The 3 beauty products 3 of my friends swear by.
Just like beauty products, there are different friends for every occasion and season in life. Some are great to hang out at parties with, like a glitter shadow. Some are perfect for getting advice from, like a good color corrector. And some are great workout buddies, I’m looking at you rose facial mist. Not one friend will be your end-all-be-all and that’s a good thing. Each friend has their special place, which makes for a complete circle of friends and a well balanced make up bag. (Stay tuned for next weeks 3 friends and 3 picks).
Jordan Schmolly
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
How often you use it
Every morning in my coffee
What you like about the product
As you age, your body starts to produce less collagen which is essential for skin elasticity, joint health, and so many other benefits. It’s flavorless, and I definitely can tell a difference in my hair and skin. The collagen also acts as a protein powder, so you feel more full after drinking it.
How you found it
Word of mouth recommendation from a friend
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
Anti-Aging Armor SPF 50 by IT Cosmetics
How often you use it
Daily, every morning. And reapply when in direct sunlight
What you like about the product
It has a lightweight feel and absorbs easily. It’s also slightly tinted which makes going makeup free easier
How you found it
Recommended by an Ulta Beauty employee
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum by Perricone MD
How often you use it
Daily after cleansing before SPF
What you like about the product
The bottle feels fancy and old timey with the brown tint and medical dropper! Unlike some Vitamin C serums that can feel sticky, this one does not. I noticed a huge improvement in the brightness of my skin, elasticity, as well as the general texture and tone.
How you found it
Recommended by a friend
Jie Yu Wang
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
How often you use it
Daily, in replacement of an all over foundation. I use it to cover up blemishes and dark under eyes.
What you like about the product
I love how this concealer is light and not cakey at all. The worst feeling ever is when I feel my concealer cracking or building up in the crevices on my face and this is one of the few products I have tried that does not do that. I was finally able to find a product where I was able to have the coverage I wanted without the heavy cakey feeling that concealer usually has.
How you found it
I found the product in the glossier store in Soho. The store was too pretty to not buy anything and I was so glad I ended up buying the concealer!
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
Instant Detox Mask by Caudalie
How often you use it
Once or twice a week. Whenever I feel like my skin needs an extra boost.
What you like about the product
I have combination-oily skin and this product is able to minimize my pores, make my skin feel less greasy while still not creating dry flakes all over my skin. On top of using it all over my face on a weekly basis, it works amazing for spot treatment on acne. If I get a breakout, I put a little bit of this mask on the spots after a hot shower and it works like magic.
How you found it
It was recommended to me at a French pharmacy. My skin was getting really angry at the city air and I was getting a lot more breakouts than usual, the pharmacist recommended this mask for my combination skin type. I have been in love with this product since!
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
Normaderm Anti-Acne Double-Action Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid by Vichy
How often you use it
This is my daily moisturizer.
What you like about the product
I have combination skin, leaning more towards oily so a lot of moisturizers leave my skin feeling greasy and most cause breakouts for me even when they are marketed for my skin type. This moisturizer works amazing for me because it contains salicylic acid to prevent breakouts without making my skin flakey. The moisturizer absorbs into the skin really fast leaving a glowy dewy look.
How you found it
I had finished another bottle of the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (which was the brand I had been using since middle school) and that was when I realized that it was doing nothing for my skin. That was when I decided to do my own research over what ingredients might actually help my skin and that is how I stumbled upon this product. I have rebought it countless times now and I will refuse to use any other moisturizer.
Disha Jadhwani
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother by The Body Shop
How often you use it
Every morning as a serum and/or moisturizer.
What you like about the product
Truly a holy grail product for me! This serum makes my skin super soft to the touch and gives it a youthful, almost glittery glow. I love that it evens out my skin tone and minimizes the appearance of any blemishes. Its slight citrus-y scent is very refreshing!
How you found it
My mum has been using this serum for years so when I ran out of my moisturizer, I stole hers and have been in love with this product ever since.
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
Gelatin Powder (Flavorless) by Great Lakes
How often you use it
This is an essential part of my everyday bedtime regimen! I try not to eat anything 3 hours prior to bed and right before I hit the lights, I consume 2 heaped spoonfuls of gelatin powder and down it with water.
What you like about the product
Those who know me well know that I swear by this! Gelatin powder thickens and lengthens my hair and nails, increases the collagen density of my skin, aids my weight loss efforts, strengthens my bones, increases brain function and so much more! I consume this on an empty stomach right before bed so that I don’t wake up feeling bloated.
How you found it
This has been in my family for years so it has been a part of my bedtime routine for as long as I can remember.
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
How often you use it
Every morning and night after cleansing my skin.
What you like about the product
I love this product because it makes my skin look and feel refreshed! It immediately soothes and brightens my face and it helps reduce any redness on my skin. I usually stray away from scented skincare products but the fragrance of this toner is subtle and very calming.
How you found it
When I ran out of my local Chilean brand rose water toner in college, I frantically looked for an alternative that would work similarly on my sensitive skin. After testing several toners which ended up irritating my skin, I stumbled upon this one and have loved the way it makes my face feel.
Stay tuned for next week’s post where my friends Cristina Rojas, Ashley Walters, and Chelsea Cates-Rolllins share their three beauty favorites!
Ursula D. 