These Beauty Products Might Not Be Instagram-Worthy, But Our Editors Can’t Live Without Them

As much as our editors fill their shelves with beautiful things, not all the best beauty products are in packaging that we’d want to display on a bookshelf. Not every good product is cased and spun with gold. Some beauty products are just straight-up ugly—and sometimes, they’re the best products in our arsenals.  

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You know, all the stuff you probably wouldn’t take a cute flat lay of but are God-tier? We’re talking those. Keep scrolling for our editors’ necessary but boring favorites.

VASELINE

Healing Jelly Original

Recently, while I was home for a week, I discovered my parents didn’t have Vaseline in their arsenal, which honestly made me spiral for a few days until my mom went to the store and I begged her to pick some up. The thought of going a mere few days, let alone a week, without Vaseline was giving me hives.


I use Vaseline daily in a myriad of ways: slugging, moisturizing dry patches on my skin and face, as a lip balm, a highlighter on my cheekbones, and mixing in with moisturizers to make them a bit thicker. If you walk into my bathroom and don’t see Vaseline, check on me. —Beth, Beauty Content Manager

NEUTROGENA

T-Sal Therapeutic Shampoo

Gross, I know, but I get breakouts all over my scalp—tiny little bumps that won’t go away for anything except when I use this once a week. This salicylic acid shampoo isn’t glamorous, but it rids my scalp of flakes and bumps for less than $10 —Beth, Beauty Content Manager

DOVE

Beauty Bar Gentle Skin Cleanser

TikTok has convinced me to let go of any other cleansers, and I haven’t looked back since. My skin has never looked and felt better (when I stick to my routine, LOL). This is something I was skeptical about at first, but it has been the best TikTok-based decision I have made to date. —Stacey, Editorial Assistant

JERGENS

Ultra-Healing Lotion

Do you know that TikTok trend going around where everyone is showing what they would smell like if you hugged them? I would smell like Jergens, but I guess that would mean I would just smell like unscented lotion (it has a subtle scent in my opinion!). I’ve used this lotion my whole life, and I’ve never experienced better absorption or hydration from anything else. It’s perfect for my sensitive skin, and I’m never straying. —Jasmine, Editorial Intern

AQUAPHOR

Healing Ointment

Mark my words: I will have a tub of Aquaphor in my bathroom drawer or bedside table until the day I die. Besides just being the most satisfying fix to my lip balm addiction (I need something on my lips at all times or else I’ll perish), I use it as a facial treatment when my skin is inflamed or extra dry (curse you, winter weather) and rub it into extra dry parts of my body (it helps with my keratosis pilaris). I also use it on cuticles or dab it on “wrinkle spots” like crow’s feet or laugh lines.

Also, don’t quote me on this (this is by no means medical advice), but I always put it on blisters or small cuts, and I swear it heals faster. Consider this my miracle cure-all that will always belong in my drawer but never be featured on my Instagram. —Josie, Wellness Editor

CERAVE

Healing Ointment

If we haven’t convinced you yet that you need some kind of healing petrolatum (see Vaseline and Aquaphor), let this be the one that sells you on it! I’ve recently added slugging (a Korean skincare practice that I found on TikTok) to my winter skincare routine because it keeps my skin hydrated, dewy, and protected from the Florida temps. Adding a tiny bit of this healing ointment at the end of my skincare routine seals in all of the moisture and benefits from my skincare products.

It is also amazing for cracked hands, lips, or any other part of you that touches winter air. Hands down, this is the top product purchase of this past year. —Krystal, Social Media Editor

AVEENO

Daily Moisturizing Lotion

I would classify my skin type as chronically dry. It doesn’t matter how much water I drink—nothing will cure my itchy skin unless it’s a daily moisturizer. This daily Aveeno moisturizer is something I have to have with me almost everywhere I go. This product has saved my chapped hands from bleeding more times than I can even count.

But my favorite part of this product is that it is made with soothing oats and other amazing ingredients. —Kirra, Graphic Designer

CERAVE

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

As we know, I have dry skin. Horribly! It’s so dry that I don’t think it’s produced a drop of oil since my pubescent years. I’m frequently at the dermatologist, and mine has always maintained that this is the best cleanser for me, and I’ve stuck to it for years. She always says that since the cleanser is on your face for such a brief time, it isn’t worth spending a lot of money on unless you need a medicated one. This is the only cleanser I’ve found that doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight or dry afterward. I can’t count the number of bottles of this I’ve gone through, and for me, it’s a lifelong love. — Kelsie, Fashion Editor

MEDLINE

Remedy Phytoplex Lip Balm

I have tried just about every lip balm under the sun and let me promise you that this is the absolute best money can buy. I don’t know what kind of magic is in it, but it’s the only thing that I feel heals my lips—and they come in a pack of three for $7.


