The 9 Beauty Products I Use When I’m Feeling Meh And Need Instant Results
by Carolyn Firestone
You know that scene in a movie where some disheveled woman in full couch-potato mode realizes someone she likes is at the door? After a panicked moment in front of the mirror, lamenting her greasy top knot and armpit stains, she takes about 30 seconds to tousle her hair and apply some miracle lip balm that rapidly restores her carefree beauty.
I’m a sucker for those transformations.
I can’t tell you how many times during these (seemingly hundreds of) years of on-again, off-again sheltering at home, I’ve glimpsed my reflection and wondered, “Is there such thing as the high-speed makeover?” Some sort of fast-acting magic to overthrow my inner meh?
In my late 30s, this meh can take physical form in things like more slouch in my skin, baggier eye bags, and fewer hairs to shake loose from my bun. It can center itself around new, descriptive words like crepey, sagging, dull, dry, limp, and uneven.
Thankfully, there’s a solid list of transformative products that do the job when it comes to tapping me back into the most vibrant version of myself.
Here are nine products that actually make good on their promise of real, visible results.
1. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Why we love it: This raved-about brightening serum is rich with quenching Vitamin C and bounce-restoring chios crystal oil (no idea what that is but it sounds gorgeous). The hydrating formula is designed to combat that dull and droopy feeling, and it truly makes my skin look instantly better.
Price: $74
2. St. Tropez Self-bronzing Mousse
Why we love it: Bronzey skin immediately makes me feel prettier. This tried and true mousse is ideal for mature skin as it ensures an even tone on every, ahem, fold and fragile surface.
Price: $18 - $42
3.ILIA Beauty Multi-Stick
Why we love it: I’m usually skeptical about the powers of a multi-stick, but this one made me a believer. It provides the most natural, all-over glow without highlighting fine lines or larger pores. I use it daily.
Price: $34
4. Mario Badescu Rose Facial Spray
Why we love it: A perfect on-the-go spray that instantly leaves a bright, dewy (not greasy!) finish. Plus, the subtle rose scent is an immediate mood booster.
Price: $7-$12
5. Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener
Why we love it: Cream-to-powder is the answer for softer skin around the eyes. This brightener provides an easy way to give our eyes that little sparkle that fights fatigue and makes them shine.
Price: $25
6. Vegamour GRO Dry Shampoo
Why we love it: My hair has gotten so much thinner as I age (which is normal!) and I increasingly find myself looking for products that volumize. This dry shampoo does just that with the added bonus of a blend of phyto-active ingredients designed to help hair grow. I’ll take it.
Price: $32
7. Chantecaille Bio Lifting Serum +
Why we love it: This powerful bottle of botanicals is packed with peptides, meaning that it’s the real deal when it comes to lifting and firming. Bonus: it helps protect skin against blue light pollution.
Price: $298
8. Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream
Why we love it: This little pot of sunshine has a subtle iridescence (not glitter) that immediately illuminates the under-eye skin, meaning less concealer and a simpler routine on days we don’t feel like applying makeup. Aka, 99% of the time.
Price: $42
9. StriVectin Crepe Control ™ Exfoliating Body Scrub
Why we love it: Exfoliating is the ultimate way to refresh your skin. We love to slather on moisturizer, but unless we’re regularly exfoliating, we’re just layering moisture onto patchy, dry skin to no avail. This product helps to smooth the stubbornly dryer lines and layers of our skin as we age.
Price: $35
Carolyn is a freelance writer and editor. Her favorite thing to do is to write about her favorite things, especially when they have even the slightest chance of making someone else’s something (mood, relationship, travel plans, or toiletry kit) a little better. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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