5 Unglamorous Beauty Favorites I Can’t Live Without

As much as I love sharing all of the pretty products that find their way across my desk, there are some less-glamorous products that really hold my routine together. I may not talk about them a ton because they don’t seem “interesting,” but I’m using them daily (sometimes moreso!) and they deserve a little shout out.

We all have them: the utilitarian products that don’t offer a lot of style, but you’re loyal to them enough to keep them on hand all the time. I first saw Makeup Savvy posting her unglamorous go-tos, and then saw the trend take off from there. So, take a peek into my routine to discover my own unglamorous beauty favorites.

1. Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant
Dove makes my favorite deodorant for several reasons. One, the smells are fresh but never overpowering. Two, the formula is gentle and doesn’t irritate the skin under my arms— in fact it contains 1/4 moisturizers for smooth skin (because who actually remembers to moisturize their armpits?). Three, I never get white marks, even when I apply generously. I have been preferring stick deodorants vs. gel more recently because they feel better on my sensitive skin. This one also offers up to 48 hours of protection, which is helpful if I forget to apply and have to run out of the house. I don’t have to feel self conscious or keep doing a sniff-check.

2. Gillette Venus Snap Razor
Even though the Snap razor is probably meant for easy traveling, I use it whether I’m away from home or in my own shower. I honestly think the short handle gives me more control. The clamshell case not only keeps it travel-friendly by protecting the blades from coming into contact with other items, but also keeps the razor from getting soaked when it’s not in use. This keeps it fresh longer— have you ever experienced a razor’s shaving stripe sticking to or melting into your ledge? Not with this little razor. Plus, it’s compatible with all the Venus heads. The small size makes it easier to store in-shower as well, since we don’t have any shelves or cubbies within our shower stall. I’m trying out a new longer-handled razor at the moment for the sake of adventure, but this one will forever be my favorite.

3. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes
My skin has been incredibly sensitive over the last few months, mores than ever before. Micellar water has really come in handy in order to take off my makeup, plus the oil and dirt from the day, without being too harsh. While I do love the big bottles of the stuff, I actually prefer the towelette versions for efficiency. My favorite have been the Garnier SkinActive Micellar towelettes, because it’s one of my favorite micellar water formulas and the cloths do a great job at picking up all the makeup residue. That way I’m not worried about repurchasing cotton rounds all the time, or using upwards of 5 pads to get my whole face. Just one towelette will take off all my glam, though I still follow up with a gentle liquid cleanser to get a deep clean.

4. Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezer
I’ve been using these mini tweezers from Tweezerman for several years now, and they’re still sharp! I honestly hated tweezing before I owned these, because I thought it must always be painful and ineffective. These have very thin grabbers (what’s the actual word for the tip of tweezers?) that pick up even fine hairs to pluck them from the root. These have made my brow routine so much more enjoyable— I mean, as much as it can be when you’re ripping hair from your face. But I can move more quickly and have a better grip on the smaller size. If you haven’t had great luck with tweezing yourself, I highly suggest these.

5. Revlon Kiss Exfoliating Balm
This one is actually a new unglamorous favorite! Lip balm is so important to me, because I absolutely hate the feeling of rough or chapped lips. This exfoliating balm wound up on my desk last week and I’m obsessed. The formula contains real sugar crystals that polish away dead skin, and moisturize with natural fruit oils. You can feel the sugar both in the balm and once you apply, but if you rub your lips together for a little bit they dissolve easily. I absolutely love this because I’m getting softer lips after each use, and it’s not as harsh as a full-on lip scrub. After I started using this, I don’t feel like I need to apply as often because it’s actually renewing my lips instead of a temporary fix.

What unglamorous beauty favorites are you loyal to?