The Best Beauty Products Our Hip2Save Team Can’t Live Without
We’re sharing our favorite beauty products, including MAC, Kiehl’s, Nivea, and more!
We’re ready for our close-up!
It’s always exciting to learn another woman’s secret to looking so flawless. To find the perfect products for your hair, skin, nails, and face, this huge roundup of our team’s absolute favorites should help!
1. I love to detox my skin with an Aztec Healing Clay mask & moisturize with virgin coconut oil.
- Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay – $7.99
Deep pore cleansing for the world’s greatest facial all at an incredible price?! Yes, please! Aztec Healing Clay is 100% natural & undeniably effective! Plus, it’s full of magnesium, calcium, and iron which helps release toxins and eliminate excess oil if that’s something you struggle with.
Along with myself, there are thousands of people (including my Hip team member Emily) that absolutely love doing an occasional Indian Healing Clay mask to keep our skin in check! Mix with some apple cider vinegar and you’ve got a match made in heaven!
You can read our full review of this Aztec Indian Healing Clay.
I also love using virgin coconut oil to moisturize, plus it’s a super affordable & unexpected option!
Calling all minimalists! It doesn’t get much more down to basics than some good old coconut oil. I was tired of using such expensive products and started to develop some dry skin & redness around my nose that I just couldn’t seem to kick.
Since coconut oil is packed full of medium-chain fatty acids that contain antimicrobial properties (i.e. great for the skin!), I figured it was worth trying! Plus, I always have some on hand and it can double as a cooking substitute so it’s a win, win.
I always fill a small condiment-sized container and keep it in my medicine cabinet so it’s handy each time I’m getting out of the shower. After a month of routine use, my dryness & nose redness had resolved and I feel so good about what I’m putting on my face now!
I could not be happier with what coconut oil has done for my skin and sometimes I even use it as a moisturizer for my arms and legs! It’s so versatile & inexpensive! #naturalforthewin!
Hip Tip: Did you see that I also used coconut oil to do a hot oil hair treatment and it gave me amazing results!
2. Michelle is obsessed with her favorite makeup product that nixes the dark under-eye circles with one fell swoop.
If you’ve got dark under eyes and nothing is seeming to make a difference, it’s time to take some more drastic measures such as a dependable concealer to totally change the game!
Never tried it? Luckily, they even offer it in a travel-size so you’ll never have to carry around bags again. 😉
Here’s what Michelle had to say about her concealer:
“Tarte Shape Tape concealer is the best thing for this tired, old mama! I can magically get rid of the dark circles under my eyes in one swoop! These go on sale a few times a year and I stock up every time!”
Hip Tip: Know all the tricks on how to save at ULTA year round!
3. Angela’s beauty tool works 7 times better than her fingers (& she can’t stop using it).
If you love taking the best care of your skin possible, this dermatologist-approved tool is a great way to apply any product to your face! It’s proven to make products work seven times better – as opposed to application with your fingertips. Plus, it works for all skin types, so you can’t go wrong!
Here’s what Angela loves about her handy beauty tool:
“A friend recommended this tool to me, and I can’t stop touching my face because it’s so soft when I use it. It can be used with any creams, lotions, or serums you currently use in your skincare routine, and it works so great!”
4. Kaitlyn loves this mascara for making her super straight lashes pop!
This award-winning mascara not only makes your lashes look dramatically longer, but it’s also powered by plant stem cell technology so it conveniently encourages & supports longer, healthier-looking lashes. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and is dermatologist recommended! Could a mascara even get any better?!
Here’s what Kaitlyn loves about her Thrive Causemetics mascara:
“This is my FAVORITE mascara ever! I have super straight lashes so I have always worn falsies, but this has been the only mascara to actually work and make my lashes pop!”
Hip Tip: Want a more affordable mascara? I tried this viral mascara on TikTok and it totally lived up to all the hype!
