Adore Beauty Staffers Reveal The “Unsexy” Beauty Products They Can’t Live Without
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Pretty privilege isn’t just a human phenomenon – beauty products fall victim to it too.
The glitzy highlighters, luxurious lipsticks, and serums with shelfie appeal? They’re front and centre, basking in the spotlight. But what about the unassuming, unsexy heroes holding everything together behind the scenes?
The workhorses of our beauty routines rarely get their flowers.
They’re the plain-packaged, no-frills essentials we reach for on autopilot – not because they’re Instagrammable, but because they work.
So, we’re spotlighting the unsung heroes that Adore Beauty staffers can’t live without.
These products might not spark joy at first sight, but trust us, they’re the backbone of a well-oiled beauty regimen.
I’ll go first…
Since I discovered the art of the sleeping hairstyle, I’ve been loving these. While they are cute in design, it’s hard to feel sexy when they’re in use – but it does make my partner and I giggle, and it’s a small price to pay for perfectly tousled curls that look salon-made.
Another unsexy but very necessary staple on my skincare shelf: pimple patches!
Or as my partner calls them, “Those weird stickers that suspiciously fix my pimples”.
What I love about these ones by tbh is that they’re really effective while being gentle on sensitive skin. They also come in various sizes to cover all kinds of spots, from the innocuous to the obnoxious.
I loveeeee a sheet mask–before an event, after an event, on “self-care Sundays”, or whenever I need a little pick-me-up.
Any sheet mask will do, but if you’re in the mood to splurge, these ones by Cosmedix are the ultimate treat.
The way they make my skin so dewy, plump and glowy is utter magic.
“I can't live without some type of balm for my heel. The CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm works so well!” - Chloe, Content Coordinator.
"Some beauty essentials may not have the prettiest or sexiest title, but they’re often the ones working the hardest for our “we’d rather not share what we use them for” purposes. Right now, the CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm takes the number one spot for me. While testing it for this Beauty IQ article, I discovered my criminally dry (and often neglected) heels can’t survive without it. I’ve also been using it on the palms of my hands (pictured above) as they can get quite dry and cracked (blaming this on my very bad habit of cleaning without gloves). For only $18, this hard-working multipurpose balm which also happens to be developed with Dermatologists is also enriched with ceramides, petrolatum and hyaluronic acid." - Sadaf, Senior Beauty Editor.
“As a sweaty gal who loves hot yoga, this sweat-absorbent hand cream has become a staple in my workout routine. Where I was usually slipping and sliding all over my mat, I now have a solid grip that withstands the heat! It's easy to apply and doesn’t make your hands feel sticky or weird, but rather comfortably quenched.” - Ally, Social Media Specialist.”
What: Weleda Skin Food - 75ml
“I use Weleda Skin Food or even Egyptian Magic before I swim laps at the pool. It really helps protect from the chlorine, but not a fun experience since they are both so thick and balmy. Also - teeth whitening pens, I can't really talk so just sit awkwardly in silence for 10 minutes while it works....not really a vibe.” - Renee, Junior Product Developer.
“Ooooft, I do love a cheeky face razor once a month. It helps give your skin that super smooth, shiny finish when wearing makeup and also helps with application.” Jordi, Content Specialist.
“The Dr Bronners Lavender Liquid Soap! Nothing fancy, just a nice, natural, beautifully smelling body wash that I can use on myself and (my daughter) Tahlia. I love that contains no nasties but leaves you feeling wonderfully clean and fresh!” - Tarsh, P&C Coordinator.
“Egyptian Magic!! It's like the Windex from My Big Fat Greek Wedding - it's my go-to for sunburn, dry skin, chapped lips, eczema on my hands, you name it, I swear by it and have given it to sooooo many people. I don't leave the house without the travel size in my bag!” - Laura, Marketing Coordinator.
Wondering what other beauty products have recently caught our eye? Here you go:
