This story first appeared on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter in which our beauty writers share their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts. But we liked it so much we wanted to share it with all of our readers. If you want more first impressions of buzzy launches, quick takes on what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram, and deep dives into the week’s best beauty launches, sign up here. The Strategist Beauty Brief is delivered every Wednesday.
If you’ve been reading The Strategist Beauty Brief for a while, you know we’re serious about the products we love. We’re also serious about sniffing out good deals. In this installment of the Brief, we’re sharing a few stand-out items under $30 – all of which we tested this week. Read on for the glosses, conditioner, and eyeliner we’ve been testing (and loving) this week.
I cover lip gloss and balms for the Strategist. This glossy balm from Polite Society is very good. It’s hydrating while still delivering a real shine. Right now, I’m pairing it with the new lip liner from Ami Colé: This is the combination I’ll be wearing all summer. —Tembe Denton-Hurst
This was the recommendation of Strategist senior editor Ailbhe Malone, and as usual, it was a good one. I take care of our conditioner coverage on the site, so as you can imagine, I try a lot of formulas. I actually can’t believe that this costs only $7; as in terms of quality, it sits alongside bottles that cost triple that. Its ingredients list has all the good stuff — coconut oil, shea butter, rice protein — and as it’s so cheap, I don’t need to be precious with it. (Which is especially useful as once a week I like to sleep in a mask of conditioner and Shrine Drops to keep my hair ruby red, and that takes a lot of product.) —Rachael Griffiths
I’ve been testing this tinted lip balm from AppleDoll, and honestly I like it even more than Laneige’s glowy balm. Whereas Laneige’s has a thinner, glossier consistency that ends up looking a bit too oily on my lips, AppleDoll’s is thicker and more balm-like, enough to deliver real hydration. The product appears very pigmented right out the tube but, upon application, sheers out into just the right level of color and sheen. My favorite color is Dew, a lovely peachy mauve that also looks great as a wash of color along the cheekbones. —Kitty Guo
I found out about this eyeliner from makeup artist Amrita Mehta after I’d mentioned I could never quite get a winged eyeliner right. She suggested that for my eye shape I should start in the middle of my eye and follow the natural shape of my lash line. The key piece, though, was this liquid liner from Maybelline. It’s super easy to apply because it doesn’t skip and importantly delivers the exact right amount of inky color every single time. —Crystal Martin
I’ve been trying out one of the new Nécessaire body-wash scents (it’s $25), and I’m about to just buy a refill because it’s so good. It’s slightly fruity with some fig but not too much. And a little goes a long way. —Ambar Pardilla
I just got the Aqua Rich sunscreen (recommended by Rachael) and love it! There’s no white cast, and I don’t have to wait for it to sink into my skin. —Arielle Avila
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
