Best Multitasker

Gone are the days that I have to book blowout appointments for special events—the Dyson Airwrap gives me a salon-worthy result every single time. It’s common knowledge that the Airwrap is a splurge, but it’s one that has saved me money in the long-run. Between the six attachments it comes with, I can style my hair any way imaginable—curly, straight, wavy—and it creates a sleek, voluminous look that lasts for days. It’s also made my hair healthier over time, as I’m using less heat on it and therefore causing less damage.
-Josie

Best Bang for Your Buck

If you’re reading this, you can’t afford the Dyson Airwrap—same, girl! With that said, I have tried a Dyson AirWrap before, and I can say without a doubt that the Shark FlexStyle totally holds up at a lower price point. I have curly hair, so the diffuser attachment on this one is my go-to, and I personally think my curls have never looked better than they have since getting this tool. I’ve done some serious heat damage to my hair in the past, so I appreciate that even when I do use my FlexStyle to do a full-fledged blowout, my hair doesn’t feel crunchy or damaged after the next wash.
-Emma

Best Curling Iron

My $18, 1.5-inch Conair curling iron has been a mainstay of my bathroom countertop for eight-plus years. I have the Dyson AirWrap and love it, but when I just need a five-minute hairstyle or a quick touch-up, this affordable curling iron always delivers loose, beachy curls that last for days.
-Meagan

Best Hair Dryer

My Dyson hair dryer is the single most important step in my hair routine. I could switch out pretty much every other product (and often do!) and get the same results, but drying my hair with anything other than my Dyson is a challenge. Where other dryers take an hour or more to fully dry my thick, curly hair, I can diffuse with my Dyson for about 20 minutes and be ready to go. For a curly girl with lots of hair, it’s a real lifesaver. While I don’t have use for many of the attachments that come with the dryer, I know from talking to friends with different hair types that it’s just as much of a difference-maker for them, too.
-Garri

Best Hair Straightener

As someone with wavy hair, I’m always looking for a straightener that gets extra-hot and leaves my hair silky and smooth. I’d heard great things about Kristen Ess’s haircare products, so I decided to give this straightener a try—and boy has it delivered. After several years of use, it’s still as good as when I first bought it. It heats up fast, stays hot, is easy to use, and gives me results quickly. And, as an added bonus, its sleek design looks great left out on my countertop. (Which let’s be real: That’s where it usually is.)
-Ashley

Best Overnight Protection

Curly girls! This is the best bonnet on the market—and I’ve tried my fair share throughout my curly hair journey. The satin helps retain moisture, prevent frizz and breakage, and preserve styles while you sleep. Most satin bonnets can achieve that, but what sets the Glow by Daye one apart is its size and adjustability. The drawstring allows you to get a snug fit and prevents the bonnet from sliding off while you toss and turn. Plus, its large interior has room for even the longest of curls.
-Garri

Best Overnight Styling 

This product has drastically changed my hair routine. While it may look like a simple satin scrunchie, it’s actually a groundbreaking way to tie your hair for sleep so that you can wake up with stunning locks that look like you just came from a salon. It adds volume without heat and you’re able to prolong your blowout or waves without touching them up. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to wrap your hair up—it takes seconds and you don’t need a mirror.
-Allyson

Best for Smoothing

As someone with super curly hair living in an area with high humidity and heat, I’m constantly on the lookout for the best anti-frizz products. My hair stylist recently used this heat-protecting blowout spray on me while drying my hair, and I was so shocked at how smooth and bouncy my hair looked after that I immediately bought it for styling my hair at home. The smoothing effects mimic a Keratin treatment for me, and it keeps my frizz at bay for days on end. It also protects against heat, which helps keep my hair healthy and shiny in the long-run.
-Keely

Best for Strengthening

I was dealing with hair loss this summer due to some health issues, and when I explained my situation to my hair stylist, she sent me home with this product. Ever since I started using it, I’ve noticed a drastic decrease in the amount of shedding I have after I shower, and my hair is feeling fuller than it did six months ago (my hair stylist even commented on how much new growth I have coming in). This product also protects from heat and makes my hair super shiny after I blow dry it. If you deal with a lot of hair shedding, this will be your absolute best friend.
-Maddie

Best for Frizz Control

I’ve mastered at-home blowouts with my Dyson Airwrap, and I’m able to extend my hairstyle to a point that’s drastically reduced my time spent getting ready. But unfortunately, even with the best blowout, my hair looks for any opportunity to revert back to its natural frizz-prone state—until I started using this product. Liquid Glass is best used liberally on wet hair and then immediately blown out, preferably with a round brush. Unlike other frizz products I’ve tried and quickly stopped using, this product feels weightless and doesn’t leave a sticky residue on your hair.
-Allyson

