A prefilled powder puff is such a smart idea for on the go touch ups and keeping grease at bay. But we just can’t understand why it has outright shimmer in the formula. While many users aren’t perturbed by the shimmer , we feel like it still emphasized texture — and we wish it came with the option of a matte powder-filled puff. We love that Rare Beauty offers two different primer formulations — but when put head to head, Always an Optimist Pore Diffusing Primer almost always ends up on top. Luckily, the Pore Diffusing Primer has a lot beyond its silicone base working in its favor. Cream and liquid blushes are almost always crowd pleasers, but few remain in the public spotlight long after they launch.
I have a love/hate relationship with oils—sometimes they feel great, and other times they just feel too messy and greasy. This hybrid balm/oil has the most amazing smell and a vibrant yellow color, thanks to sea buckthorn oil, which contains all the omega fatty acids that you want in an oil. It also contains carrot oil and calendula to protect skin against the environment and UV rays, so it’s basically a force field for your face. I love that it is in a tiny tube—you can bring it with you everywhere, and you only need a little bit. I use it as the last step in my routine, but it can be used as a serum as well. Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools.