iCiNG Infatuations: Five Fabulous Secret Beauty Weapons
[ 2 September 2008 ]
Every girl needs an arsenal of top secret beauty weapons that she can whip out at a moment’s notice to improve her appearance! These are my current top 5 holy grail beauty products. What makes your cut?
5. Too Faced Snow Bunny Caribbean In A Compact Bronzing Powder
I was introduced to this gorgeous glimmer by my amazing friend Bei, who swore up & down that it was the ultimate bronzer for pale-skinned beauties. I am pleased to report that it is every bit as beautiful as she made it sound. I have never thought of myself as a “bronzer” kind of gal, because I’m generally pretty happy with my pallor, but that’s the best part of it! Instead of turning you vaguely brown/orange, Snow Bunny works with your skin colour, not against it.
You sweep your brush across the top of the compact, combining shimmering white, light brown & two pink tones, & then swoop it upwards & outwards. The result? Fabulous, glowing, healthy-looking skin with a touch of colour. It makes you look like you’ve just come back from a wonderful holiday in the Swiss Alps with all your chums, where you all ate hearty but nutritious meals every night, nursed baby deer back to health & wore matching knitted sweaters as you laughed around the fire good-naturedly.
It’s amazing to me how much more polished I feel with a bit of Snow Bunny dusted across my cheeks! I am a happy (snow) bunny, oh yes.
4. MAC Cosmetics Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer
This is hands down the best concealer I have ever used in my life. I love it. I am indebted to it. I will never use anything else! It’s creamy & lovely & covers all kinds of imperfections. You only need a tiny little bit & it goes a long way. It’s also the perfect size to put in your handbag. I like to use a brush to smooth it around my eyes on days when I look like the only place I should be is in bed!
As well as being non-acnegenic — meaning it doesn’t cause or promote spots — Studio Finish is enriched with antioxidants, contains silica to help absorb your skin’s natural oils (which helps keeps it on your face!) & has an SPF factor of 35! Bravo, MAC, bravo!
3. Pink CHI 1” Flat Iron
You might have noticed that Misikko have been sponsoring iCiNG lately — a round of applause, please! As part of this, they also sent me a pink CHI 1” flat iron. (See my disclaimer.)
It was a fabulous “coincidence” — not that I really believe in those — because a week before they got in touch with me, I was discussing with my hairdresser the fact that now that I had long hair, buying a flat iron seemed to make sense. Her recommendation was a CHI, & I thought about it as I walked home. You see, when I had short, very naturally straight hair, I never really had many problems (& plus, usually the messier & bigger it was, the better), but with long hair came new challenges! Weird kinks from wearing my hair in a chignon, crazy fly-away bits that wouldn’t sit straight, swirly twirly pieces that drove me to distraction… it was a whole new world of perplexing riddles!
Enter the pink CHI 1” flat iron. Picture it in front of a blinding light, with a halo around the top & a chorus of angels singing its arrival! It is the holy grail of straightening irons & even better… it’s pink. I love that! (Simple things thrill me.) It heats up quickly, doesn’t pull or snag your hair, & a couple of quick swipes leave you with beautifully sleek, straight tresses. It gives you hair like a shampoo commercial… well, if they used girls with neon pink tresses to advertise shampoo. Which they totally should!
2. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
I am naughty about sunblock. I talk about it on here quite regularly but, well, you know, it’s one thing to talk about it & quite another to actually do it.
When I was in Australia, where there is no ozone layer, & the sun beats down upon you viciously, it actually wasn’t so much of a problem. Why? Well, because I never really left my apartment. But then I went to New York, you see, & Florida, where there are way too many amazing things going on to stay inside, & where the sun just happens to be about a gazillion degrees (though there is, thankfully, an ozone layer).
So I bit the bullet. I decided I needed to buy sunscreen. I left my apartment & went to Duane Reade to see what I could see. I stood in the sunscreen aisle. I made uncomfortable grimacing faces. There were way too many to choose from. I thought, ‘God, I should really have checked Make-Up Alley for their recommendations before I did this’. But then I decided I would have to get over it & just buy some & hope for the best. Lucky me, because I struck the holy grail with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch. I really did!
Some of you are probably thinking, ‘Oh, whatever, sunblock is sunblock is sunblock’, but it’s not! Especially when you’re putting it on your face, & even more so when it’s going to sit underneath your make-up. Bad sunblock — the greasy, shiny, heavy, thick stuff — can be a total nightmare & would ruin even the sweetest visage.
Neutrogena have totally done themselves proud. It’s unscented. It goes on light & sheer, just like the name would imply. It dries down to nothing — you don’t get that awful feeling like you’ve cracked an egg over your face, which is a complete blessing. It doesn’t clog pores or leave you with a greasy build-up. Best of all, it is happy to act as the base for everything else you’re about to put on — which in my case usually consists of at least primer, foundation, concealer, setting powder & bronzer — & won’t turn into a slimy mess a few hours afterwards.
You should buy some. If nothing else, heed Coco’s words:
“Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” — Coco Chanel
1. Tweezerman tweezers
I wasn’t sure what would take the number one spot, but now I know: Tweezerman tweezers. Why? Because I misplaced mine a couple of days ago & the ensuing chain of events was more than I would have ever expected! I was manic — I raced around the house asking everyone, “Have you seen my tweezers? They’re lavender & I love them & I NEED THEM!” But they didn’t turn up, so with a heavy heart I went to the mall (yes, really) to pick up another pair. Tweezerman brand was nowhere to be found, so I bought a cute-looking hot pink pair… But when I got them home, I realised they were totally useless. They didn’t grip fine hairs, & most of the time the hair snapped in half, instead of being pulled out from the root. It was a very sad state of affairs. I looked at my eyebrows in the mirror with a dejected expression & fantasised about going on a mad plucking spree.
Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. As I was tidying up my room, I found my tweezers wedged between two pages of a book. (Don’t ask.) I squealed with elation (yes, really), whipped out a magnifying mirror & got to work. Hoorah! They grasped every hair, no matter how fine! Hallelujah! I had complete control! Woohoo! The hairs came out cleanly in one go!
Thanks to Tweezerman, my eyebrows have been appropriately whipped into submission, & I look glamorous once more! I am so thankful.
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala 
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Oh Gala, I understand you and the tweezing obsession! I never bring them on trips and spend hours staring at the tiny little hairs on my eyebrow. Though, it’s gotten so far as I now tweeze my fingers & hands !
Thank you for this list ! I think I will see if I can get a CHI straightener—I am never able to find one I am satisfied with. At hairsalons, the whole dryer-and-brush always works so much better than the straighteners I have!
Great list, Gala. I’m particularly intrigued by the bronzer. Huge fan of Tweezermans already!
I think I would have to add eyelash curlers to the list – I was given a great tip recently which was instead of holding down the curlers for 10-20 secs, to press down 4 or 5 times in quick succession. Cue much flutter, much quicker! Voila ;-)
Thank you Gala for posting about a good concealer! I came back to the US recently and all the junk food I’ve been eating has made me break out, i look BAD! ...i have a question…do you use any products to protect ur hair from the heat of your CHI? i used to use one a lot like 2 years ago but it dried my hair pretty bad, i dont use one anymore but im considering going back to using one cuase my hair doesnt look good right now and plus it didnt even recover! might as well have unhealthy hair that looks good than unhealthy hair that looks bad!
The GHD is without a doubt the most amazing thing ever created. ever. I would be lost without my straightener. I can’t even remember a time without mine! Great list!!
I completely agree with the Tweezermans. Also, I would stay Touche Eclat and YSL mascara for making your eyes look fresh! I do need a good facial scrub so if anyone has any tips please let me know!
Yay! I’ve been needing a sunscreen for ages, and I hate all that greasy stuff too. Also I need a new concealer, having it in a massive tube doesn’t really help when I need it out and about. Thank you Gala!
I too use the Tweezerman tweezers and love them. And as for the sunscreen – you got the right one!
I’m a pasty girl who grew up in Miami and lived there until just a few years ago. I also don’t like to wear sunscreen – this is the one sunscreen I can tolerate.
I need a flat iron and have only recently tried a bronzer. I’ll give both of these reccos a try.
Thanks, Gala!
Luv
Poochie
I have to agree with cat — I can’t even begin to understand how I managed to survive so many years without my GHD flat irons. Amazing.
I think I’m going to have to invest in a pair of those tweezers, Gala. The look fabulous. As does that concealer. I’m always on the look out for new concealer.
I have an interesting concealer trick, but you must have faith, because it’s going to sound strange — if you have serious dark circles under your eyes, and you happen to have some orange lipstick lying around (yes, orange lipstick), dab a (very) small amount over the dark area before applying your concealer. You’ll then find you’ll have twice as much coverage. This is because the colour orange covers up the blue-ish tone of the dark circles whereas regular concealer simply makes it appear lighter and can often leave you with grey circles instead.
Anyway, give it a go.
c:
You’ve pretty much sold me with that description of what the Snow Bunny bronzer makes you look like, LOL...
Oh this is excellent, I’ve been looking for a sunscreen I can use on my face for a while now!!
My top 5 would be (in no particular order)
1.) Herbalism by Lush – The absolute Holy Grail of cleansers. It leaves my skin is soft and matte and supple, even before I’ve moisturised.
2.) Bourjois Oui au Volume Non Aux Paquet Mascara – Translated: yes to volume, no to clumps. Best mascara ever!! Amazing separation and length!!
3.) Bioré Shine Control Moisturiser – The perfect moisturiser. Makes the oily areas matte without being drying and makes my skin feel amazingly soft. And it absorbs in a nanosecond so there’s no greasiness!
4.) Crash Course In Skincare by Lush – I’ve tried most of the Lush face masks and this one does the best all round job. My skin feels incredibly soft after I’ve used it and it’s the closest I ever come to not bothering with makeup at all. And what makeup I do put on looks so much better after this mask.
5.) Lee Stafford Heat Protection Spray – I straighten my hair most days and I’ve tried a LOT of different hear protection sprays over the years and this one has it all. It’s very very lightweight, it has barely any smell, you don’t need to use much, you really can’t tell it’s in your hair at all and it’s pretty cheap. All this and it provides amazing protection. I’ve been bleaching and colouring my hair all kinds of crazy colours for years and I’m always getting comments about how healthy it looks. I put that largely down to this spray. I can’t stress enough how much I LOVE it.
great list! my top beauty products:
5. herbal essences’ shampoo/conditioner
4. bath and body works lotion and shower gel
3. covergirl’s ‘advanced radiance’ powder/foundation
2. mascara (currently using define-a-lash by maybelline)
1. burt’s bees chap stick!
anyone know a good eyeshadow that lasts all day?
I gotta agree with the others- Cat, FearTheNumbers etc here – my GHD straightener is the best thing on earth! Touche eclat is also gorgeous!
Thank you a million times for a face sunscreen that isn’t guckky! We are coming into summer here and it’s time I listened to Coco!
:) Nelly!
Ooooh, I have been after a good concealer! I am hopelessly clueless when it comes to make up so it is wonderful to have someone like you in my virtual life! Thank you chickadee xxx Oh, and how much longer til you go to NY??
miss morgan potts – I love MAC eyeshadows. They always go on well and look amazing. I also recommend MAC make up brushes for application.
Narrowing it down to 5 is hard, but I’ll probably go with products I’ll use again and again.
1. Molton Brown Vitamin Lip Saver
2. YSL Touche Eclat
3. The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector
4. Napolean lip glosses
5. MAC Strobe Cream
Great list. Mine top 5 fav products would have to be
5 Vera Wang Princess perfume
4 Covergirl Bronzer
3 The Body Shop Blusher Beads
2 Maybelline Mascara
1 Chi Chi lip gloss pots
It’s amazing what you can get away with by using just mascara and lipgloss. They sure do create wonders!
