6th
What are your must-haves and staples?
I don’t try every new thing that hits the market (I don’t make that kind of money, and couldn’t justify much beyond what I do now, anyway… I think), but I do like to check out the trends and launches now and then to see if there’s any real value behind the claims.
That’s how I ended up becoming a die-hard fan of home microdermabrasion scrubs (nothing like what you’d get in a doctor’s office, but terrific for improving your texture) and why I will never be without my burning/plumping/crazy lip glosses ever again.
But new stuff and innovations aside, even product junkies like myself have products we can’t do without… or won’t do without. The things we buy again and again. The stuff that we seek out specifically, substitutions be damned.
Here are a few of my staples (in no particular order):
Weleda Skin Food: It’s thick, it’s hard to spread on anything but warmed-up skin, and it’s a little bit greasy in feel… but nothing soothes chapped skin or wakes up a tired face or puts my combination complexion to rights like this softly orange-scented salve. It’s my favourite weekend renewer. I put on a bit of this, a touch of blush, a coat of mascara, and I’m done. It even functions nicely as a lip balm in a pinch, and counterintuitively calms down a breakout. It’s my miracle product. Don’t let Weleda tell you it’s just for your body — it’s amazing on your face (unless you are crazy oily) and was recommended to me by a dermatologist AND a makeup artist.
Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme: Not for the faint of heart, though I don’t really find it terribly strong anymore — in fact, I love it. This burning-sensation lip plumper contains vitamin E and collagen and a wacky cocktail of other ingredients that leave my lips rosy and full. If you don’t like the fiercely tingly sensation, consider other plumpers (or put it on for a bit, and wipe it off again — and remember not to get it anywhere else on your face), but nothing else works so well. In fact, it works so well that at least six or seven of my girlfriends have bought it within a week of trying it from my purse. If that’s not a testimonial…
Nars Bronzer: I used to hate bronzing powders with any sort of shimmer — and still love Benefit Hoo-la for just that reason — but I am a total convert to this blendable, glowing formula. My shade is Laguna.
Benefit High Beam: My favourite highlighter/luminizer. A dab on the inner corners of my eyes, along the bridge of my nose, and under my eyebrows, and I’m good to go. It blends beautifully, and the nailpolish-style applicator is super easy to use without globbing all over yourself… which is good when it comes to something as easy to overdo as shimmer!
Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream: I have superfine hair with a tendency to develop odd kinks and frizzies. It didn’t do that before, mind you… that’s a fun change that happened in my thirties. So how do I deal? This styling/shining cream settles everything down without making me feel like I’m rubbing Crisco into my hair, like so many other serums and potions for de-frizzing and shine do. You only need a very small amount, and make sure to rub it between your palms for a second to get even distribution. And avoid your roots!
Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation: When I DO wear foundation, this is some of my favourite stuff. Easy to apply, easy to blend, and not so matte that I end up looking like a porcelain doll.
So what can’t/won’t/shouldn’t you do without?
