37 Genius Beauty Fixes Everyone’s Buying (Including The $2.95 Skin Booster You’ve Gotta Try)
30 November 2020
This year has seen us all make many changes to our routines. I, like many moms, have had to forgo the indulgence of the nail salon or a treat trip to the spa, and it's starting to show. So I've raided the Amazon beauty stores to share with you a round-up of the 37-bestselling beauty tools.
Sure, I do tend to overbuy in this category, but this also means I have tried a lot of products over the years. Now and again a product comes along that revolutionizes my beauty routine. I especially love it when I stumble upon a product that tackles a problem I didn't even think was fixable, shaves my prep time in half, or just blows away the competition with a new formula or technique.
I also don't like to waste money on products that aren't as good quality, since I usually end up throwing them away halfway through. So I've listed some investment pieces which solve the myriad of issues we all face, whether it be the body changes that come with age, trying not to look like I've had three hours of sleep due to a restless night with babies, or just because you want to feel like the prettiest version of you.
I hope you find plenty of useful things in here for your personal beauty arsenal.
via: Amazon
This titanium take on the iconic BaBylissPRO hair straightener sets a new standard for hair wizardry.
The 50 heat settings take this super-sleek styler up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. A big plus for me is its nippy size (it's just 10cm long), which makes this one of the few irons that'll fit in my purse for on-the-go touch-ups.
via: Amazon
This game-changing hair cream is one of the hero products in my beauty regime. R+Co Hair High Dive is a collab between a trio of the top session stylists and has been formulated to banish frizz and instantly smooth your style. I also love that the product is 100% vegan and laden with all the good stuff (think sunflower seed, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, and juniper berry extract). I whack it on damp hair while I get the kids ready for bed and it gives me professional results without the trip to the salon (or the price tag).via: Amazon
Get an instant glow with these spa-grade exfoliating skin pads - seriously you won’t believe what these little guys will pull out of your skin. First, you exfoliate with a textured gauze (which gets to work with dirt-shifting lactic acid). Then, you flip over the pad and slather skin with antioxidants like Resveratrol, which is a potent anti-aging ingredient found in red wine. If I have cystic acne, these are my go-to weapons. If I have more than one breakout I use them twice daily until the spots disappear.via: Amazon
At first glance, GrandeLASH-MD might look like run-of-the-mill mascara, but it’s far from it. It’s a vitamin, peptide, and amino acid-packed formula that you apply to the base of your lashes once a day for three months. When I entered my late-30s I noticed that my eyelashes thinned considerably after two babies. A pro in the industry turned me to this product and the results were next level-lashes that are noticeably longer and stronger.via: Amazon
For an instant shot of Hollywood glamour, ditch your pencil liner for this waterproof liquid liner. This pigment-packed, creamy formula is a sinch to apply and dries in seconds. Sweet it on for a sultry cat's eye effect or subtlety thicken your lashes by dotting the liner at the very base of the lash line. If you're like me and need as many tips as possible to put your liquid eyeliner on then check the tutorial on the link below. No more smudges or eyes that end up looking totally different.via: Amazon
Australia’s best-selling makeup guru Poppy King has developed a range of fun shades that transform when they touch your skin. It's actual magic. I have three favorites in this range: 'Hello Sailor': I absolutely love the pitch-perfect berry hue and it's my go-to shade for autumn and winter. It contains a hint of blue which tricks the eye and makes teeth look a little whiter and brighter. 'Frog Prince' is the year-round berry shade that I double up as my blusher as well. 'Mornin' Sunshine' is the perfect coral. I can wear it with anything and it looks great as a blusher. Have you clicked to cart yet?via: Amazon
I absolutely love Tony Moly. Since coming to the market in 2006 they've gained cult status with their effective products but also insanely cute packaging. These triple-layer sheet masks range from $2.50 to $3 per mask and are loaded-up with complexion-boosting botanicals like macadamia nut oil and avocado extract. The results feel (and look!) like I have had a mini spa facial without the OMG price tag. I just place a mask on clean dry skin, kick back for 30 minutes of Netflix before bed, then remove and massage the remaining serum into my skin.via: Amazon
