The Fragrance-Free Moisturizer That Keeps My Sensitive Skin Hydrated
A few months back, I developed an annoying, stubborn bout of dermatitis (which is basically a fancy way of saying "facial redness that would. Not. Go. Away.") We couldn't figure out the cause, so my dermatologist had me been cut out any products containing fragrance... which is easier said than done, since fragrance is in almost every single beauty product out there! I basically needed to do a complete and total overhaul of my beauty routine, pretty much overnight. CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, $17.99, is the fragrance-free moisturizer I switched to and I instantly fell in love. It's gentle, super lightweight, and totally non-greasy, but still hydrates really well — perfect for my combination skin. And I love it has SPF 30, too. Even though the redness has now cleared up, I'm definitely going to make sure this awesome lotion sticks around in my routine. — Alyssa Hertzig
Cover image via @cerave
The Lip "Ink" That Wears Forever and Feels Like Air
Judging from the Instagram stories of pretty much all the other beauty editors I follow, Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lip Color, $9.49, is the real deal.
Despite the endless stream of rave reviews, I was hesitant to try it — mainly because longwear lip colors don't tend to mix well with my perpetually chapped lips. But desperate for a moody crimson one day, I spotted the shade Founder on my desk and finally decided to take it out for a spin.
And reader, I fell in love.
The first thing I found myself swooning over was the shade — even sheered out and applied with a finger, Founder brought the retro drama. Then, there was the staying power, which really does seem to defy logic: Even after layering over a coat or two of balm (Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter, $6.99, is my go-to at the moment), drinking a La Croix and a Diet Coke and eating a rather messy burrito for lunch, it stuck around. Yes, it was slightly drying, but the fact that it can be sandwiched between coats of lip balm helps to offset that.
Suffice it to say, these lippies live up to the hype — and with an extensive shade range and a wallet-friendly price point, it may just be time to stock up. — Rosie Narasaki
Cover image via @maybelline
The Nifty Shampoo I Never Travel Without
Suffice it to say, whether I'm roughing it or traveling in the lap of luxury, I've developed a list of must-have beauty products that I always take with me. These products allow me to look and feel my best when I have limited tools and resources at my disposal. One such product is Lush Shampoo Bar, $11.95.
My first thought when I saw the tiny, circular bar was, "There is no way this is going to clean my hair without stripping it and drying it out." Luckily, I couldn't have been more wrong. Take the soapy disk into the shower and wet your hair. Rub the bar between your hands until a nice foamy lather forms and rub that into your hair (alternatively, you can also scrub the bar right into your scalp). Lush offers many different formulas to choose from, but my favorite is Seanik. The turquoise-hued bar has a pleasant oceanic scent and contains two types of seaweed to soften your hair.
The bar gets strands squeaky clean, while leaving them truly soft and easy to run a comb through. It's also gentle enough to use on color-treated hair without causing any fading. My favorite part about the shampoo, though, is that it comes in a tiny metal tin that fits so compact into your travel case — meaning you never need to worry about a spill (Lush also offers solid conditioners to keep your toiletries extra light). Also, one bar will last you a very long time — mine's been with me on quite a few trips already and shows no signs of slowing down.
I no longer have to shell out a fortune on tiny travel sized bottles or spend half a day trying to funnel full-sized products into refillable travel bottles. Nowadays when I'm jet-setting, my hair is soft, shiny, full of volume... and my travel kit is compact and spill-free.
To see more of my beauty and travel favorites, follow me on Instagram @hannah_savin
Cover image via @lushcosmetics
This Funky Face Oil Works Small Miracles
If you've used Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil, $80, you know it has a singular fragrance. Made with tea tree oil and black cumin seed oil, the scent is something like acne cream mixed with tacos — a strange brew that smells particularly funky when you've got a hangover, as I was the first time I tried it. Oof.
I'm glad I got over my hang-ups about the smell. This is the most effective face oil I've ever tried. It's kept my skin clear, smooth and hydrated through a harsh winter. Plus its brightening ingredients (licorice root and hexylresorcinol) have helped fade dark spots that persisted against years of IPL treatments and Retin-A.
If I stop using U.F.O. for a few days, the consequences are immediate: My skin becomes sallow, uneven and sad. In other words, I'm fully committed to it now. Taco face for life. — Katie McCarthy
Cover image via @sundayriley
The Goof-Proof Eyeliner That Makes Cat Eyes Simple
"I'm a bit of a liquid liner aficionado and CoverGirl Intensify Me Liquid Eyeliner, $7, has been my absolute favorite for years now. Sure, I try new ones as they launch, and they're...fine. But I always, always come back to this one. Here's why I love it: It has a deep, inky black color that goes on strong and doesn't bleed or transfer. But the best part is that it's so freaking easy to use! The unique, rubbery tip is paddle shaped and glides along your lids easily every time. I get a perfect line — ultra-thin and natural or graphic and more dramatic — with minimal effort required." — Alyssa Hertzig
Cover image via @covergirl
