January 2019

At the Everygirl office, we’re constantly talking about a lot of things — who got kicked off The Bachelor this week, Meghan Markle’s latest #OOTD, and, most importantly, the latest beauty products that are changing. our. lives. Oh my god, you guys have to try this foundation! and That new moisturizer has totally transformed my skin… are common phrases heard ’round the water cooler.

As die-hard beauty fanatics, we know the best place to buy your products with incredible benefits is Sephora. There is no better beauty rewards system than Sephora’s Beauty Insider Program. With perks like exclusive discounts and promotions, a birthday gift, and free makeovers, it’s truly a game-changer. Why not put your beauty obsession to good use and save some money while you’re testing out top products?

Since we’ve basically tried out as many beauty products as a group of people possibly can, here are the products we’ve tried that have not only earned permanent spots in our beauty routines, but are also so good, we can’t live without them. Sign up to be a Beauty Insider and shop our Holy Grail beauty products, below:

 

Laneige

Lip Sleeping Mask

If I was stranded on a desert island and could only have one product, it would be this. I had the driest lips that no product even came close to curing, until I tried this. It. is. a. miracle. It cured my dry, winter lips literally overnight, and when I use this my lips look extra plump in the morning. I will be loyal to this until the day I die.

Olehenricksen

Banana Bright Eye Crème

I bought this after a dermatologist to the stars recommended it on a Fat Mascara podcast (my favorite!), and it is no joke. It makes your dark circles literally vanish, and gives you instant results.

Nars

Radiant Creamy Concealer

An oldie but a goodie, this concealer is my holy grail. If super thick concealer isn’t your jam (@ me), this gives you all the coverage with none of the cake. It covers anything you want to hide — from dark circles to surprise pimples — and is literally undetectable.

Becca

Backlight Priming Filter

You know the pretty filter on Instagram stories that makes you look like a glowing goddess? This is it in real life. It makes you look like you’re glowing from within in a non-sparkly way, and transforms even the most tired of complexions. It’s even perfect for no-makeup days!

 

DRUNK ELEPHANT

The Littles

I am Drunk Elephant's #1 fan. Seriously, if you know nothing about skincare and you walked blindly over to their section at Sephora and picked the first thing your hands touched a la Birdbox, I can basically promise you'll love it. Before this collection of minis, I was forced to sacrifice some of my favorite products for TSA-friendly alternatives, but by the time I returned home my skin would always be PISSED OFF. I am so happy I finally broke down and bought the Littles collection so that I always have my favorite products on hand. If you've never tried Drunk Elephant and don't want to pick your first product Birdbox style, I would recommend getting this set to test it out and find your own favorites.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

I received this compact on my wedding day from my maid of honor, and ever since I have wondered how I lived without this setting powder. It keeps my makeup in place while still looking natural. It never creases or settles in your face folds. Think of it as a 24/7 Instagram beauty filter.

SHISEIDO

Perfect Cleansing Oil

If you make one beauty resolution for 2019, please please please (I'm making the praying hand emoji sign to you RN) decide this is the year you're going to start double cleansing. Odds are you already have a gel cleanser, so you just need to invest in a good oil cleanser and read this article.

Drybar

Triple Sec

If you love the way your hair holds a wave or body on second or third hair day (but don't love having dirty locks), then you will love this holy grail pick. I love to spray it on my curls when they look a little too perfect... and on days when it doesn't even need it (because the smell is that heavenly).

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Charlotte's Magic Cream

I love this super-powered moisturizer as much as I love the act of putting it on. The container is so beautiful and the formula is so rich, I truly feel like my own version of Blair Waldorf or Princess Kate when I decide the day is special enough to put it on. Magic Cream sits beautifully under makeup and moisturizes while helping diminish fine lines and wrinkles, so it truly lives up to its name.

 

 

 

Sunday Riley

Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

Okay so I know this is an investment but TRUST ME it's the best investment you can make in your face, full stop. Since I started using this (basically solid gold) miracle liquid, I have received more compliments on my skin than the entire rest of my life combined. I would die for this. I would literally throw my body on top of it to protect it. Bonus: it lasts a good long while and the jar is seriously freakin' beautiful.

