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, devices, and fragrances. 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 to earn a spot in our routines.

As summer kicks into high gear in New York City, our GH Beauty Lab team has been navigating the scorching streets of the concrete jungle to discover the most exciting beauty finds for this season and beyond. We’ve seen a wave of dewy lip tints and balmy blushes and bronzers, plus bright fragrances to bring the sunny vibes. Check out the waterlight makeup, refreshing skincare, sparkling scents, and more that are keeping us polished and perky through the hottest days.

Meet our experts

“This setting spray is literally the only thing that saved my makeup during the heatwave. It is truly mattifying without being drying. I have combination skin and typically get oily in my T-zone, and I appreciate that the spray is concentrated so it's easy to target specific areas. I've also used it on my entire face to help control my oil so that an otherwise dewy look doesn't look sweaty by the end of the day. I used it during a friend's birthday party where I was outside in the heat for hours and applying it throughout the event kept my makeup looking fresh.” — Cameron Jenkins, GH Staff Writer

“I've been loving the new Soft Pinch Lip Oil Stick from Rare Beauty. The lightweight oil (in stick form) glides effortlessly onto lips, and almost feels like a splash of water, while still leaving them feeling smooth and comfortable with a beautiful wash of color and natural shine. It looks like a tinted lip balm or gloss, but it doesn’t feel heavy, sticky, or tacky and the color payoff is impressive. The shade Dream is basically my perfect cool-toned mauve lip color, and it has a nice subtle fruity scent that reminds me of a sweet red apple. I know I'll be reaching for this all summer long.” — Danusia Wnek, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist

Replenishing Hair Mask

Redken All Soft All-In Mask

All Soft All-In Mask
Replenishing Hair Mask

Redken All Soft All-In Mask

Credit: April Franzino / Good Housekeeping

“A past version of this hair mask was one of my holy grails, so I was excited to try this new one. I am thrilled that it lives up to the legacy: The buttery cream melts into hair and leaves my rough, bleached, frayed ends feeling like actual silk. A hair miracle.” — April Franzino, GH Senior Beauty & Style Director

Bonbon Berry Jelly Eau de Parfum
Credit: Chiara Butler / Good Housekeeping

“I love a fun and unusual fragrance, and this new scent fits the bill. When we smelled the perfumes in the brand’s Bonbon collection in the Beauty Lab, we couldn’t believe how well they captured the ‘fizzy’ and ‘jelly’ facets of the treats they’re based on. I kept Berry Jelly; it’s very fresh, bright, and not cloying.” — Chiara Butler, GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst

Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Stick
Credit: Sabina Wizemann / Good Housekeeping

“Juicy, dewy finish that lasts? Sign me up. I like that this blush stayed vibrant throughout my workday and played well with my foundation. The Guava shade is flirty and fun; it instantly brightens my complexion and puts me in a good mood. It looks great on the lips, too.” — Sabina Wizemann, GH Beauty Lab Director

Green Clean Juicy Gel Cleanser
Credit: Good Housekeeping/Dori Price

“This refreshing gel face wash is light but really gets the job done (meaning, it gets rid of all makeup and grime). It has a nice, rich lather that feels luxurious and leaves my skin feeling soft, not tight and squeaky-clean. Think ‘fresh faced’ in the best possible way!” — Dori Price, GH Contributing Beauty Editor

“This tinted sunscreen is so amazing that I’ve been trying to write about it for months but it was sold out! Now it’s finally back in stock and I can rave about the beautiful, skin tone-evening coverage and slight glow it gives. I love that I can apply this in the morning and it works as both my SPF and base makeup in one.” — April Franzino

Brush Dry Shampoo Cleanser
Credit: Celia Shatzman / Hearst

“I have a confession: Even though I know better, I don’t clean my makeup brushes as often as I should. Luckily, this product is making it a lot easier and faster. Truly like a dry shampoo for makeup brushes, you simply spritz it directly onto your brush, wipe the bristles on the included tiny towel mat, and the gentle formula removes makeup residue. The no-rinse spray dries quickly, leaves a eucalyptus vanilla scent behind, and works on all types of brushes, both synthetic and natural fibers. No more messy makeup brush bath time needed!” — Celia Shatzman, GH Temporary Beauty Editor

Kelli Anne Everything Cream Brush
Credit: Sabina Wizemann / Good Housekeeping

“I love a dual-ended brush and these luxe-looking tools (one for cream and one for powder makeup) handle pretty much everything I need for face makeup, from concealer to highlighter. Both brush heads are incredibly soft and pick up, deposit, and blend products well. They also feel comfortable to hold and are the right length, neither too long nor too short. I love that the cream brush is marked with a little diamond, while the powder brush is not, in case you're unsure which one to use. I think they're both great to have, whether you're just starting to build your makeup collection or already have plenty of brushes.” — Sabina Wizemann

Sweet Lip Treatment

Poppy & Pout Leo Lip Balm

Leo Lip Balm
Sweet Lip Treatment

Poppy & Pout Leo Lip Balm

Credit: Good Housekeeping/Dori Price

“I’m obsessed with this whole zodiac collection of lip balms—the packaging, flavors, just all of it. While I do love my own sign (Leo) which has a sweet and juicy citrusy scent, I honestly like many of the other fresh flavors and signs as well. The formula is super nourishing.” — Dori Price

Blush Stylus
Credit: Celia Shatzman / Hearst

“Accurately named, the slim stylus packaging of this cream-to-powder blush translates to super precise application (sculpt those cheekbones!), plus it easily fits in a purse for touch-ups. The buildable color glides onto skin and can be applied straight from the tube and blended with fingers or a brush. I’ve been wearing Rossa, a classic rose shade, non-stop.” — Celia Shatzman

Les Beiges Serum Concealer
Credit: April Franzino / Good Housekeeping

“This concealer first wowed me with its water-light texture: It actually feels refreshing on skin as you apply. Then I was impressed by its natural-looking coverage that makes skin look hydrated and fresh, not dried-out and cakey like some coverups can. It doesn’t even read as makeup.” — April Franzino

“There’s one beauty item I always have on me (we’re talking multiples in every purse, on my nightstand, and sometimes even in my pocket) and it’s lip balm. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve tested and this one is a true standout—it doesn’t compromise on color or hydration. I love its slinky gel-balm texture that feels cushiony on my lips, but not too thick, and delivers lasting moisture. Most tinted lip balms deliver just a hint of color, but this has more pigment with major glossy shine, though you can still apply it without a mirror. It comes 23 shades, from nudes to brights to bolds.” — Celia Shatzman

Pocket Bronze Long-Wearing Cream Bronzer
Credit: Sabina Wizemann / Good Housekeeping

“I already use Rhode's blush, and I like how easily it glides on and blends for a soft, blurred flush. I'm not usually a bronzer person, but the shade range looked like it would work even for someone as pale as I am, and the lightest color, Pebble, was a great match. It instantly made me look (and feel) like I'd spent the summer soaking up the sun...which couldn't be further from the truth.” — Sabina Wizemann