When a beauty editor with access to a hundred variations of every product you could dream up cuts open a tube or sticks a Q-tip into a bottle just to get every last drop of serum or highlighter out, you can be sure it's damn good.
It doesn't happen too often — it takes a lot to impress us — so when we do get to the bottom, you can bet we're fans for life. A few months have passed since our last #EditorEmpties story, so we figured it was time to share a new batch. Ahead, check out the products the beauty team finished up this summer. From moisturizers to mascaras and masks, these are the real deal.
Alix Tunell, Senior Beauty Editor
"After getting overwhelmed (and overwhelming everyone who came over) by the amount of products building up in my apartment, I did a major organization overhaul, gave a ton of stuff away, and made a new rule for myself: No product goes into my medicine cabinet, shower, or makeup bag unless another one comes out. And since I'm constantly tempted to introduce new members to the fam, I've started really powering through products. I mostly finished skin-care products — especially body oil — which wasn't a surprise, but I was impressed I made it down to the last drop of a fragrance and emptied out a primer for the first time, ever."
Photographed by Megan Madden.
"Nothing hits the spot for me quite like an under-the-radar, natural beauty line with good packaging. I love everything I've tried from Raaw, but especially this body oil and the rosehip face oil (which I finished soon after). It has lemongrass and grapefruit to help with healing and inflammation (so it's my go-to post-shave) and fennel to tone and smooth uneven skin."
Raaw In A Jar Activating Body Oil, $48, available at Raaw In A Jar.
"I'm becoming a broken record going on and on about my love for Davines Oi products, but at least no one can accuse me of not being loyal. I use this conditioning spray liberally on damp hair every morning, so I go through it pretty quickly. It detangles, moisturizes, and heat-protects without ever weighing my hair down."
Davines Oi All In One Milk, $32, available at Davines.
"Supposedly, this body wash is for use after high-intensity workouts, which I don't do often, but I'm always down to get super-clean. It also doubles as a shaving gel and smells better than any body wash I've ever tried — like vanilla, rose, coconut, and flowers."
Lavanila Sport Luxe Healthy Body Wash, $16, available at Sephora.
"This 12% glycolic serum is intense — it lightened some recently acquired discoloration around my jawline and temples, and I didn't get any little bumps or pimples the entire time I used it. But it's also really gentle, thanks to calming cactus and horse chestnut extract, which balances out the AHAs. Best of both worlds."
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90, available at Sephora.
"The majority of the time, I find the La Mer cream to be too rich and heavy for my skin. (I'm in love with the brand's new Moisturizing Soft Lotion, however.) But every so often, I get particularly dry and flaky and this cream, mixed with oil, always does the trick. It took me a long time to get to the bottom of this, and it's not even the full-size one, so it's worth the investment."
La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream, $310, available at La Mer.
"Dark circles are my number-one makeup concern, so I'm always on the hunt for a great peach color corrector to apply under my concealer. This one is perfect for days when I only need light coverage. It tones down the purple and blue tones and, because it's part of the Touche Éclat family, it adds a pretty highlighted effect around my eyes. If you need HD coverage, though, this isn't the one."
YSL Touche Éclat Neutralizer Colour Corrector in Apricot Bisque, $38, available at YSL Beauty.
" I don't know what inspired me to bring this home, since I rarely use primer except for occasions on which I need my makeup to last overtime (and I've certainly never finished one), but I'm glad I did. I fell in love with the texture, because it doesn't feel like silicone and never pills."
Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer, $18, available at Urban Outfitters.
" I find that most body scrubs have too much oil in them and not enough grit. This one is just the right amount of rough and it doesn't leave that greasy residue behind. My only complaint is that the tube it comes in makes getting every last drop out a real arm workout."
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, $35, available at Aesop.
"I never thought I'd see the day I finished an entire fragrance, but I've been wearing this one every day for the last two springs and summers, so we had a good run together. Plus, it's getting colder, so that means it's time for me to switch over to my fall/winter scent — Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge — anyway."
Tom Ford Fleur De Portofino, $225, available at Sephora.
