11-05-2025
Beauty Products I've Raved About Lately
L'Oréal's Lip Plump is what finally convinced me that the $30+ lip oils and plumpers at Sephora will never reel me in again. This stuff is so creamy, surprisingly hydrating, and provides a super subtle plump that doesn't look like you were attacked by 1,000 tiny bees like other similar formulas.
I have the super popular Dior Lip Glow Oil, which is nice and definitely makes me feel fancy, but the super sheer tint and goopy texture make its $40 price tag tough to repurchase. However, this L'Oreal gloss not only has way better color payoff and shine but also smells way better — like a sweet vanilla that's not overly cloying. Milky Nu is the one I reach for when I just want a subtle pink shine, and Worth It is such a stunning rosy-mauve shade that it gives Clinique's Black Honey a run for its money. Promising review: "Obsessed with this lip plumper! After hearing it was similar to the Dior lip plumper, I bought it. I love using it by itself or adding it on top of a darker colored lipstick and it still takes effect and gives the plumping effect. The color is great and has a beautiful shimmer to it!" —Chloe it from Amazon for $10.97 (available in 10 shades).
Conair's The Knot Dr. smoothing dryer brush might be my favorite new beauty find in the past few months. I love this little multitasking miracle so much. My hair does not take to blow-dryers well — even with a good heat protectant and diligent brushing, I can never get my wavy hair to look how I want it to. But with this?!! Pure magic happens.
I start by spraying a heaping dose of my fave heat-protectant (Garnier's Grow Strong Thickening Spray is SO good, and it's even great for re-styling second-day hair), then brush through on high heat for a few seconds to get rid of excess moisture, then switch to medium heat for a few minutes until it's mostly dry to the touch. It's oddly soothing to use — and I have actually started to receive compliments on my hair for once in my life!!Promising reviews: "I love this blow dryer brush! I have more of 4b/4c hair type (shoulder length) and it works very well. Before, I would really dread blow-drying my hair because of trying to detangle, but this brush helps tremendously. It doesn't take long to blow-dry and detangle my hair anymore." —AisiaGet it from Amazon for $31.10.
The Roc Vitamin C Eye Balm is the rare impulse TikTok purchase that actually lives up to the hype. I saw one of my fave TikTok makeup influencers, Erica Taylor, raving about it, saying that it acts as a perfect base for concealer and helps minimize creasing. Even on no-makeup days, I still reach for it since the stick format makes it so easy to apply, and it even has a bit of a cooling, de-puffing effect.
Thanks to vitamin C and peptides, it's meant to help brighten and firm the skin, though I admittedly haven't used it long enough to see any super noticeable results. As for the concealer primer claims, it's a keeper. It absorbs super quickly, and I definitely notice a reduction in creasing at the end of the day. But let's be real, under-eye creases are normal, and concealer is 100% gonna end up in there no matter what. But! This definitely stops it from getting that dry, cracked look that screams "I'm wearing concealer!!!"Promising review: "Magic in a tube! On days when my under-eyes are a little dry and my concealer is starting to look cakey, this stuff is amazing. It's super moisturizing, lightweight, and easy to apply. Just swipe, tap in, and your concealer will go on super smooth." —JenniferGet it from Amazon for $33.99.
And Charlotte Tilbury's Under-Eye Color Corrector does the impossible — it covers my ridiculously dark circles that refuse to be concealed. I've tried everything to lighten my dark circles, and this is the only color corrector I've found that actually cancels out the blues and purples in my under-eye area! This is the closest I've ever felt to discovering magic.
I was a little nervous when I first opened this since it's a cream consistency, and cream concealers are typically a one-way ticket to Cakey Makeup Town on my dry skin. However, if I use my finger to apply, it melts like butter and looks SO skin-like, which is surprising for how vibrantly peach it looks in the pan. Honestly, I could skip concealer if I wanted to — it's that good. Charlotte is 100% a wizard, and you cannot tell me review: "This cream is truly vanishing for under-eye darkness. I don't even need concealer or foundation with it there! Blurs over fine lines perfectly. I wish I started using this years ago!" —msutherlandGet it from Sephora for $32 (available in four shades).
And! Nyx's Bare With Me Concealer Serum is the hidden gem in the drugstore concealer world — and yes, I've tried Maybelline and still stand firm on this! The name "serum concealer" drew me in. Doesn't that sound super light and hydrating? Well, it is! It's a perfect sheer-to-medium coverage that's super easy to blend (especially with a Beauty Blender, I'm a BB truther when it comes to complexion products) and easy to build up to your perfect coverage level.
I've been trying everything from Haus Labs to Natasha Denona to Kosas, and honestly, this NYX concealer has impressed me the most due to its super affordable price. I think higher-end brands hold up slightly better during a full day (of the three I mentioned, Haus Labs is the best mix of long-lasting and smooth-looking), but this is so foolproof that I find myself reaching for it the most!Promising review: "Hydrating, but excellent coverage. I have only used one other concealer before, and it was the Maybelline Fit Me. I use this to cover any blemishes that pop up (pimples, etc.). I like this application better because the pump is cleaner and does not make contact with my skin. I also really like the consistency, it feels more liquidy, but it applies thicker. It is moisturizing, but also has good coverage. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY, so do start with a quarter pump first." —FYLGet it from Amazon for $8.52+ (available in 15 shades).
John Frieda's Secret Weapon Touch Up Creme — I swear by this stuff for making my hair waaaaaaayyyy more manageable in between washes. Finding a leave-in you can use on fully dried hair is surprisingly tricky, but this one is designed specifically for that! It's super easy to spread through (even when my hair is at the "you really need a haircut" point), and it softens it just enough to re-style without looking overly wet.
The best part? No crunchy residue!!! I hardly feel like I put anything in my hair at the end of the day, though it does feel a bit softer and less frizzy. Honestly, "secret weapon" is such a good name — if I weren't such a good person, I would gatekeep it so it stays in stock and under $10 review: "My hair is an untamed mess in the Key West humidity. This product works well and keeps my hair looking good without being too goopy." —KeyWestMikeGet it from Amazon for $7.47.
Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream, because I've recently realized my décolletage also deserves some special skincare attention. I've been a skincare fanatic for years, but the thought of taking extra care of my neck hasn't hit me until recently. The rave reviews finally convinced me to give this cream a go, and the fact that it contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells was a welcome bonus. I love it so far! It absorbs quickly but feels very hydrating, and it's affordable enough that I don't feel bad slathering on enough to reach my chest as well.
Promising review: "My dry neck and the annoying itchiness I used to experience have completely gone away after using this cream. It's not only soothing, but it also feels like it's really nourishing my skin. The firming benefits are a bonus! I highly recommend this product to anyone dealing with dryness or discomfort in their neck and chest area. It's become a must-have in my skincare routine." —JAcostaGet it from Amazon for $11.97 (also available in a two-pack).
Merit's Flush Balm Cream Blush is the most creamy and effortlessly blendable blush I've ever tried. The only way I can describe it is that it ~becomes one with the skin~ once you start blending. Like, it genuinely looks like a natural flush and not a smattering of color randomly applied on your cheekbones.
I have it in the shades Bespoke (my fave of the bunch, a pink-brown that sheers out into a natural flushed shade on my skin tone), Archival (a cool mauve that's super subtle and foolproof), and Stockholm (a bright baby pink that sheers out to an "aw shucks, I'm embarrassed!" flush. It's the most vibrant and obviously "blushy" of the three, but still easily blendable). I highly recommend using a brush to blend this since the formula is pretty sheer — I used Elf's Dual-Ended Cream and Powder brush in the photos above. Promising review: "This brand really does well with shades and creaminess of product. It feels less like makeup and more like skincare. I love this as well as their lip oils, especially in Marrakech color." —yas786Get it from Sephora and Merit for $30 (available in 12 shades at Sephora and 13 at Merit).
Sheer nail concealers and polishes have become all the rage lately, and Nails Inc.'s Glow and Grow base coat is the most gorgeous of the bunch. One coat of this gives me perfectly shiny nails that catch the light like a diamond (and make them a compliment magnet), while two coats build it up to a sheer baby pink that provides a "my nails, but better" hint of color.
This typically lasts me a full week before fading or chipping, but that depends on how much hand-dish-washing is happening 😂. Also, this dries FAST — it totally lives up to its 45-second dry time claim. That makes it super easy to add extra layers. I typically stop at two to keep it on the sheer side, but reviewers say three to four is the sweet spot for a more vibrant color. I haven't used it long enough to notice substantial strengthening results, but it has noticeably softened some rough spots that were wrecked by a gel review: "I am very happy with this polish.... It actually dries very quickly, doesn't chip easily, and looks like gel polish even though it isn't. The color is buildable and very shiny. It is better than many similar products I have used that are way more expensive." —Kristin it from Amazon for $7.99.
And Sally Hansen's cuticle oil has been a staple in my nighttime routine for months. I usually hate cuticle oils — they take forever to absorb! Thankfully, this comes in a lightweight, mess-free solid balm that soaks in almost instantly. It starts as a balm but melts into a lotion-like texture infused with aloe, safflower, and vitamin E.
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE this stuff! It smells great, goes on smoothly, and lasts for a while and conditions my dry cuticles between hand washings. I wash my hands a lot at work, so I get very dried out — my cuticles are a mess. This stuff works like a charm." —Michelle it from Amazon for $8.49.
A bottle of hair-building fibers — allow this reviewer to take the words right out of my mouth: "WHAT IN THE HAIR SORCERY IS GOING ON?!" The sorcery in question is the tiny fibers made with follicle-mimicking molecules that grab onto your hair strands and make it look like you took a magical overnight hair growth serum.
I have become OBSESSED with this stuff for covering the bald spot my thirties have so graciously gifted me. It is so simple to sprinkle into any thinning areas (yes, even by yourself! Though I typically hold up a hand mirror behind my head while looking in another mirror to get a better idea of where to aim the container). I've never had any issues with it fading or sweating off, though I typically do a super light spritz of hairspray just in works best in thinning areas on the crown and partline, and if you're in between two shades, the brand recommends going with the darker option. To use, just sprinkle over the desired area and pat it in. It'll wash out with your next shampoo. Promising reviews: "I have thinning hair due to a number of medical issues (thyroid, chemo), with the majority of bald/thin spots at the crown. The color match was perfect, and it's very easy to apply to the bare spots. It sprinkles on easily and covers wonderfully. I pat it into place and finish with hairspray, and I'm good to go." —mozart8"I have AA 4c hair that I recently cut super short. When it was long, my thin spots around the hairline were concealed. So, with my hair short, they were apparent and made me self-conscious. I purchased Boldify with just a little skepticism. I am so glad I purchased it. The application is easy and does not stain clothing. Be careful not to scratch your head throughout the day because you will see the dark coloring under your fingernails. It is a large bottle for the price. I will continue to buy and recommend." —Jza JzaGet it from Amazon for $11.16+ (available in four sizes and a two-pack, and in 14 colors).
Stila's corrective primer is one of those products I will never be without and will write several letters if it's ever discontinued. It's just sooooo easy and effective for lightly color-correcting uneven skintone thanks to the green, purple, and peach hues that neutralize redness, counteract yellow tones, and brighten your overall complexion. This is an everyday essential, even if I'm not wearing makeup and just want to smooth out my skin quickly.
Promising review: "I am so in love with this product! It really corrects and evens out my skin a magic primer. It's the first step and everything that follows is completely easy. You don't have to worry about blending your makeup, because this already does that for you. It's a bit pricey, just like other Stila products, but truly, a little goes a long way. You will only need half a pump per use." —sarah paulsonGet it from Amazon for $36 (available in four shades. The shades Light and Kitten are similar, but Kitten has a radiant, glowy finish and the peach shade leans a bit more pink for extra brightening).