I have one of these in every purse and drawer and crevice I can stick one in, and they’ve saved my lips, especially in the wintertime. —Kelsie, Fashion Editor

LA ROCHE-POSAY

Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

I started using this cleanser three years ago and have never looked back. When I switched to an IUD, my skin just about had a conniption, and I was at a complete loss for what to do. I loved my new birth control but not if the cost was unrelenting breakouts. At the recommendation of my dermatologist, I dropped my entire skincare routine and went super minimal: hydrating products and sunscreen in the morning and hydrating products and Retin-A at night.


This cleanser has been an absolute godsend in this area. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and squeaky clean (makeup and all) rather than stripped and dry. Everyone needs a good gentle cleanser, and this is the best of the best. —Carrie, Managing Editor

STRIDEX

Strength Medicated Pads, Maximum

Ready for an extremely hot take? This is the only BHA product you need, and it only costs $4. Shoutout to the SkincareAddiction subreddit for this holy grail product recommendation.

Whenever I see the mere hint of a breakout coming my way, the Stridex pads come to my rescue. It stops pimples in their tracks and speeds up the healing process better than any acne product I’ve ever used. Ditch the expensive toners, give your wallet a break, and pick these up. —Carrie, Managing Editor

ECO STYLE

Professional Olive Styling Gel

No product has ever been able to get my thick curls in a sleek, neat bun like this styling gel. This tub lasts me months, and it’s the best $5 I’ve ever spent. Not only is the consistency not sticky and gooey, but it’s also super easy to wash out without your hair feeling tangled and loaded with product. I’ve tried all sorts of gels, and I find that I always go back to this one because it dries so quickly and with no residue.

When it comes to my natural hair, sometimes it just cannot be tamed, and this gel has been my secret weapon for years for combating frizz while still keeping my hair moisturized. —Madison, Social Media Coordinator

CERAVE

Moisturizing Cream with Salicylic Acid

I’ve talked about this product a million times, but I truly don’t think I’ll ever stop. It is the only product that has ever made a significant difference in the keratosis pilaris on my arms. I use it on KP problem areas after I shower, and it leaves my skin feeling much smoother and less irritated. You also really get a good bang for your buck, as this one tub lasts a very long time. —Jessie, Associate Editor

METHOD

Simply Nourish Body Wash

I’ve been a big fan of Method body washes for a while now, but I recently discovered this Simply Nourish scent—and let me tell you, it changed my life. It’s infused with coconut, rice milk, and shea butter, so it smells and feels ridiculously luxurious for its low price. It leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized, which is especially great in the cold and dry months. Plus, it’s clean, cruelty-free, and has no parabens or phthalates. It’s also pretty popular on TikTok—so best to get it before it’s gone. —Jessie, Associate Editor

L’OREAL

Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara

I am shocked that this hasn’t resurfaced or blown up on TikTok over the last few years, but this product (that I’ve replaced maybe 20 times since college days) is the holy grail mascara that I can’t live without. My lashes are super long and healthy, and I fully credit this stuff.

It’s not considered waterproof, but it stays all day and through occasional tears—what can I say? I’m an emotional baddie. The reason why I love this stuff so much is that when it is time to take it off, it slides right off of my lashes with ease—no lash tugging, rubbing, or mascara bleeding down my face involved. I selfishly want to keep this one to myself, but I’m feeling generous, so do with this information what you will. —Grecia, Branded Content Editor

How To Use Rose Water For Dry Skin

Come winter, and all those skin issues start peeping out again. Don’t you think your skin needs to be prepared for winter’s arrival? That is why you need to incorporate rose water for dry skin in your skincare regimen. Yes, to prepare your skin to face the harsh winter, you need to give it extra care and protection.

Your skin hydration plays a crucial role in achieving fresh and healthy skin. If you have dry skin, you need to be extra careful with the products you choose and how you care for your skin. A balanced skincare routine is all you need to be tension-free during the winter. Wondering how to use rose water for your dry skin? Well, we can help you. This article discusses the benefits of rose water and how you can use it. Keep reading.

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Is Rose Water Good for Dry Skin?

Rosewater by itself is not going to do wonders for your skin, but in combination with other moisturizing ingredients, it helps keep your skin feeling hydrated for longer while also improving its texture. The reason this fragrant liquid suits dry skin is because of how efficiently it refines your pores without drying your skin out. Rosewater is usually used as an additive in skin care treatments. It can be used by itself as a toner or in combination with other moisturizing ingredients for dry skin. Here, I’ve put together 4 rose water treatments that are keeping my skin feeling great this winter.

