Our Editors Have Tested a Lot of Products, but These Are Their Favorites For September

"I'm of the firm belief that blush is the unsung hero of makeup, so it only makes sense that Selena Gomez's debut Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($20) is good. (Get it? Because she's a sing. . . OK, never mind, I'll see myself out.) You need only apply the tiniest dot on each cheek for a huge pigment payoff that lasts all day. All eight shades look incredibly natural, but I'm personally digging the warm coral hue, Joy — which is exactly what this formula brings me." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty director

"Kim Kardashian collaborated with her lifelong BFF Allison Statter for this KKW x Allison B.F.F.A.E. Eyeshadow Palette ($30), and it's currently one of the most used items in my makeup bag. The darker colors add definition to my crease without looking harsh, while the matte and shimmery cream hues are ideal for highlighting. But the crowning glory of this palette is 143, the lavender shade. I put it across the center of my lid and love the metallic finish. It adds personality without looking kitschy or overly trendy." — Macy Williams, senior editor, shop

"My lips are essentially colorless. This leaves me dreaming of a lip product that feels like nothing but makes my lips look vibrant . . . and maybe a little pouty if I'm being totally honest. Enter the Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint in Chérie ($36). It hydrates with hyaluronic acid and squalene, but it's not really a balm or a gloss — it's a sheer tint (or a 'weightless gelée' as the brand describes it) with the slightest plumping effect. And it gives my lips just the right amount of color that lasts for hours." — Dawn Davis, senior beauty editorial director, Group Nine Media

"My makeup routine has become as pared down as it can get, but I never skimp on blush. A quick swipe helps me instantly look awake. I typically prefer cream or gel formulas, but the Charlotte Tilbury Walk of No Shame: Cheek to Chic Berry Blush ($40) has made me fall back in love with powders. The combo of the richly berry blush hue with the Champagne powder gives my complexion an airbrushed look, and I'm obsessed." — Jessica Harrington, associate beauty editor

"I tried out the Exa Beauty High Fidelity Foundation ($38), and it's almost like I forgot I was even wearing foundation. The formula is so light and hydrating, but also strong enough to actually last throughout the day. Bonus: the packaging for this is also super eco-friendly, and there are even notes on the box that tell you which materials included can be recycled and which ones can't." — Danielle Jackson, assistant beauty editor

"When I first tried this Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss ($14), it was love at first swipe for its supermoisturizing formula that isn't sticky. It glides onto your lips like butter and is infused with nourishing oils, including apricot and raspberry seed, to soothe and protect your lips. I'm also obsessed with semisheer pigmentation and the high-shine finish. The shade cashew is my absolute favorite which is a gorgeous rosy brown." — Genesis Revias, assistant beauty editor, Makeup.com

"I can't talk about the fact that summer is over — I'm devastated. What I can talk about, though, is how obsessed I am with the Bodyography Forever Summer Palette ($33). With a mix of metallic coppers and matte browns, it has all the colors I need to transition my makeup look from end of summer to early fall. The pigments have a high payoff, blend easily, and feel super creamy to the touch. My personal favorite shade is Cove, a metallic rose gold, which I've been wearing on repeat all month long." — Samantha Holendar, assistant beauty editor, Makeup.com

"The Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Stain ($18) is one of my favorite lip products that I've tried this summer. It applies like water and feels like I'm wearing nothing at all, but it still delivers a bold color with some serious staying power that doesn't smudge when I touch it." — DJ

"Most people can't leave the house without mascara or concealer, but for me, that must-have makeup product is blush — specifically cream blush. I recently ran out of my very pricey fave, but I happened to have the new Mary Kay Cream Blush Duo Stick ($18) waiting in the wings. And I couldn't be more impressed. I love, love, love that it comes in a stick, and I feel like a veritable MUA having two shades to add dimension. It's creamy but has a velvety finish, and it doesn't settle into lines and pores. All that for $18, which is about two thirds cheaper than the one I was using before." — DD

"I never really bought into the banana powder buzz, but these last few weeks has seen a resurgence of the makeup trend, including one from one of my favorite brands, Laura Mercier, so I decided to give it a go. Laura's take on the flattering color is its Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Honey ($39), which is a warm and sunny shade that somehow matches my skin tone perfectly — and keeps makeup from budging to boot." — KC

