Arguably one of the best out there, Living Proof’s Dry Shampoo became that thing you see all over the internet and cannot wait to try out. It has an Allure Best of Beauty Breakthrough award, and we totally get why. This dry shampoo is the closest thing to washing your hair we’ve ever experienced, even better. The technology behind this groundbreaking shampoo is OFMPA, a proprietary polymer that thoroughly removes oil and sweat. The rice starch and cellulose absorb the oils, and the zeolite and hydrated silica remove the odors and sweat. It adds the perfect amount of texture and smells incredibly fresh. The scent is by no means light, but it’s pleasant. The absolute best thing about this product is that it leaves no residue at all, and most importantly, does not leave your hair feeling coated or sticky. We’re totally hooked.
Best for: All Hair Types
How to use it: Shake can extremely well for maximum results. Hold canister about 6-10″ away from dry hair. Section thoroughly and apply the product in a sweeping motion to dirty/oily areas. The company says to wait 30 seconds, but we beg to differ. Wait a few minutes for the powders to activate and cleanse. Then remove by massaging and shaking at roots with fingers or brush hair. Apply more if needed, making sure to shake again.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
We see a lot of reviews in our lifetime, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the “Jesus in a bottle,” “Life-changing,” “The best beauty product in the world” kind of reviews in real life. The Lotion P50 comes at you with an army of influencers, beauty experts and celebrities who SWEAR by it. The first version of the P50 Lotion was made in 1970, originally formulated with the now-banned ingredient: phenol. But the new generation of Lotion P50 promises NO phenol, but rest assured: it’s one of the most powerful exfoliating toners on the market. You can still buy the Original version that contains phenol online if you like. It contains a mix of AHA (they say it’s around 13% AHAs in the original formula) and BHA acids such as lactic, citric, malic, phytic, and salicylic acid. The molecules in the toner have a high acid ratio and low salt, so it is exfoliating but hydrating at the same time. The Lotion gently exfoliates, purifies, regulates excess sebum secretion, moisturizes, tones and helps maintain a balanced acid PH. It contains Niacinamide to brighten your skin and Acid Vinegar to refresh your complexion. The Vinegar made this Lotion famous for its smell, with Byrdie even going so far to say it smells like “hot garbage.” It comes in various formulations for every skin type, so be sure to choose carefully and according to your skin needs.
Best for: Choose the right formula needed for your skin type on their website or refer to a dermatologist/esthetician.
How to use it: In the first week of use, to avoid skin sensitivity, saturate moistened/diluted cotton pads with Lotion P50 and apply to the face, neck, and cleavage. After the first week, saturate dry cotton pads with the lotion. Use twice daily (morning and evening) after cleansing your face. Starting with your cleavage and moving upwards, gently press the cotton pad over your skin. Cover all areas of the face, making sure to avoid the sensitive under-eye area. Pat, do not rub. Allow drying time.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3, the longtime favorite repairing treatment of Kim Kardashian herself, has amassed a cult following over the past years.
A common misconception about this is that the Hair Perfector is a conditioner, which is not true. Olaplex is a concentrated treatment that improves hair structure and prevents future damage. It does that by restoring the disulfide bonds that hold together the proteins (keratins) in your hair. The patented active ingredient is called Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, and it was created to repair the damaged bonds, and strengthen your hair.
Tips: The treatment works, but you may find some people saying their hair became dry or brittle from the amount of protein being placed into the hair shaft. The solution lies in a few tips, depending on your hair type. Start with a small amount of product, as too much can lead to dry strands. Always follow up with a conditioner to nourish your hair and lock in moisture. It’s best to start with the recommended 10 minutes, and from there decide if you need to leave it for a longer time.
The ultimate L.A. beach waves now come in a spray bottle, curtesy of Jen Atkin. For the realest undone hair vibe, the Wave Spray uses rice protein instead of the usual sea salt, so it’s safe even for color-treated hair. The spray offers a perfect amount of texture to help you revive your style. You can use it on damp hair and let it dry for a natural, beachy look or on dry hair to add texture to your hairstyle. The fragrance has a soft floral hint, with notes of bergamot, Italian lemon, rose de mai, violet, and white musk. The scent is strong enough to refresh your hair, but not too overpowering. If you have straight hair, but still want to go for that effortlessly chic vibe, twist your hair in a bun and let it air dry for the perfect beach waves.
