Editors’ Picks: The Beauty and Fashion Standouts Helping Us Kick Off Fall

Arguably, we’re currently in the best part of fall: The heat waves have disappeared but we still have some warmth and sunshine, plus there’s a fresh energy in the air that inspires us all to revamp our routines and product lineups. Be it a new fragrance, skincare innovation, or the addition of a statement fashion piece or two, there are so many little ways to put some autumnal pep in your step—and team Byrdie has rounded up a few of the best we tried over the past month. Read on for our September editors’ picks, sure to help you romanticize your life for the rest of Libra season.

Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Ilé Olomu Verdant Eau de Parfum

I was recently introduced to Ilé Olomu, and Verdant immediately caught my attention. I’ve smelled a lot of fragrances over the years, but this one feels genuinely different. Inspired by green plantain, it has this striking blend of crisp citrus, warm spices, woody notes, and soft musk that I find so delightful. It’s green and earthy, but still incredibly elegant.

Bioheal BOH Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream

The best way I can describe my skin after using this cream? Plump, bouncy, and glass-like. The formula is rich enough that my skin feels deeply moisturized, but it never veers into greasy territory. It’s packed with probiotics and peptides that support the skin barrier and elasticity, but the immediate glow keeps me reaching for it. My skin just looks so good whenever I use it.

Soulstice Buttersilk Restorative Mask

I was excited to see Nancy Twine step into a new chapter with Soulstice—and the brand’s first mask didn’t disappoint. Buttersilk is the perfect name because my hair felt like butter after I rinsed it out. The rich formula is packed with murumuru butter and kahai oil to replenish moisture and support stronger hair. After one use, my hair felt incredibly soft, silky, and smooth. I can’t wait to keep using it weekly.

Neutrogena Vanilla Collagen Bank Lip Plumping Treatment

I’m picky about lip treatments, and this one from Neutrogena gets it just right. It’s not too thick or too thin, feels comfortable on my lips, and leaves them feeling nourished long after I apply it. I also appreciate that its plumping technology is designed to make lips look fuller without the intense stinging sensation you get from so many plumpers. The soft vanilla scent is a nice bonus, too.

Maddie Barber, commerce writer

Eye of Horus Lip Elixir

I can’t believe I went so long without this lip gloss in my life. I’ve been to countless weddings over the past few months, and this has the perfect shimmery, plumping finish for all of my full-glam wedding guest looks.

Damdam Mochi Mochi Luminous Cream

My skin has been abnormally dry lately, and this Dam Dam moisturizer is the only formula that has nourished my dry patches. It’s so luscious without feeling heavy or greasy, and I love that it’s fragrance-free to avoid irritating my sensitive skin.

KJH.Brand Microscara

Don’t be fooled by the tiny wand: This mascara makes my lashes longer and more voluminous than ever. I can’t stop telling everyone in my life to purchase this—that’s how good it is.

Soshe Beauty Blurring Pillow Blush

I was super curious about the newest anti-blush trend, which led me to try this Soshe blush in Bare Muse. I was instantly obsessed: It’s the most perfect, barely there color that brings the life back to my face after my foundation and concealer steps. Though I don’t often use powder blush, this formula may have converted me.

Ere Perez Arnica All-Cover Pot

For months, I’ve been struggling to find a concealer that works for my neutral undertones without creasing or looking cakey and dry. This Ere Perez pot concealer works like magic, instantly blurring my skin and providing the perfect amount of medium coverage. It also couldn’t be easier to use, as all it takes is a few dabs of the product on my finger.

Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

Kai Hand Wash

I became truly obsessed with Kai’s signature fragrance this summer, and now my hand wash can smell like my favorite perfume. For the unfamiliar, it’s a gorgeous bouquet of white florals that’s heavy on the gardenia. It’s ultra-feminine and captivating, but not heavy or cloying. As for the soap itself, it has a lovely lather that doesn’t dry out my hands, and the minimal packaging is right out of my ‘90s dreams.

Bon Elliot Hydrating Performance Serum

I had an incredible facial with Sophia at Stalle Studios recently, and she introduced me to this new Aussie brand. They launched with a singular product, which means you know it’s going to be good. The star of the show here is the brand’s AMBR Complex, a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, ceramides, and antioxidants formulated to repair the barrier and rebalance the skin’s microbiome. Also included are niacinamide, peptides, a microalgae-derived bioretinoid, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.  It sounds like a lot, but it’s gentle enough for my sensitive skin, which has felt calmer, brighter, and bouncier since adding it to my routine.

Campbell & Kramer Demi Dress

I’m normally strictly a mini skirt girl, but ever since I turned 30 in May, I’ve been warming up to longer lengths. My latest obsession is this midi from Campbell and Kramer, which feels as soft as my favorite vintage T-shirt but is dressy enough for a nice dinner. I love details like the asymmetic hem and fluttery sleeves, and I can wear it with flip flops, boots, or heels. The fact that it’s made in LA with deadstock fabric is just the icing on the cake.

YSL Libre Santal Eau de Parfum

The OG Libre is really not in my wheelhouse, so I was surprised by how much I like this new edition. To me, it’s the ideal fall fragrance: It takes the orange blossom, tonka bean, and lavender from the original, but adds a lovely sandalwood heart that feels so cozy without being too heavy. It will layer perfectly with my leather jackets and sweaters all season long.

