Curating My Friends’ Beauty Routines Is My Favorite Pastime—18 Staples I Always Include
It should come as no surprise that recommending beauty products is one of the best parts of my job. As someone who spent years buying products only to feel cheated and disappointed (such a drag!) I know how it important it is to be able to trust the recommendations you receive. So, I’ve made it my mission to not only share the best the industry has to offer here on Who What Wear, but in my personal life as well.
Recently, I was putting together a list of products for a few of my friends, and I noticed every single product was available on Bluemercury’s webiste. IMO, it’s a pain to have to make multiple purchases at five different retailers to check everything off my shopping list, so that felt major. Not to mention, Bluemercury has a pretty epic Loyalty Program that not enough people know about! It’s free, easy to sign up for, and instantly unlocks a slew of members-only perks like free standard shipping and $10 for every $250 you spend. Additional perks include members-only offers and event invites plus a (full-size!) birthday present. Click here for more helpful info, and keep scrolling for 18 must-haves I recommend shopping first.
Skincare
I don’t have enough good things to say about these one-step peel pads from Bluemercury’s in-house brand M-61. I’ve used them for years, and no other at-home peel system has worked as well for my acne-prone, highly sensitive skin. I use them three times a week post-cleanse and let the glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin K, chamomile, bilberry, and lavender do the rest! A must for clear, bright, super-smooth skin.
IS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
This is one of the most iconic and aesthetician-favored cleansers of all time, and once you try it, you’ll understand why. It’s gentle enough to use daily, but the formula’s blend of bio-nutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients are potent enough to give pores a seriously deep clean. It smooths, softens, and is especially great for breakout-prone skin.
There are plenty of products on the market that advertise Botox or injection-like results. And, while nothing can compare to the in-office results of injectables, this new(ish) best-selling serum from SkinCeuticals gets pretty dang close. Trust me, incorporate P-Tiox into your routine, and you’ll notice seriously firmer, brighter, and dewier skin.
Fragrance
U Beauty
Proem Eau De Parfum
U Beauty made its first foray into the fragrance arena this year, and suffice to say Proem has been a wild success. The brand describes it as ‘your entire scent wardrobe in one bottle,’ because it can’t be boxed into a single category— it’s at once floral, fruity, earthy, and gourmand, and it smells differently on everyone. It’s stunning and my number one suggestion if someone is looking for a new signature scent.
Lake & Skye
11 11 Eau De Parfum
People go absolutely feral for this beloved perfume from Lake & Skye. The combination of white musk and amber is sophisticated and a dreamy fit for any time of the year.
Parfums de Marly
Cassili Eau De Parfum
Casilli doesn’t get as much attention as some of the other big names in the Parfums de Marly family, but it just so happens to be my favorite, especially during the warmer months. It strikes the perfect balance between fruity and floral thanks to juicy notes à la red currant, Bulgarian rose, plum accord, bergamot, and more.
I live and die by a three-barrel waver all year round, but it’s an especially handy tool come summer. There’s literally zero skill involved, and you’re left with the pretty mermaid-esque waves in under 10 minutes. I’m lazy and unskilled when it comes to styling my hair, so this is too easy!
Dyson
Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
$500 is nothing to sneeze at, but this hair dryer from Dyson is truly worth the investment. If you have the financial bandwidth, I’d say go for it—you’ll have no regrets.
HigherDose
Red Light Face Mask
Team Who What Wear absolutely adores this red light therapy mask from HigherDose. It strategically combines both red and near-infrared LED technologies to supercharge your glow and all-around skin health.
Hair
Olaplex
No.3 Hair Perfector
This is one of those ride-or-die products I will just never quit. As someone who’s perpetually putting my strands through the wringer, this is one of the only solutions that has made a seriously positive impact on the strength, health, and resiliency of my strands. I definitely notice when I’ve gone too long without using it.
Oribe
Dry Texturizing Spray
I bring Oribe’s cult-loved texturizing spray everywhere I go. I carry minis in my bags and carry-on, and the full-size can has earned a permanent spot on my vanity. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve tried hundreds of alternatives, and always, always come back to this one. (Not to mention, the scent is divine.)
This is another hair product that’s maintained an impressive lifespan within my routine. So many brands have launched pomade sticks in the last few years, but this one has retained its MVP status and is the one I recommend to friends and family over and over again.
Makeup
Augustinus Bader
The Tinted Balm Trio
Tinted lip balms are really the move once temperatures start rising, and I can’t recommend this incredibly chic collab between Augustinus Bader and Sofia Coppola highly enough! (This trio is limited-edition, so I’d move fast!)
Hourglass
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
The hype doesn’t lie—this viral skin tint is, indeed, incredible. In fact, as someone who usually despises skin tints and tinted moisturizers, this is the formula that forced me to change my tune. It’s the perfect addition to anyone’s summer makeup routine.
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
I find a way to talk about this setting spray in practically every single story I write… but it’s really just that good! I love to use it at the beginning and the end of my routine—over my moisturizer as a makeup-gripping primer pre-foundation and as my final step to ensure my makeup looks freshly applied all day (or night) long.
Bath & Body
Vacation
Classic Whip SPF 30
There’s nothing not to love about this retro whipped cream-inspired sunscreen from Vacation. It offers fabulous protection, the scent is nostalgic AF, it doesn’t feel heavy or cloying on the skin, and the application process is downright fun. (Never have I ever said that when it comes to using sunscreen!)
Costa Brazil
Lua Moonlight Body Oil
We always talk about sun-kissed skin, but what about moon-bathed skin!? I’ve been a longtime fan of this dreamy body oil from Costa Brazil. In fact, it’s one of the only body oils that I can tolerate. It absorbs quickly, it never leaves my skin sticky or greasy, and it boasts a seriously impressive mix of antioxidants, omegas, and vitamins—all while amplifying the skin with an ethereal glow.
Mutha
The Nudist Body Scrub
This isn’t your average body scrub. The luxurious melding of fermented postbiotics (so important for the skin microbiome!), coconut oil, castor oil, and brown sugar particles ensure supremely hydrated, baby-soft skin.