Best Curl Cream

I’ve tried a few different curl creams this year, and this was the one that came out on top. This cream leaves my curls feeling hydrated and bouncy without weighing them down, which is vital for my fine, curly hair. If you have curly hair that is easily weighed down by product, this will be your best friend.
-Emma

Best Hair Oil

As a natural hair girlie who prefers to wear her hair straight, hydration is key for long-term wear. I use this product after every hair wash and the shine it leaves always amazes me. It doesn’t weigh my hair down, which is huge after experiencing so many products that left my hair heavy and greasy. Another perk that set this product apart for me is its subtly sweet scent that lingers in my hair long after using it.
-Aryana

Best Overnight Treatment

If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be “dry” (if I had two, it would be “extremely dry”). My skin, hair—everything is just in constant need of hydration. That being said, this is the best product I’ve found for my long, highlighted hair’s health. It’s a leave-in product that I put on my dry hair before I go to bed, and when I wake up, my hair is shinier, less frizzy, and overall happier. It completely absorbs overnight, so I don’t wake up with my hair feeling greasy or full of product—just like I did the world’s best deep-conditioning mask to it. This has a permanent spot in my hair routine.
-Maddie

Best for Air Drying

My wavy hair is very inconsistent on a day-to-day basis, and depending on the weather, it can end up being a frizzy mess. This is my go-to product to apply post-shower to enhance my waves while eliminating my frizz. After combing my wet hair, I apply the product, give my hair a scrunch, and let it air dry for perfectly undone waves. Bonus: It smells like you’re on an island vacation.
-Cassie

Best Hairspray

I grew up as a competitive dancer, so I have a love-hate relationship with hairspray. At the ripe age of 29, I’m no longer working to douse myself in layers of hairspray to craft a bun that would survive the apocalypse, but rather to give my blowout and curls enough encouragement to stay put without looking crunchy as hell. This Firm + Flexible hairspray is the best of both worlds, plus protects hair from heat, which is great for those inevitable, last-minute touch-ups.
-Ashley

Best Dry Shampoo

I am a gal who loves a sweaty workout, but also can’t wash my curly hair every day (or even close to that). I’ve tried dozens of dry shampoos in my day, and this is the one I repurchase time and time again. It makes my hair feel truly clean and doesn’t leave a white cast or gritty texture behind. I love it so much that I also add a little to my clean hair to give it a little more volume. It also has a fresh, clean scent that doesn’t feel overwhelming like other dry shampoos I’ve tried.
-Emma

Best Scalp Treatment

This exfoliating scrub is a shower staple and all-around lifesaver for my sensitive scalp. It works on all hair types and textures to help clear your scalp of buildup and alleviate itchy or dry spots. My scalp used to be an itchy mess due to overuse of dry shampoo, but this product completely healed my dandruff and calmed my scalp. Now I never shampoo without it.
-Allyson

Best Moisturizing Hair Mask

Even with good shampoo and conditioner, sometimes my hair just needs some extra TLC. I use this hydrating mask whenever I feel like my hair needs a little extra moisture, and it rivals the most expensive ones I’ve tried. It contains ceramides and collagen that help to repair hair damage, and leaves your hair shiny, healthy, and hydrated.
-Keely

Best Hydrating Shampoo

The combination of being on Accutane (it dries out your hair just as much as your skin, unfortunately) and bleaching my hair platinum blonde for the past three years has unsurprisingly led me to have the driest hair known to man. I’ve tried endless combinations of products to keep it feeling as moisturized and hydrated as possible, and have ultimately learned that this shampoo and conditioner are all I need. I’ve been using them for about eight months now, and it turns out I didn’t need any expensive treatments or loads of leave-in products—just a really good shampoo and conditioner.
-McKenna

Best Repairing Shampoo

I have fine, straight hair that I highlight every three months, meaning that I’m constantly battling against damage and trying to make my hair healthier. After trying dozens of different shampoos and conditioners this year, this one was the clear winner. I would have days where my hair felt amazing—shiny, healthy, full—and then realize the only thing I changed in my routine was using this shampoo. I use it in combination with the Acidic Bonding conditioner, and the two actually repair my hair’s damage, rather than just masking it.
-Maddie

Best Mascara

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m a mascara fiend. I love mascara and have tried just about every drugstore and high-end one available. This, my friends, is the best mascara money can buy. It makes your eyelashes fluffy, fanned out, and voluminous, but never clumpy or heavy. It also lasts all day without ever flaking or smearing under my eyes. You can apply one coat to keep it natural on a day-to-day basis, but multiple coats can be added (clump-free!) to amp up the drama, too.

