There’s the old adage that says the way you start the year sets the tone for the next 12 months. We can only hope that the niche workout class we just started will keep us hooked all through 2020 — but we can say for sure that the beauty products that secured shelf space before we’ve even celebrated Valentine’s Day aren’t going anywhere.
On that note, we’re sharing all the good stuff we couldn’t get enough of in January. Just in case you’re in the market for new products in 2020 or looking for ways to spend treat yourself to your yearly bonus early, there’s something to love in every category. Check out all our favorites from the last month, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40
“Knowing how delicate the undereye area is, I was excited to give this eye cream with SPF a try in hopes of adding it to my routine — and, well, it’s earned a permanent spot. Not only am I happy to be taking an extra step in sun protection, but this formula actually makes an immediate difference in brightening once you swipe it on. No lie, I can look like I had a good night’s rest even if I was up watching Cheer until 3 a.m.” — Thatiana Diaz, senior beauty writer
Supergoop! Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40, $, available at Sephora
Kinship Self Reflect
“I threw this mineral sunscreen in my carry-on bag for a long weekend in Florida and came back to NYC three days later without even a hint of a sunburn (which is saying a lot, because my fair skin goes pink just thinking about direct sunlight). Where other zinc oxide sunscreens are like liquid chalk, this one could actually pass for an illuminating moisturizer — lightweight, with a pink pearlescent tint that left my skin glowing. Oh, and the palm-sized tube is made from 100% PCP (post-consumer packaging).” — Megan Decker, beauty writer
Kinship Self Reflect, $, available at Kinship
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask
“This night cream is deceptively hydrating. The texture is bouncy and light, almost like a cooling gel, but really locks in moisture and wards against pillow lines while I sleep (on my stomach and without a humidifier, nonetheless).” — Decker
Drunk Elephant Drunk Elephant F-Balm™ Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask, $, available at Sephora
Dior Lip Glow Oil
“This is a cross between a gloss and an oil, but more so the latter because it’s not sticky at all. The orange-red color that shows in the bottle is practically nonexistent once it’s on — after using the plush, chubby doe-foot applicator to spread it on my lips, they’re just shiny, moisturized, and faintly plump. Plus, the sweet peppermint scent is a real treat.” — Decker
Dior Lip Glow Oil, $, available at Sephora
NudeStix Magnetic Lip Plush Paints
“I subscribe to the off-label use for this matte lipstick: Instead of wearing it as lip color, I dab the warm coral pigment on the apples of my cheeks, across the bridge of my nose, and as a wash of color over my eyelids.” — Decker
NudeStix Magnetic Lip Plush Paints, $, available at NudeStix
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
“I’ve always wanted to be the kind of person who sums up their beauty routine as, ‘I just swipe on some brow gel, put some concealer under my eyes, and dash out the door!’ This creamy full-coverage concealer has made it possible — though it is also possible that I am cheating, given that I use the formula the way you would a foundation, swiping it anywhere and everywhere I might want some coverage before blending in with a damp sponge. The liquid covers everything (zits, dark circles, redness, the works) but leaves skin looking completely fresh and natural all day long without creasing or getting cakey.” — Rachel Krause, deputy beauty director
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer, $, available at Sephora
Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense
“The average number of times per day I take a deep whiff of my sweater sleeve has increased exponentially since I started wearing this rich, smoky fragrance. I don’t usually love vanilla-heavy scents, but you can actually smell the difference in this Madagascan bourbon vanilla, which has elements of sweetness rather than being all-around saccharine. Anyway, it’s delicious, and warm and woodsy and all the things a great winter perfume should be.” — Krause
Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense, $, available at Jo Malone
January Labs Triple Active Reclaiming Serum
“While I’m aware of the importance of using safe ingredients where possible, I am not bound to it — which is to say that a ‘clean retinol’ (make of that verbiage what you will) wasn’t exactly at the top of my list of Things I Need. But here we are, and I’m fully hooked on this very gentle yet wildly effective serum that combines potent stabilized retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin C with aloe and sea whip extract to minimize dryness and irritation. As someone prone to both dryness and irritation, I’ve experienced neither of these things while using this serum — which I have been, every other night, and have reaped the smooth, glowy, bouncy, perfectly balanced benefits.” — Krause
January Labs Triple Active Reclaiming Serum, $, available at Credo
Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush
“I’m a big fan of cream blushes because of the way they melt into my complexion without enhancing any dry patches. Maybelline’s new Cheek Heat blushes were in heavy rotation during the Golden Globes earlier this month, and I knew I had to pick one up. Yes, the tube is itty bitty, but you actually only need a dot of product to get a fresh flush that looks like it’s au naturel. And at $8? I’ll be stocking up.” — Karina Hoshikawa, beauty & wellness market writer
Maybelline Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush, $, available at Ulta
Youth To The People Superfood Air Whip Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
“It’s not how I’d usually describe a moisturizer, but since there’s no other way to convey the texture of this cream, I’m just going to say that it’s plush. My oily, acne-prone skin drinks this stuff up, and the hydrating and antioxidant benefits from kale, spinach, and green tea help soothe and keep irritation at bay.” — Hoshikawa
Youth To The People Superfood Air Whip Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, $, available at Sephora
Tarte SEA Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara
“My lashes are naturally dark, long, and curled (thanks, parents!), so when it comes to a mascara, I’m looking for a formula that lengthens and defines without clumping or weighing them down. Tarte’s new Surfer Curl mascara does everything I need by transforming my lashes into fluffy, feathery things of wonder while being easy to remove, gentle, and 100% vegan.” — Hoshikawa
Tarte SEA Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara, $, available at Sephora
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
“It doesn’t make sense that a product this thin and undetectable can cover acne scars and dark circles better than my thickest cream concealer, but I’m not about to argue with it.” — Cat Quinn, beauty director
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer, $, available at Sephora
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss
“My lips are in a constant state of cracked this time of year, making my lip routine an exciting rotation of Aquaphor, Aquaphor, and more Aquaphor. But when I want to wear something a little sexier, and a little less medical-grade, this moisturizing gloss blurs out all the cracks and flakes and makes them look human again.” — Quinn
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss, $, available at Sephora
Smith & Cult Locked & Lit CBD Lip Balm
“Lip balm, at least for me, is either wonderfully amazing or truly terrible. This new formula from Smith & Cult is all the things I love: It’s rich and soothing, doesn’t dry out my lips, and has a nifty little mirror in the cap that makes topping lipstick with balm a little less messy.” — Lexy Lebsack, senior beauty editor
Smith & Cult Locked & Lit CBD Lip Balm, $, available at Ulta Beauty
Orly Birds of Prey Limited Edition Kit
“It all started on Instagram when I saved this soft yellow half-dip, which led to an obsession with this abstract art, and finally, a desire to replicate these electric yellow tips. But here’s the thing: I don’t want yellow nails for three weeks, so instead of my usual gels, I’ve been hunting for the perfect bright polish. This month, my Goldilocks-like quest concluded when I found Orly’s new limited-edition kit for Harley Quinn Bird of Prey. This yellow is absurdly bright (in the best way) and perfectly opaque; plus, the bright pink in the kit is just as great for a trendy French tip.” — Lebsack
Orly Birds of Prey Limited Edition Kit, $, available at Orly
Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum
“First off, this might be the most beautiful bottle I’ve ever brought into the bathroom (and proof you don’t need layers of extraneous plastic to make a serum) but it’s what it does to my skin that has me floored. Bright, soft, glowy — this is how my skin looks after using it for just one night, and repeated use only compounds the results. I’m hooked after just one week.” — Lebsack
Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum , $, available at Sephora
Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
“Before I sip my morning coffee, I slather my face in this gel cleanser, which is like a tall glass of OJ in a tube. The formula is full of orange extract and PHAs, which gently buff off old makeup and dead skin. A few circular motions in, my skin feels brighter and super clean. Its juicy citrus scent also helps to get me out of the shower and to the office every morning.” — Aimee Simeon, beauty writer
OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser, $, available at Sephora
Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel
“I’m usually skeptical of whether or not skin care that touts natural ingredients works, but this mask has shut me up. I smeared it all over my face fully prepared for my skin to remain dull and dry when I wiped it off, but my results were the opposite. My skin was 100% more glowy and was supple to touch. It even got me a few random compliments from my dad, who, a few hours after I used this, told me I looked smooth and glowy. Thanks, dad.” — Simeon
Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel, $, available at Naturopathica
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