I Spend Hours Testing Beauty Products Each Week—Here Are 24 I'll Never Replace

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I have a fascination with beauty products that I can trace back to my time growing up. Before the days of YouTube or TikTok tutorials that highlight anything you’d want to know about beauty, I would dive into books by Kevyn Aucoin and Bobbi Brown, which were my first education in all things makeup. Then, when I had skin problems, I spent many hours with dermatologists and aestheticians and learned the foundations of skincare, picking up advice that I still follow today.

Now, working as an editor, I think even more about beauty products and spend hours testing them out. While there are plenty of new drops that catch my eye that I add to my routine, I still have a number of favorites that I’ll never replace. Here, I’m highlighting my editor-recommended beauty products, spanning from skincare to makeup to fragrance. These are the ones you’ll find in a prime spot on my bathroom counter.

Skin

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Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer ($38)

Sunscreen is the first thing I apply each morning. This one is mixed straight into the moisturizer, so it feels more like applying a cream than an SPF—a great way for me to follow good suncare habits.

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Supergoop! 100% Mineral Invincible Setting Powder ($30)

I try to be diligent about reapplying sunscreen if I'm outside, but I usually don't want to put cream on top of makeup. That's where this powder comes in handy. You can brush it on top of makeup (and even along your hairline) without having to worry about being greasy.

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Chanel Le Lift Firming Anti-Wrinkle Flash Eye Revitalizer ($130)

For an indulgent at-home treatment, nothing feels more luxe than these under-eye patches from Chanel. They leave my skin looking firmer and less puffy. And I have to admit, I can't resist the Chanel logo.

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SK-II Brightening Derm Revival Mask ($170)

I've been using these face masks since high school after I first heard Pat McGrath recommend them as her secret for prepping models' skin backstage at runway shows. There are plenty more face masks that have hit the market since, but these are still my absolute favorites.

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SK-II Facial Treatment Essence ($99)

What makes the SK-II masks above so great is the "Pitera" serum they're infused with. That's what you'll find in SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence, which acts as a super hydrator.

Makeup

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Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer ($36)

Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage Concealer has a cult following for a good reason and is another product I've been using for as long as I can remember. The palettes have two shades so you're able to blend the perfect color to match your skin. The formula is a bit thicker than other concealers I use, so it's great when I need extra coverage.

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Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush ($45)

Even if I'm very minimal with my makeup, I love to apply a pop of blush to add some dimension to my face. I recently started using this powder blush from Chanel, and I'm hooked.

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Tom Ford Eye Color Quad ($88)

I keep things pretty simple when it comes to my eye makeup and tend to stick to neutral shades. This palette from Tom Ford has all of the colors I wear on the regular, so it is my everyday go-to staple.

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Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen ($23)

I find some liquid eyeliners to be tricky to apply, which is why I always look for pen styles. As the name implies, this Clinique version is very easy to use if you're prone to mistakes like I am.

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Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick ($88)

When it comes to foundation, I stock an array of formulas for different occasions. This is a personal favorite any time I'm taking photos because it reads so well on camera.

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Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation ($78)

Another foundation I love, this one from Chantecaille also photographs beautifully. It has more of a lightweight formula, so it's a go-to during the warmer months.

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Tom Ford Lip Color Matte ($56)

I'm obsessed with lipstick and have tried out tons over the years. Tom Ford's matte lipsticks are the ones I always come back to, and I especially love the range of light pink shades for an everyday lip color.

Body

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Chanel La Crème Main Texture Riche Hand Cream ($50)

With all of the handwashing I'm doing right now, I've been using hand cream more than ever. I tried this when it first launched and have kept it in my bag ever since.

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R+Co Palm Reader Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer ($14)

My hands tend to get super dry when I use hand sanitizer, but this formula includes aloe leaf juice, so it keeps my skin moisturized.

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Supergoop! Body Butter SPF 40 ($38)

Yep, I'm a major suncare obsessee and clearly a huge fan of Supergoop's products. This one sinks in without rubbing off on clothing, which is a must in my book.

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Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color ($28)

When it comes to nail polish, I'm not very experimental with new colors, so I tend to stick with the ones that I love. This is my absolute favorite shade that I wear again and again—especially in the winter.

Hair

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Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray ($39)

The number one thing I want to achieve with my hair? Extra volume. This Thickening Spray does exactly that, so I use it every time I give myself a blowout. I actually just finished the bottle and will be restocking this right away.

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Living Proof Full Shampoo ($28)

 As I mentioned, adding extra fullness is my biggest hair goal, so I typically use a volumizing shampoo. This formula is lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down my hair.

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Living Proof Full Conditioner ($28)

The same applies to this conditioner. I need to apply one since my hair tends to be very tangly, and this is an incredible, lightweight (yet effective) formula.

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R+Co Comb ($15)

These days, I always wear my hair with a center part, so this handy comb is something I simply can't live without.

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Slip Pure Silk 3-Pack Hair Ties ($39)

When my hair isn't down, it's up in a ponytail or bun. Regular hair ties always leave a crease in my hair, so I rely on these silk scrunchies to leave it crease-free.

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Oribe Superfine Hair Spray ($42)

My hair is very prone to flyaways, so a spritz of hair spray is always a must. I avoid ones that are too heavy or stiff, so I love the lightweight hold of this formula.

Fragrance

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Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Perfume ($265)

I've talked about this fragrance before, and I'll probably be talking about it for a very long time. I'm picky when it comes to perfume, but this one is simply intoxicating and is what I wear practically every day.

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Chanel N°5 The Shower Gel ($55)

If you want to instantly make your morning shower feel more indulgent, I recommend this shower gel from Chanel finished with the iconic N°5.

Next, Read about the very best skincare products and tools I tried this year.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. BeforeBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.