Hourglass

Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint

I remember Lisa Eldridge (my queen) saying once that a lot of people have better skin than they think they do, but they cover up ALL the skin with foundation, instead of just the areas that need a little TLC. This totally changed the way I do my makeup, and now I use this skin tint to even everything out and add some ~glow~, and then go back in with a concealer if I need extra help or have a blemish that has a personal vendetta against me. This is the best tinted moisturizer I have ever used — it's light and bouncy and leaves you looking like the sun just happened to beam directly from heaven and onto your face.

Verb

Hydrating Mask

I am the most extra person I know about my hair — I have tried approximately eleventy billion products and have spent (upsettingly) more than two hours loitering in an aisle trying to decide between two volumizing shampoos. As a Hair PersonTM, I am never without AT LEAST two bottles of this mask and sometimes (okay all the time) have small internal panic attacks if I forget to pack it when I'm traveling. I have gifted it to no less than four people. I would fling myself into a cake frosted entirely with it. Is my point coming across?

Living Proof

Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

I am convinced that a witch was involved in the making of this dry shampoo because it actually cleans your hair??? It's truly shocking, especially after years of dry "shampoos" that are actually just a weird white residue that will age you 10 years and make your hair somehow greasy and volumized which is the worst combination possible. Instead, this is actually a shampoo that doesn't need water and it's a freakin' miracle.

 

Drunk Elephant

T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial

The reason this exfoliating mask is a cult fave is because IT WORKS. I religiously use this AHA/BHA mask every Sunday, rinse, apply marula oil, and wake up the next day with soft, gorgeous skin. It clears up breakouts, exfoliates so my skin is brighter, and helps with uneven texture.

Amika

Polished Perfection Straightening Brush

I’m a sucker for any haircare shortcut — so I splurged on this with Sephora gift cards. I have very curly hair, and this brush majorly cuts down my straightening time. I blow dry my hair, separate into two sections, and quickly run the brush through to get rid of frizz and any leftover curl.

CLINIQUE

Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

This winter is killing my skin — so I’ve revamped my usual routine of serums, oils, and creams to include a hydrating gel. This one is free of fragrance, parabens, and phthalates.

Benefit Cosmetics

Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel

One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was when my eyebrow gal asked if she could take a photo after she finished my routine brow wax and tint… Ever since then, I’ve been determined to keep up with my filled-in brows. I’ve tried lots of brow gels, and this one is my fave. It’s volumizing, doesn’t get sticky when it dries, and comes in a million different shades.

Drunk Elephant

C-Firma Day Serum

This is the non-negotiable in my skincare routine. Need proof? I’ve repurchased this product four times according to my Sephora order history. C-Firma is packed with nutrients, fruit enzymes, and other goodies to fight pollution, wrinkles, and other skin damage. I apply it every morning before my moisturizer and sunscreen and it has majorly lightened my melasma and keeps my skin bright.

 

 

Tatcha

Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Meet my ride-or-die serum: a skincare product so good, I can no longer leave my house without putting it on — it makes that much of a difference, immediately. With 20% Vitamin C (most products are much lower), added antioxidants, and 10% AHAs, this serum will brighten your face and even your skin tone more than any other product has before. As the biggest game-changer in my skincare routine, it's worth every penny.

Summer Fridays

Jet Lag Mask

Full disclosure, I was drawn to this pretty little mask for the Insta-worthy packaging and the fact that it has a cult-following to boot (I mean, if you have an Instagram account, you've likely seen this mask). But I was shocked at how good the immediate results really were. It was so hydrating and moisturizing that my skin literally looked a world of a difference after I put it on. Plus, it feels so refreshing instead of heavy. Sure, it's a mask, but my real secret is that I put it on under makeup — my skin has NEVER looked better.

SLIP

Small Scrunchies

I've been a die-hard SLIP fan forever (their silk pillowcases are my savior), so of course, I had to try out their scrunchies. Take it from someone who has more bad hair days than good, these scrunchies MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. I've actually thrown away all of my other hair ties, because these magical little scrunchies don't crease, break, or pull hair, leaving me with many more good hair days. Plus, the small style is discreet enough to wear in public without looking like a scrunchie from the 80's (I even wear mine to the office!). Your damaged hair will thank you.

Glow Recipe

Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

If you couldn't tell already, I'm on a constant quest for glow-y skin. Of all the many products that promise a more radiant complexion, this one actually delivers insane results. AHAs work to smooth skin tone and slough off dead skin cells while you sleep, and the texture is breathable, light, and airy (not to mention smells delicious!). I truly wake up looking like I just got a facial. Who knew watermelon was the real superfood?

