*Taps mic, cue sarcastic tone*
As we sit at the table of the O-House ballroom, mood lighting bouncing off of our radiant skin, we’re sure the question on everyone’s mind is “HOW are those editors so beautiful, gorgeous, and sexy?” Is it the power trip of sitting front and center? Is it the stress of running a publication that churns out content daily? Spoiler: it’s none of that.
We’re not ones to gatekeep, so today we share our secrets. Compiled here is our list of holy grail beauty and wellness products that we use on the daily. These are products we quite literally cannot live without.
Anna’s Pick: Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea Spinach vitamins superfood cleanser
This cleanser has been my holy grail for four years now. I first bought it because I thought it was cute. Yes, you heard me…cute. I ended up falling in love with it and am still using it to this day. I’ve always been acne-prone and went on medication for it the year I started using this cleanser. It helped me clear my skin and it helped me maintain that years later. It’s a gentle cleanser that removes junk and impurities from your skin while protecting your skin barrier. It leaves my face feeling so fresh with no weird film left on it as I’ve experienced with other cleansers. I will always repurchase this cleanser for as many years as they will make it.
Abigail’s Pick: DKNY’s “Be Delicious”
This perfume has been the loml since 9th grade. I found it in the airport in Miami and I have not stopped thinking about it since. It is fresh and fruity and smells like green apple. I have had more compliments on this scent than anything else in my entire life. I recommend investing in the Eau de Cologne, it is worth it. The scent lasts for hours and so does the confidence with it. I also adore the way the bottle looks. If I die, bury me in this perfume.
Bri’s Pick: MAC Powder Blush
Reciting something that’s been declared elsewhere before (cough substack cough), September-October-November is my ‘tis the season. With ginger box braids and a dark complexion, I’ve had to adjust the placements of my trademarked beauty routine. Less color theory and more blush on my cheekbones. Since returning to the humid hell that is Savannah before the weather drops, powder products—and all the blur that comes with it—sit better on my face. Even more traditional than powder blush is MAC’s powder blush. Their RAIZIN shade, to be specific. Its orange undertones compliment the autumn aesthetic I’m adopting. MAC’s marketing has been a plateau until Tube Girl modeled for their show, so I’ll give them a quaint shoutout for making my favorite seasonal blush.
Caroline’s Pick: Minimo’s Glow in a Bottle Turmeric Serum
After swiping my mom’s bottle on one of her visits, this serum has become my nightly go-to for skincare. Aside from my generic cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, my skincare routine isn’t very complex. I don’t have a mountain of bottles and creams, but this stuff is the real deal. It seriously helped me control my breakouts, and any under-the-surface blemishes go away so much faster than before. It’s (my mother) approved and anyone that knows her knows her word is next to God’s.
Mishi’s Pick: Glossier Cloud Paint
This gel-cream blush has been in my makeup drawer since the beginning of my makeup journey as a young teen. It’s sheer and buildable, making it easy to achieve different levels of intensity to match any occasion. Before discovering this blush, I was having trouble finding one that flattered my skin tone, but as soon as I tried it on in shade “storm,” I knew it was perfect for me. Every other blush I’ve tried since just doesn’t do it for me the way Cloud Paint does. The trick to applying it is to put a small dot on your finger and tap it into the skin and make sure you do it fast because it dries quickly, but that aspect does also make it long-lasting and so worth it.
Ari’s Pick: Sol De Janeiro Fragrance “Rio Radiance”
This fragrance has been my signature scent since this summer and I’m obsessed with it. I wear it everywhere I go, at any time of the day, when I need a little spritz and it is absolutely perfect. It is a ‘solar floral’ scent that combines clean white florals, creamy coconut milk, and the warmth of the sun on the sand. Once sprayed, I’m instantly transported home, being on the beach with the warm Caribbean sun and heat paired with the cool refreshing sea water. It is a perfume mist, and the percentage of alcohol is higher than a regular perfume, so it lasts roughly 2-3 hours. I usually layer my scents so I start with my lotion, then a perfume oil, and then the Rio Radiance, and it lasts for hours and still maintains its scent. It’s fresh and light and I recommend anyone gets it if they love to smell like they’re on vacation. Just don’t sell it out!
Eve’s Pick: INNERSENSE Organic Beauty – Natural Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
After dying my hair brown for two years, I can finally say that my hair is healthy again; and it is all thanks to this leave-in conditioner. This leaves my hair feeling so healthy and looking shiny and beautiful. I was recommended this product by my hairstylist a couple of years ago and it has been a constant in my routine. I use this after showering, and sometimes during washes to give my hair a moisture boost. Use this alongside the Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner and your hair will feel completely transformed. I can promise you that. Pro-tip: spray some on the ends of your hair before you slick it back. It helps your hair hold its shape, plus keeps it healthy and happy!
Azure’s Pick: NATURE REPUBLIC Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
I have gone through a total of 68 of these and I think that already speaks for itself. For the past six years, I’ve made slathering on aloe vera gel a non-negotiable part of my daily self-care. It’s not just an extra step in my skincare routine; it’s a cherished ritual that I look forward to each and every night. It cools me down, calms my nerves, and wraps me in a soothing embrace. It also leaves my skin feeling so fresh and rejuvenated every night, and an absolute lifesaver after a day of sun exposure!
Reem’s Pick: CICAPAIR™ TIGER GRASS COLOR CORRECTING TREATMENT SPF30
Now this is what the girls were looking for. I have a lot of redness and dark spots on my face, but I don’t like the feeling of having to wear foundation every day. Insert Dr. Jart’s Color Correcting Treatment. This stuff looks and feels like my skin, and I can throw it on in the morning to cover any imperfections without a care in the world because I know that my face will not feel gross throughout the day. Once rubbed in, it matches my skin tone like a dream.. AND it has spf?? Do I sound like an advertisement? Probably. I just really like this product.
Evan’s Pick: Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace
Okay, wait, I know, I know. Steep price, but hear me out. This is the best (ignore Abigail and Ari) fragrance ever. It smells like I baked vanilla cookies outside next to a bonfire while peeling an orange. It smells so smoky, and not in a cigarette way, in an earthy, woody way. It is very versatile, and gender-neutral (not that fragrances have a gender to begin with. Smell however you want). It can give sweater in the public library or a nostalgic summer night in a pair of jorts. I also have never purchased the $165 bottle because A) who got that kind of money and B) you don’t need to, the middle size is more than enough to last me for half the year. If I smell, instant respect.
Well there you have it, you can use code MANOR- kidding, were not making anything off this. Just thought we would all share some of our favorite products, that are personally tested and approved, with our favorite readers.
Conducted by Anna Jara.
Written by Anna Jara, Abigail Warnock, Bri Shufford, Caroline Tetlow, Mishi Ali, Ari Young Sang, Eve Friday, Azure Kwok, Reem Hinedi, and Evan Skovronsky.
Graphic by Reem Hinedi