Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
I can, quite literally, shop until I drop when it comes to beauty products. And, if you give me a shot of espresso or two, I can pick right back up again. Sure, I might spend most of my waking work hours ingesting everything and anything related to the topic, but get me in a Sephora store or steer me to online retailers like Dermstore or Violet Grey, and I can do some serious damage for hours on end.
Suffice to say, I’ve become the preferred shopping partner when any of my friends or family have the urgent need to re-stock or replenish their beauty wardrobes. (A job I take very seriously, I might add!) With summer just around the corner, I’ve been getting more and more DMs and texts from people asking what they should be buying right now. So, I thought I’d add my picks to your theoretical cart too! Just think of me as a beauty-oriented Jiminy Cricket. Keep scrolling!
Whenever I wear this mascara, random people will literally stop me on the street to ask me what I have on my lashes. I’m incredibly particular when it comes to mascara, and ever since my first swipe (probably back in junior high), there are only a few formulas that have truly ticked every box for me. This one delivers, and it’s my latest favorite. The ultimate mascara, in my opinion, needs to curl and lift (no easy feat when you have naturally long and straight lashes like I do), lengthen, and thicken without getting clumpy and goopy. Check, check, and double-check!
If you, like me, are a sucker for anything that feels Y2K-esque but just a little more elevated, you’ll freak out over InnBeauty Project’s Glaze Lip Oils which have reached fever-pitch popularity ever since their launch. The gloss-oil hybrid is like a grown-up version of your favorite Lipsmackers, and Glazed Donut, in particular, is mouthwateringly good.
Kaja’s adorable, super ingenious Bento Eyeshadow Trios are one of my favorite (and most-used) beauty products of all time. I have pretty much every shade at this point, and can’t wait to try the newest color additions; Peach Madeline and Mauve Bouquet. I love a hint of eye-catching sparkle on my lids, and these do it best with the least amount of fuss.
I’d been manifesting a body version of U Beauty’s fantastic Super Hydrator ever since I first touched it to my face and my complexion quite literally turned to glass (in the best way possible, mind you). So you can imagine my excitement when the brand recently launched an iteration for every other body part from the neck down. Five different forms of hyaluronic acid (plus niacinamide, B-glucan, antioxidants, peptides, purified oat extract, and high-quality argan, grape-seed, and avocado oils) perform some kind of witchcraft that ensures the cream absorbs almost instantly while somehow lending the prettiest, longest-lasting glisten and hydration to your skin. Words cannot even describe my obsession.
Summer Fridays previously sold-out Pool Time Glowing Body Oil is back (temporarily), just in time for warm weather season. Buy it while you can, and reap all of the shimmering, deliciously glowy skin perks this summer. It gives your skin a natural hit of sparkle and shine, and I love that it’s infused with the brand’s signature summer scent featuring coconut, vanilla blossom, and warm almond. Yum.
Believe it or not, not all ice rollers are the same, and even though this one from Lauryn Evarts Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential is pricier than most, it’s well worth the extra money. I’m not ashamed to say I freaking love the cute pink aesthetic (hey, it’s the little things in life), it doesn’t squeak, and the all-aluminum roller stays cold longer than most other rollers on the market. It’s become a staple in my routine and my saving grace whenever I’m feeling puffy or need some help in the circulation department.
I’m not a huge face mist person, so if I’m ever taking the time to write about one here on Who What Wear, trust that it’s worth your time and attention. I am obsessed with this delicate floral one from the French brand Sisley-Paris, and I know you will be too. It features soothing cornflower and rose, witch hazel, and orange blossom. You can use it to help set your makeup, but I’ve been loving it as a refreshing way to re-invigorate my skin throughout the day. (It definitely gives you a nice little dose of added glow, too!)
I’ve been loving everything Caliray lately and have been recommending all of the products from the brand to my friends and loved ones. However, if I had to choose a favorite, it would be this waterproof eyeliner. The glide and blendability are exceptional, but it still wears amazingly well and stays put once you’ve played and have it where you want it. As a bonus, it’s infused with ceramides and margarita powder (!) so the delicate eye area is getting some much-needed TLC. I have all three shades, but I gravitate toward Secret Spot—a flattering chocolate brown—the most.
I can’t stand the feeling of heavy and thick lotions on my skin, so I’m absolutely wild for this fast-absorbing (yet super-hydrating) serum-lotion hybrid from GolfadenMD. It’s a potent, targeted formulation that was specifically created to help sculpt, smooth, and renew dull or lifeless skin anywhere on the body. Its key ingredients include radish root extract (for boosted skin elasticity), marula oil and shea butter (for velvety softness, hyaluronic acid (for mega-watt plumping and hydration), plus other luxe fares such as brown and red algae, coffee, and Gotu kola extracts, which rev up microcirculation.
