32 Beauty Products That Left Reviewers "Shocked"
A pair of lightweight tinted lip balms if you've been dying to try Clinique's Black Honey lip balm, but $25 is too steep a price to pay for just one stick. This cheaper alternative is subtle, buildable, and packed with nutritious ingredients. Enhance your lips' natural color with this non-sticky and long-lasting balm!
A bottle of dandruff shampoo made with ketoconazole to help relieve and control flaking, scaling, and itching caused by dandruff. Clean and clear scalps for all!
An oil-absorbing Laneige blurring powder because it'll basically make your pores disappear. You'll also be blessed with a flawless, semi-matte, shine-free finish. But don't worry, you'll still keep your glow!
Or an oil-absorbing face roller made using absorbent volcanic stone that'll soak up any excess oil so you can have instantly matte skin. No more dabbing your face with a million small oil-blotting sheets.
A medium-coverage L'Oreal True Match liquid foundation for a color match so precise, you'll feel it was made specifically and uniquely for you. And hey, maybe it was. The extremely blendable formula will leave you with a natural-looking finish, and because it's so lightweight, it won't "settle into fine lines or look cakey."
Or a buildable Laura Geller color correcting powder foundation if your past attempts at applying foundations left you with a thick, cakey look and product sinking into your fine lines and wrinkles. This lightweight formula was designed not to do any of that. You'll get a natural-looking, demi-matte finish, but that's not all! It's packed full of antioxidants that can help nourish and hydrate your skin. Effortless flawlessness.
A delightfully scented foaming mousse formulated with coconut and shea oils to hydrate hair, define curls, and combat frizz. It's also a great mousse to use atop natural protective styles like knotless braids. Some reviewers even use this on curly/wavy wigs!
A vegan under-eye brightening concealer that can help balance out bluish tones and dark circles. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish and hydrate skin. You'll look like you've had days of sleep...even if the truth is you haven't slept in days.
A pore-control Anua heartleaf extract cleansing oil for gently and effectively ridding your face of dirt, makeup, sebum, and blackheads. This hypoallergenic K-beauty formula has soothing ingredients that won't cause clogged pores. You can even add it to your double cleansing routine!
A vegan and cruelty-free skin-tightening Sol de Janeiro body cream made with coconut and açai oil. Its caffeine-rich formula stimulates circulation for smoother-looking skin.
Plus, a skin-firming neck and chest Gold Bond cream designed to help improve the texture, elasticity, and appearance of your skin. And it's got hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated.
A lash-extending E.l.f. Cosmetics tubing mascara that uses tubing tech to extend the look of your lashes beyond their natural length by wrapping around them. This long-lasting and lengthening formula leaves no lumps, no flakes, and no smudges. Plus, it contains 5% jojoba seed oil to condition lashes while giving you an epic lewk!
An eight-second L'Oréal lamellar rinse-out treatment for shinier, healthier, and silkier hair in, well, eight seconds. No need to wait 10 long minutes to rinse your hair out. This treatment targets damaged areas to help give you smooth and shiny hair that's easier to style.
A topical hypochlorous acid spray if you need fast-acting relief from skin irritation, redness, itching, or sun sensitivity. This gentle, vegan formula can be used anywhere on your body. Comfort is on its way!
A nongreasy hair wax stick to slick back any flyaways or style your edges. This vegan and cruelty-free formula contains castor oil, which hydrates and smooths.
Some 6–8 hour hydrocolloid nose patches designed to target popped pimples. Plus, it'll be weirdly satisfying to peel this off and see all the gunk it's grabbed.
A hydrating collagen mask you wear overnight so its collagen-rich formula can work its magic. And by "magic," I mean that it can help minimize the look of pores, improve elasticity, hydrate skin, and strengthen the skin's barrier. This hypoallergenic mask also contains helpful probiotics!
A L'Oreal natural glow enhancer infused with glycerin and shea butter for an illuminating tint and a sun-kissed glow that lasts all day long. Go get your shine on!
A nourishing Garnier Fructis anti-frizz serum if the humidity makes your hair look like you've conducted a static electricity experiment. Give your dry locks a healthy dose of hydration — a gift from the argan oil in this serum — for a sleek and smooth appearance free of frizz.
