We Tested Three of the Internet’s Buzziest Skincare Launches. Do You Need Them?

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

What We Tested…

• Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer ($26)

• Rhode Glazing Mist ($30)

• Fur Flash Repair Jelly ($36)

Why Martha Tested...

Test Results…

• Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer: This is somewhere between a hydrating essence, serum, and lightweight moisturizer. I love this product as someone who typically has a hard time finding barrier-boosting products without niacinamide (which my skin hates). Every ingredient is better than the last, from glycerin to ceramides to propanediol to squalane. My skin drinks this up, especially at night before I apply a thicker moisturizer on top. I didn’t like using this in the morning, since I felt like it gave me a glazed donut look that I prefer at night. I also love that it’s fragrance-free and smells like absolutely nothing (as some fragrance-free formulas can still have a scent). Bonus points for the minimalist packaging.

• Rhode Glazing Mist: This mist is the mist I didn’t know I needed. It makes my skin look glowy and plump enough to go without makeup. It has ceramides and a mushroom-derived humectant, which are deeply hydrating. I spritzed this on after a long flight, and I swear I could feel my skin smiling, it was so happy. One important note: It has a mild bark-like smell, likely due to the magnolia extract derived from the bark of magnolia trees, but I don’t mind it. You have to hand it to Mrs. Bieber, her skincare products work (and the packaging looks stunning on a bathroom counter).

• Fur Flash Repair Jelly: When you use this product correctly, it does reduce irritation after shaving, thanks to the hypochlorous acid. However, the directions suggest that you can apply it directly after shaving, and I would not recommend this. I shaved my underarms and bikini line, applied this immediately after stepping out of the shower, and it burned so badly that I had to rinse it off. I do like the consistency though, and it was easy to apply.

Why Margo Tested…

Test Results….

• Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer: I have yet to dislike a Prequel product, and this lightweight moisturizer is another one I’m happy to have in my rotation. It’s perfect for lazy skincare days when you want to put something on your face that’s hydrating, without having to go through a whole routine. Martha noted that she didn’t like it in the mornings, but I actually love it as a simple, no-frills step. In the mornings, I wear it on its own, while at night I treat it like a serum and layer it underneath a thicker moisturizer. In the summer you can totally get away with wearing this on its own. Not to mention, the pricing of this dermatologist-owned brand is unbeatable.

• Rhode Glazing Mist: I went into testing this mist thinking it wasn’t going to be anything special…because how impactful can a facial mist be? Wow, I was so wrong. This might be my favorite product from Rhode, and if you haven’t tried the brand, this is actually what I’d recommend you start with. This mist is insanely hydrating, so much so that you can feel a slight residue on your skin (not in a bad way). It adds a luminosity and glow that’s genuinely stunning — whether you’re wearing makeup or going bare-faced. I also love how fine the mist is, which makes it feel extra luxurious.

• Fur Flash Repair Jelly: Like Martha, I feel iffy about this product, and because of that, I don’t think it’s worth the $36 price tag. The directions are definitely misleading, and I too experienced a burning sensation post-shave that didn’t feel right. I also don’t want to have to wait and proactively apply it the next day to cut sensitivity. I prefer a hypochlorous acid mist as opposed to a gel. It’s easy to spray and forget about it, and you can find many that are cheaper than this one. For the bikini area, I prefer to put said spray on a cotton pad and gently pat.

Sidenotes…

• Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer: We both felt that this product is thicker than we thought it would be, but if you pat it into the skin and let it dry between steps, it soaks in nicely.

• Rhode Glazing Mist: It has a slight tingling quality, but not in a burning or skin-tightening way.

• Fur Flash Repair Jelly: We think this is best applied the day after shaving or when you have current irritation to soothe it. If you don’t mind applying it a day after shaving, this product might be for you.

The Fine Details…

• Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer ($26)

• Rhode Glazing Mist ($30)

• Fur Flash Repair Jelly ($36)

• Shop Prequel products at prequelskin.com, Amazon, and both in-store and online at Target.

• Shop Rhode products at rhodeskin.com and both in-store and online at Sephora.

• Shop Fur at furyou.com and Amazon.