14 of the best February 2023 beauty launches, according to our editors
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
Chapter two of 2023—a.k.a., February—has reached its end, which means it's time to look back at the beauty launches that put smiles on the faces of Reviewed's beauty team. Standouts include a skin illuminator from Kosas, a tinted lip balm from Lawless Beauty and the comeback of the beloved Glossier Balm Dotcom. Keep reading to see what beauty products made our heart skip a beat.
Make smart choices without hours of googling. Subscribe to The Checklist newsletter for expert product advice and recommendations.
1. This dry shampoo from Olaplex
Olaplex is starting off 2023 with the release of a new dry shampoo. Known as the No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, it claims to use "light-as-air dry cleansing technology" to make hair "feel just washed without buildup or powdery residue." Designed for all hair types and textures, the dry shampoo relies on rambutan seed extract and "ultra-fine micro starch" to placate the scalp and sop up oil, respectively.
2. This glow enhancer from Kosas
Kosas has entered the ever-growing category of skin illuminators with the launch of the Glow I.V. Vitamin-Infused Skin Illuminating Enhancer, a glow-booster that promises to produce "a lit-up glow." The brand says you can either use it as a highlighter to emphasize the high-points of your face, or you can mix it in with your foundation or favorite skincare products. It comes in 10 shades, from "Revive" (very light champagne) to "Reflect" (rich deep bronze). I showed off my results after mixing it in with my foundation on Beautorial, Reviewed's TikTok channel.
3. This lip oil from NYX
Can't commit to the hours-long wear of a lipstick but still want the great color payoff of one? Allow us to introduce you to the NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Vegan Lip Oil, a lippie that imparts a "high-shine" finish without drying out your lips in the process. The lip oil comes in eight hues, one of them being a clear gloss called "My Main."
4. This iridescent nail polish collection from Olive & June
Do the winter blues have you dreaming of sunny days by the seashore? If so, you can bring the spirit of the sea to your fingertips with the Olive and June Seashell Set, a four-piece collection of nail polishes that have an iridescent finish. The set comes with "Pink Capiz" (light pink), "Pink Goldfish" (light pink with a blue shift), "Sandy Scallop" (gold) and "Purple Puka" (lavender).
If you're not interested in shelling out on the whole set (pun 100% intended), you can also get each color separately for $9. You can wear these polishes on their own or on top another color of your choice.
5. This reformulated lip balm from Glossier
If you're a makeup-obsessed millennial, chances are you had the Glossier Balm Dotcom in hand at all times during the mid-2010s. This month, the beloved lip balm received two major updates: a "no-touch applicator" you can apply directly onto the lips and a petrolatum-less formula. Petrolatum has now been replaced with castor jelly, an ingredient made with proprietary technology that the brand maintains has "moisturizing properties."
This update also includes a comeback of the acclaimed "Wild Fig," one of the most popular iterations of Balm Dotcom that has a self-described "juicy, fruity, jammy" flavor and a slight coral tint.
6. This skincare line from Benefit Cosmetics
January saw the debut of a new skincare line from beloved beauty brand M.A.C. Cosmetics, and fellow makeup brand Benefit Cosmetics is following suit with the launch of the new Pore Care Collection, a six-part lineup that has an emphasis on reducing the look of pores.
The collection features two cleansers: the Porefessional Get Unblocked Oil Cleanser and the Good Cleanup Foam Cleanser, along with the pore-clarifying Tight n Toned Toner. You can also take your pore-refining care up a notch with two masks: the Deep Retreat Mask and the Speedy Smooth Pore Mask. Make sure to seal up all your work with the Smooth Sip Moisturizer.