" If I close my eyes while rubbing this on after my shower, I can almost pretend I'm on François Nars' Polynesian island with flowers in my hair instead of in my gross, windowless, overcrowded bathroom — that's how authentic the scent is."
NARS Monoi Body Glow II, $59, available at Sephora.
"Yes, I'm lucky enough to try tons of high-end makeup and fancy skin care, but I could be content just using L'Oréal everything. (I won't give up the Tom Ford perfume, though.) This overnight moisturizer has two chambers, so the active ingredients stay potent and don't combine until the moment you press the pump. And because it exfoliates with glycolic acid, brightens with vitamin C, and smoothes and tightens with a retinol complex, all at once, it's perfect for anyone who can't handle a multi-step routine."
L'Oréal Revitalift Bright Reveal Dual Overnight Moisturizer, $17.99, available at Target.
Sam Sasso, Beauty Editorial Assistant
"This is my first real set of empties and it almost perfectly encapsulates my all-time favorite beauty products. I take pride in my beauty collection, but I also rarely play favorites — or so I thought. Clearly, there’s a tube of mascara, pan of blush, and a volumizer I reach for more than the others. These are the ones that rose above the rest."
Photographed by Megan Madden.
"I'm a bit ashamed to admit this, but I've had this sponge for years. It’s gross, I know, but I hold onto beauty products a little too long. Before I bought my Beautyblender, this was my most-reached-for tool."
Swissco Precision Blending Sponge $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I bought this after I heard about it one too many times on YouTube. My favorite vlogger, Estée Lalonde, raved about it and, thus, I bought it. Best. Decision. Ever. This is, hands-down, my favorite drugstore mascara, because it makes my lashes long, full, and jet-black — plus, the curl holds all day."
Maybelline Volum’Express The Rocket Mascara, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"If I had to make a checklist for my perfect blush, this would hit every mark: It shimmers, has warm undertones, is super-pigmented, and it lasts all day. I’m sad to see it go, but look forward to welcoming back a brand-new pan soon."
NARS Orgasm Blush, $30, available at Sephora.
"I really love when balms are tinted, so they give me color for the day and keep my pout hydrated. Needless to say, I used this one up pretty quickly."
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Sugar Rosé Tinted, $24, available at Sephora.
"This product, while meant to target dark circles, is the best all-over concealer I’ve ever used. It covers red spots, undereye bags, and any other hyperpigmentation I might have. It was especially great during the summer — never cakey, never sweat off.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"Every makeup artist has talked about this being the ideal multi-purpose product — and I concur. It works as a primer, moisturizer, and balm for my skin, erasing dry patches almost instantly. It goes on like a water-based gel, but melts into my skin like a rich lotion."
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, $28, available at Sephora.
"Are eye patches totally necessary at 22? Probably not. But the truth is, I adore them. They’re cooling, soothing, and cute to snap. Oh, and did I mention they're perfect for making hungover eyes look big, bright, and wide awake?"
Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches with Soothing Cornflower, $24, available at Sephora.
"The love of my life in beauty-product form. This night cream saved my skin. For years, I couldn’t find a calming night cream that actually showed results. Then, I stumbled upon this one. It lasted me about six months — and I used it every single night. It’s gentle, no-frills, and makes your skin baby-soft by morning."
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream, $38, available at Sephora.
"I love the packaging of this rose balm that lasts forever. It’s the ideal base for any lip product and just feels (and smells) so good to apply.
Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve, $6, available at Sephora.
"I just about faint over every Glossier launch. When I heard the brand were releasing a brow gel, I could barely contain my excitement. When I got my hands on this, I used it every single day for months. For those days I would forego makeup and just pat on some moisturizer, this was always a go-to."
Glossier Bow Brow, $16, available at Glossier.
"Before I studied abroad in Paris, I researched every single European beauty product I needed — and this one was basically number one on every list. It lived up to the hype then, and it still does now, many bottles later."
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $20, available at Sephora.
"Whenever I want to test-drive a hair product, I always go for travel-size first, just in case I hate it. Luckily, I adored this one and it became a staple in every carry-on or weekender bag. My hair falls flat by the second or third day of not washing it, so to add some life back in, I spritz this from the roots to the ends."
Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray, $24, available at Dermstore.
"When I couldn’t afford Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray, this was one of my alternatives. It was that one product I would keep reaching for on second-day hair mornings without even realizing I used it so often. It was an essential for when my lob needed some oomph."
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Perfect Texture Finishing Spray, $28, available at Sephora.
Maria Del Russo, Beauty Editor
"I became a total product hoarder over the past few months for two reasons. First, I went platinum blonde for the summer and was charged with finding all the best hair-color protectors. Second, I hit a major stride with my skin-care routine and found the perfect grouping of products that now keep my skin clear, hydrated, and glowing."
Photographed by Megan Madden.
"I wear SPF 45 on my face every single day. Dr. Weil for Origins' sunscreen is my favorite, because it's lightweight, non-greasy, and doesn't pill when I apply concealer over it."
Dr. Weil for Origins Mega-Defense SPF 45, $41, available at Origins.
"I tend to use oils to moisturize my skin, but they can be a bit too greasy in the summer. So I got in the habit of mixing a drop of my usual oil with this water gel. I stayed hydrated and glowing — and never looked slimy."
Tatcha Balanced Pore Perfecting Water Gel, $68, available at Sephora.
"Hydration is key — especially in the summer. I kept this bottle in my bag to spritz whenever I felt myself getting a little dry and red."
Caudalie Grape Water, $22, available at Sephora.
"Even though my face was decidedly less zit-filled, I found myself struggling with the texture of my skin this summer. Good Genes is the ultimate when it comes to improving the feel of your skin. I could seriously tell the difference whenever I skipped a day on this stuff."
Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment, $105, available at Sephora.
"When I went platinum, my beauty features director, Megan McIntyre, told me I should buy stock in coconut oil — that's how much of the stuff I'd be using. And man, was she right. Before every shampoo, I'd slather this oil from root to tip and let it sit for about two hours. I credit this coconut melt with keeping my hair from looking like a bundle of hay."
Kopari Coconut Melt, $36, available at Kopari.
"As a blonde, nothing kept my hair from going brassy better than this cult-favorite mask. I'd slather it on post-conditioner and let it sit for a half hour. My hair would stay bright and shiny for a whole week — no brassiness in sight."
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care in Baby Blond, $51, available at Net-A-Porter.
"I don't use foundation. I'm a concealer-only kind of girl. And this tube from NARS is the best for covering imperfections while keeping your skin looking like skin."
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, $29, available at NARS.
"My motto when it comes to mascara? The darker, sootier, and clumpier, the better. This ultra-thick formula gives you instant bedroom eyes."
NARS Audacious Mascara, $26, available at NARS.
"I've written so many love letters to this bottle that I don't know how much more I can say about it, but nothing controls my fuzz and defines my curls better. Bonus: It smells a bit like peppermint!"
Hairstory Hair Balm, $36, available at Hairstory.
Megan McIntyre, Beauty Features Director
"As a beauty editor, I'm supposed to try pretty much everything that comes across my desk. And while I do flirt with a majority of those products — makeup and nails more often than not — I tend to finish a product down to the very last dregs. Good to the last drop, if you will.
"This is especially true with skin care, but recently, since starting Accutane, I've been switching up what I put on my face rather frequently, as my needs keep shifting: painfully dry one day, blackhead central the next, tomato-red the following. Not to mention the dry-lip situation — I haven't worn lipstick in five months and my soul hurts. Because of that, I've been focusing on my eyes and have been plowing through shadow and liner."
Photographed by Megan Madden.
"I'm all about serums, but I hate how they can sometimes feel heavy on the skin when I layer them under moisturizer and foundation. This lightweight antioxidant fluid protects my skin from free radicals, goes on airily, absorbs immediately, leaves my skin plumped, and, yes, dewy — AND it doesn't eff with my foundation coverage."
Kypris Antioxidant Dew, $67, available at Kypris.
"I have sung the praises of this sheet mask ad nauseam, but I promise it really is that good. After a full 22-week course of Accutane hell, my acne cleared up, but now I'm dealing with the residual redness from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
"More so than any mask I've used, this one noticeably reduces that redness — if I use it at night, I wake up to less blotchy skin. I go through one of these every two weeks, which isn't bad when you consider they are $12 a pop. I also extend the mask's lifespan by saving the serum in the package and patting it on my face the following nights until it runs out, which is usually three or four days later."
