30 Niche Things I Find Utterly Chic—Fashion, Beauty, and Home Edition

Naked nails are instantly chic—well, when they’re healthy. The low-maintenance look hinges on strong, hydrated nail beds (otherwise they just look unkempt), so I’ve been applying this nail treatment twice a week to whip mine into tip-top shape. Like a protein treatment for your hair, this repairing formula penetrates the nail and rebuilds broken bonds from within.

Designer candles: Are they wallet-friendly? Perhaps not. Are they painfully chic? Heck yes. I once clocked this stunning Loewe vessel on a friend’s coffee table among other minimalist treasures (like fashion books and a gorgeous wick trimmer), and I immediately added it to my cart.

Forgoing mascara is such a chic move, as millions on TikTok (myself included!) firmly believe. I’m partial to a bare lash most days, but I’ll opt for brown mascara for just a hit of definition. This lengthening formula from Ilia is perfect for those who want to nail that “full face, no mascara” vibe yet can’t fathom parting with a slick of rich pigment. I’ve been wearing it daily since it launched.

French It girl Jeanne Damas is arguably the chicest person I’ve ever met. As soon as I scored this jumbo scrunchie at an event, I’ve been wearing it nonstop—and have received countless “Where did you get that?!” compliments. There’s just something about a slicked-back bun paired with an enormous, frilly hair piece that feels so pretty.

Pale-blue eye shadow is trending, ICYMI, and this VBB stick is my product of choice. I love to apply just a smudge on the inner corners of my eyes for a flash of color.

Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir is a classic beauty-editor staple. (And a French pharmacy mainstay!) If I see you pull this out of your bag for a midday spritz, I’ll know you have chic taste.

Let me tell you, you don’t realize how much you’ve been missing an aesthetically pleasing hand sanitizer until you have one on your person. I feel fancy every time I take out this eucalyptus-scented spray from my bag.

I personally find layered basics so chic—think white T-shirts peeking through the collar of a cashmere sweater. A layered tank feels like the spring/summer version, so I’m stocking up on these staples ahead of the sweltering season. Bonus points if you wear it with stirrup leggings and a pair of The Row–coded sock flats.

The Mason Pearson hairbrush is an icon in its own right (and well worth the investment, as it will last you forever!), but this mini comb is the ultimate under-the-radar treasure. Imagine it sitting on your vanity along with a silky hair oil and elegant ponytail cuff. The vignette practically screams taste.

After hearing multiple celebrities gush about this contour-highlighter duo (Hailey Bieber, Rita Ora, Sabrina Carpenter, Sarah Jessica Parker, Laura Harrier… and I could go on!), I decided to finally bite the bullet and snag one for myself. I’m beyond glad I did, as I wear that contour shade every single day without fail. It seriously makes me look like I just came back from a two-week beach vacation.

A Chloé girl could breathe, and I’d say, “Oh my god, so chic,” but this fragrance truly knocks it out of the park in terms of elegance. The fluted glass bottle doubles as décor, and the spicy cardamom, cedarwood, and rose notes are downright intoxicating.

Last summer, I saw someone take a paper fan out of her bag as we waited on the stuffy subway platform, and I immediately clocked her as cool. (She was also wearing a sleek pair of sunnies I had been eyeing, so that could also have totally impacted my judgment.) You can snag a whole pack of paper fans for around $15 on Amazon, but might I suggest this aesthetic H&M pick?

Any rec from French makeup artist Violette Serrat is immediately on-trend, but this luxurious compact mirror just might take the cake. I mean, imagine taking this beauty out of your bag whenever you reapply your go-to lip combo. I honestly can’t think of anything chicer to obtain! Not to mention you can use it as a palette to blend lip colors and create a custom hue.

The most stylish people I know can wear no makeup at all—save for a clear lip gloss—and look instantly put together. This one from Valentino adds just the right amount of shimmer and shine, plus a high-tech Puffer Complex for a more voluminous look.

