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This article was originally published on All Dolled Up.
I am always curious about products that beauty bloggers choose to buy, aren’t you? The ones they will happily pay for time and time again, despite being sent every product under the sun – now those are the products I want to know more about. With that in mind, I thought it might be interesting to give you an insight into the products that I happily pay for, and which might not usually get the praise they deserve.
This post is dedicated to those products: the ones that are never mentioned in posts or in favourites videos because they’re never not favourites. They’re the constants in my routine, and the ones without which I would be considerably less joyful.
Bobbi Brown Corrector
Nobody does it better. I have gone through countless pots of this stuff, and even though I dabble in alternatives every now and again, I always come back to Bobbi. The level of pigmentation is substantial – there is no darkness it can’t cover – and it leaves the under-eye area looking really even-toned and dewy. Whilst the formulation is creamy and blendable, it’s also got a tackiness to it which helps it adhere to the skin and stay put throughout the day. Top notch stuff.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Nothing stays put in the waterline quite like this does. I have tested what feels like thousands of gel eyeliners in my time, and none of them perform as well as this one does. I find that two coats on my top waterline really helps to boost the appearance of a fuller lash line, and it never transfers onto the lower lash line either (I hate it when liners do that – it looks so grubby).
MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork
It’s a classic for a reason. This cream eyeshadow can be used on its own for a more casual, daytime look (the soft taupe shade is universally flattering), or it can be used in conjunction with other shadows to prolong their wear and amplify their pigment. The formula is soft, creamy, and blends like a dream, yet also stays put for hours on end. You also get a lot of product in the pot, so it’ll last you ages – great value for money. I will never be without it.
Environ skincare
I am not going to single out a specific product, because they’re all brilliant. I have written about my Environ routine on several occasions, so I’m not going to bang on about it again, but I want to reiterate that in the two years that I have been using predominantly Environ products, I have seen a marked improvement in the condition of my skin.
Read more: See all the glorious products from the debut Fenty Beauty collection
I couple my regime with monthly facials at the Environ Skin Institute (I see Nina), and this combination has worked really well for me. Yes, I still get break-outs every now and again, but I’ve never been happier with the texture, tone and clarity of my skin.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Hands down the most effective makeup remover I’ve ever come across. I was faithful to The Body Shop’s Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil for years and years, but honestly, Clinique blows it out of the water (sorry, The Body Shop, you were so good to me). I adore the texture of this balm, and the thought of using it makes me look forward to taking my makeup off each evening.
You apply a small amount onto dry skin, and as you massage, it turns into an oil which cuts through every last scrap of foundation, mascara, lipstick, you name it. There is nothing this balm can’t remove. You can either wipe away the residue with a warm wash cloth, or simply splash your face with water and rinse it off – the water will emulsify the balm, making it a doddle to remove.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
I’ve lost count of how many tubes I’ve gone through. It does the most fantastic job of brightening the under eye area and leaving you looking thoroughly well rested. If you like a creamy, glowy concealer that leaves your under-eye area looking luminous and dewy, this is for you. Brilliant.
Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara: Holy Grail
I doubt I will ever find a mascara that ticks as many boxes as this one does: it makes your lashes look longer, fuller, more separated, and somehow makes you look like you have more lashes than you actually do (what sorcery is this?!). It also doesn’t smudge, transfer or flake. If you can find me another mascara that does a better job than this one, I will eat my hat.
Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
Well, it’s just the best, isn’t it? Let’s be honest. Not only does it resurrect dry and damaged locks to their former glory, but the scent is so utterly delicious that I never want to rinse it out. It leaves the hair soft and touchable, but not in an unmanagable way – your hair won’t be so silky/slippy that you can’t do anything with it.
I find the Hydrate shampoo to be a little bit too rich for my oily scalp (I prefer the Pure Volume Shampoo), but if you really battle with dry hair, then I think you’ll see fantastic results if you use both the shampoo and conditioner (Retailbox are currently running a special where you can get the Hydrate shampoo and conditioner for R522). Added bonus: the whole Pureology range is sulphate free.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
Simple, effective, affordable. I can’t see myself ever forking over R220 for the Bioderma Micellar Water when I know that the Garnier equivalent does exactly the same job at a fraction of the price. I love that it also now comes in a handy 125ml bottle, so you don’t have to lug the 400ml bottle with you on weekends away etc.
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors
Saving the best, and perhaps the least surprising, for last. I bloody LOVE these, and always have at least two on me at all times. The sheer, glossy (but not sticky) formula does what it says on the tube: it makes the lips look perfect. I love that they are so easy to apply (no mirror necessary), that they wear well (you can reapply as often as you like and there won’t be any product build-up), and that they keep your lips soft and hydrated throughout the day. My favourite shade is ’06 Rosewood’ – the perfect, creamy everyday nude shade.
Read more: Makeup challenge: no mirrors allowed!
I hope that you have enjoyed this post and that it’s given you some insight into the real heroes in my skin, makeup and hair care collection.
