I’m a Beauty Editor Who Tried Hundreds of Product This Year—Here’s What I Actually Buy Myself

As a beauty editor, the lead-up to 2025 looks a lot like organizing through boxes and boxes of products I’ve tested over the last 12 months. And by the looks of what’s in each box, 2024 was a fun year. From new blush formulas and fancy hair tools to life-changing skin serums and nail polishes that easily saved me thousands of dollars otherwise spent at the salon. Many beauty products I tried this year have claimed a permanent spot in my routine. To see 34 picks I would hands down buy again, keep scrolling.

Drugstore Darlings

1 / 6

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser ($18)

I’ve used this cleanser for at least a decade and will never stray. I love the creamy texture and how soothed and hydrated my skin feels even before I apply moisturizer. It also gives a really great clean, but on days I wear more makeup than usual, I like to use micellar water to jump-start my cleansing routine. (More on that below.)

• BUY ON AMAZON – $18
• BUY ON DERMSTORE – $18

2 / 6

Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer ($7)

I’ve tried dozens of concealers this year alone—I always come back to this under-$10 one. The color match is spot on, it blends like a dream and even with just a few dots, it somehow makes me look completely pulled together.

• BUY NOW – $7

3 / 6

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Waterproof Mascara ($9)

My lashes are long, but stubbornly straight. This is the only mascara I’ve ever worn that actually holds a curl.

• BUY NOW – $9

4 / 6

Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush ($10)

I’m happy to report Milani’s Cheek Kiss Cream Blush lives up to the brand’s reputation for making a good blush (hello, Baked Blush in Dolce Pink). The balm-to-cream formula blends seamlessly into my skin resulting in a natural-looking wash of color I used to spend three times as much for.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $10
• BUY ON ULTA – $11

5 / 6

Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% ($17)

I recently tried this under-$20 serum for the first after reading so many great reviews about Naturium, and now I get the hype. This serum helped my skin feel hydrated, look plumper and sat beautifully under every moisturizer I wore.

• BUY NOW – $17

6 / 6

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water ($19)

My go-to makeup remover because it effortlessly removes every ounce of dirt or makeup from my face. Makeup artists, beauty editors and celebrities all swear by it, too.

• BUY NOW – $19

Body Babes

1 / 4

Nécessaire The Body Wash Santal ($25)

Nécessaire’s scented body washes smell so much more luxurious than the $25 price tag. Santal is my favorite—it’s warm and comforting and lingers on my skin long after I’m out of the shower.

• BUY ON NÉCESSAIRE – $25
• BUY ON AMAZON – $25

2 / 4

OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil ($52)

OSEA has allowed me to realize that body oil doesn’t have to have a greasy and slick finish. The Undaria Algae Body Oil absorbs quickly, leaving every inch of my skin with a luminous glow. Plus, it smells heavenly. It quickly replaced lotion in my body care routine.

• BUY ON OSEA – $52
• BUY ON AMAZON – $52

3 / 4

Salt & Stone Deodorant Santal & Vetiver  ($18)

I never thought I’d give luxury deodorant a shot, but Salt & Stone’s formula does everything you’d want a deodorant to do. It keeps skin dry and unbothered, absorbs odors and smells like a very expensive perfume.

• BUY NOW – $18

4 / 4

Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquers ($22)

Dazzle Dry generously gifted me a Mini Flight (in Afterparty) and a Starter Mini Kit. After one manicure, I may never use another nail polish brand again. If you’re looking for an at-home, gel-like manicure that dries in minutes and lasts longer than any other nail polish you’ve ever worn, consider your search over. My two go-to shades are Chiffon Moment and Rose Quartz.

• BUY NOW – $22

Perfume Picks

1 / 4

Maison Louis Marie No. 14 Icila Perfume Oil ($65)

One sniff of this recently-launched scent from Maison Louis Marie and I was hooked. No. 14 Icila has notes of dark plum, jasmine, vanilla flowers, patchouli and osmanthus. These notes, when combined, create a sophisticated scent that’s warm and woodsy yet sweet.

• BUY ON SEPHORA – $65
• BUY ON CREDO – $65

2 / 4

Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum ($225)

This is the perfume that gets me stopped on the street by strangers. Mojave Ghost has notes of chantilly musk, amber, cedarwood, sandalwood, magnolia and Jamaican naseberry that create a soothingly warm, woodsy and fresh scent.

• BUY NOW – $225

3 / 4

Glossier You ($78)

I have Glossier You in three versions: the Eau de Parfum, the (sadly discontinued) rollerball and the perfume solid ($35). The musky second-skin scent blends with each wearer’s chemistry, creating an addicting scent unique to you.

• BUY NOW – $78

4 / 4

PHLUR Missing Person Eau de Parfum ($99)

My newest favorite fragrance is sensual and romantic and features a blend of musks, jasmine, neroli blossom, orange flower, sandalwood and more. “If nude were a perfume, this would be it,” explains the brand.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $99
• BUY ON SEPHORA – $99

Skin Saviors

1 / 8

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Hydrating Moisturizer SPF 45 ($32)

Years ago I took a screenshot of an Instagram story recommending this moisturizer by chef and cookbook author Alison Roman, and I finally tried it. I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. This moisturizer makes my skin feel like actual silk. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, has SPF 45 and sits beautifully under makeup. Please trust me when I say, buy this.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $32
• BUY ON SEPHORA – $55

2 / 8

Deinde Barrier-Building Moisture Cream ($64)

I just tried NB-100 winner Deinde’s newest launch, the Barrier-Building Moisture Cream, for the first time last month and used every last drop. With a formula focused on treating and preventing inflammaging—inflammation-induced aging—my skin felt nourished and soothed all day long. I’ve already ordered another jar.

