As your average, run-of-the-mill beauty junkie, it probably comes as no surprise to you that there are quite a few beauty bits on bobs that hold a fond place in my heart. So when Brittany and I decided to team up for a post and she suggested the subject matter of “forever repurchasing” products I thought to myself “oh yes, oh yes yes yes.” I love to love on quality products and, dang it, I love to love on Brittany! I had a good, long think about what I see myself not just enjoying, but realistically repurchasing again and again and I finally settled on seven items.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
This one cleanser completely changed the way I think about cleansing. It quickly and effectively breaks down all your makeup, doesn’t dry out your skin in the slightest and leaves no residue when washed off. As in… it even leaves no residue without the use of a washcloth, which is a godsend for those with sensitive skin. Another bonus for sensitive skin types is that this balm is completely fragrance free and boasts a short ingredient list, making it extremely unlikely to cause any irritation. Finally, while I’m also quite keen on the MAC Cleanse Off Oil, I have to say that I find the Clinique option to be easier to work with. Balms are nicely contained, whereas oils tend to run all down your hands and you wind up wasting half of your product.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
This thick, scentless balm is what I turn to when my skin is freaking out from the cold weather and the use of drying acne products. It rapidly restores moisture and calms down irritation with a blend of various ingredients, including zinc and B5. While there are other products suited for severely chapped skin that I’m sure also perfume adequately, the advantage of this one is that it’s both incredibly affordable (on Escentual) and contains antibacterial properties.
Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers
These bandages didn’t make it into the photo only because they’re so awkward to photograph. Rest assured, it’s not because they’re any less loved than anything else. If you struggle with breakouts, just try these bandages. I can’t even… you just have to… just do it. They’re essentially little absorbent patches that you place over your blemish and overnight all the crud inside your pores gets sucked into the patch. When you remove it in the morning you’re left with a flat, un-inflamed skin. It’s actually incredible. You can read more about them in a post I wrote here if you’re interested.
Anastasia Brow Wiz
I’ve raved about this pencil a lot recently, so I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. Basically this pencil is perfection. It has a dry, waxy texture that’s easy to control and lasts all day. It also has a tiny tip that allows you to draw in individual brow hairs if you desire. The shade range is very realistic and, of course, you get a spoolie on the end of the pencil. It literally does everything that I would want a brow pencil to do.
L’oreal Telescopic Mascara
This is the mascara that I always come back to. Sure, sometimes I reach for a mascara that provides a more voluminous, or a more fluttery effect to the lashes, but generally I like my mascaras to be lengthening and separating. This is that ultimate mascara for that purpose. It instantly boosts the length of my lashes and I find that the short, plastic bristles are very effective in preventing clumpiness. I’ve also notice that in general L’oreal mascaras tend to smudge less than Maybelline mascaras.
Mac Studio Finish Concealer
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, if I could only have one makeup item it would be this. As someone that struggles with breakouts I cannot imagine being without this concealer. It’s highly pigmented and hits that perfect level of dryness in a cream concealer that allows you to build up coverage nicely and to have it last throughout the day. If you’re interested, you can see how I apply it in my Everyday Healthy Makeup Video.
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
Chances are I will never have to repurchase this product, seeing as there are so few occasions in my life that call for a red lip. However, if miraculously I ever did get through this whole pencil I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Everything about the pencil adds up to be my ideal red. It’s matte as matte can be, it has the convenience of a jumbo pencil format, and the colour… oh the colour. It’s red, but with a subtle hint of magenta that adds a wow factor. You can see a swatch of it in my Best Of The Bold Mattes post.
Now head on over to Life, Set Sail to check out Brittany’s picks! She’s a woman with impeccable taste my friends. I’m so happy to have been able to work with her on this project. Seriously, if I got into how much I love this girl it could get weird.