Hi ladies, I hope everyone's week is off to a great start!
Today I thought I would share my All-Star Beauty products--the products I've been using for 5 years or more. Like most industries, the beauty industry is always introducing exciting new and improved products and I, the consummate consumer, am usually among the first to try them out. The fact that I have stayed loyal to these products for a period of 5 years or more is truly saying a lot!
Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask - This is a 5-minute clay mask that helps refine, deep-clean pores and lift away impurities. When I have a breakout or my skin is looking particularly messy or oily, I slather this stuff on and wake up to noticeably improved skin. I've been using this since 2004.
St. Ives Apricot Scrub - This is truly an All-Star product for me, I've been using it since I was in college so... for about 13 years now. I love this as a gentle, yet effective all-over skin exfoliator. It leaves my epidermis soft and smooth and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all.
Opcon A - These eye drops put Visine to shame. They instantly clear up tired, red or bloodshot eyes, but I really love this product for removing the red from pimples and blemishes. It provides instant relief and results; Opcon A is definitely my Holy Grail product when it comes to eye drops/redness-reduction.
MAC 217 brush - If I had to choose just one brush to use for the rest of my life, it would definitely be MAC's 217. It's dual fiber, so it works equally well with powder shadows or creams/gels. It's the perfect density and shape for great blending and really works into the socket area nicely so it's perfect for smoky looks especially. I love this brush so much, I own two of them.
My 217s: my 2003 brush is on the left, my 2010 brush is much fluffier but I still love them both!
Caudalie Lip Conditioner - My mom first gave me this in 2005 and I've been using it ever since. It's really lightweight, made from all-natural ingredients and keeps my lips soft and unchapped. It's perfect alone or under lipstick or gloss.
L'Oreal Professional Vitamino Color Shampoo and Conditioner - This is definitely my Holy Grail shampoo and conditioner, I've been using it since 2006. I briefly strayed away from it for a bit and my hair pretty much dried up instantly (photographic evidence here). This stuff definitely works to not only keep my color from fading, but it keeps my hair moisturized, shiny and full of life. I've tried samples of other types of shampoo and conditioner over the years, but something would have to be simply amazing to get me to switch from the L'Oreal Professional line.
I would love to hear about your All-Star products! What have you been using for a 5+ year period? What products do you keep coming back to?
Posts
Oooh, this is tough due to my fickle nature for beauty products. Definitely Burt's Bees lip balm and I was a Prescriptives lover for their foundation, highlighter and loose face powder (until they stopped selling in stores, I may return to them online). MAC brush cleaner too.
ReplyDeleteSt. Ives Apricot Scrub is one of mine as well, I love it for the same reasons you do, I have very sensitive skin. Pretty sure it was my mom who got me using this.
ReplyDeleteAnother long time fave of mine is the Cucumber Cleansing Milk from The Body Shop, been using it for I swear over 15 years now. So refreshing on my skin, and has a really nice fresh cucumber-y scent.
MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover (the purple-ish bottle) has been my fave for over 7 years now. Non-oily, non-irritating, works like a charm every time. Oh, and it lasts forever.
Okay, now this one you're going to laugh at....I cannot live without Suave Kids Detangling Spray. I swear it's a life saver for me, I get the worst nests in my hair after washing (and conditioning!) it. I just spray this on, and it combs through so much more easier. It's non-damaging, and there's no build up at all. Plus it smells delicious (apple scented) so it's great as a pick me up too. And the best part - it's super duper cheap!
I need to get those Opcon A drops, I'm an obsessive Visine user (for red sensitive eyes). I've never seen this product on the shelf before though. Where do you get it at?
The MAC 217 is my all star product too. In fact, it's the only full size MAC brush I own! I have some MAC travel brushes, but the quality isn't the same. The 217 is perfect for the crease!
ReplyDeleteI used to use the L'oreal Professional shampoo and conditioner and agree that it is really good. I've switched to UNITE and Pureology, but I would say the L'oreal is one of the best lines I've tried.
Love your choices. I too think that the best testament to a good product is sticking with it despite all the new choices that come up. I've been racking my brain trying to think of a product that I have used for 5 years...and I can't think of anything. The best I could come up with is my Mac studiofix concealer which I've stuck to for 3 years.
ReplyDeleteR-you have some long time loves too, I see! Very cool. It's so nice to know you can always count on and stock up on a certain product. I get the Opcon A at Target, but most drugstores have it too. Let me know if you can't find it!
ReplyDeleteAw Noelle, I love that we both have so much love for 217, lol. It definitely is the greatest!!
I know right Lilly? For as much as I shop and for as many products as I try, the fact that I've come back to these for 5+years really says something. It's nice to have those constants to always count on, but if something new and better comes out, I will switch in a heartbeat! haha. I know so many people who just swear by Studiofix.
I am in the market for a new mask so the Clinique would be a great try! I've been using Redken's smoothdown haircare line for over 5 years, it works wonder on my thick and curly hair.
ReplyDeleteI love myself some St. Ives...have used it for eons and it hasn't failed me yet! x
ReplyDeleteMy fave was a St. Ives peel off mask but they stopped making it over a year ago. Boo.
ReplyDeleteHey question for you. Want to make the switch to cruelty free products - can't stand the idea that the moisturizer I may be using has been force-fed to bunnies or put in a puppy's eye. Do you have any organic cruelty free recommendations? Love me some Lancome but want to start making better choices.
Great post -- I just read your previous post about the L'Oreal Professional products. Your hair looks so gorgeous! I am definitely looking forward to giving this a try to see how it compares to my usual Redken AllSoft. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shan-What a good point you bring up. I think Tarte products are a very good cruelty-free option. Everything I've used from them has been really great. Urban Decay and TooFaced also don't test on animals.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to Peta's site about companies that do and don't test
http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx, I was very surprised about many of them!
Andi - that's a giant help. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, it's so nice to see what someone's favourite items are and add them to your (neverending) wishlist. I love the St Ives Apricot Scrub as well! <3 :)
ReplyDelete