The 3 beauty products 3 of my friends swear by.
Sometimes it is good to be reminded to stick to the basics. Some of the recommendations in this post are simple and straightforward, which I love. Drink water, wear sunscreen, and just moisturize for goodness sake! We can never have too many reminders to take care of our primary needs first and foremost. In this way, beauty is just like our friends. A quick “I am thinking of you” text and a handwritten letter go a long way. A few of my best memories with friends have been a lazy Sunday brunch, a friend stopping to chat with me at the library desk, where I used to work, or a good laugh over our daily catch up. Sometimes you just have to KISS- keep it simple silly- but make sure your lips are moisturized and glossy first!
Monia Mukiza
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
My favorite cream at the moment is the Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream by Ren Skincare. You can find it in Sephora or Ulta.
How often you use it
I use it every other night. Night cream
What you like about the product
I have higher pigmentation and it works wonders for my dark marks
How you found it
An influencer whose opinion that i trust was raving about the product
#2 Favorite Beauty Product and company that sells it
#FauxFilter Foundation by Huda Beauty
How often you use it
This foundation is my go-to foundation. I use it whenever I wear make up
What you like about the product
I love the full coverage that it gives without having to use more than two pumps. My skin observes the foundation well. Giving you the no-makeup makeup look.
How you found it
Consulted by a beauty expert
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
Universal Daily Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta®
How often you use it
I use it once a month
What you like about the product
Life saving! I use it once a month for hormonal breakout.
How you found it
Recommended to me by a friend
Tucker James
@tuckerjstyle
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
My #1 favorite beauty product would have to be WATER, H2O… I know, not conventionally viewed as a “beauty product,” but honestly it’s the number one key ingredient to overall skin health. I try to drink around a gallon a day.
How often you use it
Everyday
What you like about the product
It’s refreshing AND it does way more than just help your skin glow-up, it also;
- increases energy
- helps fight bloating
- helps digestion
- improves joint health
- improves eye health
- Need I go on? The benefits are endless.
How you found it
Obviously I have always drank water, but I started challenging myself to drink a gallon a day about 3 years back when I got into working out, since then it’s been a ritual that I, my skin, my body and my brain love. I feel my best when I’m hydrated!
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
Sunscreen for me it’s the Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion sunscreen SPF 50 by Neutrogena with broad spectrum UVA-UVB protection
How often you use it
Every time I go outside
What you like about the product
It’s ACTUALLY non-greasy- a lot of products claim to be and you still end up slippery.
How you found it
My friend Vanessa actually shoved her half empty one into my travel bag as we were checking out of a hotel in Scottsdale Arizona right off the tail end of and inspiring weekend of hair & creativity at the second Aiir Gathering w/ @aiirprofessional which brings me to my next must have…
#3 Favorite Beauty Product
Amethyst Hair & Energy Refresher by Aiir Professional
How often you use it
EVERY DAY, EVERY MOMENT, EVERY TIME IT’S WITHIN REACH
What you like about the product
It’s a refreshing mist for the hair, skin and body, it’s infused with moonstone and amethyst for the good vibes. It also has a scent like heaven that is light as air and every bottle has a mantra on it, the one I have with me right now says “I am worthy of all that I desire.”
How you found it
I’m lucky enough to call the founder Jenny Strebe my dear friend, she has created an incredible line of crystal infused professional hair products, this product was her very first , the first batch she infused and made by hand, and I’ve been hooked since then…love at first sight.
Yujia Ma
@yujiamaa
#1 Favorite Beauty Product
UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 by EltaMD
How often you use it
Use a dime size every morning after moisturizer, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure
What you like about the product
It’s oil-free and super lightweight. It’s a mineral sunblock with transparent zinc oxide, which makes it safe to use after dermatologic procedures (I get microneedling every 3 months). It’s relatively affordable and can be applied to face and body. Its SPF 45 makes it adequate for daily sun exposure.
How you found it
My dermatologist recommended it to me. In fact, eltaMD is the #1 dermatologist-recommended professional sunscreen brand.
#2 Favorite Beauty Product
Daily Moisturizing Lotion by CeraVe
How often you use it
Use one pump of the lotion after washing my face with lukewarm water, and after serum at night.
What you like about the product
It is a wonderful lotion that moisturizes and helps restore the protective skin barrier. It’s oil-free, lightweight and easily absorbed without feeling greasy. It is developed with dermatologists and has an unique formula – 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid – to help with the texture and smoothness of the skin. It is also fragrance free to avoid fragrance irritation, in other words, it is gentle on the skin.
How you found it
A number of TikTok skincare gurus are huge fans of CeraVe and swear by all their products, so I decided to give the lotion a shot. It was extremely convenient to access – I believe most Targets carry CeraVe products. Ever since I started using it, my entire skincare routine was significantly transformed and simplified. I used to use more than five products on my face at night, but with the lotion, I am now only using the CeraVe face wash, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair and the lotion. There hasn’t been a dramatic change on my skin, but my skin feels healthy and its condition is stable- I break out way less frequently now!
#3 Favorite Beauty Product and company that sells it
Backstage Glow Face Palette (001 Universal) by Dior
How often you use it
When I do my makeup and after I apply finishing powder on my face – I apply the color “white” on the inner corners of my eyes, on my brow bone, on my nose bridge and on the tip of my nose (leaving a space in between to apply bronzer – that’s how I contour my nose); I apply the color “pink” on my cheekbones; and when I go out to say a club, I apply the color “bronze” under my cheekbones.
What you like about the product
It’s gorgeously shimmery with the color white, gold, pink and bronze that will work on all skin tones. Pros: The shimmer makes your skin look shiny and healthy without making it look oily. The design is so beautiful that sometimes just by looking at the palette I feel content. White is suitable for daily uses, for example, on the inner corners of your eyes and other colors are perfect for when you go out at night – I sometimes use them as my eyeshadows. Cons: It can get messy. After an entire day of being outside and wearing makeup, I’d notice small glitters under my eyes that had fallen from the inner corners of my eyes.
How you found it
At Sephora. I was attracted by its look right away and after swabbing it on the back of my hand and feeling how even the application was, I was immediately in love. It is on the pricey side but if you are looking for an effective highlight, I would still highly recommend (read the pros and cons before you buy)!
Stay tuned for next week’s post where my friends Srishti Soni, Grace Tao, and Bianca Phillips share their three beauty favorites!
Like Christine, I have taken advantage of this newfound time to take a break during the day to go on long walks, bike rides, and runs. I find that going outside for an hour a day can really refresh my mind and provide a boost in my day. Although, I have found online workouts a bit intimidating, I have fell in love with 
Falafel
I was born and raised in suburban New Jersey and apparently I liked it so much I decided to stay put for college. I graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Economics in 2018 and have been working in Human Resources at Barclays Investment Bank in New York City. When I’m not working, I’m usually cooking or baking in the kitchen, running along the Hudson, watching West Wing reruns, or exploring the City- namely ice cream shops- with friends.
Ursula D. 