For over 25 years, Lululemon has ruled the activewear market, amassing a passionate fanbase as devoted as it is expansive. The Canadian brand has a Subreddit with more than 859k users and 5.2m followers on Instagram. On TikTok, #lululemon has racked up over 11.4m likes — proof that its appeal runs deep.

Whatever’s in its best-selling secret sauce or if it’s just the magic of really great gear, Lululemon has become the go-to for both loyalists and the Lulu-curious. R29 editors are no exceptions: Some of our personal favorites include the Blissfeel Trail Running Sneakers, its ultra-giftable travel accessories, and the Softstreme collection. So, whether you’re upgrading your spring wardrobe or building your ultimate athleisure lineup, we’ve rounded up the top-rated Lululemon essentials to make it easy.

To curate this list, we combed through customer reviews on Lululemon.com, scoured TikTok recommendations, and even dove into the extensive archives at Lululemon Fanatics (a treasure trove for serious fans). Ahead, discover Lululemon’s most beloved styles — from leggings, sports bras, and workout tanks to loungewear, spring accessories, and travel-ready gym bags — and be sure to let us know in the comments below if there are any we missed.

The reviews featured in this story have been edited for length and clarity.

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

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Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.

Today: a senior paralegal who has a $294,750 household income and who spends some of her money this week on tickets to an end-of-season hockey banquet.

If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.

Occupation: In-house senior paralegal
Industry: Litigation
Age: 51
Location: Denver
Salary: Me; $129,225 (base) + ($28,525 bonus); partner’s salary: $137,000 on average.
Household Income/Financial Setup: $294,750. My partner, L., is a therapist and also receives oil and gas royalties each month, so her salary can fluctuate. Each month we each put $3,000 into a shared account to pay all the household bills: mortgage, groceries, streaming subscriptions, utilities, trash and internet. We also have a joint credit card we use for any joint expenses like going out to eat. I did not track L.’s purchases this week (unless they were joint).
Assets: Joint savings account: $11,000; my individual savings/checking account: $8,000; L.’s savings account: $28,000; my 401(k): $690,000; L.’s 401(k): $2.3 million; my HYSA $94,000 (this is high because I will need to pay for prep school soon to receive a 5% discount for the next school year for my son); my pension from previous job: $46,000; my Roth IRA: $3,000; my son’s 529: $70,000. House: worth $830,000. L. owns land in Texas worth $2-$3 million (she owns 350 acres and it increases in value every year). Cars: mine: $34,000; L.’s: $72,000.
Debt: Mortgage: $410,000; L.’s car loan is $18,000.
Paycheck Amount (biweekly): Me: $3,075; and a yearly bonus (20-25% so it averages around $28,000). I don’t know L.’s paycheck details.
Pronouns: She/her

Monthly Expenses

Housing Costs: Our mortgage payment is $2,710 for a three-bed, three-bath house purchased in 2020 (but we pay $700 extra each month).
HOA: $295 (L. pays this because I cover the family insurance, but it includes pool and access to lakes in our community as well as lawn maintenance and snow removal).
Loan Payments: $0. My car is paid off and I do not have any student loans. I do not know what L. pays on her car loan.
Utilities: $100-$200 (depending on the season).
Water: $25 (average). 
Trash: $15
Family Health Insurance (Health, Vision, Dental): $109 deducted from each paycheck.
401(k) Contributions: $1492 (15% of my paycheck and a company match at 6%).
Car Insurance: $517 for six months for K. and me (I am not sure how I got such a great deal but I do not drive much and I am charged by the mile and K. just started driving but I will take him off my insurance when he goes away to prep school. L. pays $183 per month.
Netflix: $32 (we share with my mom).
Hulu: $89
Phone: $25 for my son. My work pays for mine, L. pays $108 a month.
Internet: $79
Cleaning Fee: $130 (L. and I take turns paying each month).
Athletic Greens: $170

Yearly Expenses

Sewer/Sanitation Bills: $650
Chase Card: $65
Travel Hockey: $18,000 (which I pay, but can vary) K. plays high-level travel hockey and yes, it is expensive, but this covers an eight month season and 10 trips out of state.

Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, I was expected to go to college and grad school like my siblings. I attended a liberal arts undergrad on athletic scholarships and Pell Grants and took out some loans, which I paid off. I then went to paralegal school, landed a job as a paralegal and enrolled in grad school. I paid for my master’s degree while working as a paralegal.

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
There was always talk from my parents about working hard and saving your money. Both my parents grew up poor and worked very hard to become successful. I had a checking account when I was 8 or 9 years old and I remember going to the bank and balancing my checkbook. We were taught to only use credit cards if you had the money to pay off the purchases at the end of the month. We were also taught to start a 401(k) as soon as we had a real job in order to receive compound interest.

What was your first job and why did you get it?
My first job was at 10 years old and delivering the local paper on my bike in the afternoons. I would collect money from houses at the end of each month. I also mowed lawns in the neighborhood, babysat and worked at a golf course when I was 14 in the summer to make money.

Did you worry about money growing up?
I did not worry about money growing up until my parents divorced when I was in 4th grade. Then I remember my mom saying we could no longer afford certain things. But we were definitely upper middle class, so I don’t think I really worried about money as a kid.

Do you worry about money now?
I worry about having enough money to retire and to make sure my son is covered for his school and college. I know I make decent money, as does my partner, but I do not want to work forever and I want to be able to retire or semi-retire in the next five or six years. I also know my son’s hockey/prep school in the last two years of high school will be expensive, (even though he was awarded a big scholarship this week). L. and I would like to retire in another country and travel so our money can last. L. is very well off financially, but I have really been trying to save as much as possible to ensure I can retire in five years.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
I became financially responsible for myself at the age of 23 when I bought my first house for $97,000 (with my mom’s help). She gifted me $20,000 for the down payment, but from that point on, I had to take care of everything financially. My financial safety net is my emergency savings and also my partner, L.

Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
Yes, as mentioned, my mom gifted each of her children $20,000 in 1996, but the money had to be used to buy real estate. I expect to receive some money after my parents pass away but I really have no idea how much.

Day One: Sunday

8:30 a.m. — Sleeping in and waking up slowly with coffee is so nice. We bought a Jura coffee maker about a year ago and it may be our best purchase ever. Before we bought the Jura, we bought a ton of coffee outside the house, but now we rarely do. Today is Sunday and we have a free day to catch up and play before the week gets going tomorrow. I make breakfast for my partner, L., and son, K. We have eggs, avocados and hash browns from Trader Joe’s. After breakfast, I check my emails and see I need to contribute to the end-of-season coaches’ gifts for my son’s hockey season. $80

11:15 a.m. — It is such a nice day, we load up three bikes on L.’s bike rack and head down to the path by the river. We had a bunch of snow two days ago, my son had a snow day from school, but today it is sunny and melting and we are ready to get outside and ride. It seems like everyone in Denver had the same idea, as the path is pretty crowded.

1:20 p.m. — We ride almost eight miles on the path and are covered in mud and water from the snow melt. We load up the bikes and decide to head to our favorite hole-in-the-wall drive-thru for burritos. We get home and can only manage about half of each burrito because they are so big, but so good. $37.07

3:45 p.m. — The rest of the day is spent walking the Frenchie, W., washing the sheets and towels, taking a shower to get the mud off, and watching Love Is Blind season 8 (David is a jerk to Lauren. She is way too good for him. Run girl, run).

6:15 p.m. — L. runs to Whole Foods for dinner. She grabs chicken, rice, asparagus, and milk. After dinner, L. and I watch an episode of Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler. Why don’t these men just divorce their wives instead of killing them? What is wrong with people? $23.18

9 p.m. — After a crime drama, we need to unwind with some trash TV and watch an episode of The Kardashians. Lamar comes back to see Khloe with flowers, champagne, and a cake with the date of their wedding written on top. That’s not weird at all. He is SWEATING. It might be the cringiest, most awkward TV I have seen in a while, and I am here for it.

