5 Wellness Products Our Editors Swear By

I don’t know about you, but I am very deep into wellness TikTok. Like, I can’t scroll past five videos without being told my gut microbiome is probably in shambles, I need to start doing pilates ASAP, or that drinking water out of the cult-favorite Stanley cup will solve all of my problems. Do I know how my For You Page ended up like this? No. But am I mad about it? Not. If anything, it’s surprisingly motivated me to start taking my physical health, mental health, and wellness products more seriously. 

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As a full-time teacher that’s also on the BeautyLeeBar grind, DoorDash-ing a Chipotle burrito the size of my head for dinner (with chips and guac, obviously) and then proceeding to get four hours of sleep is becoming a little too typical of an evening for me. I’m not trying to be the human embodiment of Erewhon by any means, but instilling a couple of small habits and changes is definitely on my to-do list.

But where do I start? It seems like there are a million different ways to amp up your wellness game, so choosing exactly what to do can be overwhelming. In a perfect world, we’d be able to change every single habit and practice of ours overnight and simply become that girl by the next morning. But it’s baby steps and balance that’ll happily and healthily send us in the right direction (I am not going cold turkey on my Chipotle deliveries). So, lucky for you and me both, The BeautyLeeBar editors have shared some of their go-to wellness products that are easy to incorporate into an everyday routine. Read on to see which ones you need to add to your routines STAT:

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  • For the most peaceful sleep:

“I’ve never had a problem falling asleep, but I have a lot of trouble staying asleep. I tend to wake up a few times a night which makes me feel like I’m never truly rested. These sleep gummies have completely turned my world upside down. They help me fall and stay asleep, but don’t make it any harder to wake up, which has always been my concern with melatonin and sleep supplements. No matter how stressed I am or what factors are happening that would generally give me a restless night of sleep, these have become my saving grace. I recommend it to everyone I know. – Adeline, Fashion Editor

EQUILIBRIA CBD Sleep Gummies

Infused with 25mg of full-spectrum CBD and 5mg of sleepy hemp-derived compounds, these cherry flavored sleep gummies make falling and staying asleep easy as ever.

  • For a calming start to the day:

“I’m typically a very light sleeper, so traditional alarms, like the ones I used to set on my phone, are way too jarring for me first thing in the morning. I didn’t realize how much being startled awake was affecting my daily moods until I got my Hatch Restore alarm clock. Now, my wake-up routine consists of a sunrise effect that gradually starts brightening 10 minutes before my alarm goes off, and when it does, I’m woken up by the soft sounds of wind chimes. It has truly been a game-changer for helping me wake up feeling calm and refreshed, rather than frantic to shut my alarm off before it gives me a headache.”– Rosee, Lifestyle Editor

Hatch Restore Alarm Clock

With multiple dreamscapes, guided rest exercises, gradual sunrise lights, peaceful sounds, and more, you’ll feel relaxed and well-rested both morning and night.

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  • For staying hydrated:

“It’s the simplest wellness product I own, but the one I use most consistently (like all day every day–I have a few, so it’s sanitary, don’t worry). Since getting it, I have ditched every other water bottle and have deemed it my can’t-live-without product. Consider it my security water bottle. I love the time stamps, as it helps me stay on track throughout the day, so I have an understanding of how much (or how little) I drink. I also love that it’s 64 ounces, so I only have to refill once a day (max), which in itself helps me drink more water because in the past I have drank a whole water bottle while working at my desk and not gotten up to refill for hours. Lastly, it’s chic AF, which is truly important because I will just want to drink it more.”– Josie, Wellness Editor + Podcast Hostess

AMAZON 64 oz Motivational Water Bottle

Reach your hydration goals with this bottle that keeps you on track and motivated! Plus, it has a detachable straw for easy cleaning and is 100% leak proof.

