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- [00:00]
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- [00:56]
Erin Johns
Welcome to the who what Where Podcasts your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors and tastemakers who are shaping the ever evolving world of fashion. I'm who what Wear Beauty director Erin Johns, and today I'm sitting down with my team of beauty editors Jamie Schneider, Katelyn McClintock, and Maya Thomas to talk about the second annual WHO what Wear 100 Beauty Awards. Make sure you check the link in the episode description for the full list of winners. Today we're talking about all of the new products that are actually worth the hype and the trusty standbys that should never leave your rotation. It's all coming up on who it where. Hi guys.
- [01:41]
Jamie Schneider
Hi.
- [01:41]
Katelyn McClintock
Hello.
- [01:42]
Maya Thomas
Hi.
- [01:43]
Erin Johns
I'm so excited to talk about beauty awards with you because we have been working on this for the better part of a year and it went live a few weeks ago and all of you put in so much great work. So. So for those who don't know, we start getting submissions for these products in the fall. So thousands and thousands of products are submitted to us and we have to create a shortlist. This year I think we got it down to maybe 800 products and then from there we start actually testing everything. So then once we kind of land on our top 100 products and we feel like we have strong subcategories from all of those main categories, we send that list to experts in the industry. So makeup artists, nail artists, dermatologists, facialists, and we get their point of view and they really dissect the products and give feedback about why a product is great, why they recommend these products. All of our winners have a lot of context and robust reasoning for why they won. So I was going to dive into hair as our first category to discuss because we tested shampoos and conditioners and gels and creams and serums and basically everything. So I'd love to know everyone's standout products and why.
- [02:57]
Jamie Schneider
So for me, the Crown Affair Air Dry Mousse is my absolute, tried and true. I have wavy, curly hair that's dense but also fine. So I need a very specific hair formula that is going to give me enough hold and definition, but won't weigh my curls down or make them feel crunchy. And this moose checks every single box. Like, I'm convinced. Diana Cohen, who's the founder of Crown Affair, literally made it for me. I know the term effortless texture gets thrown around a lot in the hair care space, but that's really the only phrase I can use to describe what it does to my hair. If you're looking for a lot of hold, it's probably not the right pick for you just because it's very lightweight. But if you have wavy, curly hair like me, I think you'll really love.
- [03:42]
Katelyn McClintock
It going off of that. I have very fine hair, and so any sort of, like, Air Dry Mousse product is really tough for me because I think I'm getting volume, and if it's too heavy or dense, I walk out with hair that's, like, plastered to my head. So I really do like this product because it's lightweight enough to not make my roots look oily or look like I skipped wash day, which is something I struggle with a lot for leave in products and styling products like mousse.
- [04:10]
Maya Thomas
I do a lot of protective styling, and when I'm not doing protective styles, I wear my hair straight. I really, really love the pattern Beauty Breakage Bar Barrier Hair mask. That's a lot of words, but it's really helped me combat my breakage that I get from wearing my hair in protective styles as frequently as I do. I do experience a lot of breakage around the crown of my head. So leaving that in for a little bit, my hair feels so much better and looks a lot better and feels really strong. So whenever I put them back in my knotless braids, they're good to go for me.
- [04:39]
Katelyn McClintock
I love the Vegamore Grow Advanced Serum. I have very fine hair and I actually think I have some traction alopecia from, like, always wearing my hair up in a bun or a ponytail. I have experienced some thinning mostly around the perimeter of my hairline and the temple area. I've been using that on and off for about a year now, and I can see actual growth coming in, which is so exciting. I'll see Little baby hairs growing back. And I do feel like it's actually helped thicken and add density to my hairline, which is super exciting as someone with very fine hair.
- [05:12]
Erin Johns
Yeah. And since we don't have our panel of celebrity experts, as we say, I do know Renee Lois, who's actually a makeup artist, but she made a comment about that serum and said that she had a lot of hair loss after Covid and incorporating that into her routine completely changed the game. And she recommends it to everyone. So definitely a fan favorite. I am going with the K18 air wash dry shampoo because it is unlike any formula on the market. You spray it, it's non aerosol, it's not a powder, and it initially makes your hair feel kind of wet and then you kind of work it in and all of a sudden your hair looks and feels like it's freshly shampooed and washed. I never used to really think about dry shampoo because I was bleach blonde and I loved it because usually most dry shampoos, if they left kind of a white residue, then I was like, great, it makes me look even blonder. But being red now, it's been a very rude wake up call as far as trying to find something that will leave absolutely no trace in my hair. So that is an amazing product for me. It's completely invisible. And I also want to give a shout out to the Rose Milk Hair Serum because I think that's another one that lots of people like. The brand is from Mara Rosak, who's an amazing hairstylist. The Milk Hair Serum is a really great product that you can use in multiple ways and is really lightweight, but also hydrates and smooths and does all the things. So that's another favorite. Is there anything that you guys feel like everyone should use? I know we've kind of talked about what specifically has worked for us, but just basic standouts that you could recommend to anybody to go pick up.