Daily Total: $140.25

Day Two: Monday

6:15 a.m. — I wake up before the house wakes up and make my coffee. I bring my coffee back to bed and check my banking app, emails, and work calendar for the day. Take a shower and get ready since I have an on-camera meeting this morning. K. is up and ready for school, so I make him breakfast to eat on the way. He is a sophomore in high school and gets his license in a few weeks. I am trying to soak up these last few weeks when I drive him to school. We have the best conversations in the car, and I will definitely miss these times. I stop for gas on the way home and fill up for the week. $44.82

8:15 a.m. — I am back home. I grab a quick bite, make my Athletic Greens to drink and get ready for my morning meeting. We have a call with counsel in Singapore regarding a matter in Indonesia. The call goes well, and we will retain this firm to represent us. I continue to work and prepare for another meeting this afternoon for a different matter. We have a hearing in District Court tomorrow and I need to review some documents before this afternoon’s call. I take a break from work and log on to the website to pay the toll bill for the month. The charges are from running back and forth to the airport for my son for his hockey trips last month. He is on a high-level travel team. $47.15

12:05 p.m. — I take a break for lunch, throw a load of laundry in, and make a turkey sandwich with an olive tapenade. L. has gotten me hooked on this lately and it is really good. L. comes back from the gym and has lunch with me. We take the dog on a walk around the neighborhood after lunch and I put the clothes in the dryer. I make a point to step away from my computer over the lunch hour and get some fresh air whenever possible to break up my day. W. basically requires a walk around the block so she can sleep for 20 hours a day. It is 64 degrees outside and another beautiful day in Denver. Three days ago, we had 13 inches of snow and today I am in shorts. You gotta love Denver weather.

1:45 p.m. — The rest of the afternoon is spent in meetings and working. My afternoon meeting lasts 90 minutes and is to prep a witness for the hearing tomorrow and to discuss our position and arguments before the judge. As a paralegal, I am responsible for case documents and keeping things organized. After the meeting, I need to send materials to our outside counsel for tomorrow. L. picks up K. from school and takes him to his math tutor. He has a big test this week and will see his tutor twice before the test. $75

4:10 p.m. — L. and K. are home. L. and I take W. around for another spin and to soak up the last bit of sunlight for the day. K. works on homework, and I wrap up work with a few more emails. L. runs to Whole Foods for pizza dough, sauce, cheese, sausage, mushrooms, and a bagged salad. $17.64

6:25 p.m. — L. makes pizza on the grill and it is really good. She rests then stretches the dough, puts it on the heated grill, flips it and starts building it — olive oil and herbs, sauce, cheese, sausage and mushroom. After dinner, I clean up the kitchen and K. takes the trash and recycling out to the curb for trash pick-up tomorrow.

8:30 p.m. — We watch another episode of Prosecuting Evil, and another man has killed his wife instead of filing for divorce. We watch Ryu Camp on YouTube, which is basically a dude who camps with his cute dog and makes food then packs up and drives home. It is a nice way to unwind before bed. Lights out around 10 p.m.

Daily Total: $184.61

Day Three: Tuesday

6:45 a.m. — I wake up and grab a coffee, careful not to wake up L. or the dog. L. has a heated blanket, and the dog is attached to L. and the blanket at night, so I have been sleeping wonderfully without the 20lb potato lying on me. K. is up and I make him breakfast — four eggs inside a tortilla with shredded cheese and a protein drink — and run him to school. He pretty much eats this every morning on the way to school. Home by 8:15 a.m. and start working.

