If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch and Louis XV chair, but the hand sanitizer and the electric toothbrush. We asked actress, Grammy Award–winning rapper, and The Talk co-host Eve about the incense, deodorant, and lip gloss she can’t live without.
Scents are really important to me. When I first started recording, I remember walking into a studio in Los Angeles and going, “What is that amazing smell?” It was this Indian incense, which has sandalwood in it and is really cheap; I’ve seen it sold at gas stations. Now I burn it five days a week — at home, in my dressing room at The Talk, while traveling. It calms me and makes any room I’m in feel bigger and more expansive.
A friend of mine lives in Turkey, and she always smells like roses. Being a scent lover, I became obsessed with finding something natural that smells as strongly as whatever she uses. I tried a few brands, but this is my favorite: It doesn’t smell manufactured, just like a real rose. I’ll spray it on my face (rose water is great for skin) or just around me (this one leaves a nice, clean smell in the air).
I’ve used different kinds of Crème Shop wipes; at the moment, I’m using the Vitamin C ones, which smell nice and citrusy. Supposedly, they lighten and brighten, but what they definitely do is get makeup off very well. I use one or two before I wash my face at night and will carry them with me on planes to wipe my face down and moisturize before a flight.
I’m a sweater, which is not very attractive. I’ve tried so many natural deodorants and found that, while many smell nice, few work as antiperspirants. Schmidt’s keeps me dry. I notice no visible sweat, and even in warmer climates, I’m sure I am still dry when I wear it. Rose vanilla is my favorite scent: It smells nice, you know it’s there, but it’s not overpowering.
I don’t sleep well — I rarely sleep through the night — and for years used melatonin on an inconsistent basis to help me sleep. My usage became more consistent when I found this brand of liquid melatonin, which I prefer to a pill because I can control the dosage. I take three-to-five milligrams no more than three times a week and find I don’t wake up as much at night.
There are many skincare products I realized you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on (after spending a ton of money on some expensive ones, then breaking out). But I will splurge on certain things that show results — and this is one of them. Before I started using it, my skin was kind of dull and not very vibrant; now it’s plumper and more even toned. And the cream has a nice consistency — it’s not greasy at all.
This stuff is made with lactic acid, and I’ve found it to be a really good exfoliant without being too harsh. It gives my skin a brightening boost, shrinks pores, and also helps calm breakouts (I’ll put some on an inflamed area at night, and by the next morning, it’s calmed down).
I found this at a Goop pop-up shop in London. One sniff and I knew it was for me: The stuff smells citrusy (I call it a bottle of happiness and sunshine), and it’s very moisturizing, which isn’t always the case with fragrant products because many can dry skin out. I use it all over my body, from my neck down, and one bottle lasts me for three weeks to a month (but I’m not the norm, I probably overapply because it smells so good).
My first makeup artist, Jeanette Jacobucci, told me to use this on everything, from my cuticles, to my eyebrows, to my skin while flying, because it moisturizes so well. It’s kind of old school, but the cream is truly a miracle product. I can leave the house with just this and makeup wipes in my bag, and I’ve got all the products I need.
I don’t often do my own makeup, but when I do, I want it to be easy, and this provides great coverage without feeling like I’m wearing a ton of product. It’s very light — it feels more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation. I’ll apply it with a beauty blender, pop on some lip gloss and sunglasses, and in less than five minutes, I’m good to go.
This is very moisturizing, and gives my lips a nice shine (they look moist, not shimmery — I hate shimmer). The Snapdragon color is a very pretty pink that goes with any outfit or skin tone.
I’ve also used a lot of facial cleansers, and this is a favorite. I use it after makeup wipes — it’s super-gentle, but still gets off all of the dirt, debris, and makeup the wipes don’t remove. The stuff just seems to work really well with my skin and smells very fresh.
At first I thought hyaluronic serums were bullshit, but when I started using this, I could actually feel the moisture on my skin. I put it on wet skin — you always have to put it on wet skin — then apply moisturizer. The serum feels a little like jelly when it comes out of the bottle, but it’s not greasy and dissipates quickly, so I just feel moisture.
If I really, really need to sleep, I will do a drop or two of this with the melatonin. I’ve used a few different CBD oils, and this is the cleanest-tasting I’ve ever had. It’s so light I barely notice it, and it works quickly: I can feel my body relaxing and my mind slowing down within 30 minutes of taking it.
To me, your scent is as personal as your signature. I was at Neiman Marcus and told the sales associate that I love the smell of oud, but it’s too woodsy for me, and asked her if there was something flowery with a similar strength. She introduced me to Memo Paris, and when I smelled African Rose, I knew it was the one. It’s not cheap, but a spray or two will last all day, because it’s mostly oil, not alcohol.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
