Products I Love But Don’t Talk About Nearly Enough

I was born with the gift of gab, which is a nice way of saying I don’t shut the fuck up. This, paired with some slightly obsessive tendencies, means I tend discuss the things and people I love ad nauseam. Like I’ve said time and time again, I am a passionate little lady.

But, like I’ve also said before, I own far too many beauty products—more than one person could possibly know what to do with. And I love a lot of them, I really do, but some favorites definitely hog the spotlight (I’m looking at you, Great Barrier Relief).

I am a fierce advocate of equal rights for all beauty products (except, like, St. Ive’s scrub), so I decided to round up some of my favorite, more under-the-radar beauty products that I’ve failed to give the attention they deserve. Today’s your day, my beautiful forgotten favorites!

Super Amino Gel Cleanser, Summer Fridays; $38

I’m pretty much consistently impressed by Summer Fridays and their thoughtful formulations. They are an A+ example of an influencer-backed brand done right. I keep this cleanser in the shower and like to use it after workouts. It’s a super gentle cleanser with no frills, which is exactly why I like it. It’s just simple. There is a liiiiittle bit of fragrance, but a small enough amount that I’m not bothered by it.

Pure Hyaluronic Serum*, Pestle & Mortar; $59

Since starting my second bottle of this Pestle & Mortar serum, I’ve simplified my skincare routine a lot. So, while I no longer use this daily, I remain a fan. I notice instant plumping and firming effects upon application, and the non-tacky texture makes it perfect for layering. Would I spend $59 of my own money on a hyaluronic serum? Probably not, but it is a luxury to have.

Lip Butter Balm, Summer Fridays; $22

Told you guys I’m a Summer Fridays stan. I’ve talked at length about my passion for thick, occlusive lip balms. This one is actually kind of different. It’s thicker than a gloss but thinner than Laneige’s lip mask—perfect for daytime wear. It also has a lovely, subtle hint of vanilla.

Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare*, IT Cosmetics; $39.50

I love this lightweight foundation. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, and vitamins E and B5, so I don’t feel guilty about wearing it often. The color also matches my skin tone perfectly, which is always exciting. The foundation has a natural, radiant finish and buffs into the skin seamlessly.

Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer, Armani Beauty; $38

Oh baby. I finally bit the bullet and got this, and it did not disappoint. Since I don’t wear foundation most days, I actually might like this more than its foundation counterpart. It covers up pimples and discoloration with just a bit of product and blends so easily into the skin. It also has some serious staying power—which is my usual gripe with other concealers.

Double Take Contour Stick, Uoma; $40

When Uoma’s shade finder quiz suggested I purchase their second lightest color, I was very skeptical. So much so that I took the quiz three more times. But I kept getting the same shade, so I decided to try it out. Surprise, surprise, they were spot on. In fact, I’d consider the contour shade pretty dark (which is how I like it). I find myself reaching for this product every single day, largely thanks to its creamy formula and perfectly face-defining shade. I’m actually almost done using the entire contour stick, which is an impressive feat to say the least. And, while this technically costs $40, it’s almost always on sale.

Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush, Patrick Ta; $34

As much as I love cream blush, they have notoriously shitty staying power. That’s why this cream-powder compact is so genius. I start with the cream formula—focusing the product up and out—and set it with the powder counterpart. The result is a dimensional but natural finish that actually lasts throughout the day.

Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Rare Beauty; $20

I am so sick of celebrity beauty brands and am so sick of hearing about them, but I will say that this blush is impressive. It is seriously pigmented—like, use a tiny little dot for both cheeks pigmented. I love that it comes in both matte and dewy finishes, and I’m always impressed by its staying power. The large doe-footed applicator makes application easy, and the lightweight texture makes it super easy to blend into the skin.

The Big Clean Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara*, Kosas; $26

I wouldn’t have ever bought this for myself, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this mascara. It creates big, fluffy, long lashes that last throughout the day. Plus, it features natural body-building ingredients that support lash growth and repair cycle. I haven’t really noticed it making any difference in terms of lash health, but I like the idea that it could be.

Mini Afterglow Lip Balm Duo*, NARS; $22

I love a tinted lip balm, so it really comes as no surprise that I love these. They’re hydrating, lightly pigmented, and universally flattering. Are they different than any of the other tinted lip balms I’ve raved about? I don’t know, probably not. They definitely feel a bit more luxurious, and, to me, that makes all the difference.

Sea Jelly Glaze Anytime Lip Mask Set*, Tarte; Sephora

Yes, this is another tinted lip balm—what can I say? I’m a creature of habit. This is on the thicker side and deposits a sheer hint of nourishing color. It leaves my lips feeling hydrated for hours, and the tiny, travel-sized packaging makes it perfect to throw in your bag and go.

B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil, Briogeo; $26

I have used a lot of brow and lash growth serums—more on that in the future—and I’ve really enjoyed this one. There’s something nice about the simplicity of it. It isn’t necessarily the fastest working, most effective brow/lash serum I’ve used, but growth isn’t necessarily my goal at the moment so much as brow/lash health and nourishment. I even put it on the ends of my hair and my cuticles sometimes. Plus, it is much larger than other, similar products.

Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer*, Bumble and Bumble'; $28

So I’ve been working on a new approach to haircare lately. I’m usually terrified of all products simply because my hair is so prone to oil and grease, but I’ve been working on really nourishing and loving my hair and seeing if that’ll help the oil spill situation. It actually kind of is. This is one of my favorite hair products I’ve added to my routine. I apply to damp hair, spraying it into my hands and then raking it through the bottom half of my strands. Then, I’ll run my hands through the top of my hair—so I’m not technically applying any product to my scalp, though I definitely transfer some of the oil up there. It leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth—but never greasy.

Expensive Hi-Shine Gloss Treatment*, IGK; $29

This is another hair product I’ve started using, but full disclosure I do not use it as it is suggested. Rather than an in-shower treatment, I’ll run a tiny amount through dry hair to add shine and control fly-aways. I like how I use it—it works! That being said, I do plan on using it as suggested eventually.