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1. Rose Water for Dry Skin

You Will Need

  • 1 tbsp pure rose water
  • Cotton pad
  • Towel
  • Facial cleanser
  • Moisturizer

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

5 minutes

Method

  1. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat dry.
  2. Saturate a cotton pad with the rose water and dab it onto your face.
  3. Let it dry.
  4. Once dry, moisturize your face.
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How Often?

Twice a day.

Why This Works

Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your face is an essential part of any skincare routine. This rose water toner, unlike most toners available on the market, is extremely gentle on your skin. It helps get rid of residual dirt and grime without drying out your skin. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and hydrated.

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2. Glycerin, Lemon, And Rose Water for Dry Skin

You Will Need

  • 3 tbsp glycerin
  • 3 tbsp pure rose water
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Clean bottle for storage
  • Facial cleanser
  • Towel

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

2 minutes

Method

  1. Combine the glycerin, rose water, and lemon juice and pour the mixture into a clean bottle so that it can be stored. (Store the mixture in your refrigerator.)
  2. Take a coin-sized amount of the mixture and apply this to your face and neck.
  3. Ensure that your hands are clean during application.
  4. Gently massage your skin in circular motions until the lotion is completely absorbed.
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How Often?

Every night.

Why This Works

Glycerin helps hydrate your face and leaves your skin feeling extremely supple. The ingredient is easily absorbed and provides your skin with non-greasy, long-lasting hydration. Lemon, on the other hand, gives your skin a vitamin C boost and also helps fade any marks or scars with its bleaching properties.

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3. Multani Mitti, Milk, And Rose Water for Dry Skin

You Will Need

  • 2 tbsp Multani mitti
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 tbsp pure rose water
  • Facial cleanser
  • Towel

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

  1. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat dry.
  2. Combine the Multani mitti, milk, and rose water until you get a smooth paste.
  3. Apply this paste onto your face.
  4. Wait for 20 minutes and then proceed to wash the mixture off of your face with cool water.
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How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

While Multani mitti is generally used to treat oily skin, this face mask contains the goodness of milk and rose water to help treat dryness. Milk contains lactic acid, which helps soften your skin while fading blemishes. The mask helps exfoliate, nourish, and soften your skin.

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4. Sandalwood and Rose Water for Dry Skin

You Will Need

  • 1 tbsp sandalwood powder
  • ½ tsp coconut oil
  • ½ tsp almond oil
  • 1 tsp pure rose water
  • Facial cleanser
  • Towel

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

  1. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat dry.
  2. Combine the sandalwood powder, oils, and rose water until you get a smooth paste.
  3. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack.
  4. Leave it on for 20 minutes or until it is completely dry.
  5. Wash your face with cool water and pat dry.
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How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Sandalwood helps mildly exfoliate your skin while nourishing it. When combined with the oils and rose water, it creates an excellent face pack for intense hydration. This face pack will help nourish your skin and get rid of dryness.

Rosewater is an amazing ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine. With that said, I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a balanced skincare routine that varies according to skin type and changes according to the weather. Have you ever used rose water for your skin? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

How To Add Rosewater into Your Skincare + The Benefits

SEXY TOPS for Your Next Date Night

There’s nothing better than throwing on your favorite pair of jeans and styling them with a top that is g i v i n g everything (especially major confidence). We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, everyone should have a section of hot-ass tops in their closet reserved for special date nights or evenings out with the crew. 

And if you don’t, or need a little refresh, this one is for you. While we were inspired by Kourt’s sexy velvet bustier (and entire look here), we shopped out a selection of tops with a similar vibe ranging from under $50 and beyond from @prettylittlething to add to your weekend wardrobe. 

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10 Aesthetic Trends To Switch Up Your Wardrobe In 2022

Fashion continues to excite and delight us in new ways with every turn of a corner. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a new look emerges that completely blows the rest out of the water. Maybe it’s the resurgence of an old trend that comes back with a force too strong to ignore, such as the Y2K craze that’s taken the fashion set by storm. Whatever the case may be, it’s obvious that the fashion industry is evolving faster than ever. Influencers, celebrities, and trend forecasters are delving into a myriad of style aesthetics that have yet to materialize into mainstream trends. Each sector happens to have its community of enthusiasts that become evident in just a few scrolls on Instagram and TikTok. In light of the new year now upon us, we thought this would be the perfect time to switch up your wardrobes. So, we put together this list of 10 aesthetic trends worth trying out if you want to push your style boundaries in 2022.

