Hairstylists, makeup artists, and skin-care experts hold their favorite products close to keep clients looking their best. Specifically, though, we wonder about the Amazon beauty finds they can’t go on without.
Just think: While the pros have a vast beauty marketplace to source from, they certainly must have reliable (and affordable!) products that earn lasting spots in their kits or even personal beauty cabinets. We’re talking things like easily recommendable face moisturizers and treatments to revive dull strands—all items that can be quickly shipped to your front door without too much hassle.
Celebrity esthetician Candace Marino, otherwise known as The LA Facialist, offers a bit of guidance when shopping for beauty products on Amazon: Make sure you’re purchasing from an authorized seller. “Many reputable skin-care lines are actually sold on Amazon through the brands’ own storefront,” she continues. All in all, you just want to ensure you’re picking up the real deal, so as not to exacerbate any concerns and avoid potential irritation.
The timing couldn’t be better with Amazon Prime Day 2022 on its last day. With that, here are the Amazon beauty finds eight pros shop again and again—from reliable moisturizers to under-eye patches and gentle exfoliants.
Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu recommended this Biossance eye gel to treat dark circles and puffiness—noting that the lightweight formula won’t clog pores or cause milia cysts (those stubborn white bumps!).
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream
“Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream is my favorite hand cream,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd. “It instantly hydrates my skin and feels really silky when applied to dry skin on the hands.”
Talika Eye Therapy Patch
Celebrity makeup artist Matin Maulawizada calls these eye masks a kit staple that he can luckily shop on Amazon when he’s unable to stock up in Europe. The reusable patches use a blend of botanicals and ceramides to reduce the look of dark circles and wrinkles.
Virtue Full Shampoo
The Virtue Full Shampoo (and conditioner) is celebrity hairstylist Rena Calhoun’s pick to add volume to fine, flat hair. As we know, thickening shampoos promote fuller hair, so expect this to do that while repairing damaged strands for healthier hair overall.
MDSolarSciences Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40
What is board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Weiser’s sunscreen of choice on Amazon? “This all-mineral sunscreen stick is sheer, lightweight, non-greasy, and provides a smooth application,” she says. “I use this sunscreen daily for reapplication both indoors and out to provide excellent sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays, thereby preventing sun damage, sunburn, pigmentation, and accelerated collagen breakdown.”
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
According to cosmetic chemist Dr. Michelle Wong, Paula’s Choice liquid exfoliant is “a really fantastic salicylic acid product for clearing out pores and smoothing.” If you didn't catch the formula when it made rounds on social media, know this is admitted to reveal brightened, supple skin.
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36
“Another great option I like to keep on hand, especially in the warmer months, is SPF. Innisfree Daily SPF 36 that’s lightweight, looks great under makeup, and also makes the skin look super glowy,” says pro makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran. “The size of the bottle is TSA-friendly which also makes it easy to stash in your handbag and beach bag you’re sporting during any season.”
Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Curling Iron
Larry Sims, Erinn Courtney, and Sal Salcedo count this Hot Tools curling iron as one of the best in the market—with Salcedo even dubbing it his “undisputed go-to iron” for its reliability, speed, and flow.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Woolery-Lloyd notes the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is one of her favorites. “I recommend it all the time for my patients with eczema and we use it as a moisturizer in my house, too,” she says. “It contains ceramides, which help to restore the skin barrier.”
iS Clinical Active Peel System
“This is the peel version of the cult-favorite Active Serum,” says Marino of this iS Clinical treatment. “These peel pads work to gently resurface the skin; improve texture, pores, and fine lines; reduce pigmentation; and brighten and even out the skin tone. They have a cool, tingly feeling upon application and leave you with the freshest, glowing complexion. I recommend these one to three times a week depending on your current routine.”
PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
Especially while your skin craves lightweight moisture solutions through warmer weather, incorporate that hyaluronic acid serum into your weekly routine. Esthetician Sean Garrette previously tells Vogue how this PCA Skin formula blends multiple forms of hyaluronic acid for deep hydration.
Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray
Celebrity makeup artist Wendi Miyake counts this setting spray as one of her favorites. Because it's oil-free, it allows makeup to appear dewy without looking greasy.
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Styler Hairbrush
“Good hair starts with healthy, detangled hair. So I always stock up on my Tangle Teezers on Amazon,” pro hairstylist Clayton Hawkins says. “It’s great on wet and dry hair, plus it blends real hair with extensions better than any other brush.”
