When I joined the Camille Styles team (officially becoming full-time this month!), I knew I would be surrounded by inspiring women. What I didn’t expect was that I would be joining a team of beauty experts in my own right. So when I recently decided to overhaul my beauty routine, I naturally turned to Slack: “Do a girl a favor – drop your must-have beauty products!” Thirty minutes later (and too many messages to count), my shopping cart was filled with proven products from years of use and, of course, the strongest recommendations.
Our Editors’ Picks for 23 Essential Beauty Products
After rounding up my co-workers’ top picks, I filled my beauty bag with sunscreen that doubles as my foundation and gives me an effortless glow, allowing lip and cheek makeup to transition seamlessly from day to night, And a lip balm that never leaves me. These products have completely changed my beauty routine. Now, I ask the inevitable question: Can I bring my entire makeup bag to the island?
Since we’re not gatekeeping here, I’ve put together the list below of every editor’s must-have desert island products. Whether you find yourself stranded on a desert island this summer (good luck to you) or planning a beauty routine and a fresh look, look no further. Consider this your inside scoop on all the beauty products our team can’t live without.
cosmetic
Wander Beauty Mile High Club™ Lengthening Mascara
“Finally: The best mascara I’ve found that lengthens, volumizes, and defines without clumping my lashes. It’s waterproof but easy to remove at the end of the day. With just a few swipes, My lashes will grow equally long, giving me that sexy, wide-eyed look that I’m 100% obsessed with. — Isabelle, Editor-in-Chief
19/99 Precision Color Pencil
“It may be controversial now, but I will never give up on painting my lower eyelids! During the height of the ’90s grunge revival/indie grunge era in high school, I started getting nervous about nights out, but I never gave up. I’ve used a lot of eyeliners, and when you’re applying eyeliner so close to the eye, you need something that glides on the lids and I’ve never used anything more effective and effective than this 19/99 color pencil. Smooth product. — Langa Chinyoka, beauty editor
Glo Skin Beauty Oil-Free Tinted Primer
“Any good desert island product needs to be capable of multitasking, and this primer is the ultimate. It provides lightweight coverage with a pore-concealing blurring effect, contains nourishing skincare ingredients, and has SPF 30. Correct colour, even out skin tone and texture, and extend the wear of your makeup – it really does it all! ” ——Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
City Lips Plumping Lip Gloss
“I gave up on lip gloss a long time ago because I didn’t like the stickiness and glossiness of most lip glosses. But this gloss provides the perfect amount of moisture for dewy lips. What’s more, not only does it look good, It also creates dramatic plumping effects immediately that then build over time. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and oligopeptides to plump lips while providing intense hydration. — Isabelle, Editor-in-Chief
MERIT Minimalist Complexion Perfecting Foundation and Concealer Stick
“As someone who previously opted for a full-coverage look, I went foundation-free for the entire year of 2024, thanks to MERIT Beauty’s Perfecting Stick. This product was marketed as neither a foundation nor a concealer, but it has Replacing the two in my makeup bag. I apply it under my eyes, on blemishes, and on my high spots, then blend with a brush for an even, lightweight foundation. —Bridget Chambers, style editor
ILIA Super Essence Complexion SPF 40 Skin Care Foundation
“This is hands down the best tinted moisturizer I’ve ever used. The formula is packed with skin-beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, so it’s a beauty product that’s also a skincare product. Plus, it’s very Perfect for creating a moist and smooth look on donuts. —Megan Beauchamp, Contributing Editor
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream
“Blush is by far my favorite part of my makeup routine. I’ve perfected the ultimate three-step blush application that maintains color and shine all day long. The base? Westman Atelier’s Petal Blush Stick. Non-toxic The creamy formula with the prettiest rosy color makes this product worth every penny. Steps two and three are to set the cream blush with powder blush and finish it all off with Charlotte Tilbury’s Pinkgasm Highlighter Stick. —Bridget Chambers, style editor
ILIA Infinite Mascara
“It does everything you want from a mascara: lengthens lashes, doesn’t pill or smudge, and best of all, washes off easily. You usually get one or two, but not all three. I don’t know how they do it, but I’ve been using this mascara for over three years and it’s my forever go-to. — Brittany Chatburn, Director of Content Marketing
Kulfi Beauty Kajal Eyeliner (Rain Check)
“As someone who rarely wears makeup, my choice for a desert island look is blue eyeliner, which might look funny. But when I just need to inject a little pop and joy into my look, this eyeliner works its magic. I used a very thin line of blue eyeliner, but it was enough that when I talked to people while wearing it, they almost always had to stop and shout out how much they loved the color blue. It’s the perfect way to subtly lift your eyes, and the formula is super creamy and easy to apply even for me. — Suruchi Avasthi, food editor
Jones Road Miracle Balm
“For anyone looking for a no-makeup look, Jones Road Miracle Balm is a game-changing product. It provides ultra-hydration to the face for a natural, dewy, radiant finish. Apply with fingers or a brush to apply It makes for the perfect low-maintenance desert island product. This paste is so easy to use and buildable that it’s the perfect hero product for a minimalist beauty routine. –Brandy Joy Smith, writer for “Mother”
