These Are Allure Editors' Favorite New Beauty Products for October 2020
At Allure, we get inundated with the latest and greatest beauty offerings every day. Most of it is exciting, some of it confusing, and sometimes it gets overwhelming, especially during Best of Beauty testing. Alas, that is the beauty editor's burden to bear.
When we really like something, you can trust that our opinion has come from vetting it against everything we've seen before, including our longtime favorites. (We've even written love letters to some of the products we hold most dear.) But we're always open to finding — and sharing — new favorites. It's a big beauty playground out there, so we'll gladly do the dirty work to test everything under the sun. And the crème de la crème often graduate to our Best of Beauty trials.
But let's stick to the present for now. Each week, Allure editors select the new hair, makeup, and skin-care products we're currently obsessing over. Trying to narrow down our favorites to just one or two products can be hard, but we manage. Check out what our editors couldn't get enough of in October.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Courtesy of brand1/20Sephora Collection Pro Foundation Brush #47
"It's rare for me to switch up my foundation brush because I tend to stick with what works, but I had to for this Sephora Collection number, which is like a paddle and fluffy brush all in one. The Pro Foundation Brush #47 applies even the most fickle of formulas beautifully and blends without leaving any streaks. I might even have to get another one to apply my cream blushes and bronzers because I love it so much." — Kat Suico, assistant beauty editor
$30 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand2/20My New York by Bond No. 9
"With all that New York City has been through during this pandemic, and many of the wealthy people (thankfully) moving out of the city while proclaiming that New York is 'over,' my pride in being a native New Yorker has increased exponentially. This is my home, and I ain't leaving. Bond No. 9 loves NYC as much as I do, and its newest fragrance, My New York, is an ode to the greatest city in the world. The bottle is decorated with flags from different countries, a reminder of the diversity and international appeal of the city. From the first spray, I was hooked." — Jihan Forbes, staff editor
$410 for 100 milliters (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand3/20Jupiter Purifying Mask
"My hair is so fine that if I so much as look at texturizing spray the wrong way, I feel compelled to wash my hair. Needless to say, I'm forever on a quest to nix product buildup. Jupiter's Purifying Mask — formulated with volcanic ash to exfoliate and vitamin B5 to replenish — gives me a clean slate without stripping my scalp." — Dianna Mazzone, senior beauty editor
$26 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand4/20Herbivore Pink Cloud Creamy Jelly Cleanser
"I'll admit it: The color of this cleanser from Herbivore is absolutely what drew me in. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Pink Cloud Creamy Jelly Cleanser is not only pretty, but one of my favorite face washes I've ever tried. It had a jelly-like texture right out of the bottle, but once I added warm water, it dissolved into a lightweight foam that left my skin feeling soft even before I applied any of my nighttime products." — Kara McGrath, deputy editor
$24 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand5/20SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair
"After eight months of slouching in front of a laptop screen, I now have the fine lines to show for it. In the grand scheme of things, a wrinkle or two on my neck isn't something to fuss over, but that didn't stop me from seeking out fine line-smoothing solutions, like the SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair. The over-the-counter treatment — made with line-targeting retinol and skin-plumping peptides — has almost diminished those new signs of "tech neck" in mere months." — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
$120 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand6/20Crown Affair The Towel
"I'm chalking up some recent hair damage to a combination of stress and wearing a high-bun near constantly for the past six months. So as a form of insurance, I've started using Crown Affair's The Towel to protect my hair when it's most vulnerable — when it's wet. I use the microfiber towel to blot my hair until it's damp instead of soaking, then wrap it around my head and tuck the tail into the elastic strap. It's way more gentle on hair than your average bath towel, and I swear it's helped reduce frizziness, too." — Dianna Mazzone, senior beauty editor
$45 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand7/20Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Wash
"While every other 4C friend of mine has been devoted to co-washing for years, I was always a fan of shampoo. With my intermittent dandruff, I needed a more thorough cleanse. However, using the Bread Beauty Supply Hair Wash has made me believe the choice doesn't have to be either-or. This cleanser strikes a balance between clarifying and moisturizing. Bonus: It doesn't make my hair tangly or leave it feeling coated and dirtier like heavy cleansing conditioners sometimes do." — Jessica Cruel, features director
$20 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand8/20Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
"When it comes to my eye makeup routine, I'm a predictable (and somewhat boring) creature habit. I've used the same brand of mascara for years and have rarely strayed from what I know. But after recently stumbling upon the Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara, let me tell you: I've never broken up with an old favorite so fast. That's probably because of its Ilia's dual brush head, which features short bristles to add volume on one side, while the other side is covered in teeny-tiny bristles to grab lashes at the root to lengthen. With Limitless, I just need two coats — one with each side of the brush — for lashes that look more like extensions. Needless to say, Limitless and I are in it for the long haul." — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
$28 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand9/20Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum
"One word: formula. Glow Recipe really nailed the perfect texture for the Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum because, despite containing vegan silk collagen, it doesn't have that slippery, silicone-y feel I dislike and usually associate with "silky" products. It absorbs instantly, without any residue, and leaves my skin feeling soft, but not tacky.