A moisturizing and exfoliating foot peeling spray to help get your feet in tip-top (or should I say "tip-TOE?") shape for sandal season. Formulated with aloe and coconut, this spray finds a way to be both effective and gentle. So, if you've got rough, dry, or cracked feet, add this to your weekly self-care routine. It only takes a couple of minutes!
A pair of eyeshadow color removal sponges that'll clean your makeup brushes without water so you can go from applying a neon pink eyeshadow to a bright white eyeshadow without breaking out the makeup brush shampoo OR having to dirty another brush.
An inexpensive in-shower K-beauty hair protein treatment because it'll condition and repair dry, damaged, and over-processed hair in just 5–20 minutes. TBH, I'm already obsessed with your hair evolution!
A highly pigmented E.l.f. Cosmetics camo liquid blush for a soft and dewy flush you'll want the world to see. This buildable and blendable formula is super easy to apply and super lightweight!
A mattifying dry shampoo powder whose benzene-free formula is designed to absorb excess sweat, oil, and dirt without leaving behind a white cast. Refresh your hair with this volumizing powder!
A gentle and fast-working Veet hair removal gel cream, because waxing costs too much and shaving can be both painful and time-consuming. Not only will it get rid of stubborn and unwanted hair, but it'll also hydrate your skin for up to 24 hours (thanks to aloe vera!) and keep you feeling silky and smooth for days to come.
A vegan and cruelty-free First Aid Beauty bump eraser scrub with 10% AHA to help you deal with any "chicken skin" flareups. This will exfoliate your skin and leave it feeling smooth and moisturized!
A rainbow eyeshadow palette that will make just about any lewk possible! This highly pigmented palette contains cool and warm tones as well as mattes and glitters, so go absolutely awf.
A 3-in-1 facial steamer with a five-piece toolkit to gently open your pores so you can more effectively clean them out. It can also act as a room humidifier or towel warmer for a full, luxe, spa-level experience you can have right at home.
A shower-friendly detangling brush — its flexible bristles gently loosen knots, potentially preventing breakage or other damage. This Wet Brush can handle all hair types, wet or dry, and even has a hook handle so you can hang it in your shower when you're done.
A pore-minimizing K-beauty face primer formulated with collagen to help lift and smooth skin. This hydrating primer will also help prevent moisture loss by strengthening your skin's moisture barrier.
A Revlon hot air brush for drying, styling, AND adding volume to your hair in one fell swoop! With this oval brush, you can say goodbye to tangles and frizz.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
My Neck Was Aging Faster Than My Face. Here's What I Did to Slow the Process Down
Who doesn't want to hear the words, 'You have beautiful skin'? I'd certainly longed to think that way about myself since my pre-teens when my hormones went haywire and my face paid the price. I can remember the first confidence-busting blemish. Sometime between when I headed to middle school one morning and departed that afternoon, a microscopic zit had groundswelled into a bump the size of a pencil eraser. With a dance just hours away, I did what any other teen might do; descended into my friends' basement bathroom and gouged at the eyesore. That moment would begin my obsession with my skin, with no pimple surviving my close inspection under a magnifying mirror. As I evolved from college student to beauty reporter/writer/editor, I even had one on my office desk (and believe me, I extracted a few things while sitting at it after hours writing about celebrity skincare routines) until the pandemic forced me to work from my couch. Then, like many people, I actually found comfort in a consistent routine. But let's be real, I also grew older, and I presume I won the battle with my hormones. However, age has brought forth new unflattering issues. Yes, from my forehead to my neck, my skin is pristine: even and smooth, and glows like no other, I'm told. But, when I began to notice lines along my neck, that teenage panic set in again. Like any beauty editor would, I assessed my regimen, and raided my medicine cabinet. I'd already been in the habit of drawing my skincare down to my neck, but now I reached for neck-specific products, hoping something would soften the look of these newfound lines. Nothing worked. Next: I called my dermatologist, Dr. Anna Karp, who I like to think of as part doctor, part therapist. (She reminds me that even babies have other smile lines among other helpful things.) In spring 2025, I sat in her chair to discuss my new area of concern, and it turns out my timing was impeccable. In October 2024, Allergan Aesthetics scored a major FDA approval milestone when the company's Botox Cosmetic injectable became the first and only one approved for the use in the jaw and neck to temporarily improve the look of platysma muscle (otherwise known as the vertical lines that run from the jaw to the neck) in adults. When Dr. Karp explained the development to me, I felt so seen. I am not alone. Dr. Karp says there's an uptick in curiosity, noting that more patients 'are interested in this 'Nefertiti lift,' which uses Botox Cosmetic along the lower jaw and platysma muscle to soften the vertical bands.' She posits this is likely the result of factors such as tech neck. That struck a chord with me. Though I have covered beauty, and as a result slathered lotions and potions all over my face, ahem, more than 15 years, the end result of testing was writing endless reviews while hunched over a laptop much like I am now. Another factor was something I have labeled 'Zoom scrutiny,' ie: the effect of watching, nay, analyzing your own face on screen during meetings. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Dr. Karp made me make an 'eek' face. It reminded me of when a general practitioner makes you say, 'ahh.' This way, she said, she could get a closer look at how my neck contracts. She then explained I'd be a good candidate for Botox Cosmetic in the platysma because I showed early signs of skin laxity and some dynamic movement of the platysma muscle contributing to lower face heaviness. 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Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Affordable Beauty Buys People Will Ask You About
Nivea skin-firming gel cream helps firm up loose skin and skin texture (think post–weight loss and post-partum) with Q10, an ingredient you'll likely start hearing a LOT more about soon. Reviewers say it's great for the face and stomach, but is also quite transformative for necks and thighs. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream *gently* hydrates, exfoliates, and tightens the skin that's more sensitive than the rest of your body but less sensitive than the skin on your face. This makes for a lovely, quite effective in-between formula packed with aloe, salicylic acid, and jojoba oil in a formula that reviewers say works just as well as much pricier creams. A cheap but incredibly effective instant foot peeling spray in case your at-home pedis aren't quite hitting or you can't make it to the salon before it's time to start wearing sandals. It'll painlessly remove dead skin and help moisturize cracked heels so you won't have to put off slipping your old dogs into your trusty Birks for the season. Or if your callus needs could be described as "industrial strength," a bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel gives professional pedicure results at home if scrubbing, soaking, and filing have failed you. Kojic Acid Dark Spot Remover Soap lightens darkened skin areas (without feeling like you've lost several layers of skin) thanks to a formula of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, shea butter, and Castile olive oil. Time to give this a go for that dark spot on your cheek that never quite seems to get completely masked by your makeup. (It's also great for areas that see less daylight, like armpits, inner thighs, and along your bikini line.) A Kerasal fungal nail renewal formula helps thicken nails and reduce discoloration so you can get back to slipping your old dogs into your beloved Birks for the season. Yes, sneakers are in for wearing with every outfit imaginable in 2025, but sometimes you wanna wiggle your (non-fungal) toes in the sunlight. Note that reviewers said they sometimes noticed improvement within a mere few days. A tinted lip balm you'd SWEAR is Clinique's $25 "Almost Lipstick" Black Honey due to the lovely, sophisticated hue it'll turn your lips. This is great for people who 1) always want a little lip color, 2) hate a sticky feel, and 3) love a bargain. Lottabody's Coconut Oil Foaming Curl Mousse helps your curls, waves, or straight locks get a little more definition and a lot less frizz. Get ready for a queue of folks to ask you, "Why don't you wear your hair curly more often?!" Burt's Bees after-sun soothing lotion because sometimes you get sunburned even when you think you're being great about reapplying sunblock. Or maybe you just recruited your laziest friend to help you reapply on your back. Both are highly possible but you can help recover a little faster (and shock said friend) with this stuff. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener is a quick, easy fix for concealing and brightening your under-eye dark circles because you don't wanna have to do a full face every single day. This "invisible" coverage oft gets compared to the $33 Becca version. Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder made with natural rice starches and pineapple, kiwi, and papaya extracts that'll foam up and *gently* polish skin, giving you similar results to the $68 Dermalogica version. You can use it up to four times a week to see (and feel) the benefits without harsh scrubs or panicking a little bit at your Ulta total. Plus, Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel. Reviewers swear that this works just as well as $$$ eye creams at minimizing puffiness and swelling thanks to a powerhouse duo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. An Elizavecca hair treatment gives you "rich girl hair" thanks to its collagen and ceramide 3 formula. And it'll take just a few minutes of your time, like as little as five minutes post-shampoo. Because time is money, money is power, and power is pizza. (In case you were curious, lots of reviewers say they prefer it over $$$ Olaplex.) Essence's Lash Princess mascara makes for a super dramatic before and after with a few mere swipes. Plus, there's the "Eh, might as well add to cart" price that can't be beat! E.l.f. Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara is far superior (IMO) to pricier versions. Seriously, just try this! It's so good that I'm currently on my [redacted] tube. Monday Haircare Dry Shampoo buys you some more time between washes without weighing down your hair or feeling like you dunked your head into your kids' sandbox. (Congrats on that new nightmare scenario.) Aside from absorbing oil, the formula also has keratin to help protect against frizz and breakage. Oh, and there's a lovely gardenia scent. Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, a K-beauty product that's probably come across your radar for its stunning before-and-after results *and* lower price tag than a comparable $46 Gisou hair oil. Locking down a cheap(er) but transformative hair oil will soften the blow of putting off having your split ends snipped off for a few more months. L'Oréal Paris BB Cream neutralizes redness, primes your skin for foundation, *and* moisturizes so you'll be g2g after application of just this OR with a quick layer of foundation afterward! Gotta love a multitasking pro. Venus Visage Teeth Whitening Pens you easily apply and let sit a minute or two to dry. Buh-bye annoying strips and coffee stains. A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense stops chafing caused by sweat before it even starts. It's sooo good and the biggest bang for your buck in the stick-form chafe-prevention category. I have thick thighs and swear by it! Olay Super Serum Body Wash has niacinamide, shea butter, and collagen peptides in a formula made to provide 24-hour hydration so you don't have to slather on tons of lotion post-shower just to avoid feeling like a dehydrated dinosaur. A "Soft" perfume rollerball that's definitely made an appearance or five in your FYP scroll. It's only $5 and smells totally delightful (it gets compared to sweet treats like waffle cones). BUT! That's not the only reason to love it. It reminds reviewers of the $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀 and layers like a dream. Or a Creamy Coconut fragrance rollerball is verrrry close to the $25 Sol de Janeiro fragrance. Even if your immediate plans don't entail sitting on a beach and drinking out of an actual coconut, you can still catch a whiff of the island vibe with this sweet scent. Essence's Drop of Sunshine Bronzing Drops helps you fake that you spent the weekend taking in the sunshine instead of sick and holed up on your couch catching up on all the horror movies you've been meaning to watch. And at $33 cheaper than the Drunk Elephant version, you might just go ahead and invest in a second or third bottle now. Reviewers say it's super hydrating and buildable! A set of sunscreen reminder stickers pair with your body sunscreen so there's someone besides you and your pal who're wading in the waves to remind you that, uh, yes, you do need to reapply! Oh and they last for 12 hours. Once a sticker turns colors, it's time to reapply. Your beach buds are going to ask how you time is *just* right for reapplication. You can slip 'em some of these stickers! The Saem Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to quickly depuff your tired under eyes. Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing. OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Air Dry Cream is a great, affordable scrunch-and-go option with legions of fans to back up that claim. This'll provide more time for hammock reading than hair styling. Win-win. Sliick Ingrown Rescue Solution halts painful (and unsightly) ingrown hairs before you realize they've rudely shown up on your first beach day of the year, no matter how you're DIY-ing hair removal. AND it's half the price of holy grail Tend Skin! Just pass your bestie who also used a razor last minute a link to this magic potion. Self-Tanner whips up some super-easy-to-apply color that'll develop in an hour. No need to book a (costly) spray tan appointment. (Psst, reviewers who've previously sworn by St. Tropez products have made the switch!) E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter frees up a bit of coin if you've been eyeing Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter as a glow-getter on a budget. This stuff has hyaluronic acid and squalane to give you that lit-from-within for less than the cost of a pricey chopped salad from that place beside your office. A multipurpose blush stick helps you easily create the lovely watercolor blush trend. Y'know what's even lovelier? Paying $7 for this instead of the $18 Pixi Beauty version so you can build and blend color to your heart's content. E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops made to help plump up (hydrating hibiscus complex and hyaluronic acid) and brighten (niacinamide) your complexion for similar results to the $35 Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops. Reviewers say it works great alone *or* mixed in with foundation. Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume because you thought about shelling out for YSL's Black Opium but your budget said no despite all your other perfume bottles being on empty. A Briotech spray helps soothe rosacea, eczema, rashes, sunburns, and other skin irritations for when your skin is just not cooperating thanks to hypochlorous acid (it's in your white blood cells and helps soothe inflammation). Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray is also what some call a miracle in a bottle. But Briotech is in a cheaper bottle. Exfoliating skincare mitts gets between you and your excess dead skin and particles while you use it a couple of times a month. (It's that good so you don't have to use it often!) I have a similar one and using it *before* I shaved my legs recently made my legs DRAMATICALLY smoother.
