When it comes to beauty highs, nothing beats a spontaneous compliment. Whether it's a coworker asking what highlighter you're wearing or a stranger stopping you on the subway to inquire about your fragrance, each moment is a cherished reminder that the product you nabbed was an excellent choice.
There are certain ones, though, that seem to attract more praise than others. Think popular, iconic products like Becca's Champagne Pop or MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick. Or, the impossible-to-miss Essie Clambake. Ahead, we rounded up the items that, in our history working in the beauty industry, have garnered compliments every single time we wear them. Check out the buys that will help you look, smell, and feel ridiculously good.
Once you smell Le Labo's Santal 33 fragrance for the first time, you'll start to notice it everywhere. "It's a weird enigma of a fragrance," says Refinery29's beauty director, Cat Quinn. "It smells fresh and clean, but also woodsy and sexy. Almost every time I compliment a beauty editor's fragrance, they're wearing this."
Le Labo Santal 33, $260, available at Le Labo.
Say hello to the brightest, most blinding pink you'll ever lay your eyes on. It's the kind of lipstick you can spot from across the room — or in my case, a subway platform.
NARS Schiap Semi Matte Lipstick, $28, available at NARS.
Go ahead and flip open a magazine, then drop your finger on the page at random. Chances are, the model you're pointing at is wearing this. Nearly every makeup artist in the business swears by it.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $64, available at Sephora.
When YouTuber Jaclyn Hill collaborated with cosmetics brand Becca to create Champagne Pop, the highlighter broke Sephora's record for most-purchased product on its first day of release. Whenever I wear it, I get compliments up the wazoo. And whenever we praise someone else's strobe, they usually credit it to this as well.
Becca Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, $38, available at Sephora.
A light dusting of this finely milled powder will give you a fresh-off-the-beach bronze that never looks muddy. Our friends usually ask to borrow it when we're touching up in the bathroom.
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer, $29, available at Benefit Cosmetics.
Nine times out of 10, when Quinn compliments someone's red pedicure, it's this hue. That's because it's the perfect orangey-red, and so bright you can't miss it peeking out of sandals.
Essie Clambake Nail Polish, $9, available at Essie.
Don't wear this on days when you're feeling antisocial. Whenever Refinery29 beauty editor Maria Del Russo taps on this dewy cream highlighter, a stream of, "What highlighter are you wearing?" questions is sure to follow.
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, $38, available at J.Crew.
MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick (a super-matte, blue-toned red) looks good on just about everyone — just ask the ladies in Justin Bieber's "Sorry" music video.
MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo, $16, available at MAC.
A friend once told us that using these pads is the difference between getting a skin compliment and not getting a skin compliment. The exfoliating ingredients brighten and smooth on contact.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $88, available at Sephora.
"I don't get compliments on my foundation unless I'm using my Beautyblender," says Refinery29's beauty editorial assistant Sam Sasso. "It provides a more even and natural finish than using a foundation brush."
Beautyblender The Original Beautyblender, $20, available at Sephora.
Not only does Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray smell incredible (seriously, it's like perfume for your hair), but the product manages to boost texture while providing a bit of hold. Are you loving someone's model-off-duty texture? They've got this in their hair stash, guaranteed.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $44, available at Birchbox.
Chloé's Eau de Parfum is one of those romantic fragrances that exudes French-girl cool every time it's worn. I have actually stopped women on the street just to ask if their honey-, lychee-, and floral-tinged scent is courtesy of this bottle. It usually is.
Chloé Eau de Parfum, $105, available at Sephora.
This mascara gives dramatic, bold lashes without ever looking clumpy. Someone once gave Quinn the ultimate beauty compliment when she was wearing it: "Girl, did you get lash extensions?"
Lancôme Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara, $27.50, available at Sephora.
Almost every time I see someone with perfectly sculpted brows, I have an inkling they're wearing Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Wiz. I'd venture to say that 90% of the time, they are.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil, $21, available at Ulta Beauty.
This baked powder is a highlighter and setting powder folded into one. When dusted all over the skin, it instantly offers a lit-from-within glow people will notice.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light, $45, available at Sephora.
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