I first came across this brand back when Kylie Jenner was still Snapchatting every five seconds and she raved about Mario's products. Mario Badescu is a celebrity facialist to everyone from Elizabeth Banks to Naomi Campbell, just to name a few. Seeking to create the perfect suits-all facial spray he’s packed this bestseller with botanicals, like aloe leaf juice, rosewater, and thyme, making it the perfect pick-me-up for tired skin.via: Amazon
Are you like me in that five minutes before your 8 am work conference call on Zoom you catch a flash of yourself in the mirror and your hair looks more bird's nest than glowing mane? Cheat your way to just-washed hair with Living Proof Dry Shampoo. I like it because it’s a featherweight, silicone-free formula that works in half a minute to zap up oil and sweat, plus a time-released floral fragrance keeps working throughout the day. It’s no surprise that it has won the love of nearly 5,000 reviewers on Amazon.via: Amazon
I am completely obsessed with anything that comes out of my pores... and my husband's, much to his displeasure. I've tried those weird gel masks that you peel off but I find them ineffective and irritating to my skin. Allow me to introduce you to another dazzlingly clever product from Seoul-based TolyMoly. Tako is a delightful little black octopus and is the ultimate skin buffer. It works by hauling out excess sebum and other impurities using a powerhouse combo of marine extracts, charcoal, and cellulose beads. They sell out all the time on Amazon so HURRY UP and cart before they go.via: Amazon
This is the Swiss army knife of hair products. Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray does it all; from smoothing frizz (aforementioned bird's nest), boosting a flagging blowout, or prepping my hair for an updo when I'm having a bad hair day. The brand is famous for its trademark Argan oil, which is bottled into this little miracle to keep my style looking glossy and stops my hair from feeling chalky.via: Amazon
This cult product is a seriously intense therapy lip balm. It soothes chapped lips with rich shea butter, avocado oil, and lanolin. It also doesn’t scrimp on sun protection with an impressive broad-spectrum SPF 25. My husband gets incredibly chapped lips and because it has a matt finish he is willing to use it when his lips start to flake. He is not big into my beauty finds but this one I don't even have to tell him to use; he usually raids my bag to find it.via: Amazon
Do you want that photo-ready finish to your makeup? A featherweight feel and spot-on shades make this loose setting powder the go-to finisher for its legions of reviewers on Amazon. Not only does it banish shine, but it also keeps your makeup looking camera-ready all day. If you’re working from home but need to chat with colleagues onscreen, this is a must-have as it gives your face that even finish. And if you are anything like me, my skin has gone downhill since age 35 from years of sun damage and sleep deprivation. This stuff makes all the difference.via: Amazon
The nail gurus at OPI have been rocking the industry with innovative products for decades (the home-grown brand turns 40 next year). I recently discovered this varnish-soaked angled pen after all the nail salons closed and it's one of my best buys in 2020. Obviously, I don't apply the polish on my fingers with expert precision, so I slap it on then use this pen to make corrections. It helps make my DIY attempts look worthy of the red carpet.via: Amazon
I find I reach for these cool firming eye gels when I really need a rescue around my eye area. These miracle pads take me from puffy panda with lackluster eyes to looking a little more rejuvenated and plumped-up in just 10 minutes. Formulated with a Hydrolysed Elastin (an ace skin firmer) and Ginkgo Biloba (which brightens tone), plus mineral-rich Icelandic Glacial Water, this is the best way to cheat your way to looking like you’ve just got back from vacay.via: Amazon
LORAC is the creation of Hollywood makeup artist Carol Shaw who, sick of seeing her clients having breakouts onset, created a brand of pigment-rich, fragrance-free gentle formulas that would work for everyone. She created this amazing multi-tasking highlight and contour set, which is one of her most-ordered products. It contains a trio of butter-soft, matte contour shades with complementing highlighters and a PRO Contour Brush for expert application. This handy palette's formulation doesn't flare my breakouts and combats my under-eye rings without the product drying in the cracks.via: Amazon