-Maddie

Best Mascara: Drugstore

A friend of mine got me hooked on this mascara this year and I’m never turning back. I’m a drugstore mascara girl through and through, and I can’t believe it took me until 2023 to discover this gem. It adds so much length and looks incredibly natural, which is a hard combination to achieve. I constantly get asked if I’m wearing falsies, and every time I do, I’m wearing this affordable mascara.

-Hailey

Best Pencil Eyeliner

This is hands-down the best eyeliner I’ve ever tried. It goes on smooth and opaque in a single swipe and lasts all day while remaining smudge-free. I can make my liner super precise or smoked out and dramatic with this, and both ways, it lasts until I take it off with makeup remover at night. It also comes in a beautiful range of colors that manage to be both unique and wearable.
-Albany

Best Pencil Eyeliner: Drugstore

While I’ve found drugstore eyeliners I like, I’ve never found one in the rich shade of brown that’s more readily available on the high-end market—but this one is exactly what I’ve been searching for. It comes in multiple shades, but “Mighty Mocha” is truly the perfect shade of brown, plus the liner itself is heavily pigmented and lasts all day. It’s subtly shimmery but not sparkly, so it’s perfect for everyday wear and more glam makeup looks alike.
-Josie

Best Liquid Eyeliner

In my experience, a great liquid eyeliner is not easy to find. It can’t smudge, crease, or move throughout the day, but also has to be easy to work with and have an applicator that allows for precision. I can draw the sharpest, cleanest lines with this, and no matter what I do, it lasts all day long. I’ve repurchased this one again and again. The black is my go-to, but it also comes in a rich shade of brown that I use, too.
-Ashley

Best Liquid Eyeliner: Drugstore

I’ve tried just about every drugstore liquid eyeliner, and this one is by far the best. It stays on through whatever you put it through—rain, snow, sweaty concerts—and is opaque, pigmented, and has a sharp tip that’s perfect for precise lines. It comes in brown and black, and neither disappoint.
-Emma

Best Eyeshadow: Liquid

I gave up more involved eyeshadow looks years ago and switched to using mostly bronzer on my lids when doing my everyday makeup. Earlier this year, however, I started seeing more one-and-done eyeshadow products hit the shelves at Sephora and my TikTok For You Page. I purchased this Ilia liquid eyeshadow on a whim and it’s since become a staple in my everyday routine. I dab a little bit on my lid and blend out with a fluffy eyeshadow brush for a simple look that adds just a little oomph to my eyes. It lasts all day, is crease-free, and packs a major punch for a one-and-done product.
-Garri

Best Eyeshadow: Cream

I never used to reach for eyeshadow besides for special-occasion makeup until I added this product to my routine. It gives a subtle (but effective) wash of matte color to the lids that doesn’t crease throughout the day and is truly impossible to mess up. I apply “Vachetta” on my crease and eyelid every single day to add a little warmth and definition to my eyes with completely fuss-free application.
-Maddie

Best Eyeshadow: Palette

This timeless palette is a staple for any makeup collection. It’s the one I can’t stop reaching for whether I’m creating my everyday look or something a little more special. The powder shadows are slightly creamy, which makes them easy to apply. They are buildable and blend with very minimal fallout, so you’ll achieve a velvety, almost airbrushed finish—no matter your eyeshadow skill level.
-Allyson

Best Brow Pen

Benefit has long been at the top of the heap when it comes to brow products, and this microfilling eyebrow pen is no exception. I love that it creates super hair-like strokes that don’t make my brows look too overdrawn, but still defines them and makes them look naturally full. It’s a delicate balancing act to pull off, but Benefit does it incredibly well.
-Keely

Best Brow Gel

I know, I know, you’ve heard enough about the Refy brow gel this year, but as a brow gel hoarder, I have to say I’ve never quite loved the way my brows look as much as I do when I use this product. The gel makes my brows look fluffy and well-kept, but never crusty or too full of product, and the dual-end brush allows you to manipulate your brows to be as brushed-up or tamed as you like them. If you love the brushed-up, laminated brow look, this product is the best way to get it.
-Emma

