Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
I’m getting married in 33 days (!!!), which means I’m officially pressing pause on beauty product testing for the next month. (Well, at least products meant for the face. If you need new fragrance or bodycare recs, I’ve got you!) This is, admittedly, not ideal timing for a beauty editor heading into holiday gifting season, but I’ve put way too much time and effort into bridal beauty prep—facials, lasers, the works—to potentially thwart my progress with an unforeseen reaction. I promise I’ll get back to playing guinea pig post-nuptials, but from now until early November, the only formulas I’m touching are routine stalwarts I’m 150% confident will deliver glowing, glass-like skin and hair so silky-smooth it practically shimmers. Curious what those formulas are? Scroll ahead.
Everyone’s skin and hair are different, of course, but these are the 30 products I’ve been keeping within arm’s reach as I approach my big day. For a beauty editor whose routine is constantly in flux with new, buzzy launches, I can’t think of a higher form of praise.
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum
Yes, I fully realize I’ve recommended this serum in basically every skincare article I’ve written over the past few months. But listen: It really is that good. I’ve never received more “Your skin is perfect!” compliments since adding it to my routine.
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
Instafacial Infusion Biomimetic Microcollagen Matrix
Of course, I also must give the brand’s Infusion some airtime. I layer it after the serum and before my moisturizer (one of which is yet another Dr. Diamond hero).
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
Instafacial Emulsion Retinopro Growth Factor Night Cream
What can I say? I’m a brand loyalist. Upon application, this gel-cream makes my skin feel impossibly smooth.
Sofie Pavitt Face
Mandelic Clearing Serum
Celebrity aesthetician Sofie Pavitt’s Mandelic acid serum changed my life. I’m not exaggerating. Not to jinx my progress, but I haven’t experienced a breakout since adding it to my morning routine.
U Beauty
The Super Hydrator
I am fully codependent on this U Beauty moisturizer, to the point where I audibly gasped when I finally reached the end of my precious bottle. It has the perfect lightweight texture that deeply hydrates my skin without leaving it greasy—a 1000/10 formula.
Ranavat
Fortifying Hair Serum
There’s just something about jasmine that instantly soothes my senses and makes me feel expensive. I want to literally bathe in this strengthening hair serum, but I’ll settle for applying it whenever I can—to refresh dry ends, as a pre-shampoo scalp oil, and on damp strands to lock in moisture.
I’ve already waxed poetic on the skin-transforming powers of the Lyma Laser Pro, but allow me to gush just a bit more. This tool has become my secret weapon for wedding-ready skin. I’ve been using it every single night for seven months (told you I’m committed to my bridal beauty prep!), and my complexion is thanking me with a smooth, even appearance, nary an expression line in sight. It’s pricey, of course, but this is a tool I’ll use for the rest of my life—no doubt.
RéVive
Brightening Eye Cream Under Eye Illuminator
I also grew pretty bummed when I reached the end of this brightening eye cream. No other formula has made more of a difference on my stubborn dark circles.
HPPY Skin
Prep + Illuminate Gel Moisturizer
This is the only daytime moisturizer I’ve been using for the past six months. It plumps my skin like no other, and it never (ever!) pills under sunscreen and makeup.
ma:nyo
Pure Cleansing Oil
I’m low-key picky with my cleansing oils. Most are way too heavy, making my skin feel oil-slick for hours on end, but this one from Ma:nyo has the perfect, silky consistency. It’s also considered Korea’s number one cleansing oil, in case you need more convincing.
Elemis
Dynamic Gentle Resurfacing Enzyme Cleanser
For my second cleanse, I’ll reach for this gently exfoliating Elemis number. I swear my skin feels softer with each wash.
Oribe
Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
It’s all in the name: This 60-second in-shower treatment really delivers a mirror-like shine.
Dieux
Baptism Gentle Foaming Facial Gel Cleanser
As for my morning wash? Meet Dieux Baptism, one of the gentlest, most hydrating gel cleansers I’ve ever tried. Bonus points for the subtle cedarwood scent, which effectively grounds me with every rinse.
Augustinus Bader
The Eye Cream
Yes, Augustinus Bader products are well worth the splurge. The OG Cream will always be a personal fave, but I’ve been swooning over the lightweight eye version as of late.
Sofie Pavitt Face
Fridge to Face Blemish Defense Cooling Mist
Post-cleanse, I will always kick off my morning skincare routine with this cooling facial mist. It not only makes me feel instantly refreshed but also balances my skin microbiome, thus keeping pesky breakouts at bay.