Peter Thomas Roth

Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

I have chronic, genetic, awful under-eye dark circles. If I'm a little tired, dehydrated (aka hungover), or even just living my normal life, it shows under my eyes. No eye creams or face masks have ever made even a dent of a difference, until these beautiful little eye patches came onto the scene. Loaded with ingredients like collagen and marshmallow root extract, these eye patches are my travel must-have (yes, I really do wear them on the plane), and the only fix I've ever found to hangover puffiness or tired eyes.

 

 

This post was in partnership with Sephora, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

The post Everygirl Editors’ Holy Grail Beauty Products—and Where to Get Them appeared first on The Everygirl.

It is one of winter’s most obvious causal relationships: cold weather and consequent dryness. This problem persists despite what we understand about the skin’s barrier, our innate protector against inflammation and dry skin. We know what causes it — humidity-zapped outdoor air, overzealous indoor heat — but it’s still hard to avoid.

“You need to moisturize more often during cold weather months,” emphasizes Dr. Jeanine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of Image Dermatology P.C. in Montclair, New Jersey. She also suggests skipping products with fragrance if you have sensitive skin, along with super-hot showers (hard, but helpful).

A good rule of thumb is to keep your skincare simple. Now is not the time to experiment with a 10-step routine or try a new peel. Like a go-to blanket, your skin’s ideal moisturizing product will feel almost cuddly-cozy and always comforting. Here, two experts weigh in on the products they recommend in the winter months.

 

Pick the right product

Start by determining what your skin needs. “Dry skin lacks oil. Dehydrated skin lacks water,” said Angela Caglia, a celebrity aesthetician in Los Angeles. “Dry skin needs an oil-based moisturizer, while dehydrated skin will benefit from products with hyaluronic acid and glycerin.”

Caglia’s trick: push part of your cheek with one finger so it bunches a little. If you see lines and superficial dryness, your skin is dehydrated. Dry skin, on the other hand, will feel dry to the touch.

ANGELA CAGLIA

Souffle Moisturizer

This oil-based moisturizer “will seal in moisture, protect the barrier and deliver more essential fatty acids and antioxidants to the skin,” said Caglia. It also contains goat’s milk, which is believed to help calm redness and inflammation.

CETAPHIL

Moisturizing Cream

Downie loves Cetaphil for the body: it’s simple, gentle, fragrance-free, and contains glycerin to lock moisture into the skin.

 

 

Pay attention to ingredients

The classics have stuck around because they work. Shea butter is soothing and deeply nourishing (and can even be good for blemish-prone skin). Fatty acids help to protect the skin and restore the lipid barrier, and glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture from the air into your skin.

Almost everyone agrees that when it comes to locking in water, hyaluronic acid is it. “Hyaluronic acid is one of my favorite ingredients. It lives in our skin and cushions our joints. It is very light and works well for areas where you do not want your skin to be greasy, like the face and neck,” Downie said.

FARMACY

Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer with Echinacea GreenEnvy

The name says light; the formula says light-but-mighty. You’ll see glycerin as the third ingredient here, followed closely by three forms of hyaluronic acid. The buttery formula melts right into the skin and keeps the moisture coming for long-lasting relief.

GLOSSIER

Super Bounce

This hyaluronic acid serum contains vitamin B5, an ingredient found in avocados (which seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to nourishment). It helps to bring back the visible plumpness and bounce that skin just doesn’t have when it’s dry.

 

Use a gentle exfoliator

We ask a lot of moisturizers, and sometimes they need a little help. “Don’t forget to exfoliate in the winter,” Caglia said. “When done gently, it will help your moisturizer to penetrate better.”

Downie likes products with lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that’s considered the most hydrating of its kind. If you find the thought of using an acid in the winter off-putting, consider this: unlike its friends in the AHA group text (I said what I said), lactic acid supports exfoliation and skin sloughing in a more gentle way, so it’s ideal for sensitive (aka winter-weary) skin.

SUNDAY RILEY

Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

A lactic acid go-to of sorts, Sunday Riley’s formula cuts through dull, drab skin to give a boost of brightness and clarity. It also contains soothing aloe and arnica and, for extra-sensitive skin, can be used as a 15-minute mask.

 

 

Try a sleeping mask

Think of a sleeping mask as the final “seal” that sort of locks everything in underneath. You can use an extra layer of your current moisturizer or hydrating face mask, or try a product specially formulated to leave on overnight.

YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE

Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask

It’s pudding-like in the most satisfying of ways, and is similarly full of good stuff. Dream Mask was created with a four-part hydrating system featuring squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and betaine, an ingredient that helps balance hydration in the skin. It also contains a newer form of stable vitamin C to brighten dull skin.

 

 

Stick with the sunscreen

Extreme temperatures exacerbate skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. “Cold weather in particular makes rosacea more red and eczema more flaky and itchy. Proper moisturizers and sunscreens are a must,” Downie said, who likes the easy-to-find formulas from Aveeno and Neutrogena.

AVEENO

Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 For Face

Mineral sun protection from zinc oxide makes this formula ideal for sensitive skin; vitamin E and oat make it soothing. It’s also fragrance-free.

The post The Best Beauty Products to Get You Through Winter, According to Experts appeared first on The Everygirl.

I don’t think I’m alone in whole-heartedly believing the best thing to happen in 2018 was Netflix’s revamp of Queer Eye. It brings me a joy that no show ever has, and brings the full spectrum of human emotion out of me — it’s made me laugh, cry, and feel just about everything in between.

While I love each member of the Queer Eye cast separate but equally (don’t even get me started about Antoni), there is no one I’d rather have pay me a visit than the notorious JVN. Jonathan Van Ness has charisma like no one else, and is totally, unapologetically himself. You literally can’t help but smile while watching Jonathan work his magic on his subjects, and he’s showing the world that, yes, men can take care of themselves, too.

While binging both seasons of Queer Eye (in one weekend, might I add), I couldn’t help but wonder — what would JVN do to me? How would he cut my hair? What products would he tell me to use? (It’s like the 2019 version of wondering how Tyra Banks would make me over if I was on America’s Next Top Model). Unfortunately, JVN is unlikely to ever prance into my bathroom and transform me into a goddess — but the good news is, he gives tons of beauty tips throughout the entirety of Queer Eye, most of which are applicable to women and men alike.

From fixing common conundrums to blowing my mind with tips only he could come up with, here are the beauty tips and tricks I’ve learned from Jonathan Van Ness.

 

DIY face masks are worth your while

At the beginning of season 1, JVN blew my mind with a classic Pinterest hack: DIY face masks. While I had left those behind to my days of middle school sleepovers, JVN made me re-think it completely. He made Bobby’s face glow with only two ingredients: oats and manuka honey, which he ground up together in a food processor. Simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen can make for a stellar addition to your skincare routine, and if JVN encourages it, you know it’s safe.

 

Color correct

One of the guy’s most lovable subjects, Tom, had lupus, which led to a lot of redness in his skin. Jonathan came to the rescue and made it completely disappear with help from a little green concealer stick. While the concept of color correcting is nothing new, the extent to which it can help was shown in Tom’s episode. Even the most unsightly of flare-ups can be neutralized with a little help from a color-correcting concealer. While green helps cancel out redness, other colors can be used for other skin issues.

Jonathan’s top tip? Just don’t use too much — you can always add more.

 

 

Spray, delay, then walk away

JVN technically uses this to show how to use aftershave, but it’s totally applicable to perfume, too. Rather than spraying perfume directly on you, spray it in front of you, wait a second, then walk through it. It’ll help you avoid ever wearing too much, and will leave you with the perfect dose of scent.

 

Self-care isn’t synonymous with vanity

I want to go outside and shout this one from the rooftops so everyone in a five-mile radius can hear it, too — self-care isn’t vanity. JVN dropped this quote to live by while taking William to the dermatologist during season 1. Taking time to take care of yourself doesn’t mean that you’re vain or narcissistic — it can literally just mean that you value yourself enough to take the time to do so. Book a dermatologist appointment, schedule a facial, and treat yourself to a mani/pedi — you deserve it.

 

 

Clay mask timing is important

Okay this one totally blew my mind. I always used my clay masks whenever I felt my skin needed a little help clearing up, which inevitably always falls before a big event (that’s just how it goes, right?). JVN shook me to my core by explaining that you shouldn’t ever use them before a big event or if you’re going out that night, because it urges the gross stuff to come out of your pores — aka save them for Sunday nights and wear one while you meal prep.

