The 5 Best Products for Skin, Nails, and Hair That I Bought This Year

While I don’t own or use any Ouai shampoos or conditioners, I love pretty much all of the brand’s treatment products. Its leave-in conditioner, wave spray, and hair oil are among some of my very favorites for treating and healing damaged, dry hair. However, I never really liked Ouai’s dry shampoo foam (which dries down into an oil-absorbing concoction). I don’t know what it was, but there was something about the foam that was frankly too confusing, and I could never make it work for me. So when Ouai launched this straightforward, new and improved dry shampoo, I was beyond excited to try it. Unlike most dry shampoos (like Klorane’s, for example) this leaves no white cast. It also smells like a bed of roses and doesn’t give your hair that sticky feeling. What it does do, though, is eradicate any excess oil in your hair and give a perfect boost of volume. I love it so much.

I’ve been using this toner and essence religiously — every morning and evening — for the past four months or so, and my skin has never been better. Instead of blasting my face with a supercharged, high-percentage exfoliant (like those found in cult favorites Drunk Elephant Baby Facial or Biologique Recherche P50), this toner, formulated with just one percent lactic acid, provides just a kiss of exfoliation to make skin soft and smooth. Both the toner and the essence have incredible hydrating and healing ingredients, including birch juice, Squalane, and black chokeberry. I struggle with acne and this duo has helped me combat any kind of irritation or redness immensely. My mom, however, is more concerned with firmness and brightness, and she equally adores this twofer. It’s by far the most impressive skin-care launch of 2019, in my opinion.

I’ve tried many blushes in my day, but the formula of this magical serum blush created by OG beauty blogger Michelle Phan is definitely one of the most unique I’ve ever used. Which is why I think it is one of the most special blush launches of the past year. One of my old go-to tricks was to mix Glossier’s Cloud Paint with a little of my face oil in order to get that ultrahydrating, super-dewy, sheer effect. But from the bottle this blush feels exactly like that mixture, meaning no more need for all the mess and effort. And it isn’t just texturally similar: the Em blush does actually moisturize and soothe skin, thanks to its formula that has hyaluronic acid, Squalane, and vitamin E. I love it so much, I own it in every single color.

Per the advice of my nail technician Fleury Rose, I decided to invest in a cuticle oil. Fleury claims that consistent use of a cuticle oil can not only help moisturize nails, but make them healthier and appear shinier and more radiant. This one is really lovely — it’s light, deeply hydrating, and beautifully (and conveniently) packaged with a little roller ball that makes swift, on-the-go application super easy. The oil itself sinks into your cuticles immediately, giving them an intensive, quick-yet-effective treatment that helps keep them hydrated and healthy. I am always throwing it in my purse, especially when I fly.

Many people — including myself — have now written a lot about the benefits of using a hyaluronic-acid serum in your skin-care routine. But what is maybe written about less is how a hyaluronic-acid serum can be just as nourishing for your body as it can be for your face. I know what you’re thinking, Isn’t my regular lotion enough? The answer is, if you have insanely dry skin or intense eczema like me, maybe not! I mix two pumps of this Nécessaire serum into my everyday Lavido Tea Tree Cream — it acts as a supplementary boost of moisture and leaves my skin feeling so much more hydrated, moisturized, and soft. In the winter, this extra shot of hyaluronic acid in my body lotion makes a world of difference: I don’t wake up with cracked, dry elbows or itchy legs. It’s truly a magical wintertime treatment to ensure your body is properly quenched during these dry, windy times.