In the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab, our team of scientists and beauty editors receive almost every new beauty product launch, from face and body skincare products to haircare and styling, makeup, tools and devices, fragrances, and more. Luckily, after decades of experience testing products, we can easily spot the winners in a crowd. In this monthly series, GH Beauty Lab experts sort through the hundreds of samples crossing our desks to share the ones that stood out enough for us to use in our routines.

Summer finally officially arrived and we couldn’t be more excited in the GH Beauty Lab. We’ve been swimming through an ocean of new product launches this month, aiming to keep skin, hair, and makeup looking fresh all season. From skin-warming bronzers, innovative SPFs, and soothing face skincare to easy air-dry hair products and barely-there blurred lip colors, check out what we’re using to kick off sunny days and balmy nights.

Meet our experts

UV Wise On-The-Go Sun Cushion SPF 50
Credit: Chiara Butler / Good Housekeeping

“This sunscreen is packaged in a cushion compact for reapplying on-the-go. The sunscreen and sponge create a refreshing cooling sensation on the skin, which feels amazing. I don’t like touching my face or getting sunscreen on my fingers when I’m out and about, so this beautiful mirrored compact makes it easy to reapply SPF wherever I am.” — Chiara Butler, GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst

Cheek Thrills Bronze & Tone Duo
Credit: Good Housekeeping / Cameron Jenkins

“This duo is great for when I want to add a bronze glow to my makeup. It has both cream and powder, so I don't have to search for one or the other during those steps. Plus, I like that the shades (this is Amalfi Coast) don't lean orange, which is sometimes an issue I come across. The formula is super blendable. The cream easily melts into my skin without leaving streaks or harsh lines and the pressed powder isn't chalky at all.” — Cameron Jenkins, GH Staff Writer

x Kelsey: Beachwaver B1.25 - Cherry On Top
Credit: Danusia Wnek / Good Housekeeping

“The Beachwaver is the only curling iron I use because its rotating barrel takes the guesswork out of styling and gives me long-lasting curls. This newest launch from the brand is especially eye-catching, with its soft pink shade and cute little cherries on the handle. Its 1.25-inch barrel creates a more relaxed, loose wave than my 1-inch Beachwaver, making it perfect for summer beach waves, and it’s dual voltage, so I can travel with it.” — Danusia Wnek, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist

“Cleansing balms can sometimes get a little messy, but this clever packaging takes out all the pain points. The covered top has a cap that twists so that only a sliver of product comes out, making it a cinch to scoop up—and no fingers in the jar prevents that dreaded germy double dipping. As for the formula, it transforms from a balm to an oil to a cream to remove every last trace of makeup, even stubborn mascara, and leaves skin soft and hydrated sans any residue.” — Celia Shatzman, GH Temporary Beauty Editor

Hourglass Phantom Smoothing Blur Lip Balm in Whisper
Credit: April Franzino / Good Housekeeping

“I am not the only member of the GH Beauty Lab who loves the trendy new category of blurred lip colors, and this is definitely one of the best I’ve tried. It gives that diffused finish that looks like your natural lips, not makeup, and feels soft and light as air. This shade, Whisper, is the perfect rosy plum that works as a non-nude neutral. It now has a permanent place in my purse.” — April Franzino, GH Senior Beauty & Style Director

Eos Shea Better 24H Moisture Body Lotion Beach Waves
$10AmazonAlso Consider
Credit: Danusia Wnek / Good Housekeeping

“It’s officially summertime here in New York, and I want to smell like the beach all day, every day. This body lotion transports me straight to a shaded beach chair by the water. It smells like the perfect piña colada, with notes of pineapple and coconut, yet isn’t overly sweet. The lightweight formula feels amazing on my skin and instantly leaves my skin looking hydrated. Bonus: I love that the bottle has a flip cap so you can get every last bit of the product out.” — Danusia Wnek

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Eyebrow Gel
Credit: Sabina Wizemann / Good Housekeeping

