Tatjana Dragović reveals her favourite beauty products of 2025

My story with the beauty industry began much earlier than I could consciously recognize at the time. Back in 1996, when I shot my first cover for American Cosmopolitan, I worked with the renowned American stylist Paul Cavaco. That meeting was my first real entry into the world of beauty at the highest professional level.

Through Paul, I also met his daughter, Cayli Cavaco Reck, who later became my mentor and one of the most important people in my professional development. As the founder of the Knockout Beauty concept, Cayli is regarded as one of the leading authorities in the beauty industry. What I learned from her goes far beyond products and trends. She taught me how to look at beauty as a whole, as a discipline grounded in knowledge, integrity, and long-term vision. Watching the way she built her business also shaped how I approach my work today. To this day, I see her as a role model, not only as a successful businesswoman, but as someone whose understanding of beauty is rooted in substance rather than a superficial impression.

111 SKIN Antioxidant Essence NAC Y²™

When I decided to launch LAB, I knew I did not want to create yet another classic beauty project. From the start, it was important to me to build a concept that would be different, a place that would educate people about the clean beauty philosophy, ingredients, and their long-term impact on health. Very quickly, I realized that this awareness is almost non-existent in our region, which only further motivated me to enter the project without compromise.

About the brand: One such brand, beloved among celebrities, beauty editors, and skincare connoisseurs, is 111SKIN. Behind the brand, founded by world-renowned aesthetic surgeon specializing in facial reconstruction and rejuvenation surgery Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, stands twenty years of surgical expertise, innovative ingredients, and medically inspired methods. A pioneer in aesthetic treatment, Dr. Yannis was among the first surgeons to advocate for non-surgical procedures, and since 2001 he has been the founder, director, and head of the surgical practice at the renowned 111 Harley St. In response to the need to support clients’ recovery after treatments, Dr. Yannis, together with his wife Eva Alexandridis, developed the inaugural healing serum. Exceptional results and the subsequent demand for the powerful NAC Y2 formula enabled 111SKIN to expand into six ranges and more than 60 products.

About the product: A refreshing essence that cools, soothes, and preps the skin for optimal absorption of active ingredients.

Purpose: Targets skin sensitivity such as redness, dryness, and irritation, and prepares the skin to better absorb active ingredients in the next steps of the routine.

Ingredients: The formula is rich in antioxidants that protect and restore the skin from external aggressors. It also contains Dr. Yannis’s signature reparative complex, NAC Y²™, which, through innovative encapsulation technology, delivers a four times stronger restorative effect. It is further enriched with energizing red ginseng extract to ease signs of fatigue, and phytic acid to strengthen the skin barrier and improve skin texture. Infused with vitamins A, E, and F, it accelerates cell renewal and calms signs of inflammation.

How to use: My first step after removing makeup and cleansing my face. I apply it to completely dry skin to enhance the gentle exfoliating effect and increase the penetration of active ingredients in the next steps of my routine. You can use it every morning or every evening (after cleansing).

MZ SKIN Restorative Bio-Placenta Cream

About the brand: Dr. Maryam Zamani, the founder of MZ Skin and a highly respected oculoplastic surgeon, was inspired to launch her own brand thanks to her many satisfied clients, whom she advises daily on the importance of consistent routines and skincare to achieve beautiful skin and desired results. MZ Skin is a brand of clinically proven products, formulated to improve the appearance of and protect your skin, made with the finest and carefully selected ingredients, enhanced with proprietary anti-age formulas.

About the product: A restorative, rich, and nourishing cream that stimulates collagen and elastin production for fuller, smoother, more radiant skin.

Purpose: Boosts collagen and elastin production for fuller, smoother, more radiant skin. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in firmer, more supple skin.

Ingredients: The latest skincare technology to enhance restorative effects and improve the absorption of essential proteins and amino acids. Promotes a brighter, more even skin tone with plant stem cells and white asparagus extract. Powered by M5Rx for intelligent skin rejuvenation.

