What’s one beauty product that you are still looking for the holy grail of?
What’s one beauty product that you are still looking for the holy grail of? Share!
Maybe mascara. I love a lot of them, but I don’t know if I’ve found the absolute holy grail.
Thanks to Lisa for today’s questions! Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.
Foundation, I have several that I like a lot but none that is holy grail status
I am with you on the search for a HG mascara Christine! Also, I am still searching for my HG blush.
Cream contour, powder contour, and a dupe of NARS Douceur, which itself was HG…
This will sound crazy, but neck cream to help get rid of the dreaded turkey neck that has been slowly creeping up on me over the past couple of years! It’s embarrassing, because my face doesn’t look it’s age at all, but my neck area has begun to show what my face hasn’t yet; my age. I tried a large sample of Perricone MD Cold Plasma for 6 weeks? Nothing! Well except a bad smell to contend with each time I applied it! Tried Strivectin, not bad, but nothing to write home about either. So the search goes on.
Nancy, I have the opposite problem, my neck looks 5-10 years younger than my face! Have you tried Paula’s Choice Retinols on your neck? They’ve erased years off my face, and I’ve heard that they can work on your neck as well. I usually exfoliate my neck first ( using the PTR Firmx Peel or you can even use that Boscia Exfoliating Peel ). I do this in the tub, as tons of dead skin will fall off. If your neck isn’t too sensitive, you can apply the retinol right away or wait until the next day. Her strongest one is Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment, but she has one for the body and various others that you can also use on the face/neck. Most come in sample sizes, so you can try before buying the full size, to make sure you don’t get bad reaction. I saw results after a week, but most people take 4-12 weeks.
I think I may just go with that, because I have heard nothing but great things about the Paula’s Choice line! I don’t know why I never remember to try her products? The 1% should be fine on me because my skin is used to retinol. I use that Retinol Serum that they sell at Ulta. Very basic packaging, super blah. Works on my face, but so far, not much of a difference with my neck. And I always wear sunscreen on my neck, too. Gravity!
I’m crossing my fingers, hoping it will work on you!
Can’t find the HG neck product either. My issue is I still have acne/oily skin at 45 and the products seem to work but I have breakouts within 24 hrs. from every single one! Btw. I’m at 15 contestants and counting!
Oh no! Not sure if you’ve tried Paula’s Choice, but she does have a special line for adults with acne or both wrinkles+acne. She usually has sample sizes for like a $1 or sample kits for $5-$10, so you can try first to make sure it doesn’t break you out. If that doesn’t work, maybe a dermatologist can prescribe something for you?
You can go to Google and type in: How to get rid of turkey neck and you will see exercises, etc. Whether or not they work is doubtful. : (
I dont know about turkey neck, but I do know the
facial exercises and massage tighten up the face!
I am still looking for the perfect highlighter! I’ll take suggestions if anyone has any 🙂
http://natalyepronio.com
I use a lovely baked highlighter by Laura Geller in French vanilla. It goes on so smooth, doesn’t look like a disco ball and doesn’t accentuate my open pores.
Most basic skin care. There’s a few products I like in each category but none I love enough to buy exclusively. It’s tough too because my skin is mega dry and super sensitive, so I eventually start reacting to almost everything.
Except face wash I am obsessed with St Ives green tea scrub.
What brands are you currently using? My skin isn’t super sensitive, but can get quite dry on my cheeks during the harsh winter. It would be nice to have some recommendations from someone with sensitive skin.
Burt’s Bees’ new Intense Hydration range is REALLY nice – I got a free sample of the night cream and it left my skin so soft. I have sensitive, dry/normal combo skin with rosacea on my cheeks and forehead, and it really helped.
I do live in Britain which doesn’t have very harsh winters though. If you live somewhere with a harsher winter, I would try Burt’s Bees but also Skin Drink by Lush. It has sesame oil and is very moisturising. It’s also one of the cheaper Lush moisturisers!
Burts Bees sensitive line and the intense hydration line seemed pretty nice to me. I’m really only sensitive to fragrance, though. I’d check their ingredients out, see if that might work for you? I really like the Simple Gel moisturizer, too. It’s fairly lightweight and doesn’t have a noticeable odor. Might work well for a daytime moisturizer for you or to layer.
