Unique Beauty Products I Bought Instead of Getting on the Train


Many days when I am on the way to the train to go to work, school, or going out with a friend, I find myself getting sucked into interesting beauty shops that catch my eye. I have discovered some very unique products I never would have even thought of if I hadn't stopped into these stores. Some are quaint little shops downtown, some are products of bigger companies I would have never known.

Here are some of the intriguing finds I have uncovered in hopes of giving some fun new recommendations to test out on your own.

With my love for body care, sometimes I have to get a little more innovative and try new things to avoid getting bored. This is where this product came in. I was walking around Chelsea one day and stumbled upon this dainty little store named “Soapology.” I tested some of their scrubs, lotions, and butters, which were all lovely. However, when they showed me a candle that turns into body oil… I knew I wanted it immediately.

I enjoy spending time on spa nights or making my body care routine a ritual and a chance to unwind, so I thought this would be the perfect addition. To say the least, it definitely is. A warm body oil that also doubles as a candle, making your room smell delicious. I am obsessed. 

I thought for a long while that there was only face and eyeshadow primer. Well, I guess not. I have always adored LUSH cosmetics products, but I had never seen this product until about a month ago. I was once again walking to work and decided to stop into the store. I noticed they had a “hair primer” product. I was interested because they also had the scent I wear in the product. Hair primer essentially is used to give a good base and offer hydrating benefits. It makes styling easier and gives a perfect prep for any other products you may use. I tested it out, and safe to say it made the perfumed scent adhere to my hair for days, and left my hair feeling extra soft and ready for other products.

This product comes from an herb and holistic beauty shop located in the East Village named “Flower Power”: "Flower Power has been serving organic & wild crafted herbs, roots & extracts to the New York community for the last 25 years.” I typically get my herbs and oils from this shop, but decided to test out a new product a couple of months ago that I ended up loving. I had heard of kava butter previously, but never tried it out. Kava butter is infused with kava root, known for its soothing properties. It is especially useful for providing relief to sore muscles while leaving your skin nourished.

Oftentimes, I also find myself wandering into crystal or spiritual shops as well. This is from a crystal shop located in Brooklyn called “Raw Spirit NYC”. Some do tend to sell some interesting beauty gadgets or products, just like this one! Now, I am sure you have heard of a jade roller and/or a gua sha, but have you seen this before? Well, I hadn’t until I noticed it next to the array of crystals on a table in this shop. It reduces under-eye puffiness, diminishes dark circles, and is overall just a relaxing addition to your beauty routine (especially if you pop it in the fridge beforehand). Another plus: it is reusable, no need to throw it away after a few uses like ordinary eye patches.

At this point, I’ve realized half the fun of beauty isn’t just the products themselves, it’s the act of finding them. It’s ducking into a store you didn’t plan on entering on your way to class, testing something weird, and leaving with a product you suddenly can’t live without. So if anything, take this as a reason to side-quest a little more, go into the random shop, and try the product that makes you do a double-take. You never really know what’s going to become part of your routine.

BeautyRebecca KoppelBeauty, Lotion, Oil, Soap, Self Care