I've Tested Thousands of Beauty Products, and 11 of My Tried-and-Trues Are on Black Friday Sale

Tamim Alnuweiri
·4 min read

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From brands including Saie and Charlotte Tilbury.

<p>getty images</p>

getty images

If you’ve been here for a while then you’re likely aware of the fact that I test hundreds of products every month. It’s difficult to manage, which is why I keep a mildly horrifying spreadsheet to track and review these products. For the best ones, however, I don’t need to consult the sheet, because they are top of mind, either because I use them frequently or because they’re just that good.

I’ve been looking at hundreds, possibly thousands, of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals over the past couple of weeks, and the 11 products below are tried-and-true favorites (many of which I’ve reviewed) starting at $12.

<p>InStyle / Tamim Alnuweiri</p>

InStyle / Tamim Alnuweiri

Before and after using Saie Hydrabeam Concealer.

Saie Hydrabeam Brightening and Hydrating Concealer

<p>Saie</p>

Saie

Up until a couple of years ago, I was anti-concealer. I found them all to settle weirdly in my pores, look chalky, and be an all-around disappointment. Saie’s Hydrabeam was the first to make me realize that concealer can in fact be a great, multi-tasking product.

Hydrabeam brightens (licorice root extract), hydrates and plumps (squalane and glycerin), and soothes (cucumber extract) my skin while blurring my imperfections into oblivion. This is one of few concealers you can actually just spot-treat your skin with; it blends seamlessly into my natural complexion. It looks dewy and like my real skin but without all of the annoying imperfections.

About-Face Fractal Glitter Eye Paint

<p>Ulta</p>

Ulta

How do I describe my approach to glitter… It rivals Elton John’s most elaborate outfits and it would make Liberace blush. As such, I am picky when it comes to sequins, shimmer, and glitter. About-Face’s Fractal Glitter Eye Paint is not, however, any old product. It is perhaps the best glitter eyeshadow I have ever come to know.

The glitter is smooth and silky, there are none of those large scratchy flakes. It can be diffused for a very soft subtle hint of shimmer or it can be applied thick for a show-stopping, light-catching effect. For a maximalist, glitter is a year-round necessity, but I understand that the rest of the world likes to save this type of behavior for holiday parties (or the Renaissance tour).

This stuff doesn’t smudge, doesn’t require a primer, and lasts for hours.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream

<p>Charlotte Tilbury</p>

Charlotte Tilbury

As much as I wanted to love the original Amal Clooney-used Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, I simply did not. It’s not formulated for my skin type. It’s too thick and rich for my oily complexion. But the new Magic Water Cream is divine, beautiful, dare I even say perfect. I have been using it every day since I received it a couple of months ago.

Its consistency is a hybrid of gel and cream (think Tatcha’s Water Cream), sinks into skin within seconds, blurs pores, and reduces my constant redness.

Part of the magic is the niacinamide in the formula, which I am not accustomed to seeing in moisturizers. Niacinamide is known for reducing pores, wrinkles, and discoloration as well as smoothing out skin texture and locking in hydration.

I have also found a bonus use for Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Water Cream. When my skin is feeling especially parched I apply a very thick layer on my face and let my skin marinate in it for 10-15 minutes before wiping it off. It feels so much softer and more moisturized.

<p>U Beauty</p>

U Beauty

<p>Vegamour</p>

Vegamour

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