People who prioritize their daily vitamins? Chic! (I say this enviously as someone who literally cannot commit to a supplement routine.) I’m hoping this Sakara number will change that, as it features a day’s worth of essential vitamins and minerals in one drinkable tablespoon. Not for nothing, the sleek, minimalist vessel looks right at home on my bathroom counter.

Clearly I have a thing for supplements that feel like little chic treats! Not to be dramatic, but these chocolates have absolutely rescued me from the dreaded 3 p.m. slump. Each square is brimming with functional mushrooms that support natural energy and focus, and I can feel the effects immediately. I like to pop ’em after lunch when I need an extra boost (plus something sweet) to get me through the rest of the workday.

I bought these cotton boxers for my fiancé and have since been stealing them back from his drawer, so I just might have to snag a few more colors for myself. They’re deliciously comfy and breathable, and you can easily dress them up with a button-down and trench coat—perfect for spring.

I don’t know about you, but I find bedside water carafes to be super chic. It feels very French, does it not? This amber hue is also such a luxe choice.

Speaking of bedside tables, I feel fancy every time I use this nighttime hand cream. The ribbed vessel doubles as art, and the lid actually functions as a ring holder while you massage in the buttery, delicately scented formula. It matches perfectly with the amber carafe set above, FWIW.

Asymmetrical earrings give you an instant cool factor, I’d say. The knotted charms on these handcrafted hoops are so elegant.

Byredo has a slew of hero picks (Mojave Ghost, anyone?), but Eyes Closed is definitely a more underrated score. With notes of cinnamon, cardamom, carrot, orris butter, ginger, papyrus, and patchouli, the blend is sweet and powdery with a spicy kick—not unlike a slice of carrot cake. If you wear it over some of the brand’s other popular scents, I’d consider you a very chic fragrancehead.

No-makeup days are made instantly brighter with this creamy, versatile highlighting stick. I like to pop it on my lids, cheekbones, and Cupid’s bow for the dewiest megawatt glow, then toss it in my bag for midday touch-ups.

Hands down, this is the chicest diffuser I’ve ever owned. If I didn’t power it on daily, I’d think the sleek, oakwood-crafted base was sculpture art for my apartment. It oozes quiet luxury—literally, as the hidden ventilation system softly and silently releases fragrance into the air (no vapor whatsoever). Parfums de Marly fragrances are a pretty penny (nearly $400 a pop), but the scented refills here are tagged at $80, so you could sample multiple PDM aromas for a fraction of the price. Just some food for thought!

Beauty-editor pro tip: If you want to fake a natural-looking tan, make sure your bronzer of choice doesn’t have any shimmer whatsoever. This liquid number from Westman Atelier has one of the prettiest, most realistic finishes I’ve worn.

I have long, wavy-curly 2c hair, so I’m always itching to toss it up. I adore the look of a textured updo with a pretty hair clip, and this oversize rosette clip from Lelet is calling my name. I can already envision how I’d pull out some romantic face-framing tendrils.

A bold plum lip paired with glossy, no-foundation skin screams chic. I’ve recommended this Refy Lip Blur more times than I can count at this point, so consider this your sign to grab it before it sells out (once again).

Irene Forte products are just so dreamy; whenever I use them, I’m instantly transported to a spa nestled in the Italian countryside. Sensorially appealing perks aside, these formulas work. I fall in love with every product I try, but I am especially obsessed with this glowy, prickly pear–infused face cream. My skin has never felt softer since I incorporated it into my routine.

Talk about a vacation in a jar. This viral glow balm from Patrick Ta is a red carpet and beauty-editor staple. I will always tap it on my collar bones before a summer, shoulder-baring event.

I wouldn’t say Diptyque’s Orphéon is niche (I’d say it has icon status, in fact), but the limited-edition version is somehow even more sophisticated.

Okay, I know I began by saying naked manicures are the chicest, but I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal. Meaning, I either want nothing on my nails or a full-on glitter situation. Celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein (who is also an undoubtedly chic individual) recently influenced me to snag this new mauve jelly polish from Lights Lacquer. Watch it in action—it somehow has the effect of a magnetic polish without requiring that extra tool.