• M5Rx penetrates skin cells safely and quickly, without changing their molecular structure and while maintaining functionality at the delivery site
• Powerful active ingredients work synergistically to target multiple signs of skin aging at once for intelligent skin rejuvenation
• Bio-Mimetic Placenta, a bio-engineered polypeptide complex that targets fine lines and rejuvenates the skin
• M5Rx, targeting pigmentation, collagen loss, free radical damage, and dehydration with liposomal delivery
• Brown macroalgae concentrate, rich in Wakamic ester, to lift and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Biotechnological plantain extract, to firm, brighten, and even out the appearance of the skin
• Biocompatible ceramide fluid, to restore hydration and support the skin barrier

How to use: I love using this cream morning and night, especially during winter. I apply it to cleansed face, neck, and décolletage, gently massaging until absorbed.

Results: The final step in a skincare routine is very important and makes a big difference. With this cream, the first results are visible after just three weeks of use, the skin is nourished, plumper, and velvety to the touch, and existing signs of aging are reduced. Long-term results appear after two to three months, skin elasticity and firmness improve, and the skin looks rejuvenated. The bio-placenta stimulates cell renewal and collagen production and supports deep skin regeneration.

U BEAUTY Resurfacing Compound

About the brand: It took us two years to bring U Beauty to LAB. Tina Chen Craig and Katie Borghese founded U Beauty in 2019. Together, they leveraged revolutionary technology to meet consumers’ need for fewer steps in their routines, but with even higher-quality products. The formulas are powered by SIREN Capsule Technology™, a multi-patented adaptive delivery technology for active ingredients that works in a revolutionary way with your skin, providing a personalized treatment with transformative results.

About the product: A multi-tasking serum that, by combining the effects of multiple skincare steps in one refined formula, helps visibly improve skin texture and the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Purpose: Visibly brightens, renews, smooths, regenerates, and evens out the skin in just one step.

Ingredients: Vitamin C and multiple hydroxy acids visibly brighten the skin and even out its texture, while a stable retinol ester, peptides, and other powerful actives work intuitively with the skin, giving it a glassy, smooth-surface effect.

How to use: I apply 2 to 3 pumps to dry skin after cleansing, gently massaging over the entire face. I wait for it to dry, then follow with a moisturizer to “seal in” hydration. I use the serum in the morning or at night, and it can also be used twice daily.

Results: Nothing delivers results as quickly and visibly as U Beauty products, which is why this serum is one of my absolute favorites in my morning routine. After just one week of use, the skin becomes smoother and revitalized, pores look smaller, the complexion appears brighter and more even, and fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.

WESTMAN ATELIER Supreme C Serum

When it comes to how brands become part of the LAB selection, I follow very clearly defined criteria. No brand becomes part of the selection before I personally test it for several months. Every product has to truly impress me with its results. That is the starting point, but not the only criterion. Today, of course, it is easier to establish collaborations than it was at the very beginning, because over time we have established ourselves in the market. Despite that, the selection process remains just as rigorous. Beyond results, it matters to me that I share a similar outlook with brand founders on well-being, sustainability, and the long-term impact of what we create.

About the brand: That is precisely why my first makeup choice is Westman Atelier, the brand by Gucci Westman, one of the most renowned makeup artists in the world who has become synonymous with a natural, breathable, flawless second-skin look. She is known for a makeup approach that highlights her clients’ natural beauty, individuality, and authenticity, celebrating their differences and personality. Through dedicated, creative, and original work, she has positioned herself at the very top of authority in the world of women’s beauty, a fact underscored by her role for more than two decades as a major editorial makeup artist for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, and Reese Witherspoon are just some of her loyal clients. In 2018, Gucci decided to launch her own clean brand under the name Westman Atelier. She developed it over years to achieve the highly sought-after flawless textures with nurturing and soothing properties. Beyond her makeup products, I have been especially impressed by her skincare line as well.

About the product: An ultra-concentrated, 100% gel-oil serum with vitamin C. Boosts radiance and reduces dark spots in just two weeks.

Purpose: This powerful antioxidant helps reduce hyperpigmentation and supports the skin’s natural collagen production. Skin is instantly hydrated, soft, brighter, and visibly more even in as little as two weeks.

Ingredients: This single-ingredient serum contains 100% THD ascorbate, a powerful yet gentle vitamin C derivative made in Japan that does not oxidize or break down when exposed to light or air. Refined through a multi-step process for unmatched stability and efficacy, this weightless gel-oil texture absorbs three times more effectively than traditional vitamin C.

How to use: 1 to 2 pumps are enough to cover the entire face, and I always gently pat any excess onto the neck. I wait for it to fully absorb before applying makeup.

