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What’s in Her Bag: 5 Dermstore Employees Share Their Must-Have Beauty Products

Rahimah Herd
Writer and expert5 years ago
View Rahimah Herd's profile

When working at a beauty company, it gets super easy to fall in love with a new product each and every day. We’re surrounded by some of the best-selling skin care, hair care and makeup products that we love sampling, sniffing and chatting about endlessly. Naturally, some of them end up being our go-to's that we stash in our purses and take with us everywhere!

Here at Dermstore, you'll find all kinds of beauty aficionados—from savvy marketers to trend-scouring beauty buyers—who know their stuff. We selected just a few of these fabulous ladies to spill the content of their bags and give us the lowdown on each item. Read ahead to get to know them (and their favorite beauty products) a little better.

Kat S., MarketingDirector—Content and SEO

skin care bag kat

Skin Type: CombinationSkin Concerns: Milia, Age PreventionLifestyle: Active/Outdoorsy

1. lilah b. Divine Duo™ Lip & Cheek - b. fearless

How long have you been using it? About six months.What do you love most about it? The packaging is super cute and easy to slip into a bag. Also, the color is blendable and lasts all day.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I’m a minimalist when it comes to makeup. Part of it is not wanting to spend much time getting ready along with wanting my face to feel lightweight when I’m out about my day. So, I only really wear a brow pencil, mascara and blush on a daily basis. With that being said, I love how just a little bit of this color can add a natural glow to my skin.If you could describe it in 2–3 words, what would they be?Hint of color.

2. Besame Cosmetics 1920 Black Cake Mascara 

How long have you been using it? About a year.What do you love most about it? OK, I have always had a problem with tube mascara. Maybe I was just never buying high-end enough, but I hate how when you buy a new tube, the wand is completely coated in makeup. How’s a girl supposed to get precision from that? With Besame’s Black Cake Mascara, I love that I can control exactly how much I apply, every time. Plus, the product lasts a really long time.If you could describe it in 2–3 words, what would they be? Mascara for grownups.

3. Sanitas Skincare Solar Block

How long have you been using it? Over a year.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? This is a zinc-based mineral sunscreen and it’s the best I’ve found. Zinc is the only mineral sunscreen ingredient that will protect against UVA and UVB rays (titanium dioxide needs zinc as its buddy, zinc can go it alone), so it makes for a super-simple SPF with minimal ingredients. As a fair-skinned gal, I don’t mind the initial white-cast this one gives since it does fade/sink in after a minute or two. Best of all, it’s also not oily at all!If you could describe it in 2–3 words, what would they be? Daily necessity.

Jordan J., Marketing Coordinator

skin care bag jordan

Skin Type: Normal Skin Concerns: Age Prevention, Sun Protection Hair Type and Texture: Fine, Oily Lifestyle: Active/Social

1. Korres Jasmine Lip Butter

How long have you been using it? Months!What do you love most about it? This is my all-time favorite. If I was stranded on a desert island with one product, this would be it. This lip butter hydrates, treats and is slightly tinted. I travel a lot and so my lips are often dry, but after using this product, my lips feel restored.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? No more dry, cracked lips!

2. Harry Josh® Pro Tools Mini Detangling Brush

How long have you been using it? Three months.What do you love most about it? So far, I love it. It fits perfectly in my purse, detangles greatly and stimulates the scalp.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? For those of you that have fine hair (like me) that is easily knotted, this hair brush is a lifesaver.If you could describe it in 2–3 words, what would they be? Best on-the-go brush.

3. R + Co BADLANDS Dry Shampoo Paste

How long have you been using it? Four months.What do you love most about it? I was a bit hesitant to try a dry-shampoo paste, but now, there’s no looking back. This product has a matte finish and is both a dry shampoo and styling product in one. This is my saving grace on days I don’t wash my hair or when I just need a little pick-me-up.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? Yes! I can now say goodbye to greasy, unstyled hair!If you could describe it in 2–3 words, what would they be? Instant hair makeover.

4. Nurse Jamie Instant Uplift

How long have you been using it? Two months.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? I love that this product energizes and enhances your skin. The unique tourmaline stones really do help improve the tone and texture of your skin. You can visibly see a difference, especially if you’re a side sleeper, as it reduces lines and swelling.How does it compare to other products that you’ve tried in the past? I prefer this over a stone roller any day. You can use this all over your body, not just your face.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I definitely notice a reduction in face swelling and signs of fine lines.

5. Coola Moisturizing Face SPF 30 Organic Sunscreen Lotion - Unscented

How long have you been using it? Over a year.What do you love most about it? This sunscreen layers well under makeup and isn’t oily or scented. It’s travel-ready, long-lasting and great rain or shine. The best part is that it also moisturizes your skin!Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I would be sunburned and covered in freckles if it wasn’t for this sunscreen.

