The 3 beauty products 3 of my friends swear by.
Whenever I look into my makeup bag I am amazed by how many products I have accumulated over the years, having only started wearing makeup just three years ago. When I think about each product I own, it is hard not to think of the friend that recommended it, which is why I never enter a Sephora sans friend in-tow. Some of my best memories in college are from getting ready before a birthday party or night out, when my friends and I shared makeup tips and glittery palettes. Undoubtedly, my favorite beauty finds have been because I had admired a lip gloss on a friend or an eye shadow on another. My friends have been a much-needed window for me into the beauty industry and have taught me almost everything I know about different products and brands, which is why I have recruited some of mine to share their favorites. (Stay tuned next week for three more friends and three more finds!)
Jahnvi Garg
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
A few different lip glosses
How often you use
Almost every day (although would not recommend wearing it these days since it sticks to your mask)
What you like about the product
I think lip gloss can elevate your whole look- it’s so effortless and it makes your skin look more hydrated! I have different ones for different purposes: the Glossier Lipgloss in Red is perfect for daily wear, it has just the right amount of color and doesn’t feel sticky. The Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss in Clear is really good to wear for a night out because it lasts a long time and also kind of makes your lips look more 3D? This shade is also really fun and is super easy to wear. Lastly Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Lip Jelly in Chill, which is the most soothing and non-sticky lip gloss ever. It’s actually a combination of a lip gloss and a moisturizing lip treatment so it feels amazing on your lips.
How you found it
Mostly through trial and error, these three are the ones I have purchased again and again!
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
How often you use
Mostly for special occasions, parties, and night outs
What you like about the product
It literally does not move, fade, or smudge off of your eyelids once you have it on and comes off easily with any makeup remover. The shades are also super pigmented and bright which is rare for an eyeshadow. My favorite shade is “rave” because it looks so good on brown eyes! I also love that it’s a cream formula so there’s no fallout to clean up 🙂
How you found it
I randomly bought my sister one of them in the shade “after-party” and she really liked it. She bought “rave” and “sesh” and I loved how they looked.
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer
How often you use it
Really depends on whether or not I’m going to be wearing mascara that day or not. Usually, I use this for a night out, parties, or whenever I want to be a little extra!
What you like about the product
I use it before I apply my mascara- it basically coats your eyelashes so that when you use mascara your eyelashes look 10x thicker! It makes a huge difference and it almost looks like you’re wearing false eyelashes. I also love this product because sometimes I use it as a brow gel. It has a much stronger hold than a lot of other brow gels and is perfect for styling your brows.
How you found it
I was actually trying to buy the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara because I heard that it was a really good dupe for the Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara. I got distracted by something or the other and accidentally put the primer in my cart.
Nadia Kim
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
How often you use it
Almost every day during the summer
What you like about that product
It might sound a bit aggressive but I absolutely HATE SKINCARE that leaves a sticky feeling. I was desperate for a serum that was light and absorbed fast and this serum not only was that but also kept my face clean throughout the summer. Summer is definitely a tricky season when it comes to both makeup and skincare. The heat, humidity, and pollution (if you live in a city) are the perfect combo to enlarge your pores. This product was ideal for before and after a long day of makeup. Light, smells good, and no sticky feeling! Plus this product has salicylic acid and it helped me get rid of my whiteheads. A side note: Sephora sells it but its almost double the price they sell it in Europe. So if you are planning to visit France or other European countries, picking a few up at the duty-free would be ideal!
How you found it
When I was in Paris my skin was not doing well. My makeup looked uneven and had whiteheads. When this happens, instead of reaching for a primer or a physical exfoliator, I reach for a chemical exfoliator. I looked up some pharmacy-beauty brands, this one popped up!
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
Sabon citron blossom body scrub
How often you use it
Once a week
What you like about the product
I’ve been a fan of Sabon body scrub for about eight years now! I’ve struggled with chicken skin on my legs after shaving but this product was effective yet so gentle. It has dead sea salt with these oils that smell heavenly and is so moisturizing. Rose tea scent was my original favorite but the citrus blossom is my new fav! On a lazy weekend where I want to have a relaxing morning, I’d use this in my shower and I feel like I’m laying in the middle of the orange tree field. (Yes I am exaggerating but that’s how much I like it)
How you found it
I walked by a Sabon shop in Soho eight years ago and it smelled so good I found myself at the counter handing over my credit card.
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
How often you use it
Everyday
What you like about the product
The hold on the product is amazing! So I have my brows micro bladed but I always fill in roughly. But my natural brows are shaped a bit oddly at the ends and are trimmed short. But this product was a game-changer. Few swipes and it help my brows have texture and fuller shape. Korea is super rainy nowadays and since we always wear masks, I just throw on this product, a mascara, tinted lip balm and I’m out the door!
How you found it
Recommendation from a Sephora employee (boy do I miss U.S. Sephora)
Yara El Madalla
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
How often you use it
I use it every day, twice daily (morning and evening) along with my 5-step skincare routine
What you like about the product
Everything, from the texture to the results I’ve seen over the past two years. It’s perfect to moisturize the delicate skin around the eyes and almost immediately hides the fine lines. Over time I’ve noticed my dark circles have become much lighter and less noticeable.
How you found it
I found out about it at Kiehl’s in London about two years ago when I had gone into a store to ask for a whole skincare routine for my skin. The results have been amazing and I’ve been loyal to them ever since!
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
How often you use it
During the winter months, whenever I can! During the warmer months, I apply it before going out.
What you like about it
It’s perfect for the winter and the summer, it moisturizes really well and penetrates quickly too so that it doesn’t leave the hands feeling greasy after application.
How you found it
One of my colleagues at my first internship used to have it and last year, when I needed to buy a new hand-cream, I decided to try this one!
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
Tarte Creaseless Under Eye Concealer
How often you use it
I use it whenever I have to go out and put makeup on.
What you like about the product
I think it has great coverage and really brightens my under eyes, furthermore, unlike other concealers I’ve tried, it doesn’t clump and build up in my fine lines – which makes me look older and more tired.
How you found it
I found out about it a year ago in a Sephora store in Paris, one of the beauty consultants recommended it as a change to my previous Laura Mercier one.
Ursula D. 