The Fashion Spot’s Top Beauty Must-Haves of All Time

“Secret History scents from CB I Hate Perfume ($95) are my ultimate scent must-haves. You can also buy one-note scents from CB (like 70s-era bubblegum or ice cream cone), but the mixtures are just so great. You can tell they’re painstakingly made, and each scent is so evocative. My current favorites are Greenbriar 1968 (a really fresh, sweet scent) and Russian Caravan Tea (which is warm and comforting like the beverage itself.)”

- Alison Baitz

“I love Korres products in general because of their natural, environmentally friendly ingredients, but I love their White Tea Facial Fluid Gel Cleanser ($21) in particular for a few reasons. It’s gentle and doesn’t irritate my skin in the least, but it also cleans my skin really well and removes makeup very easily without stripping my skin of all its moisture.”

- Chrissy Makkas

“I love YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils ($30) because it makes my lashes look like I have lash extensions on. Lengthening my lashes, no clumps. I especially love the Extreme Blue Shade. This product is my new must-have.”

- Daniella Etienne

“I’m totally obsessed with Somme Institute’s 5-Step Regimen ($298)! It includes their Cleanser, Transport Pads, Serum, A-Bomb and Double Defense SPF. My skin has literally never looked so radiant and clear since I started using it. All the tiny brown spots on my face from sun damage have finally faded, too (thank goodness!)”

- Elizabeth Mitchell

“One of the very few products I take everywhere with me is my Eyelash Curler ($12.50). Non-believers might call it a torture device, but using an eyelash curler is simple and so not as scary as it looks. Even when I only have a few seconds to do something with my face, I just curl my eyelashes and leave it at that—the way it brightens the eyes makes such a dramatic difference that I often don’t need anything else.” 

- Ellen Freeman

“My beauty must have is the Garnier BB Cream ($11) because it’s great for when I can’t be bothered wearing foundation, and can just put a little powder over the top if I’m heading out.” 

- Hannah Ongley

“I’ve tried many different concealers over the years, but I always seem to come back to Laura Mercier Secret Concealer ($22). It’s rich, creamy, and melts into skin to instantly cover up imperfections and dark circles around my eyes. Even better, it lasts all day.”

- Jennifer Davidson

“I’ve been slathering Ponds Dry Skin Cream ($8.99) on my face before bed since about the age of 5. It’s the perfect moisturizer for all seasons: heavy enough to properly hydrate in winter, yet light enough for the humid months of summer. The smell is clean and fresh — and the best part? It’s under $10 at any drug store.”

- Julie Bensman

“As a natural redhead, it’s incredibly difficult to find a mascara that will give my pale (and sometimes sparse) lashes volume, color, and lift without making them look too dramatic. DiorShow Mascara in Mitzah ($14.50) is a muted brown with gold undertones, perfect for everyday wear or layering on for a more dramatic look.”

- Maggie Coughlan

“I can’t live without a daily and nightly moisturizer. My mother told me that I needed to start moisturizer for age-preventative reasons in my mid-twenties. I started, not expecting to see any results, just hoping it would stave off wrinkles over time. After about four weeks of using Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer ($19.99), I woke up and, like magic, had the supple, yet firm, skin I did at 18.”

- Marisa Swanson

“I can’t live without Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42). It’s pretty much the only product I need in the morning aside from lip gloss and eyeliner. It gives me coverage, an instant glow, covers blemishes, evens out my skin tone, and has the added benefit of SPF 20.”

- Monique Meneses

“My beauty must-have is Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17). It does an amazing job of significantly reducing the size of unsightly blemishes practically overnight. The lotion is a great secret weapon in my arsenal of skin care products, and it doesn’t upset my notoriously sensitive skin.”

- Morgan Schimminger

“I rarely leave the house without foundation. I’ve tried a whole range of different brands — everything from Chanel and Givenchy to Benefit and Neutrogena — and seriously, nothing beats MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream with SPF 42 ($23.99). For my purposes, BB cream is lightweight, not at all greasy, blends flawlessly with my skin, and doubles up as sunscreen.“

- Nika Mavrody

“My favorite product is La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer ($31.95) sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen everyday is the BEST way to take care of your skin and prevent premature aging. No if, ands, and buts about it. Every girl needs sunscreen.”

- Rachel Khona

“I can’t live without Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Cream ($87). It wakes up my skin every morning and feels super refreshing when I put it on before going to bed. It’s also the perfect base for makeup because it goes on smoothly and feels super lightweight. This moisturizer works all year round because its very hydrating but never irritates my skin because it comes in a gel based cream.”

- Regina Domfrocht

“I can’t live without my Issey Miyake, L’Eau d’Issey ($69) perfume. The scent isn’t too intense, so it’s wearable whatever the occasion. I was first introduced to it by my old boss in Paris, and the smell still reminds me of endless French summers.”

- Samantha Robinson

“I am obsessed with highlighters, and I probably own about 10, but this formula is a winner. Not only does Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector ($41) give you an amazing glow under foundation, but also contains SPF and provides all the skincare benefits of a normal day moisturizer.”

- Sarah Joynt

“I’m always trying out new skincare and makeup, but the one thing that stays consistent is my Clarisonic ($119). I’m obsessed! I’ve been using it daily for about four years. It helps smooth your skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, blemishes, and pores and you see results right away.”

- Sharon Feiereisen

“As a curly haired girl, I need to take extra precautions to make sure my hair doesn’t become dry and brittle. With alcohol-based hair products, I noticed that my hair would break a lot no matter what I did to prevent it. Since I’ve started using alcohol-free products like L’Oreal Alcohol-Free Curl Activating Mousse ($5.99), my hair feels healthier and my curls are bouncier.” 

- Stacie Grissom