Full disclosure: I've only ever watched one episode of "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo" because it stresses me out. Obviously, Ms. Kondo herself is a delight, but as something of a hoarder, the KonMari method just strikes a little too much fear into my heart.
That said, I've gotten pretty good at following Kondo's credo in at least one respect: I only keep beauty products that, as she would put it, "spark joy." As a beauty editor, the amount of products I try annually gets into the high hundreds/low thousands, so I have to be downright draconian about what I actually keep in order to keep my beauty stash manageable.
With that in mind, I thought I'd make a little list of must-have beauty products — you know, the crème de la crème of joy-sparking stuff. These are the items that go the extra mile, be it with extra-cute packaging, lovely scents or especially decadent textures. Keep reading to shop a few of my favorite things.
Image via Imaxtree
Dior Lip Glow to the Max, $34
Obviously, you can't go wrong with the original Dior Lip Glow, but the new "to the max" version is especially dreamy. Each tube features a swirl of two complementary hues enhanced with pearlescent pigments. The shades are sheer and pH-adjusting, so they're all pretty easy to wear, though I'd pay special attention to the two holographic options.
Go-To Transformazing, $7
This sheet mask is sturdy: It won't tear and it stays in place nicely, without slipping and sliding around. It hydrates and brightens like a treat (thanks to ingredients like Kakadu plum extract and niacinamide) and it also happens to smell like fresh jasmine. But even with all those positive attributes, it might just be the packaging that's most apt to spark joy: Each mask comes with a different cheeky saying on it, including gems like the one shown here.
Jill Stuart Iconic Look Eyeshadow, $20
Okay, these are gorgeous. They're very finely-milled and easy to work with and the glitter shades are especially covet-worthy. They're packed to the brim with multi-dimensional, holographic shimmer and act as the perfect topcoat to any eyeshadow look you want to rock.
Olay Foaming Whip Birch Water & Lavender Body Wash, $5.49
Nothing sparks joy quite like a great mousse — after all, who among us can resist the satisfying feel of a tennis ball-sized dollop of the stuff? This one also happens to smell amazing and it makes your early morning shower speedier (and nicer). Plus, it doubles as an excellent shaving cream and leaves your skin feeling nice and soft.