Buzz Feed
7 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
16 Game-Changing Korean Skincare Tips You're Totally Missing Out On
To break down makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil, try the double cleansing method. Start with an oil cleanser: Pump a few drops into your dry hands, then gently massage it all over your dry face. Don't forget those tricky areas like around your nose and hairline! After a minute of massaging, add some lukewarm water to emulsify the oil, which will help get all the dirt and gunk out of your pores. Anua is a big hit in Korea, all thanks to their star ingredient: heartleaf extract. This magical plant is packed into many of their products and famous for soothing irritated skin and calming review: "BEST OIL CLEANSER I SWEAR. I've gone through 3–4 bottles now and it continues to cleanse my skin AMAZING. It melts makeup and clears pores. Honestly, it's heaven-sent. The first time I used it, it cleared a lot of my sebum, and even now, when I use it, it clears any dead skin and dirt I have, even when I don't wear makeup. BUY IT, it's amazing. You can see all the dirt that came out of my face recently in the photo [above, right]." —rexichorGet the Anua heartleaf cleansing oil from Amazon for $17.69. The next step in the double-cleansing method: Follow up with a water-based cleanser after using your oil cleanser to ensure any remaining impurities are removed. A gentle, hydrating foaming cleanser or gel will work nicely here! Splash some water on your face, apply the cleanser, lather it up, and rinse it off. Your skin should feel *clean* but not stripped! The Anua foaming cleanser is one of my go-to picks in my skincare lineup. I love using it at night because it really gets rid of all the dirt, oil, and makeup I've picked up throughout the day. If you're worried about foaming cleansers being too drying, especially if you have dry skin like me, don't worry! This one leaves your skin feeling clean but not tight or uncomfortable. I even got my boyfriend to try it out, and now it's the only face wash he'll them from Amazon: the Anua foaming cleanser for $13 and the Cosrx gel cleanser for $14. Toners help to balance your skin's pH and prep it for the next steps. You can use an exfoliating toner to help control excess sebum while exfoliating dead skin and refining pores. And follow that up with a more hydrating or soothing option to bring moisture back to your skin. Get them from Amazon: the Medicube "zero pore" pads for $17.90, the TirTir milk toner for $19.99 (available in two styles and three sizes), and the Anua Heartleaf toner for $19.69 (available in two sizes). The skin around your eyes is delicate and benefits from special care! Use an eye cream that targets any specific concerns, like puffiness or dark circles. Dab a tiny amount under your eyes and on your eyelids, then blend it using your ring finger — it's the gentlest and will help you avoid tugging at that delicate skin! Promising review: "Works better than any eye cream!! This eye cream makes my eyes so soft; it has this luxurious feel that is better than any high-end product I have tried, and for the cost? This stuff is unbelievable. I tried Ogee and all sorts of products that people swear by, but this one keeps my eyes hydrated and soft all night and lasts until the next day. It also isn't greasy, which I love. Since it has retinol, I only put it on at night. I love this product! You can feel and see a difference after one use." —AJGet the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum in a pack of two from Amazon for $26.58. Serums are packed with potent ingredients tailored to tackle distinct skin needs, whether that's hydrating, brightening, or repairing the skin's barrier. Depending on the formula, just a few drops can work wonders. Look for key ingredients like hyaluronic acid for moisture, vitamin C for radiance, or ceramides for barrier support. Get them from Amazon: The Torriden Dive In serum for $22.52, the Goodal vitamin C serum for $21, and the Anua rice ceramide serum for $17. While we're talking serums: To maximize the benefits, avoid layering too many at once. Focus on one or two targeting your main concerns, and allow each product to *fully* absorb before applying the next to prevent pilling! It's also a good idea to separate your serums into an a.m. routine (like vitamin C for protection) and a p.m. routine (such as retinol for overnight rejuvenation). When it comes to layering your skincare, start with the lightest, most fluid products — like serums and ampoules — because this will allow them to penetrate the skin and deliver their active ingredients right where they're needed. Once those have absorbed, you can move on to thicker products like lotions and creams, which help lock in all that goodness. Snail mucin is a superstar ingredient that's been stealing the spotlight in Korean skincare. It's known for its incredible hydrating properties, making it a secret weapon for plumped and dewy skin. It also helps enhance the absorption of your other products, making them more effective. You can use it all over your face *or* you can concentrate it on drier areas. This Cosrx snail mucin essence went viral on TikTok, and it has tens of thousands of 5-star ratings backing it up! Apply your snail mucin essence after cleansing and toning (but before your serums and moisturizer) to provide an extra layer of moisture and nutrients to your skin!BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord is obsessed with it: "I use this on my skin and definitely have noticed results! While it didn't help completely kick my stubborn pre-period hormonal acne, it has done *wonders* with reducing redness on my face, particularly around my nose, and in dealing with my pores. Since I started using it, my primer and foundation goes on a whole lot smoother, and I'm struggling a whole lot less to cover my pores. After using it a few weeks, I read the advice of one reviewer to put this on when your face is slightly moist from washing, rub it in, let it dry, and then put your moisturizer on top of it — I've found that it's what got me the best results!" Get the Cosrx snail mucin power essence from Amazon for $25. Indulging in a face mask 1–2 times a week is like giving your skin a little self-care treat, delivering that much-needed nourishment and targeted treatment. Masks are super fun to apply and come in so many versions, but the most common ones are sheets, clay, and gel. Just choose one that aligns with your skin goals — be it brightening, hydrating, or calming redness — and follow the instructions. It's not just about the glow; it's about the moment of zen you gift yourself in the process! My favorite face mask I've been using recently is the Medicube Overnight Wrapping mask. Once you've done your whole skincare routine and apply this on, it dries into this cool thin layer that keeps your $$$ skincare products from smudging off on your pillow while you sleep. Come morning, you just peel it off (so satisfying, trust me!) and ta-da — your skin is left feeling all juicy and them from Amazon: the VT Cosmetics cica soothing mask for $17.79, the Elizavecca carbonated clay mask for $9.80, the Skin1004 Zombie treatment mask for $18.50, and the Medicube overnight wrapping mask for $18.90. Use a moisturizer to lock in all the goodness from the previous steps. Go for something lightweight if you're oily, or a richer cream if your skin's on the drier side. Use a dollop and massage it into your skin in upward motions. Feel that moisture soaking in! I've spent a lot of time curating my skincare routine, and this vitamin C gel/cream has rightfully earned its spot. I use it in the morning, and it gives me that glass skin glow all day long. A little goes a VERY long way; I would say I only apply one, *maaaybe* two boba beads for my whole face. I also like to use my Medicube Booster Pro in the Derma Shot mode to help the product fully absorb and get that extra snatched them from Amazon: the Round Lab Birch Juice moisturizer for $29 and the Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream (pictured above!) for $17. Applying sunscreen in the morning is super important for protecting your skin from UV rays and preventing damage. Look for SPF 30 or higher, and make sure it's suitable for your skin type. After your moisturizer, apply a generous amount all over your face. Don't forget your neck and any exposed areas! Sunscreen is crucial for everyone, but within the realm of Korean skincare, it truly stands out as a shining star! Culturally, sun protection is regarded as a vital component of beauty routines, and Korean sunscreens are making waves globally due to their lightweight, non-greasy formulas along with added skincare benefits such as hydration and soothing American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing a daily sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection (aka it protects against UVA and UVB rays) and at least SPF 30. This Innisfree daily sunscreen fits the bill with broad spectrum SPF 36 *and* it doesn't leave a white cast! 