Alongside the vegan collagen and vitamin B5 in the formula, there are three types of plums, including Kakadu, which the brand says contains significantly more vitamin C than oranges and five types of multi-weight hyaluronic acids. All of this results in a super-hydrating effect that leaves my skin looking visibly moisturized and dewier, which is perfect for when my skin gets drier over the course of the next few months. And, if the skin-care benefits weren't enough, it comes in the cutest, literal-plum-inspired bottle. Squee." — Sarah Han, senior commerce writer
$42 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand10/20InnBeauty Project Down to Tone Life Changing Toner
"I honestly can't blame InnBeauty Project for putting the phrase 'life-changing' in the name of this toner, because this stuff is strong, y'all. The acid-based Down to Tone Life Changing Toner chemically exfoliates skin to fade dark spots and keep acne at bay. It makes a visible difference after just a few uses — even on skin like mine, which has a high tolerance for acids." — Nicola Dall'Asen, staff writer
$26 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand11/20Rituel de Fille Color Nectar Pigment Balm
"I've recently become interested in cream blushes, and Rituel de Fille Color Nectar Pigment Balm has been one of my favorites so far. This multipurpose, buildable pigment can be worn on the cheeks, eyes, or lips. I like to swirl my finger in the product to pick up color, apply it to my cheeks, and blend it out with a big, fluffy brush (I've been loving The Lip Bar's Dual Sided Brush lately). It leaves a gorgeous wash of color that I can intensify by adding a powder blush on top or sheer out for a light tint. I'm an especially big fan of the shades Snapdragon (orange), Wasp (yellow), and Glasswig (berry)." — Gabi Thorne, editorial assistant
$24 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand12/20Sunday II Sunday Soothe Me Daily Scalp Serum
"When washing your hair is at least a four-hour ordeal, you tend to avoid it at all costs. I'd attempt to stretch my shampoo sessions to two weeks, but after week one, my scalp would begin to flake, sending a clear signal that I needed suds. The Sunday II Sunday Soothe Me Daily Scalp Serum has become my go-to because I can just part my hair, apply it, and rub it in. Because it goes directly on the scalp, I don't have to worry about it shrinking my 4B afro or causing a lot of frizz. The peppermint and ginseng in the formula make my scalp feel cool, and, if I use it consistently, it keeps flakes at bay for another week. It's also great to use post-workout." — Jessica Cruel, features director
$28 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand13/20Maya Base Perfume Oil
"After working from home for almost seven months, the Allure staff was asked to (safely) visit the office and clean out our desks. While I expected to find makeup and skin-care products spilling out of my cubicle, I was surprised to find so. Many. Fragrances. The dozens or so bottles that lined my desk was, in a word, overwhelming. After minimizing my collection, there was one tiny vial that made the trek home to Brooklyn with me: the Maya Base Perfume Oil. The fragrance primer, which can be worn on its own or as a base under another scent, has become a fast favorite of mine. While everyone has a different scent experience based on their unique body chemistry, I always pick up notes of sweet sandalwood and warm musk when I wear it. I plan on rolling the Maya Base onto my wrists, neck, and everywhere in between all throughout the season." — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
$72 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand14/20L'Occitane Immortelle Precieuse Overnight Mask
"Now that colder weather is fast approaching, I'm stocking up on hydrating overnight masks — and the L'Occitane Immortelle Precieuse Overnight Mask is a standout. I'm obsessed with the super-creamy texture, and how my skin glows in the morning after I wear it all night. The brand recommends it specifically for people who are just starting to see signs of aging — aka 30-year-old me." — Kara McGrath, deputy editor
