. This drugstore formula adds the extreme shine and longwear effects to your manicure without any of the negative side effects.
Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour + Primer
The product: Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour + Primer ($19)
Why you need it: This longwear liquid formula acts as both a lip color and primer in one, so your pout stays dramatically vibrant and feels nourished for hours. Try the bright Flame Pop for your upcoming holiday soirée — the blue undertones will make your teeth look brighter, and it will last through plenty of kisses under the mistletoe.
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Spider Effect Mascara
The product: Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Spider Effect Mascara ($6)
Why you need it: This dramatic mascara will plump up even the wispiest lashes, but the real star of the tube is its unusual wand. The defined, molded bristles section your lashes to create a unique, separated false-lash effect that is reminiscent of Twiggy's iconic look.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild
The product: Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild ($40)
Why you need it: This iridescent, unicorn-esque highlighting palette caused a frenzy when it was revealed on social media. Each of the six shades features "reflects," a duochrome finish that allows each color to look holographic on skin. Because the palette's hues are so edgy, it's extremely versatile and beautiful on all complexions.
Jason Wu For Caudalie Beauty Elixir
The product: Jason Wu For Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($49)
Why you need it: It's hard to believe that anything could make the original refreshing mist even better, but designer Jason Wu did just that by adding his artistic touch to the bottle. Keep it on your desk for midday spritzes — it contains detoxifying rosemary and brightening rose, along with other skin-pampering essences.
Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Creme Gelée
The product: Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Creme Gelée ($295)
Why you need it: Estée Lauder's newest iteration of the powerful antiaging Re-Nutriv line comes in the form of a lightweight gel cream. Despite the potency of the formula, which lifts and smooths skin, it absorbs instantly.
Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil
The product: Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil ($75)
Why you need it: Even those wary of facial oils will be obsessed with this delicate formula. Camellia, chia seed, and tamanu oils deliver serious moisture and antiaging benefits without leaving a heavy or slick feeling to skin. Try mixing it into your favorite moisturizer in the Winter for a double dose of hydration.
Glamglow GravityMud
The product: Glamglow GravityMud ($69)
Why you need it: You'll be obsessed with the piña colada scent of this peel-off formula, but you'll be especially charmed by the way the marshmallow, licorice extract, and hyaluronic acid firm and brighten your skin. Just wait for the mask to turn from white to metallic chrome, then remove it to see your newly illuminated complexion.
Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Damage Repair Shampoo
The product: Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Damage Repair Shampoo ($4)
Why you need it: This coconut-oil-rich formula offers intensive moisture to dehydrated, damaged hair without flattening it. Your strands will feel super soft and look shinier after just three washes.
TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Pre-Wash Conditioner
The product: TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Pre-Wash Conditioner ($5)
Why you need it: It's not uncommon for fine-haired women to skip the conditioning step of their hair care routine in the name of volume. However, doing this will leave strands brittle. This formula from TRESemmé reverses the traditional cleansing routine: just use this lightweight conditioner before shampooing, then wash it away to see hydrated, thick hair.
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick
The product: Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick ($20)
Why you need it: Beauty entrepreneur and influencer Huda Kattan told us that she had wanted to make a liquid lipstick for years, so it should come as no surprise that the final formula is truly outstanding. It feels extremely comfortable on the lips, lasts for nearly a full day, and comes in a wide spectrum of hues (from beiges to vampy shades) to satisfy even the pickiest lipstick-lover.
Ouai Treatment Masque
The product: Ouai Treatment Masque ($32 for eight)
Why you need it: Celebrity stylist Jen Atkin was inspired to create this mask by her Dubai-based clients, who always make time in their packed schedules to pamper their hair. This highly nourishing formula comes in travel-friendly packettes for that very reason: try packing one in your gym bag and adding it into your hair before a workout, then rinse it away afterward for shinier, healthier strands.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation
The product: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation ($44)
Why you need it: This foundation really is magical. The full-coverage formula somehow conceals imperfections while seamlessly disappearing into skin to deliver antiaging, hydrating, and brightening benefits. It comes in 15 beautifully blendable shades.
L'Oréal Paris Exfoliate & Refine Clay Mask
The product: L'Oréal Paris Exfoliate & Refine Clay Mask ($13)
Why you need it: This drugstore buy feels like a luxe spa experience thanks to the three purifying clays (kaolinite, montmorillonite, and ghassoul) and red algae. This detoxifying formula unclogs congested pores and soaks up excess oil to leave skin healthy and luminous.
Good Dye Young Hair Color
The product: Good Dye Young Hair Color ($14)
Why you need it: Paramore's Hayley Williams was so passionate about good-for-you DIY rainbow hair that she came up with her own line of color products. Each shade is formulated with bergamot, sunflower, and other nourishing ingredients so your strands are pampered as they're infused with color.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
The product: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($399)
Why you need it: The Dyson team spent four years and $71 million developing this hot tool, so you know it has to be good. The motor is in the handle, making the product uniquely light, but the real innovation comes to the airflow. The temperature doesn't shift throughout your blowout, keeping your hair healthy and shiny. Even better, many users swear this dryer cuts their styling time in half.
MAC Cosmetics Liptensity Lipstick in Blue Beat
The product: MAC Cosmetics Liptensity Lipstick in Blue Beat ($21)
Why you need it: To produce this line of lipsticks, MAC's team of experts worked with a tetrachromat, an individual who possesses the ability to see up to 100 million colors that average people cannot. This intense navy — an extremely popular lip hue this year — is ultrapigmented and looks stunning on a wide range of complexions.
