The Lip Balm I'll Be Taking Everywhere This Summer
I'm what you would call a lipstick junkie... lip products are definitely my favorite type of beauty product to test! Sweeping on a new lip color can totally switch up you look, make you appear put-together and lend an instant confidence boost. I have drawers of colorful lippies — and I love them all (each, for their unique qualities). But recently, I discovered a lip product that checks so many boxes for me and I just can't put it down.
Kosasport Lipfuel, $18, is that product: It's part of the new capsule collection by Kosas Cosmetics, which produces chic, minimalist products with comfy formulas, excellent shades and beautiful pigmentation. The first thing I noticed when I picked up the balm was the mod, oblong tube in the brand's signature black and white (think an elevated, ultraglam chapstick).
Lipfuel comes in clear, plus two your-lips-but-better hues. My fave is Rush, a cool, sheer rosy shade that gives me the perfect pop of color! What's more, the formula feels absolutely decadent when I swipe it on. It contains soothing vitamin E, naturally emollient and occlusive konjac root (the same that's used to make konjac sponges!) and hero hydrator/plumping agent, hyaluronic acid. It also has the faintest kiss of mint, which I love since it's very refreshing in the sun, the pool or in a killer spin class.
Typically when I go on vacation, I return with parched lips. I just took this with me to Puerto Vallarta for a long weekend and wore it every day — and my lips feel amazing. If you're looking for the perfect summer balm that feels like buttah and gives you a hint of tint, I highly recommend you give this one a go! — Hannah Savin
To see more of my summer beauty must-haves, follow me on Instagram @the_beauty_whoreder
Cover image via @kosascosmetics
I Never Skip a Day Without This Clean Sunscreen
It's sunscreen season, and no one's happy about it! Just kidding, kind of. If you're like me, you grew up with sunscreens that burned your eyes, made you break out, and left an oppressive white film on your skin. Not comfortable, not cute.
Now, in 2019, there are many more sunscreen alternatives that almost feel like you're wearing nothing at all. I swore by Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence until I found out it wasn't cruelty-free, which is unfortunately the case with most of those amazing sunscreens available in the Asian market.
Enter Coola Classic Body Sunscreen SPF 30, $32. It cools your skin when applied and isn't greasy, sticky, or irritating. Yeah, it's spend-y, but I consider a cruelty-free sunscreen (that I actually want to wear every day) well worth the money. Try the plumeria-scented sunscreen when you're feeling fancy and the unscented version when you want a sunscreen that won't compete with your perfume. — Katie McCarthy
Cover image via @coola
The Aluminum-Free Deodorant That Actually Works
I switched to aluminum-free deodorant about two years ago, and I've never looked back. It was a journey though! I had to kiss a lot of frogs (or rather, I had to swipe a lot of duds under my arms) until I found The One. But this is it: Love Beauty and Planet Argan Oil & Lavender Relaxing Deodorant, $6.99, is amazing. It's aluminum-free, it glides on super smooth, it smells incredible (literally like a field of fresh lavender!), and — most importantly — it actually works. It keeps me stink-free for hours, even on hot days and even when I work out. I've recommended it to so many people now, and I haven't heard a single complaint yet. — Alyssa Hertzig
Cover image via @lovebeautyandplanet
The Multitasker That Leaves My Face Flawless In No Time
If you're like me, then your mornings can be described as chaos. It starts with rolling out of bed around 5 a.m. and heading to spin class by 6, followed by a quick shower and then a car makeup session as I drive to the office. I certainly don't want to look like I was up all night, so I rely on products that make me flawless fast! I recently discovered Pür 4-In-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation and Concealer, $36, and it has been a game changer — let me explain.
What looks to be a regular liquid foundation is indeed a foundation and concealer in one! You can utilize the pump to dispense product and apply it with your fingers, favorite sponge or brush. OR... twist off the top and reveal a doe-foot applicator for precise concealer placement. Because I glam on the go, I personally like to use the sponge-tip for both concealer and foundation, and then blend with brushes.
Pür has 100 shades to choose from in a pink, neutral and gold undertones (mine is MN3!). I have combination skin that is extremely oily at the t-zone and this gives me ample (yet buildable) coverage that keeps shine at bay and retains a subtly glowy finish. When used as a concealer, it legitimately covers imperfections (like the occasional, hormonal pimples that flare up from time to time). Even better, this product does not break me out. I was told by a close friend recently that my skin has been looking even clearer and smoother!
That's probably because this foundation is formulated with skin care-enhancing ingredients like retinol, ceramides and antioxidants. It also happens to be mineral-based, cruelty-free and eco-friendly. It's even bolstered with protection against blue light, which is great for any of us that are in front of smart phones and computers daily.
So if you're looking for a complexion enhancer that leaves your skin better than ever, I highly suggest you give this one a try. — Hannah Savin
To see more of my makeup must-haves, follow me on Instagram @the_beauty_whoreder
Cover image via @purcosmetics
The Weird Instagram Pimple Remedy That Actually Works
Instagram's targeted advertising knows me so well that it would creep me out if it wasn't so damn useful. (OK, it's still creepy.) Among many eerily spot-on ads I've been served was one from a skin care brand called Zitsticka. The brand's namesake product is a sort of next-level hydrocolloid pimple patch upgraded with something called microdarts, which supposedly help skin-healing ingredients like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide penetrate the skin's surface.
It was only a matter of time until Zitsticka hit me with an ad while I was suffering from a hormonal acne flare-up. Well-played, Zitsticka. I purchased its Killa Kit, $29, for eight patches plus eight pre-treatment cleansing cloths.
My $29 was well spent. I have never seen a skin care product — over-the-counter or prescription — wipe out a pimple so quickly. Overnight, Zitsticka chills out those angry, painful zits that would normally stick around for days on end. Plus hyperpigmentation-erasing niacinamide ensures that any leftover red marks fade with amazing speed.
Order yourself a kit now so you're prepared for your next skin crisis; you'll be glad you did. — Katie McCarthy
Cover image via @zitsticka
