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What are your top five beauty product recommendations?
What are your top five beauty product recommendations? Tell us why you love them and what these products do!
Guerlain Parure Gold — immaculate, flawless coverage and feel; Guerlain Meteorites Pressed Powder — it’s that “what did you do differently” product; Tom Ford Love Lust — all day wear blusher; Tom Ford Oud Wood — woody, sexy perfume; Hourglass Eyeshadows — soft, buttery.
Thanks to Miss J for today’s question! Have a question idea? Submit yours here.
st tropez bronzing mousse- makes you look bronzed and beautiful (good for face too), clinique even better- nice medium coverage, helps get rid of scars, chanel ombre d’eau- its a liquid eyeshadow shade 40 is gorgeous for all over the lid, NYC bronzer in sunny- 3 dollars and an amazing simple, matte bronzer, loreal voluminous- best mascara ever!
I recently posted my top 5 drugstore products and top 5 high end products to my blog. If I had to narrow it down to 5 overall, I’d go with:
1. MUFE HD foundation (very natural finish, so blendable!)
2. NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil in Cruella (perfect red, perfect matte finish)
3. Wet n Wild Greed Eyeshadow Palette (perfect smokey eye palette with my favorite matte black included)
4. Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner in Deepest Black (amazing lasting powder, super dark black)
5. MAC Lightscapade MSF – my favorite highlighter by far!
Clearly I’m not brand loyal at all!
I love the look of Cruella – its a shade I’ve had my eye on for a little while. Could you comment on the Matte Velvet Pencil formula for me? I’ve never tried one – is it drying at all?
1. La mer lip balm (makes your lips so soft!)
2. Kerastase maquintense (best hair mask ever used)
3. Laura mercier tinted moisturizer
4. Guerlain meteorites (all of them!)
5. Chanel glossimers
I’ve heard great things about La Mer lip balm, and I’m all about investing in quality, but it looks EXPENSIVE.
Does it last well? Is it super amazing? I’d love to hear more from anyone who has tried it!
it is super amazing (besides the price) definitely my favorite lip balm of all times. it really works! i highly recommend
Too Faced Primed and Poreless- makes foundation look flawless and perfect.
Urban Decay Naked palette- Everyone needs this, duh. I’m on my third.
Ardell Demi-wispies- The perfect glam but not over-the-top falsies- and so cheap!
theBalm Shady Lady shadows- a lot of people have never heard of or tried these, but they’re really great. Tons of wearable, pigmented, easy-to-blend colors. (Even better when they’re half-off on Hautelook!)
Benefit Hoola- the perfect contour color for pale skin. The only product that actually makes me look like I have cheekbones, not just odd orange-y or brown streaks on my cheeks.
Seconding your recommendation of TheBalm shadows – definitely one of my favorite formulas!
1. Urban Decay’s Naked Palette – Even though it leans warm-toned, it’s still by far my most used set of shadows.
2. Almay Liquid Liner – One of my favorite drugstore liners. It performs just as well as some of my more expensive ones for half the price.
3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – This has been a holy grail product of my mother’s for years, and I have to agree (since I steal it off her occasionally) that it works wonders if you have dry, sensitive skin.
4. NARS Blushes – Any of them. Great wear, lots of color variety.
5. Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick – I own an impossible number of these, and I wear them just as often as my higher end lipsticks. Definitely one of my holy grail drugstore products.
Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Stick, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, Illamasqua pressed eyeshadow powder, Benefit Lemon Aid, Stila liquid eyeliner pen. Also, not really a makeup, but Hope in a Jar.
1. Kiss my Face peaches and cream moisturiser
2. Estee Lader Sumptuous mascara – softest most buildable mascara ever!
3. MAC Vanilla pigment – best highlight EVAR
4. Estee Lauder Bronze goddess body oil -YUM! and add some vanilla pigment to it DOUBLE YUM
5.MAC MSFN my HG
THE CLARISONIC: Cleared up my skin almost completely, makes my skin feel soothed and softer, and contrary to popular belief never overcleanses my skin (My skin actually feels best when I use it twice a day). I’ve used it long term and my skin has only been improved by it. Love, love, love!
I’m not sure what else should be here, but I love Burt’s Bees lip balm. I doubt anybody here hasn’t tried it, though.
If you have troubles with eyeliner smudging/moving/budging, then I highly recommend Sana extra heavy eyeliner for an easy choice that doesn’t move all day. Its not exactly a super-opaque black (for those who like a “blacker than black” vinyl look), or for the waterline, but it applies super-easily, and doesn’t skip, flake, smudge or move at all on me or a friend of mine who is also a convert.
Dermalogica precleanse: Super-duper gentle (yet super effective) cleanser that doesn’t leave you greasy, or dry. Its an oil, then its milky, then it rinses clean! Its lovely.
Moogoo Full Cream moisturiser – You haven’t known “silky” and “sinks in” until you’ve tried this as a body moisturiser. It really does leave you silky (and not with silicones!) and sinks in beautifully, and its really soothing on sensitive skin. Its a cult product here in Australia for excema and sensitive skin!