Is it just me or does this customizable paddle brush from Emi Jay look like it was taken straight off of the Euphoria set? It has serious vanity appeal, and it will also do great things for your strands. I love the customizability factor—choose the background, the monogram, and the color of your rhinestones.
I hate most texture sprays. There, I said it! I don’t like anything that makes my hair feel gritty, gummy, or sticky, but this one from Color Wow avoids all of the above. It beefs up my style, it lends maximum hold, and it somehow transforms the look of my limp fine strands. I also love that it offers heat protection so you can spritz it on before or after you use any styling tools, and your hair still feels soft and silky enough to glide your hands through. If you haven’t tried this one yet, you’re seriously missing out.
Refy is still a relatively new brand, so the fact that it’s quickly become one of the most buzzed-about brands on the scene is impressive. I highly recommend all of the products, but I’m a brow pencil girl through and through, so this is the one I’ve gotten all of my friends hooked on. The color is spot-on and it blends to perfection.
I’m a huge Kosas fan (it really can do no wrong in my book), and the brand’s beloved Revealer Concealer is one of my all-time favorites. So you can imagine how pumped I was when the skin-improving foundation version landed on my vanity. The ingredients—hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, squalane, vitamin B5, arnica, and caffeine—are incredible, and you really feel like you’re treating your skin to something special when you wear it. How often can you say that while wearing a full face? The coverage and soft glow you get are super flattering, and even my mom (who is 74!) is as obsessed and impressed as I am. I’ve been getting so many compliments on my skin lately, and I hold this foundation largely responsible!
As I mentioned above, I’m a huge, huge fan of this concealer—a product category I’m notoriously picky about. It’s medium-to-full coverage and is packed with potent ingredients to immediately cover dark circles while imparting a luminous, ultra-brightening effect. The powerful formula featuring arnica, panthenol, caffeine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid is truly impressive, and the thirsty skin around your eyes will definitely thank you.
I wax poetic about this dew-inducing highlight balm from Merit on the daily, but I’m especially excited right now because the brand added a third, very drooly, new shade to the mix called Citrine. I love that all three shades are meant to flatter all skin tones, and Citrine—a soft gold—is the ultimate addition to a sun-kissed summer beauty aesthetic. You need it, just trust me.
I have no problem admitting I’m absolutely perfectionistic when it comes to maintaining a porcelain-white finish to my teeth. So it likely won’t come as any surprise that I’ve tried practically every type of whitening product and contraption that’s on the market. But let me just say these ingenious dissolving strips from SmileDirectClub are the absolute best. The brand recommends applying the strips once a day for seven days straight to get the most out of your treatment, but you’ll notice big-time results after just one use. They’re mess-proof, they easily stick to my teeth, and they are so convenient. I pop them on after I brush my teeth at night right before I go to bed, and my teeth look professionally whitened come morning. People have even been asking me if I have veneers since I started regularly incorporating these strips into my routine.
I take the art of smelling good extremely seriously, and I have an entire vanity littered with perfumes as proof. It’s truly so hard to choose a favorite child, but I have a next-level obsession with Bitter Peach from Tom Ford. It’s juicy and rich and has the most intoxicating fruity, floral scent courtesy of notes such as peche de vigne, blood orange, and patchouli. It will put a spell on you and anyone lucky enough to be in your presence. The regular perfume will set you back a spine-tingling $375, so I suggest opting for the new, comparably affordable body spray to get in on the magic without angering your bank account.
This is one of the only lip products that can keep my dry-as-a-bone lips hydrated, pillowy, and velveteen-soft throughout an entire night’s sleep and the entire next day sans re-application. I always roll my eyes a little when a product claims filler-caliber results. And no, nothing will ever take the place of actual filler, but this one comes pretty dang close. Usually, lip masks are too heavy and sticky for my taste, but this one is significantly lighter and more comfortable without compromising on that aforementioned hit of hydration. Maxi-Lip is the key ingredient and is scientifically and clinically shown to visibly increase lip volume by 40% while also helping to support natural collagen production over time. Other key hitters include shea butter and hyaluronic acid. If you want plumper lips immediately and long-term, this best-in-the-world lip mask (yep, I went there!) needs a spot in your shopping cart.
I’m telling you now that you absolutely positively need to add this bonding serum from Olaplex to your cart. I love anything and everything Olaplex makes, but dare I say this is my favorite formula yet? I’m a minimalist when it comes to hair products, but this lightweight serum has officially edged itself into the deepest valves of my heart. I apply a nickel-size amount to my damp hair pre-oil and any other styling products, and once my hair dries, it’s impeccably soft, smooth, shiny, and healthy feeling. If you like instant and long-term gratification when it comes to the look and feel of your strands, you’ll flip for this.
People always want to know how I wave my hair (see the main photo from this story) and this tool is my not-so-secret secret. I don’t know what else to say about it other than it gives you perfect beachy waves in about 10 minutes’ time. This easy tool gives me the creaseless, super-cool mermaid waves of my dreams without the frustration of other more complicated hair tools. Bless you, Amika!