5. Brandi swears by Benzoyl Peroxide & it cleared up her cystic acne!
- Create Cosmetics BPT10 Acne Treatment Moisturizer – $22.95
- We realize this item is currently sold out everywhere, but it’ll be back soon so we recommend adding it to your cart to scoop it up as soon as it’s back!
This topical antiseptic is especially effective at fighting deep, painful, cystic breakouts. It tackles the bacteria both on and under the skin, unclogging pores & reducing inflammation.
While cystic acne can definitely warrant a visit to the dermatologist and likely a prescription medication, this is a less aggressive and much more affordable alternative that could potentially help your skin problems.
Want something a little more gentle? Brandi also loves the Create Cosmetics 3.1 Acne Treatment. She says it’s a little more gentle on the skin and lucky for you it’s in stock right now!
Here’s what Brandi loves about her Benzoyl Peroxide:
“I started noticing results with my cystic acne in just a few weeks and before I knew it, those aching cystic bumps had completely vanished! It’s light on my skin and not greasy at all! Although it’s on the pricier side, one bottle lasts me about 3-4 months. I love it so much and am so thankful I discovered my now holy-grail essential!”
6. Cass has a newfound love for everything from The Ordinary line.
- Buy it all at Sephora – $3.95+
When The Ordinary hit the market, beauty lovers everywhere were going wild due to the minimal ingredients, safe options for skincare, and all at a totally affordable price – it’s no wonder it’s Cass’s favorite product line when you follow a ten-step skincare routine!
There’s more you need to know about The Ordinary like how they’re able to offer such incredible prices, what Cass uses, and much more, so hop over here to read her full review!
Here’s what Cass loves about her The Ordinary products:
“I have tried all of their products and absolutely love this affordable line, however, my heart really belongs to all their skincare products! I follow a daily 10-step routine (extreme, I know) and I just love everything I’ve used.
I’ve even tried multiple versions of Vitamin C and Retinols/Retinoids from this brand, and I experienced no irritation at all which is such a big deal. I cannot say enough about these products and the prices are even better!”
7. Lina’s got a few favorite beauty products from Revlon & MAC that have been her go-to for years.
- Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner – $5.39 (regularly $7.99)
Lina has been using this eyeliner for years, but what you may not know is that even Joanna Gaines uses this $6 tried and true liner! I’m already sold! 😍 By the way, we have a whole post reviewing some of Joanna Gaines fave makeup products here.
Here are some of Lina’s other favorite beauty products:
- MAC Eyeshadow – $19+
- MAC Lipstick – $19+
One of the greatest perks of shopping with MAC Cosmetics is not just the free shipping, but their Back-to-MAC program which can score you some pretty sweet freebies.
How does it work? All you do is shop at MAC online (their stores will be open again soon!), return empty, qualifying products, and once you reach six total returns, you can receive free lipstick! That’s an almost $20 value, just by returning trash! 😱
Here’s why Lina says about her favorite makeup:
“I’ve been using Revlon ColorStay liner for about 10 years and it’s the only thing I use! It stays on until you take it off and looks great all day long! I also love my tried and true MAC products – I’m a huge fan of their eyeshadows and lipstick. They also stay on all day and have amazing pigment!”
8. Emily’s favorite beauty product is her go-to foundation for acne-prone skin & includes SPF too!
- CC+ Cream SPF 50– $39.50
Full-coverage foundation AND included SPF without adding on separate sunscreen? Sign us up! This product is a #1 best-selling color-correcting cream, so we can see why this is Emily’s favorite beauty product!
The consistency is lightweight in texture and can be buildable so whether you want a light or a fuller coverage look, this can work for both.
Here’s what Emily said about her favorite foundation:
“IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50 has been my go-to for a foundation and as a concealer for the last three years. A small amount goes a long way! I use less than one pump and it completely evens out my skin tone and covers any redness or blotches. I lightly brush on a powder after applying because I have oily skin and then use the CC cream as a concealer to cover any blemishes. It lasts all day and washes off easily! Bonus that it has SPF 50.”
