For the Seeker of Celebrity Skin
Try: Beis x Shani Darden Wander & Glow Kit, $138
In Hollywood, it doesn't get more insider than a facial by Shani Darden, the esthetician responsible for the marquee complexions of Jessica Alba and Chrissy Teigen (and with whom a treatment in her impossibly chic Beverly Hills skin studio is one of the hottest tickets in town). The icon teamed up with client and Beis founder Shay Mitchell to offer a taste of the Shani Darden experience in the form of four of her eponymous skin care products (including the famous Retinol Reform), housed in a custom vegan leather Beis bag that could easily be toted to brunch.
For Handwashing Sessions That Smell Like Spa Time
Try: Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash Refillable Glass, $35
Count 2020 as the year when hand hygiene finally got its due. With handwashing happening at a stepped up rate, soap selection has become key: If the right scent can transform the increasingly frequent chore into a moment of zen, then why not splurge for a hand soap that feels like a vacation, even just for a moment? This one makes hands smell like a NorCal redwood forest right after the rain and is made with soy-derived glycerine, organic coconut, olive and sunflower oils, aloe and shea butter. (No wonder it's sold out five times since March.)
For the Skin-Positive Gen Z-er
Try: Topicals Duo, $56
Show us temperamental skin and we'll show you countless products clinically positioned to to aggressively fight it. But one look at TikTok proves that Gen Z knows another way, wherein the path to a glowy complexion is forged with natural formulations meant to nurture the symptoms of acne, rosacea, eczema and hyperpigmentation. Enter Topicals, a skin care brand started by two Gen Zers that's formulated to gently care for flare-ups without perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards along the way (we're looking at you, glass skin and so-called perfect complexions). Its first two products: a botanically-driven, whipped calming mask and brightening serum that happens to double as a moisturizer and makeup primer for oily skin types.
For a Complexion Like Angelina's
Try: Dermbasics RR Perfection Cream, $59
Judging from the simple packaging or Dermbasics brand name alone, one would never guess that this is the skin care range favored by A-listers like Angelina Jolie. But after using the low-key products, we can see why. Created by dermatologist Rhonda Rand (who counts Jolie as a patient), this line of cleansers, serums, moisturizers and exfoliators is as efficacious as it is a delight to use. One of Jolie's favorite products (and incidentally, ours, too) is this oil, fragrance, and paraben-free BB cream, which provides mineral SPF 50 and counts vitamin C, biotin, green tea polyphenols and hydrating ceramides among its top ingredients. It leaves zero white cast and a demi-matte finish on skin, but feels like silk to the touch, making it the perfect no-makeup makeup for blue light-emitting Zoom calls and outdoor wear.
For the Gadget Lover
Try: Priori Unveiled Flexible LED Light Therapy Mask, $395
Have a friend who's dead set on turning her bathroom into a medspa-inspired treatment room? This LED Mask will help get her there while reducing inflammation. Unlike most LED masks made for in-home use, this one is flexible and made to better fit the curves of a face, like a sheet mask. But unlike sheet masks, it emits LED light at two wavelengths (633 nm for red light and 830 nm for near-infrared light) to stimulate collagen and elastin production, stoke blood flow and address inflammation.
In the brand's own clinical tests, 95 percent of participants reported improvement in skin tone and texture after a month of regular use — and we can see why. We noticed redness around the nose and mouth temporarily vanish immediately after each of our first few sessions. What's more, using is about as easy as booking a facial online: Velcro closure for the wrap-around mask makes for a snug and comfortable fit; beginning a session is as easy as pressing a button; an internal timer powers the mask down after 10-minute period; and recharging the device is done through USB.
Though its LED lights may not be as strong or efficacious as those found professional devices, the ease of use and per-session cost is something that will keep your favorite facial fiend happy for countless "treatments" to come.