- [06:47]
Jamie Schneider
I mean, I think the Fenty Heat Protectant Styler is pretty universal just because everyone should be using heat protectant. But this one is also a detangler and a smoothing cream. So it reduces frizz and just smooths your hair while you heat style. And it really suits everyone whether you're diffusing your curls or wanting a super sleek blow dry. It'll just make your hair look really soft and shiny. It also contains this really cool amino acid complex that actually reduces past breakage and heat damage, which is always a plus.
- [07:22]
Maya Thomas
I would say Another one is probably the Shea Moisture Rosemary and vegan collagen, strengthening scalp and hair oil. Again, a lot of words.
- [07:31]
Erin Johns
You always have the long ones.
- [07:32]
Maya Thomas
I know I do, apparently just say, like the Shea moisture, rosemary and collagen oil. Let's shorten that. Everyone needs a good hair oil. I've used Shea moisture throughout my entire life, but I will always recommend it to anyone. Any hair textures, any different hair types can benefit from this. I use it when I'm detangling my hair a lot and I really love the texture and the smell is amazing. I love rosemary. So I think everyone could have it in their routine.
- [07:56]
Erin Johns
And I think that the whole point of picking 100 products only is that we do really try to think of these products as everybody can use them. We're not going to pick something someone who only has a certain hair type can really use. I think in general, you can use any of these. I'm going to move on to skin care because I think that was the most daunting. There was definitely the most product submissions. We had the most subcategories for sure with different types of serums. Pretty much every skincare product claims to do everything these days, and I know everyone's skin is very different. So I think that's the trickiest one to test for sure. For me, I've learned the hard way in the past that the more I try, usually the more angry my skin gets. So having to kind of be careful too with how much you're testing, also being able to track and not testing too much all at once because then you don't know what's working or what's not working. So, again, would love to hear the products that you all feel like everyone should add to the routine.
- [08:51]
Jamie Schneider
I think everyone should try the ULA Henriksen Strength Trainer moisturizer. It will make your skin look perfect. I have literally gone through four jars since testing. Makes my skin look the most dewy it's ever looked and so bouncy. And I will say it won best light moisturizer because it has this gel cream texture that's really airy and just great for warmer weather. But it really is deeply hydrating. I actually was testing it all throughout the winter, and again, it made my skin look the glowiest it had ever looked. So I would consider it a do it all moisturizer. You can use it year round. And then one that was a bit of a surprise for me was the Mother Science Retinol synergist. I just threw it into my existing skincare routine and after a couple weeks it definitely Made my skin look brighter and smoother. And then when I was doing more research about the ingredients, I saw that it combines retinol with the hero ingredient malassezin, which has incredible dark spot benefits, which is something I struggle with. So if you also deal with hyperpigmentation but also want to address skin aging and fine lines, I can't recommend it enough. It plays double duty.
- [10:02]
Maya Thomas
Yeah. Another one I really loved was the brown kind. Dark spot corrector. I dealt with hyperpigmentation my entire life, especially after moving to New York. I experienced a lot around my nose, my mouth, and my eyes. Talked with a few derms about different ways to approach it, and figured out adding nice serum to really, like, brighten and refine my skin. So I've been absolutely loving the brow counting dark skin spot corrector because I feel like not only did it brighten my skin immediately, but I started seeing the spots lighten over time. In about three to four weeks, I really started seeing a difference, and I honestly can't really imagine my skincare routine without it now.
- [10:40]
Erin Johns
I love that I'm gonna kind of bounce off Jamie's and recommended moisturizer just because I have never been able to use rich or heavy moisturizers, even though my skin gets dry and I really need one. But I also am extremely breakout prone. So I go to Sophie Pavitt a lot for her line in general because everything that she makes is non comedogenic and with acne in mind in order to not break out people. And so she launched a new moisturizer that is really, really rich, really hydrating, and is the only thing that has never broken my skin out. So that's been a huge game changer for me.
- [11:17]
Katelyn McClintock
And I will say the In Beauty Project Extreme cream eye cream. For a lot of my 20s, I was a person who thought, like, eye cream wasn't necessary because I just figured it was moisturizer, which I regret now after talking to, like, so many derms. I changed my ways when I was like 27 and I started using eye cream. And now it's such a major part of my routine. And that eye cream, I think is a really great one because it really does, like, target 360 degrees. It's like a holistic approach to eye aging across pretty much every concern whether it's fine lines, dark spots around the outside corners of my eyes, wrinkles, anything like that. And I've been using that for about six months, and I love it, and I think it's made a huge improvement. It is one of the Best eye creams I've ever used for like a really quick visible result. Because I think a lot of eye creams work slowly and I'm really happy with the swiftness of the effects I've seen from this one.