$75 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand15/20Supergoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer
"I've simplified my routine these days, and after washing my face in the mornings, I pretty much just apply a hyaluronic acid serum and let it dry before slathering on Supergoop's Superscreen Daily Moisturizer. It protects my skin from UVA and UVB rays with SPF 40 while also adding moisture without that greasy feeling. In fact, it makes me look glowy if anything, and plays well with makeup on the days I do decide to wear it, which are few and far between lately." — Rosemary Donahue, wellness editor
$38 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand16/20Hint Grapefruit Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
"I'm a hardcore believer that the best sunscreen is the one you don't mind using — and with a spray applicator and fresh citrus scent, Hint Sunscreen Spray in Grapefruit checks all my boxes. The formula is so lightweight that you barely have to blend it in after misting it directly on your skin. And best of all, there's no sticky film left behind." — Dianna Mazzone, senior beauty editor
$18 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand17/20Tower 28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly in Coconut
"I don't want to sound cliché, but I've never been a gloss person. I've always found most formulas to be too sticky and messy. But then I stumbled upon Tower 28's new ShineOn Milky Lip Jellys, and wow am I changing my tune. These super-hydrating glosses glide onto lips mess-free, leaving behind a shiny finish with a hint of color. I like to swipe on Coconut, a rosy pink shade, before Zoom meetings to complement my… pajamas." — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
$14 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand18/20Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser
"I started using a new retinol, so I needed a cleanser that's extra gentle on my skin. On the days I wear makeup I reach for the Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser. It breaks up any product I have on without drying out my extra sensitive skin. Even my long-wearing mascaras and eyeliners don't stand a chance." — Kat Suico, assistant beauty editor
$34 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand19/20Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls
"Because my low-porosity 3C curls are always in need of a hydration boost, I've recently taken a liking to Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls cream. I love how it softens and moisturizes my hair instantly. It's lightweight, so I can use it as a leave-in conditioner and slather it on freshly washed hair. I always follow up with a light oil (sweet almond oil or grapeseed is my fave) before adding a gel or mousse to keep my curls defined and frizz-free all week." — Gabi Thorne, editorial assistant
$23 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand20/20Quip Smart Electric Toothbrush
"Now that my regular dental cleaning appointments have been, ahem, shuffled around, it's more important than ever that I stick to healthy brushing habits. I can't be trusted to time myself for the full two minutes, so that's where Quip's Smart Electric Toothbrush comes in. It vibrates in 30-second increments (to signal that it's time to move on to a different quadrant of your mouth) and fully stops right at two minutes for a complete brush every time. Not to mention, it's actually pretty to look at (I have the rose gold one).
Quip's new 'smart' upgrade connects with the brand's bluetooth-enabled app, which unlocks even more accountability features. It records brush time, duration, coverage (how much time you spend brushing your top versus bottom teeth), strokes, and even intensity. You also get daily points if you brush for two minutes twice a day, as well as redeemable rewards (like credits for brush head refills) as you keep up the good habits. Dental hygiene isn't the most exciting thing to talk about, but this Quip toothbrush injects a little fun into it." — Sarah Han, senior commerce writer
$65 (Shop Now)