Soft Girl
For those who love to play up their more feminine side, this aesthetic is for you. The soft girl look encompasses a mix of girly pieces, with a large focus on pastels. Think soft pinks and lavenders as well as heart and floral patterns. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to test drive the soft girl aesthetic is to lean into pieces with a youthful color palette. Team them with everyday pieces, like jeans and a tank top for an organic look.

Coconut Girl
Channel the carefree feeling of spring and summer as early as you can by embracing the coconut girl aesthetic. This is essentially a vibe that conveys beachy vacation feels by focusing on clothing reminiscent of the early 2000s. Look to crochet halter tops, tropical floral prints, and shell jewelry to pull it off. It was one of the most-searched aesthetic trends of 2021, so we expect it to blow up as we creep closer towards spring and summer.

PINK CROCHET CUT OUT STRIPE DRESS
$42.00 $18.00 (57% OFF)


GREEN CROCHET CUT OUT TOP
$30.00 $6.00 (80% OFF)


STONE STRAPPY CROCHET MAXI DRESS
$55.00 $34.00 (38% OFF)

Academia
Dark romantic novels, candles, and the fine arts are just a few things that would interest someone who is invested in the academia aesthetic. More specifically, this look contains both dark and light themes. The latter encompasses plaid skirts, turtlenecks, and loafers in softer, neutral tones whereas dark academia is a moodier scheme of the same clothing variety. Inspired by Harry Potter and American prep, this collegiate-inspired look is perfect for creating an edgy outfit with a romantic spin.

Sage Green
Green has become so popular that it essentially became an aesthetic of its caliber. We even see tastemakers utilizing the delicate hue of sage green as a neutral, everyday color akin to beige and grey. In the past, it was thought of more as a warm-season color but has since proven to be appropriate throughout the year. Most notably, the sage green sits well with some of the aforementioned aesthetic trends like coconut girl and soft girl.

Y2K
You’d be completely remiss to not notice the Y2K aesthetic – it has one of the biggest momentums in fashion yet. As you can guess, the Y2K look is composed of everything from micro mini skirts to kitschy, colorful jewelry and sky-high platform boots. Take one of these elements and add it to your everyday looks for a subtle flair of Y2K. Or, go big and pile on the colorful clothing and bright accessories!

Cottagecore
This aesthetic has been the name of the game for the past year and a half or so. To go after this look, imagine yourself in an expansive field filled with wildflowers and mushrooms with a quaint cottage sitting on the horizon. This is exactly the mood that cottagecore embodies – it’s complete with flowy dresses and sweeping skirts that are vintage-inspired.

Baddie
On the opposite end of the spectrum, let’s talk about the baddie aesthetic. This particular look is all about releasing your confidence and divine female energy in everything you do. Body-con party dresses, bold colors, and faux-fur coats are the big-ticket items we would use to summarize this trend. The baddie aesthetic is perfect for when you want to make a lasting impression when heading out for a night of fun.

E-Girl
An abbreviation of electronic girl, the e-girl aesthetic is considered a more contemporary version of goth. This style takes a lot of inspiration from popular anime and skates culture – and channels the dark vibe into their everyday style. As one may expect, this aesthetic favors all shades of black, and Ariana provides a prime example of what an e-girl outfit should look like. Take it a step further with fishnet stockings, chain necklaces, and doll-like makeup.

GREY EXTREME BAGGY CARGO PANTS
$68.00 $42.00 (38% OFF)

BLACK EYELET AND CHAIN DETAIL BELT
$18.00 $11.00 (39% OFF)

BLACK WANDERER OVERSIZED T SHIRT
$20.00 $12.00 (40% OFF)

PLUS BLACK SHEER MESH OVERSIZED T-SHIRT
$25.00 $16.00 (36% OFF)

Fairycore
The next aesthetic trend you should consider trying out in 2022 is focused on the beauty of nature, including butterflies, flowers, and gentle animals. The ethereal, fantasy-like lifestyle is exactly what you would imagine from a classic princess story. Style-wise, seek out clothing filled with textured ruffles, lace, and corsets. You can also go after sheer fabrics and billowy dresses that easily make one swoon.

Artsy
The artsy aesthetic (also known as Arthoe) focuses on an appreciation for all things art and nature. Followers of this style are not ones to shy away from color. Outfits are meant to be visually stimulating, comprising rainbow stripes and bold hues. Give it a run by rocking funky patterns, iconic artwork plastered on top of a t-shirt or dress, and mix it up with bold-colored accessories.

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