- [12:11]
Jamie Schneider
I just ran out of mine last night actually, and I'm so upset I have to restock.
- [12:16]
Erin Johns
That's when you know it's a good product when the beauty editors run out of it.
- [12:20]
Jamie Schneider
Yeah. So.
- [12:21]
Erin Johns
So we kind of touched on fundamental like moisturizers, serums. What are a few extra add ons, like nice to haves that you would recommend from this list of skincare.
- [12:30]
Jamie Schneider
The SK II sheet masks are incredible. I promise if you have the budget for it or you just want to treat yourself, they will make your skin look unbelievable. I will always use them as part of my makeup prep if I have a special occasion and they're really drenched in serum, like you really get what you pay for. So you can massage the extra into your neck and your chest and just get more bang for your buck that way. So I recommend people treat themselves to the pack of 10 and then save them for days when you want your skin to just really have that next level glow.
- [13:03]
Katelyn McClintock
I've also heard from multiple makeup artists that they keep those in their kit for like major red carpet events as skin prep for their clients. Because I think one makeup artist literally said, I quote, I don't have to do anything with the skin after because it just makes you glow so well. Like it's just like a thin coat of foundation and some concealer. So I know makeup artists love them too.
- [13:22]
Erin Johns
I've been an editor for eight years now, and how many celebrities I've interviewed, that is probably the number one product that almost every celebrity says they use. Especially when I ask about products that they like to travel with or they use on the plane is pretty much staple for everyone.
- [13:37]
Jamie Schneider
So good.
- [13:38]
Maya Thomas
I've been traveling a lot. I just moved from New York about a week ago and I'm heading back.
- [13:43]
Katelyn McClintock
To New York again.
- [13:44]
Maya Thomas
I know I'll be packing the wise beauty overachiever brightening eye masks. I have extremely dark under eyes, but I also do not get as much sleep as I should because I'm a night owl. These have made a pretty big difference. I like to use them as I'm doing my regular skincare routine before I do my full face. I use them today. I also just like to have them in my bag, in my purse when I'm on the go. Being on a six hour flight from Seattle to New York is a great opportunity to give these another shot. Everyone should treat themselves to a good under eye mask.
- [14:14]
Katelyn McClintock
Yeah, Maya, I am so passionate about those eye masks. They're literally my favorite eye mask ever. And I love eye masks. I've tried so many of them. Like they take 15 minutes, it couldn't be easier. And they have the non slip, which I know a lot of brands say they have the non slip eye masks.
- [14:29]
Erin Johns
Lies.
- [14:30]
Jamie Schneider
Yeah.
- [14:31]
Katelyn McClintock
You could do cartwheels wearing these and they won't fall off your face. They also work really well if you're doing liner or shadow, like to prevent fallout. I put them on for 15 minutes. I have really bad under eye bags and I swear it looks like I got under eye filler or something. I'm also traveling to New York soon and I packed like four in my bag already. I love them.
- [14:49]
Erin Johns
Speaking of filler, that was another product I was going to mention is the Skinceuticals Ptox. I don't know if that's the right way to say it, but it's marketed from SkinCeuticals as like Botox, basically in a bottle. And it does make your skin look incredible. It's not going to give you the same results as an injectable, obviously, but I'm frequently with my mom who's in her 70s, and I also like to get her point of view on products that might not live up to their claims when they actually come in contact with wrinkles and aging skin. And her skin looked, I kid you not, 10 years younger after she had applied that product. So another really great one.
- [15:27]
Katelyn McClintock
Yeah. And last but not least, I'll add the allies of skin peptides and antioxidants. Daily firming treatment. It is a splurge, especially for an antioxidant serum or cream. But I have low grade melasma and I get a lot of dark spots. I think that product has done more for me within like a year of using it than probably any other vitamin C or antioxidant serum I've used. There's like nine antioxidants and skin brighteners in it. So I think it's like well worth the money because it also gives you a pretty nice glow. So I've been using that as like a really kind of staple part of my routine for a while now.
- [16:03]
Erin Johns
Yeah, speaking of firming too, my last one would be the is Clinical Copper Firming Mist. And I don't think a face mist is something that any anybody needs per se, but that is a product that pretty much every facialist has ever used on me during a facial. Even if they're a facialist maybe sponsored by a different brand, they'll literally pull that out from under the table and use it and recommend it. So it's another sleeper hit. Let's move on to makeup. Obviously, all of our skin is looking great after skincare. So what are we using as our base?