Its strange but its actually more moisturising and yet less greasy on me than all the moisturisers I’ve tried including much-raved-about ones like Kiehl’s Creme de Corps.
I think that’s it! They’re my top 5 favourite beauty things! I use these every day and haven’t been able to find anything to top them.
WAITWAITWAIT. I’d like to change my list.
Clarisonic
Dermalogica Precleanse
Moogoo MSM Cream and Full Cream
Sana Extra Heavy Eyeliner for those who have trouble with eyeliner smudging/application
THE SHUE UEMURA EYELASH CURLER.
It was so basic and obvious I almost forgot!
Vichy Dermablend Foundation – this covers everything; Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer – stays on and on, it looks natural and simply beautiful; Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows – the colors and coverage are amazing and once you put them on in the morning they still look perfect at night. Rescue Beauty Lounge Nailpolishes – the best of the best in nailpolishes; Any red Burberry Lipstick; L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara – yes, it’s drugstore, but in my oppinion still the best mascara out there.
1. Kanebo Sensai Fluid Finish foundation – I keep recommending this foundation to anyone who’ll listen; I’ve tried loads of high-end foundations and have yet to find a better one. Medium coverage, buildable, not cakey, hydrating, great for normal-to-dry skin, subtly dewy. There’s another version for combination-oily called Lasting Velvet.
2. Artdeco All In One mascara – great all-rounder, doesn’t smudge, sensitive eyes friendly, costs about 15 euros. Haven’t found a better one in that price range.
3. Micellar cleansers – especially Bioderma Sensibio, Vichy Cleansing Water and Provegol by Laboratoires SVR (which might not be available outside France)
4. La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra – wonderful moisturizer for even the most sensitive of skins; very few ingredients, nice packaging.
5. Shiseido Sun Protection Foundation – does not budge even while swimming, hiking, running; stays comfortable, good coverage, very high SPF (there are several versions: SPF 30, 42 and 60).
1. Estee Lauder Maximum Coverage Camouflage – fullest coverage concealer I have ever used, great for covering blemishes and dry patches
2. L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara – tubing mascara that doesn’t flake, smudge, smear, and comes off easily (and the ONLY mascara I’ve used that doesn’t do any of those)
3. Urban Decay Primer Potion – keeps eyeshadows from creasing
4. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – keeps my foundation on longer, great on my combination skin which gets oily on the T zone and dry/flaky everywhere else
5. MAC Lipsticks – moderately priced, and come in ton of shades and finishes
1. Creme de La Mer
2. Clarins Total Restorative Total Eye Concentrate/ younger skin- use Clarins Eye Balm
3. Tom Ford Wicked blusher
4. Tom Ford Titanium Smoke or Golden Mink eye shadow- pure pressed glitter
5. Coconut Water to drink
I love coconut water, too. Its low on sugar, full of elecrolytes, cooling – and good for you. Plus, its yummy!
Mac MSFN : Such a versatile, easy product that leaves my skin looking flawless everytime I use it.
Mac Strobe Cream : Since I’ve been using this, I’ve never touched any of my glittery highlighters again. Gives me that perfect lit-from-within, mature glow.
Lancome Teint Miracle : Amazing, lightweight foundation and the first foundation i’ve encountered that actually looks like skin.
Urban Decay Naked Palette : The options here are endless. I have loads of palettes but this is the one I keep returning to.
Maybelline Master precise felt-tip eyeliner: Best liquid eyeliner ever. Nuf said.
1) The Liquid Powder from M.A.C, it gives such a beautiful look !
2) One lipstick from Nars, semi-matte I love many of them
3) One blush from Chanel, all are really pretty blushes
4) Sanoflore rose ancienne rosewater
5) Hydranorme from Laroche-Posay, a very good moisturizer and nice price ( 12 € here )
This was one of my top 5….
jergens natural glow self tanner in medium to dark skin tones – my skin is very pale and it makes me look a bit tanned in a very natural way. i even use it on my face.
translucent finishing powder (from MAC, MUFE, Catrice etc..) – it makes your skin feels so soft!
MAC lustre drops – they give you the most natural looking highlight you can imagine!!
manhatten watergloss – its so moistruizing and perfect for my dry lips!
essence “i love” pencil liner – it’s one of the cheapest (about two dollara) pencil liners you can get, but it is as pigmented as a high-end one!! 🙂
1.Foundation Giorgio Armani face fabric #1-the best!
2.Lipstick Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani #100-the best!
3.Eyeshadows Urban Decay-the best!
4.Gel eyeliner Shu Uemura M night blue-the best!
5.Escentric Molecules Molecule 02-the best parfum!
-4 seasons Guerlain-instant contouring and hollidays on my face
-High Precision Retouch by Armani-Goodbuy dark cirles
-Cleansing Gel for Face Apivita-Removes evrything gently without irritations
-Lip Liner Natural by Korres-MY lips but fuller
-L oreal Sublime Bronze-Smells awfull but gives me copper like colour which i prefer than brown.
