Spring into haircare products

Dream Coat Supernatural Spray by Color Wow  — $28

This anti-frizz hair care product, formulated by hairstylist Chris Appleton — famed for his work, particularly with media personality Kim Kardashian —  acts as an anti-humidity spray suited perfectly for warm weather. The $28 spray gives your hair a sleek shine without the frizz, providing longevity results that can last up to four washes. This hair care secret granted the fitting name of ‘The Dream Coat’, is a game changer for frizzy hair days and can be found online through their website or in beauty stores like Sephora and Ulta. Overall, the Pathfinder rates this product a 5/5. 

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask — $29

When searching for products, an important factor for me and for many customers to consider is the support of cruelty-free brands — brands that do not test their products, formulas or ingredients on animals — and vegan brands. K18’s repair hair mask fits that criterion. Aside from the company’s ethical practices, the product itself effectively repairs hair damage on a molecular level, improving hair elasticity and strength. After bleaching and toning my hair a couple of times, I wanted my hair to go back to its natural sleek, shiny look. With professional hair stylists both online and in the salons using this mask to combat damaged hair, I had to test it out. This K18 hair mask has completely reversed my hair’s damage after just a couple of uses.  The only downside of the product is its pricing, which is on the more expensive side at $29; however, the results of the mask are surely worth the money. The hair repair mask can be found on K18’s website, Sephora and Amazon. Through careful consideration, the Pathfinder rates this product a 4/5. 

Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo by Kerastase — $40

After long months of winter weather and frigid, dry air, my hair needs some TLC: tender loving care. Finding a product to return some moisture to my scalp was challenging —  until I tried the Nutrivite Bain Satin Shampoo. This shampoo works best for dry hair types and provides lasting results, giving my hair the softness and shine it had before I dyed it. Additionally, the shampoo has an amazing, pleasant scent with overall notes of ylang-ylang and sandalwood.  The product is more expensive than standard shampoos on the market, priced at about $40,  but I believe the refreshing transformation it leaves is ultimately worth it. The product can also be purchased through the Kerastase website, Amazon and Sephora. Overall, the Pathfinder rates this product a 5/5. 

Therapy Session by Eva NYC — $18

Though I had never used a hair mask before Eva NYC’s Therapy Session, this product made a mark that would completely change that for me. After doing extensive research about the best hair masks that weren’t too expensive, I ended up settling with Therapy Session. At a reasonable price of $18, the product contains argan oil, an essential ingredient in promoting hair protection from damage and created out of plant protein. Cruelty-free and GMO-free, this mask thoroughly conditions your hair and gives it a shine that lasts for 48 hours — all while leaving your hair smelling of white flowers and freesia. You can find this mask at mainstream stores such as Walgreens, Target, the Therapy Session by Eva NYC website, Ulta and Amazon. Finally, the Pathfinder gives this product 5/5 stars.

Move into makeup products

Born This Way Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer by Too Faced — $36

The Born This Way Concealer is an oil-free, hydrating and full-coverage concealer created by Too Faced in 2019. While the price remains high at $36, the results of this base product make it worth the money. Trying countless concealers over the years, I could never find a product that would give me coverage that wasn’t foundation until I used Born This Way. Best on dry skin, this concealer leaves my skin getting compliments all night long, all the while upholding a lightweight feel in comparison to foundations with similar coverage. The concealer is also available at various beauty stores such as Ulta and Sephora, making it accessible to purchase. All in all, the Pathfinder rates this product a 5/5.

Soft Pinch Liquid Blush by Rare Beauty — $23

While the Rare Beauty Blush was the makeup world’s hot topic of 2023, I was originally skeptical about the hype. The cosmetic brand, founded by singer and actress Selena Gomez, blew up on social media in 2022. Beauty influencers particularly boosted the brand’s fanfare throughout social media, especially on TikTok, which is where I was persuaded to try the product out. After receiving the blush as a present, I enjoyed the famous pigment; the only thing I didn’t care for was how much product came out once you applied it to your face, making a little bit of blush sometimes go too long of a way. However, the blushes do stay on all day and live up to the hype of a long-lasting product, leaving me rosy and sunkissed for a good amount of time. To purchase, you can find the blush on the Rare beauty website and Sephora. Overall, the Pathfinder gives this 4/5 stars 

Power Grip Primer +4% Niacinamide by Elf Cosmetics — $10

With makeup increasingly gaining popularity through the power of social media, the Power Grip Primer has become a viral sensation on TikTok, so much so that I had to try it. This gel-based primer has niacinamide, a popular and praised skincare ingredient, which creates an even skin tone under makeup. While my makeup stays on throughout the night, the consistency is extremely sticky for the product to do its job. Additionally, the packaging can be very messy, leaving the product to leak in the lid. However, the primer’s ability to do its job and make your makeup last is undeniable. To purchase, you can find this Elf product at general stores such as Target, Ulta and Walmart as well as on the company’s website. Overall the Pathfinder rates this product 4/5 stars.

Puff Puff Pass Set and Bake Powder- KimChi Chic Powder— $19

Cruelty-free, sulfate-free and vegan, The KimChi Chic Puff Puff Pass setting powder leaves a matte complexion that lasts all day. The $19 setting powder is formulated with vitamin E oil and rice powder, making your skin super soft. Although I have only used this product a few times, I was also thoroughly impressed by the formula and packaging. I loved how the setting powder included a custom heart sifter and how original the packaging was compared to other products on the market. The setting powder is available exclusively on Amazon and KimChi’s website, but the product’s quality is worth searching for. Overall the Pathfinder rates this product 5/5 stars.

Springing into skincare products

CosRX Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream — $26

Of all the spring products I have tried, the CosRX Advanced Snail All in one Cream is one that truly transformed my skin. As someone who has struggled with acne, trying new products is always a risk, so the snail cream was initially suspicious to me. However, after using the gel, it instantly soaked into my skin, eliciting a feeling that was both moisturized and refreshed. While it is a bit messy, because of the sticky consistency, the cream instantly made my skin soft and helped my scarring. For sensitive and dry skin, this cream is the ultimate repairer, truly an all-in-one product with elements of plumping, nourishing and anti-aging. The cream can be ordered on Amazon as well as CosRX’s website. Overall the Pathfinder rates this product 4.5/ 5 stars.

Pure Cleansing Oil by ma:nyo — $29

Cleansing oil is a popular skincare product throughout Asia, used to reduce excess oil, acne and large pores. The Pure Cleansing Oil is one of the well-known cleansers in Korea. To use the product, you must follow the process of massaging into the skin for one minute, emulsifying the oil by adding water and finally washing it off. The process removes all of the makeup and built-up dirt throughout the day, leaving no trace of a greasy residue, but rather, a refreshing after scent. This product has upped my skin game so much, making my skin feel nourished and clean every night. However, I knocked a point off because it, at times, makes my skin feel itchy after using it. To buy this cleansing oil, you can look on the company’s website and Amazon. Finally, the Pathfinder rates this 4 /5 Stars.

Micellar Cleansing Water by Garnier — $10.49

Removing my makeup was always a painful process I dreaded every night —  until I tried the Micellar Cleansing Water by Garnier. Soothing and gentle, the product leaves no residue while powerfully taking off my everyday makeup and skincare. The best way to apply this is by using a cotton pad, dousing it with the cleansing water and using it on my whole face. Perfect for all skin types, the product has improved my skin with thorough cleansing every night. Plus, as fan-favorite cleansing water, this product is sold at several accessible stores such as Target, Walmart and Amazon. Overall, the Pathfinder gives this micellar water 5/5 Stars.