Beauty industry folks are constantly trying out new products. So many in fact, that it’s a rare experience for any of us to coax out the last drops from a moisturizer tube, or fumble with a tiny stub of eyeliner—finishing a product means we really, really love it. Hence this occasionally recurring feature: Things We Finish, in which Glossier HQ talks about the products that we beauty junkies squeeze, scrape, or shake ’til there is nothing left. These past few months at home have granted us lots of time to give a few favorite products our full, undivided attention. Here are the beautiful empties we ended up with:
Used by Tiffany Pham, Supply Chain Sourcing Analyst
“Just because no one ever talks about ‘bacne’ doesn’t mean it isn’t very real. I get pimples and blackheads on my back and shoulders, and regular body soap doesn’t help. So I started using Neutrogena’s Body Clear Body Wash. It takes a couple of weeks to start working, but after testing it for over a month I really noticed unclogged pesky back pores! I lather it on, and let it sit for a couple minutes before rinsing it off. The result is smoother, blemish-free skin. I’m already on my second bottle!”
Used by Victoria Rizzo, Logistics Manager
“The scent of the rose, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils are so refreshing, and reminds me of my mom and sister, who have used it forever. (My sister got me hooked on it.) It feels calming and tightens without drying out my skin, which I haven’t found in many other products. It also adds an immediate glow to my face, which is why I use it as the first AND last step in my daily routine! This will forever be on my shelf—I truly can’t get enough.”
Used by Sam Sonntag, Senior Designer
“Listen, I’m not normally a natural deo person. I’m an Old Spice in Fiji person. I’ve given natural deodorant so many chances and every time I end up smelling like mildewy trash. Necessaire’s was the last shot I was giving it. Its blend of gentle acids keep bacteria from growing in my tender little underarms, with a super clean eucalyptus scent and satisfying plush cream texture that make me feel freshly manufactured. You might still sweat a bit, but I promise you will not stink. Not surprisingly, it went out of stock almost immediately—I waited over a month for a restock, scraping every last morsel out of the packaging in the meantime. I even resorted to trying P50 and Solution in my pits (which worked, but be careful if you shave your armpits because acids can be irritating). Long story short I now have three backups.”
Used by Courtney Carmona, gTeam Editor
“This is a product I use every single day. The Arizona sun has decided that summer is starting early, and lately, it’s been over 100 degrees here. Considering my two favorite activities during quarantine are laying out and walking my dog, I’ve been using it even more than usual. It ticks every box on my dream sunscreen list: a great scent, no white cast, and a bonus dewy glow. I always have one in my purse, one in my pool bag, one in my car, and one to gift to a friend. Just in case.”
Used by Berto Morales-Brown, gTeam Editor
“About three months ago I was on the hunt for a new vitamin C serum. I follow Marianna Hewitt, one of the founders of Summer Fridays, on Instagram and noticed they made a version. I took the leap and bought it. After blowing through a bottle, I’m not kidding when I say I think I’ve found my holy grail vitamin C serum. I love its fresh orange color, that it smells like citrus, and that it instantly brightens and hydrates my face. The slightly tacky finish it leaves is perfect for layering other products. I’ve told everyone I know about it, and just received my restock in the mail last week.”
Used by Kendall Latham, Senior Experiental Designer
“I need to share a very special product that, and I can’t emphasize this enough, changed my life. In fact, to not share this would be criminal! Lifting the porcelain bottle of Buly 1803’s Damask Rose Huile Antique dry oil to my nose was a full sensory experience. The fragranced potion is equal parts earthy and floral, with balanced elements of rose, ginger, and vetiver. Upon application it feels nourishing and light, and once the oil hastily absorbs, it leaves your skin feeling like satin and smelling like that scene in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette where she flops all over a garden of flowers. If that hasn’t sold you, the real cherry on top of this entire experience is the fact that an in-house calligrapher beautifully and carefully writes your name on every single thing you purchase. Cries.“
Used by Eva Alt, Social Media Editor
“I didn’t know how long I’d be gone when I packed my dopp kit to leave the city in March, so I threw in a travel-sized Josh Rosebrook Balance shampoo. I have a sensitive scalp that’s oily and prone to dandruff, so something to balance it sounded good to me. I’m really particular about smell—and this one is divine! Herbal, but not overpowering. After my hair dried, I noticed the texture was just how I like it: soft and smooth, but not silky, and some volume at the scalp. Perfect. I went through the travel-size in no time, and I’m definitely ordering the full-sized version now.”
Used by Reed Redman, Communications Coordinator
“I get hormonal breakouts around my chin every month, right before my period. I’ve been using The Ordinary’s Niacinimide 10% + Zinc 1% serum around that time to help minimize the breakouts, but when quarantine began, I started using it nightly to address and mitigate stress-related zits. I really like that it has a somewhat tacky texture because I can really feel it going into my skin—when the tackiness disappears, I know it’s been absorbed. And it’s proven really effective while still being gentle and not drying me out. I just repurchased it in the hopes of keeping my skin happy under my mask during the summer months.”
Used by Pooja Parikh, Planning Manager
“Let’s just all admit it: the French know what they’re doing when it comes to skincare. I have tried pretty much every balm under the sun and this one makes my top three. The texture is so buttery rich and luxurious, which makes it perfect for these stay-home-in-your-dry-NYC-apartment days. It also smells amazing without being overpowering, a little bit like honey and a little bit like lemon. This is the first time I’ve gone through the whole pot—it lasted months. I must immediately buy another.”
Used by Erin Miller, Director of Loyalty
“I find that I frequently forget to mask in regular life. Not a problem these days! And I’ve used the opportunity to finally finish my tub of Kiehl’s Rare Earth mask. It’s a great value, and it’s huge—a little goes a long way. My skin is pretty dry and prone to dullness and flaking, and this mask does a great job of cleaning everything out without drying me out. My skin just feels smoother. If I’m feeling really ambitious, I’ll do a full pore clean routine: I start by applying a glycolic serum, I let that marinate for a few hours, and then I apply the mask. When I wash it off I follow with an oil massage, and my pores don’t stand a chance.”
Used by Annabelle Scown-Geary, Senior gTeam Editor
“I’ve always been confused by the difference between retinol and retin-A, but I do know that retin-A needs to be prescribed by a dermatologist, and will give you faster results. Retinal, on the other hand, is kind of a midway point between the two, and it’s available over the counter. My friend recommended one from Medik8, which comes in different strengths from 1 to 10. I have super sensitive skin and was a bit nervous to break my usual routine, so it was important to me to start with the mildest one. And this product definitely sweetens my vitamin A experience. It kind of smells like biscuits and has a lovely creamy texture—after five weeks and just some mild peeling, my skin feels extra glowy and smooth. I’d consider trying the next strength up for sure.”
Used by Sam Law, UX Researcher
“My mom actually bought this for me—I love body oils and she’s a loyal Philosophy user. I had been looking for a lighter body oil with a spray pump (I always end up pouring out too much with the other oils I use and they get everywhere), and when I saw this one on her dresser I was intrigued. A light spray provides just enough moisture without feeling greasy, and as a person who has tried a LOT of body oils I can tell you this balance is hard to strike. It smells like flowers in the rain or what I imagine clouds smell like—and maybe I’m a sap, but I love how the scent reminds me of my mom. I may add another oil in the summer for added sheen (eyeing this thicker Jordan Samuel one), but I definitely plan to keep Philosophy’s in my routine.”
Photo via ITG