 

You don’t need to dedicate hours to your morning routine

“Just because you only want to spend five minutes on glam in the morning does not mean you can’t be a diva,” Jonathan says during season 1, epsiode 1. This is so true, especially for all the super busy gals out there. Just because you don’t feel like waking up before the crack of dawn to get perfectly wind-swept waves and winged eyeliner so sharp you could kill your enemies with it doesn’t mean you can’t be the best version of yourself. Just giving yourself a few minutes of self-care each morning can make all the difference, and can leave you feeling like the best version of you.

 

Encourage the guys in your life to take care of themselves, too

Recently, one of my straight male friends asked for help picking out a moisturizer — at 22, he had never used one. I recommended the one I use to him, and he told me that he couldn’t use it because it was for women (let it be known that it was the Purity moisturizer, which has just about the most unisex branding you could ever find). It took literally a half hour to explain to him that — to his amazement — men and women both have skin that needs to be taken care of, and that his skin is no different from mine because he’s a man. He’s told me on multiple instances since that he loves it and feels better about how his skin looks. The smallest of steps made a difference in his confidence, and it can in so many others. Remind the men in your life that they can have some products, and should have a skincare routine, too (hear that, Dad?).

 

Confidence is everything

You can spend all of the time, money, and effort in the world taking care of yourself, but if you don’t love yourself, none of it matters. People can tell when you feel good about yourself, and as JVN puts it best, “confidence is sexy.” Do the things that make you feel like the best version of yourself, and always remember that you’re a queen.

 

The post 8 Beauty Tips and Tricks I’ve Learned from Jonathan Van Ness appeared first on The Everygirl.

Confession: I peek into everyone’s medicine cabinet every time I go into someone’s bathroom. It’s like my rite of passage. I need to know every product that goes into your routine if our friendship is going to continue. From your daily SPF to the mascara you can’t live without it, it’s almost as important as your sense of humor.

A pretty obvious equivalent to rummaging through your friends’ personal property is the ever-so-popular “what’s in my makeup bag.” We’re getting the inside scoop from beauty blogger Sabrina Shorb of The Beauty Look Book on her holy grail makeup products that are perfect for everyday wear. Get ready to spend the next hour adding them all to your cart. Your makeup routine is about to get a nice refresh!

GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY

Luminous Silk Foundation

This is the best natural, medium-coverage foundation I've tried. I love this for the shade range and natural, glowy coverage. This evens out the skin in a natural way without looking heavy or cakey. Be sure to set with a good powder!

NARS

Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS makes the best all-around concealer for under the eyes, brightening, or spot concealing. This works wonders to cover redness around the nose. The creamy texture blends in well with virtually any foundation brand or formula and doesn't crease. It also has an impressive color range.

HOURGLASS

Ambient Lighting Blush Collection

This is a luminous blush and highlighter in one. The blushes give the skin a soft glow with a hint of color. My favorite shade is Incandescent Electra for a pretty, soft coral and champagne mix.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

This is hands-down the best setting and blurring pressed powder. It sets makeup perfectly while evening out the skin, and it blurs imperfections with a few sweeps. I've used up and repurchased so many of these I have lost count!

L'ORÉAL

Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara

The best mascara for volume, definition, and holding a curl! No smudging or flaking. It even holds up in humid Florida weather during the summer months.

Source: @beautylookbook

LAURA MERCIER

Caviar Stick Eye Shadow

This is my favorite everyday lid color — it's so versatile! You can use it alone for a nice lid highlight or an effortless wash of color. I also use it as an eyeshadow base for powder eyeshadows to help them adhere better to my lids.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk

This is my go-to, everyday neutral rose color. It looks good on everyone I've seen it on! It's probably one of my most-worn lipstick colors.

PAT MCGRATH LABS

MatteTrance™ Lipstick

Pat McGrath Labs has the best matte lipstick formula on the market. It's amazing even for those who don't like matte lips because it has a soft, velvet finish without looking or feeling dry. It also has impressive pigment. The formula glides onto the lips like magic, and they have great color options for both neutral and bold lip lovers!

FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA

Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

This is the prettiest lip gloss to make the lips look luscious and full. All of the colors are universally flattering and suitable for any kind of makeup look.

EDWARD BESS

All Over Seduction Highlighter

These are the best cream highlighters on the market. It doesn't look overdone or too frosty, and it gives the skin that beautiful, fresh glow-from-within look. It's perfect for anywhere you want a nice highlight.

The post A Beauty Blogger Shares The 10 Must-Haves in Her Makeup Bag appeared first on The Everygirl.

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