4 Products You May Not Know You're Missing

a solution for ingrown hairs, lip exfoliation and more

I can think of a skincare/beauty product recommendation for nearly everything. Honestly, it’s one of my best skills. Sure it might not be the perfect fit, but at the very least I can get you started on the right track and asking the right questions. So I was a bit surprised by a question that recently stumped me: what is a product you just haven’t found yet that you’re always in search of? At first I couldn’t think of a single thing – not because I have the perfect product for every situation or need, but because I have something that’s good enough or a sufficient workaround. At worst, I have plenty of people to ask. 

After a lot of thinking, I settled on a half answer: The Shiseido Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Tint. It wasn’t something I had been actively looking for, as I have plenty of complexion products that suit me just fine and I can adjust to my liking, but it was a pleasant surprise when I stumbled upon it earlier this year. It filled a gap I didn’t know I had: a tint that’s so sheer it’s basically nothing, just sort of like the blurring tool on Photoshop. A tint that requires no precision and I can use on targeted spots or all over with just my fingers. A tint that is just that: a tint, a subtle wash of color. 

This got me thinking about other products I didn’t seek out that wound up filling gaps I didn’t realize existed. Products that are solutions to problems I didn’t identify as problems, but ultimately made something easier or more enjoyable. Here are 3 more product solutions you might not realize you’re missing either. 

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The solution: Topicals High Roller

The problem: Ingrown hairs

Ingrown hairs are a bitch. There are tips to prevent them (exfoliation, using a clean razor blade) and techniques to treat them (warm compress, patience), but these solutions are messy and require some forethought. Who wants to stand in their bathroom with a wet washcloth dripping down their arm? What if you don’t have time? Or energy? What if your cortisone cream has expired? Topicals High Roller looks like roller ball deodorant and is filled with a combination of acids, hydrators, soothers and brighteners to combat ingrown hairs, razor burn and shaving irritation. It’s the mess-free solution you didn’t know you were missing and it requires almost no planning. Just swipe, let it dry for a few seconds and go. You can use it anywhere you shave. I’d recommend waiting for 12 hours after shaving to avoid irritation, but it’s safe to be used daily if needed and I haven’t gotten a single ingrown hair since I started using it. You can use code JOLDEF10 for 10% off. 

The solution: Manna Kadar Lip Scrub

The problem: Lip scrubs are messy and annoying to apply

I love exfoliating my lips with a scrub. It’s my favorite form of physical exfoliation. It makes your lipstick look better and who doesn’t want softer, smoother, more hydrated lips? But lip scrubs are so messy. They’re sticky and imprecise to apply. It’s easy to overdo it or use too much and wind up harshly exfoliating your whole mouth area. And then you need to wash it off? No thank you! I didn’t realize how much this whole process bothered me until I got the Manna Kadar Lip Scrub in a beauty subscription box. It’s a simple, game-changing product: a lip scrub in a lipstick bullet form. No more messy hands or application. You can use the tube itself to apply just enough in small circular motions, and the pointed tip allows you to target the corners of your mouth. Brilliant! The grains dissolve so no need to rinse off. I highly recommend following with a thick nourishing lip mask, like my favorite from ILIA or Make Beauty’s delicious new launch. My only issue? The price. For the convenience I think it’s well worth it, but it is $19… and of course I got you a discount. E.l.f. does make a similar version for a fraction of the cost, but it doesn’t have the pointed tip, which is one of the key reasons I love the Manna Kadar. A final note: it takes a bit of warming up to get to the grainy part, so just do a few swipes to melt it down and then you’ll feel it. Plus, you’ll be exfoliating on a nice, hydrated base. Use code JOLDEF for 25% off.

The solution: Everyday Humans Ease Up Watery PHA Oil Cleanser

The problem: A one and done nighttime cleanse

In most circumstances and for most people, I am a strong advocate for an evening double cleanse. A thorough cleanse is foundational to good skin and the most thorough cleanse is achieved by double cleansing to ensure everything is properly broken down, dissolved and rinsed away. In most cases, this means using an oil/balm first, followed by a water-based cleanser, but you can always use the same cleanser twice. However, there are some days I don’t need or want to double cleanse, such as if I’m not wearing makeup or didn’t go outside and reapply sunscreen or if I’m sick or low on energy. On the nights I want to be quick without sacrificing thoroughness, I’ve been turning to this versatile cleanser. It hits all the marks and then some: gentle exfoliation with PHAs and Mandelic acid, barrier support with ceramides and sodium PCA and a watery-oil texture that slightly foams and effectively breaks down debris without leaving a film or stripping. It can be used on wet or dry skin, up to 5 times a week. You can, of course, use it as part of your double cleansing routine or in the morning. I’d recommend it to those with normal to oily skin, or dry/sensitive acne-prone skin as your primary exfoliant. I genuinely like double cleansing and know it is great for managing my acne, so I didn’t buy this product hoping for a single-cleanse solution. I honestly was just intrigued by the ingredients, description and the fact that I’ve heard nothing about it. For some reason it isn’t available in most places where the rest of the line is sold, but I linked two options below. Beauty Bay is a reliable retailer and where I purchased it from. 

Is there a product you stumbled upon that fills a gap you didn’t know you had? Something you’ve been searching for and haven’t found yet? Comment below and let’s help each other out!

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Enjoy your week!

Jolie

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