I am as serious as a heart attack when I say that Dry-Touch Sunscreen is the nectar of the goddesses, especially for girls like me who are outside from sun up to sun down during the summer!
body shop coconut butter – This has become my ‘getting in the party mood’ product, do an all body moisturise with this when getting ready to go out makes me bop like a happy little coconut.
lucas paw paw ointment- put it on your lips! put it on your poor chaffed nose! put it onto cuts on your feet to protect them! what can’t it do?
MAC Select SPF liquid foundation – had this matched for me by the lovely staff and so happy with it! so light, so well matched so pretty.
witchhazel- perfect toner, doesn’t sting like so many others I’ve tried and really refreshes your skin
CHI Silk Infusion Reconstructing complex- crazy name..awesome product- I have Massively curly thick dry dark hair& find most hair products completely Useless against it, I put this in while its drying& my hair just soaks it up leaving it so soft and keeping it more ringlet style curls rather than fuzz..
xxoo
Nana in the Theatre — CHI straighteners are the biz. I don’t know much about straighteners in general, but I adoreeee mine, & all the reviews I read seem to rate CHI way higher than GHD! Good luck!
amypalko — Eyelash curlers are good but I haven’t used mine for ages! I almost think you can get a better result with judicious application of a mascara brush… After all, make-up artists never use them…
laiba — I use Biosilk treatment, which is AMAZING, & I can’t recommend it highly enough!
miss morgan potts — Like Gem Wilder says, MAC eyeshadows are incredible! They don’t go anywhere...
shells — I leave on Thursday! Haha! I have my 5 suitcases open in the living room right now, I’ve been going through organising outfits for NY all morning… !
Ooh! I love these types of beauty lists! I find them very helpful, as I don’t like using too many different products and finding the most efficient ones is key!
The bronzer intrigues me too, and not just because it has the word “bunny” in it! (I’m a sucker for anything that says bunny. Well, almost. Cue Playboy ;3). Now that my face is acne free (thank you Accutane!), I find that the once cursed red tint of my skin is now… well… cute! I rarely need to put blush, and whenever I can make my skin glow, then hurrah!
I also adore that sunblock. It really is amazing. I put it on everyday, and even use it as a primer for my eyeshadows!
In no particular order, my beauty weapons are…: – Kiehl’s Lip Balm No joke, this is the greatest lip balm I’ve ever tried. It can be a hassel to put on (I use my finger), but my lips have never been in such good condition. Love Kiehl’s. – Volume Blast Mascara by Covergirl Well, any mascara really will do. So long as it’s black, voluminous (my lashes are long and curved anyways) and works! – Revlon Metallic Copper 3-Eyeshadow Thingy I don’t remember it’s exact name, but it’s like a little blended eyeshadow trio with a fairy-dust shade, a copper/gold shade, and a dark bronze with copper flecks. It’s really amazing on green eyes. I swear, they pop after! – Eucerin Lotion Because of Accutane, my skin is abnormally dry. So, to fix this problem I use the best light lotion out there (imo): Eucerin Lotion. Not only is it for sensitive skin and fragrance-free (Lush soap is strong enough!), it gives me sex kitten worthy skin. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
I can’t wait to read everyone else’s!
1 – eyelash curlers (I hate mascara)
2 – black eyeliner on the inside rim of the upper lid
3 – a wet brush loaded with some sort of eyeshadowy goodness
4 – sheer nude gloss
5 – Trilogy rosehip oil
That’s all ever I put on my whole face. Except in summer when I swear by Megan Gale Invisible Zinc, which I don’t think you can get in NZ, but my cuz Phil is bringing me some over soon for the start of the sunblock season. (He’s so lovely!)
Oh! By the way, I recently found a very reputable website that sell high-end beauty products on the cheap!
Like, discontinued Stila lipstick at 6$ (down from $15!) or eyeshadow paletts from Too Faced at $11 (down from 30!).
It’s www.beautycrunch.com .
I’m planning on getting a hoard of stuff from there. Especially those Harlequin-novel inspired beauty palettes!
I find that I have alot of scarring on my face that has never really healed properly, from chicken pox, a couple of acne scars, and this one time I burnt myself with a curling tong(!!!). I found this really great cream by Michael’s called ‘Prim-E’ for damaged skin, it’s got rosehip oil, vitamins E and B5 and evening primrose oil – plus it has sunscreen in it! I’ve been using it morning and night for a while now and I’ve actually noticed an improvement for once.
It’s amazing.
My close tie for #2 is Lucas’ Pawpaw Ointment and also Nutrimetics nutri-rich oil! They are the best things that I own!
MAKEUP FOREVER HD POWDER—— This is airbrushing in a bottle! 100% Silica finishing powder that works better than any other finishing powder I’ve ever used! [Blew Bare Escentuals’ Mineral Veil out of the water].
I dare you to put this on your hand &feel it—- it’s like baby skin!
LOVE LOVE LOVE it
I also love Olay Moisturizer. &Smashbox brow tech wax/powder + brush from Sephora! Perfect for sculpting/filling in brows &comes in various shades!
-Diane
I’ve never really thought much about sunblock, other than it’s as much as a necessity as water at band camp. Next time I’ll be sure to check what’s going on my whole body!
Hm, I don’t quite have 5, but-
1. My lovely antique round mirror! (Does that count?) It makes me look beautiful more so than other mirrors.
2. Bath and Body works watermelon sorbet lip gloss. Looks great and tastes better!
3. Maybelline eyeliner. Works great with winter guard makeup (the heavy show makeup!) and everyday light stuff.
Great list luv, I need a new straightener! I have a hideous old Remington thing that fries my hair to oblivion, resulting in a small fortune spent on protein hair masks…speaking of which, my list is: – Goldwell shampoo & conditioner to save my bleached blonded hair – Trilogy Rosehip oil at night. Magic. – Khadi facemasks from India, they’re like tumeric, ground tree roots and all this other natural stuff that sucks the living daylights out of your pores and leaves your skin glowing. Love it. – Eyelash curlers!! – Simple strawberry Chapstick. I’m addicted!