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer in ultra light- best primer I’ve ever used and it’s so cheap ($6-$8 @ Walmart)
Clinique All About Eyes – awesome eye cream that treats everything from wrinkles to dark circles to puffiness.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Sun Protection in SPF 55- lightweight and doesn’t get greasy under makeup
MUFE 5 Camouflage Cream Palette- great value for concealer. You get 5 different colors to work with : 3 natural shades and 2 for super pigmented areas (dark circles, red spots,etc)
Tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer- great for everyday looks and gives decent coverage.
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer – best matte bronzer ever, for fair and darker skin tones. MAC 239 and 217 brush – you will never need more than these two eye brushes. MAC Creme Cup – perfect pinky nude. Clarisonic – the ultimate way to REALLY clean your skin. the BeautyBlender – versatile applicator for thick and sheer foundations. =)
Christine, what is your opinion between the Guerlain Meteorites Pressed Powder and the Meteorites Pearls? Does each product have different finishes? I also bought my first Hourglass Eyeshadow Duo in Gypsy and I am looking forward to trying it out.
Although the question wasn’t to me, the pressed powder’s such a holy grail to me that I can’t resist! *g* From what I understand, the pearls are more similar to a highlighter, providing a subtle glow to the skin. On the other hand, the pressed powder works for me as the perfect finishing powder. It doesn’t highlight, it doesn’t shimmer in the slightest. Over foundation, it just adds a translucent mattifying effect – luminous, but never dry or powdery. It softens the foundation’s colour just a touch; it’s still my skin, just better. *g*
Pressed is a very, very finely-milled and low-shimmer product – it’s more like a pearl sheen in a subtle way. It’s more of a finishing powder, whereas the Meteorites Pearls are more like a highlighter.
Nars T.M.: It is a GREAT product, lightweight, good color range (esp for WOC) and doesn’t make me oily; Le Metier’s Maldvies Magic: the name says it all, IT’S MAGIC:D, perfect blush/blonzer for everyday; Le Metier’s Lip Creams: I cheated b/c I just can’t pick one, all of the colors are great, and I <3 the formula IMO it is better than Chanel's (and that's saying a lot); Armani's Eyes to Kill Mascara (original or excess): BAM! Amazing lashes:):)….and lastly the Clarsonic: all the make up in the world is pointless if you don't have good skin, and this is what has recused my skin and I will NEVER be without it
Burberry Sheer Luminous foundation – light, dewy-but-never-shiny coverage; very buildable.
Shiseido ‘Perfect’ Foundation Brush – flawless, streak-free application; even for klutzes like me. *g*
Guerlaine Meteorites Pressed Powder – delicate, subtle finishing powder.
Wet’n’Wild ‘Reserve Your Cabana’ bronzer – the only bronzer I’ve found so far that adds a hint of subtle, glitter-free warmth to my ultra-pale complexion.
Fyrinnae/AlimaPure matte eyeshadows – soft, buttery mattes. Never powdery. Never crumbling. Slow to fade.
1) MAC Brow Pencil, 2)A good concealer palette with a range of colors (Graftobian, Coastal Scents),3) liquid eyeliner 4)Blush, 5)Lipstick/Gloss
1) Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks- amazing quality for a cheap price.
2) Bobbi Brown concealers- they work, plain & simple.
3) Sephora Flashy Waterproof liners- glides on and stays put.
4) Smashbox Bionic mascara- lengthens and defines without getting clumpy.
5) Wet n Wild Vanity palette- beautiful colors and they blend effortlessly.
1. Milani Baked Blush in Belissimo Bronze , makes me look like a have a natural glow.
2. MAC Mineralize Blush in Gentle, its a nice raspberry color that looks great on tan skin
3. NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM, I have 4 shades and I am wowed! It might take a min to get matte but once they do, it really is like nothing I have seen before. Isn’t drying on the lips either.
4. NYX Slim Lip Pencils, great variety of colors and they truly are creamy at such an inexpensive cost I reach for these for than my MAC.
5. Dior Amber Diamond Highlight , I used to use NARS Albatross and it sometimes looked cakey since my switch to Dior I haven’t touched my NARS. Looks great on my NC42 skin tone. Well worth the money.
Murad Vitamin C daily moisturizer with SPF 30
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy – The best damn glitter glue ever.
Meow or Lumiere powdered mineral foundations
OPI Nail Envy (original)
MAC Gimmie That! Dare to Wear Lip Color
Face atelier foundation, Ben Nye neutral set loose powder, Embryolisse lait-cream concentrate (best face lotion everrrr) Kyrolan light lip rouge mini palette, and the yaby pearl paints. All my go to products for personal use and in my kit.
Benefit That Gal! primer
Too Faced Lip of Luxury in Drop Dead Red
Smashbox Jet Set eyeliner in Midnight Black
Benefit boxed powders – love them!
