That Friend: Pandemic Picks
Everybody has “that friend” with the tea on the latest and greatest in beauty, skincare, and other dope products. I’m here to be yours (if you want!) 💖. I’ve amassed my favorites in up and coming brands, tried-and-true legends, and the general bits and bobs getting me through the literal pandemic and potential upcoming civil war. We can all die moisturized, I guess. 🤷♀️ This got dark fast… But enjoy!
SKIN
There are so many skincare products in the world and most of us don’t need more of them. But just in case you’re in the market for some fresh face picks, I gotchu. Plus, nearly every single one of them is eco-friendly, food-grade, cruelty-free, vegan, or some combo thereof. It’s your freaking face; treat it right.
clean yo face
THE BRAND: Youth to the People
THE PRODUCT: Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser [sephora]
THE WHY: I have hella dry skin, but I can never turn down a clean green, delightful-smelling, foaming cleanse, and that’s what this is. Legit effective. My dry dry bby’s out there—please immediately follow with serum + moisture.
serums ‘n’ shit
THE BRAND: Inkey List
THE PRODUCT: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum [sephora]
THE WHY: So, if you know The Ordinary, this is that but so much better. Competitive pricing with better quality—there’s no way to go wrong. Their version of a hyaluronic acid serum isn’t sticky (the sticky ones are infuriating, they take forever to absorb and often flake under other layers of moisturizer/foundation). Literally so easy to dab, pat, (add moisturizer) and go on with your glowy ass day.
also
THE BRAND: InnBeauty Project
THE PRODUCT: Slushy [direct]
THE WHY: Think hyaluronic acid serum, but with a splash of other things that are dope for your skin (bakuchiol, yuzu) with a delicious mousse-gel hybrid texture that skin just binge drinks (in the best way).
hydrate, babyyy
THE BRAND: Belif
THE PRODUCT: The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb* [sephora] [direct]
THE WHY: This has the perfect light but not “fragranced” scent that earns me compliments from my partner when they give me cheek kisses, and oddly beloved by my dog. Plus, it does it’s advertised job of providing deep, lasting hydration promptly—no weird “waiting period” where it slowly sinks in.
*oily bby’s please nab the “aqua bomb” version instead!
big guns for winter
THE BRAND: Clinique
THE PRODUCT: Moisture Surge Intense [sephora] [direct]
THE WHY: Winter is dry skin’s ultimate foe—when I lived in MN this was often my daily moisturizer to help fight the woes of indoor (very dry) heating and outdoor (also very dry) winds and freezing temps. TL;DR: this is more effective than a face mask (in my experience)—your skin will thank you thousands of times.
LIPS
I will die on this hill: your lip products are near your mouth—don’t let them contain a buttload of chemicals. But you also deserve incredible, lush lippies—so these are both 😘💋
glossy as a glazed donut
THE BRAND: InnBeauty Project
THE PRODUCT: Glaze [direct]
THE WHY: Hydration, glossy af, plumping, hint of color. Literally what more could you ask of a lip gloss?! I’m obsessed.
makeout and move on
THE BRAND: Bite Beauty
THE PRODUCT: Outburst Longwear Lip Stain [sephora] [direct]
THE WHY: Sometimes you want to eat a quesadilla and not worry about getting “butthole mouth” (that weird wearing off of color right in the middle of your lips, but the rest stays on the edges in a not-hot way). This lipstick WILL FREAKING STAY. Honestly, you’ll have more of an issue getting it off at night than you will wearing it all day, even through coffees and greasy meals.
the all around bae
THE BRAND: Bite Beauty
THE PRODUCT: Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon [sephora] [direct]
THE WHY: This is made of food-grade materials, aka, if this rubs off on a burger bun and you eat it, don’t stress. Literally not toxic—in fact, it’s pretty dope for the Earth. As an actual lipstick, this is my EVERYTHING. Layers incredibly well, the shape gives so much control over where you’re drawing it on, hydrating—unheard of in a matte lipstick—and the most flawless colors I’ve ever worn. I think I have every single shade.
FACE
Makeup looks are so subjective—so glow according to your style please 🌟 My picks lean minimal coverage because that’s my preferred LEWK, so hmu with other recommendations if you have em. Also, blush. Self explanatory 😂
like your skin but also not (aka light and glowy)
THE BRAND: Glossier
THE PRODUCT: Perfecting Skin Tint [direct]
THE WHY: It’s not eco-friendly AT ALL (which kills me a little inside every time I wear it) but it is complete perfection when it comes to glowy, barely-there foundation that’ll smooth ya out, but is hella light. If you want a green alternative, I’ve heard the most wonderful things about Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint (with SPF!!!), but I’ve been holding out for Sephora’s Holiday sale before hitting buy… [sephora].
apples, peaches, the fruity part of your face
THE BRAND: Glossier
THE PRODUCT: Cloud Paint [direct]
THE WHY: It’s the best blush I’ve ever used. Hands down. I can’t get over it. Bright, blendable colors that just work, straight out of the tube. No warming up, no weird shimmer, just perfection to a point that I almost resent it.
EYES
So I haven’t work anything but mascara/brow gel situationally in over a year… But if you wanna rock that above-the-mask-but-still-natural gaze, I gotchu.
not fake lashes, but dope
THE BRAND: MILK Makeup
THE PRODUCT: KUSH High Volumizing Mascara [sephora] [direct]
THE WHY: Recently I got back into mascara (TRYING?! apparently I do know her) and I purchased an ungodly amount of drugstore choices and this new classic. This set the bar and I have yet to find anything that can match or surpass it. Hella dark, lush volume, dope length and hold, comes off well and STAYS (but def not waterproof so get that formula if you’re gonna have a good panic attack wearing it).
bold brows bc masks
THE BRAND: MILK Makeup
THE PRODUCT: KUSH Fiber Brow Gel [sephora] [direct]
THE WHY: Like Glossier’s Boy Brow… but so much better. More colors, more product in the tube, lasts longer. A great bonus that I didn’t realize I needed a year ago: if it just hangs out waiting to be worn for a lil while, it won’t dry out—she’ll still be there for you when you’re ready to venture out looking BOSS again.
LIFE
LIFE IS HARD RN. I light candles and wear perfume on a daily basis and I’m not sure if I remember how to exist without a light cloud of pleasant scents to calm me. Pets are also fantastic coping mechanisms, but make sure you’re ready to commit. The other great way to cope? Pure zen distraction. My preferred method is bad Netflix holiday movies while playing Animal Crossing.
literally my house
THE BRAND: P.F. Candle Co.
THE PRODUCT: Amber & Moss Classic Candle [direct]
THE WHY: I have never smelled anything better than this in my life. It’s lush, warm, fresh, and generally delightful in every sense of the word. Like a hint of manliness, but cleaner and warmer, if that makes any sense at all. It’s just so damn inviting. Warm amber, vanilla, and sandalwood, but just enough mossiness and edge to want to keep inhaling it directly into my body.
the thing that’s distracted me from global disaster
THE BRAND: Nintendo
THE PRODUCT: Switch (but love Switch Lite too!)
THE WHY: My Nintendo Switch is what has staved off insanity and (deeper) depression. Every single day I play Animal Crossing: New Horizons and those adorable lil animal villagers and my custom island bring me daily routines and joy that I really don’t have IRL anymore. THANK YOU, NINTENDO. FWIW, every Pokemon game and Stardew Valley are also incredible, buy them all and lose yourself in a digital world with me.