I know it's a little basic of me to say, but I love coconut oil. I cook with it, I use it to remove my eye makeup, I apply it to the ends of my hair and I even add it to my coffee. But there's one tiny problem I have with this magical oil: As a body moisturizer, it's supermessy. The single time I tried to use it to hydrate my legs post-shaving, it turned into a sticky, greasy mess that somehow managed to pick up all the dog hair in my apartment. Yuck.
That's why I love SkinFix Ultra Rich Body Butter, $17.99. This fragrance-, soy-, gluten-, paraben- and phthalates-free moisturizer harnesses the power of my favorite oil, plus shea butter, to create a deeply hydrating, superluxe product that I slather on by the handful. And, unlike pure coconut oil, it soaks into skin quickly, leaving it hydrated and silky smooth -- not greasy. It even manages to make dry areas, like my elbows and knees, soft. Needless to say, this will be my savior when the cold temperatures and dry air start to cause my skin to flake. --Allie Flinn
That's why I love SkinFix Ultra Rich Body Butter, $17.99. This fragrance-, soy-, gluten-, paraben- and phthalates-free moisturizer harnesses the power of my favorite oil, plus shea butter, to create a deeply hydrating, superluxe product that I slather on by the handful. And, unlike pure coconut oil, it soaks into skin quickly, leaving it hydrated and silky smooth -- not greasy. It even manages to make dry areas, like my elbows and knees, soft. Needless to say, this will be my savior when the cold temperatures and dry air start to cause my skin to flake. --Allie Flinn
Have you ever been shocked to learn someone's age? Like, in an OMG-I-can't believe-how-good-you-look-for-your-age way? If you're like me, then your immediate reaction -- you know, after picking your jaw off the floor -- is to drill them about their skin-care regimen in the hopes that you can replicate their unnatural inability to age (or join whatever coven they've sold their soul to).
And that's exactly what I did when I met Mally Steves Chakola, the founder of M. Steves Skincare, at a Total Beauty-hosted event. According to her, she owed her impeccable skin to M. Steves Reviving Exfoliator, $48, so, naturally, I had to try it.
The product packs a three-in-one anti-aging punch, combining glycolic acid, microdermabrasion and a pore-purifying mud mask in one little jar (read: no witchcraft!). Though it might be some time before I notice its long-term effects, I can say that I see an immediate improvement in my skin after using it. My face looks fresher and brighter as soon as I rinse it off.
I'll definitely keep reaching for this exfoliator in the hope that someone will one day ask me about my skin-care secret. --Rose Curiel
And that's exactly what I did when I met Mally Steves Chakola, the founder of M. Steves Skincare, at a Total Beauty-hosted event. According to her, she owed her impeccable skin to M. Steves Reviving Exfoliator, $48, so, naturally, I had to try it.
The product packs a three-in-one anti-aging punch, combining glycolic acid, microdermabrasion and a pore-purifying mud mask in one little jar (read: no witchcraft!). Though it might be some time before I notice its long-term effects, I can say that I see an immediate improvement in my skin after using it. My face looks fresher and brighter as soon as I rinse it off.
I'll definitely keep reaching for this exfoliator in the hope that someone will one day ask me about my skin-care secret. --Rose Curiel
I am often astounded -- and slightly intimidated -- by the specificity of certain makeup products: a highlighter just for brows, a mascara just for bottom lashes. What's next? Foundation meant exclusively for the left side of your face?
I prefer an all-purpose product -- it helps with my budget, my counter clutter and my sanity. So you can imagine how delighted I was when I got my hands on the Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil, $16.
First, this product can be used as a lip primer to prevent feathering and help color stick to your lips all day. It can also double as an eraser stick for cleaning up eyeliner boo-boos or fallen eye shadow. I even use it to prime my eyelids, so my shadow stays pigmented and crease-free for hours. I'm sure there are even more uses for this genius little stick, and my inner multi-tasker is looking forward to discovering them. --Amanda Montell
I prefer an all-purpose product -- it helps with my budget, my counter clutter and my sanity. So you can imagine how delighted I was when I got my hands on the Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil, $16.
First, this product can be used as a lip primer to prevent feathering and help color stick to your lips all day. It can also double as an eraser stick for cleaning up eyeliner boo-boos or fallen eye shadow. I even use it to prime my eyelids, so my shadow stays pigmented and crease-free for hours. I'm sure there are even more uses for this genius little stick, and my inner multi-tasker is looking forward to discovering them. --Amanda Montell
I've had a bit of an obsession with dying my hair since I was 16. I've been just about every color in a crayon box -- red, blue, magenta and even a combination of brunette and black (it's okay to cringe -- I do every time I come across a picture that I forgot to burn).
Needless to say, my obsession hasn't changed over the years, though my color choices have (thank God). As you can imagine, my poor hair has taken quite the beating. Luckily, when my strands are screaming for some serious hydration, L'Oréal Paris' Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm, $6.99, comes to the rescue. It claims to repair up to one year of damage with a single use, and I can tell you from experience that it definitely does.
For my most recent hair change, I went from dark brunette to blonde, and you can bet I stocked up on this product before making the dramatic transformation. This balm has kept my hair smooth, healthy and even added a bit of shine when everyone thought I'd have serious breakage. For all the other hair color junkies out there, I've found our healthy hair insurance at an affordable rate. --Jessica Amaris
Needless to say, my obsession hasn't changed over the years, though my color choices have (thank God). As you can imagine, my poor hair has taken quite the beating. Luckily, when my strands are screaming for some serious hydration, L'Oréal Paris' Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm, $6.99, comes to the rescue. It claims to repair up to one year of damage with a single use, and I can tell you from experience that it definitely does.
For my most recent hair change, I went from dark brunette to blonde, and you can bet I stocked up on this product before making the dramatic transformation. This balm has kept my hair smooth, healthy and even added a bit of shine when everyone thought I'd have serious breakage. For all the other hair color junkies out there, I've found our healthy hair insurance at an affordable rate. --Jessica Amaris
If there was one thing I learned in high school (you know, besides algebra and American history), it was that shiny-haired girls rule the world. Unfortunately, those were the dark days -- before YouTube tutorials and blow-out balms -- so those of us who were not genetically blessed with sleek, lustrous locks were S.O.L.
Today, however, I can have the hair of my teenage dreams, thanks to Tresemmé Get Sleek Blow Dry Balm, $6.49. It's the perfect antidote to the poofiness and frizziness blow-dryers tend to wreak on my hair. I slather it on damp hair to achieve smooth, glossy, tresses, as well as on dry hair to tame flyaways. And, at less than 10 bucks, it's a product I could have even afforded on my meager babysitting earnings back in the era of proms and dial-up. --Mary Squillace
Today, however, I can have the hair of my teenage dreams, thanks to Tresemmé Get Sleek Blow Dry Balm, $6.49. It's the perfect antidote to the poofiness and frizziness blow-dryers tend to wreak on my hair. I slather it on damp hair to achieve smooth, glossy, tresses, as well as on dry hair to tame flyaways. And, at less than 10 bucks, it's a product I could have even afforded on my meager babysitting earnings back in the era of proms and dial-up. --Mary Squillace
Ever had a beauty product you love so much that you shook, hacked, scraped or squeezed its container until you were absolutely positive you had expended all of its precious contents? Rare indeed is the product that elicits that deliciously desperate feeling, especially in beauty editors. So when our team of beauty mavens encounters a rave-worthy product, you know it's the real deal. Herewith, our editors rattle off their "beauty empties," aka the best beauty products that they can't help but use until the last drop. Read on for their best nail polishes, hair products, skin care products and makeup now.