30 Beauty Products That Have Graced ELLE's Pages Since 1985
These tried and true standbys have graced ELLE's beauty pages, steadily, since 1985.
Over the past 30 years, these powerhouses—beloved by top dermatologists, makeup artists, hairstylists, and our own editors—have won more ELLE MVP awards than all the rest.
The Hair Dryer: Harry Josh
Hair expert Serge Normant loves this turbocharged ionic dryer, with its 80-miles-per-hour airflow, because it's "lightweight but strong."
Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000, $300; dermstore.com
The Nail Polish: O.P.I.
Who doesn't love these shiny, chip-resistant lacquers? Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury tells us, "Big Apple Red [below, top] is instant glamour." More ELLE faves: Tickle My France-y (center) and Alpine Snow (bottom).
OPI Nail Lacquer, Big Apple Red, $10; macys.com
The Blush: NARS
One Nars Orgasm blush is sold every minute in the U.S.; poppy-pink Desire, another ELLE favorite, is a "modern take" on a color that often feels cutesy, according to makeup pro Ayako Yoshimura.
NARS Orgasm Blush; $30; sephora.com
The Brow Pencil: Tom Ford
Each one of the four shades works on a different hair color, and the ultrathin tip allows you to add strategic length to a short brow. Makeup artist Robin Black raved that they "make it easy to fill in brows without hard, obvious lines."
Tom Ford Brow Sculptor, $45; nordstrom.com
The Face Oil: Rodin
Designed by chic silver-fox stylist Linda Rodin and researched by dermatologist David Colbert, MD, this elixir was among the first facial oils to kick-start what became a major trend. It "replaces natural skin oils that you've lost," Colbert told us.
Rodin Face Oil, $170; oliolusso.com
The Lip Gloss: Lancome Juicy Tubes
These come in translucent and shot-with-shimmer shades and are pure deluxe-gloss perfection.
Lancome Juicy Tubes, $18; lancome-usa.com
The Mascara: Dior Diorshow
This jumbo-brushed marvel was dreamed up backstage in 2002 when Dior makeup artists resorted to toothbrushes to apply mascara on models.
Dior Diorshow Mascara, $28; dior.com
The Hair Oil: Shu Uemura Essence Absolue
Hair guru Tommy Buckett confirmed the miracle status of this camellia oil: It "gives a glossy shine, controls frizz, and leaves hair silky."
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue. $69; shuuemuraartofhair.com
The Facial Pad: Peel Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel
Beloved by makeup artists, this system of activator/neutralizer pads gently slough off skin cells and brighten by increasing cell turnover.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula, $16; sephora.com
The Eye Shadow: Chanel Illusion D'ombre
"Not makeup-y" said makeup artist Romy Soleimani of the ethereal pigments. "The effect on skin is beautiful."
Chanel Illusion D'ombre, $36; chanel.com
The Dry Shampoo: Klorane
The spray doubles as a styling product by adding some hold, and colorist Lorri Goddard told us it "lessens fading" by lengthening time between shampoos.
Klorane Dry Shampoo, $9; dermstore.com
The Self-Tanner: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
It darkens skin just a little each day with a streak-free application that revolutionized the self-tanner category.
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, $10; ulta.com
The Moisturizer: Creme de la Mer
The first big-ticket supercream to go mainstream, this luxe formula is "the one product that many of my clients with amazing skin have in common," plastic surgeon David Hidalgo, MD, told us.
La Mer Creme de la Mer, $310; cremedelamer.com
The Anti-Aging Serum: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Since its inauguration in 1982, the face saver has been a favorite of ELLE editors worldwide: In a 2014 international poll, one called it "a power nap for your face."
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, $62; esteelauder.com
The Mask: SK-II Facial Treatment
This first-of-its-kind cotton mask is miraculously powered by cell-regenerating yeast from fermenting sake.
SK-II Facial Treatment, $105; sephora.com
The Face Tool: Clarisonic
This oscillating brush is clinically proven to get rid of six times more dirt than manual washing and "helps products penetrate better," said dermatologist Arielle Kauvar, MD.
Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System, $99; sephora.com
The Hairspray: L'oreal Paris Elnett Satin
We had to smuggle cans home from Europe before this classic became available in the U.S. in 2008.
L'oreal Paris Elnett Satin, $6; drugstore.com
The Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin
Dermatologist David Bank, MD, told us the 68-year-old wash has "been the gold standard for cleansing without irritation."
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $5; drugstore.com
The Lip Balm: Fresh Sugar
Introduced in 2004, these lush tints, which are available in 12 shades, are enriched with hydrating, fatty-acid-rich avocado oils.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, $23; sephora.com
The Top Coat: Sally Hansen Diamond Flash
This standby adds crazy shine, expedites drying time, and strengthens the nail bed to prevent shredded tips.
Sally Hansen Diamond Flash, $6; target.com
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