Urban Decay Surreal Skin foundation
1. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra – I’m a bit limited in my fndtn options since I am so pale..(wish I could do Guerlain)
2. 3 Custom Color Specialists Translucent Loose powder (best ever imo)
3. Inglot eyeshadows
4. Guerlain Rouge Automatique lipsticks
5. Anastasia Brow Powder in Golden Blonde
MUFE Mat Velvet+ – gives amazing coverage/finish and lasts even on my extremely oily skin
Clinique All About Eyes – very hydrating, helps with fine lines under the eye
MUFE Eyebrow Corrector – long lasting, doesn’t smudge
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil – inexpensive dupe for MUFE Aqua Eyes and lasts long even in humid, tropical climate
MUFE HD Blush – very pigmented, a little goes a long way
1.MAC Charcoal Brown e/s- best dang brown for darkest brown to black haired ladies.
2.Optic White Toothpaste- with all my bad habits, (red wine, coffee, smoking) it is the one toothpaste I have noticed a difference with
3.Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturing Gel- I am so oily they could probably tap into me…but this stuff really works at hydration and keeping me from being an oil slick
4. MAC Engraved Powerpoint Pencil- No other eyeliner has ever resisted swimming, the lake and a workout like this badboy can. Even when I can’t afford to go out, I still make sure I have my pennies saved for this!
5. Urban Decay Primer Potion- While it doesn’t make eyeshadow and liner water resistant, this stuff will give you all day, all night wear. I have hooded, small eyes with oily skin and this is the only eyeshadow primer that keeps my eyes from looking a hot a$$ mess!
DKNY woman – the perfume that makes me happy and energetic; bobbi brown shimmerbricks – all of them, especially Abricot, Rose gold and Beige :); Nars Multiple Duo Maui/Palm Beach – such awesome creak bronzer and blush, looks divine when applied with the fingers; Jemma Kidd rose gold cream highlighter – the best I have found, and I own tons of highlighters, amazingly natural; the last one there currently is a tie between Bobbi Brown Angel Pink (divine medium pink lipgloss) and Bobbi Brown pink coral blush (slightly shimmery, just perfect healthy pink cheeks).
I have medium skin, warm undertones 🙂
1. Make Up For Ever’s Mat Velvet + Foundation
2. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
3. Dior Show Iconic Mascara
4. NARS Blush
5. MAC Lustre lipstick
Face: Laura Mercier Nude (for me at least!) tinted moisturizer with shimmer
Face: Benefit Erase Paste
Eyes: Stila Eyeshadow trio in Goddess (Ah-mazing!)
Perfume: Benefit Perfume: so hooked on Carmella
Face: Nars blush in Orgasm
1. BRTC bb creams. Tried 3 different formulas so far, love all 3. Not for everyone I know, but evens out skin tone, whitens/brightens, and provides good SPF. I prefer the original Korean formulas over the new adaptations that every brand is coming out with now in North America.
2. MUFE HD microfinish powder. Sets everything with a super smooth matte finish. Doesn’t cake. Gives an airbrushed effect and helps make up last longer. Good for oily/combination skin though it won’t solve all your oil problems.
3. MUFE full coverage concealer. Oil free, good coverage, good colour range, waterproof, long lasting… helps with my inherited dark under eye circles that are here to stay.
4. Urban Decay products for eyes. Can’t just pick one, because I love so many products and use them together. Start with eyeshadow primer potion, then 24/7 glide on eye pencil (I like perversion/demolition), set with eyeshadows. The NAKED palette is a popular work safe, easy to use, warm-toned neutral palette. Don’t have NAKED 2, but I heard there’s more cool-toned neutrals in that one.
5. BUXOM big & healthy lip polish. I don’t like using lip products other than lip balm, but I really enjoy the cool, refreshing sting of the mint in this product. Lots of colours to choose from, non-sticky and super glossy. The sting is subtle and meant to create fuller lips though I don’t really care for that feature. I like the limited edition mini sizes to travel with or pop in my purse.
My top five beaty product recommendations: NC45-NC50(NC47)
-Revlon Colorstay Foundation Combo/Oily (foundation and undereye concealer thanks to XXTheIslandBeautyXX)
-Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks (great price, color selection, and wear time)
-ELF HD Powder or MAC Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder Compact (whatever is accessible or brand you enjoy; I like one for carrying and one for home use; miracle worker for oily ladies, for me rather)
-MAC Fix+ (DeCake-ify your makeup)
-MAC Eversun Beauty Powder Blush
1. Nars Tinted Moisturizer
2. GA Eyes To Kill Mascara
3. GA lipstick #502
4. Le Métier de Beauté Corinthian
5. Laura Mercier Second Skin Blush
It’s so hard to pick just 5!! But, if I must….
A good eyelash curler -I like Tweezerman
MAC Fleur Power blush -SUCH a universal colour that builds or sheers out easily, and flatters a variety of skintones. Gives you that “just in from the cold” look.
