The Beauty Products That Briefly Spared Us From Rage Blackouts in 2024

Lesa found fleeting serenity through dry brushing. AMG learned that she wanted to smell like burnt marshmallows. All that plus the shows, albums, and a podcast that made our year.

During our last editorial meeting, we realized that we both dislike December as a month and a concept. However, we do like year-end lists! So please enjoy the softer side of SFB where we share our best-of beauty and music picks for 2024. We’ll be back to ranting in the new year, don’t worry.

Lesa

I’d already been dabbling in dry brushing here and there, but when I got the Higher Dose Supercharge Copper Body Brush, I became faithful to doing it before every shower. (AMG Note: I worry that you’re going Goop on me!) (LH Note: NEVER.) (AMG Note: Whew.) The copper bristles are supposed to release natural ions and “ground” you but as if I can confirm that? I just like the way it removes all that dry skin dust off my lower body (ok seeing those fine flakes float away is kinda gross NGL) as well as the fact that it doesn’t have a long handle, so I find it easier to use. In the shower I follow with Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash, the cost effective alternative to L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, which was my introduction to the category. I truly don’t understand why oil-based body wash isn’t more common? Like what is not to appreciate about washing and moisturizing at the same time? Especially when applying body lotion feels so taxing? Maybe I am fooling myself, but my lower body hasn’t felt itchy once this year.

I love cleansing balms but not all are created equal. Though not technically called one, Weleda Nourishing Oil to Milk Cleanser is the same idea, and just divine. A lot of these balms in pots feel kinda waxy, like I don't know, synthetic butter? This one is just a clear, thick jelly that breaks down all your sunscreen etc and rinses away without leaving your face feeling tight and dry. I have paid out of my own pocket for it and that says a lot when I still sometimes get skincare samples sent to me. (I just hate the white text block on the tube; is it just me or is that not bad design?)

I bought The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% when I was out of the country in February because I needed a zit treatment (honestly how are they still a thing past the age of 50?). Normally my go to has been salicylic acid but this worked so well without drying out the entire area. Even if I don’t have something angry developing on my chin–the only place I break out–I dab it on there every night to keep things in check and I swear I haven’t had a zit there since the late spring.

I already mentioned Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon back in the summer, but I’m here to say that not a day has gone by since when I haven’t used it. It’s creamy, pigmented colour ( I will NEVER be a lip oil person) that I can lay down thick or just lightly for a tint. The only thing better would be to make one in my dream berry shade. For now, I wear it in “Night Bloom”.

Before the brand went down in flames (I still haven’t forgiven you Kendo!), Bite Beauty’s Agave Lip Mask was my ride or die balm. I still have a tiny bit on hand but I also love anything by Australian brand Lano, like their 101 Ointment Multi-Balm. It comes in a ton of flavours and honestly I will use ANY of them. (AMG Note: The Banana and Strawberry flavors are ELITE.) What both Bite and Lano have in common is lanolin, what I believe to be the best ingredient for dry lips. (I first encountered it in nipple cream when breastfeeding a lifetime ago). Because it is sourced from sheep’s wool (no sheep are harmed BTW!) it’s seemingly less common now due to the vegan craze in beauty. That could also be because the trend these last few years has been for lip treatments with thinner textures (see U Beauty, Rhode, Summer Fridays). But lanolin is thick and healing and comforting and it’s the only thing I ever want when my lips feel dehydrated. Lano left Canada a few years ago (COME BACK!!) so I’m lucky my friend Nathalie brings a tube back for me from Ulta when she visits her parents in Texas.

I used to believe I was not a leave-in conditioner kind of person. I just assumed a regular rinse out conditioner was sufficient since I never use hot tools, don’t colour and rarely blow dry. But this summer, I was determined to make it a year until my next cut (October) so the bottom 4-5 inches looked pretty haggard, especially because they’d been lightened by the sun from my regular bike rides. I started applying it to the lengths (I tried ones from Crown Affair, Oribe and Function of Beauty) and my hair drank it up and did not feel weighed down. I also found that if my hair needed a refresh on a non-wash day, a spray leave-in was all it needed to revive my texture. Anyway, I am a changed woman. —LH

AMG

A Fave Beauty Story:
Which Celebrity Brands Are Any Good?” by Jennifer Sullivan for The Cut
Man, this is one of those stories I WISH I had written. I also wish the responses weren’t anonymous (LH note: can you imagine???) so we could see how many of the calls were coming from inside the house. (Sample quote, RE: JLo Beauty: “Whoever was in charge of the direction of that brand needs to reevaluate if this is the right job for them.” LMAO) Celebrity brands aren’t all bad by association; I recommend rhode, Rare Beauty, The Outset, and Victoria Beckham all the time because I think they have some exceptional products. But zero percent of the credit for that goes to the celebrity—it goes to the product developers, who, for obvious reasons, are not generally known to the consumer. (With the exception of rhode, which does highlight the contribution of its exceptional cosmetic chemist, Ron Robinson).

Most Delightful One-And-Done Eyeshadows:
Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow One swipe and a couple of finger taps to neaten things up, and you’re left with a beautiful amount of adult shimmer and pigment that always looks great. I love easy eyeshadow. Runner Up: Speaking of celeb brands, About Face Fractal Glitter Paint, and from what I know, this brand also has good product developers. These are like the sparkly kid sister to Liquid Lurex. I can’t vouch for the bold shades, but I have tried and re-bought most of the neutrals, and they’re fantastic. I get the feeling based on the out of stocks and shabby displays at Ulta (and I have been to MANY locations) that this brand isn’t long for the world, though. If you know what’s up, let me know so I can stock up on these.