- Get the Porefessional Get Unblocked Oil Cleanser at Benefit Cosmetics starting at $18
- Get the Porefessional Good Cleanup Foam Cleanser at Benefit Cosmetics starting at $15
- Get the Porefessional Tight n Toned Toner at Benefit Cosmetics starting at $19
- Get the Porefessional Deep Retreat Mask at Benefit Cosmetics starting at $20
- Get the Porefessional Smooth Sip Moisturizer at Benefit Cosmetics for $44
- Get the Porefessional Speedy Smooth Pore Mask at Benefit Cosmetics for $39
7. This dewy foundation from Juvia's Place
Juvia's Place is home to legions of shade-inclusive complexion products, and it's continuing to expand its base product portfolio with the release of the I Am Magic Natural Radiance Foundation. The medium-coverage foundation promises to impart a "radiant and luminous" base that hydrates and reduces the look of blemishes. It comes in 33 shades, ranging from "Isla" (light with cool neutral undertones) to "Sudan" (deep with cool undertones).
8. This body tanning lotion from Bondi Sands
No need to wait until summer to get your tan on—in fact, you can get started now with the help of the Gradual Tanning Lotion Tinted Skin Illuminator from Bondi Sands. This tanning lotion claims to give skin a "radiant, nourished" look. The skin's glowing finish is made possible by "shimmer pigments" that are responsible for leaving skin looking luminous. Rub the lotion onto dry skin in circular motions, and make sure that skin is dry before putting on clothes.
9. This rich body cream from Nécessaire
With more winter ahead, the skin on your body may still require extra care from the elements. That's where The Body Cream by Nécessaire comes in, given that it's supposed to alleviate dryness and "crepey skin." It contains colloidal oatmeal to placate sensitivity, niacinamide to protect the skin barrier and "five essential ceramides" to combat dryness.
10. This setting spray from Caliray
One solution to prolonging your makeup is using a setting spray, like the newly-launched Surfproof Hydrating Setting Spray from Caliray. Per the brand, it's a "long-wearing, lightweight setting spray" that provides makeup with "bouncy hydration and a natural finish." Prickly pear, agave and glycerin hydrate while niacinamide minimizes the appearance of pores and safeguards the skin barrier.
11. These lipsticks and lipliners from LYS Beauty
Just in time for the month of love, LYS Beauty released the Speak Love Moisture Matte Lipstick and the accompanying Love Lip Liner Pencil. The lipstick claims to have a a "high-impact color payoff" with a "satin-matte" finish. It's available in seven shades, from a brown-nude to a bright red.
Meanwhile, the lip pencil claims to have a "creamy-matte" texture that's meant to accentuate the lips "for a luscious look." Like the lipstick, the lip liner comes in seven colors, from dark brown to deep berry.
12. This dermaplane razor and shaving cream from Flamingo
Want to get rid of stray facial hairs in a pinch? The Disposable Dermaplane Razor from Flamingo may be your best bet. It claims to slough away both hair and dead skin cells, making skin feel soft and smooth ahead of skincare and makeup application.
If you'd rather not shave without a cream, the brand also created the Facial Hair Removal Cream to ensure that skin doesn't feel irritated post-shave. Follow up with the accompanying Calming Serum for additional care.
13. These skin-blurring blushes from Danessa Myricks
A pop of color with the help of some blush is the perfect way to warm up your face, and the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder avows to be just that—and more. According to the brand, the cream-based formula is also supposed to give both cheeks and lips a blurring effect. It comes in six shades, including a golden peach, hot pink and deep plum.
14. This lip-plumping balm from Lawless
This month, beauty brand Lawless added another new lip product to its roster: the Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Tinted Lip Balm. The balm aims to smooth fine lines and gives the pout a fuller-looking finish. Shea butter helps hydrate and the brand's proprietary "maxi-lip" ingredient prompts lip collagen production.
Reviewed beauty editor, Jessica Kasparian, gave her first impressions of the new launch over on Beautorial, and noted that she liked the color payoff of the shade "Posey" (rosy mauve) and how the tingling, lip-plumping sensation only lasted for about a minute. The balm is available in seven nude-pink hues.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.