Covergirl Lashblast Volume mascara -out of ALL the high end or drug store mascaras I’ve tried, I always come back to this.
Guerlain’s Pressed Meteorites -so, so beauiful on the skin.
Bath & Body Works lipglosses -SO many to choose from, cheap, they smell great and they last!
After all the good press, I’m definitely picking up the pressed Meteorites powder some day. Thanks for converting me!
Christine, I’ve been on the hunt for a new foundation and I was wondering…how long have you found that Parure Gold wears on you? I read your review but I couldn’t find anything about wear time…Thank you so much!
I’d say my top five are (these aren’t necessarily staples and I definitely have a broad list of basics that I love, but just products I’ve been absolutely amazed by and I think every beauty lover out there needs to experience)…
1. Clarisonic (the most amazing beauty product I’ve ever encountered…cleared up my acne and made it so now I can wear a broader range of foundations because I don’t have to worry about dry patches)
2. St. Tropez bronzing mousse (gotta use the mitt, too). Don’t wear it very often, but it’s the ONLY self-tanner I’ve ever used that looked natural, didn’t streak (even after showers), and smelled okay. And I’ve tried them all.
3. Chanel Soleil tan de Chanel. A totally unique product, so natural looking, long-wearing, and non-patchy(even over foundation)–it puts NARS laguna to shame. I apply it with a MAC 130.
4. Tarte smooth operator micronized clay translucent finishing powder. This stuff is amazing. Makes my foundation wear up to twice as long, and battles oil and humidity all day long without giving out.
5. Seche Vite top coat. ‘Nuff said.
Its nice to hear another person getting the same results from the Clarisonic as me! I can’t tell you how big a difference its made. Its my number one, too. 🙂
1). Shu Uemura eylash curler (doesn’t pinch or crimp like the drugstore curlers I’ve tried)
2). L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara (Doesn’t flake, goes on without clumps, just perfect black volume!)
3). Tarina Tarantino Eye Dream Highlight Hyperliner eye liner in Tommy Jet (True black, doesn’t smudge or fade, applies easily but can be difficult to sharpen)
4). St. Ives 24-Hour Restoring body lotion (moisturizes really well without being heavy, sinks in with no film, nice scent, super affordable–around $3 for a big bottle!)
5). NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita (sheer, glossy, pink-nude–adds a perfect quiet polish)
There are tons of more products I use regularly and love, like bright lipsticks, foundations, treatments and hair products, that are so personal depending on tastes and needs, and those I rotate or use but don’t love. But these are the 5 I would recommend unequivocally!
Estee Lauder DoubleWear foundation – amazing for oily and/or combo skin, lasts all day with a natural finish; my HG and the best foundation I’ve tried in 15+ years of makeup buying.
NARS Smudgeproof eyeshadow base – anything I put on my eyes stays put all day with no creasing whatsoever. Way better than UDPP for oilier lids.
Smith’s Rosebud Salve – I prefer the Brambleberry and Mint Rose versions. Makes my lips so soft and I love the Vaseline-like consistency.
NARS Orgasm/Laguna – I know this is cliche, but pretty much every other bronzer besides Laguna makes my NW25-30 face look dirty. Orgasm brings warmth to my otherwise rather dull skin. The shimmer is just enough to bring a little light to my otherwise mostly matte face (due to oil fighting products).
Dermalogica Active Moist moisturizer – changed my skin so much within the first few months of use. My skin now looks how I’ve always wanted it to under makeup.
Seche Vite top coat – makes any brand of nail polish wear for 5+ days. I find it works best with Essie and OPI over Zoya and CG, but it does work for all polishes and gives a shiny, quick-dried finish.
Great question/interactive activity, Christine! 🙂
I have a lot of different products but I must say I use these all the time (as you can see below I’m a MAC girl)!
1. Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combo skin-make me look flawless every time without effort.
2. MAC fluidline in Blacktrack-my favorite eyeliner ever! I use it when I want a simple lined eye or a smokey eye
3. MAC eyeshadows (esp Texture and Ricepaper)-I just love the color selection! But I love Texture for my crease and Ricepaper foe the highlight and all over lid color
4. MAC blush in Gingerly-I have naturally tan skin so it gives me color in the winter and in the summer it gives me just that hint of peachy color when my skin gets a couple of shades darker (love for contouring too)
5. MAC lipstick- I just started dabbling in these but I have Impassioned, Hug Me, and Russian Red. I never thought I would love lipstick so much!
1-MAC MSFN – Best powder ever
2-Too Faced Face palette – has everything you need for a gorgeous natural look. Without it, I would not be able to only choose 5 items !
3-Clinique brow powder
4-Either a dark Mac eyeshadow (loving Twilight Falls) or a fluidline
5-Clarisonic, it will take off ALL your makeup at night
(1) Kat Von D eyeshadow palettes – the new ones, specifically, that don’t have any cream shadows. These don’t get enough good press.