Do you know exactly which type of Tweezerman tweezers you use? I don’t know which type to get, they have slanted, rounded, pointed, etc!!
i can’t live without lip balm.
i love Lush’s “Honey Trap” lip balm, but the medicated Blistex balm is also fantastic.
I’m also a sucker for an old skool bonne Bell LIp Smacker (vanilla’s my fave)
This is my baby – www.ghdhair.com/au/ghd
I had the most massive, clunky Remington before, it doesn’t even come close to comparing.
But still, I only straighten once a week at the most! I don’t want to damage my tresses!
I swear by Witch Hazel for a toner and plain old Carmex for my lips.
I am SO on your page about Neutrogena sunblock and Tweezerman tweezers, Gala! I am at least as pale as you, and when I moved to L.A., I vowed that no matter how lazy I was in other parts of my self-care routine, I would NEVER EVER EVER neglect sunblock. 6 years later, I’m so glad I made that vow—people comment on my skin all the time (here, making it to the ripe old age of 23 without major crow’s feet is quite unusual) and I’m a total SPF addict. I like your Dry-Touch and also the anti-aging SPF moisturizer from ye olde Neutrogena, both of which are very strong without being greasy under makeup. And tweezers – oh gosh, I just returned from a week in Las Vegas doing the MAGIC trade show, and that time without my Tweezermans (Tweezermen?) was ROUGH! My brows and I had a big party last night at 1AM when I got home!
I’d also recommend Rosebud Salve, YSL Touche Eclat and Neutrogena Hand Cream for must-haves.
xoxo, MG
(Gossip Girl premiere tonight! omgggg!!!)
by biggest secret is-GASP-Snails cream! I had never believed in it (you know…to many infommercials!), but then I got a little rush near my nose and my dad recommended it to me (weird, isn’t it?), I tried it in the spot and worked wonders, but it wasn’t until I tried it as a night cream that I found how amazing is it!! It leaves my skin super soft, blackspot free, blah blah.
I know feel like an infommercial lady…lol
Other thing I love are Olay’s sensitive skin cleansing towels. I have a very sensitive skin, so most cleansing products are bad for me, but those thingies are veryyy good :)
My required beauty supplies are pretty simple:
Clinique Moisturizer has been my favorite for years and years. Everyone knows it, I think- the yellow stuff. You get a little sample size whenever Clinique does a giveaway. I use a big bottle of this stuff for my face, and it lasts me about nine months a bottle, total worth the cost. Lightweight, absorbs quickly, doesn’t cause any breakouts. Wonderful.
Burts Bees Lipbalm is all natural, and you can either get a regular clear one, or colored ones. Tinted lip balm is my friend, because it’s more like a stain than a lip gloss or lipstick, so it lasts all day and keeps your lips nice and soft.
Wow, only two days to go – you must be jumping out of your skin with excitment! I’m excited for you! Have a safe trip babycakes. Can’t wait to see photos and hear your tales of adventure! xxx
oh, i love your list gala!
here’s what makes mine:
1. aquage transforming paste – this wax-like product is squeezed out on to the palms/fingers and worked through dry hair. the result: excellent separation of layers, shininess, and a great smell. perfect for a unique look when you are on the go!
2. maybeline’s colossal volum express – this mascara is a lash miracle! and it’s really affordable and can be found at drugstores! (always a plus)
3. this might sound odd, but perfume samples! – they are great to keep in your purse to keep it smelling fresh and easier to carry around that your full size bottle. plus, you can keep a few different ones to pick from based upon your mood
4. urban decy eyeshadow in “maui wowie” – this gold colored glitter eyeshadow can match any outfit effortlessly
5. neutrogena blackhead eliminating facial scrub – nothing boosts confidence better than fresh face that is free of acne!
*i realize i sound like an advertisement in this whole comment.
haha
kudos, gala!
mermaid
ooooooh thats a awesome list gala!I had a tweezerman MIA scare the other week and nearly lost my mind…they ended up behind the bed!
so being the product whore that I am here’s my must haves:
-cetaphil moisturiser…could NOT live without it.
-aesop damascan rose facial oil is my lifesaver for winter
-Lush AOBS makes you’re skin feel clean and gorgeous!
-my pink tweezermans of course
if anyone feels like some time wasting here’s my MUA reviews!
www.makeupalley.com/product/us…
mucho love sweet peas!
I LOVE THIS! Hearing recommendations and raves from fellow gals and guys is a lot better than just heading to the shops and staring at the plethora of products for sale and grabbing whatever looks decent, or being talked into something totally wrong by a pushy salesperson!
A’kin Rosehip Oil is heaven for every skin, from oily & acne prone to dry & sensitive. Makes you glow, soothes irritation, plumps up the skin & fades wrinkles, full of vitamins & antioxidants. Simple, gentle & fabulous.
Cetaphil soap-free cleanser. You can use great big globs to get rid of every trace of dirt & make-up, yet your skin will remain soft & unirritated. A huge bottle is still cheap & lasts for months. Simple, gentle & fabulous.
I swear by those two for perfect skin, & everyone from my mum to my friends have been converted. The most gentle skincare routine is nearly always the best for your face :)
I love Clinique make-up, all hypoallergenic, gentle & natural looking. I rely on Superbalanced Foundation in Alabaster – light, glowy, natural coverage, in a light enough colour for my super fair skin! & Naturally Glossy mascara for super natural but defined lashes.
OPI nailpolish has the best shades, the cutest names (my current shade is “Suzie Sells Sushi by the Seashore”) & it is phenomenal quality, dries quickly, looks perfect, lasts for days.