8:45 a.m. — I toast a waffle with peanut butter and drink my Athletic Greens for breakfast. I drink this every morning but add iced tea to help with the taste, so I don’t feel like I am drinking seaweed. Take a break from work and walk the pup with L. around the block. It is warm but windy today. We have been served with a few new complaints, so I update things, notify the key players and docket the dates for the new matters. Someone is always suing somebody. Job security.

11:45 a.m. — L. leaves to head to the gym after her call with her client and will grab K. this afternoon from school and take him to his tutoring session again. I work on my Money Diary and break for lunch, where I make another turkey and cheese sandwich with veggies chips. I empty the dishwasher, talk with my sister then take a quick shower before my afternoon meeting. $75

2:45 p.m. — The rest of the afternoon is working and one last meeting on setting up a database to track case information with a coworker in Canada. The coworker asks me when I am moving to Canada to escape the political climate in the US, and I tell her to start looking for places for me.

6:30 p.m. — K.’s end-of-season hockey banquet is tonight and lots of awards are given out. Players go free but tickets for others are $30 each. It’s always bittersweet to end the season, but it is a long season after eight months and we are ready to be away from the cold rinks for a bit. We say goodbye to friends and parents and head home and quickly get ready for bed at 10 p.m. $60

Daily Total: $135

Day Four: Wednesday

7:15 a.m. — K. has a late start on Wednesdays, so I get to sleep in a bit. I wake up, drink my coffee, and hop in the shower. K. changes things up and makes eight packets of oatmeal for his breakfast this morning. Teenagers eat a lot, but they eat a lot of the same things. I run him to school and head home to begin work.

9:20 a.m. — Once home, I make my greens and peanut butter waffles. Today is payday. My direct deposit is $3,696. It is higher this time because I had some wellbeing reimbursements in there from my company. I move some money into our joint account since it is almost the end of the month, and the mortgage and house bills will be due soon. I also see that my sale of my David Gray tickets has hit my account for $138.76. L. was sick last week, and we could not go to the concert, which was a bummer. I love David Gray.

1:10 p.m. — L. took W. on a hike in Golden and wants Firehouse subs for lunch. I place an order which she will pick up on her way home. We split a large turkey with chips. $16.63

3:40 p.m. — The afternoon is a complete cluster. A work email goes out to wipe and reset our work phones and install new profiles for new company apps. I have several issues with the install, and it ends up taking over two hours, but the IT helpdesk guy is very helpful, and he gets me back on track. Once things are fixed and my phone is rebooted, I see that I have lost all my apps and my text messages are all from 2022. Ugh. I need wine.

6:15 p.m. — L. makes dinner to try to cheer me up and suggests we watch 1000-lb Sisters — a bit of trashy TV always makes me feel better about things.

Daily Total: $16.63

Day Five: Thursday

5:40 a.m. — Groundhog day. I did not sleep well last night. W. was all over me last night. I finally get up around 6:15 a.m. and grab coffee, make a breakfast burrito for K., drop off at school and go back home. The cleaning lady comes today and it is my turn to pay. I write her a check for $130. She charges us $100 but we tip her because she is amazing. She usually comes once a month.

8:15 a.m. — Home from school drop off and take a quick shower before the cleaning lady comes so I can be out of her way today. I get an email to pay the internet bill which I do. I get an email from a coach in Boston offering K. a spot on his team for next year. They offer him a big scholarship and I am very relieved. This is exciting as this is his first choice for prep schools for hockey! He will have two years of prep school and finish his high school in Massachusetts. He wants to play college hockey and needs to play in prep school to continue to get exposure for juniors then college. I am excited for him, but it will be hard to let him go.

