$532 billion – a number that’s totally out there, unimaginable. That’s the value of the beauty industry worldwide, which enjoyed an unparalleled surge during the last years, with more launches, more brands, more profits each year. It’s HARD not to get swamped by releases as a beauty lover, and more and more important to know which products work for you. That’s why I’m writing about my holy grail beauty products that I still re-buy again and again and again.
After nearly seven years of blogging and professionally writing about beauty, and trialling hundreds of products – here are the ones that STILL accompany me and are staples in my routine, because nothing else could beat them.
Nars Light-Reflecting Loose Setting Powder
I’ve tested numerous setting powders, because here’s the dilemma: I want a somewhat luminous finish after I’ve done my face, but I hate sticky textures. Thus, foundation nearly always gets powdered in my routine. Nars gets it right: silky formula with just the right amount of shimmer to never get a flat, lifeless finish. It now ALSO comes in a deeper shade for medium to dark skintones. Soft-focus, silky, non-sticky finish – heaven. (First reviewed here, in-depth here.)
Kiko Creamy Color Comfort Lipliner
When Kiko gets it right, they get it astonishingly, beautifully right: Their long-lasting eyeshadow sticks are easily on par with By Terry’s, for example. But their most impressive product for me is their Creamy Color Comfort Lipliner which manages to beexactly as creamy and comfortable as they say. They’re also incredibly long-wearing. They’re better than a lot of high-end brands, and cheap to boot. (If you love Charlotte Tilbury’s or Huda’s liners, give them a try: Kiko’s are better.) (First mentioned here, comparison to other formulas here.)
Revitalash
After trying numerous mascaras to boost my naturally short and sparse lashes, I spontaneously gave the Revitalash lash-growth serum a try a few years ago and never looked back. After an initial phase when you’ve got to apply it every night, you can use it every two to three nights to maintain the status. What can I say – nearly every mascara works for me now, and I have longer and thicker natural lashes. So, so worth it. (First mention here, long review here.)
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
I’m very iffy on concealer, because the status of my undereyes seems to change with the seasons, demanding different formulas. Sometimes the skin is drier, sometimes my dark circles are extra dark, and I’ve veered from extra thick with high coverage to light and creamy. Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer sometimes isn’t EXACTLY right for what my skin demands, but always ok. As I’m getting older I’ve realised that there’s no concealer in the whole wide world that can simultaneously cover circles and NOT emphasize fine lines. I found that a lighter texture won’t completely cancel dark circles, but then, my skin doesn’t look desert-like. The shade selection isn’t too bad, either. (First mention here, something like a review here.)
Lush Helping Hands/Lemony Flutter
I pride myself on my hands. I’m always moisturising after washing my hands, and Helping Hands, although it smells ghastly, is my hands’ evening treat. It does its jobs marvellously well, and I always wake up with soft skin. Lemony Flutter is my nail and cuticle treatment of choice: incredibly oily, but really, really nourishing. If you’ve got problems with brittle nails, give it a chance. (First mentioned here, a review of sorts here.)
Hakuhodo No. i-142, i-127, j-142
Duh, you’ll say, nothing really surprising: Hakuhodo brushes are for beauty lovers what are florals in spring for Miranda Priestley. Not really surprising, and definitely not ground-breaking. But hear me out: The i- and j-series are rather reasonably priced (they’re in the MAC range), are often either synthetic or a synthetic mix, and great for all textures you want to apply. They’re my staples, and super versatile. You can do your whole eye with those three (or even with one). (Reviews of the i-142, i-127, j-142.)
Beyer & Söhne, Hautcreme+
My standard moisturiser. Simple formula, very suitable for sensitive skin, and the one skincare product that ALWAYS works, no matter how much I wrecked my skin: Hautcreme+ is like a kid’s fave blankie, but for my skin. I’ve recommended it to countless people over the years, and the only downside is its rising price. But then: it’s made in Germany, by a family firm, and what’s not to love about that?! (First mentioned here, review here.)
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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