We all have a bucket list: See the pyramids, hike the Grand Canyon, go whale-watching...you get it. And, while cosmetics can't always stack up to the Seven Wonders of the World, the same goes for beauty — at least for all the beauty nerds out there. For those of you who geek out over the latest skin-care breakthrough or K-beauty phenomenon, we present this: a beauty bucket list of all the products a true product junkie must try at some point in their lives.
From innovative concepts that are hard to believe to cult favorites that really do live up to the hype, our editors' medicine cabinets are stocked with products that every beauty nerd will appreciate. We challenge you to check a few of these off your list. Translation: If you’re fascinated by shedding a layer of skin from your feet, or playing with a curling iron that styles your hair for you, well, you’ve come to the right place.
Ahead, we've rounded up the beauty products we geek out over — and you will, too. So, how many have you tried?
"I've only used Baby Foot once — even though I have two more stockpiled — because the peeling was so intense the first time (I'll never forget standing in line at Starbucks and looking down in horror at the flakes and strips of skin overflowing out of my heels) that I keep making excuses for why 'it's not a good time' to try it again. It's worth experiencing, though — your callused, weathered feet will be as supple as the day you were born...once you get through what seems like 100 layers of shedding." — Alix Tunell, senior beauty editor
Baby Foot 1 Hour Treatment, $25, available at Baby Foot.
"This is my favorite gift to give friends — especially the ones who are hair-challenged. I mean, it curls your hair for you; it doesn't get much easier than that. I like to brush out the curls with a Mason Pearson for pretty, smooth waves or tousle them with some texturizing spray for a beachier look." — Cat Quinn, beauty director
Beachwaver Co. Pro Curling Iron, $199, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I know, I know, I am a little late to the peel-off party, but these are just so damn cool that I can't stop using them. In case you're as tardy as me, here is how they work: You apply a thick layer, let it sit for three or four minutes — tip: try not to laugh because your lips will stick together and ruin your work — then gently peel it off. It makes my lips bright, and yet still softly colored, for hours. Yes, hours. Perfect for pool parties and running errands — basically anytime you want a light stain sans commitment. Plus, they're Snapchat and road-trip-with-friends gold." — Lexy Lebsack, West Coast beauty editor
Berrisom 6 Colors My Lip Tint Pack Set, $19, available at Memebox.
"As much as I love my tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and foundations, I'm far too lazy to buff them on every single morning. Instead I just spot-treat on the go with a blendable concealer. This is one I have consistently used for over a year — and for good reason. It's creamy, hydrating, and offers medium-to-full coverage, yet feels absolutely weightless on the skin. Plus, I swear it has a plumping effect." — Mi-Anne Chan, beauty writer
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Coverage Concealer, $28, available at Sephora.
" I never understood the allure of this stuff until recently. Sure, the packaging was pretty, but could it really smell as amazing as everyone says? I'm here to tell you it does. It's incredible — bergamot, lemon, pine needle, and sandalwood all mingle together for a fragrance that is subtle, sexy, and totally splurge-worthy." — Maria Del Russo, beauty editor
Byredo Gypsy Water, $150, available at Byredo.
"I could truly build my entire makeup look with this one brush. Foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, even highlighter — this simple brush can apply it all perfectly. Coming in under $10, and technically a drugstore pick, this underdog tool comes in handy every single day. It falls somewhere in the middle of a dense-to-fluffy spectrum, making it a real VIP in my brush collection." — Samantha Sasso, beauty editorial assistant
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I’m a sucker for a good mascara, and I love products that seem tailor-made for me. They’re not typically mutually exclusive — and that’s why this product is so magical. Like a fairy godmother, one twist of the wand (a.k.a. the brush cap) and the plastic bristles curl into formation. That means you can bend it to match your exact eye shape so you never miss a single lash." — Kelsey Castanon, beauty news editor
Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Twisty Tail Mascara, $27, available at Sephora.
"I legitimately do not know or understand how Lipstick Queen founder Poppy King creates these magical color-changing lipsticks. Green that becomes a rosebud pink. Blue that transforms into a sheer lilac. And now, there's the enticingly named Black Lace Rabbit (I don't know what it means either, just go with it). It's a sheer, black lipstick with gold flecks that goes on as a sheer, shimmery berry on bare lips, and — when layered over full-coverage lipsticks — it creates a sexier, smokier version." — Megan McIntyre, beauty features director
Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit Lipstick, $24, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I've tried every dry shampoo in the book, and this is the only one that really works to sop up oil. Your hair actually feels clean after — without the gritty, sticky feeling some sprays can leave." — Cat Quinn
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $22, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I'd heard beauty editors and makeup artists rave about these brushes for months before I actually tried one. It's just a makeup brush, who cares? I thought. But it's not. It's magic. My foundation has never looked better in my life — it's the only brush that blends my base makeup in completely without soaking any of it up." — Alix Tunell
Artis Oval 7, $60, available at SpaceNK.
