In the age of PR gifting and paid influencer partnerships smattered all over social media, it's hard to know whether a recommendation is wholehearted or winking. Is this product actually a must-have? Or did you get it in a gift bag and, yeah, it's not too shabby. Or worse (but understandably)—did your friend found a company and you’re giving her free press?
We want to know: What do people spend real dollar dollar bills on? We're dying to hear what you buy and re-buy, what you recommend with every fiber of your being, what your hard won earnings go toward. With brands sending free stuff to the microset of influencers, we decided it's high time for a roundup series that includes exclusively products that have been purchased and loved outright. Think of Receipts as a fun-things-only money diaries.
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With over 1M Instagram followers and a viral editing platform to her name, Tezza Barton has spent the last decade helping people tap into their visual language and aesthetic groove. But for Tezza, great style isn’t just about what you wear or how you edit. It’s about the little details that help you feel like your best self, every single day.
In this edition of Receipts, Tezza opens up her current rotation of can’t-live-without products: skincare she steals back from her husband, the camera she’s used for 14 years of content creation, and even the salt that makes her seem like a better cook than she swears she is. These are the behind-the-scenes staples powering Tezza Barton’s very curated life.
“When it comes to body lotion, I’ve always kind of overlooked what my skin actually needs. I’d just grab something cheap off the shelf or use whatever showed up in a PR box. But the first time I tried Cyklar’s body cream, I never went back. Nothing compares to how hydrating and smooth it makes your skin—and don’t even get me started on the scent. My personal favorite is Sacred Santal. It’s warm, gender-neutral, and absolutely delicious. My husband and I both use it, and in our 10 years of marriage, I’ve never seen him put on body lotion until this one!”
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“If you’re a girl on the go—this is it. Foundation, concealer, touch-up stick, all in one. Whatever is in this formula, it’s magic. It’s hydrating, melts into the skin, and somehow looks better as the day goes on. It gives that no-makeup makeup look without even trying. It’s buildable if you want more coverage, comes in tons of shades (you can even use it for contour or highlight), and it’s tiny enough to toss in your bag.”
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“I’ve been using this for over 10 years—maybe longer. You will never catch me without one. I have a scar in my brow from when I was two, and I fill it in every single day. I’ve tried every brow pencil under the sun, and nothing compares. The tip is so fine you can draw on individual hairs. It’s that realistic. No one ever mentions the scar!”
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“You never realize how good something is until you stop using it. I took a 3-month break from this face mask and immediately noticed the difference—dullness, discoloration, dark spots. Now I do it in bed while winding down. It takes just 3 minutes. Pro tip: hide it from your kids. It’s that cool—they’ll want to steal it.”
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“I’m a candle girl through and through. If you walk into my house and a candle’s not burning, something is wrong. But recently, I’ve been converted to home spray—and specifically this one. Tomato Leaf by LOEWE. Who knew tomato leaves could smell this good? My house smells like a bright, fresh garden. And yes, my husband’s obsessed too.”
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“We all know Jennifer Fisher makes the chicest jewelry—but she also makes salt?! I can’t tell you how many people have called me an amazing cook when all I did was sprinkle this on a salad. The Universal Salt has black pepper, dill, cilantro, chili flakes, lemon zest, and kosher salt. I use it on everything. She finally made a bag-size version and I give it to everyone during the holidays.”
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“Didn’t believe the hype until I tried it. All my glowy-skin friends swear by it, and now I do too. Yes, it’s pricey, but after a year and a half and many bottles later, I can confidently say—it works. It tightens, plumps, and makes my sensitive skin happy.”
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“I’ve had two kids and only one blowout in 3.5 years. These diapers are that good. It’s a subscription, so you never run out. They’re chemical-free, insanely soft, and super absorbent. I gift a 3-month subscription to all my new mom friends—it’s life-changing.”
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“There’s a reason this brush has stood the test of time. If you’re trying to grow out your hair, get this now. It stimulates the scalp and glides through without breakage. My hair has never felt healthier.”
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“This stuff is magic. I can slick my hair back for a bun, then wear it down the next day—no grease, no wash needed. It smells incredible, softens your hair like a mask, and comes in the cutest travel size (and a flyaway wand I always keep in my bag).”
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“I’ve been posting online for 14 years. I have every camera under the sun. But there’s something about a Canon PowerShot. It makes life look cooler than it actually is. If you want to take it to the next level and add your own special sauce, throw it in the Tezza App for the perfect edit.”