There is an old saying that goes a little something like this:

“Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.”

Ben Stiller might have said so in jest, but as far as skin care is concerned, nothing, in my opinion, is truer. I would rather be “oily” than “dry” on pretty much any part of my body. Want proof? Look no further than my new passport picture [6]. A full 10 years later, my forehead still catches the light like a cyclist’s reflective vest. And I am A-OK with that—in fact, I encourage it.

This brings me to my summer must-haves, which, as you can see, revolve heavily around an arsenal of products from Biologique Recherche. Ladies and gentlemen, I am fully, unapologetically hooked on a product line. This stuff has taken over my medicine cabinet. I find tester tubes in my carry-on, under my sink, in my purse. What’s more, I can’t even tell you if it’s a singular product that’s “working” or the whole kit and caboodle. So here’s the whole kit in my caboodle: Lait VIP O2 (milky cleanser), Lotion P50 (exfoliating toner), Amniotique E. serum, Fluide VIP 02, and Crème Dermopurifiante. In that order, day and night.

Here’s what you should know about Biologique Recherche: it is French (duh), it is made by OG skincare people who use what some may believe to be “questionable” ingredients (organic, this isn’t); it stinks (my boyfriend has taken to calling me “trash face,” in the most loving of ways) BUT! It is a game changer. I’m pretty sure the P50 toner alone is responsible for clearing up some pesky acne around my chin, and the combination of other products, with regular use, produces an overall “glow” like you can’t imagine. When I don’t go through the motions, I see a difference. Do I feel slightly trapped? Yep. Is this routine sustainable in the long-term? No way. But I’m pretty into it at the moment.

Aida Bacaj, a facialist in New York, only deviates from the cult of Biologique for one other line: Future Beauty, an itty-bitty collection out of Israel. The Cream Extreme is good, but the Beauty Drops are great. A nice, moisturizing ‘herbal refreshment’ post-face washing and pre-moisturizing.

As far as hair goes, for the first time in my life, I feel like I have a leg to stand on in recommending products for “dry and color-treated hair.” Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil and its cousin— Nourishing Oil-In-Cream—smell divine, pack a punch in the moisture department, and don’t turn you into a grease-ball. I’m on to bottle/tube #2 for both of them (they are expensive, but last a while). But step #1, post-shower, is Pureology Color Fanatic treatment spray, because it seems like it's doing something…21 “essential benefits to prime, protect, and perfect” is all I want for my hair, really. I’m down to the final drops of this product. Usually I’ll finish things off by rubbing a bit of Alterna’s Caviar CC Cream or Living Proof’s Targeted Repair Cream through the ends before letting everything air-dry, or blow-drying when absolutely necessary.

For shampoo, I am head-over-heels in love with Christophe Robin’s Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt. After having just googled it, I am now also in love with the video of Christophe Robin showing you how it’s used, because few things in life are better than a nice head massage. I want one right now.

For conditioner—well, we’ve been through this. Purple + platinum = better platinum.

Makeup! I’ve been of the skincare-as-makeup persuasion, or, lately, fragrance as makeup. My fragrance history, at a glance, has been: Clinique Happy, Gucci Rush, Michael Kors (high school); Stella McCartney (college); Le Labo Rose 31 & Gaiac 10, Byredo Accord Oud (mid-twenties). Roses and woods, mainly. But following a party for Hermès recently, I found myself in the cab home clutching a white origami rose spritzed with something magical and floral-smelling. It’s Jour d’Hermès Absolu and it smells like exactly who I want to be right now. In the mornings, I walk through a cloud of it, over to my mirror in the living room, sweep my eyebrows with Sherani Protein Mascara in Clear and my upper lashes with Covergirl LashBlast Length in Black Brown, and I’m ready to face the day—clean, clear, and moisturized.

—Emily Weiss