Style

10 Genius May 2017 Beauty Products You're About To Be Obsessed With

by Amanda Richards

May is a confusing month, sensation wise. Is it hot or cold? Is that rain, or just a thick film of concentrated mugginess that has descended over New York City? Is my hair still wet from the shower, or am I sweating? Did I put on highlighter, or is my face freaking out from the temperature fluctuation and over-producing oil?

Like I said, it's a confusing time — which is exactly why I need my May beauty products to be as straightforward and effective as possible. When the weather is going buck wild, there's simply no time to d*ck around looking for what works and what doesn't — which is why I solemnly swear that these May 2017 beauty launches are all solidly in the former category.

From cleansers that double as toners, to body scrubs that leave you with a truly magical glow, to toners in stick form and self-tanners that won't stain your entire life, these are the best beauty launches that May 2017 has to offer. Sit back, relax, and prepare yourself — summer is almost here, and even if the weather is unpredictable, your products don't have to be.

Living Proof PhD In-Shower Styler

Living Proof PhD In-Shower Styler, $24, Sephora

When the weather gets muggy, I would rather do, well, literally anything than stand in the bathroom with the hair dryer running. Until now, I had no option — letting my hair air dry left me looking less like an effortless beachgoer and more like a wearied extra in The Patriot, hair limp with mud and Confederate blood from the battlefield.

Sorry, Mel Gibson, but those days are over. Welcome Living Proof's PhD In-Shower Styler — the PhD stands for "perfect hair day," and the product is one-of-a-kind. You actually apply it in the shower, lightly rinse it right before you step out, and then let your hair air dry. The cationic and hydrophobic resins in the formula bind to the hair — all to keep it smooth and boost volume, leaving you with gorgeous, non-sticky waves. Hair dryer, it's time to relocate to your summer home under the sink.

The Guerlain Terracotta Collection

Guerlain Limited Edition Terracotta Collector, $61, Nordstrom

I'm not a regular bronzer — in fact, I've never truly taught myself how to use it. Guerlain's Terracotta Collection just might change that. The brand has been repping that terracotta glow since 1984, and in May, it will roll out a lovely new product in the Terracotta line: The Limited Edition Terracotta Collector powder. The long-lasting formula warms your complexion without looking too intense, and comes in two finishes, ultra-matte or ultra-shine.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Deluxe Edition, $65, Sephora

As the weather transitions from the final chilly vestiges of winter to the inexplicably humid murkiness of very early summer (global warming is real, y'all), there's nothing better than a facial mist. Jurlique's Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Deluxe Edition is an updated take on one of the brand's bestsellers, an exclusive blend of rose extracts that hydrates your skin and refreshes your entire being. Keep it on your desk, where it doubles as the perfect millennial pink accessory and mid-muggy-day pick-me-up.

Glow Recipe's Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser & Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, $45, Glow Recipe

Glow Recipe made waves by staking its claim as a K-beauty destination, boasting dozens of all-natural, gentle products for the US customer. In the past, Glow Recipe has curated products from other brands — but now, they're introducing the first two products in their namesake skin care range.

The Blueberry Bounce Cleanser and Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask are both what Glow Recipe is calling "The Hyphenates;" multi-duty products to satisfy the low-maintenance beauty lover who wants the best of both the K-beauty and Western beauty world.

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Cleanser, $34, Glow Recipe

The Blueberry Bounce Cleanser acts as a makeup remover, cleanser, and toner — seriously, the level of moisture it leaves on your skin (as opposed to stripping it off) is impressive. The Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask can be used as an overnight treatment, a wash-off mask, and even a moisturizer. Both products contain just a handful of ingredients, making them must-haves for the K-beauty aficionado who likes to keep it simple. Both products will be available for pre-sale on May 15 at Glow Recipe, and May 24 at Sephora.

Milk Makeup Matcha Toner Stick

Milk Makeup Matcha Toner Stick, $26, Sephora

This isn't your mother's toner — in fact, it's unlike any toner you've ever had. Milk Makeup's Matcha Toner is the first solid toner on the market, and to say that applying this to your face is refreshing would be a massive understatement.

