The Lip Gloss That's Making Me Like Gloss Again
I'm not thrilled about most of the '90s fashion trends that are popular right now. I wore chokers and tiny backpacks the first time they were cool and they remind me of homeroom, Limited Too, terrible bangs and everything else about junior high that makes me cringe. (Needless to say, this meme hit way too close to home.)
For the same reason, I haven't been 100 percent onboard with the recent lip gloss revival. The constant reapplication and sticky finish were pains in the ass back in the day and I dare say, things haven't changed much. The gloss that I make an exception for is Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss, $19. The plant-based oils that make this product glossy aren't the least bit sticky — in fact, they feel more like skin care than makeup.
I'm a big fan of the shade Papa Don't Peach, a warm, peachy nude with just enough brown to appear of-the-moment without making me feel like a mall rat. —Katie McCarthy
The Color-Correcting Purple Toothpaste That Brightens My Smile
This $40 toothpaste gave me whiter teeth after the first brush and I will never stop using it.
I’m a girl that wears minimal makeup but is obsessed with skin care. I’m also a girl whose day is 90 percent smiling and laughter, so a whiter, brighter smile has always been a goal of mine. As a beauty editor, I’ve been offered laser upon laser upon laser of teeth whitening treatments and products to try over the years but the truth is, I was hesitant to try.
Laser treatments seem scary. People cry of sensitivities that never go away and you can only eat white foods after the procedure, which just seems like a hassle. And while there’s the less scary counterpart, whitening strips, I’ve heard mixed reviews and just didn’t have the guts to try it.
When I heard of the purple toothpaste that whitens your teeth, POPWHITE Whitening Primer Toothpaste and Whitening Toner Oral Rinse, $39, I had to try it. A toothpaste can’t be painful or cause spotting on my pearly whites so it seemed like a safe try. Since brushing my teeth with this vibrant paste, I haven’t gone back to Crest.
POPWHITE is a toothpaste and primer (which is like a mouthwash) duo that uses color science, not peroxide, to whiten teeth. Think of it like color-correcting makeup. We swipe on one color to cancel out the other and the imperfections suddenly disappear. This dynamic pair does just that. The purple color of the paste and toner cancel out yellow stains or tints on your teeth so they appear whiter. I received compliments on a whiter smile after the first time using it and I can totally tell a difference when I have to swap it for another paste.
If you want a whiter smile in minutes sans the harsh and sensitivity-altering ingredients, head over to Amazon and order it now (preferably 2-day shipping). — Andrea Jordan
The Under-$6 Body Wash That Makes Me Want to Shower Again and Again
Olay Cleansing Infusion Crushed Ginger Body Wash, $5.74, cleanses well. It leaves skin soft. It has little scrubby beads in it so you get a mini exfoliation every time you wash. OK. Great. But who are we kidding? The reason we love a particular body wash over another is because of the smell, am I right? And let me tell you: This one smells like HEAVEN. It has a gorgeous fresh-ginger scent that lingers ever-so-slightly on your skin. I actually find myself sniffing my forearm throughout the day to catch a whiff. It's that good! — Alyssa Hertzig
The Serum That Saved My Swollen, Irritated Eyes
This winter, I went into a six-week tailspin of irritated, swollen, flaky eyes after an unfortunate reaction to a new laundry detergent. Not only did I look terrible but the area around my eyes felt so raw and inflamed and I looked like I had aged 20 years overnight. I tried every product I could find to break the cycle — creams, salves, balms, oils, serums — but nothing soothed my sensitive eyes (other than Aquaphor, which I slathered on hourly). That is, until I tried Dermalogica Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum, $55.
From the moment I applied the fluid around my eyes, I knew it was different. There was no burn or sting like other eye treatments I had tried. It felt instantly calming and soothing on my fragile skin — I could almost feel it repairing my compromised skin barrier. After applying twice daily, my eyes were completely healed in just a few days. All signs of puffiness, dryness and redness were miraculously gone.
Now that I finally have my pre-allergy eyes back and the dehydration lines have vanished, the serum has become part of my regular a.m. and p.m. routine, along with Dermaologica Intensive Eye Repair, $59. Applied together, I've managed to prevent any relapses and the entire area around my eyes feels soft, bouncy and moisturized all day (and night) long. My eyes have never been happier!—Jennifer Davidson
The Toner That Hits Refresh on My Complexion
Here's when I knew Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel, $34, was HG: When daylight savings combined with miscellaneous poor life choices had me staring down the barrel of 3.5 hours of sleep, I swiped on a quick layer of this stuff onto my dull, dry skin before bed as a sort of Hail Mary.
Friends, it worked. I woke up the next day with, yes, tired eyes, but also with plump, glowing skin that was about as flawless as it gets (for me, anyway). Since I've started using it, I've noticed a general improvement in skin texture, as well as a diminishment of my acne scars and I like how moisturizing it is too. You see, in addition to the glycolic and lactic acids, the formula also boasts hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as botanical extracts to boost your skin health and, of course, the probiotics that are Tula's signature calling card.
It's worth pointing out that I always treat skin care acids with caution but despite the high content of glycolic acid, this hasn't had any adverse effects for me (though I don't use it every day and I'm definitely extra careful with my sunscreen). At any rate, glow tonics are on the rise — is it something you'd try? — Rosie Narasaki
To see more of my skin care and beauty faves, follow me on Instagram @rosienarasaki
Cover Image via @tula