Ok yes, I am addicted to ANYTHING Tonymoly. I will seek therapy, but until I do, I am obliged to tell you that this adorable trio of on-the-go perfume bunnies is a surefire crowd-pleaser. They come in three colors and all loaded up with different on-trend scents. Our favorite is plum-hued Bloom Bunny, which comes full of a stick-style perfume that’s an uplifting mix of lemon, jasmine, and amber. They're great for stocking stuffers this holiday season if you are looking for ideas.via: Amazon
How? Well, it’s all about the way you apply it. I work with professional makeup artists on occasion and the pros always use a fancy pants brush. A pal turned me on to this Cailyn Cosmetics O! Wow Makeup Brush, which has an angled tapered handle and gently rounded brush head which equals no harsh lines. If you suffer from breakouts as I do, be sure to wash this guy once a week. I use a bit of shampoo in the shower then blast it with my hairdryer for a minute and leave it to air dry.via: Amazon
The French pharmacies are renowned for their high-quality products. Like the best French wine, cheese, and bread... you can only buy the best of France, in France. And let's face it, we aren't going to be going on a holiday any time soon. This product is the staple of any Parisian woman’s beauty routine and it's available to buy NOW on Amazon. French women demand multitaskers - so this product is a moisturizer and primer in one. I highly recommend cutting a little with your foundation for when you want a lighter day look.via: Amazon
Don't just let me rant on about why I love this candy pink acne remedy from Mario Badescu. Take a glimpse at the 14,000 rave reviews giving this product 4.6 stars for its ability to calm and clear pimples and blemishes. It works using a spot-zapping combo of calamine, zinc oxide, and salicylic acid. Just dab a dot onto a cotton swab, tap onto the problem area, catch some zzz’s and wash off in the morning.via: Amazon
This anti-humidity, no frizz, heat protectant spray is by Chris Appleton who sees to the tresses of LA babes like J.Lo and Kim Kardashian. Why I am obsessed? It is an invisible raincoat for your hair. Its silicone-free, high-tech formula is heat-activated and will humidity-proof your hair for up to 72 hours. No need to thank me.via: Amazon
I buy this for my husband and my nephew. Both have had questionable hairdo's over the years but they do both use this religiously. They are not the only ones who buy this style staple in droves: a tub of American Crew Fiber sells every 30 seconds. For shorter styles, it gives an effortless pliable hold and no-shine finish, but it’s also a dream helper for working longer hair into beach waves and adding texture if my hair is too fluff or if I've just washed my hair.via: Amazon
Those who are always front-of-line to try cutting-edge skincare have been going wild for this under-your-moisturizer treatment from Sunday Riley. It contains tiny glycolic acid molecules that sink into your skin and buff over the appearance of fine lines, alongside a mega-dose of lactic acid. The results I get with this product are so good it looks like I was born with photoshopped skin, when in fact, I just lathered my face with Sunday Riley.via: Amazon
Step away from your old lash curler immediately. This new easel-style version from Japonesque has a seriously clever design. The result is a longer-lasting curl that will withstand the winter weather. I give extra points for the open cage design which means no more pinches and the fact it’s so small I can stash it in my purse for an on-the-go touch-up.via: Amazon
Gwyneth Paltrow and her team over at Goop are so obsessed with Cali-based organic beauty pioneers Juice Beauty. So much so Gwynnie asked them to manufacture all the Goop clean skincare line. Since breaking onto the scene a decade ago, BB creams just keep getting better. This reformulation is one of the best I've ever bought: a blend of zinc-based broad-spectrum SPF 30, antioxidants, apple, grape plus botanical moisturizers like coconut and jojoba oil. The colors are next-level since Juice Beauty forego artificial dyes.via: Amazon
No more panic-dialing the hair salon when you spot a few greys or we find ourselves in lockdown again. Colour Wow Root Cover Up has inspired a host of copycats but few have matched its spot-on mix of bendable color, which keeps pigments attached to your hair shaft without being sticky or oily. There’s a shade for everyone - blonde, medium brown, red, black, and everything in-between. Just start with the small end of the brush until you get pro with the application. My colorist put me on to it and it saved my sanity when the salons closed down this year.via: Amazon