This is the best eye cream of all time, and once you try it (and discover its insanely hydrating and dark circle–proofing perks for yourself), you’ll never feel the need to buy any other eye care product for the rest of your life. That’s all!
I did the riskiest thing imaginable a couple of months ago. Pre–first date, I tried a new self-tanner I had never used before. I wanted some glow and a nice dose of color fast, so when I found this unopened express formula from Bali in my self-tanning cabinet (yes, I have a self-tanning cabinet), I had a true Jesus-take-the-wheel moment and decided to take it for a spin. I had heard from my fellow beauty editor Caitie Schlisserman that it was amazing, and let me just say she wasn’t lying! This is hands down the best self-tanner I have ever tried—and I have tried hundreds. (That’s not an exaggeration, I’ve been regularly self-tanning since middle school, folks.) It applies like a dream and has a nice color guide—definitely use a mitt—and you can leave it on for just one to three hours depending on how deep of a tan you want. Also, thanks to the aerated texture of the foam, it’s touch-dry instantly! No stickiness, no transfer. I left it on for three hours and was left with the most even, natural-looking tan that continued to develop hours after I rinsed it off. I did apply a second coat a few days later, and the results have lasted a full week, and the fade is so even and unnoticeable. It ticks every box. You’re wasting your time if you’re using anything else, so don’t bother.
Slathering this decadent pore-purifying mask all over my face has become one of my favorite beauty rituals. (It legit smells like a chocolate-vanilla swirl soft-serve ice cream cone, and you will want to eat it.) It’s a great buy if you like instant gratification, and it never fails to remaster my cranky complexion into a smooth, radiant, and supremely hydrated state. If you’re going to buy one new face mask this season, make it this one.
I just don’t do body scrubs. I just don’t! They always end up gloopy, all over the floor of my shower, and I feel like more scrub goes down the drain than on top of my actual skin. Plus—hate to say it—most formulas just don’t really work that well for me. Instead, I always reach for a great exfoliating bar, and I’ve become completely obsessed with this chic model from Mutha. It instantly unclogs and paves bumpy skin thanks to 100% biodegradable, renewable wood pulp microfoliants while replenishing hydrators like cupuaçu seed butter and jojoba oil help moisturize and lend a helping hand of smoothness. (Trust me—you, and anyone around you, won’t be able to stop touching your skin post-shower.) This mighty little bar also houses vitamins B3, B5, and E to support the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and it smells positively divine—think white grapefruit, litsea, and green foliage. It’s like having an enchanted forest that magically smooths your skin in the palm of your hand whilst you shower.
Yes, I realize this is the second product within this story with a glazed donut theme but so help me God, this after-shave oil smells so effing divine. Smooth, baby-soft, and completely hairless is my personal preference when it comes to both my legs and down-there area, and smothering this cooling, flash-absorbing serum over every inch takes that aesthetic to new levels I never thought possbile. It doesn’t leave behind an ounce of oily or greasy residue, and it also keeps your skin moisturized and free from ingrowns and shave-induced inflammation. I already know I’ll be going through multiple bottles this summer.
A more iconic duo does not exist—especially if you’re looking for smoother, brighter, clearer skin long-term and instantaneously.
Believe it or not, this fluffy, weightless matte lipstick is already an icon all over the world aside from the U.S. where it only JUST became available. (We’ve been waiting YEARS, people!) The colors are dreamy and high-impact, and even though the formula has a matte and airy finish, it’s creamy and hydrating enough to keep your lips smooth and chap-free. My biggest conundrum lately has been deciding which of the 15 shades I want to wear, but this tomato red number has been winning out the most.
The internet has been blowing up over this new frizz-blocking smoothing spray from Virtue. Even though there are quite literally hundreds of other products with similar claims out there, this one is special (and crazy-effective) due to its impenetrable humidity-blocking, frizz-stopping, moisture-locking mist that works its magic for a full 72 hours. Created with humid climates, in particular, in mind, this alcohol-free, heat-activated spray is the only thing that can really stop frizz in its tracks.
This weighted razor is inspired by professional barbershop services, so you know you’ll get the closest, smoothest shave ever. The set features the razor, a silicone travel cap, and Swedish stainless steel blades, and just know that you’ve been warned: you only need a little bit of pressure and don’t rush. The close, bump-free finish is worth it, but heed that advice from someone who’s always in a hurry and has nearly needed stitches twice since keeping this set in my shower.
I didn’t think it was possible to become utterly obsessed with something as simple as hand cream, but here we are. I had heard rumblings from a few of my other editor friends that this stuff was ridiculously amazing, and let me say, they weren’t lying! It feels rich and decadent (yet somehow not sticky in the slightest!) and leaves your skin silky, smooth, and practically sparkling with nourishment thanks to the brand’s signature honey concentrate. It goes without saying that it also smells intoxicatingly yummy, without being overly sweet.
