I basically overhauled most of my skincare regimen at the start of 2021 — one of my new year’s goals was to take better care of my skin — and so I have been testing and reporting back on tons of new products over the past nine months. However, there are a few hero items I have used for years and years and years that I will never abandon in favor of the new new, and I think the longevity of my commitment to them speaks volumes. These are products that have stood the test of time, whose quality and effectiveness are consistent and impressive. I have used many of these for over a decade — some since my teen years!
They are, in random order:
TATA HARPER’S REGENERATING CLEANSER
GUERLAIN BRONZER (I WEAR SHADE 03)
LAURA MERCIER EYE BASICS IN LINEN — I OFTEN WEAR THIS IN LIEU OF EYE SHADOW; EVENS OUT AND BRIGHTENS EYELID, AND I LOVE THE LINEN COLOR!
CLE DE PEAU CONCEALER (I WEAR IVORY)
PANTENE PRO-V (IT’S THIS OR ORIBE — NOTHING ELSE…I’VE BEEN TESTING THE OLAPLEX AFTER SO MANY GREAT REVIEWS AND I PERSONALLY THINK PANTENE IS STILL BETTER)*
FRESH BODY LOTION IN HESPERIDES OR LIFE SCENTS
ORIGINS ROSE CLAY MASK — LOVE HOW THIS FEELS WHEN IT HARDENS ON YOUR SKIN AND THEN YOU WIPE OFF WITH WARM WATER AND YOUR SKIN IS SO SOFT!
ELIZABETH ARDEN 8 HOUR CREAM — HEALS/MOISTURIZES ANYTHING
NARCISCO RODRIGUEZ HER PERFUME — I KEEP RETURNING TO THIS PERFUME; MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE
OPI BIG APPLE RED — LOVE A BRIGHT RED MANICURE
BOBBI BROWN EXTRA LIP TINT IN BARE PINK
HOT TOOLS CURLING IRONS — I’VE HAD SOME OF MINE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL
GOODY HAIR TIES — NOTHING FANCY, BUT I’M NEVER WITHOUT A FISTFUL OF THESE IN ALL MY BAGS/DRAWERS
What are your ride-or-die beauty products you’ll never abandon?
*I wrote about this hi-lo dichotomy on hair care in this post. So interesting to read about where other women splurge/save, too. Also: hats off to the reader who mentioned you can often score Oribe on sale at TJ Maxx!
**Will eventually share full reviews of all my latest beauty discoveries (it’s been a minute since my last installment), but I do have to put out a little plug for this $10 brush now, which I bought for mini. She has a children’s Mason Pearson brush upstairs and one of these downstairs, as I often do her hair while she’s finishing up breakfast. I honestly think it’s slightly better for detangling than the MP for a little one. It grabs fine hair really nicely and works through snarls and snags (ahem, yogurt/syrup in hair) wonderfully. I have been wanting to try Yves Durif’s expensive detangling brush (currently sold out) but may honestly just buy a second one of these for myself for post-shower!
P.S. On my beauty lust list at the moment.
P.P.S. This section of my blog has a complete list of all my favorite beauty finds at the moment, including more recent discoveries than the items above.
P.P.P.S. Ice cream moments.
I realized I never shared my absolute favorite mascara. Wet N Wild makes their Mega Length mascara available for only $3 at Target. It is truly the best, plus it is cruelty free. Since it is such an affordable option, I open a new tube each month and find having fresh mascara more effective than trying to make a more expensive product last for a longer time.
Oo, thank you for sharing this!! xx
A few of my ride-or-dies: Glossier Milky Jelly cleanser (I love how soft my skin feels afterwards, and the scent is pleasant), Invisibobbles hair ties (I buy the ones for children — clear with a hint of sparkle), and DS & Durga ‘Coriander’ perfume (my favorite scent!)
I also recently bought Olaplex No. 8 (a hair mask for moisture) and am excited to test it. Oh! I also recently learned of Onespring’s retinol moisturizer (thanks to Nell Diamond — haha, the woman will lead me to buy nearly anything, apparently!) and have been LOVING IT. It’s super affordable, too!
xx
Oo intrigued by the moisturizer in particular! Thank you!
I love learning about everyone’s favorite products!
I’ve been using Differin since high school and don’t see myself giving that up anytime soon. I’m also a dedicated Cetaphil user for both the face wash and the baby wash/shampoo as my body wash.
While I tried the CDP concealer, it didn’t live up to the hype for me. I prefer colorescience total eye (https://www.colorescience.com/collections/best-sellers/products/total-eye-3-in-1-renewal-therapy-spf-35). They’re doing 30% off orders over $100 until midnight- great time to stock up!
I always keep Burts Bees tinted chapstick in Red Dahlia easily accessible.
I bought this clip almost a decade ago and it is always clipped to either my hair or my current purse/bag. It holds everything securely, looks pretty and more polished than a ponytail does. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ficcare-ficcarissimo-hair-clip/4046196?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=700
My fingernails are almost always OPI Mod About You 🙂
I also make sure I always have Olaplex #3 in stock and use it 1x weekly.
OO thank you for sharing all of these, especially the clip! Love that! And I love that nail color, too! Reminds me of a similar mauvey pink color my grandmother used to wear all the time!
xx