What I’ve Been Loving This Fall: R+Co, Ere Perez, MERIT and More
A mix of new finds and old faves.
Welcome back to Editor’s Picks, where I share the beauty products that I genuinely love (and think you will, too!).
It’s been a minute, but I wanted to recap my fall favourites before we go into full Black Friday/holiday mode, because there is some GOOD stuff here. Some are new finds (like a magical thickening conditioner and the prettiest lip liner). Others are products that I recently added back into my routine and fell in love with all over again.
Here’s everything I’ve been reaching for on repeat this season.
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R+Co Bleu Ingenious Thickening Conditioner
Here’s the thing about so-called “thickening” conditioners. In my experience, none of them actually do what they claim… except for R+Co Bleu Ingenious Thickening Conditioner.
This was a random Marshalls find, because when you see a $70* hair product for $12 in this economy, you buy it. (*That’s Canadian dollars, a.k.a. Monopoly money. It’s a little less obnoxious in the US at $49.) But now that I know how well it works, I’d happily pay full price.
What makes it unique is that it’s a clear gel, with no silicones, butters or heavy oils. Instead, it’s loaded with a bunch of film-formers that coat your hair and LEGIT bulk it up so it looks and feels noticeably thicker.
If you’ve got fine hair, I promise you’ll be blown away. Pair it with my fave shampoo, and you’ll feel like you have twice as much hair!
Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation
In the summer, I was testing a lot of drugstore makeup, so I was mainly using the Maybelline that I told you about last time. But then I started reaching for my Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation again, and remembered why it’s my favourite foundation. (Yes, I think it’s even better than Westman Atelier, MERIT, RMS Beauty, etc.)
First of all, the ingredients list is insanely minimal and “clean” (if you care about such things). My main concern is whether products will clog my pores, and this one definitely won’t. No silicones, either, and it doesn’t feel greasy AT ALL.
The coverage is medium, but the new thing I’ve been doing with it is mixing it with my moisturizer to create a slightly more sheer DIY tint. (More on the moisturizer in a second!) Then, I’ll take some straight out of the tube and apply it around my nose and eyes, where I need more coverage, and it basically replaces concealer.
Of course, if I’m going out and want my skin super perfected, I’ll apply it non-diluted, with a brush. But either way, it never looks heavy and never feels gross. The shades are very versatile, too—they’re what they call “flexi-shades” that adjust to multiple skin tones. (I wear Latte.)
TL;DR: everyone needs to try this. It’s that good. 🤌
Mirabella Renew Age-Defying Daily Moisturizer
Mirabella Renew is the moisturizer I’ve been mixing with my Ere Perez, and also just a damn good moisturizer in general. I feel like I’ve talked about it a lot on Instagram in the past, but not on Substack, so you should know that I STILL use this every morning.
It may not be a “cool” brand or whatever, but I have not found any other moisturizer that compares at this price point. I love it because it’s very hydrating without feeling greasy, and it supports the skin barrier with squalane, niacinamide and ceramides. It even has peptides for anti-aging. It’s also fragrance-free, silicone-free and acne-safe.
What I do is apply it as my regular moisturizer on top of my Missha Essence (which, right now, I’m mixing with Holi (C)). Then, when I go to apply my makeup, I do about half and half Mirabella to Ere Perez. It feels so nice—like you’re not even wearing makeup!
MERIT Signature Lip Liner
The MERIT Lip Liner is a new launch, and full disclosure, I was sent this from the brand. But for what it’s worth, I think it’s now my favourite lip liner formula ever.
The reason? It’s much softer and balmier than other lip liners. So it glides on like butter, without the usual waxy feel. Most importantly, it doesn’t create that weird, unnatural-looking ring around your lips that I hate in red carpet photos! The colour is semi-sheer, so it creates this almost shadow effect that makes your lips look bigger (but not fake).
I have two favourite shades: Coupé (cool pink) for everyday, and Mayfair (cool mauve) for a bolder lip.
Agent Nateur Holi (C)
Let’s talk about vitamin C for a minute. I used to think L-ascorbic acid (as in C E Ferulic) was the only kind worth using, but now I don’t believe that at all. I’m now completely devoted to sodium ascorbyl phosphate: a gentler derivative that brightens, firms and fights acne.
There are two main brands that use it: Mad Hippie for your budget option, and Agent Nateur Holi (C) if you want to splurge. I recently did an Agent Nateur brand review, so I started using Holi (C) again. But that’s the beauty of this product—it’s a powder, so there’s no rush to finish it up before it oxidizes! I think I got this bottle two years ago, and it’s still as fresh as can be. 😂 It also won’t irritate your skin like L-ascorbic acid can.
The other ingredient in here is calcium ketogluconate, which is less proven but is supposed to stimulate your natural elastin and hyaluronic acid production. I’m here for the vitamin C, so if it does anything, I’ll take it as a bonus.
This does have a higher price point, but not as high as SkinCeuticals. And the bottle lasts a long time, since you’re only mixing a tiny amount (a “dash”) with your fave serum or essence. I like Holi (Water), but lately I’ve been trying it with a couple drops of the cheapie Missha Essence and I love that combo as well. (More about that product here.)
Everist The Body Wash Concentrate
This beat-up-looking tube is Everist The Body Wash Concentrate, and it’s what I always take with me when I’m travelling. It’s a compact, waterless body wash that saves so much space in your toiletries bag. (I love my Nécessaire, but I’m not lugging that around.)
But it’s also a genuinely great product. It’s like a slightly oversized tube of toothpaste, with a creamy texture that lathers up with water. No sulfates, and thanks to 20% aloe and 30% glycerin, it leaves your skin very soft and hydrated. A little goes a long way, so it lasts quite a while (which is why my tube looks the way it does 🤷♀️).
Note: They also make a Shampoo Concentrate, and while it’s no IGK, I really like it, too.
Grown Alchemist Exfoliating Hand Wash
Kind of a random one to close things out, but I have a thing for fancy hand soaps, and this Grown Alchemist Exfoliating Hand Wash is a new fave. I got it as a PR sample months ago, and finally got around to trying it.
It has this grainy gel texture that is weirdly satisfying, and it smells SO good. (I die over vanilla and orange together!) Plus, it doesn’t leave my hands dried out, even if I forget to apply hand lotion.
If You’re Shopping the Sales This Weekend…
My annual Black Friday beauty guide has all the deals (200+ and counting!), along with my top picks of what’s actually worth buying. I’m updating this list daily through Cyber Monday, so keep checking back—and if you choose to shop through my links, thank you! 🥰
Thanks for reading! Have you tried any of these products or brands? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.