Sonia A., Associate Buyer

skin care bag sonia

Skin Type: Combination/Dry Skin Concerns: Dehydrated Skin, Hyperpigmentation, Dark Circles Lifestyle: Active

1. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

How long have you been using it? Just started using this!What do you love most about it? It's a super-moisturizing cream that can be used all over the body, not just the hands and face.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I have eczema and this definitely helps keep my symptoms at bay.

2. Caudalie French Kiss - Seduction

How long have you been using it? Four months.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? I love the color—it’s a subtle nude/pinkish color. It contains aloe vera, which is very soothing and hydrating.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? It has definitely helped to restore my dry lips.

3. Supergoop!® Glow Stick Sunscreen

How long have you been using it? About two months.What do you love most about it? I love the way it leaves my skin glowing. It’s very handy for those times I leave the house in a rush and forget to apply sunscreen to my arms and hands.How does it compare to other products that you’ve tried in the past? I think what really differentiates this product is that it’s a glow stick, so it can be used as a highlighter on the face as well.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I think the fact that it protects my skin while locking in moisture is a major plus!

Christine W., Dermstore Spa Esthetician

skin care bag christine

Skin Type: Sensitive/DehydratedSkin Concerns: Sun DamageLifestyle: Outdoorsy

1. Tweezerman Classic Stainless Steel Slant Tweezer

How long have you been using it? 10+ years.What do you love most about it? It's great for keeping a clean shape in between appointments or tackling any hairs on the chin or upper lip area.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? It helps to prevent two groomed brows from becoming one.

2.jane iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara - Black Ice

How long have you been using it? Six years.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? This is one of my go-to mascaras because of the large, fluffy brush applicator that allows me to create volume and length without any product buildup. Also, as someone who wears mascara daily, the seaweed lipids within this formula protect my lashes from getting brittle and prevent breakage.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I don’t have as many lashes falling out thanks to the seaweed lipids keeping them nourished throughout the day.

3. TOCCA Beauty Hair Fragrance - Stella

How long have you been using it? Five years.How does it compare to other products that you’ve tried in the past? The smell and shine that it provides is long-lasting, unlike other hair perfumes that I have tried. It’s a light, flirty scent with notes of lily and blood orange that isn’t too overpowering.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? This helps minimize any unpleasant odors whether it’s after the gym or maybe when you want to mask the scent of your dry shampoo. Just a couple sprays and the unwanted smell is gone!If you could describe it in 2–3 words, what would they be? Flirtatious, fresh fragrance.

4. BY TERRY Baume de Rose

How long have you been using it? Three years.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? I find that I rarely have to reapply this balm since it truly provides long-lasting hydration. I love the anti-aging properties from the Bio-ceramides and antioxidant protection from vitamin E.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? Yes, it has improved the texture of my lips, leaving them soft and supple throughout the day.

5. Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist

How long have you been using it? Five years.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? The aroma is very refreshing and invigorating and I love to use this mist throughout the day to refresh my makeup or skin. Plus, the antioxidants found in this formula provide great protection from environmental aggressors like pollution---especially beneficial for those that have a long commute.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? It has made my skin softer, suppler and brighter.

Shay P., Office and HR Coordinator

skin care bag shay

Skin Type: Oily/CombinationSkin Concerns: Uneven Skin Tone, OilinessLifestyle: Busy/Active

1. Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick 

How long have you been using it? For almost a year.What do you love most about it?Are there any unique ingredients? This product has a beautiful tint and keeps my lips hydrated all day long! I love that this item contains nourishing shea butter and refreshing Mandarin oil.How does it compare to other products that you’ve tried in the past? This lip balm lasts much longer compared to some of the other products I've tried. It’s convenient to use and most importantly, hydrating.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? I’ve noticed that the lip balm has helped with my chapped lips.

2. Lancer Skincare Omega Hydrating Oil

How long have you been using it? Five months.What do you love most about it? I love how the product melts into my skin right away and shrinks my pores instantly.How does it compare to other products that you’ve tried in the past? This is a very lightweight oil that doesn’t sit on top of the skin like some of the other oils I've tried in the past.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? My pores definitely look smaller.

3. Angela Caglia Skincare Souffle Moisturizer

How long have you been using it? Three months.What do you love most about it? Are there any unique ingredients? This product instantly brightens my skin for a natural-looking glow. It contains hyaluronic acid and meadowfoam-seed oil that provides deep hydration and targets fine lines and wrinkles.How does it compare to other products that you’ve tried in the past? It's great because you can use it both day or night.Has it improved any major conditions or concerns? My skin is much tighter and appears to be brighter.

Rahimah Herd
Writer and expert
View Rahimah Herd's profile

Rahimah Herd is a former Beauty Copywriter at Dermstore. Throughout her career, she’s written about everything from furniture to fashion. You can catch her at the beach, in bookstores or booking her next flight.

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