Glow Recipe
Prickly Pear Peptide Mucin
I fully believe this bouncy, skin-plumping serum is responsible for my glassy complexion. Since using it, even makeup artists have commented on how “poreless” my skin looks!
Ouai
Hair Gloss In-Shower Shine Treatment
Another shine-inducing product I swear by, Ouai’s sheer gloss makes my lengths look infinitely healthier after one wash. The consistency is whip-thick and hydrating enough to use in place of conditioner, too.
SunsolveMD
ZNO+ Mineral Care Calm + Revitalize SPF 50
This mineral sunscreen plays double duty, protecting my skin from harmful UV rays and instantly reducing redness. It also has a lovely, creamy texture that makes me genuinely look forward to applying SPF every morning—an impressive feat!
Shani Darden
Retinol Reform
I knew celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden’s retinol serum would deliver, but man, is this formula spectacular. The 1% encapsulated retinol provides just enough power to noticeably smooth my complexion without wreaking havoc on my skin barrier. I’ve been using it for over six months at this point, and I don’t plan on replacing it anytime soon.
Mother Science
Retinol Synergist
I flew through two bottles of this retinol over the past few months before finally swapping it for Darden’s serum above. I’d say it’s a great starter retinol, as it made my skin appear velvety-smooth without an ounce of irritation. It won Best Retinol in our WWW 100 Beauty Awards for a reason!
Blu & Green
Daily Shampoo & Conditioner Concentrate Pair
I usually raise a brow at any hair product that claims “a little goes a long way!” Sorry, but I need no less than a palm-size amount of conditioner to quench my perpetually thirsty 2C waves. However, leave it to celebrity hairstylist James Pecis to transform my routine, as I truly need a small dollop of his highly concentrated formulas to leave my tresses shiny and smooth.
Sisley Paris
Hair Rituel by Sisley Precious Hair Care Oil
If you know me, then you know how obsessed I am with Sisley Paris’s Curl Care Cream. (My fiancé loves it too, by the way, so much so that he steals it from me every morning.) It’s a styling hero, but I’ve also been using the brand’s shine-inducing oil as the ultimate washday treat. I’ll apply it on dry hair from root to tip and let it marinate for a few hours before hopping in the shower; my strands have never looked or felt more nourished as a result.
Kroma Wellness
Super Core
Okay, it’s technically not a topical product, but colostrum is lauded for supporting skin, hair, and nail health, and all three of mine have looked noticeably stronger since adding this 100% vegan powder to my morning smoothies. It’s also lauded for boosting immunity, which is certainly vital as I approach the wedding weekend.
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Every single hairstylist I’ve spoken to has recommended I use Dream Coat on my wedding day. It makes hair look liquid-smooth for days on end, sealing it with a glossy sheen. As celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton once told WWW about the miracle product, “It’s ideal for transforming dry, frizz-prone hair or color-treated hair to silky-smooth glass-like hair.”
La Bonne Brosse
N.01 The Universal Hair Brush
Make no mistake: The brush you use can make or break your hair’s softness and shine. I’m obsessed with this luxurious option from La Bonne Brosse, which features natural boar bristles that penetrate hair cuticles with ease, evenly distributing natural oils onto each strand. Of course, I had to snag mine in bridal white.
IS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
If you frequently deal with clogged pores and blackheads (hi, welcome to the club!), you absolutely need this gel cleanser in your life. With glycolic acid and willow bark extract (which naturally contains salicylic acid), the formula made such a difference in my easily congested complexion. Think: a brighter, clearer, more radiant canvas.
Briogeo
Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Scalp and Hair Oil
To encourage growth at my sparser temples, I’ve been treating my scalp to this rosemary-infused pre-shampoo oil every other washday (which, for me, winds up being once a week).
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Serum
I’m keeping makeup to a minimum for the next month—just the occasional skin tint, cream blush, and lip combo, plus these skin-loving bronzing drops to give my complexion some life. A true skincare-makeup hybrid, the niacinamide- and hyaluronic acid–infused formula brightens and plumps skin over time. Win-win.
Prakti
Pavipure Warming Detox Mask
Once a week (usually Sunday mornings), I’ll swap my exfoliating serum for this detoxifying clay mask, which features kaolin clay, ashwagandha, and AHAs to leave my skin clear and glowing. Unlike most clay masks, which harden into a dry and cracked paste, this formula stays nice and creamy (and hydrating!) no matter how long I leave it on.
Who doesn’t want soft, plush lips on their wedding day? Sonsie’s balm has become my emotional support lip product; I apply it multiple times per day, and I love how it gives my lips a moisturized, glossy sheen.
