As a Beauty Director with exacting standards, these 7 products have become my favorites this month.

      (Image credit: Lucy Robinson for Who What Wear UK)

      I have a reputation among my fellow beauty directors for being quite selective with the products I use. In fact, I would venture to say I'm quite unforgiving. Although I receive a plethora of new beauty items on my desk weekly, only a tiny fraction of those are ones I’m willing to apply to my skin and hair. They must have the perfect ingredients, the right consistency, top-notch usability, and, importantly for my superficial standards, an aesthetic that aligns with my preferences. My skincare routine is minimal and uncomplicated, my daily makeup application should take no longer than two minutes, and my haircare routine cannot involve any waiting. Taking all these factors into account, it's clear why few products meet my standards—and as soon as summer arrives and I have to contend with 30-degree heat, I become even more particular. This made it all the more surprising that last month I managed to use up seven beauty products—items so impressive that I squeezed out every last bit, even in weather so hot that I had to motivate myself to use anything beyond ice-cold water. So here it is: my heatwave-approved product empties list.

      1. Anua Rice 70 Glow Collagen Mask

      Anua Rice 70 Glow Collagen Mask 4 Pack

      You can call me skeptical, but as a journalist tasked with reviewing beauty products impartially, I tend to be a tough critic of popular items. Despite hearing good things about these K-beauty sheet masks from the Korean brand Anua, I was reluctant to just take the internet’s word for it. However, after trying one on my face a few weeks ago, the results were undeniable. After leaving it on for two hours, this ceramide-infused sheet mask made my skin look the healthiest, most radiant, and plumpest it has ever been. While dedicating a minimum of an hour to face masking is certainly a commitment, every moment was worth it. I highly recommend you don’t overlook this sheet mask—it will truly astound you.

      2. Tom Ford Oud Wood Candle

      Key notes: Oud, sandalwood, rosewood, eastern spices, amber

      It may not seem intuitive to burn rich, woody candles in the summer, but let me explain. I insist on having a candle lit every moment I'm at home. (I enjoy the luxurious scent in my apartment, what can I say?) When it’s warm outside and all my windows and doors are open, I need my candle to be powerful. This luxurious-scented candle is smoky, deep, and rich, yet it has a spicy warmth that works beautifully in the heat. Burning it on a summer evening evokes the ambiance of walking through Moroccan markets at dusk, with the scents of incense, firewood, and spices swirling through the air.

      3. Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Eyebrow Gel

      Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Eyebrow Gel

      Before diving into why I love this product, I should note that my brows are quite distinctive. They are thick, coarse, long, and jet-black. Additionally, I dislike grooming them. Thus, I need brow gels that provide strong hold and are quick to apply. This formula ranks among my all-time favorites. Firstly, the clear gel doesn’t dry white or flake—something that’s rarer than you might think (true to its name). Then there’s the spoolie, which is simply fantastic. One side has longer, denser fibers designed to grab at the roots of brow hairs and lift them, while the other side features shorter fibers for feathering them out afterward. The result is perfectly shaped brows that stay put all day without looking overly styled.

      4. Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

      Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

      I have previously expressed my admiration for Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. In fact, in a letter I wrote last year, I declared it the best “serum” I have ever used, and I still stand by that. I apply this effective exfoliant to my congested, acne-prone skin three times a week at night, and I’ve been doing so for approximately 18 months. Even after all this time, I consistently wake up each morning after use with skin so soft it surprises me. I consider this treatment an essential part of my routine for maintaining a glow and preventing congestion. You can bet that I opened another bottle the moment this one ran out.

      5. Rhode Peptide Lip Tint in Toast

      Rhode Peptide Lip Tint in Toast

      It’s no secret that I own a Rhode phone case—it's a rite of passage for beauty editors. Therefore, I go through Rhode Peptide Lip Tints at an astonishing rate. I apply this lip treatment, which softens and plumps my lips, at least ten times a day, and the glossy, taupe finish gives me a sense of having my