Oh, and I really liked the Alba Botanica Green Tea moisturizer in the tropical line. I found it, again, wasn’t heavily scented and I can use it year round, lightly in the summer, or using more of it in the winter.
Eyeliner for sure.
I love so many blushes: powder, cream, and tints. None of them stay on my skin long despite primer and setting spray. It would be nice to find my HG blush that stays on my face longer than 2-3 hours. Right now, I like the Laura Geller Baked Blushes most, but they fade after a while, too.
Have you tried Ben Bye? I have oily skin and this DOES NOT slide off my face!! I was so thrilled I have two different shades. Plus, they are only 8.00 here in the DFW metroplex. Definitely worth a try! Good luck! 🙂
I’ve heard of Ben Nye (never tried it yet). The only product I ever hear of is the banana powder. As someone with cool toned skin, I’ve steered clear of most yellow powders. Thanks for the tip. I will look into this.
Have you tried IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain Blush ? I normally have teflon cheeks, and that stays on +12 hours and sometimes until bedtime
Thanks for the tip. I will give this a try.
Mascara and eyeliner for the waterline.
I don’t know what I require precisely but I’d like something that got rid of my dark circles and my bags at the same time. I’ve figured out the pigmentation part but not the texture. I don’t like the smooth Instagram look but totally envy people who can have smooth undereyes. Wrinkly under eye bags never allow me get rid of the texture completely.
Hi, strangeone! Would you mind sharing what helped with your undereye pigmentation? I’m always on the lookout for pigmentation products!
And an eyeliner that will stay on my wet waterline.
Amen to that.
Kohl powder works well for me, but after L’Oreal discontinued theirs, I don’t really have a good affordable one to recommend, anymore. I think Guerlain does one, but that’s a pricey eyeliner!
Foundation for sure. Something medium coverage that matches my skin tone perfectly, satin-matte finish, doesn’t separate on my super oily skin. (If anyone has any good recommendations for oily skin foundations, let me know! Drugstore or high-end)
Foundation, without a doubt. I was really liking MUFE HD but now that they’ve updated the formula, I guess the search continues!
Gel liner! I found my liner soulmate in Annabelle’s SmudgePaint (Black Spark — a really inky, saturated black with little silver flecks and, I swear to god, like a 20 hour wear time), but it got discontinued, so I’m on the hunt again!
I hate when that happens… Why do brands, regardless of pricepoint, DC amazing products-especially when they also happen to be popular?
Foundation! Ugh. I’ve spent the last few months in foundation crisis. It really shouldn’t be this hard to find a foundation to suit. 🙁
Definitely foundation! I don’t think I’m difficult to match, but apparently most cosmetics companies beg to differ. I’ve been searching for a holy grail foundation for the last six years with minimal success. If the finish is right, the color is off & vice versa. Sooooooo frustrating!
i’m still looking for the perfect nail polish that doesn’t chip or give me tipwear. No matter what brand, cheap or expensive, 2 – 3 days is the maximum time i can wear nail polish before it gets ugly.
I have this problem too. Doesn’t matter what combo of polish and top coat/base coat, everything chips on me within a couple days.
It may not be the polish you are using. My polish lasts up to fourteen days (sometimes longer), but I can use the same products on my daughter and her polish will chip within three days. It could be from what her nails are subjected to, or it could be the actual state of her nails. She doesn’t have the desire to figure it out right now.
If your nails aren’t subjected to harsh chemicals or conditions, you can definitely do things to improve the durability of your polish, You first need to determine the state of your nails without polish. Are they dry and brittle? Are they thin and flexible? Are they weak and damaged? After you figure that out, I’d recommend buying the appropriate OPI Nail Envy formula for your type of nails. (But not the one for Sensitive & Peeling nails as it’s a different formula.)
I used to have very weak, flexible nails. I started using two coats of Nail Envy every time I did my nails and, after a few months, I saw a major difference in the strength and thickness of my nails. Now my nails are extremely strong and durable. I still use the Nail Envy as a base but I only use a single coat now. It is a bit more expensive than drugstore polish but, in the long run, you save money by not having to redo your polish so frequently.
