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A Moisturizer That Leaves Me Dewy
I'm skeptical of most moisturizers, drugstore or not, because I am paranoid about breakouts. So for me, the perfect moisturizer should be insanely hydrating, absorb quickly without feeling greasy, leave my skin feeling soft and looking dewy without giving me pimples. That doesn't seem like too much to ask for, yet I've been spurned by many a moisturizer.
I was surprised to find that this one checks all my boxes. The creamy gel formula is cooling upon application, which is especially refreshing during the spring and summer, and it makes my skin feel healthy. It's jam-packed with hyaluronic acid, which is basically code for supermoisturizing. It's hydrating enough to use at night, but feels light enough to apply in the morning.
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A Hydrating Mask That's My DIY Spa Staple
Remember the Sonia Kashuk mask from earlier? This is the perfect complement to it. I always balance out a purifying mask with one that's hydrating, but my usual spa day treat runs over $100 a jar. Enter: This impressive, non-drying (literally, it doesn't dry on your face) mask. It's meant to be slathered on in a thick layer, and you let the formula -- which contains safflower oil and the brand's signature thermal spring water -- absorb into your skin. 15 minutes later, you wipe it off. I'll admit part of the appeal is not having to get up during a Netflix binge to rinse off my face. But the results -- namely supersoft, hydrated, calm skin -- speak for themselves.
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A Lip Oil That Doesn't Cost a Fortune
I have very, very dry lips, and the only thing that keeps them from being in a constant state of flakiness is applying a lip oil at night. So, naturally, I was worried about finding a bargain lip oil that would keep my lips from chapping and peeling.
Before starting this experiment, my lip oil of choice cost more than I care to disclose. I won't say I'm completely giving it up after trying this under-$5 tube, but it's nice to know I have options. It smells amazing, thanks to the organic coconut oil base, and leaves my lips soft, hydrated and, most importantly, ready for lipstick.
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A Drugstore Essence That Blew My Mind
I have a bit of an essence obsession. Essences have a high concentration of active ingredients, and are applied after (double) cleansing and before serum. And I'll admit, I was a little skeptical that a drugstore essence could deliver the same results as the expensive ones I was used to using. But this essence proved me wrong. The bottle is sturdy and pretty, and seems designed to keep light out (thus maintaining the benefits of the ingredients).
The water-light formula glides onto skin and is quickly absorbed. I'm a sucker for anything brightening, so I appreciate that this essence contains vitamin C. In fact, I liked this so much that I used it every night.
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The Eye Cream That's Essential to My Morning Routine
I log approximately six hours of sleep a night -- and while my brain can fully function on that amount of sleep (with the help of caffeine, obviously), unfortunately my skin tends to suffer. There's a perpetual smudge of Edward Cullen-level darkness underneath my eyes, which is not cute.
But this eye cream is like two cups of coffee for my under eyes. It has three cooling rollerballs that massage the caffeine-, white tea- and cucumber-infused formula into my skin, which feels especially nice if you keep the tube in the fridge. It helps soothe puffiness and dark circles, and preps my under eyes for a smooth, crease-free concealer application.
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