Results: This is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite. The product I always come back to because the results are unreal. After just 10 days of use, the complexion is visibly more even, imperfections are softened, and the skin looks strong, healthy, and radiant. The high concentration of vitamin C improves texture, glow, and elasticity without irritation, which is everything I want from active-ingredient skincare.

ROYAL FERN Retinol Solution

About the brand: While reading medical journals, renowned dermatologist Dr. Timm Golueke came across a study on the use of fern extracts in treating melanoma patients, with encouraging results. Through further research, Dr. Golueke found several independent scientific studies showing that fern extracts contain valuable substances that positively affect genetically determined skin aging as well as aging caused by environmental factors. Dr. Golueke assembled a team, and they researched and identified the unique biological ROYAL FERN COMPLEX, developing methods to use fern extract for maximum efficacy in skincare formulas. Today, Royal Fern continues to impress the most discerning customers worldwide with an exceptional, luxurious texture and, above all, visible results.

About the product: A revolutionary treatment for firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

Purpose: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and “plumps” the look of the skin from within.

Ingredients: This multi-tasking anti-aging serum combines retinyl palmitate with brightening glycolic acid to visibly soften fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, smooth texture, and add glow. A gentle yet powerful encapsulated retinol complex gradually dissolves over time using controlled-release technology that waits for retinol to penetrate deep below the skin’s surface before it begins to work. An innovative mushroom extract plumps the skin from within and helps prevent irritation, while probiotics strengthen the skin barrier.

How to use: I apply it at night after cleansing to dry face and neck. Then I apply a moisturizer. It is very important to introduce the product gradually into your routine. Start with 1 to 2 times a week and increase usage each week to build tolerance. Use it as often as your skin can tolerate. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Results: I noticed the first results after four weeks, smoother skin, less visible pores and pigmentation spots, and improved skin texture. After three to six months, deep wrinkles are significantly reduced, the skin is firmer, and it is revitalized long-term thanks to stimulated collagen production.

SKINCEUTICALS C E Ferulic Serum

About the brand: Scientist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell established SkinCeuticals as an authority on antioxidants in the skincare industry. Decades of skin cancer research led to key discoveries in antioxidants, and their high-potency formulas are concentrated in pure active substances and proven to penetrate the skin optimally. SkinCeuticals’ clinical skincare is used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons, and it can also be used for everyday at-home care, as well as a complement to aesthetic treatments. The formulations correct signs of aging, protect healthy skin, and prevent future damage.

About the product: An advanced antioxidant serum ideal for normal, dry, combination, and sensitive skin, and it works for up to 72 hours.

Purpose: Reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone, protects against free radicals, boosts the skin’s natural defenses, and restores radiance.

Ingredients: A combination of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and ferulic acid neutralizes harmful free radicals and protects against damage caused by UV rays and pollution.

How to use: 3 to 4 drops are enough on clean face and neck in the morning, before moisturizer and sunscreen.

Results: Skin becomes more radiant and fresher, and hyperpigmentation is reduced.

AUGUSTINUS BADER The Rich Eye Cream

I was never drawn to big, purely commercial brands. I was drawn to innovation and to brands that were just emerging but already had a clear, consistent philosophy. That exact approach took me to Paris, where, in a small shop called Montagne Market, I first came across Augustinus Bader products. At the time, there were only two creams, The Rich Cream and The Cream. Out of curiosity, I tried them, and I was immediately drawn to their philosophy and results, completely unlike anything I had tried before. It was the first brand I wanted, without any doubt, to include in the concept I was building at the time.

Soon after, a friend connected me with one of the key people at Augustinus Bader, Charles Rosier. At the very beginning of the brand’s existence, I shared my vision with him, where I was, what kind of concept I wanted to build, and why it mattered to me to follow the brand and be alongside it from the start. That conversation was built on trust and a shared understanding of a long-term vision. Today, Augustinus Bader is one of the leading beauty brands in the world, and in a remarkably short time, just five or six years from its founding, it has achieved global success and redefined the way luxury skincare is thought about.