I was once told it could be that my nails could be a bit oily! Anyone else heard this reason?
Yes! I’m so glad you mentioned this because I’d completely forgotten. It actually might be the reason why my daughter has so much trouble with polish.
OPI makes something called Bond Aid that (supposedly) helps polish to adhere to oily nails. (I have dry hands and nails so I’ve never needed it.) If you clean and buff your nails, and use the Bond Aid, it’s suppose to make polish last longer on oily nails.
Have you tried the Perfekt Mascara? It’s so great!
Gold eyeshadow. I need the most stunning gold in the world, something like MAC’s Brownluxe #3 but even more shimmery, almost like Sugarpill’s Goldilux. And even if I find it, I’ll probably continue to buy gold eyeshadow looking for something better. I need literal molten gold on my lids.
The perfect deep red lipstick would also be great. Lime Crime’s Wicked is the right color, but it’s patchy and messy and I hate it. Burt’s Bees’ Napa Vineyard is a few shades too light and DRYING-AS-HELL. Urban Decay’s Shame is sold out in my local store, and it got a bad review on here so I don’t know. The search continues.
Have you tried NYX High Voltage in Burlesque or Feline? NYX Snow White may be one to check out, as well!
Thanks! I was checking NYX’s website and they do have a wide range of interesting lip colors. I think I’ll order a couple in the near future.
Maybe Besame Noir Red–is that close enough? I love their Red Velvet and Cherry Red!
Wow, they look gorgeous! I want to try them!
Red Velvet is what Agent Carter wears! I think I like Cherry Red a bit better though.
I am still looking for a great foundation to stay and look decent on my oily skin after 5 hours. Lancome teint idole ultra 24h is close to HG status, but not perfect during the summers.
Estee Lauder Double Wear. I have used it for over 10 yrs. on my acne /oily skin. No matter how long I have it on, I still need to remove at the end of the day.
I agree with Michelle – EL Double Wear is a workhorse. Also, Bobbi Brown Long wear foundations stays put. However, if you like adding liquid highlighter to your foundation, EL works better than Bobbi Brown.
Blush. I’m rather fussy about.
It must be liquid, or gel, luminous-dewy, extremely light, since I dislike the feeling the make up on :-/ ; pink with blueish undertone but not violet-mauve. “posietint” ( but the benetint too, actually) is the only colour and texture I like but it last nothing.
If anyone has some suggestion please, you’re sooo welcome and i’ll be very grateful:))))
Burberry cream blush is very fluffy and long lasting. I apply it with a duo fiber brush.
Perhaps one of the Becca Beach Tints, the formula is lovely and the shade Lychee sounds like the colouring you describe.
Blush. I’m rather fussy about.
It must be liquid, or gel, with a luminous-dewy finish, extremely light in texture, since I dislike the feeling of the make up on my face :-/ ; the colour must be pink with a blueish undertone but not violet-mauve.
“Posietint” ( but the benetint too, actually) is the only colour and texture I like but it lasts less than nothing.
If anyone has some suggestion please, you’re sooo welcome and I’ll be very grateful <3 ))))
Foundation. I still find myself going back to tinted moisturizer because I haven’t found one that looks “skin like”, on me at least. NARS sheer glow comes the closest in terms of shade match and giving me that “skin like” effect. Still looking though.
I’d say highlighter and concealer!
Mascara, foundation, concealer, a (matte) highlighter… the list goes on!
Concealer! I think it will always be concealer. No matter how good my “latest find”, I’m still always hoping the “next new thing” will be better!
I’d love to find a powder to set my under eye makeup that didn’t suck all of the moisture from my skin, making my under eye area resemble two prunes. I have tried a few products and a few “no fail” techniques, but nothing has worked so far. I don’t even bother trying to set that area.
I also haven’t found anything to help with under-eye puffiness. I’m starting to think there is no product to help with that.
I’m still searching for my HG brow product, which would be something simple and natural-looking. I really dislike spending more than five minutes trying to fill in or, for the outer portion, draw on eyebrows.
