13 Products That Changed Our Beauty Game

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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When it comes to our beauty routines, we can be serious creatures of habit. If you find something that works, why would you forsake it for something new? That’s just crazy talk. Well, every now and then one of us busts out of our beauty comfort zone, getting adventurous with our primping products — and it pays off, big time. 

Here, our editors share the 13 products that quite literally transformed their beauty routines for the better. We’re talking game changers, any, life-changers that made us faster, more efficient, and even more smokin’ hot. Yeah, you definitely want to read this.

1

RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream

“Prior to this wonder product, my medicine cabinet had about three more jars in it (and my AmEx bill had way more Sephora charges). But, this high-quality coconut oil (cream is really a misnomer) is now my ultra-economical and organic three-in one: cleanser, night cream, and eye cream. Word to RMS: Please start making it available in giant vats — I dream of using it as a body moisturizer and hair mask, but I don’t want to deprive my face.” 

$18, available at RMS Beauty.

2

Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream in #20

“James, our brilliant Double Dare makeup artist, suggested this one to me just a few months ago. And it’s been life-changing. Yes, that’s dramatic, but it’s true. As a girl with darker skin, undereye circle have forever been the bane of my existence. And yes, the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat helps to brighten them a bit, but this little pot of magic actually color corrects insuch a surprising way. For the first time, ever, I actually don’t feel like I look tired all the time.” 

$20, available at Alcone Company.

3

Revlon Crazy Shine To Go Nail Buffer

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at my unpolished nails and wished that I had time for a manicure. That’s why I keep one of these little nail buffers in my purse. You just go over bare nails with them — gently, please! — and bam! You’ve got super-shiny nails that look so much more, well, polished. Since I started toting these, I’ve never felt like I ‘need’ an immediate manicure.”

$3.19. available at Drugstore.com.

4

Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid

“There has been no product that has fundamentally changed my approach to beauty maintenance more than a BB cream. As someone who takes obsessive care of her skin — we’re talking a toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation every a.m. — a BB cut my routine in half, both in products and time spent primping. This lightweight fluid from Caudalie was my first introduction to the world of BBs, and it remains my go-to for those days when I want to zhush up my skin, but don’t want to add a heavy cream or tons of coverage. I wear it practically every day in the summer months.” 

$64, available at Sephora.

5

DevaChan DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam

“Most products are just useless on my curly hair. They weigh it down, make it crunchy, or do nothing at all. This has finally given me the gigantic, ’80s-perm hair I always dreamed of — especially if I tie it up in a microfiber towel to dry. Which sounds ridiculous and high-maintenance, but is actually easy and awesome. Seriously, it creates gravity-defying volume and perfectly-defined curls like you wouldn’t believe.” 

$24.95, available at DevaChan.

6

Dior Capture Totale One Essentials Skin Boosting Super Serum 

“I’d been looking to buy a good, high-end, about-to-turn-30 face serum for a while, but was hesitant because, well, they’re soexpensive. But, I got a tiny sample of this and, holy bananas, it was love at first application. For the three weeks I used it (and there was maybe two teaspoons of serum in there, that’s how long this stuff lasts), I had zero zits and my skin was suddenly… I don’t know how to say it except GORGEOUS. 

“I thought I knew what even skin tone was before, but when this baby came along, I knew I’d been living a lie. I went to work without foundation or concealer of any kind because there was nothing to conceal! One tragic day it ran out, and my skin, while still rocking the residual effects for weeks, just wasn’t as movie-star glowy. But, now I know which high-end serum to shell out the big bucks for.” 

$120, available at Nordstrom.

7

Serge Lutens Chergui Eau de Parfum

“In 2005, I smelled Serge Lutens’ Chergui for the first time. A coworker had ordered it through a proxy in France, it came in a tiny bell jar, and it cost $200. Ready to deem him a sucker, I sniffed — and was hooked. Chergui is what Humphrey Bogart’s trench coat in Casablanca would have smelled like: desert air, incense ash, honeyed tobacco, heartbreak. It smelled mysterious, irresistibly adult, and just plain rich. I’d always hated perfume before Chergui, but become an acolyte of perfumer Christopher Sheldrake that day. 

“When I was too poor to buy his perfumes, I’d skulk around the fragrance counter at Bergdorf’s until I was bestowed with precious decants. Now, I have a small collection of scents that make me smell like a rich lady, and dabbing them on daily is a small, daily happiness (even though it makes me poor). Curse you, Christopher Sheldrake, you olfactory master!” 

$140, available at LuckyScent.

8

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

“I have really oily skin, so I’ve always steered clear of moisturizers — just thinking about wearing a night cream would make me break me out. That’s why despite knowing full well that wearing nighttime products was the most effective way to treat your skin, I always went to bed with a product-free visage. Then, one brutal summer, I experienced dry patches that wouldn’t go away. I tried the heavy-duty creams I usually shirked away from and exfoliated non-stop but the molting continued. 

“Finally, a Sephora team member introduced me to Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair. This serum literally repairs your skin’s barriers, improving the texture of your skin by creating a protective film, making it an effective makeup primer as well. My dryness went away in just a week and it didn’t break me out. I’ve been a believer in nighttime skin care ever since.”

$92, available at Macy’s.

9

Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hairy Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder

“Ever since I started using this texturizing powder, I’ve switched up the way I do my hair entirely. It forced me to let go of the idea that hair should be — as just about every shampoo commercial advertises — touchably soft. Instead of looking for products that promise to kill frizz, create soft waves, or add shine, I only use products that add texture. And, instead of lifeless, yet ‘touchably soft locks, I end up with a slightly gritty, albeit voluminous mane. Just don’t try to run your fingers through it.” 

$15.95, available at Ulta.

10

Clarisonic Opal Skin Infusion System

“I’m not one for gimmicks or so-called ‘miracle products,’ but since I tried this gadget, the skin around and under my eyes has never been the same — in the best possible way. I literally feel like my eyes instantaneously look more refreshed, hydrated, and free of those pesky fine lines — even after a night out on the town. I can’t see myself ever not using it!” 

$185, available at Clarisonic.

11

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

“Since I have fairly short, blonde eyelashes, I was always that girl stocking up on multiple mascaras and layering my lash enhancers. I used an eyelash curlerand a different mascara to volumize, lengthen, and separate, then I combed through with an extra brush to avoid clumps. Then I was introduced to They’re Real! mascara by Benefit. Now I only use one mascara and don’t even have to worry about clumps or waiting for lashes to dry between layers. My routine is so much faster and I only have to pull out the eyelash curler on special occasions.” 

$23, available at Benefit.

12

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foam Gel 

“I know it’s a bit strange, but I’m not the kind of girl who washes her face every night. I would cleanse in the morning, but if I had a long day and got home too late, I would be too tired to do anything but fall asleep. Then I started using this cleanser, and suddenly I never missed my nightly face wash. That’s because after that very first use, I noticed how hydrated, dewy, and fresh-feeling my face was — it was as if my skin was breathing.” 

$23, available at CVS.

13

Paul & Joe Beauté Eyebrow Pencil Duo

“Though my first encounter with eyebrow pencils was the result of an unfortunate salon visit, filled-in brows are now 100% my jam. Even when my brows are perfectly primped, I continue to use my Paul & Joe brow pencil duo to add a little extra color and fullness to my arches. The double-ended pencil is convenient — all about that two-for-one — beautifully packaged, and a quick and easy way to add definition.” 

$20, available at Blush.

Illustrated by Isabelle Rancier

Click HERE to read more from Refinery29.

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