By: MARISSA WU
Well folks, that was a weird headline to write, especially taking in to account the fact that I didn’t start wearing makeup until June 2023, and I didn’t have a skincare routine until I was 23 (I’m 27 now). But coming up on two years in this job, where beauty is one of the many topics I write about, I’ve had ample time to test tons of products (and call a lot of BS). The point of this post isn’t to make money: none of these are affiliate links. The point is transparency. Media people are always drowning in samples. (Seriously, I’ve told my dad that I’m *thisclose* to—jokingly—getting a mini storage unit for all the stuff I’m sitting on. Literally—my bed is lofted and all the samples live beneath it.) Though we do extensive testing on as many products as we can, sometimes, we also just have to write something along the lines of “I’ve never seen these products in my life but *you* absolutely need them.” Of course, we don’t actually write that verbatim. But that’s basically what it’s getting at.
So here’s a list of beauty/skin care products and tools that I’ve been using the last year that I would vouch for, scout’s honor. Actually, as I’ve slowly been asked about product recs, I’ve actually recommend quite a few below. I’ve paid for them or would pay should I exit media life and no longer have access to samples. (*Cries.*) Before we dive in, a little bit about how I evaluated what “works”. Note that this is totally subjective. My “sensitive” skin may react completely differently from yours. My hair may be different. Everyone is unique! These are my opinions based on what has worked for my person, but I hope that maybe, it points you in the direction of what you need or introduces you to a cool brand that should be on your radar.
The Skin
I have combination skin that leans dry. Super dry. Like, the makeup looks flakey if I don’t drown myself in moisturizer, serums and a sheet mask for good measure. My T-zone is always in a cycle of flare-ups. (Honestly, this didn’t bother me from a beauty standpoint in the past, but it is painful, and comfort is my main concern.) I have huge pores on my nose that look like freckles. I hate the feeling of product on my face—so much so that I also wasn’t a sunscreen applier (g a s p) until, yes, last year. When it comes to skin care and beauty products, I want it to be: lightweight, breathable, easy. Bonus points if it’s a good value—but I have splurged on something that I think is worth it for my own skin needs.
The Hair & Nails
In the hair department: There’s basically none. My hair is fine and thin; it won’t hold a shape for it the life of it. That said, I don’t use heating elements on it often, so it’s pretty silky and shiny as is. It’s also so flat. Flatter than roadkill on I10. Nails are average, but can get dry, along with my hands. When I was younger and using a different color nail polish every week, they peeled incessantly.
The Essentials
Aka the stuff I have bought repeatedly or will buy when empty.
Skin Care
Makeup-removing balms aside, this is the one cleanser my skin will tolerate without drying or breaking out. (That statement is verified by the handful of fails that preceded it.) It’s milky and doesn’t lather but I am squeaky clean afterwards.
This thing is a paradox: super rich but not heavy. My skin is dry—so dry that the last time I went to get a facial (through work), the esthetician was surprised my skin drank all the massage cream and she needed to reapply. :P This is the best moisturizer I’ve tried (and I’ve tried so many in the past year). Not greasy, not oily, but incredibly moisturizing.
Beauty
My signature scent. Spring for the perfume if you want it to last all day. Otherwise, I love the eau de toilette, too. I think the secret ingredient here is artichoke. It’s fresh, light, almost spicy—just like a rose you cut from the garden.
When I say this is one of the best sunscreens and color correctors, you can trust that I’ve done my homework. Last year, I tested around 50 and have continued to use those samples, in addition to others I have received throughout the year. The Erborian CC Red Correct really delivers. It’s magic. In addition to neutralizing redness, it evens the complexion. I blink a little in the mirror every time I apply it because it basically functions like foundation.
It’s blush, it’s lipstick, it’s eyeshadow. Love a product that does it all, especially when I’m traveling and want to pack light. (Though let’s be honest, I love lipstick and always bring five with me anyway.) Iris & Romeo’s multi-balm is super creamy and not drying—cue ingredients like mango and shea butter, avocado and jojoba oil, and vitamin E.
My shade is “Sunset Simmer” and this has been my go-to lip product. It glides; it’s moisturizing (thanks to squalene and ceramides); it’s forgiving. That’s good because I always draw outside the lines. My perfect everyday lipstick. And the cherry on top? A satisfying magnetic snap closure.
MOB Beauty is kind of my darling because they do refillable makeup! My favorite is the cream lipstick—currently my shade is M34 “Chestnut Brown”, which is a pretty intense color, so I’ll probably go for M63 “Merlot” next. The payoff is insane. Nothing moves it—including the lip smacking required of a gargantuan sandwich. It’s also not drying, and vitamins C and E, chamomile, and jojoba can claim the credit for that.
If you know me I’m so lazy and this product meets me right where I am. They don’t call it a miracle for nothing—in a literal two minutes, I have an evened and slightly glowing complexion. (Note that if you want full or even medium coverage, though, I’d pass here.) I pair it with the brand’s Air Blush but it plays nicely with other products, too. Sometimes I layer it with cream or liquid blushes.
Going back to my point about having no hair—that applies to my eyelashes as well. Thus, I want something that gives them body and volume without dragging them down or being clumpy. Right now, Tower28’s Make Waves is the solution.