The formula is infused with matcha green tea, cactus elixir, Kombucha, and witch hazel. It hits Sephora on May 2, and something tells me that you're going to be zoning out, applying this to your face in slow, soothing circles all summer long.

Limited Edition Kiehl's x Jeff Koons Collection

Kiehl's x Jeff Coons Limited Edition Tin; Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, $32; Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, $46; Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye, $37, Kiehls

Alright, I'm Usher and these are my confessions: The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery products in this collection aren't new in the slightest. In fact, the Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, Midnight Recovery Oil, Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and Midnight Recovery Eye serum are some of the brand's most popular products — and as a megafan I can safely say that if you're not using them already, you should be.

However, beginning May 2, Kiehl's will donate 100 percent of the net profits from the sales of any product in that collection, to benefit the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. Additionally, people who purchase any one of these products will get a free, limited edition tin designed by Jeff Koons.

Simply put, these are the products you're already using anyways — but if you stock up between May 2 and the end of the month, you'll be supporting an amazing cause and nabbing a Jeff Koons collectible in the process.

Tan-Luxe Hydra Mousse

Tan-Luxe Hydra Mousse, $57, HSN

Tan-Luxe made its mark on the industry by creating the transparent tanning category — it's previous star, the Hydrating Self-Tan Water, is a totally clear tanning spritz that goes on lightly and evenly for a sun-kissed summer glow.

In May, the brand releases another clear tanning product, the Tan-Luxe Hydra Mousse. The formula has a unique blend of Vitamins B, C, and E, as well as raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, and hydrolyzed silk. The best part? The clear formula leaves no streaks, stripes, or stains. Think of the Hydra Mousse as the self-tanner you always wanted, with out all the stinky, orange drama.

H2O+ Beauty's MiLi Skin Moisture Meter

H2O+ Beauty Mili Skin Moisture Meter, $60 or FREE during May 2017 with any purchase of Oasis Hydrating Treatment, $38, or Ultra Hydrating Cream, $42, h2oplus

H2O+ Beauty has been making waves since the early '90s, when the brand harnessed the power of water to innovate it's best-selling Oasis Hydrating Treatment. In May 2017, H2O+ wants you to put its products' moisturizing products to the test.

Introducing the MiLi Skin Moisture Meter, a small device that tracks your skin's moisture levels through your smartphone. Simply press the device to your face before moisturizing, then do it again after you've used your products — the difference is pretty surprising. You can track how your skin's moisture levels and overall health develops over time, too. Beauty and technology have never converged in such a satisfying way — and for the month of May, MiLi is free with any purchase of Oasis Hydrating Treatment or Ultra Hydrating Cream.

BITE Beauty The Lip Pencil Summer 2017 Shade Extension

BITE Beauty The Lip Pencil, $18, Sephora

BITE's The Lip Pencil formula was already impressing beauty lovers across the board — originally released in 22 shades of incredible nude, the range and versatility of the original collection simply couldn't be beat. Now, BITE has expanded the collection to include 28 new bold, vivid shades — in other words, the brand now offers everything you need to make your May pout dreams come true.

Frank Body Shimmer Scrub

Frank Body Limited Edition Shimmer Scrub, $20, Frank Body

I found it pretty hard to believe that Frank Body's new limited edition Shimmer Scrub has, according to Fashionista, a waitlist that's 50,000 people long before it's launch on May 1.

However, after using this buzzy confection, I can confidently say that the hype surrounding this product goes far beyond the nation's obsession with unicorns and mermaids. The coffee-and-shine scrub smells in-f**king-credible, and it leaves a low-key highlight on your skin that will make you shine bright like a diamond all summer long.

As of April 30, it looks like curious unicorns can no longer sign up for the waitlist — but keep your eye on the Frank Body Instagram and website for updates. Good luck, glow worms in waiting.

No, you can't plan for the almighty hellishness that is an early-summer weather and/or humidity fluctuation — but what you can do is equip yourself with the genius beauty products that will make it all seem a little brighter. Until June, beauty queens.