In a world drowning in new beauty launches, finding products worth the repurchase is harder than ever. Yet amid the endless stream of viral formulas and buzzy debuts, certain staples have earned permanent real estate on bathroom shelves across the Refinery29 offices, the kind that editors restock before the last drop runs dry or keep on subscription. We asked the team to reveal which products they genuinely return to time and again, and why these particular formulas have become non-negotiable in their routines.
For many, a tried-and-true skincare foundation makes all the difference. Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer, has gone through roughly ten bottles of The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% plus Zinc 1% Serum alongside her husband, both of whom have oily, acne-prone skin. The $6 serum delivers consistent results without irritation, layers seamlessly under moisturizer and sunscreen, and keeps her complexion calmer and more even with regular use. The price point doesn't hurt either, making it one of the few skincare staples she can repurchase repeatedly without financial strain.
When it comes to acne treatment, Hero Cosmetics' Mighty Patch Invisible+ has become indispensable. According to Hoshikawa, who has tested what feels like every pimple patch on the market, these stay put better than anything else and work fast, sometimes drawing out fluid in as little as two hours. Overnight wear often yields a visibly flatter blemish already well on its way to healing. The tapered edges blend into skin remarkably well, and she's worn three at once without realizing they were there.
Moisturizing concerns drive another round of repurchases. Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream commands a higher price tag, but Lisa Dionisio, Newsletter Director, finds it worth the investment when her skin turns temperamental. Especially during New York's colder months, this cream keeps her skin hydrated, clear, and glowing. She waits for sales or beauty gifts-with-purchase to sweeten the deal and bring down the cost per use.
Sun protection is non-negotiable for year-round use. Karina Hoshikawa keeps Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 70 in regular rotation because it's affordable, lightweight, and effective. She orders it in three-packs to save on each purchase and reaches for it whether someone is already diligent about SPF or searching for an invisible formula that won't sit heavy on skin.
Body and hand care products round out the essential repurchase list. Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director, stocks L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream for its 20% shea butter content paired with glycerin and plant oils. The moisturizing effects last well into the next day, and since using it, her hands haven't experienced cracks or soreness. She also loves Nécessaire's The Body Wash in the Olibanum scent for its soft, musky fragrance and creamy, moisturizing lather, always buying the larger 500ml bottle to avoid running out.
Hair care receives equal attention. Kilikita swears by Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil, which she credits with creating soft, glossy, beautifully scented hair. A single pump raked through from root to tip smooths frizz, adds shine, and protects against heat damage. She claims the formula works even when she goes overboard with application, never leaving her hair greasy or weighed down.
Brow and eye products earn permanent spots too. Kilikita has stuck with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Eyebrow Defining Pencil for its tiny nib that glides through thick brow hairs and creates sculpted, arched brows. The dark brown shade matches her skin perfectly without leaning too orange, and the pencil's sturdy yet creamy tip has never broken despite her heavy hand. The spoolie brush helps her fluff pigment to create natural-looking brows rather than obviously drawn-on lines.
Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer, has been using Stila Huge Extreme Lash Volumizing Mascara since high school, trying many alternatives but finding none compare for volume and pigmentation. The deep black coats her lashes so well that she rarely needs false eyelashes for statement looks, yet people often ask which falsies she's wearing. She's also become loyal to e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer thanks to its under-$15 price and ability to create a smooth base that helps cream and liquid makeup products grip for fewer touchups throughout the day.
For lip color, Charlotte Tilbury's Big Lip Plumpgasm Plumping Lip Gloss has earned Montalti's repeat business despite her usual preference for budget-friendly makeup. Paired with a dark brown lip liner, the Fair/Medium shade delivers juicy, ultra-glossy, hydrated lips that draw compliments and eliminate the need for false lashes in achieving a statement pout.
Author Jessica Williams: "The real test of a beauty product isn't whether it trends on TikTok, it's whether editors still have it in their cart six months later, and these are the ones that pass with flying colors."
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