9. Amber loves her women’s gummies to help with thin hair & her face primer to achieve the perfect makeup application.
- Olly The Perfect Women’s Multi-Vitamin Gummies with Biotin – $12.42
- The POREfessional Face Primer – $32
Beauty starts from the inside out, and that’s something we might not often think about for our daily routine! A good multi-vitamin is a great start to better health, but Amber didn’t stop there – she also loves these vitamins to help build stronger hair and nails.
While Amber loves taking care of herself from the inside first, she also can’t get enough of this face primer which helps smooth her skin and prep it for the perfect makeup application.
Here’s what Amber said about her favorite products:
“I like to grab a multivitamin with biotin to give my hair and skin a boost. My hair is very fine and biotin really helps it grow a bit fuller. I tend to switch it up every so often as some contain more or less biotin. These gummies aren’t just good for you, but they taste great, too!”
“I love this face primer because it fills in the look of pores and smooths my skin which makes my makeup look so much better! I use it every time I put on makeup and absolutely love it!”
10. Skincare lover Emily can’t live without her foaming cleanser!
When you find a great face wash, you just stick with it! This has been Emily’s go-to for perfect skin and easily removing her waterproof makeup.
Here’s what Emily had to say about her favorite face wash:
“Aveeno Clear Complexion foaming face wash is the best cleanser I’ve ever used and have been using it for over 6 or 7 years now. Without it, my skin will develop tiny bumps and an uneven tone. It also removes all my waterproof makeup without having to scrub it! I’ve switched it out to other face washes in a pinch but I ALWAYS go back to this one.”
Emily also shared bonus products for saving money on doing her own gel nails:
Ever wish you knew how to do salon nails right at home? Emily says she saves tons of money by doing her own gel nails at home with an LED lamp and Gellen polishes, both from Amazon! People will be constantly asking who did your perfect nails!
Hip Tip: Check out this other way to do a manicure at home in just one simple step!
11. Erica loves this hairspray which gives her hair so much more volume.
- Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Undone Texture Hairspray – $17 (regularly $20)
Hair that could use a little extra volume will love this effortless texture hairspray! This salon-quality spray naturally enhances any head of hair.
Here’s what Erica has to say about her texture spray:
“Holy texture spray that actually works! I love this spray so much! And since I don’t get totally ‘out the door ready’ often, one bottle lasts me forever. It’s worth the beauty splurge to have some awesome hair when I need it.”
12. Paige keeps her skin ultra-clear with her favorites Kiehl’s Facial Cleanser.
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser – $12
- Or spend $22 when you buy the 5 oz. size and save $2!
Kiehl’s is probably the most underrated beauty product line ever! That said, I may be biased since it’s also my go-to line for face wash! This classic face wash is perfect for all skin types, so you really can’t go wrong!
Paige also uses this Kiehl’s tinted lip balm with SPF in her daily makeup routine:
If protecting your skin from the sun is important, you’re going to love these beauty product recommendations! Not only are they all-natural products, but they work extremely well!
Here’s what Paige has to say about her favorite products:
“I have tried a million different facial cleansers, but I always come back to Kiehl’s! It is awesome! I also have the Melanoma Cancer gene mutation, so I have to be VERY careful about the sun. Kiehl’s has great SPF products that really work well and I make sure to always have their lip treatment on hand when I’m running out the door.”
13. Jessica has used this NIVEA face cream for over 15 years.
- NIVEA Creme 13.5 oz jar – $6.68
This rich, moisturizing creme is great for all skin types! Another bonus is that it can be multi-purpose and used all over your body, making this a total budget-friendly and versatile beauty product to have on hand!
Here’s what Jessica has to say about her face creme:
“I’ve used this for over half my life, and I cannot go a day without it! I put it on my face right after I get out of the shower, and it instantly makes my skin feel smooth and hydrated.
I’ve tried other face creams (they are either too thin and watery, or they burn my sensitive skin). Nivea is absolutely perfect! One of these jars lasts a really long time, too. Plus, it’s not expensive which is always a bonus!”