I tested (or coordinated the testing of) almost 30 cleansing balms at work, so I’m pretty confident when I say Versed’s Day Dissolve is the best value. Effective makeup remover, pleasing and calming scent, not drying, ethical company, under $20. Check, check, check. If you’re feeling splurgy, I thought the Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Butter could merit its $38 price tag because it doubles as an optional exfoliant.
Hair & Nails
What little hair I do have falls flat in 10 minutes, no joke and no exaggeration. Volumizing products alone are useless, and you can forget about anything that says “light hold”. Kenra’s Volume Spray, however—all day, baby. That includes a sweatier-than-anticipated dance class. It starts out a little crispy but softens throughout the day. I bought a giant can and will 100 percent repurchase.
I know, the bottle is $49, but it comes out to about $1 more per ounce than, say, a similar brand at $30 with a smaller bottle. Of all the texture sprays I tested, I have come back to this one the most, so I think that says something. Ingredients: Vitamins E and, the proprietary Bleu Molecule Complex and vegetable keratin. Also worth noting that I’ve tested quite a few R+Co products and they perform consistently.
This blew me away—literally. My hair doesn’t hold any shape unless you spray it with a gallon of Kenra. Other products that aren’t hairspray but claim to have “style memory” fall flat here. Not the Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream…my hair stayed curled all day and was even wavy the day after. Totally shook. Scent is pleasant, too, and you don’t need much, depending on your hair type. (LINK TO GUIDE)
I’ve been an Olive & June person for four years now. Four applications of their top coat and my manicure is golden for—I kid you not—up to 14 days, no chips. My signature color is SC, but I also swear on the aforementioned top coat and nail primer.
I know I said volumizing products alone are useless, and that’s true. But I always pair this with a little texture spray and am good to go. I bought two huge cans (I’m a maximalist, can you tell?), so I think that testifies to the fact that it’s kind of useful.
I was introduced to superzero while reporting on my article about the best sustainable products. The company has zero waste packaging and each bar is equivalent to 16 ounces of luxury shampoo for about the same price. My hair is always clean and fluffy afterward, and I’m happy to pay for something that’s also a little better for the planet.
Sunscreen
When it comes to sunscreen, this is not a sexy pick. Every pitch I get for sunscreen these days is always screaming SKINCARE AS SUNSCREEN or vice versa. Neutrogena’s has no squalene, no ceramides, it doesn’t double as a primer, and it’s not loaded with vitamins. But it’s got a high SPF in a fairly pleasant formula, and at the end of the day, sunscreen’s job is to protect you from the sun, and this one does very well. (Yes, higher SPF is better, says the cosmetic chemist I spoke to.) I have noticed that the formula separates in the tube as time wears on, so give it a good shake. Otherwise, at $10, you really can’t ask for more.
The Splurges: Dr. Jart++ Every Sun Day Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50 or Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+)
Both are well over $20 but I think they merit their price tags. The consistencies are great and they wear well under makeup. If I had to choose, Dr. Jart++’s has the better texture on the skin, but I like that Shiseido’s has additional protection activated by heat and moisture (aka sweat).
Hero’s green-tinted, redness-correcting sunscreen comes in at a modest $20 (unlike Erborian). I like it for days when I don’t wear makeup (which is most) but want a little correction. Because it’s mineral, it can pill, so I don’t recommend wearing it under makeup.
The Nice-to-Haves
These aren’t essentials, but I probably would have bought them at some point if they hadn’t been a sample, and some I’d definitely repurchase.
The caveat: Costco price only. I heard down the grapevine that you can snag it for 50 percent off at the mega warehouse, and I was, earlier last year, ready to fork over the same amount for the knock-off Shark Flexstyle. I’ve read that the Airwrap is better for your hair (the Flexstyle can run too hot), so if I had found it at Costco, yes, I would have bought it. It’s pretty lightweight (I’ve tested blow dryer brushes that have been heavier), feels well-constructed, and comes with tons of attachments. I’m terrible with hand/eye coordination, especially if each hand is doing something different, so I love that I can use two hands on one tool.
Even I love a little sheet mask once in a blue moon, and I’m a fan of this female/Asian-owned company making compostable masks available at Target. And, they’re all under $10.
JP is a frequent go-to expert for me at my day job, and she makes amazing products, too. I admire her sustainability commitment—the brushes are made from recycled plastic and aluminum; sponges from 70% plant-based materials. And they’re SO sturdy. After many aggressive washes, the brushes always dry soft and fluffy.
This comes in 38 shades and is a super creamy formula packed with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and caffeine. I’m mildly concerned how often I reach for it.
As I wrote in this roundup of best foundations, I put this to the test on several humid New York City summer days and found that it lived up to the claims. Nothing moved it—water, sweat, humidity—and it didn’t transfer easily. The formula is infused with primer, hyaluronic acid for hydration and adaptogens like sugar kelp to balance oil. It also contains the brand’s Balance Boost Complex, which contain antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals and blue light.
From a superficial perspective, it’s just, objectively speaking, a pretty tool. Diving deeper: It has an extra-long ceramic barrel, nine heat settings, a touch screen, and ion generator to reduce frizz and boost shine (it works). I’ve used it so many times it surprises me.
