If it wasn’t already clear; I’m a beauty products junkie. I love trying new products and I don’t believe in limiting myself to one brand. However, over the years there have been products that I just can’t help but come back to, because there really is no comparison. Usually it’s pretty easy for me to find the next big thing to replace my favorite products, but there are a select few that I can honestly say are irreplaceable (to the left, to the left).
So here are my 10 holy grail products that I couldn’t live without:
1. ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY-IN-PLACE MAKEUP ($37)
This foundation was a game changer for me. My favorite beauty products to purchase are lipsticks and eyeshadows. While I’m always open to trying new foundations (the endless supply living in my drawer can attest to that) they don’t exactly get my heart racing the way a new eye palette will. But one thing to remember about makeup is that any killer eye look or bold lip needs a flawless canvas to truly turn heads. And that is exactly what this foundation does. It gives medium to full coverage and makes me feel more confident than any other foundation I have ever used. It is definitely more on the liquid side of things, but it isn’t too runny which is a huge pet peeve of mine. A little goes a long way and with just a dime sized amount I can cover my entire face and make even my most offensive blemishes disappear. I get so many compliments on my skin because not only does it look clear, but it looks alive. I use the shade 1C1 Pale Ivory and it’s an almost perfect match. There’s a huge color selection so you’re bound to find yours. Find it here: http://www.sephora.com/double-wear-stay-in-place-makeup-P378284?skuId=1465194
2. MAC MINERALIZED BLUSH IN “WARM SOUL” ($27)
I usually switch my blushes out when the season changes. I stick with deep pinks, terracottas, and rose hued shades for the fall and winter, and bust out my brighter pinks, corals and lavenders for spring and summer. However, one that always stays in my rotation is “Warm Soul” by MAC. This blush literally goes with everything. It doesn’t so much add a wash of color as it adds a stunning warmth to the cheeks. In the pot it’s a pretty rose gold pink. If that’s even a color. But on the cheeks it transforms and sometimes it feels like it actually changes depending on what kind of eye look I have on. I know it doesn’t, but still. It blends flawlessly and it is a total must have if you love MAC blushes as much as I do. Get it here: http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/156/31094/Products/Face/Cheek/Mineralize-Blush/index.tmpl?SKU_ID=SKU56086
3. TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY BRONZER IN “PARK AVE PRINCESS” ($30)
When I first started getting into makeup I felt like I couldn’t wear bronzer (all my pale girls raise your hands). The first problem was definitely my application (yikes) but besides that I just had a difficult time finding something that wasn’t too harsh looking for my pale skin. Finally a lovely Sephora associate introduced me to what would turn into basically the only bronzer I ever use: “Park Ave Princess” by Tarte. Not only is the packaging adorable and fun (like everything else Tarte does) but it is such a stunning shade. It’s a perfect light bronze with just a little bit of shimmer that never fails to bring my face to life. It’s a universal fave and looks great on almost all skin tones. This was like my gateway bronzer. It gave me the confidence to try other, more daring bronzers. But to this day, it is still the one I reach for 9 times out of 10. Pick it up here: http://www.sephora.com/mineral-powder-bronzer-P99809?skuId=828772
4. BENEFIT “THEY’RE REAL” MASCARA ($23)
Unless you live under a rock, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Everyone loves this mascara. And for good reason. There is no other mascara that I have found that gives my lashes the same full and long effect. People really do ask me if I’m wearing fake lashes when I wear it. I have gone through at least ten of them. My new favorite thing to do is use it with one of my other favorites; Smashbox Full Exposure mascara. Together they open up my eyes and add a ton of drama to any look. Buy it here: http://www.sephora.com/they-re-real-mascara-P289307?skuId=1343938
5. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS DIPBROW POMADE ($18)
