I share so much beauty on Instagram and Substack, but I thought it would be fun to start something new here where Carly and I each share a handful of our recent beauty favorites. We’ll aim to do this monthly, a fresh little update of the best things we’ve each tried.
Best of beauty, October 2026
GRACE’S PICKS:
- Irene Forte Night Cream: This is probably my best beauty discovery in a long time. I’ve been deeply loyal to Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream for probably ten years. I’ve tested and tried new things along the way, of course… but nothing has wowed me enough to ever (even think about!) making a full-on swap. This night cream is incredible. It’s deeply hydrating, and after a couple of months of testing, I’ve noticed my skin looks smoother and glowier. But even in the short term, you really do wake up looking better. I didn’t take it with me to Paris and missed it terribly!
- Olaplex Shine Spray: This is the best shine spray as it makes your hair so soft and glossy without adding any weight (or worse — grease!). As someone with dry, frizzy hair, I adore this. While you are there, pick up the hairspray: it’s the best hairspray I’ve ever tried! Weightless and buildable, with all-day hold.
- No Makeup Makeup Mascara: I’ve been a die-hard fan of NMM’s foundation (even though I don’t love the packaging), and the new mascara is just as great. What I love is that it also conditions your lashes. After a month of consistent use, my lashes looked so much longer and thicker. I’m still using it every day, and I’m totally wowed by the results.
- Make Beauty Brow Gel: I have unruly eyebrows that need a little help, or they fall down, and I look messy. This keeps them up (almost laminated) all day. A must for me, even on days where I’m not doing anything else to my face.
- One Love Organics Cleansing Oil: An old favorite, rediscovered. It is just a wonderful little sensorial experience. It has a vaguely tropical fragrance, and not only does it hydrate and take all your makeup off… the fruit acids gently exfoliate. It is such a fantastic product.
- Abi Amé Body Mask: This product is wild, with amazing results. Slather on a layer of the iridescent purple cream and let it sit on your skin as long as you can (10-15 minutes). Then, hop in the shower for your softest skin ever. It has 30% AHA, which is spicy. Serious exfoliation, without any scrubbing.
CARLY’S PICKS
- Cyklar Body Cream: I consider Grace my fairy godmother when it comes to beauty products. She’s tried them all, she knows what’s best, and she has an incredible inventory of products that she’s always willing to pass to a friend when she really loves a product. I’ve never been one to invest in body lotions because I’m terrible with the routine of applying lotion to my body post-shower. This nutrient-rich body cream changed the game for me. I’m practically desperate to apply it, especially after a long day. It’s so incredibly soothing and while I haven’t tested out the other scents yet, I can truthfully say that this vanilla isn’t too sweet. I typically have to avoid scented products because of how sensitive my skin is, but not this one!
- Sidia Hand Serum: Another gift from Grace that I’ve repurchased over and over and use religiously. I keep one bottle on my bedside table and one in my bag. It’s especially useful in the winter, when my heat sucks all the moisture out of my apartment. I’m convinced this will keep my hands looking like a 20-year-old’s long into my 80s.
- Mr. Smith Luxury Masque: A recommendation from my old hairdresser that I will take to the grave. My curly hair can be very dry, so I use this masque as a conditioner, and it is just the perfect amount of hydrating. It’s not too dense, so it really feels like you could get away with using it daily. The scent is also one of my favorites: it leans a bit masculine and is just all-around refreshing.
- Makeup By Mario Lip Pencil: I’ve never been much of a colorful lip kind of girl. I’ve always preferred sheer balms that add a sheen more than a tint. However, I received these pencils a few birthdays ago as my gift from Sephora and am genuinely obsessed. They glide on seamlessly and blend in beautifully. I love layering it with the matching lip gloss, or tracing it under my everyday lip balm for a more natural look.
- Sofie Pavitt Face Micellar Cleansing Pads: I am a Sofie Pavitt fan through and through. Her products are perfect for sensitive skin, and aren’t too outrageously priced. I purchased these pads ahead of an international trip to keep my skin feeling clean and fresh after the long travel days, and will most likely continue to use them in that manner. They don’t feel too stripping, but they definitely offer you that “fresh face” feeling that guarantees you’re wiping away some of the dirt and grime that accumulates on your skin after sitting on an airplane for 8 hours.
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