12:15 p.m. — I need to run to my office and pick up a settlement check and overnight it to our local counsel. The dismissal needs to be filed with the court on Monday and the check needs to be received before then. We settled a big case in mediation a few weeks back. I will work from the office for most of the day today. I grab lunch on the way in to eat at my desk. $12.67

3 p.m. — I leave the office and get a quick car wash to remove all the dirt from my ride from last week’s snowstorm. I grab K. from school and tell him about the offer from his first choice. He is very stunned and happy. I think it is all becoming real to him that he will move across the country in the fall to pursue his dream. He wants to see what happens on March 10 when he will hear from the other prep schools he applied to before making his final decision, but he has a smile ear to ear. $12

5;45 p.m. — We go out to celebrate K. getting the offer from the prep school. K. gets to pick the restaurant and of course picks a steakhouse so he can order ribs and mashed potatoes. L. gets filet and I get salmon and it’s all very good. We head home very stuffed but very happy. We all waddle around the block with the Frenchie to walk off our meal. Head to bed around 10:30 p.m. after watching a few shows about tow truck drivers in Las Vegas (highly entertaining). $88.34

Daily Total: $113.01

Day Six: Friday

6:40 a.m. — Morning routine and back home, quick call with my boss. My performance review is today and we briefly chat beforehand about what to expect. There has been a lot of reorganization in the company over the past 15 or so months and lots of high-level positions have been eliminated. My boss isn’t super happy with things and tells me if she decides to leave, she will let me know before anyone else knows. I am not sure I would go, as I know I make a great salary and being able to work from anywhere is such a bonus. I am not sure I would ever go back to an office after being remote these past three years. Also, with K. most likely being in New England next year, L. and I want to spend time in the area so we can watch him play hockey while working remotely.

3 p.m. — I have my performance review with my boss, and it goes well. I won’t know my raise and bonus until next week, but I read the official review, and it is good. We wrap up and I am done with this week. I meet up with two friends for happy hour and we each have a few drinks and apps and catch up over the next few hours. We have known each other since elementary school, and we never run out of things to talk about. I get home and catch up with K. and L. on their days. $45.76

7:15 p.m. — L. and I end up watching Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke on Hulu and it is awful. A big part of me wishes we did not watch it as I really didn’t know the full story. I have a really hard time sleeping and toss and turn most of the night. I will never understand how people can harm children and Kevin failed as a father, whether he knew what was happening or not.

Daily Total: $45.76

Day Seven: Saturday

8:45 a.m. — Ah, Saturday. It is nice to sleep in and wake up slowly this morning. Coffee in bed and discuss what to do today with L and K. over breakfast. No hockey games or travel tournaments means a free day to play. We make eggs, toast, and hash browns for breakfast. We get a few loads of laundry done and continue to be lazy and let it warm up a bit.

11:15 a.m. — K. takes the electric skateboard and rides down to the basketball courts in the neighborhood to meet some friends and L. and I load up the bikes and head to Waterton Canyon. We find a spot to park and ride up to the dam and back (about 12.5 miles in just about an hour and 20 minutes). The way up is most uphill, but you can fly back down. We get back to the car and load up the bikes and pick up Jersey Mike’s for lunch. We call K. and ask if he wants a sandwich, and he does. L. and I split a turkey and get K. a roast beef and we all get chips. We love Jersey Mike’s. $31.40

3:15 p.m. — I get the mail and see we have an annual sewer/storm utility bill that needs to be paid. L. and I. also received our REI membership rewards for the year so we head to the store to look for our upcoming trip to Ireland, but we leave empty handed. Once K. is out of school in May, my entire family (14 of us) is heading to Ireland for 10 days to travel around the Ring of Kerry. I have been to Ireland before, but I am really excited to show L. and K. around a bit.