These chic papaya bright blotting linens are THE essential I never knew I needed. Made from 100% natural Abaca Tree fiber and laced with soothing Green Tea Extract, they oh-so delicately wick away excess oil and reduce shine without smudging your makeup. I keep them in my purse and on the days when I am literally running from 7 am to 7 pm and they come in handy. I touch lightly to mop the sheen on my t-zone area and a little touch freshens my make-up without actually having to apply it again. Miracles do happen in the form of blotting linens.via: Amazon
I wish I could say that gorgeous eyeball and brow action belonged to me but alas, no. However, if you do want outrageously full lashes make a beeline for Buxom Lash Volumizing Mascara. As soon as I discovered this brand was an offshoot of Shiseido I knew the quality would be impeccable. This vitamin-enriched formula comes with an hourglass plastic barrel brush for defining lashes and zero clumping. This mascara lives in my purse and has endured Arctic freeze temperatures and it still seems to work.via: Amazon
The folks at CND have hit on the perfect formula for their long wear polish without leaving the wearer with weakened and/or cracked nails. Infused with vitamin E, keratin, and jojoba oil the polish works undercover to condition and strengthen the nails. I wear three coats for a more on-trend look, but if you are in a rush I find just two coats create a more muted natural style. My personal faves are crushed rose, kiss the skipper, and pink bikini.via: Amazon
Few things have the ability to make you look instantly younger than a well-placed pop of blush. Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Blush is formulated with minerals and antioxidants to soothe and nourish your skin. It's super handy for me because my skin seems to react if I use make-up that is not great in quality. My color is dubonnet as it has a hint of violet, making it far more flattering than too-pink versions. I wear it on the apple of my cheek to add some definition to my cheek line.via: Amazon
I have completely restrained myself by placing this product so far down the list but I will need your complete attention. About two years ago after my first kid, my face changed - the cystic acne started on my jawline and chin and I just looked a bit old. I went to see an aesthetician who treats a lot of very famous faces and she turned me on to this product. It was a huge investment at the time for me but two years later I am still using it. This lotion completely transformed the texture of my skin and gives it a glow. A large bottle will last you six-months'. It is WORTH the hefty price tag as it works out at 33 cents per application.via: Amazon
Instantly recognizable with its trademark triple swirl tube, this all-in-one skin savior from Stila uses color-correcting pigments to work magic on blotchy skin tones. I think it is one of the savviest color correctors out there. It leaves the skin feeling so clear that sometimes if I'm having a great face day, I can skip foundation altogether.via: Amazon
2020 has been the year of dry hands because we are all having to use more alcohol-based sanitizers than ever before. So I always have a super-rich cream in my bag to combat scaley skin. Look no further than L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream – it contains a hefty 20% Shea Butter giving it a sumptuous texture and it also has the most delicious fragrance.via: Amazon
Banish clumpy mascara with this clever metal-tipped lash separator, inspired by the Japanese makeup artists in Kabuki theater in Japan. The tool delicately splices apart overloaded lashes creating a soft fluffy look which I don't get with the mascara applicator alone. For those of you who are like me and love the big lash look, this is a must-have investment.via: Amazon
This chunky little foundation stick is something of a miracle worker for those who don’t just want to mask tattoos, birthmarks, or scars, they want to cover them so well that they become virtually undetectable. It’s water, smudge, and transfer-resistant for up to 16 hours. I like to use it when I want a little extra coverage and want to do a more glammed up look. I literally draw it over my face using a lighter shade on my t-zone and a slightly darker shade on my cheeks and then I blend and blend. It is highly pigmented so I double up on my makeup remover, cleanser, and toner when I remove it to make sure I get it out my poursvia: Amazon
Laced with the delicate scent of cherry blossom, this shea butter-rich cream from French beauty stalwart L'Occitane is a year-round must. I love it because not only does it smell divine it contains a subtle pearl sheen making it ideal for adding a sexy gleam to arms, legs, and cheekbones.via: Amazon
These bestselling bath salts from Seattle-based Herbivore are my indulgence when I get the opportunity to enjoy a tub at the end of the day. They’re crammed full of ingredients proven to soothe busy minds, with a base of Himalayan pink salts plus powerful natural relaxant ylang-ylang and vanilla oil to calm my anxiety.