Natura Bissé Stabilizing Cleansing Mask
“Literally when I discovered this product, I couldn’t live without it,” pro makeup artist Dmitry Kukushkin says. “I use this mask for red carpet appearances and most important events. Skin looks like you went for a two-hour spa session: extremely glossy, fresh, and tight—pores disappear. [It’s] also very great for exfoliating. The best!”
T3 Singlepass Ceramic 1” Straightening and Styling Iron
What is Sims’ flat iron of choice? It’s the T3 Singlepass because of its versatility to achieve any style with ease. He previously told Vogue: “Using the T3, you can literally glide smoothly over the hair in just one pass”—just as the name suggests.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O
“Micellar water is an excellent option for removing sweat, debris, sunscreen, and even makeup from the skin. It can be used midday to cleanse the skin to prevent breakouts and “maskne” or in the evening prior to a facial cleanser as a first step to remove the elements from the day,” Weiser explains of this French pharmacy find. “These tiny oil droplets suspended in a watery solution allow the skin to be gently wiped without leaving skin dry, tight, and stripped of its natural oils.”
Haus Laboratories Rip Lip Liner
“Obsessed with Haus Labs Lip Liners!” admits celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño. “The smooth and no tug application creates the most perfect lip shapes and the variety of colors suits everyone!”
La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum
Experts say everyone should have a vitamin C serum in their regimen to target signs of aging. Think: dullness, hyperpigmentation, and sagging. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman previously recommended this drugstore pickup that pairs the antioxidant with salicylic acid.
Medicine Mama’s Apothecary Sweet Bee Magic
“I love this product because it’s natural, organic for sensitive skin all in one healing skin cream. You can use this cream absolutely for everything, day or night, face or body, head to toe,” notes Kukushkin. “I fall in love with this cream as a body moisturizer for red carpet and fashion, gives that effect of extreme shine. Love!”
LightStim for Wrinkles LED Light Therapy Device
Esthetician and beauty expert Tiara Willis recommends the LightStim device for those interested in an at-home LED treatment. She tells Vogue: “because it’s hand-held so you can use the device while protecting your eyes from damage.”
Youthforia BYO Blush
“I have been loving Youthforia products like its color-changing blush oil,” says Avendaño. “It leaves the most healthy glow on all skin tones and types. It works with your pH level and gives you a custom flushed look. It’s cruelty-free and clean.”
Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash
“Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash is a staple in my house. Almost everyone in my family has eczema so this is the only body wash we use,” Woolery-Lloyd notes. “I love that it is designed for sensitive skin and cleanses well without causing dryness.”
Unite Hair 7Seconds Detangler Leave-In Conditioner
“The first thing you put in your hair is most important, [as] it will absorb into your hair the deepest and last the longest,” explains celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation, whose product of choice is Unite Hair’s 7Seconds leave-in. “It’s lightweight, hydrating, and a protectant from the sun and the heat of your blow-dryer.”
Jan Marini Skin Research Skin Zyme Mask
“This gentle enzyme mask is great for all skin types and conditions. Its enzymatic action is exfoliating, but only digests dead skin without impacting live cells,” explains Marino. “This is great to use several times a week as a mask to improve texture and brighten the skin, however, it can be used post-peel and post-laser to speed up the recovery time. This mask will instantly deliver a glowing and polished look, and is great before any event!”
Maybelline New York Sky High Mascara
“One of my favorite options is the Maybelline Sky High Mascara. It gives such amazing length and I particularly love how it separates the lashes,” Jaikaran notes. “Sky High is a staple in my makeup kit and also my personal kit as it comes in black, brown, and waterproof formulas making it a must-have for any occasion.”
Dove Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo
“My favorite dry shampoo isn’t just a dry shampoo. It’s a texturizer, volumizer, hair cleanser, and so much more,” explains Hawkins. “I’m constantly having to restock my Dove Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo because clients are always stealing it from me.”
Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
When we asked board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King about the best acne treatments, she recommended this one powered by benzoyl peroxide to decrease inflammation in pimples.
Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss
When pro hairstylist and beauty industry educator Yene Damtew walked us through how to properly achieve a silk press, she shared her love for this silkening gloss by Kenra Platinum. Remember: the style is meant to be bouncy, so opt for lightweight formulas that won’t weigh strands down.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Don’t check out just yet: maybe you should add a statement lip to your cart. Wong recommends this Revlon option for “budget-friendly lipsticks in every shade, with a moisturizing formula.”
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Cream
On the hunt for a new retinol cream? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is a fan of this formula because it offers not only retinol’s anti-aging benefits but also the hydration capabilities of hyaluronic acid.