A Lean, Mean Curling Machine and a Porcelain Paste
I'm thankful for ...
Kiss InstaWave, $60. The idea of an automatic curling iron made me really skeptical. (Buying a device just so I wouldn't have to rotate my right wrist seemed lazy even for me.) Yet this seemingly gimmicky curling wand has revolutionized my routine and given me the wavy, bouncy hair of my dreams. It's faster, easier to use and more effective than irons twice the price.
Benefit Erase Paste, $26. My sister in albinism, Editorial Assistant Allie Flinn, is the only other person in my life who understands the pain of finding a makeup match for porcelain skin. This brightening under-eye concealer is the most natural-looking cover-up I've found for sleep-deprived, pale ladies -- peachy (not pink), creamy and subtly luminous. --Katie McCarthy
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A Coffee-Defying Whitening Light and Confidence in a Bottle
I'm thankful for ...
Luster Premium White Pro Light, $28.83. I love a bright, white smile almost as much as I love coffee and chocolate. With this whitening system, I can have my latte and white teeth, too. No messy trays, no monthly commitment -- just one hour of whitening in exchange for a mega-watt smile.
Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream, $55. I think of this flaw-concealing BB as the non-alcoholic version of liquid confidence. A quick smear of this moisturizing cream, and red spots, dark circles and uneven skin tone are transformed into a dewy, glowing visage that I barely recognize as my own. And it contains SPF 36! Cue Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More." --Emily Woodruff
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A New-Mom Moisturizer and a Tangle's Worst Nightmare
I'm thankful for ...
Avène Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream, $25. No one ever tells you that having a baby ruins your hands. Between the bucket of Purell stationed by the changing table, the constant hand-washing to remove traces of spit-up and poop, and the countless baby bottles and pumping paraphernalia that need to be washed daily, my sensitive, eczema-prone hands felt like they aged five years in three months. This ultra-rich, fragrance-free lotion absorbs fast (no greasy mitts), and cleared up my irritated, cracked skin in days.
Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner, $32. If I could get away with never washing my hair, I would -- namely, because my fine hair tangles so terribly in the shower that it takes a solid 10 minutes to comb it out afterwards (even after using a detangler). This is the only product I've used that lets me run a brush through my hair post-shower. No snags, no snarls -- just shiny, manageable hair. --Jill Provost
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The Perfect Lip Balm and a Mask Versed in Damage Control
I'm thankful for ...
Marc Jacobs Lip Lock Moisture Balm, $24
I love a good lip balm. I keep them stashed in every purse and on any surface space available, but Marc Jacobs' Makeout Balm is the one lip product I keep coming back to. It comes in a classic black and silver twist-up tube, so you can swipe it on in transit without getting your fingers messy. It has a refreshing peppermint scent and ultra-hydrating ingredients like avocado and shea butter that leave your lips smooth and plump without any waxy residue.
Eve Lom Moisture Mask, $90
Every fall and winter, without fail, my skin gets dry and peel-y (gross, I know) no matter how much moisturizer I use. This mask from Eve Lom, however, soothes tight, dry skin in just 15 minutes. The rich, clear formula is more of a cooling gel than a cream, and it doesn't clog my pores or irritate my sensitive skin, which is truly something to be thankful for. --Marissa DeSantis
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A Stay-Put Powder and An Oldie but A Goodie
I'm thankful for ...
Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder, $36. Before I found this product, I was on an ongoing hunt for makeup products that didn't sweat/melt/evaporate off my face after three hours of wear. I just thought that's how makeup was, and had to come to terms with touching up my face multiple times throughout the day. Then I tried this translucent finishing powder and fell in love. Now, my makeup stays on all day, my face doesn't get shiny or greasy-looking and I don’t have to "powder my nose" once during the work day.
Original Vaseline Jelly, $3. You won't find plain ol' Vaseline jelly in the aisles of Sephora or on the pages of any trendy magazine, but I'm thankful for this one basic product. I've used this product for everything. Growing up in the frigid Midwest, a little Vaseline on my lips and on my dry hands saved me from painful windburn and chapping. Now I use it to remove stubborn eye makeup, and I apply it to my lashes at night to keep them conditioned, strong and long. --Hayley Mason
In the grand scheme of what's truly important in life, beauty products don't rank terribly high. But that doesn't mean we don't love and cherish the really great ones and appreciate all that they do for us.
So as we gear up to count our blessings this Thanksgiving, we decided to take a moment to give thanks for the beauty products that keep us looking and feeling great all year long.
While some of us were nostalgic with our picks and went with beauty products that have been by our sides for years, others welcomed new releases into the fold. And here's the best part: Anyone can play this "game." So, as you baste the turkey or dice stuffing celery and bandy about your life's blessings with your family and friends this Thursday, why not take a moment to give props to the products you appreciate most?
