I am a beauty addict. There’s no other way to describe it. When I travel, I have a separate bag for hair products and skincare. Imagine it like a Mary Poppins bag. When I have to fly and can only use travel sizes, I have a meltdown packing — I just can’t pare it down. I lovingly refer to my nighttime routine as my potions and watch YouTube makeup tutorials for hours.
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To me, beauty products are an act of self care. A part of my routine that makes me feel comfortable and good in my skin. It’s not about achieving an unrealistic standard, it’s about being the best version of myself. I love my skincare routine because it makes me feel comfortable going makeup-free, something my acne-riddled youth would have never believed was possible. I love testing products and get a feeling that can only be described as bliss when they work. Plus, my beauty products will always fit… unlike my skinny jeans, which have betrayed me many times in the past.
My favorite place to shop for beauty products (both in-person and online) is Sephora. Those striped arches call my name and I can get lost for hours smelling, sampling, and requesting product to take home. Yes, did you know you can request a take-home sample of any product from a Sephora artist? From perfumes to foundation, I love being able to take the product home, use it in my routine, see it in my own lighting, and feel confident when I return to purchase.
Another reason I love shopping at Sephora is the Beauty Insider Program. It’s free to join, and the more you shop throughout the year, the more rewards and perks you receive. My favorite perks are selecting my beauty rewards (samples of products to try), free two-day shipping, and exclusive sales — because the only thing I love more than free samples is a discount. I’m also looking forward to using the free beauty classes and custom makeovers this year! There’s only so much you can learn via You Tube.
Being the office beauty addict means I have really strong opinions about products and routines. Like the time someone casually said they hated beautyblenders and I almost fainted.
I can’t. We can’t talk about it. All I will say is WRONG.
So I wanted to round up a few of my favorite things that I constantly repurchase. It was impossibly hard to narrow it down to a feasible list, but I did the best I could.
Beauty Products I Keep Rebuying
available at Sephora
I discovered this moisturizer last year through one of my favorite Korean beauty sites. It used to be so difficult to get your hands on, but now that it's at Sephora, I don't have to stock pile for emergencies. I use this every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. To me, beauty starts with good skincare and this is a staple I'm not willing to part with.
Speaking of good skincare, Drunk Elephant is an amazing brand, and every product I've tried from them has left me satisfied. I picked this one to highlight because using an oil in your nighttime routine is an important step that few of my friends incorporate. A few drops of this at night and within weeks I saw a major difference in my skin.
These eye masks are a bit of a splurge, but an essential to have on hand. When I wake up with deep, dark circles under your eyes or puffy bags that show exactly what I was up to last night — I turn to them immediately. Think of it like a shot of espresso for your face.
When I don't wear foundation, I use this Japanese moisturizer as a base for my skin. It has a hint of 23-karat gold dust that makes your skin look dewy, fresh, and healthy. Without a doubt, when I wear this I get multiple compliments on my "radiant skin," which is a huge confidence boost when going foundation-free.
You know when they ask you what three things you would take to a deserted island? This would be one of mine. I have long hair and I don't want to fix it anymore than I have to. These little blessings from above keep your hair from getting creased, so I can toss my hair in a ponytail, head to the gym, and when I'm ready to pull it back down, minimal to no styling is required. BONUS: I've been using them for over two years and have never had one break.
This is a cult-favorite product that I was turned on to from Kim Kardashian's makeup artist. Say what you want about the famous family, but their makeup is stunning and I want mine to be on par. This primer minimizes pores and makes your foundation application flawless. I think of it like having a makeup artist in my pocket. No tricks, just airbrush-esque skin and teeny tiny nonexistent pores. I haven't put on foundation without it since the first time I tried.
When you find that to-die-for mascara, you want to shout it from the rooftops. I've used this mascara for almost four years. At times I've tricked myself into thinking there might be something better... and every. single. time. I have been disappointed. I've learned my lesson and I will never part with you.
I've wanted to like other highlighters (sorry Rihanna) but I always come back to this shade. It's buildable, so you can use more or less depending on the look you're going for.
Another nighttime skincare essential is this serum from The Ordinary. I'm on my second bottle, and I recommend it to everyone. It helps reduce visible signs of aging — AND IT IS LESS THAN $10. Hands down, the best budget-friendly product line I have ever tried.
If you're self tanning at home, there's no product better. I've been duped and looked like an oompa loompa by other products, but St. Tropez has never betrayed me. The application is easy and I've never had so much as a streak using it. I rotate between the mousse and gel, depending on what's available in store. But ALWAYS apply with the mitt.
This is the mitt that's essential to self-tanning at home. Don't tan without it. Seriously. I'm staring at you with large eyes through the computer screen when I say that.
Clean between uses and store properly to get the most uses out of your mitt.
New Products I’m Trying (or Dying to Try)
available at Sephora
My aesthetician told me if I was going to do one thing for my skin this year it needed to be a daily Vitamin C serum. I started last month and have seen a major improvement in my skin. If you want tighter, brighter, and overall better-looking skin, then Vitamin C serum is your answer. This Kiehl's formula is brand new and has rave reviews in the skincare world, so I am excited to try it!
This award-winning overnight moisture mask deeply hydrates skin while you sleep. BONUS: it's incredibly affordable.
A sleeping mask also helps create a barrier to seal in all of your products so this gives me the feeling of applying a "top coat" to my skincare routine.
I've never been a nightly eye cream girl, but after my birthday this week — I can't deny that there's no better time than the present to start an eye cream regimen.
This brand new product from Drunk Elephant features a brightening combination of eight peptides and five forms of Vitamin C. Time to treat your most sensitive skin with the TLC it deserves.
Protini is like adding a shot of protein to your smoothie... but for your skincare routine. From my favorite skincare line, this cream helps with dryness, dullness, and restores your skin's firmness and elasticity.
This has been a long standing recommendation from Everygirl beauty writers, so I was ecstatic that I received it as a birthday present from my best friend. The cleanser is made with antioxidant-rich kale, spinach, green tea, and alfalfa to keep your skin glowing and protected against free radical damage, environmental stresses, and redness. Sign me up!
Olaplex is a world–renowned salon treatment that I've always wanted to try, but never been able to convince myself to fork over the money. Someone must have told the hair gods because this brand new at-home treatment contains the same active ingredient found in all their professional products... but you can use it in your own bathroom for a fraction of the cost.
A hydrating mask that soothes stressed out skin leaving you with an instant radiant complexion. I can't log on to Instagram without seeing someone else rave about the effects of this newly launched product! I've only used it once... and I can't disagree with any of the glowing reviews.
This post was in partnership with Sephora, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.