Best Brow Gel: Drugstore

This product became my brow lifesaver in 2023. I have quite wavy and unruly brows, and I’ve used products in the past to try and tame them, but nothing has worked as well as this gel and a brush. It’s super easy to apply and is pretty forgiving since the gel is completely clear. It also keeps my brows tamed all day long—even through the occasional 10-hour office day. Bonus: It’s super affordable and lasts months.
-Caitlin

Best Primer

Since I have such dry skin, it’s really easy for my face makeup to look a bit cakey or flat, but this gel illuminator solves that problem for me. I apply a thin layer of it all over my face before I put on any foundation or concealer, and it adds the most natural-looking glow to my look without looking too oily or sparkly. Its works beautifully both under my makeup or worn alone for a healthy-looking glow.
-McKenna

Best Primer: Drugstore

One of my friends gifted me this product as part of a “favorite things”-themed present last Christmas, and it quickly became the most-used product in my makeup bag. As someone who has struggled with acne and hyperpigmentation in the past, I used to rely on heavy foundation to feel confident in my own skin, but this product was the turning point for me. I love that it offers a good amount of coverage while making my skin look glowy, hydrated, and healthy, without irritating my sensitive skin. I dab it on with a hint of concealer on problem areas, then top it with a finishing powder for a natural, glowy look I’m confident in all day.
-Jessica F.

Best Foundation

I’ve tried dozens of base products this year, and given that I have dry skin, “matte” and “full coverage” are two words I never gravitate toward. However, I picked this up before Fashion Week when I knew I needed my makeup to last all day—and through all the elements: sweat, rain, heat, you name it—and it is truly the best foundation I’ve ever tried. This is my go-to for special occasions like weddings and holidays, but I also love making it a bit more sheer for everyday wear.
-Maddie

Best Clean Foundation

I don’t like how heavy foundations can feel, how they settle into my pores, or how I need to touch them up to accommodate my oily skin. Every foundation I’ve ever tried has given me one if not all of those problems—except for this one. This foundation gives me comfortable coverage, all-day wear, a satin finish, and an airbrushed complexion—every single day.
-Hailey

Best Skin Tint

This year, I fell head-over-heels for Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint for my skin that’s prone to dryness. This product has SPF 40 in it and gives me coverage while making my skin dewy and adding a little bit of warmth. It has changed the makeup game for me, and I recommend it to everyone I know.
-Alaina

Best Powder Foundation

This is one of the products that went viral in 2023 that was actually worth the hype. I’ve never tried a powder that leaves your skin so utterly perfected. You can really customize what you want out of it. For light coverage, I’ll use a big fluffy brush and pat this all over my face after prepping my skin, but I especially love a light layer of this to set my makeup. When I use this, I literally glance at my face in the mirror all day because of how good my skin looks.
-Maddie

Best Complexion Multitasker

This is a newer product in my makeup bag, but it’s already become a staple in my everyday routine. I have dry, acne-prone skin, so I prefer to have a little bit of coverage even on days when I’m only going to be on Zoom. This product is the perfect in-between for me and evens out my complexion in just a few small swipes without having to put on a full base of foundation (but it also looks beautiful if I do use it all over my face for fuller coverage). It blends so easily and really just looks like your skin but better.
-Meagan

Best Concealer

The first time I used this concealer, I looked into the mirror and audibly gasped. I did not realize how tired I looked until I applied this under my eyes for the first time—it made me look rested in a way I haven’t in years. It also lasts all day without creasing, which is a never-event in the world of concealer. A little goes a long way with this product, so even though I am addicted to it, it’s going to take me forever to use the entire tube.
-Allyson

Best Cream Bronzer

I wrote a lengthy review on my experience with the Nudestix bronzer and blush, and when I say this is my most used product of the year, I mean it. It’s quickly risen to the top of my holy grail list and I reach for it more often than any other bronzer I have (Rare Beauty, Merit, Tower28, and Nars are all in my makeup drawer). It blends into the skin so beautifully, has great color payoff, and packs a lot of product into the tube. Even after almost daily use for this past year, I’m nowhere near finished with it.
-Garri

Best Powder Bronzer

I love cream products as much as the next girl, but I find that I need to set mine with a powder if I want my makeup to last longer than an hour. This is, by far, the best powder bronzer I’ve ever tried. It’s described as a “gel-powder,” which is exactly what it feels like. It’s buttery-soft and leaves your skin with a natural, sun-kissed look that lasts all day. Plus, it has an amazing shade range that has a great option for all skin tones.
-Keely