4:30 p.m. — We leave REI and head to Target (even though we should be boycotting since they removed their DEI program) to pick up some groceries and household goods for the week. We get oatmeal, cereal, bananas, blueberries, milk, creamer, eggs, Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches, waffles, butter, two frozen pizzas, hamburgers, buns, lettuce, cheese, tortillas, yogurt, granola, toilet paper, paper towels, ziplock bags, and wipes, plus a few more items. We get home and unload the groceries. L. makes cheeseburgers on the grill and tater tots and we finish out the night playing a few games of Rummikub. $208.12

Daily Total: $239.52

The Breakdown

Conclusion

“I would say this is a pretty typical week for our spending. Our biggest weekly expense is probably food, with a 16-year-old boy. It is good to see all my accounts and spending laid out to get a snapshot of where I am and where I need to be to potentially retire in five or six years. I would say that, ever since COVID-19, we have turned more into homebodies and don’t go out as much. Our entertainment is watching K. play hockey and we try to bike and paddleboard in our neighborhood a lot, so our activity spending isn’t too high. We also try to take one big trip a year and save up for that so it is paid off before we even step foot on the airplane. My goal is to save for prep school hockey for two years and for retirement in five or six years and I feel as though I am on track.”

Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.

The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more Money Diaries, click here.

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Ever stand in front of your jam-packed closet, staring at more than enough clothing options, and think: I have nothing to wear? Same. But perhaps the issue isn’t that you’re out of viable outfit choices. You just need a fresh dose of inspiration — say: festival outfit ideas — to help you see your wardrobe in a new way. That’s where Outfit Dump comes in. We supply you with enough ideas to fuel your style until the next drop comes along.

Festival season is upon us, and it’s kicking off with arguably one of the most fashion-forward events on the calendar: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Celebs, influencers, and music lovers are all descending upon the desert of Southern California the weekends of April 11 and April 18, 2025, offering us months worth of outfit inspo in the process.

From boho fringe to eye-catching glitter and Western-inspired elements, there’s lots to love in the world of festival fashion right now. So we’ve rounded up some top festival looks from Coachella and beyond to inspire your approach to summer concert dressing this year.

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There’s no better feeling than planning for a music festival: putting your outfits together, texting your friends to figure out the schedule, deciding which artists you absolutely have to see, and making sure you have everything you need for a fun and safe time — it’s all part of the excitement. I’ve been going to music festivals since I was a teen, back when Governor’s Ball was still held on Governor’s Island. So at this point, I like to think of myself as a pretty trustworthy guide when it comes to knowing exactly what you need to survive the weekend and have the best time possible.

Now that the weather is warming up and festival season is officially on the horizon, I’m sharing my go-to survival and style essentials to help you make the most of it. Of course, there are the basics, like a reusable water bottle, a digital wallet (because no one wants to lose their physical one), and a portable charger to keep your phone alive. But this list goes beyond that. It’s packed with Latine-owned brands that will not only keep you ready for whatever the day throws at you, but also add some extra style, comfort, and cultura to your festival experience. From beauty must-haves to functional accessories, these picks will help you dance the day and night away feeling your absolute best.

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All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

Your social feeds might be festival-ready, but the real question is: What about your skin? As much as we love going all out with our glam and ‘fits (and trust us, we do), music festivals can be tough on even the most well-behaved complexions. “The long hours in the sun, combined with sweat, makeup, and late nights, create the perfect storm for skin stress,” New York-based dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss, MD tells Refinery29. “But with a little awareness, you can absolutely have fun while keeping your skin healthy.” A little prep goes a long way to keep your skin happy — so we asked the experts for their best advice on weathering multi-day outdoor festivities and staying just as glowy as day one.

1. Wear Sunscreen (& Don’t Forget To Reapply!)

“First and foremost, wear the damn sunscreen — and I’m talking about broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher,” says Dr. Idriss. “Apply it generously before you step outside, and don’t forget areas like your ears, neck, and the back of your hands. Be sure to reapply throughout the day in the blazing sun. The Supergoop! powder SPF is great for reapplication.”

“I love the Ultra Violette Extreme Screen SPF 50, and then the Vacation Super Spritz for easy reapplication throughout the day,” recommends Sofie Pavitt, licensed esthetician and founder of Sofie Pavitt Face.

