Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
Even the simplest compliment can absolutely make my day and sometimes my entire week, and I don't think I'm alone. (Here's your daily reminder to actually tell a person—even if they're a stranger—something you noticed or admire!)
If we're talking about the appearance-leaning compliments I receive, 85% of them have to do with my hair, which I think is directly correlated to going from platinum to red last year; my nails, which is where I really like to have fun when it comes to my beauty aesthetic; or my scent. As you'll soon find out, I mainly attribute this to my love of fragrance layering.
I've spent years trialing hundreds of products. The large number of disappointments is somewhat shocking, so when I find something that really works, yields noticeable results, and helps win me confidence-boosting compliments, it feels pretty victorious. If you're curious for more details, keep scrolling. I'm sharing a slew of my favorite hair, fragrance, and nail products that reap impressive results.
Hair
I've been massaging Mielle's organic rosemary oil into my scalp before every wash for almost a year now. Sometimes, lI'll let it marinate for a full day or night or for just a few hours. Suffice it to say, the rave reviews I'd read online and heard from friends and co-workers didn't let me down. I've noticed faster hair growth and a significantly calmer, less flaky scalp. If you're looking for thicker and healthier hair, spend the $10.
I adore everything from celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak's line, Rōz, but this treatment oil has truly transformed the lengths of my hair. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love a fabulous pre-shampoo hair treatment, and this yummy melding of botanical oils leaves my hair so much softer and shinier post-wash. I like to leave it in for at least a couple of hours (usually while I sip coffee, work out, eat breakfast, etc.), but if I'm feeling extra motivated, I'll work it in, slick my hair into a chignon, and wear it all day like I would a styling product. PS: My 76-year-old mom is also in love!
TikTok made me do it! I'm only human, so even as a beauty editor who already has way too many products and gadgets on my hands, I fall victim to the choke hold of BeautyTok. However, I will say that this high-tech scalp-massaging brush is one of my best impulse buys ever. It feels absolutely amazing (I love using it while I binge Netflix at night), and the combination of red light therapy and a handy little portal that can distribute a hair oil or serum while you massage is beyond brilliant.
This dry shampoo is truly revolutionary, and I can't imagine ever cheating on it now that I've found it. It's a non-aerosol mist that gives you clean-looking hair for a full three days. Plus, the patented OdorBind biotechnology works without leaving any extra buildup, cloying fragrances, or dusty white residue behind. I've found the latter to be extra important since going from platinum to red.
If you have fine hair, do yourself a favor and go buy this new volumizing shampoo and the matching conditioner from Amika. As someone who has never had much luck with volumizing shampoos and conditioners, I've finally met the formula I've been waiting for. Not only does my hair feel noticeably thicker and fluffier (but not in a frizzy, humid-weather type of way), but it also makes my hair so much smoother and glossier. I swear it also recharges my red with more vibrancy.
After I bleached the eff out of my hair for years, developed an intense allergy to said bleach, and ultimately had to pull a complete 180 and dye my hair red last fall, my hair was in a bit of a state. After talking to the best colorists and stylists in the biz, they recommended that I substitute rich and nourishing hair masks in for conditioner whenever I washed my strands. I've been experimenting with a handful over the last year, but I always come back to this one from Amika. It's ultra-hydrating and basically acts like a multivitamin for battered strands.
This daily stem cell peptide treatment from Act+Acre was one of our 2024 Beauty Award winners, so do I really need to go on?! In a nutshell, it's lightweight and boosted with a plethora of scalp-nourishing and hair growth–stimulating ingredients, and it will, quite quickly, transform thinning hair. I use it on a freshly cleansed scalp after I get out of the shower—before I apply my oil and leave-ins—and before bed on days when I don't shampoo.
I've been a beauty editor for seven years now and still have yet to come across a hair oil I love more than this one. I'm constantly recommending it to friends, family members, and strangers, and it's truly become one of my ride-or-die beauty staples. I have a few oils in my arsenal that I use for different things, and this is the oil I apply on damp hair after I've washed and before I spritz in my leave-in. It's lightweight and non-greasy (very important for someone with fine hair!), and it makes my hair incredibly smooth and shiny while also delivering an extra dose of handy heat protection.
Meet yet another winner from our 2024 Beauty Awards and yet another product I've been using for nearly 10 years now. Simply put, no other leave-in conditioner can compete, and if you'd like to contradict me, just ask the slew of celebs and editors who love it along with the nearly 11k gushing reviews on Amazon.
As I said earlier, I have a collection of oils I use for different purposes. Even though I'm no longer putting my hair throughly monthly bleaching purgatory, the damage was done, and the lengths and ends of my hair are still paying for it. I like to do at least one nice and nourishing thing for my hair daily, and applying a couple of drops of K18's reparative hair oil has become a nightly ritual before bed. Just make sure you're aware of how much you apply. A little goes a long way with this stuff, so just a few drops should do the trick.
If you use heat on your hair, pregaming with a heat protectant is absolutely imperative. I've tried lots over the years and usually have issues with them leaving my hair greasy or with a feeling of residue on my strands that I just can't stand. This foaming formula from Kevin Murphy is completely invisible and weightless and seems to be the one exception.
I'm so underwhelmed by the majority of texturizing and volumizing products on the market, and this is coming from someone with extremely fine hair who is basically the ultimate guinea pig. This OG favorite from Oribe never disappoints and makes it look like I have triple the amount of hair than I actually do. Plus, it smells heavenly.
If you're in the market for a shine treatment, this shimmering mist from Davines is absolutely lovely. It's featherlight and has never made my oil-prone hair look greasy. Put simply, it will make your hair glow and look incredibly healthy.
I went years before I finally traded in my beloved old blow-dryer that shall not be named. Heavily influenced by the incessant buzz, I ultimately traded it in for Dyson's famed Supersonic, and I have never second-guessed that decision. It dries faster, it makes my hair look better, and it's significantly decreased the amount of damage I used to notice with my old model. Trust me—it's worth the investment.
I feel like this is a hot take, but I pretty much only ever use a wide-tooth comb on my hair. This pretty one from Odele is my fave! Not only does it make detangling and brushing easier, but it also results in so much less shedding and breakage. If you want to see more hair on your head and less in your brush, make the switch. In fact, I'm so emphatic about this that I even bring one with me when I go to get my hair done.
Switching to a pure silk pillowcase is one of the easiest things you can do for your hair health. It keeps my fuzz-prone hair smooth and silky, and my blowouts last longer to boot. Pro tip: Don't forget to pack one when you travel!
Scent Combos (Because I Layer!)
Phlur's Father Figure + Mood Ring
Any expert will tell you that layering your scents is the most elite way to approach fragrance, especially if you want to smell completely unique. (Ahem, me.) Like most epiphanies in life, I stumbled across this particular combination by accident. Mood Ring had just launched and landed on my doorstep, but I was already wearing Father Figure, one of my all-time favorite perfumes ever created. I spritzed Mood Ring on my wrists and chest without giving it a second thought just to get a sense of the smell, and a few hours later, I was freaking out. Two dog-walking strangers had asked me what perfume I wore while I was out for an evening stroll, and I was on a complete perfume high from the way the two scents had intermingled on my skin. Since then, I have yet to go on a date or go out in public and not get told that I smell so good.
You can find the note profiles for the individual fragrances below, but coupled together, these perfumes create a rich, skin-like, juicy smell that's a tiny bit warm and sweet thanks to vanilla, patchouli, and amber but also slightly fruity thanks to full-bodied fig (Father Figure) and fruit gummies (Mood Ring).
Key fragrance notes: water lily, fig, cassis, orris, iris, jasmine dew, skin musks, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood
Key fragrance notes: pitaya, sweet orange, fruit gummies, orange flower, jasmine, marigold, patchouli, glazed musks, amber
Perfumehead's Canadian Tuxedo + Cosmic Cowboy
I'm so obsessed with this fragrance combo that I wrote an entire dedicated story about it. Yet again, this discovery was a complete accident, but this time, it was not my own! I was lucky enough to meet Perfumehead's brilliant founder Daniel Patrick Giles when the line launched exclusively at Violet Grey's brick-and-mortar store in West Hollywood a couple of years ago. (If you're ever in L.A., it's a must-visit!)