Best Cream Blush

I’ve tried a lot of products this year, but despite the overwhelming amount I have, this product remains on my vanity and gets used every day. It’s totally unique as a cream blush-highlighter hybrid, and it manages to add a glow to your face without being sparkly or overpowering. I have it in multiple colors, and I finish my makeup every single day by adding one of them to my cheeks. I use mauveglow as a blush topper, but I also use quartzglow as a traditional highlighter to add a little glow to the high points of my face. If you love for your cheeks to look dewy, you’ll love this product.
-Maddie

Best Liquid Blush

Blush is probably the makeup product I experiment with the most, but of all the ones I’ve tried this year, there’s only one I come back to time and time again. The Saie Dew Liquid Blush is really the perfect cheek product. Other liquid blushes can be messy and hard to blend, but this one is so easy to use and gives great color payoff with only a little product. It also lasts forever—some blushes are the first product to fade on my face, but this one is just as bright and saturated hours later as it is when I first put it on.
-Garri

Best Powder Blush

Behold: the Holy Grail of powder blushes. Pat McGrath is known for her incredible eyeshadows, but in my opinion, these blushes deserve just as much hype. They have the perfect amount of pigment that packs a subtle punch right away (without looking powdery), but are also easily buildable if you like a more flushed look. They’re silky-smooth, long-lasting, and have a shade range so good that I own three of them that I use constantly.
-Maddie

Best Hydrating Lipstick

This is a relatively new-to-me product that I recently started using, but I already love it so much I’m ready to order it in more shades. After comparing TikTok try-ons and checking out the shades in Sephora, I went with “Desire,” and I feel like it’s the perfect dark pink that can be worn both on its own for more pared-back looks, or with a lip liner for more full-glam days. I love that it is a lip gloss, hydrating balm, and volumizer all in one to give you naturally plump-looking lips. The packaging is also so luxe, it feels like an experience every time I use it.
-Keely

Best Satin Lipstick

I’ve always found it hard to find a lipstick that’s a color that suits me enough that I actually want to wear it every day, until I was introduced to these. These Merit lipsticks come in perfect, wear-everyday shades, and are made in an ultra-comfortable formula that leaves a hydrating, satin finish. I wear the shade “Baby” for the perfect nude-pink wash of color.
-Emma

Best Tinted Lip Balm

2023 was the year of lip balms. Between Rhode, Hourglass, and Summer Fridays, it felt like there were new lip products on the market every single week. Unfortunately for me, 2023 was also the year I discovered I have an allergy to shea butter, which is a leading ingredient in pretty much every cult-favorite lip balm out there. I set out on a quest to try as many lip balms as I could this year and one stood above the rest: Iconic London’s Melting Touch Lip Balm. It doesn’t have shea butter but is still super hydrating, creamy, and long-lasting. It also comes in beautiful shades that are perfect for everyday wear.
-Garri

Best Lip Gloss

I became obsessed with lip glosses this year, and have tried dozens of high-end and drugstore ones alike. Out of all the ones I’ve tried, though, the Glossier High-Shine Lip Gloss in the shade red was my favorite one. The subtle red tint brings out the natural color of your lips, giving the perfect, no-fuss tint that you don’t need a mirror to apply. It’s also hydrating enough that it keeps my lips feeling soft and looking plump for hours after applying.
-Bella

Best Lip Plumper

This Gloss Bomb Heat lip gloss from Fenty Beauty was the ultimate soiree-in-the-girls-bathroom find. When I first tried this while at my friend’s Bachelorette in Vegas earlier this year, I knew I would be hard-pressed to find a lip product even half as good. Even though I’ve tested out plenty of lip glosses and plumpers this year, nothing hits the spot quite like this stuff, which leaves my lips visibly plumper within seconds.
-Ashley

Best Lip Liner

Never have I ever met a liner that has stayed on my lips for more than 10 minutes—that is until I gave this Refy Lip Sculpt a try. Unlike others I’ve tried, this lip liner is creamy but doesn’t smudge, and it has a clear setter for those days when you really want to lock it in. It serves as the perfect lip base, and I currently have three of them: one on my desk at work, one on my vanity, and one in my purse when I’m on the go.
-Ashley

Best Serum for Hyperpigmentation

This $40 serum worked wonders for my postpartum melasma. The gentle formula makes it perfect for sensitive skin. I never experienced any irritation and was impressed that I could see noticeable results before finishing my first bottle. It’s not often that I’m repurchasing a product before I finish it, but I couldn’t fathom going a day without this. From price to results, this was an all-around win for me.
-Allyson