  • For easy at-home fitness:

“I need everyone who primarily works out from the home to listen to me very closely: you need this workout mat. I struggle to get through floor exercises using a standard yoga mat, and it’s through no fault of my own. Paired with the hard floors in my home, my old yoga mat simply isn’t supportive enough to combat the excruciating knee pain that comes from kneeling on the ground for extended periods. The Stakt foldable workout mat is the answer to my prayers. The thick foam alone is a huge upgrade over my old yoga mat in terms of support, but the unique foldable design takes it to another level and allows me to easily fold my mat if I feel my body needs a little extra cushion (it usually does—and folding a standard yoga mat up never works as well as I want it to).”– Kari, Beauty Editor

STAKT Foldable Yoga Mat

Not only is this mat supportive and ultra comfy, but it also brings versatility to your workouts—use it for incline exercises or to help with stretching while it’s folded, too.

  • For hot girl walks:

“I’ve always been the kind of gal who just buys whatever sneakers are on-trend—usually some Adidas or Nike pair that comes in a cute colorway. However, when I first started hearing about Hokas a few years ago, everyone was saying that they were the most comfortable running and walking shoes that they’d ever worn. And now after owning this pair for two years, I can wholeheartedly agree. I own two pairs now… they’re just that good. I’m a big walker, and these are the only shoes that I can wear that provide the support I need and never make my feet hurt.”– Rivera, Associate Commerce Editor

HOKA Bondi 8 Running Shoes

The Bondi 8’s are one of the most popular Hoka shoes for a reason—with strategically placed, super soft cushioning that supports every part of your foot, you’ll never want to wear other sneakers again.

Selena Gomez’s Pre-Flight Skincare Routine Is So Good I’m Stealing It

Stars, they’re just like us. Selena Gomez woke up early last weekend for a 6 a.m. flight and took to TikTok to share her (extremely) early morning routine. 

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Gomez walked us through the products she prioritizes before boarding, taking extra care to douse her face in moisture. Remember, the air on planes can be extremely drying, so it’s extra important to take good care of your skin before and after a flight—no matter how long the wheels-up-to-wheels-down time is. 

If you want to level up your next flight experience, we’ve compiled Gomez’s entire travel routine below. While we may not get the kind of luxe cabin experience that Gomez shared at the end of the TikTok, we can at least have glowing skin. 

MARIO BADESCU SKINCARE Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater $7

Gomez starts by spritzing on this brightness-boosting spray to help wake herself up.

IS CLINICAL Cleansing Complex $45

Gomez follows with this cleanser, which is both gentle and resurfacing. It is genuinely the only cleanser you ever need in your routine. 

RARE BEAUTY Hydrating Under Eye Patches $25

While Gomez continues her skincare routine, she pops on these patches to de-puff, hydrate, and revive her under-eyes—perfect for faking the look of a full night’s sleep.

DERMALOGICA Multi-Active Toner $43

Gomez follows up with this toner, which has aloe and moisture-binding sodium PCA to hydrate and soothe skin. 

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THE INKEY LIST Reusable Cotton Pads $15

Reusable cotton pads are the best way to smooth on toner. 

DERMALOGICA Smart Response Serum $145

Next up, Gomez uses this serum that reacts to your skin’s needs thanks to four actives that respond when triggered. Since traveling can be so unpredictable, this is the perfect pre-travel necessity. 

DERMALOGICA Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum $92

We typically only reach for retinol at night, but when you know you’ll be sleeping (with blinds shut!) on a plane, it’s a smart way to multitask your skin care as long as you make sure your skin is moisturized too. This retinol is formulated with squalane and beta-glucan, which help ensure plenty of moisture. 

RARE BEAUTY Positive Light Under Eye Brightener $24

Gomez dots on this under-eye brightener for visibly brighter under-eyes in a pinch. 

RARE BEAUTY Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist $27

The finishing touch? This hydrating face mist seals everything in. 

Black-Owned Beauty Brands We Love

If we could only pick one thing that we have loved to see in the beauty space over the last several years, it would be the diversification of brands—especially, Black-owned beauty brands. Top retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Target, Nordstrom, and more have diversified their catalogs exponentially to increase the number of Black-owned brands that are carried both in-store and online—and many retailers are even monitoring shelf space to ensure it remains this way.

