Photo 79/255
This Highlighter Was the Smartest Thing I Bought on Vacation
Sensory overload caused me to make some rushed purchases on my visit to Myeong-dong. And I didn't really know what Too Cool for School's Dinoplatz Pearl Bay Invasion Highlighter, $33, was when I threw it in my basket. (A salesperson was trailing me throughout the store; TBH, I flippin' panicked.) I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be the prettiest highlighter-meets-glowtion, a product that looks and feels just as great applied as a face lotion, mixed into BB cream or dotted on as a cheekbone luminizer. I was also thrilled to find out it's packed with vitamins, omega fatty acids, and a bunch of lovely, skin-nourishing oils (olive, rosehip, peppermint, avocado and argan). Now I use it almost every day. If only all impulse buys had such a happy ending. --Katie McCarthy
Photo 80/255
The Double-Duty Blush That's Become My One-and-Only
This shimmer-laced two-toned blush delivers a natural-looking flush (thanks in part to its light-as-air texture) and a glow so ethereal, I can bench my highlighter altogether. I can't even keep track of how many people have complimented this blush or asked what I was wearing. Plus, it's buildable. The graduated striped pattern of pigment and highlighter allow me to decide how much color or radiance I want. I can sweep my brush horizontally for a rosy, glowy look, or I can concentrate my brush vertically to opt for either more of a pop of color or a heavier dose of luminosity.
If I were told it was the only blush I could wear for the rest of my life, I'd gladly comply -- which is no small feat for this commitment-phobic beauty-product hoarder. --Mary Squillace
See all of Mary's favorites on Instagram @msquillace
Photo 81/255
The Drugstore Matte Lipstick That Embodies Comfort
That is, until I discovered L'Oreal Infallible Lip Paint Matte Liquid Lipstick,$9.99. It's become my go-to matte lippie. The six ultra-flattering mattes come in the cutest little paint tubes in neutral shades from light to vampy. The enclosed applicator has a slight hooked design, which makes application easy and precise. The smooth formula evenly coats my lips, giving me a minute or two to perfect my look before it sets to its budge-proof soft matte finish. The product stays put through most of the day (though a little touch-up never hurts), and it even holds up to eating and drinking. The best part: no peeling, dried-out or irritated lips. Thanks to these pretty little tubes, I no longer stick with only glossy lips -- I can now can rock a matte lip comfortably, too.
To see more of my beauty favorites, follow me on Instagram @hannah_savin
Photo 82/255
The $6 Lip Stain That Replaced My Spendy Lipgloss
There are many reasons to love it -- there's the aforementioned pigmentation, subtle glossiness and wear time. Then, there's the fact that it's quite comfortable and adds some shine without the heavy stickiness often associated with glosses. It has a unique, watery gel texture that's quite breathable, and once the gloss fades, it settles into a beautiful, even stain.
Right now, it only comes in four colors, but that's more than enough. My personal favorite is Let's Mauve to the Beach, and the other three options are vibrantly flattering as well. --Rosie Narasaki
To see more of my beauty faves, follow me on Instagram @rosienarasaki
Photo 83/255
The Best Brow Gel on the Market Is Only $2.99
Make Me Brow is a phenomenal dupe for Glossier's best-selling Boy Brow and about 80 percent cheaper, too. Applying it takes a fraction of the time I used to spend on filling and setting my brows with pencil and gel. What I love most about Essence's product is the rock-star pigmentation; you need just the tiniest bit for each brow. And the blond shade (Blondy Brow 01) is a neutral, natural-looking hue -- with none of the brassy or green-ish tones that are common in drugstore brow products. --Katie McCarthy
Ever had a beauty product you love so much that you shook, hacked, scraped or squeezed its container until you were absolutely positive you had expended all of its precious contents? Rare indeed is the product that elicits that deliciously desperate feeling, especially in beauty editors. So when our team of beauty mavens encounters a rave-worthy product, you know it's the real deal. Herewith, our editors rattle off their "beauty empties," aka the best beauty products that they can't help but use until the last drop. Read on for their best nail polishes, hair products, skin care products and makeup now.
