Monthly Favorites: January 2026 Edition!

[AlexBT]

Monthly Faves: January 2026 Edition

At this point I suppose it’s too late to say “happy new year,” but I hope 2026 is treating you well so far, Community! I’m having a bit of a “new year, same me” situation, at least in terms of my beauty routine: still can’t stop buying lip balm, collecting blushes in every shade of the rainbow, and really putting to the test how long I can go without washing my hair. 🙈 I’m curious to hear if any of you have any beauty-related resolutions – I could use some inspo!

In the meantime, here are the products that have gotten the most mileage this year (so far, ha!):

• #KERASTASE – Fresh Affair Fine Fragrance & Oil-Absorbing Dry Shampoo
• PATRICK TA Major Moisture Smoothing and Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm with Vitamin E Milk Tea 
• Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum for Brightening and Discoloration 1 oz 
• Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm Hydrating Cream Blush with Peptides Pink Sunset - warm peachy pink 
• tarte go with the faux freckle stamp 

Time to hear from you, Community! Use the reply button below to share your own favorite products for November. Be sure to tag any products you mention with the “#” symbol (hair, makeup, fragrance, wellness, skincare, etc.)!

[Margalee]

@AlexBT  

I didn't have much at all new that wowed me in January. There were a few perfumes I found that I liked from over the holidays and have used since, plus a few new products. Overall beauty wise January was pretty lame. Jo Malones Red Poppy, Acqua di Parma Luce di Rosa and Armani's The Yulong. The Yulong reminds me of Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil. In that same genre to my nose. Some of the lotions and stuff weren't bad but are not fast favorites. Kind of a bummer, ha

[haleyvvvv]

@AlexBT Oooh that Vitamin C serum looks nice, adding to the list to try.

My faves for the month:

Danessa Myricks Beauty Mini Pastel Dream Freedom Palette is the perfect Carribean island winter getaway palette. Not only can this do looks for work and play, but it lasted through a dunking in the Atlantic and a waterpark.

PAT McGRATH LABS GILDED NIRVANA: MEGA EYE SHADOW PALETTE is maybe my favorite PMG holiday limited release yet. It's got the formulas common the five pan sparkly, some if which are pretty shifty. It's perfect for the new year.

Snif Hot Cakes Perfume is my new favorite scent. It smells exactly like pancakes and maple syrup. I think I prefer Crumb Couture a slight bit, but this one is too delicious. Perfect for cold cold winter days.

[PrettyPaint]

@AlexBT I haven't tried that dry shampoo before. It looks great! 

I haven't been spending a ton of time on makeup this month, but some of my staples this month include...

NATASHA DENONA Mini Eye Sculpt Eyeshadow Palette Cool 

-I didn't NEED a new palette, but this one is so nice to have for an easy, cool-toned neutral look. I think this is the only thing I've used since the day I bought it. 

Fara Homidi Mini Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil 
-I have this in faun, and it is such a nice daily shade. 

I probably can't tag this because it was LE, but I've also been reaching for the Hourglass Deer palette daily. 

I'm trying to think of a fragrance that I've been loving lately, but it's been pretty sporadic. I actually want to purchase a new one soon, but I can't decide what to try. If anyone has been loving something lately, I'd love to hear about it. 

[haleyvvvv]

The Hourglass palettes are so pretty, @PrettyPaint !! The peachy blush in the middle catches my eye!! 

[AlexBT]

@PrettyPaint omg I also LOVE the Faun lip pencil! I thought I lost it shortly after getting it and the thought of having to buy a brand new one really hurt, haha. I actually just found it in a purse I hadn't used in awhile, thank goodness!

Thanks for sharing your faves! That Natasha mini palette looks like the perfect staple.

[itsfi]

My monthly favorites are again a mix of beauties I've been using for some time and others that have been a heavy part of my rotation or routine for the better part of the last 3-5+ weeks. I'm having the same challenges as you @AlexBT with lip balms but with lip oils as well! Double whammy!!! 🤣 I'm better at not buying it all or all at once but it's not made any easier with all the great new releases.

Monthly Favorites: January 2026

AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Gentle pH-Balancing Foaming Cleanser for Hydrating Sensitive Skin 5.07 oz / 15... has been a surprise hit for me. Gentle enough that I have no hesitation using it as my second cleanser on a daily basis. It gives my skin that fresh, clean feel without the uncomfortable tightness and dryness that can come with many foaming cleansers. I like that this is fragrance-free and dispenses easily and without creating a mess. Also worth noting, the cleanser has this pillowy, cloud-like, whipped foam feel as it's being spread across and lathered on the skin that just feels refreshing and relaxing.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner 606 Wherever Walnut (SEPHORia 2023 NYC) has its fan following for a reason, I'm just super tardy to the party on this one. The long lasting, creamy consistency glides on smoothly and wears comfortably. It's one of my favorite, no, maybe my favorite, light pinky-brown lip liner

This is the first winter since I can remember when I haven't had to layer a face oil over my evening moisturizer (and it's been an uncharacteristically cold winter here too). That I attribute to the rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm 3.4oz/100ml. Not every item in the Rhode lineup is a win for me, but this one definitely is a top shelf product. 🏆 When I first started using the Barrier Butter, I thought it might be too heavy for daily use, but I've learned how to best apply it for my skin and it has definitely paid off! 