14. Collin has been using the entire Uncommon James new beauty line & she especially loves their Pineapple Peptide Nectar Vitamin C serum.
While it hasn’t been literal years since Collin’s love with this beauty brand started, her favorite serum from the line protects against environmental aggressors while restoring a youthful glow. She couldn’t be happier with it either considering her skin is normally super sensitive to everything else on the market!
All Uncommon James Beauty products are paraben-free, cruelty-free, petroleum-free, and phthalate-free – everything great skincare should be!
Here’s what Collin had to say about her Vitamin C Serum:
“I’ve truly never really had a skincare routine (not even face washing before bed 😬). However, things have changed since I discovered Uncommon Beauty products from Uncommon James! I’ve been using them for just over a month now and I’m definitely impressed by how much my sensitive skin seems to love their products. Their serum, which is my favorite product, is basically a magical serum that just makes my skin feel so refreshed every morning. I’ve also noticed such a gorgeous glow since using it daily!”
Hop over here to read more about all the products Collin loves from this beauty line!
The highly anticipated Uncommon Beauty line just restocked + score 20% off!
Head to the Uncommon James website and look for the 20% off popup to text for a 20% code to be used on your order!
*Note that no one on our team is a beauty expert or dermatologist. It’s recommended to consult with your doctor first before using new skincare products.
Here are some incredible makeup hacks you’ll regret not learning sooner!
😍Love the Ordinary line at Sephora. Inexpensive and very underrated!
Our team member Angie is obsessed with it too! Thanks for sharing, tbulgrin!
I love them as well! You can get more items from their website and free shipping at $25.
Yes! So many more products at Deciem! My faves are the Niacinamide and Zinc for acne and the plant derived hemi squalene makes an amazing leave in for hair. There is a niacinamide powder coming out in August that I am excited to try.
Derma-E line is my favorite!
It has the best face scrub I eve tried.
Do you think men could use some of these products as well?
I don’t see why not, Stevmill8809, but like I’d recommend to anyone regardless of who they are, you should always consult a doctor first especially if you aren’t sure about a product. 🙂
My husband likes The Ordinary moisturizer. And my son like The Ordinary products for his acne care.
You are so gorgeous! 🙂 For the hot oil treatment. Could you melt the oil in the microwave?
Thanks for the sweet comment, Angie M! I’ll be sure to pass this along!
For the oil treatment, we haven’t tried warming it in the microwave as that may overheat it and kill the nutrients. This would take away the benefits. Hope this is helpful!
Thank you 🙂
You’re very welcome!
Angie – when we use the coconut oil in our hair although it is solid you can put it on your palms and rub a little and it starts to become less solid and as we rub it in our hair it becomes less solid and smooths in pretty well so we have never heated it but it is easy to work in with your hands as it starts to “melt” from solid form as you just work it in your hair! It also makes me want an Almond Joy every time! LOL!!
Plain mayo works wonders for me! Just slap it on, comb it through, and put your hair in a bun. Hit it with a warm blow dryer for five minutes after letting it penetrate for 30-45 minutes.
Can anyone vouch for the dyson hair dryer? Is it worth the price? Ulta has them 20% off right now.
Hi there! Be sure to check out the comments and details listed in these two posts!
https://hip2save.com/2019/11/10/dyson-supersonic-hair-dryers-just-319-99-shipped-regularly-400-awesome-reviews/
https://hip2save.com/2018/11/28/dyson-supersonic-hair-dryer-only-219-99-shipped-regularly-400-manufacturer-refurbished/
Thanks for the heads up on that sale! Did you find that in store? I don’t see it online.
Thank you, I got an email from ulta this morning and it says online only and there is a code to put in. I will check out the reviews!
Oh cool! You’re welcome! Thanks so much for letting us know where you found that deal!
Thanks for sharing your beauty secrets, just ordered clay mask .
Yay! You’re welcome, AS! Hope you love it!
