Skin Care and Beauty Roundup: Honest Hits, Misses & Everything In Between

No Makeup Makeup Foundation Cream/Balm

I’m notoriously hard to please when it comes to foundation. Most either sit heavily on my skin, settle into fine lines, or leave my rosacea patches peeking through. You can get a set with two colors to find your perfect shade. I landed on Porcelain, which turned out to be perfect for me. The texture is silky, blends seamlessly, and manages to give me coverage without looking or feeling like makeup.

What I love most is its versatility. It evens things out enough that I don’t feel the need for separate concealer or powder, yet it never looks overdone. My skin feels comfortable all day, and it doesn’t cling to dry spots. After publishing my first thoughts about it on Instagram, the brand kindly reached out and offered me a code. AWSL15 will get you 15% off sitewide!

Oh, and it’s brilliant for travel too…just one compact and a brush, and you’re covered. For someone who usually rolls her eyes at “miracle” products, this foundation-balm really impressed me.

RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush in French Rose

My daughter tried this RMS Hydra Powder Blush and now swears by it. She usually gravitates toward cream blushes, but the shade and finish of this French Rose is so pretty and luminous that she’s kept it in regular rotation. I keep eyeing it myself, though she may notice if it mysteriously disappears into my makeup bag.

Tower 28 Making Waves Mascara Set

I’ve used the jet black Tower 28 Marcara in the past and really like it. My daughter just tried the Making Waves Mascara Set, which comes with black and dark brown mascara plus an eyelash curler. She found the brown mascara gave a softer, more natural look for daytime, yet it still gave her lashes plenty of definition. The formula didn’t smudge or flake, and she loved that it washed off easily with just warm water. For her, it’s an everyday mascara that feels polished but still effortless…and I have to admit, I’m tempted to switch to try the brown too.

Guerlain Natural-Origin Honey Tint Lip Oil

Glossy finishes are a no-no for me…but she loves them. She tried the Natural-Origin Honey Tinted Lip Oil in Rose Glow and Honey Glow. The colors are sheer but add just enough to brighten her lips, and the finish feels glossy without that sticky lip-gloss feeling. She says they feel hydrating and comfortable to wear, and are easy to swipe on without a mirror. They have a light honey scent, which might not be for everyone, but she didn’t find it overwhelming. These have been living in her bag ever since.

KORA Organics Turmeric Glow Drops (Niacinamide Alternative)

I take turmeric capsules for its anti-inflammatory benefits, and add it to my diet every chance I get, so I was curious to try these Kora Turmeric Glow Drops. It has a strong turmeric scent, which I actually love, but I know that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The texture felt light and silky going on, and it layered nicely with the rest of my routine. It’s designed as a niacinamide alternative, meant to help smooth skin, even tone, and add a bit of glow. For me, it just felt really calming and comfortable on my skin. You can use the code AWSL15 for 15% off their entire site.

Sonsie Cleansing Mousse and Super Serum

I was surprised and delighted to fall in love with this Sonsie Cleansing Mousse. It’s a gentle, hydrating cleansing wash that feels like a puff of clouds in my palm, and somehow melts all my makeup away. I don’t even need to use micellar water first! It contains soothing ginger root extract to reduce redness and gentle bisabolol to protect against daily stressors…just what my skin needs.

There’s a delicate hint of rose that’s so subtle, I almost couldn’t name it, but it adds a whisper of calm to my nighttime routine…that I look forward to. I’m going to have to stop raving about it to my daughter because she wants to borrow it. Borrow, in her world, usually means “keep until I forget it was mine in the first place.

I’ve been using the Sonsie Super Serum for a few weeks now, and so far I really like it. The texture is light, it sinks in quickly, and leaves my skin feeling calm and hydrated. It has 4% niacinamide to help support the skin barrier and 2% mountain pepper extract to reduce redness, which my skin can always benefit from. It has no added fragrance and just smells clean.

Oak Essentials Ritual Blue Tansy Oil

I reach for this Ritual Blue Tansy Oil on the nights I use my gua sha. It gives just the right slip for the stone to glide, and it feels soothing on my skin. The scent is herbal, slightly sweet note that’s subtle but calming. Blue tansy is often used for its anti-inflammatory properties, which makes sense for my easily irritated skin. I can’t say it’s erased redness, but it does leave my face feeling calm and comfortable by the end of the night.

Skinfix Barrier+ Balancing Water Cream Moisturizer

My daughter, who’s in her 40s with dry, sensitive skin, has been loving the Skinfix Barrier+ Balancing Water Cream for daytime. It’s lightweight, sinks in quickly, and gives her enough hydration without feeling heavy. She especially appreciates the airless pump—it keeps the product clean, makes it easy to get just the right amount, and helps it last longer without drying out. For her, it’s an easy yes to keep in the routine.

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

My daughter has been using the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream at night, and it’s been working well for her dry, sensitive skin. The texture is richer than what she likes during the day, but by morning her skin feels soft and smooth.

Haircare Misses (and the One That Saved the Day)

Lolavie Scalp Scrub Shampoo & Conditioner

These two are a don’t bother for her. The Exfoliate + Detox Scalp Shampoo sounded clever in theory, but instead of feeling refreshed, her hair ended up feeling weighed down. She followed with the Intensive Repair Treatment hoping it would help, but that only left things feeling the same. What promised to be a smart system just fell flat—her hair never felt truly clean afterward.

Lolavie Dry Shampoo

After the fiasco with the first two products, she needed to try to salvage her hair so she grabbed the Lolavie Dry Shampoo and found it a surprising win. right away. It has a fresh scent, absorbed oil, and revived her hair. Sometimes the emergency fix ends up being the favorite.

evolvetogether Nutrient-Rich Body Cleansers (Havana & Monaco)

These Nutrient-Rich Body Cleansers feel like a small luxury in the shower and are a definite luxury. They’re made in the U.S., which does make them more of an investment than your average body wash. Because they’re made with 17% oils and butters, they don’t really suds up, but they do leave skin soft and lightly scented. My daughter can’t stop raving about Monaco—she says it’s rosy, fresh, and quietly elegant. I have Havana waiting in my shower but haven’t tried it yet. I’ll report back once I do.

At the end of the day, comparing beauty products has become its own kind of entertainment for us. She’s quick to rave about her favorites, and I’m quick to guard mine in case she “borrows” them the next time she visits.

If nothing else, our honest beauty reviews over 40 and 60 prove two things: good products do exist, and mothers and daughters will always find something to tease each other about, no bathroom sharing required.

What about you? Have you tried anything lately that turned out to be a surprise hit, or a total flop? I’d love to hear.