The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the beach is calling, which means one thing: summer is here! While the official start of summer might still be a few weeks away, we’re already embracing the much-needed solar energy and putting ourselves in that vacation headspace. While we pack away our sweaters and restock our bikinis, we’re also pressing reset on our beauty routines. Ahead, a sneak peek at our coveted summer Testtube—packed with everything you need to help you dive into summer beauty.
The NewBeauty Summer TestTube: What’s Inside
Sweet July Skin Soursop Vitamin C Serum ($65)
What it is:
This gentle vitamin C serum from Ayesha Curry’s brand is infused with soursop extract and green tea, helping to visibly brighten, firm and hydrate to reveal your most radiant-looking skin yet, just in time for summer. It reduces redness, brightens dull skin, prevents signs of premature aging, tackles dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and hydrates and soothes dry skin.
How to use:
Start by massaging one to two pumps onto clean, dry skin, and don’t forget your neck. Avoid your eye and lip area. The serum can be used on its own or with moisturizer. For daytime, use with sunscreen.
Editor feedback:
“This serum doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin and really makes a difference when my skin is feeling dull.” – Danielle Dooley, Associate Director, Digital Content
Key ingredients:
Vitamin C–rich soursop, 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and green tea extract.
Expert insight:
“With Sweet July Skin celebrating my Jamaican heritage, formulating this product was a personal favorite. It features soursop, an incredible superfood rich in vitamin C, which I’ve never seen on the market in a serum. I love the smell, how it glides on the skin, how it doesn’t mess up makeup and how it is very buildable. It’s not sticky or tacky either.” —Ayesha Curry, founder
Wander Beauty On-the-Glow Blush & Illuminator ($38)
What It Is:
This multitasking blush and illuminator stick is your one-stop destination for a full-glam look in minutes. It can be used on your cheeks, lips, eyes and body, streamlining your beauty routine and helping you do more with less. With cream color on one end and a buildable illuminator on the other, it keeps you gorgeous from the office to the after party.
How to Use:
Whether you want to add a soft wash of pigment to your cheeks and lips, give your lids shimmer, or highlight your neck and collarbone, all you need to do is brush the applicator across your skin and blend!
Editor Feedback:
“I love all the shades, but Bare is so pretty on both my cheeks and lips. The highlighter is a bonus, and I also love using it as eyeshadow. This duo is the ultimate multitasker for summer and beyond.” – Britt Fallon, Director of Beauty
Key Ingredients:
Not only does the formula feature shimmering, long-lasting pigments, but also vitamin E to help prevent free-radical damage while soothing and enriching the skin and lips with antioxidants.
Expert Insight:
“Transform your beauty routine with our multitasking illuminator and blush stick! This all-in-one essential adds a natural flush and radiant glow, effortlessly streamlining your look while saving space in your beauty bag.” —Divya Gugnani, Co-Founder and CEO
The Cleanest Lab Leave-In Conditioning Spray +++ ($36)
What It Is:
Silicone-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free and vegan, this leave-in conditioner provides instant hydration, detangles, fights frizz, delivers shine and leaves hair feeling silky-soft, whether you air-dry or heat-style. It provides a weightless silky finish that absorbs quickly, and it will not leave unwanted residue.
How to Use:
After showering, remove excess water from your hair and spray the product in evenly, focusing on your mid-lengths. Hold the bottle six to eight inches away from your head. Then, simply comb to distribute and style as desired.
Editor Feedback:
“Like most of you, I love a leave-in conditioner. But at this point, I want it to do more than just keep my hair hydrated. That’s why I love The Cleanest Lab’s Leave-In Conditioning Spray +++; it doesn’t just detangle. It also smells like divine sage and French lavender with a sandalwood finish, and works to protect your hair from heat damage, humidity and adds shine.” – Rowan Lynam, Staff Writer
Key Ingredients:
Coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, lentil seed oil, cicer seed extract, quinoa seed extract and aloe vera.
Expert Insight:
“We really took our time formulating this product. We wanted it to be a safe, all-in-one product suitable for all hair types. Through research and testing, we landed on a breakthrough silicone-free formula that performs. We are equal parts proud and obsessed!” —Samantha Kent, founder and CEO
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum ($68)
What It Is:
Powered by a proprietary lash complex, this ophthalmologist-tested, beauty breakthrough from the number one lash and brow serum brand in the country is proven to promote the appearance of longer-, thicker-, healthier-looking lashes in as little as four to six weeks. Being the most studied cosmetic lash serum on the market, it safely enhances the appearance of natural lashes while conditioning, nourishing and hydrating delicate lash fibers.