Agree with Clinique! That is the only brand I use for any facial beauty products:cleaners, removers, serum, makeup, etc. They’re pricey, but they always have sales between their website and department store deals…results are well worth the price for me since my skin is a little sensitive.
I love Nivea. My mother used it on me when I was a baby when we were stationed overseas. She got it in her welcome baby basket from the hospital (yeah they quit that years ago, we also signed up for free baby products throughout my first year, got somethings every month when I could start using them, we got baby food samples as I could be introduced to them them at 3 months onward) and we have used it every since. In fact I have a huge tin sitting on my desk at work and I use it on my hands a few times a day.
I might try the clay mask if it will help get rid of the extra acne I’ve been experiencing after wearing a mask at work all day long. I’m definitely not buying anymore makeup though, no point when you can’t even see my face! Lol
Hi K! My daughter has used the clay mask for acne and it does really pull the redness out for her. Hoping that helps!
Clay works great! I also use plain powdered sulfur (mix with micellar water to form a paste). You can use as a mask or as a spot treatment overnight. It is amazing, BUT BE SURE YOU AREN’T ALLERGIC TO SULFUR/SULPHA DRUGS!
Thank you for the tips! I’m almost 30, I thought I was done with acne… Not anymore thanks to 2020 🙄
Oh hun, I’m almost 40 and still struggle with the occasional acne breakout 😩 But I do love that Aztec clay mask! And The Ordinary products, too.
The Aztec clay mask is amazing! I use it for sun burns, regular burns, acne control, bug bites, and more!
And then menopause may also have a surprise for you one day. 🤦 C’est la vie ❤️
Love the MAC eyeshadows that Lina showed. Can you tell us the name of the colors?
Hi Gerri! I just spoke with Lina. Those colors are Yogurt, Burlesque, Mythology.
Don’t use coconut oil on your face if you are acne prone. It is comedogenic so it will probably make you break out. I learned the hard way. Rosehip oil, which is non comedogenic, is an example of a better alternative (The Ordinary has a good one). Also, I lol’d a little bit about the eyeliner that Joanna Gaines uses part. Do people really want to copy that? Girl looks like a panda! Obviously you can apply it more sparingly but the fact that she uses an eye product is not a selling point for me 😉
I dont see anything wrong with her eyeliner
” but the fact that she uses an eye product is not a selling point for me.”
Fair enough, but this was just rude.
“Do people really want to copy that? Girl looks like a panda!”
I agree….it doesn’t matter who you are talking about, it is just plain rude.
Thanks for sharing these with us. This is much needed with everything happening. I will be incorporating some into my daily routine 😊
You’re so welcome! Hope you love these items as much as we do!
Is this an old post?
Hi there! We have posted on this before, however this is an updated list. 😊
I was surprised I didn’t see more Clinique.. I’ve used the 3 step program for forever – I have combination skin (my hormones have been nuts for a while so I tend to break out) and eczema and it works great to keep my skin clear and clean (I have no idea where I would be without it)… also one eyeliner I love love love is the felt tip Rimmel scandalize liner (especially the fatter one)- makes it so easy to do a wing tip or even just apply liner
Oh awesome! Thanks for letting us know about your favorite products, C! I’ll have to try those too!
A friend sent me a Salux wash towel in a care package and it is amazing! It makes my face super-soft paired with my favorite tea tree soap from InstaNatural. Both are great deals! Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth/towel (3) Blue Yellow and Pink https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IAE5WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2ToAFb3W8DRG5
Oh cool! Thanks for sharing!
Been loving everything Acure. Less chemicals and products actually work! And reasonably priced! 👍😊
I love the Ordinary line as well. However, I buy it from Ulta since the $3.50 off of $15 coupon works on the Ordinary products.
Is the Inkey List line of skin care similar to The Ordinary? I have a few Inkey list products and were also inexpensive.
Yes. The Inkey List is great. Hyram has a video about it on YouTube.