About the brand: Augustinus Bader is one of the world’s leading biomedical scientists, who has conducted research for more than 30 years at the University of Leipzig, studying stem cells. Thanks to his research, dedicated work, and belief in self-healing, in 2008 he discovered previously unknown capabilities of our bodies and formulated a revolutionary hydrogel that heals third-degree burns without surgery or skin grafting. Inspired by his groundbreaking discoveries and his patients’ success stories, Bader developed a skincare line distinguished by the revolutionary Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8), which activates stem cells responsible for the body’s and skin’s natural renewal processes. His products are adored by global beauties such as Kim Kardashian West and Victoria Beckham.

About the product: A luxurious, rich eye-area cream. It comes with a cool steel massage tool that helps reduce puffiness and stimulates circulation. Ideal for combination to very dry, or mature skin.

Purpose: Deeply nourishes, visibly firms, reduces puffiness, and smooths fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the eye area refreshed and rejuvenated.

Ingredients: Peptides that regenerate the skin and reduce wrinkles. Wild yellow gentian root extract for comprehensive rejuvenation of the eye area, supporting natural collagen production and reducing dark circles. Reishi mushroom extract helps strengthen the skin barrier, increase elasticity, and improve skin texture. Hyaluronic acid for deep, long-lasting hydration and instantly plumped skin. Lipids from the cell membranes of wild olive that act as a powerful revitalizer for mature skin, supporting the skin’s natural rejuvenation cycles. Enriched with TFC8® technology. Clean, fragrance-free formula. Vegan, non-comedogenic cream.

How to use: I apply a small amount, gently tapping around the eye area using the applicator or my finger.

Results: If, during the winter months, nothing feels rich enough for the delicate eye area, you will love this product. The rich yet perfectly absorbing texture deeply nourishes and repairs the skin, reduces the feeling of dryness and tightness, and visibly smooths the eye area. The formula with the TFC8® complex, vitamin E, and shea butter provides intense care and protection precisely where the skin is thinnest and most sensitive.

JOANNA CZECH Environ Gold Roll-CIT Microneedling Face Roller

About the brand: With more than 40 years of experience, Joanna Czech believes the key to beautiful skin is a long-term approach to skincare, not instant fixes. Her treatments are a blend of the most innovative technologies and timeless techniques. The results are undeniable, and the process is never overly aggressive. LED, ultrasound, microcurrents, cryotherapy, manual massage, and facial muscle manipulation are all part of her customized treatments, based on skin condition rather than skin type. Joanna has a long list of notable clients, including Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian, and Hailey Bieber. Her work has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Porter Magazine, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, InStyle, and Coveteur, as well as in ad campaigns for Dior, Givenchy, SKII, and Maybelline.

About the product: A premium derma-rolling device that helps achieve lasting improvements in the complexion. With 260 ultra-fine surgical-grade stainless steel needles, this skincare tool works alongside Environ’s range of highly effective active ingredients to stimulate skin renewal.

Purpose: Improves collagen production for better skin elasticity. Helps repair fine lines and wrinkles. Improves skin tone and texture. Helps improve scars from acne, surgery, and injuries. Suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients: Surgical-grade stainless steel.

How to use: Cleanse and tone first with your preferred products, then roll each area of the face vertically, diagonally, and horizontally for 3 to 5 minutes, using gentle but firm pressure. This product can be used on all skin types except with the following skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, raised moles, solar keratosis, warts, skin cancer, and blemish-prone skin.

Results: Skin looks fresher, redness and spots are reduced, and there are fewer fine lines. It helps the products we use penetrate the skin more easily and deeply.

BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE Masque Vivant

About the brand: Biologique Recherche is a French luxury skincare brand founded in the late 1970s, known for personalized, clinical treatments that use highly concentrated, pure ingredients (botanical, marine, biotechnological) and a unique three-phase methodology: Assessment (Skin Instant© analysis), Initialization (cleansing/balancing), and Treatment (reconditioning/hydration).

About the product: A highly effective face mask that restores balance to the skin with a high concentration of purifying ingredients.

Purpose: Regulates excess sebum production and reduces unwanted skin concerns. Tones the skin and tightens enlarged pores, while brightening and refreshing the complexion.

Ingredients: Contains yeast extract, sulfur, lactic acid, bentonite, and cucumber extract, ingredients that balance oiliness, calm acne, purify pores, and improve skin texture.

How to use: I use it as needed, applying it to the entire face, neck, and décolletage. I leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.

Results: Fewer imperfections, pores are cleaner and tighter, and the skin looks more radiant.