Talika Bio Enzymes Purifying Mask, $12, available at Dermstore.
"Whenever I wear this ultra-glittery champagne shadow, I get tons of compliments. The shimmer is so fine and densely packed, it almost has a wet effect on my lids, but without that goopy feeling. While applying this one day, it slipped from my fingers and shattered into a fine dust all over my floor. I was devastated, but I quickly consoled myself with the fact that there was a small amount still clinging the perimeter of the pan. I've been rationing that out ever since, only wearing it on special occasions. I also have a death grip on it whenever I'm using it. You will not beat me, bathroom tiles."
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy, $21, available at Urban Decay.
"My poor lips have been ravaged by Accutane. That whole dry-lip side effect is not a piddling little flake here or there — it's basically your lips and surrounding skin completely molting every 20 minutes or so. I've been going through balms like cans of La Croix. One product in regular rotation is this shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe balm. It's lightweight and non-sticky, gliding on super-smooth and absorbing instantly. Sure, I still have to reapply frequently, but with this I can go a full hour or so before it's time for a touch-up."
Clark's Botanicals Ultra-Rich Lip Balm, $19, available at Clarks Botanicals.
"I've never really been a protein powder kind of girl — it makes me think of muscle men and tastes like flavored chalk dust. Then, I tried this chocolate powder from Australian brand WelleCo and suddenly, I was hooked. In addition to lasting forever (the tin is massive and you only use an itsy-bitsy scoop for each drink), it also tastes amazing. I make a smoothie every day with it, blending it with almond milk, a diced-up frozen banana, and a tablespoon of peanut butter.
"Pro tip: Blend the powder in a bowl with the almond milk before adding it to the blender to make sure that you don't have any lumps hanging about post-blending. In addition to being delicious, the vegan, organic formula actually keeps me full until lunch. Elle Macpherson cofounded the brand, so, you know, there's also that."
WelleCo The Super Elixir Chocolate Nourishing Protein, $59, available at WelleCo.
"I am a cushion compact addict — the effect is one that just looks like actual skin, not a layer of makeup over top. This one from Korean brand Iope comes in two formulas: N, for those looking for a sheer effect, and C, for everyone out there desiring a bit more coverage. I go through one of these a month (it comes with a replacement cushion, so one box gives me two months of wear), mostly because it's all I use on my skin."
Iope Air Cushion Sunblock XP, $38, available at Peach and Lily.
"Yes, this is a copper-brown almost-burgundy liner, but I swear to the badass babe above that this goes with everything. I pair it with pink, brown, purple, rose gold, smoky black, glossy peach...the list goes on. From tightlining to cat-eyes, you just can't beat it."
NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Appia, $25, available at NARS.
"This baby knocks it out of the park thanks to a super-natural, creamy formula that glides through brows, adding a subtle, non-sticky color. I love the mini brush that makes it easy to maneuver and the pomade texture keeps my brows groomed and in place, but not shellacked."
Glossier Bow Brow, $16, available at Glossier.
"I live for this lash curler. It fits my eye perfectly and does an unparalleled job at forcing those lashes skyward and making my eyes look awake and alert. One thing most people don't know is that after a certain amount of uses, the pad of your curler gets squished and loses its oomph power. Fortunately, you don't have to buy a whole new curler — most brands include a spare. This one takes quite a bit of time for the pad to lose its bounce."
Troy Surratt Eyelash Curler, $30, available at Sephora.
Cat Quinn, Beauty Director
"It usually takes a long time for me to finish a product — with summer being the major exception. Between traveling every other weekend, spending long days at the pool, saying goodbye to hot tools, and generally just sweating my ass off, I go through skin, makeup, and hair products at lightning speed. These are the ones that I was constantly replenishing in my beach tote all summer."
Photographed by Megan Madden.
