The BeautyMatter editorial team tracks the best beauty launches on a weekly basis. We've compiled a list of the best of the best from last quarter. Across Q2, numerous innovative products have been released, such as The Unseen Beauty's Colour Alchemy System and UOMA Beauty's hydrating approach to finishing powders. Keeping hydrated has been a popular theme across product launches as the weather has gotten warmer, whether it's Glow Recipe's Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm or Beekman 1802's Nurses First hand cream. To round off the quarter, BeautyMatter's editorial team picked the Q2 product launches that drew our attention.
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Carla Seipp, Editor: "This quarter has been about fantastical alien hues of color cosmetics, intelligent skincare launches, and naturally, intoxicating fragrances. Danessa Myricks has once again proven her incredible eye for artistic colorways with the ocean blue and amethyst shifting Bi-Pride Chrome Flakes. Having spoken to Experiment co-founders Lisa Guerrera and Emmy Ketcham on the evolution of their brand and what the future holds for science-led brands, I can say they are building a unique brand empire with some exciting launches. Their Experiment Buffer Jelly helps make the practice of slugging more approachable for acne-prone skin and ties in perfectly with their existing range of products for added skincare benefits. On the fragrance front, there were beautifully scented formulas and eau de parfum launches alike. First up is the fruity Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm—I have a particular weak spot for hydrating lip treatments with delicious flavors; this one brings the added benefit of line-smoothing kakadu plum and hydrating raspberry extract. Fable & Mane, whose previous launches have blended efficacious formulas with captivating scents, debuted the Mahamane Detangling Leave-in Conditioner, which includes the aromas of saffron, rose, and jasmine in an aloe vera, red hibiscus, and amla formula for weightless hydration. Last but certainly not least, the latest Gallivant release, Accra, is a gorgeous ode to "Africa's capital of cool," with tropical and fruity notes like berries, papaya, and mango, boosted by some fiery hot peppers, and given a deeper grounding with coffee, cocoa, tobacco, patchouli, and leather—a mouthwatering combination for hot summer nights.”
Experiment: Designed for daily micro-slugging, Buffer Jelly ($32) coats the skin with barrier-boosting protective ingredients. This includes 3% petrolatum that works alongside 0.5% ceramide, fatty acids, and açai sterols to target multiple pathways of barrier repair. The jelly also calms irritation and smooths out rough dry skin.
Danessa Myricks Beauty: In celebration of Pride Month, the brand has released Bi-Pride Chrome Flakes ($25), which act as both a stand-alone eyeshadow or topper. The Bi-Pride Chrome Flakes feature color-shifting shades of blue, purple, and pink, which represents the brand's support of the often-marginalized bisexual community.
Fable & Mane: The most recent addition to the brand's Mahamane collection is Mahamane Detangling Leave-in Conditioner. The conditioner is enriched with aloe vera, amla, and hibiscus, hydrating and smoothing the hair for a tangle-free mane and protecting against UV damage, and carries a fruity floral scent.
Glow Recipe: A fruit-inspired vegan lip product has joined the roster of moisturizing products at Glow Recipe. Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm ($22) is infused with hyaluronic acid, which works to hydrate, smooth, and soften lips. Raspberry soothes the lips as it is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, while a plant-derived emollient nourishes the lips.
Gallivant: The latest offering from the travel-inspired perfume brand is Accra ($90), a unisex scent representing "the allure and energy of Africa's capital." The perfume possesses top notes of hot peppers, mango, papaya, davana, cognac, eucalyptus, and carrot seed. The heart notes include coffee extract, saffron, cocoa accord, tobacco, and styrax. The base notes are comprised of cedarwood, leather skin accord, patchouli, liatrix, and musk.
Sophie Pitt, Editorial Associate: "Q2 of 2023 has brought with it many products that have captured my interest for various reasons. As I am very indecisive when it comes to cosmetics shades, The Unseen Beauty has continued to impress me with its Colour Alchemy Eye System—a product with the ability to shift hues depending on the weather is something right up my street. And as I have struggled with acne for several years, Dr. Dennis Gross is a brand I deeply trust. All-Physical Ultimate Defense SPF 50 PA++++ stood out to me amongst an array of SPF launches this quarter. I particularly like that the product works to protect while reducing the appearance of dark spots. Finally, Fenty Beauty's Cherry Dub Superfine Daily Cleaning Face Scrub and Cherry Dub Triple AHA Body Scrub have both become products I am entirely obsessed with. I love the scent of Barbados cherry, as well as how Rihanna always incorporates subtle nods to her heritage when it comes to her products. Both of these offerings have not only done wonders for my skin but also fill my day with an extra dose of happiness after each use. I love a product that leaves not only me, but the bathroom, smelling divine."
The Unseen Beauty: An intelligent eye color formula, Colour Alchemy Eye System adapts and changes color in response to shifts in body temperature. The system is comprised of a creamy blendable primer in the shade Maacki (black), and the activator, a translucent formula that changes color from the effects of natural warmth or sunlight on the face, shifts according to light and shade, and hot and cold.
Dr. Dennis Gross: The latest launch from the brand is an oil-free and sweat-/water-resistant All-Physical Ultimate Defense SPF 50 PA++++ ($42). The SPF is formulated with tranexamic acid to reduce the appearance of dark spots, and zinc oxide to fight hyperpigmentation and protect the skin from the sun. Hyaluronic acid, saccharide isomerate, and dipropylene glycol are included to attract and bind water to replenish internal cell hydration and help plump dehydrated skin.
Fenty Skin: In a bid to reduce the appearance of pores and brighten the complexion, the brand has debuted Cherry Dub Superfine Daily Cleansing Face Scrub ($28). The scrub is made from a blend of Barbados cherry, fruit enzymes, and caffeine that work together to buff away dry, flaking skin. Cranberry, pomegranate, papaya, and pineapple enzymes help to retexturize and visibly renew skin. Cherry Dub Triple AHA Body Scrub ($36) utilizes natural exfoliants like sugar, bitter cherry, pumice, and lychee. Meanwhile, shea butter nourishes and replenishes the skin, and Barbados cherry conditions the skin and provides vitamin C.
Phoebe Cotterell, Editorial Intern: "For our Q1 coverage, I discussed my enjoyment of ISAMAYA's Lips collection, so I was excited about the release of the hot-pink Flamingo iteration, my favorite color. UOMA Beauty's Hydroblast Finishing Powder caught my eye this quarter due to its hyaluronic acid formulation, as I've personally experienced problems finding powders that don't dry out the skin. Bubble's Knock Out spot treatment piqued my interest with its youthful packaging and bid to banish early-stage blemishes, which I believe my fellow Gen Z consumers would appreciate. As someone who previously hopped on the bleached brows trend, I understand wanting to keep brow hair in good condition, so I was impressed when Benefit released the Whoa So Soft: Brow Conditioning Oil, which reminds me of overnight hair masks I've used in the past. Beekman 1802's Nurses First – Lend A Helping Hand Cream has been a highlight for me. My dad spent six months in hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and I have developed a true appreciation for the great work nurses do, so I was delighted that the brand decided 100% of proceeds from this product would go to the American Nursing Foundation."
ISAMAYA: After the success of the initial Lips collection, the brand has debuted a new shade of the sheer lipstick balm, Flamingo ($95), a shimmery pink. Like the previous Lips releases, Flamingo is housed in a pink metallic refillable case that pays homage to the phallic male form.
UOMA Beauty: The makeup brand has introduced Hydroblast ($39), a skin-blurring finishing powder powered by 5% niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for a mattifying experience that doesn't dry out the skin. The product is available in six skin color groups called Skin Kins: White Pearl (a fair shade), Fair Lady (a fair shade), Honey Honey (medium shade), Bronze Venus (bronzed medium), Brown Sugar (medium brown), and Black Pearl (dark brown).
Bubble: In a bid to banish acne, Bubble has released two new spot treatments. Knock Out ($12) is designed to diminish early-stage blemishes and blackheads and is formulated with 1.8% salicylic acid, wintergreen extract, exfoliating willow bark, and soothing Sambucus nigra fruit juice.
Benefit: Adding to the brand's popular line of brow products, Benefit has created Whoa So Soft: Brow Conditioning Oil ($26) to help brows feel soft, nourished, and conditioned. The oil is designed to be applied before bed so that ingredients like sunflower and argan oils—rich in fatty acids—can moisturize, apricot oil enhances shine, and castor oil softens the hair overnight. Hibiscus flower and safflower extracts are utilized to make the skin around the brows feel comfortable and soothed.
Beekman 1802: Inspired by the hard work of healthcare workers, the brand has created Nurses First – Lend A Helping Hand Cream ($24). 100% of proceeds from this product will be donated to the American Nursing Foundation. The cream is formulated with goat milk prebiotics, ceramides, and mango seed butter, which work to keep hands soft and hydrated.
