Right now, I'm going through a horrible breakup with all of my favorite beauty products.
I'm not alone, either. All of us Total Beauty editors are taking a break from our beloved moisturizers and hair masks. The reason behind our splits? We're testing nominees for the Total Beauty Awards 2013. (You can vote for your favorite beauty products here.)
See, as beauty editors, we see literally hundreds of new products every year. Maybe thousands. But January through April is like speed dating for product junkies. We can't afford to go steady with any beauty product (no matter how amazing it is) because we have tons of new products that need our attention and review.
But here's a little secret we've all been keeping: We're totally cheating. Sure, we're giving each Beauty Awards candidate its full time, but we are also reuniting with our trusty faves every chance we get. Especially when a skin or hair tester wreaks more havoc than it does good.
To explain our longing for our all-time favorite beauty products, we each wrote little love letters explaining the top five beauty products we couldn't image life without. Read on to see which gems made the list. If it sounds like we're gushing, we are. These products are that good.
Photo 2/7
Cinya Burton, Senior Associate Editor
1. Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes, $5.99
These wipes are my everything. They are my toner, moisturizer, and makeup remover. Cleansers and serums may come and go, but these wipes are forever.
2. Benefit Magic Ink, $20
I've been fiercely loyal to Magic Ink since it came out three years ago. Obviously, the tiny brush is essential in creating a flawless cat eye. But the real reason I've stuck with it is the formula. It's pitch black and doesn't fade or smudge -- even if you leave it on (by accident!) overnight.
3. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Thermal Protect Formula, $8.99
Because I straighten my curly hair every week, I'm constantly on the hunt for a product that will protect my strands from being fried. But even through all my trials with pricey creams and serums, I always find myself reaching for this drugstore staple when it comes time to flat iron. It's just the best at keeping my hair silky and not sticky.
4. Marc Jacobs Fragrance in Biscotti
When I first sniffed this fragrance a few years ago, my first thought was this: "I've found my scent soul mate!" So you can imagine my sheer panic when I found out it was limited edition. I knew I couldn't live without it, so I stocked up like a crazy hoarder before it left shelves.
5. Neutrogena Body Clear Wash Pink Grapefruit, $7
I'm so not a morning person, which means I need a little push to get me going. I don't drink coffee, so this zesty, fresh scent is my morning pick-me-up. Plus, there's the added bonus that it also keeps my body blemish and bump-free.
Photo 3/7
Dawn Davis, New York City Beauty Editor
1. Nars Cream Eyeshadow in Zardoz, $24
I've been using this cream shadow as eyeliner since it launched ... oh, maybe seven years ago. I apply it with a liquid eyeliner brush and draw on a baby cat eye, which I wear almost every single day. It glides on easier than any gel liner -- and it stays in place incredibly well. Even though I've been using it for seven years, I'm only on my third one! How's that for a cost-per-wear bargain?
2. Tata Harper Refreshing Cleanser, $75
Tata Harper's skin care line was first featured in "Vogue" back in 2007-ish, and I instantly fell in love. She farms her own ingredients in Vermont, but her products are glamorous, not hippie-crunchy. I tried this cleanser about a year ago, and now I don't want to use anything else. It's creamy and moisturizing, but it makes my skin feel really clean and it even takes off eyeliner and mascara.
3. Pro+Therapy MD Emergence Serum, $130
I'm a sucker for high-tech skin care ingredients -- the more futuristic-sounding the better. So when I went to a media launch event for this product, I was completely blown away by the technology and I wanted to try it immediately. I ended up using the whole bottle. When I ran out, I decided to try something different, but then I noticed that the fine lines on my forehead became more noticeable. I freaked out and went back to this serum. Now I'm afraid not to use it.
4. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $39
I've been on dry shampoo detox for the last couple years (apparently, all that gunk on your hair follicles can block hair growth), and that's why I love this spray. It rejuvenates and re-volumizes my hair like a dry shampoo, but it's weightless and doesn't sit on the scalp -- plus, it has the most amazing scent of any hair product I've ever tried.
5. Rahua Voluminous Shampoo , $32 and Rahua Voluminous Conditioner, $34
Whenever I use this shampoo and conditioner I get compliments on my hair. Volume, movement, and shine -- it does it all. And it's natural. Because it's so good (and wildly expensive), I don't use it every day. Instead, I ration it for when I really need it.
Photo 4/7
Emily Popp, Associate Editor
1. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose, $22.50
I absolutely hate the feeling of dry lips. I have to re-apply lip balm constantly to keep my lips feeling acceptably soft and moisturized. This has a pretty, sheer tint and it hydrates my lips better than anything else I've tried. And I've tried a lot of stuff.
2. Benefit That Gal, $29
This is, hands down, my favorite brightening face primer that I go back to again and again. I've been using it for years and I run through it like water. It's the only face brightener I've used that actually smells nice, and it gives that perfect, natural dewy-finish. Plus, I'm a sucker for Benefit's cute packaging, but who isn't?
3. MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, $18
I would sooner leave my house in my underwear than not put on under eye concealer. I swear by this stuff because it gives the best coverage. Plus, it's one of those products where a dab will do ya, so you get a ton of mileage out of the small pot.
4. Guerlain Rose Aux Joues Blush in Pink Punk, $50
It's funny that I keep going back to this blush, because I've always been against powdered blushes. I'm a cheek stain girl through and through. But something about this "Pink Punk" color is just the right rosy shade for that perfect flushed look all day.
5. Sally Hershberger Salon Keratin RX, $24
I feel like every time I try a new hair product, it's a game of Russian roulette. So many products weigh my hair down and make it limp and heavy. But I always return to Sally Hershberger's Keratin RX spray because it is light-as-air. I spray it onto damp hair after I shower, and it leaves my hair silky smooth every single time.
Photo 5/7
Sarah Carrillo, Senior Editor
1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $7.99, and Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, $8.99
My dermatologist instructed me to use these since they're simple and won't irritate my sensitive skin. I often rebel and try the latest anti-aging/anti-oxidant/anti-whatever products, but if my skin starts breaking out or getting irritated, I always go back to these safe picks.
2. Bareminerals Blush in Celebration, $19
I got a bareMinerals starter kit to try and while I didn't fall in love with the foundation (I'm more of a tinted moisturizer/BB cream girl) I still use this blush. The shade (Celebration) is the perfect rosy hue for my skin and you only need a minuscule amount for coverage, plus it lasts all day, unlike most blushes that disappear off my face by lunchtime. The only downside is I just discovered my shade is discontinued! When this pot finally runs out I'm going to be scrambling.
3. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo, $6.49 and Conditioner, $6.49
I don't have dandruff but I do wind up with a dry, itchy scalp from time to time (thanks to my addiction to dry shampoos and volumizing sprays). This stuff moisturizes my scalp but still gives me fluffy, soft hair. Plus, it's one of my only beauty products that my husband will also use, so there's even more motivation to keep it stashed in the shower.
4. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $7.82
This has won a ton of awards and has a permanent spot under my bathroom sink. It's nothing fancy -- no pretty fragrance or swanky bottle -- but it does its job. No matter how dry my skin is, this'll get it back into shape without any irritation. I'll try a fun-scented body butter from time to time but this is still my go-to most mornings.
5. Philosophy Pure Grace Perfume, $44
I'm way too much of a fragrance slut to have a signature scent, but if I absolutely had to pick one, it would be this. I've worn it off and on for years and it's just a wonderful, light, clean scent that works for any season and any occasion. It also oddly smells like the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, which might seem like a bad thing -- but I swear it's not.
Right now, I'm going through a horrible breakup with all of my favorite beauty products.
I'm not alone, either. All of us Total Beauty editors are taking a break from our beloved moisturizers and hair masks. The reason behind our splits? We're testing nominees for the Total Beauty Awards 2013. (You can vote for your favorite beauty products here.)
See, as beauty editors, we see literally hundreds of new products every year. Maybe thousands. But January through April is like speed dating for product junkies. We can't afford to go steady with any beauty product (no matter how amazing it is) because we have tons of new products that need our attention and review.
But here's a little secret we've all been keeping: We're totally cheating. Sure, we're giving each Beauty Awards candidate its full time, but we are also reuniting with our trusty faves every chance we get. Especially when a skin or hair tester wreaks more havoc than it does good.
To explain our longing for our all-time favorite beauty products, we each wrote little love letters explaining the top five beauty products we couldn't image life without. Read on to see which gems made the list. If it sounds like we're gushing, we are. These products are that good.