- [16:35]
Jamie Schneider
I think the Armani Luminous Silk foundation is a no brainer. Whenever someone asks me what foundation they should buy, it's at the top of my list forever and always. It really just makes your skin look airbrushed. What I like most about it is that it's really high performing but also hydrating, which is a difficult balance to strike. Usually super hydrating, dewy foundations don't have as much staying power just because they typically contain more oil. But luminous silk is really that like Goldilocks foundation, where it's not too dewy, not too matte. It's perfect. I'll probably wear it to my wedding if that tells you anything about its longevity.
- [17:14]
Katelyn McClintock
Yeah. And facialists love it.
- [17:16]
Erin Johns
Yeah. It's non comedogenic and one of the only foundations that will not clog your pores.
- [17:21]
Katelyn McClintock
Yeah, they always recommend it for acne prone skin. So I think you can't get better than luminous silk.
- [17:26]
Erin Johns
And again, my mom is always in my ear about, well, this foundation or this concealer is great on you, but it sits in my wrinkles or whatever. And that is the foundation that she always uses, which I think if someone of every age can use a product like that, it really speaks volumes.
- [17:42]
Jamie Schneider
My mom loves it too.
- [17:44]
Maya Thomas
It also has an amazing shade range, so I've been loving it, especially because I'm completely different shade in the summer than I am in the winter. And I don't have to like mix anything together to get that perfect shade. And I've been using it for about 3ish years and I'm obsessed.
- [17:58]
Erin Johns
So yeah, the undertones, I feel like that's hard to get right with foundation. And they nailed it, definitely.
- [18:04]
Maya Thomas
And another product that I found also been loving specifically to like start off my makeup routine. It's a really nice little primer. You guys may know it. It's the Refi Glow and Sculpt Face Serum primer. It literally sculpts your face as you're priming it. So I like to think about it as like another kind of last skincare routine thing you can do to really get that swooped up cheekbone. I'm a round face girl and I always love those extra Moments where I can make sure I'm nice and sculpted before I go into my makeup. Out of all the products I have in my lineup at the moment, this is is the one they recommend to everyone.
- [18:38]
Erin Johns
Yeah. Also, it's supposed to be like a gripping primer, which most primers are labeled like that, but it actually does a really great job of hanging onto your makeup, which is hard. What are some other makeup standouts that you just like to sprinkle in your guys routines?
- [18:54]
Jamie Schneider
So Glow Recipe launched Tinted Cheek Serum this year and I am obsessed. It has so many treatment level actives that can actually brighten and improve your skin tone over time, and they have the clinicals to back up those claims. The color gives that perfect natural looking flush that I'm always craving in the summer where you almost look like you just went for a jog and have this fresh bloom of color on your cheeks. I will say I was scared of it at first because it looks so pigmented on the applicator. And when I first applied it, I was like, I'm going to look insane. But it really melts into the skin and becomes really sheer and beautiful. And then I somehow hadn't yet tried Tom Ford's shade and Illuminate Contour duo, despite it being a recommendation from literally every celebrity and makeup artist you can think of. So I finally tried it and I've literally worn it every day since. I have it on right now. I don't know what they did, but the Contour shade is just the most natural looking pigment I've ever used. You really just apply a dot underneath your cheekbones and it somehow makes them look instantly sculpted. It's magic. So, yeah, that one is 1000% worth the hype.
- [20:06]
Maya Thomas
Another makeup product I've been using constantly, it's the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Lip Glossy Balm. I'm actually not the biggest makeup girl. I'm a skincare girl first, fragrance girl second. And then I think about my makeup for the day. But I love this lip balm because it's smooth, it goes on without getting stuck in the cracks. You know what I mean? Even when you, like, prep your lips the right way, sometimes it just doesn't apply smoothly, but this one does. And then it doesn't feel like a lip gloss or a lipstick. It really is just a super glossy balm. But it can be built up to perfection. And I've even tried layering a few of the shades together and they just turn out beautifully. So no complaints here.
- [20:44]
Erin Johns
That is one of my all time favorite Makeup products. Like, if I could only use one lip product the rest of my life, that's what it would be. And they have a lot of shades. I think they have a couple finishes now. It's definitely one of their best selling products, for sure.
- [20:56]
Katelyn McClintock
I have to talk about Rhodes Pocket Blush. I think I'm like, forever indebted to Hailey Bieber because I wear it literally every day. I'm wearing it right now. I'm wearing Sleepy Girl because I am a sleepy girl. Normally it's toasted teddy, though, because the terracotta shade is so beautiful. It gives you like, the perfect sunburn blush. And I live in northern Michigan and don't see sun all winter, but that's like my hack. Put a little toasted teddy on and I swear you'll look like you just came from the beach. It's gorgeous. It's a foolproof cream formula. I blend it in with my fingers when I don't have a brush. And I just think it looks so glowy and pretty on the skin.
