Please ignore my movie geek post title. I just couldn't help it! Apologies for being away from blogging for so long. We've had a series of storms and power was becoming a luxury!
As I was reorganizing my makeup area my spouse walked in and asked me a question.
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| I couldn't help doing this either... |
"What would you do if you could only have one of each?"
That got me thinking. What WOULD I do if I could only have one of each product category? I thought about it and decided it would make a great blog post. Something like Ashleigh's Top Two Tuesdays, but different and from me.
Part 1 will cover skincare and foundation, while Part 2 will cover eyes, lips, and cheeks.
Without further delay, Part 1...
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish | $21.50
I have tried so many cleansers in the past two years I couldn't even tell you half of the products I tried. There are a few ingredients in this cleanser I don't care for, but so far nothing can hold a candle to how well this cleanser works for me. It's gentle enough to not over strip my skin of moisture, yet it removes any makeup my makeup remover missed. I love the pure muslin cloths that are used with this cleanser so much that when experimenting with other cleansers I continued to use them.
It's been a year since Birchbox introduced me to this cleanser, and no matter what products I try I end up coming back to this one. I think it's time for me to accept something we've all heard before. If it's not broken, don't fix it!
Toner:
Korres Pomegranate Toner | $22
My sensitive skin is all over the map. I can go from extremely dry to oil factory or anywhere in between in the time span of a week! It makes skin care products difficult to find, so when a Sephora associate suggested this toner I thought it would be just another wasted product. WRONG! This toner not only helps keep the excess shine down, but over time it has reduced the size of my pores. I have experimented with application methods. This toner works beautifully at room temperature, cold, on a cotton ball/pad, and in a spray bottle.
Moisturizer:
Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream-Gel Moisturizer | $34
I know what you are all thinking, even you Ashleigh ; )
But Amanda! What about Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré!? While
Embryolisse is far more cost friendly I found it too heavy for my skin. I will still use it on extremely dry days, but when it comes to an every day moisturizer this one is it. It applies like a dream and doesn't feel heavy or non-existent. It comes from the same product line as my toner and together they have made a huge improvement to my skin. My skin is now starting to glow with or without my makeup instead of being an oil slick or patchy and dry.
Primer:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer | $52
Primer is one of the most important tools in my beauty toolbox. Why? Primers prep your face to create a blank canvas, help keep makeup in place, and shield your skin from things like free radicals. This primer not only does those three things, but it also reduces redness, controls oil, and has SPF 15. This primer gets even better when you take into account the silky application, weightlessness, and the fact it works with any product you put over it. This product is expensive, but you get what you pay for and a little goes a long way.
Tinted Moisturizer/Alphabet Cream:
Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint in Warm Ivory | $55
Hyaluronic Skin Tint
Hyaluronic Skin Tint
Hyaluronic Skin Tint
I have used this product for some time now, so when Hourglass changed the name and packaging a month or so ago I said some very choice words. Now that I've had a chance to work with the new shades and packaging I'm THRILLED! Hourglass has stated that it's the same formula as the original Illusion Tinted Moisturizer, but from reviews I've read and my own experience it does feel different. To me, the new version has better coverage and slightly less light reflective pigments. When I wear this it feels like I'm wearing nothing. Something about it even makes the feeling of all the products over it (powder, bronzer, etc.) vanish as well. This is the ultimate confidence boosting product for me because I don't feel like I'm hiding behind a mask of products, even on the days that I am.
Foundation:
Hourglass Immaculate Foundation | $55
Normally I don't wear foundation as my holy grail product above has good coverage, but when I do this is the one. It has great coverage while continuing to look natural, doesn't feel heavy on the skin, controls excess oil, and is long wearing. That being said, this is a foundation for oily and the oily side of combination skin. If you are more combination/normal, normal, or dry this product will dry you out because it's made to work with sebum. Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup | $60 has the same great performance of this product without the matte effects and also has anti-aging properties.
I did not include a shade as I am working on transitioning from my current shade that Color IQ gave me. Golden has pink undertones in it and I need yellow undertones in my base products.
Remember, Color IQ is a great tool to use. Don't expect it to be the be all, end all of shade selection though.
Concealer:
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard | $29
This concealer does everything I want it to. It covers everything from dark eye circles and blemishes, to dark spots and dry patches. It blends in flawlessly with my base and does not cake up, regardless of if I set it with powder or not. I don't know what more I could ask for from a concealer, I really don't. This product has been a life saver on bad skin days.
Setting Powder:
COVER FX Matte Setting Powder in Light | $32
My combination skin has led me to try and use a very large number of setting powders and sprays. This powder not only has amazing ingredients, but it keeps my shine down and locks my makeup in place! Even on my really oily days I get a matte enough finish that I can use highlighting products to glow instead of looking like I stuck my face in wet glitter. Thanks for this product discovery go out to Jess who understood my setting powder search as she had gone through it herself.
That's it for Part 1. Keep your eyes out for Part 2 and the start of Blog Wars!
~Amanda
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