As editors for a media company, we get the luxury of testing out a whole bunch of beauty products. It’s like Christmas morning in our office when a new box of beauty products arrives. We’ve tried our fair share of mascaras, moisturizers, eye shadows, oils and brow pencils. But which ones really stand out? Which ones actually do what they say? We’ve done the hard work (read: most fun work) for you and have determined which beauty products are actually worth the money.
So, to give you the inside scoop on which beauty products are worth adding to your beauty routine, we asked SheKnows editors for their tried-and-true beauty faves. Pour a glass of wine, get your credit card ready and check out these 25 editor-approved beauty products.
Colour Pop Ultra Matte
I know Kylie’s lip kits are all the rage, but seriously, if you want the best matte lip color, this is it. It’s a fraction of the cost and I kid you not, it lasts all day. You can eat or drink all you want, and this stuff won’t budge. It’s super-pigmented, so you get a really nice, bright color and it doesn’t dry your lips out as much as other mattes I’ve tried. (Colour Pop, $6) — Kenzie Mastroe, branded content editor
Argan Oil
Because I cannot with the complicated skin care routine, I use this plain argan oil on my face, and then I add jasmine and sandalwood oil to it for body and hair. Get an organic, cold-pressed oil if you can. (Amazon, $14) — Adriana Velez, food editor
Schwarzkopf Omega Repair
If I haven’t trimmed my hair in a while, I can put this on my ends and it looks as though I’m fresh from the stylist (who I never go to anyway). It adds shine too, but no greasiness. (Schwarzkopf, prices vary) — Christine Fix, editor-in-chief, Soaps
Beauty sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens scare me, so I’m still using the mineral stuff. This isn’t too chalky. (Amazon, $29) — Adriana Velez, food editor
Urban Decay All Nighter
I think I have a slippery face. By 2 p.m., my makeup is practically gone. Maybe it slides off? Evaporates in the dry Arizona climate? IDK, but a few sprays of Urban Decay’s All Nighter keeps my makeup in place all day. It’s super-light, and you can’t even feel it after it dries, but it locks in your makeup so you don’t have to worry about reapplying throughout the day. (Sephora, $31) — Kenzie Mastroe, branded content editor
Dr. Jart+ Beauty Balm
I’m very lazy. This BB cream moisturizes, provides coverage and also does some kind of serum-y magic I’m not sure about. And it doesn’t look like I’m wearing makeup. (Sephora, $39) — Alice Bradley, parenting editor
Lancôme Grandiôse Extreme Mascara
Spending $36 on mascara makes me cringe each time I buy, but it makes my lashes look longer and fuller than any other I’ve used. (Lancôme, $36) — Christine Fix, editor-in-chief, Soaps
Benefit POREfessional Primer
I think Benefit sent this to us in a trial size and I’ve been hooked on the brand ever since. This primer glides smoothly across my skin and is even lightweight enough to put on over makeup if you so choose. (Benefit, $31) — Crystal Brown, director of editorial operations
Lise Watier Waterproof Lip Crayon
Again, it’s pricey, but it’s generally all I use along with a gloss and is waterproof, has a sharpener inside, doesn’t feather and stays on all day so I don’t have to think about it. (Lise Watier, $23) — Christine Fix, editor-in-chief, Soaps
Pacifica Dream Big Mascara
Natural ingredients, lash extender, supposedly conditions your lashes so they grow stronger, but for me it’s all about the unicorn packaging. (Target, $16) — Adriana Velez, food editor
Benefit Brow Gel
I’ve always gotten my brows waxed, but never really did anything else to them. So this is right up my alley. I give my brows a quick swipe to shape them and it stays on all day without flaking. (Benefit, $24) — Crystal Brown, director of editorial operations
Lush Skin Drink
Arizona is a dry state and can leave my face feeling itchy and tight — this stuff has worked wonders on my skin. (Lush, $26) — Colleen Stinchcombe, community editor
Anastasia Liquid Lipstick
I’m into dark matte colors right now, and this one really is as long-lasting as they claim. (Anastasia Beverly Hills, $20) — Crystal Brown, director of editorial operations
It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara
I’ll start off by saying I don’t wear a lot of makeup. I also used to spend as little as possible on makeup. But as soon as I tried a sample size of this mascara at work, I was hooked and I don’t mind spending the $24 on this. It makes your eyelashes appear longer and fuller, but the best part? It washes completely off with soap and water — because you know damn well I don’t have makeup remover in my medicine cabinet. (It Cosmetics , $24) — Kristine Cannon, entertainment editor
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Primer
I haven’t actually looked at the ingredients in this product, but I would assume the list contains unicorn oil and fairy tears. It literally feels like magic on your face. Just one pump is enough to cover your whole face, and your skin will feel so silky-smooth that you’ll be tempted to ask everyone to feel your skin. It covers up nasty-looking pores and makes for the perfect makeup foundation. (It Cosmetics, $38) — Kenzie Mastroe, branded content editor
Show Dry Shampoo
I’ve tested just about every dry shampoo available. I’ve found some good ones, but this is seriously the best there is. It is a little pricey, but it leaves no white residue, smells amazing and adds tons of volume to your blow-out. (Sephora. $35) — Kenzie Mastroe, branded content editor
BareMinerals Cleansing Oil
I recently switched to micellar water since I’ve heard such good things, but this was my go-to cleanser for months. I was intrigued that oil could actually clean your face, and I love how it does so without drying my face out — even with Arizona’s hard-as-hell water. Even my husband used it. (BareMinerals, $30) — Crystal Brown, director of editorial operations
RMS ‘Un’ Cover-Up
I used to think the Clé de Peau concealer was the best undereye circle eliminator out there. Then a colleague turned me on to RMS and that way-overpriced Clé got relegated to severe zit cover-up duty. RMS’ concealer melts into your skin — and it’s no wonder, considering it’s made of all-natural ingredients, mainly coconut oil. It’s creamy and easy to blend and makes me look 10 years younger. I think? (RMS beauty, $36) — Melissa Kirsch, deputy editor
Tarte Amazonian Clay Brow Mousse
I try nearly every brow product I see, but this is my one true love. It shapes and fills in my brows with a few quick swipes of the brush, looks totally natural and stays on for hours. (Tarte, $29) — Julie Ross Godar, executive editorial director
Nars Lip Pencil
In my humble opinion, Nars has the best option of red lip pencils, my favorite being Cruella and Mysterious Red, which thanks to their matte base means they stay in place for hours on end. (Nars, $26) — Kaitlin Racine, community editor
Rose And Honey Moisturizer
I found this in Cornwall a few years ago and fell in love. Made on a local farm, all ingredients are homegrown and organic. The beeswax base and rose infusion has made my super-dry skin healthier than ever. The good news is that even with international shipping, it still costs less than most lotions you find at Sephora. (B Skincare, £8) — Kaitlin Racine, community editor
BareMinerals Vital Power Infusion
I don’t know if I’m imagining it, but I’ve noticed a difference in my skin since I started using this. It’s lightweight and doesn’t take forever to dry, which is great since I usually only leave myself about 10 minutes to put on my makeup in the morning. (BareMinerals, $48) — Crystal Brown, director of editorial operations
Urban Decay Fine Point Eye Pen
Urban Decay’s eye makeup (shadows, liners, you name it) are the very best in my opinion, but their Perversion line is the best of the best. I love this liquid liner, as it lets you do a thin or thick line without smudging it all over your face. (Sephora, $22) — Kaitlin Racine, community editor
Avène Moisture Mask
This stuff is my must-have in the winter when my skin is dry and dull from being inside all the time. I use it at night, once or twice a week, and wake up with healthy, glowing skin. It’s great! (Avène, $26) — Whitney Coy, branded content associate editor
Lush Argan Body Conditioner
No one naturally smells like roses — it’s just not a real thing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. A friend gifted me a small jar of Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner and I’m obsessed. First, it makes your shower that much more enjoyable and relaxing. Second, you smell delish. And last, this body conditioner is leave-on, so you don’t have to lather the lotion on when you step out. (Lush, $36) — Lauren Joskowitz, entertainment manager
Leave a Comment