How to Use:
After cleansing and drying your skin and removing excess serum from the applicator, apply one swipe on each upper lash line. One dip is enough for both lash lines. Avoid getting it into your eyes. Let it dry for two to three minutes. For best results, and in order to sync with your natural lash cycle, apply daily for three months, and every other day afterward.
Editor Feedback:
“This is my tried-and-true for long, healthy lashes, and it’s so easy to apply. It delivers standout results and is compatible with contacts and lash extensions. It also brought my lashes back to life when I stopped wearing lash extensions. Expect results around month four, and stay consistent!” —Lara Eurdolian King, guest editor
Key Ingredients:
Isopropyl cloprostenate, radish root ferment, grape seed extract, amino acids, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Expert Insight:
“I created GrandeLASH-MD so that everyone can enhance their own, natural lashes with a lash serum that has been extensively tested for both safety and efficacy. With carefully selected, high-performance ingredients that truly work, it is the gold standard when it comes to lash serums.” —Alicia Grande, CEO and founder of Grande Cosmetics
What It Is:
Crafted with the most naturally moisturizing and protective butters, this luxurious shave oil gives you a cashmere-smooth shave all over and velvety soft skin for hours after. The pH- balanced, gynecologist-approve formula takes your “everything shower” to new heights. It leaves skin nourished and drenched in a dreamy Vanilla Cashmere fragrance.
How To Use:
Start with damp skin and apply the shave oil on any part of your body that you’d like to shave—a thin layer is all you need. Then, grab a clean razor and achieve your closest shave, all while protecting your skin barrier.
Editor Feedback:
“I’ve struggled with ingrown hairs and razor bumps since I started shaving, but with just one use of eos’ Cashmere Shave Oil, I finally had that runway-ready, smooth shave of my dreams.”— Isabelle Buneo, Editorial Assistant
Key Ingredients:
It’s made with the brand’s Cashmere Smooth complex, a moisture-rich blend of natural shea butter, cocoa butter, and argan butter.
Expert Insight:
“This versatile shave oil is formulated to provide incredible razor glide—to help prevent nicks and cuts—create silky-smooth skin and ensure a delightful self-care shower experience. It comforts skin and replenishes moisture anywhere and everywhere you shave.” —Jamie Sachs, vice president of product marketing and customer innovation for eos
BABOR Collagen Firming Ampoules ($50)
What It Is:
Encased in innovative, glass ampoule packaging, this serum proves that good things come in small packages. The supercharged formula helps improve elasticity, support natural collagen production and decrease the appearance of wrinkles.
How To Use:
For best results, apply after cleansing. Shake the ampoule and wrap a tissue around the neck of the ampoule or use the enclosed ampoule opener. With your other hand, grasp the neck of the ampoule and snap it open at the lower, colored ring. Pour the concentrate into the palm of your hand and smooth it over your face, neck and décolleté. Pat the concentrate gently into your skin and then apply your regular moisturizer on top.
Editor Feedback:
“A tiny ampoule that consistently delivers what it promises. You can see a noticeable difference in skin smoothness seconds after you apply it.” — Liz Ritter, Executive Editor
Key Ingredients:
Protein enzymes promote activation of various components of the extracellular matrix and strengthen skin firmness. Special tripeptides support preservation of collagen fibers in the skin for more firmness and elasticity. A plant-based amino acid complex supports skin regeneration and the natural anti-aging process.
Expert Insight:
“The Collagen Firming ampoules are one of our bestsellers for a reason! They are not only a concentrated serum but also serve as a potent booster, priming and prepping the skin for optimal absorption of subsequent products. They are suitable for all skincare routines, and for maximum efficacy, incorporate them immediately after cleansing.” — Maria Schwarzfischer, marketing director
Pour Moi Botanical Reversal Mask & Rose Moisture Mask ($42)
What It Is:
The Botanical Reversal Mask is an elegant, high-performing, blue light–defending gel formula. It not only shields skin from blue light emitted by our devices, but also delivers a noticeable lifting effect with just two minutes of daily use.
The Rose Moisture Mask is an ultra-luxe, high-performing gel formula that’s rich in active ingredients known to brighten skin, creating that lit-from-within glow that lasts for days. It also protects from the external stress caused by pollution.
How to Use:
Botanical Reversal Mask: Apply a generous even layer to the skin after cleansing, avoiding the eye and lip area. For extensive daily exposure to blue light, use daily for two minutes per day. For moderate exposure to blue light, use two to three times per week for 10 to 15 minutes.
Rose Moisture Mask: Use twice a week, applying a generous, even layer to the skin, avoiding the eye and lip area. Leave on for 10 to15 minutes and then wipe off with a warm towel.