"Once I finally understood how good retinol was for your skin, I started snapping up everything that had the stuff in it. However, Sunday Riley's Face Oil gave me pause. Firstly, the price is super-high. And secondly, could a retinol in oil really do much for my skin? Turns out, this is the ultimate night-cream substitute. I've been using it for over a year, and I can safely say that I have the best skin of my entire life." — Maria Del Russo
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, $105, available at Sephora.
"I admit that $60 for a lip balm is just plain crazy — but then, I tried By Terry's cult formula. It smells like heaven in a jar (a fresh rose garden, to be exact), makes lips softer than they've ever been (seriously!), and lasts forever. Not that I buy it often, but when I do, I cherish every last bit." — Lexy Lebsack
By Terry Baume de Rose, $60, available at Birchbox.
"I hate myself for recommending a $200 eye cream, but the results on this thing are so amazing I can't ignore it. Unlike other high-priced luxury creams, this one has the science to back it up. I got a sample-sized version of this in a Barneys Love Yourself Gift Bag a while back and tried it while I was on vacation. Jet-lagged AF, I woke up expecting to look haggard and droopy. And while the rest of my complexion was sallow, my eyes were bright, significantly less dark, smooth, and all-around more perky. I'm down to the dregs of that little bottle (because it's so thick, it actually lasted a surprisingly long time, considering the size), and you can bet I'm cracking it open and digging out every last smidge." — Megan McIntyre
111 Skin Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y², $190, available at Net-A-Porter.
"There's a reason makeup artists carry these around in bulk. (Including Nick Barose, who is known for his flawless foundation application.) They blend foundation, cream blush, and highlighter like a dream. Pro tip: Dunk it in ice water for a de-puffing effect." — Cat Quinn
Beautyblender The Original Beautyblender, $20, available at Sephora.
"I wear liquid eyeliner almost every day, so naturally, I have a lot of thoughts on what makes the perfect formula. For me, the best liquid liners I've tried are opaque in one swipe, waterproof, and have paintbrush tips. That is, tiny hairs that make up the brush, rather than a felt tip. This small detail makes all the difference in creating a precise, even cat-eye. This liner from Kat Von D ticks all the boxes, and since I started using it earlier this summer, I have not been able to put it down." — Mi-Anne Chan
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, $20, available at Sephora.
"Looking for the best of the best to set your foundation? Look no further. With a few swipes, this formula makes my skin smooth, bright, and radiant — even on my dull days. Essentially, this is your LuMee case in a makeup product. Well worth the hefty price tag because it lasts forever and never fails to amp up any look." — Samantha Sasso
Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Diffused Light, $46, available at Sephora.
"Remember when you got an ear infection as a child, and it was so painful? But then you got to take delicious, bubblegum-flavored amoxicillin as a result? Well, I won't say these salicylic-acid stickers make getting pimples fun, but they are the silver lining in the situation. Because dabbing on creams and drying lotions is gross and messy, but pressing on clear stickers that soak up sebum in eight hours is the easiest treatment ever." — Alix Tunell
Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots, $30, available at Sephora.
"For me, applying nail polish is like watching paint dry: It’s neither fun nor fast. That’s why I squealed with excitement over these mani markers, which are pre-filled with just the right amount of nail lacquer, so each coat dries in a snap. Plus, the straight-edged, soft-tip applicator makes it practically idiot-proof — just paint it on in upward strokes, starting near the cuticle. See? Way more fun." — Kelsey Castanon
Ciaté London Mani Marker Pen, $12, available at Ciaté London.
"When our beauty features director Megan McIntyre told me this mask changed her life, I kinda-sorta-totally rolled my eyes at her. Come on, girl. Change your life? Well — it changed my life. It's instant glowing skin in a packet. I pop it on the night before I need to look my best, and it makes me look like someone is following me around with a ring light." — Maria Del Russo
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, $135, available at Sephora.
"At first I was sure this was a blond-only product, considering the name of the line, but I was mistaken. It's well-suited for any hair color and after my first time washing and conditioning with this set, my hair had never had so much texture. My straight, silky hair is rarely mussed up by a texture spray, so it was a long shot for this formula to work — but somehow it did." — Samantha Sasso
John Frieda Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner, $7.79, available at Target.