Chanel Le Rouge Ultra Hold two-piece set
“There is no better lip gloss on the market and I would die on that hill. I have been using this product for years. My favorite colors are Bright Raspberry, Strawberry Red, and Soft Rose, but you can You can’t go wrong with either one, depending on your preference. The stain stays on all day and all night, doesn’t dry out with a glossy coat, and won’t transfer to your water glass or your partner’s lips. —Kelly Krause, Contributing Editor
skin care
summer friday lip balm
“Summer Fridays Lip Balm is simply magical and will accompany me on vacations to desert islands or the tropics. Its buttery texture and long-lasting hydration make it the perfect product to keep on hand. I just repurchased it for the third time from Vanilla – Very good! — Anna Decker, Social Media and E-Commerce Manager
Very good! Glowing screens during prime time
“I was nothing until I put on my Supergoop! Luminous Screen in the morning. It really rejuvenated me and added the perfect amount of color and glow to my otherwise tired face. I use it on its own every day, but this This sunscreen is also the perfect glowing base for my everyday makeup (even at night). Supergoop makes sunscreen such an addictive part of my skincare/makeup routine that my skin will thank you in 20 years. of! —Bridget Chambers, style editor
Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask
“Look, I know this product is all the rage in 2022. But since I treated myself to this lip mask two years ago, there hasn’t been a night that I haven’t put it on before bed. Long story short, this is mine” Ride or die”. My lips stay soft and hydrated all year round, and even in the winter, my lips have not become chapped once. My favorite is vanilla! —Kristen Garaffo, Design Editor
Paradise Island Self Tanning Drops
“I live for the fake glow. A little self-tanner instantly boosted my confidence and I tried everything from lotion to foam to water. My favorite, hands down, is the Island Paradise Tanning Drops. Add a few drops to your moisturizer and it turns into a self-tanner, and you can use it without gloves. It’s easy and you can control the depth of your tan by the amount of drops you use. . I love! —Kristen Garaffo, Design Editor
Tower28 Beauty SOS Hypochlorous Daily Rescue Facial Mist
“This product has changed my life and I can’t stop talking about it to everyone. The beginning of my daily skin care routine, replenishing when my skin feels irritated, and pre-makeup precautions so I don’t break out— —I use it multiple times a day If you haven’t heard of this all-purpose healing spray, it’s truly magic in a bottle. — Langa Chinyoka, beauty editor
SkinPharm Pure Defense SPF
“When I first tried this SPF, I was shocked. Moisturizing tinted sunscreen? how? Digging deeper, I discovered that it contains hyaluronic acid. I love how light and hydrated my skin feels. If I were on a desert island, I would need a good SPF to help even out my skin tone and give me a flawless glow. —Kelly Krause, Contributing Editor
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm + Red Correct
“My whole life I have been looking for products like Hero Cosmetics’ Rescue Balm. For people with rosacea who want a perfect face, regular foundation isn’t going to cut it. This is the product that works for me and is always the first one I use on my makeup-free days. It’s green in color and has the same consistency as concealer, but blends into the skin easily, eliminating redness. It’s lightweight and can be used under makeup or on its own. In short – I can’t live without it. —Casey McKee, Editorial Intern
Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum
“This ceramide serum is my go-to makeup/take-off secret. It’s layered under my makeup and it’s the perfect primer to create a canvas for my products and help my products stay put. night. I use a lot of liquid products, so a hydrated face is key to making sure they look hydrated all night long and don’t dry out and break out in the middle of the dance floor when I scrub my face thoroughly to remove all the product. , I need a hydrating serum to replenish my complexion so I wake up refreshed—even after a late night, and this versatile serum does both. , I also apply it on my skin. It’s a must-have in my travel bag because it does it all. — Langa Chinyoka, beauty editor
Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Rapid Self-Tanning Foam
“Hands down my favorite self tanning product. It’s very easy to apply and the color develops within an hour. I use the one designed for olive skin tones, and it gives the impression that you just got back from a two-week vacation in an exotic location. ——Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
Renee Rouleau Mint Refreshing Cleanser
“I can’t stop talking about this product. I love it so much that my mom bought it for me when I went back to Nebraska to visit. The peppermint oil feels super refreshing, and the lightweight exfoliating jojoba beads make my skin Skin remains radiant. —Kelly Krause, Contributing Editor
Soma Ayurvedic Jasmine Body Oil
“My favorite part of my evening self-care routine is using body oil after a hot shower. This oil has the most incredible fragrance and absorbs seamlessly into your skin, leaving it soft and soft Hydrating. Plus, this oil gives you the perfect self-care moment to stop and breathe. It’s definitely a bit of a splurge, but it’s so worth it for how amazing it makes me feel. — Suruchi Avasthi, food editor
DERMAFLASH LUXE+ advanced sonic peeling + peach fuzz removal
“Without a doubt, my favorite self-tanner. It’s so easy to apply and the color develops within an hour. I use the one designed for olive skin tones and it gives the impression that you just came out from an exotic location Back from two weeks holiday. ——Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
