This story first appeared on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter in which our beauty writers share their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts. But we liked it so much we wanted to share it with all of our readers. If you want more first impressions of buzzy launches, quick takes on what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram, and deep dives into the week’s best beauty launches, sign up here. The Strategist Beauty Brief is delivered every Wednesday.
If you’ve been reading The Strategist Beauty Brief for a while, you know we’re serious about the products we love. We’re also serious about sniffing out good deals. In this installment of the Brief, we’re sharing a few standout items under $30. Read on for the glosses, mascara, and nail polish we’ve been testing (and loving) this week.
I’ve been really impressed by MCoBeauty’s mascara. It’s replaced my Kevyn Aucoin tubing mascara, and it costs $10 less. I tested it by wearing Kevyn Aucoin on one eye and MCoBeauty on the other, and I couldn’t tell the difference. It keeps my lashes lifted, and I have yet to get raccoon eyes or any fallout, even while wearing it through this heat wave. It’s also supposedly a lash-growth serum, TBD on that claim. —Arielle Avila
I’ve been testing the Eadem Le Chouchou glossy lip balm. It strikes that nice balance of being very moisturizing and long lasting but not sticky. My lips rarely peel, but they did the other day after I took a long train ride (and had forgotten to bring water). I applied this balm and my lips were back to normal in minutes. The texture is very plush and the colors are cute, too. I’m into the berry shade because it naturally enhances my lip color — it’s like my pinkish nude. —Crystal Martin
I sort of forgot how good J. Hannah nail polish is. I was into it way back (we wrote about it being part of the next class of status nail polishes). I like neutrals, nudes, and super-dark polishes (you will never see me wearing red nails), and J.Hannah does it for me. This milk tint is the brand’s latest color (which very rarely puts out new shades) — it’s an off-white, not enough to be eggshell but not a pure pearl either. I did about three coats of this and no topcoat a little over a week ago on my toes. I haven’t seen even the slightest chip yet. Pretty impressive since it’s the summer and I’m either in itty-bitty flip-flops or some kind of strappy sandal. —Ambar Pardilla
Fellow Strategist writer Liza Corsillo brought this lip balm back from Japan for me, and it’s so good that I immediately tossed out my Supergoop! balm. A lot of SPF lip balms can be oily, so they need to be reapplied constantly throughout the day. This one is super nourishing and stays put. Even after diving into the ocean I still felt it on my lips. —Dominique Pariso
I’m having a moment with these Mooncat nail polishes. In the summer I like to have a bit more fun with my nails, and Mooncat’s polishes have been really delivering. The shimmer is so pretty, and the color actually changes in the light. —D.P.
After a decade of sticking with black eyeliner, I was finally convinced by TikTok to start experimenting with other shades, like softer browns and mauves. And, all right, the teens have a point — it’s definitely a less harsh look for every day. Currently, I’m using Manasi 7’s eye and lip definer to add a wash of color along my upper and lower lash line; the creamy, coconut-oil-infused formula is highly pigmented and glides right on, which makes it easy to smudge out and supplement with eye shadow if needed. I use it to line my lips, too (any multifunction product gets bonus points in my book). —Kitty Guo
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