(2) TheBalm eyeshadow – terrific stuff!
(3) Boots Lifting Foundation – really nice coverage that doesn’t feel heavy at all.
(4) Mary-Lou Manizer by theBalm – I think highlighters may be something where only you can find the best one for you, but this one’s great for me
(5) Revlon Lip Butters – some shades are better than others, but most are terrific for color, comfort and finish
Skindinavia Finishing Spray
MUFE HD Foundation
Josie Maran Argan Oil
Salma Hayek Nuance Hydrating Balm
Pure by DKNY
1. Urban Decay Primer Potion (the only eye shadow primer that works for me)
2. Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes eye liner (gorgeous colors, stays on a long time, even on the waterline)
3. Jack Black lip balm (super moisturizing)
4. Benefit Coralista (beautiful coral blush that gives a healthy looking glow)
5. Makeup For Ever HD Foundation (the only liquid foundation I’ve ever tried that hasn’t broken me out and it makes your skin look amazing in photos)
1. Cuticle Oil! I’m using CND Solar Oil, but I prefer OPI’s Avoplex in the to-go form. Conditions dry, rough cuticles and nails. Can be used on other rough skin (hands, elbows, heels). Great for anyone to use.
2. Crest 3D White Vivid. I don’t usually suggest a toothpaste to people, but I love this one. Helps brighten/white teeth or amp up teeth after a whitening treatment. Great mint taste.
3. NARS Blush. Most have great texture and pigmentation, and there’s a wide variety of colors. Last a long time, too.
4. Ardell Half-Lashes. Inexpensive, easy to apply, amps up any look, and look natural!
5. Highlighting pen’s like YSL Touche Eclat. Subtle brightening effect, makes eyes look more awake, and easy to take in a handbag/clutch.
Its funny, but I didn’t like YSL’s Touche Eclat – it wasn’t opaque enough to cover my under eye circles and none of the three shades suited me. It was kind of shimmery, too. =/
That’s because it’s supposed to be a highlighter and not a concealer 🙂
Christine, when you say Guerlain’s Meteorites Pressed Powder… Are you referring to the Illuminating and Mattifying Powder or the Meteorites Voyage Compact?
If the former, which shade do you use, and which out of the three shades (01 Teint Rose, 02 Teint Beige, and 03 Teint Dore) would you recommend for fair skin?
For reference, my undertone is warm, but I flush a very cool, bright reddish-pink, and I have freckles (and by freckles, I mean lots of them). I am very fair from late autumn to mid/late spring, though in the summer I gain a bit more color, usually on my face, in the form of very (tannish) pink cheeks.
Thank you!
Cetaphil gentle cleanser to remove makeup with a cotton ball and then just face washing, no oily blurred vision
Bobbi brown gel eyeliners-budge proof even thru hot yoga
Clarins day cream for sensitive skin
Chanel poudre universelle libre–the loose powder, nondrying, makes skin look perfect
Christian Dior rose levres lip balm- soothing, SPF 10, smells like roses!
Maybelline DMM/mousse or liquid
Cle de peau being concealer
Lancome Hypnose mascara
Bobbi Brown gel eye liners – all of them
Chanel colognes…
NARS Smudge Proof eyeshadow base – I’ve used so many excellent eye primers, but this one beats them all.
MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners – fix my lips when they need it, or just keep them in great condition in general, and smell and feel amazing as well
Dior Petal Shine Quint – I can always wear this, no matter the occasion
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline – go-to gel eyeliner
1. Urban Decay eyeshadows-Not just the Naked palette either! I have almost the whole line of individuals and there’s only 1 or 2 not so great ones (Goddess comes to mind). UD eyeshadows are just the best.
2. Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion
3. Buxom Lash Mascara-my absolute fave!!
4. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eyeliners, specifically in Perversion!
5. Anastasia brow powders and pencils
1.)Retin-A, though you need a prescription 2.)Giorgio Armani Visible Lift Foundation 3.) Giorgio Armani Luminizers 4.)Guerlain lipsticks you open with one hand 5.) A tie between Anastasia Brow Gel and Sephora liquid brush-on highlighters
. L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara
Too-faced peach leopard bronzer
L’oreal super riche lipstick in Seafleur
Lancome Visionaire Serum
Bobbi Brown Corrector and concealer
1. Benefit Benetint: this is the perfect lip and cheek tint. It adds subtle to buildable color that lasts for hours and isn’t drying.
2. MAC MSFN: It’s a great pressed powder that works as a setting powder or powder foundation and isn’t flat looking.
3. Clinique Chubby Sticks: These are perfect for a quick all over color on your lips and you don’t need to add gloss.
4. Urban Decay Primer Potion: Personally, I love Eden because it neutralizes the redness on my eyelids while still acting as a primer. My eyeshadows stay on 12+ hours when I use this primer.
5. Josie Maran Argan Oil: It’s not makeup, but this is a great all in one product. Your hair, skin, and nails will be thanking you.