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Having access to more Black-owned beauty brands is not only an important way to support brands and founders but also to drive change for the entire Black community. It’s easier than ever. And what’s more, so many of these brands are changing the game and challenging industry norms—we’re talking extended shade ranges, and more inclusive skincare and haircare products. And more offerings that were hard (more like practically impossible) to find before.

To celebrate this, we have compiled a list of twelve of our favorite Black-owned beauty brands that offer products across all categories: skincare, haircare, makeup, body care, tools, and more.

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12 Black-Owned Beauty Brands We Love

Topicals

Topicals offer one-step skincare solutions that are backed by science and made for every shade. With an emphasis on skincare products that are suitable for flare-ups, founder Olamide Olowe knows how connected skin health and mental health are, so Topical’s mission is to transform the way you feel about your skin.

Gilded Body

Gilded Body believes that feeling beautiful and achieving wellness is found through self-care. They carry body care products that engage the senses and invite the user to slow down and bask in the luxury of high-quality, botanically driven, dermatologically developed skincare and tools.

Pat McGrath Labs

Nicknamed the “Mother of Makeup,” Pat McGrath is the world’s most influential and in-demand makeup artist. With countless launches selling out in record-breaking times, the hype for this brand is real. And it continues to push the boundaries of the makeup industry.

Range Beauty

Range Beauty offers makeup essentials for ultra-sensitive skin—specifically, for acne and eczema. Alicia Scott, CEO, and Founder suffered from eczema and cystic acne. She was frustrated that she couldn’t find makeup that acknowledged both her skin tone and her skin conditions. Range Beauty was born to ensure that those with any skin type, in any shade, could find products they could trust.

Fenty Beauty

We’d be remiss not to include RiRi’s beauty brands, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin. After years of struggling to find products that performed across all skin types and tones, Rihanna set out to create Fenty—first starting with makeup and then extending into skincare.

Lys Beauty

The mission of Lys Beauty is to diversify the clean beauty industry. Founded by Tisha Thompson, Lys Beauty was the first Black-owned Sephora Clean Makeup brand! Their products have universal shade offerings, provide high-performance results, and the best part: they are all under $30

Oui the People

Oui the People aims to build efficacious products, designed thoughtfully, that help you feel great in the skin you’re already in rather than pursuing flawlessness. Crafted without sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates, their products range from shaving necessities like razors and exfoliators to hydrating body balms and glosses.

Pattern

Powerhouse Tracee Ellis Ross founded Pattern with the promise of meeting your hair where it is and empowering your curl pattern. To keep hair healthy, hydrated, juicy, and joyful, Pattern offers a range of products for washing, treating, and styling. 

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Briogeo

Briogeo is on a mission to empower every person to succeed on their hair health journey. They know that everyone’s journey is different, so they have multiple lines of products that are suitable for damaged hair, thin hair, frizzy hair, dry scalps, and beyond. This way, each individual can confidently embrace their unique hair, texture, color, and everything else that makes them or exactly who they are.

Mielle Organics

Monique Rodriguez is an RN turned Founder and CEO who has taken the haircare market by storm through Mielle Organics. Created with nature and science, Mielle Organics is a haircare and beauty brand that believes healthier ingredients encourage healthier hair and skin.

Luv Scrub

Mesh exfoliators have been used in West Africa for generations. But it wasn’t until 2011 when Caroline, Founder of LUV SCRUB, realized it could become a cult-favorite product outside of Ghana. It immediately pushed boundaries in the body care space. And now, this magical mesh can be found in some of the largest retailers including Nordstrom, Ulta, and Bloomingdales.

Black Girl Sunscreen

Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen after being frustrated with the lack of sunscreen options formulated for women of color. Made with melanated skin in mind, Black Girl Sunscreen has filled a large gap in the market and has continued to grow exponentially since its inception.