"As much as I love lipstick, I've been craving more comfortable hydration lately in the form of tinted lip balms. Out of all of the formulas I've tested lately — and there are been a lot — the Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss'r Luscious Lip Balm in Latte Lips ($18) is one of my favorites. It's the perfect sheer neutral pink for everyday wear and the formula adds a nice shine to my lips without feeling heavy or sticky." — JH

"In the spirit of transparency, I didn't know how I felt about the Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Double-Ended Volumizing Mascara ($27) the first few times I tried it. The formula slicked on wet and seemed to clump when I'd add my usual 1,000 coats, but the more I used it, the better it got. Now I know you don't need as much; in fact, it's all about strategically applying the mascara on each end — two layers of the Volume side, which provides the bulk, then one coat of Lengthen side to separate any clumps — for maximum eye impact." — KC

"It's only fitting that around the same time as the fifth anniversary of me studying abroad — and officially still being that person who gloats about it — that Kiko Milano launched at Ulta Beauty. When I was 20 and living off of my writing tutor paychecks in Paris, this brand was the only makeup brand I could afford. Turns out, it's amazing. I never went anywhere without these creamy pigments, like the KIKO Milano Tuscan Sunshine Shiny Lip Stylo ($14)." — Samantha Sasso, associate beauty editor, native

"This limited-edition highlighter supports WildAid and its mission to reduce global consumption of wildlife products so right there, I'm sold. But the formula of the Chantecaille Radiance Chic Cheek and Highlighter Duo ($84) holds its own, too. It has a smooth, velvety texture that gives skin a natural flush of color and light. The shade Coral Manta Ray is my favorite and embodies summer perfectly." — JH

"Lately, I've been doing my makeup more and more — just for fun — which means my makeup tools are suddenly very dirty. I thought now is the opportune time to stock up on cleansers and nothing compares to Beautyblender's Brush Cleanser. With just a few swirls underneath running warm water and a quick scrub against the textured silicone mat, my sponges and brushes are just like new. Now, I can find everything I need in the compact Beautyblender Besties Makeup Sponge and Cleanser Set ($20), which you bet I'll be forcing my friends to buy, too (I've seen what their makeup bags look like)." — SS

"These days I'm skipping makeup primer completely because I don't really need another step in my routine, but I do miss the blurring benefits of them. Enter: the Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum ($32). It's a serum-primer hybrid that keeps skin moisturized while also extending the wear of your makeup by providing it with a nice, smooth base. Diamond mineral powder in the formula also gives my skin a healthy dose of glow, which I can never have too much of. Sometimes, if I'm going for a super pared-down look, I'll just wear this and sunscreen, and the result is magic." — JH

"In the summer, I'm all about getting an easy sun-kissed glow. That said, the sun is my worst enemy (instant sunburn, you guys), so my sun-kissed glow relies heavily on the use of a carefully curated combo of bronzer, blush and highlighter. My go-to this summer is the Bodyography Forever Summer Cheek Palettes ($33). Not only is everything I need to get my glow on in one place, but the powder formulas are super soft, blendable and natural looking. A swipe of each makes me feel bronzed and glowy in an instant." — SH

"This quote from Lady Gaga never felt so relevant as it did on the day I found out the Lancôme Juicy Tubes Original Lip Gloss ($20) were launching again. See: "talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before . . ." If you're old enough to remember the originals, you'll know how worth it this purchase is." — SS

"I'm not much of a lipstick or lip gloss person; normally, a swipe of balm is all I need or want. That is, until I got my hands on the new offering from clean beauty brand Saie: the Really Great Gloss ($20). Let me tell you something — it really is really great. Each shade is subtle and not over-the-top glossy, and adds a healthy sheen without being sticky. My favorite aspect, though, is that it's a two-in-one gloss plus exfoliator. Malic acid sloughs away dead, flaky skin so the hyaluronic acid, coconut milk, and grape seed oil can plump and hydrate. All five shades are worth a try, but "Cute" and "Easy" are my new go-to gals for the summer." — Aviel Kanter, senior native living editor

"I'm a tinted lip balm person, but sometimes I want a little more color and a little more shine. Saie Really Great Gloss is exactly that — and Chill is that perfect "my lips but better" color. Plus, it contains an apple-based exfoliator to smooth lips over time and hyaluronic acid for hydration, making it so much more than a basic lip gloss, or tinted balm for that matter." — DD

"I love a multipurpose product even more so now that I'm spending 98.9 percent of my days lounging at home, and the Tarte Cosmetics Set & Protect SPF 30 ($28) gives me everything I need in one: a powder that subtly mattifies and lends the just-right coverage I need for my Zoom meetings, plus protection against those sneaky UVA rays that are still peeking through my window. A win-win." — KC

