To be fair, my skin is always on the dry side. But this year it’s been particularly so, to the point that it’s patchy and red—and breaking out, too. Maybe it’s aging, or perha…

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I had every intention of sharing my winter skincare routine this week. Then, I broke beauty editor rule numero uno and started testing new products in 10-degree weather when my skin is at its most sensitive…have I learned nothing??? Naturally, breakouts and irritation ensued. So I’m going back to my trusted favorites (to be shar…

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Welcome back, back again. Thank you to those who celebrated three years of Gatekeeping with me. As a reminder, all paid subscribers will be automatically entered to win one of three copies of Anastasia Soare’s memoir, Raising Brows. I’m choosing the winners on Monday, 12/15. Don’t miss out!

As a bonus, I’m also offering 25% annual subscriptions until Monday, 12/15 as well (that’s just $37.50 for the year!).

Get 25% off forever

Now, for the main event. Below you’ll find the 10 skincare, makeup, hair, and fragrance products that I loved most in 2025. I’ll be honest: I did not love a lot of products this year! There were a lot more products I liked, but didn’t love. And you deserve the crème de la crème. Still, some outshined others from my POV.

To be clear, everything on this list is a new product that launched in 2025, with a few honorable mentions that sidestep the rules a bit. And although I tried a ton of products across categories, I can hardly claim to have tried everything out there. So if a product isn’t below, it might not be because it’s not good; it might just be that I haven’t tested it.

Also: Sephora is offering 20% off right now for Beauty Insiders (with some exclusions) through December 14, using the code SAVEGIFTS. Products you can shop there are noted below! OK let’s get into it.

Skincare

Verdoie La Crème Hydratante, $88
I’ve loved seeing my looooongtime friend Sonia Gaillis Delepine’s line Verdoie take off. The moisturizer is genuinely fantastic, especially for dry and sensitive gals like moi. Everyone I’ve put onto it loves it.

Therabody depuffing wand, $170, $140
Aside from chugging coffee, my favorite feeling in the morning is something icy-cold on my eyes. This tool gets chilly in an instant so you can calm sleepy undereyes and feel more awake. It also has a warming feature, which I like to use on my jaw when I’m extra tense. [Ed. note: After publishing I realized this first launched late 2024. Whoops! I’m keeping it on here because I got mine this year. Sorry for the oversight!]

Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye, $48 $38.40 with code SAVEGIFTS
Last year I included Innbeauty Project’s wonderful Extreme Cream, and this year, the eye cream joins the ranks. I swear my dark circles have faded, and even though it’s rich, I haven’t noticed any milia or irritation. The only downside is that the packaging is on the bulky side (it’s technically refillable).

Makeup

Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash Mascara in Burnt Umber, $36
I lost my tube and I’ve been mourning it ever since. Because this isn’t just any brown mascara…the color is perfect: a little plummy, a little coppery—it’s truly gorgeous and unique. Plus, I love the lash-separating brush and non-clumpy formula.

Jones Road Gel Liner, $32, and eyeliner brush, $24
If you loved the beloved Bobbi Brown eyeliner pots, the MUA brought them back—but arguably better—in her line Jones Road. I rarely wear liner anymore but when I do, it’s the brown or violet from this range. And yes, you do need the brush. It makes application SO easy.

Merit Solo Shimmer Shadows, $26 $20.80 each with code SAVEGIFTS
Ever since I got ahold of these shimmer shadows, I’ve been using them nonstop (well, anytime I wear a full face, so like once a week). They’re creamy, long-lasting, and the color range is just right for Merit’s target audience, a.k.a. millennials who were raised on Naked palettes. Technically, they’re an extension of an existing product, but I’ll let it slide because I do think they’re different enough (and much better than their non-shimmery counterparts…)

Haircare

Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Hair Mask, $10
I first tested this mask out back in January while in Sedona with Unilever (which owns Dove), and was absolutely blown away. I’ve gone through another jar and a half since because it truly does make my hair feel like silk in just a couple minutes. And that price, hello!!