🙌🏽 For a waterproof option, try this AP Sun Cream. Promising review: "I LOVE this product, I swear by it and I'm pretty sure this is my third or fourth time purchasing it! As a woman of color, finding a sunscreen that didn't give me a white cast / ashy finish was very hard, so I am so glad I've come across this product ! It goes on the skin so smoothly. I apply moisturizer first, then the sunscreen and have no trouble spreading a little over my entire face! I seriously don't leave the house without this; I keep it on me at all times! It gives you a glow and makes skin feel so much softer. I also feel like some of my dark spots have faded due to this product! Also I have VERY sensitive skin, so everything breaks me out, but this has not!" —Sierra KeyesGet the Innisfree Daily UV Sunscreen from Amazon for $18+ (available in two sizes). You can also use these special peptide patches on top of your sunscreen for extra protection. They block 98% of UV rays from reaching your delicate under-eyes thanks to their UPF 50+ rating, *plus* they're packed with hydrating and brightening peptides to give your skin that extra oomph. They're so thin and clear, they practically disappear on your skin, and they're water- and sweat resistant. The UPF 50+ rating is the same one that's used for sun protection clothing. You can read more about UPF, why it matters, and how it's different from SPF on the Skin Cancer Foundation review: "I purchased this product for sun protection while golfing, and I love it. The patches are invisible on your skin and feel super lightweight. They also lasts all day, even when you're out in the sun and sweating. If you're looking for extra sun protection, I highly recommend you get these patches!" —Amazon CustomerGet five pairs of Franz UV patches from Amazon for $19.95. One of my favorite tricks for keeping my skin feeling fresh and hydrated all day long is to spritz on a facial mist. It's such an easy way to give yourself a little pick-me-up whenever you need it! Plus, it doubles as a setting spray, so you can use it over your makeup to keep everything in place while adding a dewy glow. Promising review: "I love this product as a first step in my skincare routine before applying other serums. It has a nice light smell and provides a little touch of moisture. It is a good value for the money, and the bottle lasts a long time after daily use. Also love it for a little refresh throughout the day when you're feeling dry. Have continued to repurchase!" —Michelle the D'alba truffle spray serum from Amazon for $20+ (available in two sizes). If you want to feel like you just left a Korean skin clinic without having to hop on a flight, the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro is worth the splurge. This device features four different treatments, all powered by LED light therapy, that can exfoliate, tighten, boost the efficacy of your other products, and rejuvenate your skin. One cool feature is that it announces the minutes as you're using it to ensure you don't overuse it in one spot. It also doesn't take long to see noticeable results, unlike some other facial devices or those time-consuming in-person clinic visits. It's recommended to use the Air Shot mode 2–3 times a week. The other modes — Booster, MC (microcurrent), and Derma Shot — can be used 1–3 times daily.I own the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro and it is definitely worth the splurge! When I first started using this device I had a dark mark from a pimple on my cheek, but with consistent use of this device, it faded in under a week (wish I had taken those before and after pics!). Overall, it didn't take long to notice that my face was visibly brighter and lifted. Although I've slacked a bit lately (oops, guilty of being lazy 😅), I've definitely seen the difference when I'm diligent with review: "This is a magic wand! I just received it yesterday and only used it three times for a very short time but I'm telling you my skin is tighter. I can FEEL it's tighter. The deep lines between my brows are vanishing before my eyes. I'm using my regular serum bakuchiol oil & typology L42 moisturizer plus I got the collagen jelly they make. I've only used the jelly twice with it. My smile lines are less pronounced and my skin is def glass…. MAGIC I say." —Beverly KleinGet the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro from Amazon for $187.68. Exfoliate your body 2–4 times a month using a Korean scrub mitt to transform your skin into something truly velvety soft. Perfect for pre- and post-shaving, this magical mitt helps reduce ingrown hairs and trapped follicles. Plus, it's a game changer for removing spray tan. Just remember, this little wonder is for your body, not your face! Reviewers also say it can help with managing keratosis pilaris (KP).Promising review: "Hands down the best shower mitt on the market! It has really helped with my dry skin, reduced ingrown hairs after shaving, and leaves skin baby soft." —Amazon CustomerGet a single exfoliating mitt from Amazon for $10.99 or a pair for $14.99. Remember, consistency is key. Try to stick to your daily routine and be patient; great skin takes time! Pay attention to your skin and introduce new products slowly — if something irritates you, stop using it right away. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water because glowing skin also starts within! 💦✨ And (most importantly) have fun, and enjoy the process. Skincare should feel like a treat, not a chore!
