If you’re a beauty enthusiast with an eye for budget-friendly gems, Jen Reed is probably a familiar name. The influencer, shopping expert (you might have caught her on Good Morning America), and the visionary behind The Sister Studio and Life in Lilac, Reed brings a breath of fresh air to the online scene.
What sets her apart is her authenticity—she built her massive following by curating and sharing accessible finds at a time when opulent luxuries dominated the industry. “I just started sharing items that I found, loved, and could actually afford, and started growing the community that I have today,” she shares.
Now, a decade later with over a million Instagram followers, Reed’s unwavering commitment to her community and her knack for sourcing quality, budget-friendly products remain at the forefront. Ahead, Reed offers insights into expanding her following, her top must-have Amazon product, and the latest favorites that have captured her attention.
Did you ever think The Sister Studio would grow into what it has?
“Definitely not! There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel incredibly, incredibly thankful for the community of women that we have at The Sister Studio. I feel so grateful that people have chosen to hang out with me on the internet every day for the last several years! At the end of the day, their trust and my integrity are everything to me, and I show up for my Instagram followers the same way I show up for my friends. The same topics, products, and clothes that I’m sharing with my mom, my girlfriends, my sisters are the same things I’m sharing with my audience online. They’re truly my online family and I feel so grateful for that!”
What inspired Life in Lilac?
“The community that I’ve built over the years at The Sister Studio truly means the world to me, and I wanted to find a way to deepen that connection outside of a phone screen. Life in Lilac was born out of that desire. I wanted to be able to create products that my community could use in their everyday life and truly enjoy—not just because the scents smell amazing, (though they really do!) but because they’re made to represent what they say on the packaging.
I want my audience and anyone lighting a Life in Lilac candle to truly feel wonderful, worthy, and welcome, which is why I created our signature scents with those exact names. I might be biased, but I truly believe the care and dedication we put into our products is unmatched. I hope that everyone feels this when they open their Life in Lilac package and light one of our candles in their home.”
You test so many beauty products, many from Amazon. If you could recommend ONE Amazon product everyone should try, what would it be and why?
“Oh my goodness this is a hard question! One item over anything else is tough. A product that I have used and loved for years is this curling iron. It holds a curl better than anything else I’ve tried, has an extra long barrel so it works easily for any hair length, and at under $30, it’s impossible to beat for me. Absolutely 10/10!”
What is your latest beauty discovery you can’t get enough of?
“At the moment, I’m going to have to go with this facial brush. I use it every single time I wash my face, I travel with it, it is a key part of my skin-care routine. I know most brushes like this can cost well over $100, so when I found this, I was so excited about an effective and affordable option! Highly, highly recommend!”
What is your number-one tip for healthy skin?
“I love a good chemical exfoliant, and it’s made all the difference in my skin. AHA, BHA, you name it—these products encourage cell turnover, tighten pores, help even skin tone, and even help with fine lines. Whether you’re using a gentle or more concentrated version, I cannot recommend resurfacing products enough, especially for those of us who are trying to look more glowing and youthful (who isn’t?). I personally love both the resurfacing pads from Elemis and the Paula’s Choice BHA, but regardless of the specific product that works best for you, I highly highly recommend a chemical exfoliant.”