Best Hydrating Serum

I’ve used many hyaluronic acid serums, but I never saw a visible difference in my skin until I started using this one. It makes my skin visibly hydrated and plump, without being sticky or leaving any sort of residue. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and volcanic water to strengthen and repair your skin’s barrier, which I’m very much looking forward to for my first Chicago winter. Its affordability is also a bonus—I’d pay three times the price for this serum.
-Emma

Best Vitamin C Serum

I’ve been using this Vitamin C serum for almost two years now, and I can’t say enough good things about it. Vitamin C serums can be super pricey, but I’ve seen visible results from this one at a price point I can swallow (and repurchase once I run out). It makes my skin brighter, evens out dark spots, and works well with other products, so it’s become a daily necessity in my skincare routine.
-Emma

Best Essence

Since I was already a huge fan of the other Rhode products, I had a feeling I’d love this one, too, and ordered it the second it was released. This was my first time using an essence in my skincare routine, and it’s made me a believer. The immediate, hydrated glow I get from this product is what instantly sold me, but it also leaves me with plump, healthy-looking skin all day long. I use it as the first step after cleansing my skin both morning and night, and my skin has never looked better. This is now a must-have in my skincare routine.
-Keely

Best Hydrating Mask

You know that feeling when you step off a plane and every inch of your face feels tight and dry? This mask was made with that moment in mind. Despite my frequent flyer miles being pathetic, I use this every single night. It’s incredibly hydrating and a must-have product for my dry and easily irritated skin. I love that it can double as a mask or a heavy moisturizer. It’s helped me keep my skin calm and hydrated in all climates and circumstances. You’ll never find me without Jet Lag Mask in my arsenal.
-Allyson

Best Clarifying Mask

When my skin is freaking out, I love to pull out the big guns. For me, that means this Caudalie Instant Detox Mask. This clay mask helps to combat uneven texture and tightens pores, which makes it the perfect pick-me-up on days when my skin needs a reset. This has helped me keep my skin looking clear even the most stressful times of the year.
-Ashley

Best Exfoliating Mask

If I had to crown one product the most life-changing of 2023, it would have to be the wild huckleberry 8-acid polishing peel from Alpyn Beauty. I wrote a full review of the product here, but the TL;DR is that this product single-handedly cleared my clogged pores in under a month. I will definitely be repurchasing this for years to come.
-Emma

Best Chemical Exfoliator

I like to classify my life in two eras: before DDG Peel Pads and after DDG Peel Pads. I tried this at-home chemical peel packed with AHAs/BHAs for the first time back in February and was an immediate convert. I started off with their Universal strength (as my skin isn’t super sensitive) and have since worked my way up to Extra Strength. With a few swipes of their exfoliating and smoothing wipe followed by their anti-aging neutralizer wipe, I find that my complexion looks smooth, glowy, and better than ever. I’m always stocked up because my skin is its most happy when I have these on board.
-Ashley

Best Moisturizer

Never in my 27 years on this planet have I subscribed to automatic refills of a beauty product—until I met Instant Angel. I wrote an entire review about my love affair with this product here, but the short of it is that this has completely transformed my skin from perpetually dry and dehydrated to normal and healthy-looking. I get the jumbo version of this delivered every six weeks because I don’t want to go a single day without it. This has been my favorite skincare find of all-time, and I don’t know how I ever survived a Chicago winter without it.
-Maddie

Best Moisturizer: Drugstore

I was on Accutane for the first half of 2023, and when everyone says its biggest side effect is that it completely dries you out, they were not kidding. Even at my driest, this moisturizer quite literally was (and still is) my savior. It keeps my skin feeling super hydrated and reduces so much of the flakiness and discomfort that comes with ultra-dry skin. And because of its gel formula, it doesn’t feel overly thick or heavy on my face like some dry-skin friendly cream moisturizers can tend to. The best part? It’s actually affordable.
-McKenna

Best Solution for Redness

I struggle with rosacea, and this is the best product I’ve ever found to keep my redness at bay. I dab the smallest amount onto my cheeks and forehead, blend with my fingers, set with powder, and I’m rosy-cheek free for the entirety of the day. The light green hue of the cream neutralizes redness, so it’s perfect for no-makeup-makeup days, and gives me an extra boost of confidence I didn’t know I needed. The tiny jar also seems never-ending, so it’s definitely worth the price. Did I mention it also has SPF?
-Bella

Best Makeup Remover

After feeling like my cleansing balm was breaking me out this year, I sought out a great micellar water to remove makeup before I wash my face every night. When I say this takes off every drop of makeup, I mean it. From waterproof eye makeup to foundation, this leaves my skin so clean that when I dry it with a white towel after—the true test of if you really took your makeup off—there are zero streaks of makeup on it. I’ve noticed my skin become clearer and brighter since incorporating this into my routine, probably on account of how well it removes my makeup every night.
-Maddie