Now I have to read all your comments & find out what is a decent concealer, who makes nice eyeshadows, & some bronzer & highlighter recommendations, amongst other things!
ooo one more thing!!!
the BEST longlasting awesome eyeshadows around at the moment are the new mac starflash ones.
I has a momentary lapse of crazyness and bought 5.they are so perfectly pigmented,pearly and creamy they don’t even need any building up!
i’m so glad that you love the snow bunny! i recommend it to all my anti bronzer pals :) and the swiss alps imagery made me laugh tha fuck out loud so hard!!!! hahaha.
i need a new straightener soon and a pink chi was just what i was looking for. i’ll take one please and thank you!
miss you so much baby gurl, big love, props, mad respekt, peace
bei XOXOXOX
I’ve been working on a post like this for the last week! (All set to go a few days ago until Vox ate it due to its lack of love for FF3.) Anyway, I’ll save most of my picks for there….
I nth the rec of that Neutrogena sunblock; all the others leave my skin feeling greasy.
On the other hand, I used the MAC concealer for a while, and it accentuated even the finest lines around my eyes, even when I was 22, no matter how many different ways I applied it, or what I tried mixing it with on the advice of various people (makeup artists, friends, friends who are makeup artists, etc). I think it’s good photo makeup, but probably too thick to be a nice undereye concealer — the MAC cream stuff that comes in a tube is better.
Someone else suggested adding orange lipstick, but I was simply advised to use a warm shade darker than my foundation (number-wise, in the MAC system), and it works really well. I think I’m NC15 in foundation and NW20 in concealer, IIRC. I have hardcore genetic dark circles accentuated by allergies, and going by this formula helps me look much more awake! The warmth neutralizes the blue undertone of my eye bags.
I’m loving Stila’s Lip Glaze in Cranberry this summer. Perfect clear red: not too much color, but enough that I don’t feel pasty.
my top five wld be
-opi nail polish in big apple red
-mac tinted lip conditioner in fuchsia fix
-chloe perfume
-rosehip oil
-dr lewinns hand $ nail cream.
5 suitcases? What are you up to? He he…
“Snow Bunny” is such a cute name for a bronzer, I’m sure it looks good on you ;D
& that sunblock sounds so GOOD!!! I’m not sure if I will be able to find them in Turkey. Sad face.
My top four:
1) Cold rosewater! It sits in the refrigerator & I use it twice a day. Yum…
2) Umm, I’m not sure if this counts but anyway: The peel of cucumbers! Again this comes out of the fridge, so refreshing! While I eat my veggie my skin gets pampered.
3) Oh, I also wash my face with Lush’s Coal Face every night. Sometimes I take it in to the shower with me too. I don’t know if that’s OK but it smells delicious, I can’t resist!
4) Olive soap! I use it for washing my hair. It’s homemade, by grandma!
kissy to all the beauties!
I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, so my items are pretty basic. All I have/need are a bunch of quality skincare products (I suffer massive breakouts so this is a must), a tiny bit of foundation and powder and eyelash curlers. If I’m going out I’ll put on a bit of mascara too, but not much. I prefer to be as au natural as possible. :)
There is one product I swear by, though: Bonne Bell Lip Maintenance Lip Balm. I go through probably 10 sticks of it every year; I have been addicted my entire life. It has UV filters and has a neutral taste, perfect for everyday use. And I do use it everyday. I have been using that lip balm for the last ten years and my lips are consistently the best part about my face.
In short, I don’t know what I’d do without it. Is that really sad? :]
I will have to track down some Dry Touch sunscreen – I really need to start using sunscreen. The Olay one doesn’t quite cut it when you have skin as sensitive as mine.
I am addicted to
Clinique Pore Minimiser It’s expensive, but it works and my t-zone looks fabulous
Water My skin gets so dark and dry if I don’t drink a lot of water
Body Shop Strawberry Born Lippy Balm Is glossy enough to use as a colour and protector
Crabtree & Evelyn Summerhill Hand Therapy Is pure luxury for my hands – all c&e stuff is so beautiful.
Mary Kay Mineral Foundation It’s not as natural as I’d like it to be, but I’m slowly moving away from liquid foundation and this stuff gives great coverage, even on my skin which has pigment spots for being pregnant.
1. Estee Lauder “Individualist” Foundation. – I used to get eczema around my eyes, nose and chin, this not only covered it up, it actually seemed to ‘cure’ it! yay! now my skin is lovely, smooth and creamy!(instead of patchy, itchy and pink)
2. The Body Shop Perfume Oil “Fuzzy Peach” -yum!.
3. Napoleon Perdis “Love Bite” Lip Plumper – it really works! and it tastes nice and spicy ;)
4. Maxfactor “Masterpiece Max” Mascara – I panicked last time i ran out (and maybe, possibly spent my grocery money on a new tube, shhh )
5. Strawberry Chapstick – it makes me happy.
wow that bronzer looks nice- im excited! all the bronzers ive trued have either made me incredibly orangey or a strange shade of brown. Lol
Great post! It’s such fun to read everybody’s recommendations!
I can’t limit myself to only five products … I’m writing the product names in bold, so you can skip my talk if you want…
I also have dark circles under my eyes, like some other people here and I’ve used MAC’s Studio Finish Concealer for a while as well. But I also found that it can make the skin under my eyes look a bit papery, especially on a tired day, and you don’t need that … (The girl at the MAC counter recommended to go for rose-toned concealer for dark circles, even though I have yellow undertones, to balance out the blue)
Right now I’m using Givenchy’s Mister Light Instant Light Corrective Pen and am very happy about it. The lady at the beauty counter recommended it to me as a more covering alternative to Touche Éclat. Also, she showed me how to apply it in an effective way: Draw a line from your inner eye corner to your nostril, then, in a triangle shape to your outer eye corner and fill in the triangle with the product right up to your lower lashline. From the outer eye corner draw a line across your temple to your hairline. Work in the product. In my opinion the result is very fresh.