One Balm to Rule Them All:
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm I have these in nearly every shade, in all my makeup bags, plus backups. It’s a rich formula but not thick, it has the right amount of shine, it wears well for a long time, it’s flavored but not gross. (I’m looking sideways at you, Glossier Biscotti Balm Dotcom—whoever made that has never been in the same room with biscotti in her/his/their life. I suspect this is why it’s DEEPLY MARKED DOWN right now.) I am completely neutral on the rest of this brand’s portfolio, but I am absolutely feral about this product. (LH note: I am feral about the Iced Coffee flavoured one)

Three Perfumes I Enjoyed Tremendously:
Kyse Delizia di Marshmallow This brand, which only makes gourmands, is a TRIP. I don’t know much about the perfumer, Terri Bozzo, except that her background isn’t in traditional perfumery, it’s in nutritional science. The website has a lot of emojis and you can’t really buy anything—although I think they sometimes do drops? (LuckyScent carries most of the range.) I’m apoplectic about how bad the brand’s design is. (And I am not alone.) But this perfume IS SO GOOD. Toasted marshmallow, warm vanilla, sweet but not too-too. It’s complex! Like, there is smoke and ash in there. I have tried many things from Kyse—Oui Plus!, Frangipane al Pistacchio, Praline au Caramel—and you might think based on how they look and sound that they would be terrible. I hate that marketing has rewired our brains such that we think things that look/sound good must also be good (cough, Merit, cough). So kudos to Bozzo for putting the good inside the bottles, where it counts.

The Maker Dream: This is a grown-up gourmand. Vanilla, cinnamon, and sandalwood. (LH: I want this in my nose ASAP) There is also magnolia in there, but thankfully it does not give much white floral. It’s so nice!

Victoria Beckham Portofino ‘97: I looooove a citrusy-woody thing, and this is that, plus a little spice, a little amber. It smells expensive. And it is also objectively expensive. — AMG

LESA’S PICKS

Album and gig: Kim Gordon, The Collective/ Toronto, June 10

Obviously she’s a legend in her own right, but it’s still remarkable that at 71 (!!), Gordon is making music that continues to push herself forward as an artist. It took me a few solid listens to really let the album sink in but by the time she came to town, I was fully committed. She came out in a black miniskirt and I just watched in awe, as Gordon proved aging doesn’t have to be the slow decline we fear. This is the way. I hope my final chapter will be even a sliver as exciting as hers is. (AMG Note: LOVE THIS AND ALSO AGREE <3)

Gig: Slowdive in Royal Oak, Michigan, November 23

This year, I had to leave the country twice to see my favourite band; I went to three of their gigs in February in the UK and more recently, this one Stateside. While the three across the pond were obviously glorious experiences, this one topped the others because they changed the setlist. Not only did they finally add “Alife” from their latest album but more crucially, I got to hear “No Longer Making Time” from their 2017 album. It’s one of their most beautiful songs and they hadn’t played it since 2018 and I’d been hoping it would return one day. So yes, of course I cried. Feeling all the feels is the mark of a great concert experience for me.

Book: Rebel Girl by Kathleen Hanna

From her dad’s abuse to sexual assaults, there is so much trauma in Hanna’s past that gets aired out in her memoir that it’s little wonder she had a few breakdowns (and required time outs) while writing it. But it’s also a fascinating look back to the 90s, detailing the start of her punk band Bikini Kill and includes appearances from Kurt Cobain, Ian MacKaye and King Ad-Rock, who later becomes her husband. Not a page is wasted, and I found myself so invested in hers and Ad-Rock’s story that I’m honestly so happy they are still together. She’s a true survivor. (I had the chance to interview her about the book).

AMG’S PICKS

Performance: Doechii on NPR’s Tiny Desk

There are so many layers to this—Doechii is absolutely one of the most interesting artists of right now. Tiny Desk has been crushing it this year (Maxwell, Norah Jones, SWV, Billie Eilish, fucking 311!) but Doechii really stands apart. Everything is so considered—the visible face tapes, her amazing band (THE TRUMPET!), the styling, her joy, she’s giving a lot and all of it is great. A standout from this set: “Denial Is a River,” which she also performed on Colbert (with “Boiled Peanuts”) and is absolutely worth a watch. I hope she wins all the Grammys.

Podcast: Bandsplain, Hosted by Yasi Salek

If I have a parasocial relationship with anyone on the internet, it’s for sure with Yasi Salek. Her INSANELY in-depth shows often run for at least 3 hours, and sometimes multiple parts. This kind of thing is truly for the folks for whom Behind the Music was simply an amuse bouche. (It’s me, I’m the folks.) This season she’s tackling the origins of Brit Pop, and when I tell you I am locked in! Even better, she did a mini-episode on British slang, with the Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders, which is a romp (and also very helpful). I still can’t figure out how to use “our kid,” (LH Note: Isn’t that the sole domain of Noel Gallagher?) but I’ll keep trying.

Album/Lifestyle/Everything: Charli XCX Brat
This was Charli’s year, and for good reason: She infiltrated pop culture in a way that was impossible to ignore. How many musicians do you know who co-opted an actual Pantone color? (A not particularly universal one, at that.) There were endless memes, a good-natured attempt at wading into US politics, her very own dance, controversies, and a huge celeb-studded tour, capped off by a massive free concert in Times Square. But more important, the album, which was filled with enough druggy bangers and sticky bops for everyone—not to mention remixes on remixes—was legitimately excellent. And with that, I wish you all a very Brat New Year.