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The Illuminating Pen
YSL Touche Éclat
Maybe it's not the original two-in-one, but YSL's Touche Éclat has been around longer than you think. Developed by Terry de Gunzberg (of the eponymous By Terry line) back in '92 for the house, the gold click pen is an illuminator that doubles as a sheer concealer. To be brushed on for a bit of tinted glow that doesn't sacrifice a natural look.
The Longwear
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Really, really great lipstick in 17+ shades (and a whole other line of satiny, shiny counterparts) made easier to apply thanks to a crayon-shaped bullet. Can go from popsicle-stained to full-coverage statement lip in minimal swipes.
The Multitasker
RMS Lip2cheek
Good, all-natural makeup is something of a beauty myth—which makes RMS Lip2cheek a bit of a unicorn. The coconut-oil based formula gives fresh, lived-in color, and the shades run the gamut from nude-rose to deep wine. It helps that Rose-Marie Swift, the makeup artist who developed them, has credits spanning from Vogue and Self Service to Calvin Klein and Louis Vuitton.
The Fluffy Lash
Diorshow Mascara
Dior's industry-leading, very glam mascara and spoolie draw inspiration from the very unglam: a toothbrush. Fourteen years ago, Pat McGrath started using one backstage on models' lashes for the perfect, light-handed feathering, and Dior's product developers got to work. The result was an oversized brush that deposits the perfect carbon black payoff. The waterproof version is the defacto wedding mascara for obvious reasons.
The Vanisher
Clé de Peau Concealer
Pricey yes, but that’s because it’s a cut above most other high-coverage, super pigmented concealers. The creamy formula doesn’t just disappear into skin, but it disappears zits, undereye bags, and sallowness, too. And it stays where you put it until you take it off. No bathroom touchups required.
The Sheer Coverage
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
A coverage product that can literally do everything. Sun protection? It's got SPF 20. Hydrating? Hyaluronic acid is built right in. And this is to say nothing of the actual tint, which gives near-flawless face while still looking like skin. Oh, and it's one of the OG tinted moisturizers—Laura Mercier launched it in 1998 and it still inspires imitators 18 years later.
The Natural Tan
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer
As natural a bronzer as you can get, aptly named for the Hawaiian vacation you probably didn't go on. Not a glittering, shimmering mica particle to be found—just your skin, but tanner.
The Brooke Shields
Glossier Boy Brow
Get you a brow product that does it all—shapes, defines, and tints, in a pint-sized package. We're biased, but it's our best seller, too.
The Velvet Finish
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
If Amber Valletta and Paris Hilton can agree on one thing, it's Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. The formula takes its cues from literal silk—charmeuse was a reference point in the product's development—and the finish is just that: lightweight, glowy, and supremely comfortable.
The Smoky Eye
Chanel 4 Les Ombres Eyeshadow Quad
Your ability to create a smoky eye aside, there's every reason in the world to buy an eyeshadow quad. A. It's the first step in actually learning how to do your eye makeup. B. Chanel's powders are so finely milled, they feel like a dream. And C. Live a little! Life's too short not to try an eye look.
The Felt Tip
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
If you take away one tip from this whole list, it should be to throw this double-sided liquid eyeliner in your bag before you leave the house every morning. You never know what evening plans will arise, and no matter what, you'll have both the perfect felt tip and the perfect inky black brush in one elegantly long tube.
The Best-Kept Secret
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
You've seen it dot many a photograph on Into The Gloss, but P50 still pulls a lot of mystique with people who don't get facials with Aida Bicaj. Here's the breakdown: It's an exfoliating toner with lactic and salicylic acid, and it'll give you the glowiest skin of your life. It's also not as expensive as you think it is.
The Inner Glow
Rodin Olio Lusso
Stylist Linda Rodin believes that one good face oil is really all your skin needs, and her quest for simplicity is what lead to the creation of Olio Lusso. Apply to wet skin after cleansing for that look of "bien-être"—Linda's borrowed phrase, which means "general well-being."
