Every week, our Beauty Director gets to try out tons of new products. (It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!) In this monthly column, she rounds up the ones that stood out from the pack and actually earned a spot in her routine.

The pre-shampoo oil that makes all the difference

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The thing about a lot of pre-shampoo oils is that while they may do a good job hydrating your scalp, they can be a nightmare to rinse out. Not this one. The formula is 99 percent natural and packed with good-for-scalp ingredients like castor oil to replenish moisture, rosemary oil to stimulate circulation, tea tree oil to relieve itchiness, and bisabolol (the primary constituent of German chamomile essential oil) to calm and soothe the skin. It’s also fragrance-free and safe for even the most sensitive scalps. You apply it onto your roots (the bottle’s pointy nozzle is great for preventing messes), massage it in and then extend the product down to your ends. Let it do its thing for 10 to 15 minutes (you can even leave it on overnight for an extra treat) and then shampoo and condition as usual. The formula is super lightweight, which makes washing it out a breeze. (If you’ve ever tried straight up castor oil, a popular DIY pre-poo treatment, you know it feels like trying to get maple syrup out of your hair.) Your scalp feels amazing after, all refreshed and supple, but the real magic can be seen once your hair has dried. Mine is on the fine side and still, I didn’t experience any greasiness or heaviness whatsoever. Instead, what I did experience were strands that were way softer and smoother, even after just a single use. Colour me impressed!

The growth serum that makes your lashes look incredible

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I have tried many different lash serums in the past and pretty much all of them have left my eyelids red, itchy and angry. That’s because of an ingredient called prostaglandin, which most formulas on the market rely on to lengthen and thicken lashes. It works, but it can also bring on a host of unpleasant side-effects, including irritation, swelling and scaling. Not fun. A study published last year even found that some people who used lash lengtheners containing prostaglandin analogs (a.k.a. PGAs) developed a condition called prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy, which consists of changes in the eye area including volume loss and increased pigmentation. Over time, this can cause the orbital region to look more sunken and darker. Again, not fun. And if the product gets in the eyes, it can permanently darken lighter irises. All to that to say, I’ve since decided to stay away from lash serums. That is until Benefit launched Whoop Lash, a lash-enhancer formulated without prostaglandin or its derivatives. Instead, the product banks on a gentle cocktail of hibiscus and safflower extracts, rice protein and biotin. In clinical trials, 95 percent of participants said their lashes looked fuller after six weeks and 93 percent said they looked longer. I’m going on week four now and already I’ve noticed a major increase in volume. My lashes also feel stronger and my mascara looks better than ever. Best of all: There’s zero sign of redness or discomfort. Hurray!

The Jenna-Lyons-approved lipstick

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A few weeks ago, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing one of my personal idols: the one and only Jenna Lyons. She Zoomed me from her impossibly chic Soho apartment while her dog Popeye sat on her lap and it was an absolute dream. We talked about everything from her morning routine to how she approaches aging and why pedicures and cheesecake are some of life’s greatest pleasures (look out for the full interview in our March issue, on newsstands February 19). The Real Housewives of New York City star also shared her makeup must-haves, including her go-to red lipsticks—a signature of hers, right up there with white shirts (worn unbuttoned down to her navel, of course) and oversized glasses. One of the products she raved about was this Maybelline lip lacquer. “[It] stays shiny and doesn’t move—it’s amazing” she gushed. So naturally, I just had to try it. Lyons was right: This stuff is magical! You shake it for at least five seconds then slick it on as you would a lip gloss. (I especially appreciate how the tapered doe-foot applicator makes for pristine results every time.) The formula then dries down, becoming totally transfer-proof and staying put for up to 16 hours all while retaining its gorgeous glassy finish. It also doesn’t make your pout feel dry at all, unlike so many liquid lipsticks out there. I tried Red Hot, a fiery crimson, for the full Lyons effect, but the product is available in a wide assortment of shades, including loads of beautiful nudes. Thanks for the reco, Jenna!

The on-the-go aromatherapy treatment

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Did you hear? Selena Gomez just released a body care range. It’s called Rare Beauty Find Comfort and it’s all about encouraging users to feel good in their skin by way of ultra-nourishing ingredients and mood-boosting scents. There’s a body cream and hand cream, which both smell heavenly and deeply hydrate the skin without feeling greasy, as well as a body and hair fragrance mist that boasts a delectable blend of lemon zest, jasmine and cashmere wood. But the standout for me has to be this Stop & Soothe Aromatherapy Pen. It swirls natural peppermint, lavender and tonka bean aromatherapy oils to help you decompress. One whiff and I can feel my shoulders and jaw relax. I also really appreciate how the formula has a cooling gel texture rather than an oily one, allowing it to quickly penetrate into the skin without getting everywhere. There’s no sticky residue after and you can even use it over makeup, like say on your temples, and it won’t disturb your look at all. Pretty neat, right? I like to pull it out whenever my day gets a little stressful and or overwhelming. I pop off the cap, rub a little behind my ears and I swear to you, I instantly feel calmer. “[It] has not left my purse since I got it,” Gomez shared in a video. Same, Selena. Same.

The winter-proof moisturizer

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Anyone else’s skin hating the cold weather these days? For the past month or so, my cheeks have been red and rough, no matter how generously I slather on my moisturize. So I knew it was time to bring out the big guns. Enter Drunk Elephant’s new Bora Barrier Rich Repair Cream. I should start by noting that I usually shy away from any product with the word “rich” on its label as I am prone to breakouts. But I decided to chance it, given the circumstances. See, I recently read a brilliant story by ELLE Canada’s digital editor, Melissa Fejtek, about the importance of protecting your skin barrier. I realized mine was showing all the tell-tale signs of being compromised, i.e. flaking and flushing, which, in the long-term, can actually accelerate aging. So I smoothed on the thick, cushiony cream, went to bed and hoped for the best. I kid you not, by the next morning, most of the redness had subsided and my skin felt comfortable and bouncy for the first time in weeks. (It was also completely pimple-free!) I shouldn’t have been surprised, though, considering the formula was shown to repair the barrier in as little as eight hours in clinical trials. After four weeks of use, it was found to improve fine lines, wrinkles, firmness and elasticity. It’s all thanks to a special butter lipid complex, which soothes skin while supporting its natural production of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. That, in turn, makes for a stronger barrier that keeps moisture in and keeps harmful things like pollution and bacteria out. All you need is a pea-sized amount and you get to enjoy plump, happy skin, even in below freezing temps. Honestly, I can’t imagine going through winter without it.

Read more:
Bold Eyeshadow Is Primed for a Comeback
10 Dreamy New Fragrances We Want to Wear All Winter Long
Beyoncé’s Makeup Artist Has the Best Holiday Makeup Hacks