I have not been the biggest fan of many of Dior's recent reformulations, but their new lip oils?! Magnifique! I've been especially fond of the addition of the glaze finishes to their lip oil collection - the shades DIOR Lip Glow Oil Hydrating High-Shine Gloss 104 Black Cherry and DIOR Lip Glow Oil Hydrating High-Shine Gloss 081 Latte, in particular, are ones I've been reaching for a lot, but I will no doubt make my way through the other shades and finishes in the collection at some point. 🛍 These new lip oils have that same nourishing feel and comfortable wear as the original formula, but the color payoff, in terms of pigmentation and wear time, has been beautifully elevated. 😘

I'm interested to see what MAC products will be available when the brand launches at Sephora later this year and hope the MAC 171 S brush is among them. The design of this brush makes it easier to get into harder to reach areas of the face and blend cream foundation and concealer products, but I have been loving this most for contouring my jawline - it's been fantastic for dragging and blending that cream contour color along and under my jawline. 

Dior Lip Oil 104 Black Cherry - Glaze Finish

[haleyvvvv]

Oooh, these skincare wins are going right to the top of my list, @itsfi !! 

[itsfi]

I gotta say I can see both of these sticking around my routine for a while @haleyvvvv. If you do try them, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Skincare is so personal but it's good to hear how others experience a product. 

That Aestura foaming cleanser though!! I've been impressed with the entire collection. The cleanser doesn't sting my eyes, even when I rub hard (for testing purposes). 

Spoiler

Just one pump out of the dispenser - creamy but light, foamy

Spreads and lathers easily, without water

Suds up and disperses well with just the teensiest amout of water

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi That lip oil looks gorgeous on you! 

[itsfi]

Thank you @PrettyPaint; Dior did a phenomenal job with these new lip oils! I'm going to work extra hard to pace myself with picking up more. 

[AlexBT]

@itsfi Wonderful faves as always! HAHA yes you know I can relate to the lip balm/oil hoarding! But speaking of which -- aaaahh I've been resisting picking up one of the new Dior lip oils because I love the original (and of course, i just have too many dang lippies) but you're really tempting me. Latte looks similar to my original fave Mahogany.

And welcome to the Wherever Walnut party! I also love Anywhere Caffeine which is similar but pulls a little less warm on me.

[itsfi]

I completely understand wanting to resist the new Dior lip oils @AlexBT. I wasn't expecting these to be compete with the originals and they really surprised me, in the best way. Maybe leave your credit card at your desk and just bring enough cash to cover the cost plus tax - that should keep you to one lip oil ... for that Sephora trip. 😂 

lol, yes, MUFE really has lived up to the hype with their liners. Anywhere Caffeine is a beauty too. I lucked out and was spoiled with a few of the popular shades at SEPHORiA NYC - and I, of course, was oblivious to how great they were / are!! until now. 😂🤣😂  I've seen / heard folks use both in the same lip look - Anywhere Caffeine and Wherever Walnut. On my list of "to do's" this winter. 🗒

[leslee1206]

My January loves:

Tatcha The Longevity Youth Restoring Cream for Elasticity & Brightness 1.7 oz/50 ml 

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation with 24 Hour Wear 5.5 

rhode Peptide Lip Tint Nourishing Glaze Salty Tan - soft mauve 

BURBERRY Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum with Vanilla & Lavender - I get more vanilla and not much lavender from this one

[AlexBT]

@leslee1206 ooooh great faves! How do you like the new Luminous Silk??

Also, aren't the rhode lip tints so nice? I have Salty Tan as well, it's one of my faves.

[CorgiMommy]

@leslee1206 great favorites,  I am looking forward to trying the Tatcha moisturizer 

[sissyboi72]

 

 Hi @AlexBT and BIC !! This month my broski's and I were out at the mall hanging out . You know eating pizza  drinking beer shooting pool. I picked up some new blush by Armani Armani Beauty Cheek Tint Longwear Lightweight Liquid Blush Armani Beauty Golden Hour 24HR Lightweight Skin Tint with Hyaluronic Acid and of course my favorite lipgloss #MAKE UP FOR EVER Super Boost Moisturizing & Plumping Lip Gloss 03 Festival Lilac .I highly recommend these products.  I can definitely see this blush being a favorite of mine. 

[AlexBT]

@sissyboi72 Love this look! The blush looks so great on you -- I have it as well and I feel like a lot of people see it in the bottle and get intimidated by the candy/baby pink brightness, but it really gives such a pretty lit-from-within flush. Thanks for sharing your faves!

[sissyboi72]

Ty @AlexBT . The blush is c my favorite right now. It blends in so naturally.  I think the price scares most people away. Out of all my blushes it's the most expensive but definitely worth it. It held off on getting it for 5 months.  Im glad I picked it up . I highly recommend it. 

[CorgiMommy]

Great look and the hat is on point @sissyboi72 

[sissyboi72]

Ty @CorgiMommy . I get lots of compliments on the hat when out running my errands and shopping especially at Sephora.