Best Cleanser

All of the dermatologists I’ve ever seen have hammered the same notion into my head throughout my (almost) 30 years: Cleanser doesn’t spend much time on your face, so you don’t need to shell out a ton of cash on one. I live and die by this Hydrating Cleanser by CeraVe, which keeps my skin’s barrier happy and healthy, but also removes dirt and impurities to leave my skin clean and free of blemishes. I usually don’t subscribe by the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” when it comes to beauty, but I absolutely do for this tried-and-true cleanser.
-Ashley

Best Face Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable when it comes to my daily routine, and I can’t tell you the amount of ones I’ve tried that have left my skin with a white cast or uncomfortable residue. Melē’s sunscreen oil is made for melanin-rich skin, so it’s protective against harmful sun elements but also incredibly hydrating. Adding this product to my routine has been a complete game changer, and given that it’s only $20 and can be picked up at Target, I have no complaints.
-Aryana

Best Face Self-Tanner

I’m religiously use tanning drops in my daily face moisturizer to give me a healthy glow all year long, and I’m quick to drop a tanning product if it doesn’t create the look I want. These drops from Lux Unfiltered are now a favorite of mine, so much so that I’m already on my second bottle. I only need a couple drops mixed into my moisturizer every other day for an even, natural, and radiant glow, and I love to add a few drops into my body lotion for a quick and easy tan when I’m in need of it.
-Keely

Best Treatment for Post-Acne Discoloration

Since my teenage years, I’ve been combating breakouts that leave me with dark spots that seem to take forever to fade. I decided to give this product a try after a friend gave it a glowing recommendation, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve been using this for over a year, and it’s reduced my discoloration and acne marks so effectively it’s honestly shocking. It’s gentle enough to use every day, but powerful enough to make dark spots completely disappear. I’ve tried dozens of products promising to treat post-acne discoloration, but this one is the clear winner.
-Aryana

Best Spot Treatment

I was on vacation with my friends last summer when a massive, pesky pimple popped up out of the blue to join us on our trip. My friend had this in her bag and let me use it, and no exaggeration, my budding pimple was stopped in its tracks literally overnight. This fast-acting spot treatment uses clay, sulfur, and willow bark to dry pimples out quickly without irritation. I’ll never be without this in my medicine cabinet.
-Maddie

Best Post-Blemish Treatment

As someone who has sensitive, acne-prone skin, I am constantly fighting random breakouts and looking for anything and everything that can help the aftermath of pesky pimples go away once they’ve been patched (…or popped). You know that point in a pimple’s life where it’s no longer active , but also isn’t quite heeled? That’s what this is for. A tiny dab of cream applied a few times a day soothes, repairs, and heals post-blemishes, and in just a day or two, it’s like no pimple was ever there to ruin my day in the first place. It’s less than $15, but I’m so dependent on it, I’d spend 10x that if I had to.
-Hailey

Best Pimple Patches

As I’ve mentioned on The Everygirl Podcast, I am unafraid to wear pimple patches to the club—or just out and about in my everyday life. These pimple patches from Hero Cosmetics are not only incredibly effective for spot treatment on my random pimples, they’re also super easy to hide under my makeup. I highly recommend these patches for anyone who wants to habit-stack their makeup routine by covering pimples with an effective patch while also making them appear less visible.
-Emma

Best Acne-Fighting Moisturizer

As someone prone to hormonal breakouts who also suffers from dry skin during the winter, Osea’s clarifying moisturizer has been a lifesaver for me. It’s super hydrating, plus contains plant-based salicylic acid, which gives my skin extra acne-fighting power when I’m breaking out. I am very cautious with moisturizers clogging my skin and doing more harm than good, but this one is lightweight enough to give the hydration I need while simultaneously fighting my breakouts.
-Cassie

Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

After going off birth control, I dealt with the worst hormonal acne of my life this summer. When my skin had painful blemishes that I couldn’t get under control, I was terrified to put anything new or irritating on it, and this moisturizer was my absolute savior. I see everyone rave about the SOS spray, but the moisturizer, in my opinion, deserves just as much hype. It’s ultra-hydrating, completely non-irritating, and seemed to soothe even the angriest of blemishes while reducing their redness. It also helped to keep my skin’s barrier intact while I was using harsh, drying acne treatments.
-Maddie

Best Acne-Fighting Toner

I typically rely on retin-A to keep regular breakouts at bay, but sometimes my blemishes are more stubborn than others. When I’m dealing with a particularly tricky breakout (on either my face or body), this glycolic acid toner from The Ordinary is a literal godsend. Case in point: My husband saw how well it works on me and started using it on his own stubborn breakout—seriously, this spot had blemishes off and on for years—and it’s now completely gone with no signs of coming back. While I don’t use this every day, it’s such a great product to have in my arsenal when I really need it.
-Garri

Best Acne-Fighting Face Tool

This LED mask was the ultimate splurge purchase that I snagged during Black Friday of 2022. While I’ll admit that the strap bugs me a bit, I haven’t found an LED mask that contours the face even half as well, and I also haven’t found one that offers both red light and blue light functions. I originally bought it for the red-light benefits (smooths lines, firms skin, and treats signs of sun damage), but having the blue-light option to destroy acne-causing bacteria and help clear my complexion has been such a game changer—hence why I recommend it to everyone I know, especially those struggling with acne.
-Ashley

Best In-Shower Body Lotion

I made body care a priority this year and have gotten my routine down to a T. I start by washing with a hydrating body wash, then exfoliate (either by shaving or with a scrub), put on an in-shower moisturizer, and then moisturize with lotion again after I get out. The result is the softest skin I’ve ever had in my life. While this four-step routine has been a game-changer overall, I credit Nivea’s in-shower moisturizer with making the biggest difference. My skin is literally so soft after using just this that I could probably go without another moisturizer altogether. It’s become a non-negotiable in my daily routine.
-Garri

Best Unscented Body Lotion

I have sensitive skin, so I tend to opt for body lotions that are unscented to avoid any irritation. This lotion contains omega fatty acids, shea butter, and vitamin B, and has left me with the most hydrated skin of my life. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue, so I’m also safe to put it on before bed or a few minutes before I put my clothes on without risking any uncomfortable stickiness.
-Josie

Best Scented Body Lotion

Earlier this year, I ended up on a very strange side of the beauty internet that convinced me that I needed to create a scent system of body wash, body lotion, and perfume in order to optimize smelling good. Fortunately for me, I ended up purchasing all three in the Missing Person scent from Phlur, and now I don’t think I can ever go back. I have dry skin, so I can be extremely picky with my body lotions, and it takes a lot for me to stray from a classic CeraVe moment. This body lotion not only smells amazing, but it has also held up to my high standards for retaining moisture and keeping my skin hydrated.
-Emma

Best Body Butter

I typically avoid body butter at all costs, but after a good ol’ sunburn or a cold winter day, my skin begs for some TLC. This is the most luxurious, hydrating product my skin has ever experienced. The whipped butter turns into an oil-like texture when you work it into your hands, and it easily soaks into your skin without leaving any residue behind. I have back-ups on deck and in my beauty cabinet so I never have to go a day without it.
-Hailey

Best Body Exfoliator

This body serum has worked wonders for the lumps, bumps, and discoloration that previously haunted the back of my arms and thighs. I prefer to use it at night right after a shower, because it feels a little sticky when applied, but it quickly dries down and wears well under pajamas. A little goes a long way, so even though it feels like an investment, this bottle will take you a long time to finish, and you’ll see noticeable results with consistent use.
-Allyson

Best Body Serum

I’m notorious for treating the skin on my face like gold while completely neglecting the rest of my body, but this serum changed that for me this year. This body serum contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to plump and restore the skin on your body. It’s unscented, absorbs easily, and the results have been so noticeable, it actually got me to use a body product every day for first time ever.
-Maddie

Best Deodorant 

I made the switch to a serum deodorant this year, and I can confidently say that I’m never turning back. I have pretty sensitive skin, so most deodorants cause me to break out or develop a rash, but I’ve found that natural deodorants don’t mask odor as much as I want them to. This one is gentle enough for my sensitive skin, yet still strong enough to combat odor-causing bacteria. While I usually stay away from fragrance in body products, I was pleasantly surprised to find out this deodorant’s warm santal scent is subtle enough that it doesn’t phase me.
-Bella

Best Body Sunscreen

I have fair skin that’s sensitive to the sun, but I’ve never burned while wearing this sunscreen. I love it so much that I buy it in bulk for our household to make sure we have it handy all summer long. It goes on smooth, is hydrating, and doesn’t leave a residue or unwanted smell. I also buy the travel-sized spray cans for easy packing so I can always have it on-hand. I can’t recommend it enough.
-Alaina