As literally the world’s most impressionable customers, it came with no surprise that we’ll immediately buy the trendy Balm Dotcom.
Coming at you as a universal skin salve, the photogenic balm quickly gained a cult following due to its Insta-ready packaging and multi-purpose nature. In need of a hydrating ointment for your lips? A little color for your cheeks? Maybe a brow gel? Cuticle cream? Split ends mender? Eye gloss? Balm Dotcom never disappoints.
The balm comes in 8 different flavors, all of which contain castor seed oil and beeswax, but the real skin savior here is lanolin. Lanolin is a type of wax extracted from the wool of sheep, and one of the most effective ingredients out there for chapped lips. Balm Dotcom also contains Cupuacu fruit extract, a long-lasting moisturizer fill of fatty acids that help the balm melt into your skin for deep hydration.
Our Favorites? Try the Berry Balm for its amazing dark berry tint and Birthday for the ultimate mood lifter.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Being one of the coolest skincare brands out there, it’s highly unlikely that you missed the famous Drunk Elephant #shelfies. Coming at you with vibrant, Insta-ready packaging and clean formulas, Drunk Elephant stirred up hype really fast.
The Protini is lightweight, and one of the few silicone-free moisturizers that are worth looking at. It contains 9 different peptides, which are the building blocks of skin proteins, synthesized via plant fermentation, and designed to replicate the function of human peptides. Hydrating agents include dicaprylyl carbonate (a good, plant-derived emollient), glycerin, fatty alcohols, Marula oil, fermented soybean extract, and hyaluronic acid.
Overall, this is a good, nourishing moisturizer, but if you have sensitive or reactive skin, you should try a sample before committing to full size, since some people have reported that they feel stinging or have broken out from it. Protini’s pH is 4.0, which is quite low for a moisturizer, so that could be a reason for experiencing irritation in sensitive skin.
Supergoop unseen suncreen
Tacha’s been around for some years now but still manages to hold “bestseller” status on Sephora. Based on the Japanese skincare routine of geishas, Tatcha quickly acquired cult status for their clean beauty promise and decadent packagings.
First of all, water creams feel delightful on the face. They’re soothing, and their texture is fantastic. The Water Cream has a lightweight gel consistency but somehow manages to melt into the skin like an emulsion. It contains Japanese Wild Rose to reduce the appearance of pores, and Japanese Leopard Lily to decrease oil production and ensure cell turnover. It’s great for the summer months, and specifically for those of you with oily skin, it’s worth the buy.
Best for: Oily, Combination Skin. It does contain fragrance and dimethicone, so if you have Dry/Sensitive/Reactive skin, it’s best avoided.
Summer Fridays Jet lag mask
Summer Fridays y’all!!! Ok, I might’ve gone overboard with enthusiasm, but it’s justified. First off, big Marianna Hewitt fans here. She’s such a sweetheart, and when we heard she’s launching a new skincare line, you bet your ass we were there for it.
The first product in her line was the Jet Lag Mask. It’s supposed to be a mask that delivers rich hydration and improves your complexion. It contains skin-loving ingredients such as Arginine, Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Vitamin E, and Sodium Hyaluronate. It leaves the skin feeling plump, hydrated, and glowing. The best thing about this mask is its flexible nature. Want a sleeping mask? A 10-minutes hydration boost? A primer (makeup look GREAT on top of this)? A rich moisturizer? Summer Fridays got your back.
Farmacy is well regarded as a clean beauty brand and is famous for its “farm-to-face” products. Apart from being free of chemicals, fragrances, mineral oil, and harsh ingredients, they go a step further by using locally grown/produced ingredients in their formulas.
Another Instagram favorite, the Honeymoon Glow Resurfacing Serum took over our feeds for some time now. Very loved in the skincare community, the gentle serum is a must for these fall/winter months.
The Honeymoon Glow is a 3-in-1 AHA/BHA/flower acids blend serum. It’s formulated with 10% AHAs such as lactic, glycolic, citric and fruit acids for resurfacing dull skin, and 1% BHA (plant-derived salicylic acid) to minimize the appearance of pores. The 3% flower acids extracted from hibiscus clarify the skin and gently exfoliates. It also contains hyaluronic acid and a proprietary honey blend for intense hydration. It is very gentle on the skin, and the honey blend is known for its humectant and nourishing proprieties. Bonus: It works great for hyperpigmentation, promotes cell renewal, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.