“I consider this one a keeper. Because my eyebrows move a lot when I talk and react, I love that this gel doesn’t leave them frozen in place, though it keeps them neatly groomed throughout the day. It provides hold without sacrificing flexibility and is lightweight. I also appreciate the rich taupe shade, which adds definition to my face against my gray hair yet doesn’t look too obvious or flat.” — Sabina Wizemann, GH Beauty Lab Director

Oribe Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick
Credit: Celia Shatzman / Hearst

“Once the summer humidity hits, my curly and very frizz-prone hair goes haywire. That’s when I turn to braids and buns. This is my secret weapon for slicked-back looks—I swipe it on and it keeps every strand in place while adding shine and smoothness, yet my hair is still touchable and soft. The stick format makes it great for on-the-go and it won’t get seized by the TSA. Bonus: It has the brand’s signature sophisticated scent and is spiked with castor seed oil to nourish.” — Celia Shatzman

Alo Hypochlorous Clarity Mist
Credit: Good Housekeeping/Dori Price

“Meet my new post-workout must-have. This mist from Alo contains hypochlorous acid, an ingredient that instantly cleanses skin and reduces redness, which I am prone to (especially after an intense workout). I just spritz it on and am instantly refreshed.” — Dori Price, GH Contributing Beauty Editor

Clinique Daily Calm Soothing Repair Face Cream
Credit: Danusia Wnek / Good Housekeeping

“When it comes to products for sensitive skin, I often find they are geared more toward dry skin types and not combination/oily skin like mine. Clinique’s new cream is exactly what my skin needs: It soothes and hydrates without feeling too heavy or greasy. Over the last two months of use, I have also noticed that my skin feels more comfortable, it does not feel as reactive as it usually does, and my visible redness has decreased.” — Danusia Wnek

“If you love laser skin treatments and wish you could somehow do them on yourself at home (I have), then this product is for you. The Tria Skin Rejuvenating Laser is a real fractional laser you can hold in your hand. The Beauty Lab had tested an earlier generation of the Tria in 2015 and found it to be ‘effective in reducing wrinkles, improving skin tone, and texture over four weeks of use.’ The brand has just relaunched and while I’m excited to keep using the device, I will warn that it hurts. For those who can tolerate the cost and the discomfort, I think it’s worth it.” — Chiara Butler

TIRTIR Sun Bouncy Glow Lip Balm SPF 30
Credit: Celia Shatzman / Hearst

“Lips are one of the spots people frequently forget to apply SPF (including myself!), but this K-beauty sunscreen-infused lip balm makes it easy to remember. It offers so much more than sun protection—it also delivers a plumping effect courtesy of peptides, glossy color, and major moisture with mango butter and rosehip oil. It comes in four pretty shades; I’m partial to Hazy Mauve.” — Celia Shatzman

“This styling cream created by iconic fashion hairstylist James Pecis can be used both on blowouts and air-dried hair. As someone who never uses a hair dryer, I applied it on my damp hair and let it air-dry. I was amazed by how beautifully it helped shape my waves, leaving them shiny and soft. I also appreciate the thoughtful aluminum packaging. I am definitely adding this to my less-is-more styling routine this summer!” — April Franzino

Rael Cryo + Soothing Hydrogel Mask - 4 ct
Credit: Good Housekeeping / Cameron Jenkins

“These sheet masks have recently been my go-to to give my skin a little extra love in the heat of summer. They're cooling and great at calming my skin after a long day. I even took them with me on a recent trip to Mexico and they helped to make my skin feel refreshed after spending extended time outdoors.” — Cameron Jenkins

Jo Malone London Scarlet Beetroot Cologne
Credit: April Franzino / Good Housekeeping

“This definitely isn’t your traditional light, fresh warm weather perfume—it’s an earthy blend of a unique beet note and patchouli with splash of blackcurrant for a juicy effect. It gives balmy, sultry summer night vibes that can transition seamlessly into fall.” — April Franzino