There’s no denying it; she really is the Queen of Brows. I was already obsessed with her brow wiz and her brow powder duo, but then she released her dipbrow pomade and I lost it. I will NEVER use any other brow product to fill in my brows (unless she comes out with something better of course). It’s like a gel eyeliner for your brows. Super creamy and easy to use. It’s important to remember that you should only use the tiniest bit (otherwise things could get messy) on an small angled brow brush. It makes sculpting your brows so easy and you end up with a beautiful, natural look. Find it here: http://www.sephora.com/dipbrow-pomade-P384060?keyword=ANASTASIA%20BEVERLY%20HILLS%20DIPBROW™%20Pomade%20P384060&skuId=1578707&_requestid=180528
6. MAKEUP GEEK EYE SHADOW IN “SHIMMA SHIMMA” ($5.99)
I know this may seem like a random one, but I literally use this shadow every single day. It is the PERFECT brow bone/inner corner highlight. I can’t walk out the door without using it. Even when I have a really minimal look, it looks gorgeous. It’s this beautiful vanilla/cream shimmer shade that makes your eyes look brighter and bigger. Sometimes I try to use other shadows or highlighters just to see if they compare, and they really never do. And the price? There’s no reason not to buy it! Find it here: http://www.makeupgeek.com/store/eye-products/eyeshadows/makeup-geek-eyeshadows/makeup-geek-eyeshadow-pan-shimma-shimma.html
7. MARIO BEDESCU DRYING LOTION ($17)
One of the most effective acne spot treatments I have ever used. All I have to do it dip a q-tip in, dot it on my blemishes before I go to bed and I always wake up to them essentially being gone. There’s always less redness and it cuts my zit’s lifespan in half. A total life saver and what’s even better; it lasts forever. I’ve had my bottle for almost a year and it still looks the same. Find it here: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6200681
8. BITE BEAUTY AGAVE LIP MASK ($26)
I feel like Bite Beauty is another one of those brands that can do no wrong. Every product I try, I fall in love with. I almost never leave Sephora without one of their products in my shopping bag. So of course one of their products is on my list. Their Agave Lip Mask saved my lips’ lives. Each of them. It really did. I have always struggled with chapped lips (hold the #whitegirlproblems please) because I’m forgetful. I never use chapstick enough and overall am way too lazy when it comes to proper lip care. But after using this baby I’ll never go back to my gross chapped lip days again. I put it on in the morning when I get out of the shower and at night before I go to bed and my lips have never been softer. Lipsticks and stains go on so much smoother now. My one and only complaint is the packaging. The black paint begins to flake off of the tube (as shown in the janky photo above) and gets everywhere, which I am not a fan of. But I can live with it because this stuff is just that good. Find it here: http://www.sephora.com/agave-lip-mask-P384629?skuId=1575042
9. JULEP TA DA! QUICK DRY DROPS ($14)
I have a love/hate relationship with doing my nails. I find the process to be somewhat of a hassle but love the result. Mostly I hate how freaking long it takes for my multiple coats to dry. I always end up just sitting there with my hands awkwardly in the air as I try not to touch anything. But after I bought the Quick Dry Drops from Julep this was never a problem again. Literally within seconds of placing one or two drops on your nails they are completely dry. I have no idea how they do it and I don’t want to know. All I know is that they have saved my relationship with my nail. Find it here: http://www.julep.com/shop/nail-hand-foot-care/ta-da-quick-dry-drops.html if you don’t mind waiting for them to get back in stock. Otherwise you can pay a dollar more on Amazon and get them here: http://www.amazon.com/Julep-Quick-Dry-Polish-Drops/dp/B00B7A0XZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417475306&sr=8-1&keywords=julep+quick+dry+drops
10. ALMAY LASH CARE MAKEUP REMOVING WIPES ($6.49)
I have lost many a lash to the tough rubbing of a makeup remover wipe. They’re just never gentle enough. Then I saw these lash care wipes at the drug store and decided to give them a try and I have not stopped using them since. I go out of my way to purchase these and regular makeup removing wipes for the rest of my face simply because nothing gets eye makeup off like these. They are so thorough and get all of my mascara off (is there anything worse than trying to apply mascara only to realize that there is still residue from the day before?) without ripping my lashes out. Win win. Find them here: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5440001
So those are them! Do you love any of these products as much as I do? What are your holy grail products that you swear by? Tell me in the comments!