Kitsch Cloud Flat Hair Clip, $8
Truly the last thing I needed is a new hair clip, but I wanted a flat clip like this for a while and finally caved and bought this one, which comes in multiple sizes. I’m obsessed. You can actually lean your head back without your clip poking into your head, and it’s easy to put in even without a mirror.

Fragrance

By / Rosie Jane Remi Perfume, $80
So many new fragrance launches are gourmands these days, so this citrus scent from Friend of Gatekeeping Rosie Jane was a literal breath of fresh air. The mandarin is light and bright, but it also has cardamom and white amber to give it a bit of warmth, so you can wear it year-round.

Glossier You Fleur, $82, $65.60 with code SAVEGIFTS
The newest sequel to Glossier’s runaway hit fragrance You, I prefer You Fleur to the rest for its blend of earthiness (mineral salt), softness (cashmeran), and “skin-like” quality (Ambrox). I still smell the OG You all around the city but I don’t mind being the oddball with this one.

And now, a few honorable mentions…

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So, fo…

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Today I have for you a common summer skincare dilemma, but first, by popular demand: a Labor Day sale guide. This is hardly comprehensive, but it does feature the sales I’m perusing myself and/or think are worth shopping right now. According to my texts with friends (and this hard-to-trust if lovely autumn-adjacent weather), fall shopping season has officially begun. And with the tariffs in play (gross), we need sales more than ever.

Ulta: 21 Days of Beauty (kicks off on 8/29)

Sephora: 50% off select products

Tula: 25% off sitewide + GWP on orders $75+

Saltair: 15% off sitewide + Travel Size Body Wash on orders $60+ with code LABORDAY2025

Rōz Hair: 20% off when you bundle 2+ products + get a free treatment oil on orders $150+, no code needed

Alex Mill: Up to 70% off sale styles

Cosabella: Up to 50% Off + extra 30% off sale with code SUMMER30

Madewell: Extra 40% off sale and 30% off fall selects with code LONGWEEKEND

J.Crew: Extra 50% off sale and up to 40% hundreds of new styles with code WEEKEND

Gap: Up to 40-60% off sitewide, no code needed

Larroudé: 30% off sitewide

Reformation: Up to 70% off sale

Beis: Up to 50% off select luggage

Calpak: 15% off sitewide, no code needed

Brooklinen: 25% off sitewide, no code needed

Article: Up to 40% off hundreds of styles

Container Store: 30% off sitewide (literally my favorite sale)

Amazon: Up to 40% off thousands of deals, including 30% off Airpods 4 and the Shark FlexStyle hair tool

Uniqlo: End of summer sale, no code needed (Uniqlo having a moment rn…watch this space)

Free People: Extra 25% off sale styles, no code needed

Now, onto this week’s main event: my acne :) I will get in front of this and say that it is not that bad—a mix of luck and genetics and taking care of my skin, etc. You don’t care. That being said, this summer marked the most I’ve broken out in a long time, and I really wasn’t having it. So, I turned to the one and only Acne Whisperer, .

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Of course, not everything is a total waste of valuable sink space. So what’s worth the real estate? This week, I called in reinforcements from my beauty editor friends. Ahead, 10 of the most …

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As an air-dryer since…forever, I was inspired to post this Substack Note:

I’ve simply never been about heat-styling; in high school, when flatirons ruled the world, my friends would straighten my hair for special occasions (to us, that meant pep rallies lol), but my day-to-day vibe was air-dried waves. And it’s pretty much remained that way since.

I realize I have hair privilege here. I happen to like my 2A/B hair texture, and being lazy about it suits me. If it’s being wonky—which it often is, don’t get me wrong—I throw it up in a topknot or claw clip and call it a day.

Still, I do think there are some things that make an air dry extra-great. And since I have a very specific hair type—fine, long, and color-treated—I asked two fellow air-dry enthusiasts, Erica Metzger and Manasa Vedula, to share their routines too. Read on for our tips. The throughline? You don’t need much.