Ali Webb, associate style editor

Agatha Paris Short Necklace Stone Batignolles

I recently learned about French jewelry brand Agatha and was immediately drawn to their Batignolles collection, which playfully integrates colorful stones into a range of pieces (much in the spirit of its artsy Parisian namesake neighborhood). This necklace feels substantial and chic yet doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I love its almost-choker length. The green quartz is a stunning, unexpected pop of color that I can’t wait to style in a myriad of ways.

Alexis Bittar Zipper Top Handle Bag

In the spirit of statement accessories, I’ve been obsessed with this tiny handbag with big personality from Alexis Bittar. The burnt cranberry hue fits right into my wardrobe, and the zipper detail (made of crystal baguettes set in 14k gold-plated metalwork) truly makes it feel like a special object. I’ve styled it for fashion week, the Harry Styles tour, and more, and I love the unexpected glamour it adds to any look.

iS Clinical Daily Active Smoothing Toner

Over the past few months, I’ve realized firsthand exactly why iS Clinical is such a celeb-loved brand, and this new toner is no exception. It gently resurfaces with AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, yet maintains a gentle, hydrating feel thanks to ingredients like aloe vera, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate. The formula has helped keep my skin texture in check as the seasons transition from summer to fall, plus it has a light, subtle scent that adds to the self-care experience of my nightly routine.

Carte Blanche Multi-Hyphenate Brightening Skin Tint

Geri Hirsch and Sarah Tallman (both of whom helped found Saie) recently launched skincare-makeup hybrid brand Carte Blanche exclusively at Violet Grey, with this skin tint as the hero product. I’ve been testing it out for the past month or so and have found it to be my ideal daytime complexion formula. It’s lightweight, offers flexible, illuminating coverage, and improves skin as you wear it thanks to ingredients like vitamin C, bakuchiol, and squalane. The packaging is so elevated, too: I can’t wait to check out future launches as the line expands.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Drawn This Way Eyeliner

Like the rest of the industry, I was so excited to check out the return of Marc Jacobs Beauty—with one of my top priorities being to discover whether the eyeliners live up to their predecessors. I’m happy to report that it’s instantly earned a spot in my rotation: Few liners rival how pigmented this one is, it’s easy to apply, and it actually stays for hours on my waterline. I’ve mostly been using No Shade as an everyday black hue, but I also experimented with Big Flex (a metallic silver) for a recent concert and loved the results.

Shannon Stubbs, associate commerce editor

French Farmacie Solstice C Serum

Vitamin C is my go-to ingredient in my morning skincare routine, and I’m always trying new formulas. My new favorite is this luxurious pick from French Farmacie. Instead of a standard liquid consistency, this one is a lightweight gel that applies smoothly without leaving a sticky finish behind. After just a couple of weeks of use, I’ve already noticed a brighter complexion and some post-acne marks fading even faster than usual. Aside from vitamin C, the formula is also rich in barrier-protecting antioxidants, niacinamide, and peptides to keep my complexion balanced and healthy.

Apothékary Power Trip

I am unfortunately somewhat sensitive to caffeine, so coffee in the afternoon is a no-go. When the midday slump hits, I’ve been relying on this caffeine-free energy supplement from Apothékary. I love that it doesn’t leave me jittery or anxious; instead, I feel focused and energized for hours. It also works quicker than a latte does, and the vanilla flavor tastes great.

Voesh Milky Body Serum Mist

My body care routine pales in comparison to my multi-step skincare routine for my face, so I was excited to try this innovative milky serum mist from Voesh. With ceramides, squalane, and centella, it has a light essence consistency that absorbs into the skin immediately—no need to rub it in. I like to use it before lotion on days I’m feeling extra dry, or by itself when I’m feeling lazy. It leaves a soft, soothing feel on my skin, and it’s extremely moisturizing for such a fine mist.

Omi Hair Growth Peptides

I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to hair growth supplements, but this is the first I’ve tried where I actually noticed results. After a couple of weeks, my hair is visibly thicker, fuller, and I’ve had less shedding than usual. I only have to take two a day, plus it has other daily essential vitamins (like vitamins D and B6), so I can skip my standard multivitamin.

Alyssa Kaplan, commerce editor

OPI Most Requested Collection Nail Lacquer

I’ve been painting my own nails for more than 15 years, and I have quite the collection of OPI polishes. So when the brand released this line-up of highly requested shades, I was thrilled to see new iterations of my favorites, like a shimmery version of Lincoln Park After Dark. The brand also brought back old staples, like Vodka & Caviar.

Abbode Signature Croc Pouch

Customizable accessories are great gifts for treating yourself or loved ones, and no brand is doing it better than Abbode right now. I’ve been loving my new Croc Pouch to house my toiletries when traveling: It’s durable, and the process of choosing my design was so much fun.

Pureology Smooth Gloss Treatment Mask

Between having naturally frizzy hair and the amount of heat styling I do, my ends are almost always damaged, making it essential for me to replenish moisture whenever possible. This hair mask from Pureology has a silky-smooth texture that distributes evenly, detangles effectively, and leaves my hair looking visibly shinier and feeling softer.

Cuyana Mini System Tote

Cherry red is trending this fall, and as someone with a relatively neutral wardrobe, incorporating the color in the form of accessories is my favorite way to go. I adore this mini tote from Cuyana: It’s small (but still functional), has high-quality leather, and the rich cherry shade is fun but somehow still neutral.