Here it is...my Top 10 Holy Grail Products. Some of these, I have been using for years; some, I just discovered in the past year. Either way, I have not been able to put these products down since I got them. Now, this may come as a surprise, but this was a pretty easy list to come up with. I just thought about which products I am constantly picking up, even when I have other options. The list is in no particular order. There are different reasons why I love each product and they all have different purposes. Of course, I will tell you exactly what I love about each product and also, how I use it! Enjoy :D
1) Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop $38.00
I know I said this list was in no particular order, but I had to put this first on my list because it has a story behind it. I remember the day I bought this highlight, I was on my 30-minute break and I thought it would be a good idea to go to Sephora. I had no intention to buy Champagne Pop on this day, and honestly, I didn't even expect to see it (it had been sold out every single time I looked). Much to my surprise, it was finally in stock! So, as I always do, I bought it impulsively. Normally, such a high price would turn me away, but...it was limited edition at the time, had been sold out for a month, was finally back in stock, and everyone was talking about it. Yeah, I'm that girl. At first, I hated it. I didn't see what all the hype was about! For the first week, I barely used it. I thought it was powdery and didn't give off enough shine. Well, I was wrong. Now, I reach for this highlight every. single. day. I don't want to use anything else. The shade is perfect for my skin tone and it gives me the most natural, but gleaming, glow. I am officially obsessed and I highly, highly recommend this highlight. If you don't think Champagne Pop is the right shade for you, definitely try out one of the other colors because the formula alone is amazing.
Remember earlier, when I said I have been using some of these products for years? This is one of them! Thanks to Instagram, I was able to look back to some of my first posts and found that I purchased my first Mineralize Skin Finish on June 3rd, 2013. Wow. THREE YEARS! Don't freak out. I haven't been using the same exact powder for three years. I've probably repurchased this powder three times since I first bought it. That just goes to show how much I love it. Here's why: 1) it works as a light/medium coverage powder foundation during the summer, when I don't feel like wearing a heavy face of makeup. 2) It's not a completely matte powder foundation. It gives my skin a very subtle, but natural, sheen. 3) For the days when I do wear a cream or liquid foundation, I can use a very light layer of this powder to set it, and it looks beautiful. I could just keep going, but I think the proof is in that I have purchased this powder over and over again, and still love it to this day.
3) Real Techniques Powder Brush $9.99
Want to know how I apply my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish? With this AMAZING brush! Not only have I never encountered a softer powder brush, but I've never encountered a powder brush that has stayed soft for so long. I think I've had this brush for about three years and it is just as amazing now as it was when I first bought it. I love how huge and fluffy it is, because it disperses and blends product so seamlessly on the skin. If you're looking for a great all-over powder brush, definitely try this one out. And to top it all off, it is only ten dollars!
4) RCMA No Color Powder $12.00
I tried to not repeat product types on this list, but I couldn't leave this powder out. What is great about RCMA's No Color Powder, is just that. It has absolutely no color. While MAC's Mineralize Skin Finish is great for color and coverage, the RCMA powder is the complete opposite. It's main purpose is to set makeup and mattify the skin, without altering the colors of any cream products I applied first. Say you apply foundation, concealer, cream contour, cream highlight, maybe even a cream blush, and then you put a colored powder on top of all that. Guess what. That colored powder is going to alter or erase everything you've just applied! RCMA's No Color Powder is the perfect solution. It has absolutely no pigment so it will never alter the color of any of the cream colors you apply before it.
5) Maybelline Fit Me Concealer $6.99
Talk about an amazing drugstore concealer! I have been using this concealer for about 2 years now, and I love it. I don't really have any drugstore concealers to compare it to, but I've also never had a reason to try a different drugstore concealer, because this one works so well. The formula is creamy, blendable, and pigmented. I use my concealer to highlight under my eyes, my cupid's bow, my forehead, and the bridge of my nose. I usually blend my concealer out with a buffing brush or a damp beauty sponge. The color payoff is great and it leaves a gorgeous finish that lasts all day. The only downside to this product is the color range. I'm pretty sure there are only six or seven color choices so it might be hard to find your perfect shade. For $6.99, though, it's worth a shot! I have tried some higher-end concealers, and while they are great, they are expensive!
6) Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess $30.00
This bronzer came out of nowhere and changed my world! I think the first time I discovered it was in my monthly Ipsy GlamBag. They had included a small sample size of this bronzer and I fell in love. So in love, that I went and bought the full size version almost immediately! Now let me tell you why I love this bronzer SO much. 1) It is the perfect shade. Not too cool and not too warm. The perfect middle. It compliments my skin color so well, and gives off the most radiant warm glow. It is perfection. 2) It's not glittery, it's glowy. Is glowy a word? It is now. When you first look at this bronzer, you may think you see glitter. But when it is applied to the skin, it is nothing but a gorgeous bronze glow. 3) It applies so well! I usually use a somewhat dense, but fluffy, brush to apply this bronzer and it always blends out so nicely. I wouldn't use a super dense brush because this is not a contour color. If you're in the market for a new bronzer, definitely give this a try. I know the price seems pretty high, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
7) MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly $22.00
Let's talk eye primer! I purchased MAC's paint pot back in 2013, actually on the same day that I purchased my first Mineralize Skin Finish. Okay, don't yell at me. I am still using the same paint pot that I purchased in 2013. I know, I know. That's probably terrible in terms of sanitation, but how crazy is that?! I use this product literally every time I wear eye makeup, and I have not run out yet. That just goes to show how little product you need each time you use it. I haven't even told you what I use it for! This product makes a great eye primer! According to MAC's website, It's actually supposed to be "a long-wearing blendable cream shadow that can be worn alone or with other products." I've personally never worn this specific shade on it's own, mainly because it is the color of my skin, but I always apply it before I put on any eye products. What the paint pot does, is it creates a barrier between your skin and your shadows. Eyelids naturally create oils throughout the day, but with the paint pot, those oils cannot get through to the shadows to cause any creases. Again, the price is high, but with how little product you need to use each time, it will last forever. If I had known I would be using it for three years, I may have started sanitizing it early on. If you are going to purchase, I would recommend using a sanitized spatula to scrape a bit of product out of the pot.
8) Kiko Precision Eyeliner $10.00
There are a lot of things I LOVE about this liquid eyeliner, and one thing I would LOVE to change if I could. My favorite thing about this liner is the felt tip applicator. I have tried so many liquid liners that have the stiffest felt tip. It becomes so hard to create a fine line when the applicator is not flexible at all. With Kiko's precision liner, the tip is flexible so you have complete control. I like to lay the felt tip flat along my lash line to sketch out my wing, then I drag the felt tip across the line to straighten it. Once I've done that, I can take advantage of the flexibility of the felt tip and literally flick it to get my wing. It's amazing. I also love the pigmentation! This liner is a true black. The only thing I would change about this liner is the fact that if you get one drop of water on your wing, it will most likely disappear. It is not very long lasting so you do have to be careful. But, even with it's faults, I still love it!
9) Colour Pop Lippie Stix $5.00
Instead of writing yet another paragraph, I am going to list a bunch of reasons why I love Colour Pop's Lippie Stix:
- There are about eight formulas to choose from (matte, creme, sheer, glossy, etc.)
- They are super long wearing, especially the matte formula
- The pigmentation is fantastic
- The packaging is so well thought out, with a swatch of the color, the color name, and formula type right on the bottom
- With over 80 colors to choose from, you will always find the one (or seven) you're looking for
- And to top it all off, these Lippie Stix are only FIVE DOLLARS!!!
- Spend $30.00 (buy six Lippie Stix), and get free shipping! What could be better than that?
Have I convinced you yet?! Seriously, try these lipsticks out. They will change your life. What's great is that they have so many colors to choose from and they are sold at such a low price. You can spend the $30.00, get six different lipsticks, and find out which formula and color you really like. A few of my favorite colors are Aquarius (the perfect nude), Bichette (the perfect red), Lumiere (the perfect mauve pink), and Lady (the perfect burgundy).
10) Benefit Roller Lash Mascara $24.00
Finally, my favorite mascara. I have about 20 mascaras in my collection right now (yes, I'm a makeup addict...you should've guessed that already). Out of all of my mascaras, I am constantly picking this one up. It is so different from any other mascara I have tried. For one, the formula is so unique. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it feels so soft on my lashes. I personally hate a mascara that feels like it is sucking all of the moisture out of my eyes and gets flaky throughout the day. With Roller Lash, you're lashes stay soft all day and there is no fall out under your eyes. Second, I love love love the wand. The purpose of this mascara is to curl your lashes, and it does do that, but it also separates and lengthens my lashes beautifully! I think it is the most natural looking mascara I have ever used, but it still draws attention to the eyes. I think it is beautiful and I would definitely give it a try if I were you!
If you read through all of that, I am one proud makeup addict. I hope this list helps you if you are still looking for your holy grail products. If you've already found your holy grails, please share because, being the makeup addict that I am, I will buy all of them. Thank you for reading and check back soon for my next post!
Love,
Chelsea Dae