1) Any EOS lipbalm
2) Any CK Calvin Klein cream eyeshadow
3) Sinful nail polish (I perfer the sparkly ones but some can be hit or miss)
4) Hard Candy Hula Hula bronzer (I’m thinking the others must be just as good. I just happen to perfer this colour)
5) RapidLash
Loreal Voluminous mascara – people think I have false eyelashes when I use this stuff
Too Faced “Snow Bunny” bronzer – the BEST bronzer for the fair skinned girls and I use it every day as a blush
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Pimer
Mac eyeshadows – partial to Vanilla with Copperplate as crease color for a simple eye
Mac Lipglass – can’t have enough. I actually find Buxom glosses more moisturizing for my year round chapped lips but the color payoff just isn’t there like with Mac. Still a close second though.
Graftobian HD foundation: looks dreamy on the skin irl and on camera and provides up to full coverage (I use it as a concealer as well)
theBalm’s Mary Lou-manizer is such a beautiful highlighter that straddles the line between obvious shimmer and subtle glow.
Anastasia’s Perfect Brow Pencil in dark brown which goes on smoothly, stays on, doesn’t have weird reddish undertones and is dark enough for my dark hair.
Narcisso Rodriguez EDP for her, it’s so sophisticated and sexy, it’s been my signature for the last 6 years.
Fyrinnae’s Pixie Epoxy is heaven-sent for super glittery/shimmery shades prone to fall out. It keeps those little particles on my lid, rather than having them fall down onto my cheeks/under my eyes.
1. Korres Lip Butter in Mandarin (no SPF, stick version)
2. Graftobian (HD Glamour Creme) Blush Palette
3. MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick
4. MUFE HD Foundation – has the perfect shade for me, 153
5. Urban Decay Deluxe Eye palette – for a bit of Fun 🙂
Nars Blush – Orgasm – great, flattering color for all with subtle shimmer
Stila Shadow – Kitten – perfect base color or to wear alone for a “natural” look
MyChelle – Revitalizing Night Cream – smells divine, works wonders to soften and smooth skins appearance
Desert Essence – Gentle Nourishing Day Cream SPF 15 – non-irritating great moisture and protection
Zents – Concreta – Great multi-use product for scent, skin, and hair. I love to use this as a pomade to add shine, control, and fragrance while leaving hair soft and natural looking.
Youngblood HD Powder in Warmth–the first HD Powder I have that isn’t white, really photographs well and doesn’t look ashy on darker skintones; Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Corrector in #230–really good brightening concealer, long lasting and blendable and you get a ton of product; MAC Studio Finish Concealer–Full coverage all around concealer, I use an NW concealer for under my eyes and and NC concealer on my skin, it covers the worth of imperfections–acne scars, and dark circles; Stila Kitten Smudge Pot–long lasting crease proof eye color that brightens your eyes and at the same time makes any everyday eye pop up; Maybelline the Falsies Waterproof–the best drugstore mascara I’ve had, holds curls really well, volumizing and lengthening that gives me real false lash effect.
This is my daily favorit
Clinique–Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15
L’Oreal–GlamBronze
L’Oreal–False lash Telescopic brown
Dior–Lip Glow color reviver balm and
Dior–Lip maximizer
Tarte blushes – great variety and last all day! Plus the packaging is sooo pretty to look at!
Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer – non sticky, I use my fingers to apply it and it blends beautifully.
Fresh sugar rose lip balm – subtle tint and very moisturizing, great for winter months.
Urban Decay eyeshadows – so pigmented and honestly the best in the market IMO.
Covergirl lash blast mascara – curls and gives amazing volume
1. Smashbox Photofinish Primer in Green-The green helps tone down the red in my face, and the finish helps keep my face from being shiny due to oil during the day.
2. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation-Good coverage and stays put.
3. MUFE HD Powder-Simply the best powder ever. Everything stays put when I use this. With these three foundation staples, I get make up that doesn’t move.
4. Seche Vete Fast Drying Top Coat- I can change my polish all the time because this stuff will dry it in no time flat, plus, shiny!
5. Clarsonic-I’m only on my first week and already I can tell such a difference in the way my skin feels. I love this thing so much and am kicking myself for waiting so long to buy one.
1. Mac MSFN
2. Illamasqua blush Hussy
3. Hardcore Cosmetics Bean Brown pigment
4. Shu Lash Curler
5. Mac Ricepaper, and sheensupreme lippies. Sorry had to squeeze that in!
Sorry, I forgot to add the why. oops.
1. I love MSFN applied wet. It’s the easiest, quickest way to get a flawless face.
2. Illamasqua makes the best blushes right now. Super pigmented, finely milled, and the color just makes me smile. It’s so pretty.
3. Hardcore Cosmetics is a newer indie company they don’t have many shades on their site yet but bean brown is a super gorgeous multi-dimensional medium brown with multi-colored shimmer.
4. Shu just makes the best lash curler, the end!
5. Mac Ricepaper is the best hilighter for me. I could use it every day and never get tired of it. Their sheensupreme lippies are my favorite Mac formula, I love impressive…and bare again!