- [21:34]
Erin Johns
Yeah. Not to keep bringing up my mom, but I basically had her test everything that we had. I just wanted her thoughts. I was just curious more than anything. And she doesn't know who Hailey Bieber is again. She's like 77 or she's heard the name, but it doesn't mean that much to her. Sorry, Hayley. And that was her favorite makeup product. My last shout out is just going to be the Wonder Skin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Mask. I feel like it's been around at least 10 years and all of a sudden it's having a moment. In addition to some copycat products, I will say on TikTok, and I've tried every similar product where you put it on, let it sit, and then you peel it off or wipe it off and nothing compares to that product. For me, I'll put it on in the morning if I'm wearing makeup or I'm not wearing makeup for the day, and I let it sit on my lips for maybe a minute or two, then wipe it off with a washcloth and the color stays probably through the next morning. So, yeah, I will probably vibe that product. So let's get into body care, which I feel like is maybe not as exciting for some people to talk about, but also sometimes one of the hardest categories to actually find products that work well. I know Act Deodorant is one of Jamie's, like, favorite products, and I need to hear her talk about it because I'm so curious, especially as, like a natural Deodorant. And for people that natural deodorants don't really work for.
- [22:56]
Jamie Schneider
I will die for the ACT deodorant balm. It's such a game changer. I made the switch to natural deodorant years ago to during the pandemic, which was a journey. I've tested a lot of formulas, and this is hands down the best. It's a balm. So the application does take a bit to get used to because you have to physically massage it into your armpits as opposed to a stick that you roll on. That might not feel supernatural for everyone at first, but I promise not smelling funky at the end of the day is so Worth is the only natural deodorant that works all day for me. I've been to workout classes in it. I've sweat in the summer in New York, which is brutal in it. And you don't smell. It's incredible. And something that I love about it also is that it uses really sophisticated fragrance notes. Like, I feel like deodorants are either cucumber lavender or like woody pine forest if it's marketed as super masculine. But I feel like ACT has these really beautiful premium scents. They honestly remind me more of a perfume than a deodorant. And you just smell great while wearing them.
- [23:59]
Erin Johns
To go off of that. Just while we're on the topic of products that smell really nice in a category that doesn't usually smell nice is the luxe unfiltered tanning lotion. I tried that brand when it first launched a few years ago now, and I try basically every self tanning product that comes out because I have extremely pale skin and I don't want to go out in the sun because I burn. And that lotion, first of all, smells amazing. The Santal actually smells like a beautiful centaur lotion that you just put on that has nothing to do with the self tanner. I've put it on and people are like, oh, you smell so good. What are you wearing?
- [24:34]
Katelyn McClintock
I was one of them.
- [24:35]
Erin Johns
You were?
- [24:36]
Katelyn McClintock
I don't know if you remember this. I was at the office and Aaron walked by me. I was in the beauty closet. She walked by me, like, casually, and I accosted her. I was like, what perfume are you wearing?
- [24:47]
Erin Johns
It's like I literally doused myself in self tanner. And when has anyone ever said that in the history of the earth? Yeah, it's incredible. It's not tinted, but it's a gradual self tanner. It's not going to give you crazy color, but it's also one of the only products that I have slept in white sheets with that product on. I've sweated in white sheets because I sweat when I sleep. And there's not a trace on your bed linens which is huge if you like to self tan at night. So that's my personal favorite.
- [25:13]
Maya Thomas
I've been on a lotion kick and I don't know if it's the lack of having a tube when I was living in New York that makes me feel like my post shower routine needs to be a little more bougie and exciting. I've been loving the Oak Essentials Luminous body lotion. I love the glow it gives my skin. I'm always complimented on how nice and glowy my skin is, which is funny because I'm from Seattle and we also do not get much sun, if at all. But I also just love how quickly it soaks into my skin. It kind of has this nice milky texture which I'm obsessed with. I don't feel sticky after which I live with a cat. And I mean having little hairs all over the place is never fun. So when I slather this on and I let it soak in for just a couple of seconds, it makes the biggest difference in my skin.
- [25:57]
Erin Johns
Yeah, that's a huge one. I never like applying lotions because I hate the feel of them, but that one is really, really luxe. I'm the same way with spf. Like for the body, I don't like to apply it because I don't like feeling like a sticky mess. So the Vacation Classic Whip, the regular one that they launched a while ago is also great. But I'm really obsessed with the new glow one, which is the one that actually won for us. It literally looks like whipped cream out of the can and it is the best body sunscreen I've tried by far.
- [26:24]
Maya Thomas
It smells amazing too. Your skin feels so soft and silky.
- [26:28]
Erin Johns
Yeah, I don't feel like I need to rinse off.
- [26:30]
Maya Thomas
Exactly. It doesn't feel like you're wearing a layer of anything on your skin, which I love.
- [26:34]
Erin Johns
Exactly.
