Need a moisturizer? Here are 800 options to choose from with ingredient lists that sound nice, but what the hell is bakuchiol, and do you even need it? At Scary Mommy, we turn to our group chats and each other for product recommendations all the time - it helps narrow down the endless options to a few really good ones. In that spirit, these are the beauty products Scary Mommy editors have actually been reaching for all January long.
Wavytalk: Hair Tools Create salon-quality hairstyles at home with one tool. Wavytalk's Curlmaker rotating curling iron comes with three interchangeable barrels, so you can make tight ringlets, loose waves, and more. The award-winning Blowout Express combines a brush and curler. Its fast, dual-heat design saves time and smart technology adds shine for a smooth, frizz-free look. Silk'n: Hair Removal Devices Remove hair at home easily and comfortably.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently received a facial from one of my friends, who works at a spa. Everything went smoothly initially, but the next day I woke up and my skin was dry and peeling. I called her and asked what was happening to my skin. She asked what I had used on my skin the previous night, and I told her my nightly skin care routine, which includes retinols.
I've worked at Costco for 20 years, and always love browsing the aisles for the best new items. One of the best things I bought there this year was the Odessa lift-top vanity. I'm glad I bought the Shark CryoGlow mask, designer fragrances, and Oikos vanilla protein shakes.
Soft-baked, individually wrapped, and full of flavor - Amazing Cookies are Gluten-Free, Nut-free, Vegan, Kosher, Non-GMO & Certified Plant-Based. A perfect on-the-go snack that everyone can enjoy. Taste and see... They're amazing!$32 per dozen; nanisweets.com EpiLynx all-natural, gluten-free skincare EpiLynx uses simple, clean formulas to support healthy skin and a natural glow. Every product is truly gluten-free and made to be safe for people with celiac disease, so you can care for your skin with confidence.Use Code BFCM50 and get 50% off on your first order; epilynx.com
Beauty has never been superficial. It's always been about self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-expression, knowing that how you're feeling inside is reflected on the outside. Today, the boldest expression of that confidence comes from beyond the makeup bag: It's a full night's sleep working with a skincare routine, balanced hormones supporting a healthy glow, nutrients fueling both energy and radiance, and gut health supporting complexion.
if you're traveling for the holidays, beauty and skincare gifts are easy to pop in your luggage, wrapped or unwrapped, to give when you reach your destination. From rejuvenating Rhode lip glosses to the L'Oreal mascara that more than 40,000 shoppers bought in the last month, we gathered 10 travel-friendly beauty stocking stuffers under $25 that your giftee is sure
This month's lineup covers the full spectrum, from drugstore steals to the kind of splurges you can write off as a gift to yourself. Reusable under-eye patches that will make you look more awake, a lip stain-serum hybrid that somehow survives your third coffee and keeps your pout from cracking in the wind, and a festive satin pillowcase that protects your hair and doubles as holiday décor - it's all here.
The LED Series 2 is the best red light therapy mask on the market. Crafted from medical-grade silicone, it hugs your face with 236 bulbs, ensuring direct contact. It delivers three wavelengths-red (633 nanometers), near-infrared (830 nanometers), and deep near-infrared (1072 nanometers)-to target skin rejuvenation at multiple depths. I'd recommend this splurge to people who'd like to target fine lines, wrinkles, or sun damage. Reviewer Nena Farrell also noted visible improvements in her acne scarring.
And in 2025, they really did. Brands embraced innovation and personalization in a major way: tools became infinitely more intuitive, skin care turned more tech-forward, and makeup leaned into buildable pigments that work for you, not against you. So, when it comes to figuring out which products are actually worthy of gifting (or, let's be honest, keeping for yourself), consider this your cheat sheet to the very best in beauty from 2025.
Amazon is a treasure trove of weird, but genius finds that you've probably never heard of but immediately need to add to your cart. From everyday tools with oddly specific purposes to inventions that seem too quirky to work (but totally do), these clever finds fix problems, boost vibes, and just generally improve your life. They can also blur the line between practical and absurd - and that's exactly what makes these items so irresistible.
As a shopping editor, my ultimate test for how much I love a product is if I ask myself: What did I ever do before this? My latest can't-live-without-it travel accessory is this new extra large toiletry bag from Parallelle. It's called The Kit, and I promise I love it for more than just its good looks. I've been reaching for it nonstop over the past month to carry my very extensive skincare routine with me wherever I go-and it's made packing easier than ever.
Shed the stress of the festive season with a trip to Mayfair's newest boutique wellness clinic, Le Petit Saint. From the moment you enter through the blush pink doors, you're cocooned by warm, Pinterest-ready interiors created by Australian designer Blainey North, who's known for overhauling New York's tallest residential building and multiple celebrity abodes. Amid the nap pods, water features and high ceilings peppered with cherubs, you'll find rooms equipped for Hydrafacials, futuristic ExoMind treatments (to improve mental wellness) and IV drips.
Dua Lipa is proof that you really can have it all - endless vacations, hit songs, and a wildly successful tour for her album, Radical Optimism. Now, the multi-hyphenate is adding another achievement to her long list of accolades. On Nov. 4, Lipa announced her new skin care collection, aptly named DUA, which was made in collaboration with Augustinus Bader.
Rhode, Hailey Bieber's mega-viral skin care and makeup brand, has been intentional about advertising the "on the go" capabilities of its newest product, and its consumer base has responded in kind. Rhode has over 5 million combined followers across Instagram and TikTok-and a successful marketing strategy that encourages both influencers and niche creators to create content around its products. There are nearly 400,000 videos under #Rhode on TikTok alone.
At some point, nearly every woman has wished they had an older woman in their life whom they could ask their most burning questions. And while many of us have older sisters, mothers, or friends we could ask, it can often be awkward to ask them deeply personal questions... That's why I decided to open up the platform for women who are 25 and younger to ask women over 50 anything they want to know!
"Consumers have the right to know exactly what they're purchasing, but also what words and phrases are ultimately nothing more than marketing tactics," Amy Bi, VP of The Ordinary, says in a press release.
Skincare, hair care and makeup can often be pricey, so Prime Big Deal Days (October 7-8) is the perfect time to snag a few of the best beauty essentials. We rounded up some of our favorite beauty sales that are going on for Prime Day. With some great makeup, creams and face masks to choose from, you'll be able to expand your makeup collection and take your fall skincare routine to the next level. Shop now before these great deals expire!
Rhode has built a reputation for delivering skincare that blends simplicity with powerful results, and its latest release is no exception. The brand just announced the Peptide Eye Prep, a set of cooling hydrogel patches designed to transform the delicate under-eye area. Known for creating products that focus on hydration and radiance, Rhode is expanding its lineup with a treatment that directly targets puffiness, dark circles, and dryness - concerns that many face daily.
Lili Reinhart has tried everything on the acne treatment spectrum, from Accutane to pimple patches. "I was on Spironolactone for a while, but I didn't want to be on a long-term prescription, so then I just raw-dogged it," she tells me.
Skincare has a way of taking the body's own biology, bottling it, and selling it back to us. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the latest example. It's a weak acid that your white blood cells naturally produce to fight infection and kill bacteria. Now it's being spritzed across morning and nighttime routines as an all-around skin fix. But HOCl isn't new. Hospitals have been using synthetic versions for decades as a disinfectant. In fact, the lab-made form dates back to 1834 and was used in both World Wars. So while #SkinTok makes it sound like a cutting-edge discovery, dermatologists have known its potential for a long time.
"This idea of truly selling one to one, it really was our beginnings," she said during an interview for this article. "And then when Instagram started to pick up for us, where we were starting to build a community-it was because I would literally have conversations with anybody in the DMs, anybody in the comments. I'd be asking them questions, making sure they knew how to use the products, talk to them. They were asking about ingredients, I would do the full debrief, I was really having one-on-one conversations."
Rachel Zoe has built her career around helping people look and feel their most stylish. In fact, the fashion guru is one who helped define early to mid-aughts celebrity style - think Nicole Richie and her oversize sunglasses, long, layered necklaces, and flowy boho 'fits, and Lindsay Lohan's ludicrously capacious bag era. The designer is also a disciple of the idea that looking and feeling good extends beyond what you wear.
You might be in denial, but the end of summer is fast approaching. Drugstores are already whipping out their Halloween decorations, which sit next to the back-to-school essentials. Starbucks is selling its Pumpkin Spice Latte. Your fave clothing store probably has jackets on display. It's aggressive, I get it. On the bright side, August's beauty launches are here to soften the transition into fall.
Harriet’s approach to layering hydration is thoughtful, but the persistent redness suggests her skin barrier is under some stress, likely from a combination of environmental changes and dry indoor conditions.