And, of course, I’m still looking for an HG contour that is well-suited for fair skin with pink undertones.
For the setting powder, By Terry’s “Hydra Powder” is a silica / hyaluronic acid powder that does the job of setting/blurring, but feels slick at the same time, it really glorious. I gave up on powder ages ago (give me dewy or give me death!) but for this stuff I will make an exception!
I’ve been reading some reviews and the Hydra Powder sounds exactly what I’ve been searching for. Thank you! How do you apply this when you use it to achieve the best results?
A pore minimizer. And sunscreen.
Foundation! Part of that is because I’ve only been using foundation for a few years (I used to only wear BB cream), and it takes so long to go through a bottle that I don’t need to shop for it that often and I simply haven’t tried that many formulas. I would welcome recommendations for oily combination skin!:)
Concealer! My eyes are getting older and all the concealed I try just emphasize the wrinkles 🙁
The only product I’ve been able to use under my eyes without enhancing fine lines is Precious Light by Guerlain. I apply it conservatively, just a little bit at a time, until I reach the desired result. I use my regular concealer brush to apply it as the regular application method applies too much product at once (for my needs). I use my ring finger to gently blend it into my other makeup.
SUNSCREEN.
I want: higher spf, reasonably sweat proof, not difficult to rub in, moisturizing or at least not drying, good under makeup, and doesn’t make me sweat more (somehow all sunscreens do this to me)…
The best yet (for me) has been the Mineral Skin Soothing one from Supergoop! — but even that stings my eyes a bit if I touch my face near my eye area.
I’ve been using Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF for a few years. I have dry, super sensitive skin and it works for me. Not really “higher SPF” I think it’s 30, but my telltale summer freckles are not present so it must be working! I also run a lot and when I’m out in the sun (and it’s not a crazy UV day and I don’t need the super slather of liquid sunblock, blech they make me sweaty too) it doesn’t seem to make my skin or eyes sting.
Ooooh! I’ll have to try that on the weekends! I should have specified that I’m really in need of two different sunscreens — one as above that is makeup compatible and an industrial strength one.
I’m actually >thisclose< to starting my new job — which will have me out on construction sites. Every day. In the 97 degree Atlanta heat — with hard hat and steel toe boots.
I don't even have a HOPE of my normal sunscreens surviving (and I don't give a fig about makeup/my appearance in these settings), but I would like a sunscreen that at least keeps me safe! I'm copy paper white and terrified of skin cancer. Sigh.
I asked around what all the construction workers use, and the answer trends toward "Nothing! They man up and just get used to the sun!" Has. Super helpful….
you should try cotz face spf 40 in natural skintone. it has a matte finish but isn’t drying (and everything else dries me out!) and is great for super sensitive skin. It takes some rubbing in, but is then weightless on the skin and acts as a good primer for either liquid or powder make up. I have even reapplied over powder foundation in a pinch with no adverse affects! oh, you can get it on ulta.com 🙂
I’ve never even heard of this! Thank you — I’ll look into it.
My poor boyfriend is already confused enough about the literally dozens of sunscreens around the house. What’s one more, right? 😉
Tessa, I see some hard hats on the internet that have sun visors, broad rims, or flaps attached on. If your sunscreen doesn’t hold up, that might still protect you. Some of them don’t look that great, but hey, neither does skin cancer or skin damage.
Foundation. I love the natural finish and long wear of the It Cosmetics CC Cream, but I wish it had full coverage instead of medium-full.
This is probably a really common answer, but foundation. I have tried options from all different price points and haven’t found the one with exactly the right shade, feel, texture, wear, etc. I’m not sure such a thing exists!
I agree with mascara. I can find a beautiful mix of several but I haven’t found one that I can use by itself and it’s amazing. Also personally, I can’t find my lipstick color. You know. That one perfect color that looks amazing on you no matter what you wear? But, I digress. I’ll stick to owning 30+ lipsticks and playing constantly.