- [26:35]
Katelyn McClintock
And I'll say too, the Naturium Glow Getter Body Wash. I think that brand is underrated in general, but that body wash makes your skin look incredible. And I also live on the beach in the summers and I wear a lot of body sunscreen and I just think there's something about like an oil infused body wash that really makes your skin feel clean and like you're removing like dirt, sweat, sunscreen effectively. I know a lot of People are cautious about oil infused body washes, thinking they'll lead to body acne. But that one just makes your skin feel petal soft. It's so soft and soothing. It makes me feel like I'm double cleansing my body. And it's a really nice, luxe feeling body wash for my shower.
- [27:16]
Erin Johns
Yeah. And to Maya's point, I don't like applying lotion. Usually at first I'm lazy, so I don't want the extra step get me out of the shower. So I usually for a body wash, I have to have one that's moisturizing. And so many of them you like, the instant you step out of the shower, you feel like your skin feels tight. And I can already see like flakes and scales forming. So that's one that I don't feel like I even really need to apply something afterwards.
- [27:40]
Katelyn McClintock
It's a lazy girl hack.
- [27:41]
Erin Johns
Yeah. Okay, so let's get into fragrance, which I feel like is maybe the most fun but also the trickiest because fragrance is so personal. There is probably the most fighting over this category, I would say, especially in New York, because I know that you guys had a big roundtable with a lot of the fashion editors also weighing in. We got a lot of submissions too, because fragrance is really having a moment. But I think we found a really good group no matter what you usually gravitate towards. So what are your favorites and do you have ones that you prefer during the day, some that you like at night?
- [28:15]
Jamie Schneider
Amouage Guidance is my go to for anything. Day, night, regular day, special occasion. Just quick story, I first sprayed it at an event with other beauty editors and we were all like, I don't know about this one. It smells kind of too sweet, like candy. It wasn't our favorite, to be honest. And then I went back to the office and two people immediately asked me what fragrance I was wearing because I smelled so good. And then I noticed that I couldn't stop smelling my own wrist and my clothes. So I texted the other editors, being like, guys, the dry down is actually incredible. They both agreed. They were like, I'm obsessed. So now it's my favorite fragrance ever. Which just goes to show that with testing fragrance, you know, it's important to give it that space to weigh in on its dry down before you make a decision and vice versa. Like, I've been in a store where I loved it and then brought it home, sprayed it, and then after a full day I was like, I don't really love this on me, but yeah, it also lasts a really long time on the skin. One spritz can really take you from day to night, which kind of justifies the price a little bit. I know this one is on the luxury side, but it's incredible. I think we called it the most elegantly sweet fragrance, and that's kind of the best way I can describe it. It's like very feminine, but also sophisticated.
- [29:28]
Erin Johns
Yeah. I was at a press trip in January. I was at a table. I think we were at dinner. And that is the scent that every single editor was wearing. And I don't think that brand is super well known to people that are outside of the industry. So, yeah, definitely a really big hit.
- [29:44]
Maya Thomas
We were just talking about some sweet fragrances. I'm usually not a gourmand girl at all. I love my florals and I love my musks and, like, bonus points if it's like a floral musk. But Henry Rose, Dave actually kind of changed my mind on what a gourmand could be. It's extremely layered. Like upon first spritz, you do get those nice kind of vanilla notes, but there's something darker lurking beneath that I really, really love. And it's kind of like this musky, almost woodsy scent. So I feel like it's a grown up vanilla scent. For those of us who are not big on vanilla, it's also really great to layer with. I love it as a more wintry night scent scent, but I've also been loving wearing it lately too. And we're in June, so I feel like not only did it kind of surprise me as a gourmand scent, but it also just surprised me as a scent that could layer super duper well.
- [30:34]
Erin Johns
Yeah. And Michelle Pfeiffer is the founder of that brand. Caitlin, you interviewed her when that launched, so curious if she had any extra insight.
- [30:42]
Katelyn McClintock
Well, it's named Dave because it's named after her husband. And the story is that he loves when she wears vanilla scents. So she kind of set out to make a not so classic vanilla, something that felt a little more complex and different. I agree with you, Maya. I get kind of a nutty undertone from it. I love that perfume. I wear it all the time. It makes me feel very, like, warm and cozy, which is why I do really like it for a winter scent. I also like pairing it with Torn by Henry Rose, which is another all time favorite. I got my sister and my mom hooked on Torn, and now we're fighting over my bottle of Dave. So I'm like keeping it close to my Chest. But yeah, they do layer, like, exceptionally well.
- [31:22]
Jamie Schneider
All of our fragrances layer so well. I find a new combination every single time I use them.
- [31:27]
Katelyn McClintock
My favorite combination, aside from Torin and Dave, is if you do Windows down, which is a very fresh, breezy fragrance. With their body spray, which is Mustang Sally, has Valencia orange in it. And that's like a very good summer specific combo.
