Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.
Image by Ohlamour Studio | Babor | Rhode | CoverGirl / Stocksy
June 30, 2024
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As beauty editors, we’re constantly testing products to deliver you the best, most informed recommendations. In our series, Talk of the Team, we highlight the tried-and-tested product launches that have made a lasting impact on our routines. These are the new formulas we can’t stop gushing about—in our group chats, during team meetings, and, now, to you. This month’s theme is “Revive.”
To enter the summer season is to revive. Goals become simpler: Go outside (a lot). See that friend you haven’t talked to in a year. Go on a quick weekend excursion. Find some body of water to swim in STAT. You get the point.
Early summer is simultaneously filled with long-awaited sensorial pleasure—that first dip into the pool, an ice-cold beverage hitting hot lips, or walking into an air-conditioned room after a sweaty walk home. The common theme here? Revival—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
That’s why our theme this month is “revive.” It’s woven into the fabric of June, and fittingly, our favorite new beauty launches this month have revived us in different ways, too.
Up next, brand new editor-approved products to shop and why we love them.
Talk of the Team: Revive
Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum
Why we love it
Relieves dry skin instantly—especially post-sun
Wears well under makeup
Fragrance-free & safe for sensitive skin
Never leaves a sticky residue
I had been using hyaluronic acid serums every morning for three years—until I tried this formula. The hero ingredient is polyglutamic acid (PGA), a super-hydrator rumored to perform better than hyaluronic acid for skin barrier support and bounce. Two dermatologists vouched for it, and they were right—my skin has never felt so plump.
Prequel combines a custom blend of multi-molecular weight PGA for optimal absorption with 10% glycerin and organic fruit and flower extracts for added antioxidants. The ingredient list is simple but powerful, allowing you to use it twice a day without worrying about interactions with retinol or exfoliants.
My favorite perk is the phenomenal texture and finish. It absorbs quickly, adding a noticeable dewy finish and smoothing texture without leaving a sticky residue, making it perfect to wear under makeup. —Hannah Frye, assistant beauty & health editor.
Olay Cleansing Melts
Why we love it
Thanks to the innovative product design, it only uses 7-8 necessary ingredients
Very travel friendly — perfect for summer vacations and quick weekend getaways
Comes in three varieties: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, & Retinol
Sulfate & paraben free
There is nothing that feels more refreshing than washing your face at night, at least in my opinion. I love the feeling of washing the day off and starting clean again. It’s my favorite daily ritual.
It’s even more exciting when I’m using a new face wash that I’m enjoying, like these innovative face-washing melts from Olay. The face wash starts off as a small paper-like square, but then, when you run it under water, it “activates” into a lush face wash. The pad completely dissolves into the palms of my hands, and I’m left with a gentle, but effective, wash that only uses fewer than 10 ingredients. —Alexandra Engler, beauty director
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Rhode Pocket Blush
Why we love it
Easy to apply and blend
Gorgeous, buildable hues for every undertone
Doubles as a tinted lip balm and cream eyeshadow
In my opinion, Pocket Blush is the brand’s best product yet (yes, even better than the viral lip gloss). Not only do these blushes come in an easy-to-use applicator, but they’re also packed with peptides and tamanu oil to help soften and hydrate the skin. I’ve tested all of the shades, and I must admit it was hard to pick favorites—they’re all incredibly buildable and adaptable (but if you must know, Sleepy Girl and Toasted Teddy are my most used).
What’s more, I use the same product as a creamy eyeshadow and tinted lip balm. This makes it an easy one-stop-shop product to pop in your bag for a mid-day makeup refresh.—Frye
CoverGirl Clean Eyeshadow Sticks
Why we love it
12 dreamy, soft, wearable shades with a pearlescent finish
Free of: Parabens, talc, mineral oil, and fragrance
There is nothing I love more than an eyeshadow stick. They’re so easy: Swipe on the creamy formula, tap and blend with the pads of your fingers, and your look is complete. Or dare I say, revived. It’s the perfect summer makeup product. These sticks from CoverGirl have such an effortless glide and a rich color payoff that they feel like a product triple their price. In fact, I’ve been fully converted from the (somewhat expensive) eyeshadow sticks I was using previously, as I found these to be a much more sensorily satisfying experience. –Engler
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Savor Beauty Radiant Rose Collagen Cream
Why we love it
The 4% peptide and collagen amino acid blend promotes skin regeneration
Natural rose fragrance
If you don’t know about the magic of Savor Beauty, let me acquaint you: The brand is inspired by the founder’s heritage and Korean Beauty rituals passed down from her mother, but then uses natural and organic ingredients and is created in small batches in upstate New York.
This seasonally limited edition cream is like a prize—a treasure right in your hands. Made only when the raw materials are available, this blends together Rose Otto essential oil (known for strengthening the skin barrier), rosehip oil, evening primrose, peptides, and amino acids. The result is a creamy, rich face cream that tones and brightens, leaving the skin revived. —Engler
Babor Mushroom Cream
Why we love it
Supports skin against environmental stressors
Long-lasting moisture
Contains prebiotics and probiotics to support skin microbiome
Babor is renowned for its luxurious, high-performance skin care products that often come with a steep price tag. However, they’re embarking on a new mission, catering a line Gen Z consumers with the cleanest ingredients and lowest prices—two demands that resonate with the younger generation. One example is their Mushroom Cream, which delivers high performance at half the price of some of their other moisturizers.
The Mushroom Cream is aptly named, containing skin-boosting extracts from reishi, chaga, and shiitake mushrooms. These extracts, combined with prebiotics, support the skin microbiome, in turn protecting your skin against environmental stressors like pollution.
I loved the long-lasting hydration this cream provides, thanks to the almond oil and glycerin in the formula. It makes my skin feel fresh and revives any dryness without excess weight.—Frye
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