The other products that always work for me are:
Biotherm Blush! Smooth Powder Blush in 020 This gives a very natural colour
Kanebo Transmatte Compact You can use this as a powder or a compact make-up foundation. It really stays on without clogging your pores. I’m using it as a powder and as such it gives a bit of coverage and lasts me a really long time.
Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer SPF 25
Lumene Deep Cleansing Peat Mask
L’Oreal Body Expertise Nutri Soft
24hMoisturizer for Dry Skin This really moisturizes without being sticky and has a nice fresh scentNivea Creme The original in the blue tin container. I grew up with this and I use it on lips, on my neck, hands, feet, ... everywhere that needs a bit of extra moisture. Sometimes I layer it over my facial moisturizer at night and I read that some people use it as a face mask or even to style their hair in spikes …
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant another “allrounder”, cuticles, dry patches, dry lips, lipgloss substitute, give some shine to eyelids … I’ve read somewhere that someone even uses it on their dog when it hurt it’s paws (is this a positive thing? ;-))
Wella System Professional Hypercurl Really keeps any frizz in my naturally curly hair in check without weighing it down and it gives the curls a nice definition. You only need a teeny amount, so it lasts ages.
Some people asked about eyeshadows. My failsafe shadow is Shiseido The Makeup Accentuation Color for Eyes in A3 Shimmershell which gives a beautiful hint of shimmer and it’s nude colour is really flattering on a tired day. Apart from that I also love Dior 5 Couleurs Iridiscent Eyshadow Palettes They are really blendable, the shimmer is beautiful and flattering and the 5 colours go so well with eachother that they’re foolproof to apply. Urban Decay Eyeshadows are also great, in my opinion.
So, that’s my looong list. I really love all those products. I also got some small basic MAC make-up brushes in a limited edition set, recently, and they’re great. Good brushes really make a difference to the result. It’s really worth looking out for those brush sets at MAC, they are always doing them for the holidays, as well. I’d still like to find great tweezers (got to hunt downs these Tweezermans!), sunblock (you’d think they’d sell ALL Neutrogena products in ALL of Skandinavia, but nope …) and a great mascara.
I wholeheartedly concur with your Neutrogena sunblock recommendation (although I’ve been eyeing the other products for a while, sans straightener)! I have one facial moisturizer AND one for the rest of the body, which smells heavenly. Yummy :)
P.S. It’s spelled “Duane Reade” for Duane St. and Reade St.! I didn’t realize that until I was actually walking from Duane to Reade a few weeks ago, though. Very interesting, no?
ooh, some lovely-sounding products in there, i might have to start up a wishlist… especially for the mac concealer. i use the mac liquid concealer at the moment and it’s a real disappointment compared to my usual experiences with mac products. it doesn’t cover very well, and it makes my skin dry. sigh.
my top beauty weapons:
- elizabeth arden eight hour cream. i know everyone and their mother recommends this, but it really is amazing. i slather my face in it before i go to bed and in the morning it’s perfectly smooth. i’ve also started putting a small amount on under my foundation as a primer – it makes my skin look absolutely flawless, and keeps it nice and hydrated throughout the day! double whammy! – ysl touche eclat – unf. so expensive, but so, so worth it! i have terrible dark circles around my eyes no matter what i do, and this gets rid of them in an instant and makes me feel all lovely and dewy-eyed. – miss dior cherie – i’m not sure whether perfume counts as a beauty weapon, but damn do i feel pretty when i’m wearing it. – olive oil and sugar exfoliator – i have really sensitive skin, and a lot of commercial exfoliators just make it go dry and sore. i’ve found that mixing a spoonful of sugar and a spoonful of olive oil and using that instead works absolutely brilliantly – the sugar scrubs out all the ick, the olive oil makes my skin soft, and it’s cheap as anything!
ack, and i forgot to add my ghds! i have a bright pink pair and they are brilliant. my hair is pretty untameable, but these do the job!
also i don’t know what’s happened to my formatting in the other comment…
Hooray! As a non-makeup person, I figured this post wouldn’t have anything for me … but it’s ALL great stuff. I’m a Snow White, too, and would love to look into a natural looking bronzer for pale skinned beauties. And who can LIVE without a Tweezerman?
My only real secret weapon is Kiehl’s SPF 15 lip balm in hue 30G. I can’t do waxy lip balms and this one is petroleum based (like Vasoline), plus the hit of pink is perfect!
I love your list. I have 5 items too (which you can get at the local drugstore…I don’t like paying too much for cosmestics):
1. Burt’s Bees Lip Tint (in a red shade)
2. Almay nourishing mascara
3. Skin-toned eye shadow (it perks up your eyes, and makes me look more awake)
4. Almay Wake-up Call! Concealer
5. Black eyeliner (on the bottom lid of my eyes)
Occasionally I’ll use blush because I’m very pale, or experiment with some lipstick. It’s pretty rare though.
I can totally relate to your utter distress upon the loss of your tweezers, if I don’t pluck my brows at least every other day I feel lost.
My five include…
1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser – It’s absolutely perfect for sensitive skin. My skin is amazingly clear thanks to this super gentle stuff.
2. L’Oreal Full Definition Voluminous Mascara – It builds as well as Diorshow mascara!
3. Aloe vera – It can work as a moisturizer, shave gel, and soothes most irritations.
4. Queen Helene’s Mint Julet Mask – It’s so cheap and sucks all the gunk out of your pores.
5. My beloved tweezers. They tame my brows like no other.
to miss morgan potts, I’d recommend Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion. They say it makes your eyelids “super powered eyeshadow magnets” and it’s true!
Hmm!
Benefits Posey Tint is a lovely light pink flush, even more innocent that Benetint!
MAC Pro Water Based Mixing Medium is an ESSENTIAL for me, it gives a wet look to eyeshadow which increases the vibrancy and doesn’t budge at all! (plus you can mix pigments and glitters with it :D)
Diorshow Blackout— Hands down, best mascara I have ever used.