• BUY NOW – $64

3 / 8

Agency Future Formula ($40/month)

I tried a custom skin-care routine with Agency and absolutely love Future Formula. The prescription serum targets firmness, dark spots, skin texture and wrinkles with powerhouse anti-ager tretinoin, tranexamic acid and niacinamide.

• BUY NOW

4 / 8

Salty Face Tanning Water ($44)

I’ve been burned by self-tanners before, but the Tanning Water is foolproof. Two drops every morning and my summer glow hasn’t wavered.

• BUY NOW – $44

5 / 8

EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46 ($41)

Hands down, the best sunscreen. It feels like velvet on skin, is fragrance-free, has ingredients to keep breakouts at bay and protects skin from sun damage.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $41
• BUY ON DERMSTORE – $43

6 / 8

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliant ($66)

With dry skin, I’m always hesitant to exfoliate too often, but when I do, I use Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant. Its rice-based powder activates with water and turns into a clay-like cleanser that brightens and smooths my complexion instantly. If you want a facial-like glow at home, try this.

• BUY NOW – $66

7 / 8

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus ($150)

iS Clinical’s Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus combines time-released vitamin C, kojic acid, zinc, vitamins A and E and botanicals to treat, reduce and as its name suggests, heal inflammation, acne, rosacea and more. Bonus: it also protects against free radicals.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $150
• BUY ON DERMSTORE – $158

8 / 8

Avène Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water ($19)

I have one in my purse, at my desk and in my medicine cabinet. If you have dehydrated skin, a mist is a must. This one by Avène refreshes my skin whenever I need it, and the formula never irritates my eyes like other skin mists can.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $19
• BUY ON DERMSTORE – $19

Makeup Must-Haves

1 / 8

MERIT Beauty Flush Balm ($30)

The most blendable blush I have ever used. MERIT’s Blush Balm is never dry or splotchy, builds without looking cakey and the colors are so flattering (I currently have three). Ask me what my favorite blush is, it’s this one.

• BUY NOW – $30

2 / 8

MERIT Beauty Bronze Balm ($30)

But my favorite MERIT Beauty product is Bronze Balm. Another MERIT formula that blends like a dream, this bronzing stick warms up my complexion in seconds. I use it as a bronzer, contour, an under-eye color-correcting concealer and even as eye shadow.

• BUY NOW – $30

3 / 8

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ($25)

The smoothest brow pencil on the market. What more can I say?

• BUY ON AMAZON – $25
• BUY ON SEPHORA – $25

4 / 8

Glossier Boy Brow ($22)

When I want a quick brow fluff, I always come back to Boy Brow. The brush size is just right, the gel stays in place and my brows look natural, not laminated.

• BUY NOW – $22

5 / 8

Saie Glossybounce™ Lip Gloss Oil ($22)

Oh, I love this lip product. My lips feel so nourished when I wear it and it stays on longer than you think it will. Saie just launched three new colors I will absolutely be buying.

• BUY NOW – $22

6 / 8

VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm ($29)

The lipstick that changed my relationship with lipstick. Bisou Balm really does deliver that coveted French classic just-been-kissed lip look. It’s sheer and matte at the same time, and every shade is perfect for any occasion.

• BUY NOW – $29

7 / 8

RMS Beauty Luminizer ($40)

This highlighter gives me the most radiant skin ever. It lends a dewy glow wherever you apply it. I also use it as eyeshadow and love the clean, good-for-your-skin formula.

• BUY ON RMS BEAUTY – $40
• BUY ON AMAZON – $36

8 / 8

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($48)

I don’t wear foundation, so on the days I need a little bit more face makeup I rely on ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint to enhance and perfect my overall complexion. I swear this is the only face makeup I’ve ever worn where the longer I wear it, the better my skin looks.

• BUY ON ILIA – $48
• BUY ON SEPHORA – $48

Hair Helpers

1 / 4

T3 Aire 360 Multi-Styler & Blowout System ($300)

Technically, I already have the T3 Aire 360, so I won’t be buying it again. But, it’s so good and I will be gifting it this holiday season. I always thought damage and breakage was a sacrifice I had to make to heat style my hair—not true. My hair has never looked healthier after drying thanks to this system.

• BUY NOW – $300

2 / 4

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($52)

For a bombshell hair look, nothing beats Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray. Nothing.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $52
• BUY ON NORDSTROM – $52

3 / 4

Crown Affair Leave-In Conditioner ($48)

I like to switch up my shampoo and conditioner combos pretty frequently, but Crown Affair’s Leave-In Conditioner is a constant in my hair routine. It gives some extra weightless moisture my hair needs (especially in the winter) to keep it silky and soft, and it smells lovely.

• BUY NOW – $48

4 / 4

Klorane Ultra-Gentle Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk ($13)

I live by dry shampoo, but if I had to pick one, it would be Klorane. It’s made with natural ingredients, doesn’t leave the dreaded white cast and spruces up my hair in seconds.

• BUY NOW – $13