Hey Christine, have you tried the new Guerlain Maxi Lash So Volume? It became my HG mascara instantly. I know mascara is something really personal, but this one is worth a try. It defines the lashes, keeps them up until the moment you remove your make up, is super intense black, doesn’t clump them up. A beautiful product. Downside? Has the dignature Guerlain floral scent, but on me at leadt, doesn’t irritate or anything.
Foundation! Just looking for something that is hydrating and evens out my skin tone. I’ve yet to find one that doesn’t emphasize my fine lines on my forehead.
For a while I was feeling really good about my makeup, but my skin is changing and now I’m not sure. I kind of feel like I’m looking for LOTS of holy grail items at the moment.
A long lasting concealer covering redness (especially for nose).
Foundation hands down. My skin changes dramatically throughout the year and with mild rosacea, I need some coverage. Dewy finish, not too heavy, etc.
I would say mascara is also high on the list. I’ve tried many drugstore waterproof versions and the one I liked the most was a L’oreal waterproof one that was in a plastic gold tube but sadly was discontinued.
Lipstick
Brow product.
for me, I am still looking for the following:
– Best foundation (medium to full coverage and long lasting)
– best powder
– best moisturizer
sadly, I already splurged a serious amount of money looking for these and still haven’t found them yet. :/
brows pencil,I love Anastasia Brow Wiz but it’s a very expensive product when I have to buy a new one every month or two.right now I just try Nyx Micro Brow and I like it so far tho. maybe I should have used Brow Pomade or powder instead
hmmm, everything? I mean I have favorites but there’s always something new to try that could be even better! Right now I’m on the hunt for a new favorite concealer and mascara though.
Mascara, foundation, concealer. I’ve found products I like in all these categories, but I feel like none of them was quite perfect.
It’s foundation for me…I used to love Double Wear Light from Estee Lauder but the last one I bought disappointed me and it went bad quickly so maybe it was a bad batch of foundation but I’ve been trying new ones and I still haven’t found one that I really love
Daytime moisturizer with spf for acne prone oily skin that doesn’t break me out! I’ve tried everything on the market! 🙁
If you have any suggestion, please help me!
A sunblock lip balm that doesn’t taste disgusting! My lips need sun protection too!
Fresh tinted lip balm mostly smells of lemonade (in a good way), and the sheer ones (Rosé, Plum) don’t taste bad to me! The thicker colors, like Honey and Coral, do taste a bit gross to me.
the paula’s choice spf lip balm is really hydrating and has no taste! only spf lip balm I will use 🙂
Jack Black’s got SPF, and I don’t find they have much of a flavor at all.
Concealer that really, truly, actually covers dark undereye circles without looking cakey and fakey.
Pretty much everything except daytime tinted lip balm, here’s to you Fresh… 🙂
I love those Fresh lip balms. A lot of people say they’re a waste of money when you could just buy Chapstick, but I really don’t mind paying more since I love the colors, smell, texture, etc way more than just plain Chapstick. I only have one full size but I’ll definitely replace it when I run out.
Pretty much everything but Mascara and Eyeliner. The Dolly Wink Volume Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner are both amazing.
Definitely Mascara!
I’m always on the hunt for one that lengthens and curls the lashes, and also makes them fan out and fluttery. I’ve come close with the combination of Lancome Cils Booster, and Armani Eyes to Kill Waterproof, but I’m still looking for the one mascara that does all of the above!
I’m with you on the mascara, Christine. I’m always looking for the next best one. Also the perfect brow pencil, shadow primer, & eyeliner formulas..
I want something SHINY for my eyelids, like how vaseline looks but without the other epic fail qualities that vaseline imparts on eyelids!
Benefit Georgia
Mascara and concealer. Also solution to the reapplication of sunscreen problem.
Primer for the summer! I can use the Becca Ever Matte Primer at any time except summer. It doesn’t work during the summer. So I use MOM in the summer. It’s the only thing that keeps me matte.
I always look forward to your comments.
Thank you 🙂
Medium to full coverage, lightly dewy finish foundation. I adore my Studio Fix Fluid (how comments in a day can I mention it in?) but it’s a satin-to-matte finish and sometimes I just want to glow!