- [31:41]
Erin Johns
Yeah, I think their body mist, one of them won last year. Everything is good from that brand. I will. There's not one bad line.
- [31:48]
Katelyn McClintock
I'm like, take my money, Michelle.
- [31:51]
Erin Johns
I loved a lot on our list, but I think the Chloe Low de Parfum Intense is my favorite. It's very classic. Like, I can picture myself wearing that for the rest of my life. It really balances florals with some fruity, I think raspberries in it. It's a little bit sweet, but it's not too heavy handed in any area. And that's another one where it smells really good right off the bat, but better and better the longer you're wearing it. I also always get compliments if I'm wearing it. So another favorite favorite. So let's talk about nails, which was a smaller category. I think there were only four products. But for people who are doing their nails at home, what would you guys recommend?
- [32:31]
Jamie Schneider
So this is gonna sound sacrilegious coming from a beauty editor, but I don't wear nail polish that much. I love a naked nail. The epray EPHD treatment is my favorite. If you're not familiar with the brand, they're famous for this bond building hair treatment. And this nail treatment actually uses the same technology. So imagine like a repairing serum for your nails, which is amazing if you use a lot of gels and acrylics and want to give your nails a break for a bit, or if you're like me and you have bare nails, but you want some sort of buffer layer to protect them from damage, just because our hands go through a lot. So I love that one.
- [33:08]
Erin Johns
Their hair treatment won last year during our awards and I was talking to Brittany Boyce, our nail artist expert, and she said that she was sent that way ahead of the launch and highly recommended it. In addition to the CND top coat that won. So those were two nail artist favorites.
- [33:25]
Maya Thomas
My top favorite was the OPI Rapid Dry. And I'm going to be so honest, I hate sitting around and waiting for nail polish to dry. I was always the type of person that would try to make it out of the salon in those last few minutes and bump it on the Car door or something. I absolutely love those OPA Wrappy dry when I'm doing it at home just because it makes me feel like I'm saving a few minutes, then I can just paint, sit down for like two seconds and go. So I don't know, I feel like for those of us who can't sit still, that's a must have.
- [33:53]
Katelyn McClintock
Yeah, I second that, Maya. Anything that dries quickly and like actually sets and stays and doesn't chip, which I found with that formula. It doesn't chip like at all. I've had it on my nails for two weeks, which is crazy because normally that's only gel polish for me. Yeah, really love that formula.
- [34:11]
Erin Johns
So last but not least, we can get into tools and I think like with nails, a lot of people are preferring to do their treatments at home rather than going into a facialist regularly. And we've seen a lot of tools like LED and microcurrent devices just popping up all over the place. So I'd love to hear everybody's favorites. And in this category we have hair tools, skincare tools, kind of everything.
- [34:33]
Jamie Schneider
So I'll do one skincare, one hair. I've used a lot of microcurrent and LED masks, but I hadn't tried an at home high frequency wand before. So I was excited to use the one from the Things we do, which ended up winning and it ended up being one of my favorite tools to test. I watched a lot of videos from facialists on TikTok on how to use it correctly so you don't burn your skin, which I highly recommend. It looks intimidating, but it's actually surprisingly easy to use once you get the hang of it. I just wash my face and make sure it's completely dry. And then I like to use the spoon attachment which has a blue light to kill acne causing bacteria. And it's been a game changer for my hormonal breakouts. I use it whenever I feel a breakout coming on and then it never does. So I love that one.
- [35:20]
Erin Johns
Justine Marjan, one of the hairstylists on our panel, said she loves that product because there's also the LED is one of the attachments you could use on your scalp help to help with hair growth. So again, it's like can basically do everything in one.
- [35:34]
Jamie Schneider
Speaking of hair, I haven't touched a flat iron since high school. I feel like. So surprisingly, I loved the GHD Kronos Max. It became one of my favorites. There's only one heat setting which is preset to 365 degrees, which prevents you from over frying your hair and makes it really easy to use. You just switch it on and it heats up and like 20 seconds. I found it really helpful when I was growing up my bangs and they were in that awkward length, so I would use it to blend those front pieces into the rest of my hair. Now I will just use it for all of my smoother styles.
- [36:10]
Katelyn McClintock
Yeah, that's the only way I know how to style my hair is like flat iron waves, especially if you're short on time. A flat iron wave is really quick and you can kind of change up the pattern. But I will say it's like the perfect diameter for doing that as well for all sorts of flat iron waves and curls.
- [36:26]
Erin Johns
Yeah. I also just want to shout out the Hot Tools wand because that's such an OG product. Almost every hairstylist I've ever gotten a haircut from or seen on set has on them. Even though it's not fancy, it's not super expensive and you can pick it up at Ulta, you can buy it on Amazon and it's hard to beat in my mind. Since high school, I've had iterations of that Hot Tools wand and it's amazing.
