TINA CRAIG
The beauty entrepreneur paving the way to incandescent skin.
Tina Craig was just 13 when she got hired to work the register at Sam Goody in her local Maryland mall. “I wanted to buy a red bikini,” she recalls, “and my very conservative Chinese family just said, ‘No—unless you get a job and buy it yourself.’” As Craig has proved ever since, she is nothing if not determined.
After working as an MTV VJ and in fashion, she launched the pioneering blog Bag Snob two decades ago, followed by a beauty-focused spin-off. “Skin care was ingrained in me,” she says, remembering the collagen-rich chicken feet that were endearingly “force-fed” to her as a kid. “In Chinese, the word beautiful was only used to describe inanimate things. When you wanted to call a woman beautiful, you told her she had great skin.” Besides, her two interests were aligned: “Beauty and bags at department stores are always on the same floor. They don’t require sizing!”
What prompted Craig and her cofounders to launch U Beauty in 2019 was scientific innovation: specifically, the patent-pending SIREN capsules, which mimic skin cells and serve as a sly delivery mechanism for active ingredients. But what earns the brand its devotees are the ingenious formulas fed by the “constant stream of ideas in my head,” says Craig, “like, ‘I want invisible shapewear in a bottle.’” She remains her own target audience: “Obviously aging is a privilege, but I wanted to do it as well as possible.” There is efficacy to consider, but also unbridled delight. When a new product is in development, she says, “I want my whole team obsessed.” Craig brings exactly that enthusiasm to her well-edited BAG.
1
Think of this as your skin’s zombie-cell killer. It visibly softens, strengthens, and restores moisture by replenishing the lipid barrier—perfect for tackling dryness.
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U Beauty
The SUPER Intensive Face Oil
2
This brand is absolutely stunning. My friend Cassandra Grey put me onto it, and now I’m fully obsessed.
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Fara Homidi
Essential Face Compact
3
I’ve been using T3 since it launched, and it’s the only tool that doesn’t wreck my bleach-blonde mop.
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T3
Curl ID 1.25" Smart Curling Iron
4
Inspired by the immortal jellyfish, this powerhouse treatment helps replenish and protect damaged skin. Use it as an overnight mask three times a week to wake up to deep nourishment and a fortified barrier.
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U Beauty
The BARRIER Bioactive Treatment
5
The texture of these shadows is unreal—creamy, blendable, and never dry or cakey. This palette is perfect for day to night.
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Victoria Beckham Beauty
Eye Wardrobe
6
This leaves my skin feeling fresh but never stripped. The eucalyptus scent is equal parts refreshing and calming.
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Nécessaire
The Body Wash - With Niacinamide
7
A few spritzes of this Charlotte Tilbury setting spray will amplify a [U Beauty] Super Tinted glow, ensuring you stay dewy all day or night.
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Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
8
A next-level hydrator that locks in moisture for 48 hours. With five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, it penetrates deeply for hydration that lasts.
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