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil — it's become the holy grail of brow pencils, and there's definitely a reason. It's incredibly easy to blend and lasts for a long time, even without brow gel. Also, raise your hand if you've ever had a brow pencil break on you. 🙋♂️ Fortunately, this one is sturdy yet thin enough to make realistic hair-like strokes.
The pencil itself has never broken while I was using it (I've had many a brow pencil from drugstore brands snap in half before I even use it two times), and the spoolie at the end is softer than similar pencils, allowing for more precise blending and less redness-causing review: "I've been looking for something for years that would work on my wiry, coarse, and sparse eyebrows. I never understood how people were achieving beautiful brows. I tried every drugstore product from powders to mascara-style gels to pencils. I got close with a thin-tipped eyebrow pencil, but it was waxy and came out too thick. This Anastasia eyebrow pencil is AMAZING. I finally found something that gives me the look I've been trying to find. It's not waxy, it goes on smooth, and puts down enough color. The color shade is also great. The spoolie at the end is not wimpy, and it's stiff enough to work well on coarse brows. I just love it." —ChelseaGet it from Amazon for $25 (available in 12 shades).
And Nyx's extreme hold eyebrow gel I would probably recommend to Anastasia Beverly Hills herself. Unlike the countless brow gels collecting dust in my makeup drawer, this one dries down without a sticky finish and never flakes throughout the day. The clear formula is pretty foolproof and the one I reach for most often, but the tinted ones are also great when I want a sheer hint of color on lazy days.
Promising review: "OK, I was skeptical as I love my ABH Brow Freeze. But a friend did my makeup and used it, and I was really impressed. So, I got some and played with it on my own. It is so much smoother to glide through my brows. I work it through back and front, then again with a clean spoolie. I LOVE the results. It also washes out really well (even if I don't use a makeup wipe)." —Miss JordanGet it from Amazon for $8.42+ (available in five shades).
Saie's Cream Bronzer feels like it was sent down to me on a cloud from the makeup heavens — it's a cream bronzer that doesn't look yellow or orange on my fair skin!! I was about to give up on bronzer before I finally gave this a try, and its creamy, blendable texture and sheer coverage won me over.
Honestly, bronzer is my least favorite part of my routine: it's so easy to overapply and look muddy. However, I've really been enjoying dipping my brush in this, tapping on the back of my hand to work it into the brush, then lightly tapping it along my hairline and across my cheeks. It's super sheer and foolproof, making it an excellent option for bronzer beginners — or people like me who could share a foundation shade with Casper the review: "It is very easy to blend and looks natural. It gives a hint of color and life to the face. I'm not very skilled when it comes to makeup, but I can put this on without looking patchy." —Carla PGet it from Amazon for $32 (available in six shades).
Marc Anthony's anti-breakage hair mask finally convinced me to stop wasting my time with the new, trendy formulas that pop up at Sephora every few months. Yes, even Kerastase was just "meh" for me, especially for the price. But this Marc Anthony mask does everything I need — it makes my hair feel softer than typical conditioner and has argan oil, keratin, caffeine, and ginseng to help stimulate my scalp and add a little extra volume.
Promising review: "This product has restored our hair! I have thin, broken, frizzy hair, and my daughter has thin, curly, and very damaged hair. We have VERY hard water where we live and have tried sooooo many different products. This one was a game changer! Results get better with each use!!! We use this as a hair mask, and our results are better than anything we've gotten from treatments at salons or from other products. After several uses, we could brush our hair and not see bits of it on the floor after, and when we straighten our hair, it feels like soft silk! Bye-bye, straw hair! Seriously, it made our hair stronger, smoother, and more manageable. We wish we would have found this product sooner. Currently, we no longer use it three times per week as we only need it once a week for maintenance. We have purchased our third just that good!!!" —NewAdventures1981Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
A set of YSE Beauty eye masks that solve my biggest beef with typical eye masks — THEY ACTUALLY STAY IN PLACE!!! I can do the dishes or a load of laundry without these flying off every time I look down!! They're also formulated with vitamin C to help brighten dark circles (there's definitely an instant glow, though it's temporary), glycerin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
I've noticed my concealer even tends to look a bit smoother if I have time to pop these on beforehand — and it also has to work less hard since my under-eyes are slightly brightened! Psst! The painting on my wall is by Lucia Heffernan! You can grab the canvas on a box of six pairs from YSE Beauty for $36.