My Air-Dry Routine

Hair type: fine
Hair texture: wavy

I brush my hair with a Wet Brush, then immediately run about a nickel-sized amount of leave-in conditioner through from mid to ends—not too much because I also use a hair mask and don’t want my hair to get weighed down. Right now I’m using a custom leave-in formula from Prose, but my all-time favorite as of press time is the Roz Milk Hair Serum. I braid it into a side braid, and don’t bother securing it—I just leave it and if it unravels overnight, so be it. (Yes, I sleep in wet hair sometimes and have lived to tell the tale!) In the morning, I unravel it and use a small brush to tame any areas at the crown, but leave the rest of it unbrushed.

If I’m washing it in the morning, I skip the braid, and instead scrunch in a dollop of air-dry cream (I like JVN Hair), and let it do its thing. Then I’ll usually run a pump or two of Roz hair oil through if I want a little extra shine.

For next-day waves, I’ll brush it then spritz it with water to revive the natural texture. Or I’ve also been liking this curl refresh spray from SheaMoisture. That’s it!

Erica Metzger’s Air-Dry Routine

Hair type: fine
Hair texture: straight-ish

I have fine hair with a smidge of natural texture—not really a wave, more of a baby bend and if I air-dry, my bob has a nice amount of natural body and movement. Generally speaking, the less I mess with it, the better it looks (unless I’m due for a cut—then hot tools become mandatory).

In the shower, I detangle with conditioner so post-rinse all I really have to do is part it cleanly with a wide tooth comb and try to avoid messing with the shape otherwise. When wet, my hair clumps into a very subtle wave pattern, so I try to milk it as much as possible and gently wrap it in an Aquis turban to soak up water for 5-10 minutes, then scrunch in a tiny amount of leave-in cream. Not much product at all really, but I do have a rotation of leave-ins. I keep coming back to Virtue 6-in-1 Styler or JVN’s Air Dry Cream. Lately I’ve been into Goldwell’s Air Dry BB Cream and the Dyson x Chitosan Pre-style Cream (which is technically for heat styling, but works as leave-in too). Mousse and sea salt sprays haven’t been as successful for me. They dry more crunchy.

Sidebar: I’m growing in my greys, and the texture at my temples is completely different—dry, fluffy, and a little wild. Before I head out the door and if I can remember, I’ll smooth it down with a hair serum stick (Tresemmé makes a good one!).

Manasa Vedula’s Air-Dry Routine

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As I’ve said from the very beginning, the intention behind Gatekeeping has always and will remain to be a moment to yourself amid the chaos. Just writing it, talking to guests, finding new favorites—it’s been that for me. But tbh, that’s becoming increasingly harder.

But there is hope—and I’m inspired by those fighting the good fight in LA, NYC, and everywhere coast to coast (and beyond). If you’re looking for a way to get involved, I found this recap helpful. And NYC friends, you BETTER BE VOTING in the primary on June 24! Send me a pic of your sticker and I’ll comp you a 3-month paid subscription.

Today, I’m here to remind you that no matter what goes on, you simply have to stay hydrated.

Early on in the history of Gatekeeping, I noticed a trend: People are particular about their water. Sparkling or not, how it’s filtered and served, the temperature, you get it. So I started asking guests a simple question: How do you take your water? The results are below.

My hope is it’s a refreshing (ha) distraction, where “ice” means literal frozen water. Enjoy <3

Thu Pham Buser: I am a chronic dehydrated mess because I move so fast and almost never take a break when I am working. So my favorite thing to do is fill up a giant chef's quart cup with any type of seltzer water, squeeze a lime into it, drop ice, and keep filling it up throughout the day. Honestly, I can barely take a break to sit so I've learned to do with what I can when on marathon shoots. Staying hydrated is so important!

Rosie Johnston: I like my water filtered and ice cold—the colder, the better. Nugget ice is my ultimate favorite. I love tons of it so I can sip and chew at the same time—pure satisfaction!

Sonia Gaillis Delepine: 33 cl1 can of Perrier, marinated in the fridge until it’s glistening. Served in a glass coupe with a fresh squeeze of lemon—and the carcass stays in.

Ochuko Akpovbovbo: I take it from the tap and from my water bottle always. Drinking from cups or mugs or plastic things give me the ick. Dont ask me why, it just does!

Eric Williams: Brita filtered water! LA water tastes nasty so we keep our Brita in the fridge and she gets the job done.

MacKenzie Kassab: Frozen raspberries, a squeeze of lime, and fresh mint. I can’t cook but I can make a mean glass of water.

Lola Gonzalez: 50% ice, 50% already cold water, in a Hydro Flask with 3-4 scoops of unflavored Armra.

Madeline Hill: Gerolsteiner sparkling water is my favorite forever and ever.

Tembe Denton-Hurst: Brita filtered in a double-wall insulated tumbler my wife's cousin got at a work conference. It's slate blue and says Hope, Florida on the side, wherever that is.

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We all have those fragrances that serve as an instant pick-me-up. My two favorite smells in the world are 1) fresh coffee and 2) walking into an ice cream shop. The former gets me out of bed every day, and the latter is what gets me through very long weeks.

When it comes to wearable scents, I’m currently in a bright and spring-y phase. I’m really liking Prada Rhubarb* (it reminds me of a less sweet RALPH*—still around, btw—which my friends and I loved in middle school), and Glossier You Fleur*, which is mysterious—not a straightforward floral at all. Almost spicy.

I’ve discreetly been asking past Gatekeeping guests to share their favorite scents over the last few months; some are perfumes, some are foods, some are other things entirely. What they all have in common is that they smell incredible—find them all below.

*Sold at Sephora and included in their Savings Event, now through 4/14.

“Fresh baked Pumpkin Bread. You walk in the house and immediately know fresh loaves are on the counter. My kids love it and when they are surprised by the scent in the house it is so fun to see how excited they get.” — of Retail Diary (now part of Line Sheet)

“Lilyphea by Diptyque. I've been saying it's Glossier You* for people who bathe.” — of

“We’re perfume collectors/hoarders and scent snobs. Friends sometimes think we have a problem. Current favorites are Bo by Liis and Toï Toï Toï Extrait by Ormaie. Subtle, unfamiliar, and impossible to name to most noses, which is why we love them.” —

“Lemongrass, lemongrass, lemongrass. Because I cook SO much in my house, before I have friends over I make sure to tie up a few stalks of lemongrass, lemon peels, and citrus peels and boil it for around 15 minutes. The house smells like a spa and it's a neat trick you can do with kitchen scraps. Yummm....” — Thu Pham Buser, culinary artist, food stylist, and chef

“I’m Puerto Rican and grew up wearing Nenuco. It’s a ‘baby cologne’—if you’re Latina you know. I spent years trying to find the notes in it and looking for perfumes that take me back there. Neroli is the closest thing (Reddit confirmed this). I love Celine’s Parade; that’s been my go-to for a few years and what I feel like the most myself in. I’ve been really into Perfumehead’s Reines de Anges and Somewhere. I love them solo, but in the summer, I layer them with Tom Ford’s Portofino* to make them a little lighter and more fresh.” —Lola Gonzalez, creative director of Versed

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Dieux Instant Angel, $45
I’ve talked about Dieux multiple times before but I don’t think I discussed this particular moisturizer yet. I love it, it’s great, I squeezed out every last drop (clearly). Under $50 too! Better for nighttime routines and dry skin types—if you’re oily, go for Air Angel instead.

Ilia Limitless Mascara, $29
A good, reliable daytime mascara that didn’t have major flake-age. I give it a 8/10 if you like a more natural look.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1, $55
Medik8 offers their retinal serum in different potencies so you can either build up to a stronger formula or choose the level your skin likes best. I started with the lowest and loved it for my sensitive skin—I might bump up to 3, but honestly I really liked 1 so maybe not! We’ll SEE! Also yes, it’s a retinal, not a retinol, which just means it’s a more stable form of retinoid (and ostensibly less irritating).

Tula 24/7 Ultra Hydration Serum, $48

My not-so-hot take is that I think a lot of hyaluronic acid serums don’t really do anything. This is one of the only ones I’ve used that felt like it actually hydrated my skin, and it didn’t break me out or cause any other issues. Be sure to apply it to damp skin for the best results!

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I’ve been threatening you all with a list of the best beauty products for a few weeks now, and I’m finally following through. It’s not a very long list—11 products total—because even though there were a lot of things I liked this year, there were not a lot of things I loved.

The best part is that everything’s discounted right now either in Sephora’s Beauty Insider Sale or with various codes. Wee! Now, without further ado, I present the 11 products I loved most in 2024.

Hair

Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand, $18, $14.40 at Sephora through 12/15 (JK: It’s sold out on Sephora but still available on Dae’s site)
I think we’ll see a lot of copycats of this one: It’s a styling cream—not a gel!—in a mascara-like tube complete with with a spoolie so you can slick down hairs and tame flyaways. Every time I use it (daily) I’m always like…how did I live without this for over 30 years?? Plus it smells good.

Roz Foundation Hair Mask, $48, $38.40 with code LINDY20
I love all Roz products, and their hair mask is really nice! It’s super creamy and easy to wash out, and comes with a little squeeze key so you can use up every last drop from the aluminum tube.

Skin

Minu Brightening Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, $58, $46.60 with code LINDY20
My friend Sonia introduced me to this sunscreen when we went into Credo (and she’s French, so if she’s buying sunscreen in AMERICA, you know it’s good). It’s possibly the easiest to blend mineral sunscreen I’ve ever tried, and it leaves a nice, hydrated—not greasy—glow.

Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream, $48, $38.40 at Sephora through 12/15
Everyone is obsessed with this moisturizer, and we are all correct. It’s great for dryness, but also gives skin that plump, dewy look and just makes skin look better all-around. For the money, you can’t beat it IMO.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum, $46, $36.80 at Sephora through 12/15
I love how weightless this eye serum feels, and I really felt like I noticed a difference when using it. Super hydrating and it lasted me quite a while, even though the tube is on the small size.

Tula 24-7 Weightless Moisture gel cream, $58 $43.50
This was my favorite daytime moisturizer from this year. It has the most refreshing texture, but didn’t leave that tacky feeling under makeup like a lot of gel formulas. They packed in beneficial ingredients too, like peptides, niacinamide, and collagen.

Makeup

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Questions about any of the below? LMK in the comments. And heads up: I’m kicking this one off for everyone, but only paid subs will get to see the full guide.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud Hydrating Body Cream, $40, sephora.com

True to its name, this body cream really does feel like a cloud. It’s light and fluffy, and soaks in nicely while still being hydrating. I love it for summer when thicker creams feel too heavy.

PAUME All-in-One Cuticle and Nail Cream, $28 $22, amazon.com

I’ve squeezed out every last drop of this cream, which is miraculous at fixing cracked, sad cuticles. Funnily enough, my friend Jen just texted about this line of hand-care products, to which I sent her an enthusiastic two thumbs up. Rihanna’s reportedly a fan, too!

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + Depuffing Concealer, $32, sephora.com

It’s hard to tell from this pic, but I’m down to the dregs of this concealer. I can’t promise it will help with any depuffing, but it’s easily the creamiest, least cakey under-eye concealer formula I’ve tried, with the best color matching (there are 31 shades).

The links below are affiliate-free for paid subcribers. Thank you for your support!

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Although it’s not entirely necessary to change your routine with the seasons—if your routine works for you, great!—I like to switch things up to lighter, more soothing products when it’s hot and hu…

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