12 TOP-RATED AMAZON BEAUTY ESSENTIALS
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I’ve been on a bit of a personal growth journey over the last 5-6 years.
I’ve evolved from a 20-year-old, college gal “washing” her face at the end of a night out with nothing more than a single, cold, wet washcloth into a woman in her mid-twenties with a full-blown, head-to-toe beauty regime that involves 5-10-20 products and anywhere between 12 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the day that lies ahead.
A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, ya know what I mean?
So what are the allusive, 5-10-20 products, you ask?
Today, I’m pulling back the metaphorical curtain and sharing the scoop on my top-twelve,tried-and-true beauty products from everyone’s favorite online retailer: Amazon.
Each of the twelve products listed below are ones that I’ve used extensively in the past, continue to use today and/or that I repurchase on a regular basis.
Whether you’re looking for the best, at-home blow out of your life (#5!!!), an everyday sunscreen for sensitive skin (#12) or a weightless moisturizer for your face (#3) or body (#1) — keep scrolling, sister.
I’ve got you covered!
1. BIO-OIL SKINCARE OIL
Am I the only person out there who hates body lotions or…? Because I do. I hate them.
I’ve found that most of the body lotions I’ve tried are either super heavy on the skin or leave me feeling greasy (i.e. dirty and gross) after just a few minutes.
Neither of the aforementioned feelings are ideal, ya know? But here’s the thing — I’m not getting any younger and I cannot afford to put off moisturizing any longer for the sake of my comfort.
Fortunately for me, you and my progressively-aging knee caps, I’ve discovered the ultimate moisturizing product that has changed my life and leaves me excited to moisturize everyday.
Bio-Oil.
Now, Bio-Oil was somewhat intimidating at first because oils in general ignite fear and distress into my acne prone heart but I decided it was worth a shot and promised to avoid my face at all costs.
BEST DECISION EVER, GUYS. TRULY.
This insane, magical elixir soaks into your skin super quickly (much quicker than a body lotion would!) and leave you feeling hydrated and smooth for days. I apply this all over my body twice a day but the soft, smooth results are addictive and sometimes I add a little bit to my hands for a mid-day pick-me-up.
Also - Kim Kardashian West reportedly swears by this stuff and if that doesn’t sell you on it I don’t know what I can say that will.
BUY IT, BUY IT IMMEDIATELY!
2. SUPERGOOP! SPF 50 DEFENSE REFRESH SETTING MIST SUNSCREEN
Keep your makeup looking fresh all day and protect your face in one fell swoop with the Supergoop! SPF setting mist.
The revolutionary spray provides an extra layer of protection against the harmful UV rays and features a cooling mint scent that energizes your skin and effortlessly revives your makeup throughout the day.
Snag a travel size for your purse and grab a full size to keep on your vanity, at home.
3. TULA SKINCARE - DEW YOUR THING OIL-FREE GEL CREAM
At the ripe, old age of 26 moisturizing is no longer merely just an option for me, friends. It’s a mandatory part of both my morning and evening routine and trust me when I say it’s oh-so-obvious when I skip a day or two.
And it’s not cute. Not in the slightest.
The good news, though? Tula (one of my all-time favorite skincare brands) created the perfect, lightweight moisturizer to get the job done without clogging your pores and leading to breakouts to do so.
The Dew Your Thing oil-free gel cream sinks into your skin with weightless comfort and gifts you with a youthful, moisturized glow that works overtime to serve as the perfect base for your MOOTD.
4. VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
Remember my hormonal acne journey? I told you I tried everything to get rid of my never-ending breakouts and while this supplement powder didn’t ultimately cure my acne, it did reap tons of beauty and health benefits and I still love using it to this day.
I typically add 1-2 scoops of this unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to my morning coffee or afternoon smoothie and I’ve seen a significant improvement in both my nail and hair strength and a renewed thickness to my locks.
Note: It’s not really unflavored. There’s a slightly earthy taste to this product but it’s nothing an extra splash of your favorite coffee creamer can’t fix.
5. REVLON ONE-STEP HAIR DRYER + VOLUMIZER HOT AIR BRUSH
My name is Maria Conti Tramontana and the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer + Volumizer Hot Air Brush CHANGED MY LIFE.
I repeat — CHANGED. MY. LIFE. If you buy just one thing from this list, please do yourself a favor and buy this brush.
I’ve never been the girl who can just blow dry their hair and walk out the door in 15 minutes and this brush legitimately changed that. It’s MAGIC.
I use my Revlon One-Step fresh out of the shower after applying my Kristin Ess Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse, Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray, Drybar Hot Toddy Lotion and the Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid .
The One-Step has a unique, oval barrel brush that allows you to lift your hair from the root with ease and create bouncy volume and enviable, full-bodied curls. Plus, the One-Step features three temperature settings to best cater to your hair needs and preferences. The brush is crafted with tangle-free bristles and tames my naturally curly, frizz-prone hair into a voluminous, silky smooth mane that rivals a professional blowout.
6. MARIO BADESCU DRYING LOTION
Another must-have staple I found during my acne journey!
The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion has a cult following for a reason and it’s my go-to for zapping pesky white head pimples on the surface of my skin.
This is a must-shop for anyone who suffers from surface blemishes here and there because it draws impurities to the surface and results in expedited healing and soothed skin.
Note: The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion will not cure any chronic acne conditions and should not be purchased to do so. If you suffer from frequent and/or deep-rooted cystic breakouts I encourage you to read my post on hormonal acne, here, and talk to your general practitioner, dermatologist or gynecologist about treating your skin internally.
7. TULA SKINCARE - GLOW + GET IT COOLING + BRIGHTENING
EYE BALM
I know beauty bloggers push this brand alllll the time but Tula truly delivers results with their products and this cooling and brightening eye balm is no exception.
The Glow + Get It balm glides onto the skin and delivers a unique, cooling sensation energizes the under eyes, smooths fine lines, brightens dark circles in one, sweeping motion. Use the balm after applying your eye cream during your morning skincare routine and swipe it over your makeup after lunch for a mid-day pick-me-up and a refreshed, glowy highlight.
8. NYX DARK CIRCLE CONCEALER
Random, I know, but hear me out.
This $3.69 color correcting concealer delivers results far superior to its price tag by smoothing fine lines, brightening dark circles and providing a picture-perfect base for your everyday under-eye concealer.
To apply, I use my ring finger to pat the silky formula under my eyes, starting where my eye meets my nose and working my way out towards my hairline.
I’m full-on obsessed with the lightweight concealer because it delivers the right amount of pigment to diffuse the purple undertones beneath my eyes without creating a cake-y base for my thicker, Shape Tape concealer and setting powder. And that’s crucial, ya know?
9. DOVE CRUSHED MACADAMIA + RICE MILK EXFOLIATING BODY POLISH SCRUB
Maybe this makes me basic? Don’t know, don’t care.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Dove body wash because it leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturized after every use. The catch? Dove body wash doesn’t do much to help me remove my week-old self tanner and as someone who tans on a regular basis, that’s kind of a big deal.
Dove read my mind, though, and came to my rescue with their delllllish, macadamia + rice milk exfoliating body polish. The subtle, sweet scent is sophisticated and the gritty polish gets the job done and then some. My self tanner is 90-times easier to remove and my skin feels softer and looks smoother than ever before.
Pro tip: Snag the scrub and the Bio-Oil above for a truly magical skin transformation.
10. TULA SKINCARE: PURIFYING CLEANSER EVERYWHERE DUO
The Tula Purifying Face Cleanser is worth alllll the Instagram hype.
I’ve tried several face washes over the last few years and none of them compares to quality, longevity and efficacy of the Tula cleanser. The innovative formula features Tula’s signature Probiotic Technology and yields baby-soft, hydrated skin. Plus, the cleanser is gentle enough for my extremely acne-prone skin and removes my heavy-duty mascara and liquid eyeliner with ease.
11. LANOLIPS 101 OINTMENT MULTI-BALM COCONUTTER
Say “so-long” to your chapped lips because this Lanolips ointment is about to rock your world.
The intensely hydrating formula packs a punch with vitamin E, lanolin and coconut oil to provide your lips (and cuticles!) with unmatched moisture and comfort.
The fact that it smells like summer is just a plus, ya know?
12. ELTA MD UV PHYSICAL TINTED FACIAL SUNSCREEN BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 41
I put off wearing sunscreen for much longer than I’d like to admit because I was afraid of it clogging my pores, stinging or creating a white cast on my face.
Elta MD UV Physical Tinted Facial Sunscreen is probably my most-treasured Amazon beauty product because not only does it do none of the scary things above, but it provides my face (and neck, and chest!) with SPF 41 and provides a sheer, tinted coverage that evens out my skin tone.
Apply this after you’ve moisturized and before applying the rest of your base makeup. Don’t forget to apply it down your neck, on your ears and blend down onto your décolletage for maximum protection.
Now that you know allllll of my Amazon beauty secrets, share one of yours! Gimme the low-down on your #1, must-have Prime beauty buy in a comment below because, let’s face it: I’m always down to add a new, life-altering product to my collection.