What Vanity Projects’ Founder Rita Pinto Buys at the Drugstore

An aesthetician client of mine recommended this to me a year or so ago because it’s something she uses herself. It feels old-timey, like those cold creams you’d put on before bed. It even comes in a little pot. It is the most moisturizing thing and has collagen in it. It really helps with fine lines. I use it in conjunction with a serum that is not under $20. This is my go-to moisturizer when I’m trying to be stingy with my expensive stuff. It’s nice to have an inexpensive filler when you’re between products or trying to save money.

I remember my mom used to have this in the ’80s when it was a big look to have cobalt-blue eyes. I usually do this at night when I need to up the ante on a black-eye look. It adds a little edge. This is an absolute dupe for the YSL version of the mascara. It’s really creamy, goes on really well, and doesn’t smudge. It doesn’t look cheap at all.

I actually got this by accident. I was in a rush leaving town and wanted something that wasn’t like $34 at Sephora, even though I do prefer clean beauty most of the time. The thing with clean-beauty lines is they use those screw-up applicators that drive me nuts. I feel there is a lot of wasted product and it usually ends up breaking. Anyway, I like that this is just a pencil eyeliner, and it’s great. It glides on really easily. I generally don’t wear very much makeup, so this is my quick eye look. I just use this and the mascara, and it really makes my eyes pop. It also stays on all day and into the night without smudging, even in the heat. It’s simple and perfect, and all I have to do is use a sharpener when I need to. It really has done its job.

I do love the Anastasia brand. It does a really good brow gel, but I’d say this is a decent dupe of it. I think I’ve had mine for years at this point, probably past the sell date. What’s also great about this is that it works as a lash primer. I put this on and then put on either the blue lash or the black lash and give my eyelashes some extra volume. I also share this with my daughter, who’s a redhead and very fair. I don’t want her wearing makeup yet, but this makes her feel like she’s part of the party, and I am all about her having a little fun. This is her lash of choice. We were actually in the store together thinking about what to put in this article, and she was like, “Mommy, this is the one! This is the one!”

Before I chopped my hair into the “cunty bob,” I was always trying to curl or volumize my straight hair. I used a curling iron and heat rollers and no matter the size, I couldn’t get it right. I’d go to the moms at my daughter’s school and be like, “Your hair looks great. What size curling iron do you use?” I’d follow their advice, but my hair wouldn’t look like theirs. I think it’s a flick-of-the-wrist type of thing. And I’d always end up burning my neck with heat tools. I finally got these and I’m guaranteed not to hurt myself. They also work without much effort. You just put them in at night, sleep in them, and you wake up with volume and curls. Now my daughter uses them since my hair’s short. She’ll roll into school and the teachers are like, “Oh, Maya, we love your hair today,” as if we had woken up early to do it or something. It’s a big hit in the household.

I have been taking better care of my nails recently, but before that, I couldn’t live without this nail glue. Kiss nail glue is a lifesaver at Vanity Projects. I’m sure everyone has been there before — you’re on a honeymoon, at a wedding, or just on vacation, and your luggage breaks a nail or the gel peels off the nail bed. (Sometimes, the gel peels off if you have a very oily nail bed.) This will fix it on the spot, so I recommend everyone have it in their bag. All pros use this. Whenever we do a bridal manicure, we give out a questionnaire type of thing and it has a note to have this on standby in case a gem falls off or a nail chips.

I love this brand because it’s all nontoxic, and I really love its cuticle oil. It’s nongreasy and made with almond oil, which is great for your cuticles. By keeping your cuticles moist, you maintain your manicure and extend its length. We always advise clients to keep their cuticles moisturized but especially if they’ll be traveling or away from home for a couple of weeks or if they’re just budget conscious and want the most from their manicure. This will help it last the entire time.