As a beauty editor, I'm lucky enough to test dozens of new skincare, hair, and makeup products each month. I'm constantly surrounded by them, and it's literally my job to judge them, so I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on what's good, what's great, and what's, well, not worth using. It's only when I personally recommend a product to my friends that I know I really love it.
Two of my closest friends (hi, Ella and Hansi!) love swapping beauty news, info, and recommendations. I can't even count how many times they've gracefully listened to my never-ending monologues on the subject. So when they came to visit over the summer, I naturally told them all about the products I'd been loving as of late, and they did the same. A week later, they left with a list of products to buy (and it's only grown since). It wasn't until recently that I realized every product on the list was $50 or less. Ahead, see all 15 products that I've recommended to them and learn why I love them so much.
This bouncy powder gives what the brand describes as "a veil of crystal sparkle," and I couldn't agree more. It goes on sheer, almost giving the skin a wet-look effect, which is why I wear it on my eyelids either alone or as an eye shadow topper. I don't think I own another beauty product that's gotten me more compliments. Since my friends never shy away from a sparkly makeup look, this was the first product I recommended to them. See how it looks IRL.
This bodywash hasn't left my shower since I first tried it. It smells incredible with notes of pear, palm leaves, and lily, which give it a fresh and slightly herby scent. Then, its ingredients, which include sea fennel, willow herb, niacinamide, and zinc PCA, improve the tone and texture of my skin. It's one of my all-time favorite bodycare products, and as such, I couldn't stop recommending it to my friends. Honestly, the whole brand is underrated.
This year, I started getting lymphatic drainage massages. Because they're expensive, and I don't have time to get them very often, I want to maintain my results at home. This tool was the answer. I use it twice a week, and I can see and feel a real difference. (Check out my before-and-after pictures for proof.)
These vitamin C pads have done more for my sun damage than any other skincare product. The dark spots that littered my nose and cheeks were minimized after only a few weeks of use. So when my friend mentioned she wanted to lighten some discoloration, I immediately put this jar in her hands. I love that it has individual, serum-soaked pads that I can easily swipe across my skin in between my cleanser and moisturizer step.
I have dehydrated, redness-prone skin, and I love this moisturizer from Hailey Bieber's skincare brand. It's creamy yet lightweight and chock-full of peptides and antioxidants to soothe and support the skin.
I love designer nail polishes just as much as the next person, but if I'm being honest, I prefer to buy less expensive bottles, especially when I want to try out a new color. My favorite brand to turn to in this case is LeChat. Its nail polishes are so affordable, and the color options are endless. I don't know what it is, but I swear this brand makes the best shades of blue. Even if you think you're not a blue-nail-polish person, I recommend trying one—you might fall in love with it.
Another nail polish brand I love, Liberation Nails is so underrated. Its colors are all on point (so vibrant), and they make my nails look incredible, even when I paint them messily for a quick and cost-effective at-home manicure. One of my friends is a nail tech, and I love swapping nail polish recommendations with her.
Okay, so this isn't technically a beauty product, but after staying at my place for a week, my friends were influenced to buy it, and that means something. It cleans exceedingly well, it has a subtle and comforting scent, and it makes my clothes feel so soft (even without fabric softener).
This silky bronzer is solely responsible for making me look like I've seen sunlight in the last two months (even though I haven't—Midwest winters are intense). It's one of my favorite formulas, and it's only $16. Oh, did I mention that the queen of TikTok herself, Sofia Richie Grainge, is a fan?
I can't stop talking about this blush, and I'll tell anyone who will listen to buy it. It's highly pigmented (a little goes a long way), blends fairly easily, and looks so pretty on the skin. If the aforementioned Makeup by Mario Master Crystal Reflector is the beauty product that has earned me the most compliments, this is a close second.
Eighty percent of my perfume collection is made up of Phlur fragrances, so it only makes sense that I love the candles, too. They look so chic in their minimalist, white vessels, and I love that the wax color matches the accompanying perfume bottle. This one, called Not Your Baby, smells floral and spicy thanks to notes of mimosa, violet, cardamom, bergamot, vanilla, and sandalwood.
Speaking of Phlur, the brand just launched new hair-and-body mists, and they're just as good as the brand's perfumes. There are three: Amber Haze, Vanilla Skin, and Mango Mood. I'm partial to the last two. Vanilla Skin smells warm, comforting, and alluring, while Mango Mood smells bright, fruity, and fresh. I can't stop spritzing it. The best part? They're only $20 a piece, which is way less than a traditional fragrance.
I've waxed poetic about this hair mask before, and I credit it with bringing my bleached hair back to life. I also credit it with making my shower smell like a tropical getaway. It's all thanks to banana, coconut cream, and mango butter, which moisturize, smooth, and strengthen each strand of hair. I can't say enough good things. My friends are probably sick of hearing about it.
As someone who rarely styles her hair and instead tosses it up into a claw clip, I'm always on the lookout for fresh versions of this hair accessory. Most of the time, that fresh claw clip comes from Emi Jay. The brand's designs are basically made for Instagram and TikTok. You'll rarely catch me without one.
Last but not least, this shave cream makes my legs feel softer than a cloud. Ingredients like vanilla, coconut milk, argan oil, and white tea soften and moisturize the skin, while the thick, whipped texture reduces friction between my skin and my razor. Maybe that's why I rarely get razor burn anymore.