The Industry Standard
Bioderma Créaline Sensibio H2O
Micellar water is still enjoying its honeymoon phase with the American market, but it's been around in France (and behind the scenes of every photo shoot and fashion show) for decades. First developed in 1992, it's more than just a makeup remover—it's a toner and waterless cleanser in one. There's a reason it's in every makeup artist's kit we've ever opened.
The Protector
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
It's hard to make sunscreen seem both chic AND effective, but EltaMD is the preferred sunscreen of the Skin Cancer Foundation and the Top Shelf, too. Its popularity is thanks to a one-two suncare punch of zinc oxide (a particularly effective physical sunblock) and vitamin E (to defend against free radicals). Also hyaluronic acid. How considerate!
The Lazy Night
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
It's the choice makeup remover of one Kimberly Kardashian West. If you've learned anything this year, it's to trust Kim.
The Facial
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask
When Cate Blanchett is the spokesmodel, does a product need any more marketing? We’ll never know because no one has ever been made up for an award show without first prepping with an SK-II sheet mask. Soaked in essence, vitamins and magic, the cotton sheet delivers poreless, baby skin in 20 minutes or less. Unfortunately, it'll make you look like a masked murderer while you wait.
The Deep Conditioner
Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs de Jasmin
A hair mask is really just a super luxurious conditioner, and either way, it’s hard not to want to leave this Leonor Greyl mask on for as long as you can stand it. Ignore the subtitle “for thin and dry hair”—this is a one-size-fits-all product that turns out the best-feeling version of your hair every single time.
The Bed Head
Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish
Dryspun was introduced to the world in February 2013 at New York Fashion Week, where Bumble's stylists tested it out backstage. Since then, it's become a mainstay product for its dexterity as both a medium-hold hairspray and a volume booster—and its unwillingness to be labeled as either makes it the most versatile styling product you'll ever use.
The Hair Cleanse
Christophe Robin Sea Salt Cleansing Purifying Scrub
You haven’t lived until you’ve watched Monsieur Christophe Robin, the French colorist of everyone from Catherine Deneuve to Fajer Fahad, emulsify some of his clarifying and conditioning Sea Salt Scrub in his hand and work it through a head of hair. Thankfully, there’s YouTube for that. And it ships for free from Sephora.com in case you can't make it to his boutique in Paris.
The Shower Substitute
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
The "first aerosol dry shampoo" is a contested title, but Klorane's was certainly one of the earliest (if not the original) when it launched in 1972. Now in 2016, it's still one of the best dry shampoos around—the fortified formula makes hair look nourished and clean, instead of powdered and stiff.
The Brushable Hold
L'Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray
L'Oréal launched Elnett in 1960, and miraculously, it appears not to have left the decade (see: the metallic gold can, which has been the package for the past half century). Back then it was an innovative product for its brushable hold, and 50 years later, it's the gold (!) standard in hairspray for the same reason. Timeless, indeed.
The Head-To-Toe
Kiehl's Crème de Corps
Good, old-fashioned body lotion can really do anything. Smooth over legs before wearing a skirt for a Photoshop-like sheen to skin, according to Garance Doré; or make like Coco Baudelle and use it throughout the lengths of your hair to maintain shine and body. And Kiehl’s was considerate enough to make it in two forms: a lotion in a squeeze bottle or a pump, and a whipped edition that smells like coconut. Delicious either way.
The Sheen
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
The essential multi-purpose dry oil, inspired by affordable, luxurious self-care for busy French ladies. Six botanical oils later, Huile Prodigeuse ("Precious Oil") was born. Big ups to the pump spray package, which does the impossible by making body oil application actually convenient.
The Squeaky Clean
Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap
The Bronner family has been making soap since 1858, but their pure-Castile formula didn't launch until almost 100 years later in the late 1940s. It comes in every scent you'd want, it's all-natural, it's philanthropic, and the bottle provides endless bathtime reading material. What more could you ask for?
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