Editor Feedback:
“Living in NYC, I wonder a lot about the effect city pollution has on my skin. Pour Moi’s Rose Mask has potent and luxurious ingredients to keep me confident that my skin is protected, and it also leaves an irresistible glow.” – Leiana Foye, Senior Digital Content Producer
Key Ingredients:
Botanical Reversal Mask: Buddleja flower extract, jasmine essence and caesalpinia spinosa fruit extract.
Rose Moisture Mask: White rose active, concentrated avocado peptides and genuine rose petals.
Expert Insight:
“At the heart of our brand is a blend of luxury and science, finely tuned to the skin’s biological response to changing climates and environmental factors. Our hydra-gel masks, enriched with real flower petals, provide more than just sensory pleasure; they deliver a transformative experience. By locking in potent actives, they soothe, lift and brighten while shielding your complexion from pollution and blue light.” —Ulli Haslacher, founder and CEO
NatureLab.TOKYO Perfect Clean 2-In-1 Scalp Scrub & Clarifying Shampoo ($19)
What It Is:
Inspired by the ancient Japanese ritual of sake cleansing, this two-in-one scrub shampoo exfoliates, clarifies and cleanses, working like a treatment, but in a way that is color-safe and gentle enough for daily use.
How to Use:
Skip your regular shampoo and apply the scrub onto damp hair from your scalp to your ends in a circular motion, then rinse. For best results, use once a week or as desired.
Editor Feedback:
“Complete your hair care routine to attain the healthiest and strongest locks with a weekly scalp detox. The NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Clean 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub and Shampoo gives you a deeper clean and removal of buildup that can block and hinder healthy hair growth and beautiful locks.” – Sarah Eggenberger, Senior Editor-at-Large
Key Ingredients:
Probiotic-rich sake water, antioxidants, plant extracts, sugar crystals, hyaluronic acid and platinum fiber work together to reveal healthier, shiny hair with each use.
Expert Insight:
“I love a gentle scalp massage with a scrub to help lift oil and debris. NatureLab.Tokyo’s scalp scrub contains probiotic-rich sake water that works to gently remove product buildup and promote scalp health and beautiful, shiny hair.” —New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD
Monika Blunder Beauty Hot Line Lip Liner ($22)
What It Is:
A must-have for those who want a long-lasting, natural-looking lip liner, the creamy formula applies smoothly. It’s easier than ever to get a defined line that’s smudge-resistant while enhancing your natural lip shape. Expect a fuller-looking pout. It also layers beautifully with lipstick and gloss.
How to Use:
Starting at your cupid’s bow, trace your mouth slightly above your natural lip line. If you want to use it all over, fill in your lips with the liner and blend with a brush, like Monika Blunder’s Tulip Blending Brush. You can wear it on its own or pair it with lipstick and/or balm like Blunder’s Kissen Lush Lipstick Crayon or Botanical Balm Hyaluronic Lip Tint.
Editor Feedback:
“The Monika Blunder Hot Line Lip Liner always glides on smoothly, offering a creamy texture that leaves my lips with a subtle, just-bitten effect. For a softer, more natural look, I blend the liner inward to create a seamless transition. Top with your favorite gloss or lipstick for the perfect touch.” – Tatiana Bido, Aesthetic Content Manager
Key Ingredients:
It’s packed with hydrating, lip-loving ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter and sunflower seed oil.
Expert Insight:
“I wanted the formula to be creamy enough to glide and blend—you can even use it as a lipstick—but it was also important for it to be just waxy enough to hold the line and prevent feathering. I created the six perfect shades that I used most as a celebrity makeup artist.” —Monika Blunder, founder and celebrity makeup artist
Earth Harbor Aqua Aura Reparative Eye Crème ($34)
What It Is:
Inspired by the iridescent blue-green crystal known for healing and strengthening, this eye cream is formulated with a powerhouse lineup of botanicals. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and sun damage under and around the eyes, resulting in a more youthful glow.
How to Use:
Gently dab a small pea-size amount under your eyes and brow bones until well absorbed. For an extra cooling and soothing treatment, store it in the fridge before use.
Editor Feedback:
“This lightweight, iridescent blue-green beachy eye cream is perfect for summer. Packed with beneficial botanicals—like seaweed collagen and blue tansy—this formula helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and firmness.” – Allie Hogan, Senior Beauty Editor
Key Ingredients:
Seaweed collagen, blue tansy oil, vegan hyaluronic acid, blueberry fruit, cranberry seed oil, pomegranate fruit, rooibos leaf extracts and dozens of other botanicals.
Expert Insight:
“The eye area is the most vulnerable and sensitive skin on your face, so it’s important to keep it extra hydrated and use hyper-concentrated botanical ingredients that are also incredibly gentle. With strengthening and healing properties, Aqua Aura rejuvenates and brightens your eyes, giving a more rested, youthful appearance.” —Ali Perry-Hatch, founder and CEO, MPH
