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As a beauty editor, I’m my friends’ and family members’ first point of contact for all things hair, makeup, skin, nails, and fragrance. I’m used to fielding calls and texts like, “Is this hair mask really worth it?” and “Help! I need a vitamin C serum that doesn’t cost a million dollars but will help fade my dark spots.” When a big sale starts, those calls and texts double. And I get it. Even if a certain item is on sale, you still want to know it’s worth your money before pressing the “buy now” button.
Since Amazon’s Big Deal Days is on now (and ends tonight, FYI!), I’ve been shelling out recommendations left and right. Most recently, my sister asked me for a list of must-buy beauty products, and since I already did the work, I thought it would be easy enough to share it with you, dear reader. Ahead, see my complete list, from a spa-worthy body wash to a Korean retinol serum, and beyond.
Salt & Stone
Body Wash – Neroli & Basil
In the fall and winter, a good body wash is a MUST to make your shower feel a little more spa-like. Salt & Stone’s Body Washes are some of my favorite ones. They foam up into the most luxurious lather and cleanse my skin of dirt, sweat, and sunscreen without stripping it. Plus, the scents are divine. You can’t choose a wrong one, but I recommend Neroli & Basil. It smells like a luxe, Italian garden and brightens my mood in the darker, colder months.
EltaMD
UV Daily Face Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 40
There is no “off” season for sunscreen. As I reset my skincare routine for fall and winter, I want a fresh, less-glowy formula to work with—one that will play well with foundation and support my newfound appreciation for cloud-matte makeup. EltaMD’s UV Daily Face Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 40 is it. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and offers mineral protection with zinc oxide. I love that it’s spiked with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. I also love that it has a satin finish that’s not too matte, not too glowy.
FYI: The tinted version is also on sale, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with dark spots, discoloration, or melasma (because tinted SPFs protect against High-Energy Visible Light, or HEV). This green color-correcting one is also a must-have for anyone who struggles with redness or rosacea.
celimax
The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
This targeted Korean serum is infused with 0.1% retinal (an advanced form of vitamin A) and something called A-Shot—a refined micro-particle ingredient that’s 16 times thinner than pores and helps enhance the absorption of active ingredients. Meanwhile, highly effective peptides boosts elasticity, smoothes wrinkles, and tightens enlarged pores. It’s my #1 recommendation for smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin.
TruSkin Naturals
Brightening Vitamin C Serum
Speaking of serums, my sister asked for a vitamin C serum that won’t irritate her sensitive skin. I recommended this budget-friendly one. It uses sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is a highly stable and incredibly gentle form of vitamin C to brighten, firm, and protect the skin with potent antioxidant activity. It combines it with botanical hyaluronic acid, aloe, and jojoba for even more skin-soothing and hydrating power.
ANUA
Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
The last serum I recommended was Anua’s Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum. ICYMI, azelaic acid targets hyperpigmentation and redness, which is why it’s so helpful for acne-prone skin (you know, post-acne marks and inflammatory redness?). This pairs the hero ingredient with Zinc PCA for oil control and niacinamide for extra skin-brightening and barrier-strengthening power.
Medicube
Kojic Acid Turmeric Toner Pad
It’s no secret I love Korean toner pads. These ones are soaked with two potent skin-brightening and dark spot-fading ingredients: kojic acid and turmeric. I’ll be using them to reverse post-summer dullness and discoloration (and now my sister will, too). The extra hydration they provide is a welcome bonus.
Olaplex
Wash & Shine Hair Kit
Fall is always the season in which I reset and upgrade my haircare routine. Blame it on summer’s sun, sweat, salt, and chlorine exposure, but my strands are usually extra dry and damaged come autumn. Here’s my ticket back to long, luscious hair. Olaplex’s Wash & Shine Hair Kit includes the bond-repairing shampoo and conditioner, along with the Bonding Oil (my personal favorite for sealing split ends).
COLOR WOW
Style on Steroids – Texturizing Hair Spray for Volume
If your hair is on the thinner side, like mine, or you want more volume in general, I recommend Color Wow’s Style on Steroids Texturizing Spray. I spritz it throughout my mid-lengths after I style my hair, and I’m left with bigger, bouncier strands.
Wonderskin
Peel Off Lip Stain
TikTok and Instagram were right. Wonderskin’s Peel Off Lip Stain really is makeup bag-worthy. Simply swipe the blue liquid across your lips, let it dry, peel it off, and you’ll be left with a long-lasting stain. It outlasts coffee, lunch, kissing, you name it.
MAYBELLINE
Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
I used to be all about volumizing mascaras, but lately, I’ve been loving a long, fluttery look. Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara is my #1 pick for bright, defined eyes with extension-level length. Plus, it comes off easily with just water—no pulling, tugging, or losing lashes to the sink. I’m obsessed.
Abib
PDRN Retinal Eye Patches
Unfortunately, the time change is coming, and we’ll be forced back into extra hours of darkness. I always struggle to wake up before the sun rises in late fall and winter, and sometimes, the littlest things make the biggest difference. One of them is my Nespresso Coffee & Espresso Maker ($189)($123), which is on sale BTW. Knowing I’m about to sip on café-grade caffeine helps me roll out of bed. Another one? Eye patches. They refresh my tired eyes and bring a little luxury into my early mornings.
I’ve been using Abib’s PDRN Retinal Eye Patches for months, so of course I sent a link to my sister. With PDRN and retinal, they target all signs of under-eye aging and fatigue. Plus, the jelly material stays put while I journal, drink coffee, and even walk the dog (I’m not ashamed to say I’m often wearing eye patches in public).
LANEIGE
Lip Sleeping Mask – Vanilla
Fall and winter often mean chapped lips, but I refuse to sacrifice my go-to lip combo to a dry, crusty pout. I know my sister does too. That’s why I added Laneige’s iconic Lip Sleeping Mask to the list. There are so many lovely flavors, but classic vanilla is foolproof.
Lumineux
2-In-1 Teeth Whitening Pen
I know it’s silly, but sometimes I can’t be bothered to apply whitening strips and wait 30 minutes. That’s probably because I use them before bed, and by the time I’m ready to go to sleep, I don’t want to put it off for anything—not even whiter teeth. My solution? A teeth whitening pen. I’ve used them for years (including Kendall Jenner’s favorite one).
For post-summer smile brightening, I sent my sister a link to Lumineux’s 2-in-1 Teeth Whitening Pen. It’s dentist-developed and peroxide-free. It uses a botanical brightening complex instead, so it won’t cause any sensitivity. And it couldn’t be easier to use. Simply swipe it on your teeth anytime you want to. Since it’s so gentle, you can use it multiple times a day.
Waterpik
Aquarius Countertop Water Flosser
Can you tell I’m on an oral care kick? Along with the teeth-whitening pen, I also recommended a water flosser. This one is a whopping 50% off right now and features 10 settings and seven flossing tips, so you can customize your perfect gum-care routine. I’ve been using it for about a year now, and I can confidently say it’s helped keep my gums clean, breath fresh, and teeth bright.