Nars Oasis blush
Prestige Total Intensity eyeliner in Deepest Black (or any of them really!)
Thin Lizzy concealer cream – BRILLIANT
Shiseido Luminizing Satin eyeshadow in Alchemy RD709, looks fab on anyone
Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser – mens face wash that removes waterproof mascara and super long lasting eyeliner and is super gentle and smells amazing
1. Any of NARS blushes – flattering colours, great pigmentation, easy to blend
2. Japanese mascaras in general – really waterproof, very black and glossy, Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Mascara happens to be my favourite one
3.Chanel Glossimers – glossy without being tacky
4.Inglot eyeshadows – great pigmentation, high quality and something that makes me proud of my homeland…
5. Rouge Coco Lipsticks – especially Mademoiselle (my favourite MLBB lipstick) and Gabrielle (a true statement red)
1. Origins Mattifying lotion–a little goes a long way–and for this Floridian, it WORKS!
2. Too Faced Primed & Poreless–leaves such a silky surface on my skin and really does minimize imperfections
3. Too Faced Shadow Insurance–again, FL here, NO CREASES!
4. Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray–my makeup doesn’t budge!
5. Clairsonic Mia–like having a mini massage, I feel so refreshed and I know my skin is clean!
1. Some rose water.
2. Mascara Voluminous by L’Oreal
3. Color infaillible eyeshadow by L’Oreal.
4. Strawberry body butter by The Body Shop.
5. ShineSensational lipgloss by Maybelline
1. Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense eyeshadows (especially #6): instant payoff and long lasting w/o fall outs
2. Lacome Virtuose Drama Mascara: dramatic lengthening and curling of lashes
3. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliners (spring/summer) & MAC Fluidlines (fall/winter): easy to work w/, long lasting, water resistant; Bobbi Brown dries faster and has a matte finish, which is better for warmer seasons while MAC is softer with a slight sheen, which is better for colder seasons!
4. Dior Diorskin Natural Glow Fresh Powder Foundation: light-weight, good coverage, not extremely drying; the best setting/mattifying/touching up loose powder/foundation ever!
5.La Mer Lip Balm: light-weight and non-greasy but soothes dry lips instantly!
1.MAC Painterly Paint Pot, I use it as a shadow base or wear it alone,
2.Clinique High Gloss Mascara, though I don’t know if it is permanent,
3.YSL Eye shadow quads, they are simply amazing! My first shadow quad ever and I really wanna buy all of the YSL quads since I bought it!
4.MAC-Fluidline. Any color of it.
5.Dior-Diorshow Brow Styler. The packaging, the color and the formula is amazing. Worth every penny.
1. Theatrical/Professional company cream foundations: they’re hd compatible, cheap, blends so easily even with fingers, melts into skin so nicely, easily controlled converge and usually have so many shades to choose from 🙂
2. Jack Balm lipbalm, can make hospital chapped lips supple within 15-20 minutes.
3. Cream blush (NYX, 3 Concept Eyes, a lot of cheap Asian brands)
4. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector: amazing, best highlighter ever, careful with the amount you use though. Little goes a long way
5. Tarantino Sparklicity powder(?) in Opal: looks like shimmering green, blue, and yellow gold goodness o.o (Sprite bubbles?)
Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, so long-lasting and flattering. I tried so many foundations and this one is truly the best!
Benefit They’re Real! mascara makes my short lashes look nice and long!
Urban Decay 15th Anniversary palette, I especially adore Deep End: such a great shade.
Guerlain Rouge G and Automatique lipsticks, wonderful selection of shades and the texture is unbeatable.
MUFE HD blush in Nip Slip: great, flattering colour and lasts for hours!
M•A•C Studio fix powder – it has amazing coverage and makes your skin like perfect
NYX Jumbo pencil In MIlk – most of you who read this Allready know how amazing this is and works amazing too. Makes any color shadow bright and bold
Sephora’s liquid eyeliner in black – honestly I normally feel like a lot of sephora brand items aren’t the best for bein one of the beauty industry leaders but these liquid liners are amazing all the colors are gorgeous and the felt tip is very tapers to a super fine point which is awesome for precision liner
Urban Decay primer potion – I love this primer because I have exceptionally greasy eyelids and this primer is the only one that can keep my shadows from creasing
Meaningful beauty superfine scrub.- this exfoliator is amazing because it is such super fine granuals that really buff the skin to perfection and beautiful make up starts with perfect skin
1. L’occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream
2. Dior Addict Lipstick in Parisian Chic
3. Neutrogena Pure and Free Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 50
4. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP and Birthday Suit
5. Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser
The balm Mary Lou manizer illuminator, beautiful.
Nars lipstick in heat wave, awesome color nice wear!
Sephora liquid liner
Bourjois healthg mix serum foundation, beautiful healthy finish.
Rosehip seed oil, amazing skin results!!