BPAL’s Snake Oil blend, a dark incensy fragrance with a hint of warm, delicious vanilla. I always get compliments when wearing this!
Mac white eyeliner pencil – I can creat big anime eyes with this :) My boyfriend seems to use it a lot too..
YES. i love love love my chi, and neutrogena ultra sheer is the first sunblock that has worked as well on my body as it did on my face. i’m a huge fan of neutrogena products. another longtime absolute favorite of mine? lancome dual finished pressed powder. yummm…
great list, gala! thanks for posting that. here’s my list:
the fabulous all natural jing jang crème is my holy beauty grail
i can’t live without my clarisonic ultrasound facial brush
mineral make up by andrea biedermann makes my complexion look totally flawless
the duwop reverse lip liner prevents my lipstick from “bleeding” so that it always looks perfect no matter what
1- Maybeline Mineral Powder Foundation – just discovered mineral foundation and it rocks!
2- Dior Skinflash – The best concealer…coming from someone with genetic dark undereyes!
3- Benetint by Benefit – Nice cheeky glow!
4- Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner by John Frieda
5- Johnson’s Holiday Skin for the face – as the name says, holiday skin!
here, here on the tweezermans! cant live without mine!! tip: when traveling, remember to pack in your checked luggage or you will have to throw them out if they are in your carry on!
1. Aqua Marina face cleanser by Lush
2. MAC Moisture Cover up Concealer
3. Benetint
4. Dior Kiss Kiss Gloss
5. 2000 Calories Mascara by Ellen Betrix
Ooo, there are some things here in the comments that I am totally going to try (I’ve been spending all of my money on makeup and beauty products recently)!
My Top 5 Items:
1. Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation in Light with the Full-Coverage Kabuki brush- This is the most perfect foundation for me and the brush is so soft and amazing. I get so many compliments on my skin and it’s thanks to this stuff, plus it’s really light, which is important because I live in Southwest Florida.
2. Mascara – I’m not too picky with my mascara, I like to buy cheap from the drugstore, but I think it really polishes off a bare face, when you are only wearing foundation and a lipbalm of your choice.
3. Nars Blush in Orgasm – I’m surprised no one else has mentioned this. It is amazing because it is a good color on everyone!
4. Make Up For Ever Lipstick – I am new to this lipstick, but it really does last forever, is really bright in pigment, and it is so soft and creamy. I don’t know how I can use anything else again, haha!
5. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Firming Body Souffle – This is expensive, but I put it on all over my body before I go to sleep and then my skin is really smooth and soft the next day even after I shower. Plus, I find it is a closer shave on my legs now.
That neutrogena sunblock is the best. I use it everyday, even in the winter. I put it all over my face, neck, and shoulders. This is so important! I used to work with a woman who looked so young and she was in her mid 40s and smoked. She told me her secret was wearing sunblock everyday and never going in the sun without a hat. After that I started wearing sunblock everyday.
Wow I had no idea tweezerman tweezers were so great, and I love the response on this Snow bunny stuff, ok Sigh….of to Sephora I go!!!!..........Again…...
Oh man! I was just thinking about this today, as it has started to take me more time to do my makeup now that I’m back in school!
I ♥ ...
- L’Occtane Lip Balm Delicious! It looks like a little lipstick tube, + makes my lips feel all soft + kissy
- too faced Lip Venom to be fair, I only got a sample size of this, loved the hell out of it, + then cheaped out + bought the duWop stuff (not as good!) But for the one day I had it, it was lovely! MAde my lips look hyooge!
- Spray in dry shampoo As long as you get a good brand, it doesn’t matter what you use. And it means instant texture, + a little help to get through the day, past long evening rehearsals + into the afterparty!
- Perfume Once again, your choice. I have a dresser full of sample sizes, so I can choose what I wear on a whim, but it always makes me perk along when I’m smelling something yummy
- Galaxy Glam eyeshadow by Too Faced I want all of them!!!!! Seriously seriously check it out, because if you are a sucker for awesome package design, this one will win you over. It looks like a little glaxy sitting on your dresser… aaaah! I just got this the other day, + I cannot tell you how many compliments I have already gotten. Love it!
1. Benefit High Beam. It’s a really subtle, sexy highlighter and I love it. Not too sparkly, just enough to add some light and shimmer to your cheeks. It’s not cheap, but you only need a tiny little bit. I once walked into my bathroom to find my friend – who’d found my high beam and decided it was pretty – with a face as luminous as the moon!
2. Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara. It’s just perfect – no clumps, long eyelashes and it layers up well for night time adventures.
3. Lush Ultralight Face Cream. I’ve been trying to buy non-animal tested products – my mascara choice is my only downfall at the moment – and I turned to Lush for a new face cream. Ultralight is cheap, SPF15 and keeps my face perfectly moisturised.
4. Facial Wipes. I don’t have a fancy skin routine, I just make sure I take my make up off every night. If a drunken/passionate (!) stumble into bed means I don’t bother, my skin and eyes feel disgusting in the morning. Wipes are quick and easy to use with minimal hassle. My favourite wipes are supermarket own brands, especially Sainsburys, as they’re cheap but still do the job nicely and don’t sting my eyes.
5. Soap and Glory, Scrub Your Nose In It. I use this every other day and it makes my skin feel lovely and fresh. It’s light, the grains are small, the packaging is cute and it smells fabulous!
Honourable mentions go to Body Shop Vanilla Body Mist, Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm and Urban Decay’s Deluxe Eyeshadow Box!
Wish I’d seen this before I splurged on some Make Up Forever concealer! Oh well, it works pretty well :P but I love posts like these..creates lots of beauty cravings.
My Top 5…my routine’s pretty basic, but..
1) Shu Umeura eyelash curler – I don’t wear mascara, but this makes my asian lashes visible all day!
2) LUSH Gorgeous moisturizer – super expensive but worth it! I’ve tried to wean my skin off this but it knows better, unfortunately.