"I went through not one, but two tubes of this mascara this summer. The self-curling formula is great for travel — no need for a curler, seriously — and the plastic bristle brush combs through lashes with zero clumps. And it's nicely buildable: a couple coats for the beach, 26 for date night. (What can I say? I like a dramatic look.)"
Benefit Roller Lash Macara, $24, available at Sephora.
"Yes, it's a lot to pay for a body wash. But this sexy, clean scent lingered on my skin for hours and made me happy every time I took a shower. (So, every day.) Can you put a price on that?"
Byredo Mojave Ghost Body Wash, $50, available at Byredo.
"It's just rich enough to moisturize, but light enough to keep your skin from feeling like it's suffocating in the heat. My skin has looked brighter and clearer in the two months I've used it. Now that I've run out, guess who's breaking out? This girl."
Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Extrema, $390, available at Nordstrom.
"The silky cream covers blemishes like a pro and stays put through anything. Pool? Check. Sweat? Check. Long, heavy makeout sessions? Check. (What? It was a fun summer.)"
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer, $27, available at Sephora.
"This is one of probably three travel-sized bottles I went through this summer. (My blow dryer is jealous.) After showering, I spritz it through my wet hair and then keep my hands off it. The result? Piece-y, soft waves — no crunchy, sticky residue. It's important to note that I have a natural wave in my hair, so it enhances that; those with stick-straight strands will get model-off-duty bends."
R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray, $25, available at R+Co.
"I'm an Oribe snob and I can confidently say this is its best shampoo formulation for thick/wavy hair types. It cleans deeply, without stripping, and leaves hair so soft and shiny. Plus, that scent. There's nothing better."
Oribe Signature Shampoo, $38, available at Birchbox.
"I love a rosy cream blush for summer; it instantly brightens up your face and plays well with the heat. This one is a bit on the pricey side, but the moisturizing formula kept my usual cheek breakouts at bay."
La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush, $70, available at Nordstrom.
"I've made my love affair with this mask public before, and here I am doing it again. There are a lot of amazing clay masks out there, but this one leaves my skin bright, clear, and never parched. As someone who tends to break out after flying, this was my post-trip savior this summer."
RéVive Masque de Glaise Purifying Clay Mask, $125, available at Neiman Marcus.
Mi-Anne Chan, Beauty Writer
"A large part of my job is testing beauty products, so yeah, I get to play with a ton of them. Normally, I'll give something a try, make my mind up about it instantly, and move onto the next one. But every so often, I love a product so much that I need to squeeze out every last drop. These are those ones."
Photographed by Megan Madden.
"This purple tube was the first mascara I ever purchased for myself nearly five years ago and it has remained my favorite to this day. I love its nylon-bristle brush (great for layering and pumping up volume) and its curved wand (ideal for reaching pesky inner and outer corner lashes). But its best feature? The waterproof formula doesn't flake or smudge on my eyes all day."
Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara, $6.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I discovered Thickening Tonic when hairstylist Jon Reyman gave me this amazing haircut. He generously misted my blow-dried hair with the liquid to give it some extra texture and volume. I brought the stuff home with me hoping I could recreate his magic touch. A light spritz into my roots (wet or dry) gives my hair a lift, which I need when I've slept on wet hair and wake up to a flat, lifeless mess. Be careful, though, too much and things will quickly go crunchy."
Aveda Thickening Tonic, $29, available at Aveda.
"I'm a bar-soap gal through and through. This speckled hunk of goodness is one of my favorites. It's loaded with calming oats, aloe, and vitamin E to soothe and moisturize my skin as it gently cleanses it."
Nubian Heritage African Black Soap, $4.29, available at Vitamin Shoppe.
"You know those days when everything you put on your face seems to emphasize the flaky, dry patches on your skin? When that happens, I reach for this mist. I like to call it 'moisturizer in mist form,' because it manages to hydrate better than any other face spray I have ever used. It also lends a beautiful, dewy finish to the skin and never disrupts my makeup. Win-win, right?"
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $48, available at Tatcha.
"My eczema really flared up this summer, so I found myself going through anti-itch balms and creams faster than ever before. This hydrocortisone cream from CeraVe absorbs quickly and soothes my irritated skin on contact."
Cerave Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, $17.99, available at Walgreens.
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