The act of swiping on a juicy lip gloss or blending in cream blush feels sexy. But not all steps in my beauty routine have this cute of an aesthetic. Welcome to the best, but least sexy parts of my routine. They might not look pretty (think: an electric nose hair buzzer) but they’re all very practical, super-satisfying, and crazy confidence-boosting. So in the name of not gatekeeping, here are the best unsexy beauty products to try. Warning: They might just change your life.
Hello Sweet Coconut Cream Allover Body Deodorant
You’ll never have to stress about stinky boob sweat again, thanks to this silky cream. After the shower, but before I put my bra on, I smooth a pea-size dot of this body deodorant under my boobs (it’s great on pits and feet too). It’s aluminum-free, fast absorbing, and it smells like a tropical vacation. Whether I’m running to the office or a workout, I know I’ll stay fresh and dry when I’m wearing this. And dare I say, the cream feels more spa-like than using a ho-hum stick.
Dorco Tinkle Eyebrow Razor
This just might be my favorite beauty gadget of all time. If you want to remove facial fuzz but don’t want to go to another appointment or spend a fortune on laser hair removal, consider this amazing Amazon find. It’s marketed for your eyebrows but I use it anywhere I want to remove facial hair—think of it as DIY dermaplaning. On clean, dry skin, hold the area taught (like your cheek, for example), and use short strokes to buzz the hair away. Not only is this the most satisfying thing (you can literally hear the hairs getting cut off) but it leaves your skin silky smooth. It also helps skincare penetrate better and makeup go on flawlessly. It’s become a once-a-week staple.
Plackers Micro Line Floss Picks
You won’t catch me without one of these flossers in close proximity. I use them before brushing when I wake up, before brushing before I go to bed, and throughout the day to keep my smile clean. I have a permanent retainer glued on the back of my bottom teeth so floss doesn’t work. I love these because on the opposite side of the flosser, they feature a little pick that can remove food from tight spots. (Hot tip: Brooke Shields told me she uses this tiny pick as an eyelash separator after applying mascara!)
Panasonic Precision Nose Hair Trimmer
Nix nose hairs without any eye-water causing (IYKYK) plucking with this handy buzzer. It’s portable and pain-free, thanks to sharp blades that cut those pesky dark hair without tugging. TBH, I wasn’t sure if it was working because it feels so gentle, but when I popped the head off to clean it, tons of tiny black hairs fell out. Trust me, your partner will want one too. You’re welcome.
Starface Hydro-Star Clear Pimple Patches
Pimples are the freaking pits. Upgrade your high school acne plan and stick on one of these cute zit stickers instead. I pop them on before bed or while I’m running errands. These ones are clear so they’re almost undetectable. The 100% hydrocolloid patches draw out the gunk so your blemishes look flatter and calmer in just a few hours. But my favorite part is that they prevent picking and squeezing, which we know only makes the lasting look of pimples linger. You can even wear them under makeup.
WaterWipes Original Baby Wipes
TBH, I discovered these wipes when I had my daughter (hi, Georgie!). Girl moms raved about how gentle they were on privates (they’re 99.9% water with a drop of fruit). They worked wonders on my newborn’s sensitive skin but just as well on me! They’re now the only wipe I use. If I don’t have time to shower, I do a quick body wipe down. I keep them in my car for spills and sticky hands. And I use them with a little micellar water to remove makeup.