"If my makeup products could talk they would say, "Do you really need another multi-use tinted balm?" The answer is yes, I do. My makeup routine looks different these days; it's all about getting the most out of fewer products and the Lano Baby Rose Gold 101 Ointment Balm & Tint ($17) helps me do just that. It adds a dewy pink flush of color to my cheeks, lips, eyelids, and anywhere else I dab it on. With it, achieving a rosy glow from my living room is possible." — JH

"My dream summer makeup look is glowy without being sweaty, but as a chronic over-heater I have to fake it with highlighter and powder. This season I'll be using Venics Organic Diamond Glow Melted Highlighter in Wedding Ring ($35) because it looks pretty and natural, hydrates with a ton of beautiful oils (like coconut and camellia seed), and stays put when I inevitably start to perspire." — DD

"During the summer, I like transitioning my makeup products to creamy formulas to achieve a lit-from-within glow that looks like I've been laying out on a beach all day, even if I've just been hanging at home. I love this Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer ($20) in West Coast because it gives me a luminous sunkissed look while adding warmth and dimension to my face. Normally, illuminating bronzers intimidate me because the included shimmers can be too overwhelming, but this blendable formula is super natural-looking offering more of a dewy sheen than a sparkly finish." — GR

"The Lip Maestro Liquid Lipsticks are arguable one of the best on the planet — or at least they are in my opinion — which is why it really should come as no surprise that I'm completely head-over-heels into the new Armani Beauty Ecstasy Mirror Lip Gloss ($37). They deliver the same rich pigment of the liquid lipsticks but with a shine that isn't sticky and stays put on your lips. I'll be wearing this one all summer long — after all, summer is offically lip gloss season. " — JH

"Whenever I go foundation-less, I can see the difference in my skin's appearance — it doesn't look as even — though the Tarte Cosmetics Hydrocealer Concealer ($24) proved to be a perfect replacement for me, minus the slightly heavier feeling my foundation often leaves me with. It's also weightless to the point where I feel like I'm barely wearing anything but still powerful enough to provide coverage that lasts for hours. Even though I haven't been wearing much makeup these days, I turn to this whenever I want to look presentable for a virtual meeting but don't feel like putting on a full face." — DJ

"Way back when I used to draw on my freckles (OK, I still do sometimes), Freck was the under-the-radar brand more people should've been paying attention to. My proof: they recently launched a collection of new products including color cosmetics and skin care. Of course my latest obsession includes these Freck Beauty Lid Lick Eyeliners ($16). Blame the "Rain on Me" music video for getting me hooked on bold liquid formulas like this. But hurry — they keep selling out!" — SS

"I've waxed poetic on this mascara to everyone who would listen, but let me tell you again: it's magic. I've been genetically blessed with my father's extralong eyelashes, but only a few formulas actually keep a curl that isn't dramatic and fake; the L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Mascara ($11) is that for me. It's affordable, it works, and it's officially sold me on brown mascara (seriously, the black-brown shade is the real MVP)." — SS

"One swipe of The Crème Shop Permanent Popsicle Lip Juice Stain ($10) was all it took to make me fall in love. Between its insanely rich pigmentation, hydrating formula, and long-lasting wear, I've been finding myself reaching for it every day. The shade Crèmesicle is a pretty peachy nude that I find looks great on my medium skin tone." — GR

"I used felt-tip liner every morning for a decade, then one day I woke up and decided to quit cold turkey. It was so hard to keep the look from creasing, and the pens kept drying out. But this Mary Kay Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen ($16) has me back on the felt-tip-liner train. It is inky but dries fast and doesn't crease, and my pen is still going strong a month later." — DD

"It's hard for me to get excited about a setting powder, but the Ciaté London Everyday Vacay Coconut Setting Powder ($22) did just that. Words can't describe how touchably soft it is — 'light as air' doesn't even come close to it. Not to mention, it has a delicious coconut scent that makes me feel like I'm sitting on a beach every time I brush it onto my T-zone." — JH

"Let me start by saying: I never leave the house without mascara and am very picky when it comes to how my eyelashes look; I want them to be fanned, lifted, and volumized without looking like I layered on the product (which I'm usually guilty of). The Maybelline New York The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara ($9) quickly became one of my holy-grail products shortly after it launched. It does everything I could ask for, and my lash curl lasts all day. Nothing else matters." — JH

