Here at the Strategist, we love hearing about everyday stuff that actually works. That line of thinking extends to the drugstore beauty products in our medicine cabinets, shower caddies, and makeup bags. In our series “Beauty Aisle,” we talk to folks in the beauty industry — aestheticians, hairstylists, makeup artists, dermatologists, and the like — about the go-to affordable products they keep stocked. For this installment, Strategist beauty writer Kitty Guo chatted with Tina Mui, trichologist and founder of the hair-care brand AWARE Hair, about the drugstore products she loves.
The makeup remover that doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
I’ve been using this forever. It’s super-nice because it’s an oil-free makeup remover but it can remove all traces of eye makeup, including kohl liners that you put in your waterline and waterproof mascaras. I love how it doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes because mine are supersensitive. I’ve used it for maybe 20 years, so it’s tried and true. It’s on subscription.
The eye drops she uses to ward off infections
New! You can now save this product for later.
Even if you take off your makeup with the remover, it still leaves remnants sometimes. And if you leave those in your eyes overnight, they actually may cause damage. So it’s really important for me to end the day with some eye drops that remove the residue. I do think it’s a step that people miss, and later on they have eye infections. I actually had an infection one time that burned my cornea, so now I’m supersensitive about making sure I keep my eyeballs clean.
I really like this Visine one because it doesn’t burn. It’s very soothing at the end of the day. I really recommend people use an eye drop, especially women because we put on makeup, to get it fully off your eyes.
The body lotion that doesn’t feel too heavy
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve tried all kinds of moisturizers and body creams, and usually they’re too greasy or heavy. This one’s just right. I use it after a shower, and it absorbs easily and feels very light on the skin. You feel hydrated but not greasy. It’s blended with some great ingredients: rich botanical oils, shea butter, squalane, plant-based peptides. It has a firming effect, so it makes the skin feel tighter but not uncomfortable; it just makes your skin feel more youthful. And it has a natural fragrance, not synthetic — a very light vanilla-coconut scent. I think most people would like it if they tried it.
The cleanser she keeps returning to
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve tried all kinds of expensive cleansers, but I come back to this one. I use it morning and night. It’s very gentle. I have normal to dry skin, so it makes my skin feel really clean and hydrated, and it gets the makeup and foundation off without making my skin feel tight and stripped afterward. It maintains your skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH level. And it’s fragrance free, sulfate free, and paraffin free, and that’s really important to me.
The toothpaste made with natural ingredients
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve been looking for an SLS-free toothpaste, and this one is. It’s also fluoride free, but I haven’t gotten any cavities. It’s crafted from naturally derived and naturally sourced ingredients, which I love. It has a very pleasant peppermint taste that’s not overly strong. I’ve been using it for the past year or so, and now it’s my favorite.
The eyeliner she uses to create a perfect cat eye
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve tried all brands of liquid liners because I like to do a cat eye. This one has been a staple. Interestingly, it’s not a liquid liner; it’s a pencil, but it works really well. The cream formula glides on easily and creates a perfect line. You don’t even need a pencil sharpener because this sharpens like a mechanical pencil. And it doesn’t smudge — that’s most important to me. It’s very pigmented like a liquid liner, but it’s very easy to apply. It works fast and gets the job done.
The sunscreen mist she keeps in her purse
New! You can now save this product for later.
I don’t actually use this on my face because I put on SPF before I put on my makeup. But it’s handy to travel with because sometimes you just need sunscreen. If you happen to be outside and your arms or legs are exposed, it’s important to put on sun protection and not get burned. I keep it in my purse in case I’m caught out in the sun. It’s in a little spray bottle, and it’s easy because you can spray it on and you don’t have to get your hands full of sunscreen. It has UVA and UVB protection, and it’s very light, not greasy.
The insect-bite treatment that stops the itch
New! You can now save this product for later.
After Bite to me is like a hack. Some people never get bitten, but for some reason, mosquitoes love me and I get welts. This little tube is a lifesaver. I call it a tiny tube of miracle because it stops the itching. It’s really important not to scratch because the more you scratch, the more irritated it gets. You put this on right away, and I don’t know if it’s healing the bite but it really stops you from making it more irritated.
The brush shampoo she uses every couple of days
New! You can now save this product for later.
I don’t know how diligent people are about cleaning their brushes, but I’m a cosmetologist and trichologist so those things really matter to me. I highly suggest people clean all their brushes at least every couple of days because brushes can develop mold. This particular cleaner is gentle, fragrance free, sulfate free, and doesn’t have any harsh chemicals. It cleans your brushes without leaving a residue. If you have it handy, you will tend to clean your brushes more often. It’s so easy to just pour it on your brush, rinse it out, let it dry overnight, and then it’s ready for you the next day.
The hairbrush that gently detangles her hair
New! You can now save this product for later.
The plastic Wet Brush is so popular, but this particular one has a synthetic boar bristle that emulates a natural boar bristle and helps remove impurities from your hair. Pollution, lint, whatever — it really removes everything. I have long hair, and this brush helps to reduce frizz and detangle without ripping the hair. Sometimes, those plastic or metal brushes can scratch or irritate your scalp, but these bristles are comfortable and feel gentle.
I’ve used this in the salon, but I also use it personally. I’ve had this brush for over a year. I think it works for all hair types. Even if you have really curly hair that gets tangled, you can just start at the ends and work your way up to the roots.
More expert drugstore picks
New! You can now save this product for later.
"It’s reliable, and it gives me just enough definition without looking overly done for daytime."
New! You can now save this product for later.
"It’s a gentle formulation that’s good even for people with sensitive skin."
New! You can now save this product for later.
"When the twists come out, they stay. When I use it, I feel like my hair has a softness to it."
New! You can now save this product for later.
"I look awake and a little prettier in two minutes."
New! You can now save this product for later.
"What it does is it flashes back at the camera. It has this glass, almost a latexlike, finish."
New! You can now save this product for later.
"The best thing about it is it doesn’t feather. It doesn’t smudge."
More From The Strategist
- Hark, the Advent Calendars Arrived (Very) Early This Year
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- 63 Things You Should Never Buy Full Price
- The Strategist Fall 100
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
