The Top Beauty Products Our Beauty IQ Podcast Hosts Didn’t Know They Needed
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
When the hosts of our award-winning Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast Hannah and Mel dish their favourite, most-used, most loved, most recommended products, we shut up, listen and take notes.
In a recent episode (linked at the end of this article for you, don't worry!), Hannah and Mel give us a rundown of the makeup, skincare and haircare products they have been absolutely loving over the last year.
The formulas and products they finished, repurchased and told everyone about (including a gut and bowel powder that apparently has Hannah’s partner in a chokehold). Regular bowel movements are the new retinol, people!
You’ll have to tune into the full episode to catch all of their top recommendations - but if you’re after a sneak peek, we’ve rounded up just a few of their standout beauty-editor-approved favourites below.
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore Night Cream
Mel shared that she's recently started a new skincare routine largely centred around Medik8 products and it's working so well for her (watch this space; we'll share these with you soon), but if she had to pick out a hero product, it would be this cream which she credits with helping her skin comfortably navigate the reintroduction of actives.
“Essentially, it’s been created to put on when you’re using retinol products or anything that’s potentially irritating your skin, so it’s just super nourishing. It’s an amazing barrier cream. I feel like it’s quite thick, but it absorbs in, and also, you don’t wake up feeling like all your moisturiser just got lost in your face during the night." she says.
"It’s just a really amazing night cream.”
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore review:
"I purchased this when introducing retinol to my skincare routine and use it at night in between retinol days. I have noticed my skin is visibly smoother and softer after three weeks of use and will continue buying this product." - AB customer Scarlett.
Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream
Both hosts are a huge fan of this peptide-infused eye cream.
"The thing about this product that’s different from other eye creams is that it helps with lifting in the upper eyelids." says Hannah.
"Their clinical testing showed that 97% showed lifting in the upper eyelid and 94% visible reduction in wrinkles."
Hannah praises the texture of this eye cream, and Mel agrees, describing it as "a whipped cream gel that's lighter than a cream but feels more nourishing."
" I definitely felt a difference in my eyes."
You know this is a good eye cream if both our beauty hosts love it, am I right?
Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream review:
"I received a sample of this and have been using for a week. Goes on light to the skin but doesn't leave eyes looking dehydrated the morning after like some eye creams. Basically, this one does what it says it does. A little, and I mean a little goes along way." - AB customer Jojo.
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal
Influenced by Beauty IQ writer and K-Beauty aficionado Juna Xu's article (read it here), who said she's been using this cream for 10 years, Mel knew she had to try this viral K-beauty eye cream.
Says Mel, "I’ve been alternating between this and the Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream because I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I’ve never used retinal around my eyes.' I’m very cautious with retinol products because I’ve had bad reactions in the past, and everyone knows that I love Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 3 because it just works for my skin and I’ve been very hesitant to jump up a level. So introducing this was a big thing.
I honestly probably could use it every night. I sort of just alternate. I will sometimes use it two nights in a row, and then give it a break and use the Dermalogica which doesn’t have retinol in it.
It’s so nice. I’ve only been using this for a few weeks, so I can’t really report on any massive changes, but a few weeks with no irritation. It’s $36, which is a bargain for an eye serum with retinal in it - big win for me."
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal review:
"I keep coming back to this after spending ridiculous amounts on under eye cream with limited results. I swear if you apply this then put on COSRX peptide eye patches whilst sipping on your morning coffee it will plump where you want plump and somehow take away puffiness where you don't want it, What is this witchcraft? Amazing." - AB customer Shellster.
The Beauty Chef The Perfect Poo™
Mel is now a BIG fan of this daily fibre blend designed to promote regular bowel movements.
Hannah says even her partner has shelved his Metamucil and is now a fan of this “fancy fibre”.
"It’s for people who just want a drink that doesn’t taste revolting that they can take every day. It’s not gross. It tastes so good. You don’t have to mix it with anything; it’s genuinely delicious.
There are three types of fibre, and obviously the other benefit with this is that you’re getting all of The Beauty Chefs’ gut-loving science behind it too."
If you're someone who is irregular and is fed up with having tried everything else, this might just be the answer to your prayers.
Benefit Fan Fest Mascara
While Mel is super loyal to her beloved L’Oreal Paris Paradise mascara, she says the Benefit Fan Fest mascara has entered the rotation.
She says this is the mascara she reaches for, for a night out "when I want more drama".
"It’s really inky black. I feel like it really lengthens. I don’t really find any mascara will curl, but I feel like this will hold the curl quite well."
Say less; as someone with straight lashes, I am 100000% influenced and will be adding one to cart immediately.
Benefit Fan Fest Mascara review:
"I received this mascara as a gift with purchase, didn't expect much but this mascara exceeded all expectations. It separates and doesn't clump, curls and contrary to other reviews I haven't experienced any flaking at all. Quite possibly the best mascara I've ever used." - AB customer Tina.
Keen to hear all of the girls' top beauty reccs from the last year? Tune into the full episode below:
Beauty lovers, there's plenty more beauty content to catch up on, read these next:
