Tried, Tested and Loved!
Glaming up to the nines is no quick task—it’s a full-on ritual. From skincare and hair prep to a full face of makeup, there’s a lot that goes into achieving the final look. I use around four products just for my hair, and it takes me about two and a half hours to perfect a blowout at home. Then comes the makeup: two more hours, 20 products, and up to 15 different brushes. It may sound intense, but every step plays a role in helping me feel my absolute best.
When it comes to beauty and haircare, I’m not easily impressed. As someone who’s tested everything from drugstore gems to luxury splurges, I’ve curated a personal collection of go-to products that actually deliver. Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect dewy foundation, a hair serum that tames frizz without weighing you down, or a skincare staple that leaves your complexion glowing—this list covers all my ride-or-die favorites. These are the products I keep repurchasing, recommend to clients, and swear by in my own daily routine.
Below, I’m sharing all my go-to beauty and hair favorites that make the effort totally worth it.
Let’s start with hair, since it’s always the first step in my glam routine. I like to tackle it before makeup because it takes the longest—and unlike makeup, there’s no rushing through it. If I’m short on time, I can always simplify my makeup look or finish it in the car, but my hair needs that full attention upfront..
OLAPLEX Bond Maintence Shampoo
I am obsessed with OLAPEX shampoo. I have really long and thick hair. This shampoo is really hydrating making it easy to detangle my hair.
The Nexxus conditioner is also very hydrating and the best out of all the high end conditioners I have tried.
KENRA makes excellent hair products. I really love the heat cream, makes my hair look and feel like I got a professional blow out.
OLAPLEX BONDING OIL completes the whole blow out at home process adding adding shine and leaving no frizz behind.
My routine always starts with a cleansing oil—whether I’m wearing makeup or not. It’s the perfect first step to melt away excess oil, sweat, and debris, and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean. I even use it in the mornings to clear any oil buildup from overnight. I rotate between two different cleansing oils, depending on which one happens to be closest to the sink or shower.
INTENDED simply you facial cleansing oil
Sulwhasoo GENTLE CLEANSING OIL
Both of these oils work amazingly. The first cleanser I shared is 20 dollars and the second is 40. A bit of a price difference but both well worth it.
CLINIQUE has long been a trusted name in skincare, known for helping generations of people achieve their skin goals. These two cleansers are my top picks, and I reach for them based on what my skin needs in the moment—whether it’s morning, a midday refresh after the gym, or evening when I’m removing a full face of makeup. On days when I’m wearing heavier makeup, I’ll even double up and use both cleansers (in the order listed) right after my oil cleanser for a thorough, satisfying cleanse.
CLINIQUE all about clean rinse-off foaming cleanser mousse
CLINIQUE all about clean rinse-off foaming cleanser mousseCLINIQUE blackhead solutions
Once my skin is cleansed nicely I move on to a liquid exfoliator and serum for little pigmentation on my skin.
After this step I use two moisturizers, one for day and the other for night. A peptide cream before moisturizing to prep my skin.
PAULA’S CHOICE Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
CAUDALIE Brightening Glycolic Night Cream
If your skin is dry and you are planning to use heavier coverage with your makeup. I recommend to use Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base under your makeup primer.
If I’m prepping my skin for day time and need a primer for my makeup, I like to use is ELF SUNTOUCHABLE INVISIBLE SUNSCREEN
ESUNTOUCHABLE INVISIBLE SUNSCREEN e.l.f SKIN
My everyday makeup has been slimmed down by time and the amount of products I use. Beginning with face base which consist of 3 to 4 products. Lately I’ve been using MAYBELLINE INSTANT REWIND ERASER TREATMENT MAKEUP in shade 118. I never thought I would love it so much. It’s light weight with buildable full coverage. It also includes SPF 20 and provitamins B5. I then set with a pressed powder by IT Cosmetics, CELEBRATION FOUNDATION in the shade medium. I apply it with a medium sized fluffy brush by BK BEAUTY 104 Tapered powder brush.
To conceal dark circles under my eyes and red spots around my nose, I like to use Forever Skin Corrector by Dior in shade 0’5N and HD SKIN FACE ESSENTIALS PALETTE WITH HIGHLIGHTERS by Makeup Forever
To add dimension on the face I start with GLOBAL GLOW by MAC cosmetics on my cheek bones, eye crease and bridge of my nose using 129 synthetic brush by MAC cosmetics. It’s soft and fluffy making the application gentle and smooth.
This next product is hands down one of my all-time favorites—and easily the best palette I’ve ever purchased. It’s a true multitasker and a smart investment for any makeup kit. I use the bronzer to sculpt under my cheekbones with a fluffy fan brush for a more defined, slimming effect. The blush goes on the apples of my cheeks and across the bridge of my nose for a fresh pop of color, and I finish with the shimmer on my eyelids to instantly brighten and elevate the look.
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS ITALIAN SUMMER
Lastly, I focus on the final touches like eyebrows, lashes and lip color.
PRECISELY, MY BROW PENCIL is definitely my go to for brows in shade 5. Sometimes if I’m doing something casual I’ll just curl my lashes and use a little mascara but if I need makeup for a more formal occasion I’ll use some strip lashes in style. The lashes I use are sold at ULTA beauty stores and CVS, they are affordable and go on so effortlessly.
PROSA Mascara in style Professional
KISS lashes in style Pompadour
To complete my look I top off my lips with a Dior lip oil in shade 006 BERRY
As the beauty and hair landscape continues to evolve in 2025, these standout products represent more than just formulas and tools—they embody self-care, innovation, and confidence. Whether you’re perfecting your skincare routine, mastering that glossy blowout, or discovering a new secret weapon, every item on this list has earned its place through performance and real results. Here’s to embracing a year of effortless routine upgrades, sustainable choices, and radiant self-expression. May these essentials empower you to look—and feel—your absolute best.
Thank you for reading the post, I really hope you enjoyed the reviews.