There’s a certain kind of intimacy to the things we reach for daily—the serums that sit quietly on our counters, the perfumes we dab behind our ears like tiny love notes to ourselves, the creams that repair and the colors that uplift. It’s not always glamorous. Sometimes it’s clinical, experimental, disappointing. But then something clicks: a product becomes a ritual, a texture becomes a memory, and suddenly, it’s yours.
This isn’t a list of what’s “trending.” These are things that made it past the three-use trial. Things that have migrated from the tester corner of my desk to the sanctum of my bathroom shelf, my travel bag, my nightstand drawer. Things I repurchase. Things I think about when I’m away from home. Things that work.
Here are the standouts—the pieces I’ve truly fallen for.
1. Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30
Price: \$22
Where to Buy: Vacation.inc, Ulta
If I had to name a product that makes sun protection feel like a party trick, it would be this. Classic Whip is SPF in the form of a mousse. Think: Reddi Whip meets the South of France in the 1980s. The texture is a bouncy foam that expands joyfully in your palm, and the scent? Somewhere between coconut oil, warm sand, and a tropical cocktail on a yacht.
Despite its novelty, the formula is no joke. Broad spectrum SPF 30, water-resistant, and surprisingly moisturizing thanks to ingredients like coconut oil and aloe vera. It sinks in quickly, leaves zero white cast, and makes me want to reapply—which is the whole point, right?
Pairing Tip: Perfect under body shimmer or layered with Cay Skin Deepwater Body Dew for a dewy, sun-kissed effect.
2. Olehenriksen Banana Bright+ Priming Moisturizer
Price: \$48
Where to Buy: Sephora, Olehenriksen.com
There’s something deeply satisfying about a moisturizer that acts like a soft-light filter. This one—infused with vitamin C and banana powder-inspired pigments—blurs dullness and adds an imperceptible glow. It smells lightly citrusy, but not like candy. More like “you slept well,” even when you absolutely didn’t.
The texture is whipped, almost soufflé-like. I use it solo on no-makeup days or under tinted moisturizer when I want something that looks more polished. It’s never greasy, always luminous.
Best For: Dull or uneven skin, makeup prep, or replacing foundation altogether.
3. Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Concealer
Price: \$24
Where to Buy: Sephora, AmiCole.com
If you told me I’d find a concealer that feels like skincare and still covers like a dream, I’d have smiled politely. But this one? This one does it. It has a serum-like glide, but the pigment is powerful. I use it under my eyes and around my nose, and it settles like second skin.
It comes in 12 flexible shades, all with warm, golden undertones that mimic real skin tones—not grey, not pink. It brightens without that stark, Instagram-heavy highlight look. It melts in with fingers or a brush. Bonus: doesn’t crease, even after a long commute.
4. Glossier No. 1 Pencil Eyeliner
Price: \$16
Where to Buy: Glossier.com, select Sephora stores
I own four colors of this and plan on getting more. It’s creamy but sets in about a minute, which gives just enough time to smudge if I want a smoky wing. Frame (a rich chocolate brown) is my go-to for daytime, and Rococo (a shimmering olive) is stunning for a soft, unexpected touch.
It’s not a dramatic liner—it’s wearable, soft-focus, almost watercolor in finish. Which makes it perfect for everyday use. It doesn’t tug, doesn’t bleed, and doesn’t need sharpening every five seconds.
5. Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
Price: \$20
Where to Buy: Sephora, Tower28Beauty.com
Here’s the thing: most mascaras are good for two weeks, then they dry out or flake or just get weird. But MakeWaves stays excellent. The curved brush lifts lashes from the root, and the tubing formula is smudge-proof but comes off with warm water.
I have straight lashes, and this gives me soft curl, real length, and definition—without stiffness. It’s also ophthalmologist-tested and safe for sensitive eyes. Which is huge, considering most tubing mascaras irritate my contacts.
Bonus: It layers beautifully without clumping. Even after multiple coats.
6. Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant
Price: \$65
Where to Buy: Ulta, Dermalogica.com, Sephora
This is like if your favorite powder cleanser went to a spa and learned restraint. It contains oat and coconut milk powder for soothing, along with AHA and BHA for exfoliating—but it’s so gentle, you can use it daily. I usually dust a bit into damp hands in the shower, massage it in for 30 seconds, and rinse. The result? Skin that feels soft, not squeaky.
It doesn’t smell like much, which I appreciate. It just quietly works. Especially great if your skin is reactive or flares up with traditional scrubs.
7. Cay Skin Deepwater Dew Body Serum
Price: \$26
Where to Buy: Sephora, CaySkin.com
This is what I reach for when my limbs are looking a little too… dull. It’s a serum, technically, but acts like a moisturizing mist. Infused with sea moss and niacinamide, it hydrates and calms, while adding a subtle glow—like you’ve just stepped off the beach, minus the sand.
I love how it layers under lotion or oil. It makes everything that goes on top smoother. And it’s non-sticky, so I can get dressed immediately after.
Pro Tip: Spray it on damp skin for maximum absorption.
8. Chillhouse Press-On Nail Kits
Price: \$16–\$20
Where to Buy: Chillhouse.com, Ulta, Target
I’ve always been terrible at painting my nails. And truthfully? I’ve never enjoyed going to the salon either. These press-ons changed that. They’re chic, modern, and easy to apply. The “Wavy Baby” set is my current favorite—it looks custom and costs less than lunch.
They don’t feel bulky or plasticky, and the adhesive tabs hold up for about 5–7 days. I keep a few backups in my drawer for last-minute events. The best part? No drying time.
9. Crown Affair The Towel
Price: \$45
Where to Buy: CrownAffair.com
There are towels, and then there is this towel. Made with a waffle-knit microfiber that feels like a soft, absorbent cloud, this one dries my hair faster than anything else without roughing up the cuticle. It’s big enough to wrap even my thickest post-shower bun and light enough to wear while I do my skincare.
I didn’t realize how much damage my old bath towel was doing to my hair until I switched. Now I won’t travel without this one.
10. Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in “Lit”
Price: \$48
Where to Buy: Sephora, Westman-Atelier.com
Forget sparkle. Forget shimmer. This is glossy skin bottled into a stick. It’s transparent with a barely-there lavender-blue sheen that catches light in the most delicious way—like the way your cheek looks after applying moisturizer, only better.
I use it over makeup, under makeup, and sometimes just on bare skin with nothing else. It’s cooling, soothing, and always, always flattering.
11. Kate McLeod Daily Stone Body Polish
Price: \$38
Where to Buy: KateMcLeod.com, Credo Beauty
This body polish is so good, I ration it like gold. It’s solid at room temp, but when massaged onto wet skin, it melts into a scrubby, buttery paste that exfoliates and hydrates at once. The texture is rich and slightly grainy, like raw sugar softened with oil.
I use it when I want to feel brand new. Especially post-travel or after days of forgetting body lotion. The scent is clean and comforting—nothing overpowering, just… soft.
Where I Shop (And Why It Works)
- Sephora – best for points, fast shipping, and curated skincare.
- Credo Beauty – my go-to for clean, conscious, high-performance products.
- Ulta – drugstore to prestige in one cart. Also: coupons.
- Amazon – only from official storefronts. Always triple-check the seller.
- Brand Sites – Glossier, Rhode, Westman Atelier, etc. often carry exclusives.
- Target / CVS / Walgreens – for restocking press-ons, SPF, and staples on the go.
Little Extras That Deserve a Mention
- La Mer The Treatment Lotion (\$110): I decant it into a misting bottle for travel and use it to revive tired skin mid-flight. It’s ridiculously hydrating.
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Vanilla (\$24): Still unbeatable. I keep it in my car and use it all day.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Lip Treatment (\$30): Plumps, softens, and smooths. My lips love this pre-lipstick.
- Maya Njie “Vanilj” Perfume (\$95): Still the coziest scent I own. I wear it when I want to feel safe and soft.
These are the things that made it into my daily life without fanfare. They just… showed up, worked, and stayed. Some are new obsessions, others old flames. But all of them feel like home.