Clairol Advanced Gray Solutions Semi-Permanent Hair Color — y'all, my barber complimented my dye job after I used this and asked me to show him what brand I used! If that's not the highest praise a hair dye can receive, I don't know what is. I'm a bit scared of traditional permanent dyes since they've led to some damage and hair fallout for me in the past, but this semi-permanent formula is free of ammonia, and I've had no problems using it every few weeks.
Since it's a semi-permanent dye, it simply coats the surface of your hair shaft instead of lifting it the way permanent dyes do. It also couldn't be easier to apply since it's premixed in the bottle — just squirt some out, spread it evenly on clean, dry hair, then let it sit for 25 minutes before rinsing. If you're new to the world of at-home coloring, I recommend getting gloves, a cape to cover your shoulders, and placing Aquaphor around your hairline to avoid dying your skin. The only downside with semi-permanent dyes is that they don't last quite as long, so I typically have to use this about twice a month to keep it looking vibrant — but it takes less than an hour from start to finish, so it's so convenient that I don't mind the upkeep. Promising review: "Wonderful semi-permanent hair color that provides rich, deep coverage for my lil' grays without harsh chemicals. The formula is gentle and conditioning, leaving my hair feeling soft while delivering a natural-looking, dark espresso shade." —Sandra it from Amazon for $7.90 (available in nine shades).
Curel's lotion designed specifically for wet skin has a permanent place in my shower until the end of time. I hate, hate, hate applying body lotion on dry skin. In my perfect world, lotion would absorb the moment it hits your skin. This is the next best thing! I thought smoothing a lotion over wet skin would feel even worse, but it's SO easy to spread and my skin drinks it up. Then I just lightly pat dry and am left with soft (not greasy!) skin.
Oh, and the oatmeal extract does wonders for my allergy-prone skin that tends to get irritated when the seasons review: "I was having some unidentified itching and saw this. I have been using it as the directions suggest and it is working. Putting it on while your skin is wet sounds counterproductive, but it works and you don't use as much product." —Lulu43Get it from Amazon for $15.49.
Cerave's Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the ultimate beginner-friendly, gentle retinol and the one I've recommended time and time again. What does retinol do? The work is mysterious and important. Just kidding, it's not mysterious at all: retinol helps speed up your skin's cell turnover process, which will help reveal plumper, smoother-looking skin while refining your pores and fading dark spots. Also, dermatologists are obsessed with it. I wholeheartedly agree with them — introducing retinol to my routine has evened my skin tone and made everything much smoother with continued use.
I love this stuff so much that I once wrote an ode to it — read it here! But PLEASE do not use this every night if this is your first time using retinol — start slowly with just a couple of nights a week, then increase once you feel your skin is adjusted. And as always, wear SPF during the day!!! But you knew that!Promising review: "I'm finally giving this a review after using up my first bottle, and I actually reordered my second one. That's how much I like it. I have sensitive skin, and I hate the feeling of residual residue on my skin, especially on my face, after applying anything (hence why I rarely wear makeup). I'm in my early forties, and I noticed that I've been getting sun spots (which I like to think are "freckles") on my cheeks, which were never there before. One pump goes a long way and covers the entire face and under my chin area. Very light feel on the skin and absorbs fairly fast...I like the results that it's giving me. My face looks more even, toned, and moisturized, and my pores seem to have diminished a little in appearance since I first used it. I don't get little dry patches on the skin on my cheeks anymore due to the harsh water here in Houston, TX. Again, it's really based on your skin routine, how consistent you are, how well you follow its instructions, and being realistic with your expectations. Overall, I like the product very much and will continue to use it, so I hope it never gets discontinued :)" —NefraGet it from Amazon for $18.68.
