These past few years have certainly been quite different than the ones that preceded them for more reasons than one. I, for one, had quite the wake-up call about how much I was spending on beauty products, and thankfully, came to realize that I didn’t exactly need all of the products I had been acquiring and should seriously attempt to spend and consume less. I don’t think that I’m alone in this realization and because of it, my current favorites for this year are quite different from those of the past.
And I’m very happy about it.
I’m happy to say that I’ve succeeded in making several small changes such as making the conscious effort to use products until they’re completely empty as opposed to dropping them to try the next, new, exciting product. Therefore, the products on this “current favorites” list have really been put through the wringer. Also, I’ve focused on going back to the basics. You will see exactly what I mean as you continue through this post, but scrapping my daily routine altogether and starting from scratch has really helped me to stick with what works.
Some things that are different about this current favorites list is that they’re not all products, and when it comes to the products I do love, it’s not just about their efficacy but also the fact that I feel content using them knowing that their ingredients are safe as well as beneficial. Mind, body, soul, if you know what I mean.
Read on to see all of the goodies and services I’ve been loving lately!
Dry Brushing
Metene Shower Brush
Y’all, when I tell you that I love dry brushing, I really mean it. Dry brushing has so many benefits including exfoliating and rejuvenating the skin, increasing blood circulation, and promoting lymph flow and drainage. Not only that, but it feels really nice! This is because dry brushing stimulates the nervous system, just like a massage often does. It is also one of those products that you can use for quite an extended period of time before having to replace which means we also get to cut down on waste. This particular dry brush contains nylon bristles, not boar bristles, which was important to me when finding the right one. Nylon bristles are also great for those with sensitive skin.
SKINSKOOL
Skincare Compare
This is one of the coolest skincare tools I’ve come across in a long time! I’m so excited to share it with everyone because it has been so helpful with my pregnancy skincare journey. So how does it work? Well, Skinskool is responsible for the world’s first ingredient-based beauty product discovery algorithm that allows you to find beauty products based on specific ingredients. For example, when I was searching for a ceramide cream similar to the Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, I simply typed “Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream” into the search bar, and low and behold, they provided me with a host of similar products. They even rank them on a scale of 1-100, based on the ingredient similarities. Looking for La Mer ingredients minus the La Mer pricetag? This website is for you.
Vaseline
Lip Therapy
Vaseline gained a loyal customer for life in me with this one. I say this with no shame whatsoever, I traded in my Laneige lip sleeping mask for this. It’s so much more affordable and it actually has staying power that, for me, lasts until the morning. There are two other scents (Creme Brulee and Rosy) but I prefer the cocoa butter scent. Okay, this may sound strange to some but I *know* some of you know what I’m talking about—it doesn’t leave a weird taste in your mouth when you use it like some other lip balms or lip masks tend to do. Try it for yourself and you’ll see exactly why it’s on this “current favorites” list.
Tower 28 Beauty
BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush
I just live for cream products these days, especially this cream blush. Admittedly, I don’t use it as a lip cream but as a blush, it is flawless on the skin. It offers buildable color in a luminous, second-skin finish. It has a silicone-free formula and contains plant-based ingredients like green tea extract (a natural antioxidant) and aloe vera that hydrates and soothes the skin as you wear it. A win/win.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Brow Gel
An oldie but a goodie, I don’t think there is another brow product that will ever make me remove this particular brow gel from my current favorites list. Sure, ABH’s brow freeze is cool, too, but this brow gel was made for daily usage. Use it with brow fillers like pencils or powder or without any additional products to simply help brows whenever they need a little taming. There’s a reason this product is a cult favorite.
Native
Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorants suck. They don’t work! Embarrassingly enough, I used to be one of those people that could only use “clinical strength” deodorant. That all changed when I tried this deodorant. I went into it knowing that it wouldn’t work, despite wanting it to so badly, and so I just couldn’t believe it when it actually did. The more I found out about this product and the Native company, the happier I became to continue to purchase and support them. There are no worries necessary when using this deodorant because it’s safe, healthy, and non-toxic, and because it’s aluminum-free, it doesn’t leave stains on your shirt. It is also created without parabens, or sulfates of any kind, it’s crafted in the USA, and it’s vegan. If you are planning to switch to an aluminum-free deodorant, you must try this one!
Maybelline
Sky High Mascara
Maybelline did the dang thing with this one. I had to have repurchased this mascara at least 6 times by now (don’t forget to replace your mascaras every two-to-three months! It’s not wasteful, it’s good hygiene!). No other mascara lengthens my lashes like this one. Turns out, it’s actually infused with bamboo extract & fibers that help to lengthen lashes without making them look clumpy or weigh them down. If you happen to be a fan of the Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! mascara, this one is just like it but with a far more affordable price tag. I’m talking $16 less and those are a lot of dollars. Give it a try for yourself if you haven’t already!
L’Oreal Paris
Infallible Pro Gloss Plump Lip Gloss
Last but not least among my current favorites is this super long-lasting lip gloss that is perfect for everyday use, regardless of if you’re wearing a full face of makeup or none at all. I wouldn’t say that it’s plumping but it does leave a pretty light tingling sensation on the lips. It also has a pretty unique-looking applicator that helps to distribute the perfect amount of product without being too much.