Editors' Favorites: Beauty Products

Prices and other information in this story were accurate at press time, but are subject to change. Please confirm details with individual designers and vendors.

POWDER

MAC Blot Powder Pressed, $22
"I am chronically shiny, so this is definitely a must have." —Amy, executive editor
Hissyfit Saving Face Buffing Powder, $25
"I hate it when powder has a chalky finish. But this lightweight one is packed with antioxidants and botanical extracts, so it doesn't dry out my skin, plus it has a hint of color so I don't look like Powder's stunt double." —Lauren, senior associate editor
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $26
"I've never had a perfect complexion, but this pressed powder has been my saving grace since I was in high school. I wore it on my wedding day, too. It eliminates shine and provides coverage without making me feel like I'm wearing a mask." —Kim, associate fashion editor
Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15, $34.50
"The super cool shaving mechanism in this powder makeup gives me a fresh, fine powder finish every time, without spillage. I use shade 04 as a bronzer, but you can match it to your skin tone and use it as an overall foundation or setting powder. Bonus: SPF 15." —Julie, editor in chief

EYES

Lancôme Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner, $29
"I love the sleek finish of liquid liner, but it can be hard to apply. This one has a foam tip, which makes it super easy to use." —Abby, editorial assistant
Make Up For Ever Star Black Aqua Eyes Eyeliner, $17
"I don't have the steadiest hand, so I like that this gel-based liner is forgiving. It's also smudgeproof, long-lasting, and waterproof, but at the end of the day it comes off easily with a little makeup remover." —Cari, associate editor
Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil, $22
"When I went browsing for an eyebrow pencil, I was directed to Anastasia's Perfect Brow Pencil in the surprising shade of 'ash blonde'—even though I have auburn hair. This wins my award for 'best advice ever received from a salesperson at Sephora.'" —Julie, editor in chief
Lancôme Virtuose Black Carat Mascara, $24.50
"It wasn't easy to satisfy my list of mascara demands: 1) long, thick lashes (duh); 2) easy to put on without making a mess; 3) no smudging; and 4) comes off easily (keyword: easily) with soap and water. But this mascara can hold up to serious sob fests and sweaty dancing, plus, like it knows when its time is up, it gracefully disappears when you wash your face." —Julie
MAC 7 Lashes, $14
"It amazed me how much 'fake' I had to use to create a natural look for my wedding day—fake hair, fake tan, and yes, fake eyelashes. I was really skeptical when my makeup artist broke them out, but I was shocked at how lush and full they made my lashes look. And, I still felt like myself—with a hint of glam thrown in." —Kim, associate fashion editor
Becca Chantilly Eye Colour, $24
"On my skin, this slightly matte, slightly shimmery taupe is the perfect neutral. I use this seriously wearable shade as the base of any eye look I'm trying to achieve, and it works for everyday wear after the wedding is over." —Julie
Estée Lauder Graphite Double Wear Stay in Place Eye Pencil, $19
"I like smoky eyes, but black is too harsh with my pale complexion. Instead, I use this creamy charcoal-colored eye pencil, which comes with a smudger on one end for easy blending. It stays on forever—no need to worry about raccoon eyes." —Lauren, senior associate editor
Clinique Lash Power Long Wearing Formula Mascara, $14
"My number one priority with mascara is that it will last all day, and this one definitely does the trick. It can be a little tough to get off, but I've found that using warm water usually gets the job done." —Cari

BLUSH, BRONZER, AND HIGHLIGHTER

NARS Orgasm Blush, $26
"It may not have a touchy-feely bridal name, but this color looks fantastic on a variety of skin colors and creates a really natural glow that photographs beautifully." —Leigh, managing editor
Benefit Hoola, $28
"This bronzer is one of the few that I've found that's matte and doesn't make you look like you've done a face plant into the glitter section of a craft store." —Abby, editorial assistant
Smashbox Bronze Lights Bronzer, $28
"My cheeks naturally have a reddish tint to them, so instead of wearing blush I neutralize the redness with this bronzer. Since I wear it almost everyday, I like that it's not sparkly and has a natural-looking—not orange—color." —Cari, associate editor
Benefit High Beam, $24
"Being from California, I like having a sun-kissed look and this highlighter— packaged in a nail polish-like bottle—gives my skin a pretty glow that's dewy (read: not oily)." —Heather, associate editor
Bobbi Brown Nectar Shimmer Brick Compact, $38
"If I've learned anything from talking to professional makeup artists over the years, it's never to wear glittery makeup unless you want to look like a human disco ball in photos. However, pros do give the green light to subtle, finely milled shimmer products, and this one is my fave—it gives me a warm, incandescent glow that never looks over the top." —Lauren, senior associate editor

FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER

Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel, $57.50
"I like to use this as a primer—it's a velvety gel-mousse hybrid that instantly evens out my often-blotchy complexion and fills in tiny lines and pores." —Lauren, senior associate editor
KohGenDo Maifanshi Moisture Foundation, $55
"It's been a multi-year search for the perfect balance of coverage and invisibility until this foundation arrived. (No, I'd never heard of the brand either.) The huge variety of natural shades feel light and thin, but shade 013 hides all my less-than-ideal blotches. My makeup artist friends are also fans of the foundation for brides—it looks natural in person and flawless on camera." —Julie, editor in chief
Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener, $38
"This product contains tiny light-reflecting particles that bounce away imperfections, making your skin look like it's been airbrushed. It's meant for the eye area, but I like using it everywhere I need to hide redness or touch up blemishes. It used to come in a pot, but now it comes in a portable pen—a fantastic improvement." —Lauren
Clinique Pore Minimizer T-Zone Shine Control, $14.50
"This is an oldie but goodie, but also plays an important role in my quest for matte—not dewy/shiny—skin. Don't look at my face at the end of day, but in the morning, when the makeup is fresh and I have some of this stuff smoothed on over it in my T-zone area, I'm much closer to that goal." —Amy, executive editor
Stila Cover Up Stick, $20
"This is my favorite for covering dark circles—a task I am required to perform daily. It will stay put all day (even during your weepy moments) but it's light enough for everyday use after the wedding." —Julie
MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, $16.50
"My skin is prone to breakouts (fun!) and this concealer is my go-to. It's really light, so it doesn't make me break out more, and you only need a tiny amount to get the job done. I've had the same little pot for months!" —Allison Bean, assistant editor
Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer, $30
"This primer is exactly the kind of thing you need beneath your wedding makeup, and it will come in handy anytime you want to turn your face into a smooth canvas and add extra staying power." —Julie
Stila One Step Makeup Foundation, $44
"I'm not big into makeup, but this foundation is a primer, foundation, concealer, and powder in one. I don't feel like I'm caking makeup on, and it lasts pretty much all day." —Allison