"The true test of a good liquid lipstick, in my opinion, is whether it withstands what I call the pizza test. If it can stay put despite my devouring at least two slices of a Hawaiian pie, I'm never letting it go. That's really all I need to say about the Shade M Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Modish ($20): that sh*t lasts." — KC

"I'm Sam, and TikTok made me try the E.l.f. Cosmetics Matte Putty Primer ($8) — what's new? I wish I could rattle off a million reasons why this stuff is so worth it, but it's simple: it keeps my makeup even, poreless, and matte for hours. What more could you really need?" — SS

"I decided I had to try the Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($36) when it started blowing up on my Instagram feed — everyone was raving about it, and I started to get major FOMO. Now, I totally get the hype. It gives you out-of-this-world radiance that begs to be a part of your everyday Spring beauty look. I use it instead of foundation and still can't believe it's a sunscreen." — JH

"Ever since my lips decided to be perpetually dry for life, I've been set on trying every amazing lip gloss out there. Now that my days of mattes are behind me, I'm all about the shiny, glossy, and hydrating formulas — and the Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss ($14) is my current favorite. Although the brand itself launched some time ago, its latest shade Spicy has me so hooked. I love red lipstick, but it sometimes feels too intense against my fair skin. This sheer but juicy formula lets me rock the color I love so much in a way I'm comfortable with. Now I get why these sell out so quickly on Sephora." — SS

"As someone who loves a radiant and dewy makeup look, I've been obsessed with the Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush ($6). This gel-to-cream formula beautifully melts onto skin while offering a healthy flush of color and a luminous finish." — GR

"As someone who deals with chapped lips year-round, I'm always on the hunt for the perfect hydrating product, and the new Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(cover) Hydrating Coconut Lip Oil ($29) impressed me right off the bat. It's not sticky or ridiculously thick like other oils and balms I've tried, and the combination of coconut, aloe vera, and vitamin E is like a tall drink of water for my lips. The best part? You can wear it alone and pass it off as a gloss or use it under your fave lippie, so it's super versatile." — Jillian Selzer, senior social media editor, Makeup.com

"I recently hopped on the lip-liner bandwagon, and there's no stopping me now — I can't believe what I've been missing all these years. The new Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lip Definer ($22) is designed to match your natural lip color so you can line and define your shape before color application. It gives me naturally fuller-looking, accentuated lips, even when I'm just wearing a light lip gloss on top." — JH

"Maybe I'm too picky, but I have the worst luck when it comes to finding concealers I actually like. I need something that is full coverage and lightweight and works with my dry skin — I'm not about that patchy life. It's been a challenge to find something that works for me, but the E.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer ($6) checks all my boxes and then some. It blends like a dream with my trusty beauty sponge, and I rarely have to reapply it throughout the day. Enough said!" — JS

"I'm sure most of you have heard about the original version of this concealer and that it's a dupe for that one prestige concealer that's all over YouTube. But if you have naturally dry or combination skin, this hydrating version of it may be a better fit. For as special as the soft formula is, the wand is the big selling point: it's thick and big, and it deposits the perfect amount of product wherever you need it. It's also only $6, which feels like an actual crime." — SS

"I've never been one of those 'Oh, I'm just wearing concealer'-type of girls (please, I need a hell of a lot more coverage than that), but if I were, it'd be thanks to the E.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer ($6). The moisturizing formula seamlessly blends onto skin and is opaque enough to cover up even the gnarliest of breakouts but never dries or flakes as the day goes on. So while I'm still adding it on top of my everyday foundation, the end result looks 10 times more natural than it normally would — and for less than the cost of my Starbucks order." — KC

"As much of a self-proclaimed mascara hoarder as I am, I'm also a repeat buyer — I can count on two hands the number of tubes that have made it into my regular rotation. On that list: the new Tarte Sea Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara ($23), which somehow manages to lengthen, curl, and bulk up my lashes in just a few swipes without then later transferring a veil of black pigment to my upper eyelids by 5 p.m. It's magic." — KC

"Hot tip: Nails Inc does so much more than nail polish, and this Inc.redible Jammy Lips Sheer Lacquer Lip Tint ($12) is the lip product I've been reaching for over and over again the last few weeks. It's a balm-gloss-stain hybrid that offers the best of all worlds: it hydrates my lips, which are crazy dry right now (thank you, end-of-Winter weather), leaves behind just the right amount of color (no mirror necessary), and lasts for hours." — DD

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