"This is for the natural beauty nerds out there. Flower water, compared to the high-tech formulations out there, is pretty meh. It smells nice, it hydrates, it refreshes. Big whoop. This one, however, does so much more than that. I found that after soaking a cotton ball in it and swiping it across my face, my post-acne red marks lightened, my pores were less obvious, and my skin was softer than any cream had ever made it feel. Remember, simple doesn't always have to mean basic." — Megan McIntyre
Shea Terra Organics Orange Blossom Purifying Facial Water, $16, available at Shea Terra Organics.
"Every makeup artist working today has some sort of body makeup in his or her kit — many have this exact formula — to help even the skin tone on the body and hide imperfections. Even pitted against pricey formulas, this is actually one of the most foolproof leg-makeup options on the market. Tip: Don't buy the original spray version, because this cream is far more foolproof. Once you find your shade, simply apply with your hands (a self-tanning mitt works well, too) until well-blended. Keep some plain body lotion on hand to diffuse any streaks, and make sure you move quickly, because it sets fast. The best part? It stays in place until you wash it off — no smudging on clothes or anything else. Seriously, it's crazy-good." — Lexy Lebsack
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup, $12.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"This formula completely changed how I feel about mascara primers. Whether I’m building a full-on glam look or keeping it subtle, I never go without mascara. Since my lashes tend to fall and never hold a curl, the primer is the ideal foundation for any eye look. Even when you think you might not need it, you probably could use it — it's that extra oomph your mascara needs to live up to its full potential." — Samantha Sasso
Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer, $29.50, available at Sephora.
"If you have long, thick, impossible-to-dry hair, you have to give this dryer a shot. It reduced my drying time by 15 minutes and leaves hair so soft and shiny, I don't even have to follow up with a flat iron. The only issue is now I'm so addicted, I can't go anywhere without it. I've sacrificed shoes and clothes to pack it in my carry-on." — Cat Quinn
Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000, $300, available at DermStore.
"I have to be honest — I was never a fan of Bumble's Surf Spray. (Sorry!) The stuff left my strands totally stiff and not very touchable. So when they released their Surf Infusion, which uses oil and salt instead of water and salt, I couldn't wait to get it on my hair. This stuff gives you the exact same just-emerged-from-the-surf-like-a-Bond-girl hair, but without the tacky texture." — Maria Del Russo
Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion, $29, available at Bumble and Bumble.
"Let's be clear: No product can truly mimic the results of dermal fillers, but this hyaluronic acid-heavy mask will take you as close as you can get without getting near an actual needle. Brush it on in upward strokes from your chin to your cheekbones (making sure to get your smile lines), leave it on while you sleep, and wake up to plump, bouncy, youthful skin." — Alix Tunell
Dr. Brandt Needles No More 3-D Filler Mask, $95, available at Sephora.
"There isn't a single product or tool on the market that can change your hair quite the same way a good brush can — and this brand really is the holy grail. I splurged on the pocket size of the handy mixture variety — my hair is medium-weight and slightly wavy — and I am so glad I did. It fits into the smallest bags, and with a single stroke softens curls and waves to perfection, removes product overload (like dry shampoo, volume powder, or hairspray), and hits reset on my hair. Worth the hype? Yes, yes, yes." — Lexy Lebsack
Mason Pearson Handy Mixture Brush, $105, available at Nordstrom.
“Until I tried Hoola for the first time, I was very fickle with bronzing and contouring. Sure, I loved the look, but I hadn't found the right shade that could pass as a bronzer and contouring product in one. Hoola is the first I've tried that actually manages to make carving my cheekbones easy (read: I use it every day). The shade isn't muddy at all, plus the powder is super-blendable, meaning it never gets patchy. I also randomly love that the product comes in a little box because it makes swirling my brush inside really fun.” — Mi-Anne Chan
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer, $29, available at Benefit Cosmetics.
"If you’re a skeptic of products that are supposedly meant to heat up on your skin, then let this one prove you wrong. This water-activated formula really does heat up within seconds of putting it on damp skin, and the exfoliating beads do the rest of the work. An added bonus is lathering this on in the shower (if you can handle the heat) and rubbing it on sore muscles or rough patches of skin. You’ll instantly feel refreshed and incredibly clean." — Samantha Sasso
Origins Warm Down Warming Lava Scrub to Detox and Smooth, $35, available at Sephora.
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