Also, a more subtle powder highlighter. I love the Becca highlighters, but the Pressed format is way too much for me in the daytime, and I find powders easier to spot-apply than creams or liquids. I’m considering Hourglass Luminous Light or Laura Mercier Matte Radience Highlight 01.
I feel like with something like blush or lipstick or eyeshadow, even if I find my Holy Grail shade, I’d still try new things because there’s so many colors and finishes and formats, and I want to wear something different every day, whereas with something like foundation, once I’ve found a good matte one, a good luminous one, and a good sheer one, I’ll be done. Like there won’t just be like one perfect lipstick, and I’ll never look at any others again. You know what I mean?
Hey Christine! Have you tried Benefit’s Roller Lash?
Eyeliner for the waterline that stays put would be awesome!
Teal mascara – would love that
My perfect russet lipstick – really browny red. Most of them are either pinky red, too brown, too red…..
I think Clinique definitely just came out with a teal mascara! I saw it on the Sephora website a few days ago.
Maybelline did a Great Lash in Teal that I thought had fairly good color coverage. It was the same, generally mediocre Great Lash formula, though.
everything under eye. i haven’t find any eye cream to combat my under eye circles and puffiness or a creaseless concealer to cover them or a waterliner that stays put
also foundation if mufe changes their hd formula. which sucks because i think they’re perfection 🙁
Conceler have a 10000 but none of then work like my holy grail
LOTS of things: concealer. mascara. highlighter. bronzer. lipstick formulation.
A foundation of finishing powder that will keep my skin MATTE even if I’m auditioning for America’s Next Ninja.
I still haven’t found my holy grail foundation. I’ve tried so many and still haven’t found the perfect one for my dry sensitive skin. It’s very frustrating!
Foundation. As soon as I start to think I’ve found one, i end up finding something I don’t like about it.
I have to agree on concealer. I find that concealers have a more limited shade selection then the foundations that accompany them and I feel like I always have to chose between an ideal formula and my perfect shade match.
Hmm…there are several things that I’m trying to find the HG of. As far as cosmetics, I’m having the most trouble finding an HG version of bullet lipstick–I can’t find a formula my lips are happy everyday with.
Perfect shade of orange lipstick for my skin tone.
Not too bright or sparkly….
Concealer- some are too dry, some are too wet…the search continues.
I’m definitely still searching for my HG foundation/BB cream. I think what I’m looking for doesn’t exist though because I want to look flawless but I want it to be as easy to apply as tinted moisturizer. I’ve found some decent products, but not THE product.
I’m also looking for the right skincare routine. I use products I love, but my overall routine needs some tweaking including a change in not the brand, but the collection I use within that brand.
Still looking for a smudgeproof eyeliner and mascara and a primer that actually minimises the open pores.
Can’t seem to find a lower eyeliner that won’t move. Mine always runs and ends up in the outside corner of my eye.
Concealer. I can’t find anything to cover my hereditary dark circles (made worse by never getting enough sleep, a situation unlikely to be resolved until such time as someone finds a way to add more hours to the day), and no matter what I use, it gets into my creases. Basically, if I don’t use concealer/corrector, I look like I’ve been in a fight after not sleeping for 48 hours straight, but when I do, I look at least 10 years older. And did I mention that I’m farsighted, which means that any mess under or around my eyes is even easier to see through my glasses?
I would shell out good money for a concealer that properly covers and camouflages my undereye area, smoothes (or at least doesn’t accentuate every line and crease within a 2-inch radius of my eyes), and has shades that are a good match for me.
A good shine-control powder and a highlighter that doesn’t emphasize pores. I’ve only been wearing makeup for about three years now and I’ve worn face makeup for about a year, so I have a hard time being able to tell what I should improve- foundation or setting/finishing powder or color cosmetics or what.
I also wish I had a better felt-tip liner. The ones I have work great for day to day cat-eyes and winged liner, but my more elaborate costumey looks would be 16x better with a more consistent felt-tip liner. I don’t tend to wear those looks anywhere, though, so I prefer to put money into nice face cosmetics and 8,000 lipsticks.
there is a few but i have to say concealer, i cant seem to find anything that works for as bad as my dark circles & etc, maybe i dont know how to blend it right