LIPS

Smashbox O-Plump Intuitive Lip Plumper, $24
"This lip balm is amazing because it turns your lips a rosy shade of pink that won't disappear after sipping drinks, plus it keeps them super hydrated." —Abby, editorial assistant
__Estée Lauder Orchid Passion Shimmer Pure Color Gloss __, $20
"I've been taking more lipstick risks lately, and this one paid off. Orchid Passion Shimmer is, on my fair skin, a very wearable version of the 'bright' trend happening in lipstick right now." —Julie, editor in chief
Trish McEvoy Sexy Rose Beauty Booster SPF 15 Lip Gloss, $25
"This lip gloss is the perfect shade to read 'pretty' and yet still 'fashion-forward.' The pink shade is incredibly flattering, but is bright enough to look unexpected and interesting too. It's my favorite shade for wearing on video." —Julie
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick, $14
"This oldie but goodie is a little intimidating in the tube, but once applied, it's actually a sheer berry-colored stain that looks soft and natural." —Heather, associate editor

SKINCARE

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $50
"This is my favorite face exfoliant—it's so gentle." —Amy, executive editor
Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads, $8, and Oil-Free Makeup Remover Towelettes, $5
"It never dawned on me that maybe I just wasn't cleaning my face properly. Turns out I just need to use these towelettes before I wash my face to avoid those 'I-can't-believe-I'm-still-getting-these-at-35!' pimples. On a roll, I started using the eye makeup remover pads—perfect for easy removal of a smoky eye. You might not need them every day, but you'll be glad to have them after the wedding." —Julie, editor in chief
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $17
"This zaps zits in a hurry." —Amy

NAILS

Priti Soy Nail Polish Remover, $22.50
"I hate the alcohol smell of nail polish remover, but this natural nontoxic polish remover actually smells delish, thanks to the addition of lemongrass essential oil. Plus, it's really gentle and moisturizing." —Lauren, senior associate editor
Essie South of the Hi'way Nail Polish, $8
"I'm a nail biter, so my fingernails are super-short and not particularly well-groomed. And my pre-wedding stress didn't help the nail-chewing situation. But when I got a manicure with this sheer pink polish, even my busted-up nails looked pretty." —Kim, associate fashion editor
Essie Spaghetti Strap Nail Polish, $8
"The best sheer, luminescent beige-pink hybrid I've come across." —Amy, executive editor

HAIR

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray, $27
"Most days my hair is a partly-wavy, partly-curly, and wholly fuzzy. I've staged daily product experiments to find a solution, and finally trashed three products for this singular sensation: Ojon's wonderful-smelling restorative leave-in treatment." —Julie, editor in chief
Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray, $25
"Spritz this product on wet hair then blow dry for extra body and hold—it's a life saver for those of us with fine, straight hair." —Leigh, managing editor
Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode, $25
"I love using this as a finishing spray—it's super flexible and not at all sticky or crunchy, but it keeps my hair perfectly in place, whether it's down or up." —Lauren, senior associate editor
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfector 2-Step Smoothing Kit, $11
"I have not-quite-curly, not-quite-straight locks, so I regularly wrestle with a blow dryer and straightening iron. But this new at-home treatment makes my hair super smooth and manageable. It doesn't last as long as $300 in-salon smoothing treatments (only seven days), but the price is right. Heads up: the treatment makes your hair smell terrible at first (like sulfur), but a spritz of perfume covers it up nicely." —Lauren

BODY

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Vitamin Bodywash, $12
"The most invigorating, sinus- and head-clearing bodywash ever, it cools you down and picks you up—great if you wake up on your wedding day and it's humid and over 90 degrees, or if you overdid it at the rehearsal dinner." —Amy, executive editor
Fresh Cannabis Santal Eau de Parfum, $32 for 1 oz.
"I won't deny the allure of wearing a slightly subversive scent, even if it smells nothing like pot (not that I would have any idea what pot smells like)." —Julie, editor in chief
Claus Porto bar soaps, $18 each
"Who spends $18 on a bar of soap? This insane person does, but the bars last forever, create the best frothy, fluffy lather, and smell amazing. The Favorito and Citron Verbena scents are my faves." —Amy
CVS/pharmacy Lamb's Wool Padding, $6
"A little bag of lamb's wool—found in the foot care aisle at most drug stores—gets pulled apart and packed into the toe box of my shoes that are too big or over-stretched. It works brilliantly. (Ballerinas stuff their ballet shoes with lamb's wool so they can go en pointe.)" —Julie

TOPICS:

Editors' Favorites: Beauty Products

POWDER

EYES

BLUSH, BRONZER, AND HIGHLIGHTER

FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER

LIPS

SKINCARE

NAILS

HAIR

BODY

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