Vicki’s April Beauty Faves

This month’s beauty routine was all about versatility—I spent most of March travelling, so I leaned into products that were easy to pack and could handle everything from dry cabin air to humid city streets. Think hardworking formulas, travel-friendly sizes, and go-to staples that keep my skin (and sanity) in check no matter the time zone. —Vicki Duong

milk makeup. Cooling Water Jelly Ice ($40) quickly became my go-to travel essential this month. This solid skincare stick delivers instant refreshment (no fridge or freezer needed), making it perfect for long flights, stuffy hotel rooms and everything in between. A jelly texture that glides on effortlessly calms redness, soothes puffiness and keeps skin cool and hydrated no matter the climate. I loved how it fit easily into my carry-on and gave my skin a much-needed reset after a day of exploring.

rare beauty. Rare Beauty’s Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick ($39) has quickly earned a permanent spot in my daily routine. The formula is buttery smooth, blending seamlessly into the skin for a natural, soft-focus warmth that never looks patchy or overdone. It’s buildable without being cakey, and the stick format makes application a breeze whether I’m sculpting or just adding a hint of glow. I especially love how lightweight it feels, yet it still delivers that just-back-from-vacation radiance. 

the maker. There’s something undeniably intimate about Lover Eau de Parfum ($236) by The Maker. The scent opens with creamy sandalwood, luscious fig, and a hint of vetiver, creating an earthy, grounding, inviting warmth. As it settles, jasmine sambac and narcissus notes begin to bloom, adding a soft floral contrast before a subtle touch of oud rounds it all out. It’s a beautifully layered fragrance that feels sultry but never overpowering.

sulwahsoo. Sulwhasoo’s Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream ($350) makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even if you don’t. Backed by decades of ginseng research (because apparently that’s a thing), this cream goes beyond your average anti-ageing formula. The texture is silky and sinks in fast, leaving your skin feeling plump and smooth, as if you definitely drank enough water today.

diva. The Refresher ($17) is one of those low-key essentials that quietly earns a permanent spot in your travel bag. This no-rinse cleansing mist is handy when showers aren’t an option, whether on a long flight, road-tripping or freshening up after the gym. Made with cranberry seed oil and aloe, it’s super gentle and instantly soothes any dryness or irritation without leaving a trace. 

charlotte tilbury. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Face Palette ($70) might just be the cutest thing to hit your vanity. Housed in a heart-shaped compact that’s as swoon-worthy as the name suggests, this palette pairs colour-correcting magic with a soft, flattering blush for an easy, all-in-one glow-up. The two setting powders in peachy and pink tones brighten and lift, while the blush adds that signature Pillow Talk flush to the cheeks.

laura mercier. Laura Mercier’s iconic tinted moisturiser just got a glow up, literally. The new Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy ($68) is a dewier, more hydrating take on the cult classic that’s been a beauty staple for nearly three decades. It still delivers that lightweight, your-skin-but-better coverage fans love, now with skincare ingredients for an extra boost of glow and long-lasting hydration. Think of it as the OG but with a modern, skin-first twist–perfect for anyone who wants makeup that pulls double duty.

glow recipe. If you love the idea of skincare-meets-makeup, Dewy Flush ($34) might just be your new go-to. This tinted cheek serum delivers a soft, glowy flush while treating your skin to ingredients like niacinamide. It blends like a dream, feels weightless, and gives your cheeks a lit-from-within look without a hint of heaviness. The sheer formula is buildable and non-comedogenic so that it won’t clog pores–it just leaves your skin looking smoother, plumper and naturally radiant.

bkind. BKIND’s Moisturizing Face Scrub ($36) is the ultimate treat for dry, dull skin that needs a little extra love. With a rich, creamy texture and a blend of papaya enzymes and cucumber seed powder, it offers both gentle chemical and physical exfoliation without feeling harsh or drying. It’s one of those scrubs that feels more like a mini facial than a typical exfoliator, and the lingering moisture it leaves behind is the cherry on top.

r.e.m. beauty. Ariana Grande’s Starlet Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow ($20) from r.e.m. beauty is the pop diva-approved shortcut to shimmer-drenched lids with zero effort. The new formula, straight out of Italy, is smoother than ever, so it glides on like a dream and stays put like a banger on the charts. The teardrop applicator gives you one-swipe magic for a soft glow or lets you flick on some sparkle as liner.