When you work in beauty, a big part of the job is trying out new products, no matter if you already have your face moisturizer or your red lipstick. Which isn’t to say you can’t have a few standbys, but the name of the game is experimentation: you’re constantly moving from one product to the next, to see what works and thus what’s important to tell the world (i.e., you) about. It’s a rare experience, then, to find yourself coaxing out the last drops from a moisturizer tube, or fumbling with a tiny stub of eyeliner. But when we do finish something, it means we must really love that product. Hence this occasionally recurring feature: Things We Finish, in which we talk about the products that we spoiled beauty junkies squeeze, scrape, or shake ’til there is nothing left. Here are the beautiful empties we had laying around this month:
Used by Holly Siegel, Copy Director
“A couple years ago, I met two surfer-looking guys from Bathing Culture at The West Coast Craft Fair—their booth was only selling rainbow woven towels and this body wash. I bought both, and have been ordering the body wash since. They call the scent ‘Cathedral grove’—it’s really fresh and outdoorsy and not sweet or perfume-y. And the formula is pretty concentrated, full of natural ingredients, and feels good to use. I am thrilled they now have an even prettier refillable bottle and offer automated refills. I signed right up.”
Used by Mary Martha Stasinopoulos, Consumer Insights Senior Manager
“Emily Ferber first introduced me to this ridiculous, pretentious two-step cleanser, and bringing it into my bathroom felt like flirting with disaster. Step one was a luxurious ‘radiance-boosting citrus oil’ that I was sure would break me out. And it would only be a matter of time before step two, a ‘bamboo charcoal skin purifier’ aggravated my sensitive skin. But I’ve been using the combo twice daily for two months—not because you’re supposed to use it twice a day, but because I genuinely don’t want to let anything else touch my Goddess-y face. By changing nothing else in my routine except my cleanser, I’ve been asked if I’ve just come back from a facial, if I went for a chemical peel, or if I just got back from vacation. Even my husband started using the word ‘dewy’ to describe me.”
Used by Sam Sonntag, Senior Designer
“This pen-style concealer stick has a creamy salicylic acid formula. I found it in an effort to wear less on my face, but still cover some zits. Not only does it hide spots, but it also zaps them dead and is gentle enough that I can put it on normal unaffected skin without feeling like I’ll dry out or get irritated. All I have to say is that my boyfriend steals it daily, and you’ll probably want to steal it, too.”
Used by Noha Alon, Machine Learning Engineer
“This has been my favorite night time moisturizer of 2019—my sensitive, easily irritated skin loves that it’s free of toxins, fragrance, and parabens. I relied on this on my last trip to Namibia, where the climate is extremely dry, and it truly saved my skin from cracking and fine-lines galore. And I’ll definitely be making room for it in my backpack on my next trip to Patagonia.”
Used by Sydney Chestler, Senior gTEAM Editor
“Rapidlash was recommended to me by another gTEAM editor, and since I started using it almost a year ago, my lashes have completely transformed. They’re super long and curled, and I have been asked multiple times if they are real. More than once, my mom has mentioned they looked “luscious.” I’m now religious about applying Rapidlash as part of my nightly routine, and it doesn’t hurt that Costco sometimes offers a deal on packs of two tubes. (I just stocked up on another pair.)”
Used by Taylor Staugas, UX Researcher
“I’ve tried a few exfoliating masks, but the Herbivore Resurfacing Mask has reigned supreme over all of them. I use it twice a week to keep my skin smooth and help manage my pesky hormonal acne. It’s good to look at, good to smell, and it doesn’t burn my face—a true winner. I’m on my third jar of this beautiful blue stuff and have a fourth… on standby. ”
Used by Austin Fontenot, Recruiting Coordinator
“I’d sampled a few other Omorovicza products, but was first drawn to this moisturizer because of the ruby crystals in the formula. In reality, they don’t add an instant shimmer look—it’s called an illuminating moisturizer, but that happens over time. I have fairly dry skin and this is the perfect lightweight moisturizer to hydrate my skin in the mornings before putting on SPF. (At night I like to use something a little heavier.) My once dull and uneven complexion is noticeably brighter, smoother, and more hydrated. This moisturizer has changed my life—I’ve gone through a few of them now.”
Used by Zoe Greene, gTEAM Editor
“My face and dry weather do not get along. This creamy, hydrating serum with rosehip oil, squalane, and ceramides, brought my skin back to life in the midst of a very serious moisture barrier issue. It also evened out my skin tone at the same time (thanks, niacinamide). And I feel good about buying it (and buying it again) because every purchase supports protection of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Used by Eva Alt, Social Media Editor
“I’ve always felt just fine about body oil. My mom has doused herself post-shower in straight up almond oil for as long as I can remember, but I’ve always preferred a cream. That’s because I don’t want to be all greasy if I’m going to sleep or putting on clothes. But I’ve had a change of heart with African Botanics’ Marula Firming Body Oil. The formula has a more viscous texture than most, so you feel like it rubs in and hydrates deeply, rather than staying oil-slicked on top. Smells lightly botanical but doesn’t interfere with my fragrance. As far as firming goes, I think I’m pretty firm… and want to stay that way. Love!”
Used by Kendall Latham, Senior Experiential Designer
“I was lining up inside Sunrise Mart to buy my favorite crustless ham and cheese sandwich and suddenly realized that my lips were bone dry. I reach for my pocket and… no chapstick. That’s when I discovered Shiseido’s Water Lip hanging on the shelf behind my head; a mentholated, glossy chapstick that looks as beautiful as it feels. The formula glides on smoothly and feels really lightweight, plus it has hyaluronic acid, aloe, and honey, which I assume are very good ingredients for my lips. If I could describe the way it makes me feel, it’s kind of like when you’re super duper sweaty in the summertime and you come home and stick your head inside the freezer, except it’s just on your lips and you aren’t sweaty at all! So there I sat, enjoying my beautiful ham and cheese sandwich at my desk, savoring every single bite with gorgeously moisturized, stunning lips all thanks to Water Lip.”
Used by Kelly Wilbur, Product Development Manager
“Bought this blush while in Korea (even though I’m pretty sure you can get it in the US now). I have felt plenty of creamy powder blushes in my life but this one is really special because you can apply it easily with a brush without it sticking to the bristles too much and making a mess OR use your fingers in a pinch. It basically blends itself into your skin and makes your cheeks look like angelic, fluffy pink marshmallows. The pay-off is so sheer and pretty and soft-looking. My only issue is that the shade range is pretty limited, only three shades.”
Used by Lisa Balducci, Production Manager, Packaging
“I have never believed in powder face wash—my face just never felt fully clean after. But this one from Amorepacific is something else. You can literally feel the tiny, powdery beads doing the work, then see them turning into a foam that will wash away everything on my face. I have sensitive skin and this works great as an everyday gentle exfoliator. For the first time in a long time, my skin is noticeably clearer. It’s turned me into a powder cleanser fan.”
Used by Elly Penning, Associate Manager, Email Marketing
“I love Lesse’s Ritual Serum. It’s packed with natural extracts and oils (things that actually sound familiar to me) and it feels light. I think it’s helped level out my combination skin and has made my skin seem more balanced all around. After running my first bottle empty, I distinctly remember looking in the mirror thinking, ‘I look…not bad?’ Buy it.”
Photo via ITG