As Giles walked me through each fragrance, I couldn't help but notice how amazing he smelled, so I asked him which fragrance he was wearing because I couldn't quite place it. He told me that earlier in the day a Violet Grey employee had spritzed on both Canadian Tuxedo and Cosmic Cowboy, and the results immediately sparked pandemonium. I couldn't get over how good he smelled, and now, pairing the two has become my go-to signature scent for special occasions. Warning: people will literally follow you drooling. If you're someone who likes warm scents with a little bit of spice, I suggest the investment or, at the very least, the brand's discovery set.
Key fragrance notes: coriander, orange flower, bay leaf, cumin, patchouli, cedarwood, tonka bean, Peru balsam, cistus absolute
Key fragrance notes: galbanum, cinnamon bark, orris butter, whiskey a go go, angelica root, tobacco leaf, amber, cacao blanc, suede, black musk
Byredo's Vanille Antique + DIBS's Status Stick
Okay, I realize the latter isn't a fragrance, per se, but DIBS's Status Stick is subtly scented with vanilla, and it's like the cherry on top of a very sexy milkshake if you're wearing Byredo's editor-beloved Vanille Antique. Plus, it will make your skin look so flawless and shimmery. But let's talk about the actual fragrance—Vanille Antique. Guys, the best way I can describe this scent is like this: If perfumes abided by the film rating system, this fragrance would get a X rating. As one of my friends so eloquently put it, it smells like "sex on a stick." This also isn't your average overly saccharine vanilla perfume. Even though it will make anyone in close proximity's mouth water, it's also elevated and expensive smelling—one part earthy, one part dark and smoky. I've never met someone who smelled it and wasn't immediately infatuated. I feel like this would also be money layered with either of the above fragrances from Perfumehead.
Key fragrance notes: freesia, plum, amber, cashmere woods, Madagascar vanilla beans, cistus oil
Nails
Everyone needs a fire-engine red polish in their kit, and this one called Incendiaire from Chanel hits the nail on the head.
Previously known as Vamp, this iconic blackish-red is the perfect gothic color when you're in the mood for something dark. No other dark nail polish really exists for me!
For the minimalists, I absolutely need to introduce you to J.Hannah's latest polish launch, Milk. A true "your nails but better" situation, it acts like a creamy, sheer filter for your nails, camouflaging any imperfections while still looking pretty naked. That said, if you want a bit more saturation, layer it a few times for a soft and pretty off-white.
One of the main reasons I often get my nails done professionally is that I have zero patience, and nine times out of 10, I end up bumping and messing up my paint job when left to my own devices at home. These brilliant drops, however, totally changed the game for me. Just add a drop or two on top of your topcoat, wait at least 80 seconds, and they'll be dry to the touch and ready for combat.
I love this glossy topcoat from Chanel, especially since, if I am painting my own nails at home, I'm usually using a vernis from Chanel. It dries relatively quickly, and I swear it keeps my nails looking professionally shiny and chip-resistant for at least a full week.
I was pretty anti-press-on until celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce told me she was launching her own line, Lost Angels. The nails are very chic and inspired by her own covetable designs, and I immediately wanted the entire drop. Not only do these press-ons apply like a dream and look like you just dropped $200 or more for extensions and professional nail art, but they also do not budge. I've never received so many compliments on my nails, and I love that each set comes with nail glue for longer wear and adhesive tabs for shorter wear.
I don't care how good your actual nails look—raw and raggedy cuticles will always kill the vibe. I've dated around, but I always come back to this handy-dandy pen from CND. I keep it on my nightstand so I never forget to apply before bed!
The entire editorial staff at Who What Wear can't get enough of Soft Services' incredible bodycare offerings, but this fan-favorite hand cream might be the top contender if we had to choose a team favorite. It's refillable (which we always love), the packaging will look very chic on your nightstand or vanity, and the epic mix of ingredients (think retinol, provitamin B5, and colloidal oatmeal) will moisturize and fountain of youth–ify your hands. Cough, cough—our hands are where we usually show the first signs of aging.
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