2. Hydrate From The Inside Out

“Hydration is key — not just for your body, but for your skin too,” says Dr. Idriss. “Festivals are often in the heat, and dehydration can lead to dull, tired-looking skin, and even breakouts.” Most festivals won’t permit glass or metal bottles, but you can usually bring empty, refillable, plastic water bottles and refill at designated stations. Hydration packets like Liquid I.V. can also help replenish electrolytes and keep you quenched.

— PAID —

3. Start Your Skincare Routine In The Shower

Even the most hydrating body lotion can only do so much if your skin is already stripped of moisture. The old adage, “work smarter, not harder,” applies here: Start in the shower to build a hydrating foundation — and maximize efficiency while you’re at it. Look for gentle, creamy, non-stripping formulas that are enriched with deeply moisturizing ingredients, like the eos Cashmere Body Wash, which is not only pH balanced to support your skin barrier but also features a Cashmere Smooth Complex — a blend of shea, argan, and cocoa butters for soothed, optimally hydrated skin.

4. Lighten Up

“Long, hot days outside are not the time to go heavy [on] layering serums, essences, moisturizers, SPF, and makeup,” says Pavitt. Her suggestion: Keep your festival routine to the basics if your plans involve dancing (and sweating). “Cleanse the skin well in the morning, apply moisturizer and a high factor sunscreen, and then have some fun with your makeup,” she advises.

5. Sun Protection, But Make It Fashion

Both experts agree that adding a hat or visor to your festival ‘fit is a smart move (in addition to sunscreen, not as a replacement). “A hat is also a non-negotiable to further protect the face, scalp, and neck throughout the day outside,” says Pavitt. Dr. Idriss loves Bluestone Sunshield’s chic UPF 50+ visors, which come in a variety of chromatic colorways.

6. Mist Opportunity

It may seem high maintenance to carry a face spray around, but trust us — your skin will be grateful for it. Dr. Idriss recommends that festival goers use a hydrating mist to keep skin refreshed throughout the day. (It’ll also help cool you down in the sun!) “Hypochlorous acid sprays are great for cleansing the skin,” says Pavitt. We love the Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray, which is available in a travel-friendly mini size, and helps refresh skin, ward off breakouts, and calm inflammation. “If you’re using [a mist] throughout the day, remember to reapply your SPF immediately afterward because they essentially wipe away all previously applied skincare,” says Pavitt. Another option: Go down the DIY route with a skin-soothing recipe courtesy of Dr. Idriss: “You can even make your own mist with glycerin, distilled water, and rosewater for anti-inflammatory benefits,” she shares.

7. Wash Away The Day 

“Festival makeup is definitely part of the fun, but all that glitter, decals, and heavy glam can be tough on your skin — not to mention the struggle of getting it all off at the end of the night,” says Dr. Idriss. She recommends her eponymous Soft Wash as a one-step cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and more. But if that sounds ambitious for a long day of dancing, we’ve got you. “This is the only time I would recommend packing makeup wipes as a backup,” she says. An excellent option is the Sofie Pavitt Face Micellar Cleansing Pads. “[These] quickly remove your makeup in one go, with no water needed,” says Pavitt.

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The nonstop beauty cycle has a way of giving us FOMO before a new launch even happens. But in a world where products go viral faster than we can blink, the true test of quality is whether we keep coming back to it year after year.  It doesn’t have to be the flashiest product on your feed to make the biggest difference in your routine. Beauty editors often share a love for those IYKYK gems that live up to their hype: the retinol that keeps skin glowing or the sunscreen that disappears without a trace but never fails to protect. The products below? We’ve gone through countless bottles — and we don’t see that changing anytime soon.

As much fun as it is to test new skincare in the name of journalism (and believe us, it is), our skin isn’t always thrilled about it. (Beauty editors are not immune to breakouts!) For that reason, we’re grateful for tried-and-true staples that always deliver. Ahead, find the long-standing skincare favorites Refinery29 editors can’t quit.

Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel, $125

“I was terrified of acids for the longest time. After a bad experience with an at-home peel, I swore them off completely. So, when I first got my hands on Shani Darden’s Triple Acid Peel, I was hesitant — even though countless beauty editors and experts I trust couldn’t stop raving about it. Shani herself reassured me it was gentle enough for sensitive skin but still packed a punch, and she was absolutely right. Everyone was right! This peel has been a total game-changer. I use it at least once a month or a couple of days before a big event, and it never fails to leave my skin radiant and glowy. The trio of acids work magic together, exfoliating away dead skin and dullness, revealing a complexion that feels completely refreshed. It’s an essential part of my routine now—I’m not sure how I ever lived without it.” — Sara Tan, Global Beauty Director

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $215

“While my skin is usually low-maintenance and non-sensitive, seasonal changes bring a whole new set of challenges: dryness, dullness, and flakiness. Over the years, I’ve tried everything from elaborate 10-step routines to budget-friendly hacks, but nothing truly worked—until I discovered Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum. Now, it’s my go-to all year long. This nutrient-packed oil doesn’t just hydrate my skin; it leaves it radiant and glowy. The compliments I get when I’m using it consistently are proof enough. Paired with the brand’s cleanser and essence, it’s become my ultimate weather-proof trio. It’s a splurge, yes, but one I’ll never give up.” — Irina Grechko, Global Fashion Director

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%, $17

“I first stumbled upon this product three years ago while dealing with some stubborn forehead texture — those tiny bumps that aren’t quite breakouts. After a late-night YouTube rabbit hole, I decided to give this $21 niacinamide serum a shot.  A few months of consistent use later, my skin was smoother, dewier, and totally transformed. I haven’t looked back since. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve repurchased it or recommended it to family and friends — it’s that good.” — Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Partnerships Manager

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads, $92

“After years of blasting my acne-prone skin with harsh actives,  I’ve learned to tread carefully when it comes to at-home peels and over-exfoliating. So, when multiple dermatologists urged me to incorporate gentle exfoliation into my routine, I approached these peel pads with hesitation. I fully expected them to sting like the fire of a thousand suns, but to my surprise, the two-step system was shockingly mild for the results it delivers: touchably smoother, visibly brighter skin with zero irritation. (Even the Extra Strength version plays nicely with my skin.)

I use them about every other day for maintenance, or the night before an event to ensure my skin is in tip-top shape. Also pro tip: These are such a good beauty travel hack because each single-dose packet is compact and spill-proof — a far cry from hauling around bulky jars. After years of battling uneven tone and texture, I can confidently say that nothing has worked better — or faster — than these Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer

Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster® Serum, $110.50

“One of the biggest skincare lessons I learned this year? Protecting and strengthening my skin barrier is everything. For years, my go-to for hydration was a hyaluronic acid serum, but since entering my 30s, I’ve started looking for formulas with a little extra oomph. Enter Trish McEvoy’s Beauty Booster Serum. This upgrade doesn’t just deliver hyaluronic acid; it’s packed with powerhouse ingredients like vitamin B5 (a.k.a. panthenol) to enhance moisture absorption and peptides to support skin regeneration. Plus, it’s got glycerin to help draw hydration deep into the skin. The texture is lightweight yet substantial, sinking in fast without a trace.  It’s officially become my skincare MVP year-round.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer

The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer, $20

“If you told me I had to use one moisturizer for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose this. It’s everything I’ve ever needed in a face lotion: Barrier protection (thanks to bio-active ceramides, which act like glue in between skin cells, keeping them healthy and happy), hydration (that’ll be the glycerin) and a priming effect (all down to softening shea butter). Then there’s gransil blur, a fine powder that lends skin a soft-focus effect, as though you’re wearing a very subtle filter. I’ve been through six tubs this year and my skin has earned countless compliments from friends and beauty editor peers — all of whom I’ve convinced to buy! Even better? It won’t break the bank.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director

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