Now that we can officially say goodbye to summer, it’s about time I start transitioning my beauty routine for fall. I could use a new slate of fall-forward perfumes that capture the spirit of the season, plus my skincare routine could use a much-needed boost of hydration with serums and moisturizers with cooler, drier weather on the way. Thankfully, August’s best new beauty products have arrived to complete my seasonal shopping list.
This month, I gave my summer perfumes a rest to test some new fragrances, and Byredo’s Alto Astral blew me away with its sexy, yet fresh musky scent, while Ellis Brooklyn’s new caramel fragrance became the gourmand I plan on wearing all season long. Meanwhile, my skin has never been happier, healthier, or glowier after testing a few new hydrating serums from Peach & Lily, Tatcha, and Glow Recipe.
That’s only but a taste of all of the new beauty products I (and the rest of the Marie Claire team) tested and loved this month. For the complete lowdown on the August beauty launches worth the price tag, keep scrolling.
Best New Perfume Overall
Byredo
Alto Astral
“Byredo cracked the code on how to transition your favorite coconut perfumes for fall. While this opens with a fresh, almost sparkling burst of coconut water, it transitions into a warmer, muskier scent that’s perfect for cooler weather. PerfumeTok likes to throw out the term ‘compliment-magnet’ a lot, but I’m not kidding when I say I’ve been asked about this perfume twice while wearing it.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger tests Byredo Alto Astral.
(Image credit: Brooke Knappenberger)
Best New K-Beauty Serum
PEACH & LILY
Miniprotein Exosome Bioactive Ampoule
“Like every other beauty fan at the moment, I’m fascinated by K-beauty. When I heard about this game-changing serum, I had to get my hands on it. The formula includes miniproteins, growth factors, and exosomes, which work together to mimic the skin’s natural repairing functions and speed up collagen production. The result is firmer, bouncier skin and an unreal instant glow. I’ve been using it every morning for about two weeks now, and I can already tell my skin feels stronger.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger tests Peach & Lily’s Miniprotein Exosome Bioactive Ampoule.
(Image credit: Brooke Knappenberger)
Best New Eyeshadow
Tower 28 Beauty
Gogo Cooling Shimmer 8h Eyeshadow Stick
“I’m a bit eyeshadow challenged, so eyeshadow sticks are my best friend. This new launch is one of the coolest (both literally and figuratively) I’ve tried in a while. It actually feels cool on your skin and has a soothing effect. The pigment is gorgeous, too, and looked flawless for an entire day at the office.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger tests the Tower 28 Gogo Cooling Shimmer 8h Eyeshadow Stick.
(Image credit: Brooke Knappenberger)
Best New Hair Growth Serum
Nécessaire
Rosemary Serum for Thinning Hair
“I knew I needed this Nécessaire serum in my rotation after reading a glowing review from Marie Claire’s senior beauty editor, Samantha Holender. I struggle with lots of fallout, so I’ll take all of the hair help I can get. I love how this serum absorbs easily into the scalp without any lingering greasiness or residue, meaning I can use it every day without an issue. While I still need more time to achieve full results, I’m slowly but surely noticing a difference in my amount of fallout, which is well worth continuing use for me.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Cleanser
MERIT
Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser
“Merit set out to simplify your skincare routine with this cleanser, and it does just that. It takes the place of both an oil and water-based cleanser to remove makeup and SPF, while gently exfoliating. I’m obsessed with how clean and bouncy—not stripped or dry—my skin feels with every use.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Eye Cream
Clarins
Total Eye Lift Eye Cream
“If a retinol eye cream sounds scary, this launch has got you covered. It uses a natural alternative, harungana extract, to lift, smooth, and firm the eye area, all without the harsh side effects of retinol. Its ultra-creamy texture is a dream to apply makeup over, too.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Hair Tool
Shark Beauty
Shark Glam™ Hot Tool Air Styling & Drying System
“Shark continues to outdo itself with every new launch, and its latest hair styler is no different. Unlike past iterations, this tool uses heat-controlled ceramic plates and airflow to deliver glossy blowouts and a shiny finish. It was also designed with every hair type in mind and can be used to create virtually any style your heart desires—color me impressed.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Gourmand Perfume
Ellis Brooklyn
Queens Caramel Eau De Parfum
“Ellis Brooklyn, one of my favorite perfume brands, and gourmands, my most-beloved fragrance family, proves to be a match made in heaven with Queens Caramel. It’s a true caramel scent that’s warm, sweet, and pure decadence. There’s a maturity that comes from the slightly salty and musky notes, too. I’ll be layering this over all of my fall perfumes for an extra dose of sweetness.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Scalp Serum
Virtue
Overnight Scalp & Hair Elixir
“My scalp is sensitive and dry year-round, so it needs all the extra love it can get. This serum has an instant soothing effect, and I’ve noticed far less irritation and itchiness since I’ve incorporated it into my nightly routine a few weeks ago. Even its subtle herbal scent feels lulling.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Facial Serum
Tatcha
The Longevity Skin Strength & Age Delay Serum
“I don’t think I’ll ever not be impressed by Tatcha. Just like the rest of the brand’s offering, this serum feels nothing short of luxurious with its smooth, silky texture. It also has a tiny bit of luminescence for an immediate glow. I’ll be using this serum well into the fall and winter to keep my skin glowy, bouncy, and happy.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Floral Perfume
FORVR Mood
She Was Here Eau De Parfum
“She Was Here was my introduction to Forvr Mood, and boy, have I been sleeping on the brand. I’m not exaggerating when I say I wore this fragrance every day for about two weeks when I received it—it’s that good. Its ultra-feminine blend gives a deliciously warm and nutty spin to rose, so you feel like an entire snack while wearing it.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Body Wash
LE MONDE GOURMAND
Fraise Fouettée Milky Body Wash
“Any fragrance fan knows that smelling good starts in the shower. Not only does this pick have a fun fruity smell that lingers long after you dry off, but its creamy lather leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed. A luxe body wash like this that has me looking forward to showering is a win in my book.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Woody Perfume
Orebella
Eternal Roots Parfum
“We passed this fragrance around the Marie Claire office, and the reaction was unanimous: Everyone was obsessed, myself included. Somehow, it’s equal parts fruity, floral, and woody all at once. It also has a subtle masculine touch with notes of suede and birch smoke that make me feel like a cool girl every time I wear it. Bella Hadid truly outdid herself with this launch.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Moisturizer
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Alpha Beta PH Balance Soothing Moisturizer
“My sensitive, oily skin doesn’t take well to thick, heavy moisturizers, so this launch has been a dream come true. It’s lightweight, gel-like formula absorbs quickly and has an immediate soothing effect. After just a few minutes of applying, I notice the redness around my nose and cheeks calms down, and for that, it’s become my new go-to moisturizer in my morning skincare routine.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Best New Hydrating Serum
Glow Recipe
Prickly Pear Peptide Bouncy + Hydrating Skin Barrier Vegan Mucin Serum
“If the thought of applying snail secretion to your face freaks you out, you’re not alone. Thankfully, no snails were involved in the making of this serum. Instead, it uses prickly pear cactus and peptides to seriously plump and nourish skin. I always imagined a ‘mucin’ serum to be tacky and sticky, but this absorbs lightning fast and leaves my skin with a glass-like shine.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
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