No No7 😳
I def would recommend actually figuring out what vitamins your body needs rather than taking a multivitamin – with guidance from your doctor of course. A lot of multivitamins have things you don’t actually need in them.
Just a reminder that just because someone swears by something doesn’t make it a good idea. The majority of the items on this list are abhorred by dermatologists. Do your research!
Because dermatologists love your problem skin and specially your $$$$$$. Do the research and use natural ingredients instead if those chemical filled products!
Hi Cass,
Thanks for sharing your favorite skin care. I’m looking for a new skin care regimen. How do know what to buy from that line? It seems so overwhelming. Help please.
Hi Lori! That’s a great question! First, it’s so important to know your actual skin type. What I would suggest is to wash your face with gentle soap, pat dry and wait. If your skin immediately starts to feel dry and tight, you have a dryer skin type. If your face feels clean and comfy, you probably have normal skin. And if your t-zone starts to shine, you probably have oily skin. It’s also worth noting that your skin can be dehydrated and just need a little moisture, but not necessarily dry. Another thing to keep in mind is that skin has a ph balance of 4.7 to 5.5 or so. There is some debate on this so let’s just say it’s around that area (with a little wiggle room). Products that are too harsh, over-exfoliation, and even hard water can throw off your skin’s natural ph levels disrupting the skin barrier and causing irritation, acne, or worse so it can help to look for products that have a ph level close to our skin (this is super important if you struggle with eczema or rosacea). The Ordinary lists each product’s ph level for you so there’s no guessing. Now that you’re armed with this info, you will be better able to select products from any skincare line. What’s so great about the Ordinary though, is that you can really tailor a regimen to suit your individual skin concerns whether you’re dealing with acne, dehydration, discoloration, wrinkles, etc. And they offer example regimens so you can get an idea of what may work for you here. For example, if you’re dealing with acne, their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Salicylic acid products would be worth looking into. If you’re dealing with the dark marks left behind by acne, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and/or Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA could be worth checking out too. I like their Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% for brightening skin tone and reducing the signs of aging. They have some really fantastic products but some of my favorites are their peptides, retinoids, hydrators, and exfoliators. The Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is a great one to try if you’re new to retinol. If it helps, I’m 40 with normal/dehydrated skin and I deal with discoloration from sun exposure (thanks to a lifetime of FL summers). So my focus is on hydration, brightening, and anti-aging. I really hope this helps you. I could talk about skincare all day so feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. ♥
I love the Jergans face cream. It is 3.50 at Walmart for a huge jar. It is an amazing makeup remover and takes my mascara off better then anything I’ve ever used,wonderful moisturizer, and even an amazing body cream also works great to soften my heels. For 3.50 everyone can try!
The Aztec healing Indian clay plus apple cider vinegar is good to treat blackheads.
I ordered the Aztec healing Indian clay for the first time to try it, but I need to know much of the apple cider vinegar and how much of the Aztec healing Indian clay do you use of each for the mask?
I would suggest using mostly water the first time you use it. Then slowly adding more ACV, if you want, with each use until you find the amount that works for you. I usually mix 1/2 ACV and 1/2 water until it is the consistency that I prefer. I tried using just ACV and I thought it was too much for my skin, but everybody is different, of course.
I always used Proactive deep cleansing wash as my face wash. Not able to find it anymore. Does anyone have suggestions on a product that has that deep cleaning ruff feel. I’ve tried so many different things nothing gives me that soft smooth look and feel.
Hi Kat! We recommend this Acure Brightening Facial scrub. Hope that helps!
Hi, my teenage son is dealing with acne, just scattered over his nose and forehead, lightly. We’ve been using a tea tree based product after washing with Cetaphil, but I think he may need a more heavy duty “regimen.” Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the info H2S! 💕
Coffee bean caffeine eye cream by the brand 100 Percent Pure. This is one of there award winners. All natural ingredients you feel good about using. I have purchased this many times. Right now it is on sale if anyone wants to try.
Awesome! Thanks for the helpful suggestion, Casey!