Over the years, between the three of us, my future mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I have made a social activity out of sharing recommendations for everything from night serums to loungewear to volumizing shampoo. We share a little less now that I live 2500 miles away, but the fun of trying new products and discovering gems is still source of joy and comfort for me. Doubly so during quarantine, because if total social isolation isn’t a great time to put together an indulgent self-care routine and feel a bit of peace and stability, then when is?
Below, my top ten skincare and haircare holy grail products:
Nécessaire The Body Wash (via Nécessaire). I’ve only been using this a few days so far, but this is the body wash I’ve been searching for. It’s mild, smooth, and just feels ridiculously high-end for its price point. I’m also not a fan of washing with over-the-top scents, and Nécessaire scents are neutral and mature.
Sunday Riley Good Genes (via Sephora). Most high-intensity re-texturizers and dark spot correctors on the market seem to be glycolic or citric, both of which are harsh to me. The lactic acid component of Good Genes is a comparatively gentler-feeling (but still effective) alternative AHA.
Ouai Leave-in Conditioner (via The Ouai). I have thick hair, so it’s tough for me to find a conditioner that’s effective but not so heavy it makes me look like the girl from The Ring. This spray by Ouai is light enough that it does the trick, and I no longer use an in-shower conditioner very often.
Ouai Volume Spray (via The Ouai). And speaking of the girl from The Ring, giving my hair a few spritzes of volume spray at the roots gives me an added defense against looking like some kind of Japanese ghost.
Clinique “Smart MD Multi-Dimensional Age Transformer Revolumize” (via Sephora). The name is a handful, but this is basically a quick-absorbing moisturizer with a luxurious texture and noticeable plumping capabilities (thanks, hyaluronic acid). I received this as a trial size and am very likely to get the full-sized version at some point because it made such a difference even in three weeks.
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask (via Virtue Labs). A great multi-day tamer of flyaways and repairer of damaged ends, which I used to have in spades. (Their shampoo, recommended to me by my SIL, is also a winner.)
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum (via Sephora). I originally bought this because I wanted something that would “wake up” and brighten my skin in the morning, but its strength turned out to be its collagen component. 100% think this softened the lines in my neck. I’ve been using Truth Serum on and off for a year but am switching to Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma just out of curiosity —will absolutely switch back if it doesn’t perform like this one did.
Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil (via Sephora). The closest thing to a miracle skin product I’ve ever used. When my skin is angrier than usual, just a few nights of applying this oil before bed effectively halts the inflammation cycle. Over time, its made everything smoother and clearer in general.
Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For (via Sephora). I used to have lash extensions, which looked great but were challenging to maintain, and when they fell out, they took a lot of my natural lashes with them. This before-bed lash line serum not only brought them back quickly,
Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream (via Aesop). I’ve always hated chapstick-format lip products: greasy, slow-absorbing, wipes off immediately. This dense cream format absorbs almost immediately after application and leaves lips feeling well-conditioned for hours.
Honorable mention
Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm (via Aesop). Works like a cream, absorbs like a serum. Light, non-greasy.
Korres “Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser” (via Sephora). Almost has a “brightening” feeling to it while used.
Mario Badescu “Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner” (via Amazon). The only toner that’s ever actually calmed my angry, redness-prone skin down.
Trying next
Drunk Elephant “Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides” (via Sephora). Burned through my Clinique moisturizer very quickly, and am intrigued by this moisturizer that has volume-boosting particles that are even smaller than hyaluronic acid (i.e. better absorbed).