3) LUSH Fresh Farmacy – miracle worker as a spot treatment. If I wake up with a huge pimple, I just dab this on, and fifteen minutes it’s gone!
4) Clinique loose blush in Crushed Candy – I got sent a full-size trial size of this and I love it. Apparently lots of runway shows use it backstage and I don’t blame them- a dab = perfect amount of pink + shimmer.
5) LUSH Tea Tree Water – best toner ever. No alcohol, just lots of tea tree oil and juniperberry to balance oil and prevent breakouts. Also great to kill bacteria and freshen up (even under the arms!) when you need it!
Yeahh I worked at LUSH so I’m slightly biased, but the skincare really does work.
1) MAC Studio Fix Fluid (SPF 15) in NC40 – MAC makes tons upon tons of colors of this awesome foundation, so it’s easy to find your range. I swear by this stuff completely; it’s like Photoshop in a bottle!
2)MAC Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in Blitz & Glitz – This small pot of cream consistency eyeliner is absolutely amazing, much much much easier to put on than liquid eyeliner, and stays for days. Oh, and this color is black with little flecks of gold in it. Need I say more? ;>
3) Smashbox O-Glow – I thought this stuff was lipgloss at first, but after reading the directions (clever) I realized it’s actually a gel blush in a convenient little tube! This stuff seriously gives the most amazing and more importantly, natural looking rosy cheeks I’ve probably ever seen. A must have!
4) Clear Mascara – There isn’t a certain brand; I’m not picky about clear, but it’s nifty for taming the eyebrows (I use it every day, makeup or not). Also quite helpful when allergies or a cold attacks: you can use it for emphasis on your eyes without worrying about black, streaky tears everywhere, but still looking fabulous.
5) Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub – All that gorgeous makeup has to come off sometime, right? My mom introduced me to this face wash/scrub: it takes everything off, leaves my face completely clean, very soft, even glowing (!!!), and isn’t harsh at all. Plus it smells nice!
Other essentials: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Lipsmackers Dr. Pepper Lip Balm, and Jergen’s Body Lotion.
Okay, Gala, after reading all that, I should seriously work as an advertiser for these companies. I am an aspiring makeup artist though, so definite plus! :D
1. Napoleon Perdis Pro Palette Concealer in correct and concel is one of my favourites because my skin tone can do strange things, I have naturally rosey cheeks, blush easily and freckles that I hate!
2. Napoleon Perdis China Doll Eyeliner is amazing, I can wear it all day long and it doesn’t ever go anywhere
3. Mac Satin Lipstick in Mac Red is my ultimate red lip stick and I literally do the flicked out eyeliner and red lip thing everyday. Its the most amazing shade, I have very green eyes so I feel like the blue tones compliment this.
Such a good post Gala! I love discussing favorite make-up products with my friends. My list would be as follows…
5) Creed Silver Mountain Water, my signature scent for the past two years and the only fragrance I will ever wear!
4) No 7 Translucent Loose Powder, I have tried many setting powders and this is my favorite and great value for money. (Available in Boots in the UK).
3) Tweezerman Slant Tweezers, like you I had the Lilac pair, until my friend dropped them on their tip! But I couldn’t live without them and replaced them with a Bright Pink pair swiftly. A God send.
2) YSL Touche Eclat, I wear this alone under the No 7 Loose Powder, with a dusting of bronzer. Flawless skin, needs no explanation.
1) Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara, I spent years splurging on Lancome and YSL mascaras and then discovered this. Just as good as all high end mascaras, if not better, as it doesn’t dry out as quickly and I get asked at least once a day if I’m wearing fake eyelashes! Leaves your lashes clump free, long, volumous, fluttery, everything!
The CHI is great, but I prefer the GHD. I travel a lot and the CHI dies if you use it with a converter.
The five beauty products I can’t live without:
- Benefit Posietint. It creates the most gorgeous flushed cheeks and pinky lips. I look like a six-year-old, or a porcelain doll. It was love at first sight, I tell you.
- Cover Girl Lash Exact eyeliner. I have it in black and a metallic gray shade. It goes on like a marker and creates a beautiful thin line that is subtle enough for day wear. It makes me look so chic and put-together.
- Cetaphil Moisturizer. It’s gentle, it’s scent-free, it doesn’t make me break out, and it keep me hydrated all day. Perfection!
- Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express mascara. It’s the best Maybelline mascara I’ve ever used. It clumps a little, which makes me sad, but the impact on my lashes makes up for it.
- Burt’s Bees Lip Balm. I am lip balm obsessed, and this is the best one, ever. It keeps my lips hydrated and smooth, not greasy or gross.
I will definitely be looking into that bronzer palette, and I’ve already tried the sunscreen. It does an excellent job!
Excellent recs, thanks. I’ve been debating bronzers (I have ridiculously pale Irish skin and my cheeks go ruddy in bizarre patterns) and looking for a concealer to replace my Clinique, which doesn’t seem to work for morning’s after sleepless nights. I’ll try both of your touted products!
That said, any recommendations for under eye circles? The possibilities seem endless and yet I’ve never been happy with the items I have tried…
Haha, I just went and bought myself a pair of pink Tweezerman tweezers on Ebay, they sound that fabulous.
Celestial moisturiser from Lush smells absolutely divine and makes my skin super-soft and smelling like vanilla cupcakes.
Another one of my favourites things is the Hard Candy eyeshadow palette – 9 pretty colours to choose from, I love it!
I have just bought exactley the same tweezers today.Im excited to use them which is a bit sad haha
I feel so dope for having three out of five of these items! I work at Sephora and all of my pale-skinned clients run for the hills when I mention the Snow Bunny Bronzer. But once I assure them that I wear it nearly every day (and I’m practically see-thru), they can’t get enough of it. It really is THE bronzer for fair skin.
P.S. My flat iron looks exactly like that, but it’s a GHD, and it’s actually better for your hair than CHIs. It automatically changes temperature as you pull it down strands of your hair, so as to not cause any damage. It’s also great for curling / waves.