- [36:50]
Maya Thomas
I don't use any Hot Tools on my hair. I'm a full natural girly. But I have been getting to some more skincare tools, so recently it's been the NuFace Fix Micro Wand. First of all, the size is super cute. It feels like a facial roller. Really easy to use, and it just has helped address some of those finer lines under my eyes as around my mouth as well. So I was just going to test it and it just became part of my daily routine.
- [37:16]
Erin Johns
Consistency is the thing. It's not going to do anything if you only use it once a week, but if you use it regularly, the results are really fantastic. And like you said, it's easy to use. It feels nice.
- [37:27]
Katelyn McClintock
Speaking of consistency, I will say a tool that I've been loving lately is the NIRA Pro laser. I have so much sun damage and discoloration from high school and college days and I've been using that nightly and it's made a pretty crazy difference over the course of a couple of months. You have to be consistent with it, but it takes three minutes.
- [37:48]
Erin Johns
My mom's been using it for a long time. She does it every single night. And yeah, when I visit, I've been able to see night and day difference in her skin. So I feel like that's one that's not talked about. Enough. And it's really great. Well, that's all of our categories. So after basically our year long process of extensive testing, I'd love to hear everyone's top one or two standouts that you can't stop thinking about.
- [38:14]
Jamie Schneider
This is so hard because I truly love them all. They're all winners for a reason. And even selecting 100 was so difficult. Like, I remember us genuinely fighting over who should win.
- [38:26]
Erin Johns
So stressful.
- [38:27]
Jamie Schneider
It was stressful. I'll say. The Mother Science retinol and the Amouage fragrance. For me, total surprise hits where I wasn't expecting to love them as much as I did. And now I genuinely can't imagine my routine without them both. Which I love. That feeling when you try something and you're like, where has this been all my life? And both products, I think, give you that.
- [38:47]
Erin Johns
Yeah. I would say like the Chloe perfume that I mentioned before. Just because I think I'm truly going to wear that the rest of my life. And then I am a makeup girl. I feel like I use and love every single product in that whole section. Oh, yeah. One I'll add. I have been using this for years. It's a very iconic product and the makeup artists we talk to also use and love them. But it's the Make Up Forever pencils, which you can use them as well. An eyeliner, you can use it as a lip pencil. The shade anywhere. Caffeine is my favorite. Like, I use it every single day. Even if I do nothing else on my face. If I curl my lashes and do a little bit of liner on top of my Cupid's bow and below and it instantly makes me look like my lips are plumper. I'm obsessed with that product. I could not live without it.
- [39:31]
Maya Thomas
For me, it's probably the Henry Rose Dave. Just because I'm now a certified gourmand girl and I was not before I was introduced to it. And then the Oak Essentials Luminous body lotion kind of got me through one of the driest winters of all time in New York. So I credit that for keeping my skin nice and supple for months on end.
- [39:50]
Katelyn McClintock
Genuinely, I have four and I can't cut that down any further. So I'll say Rhode Pocket Bush because I use it every single day. The allies of skin peptides and antioxidants, that's become such a pillar in my skincare routine, especially for dark spots and discoloration. Henry Rose Dave. It's such a beautiful fragrance and I know I'll wear it for for years. To come if they don't discontinue it. And then, last but not least, the wise Beauty eye masks. I think they're the best eye masks I've ever used. Those are my top four for sure.
- [40:21]
Erin Johns
That's it. So thank you all for joining me.
- [40:23]
Jamie Schneider
Thank you. This was so fun.
- [40:25]
Erin Johns
Thank you.
- [40:25]
Maya Thomas
Thank you.
- [40:33]
Erin Johns
A huge thank you to Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider, Beauty Editor Caitlin Clintock, and Associate Beauty Editor Nya Thomas. Make sure to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode. And while you're there, I'd also be so grateful if you'd rate and review us. If you have guest suggestions or any other feedback, drop us a line@podcastwhatwear.com or you can find us on social media. See you next Wednesday on the who what Where Podcast. This episode was produced by Hilary Kerr, Summer Hammeris and Natalie Thurman. Our editor is Ko Takazuki Ternovan. Our audio engineers are at Glen Canyon Audio and our music is by Jonathan Leah.
- [41:38]
Jamie Schneider
We interrupt this program to bring you.
- [41:40]
Erin Johns
An important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Styles Mackenzie helping you make those rooms sing.
- [41:48]
Jamie Schneider
Today's Style Tip when it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an uncle. Untamed animal Print area rug under a.
- [41:56]
Erin Johns
Rustic farmhouse table from wayfair.com fierce this.
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Jamie Schneider
Has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.
- [42:05]
Erin Johns
Wayfair Every style, Every home.