I have written regularly about beauty products on this blog. International beauty products, classic beauty products, my favourite brands. I have products and brands that I always turn to when I need something and have nothing new I want to try. Tried and trusted favourites.
But there are certain products that I use all the time. I never switch to anything else, and if they start to run out, I panic buy in bulk so that I never need to be without. There are times I think I should use up some of the other things that have ended up in my beauty cupboard, but after a day I am back to my ‘must have’ item again.
This two-phase eye makeup remover from Yves Rocher knocks the spots of the much pricier Lancôme Bi-Facil. It does not irritate and quickly dissolves even the most stubborn mascara.
Usually on 50% off or 2 for 1 at Yves Rocher in-store or online, so I bulk buy twice a year. If they ever discontinue this or change to a ‘new improved formula’ (which is usually not) I will be devastated.
Sebastian Potion 9 wearable treatment is like 8 hour cream for hair. It has the same colour, a similar smell and texture, and comparable versatility. It is also a one of a kind, unique product. I have never found anything remotely like it on the market. It works both as a leave -in conditioner and as a styling product. For curly hair it is absolutely brilliant. I have used it for about 14 years and I love it. For finer hair there is a lighter version, but for curly hair that needs moisturising and to be tamed this is the biz! You can buy it in 50ml, 150ml, and 500ml. I buy the 500ml and it lasts me about 8 months. My hair is thick, curly and down to my waist and I use it every day. The only other products I use are shampoo and conditioner so it replaces all leave-in and styling products for me. I always tell myself that when my bottle is finished I am going to move onto all the other products I want to try and have waiting to be used, but I never ever do. I panic buy another bottle when the first one is three-quarters finished. I usually buy this locally as they have special offers on the big sizes and 500ml costs about €25.
Philip Kingsley Moisture Extreme shampoo and conditioner are fantastic for porous, frizzy and/or Afro Caribbean hair.
It is not too heavy and it makes your hair really easy to comb through. I buy it in the 1000ml bottles. I only wash my hair once or twice a week but I condition it every day. I have waist length thick curly hair, which is porous so I use a LOT of conditioner. I shop at Lookfantastic and HQHair because their prices are cheaper and they always have 3 for 2, gifts with purchase and 20% offers which means if you time your shopping you can pay less than you would for a common or garden Boots/drugstore type equivalent. for very good prices and they are always economical. I have not used anything else for about a year now.
Astalift Night Cream and Jelly Aquarysta are the only moisturisers I use on my skin. The only time I don’t use them is when it is really hot and muggy in summer. I then change to Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion or Cream. But for the rest of the time this is the only thing I use. I use the cleansing foam, the Jelly Aquarysta, the night cream, and the cloth masks. I get them from Lookfantastic or eBay, depending on who has the better prices, and I tend to buy in bulk because the eBay seller I like has two for one and special offers on multiples. If they ever stop making this I am going to be so devastated, because I have never found any remotely similar product anywhere.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for Even Sensitive Skin, 400ml is great to use instead of a toner. You can also use it as an eye makeup remover and as a primary cleanser but I like to use it after cleansing to get the last bit of cleanser I may have missed. It also leaves you feeling clean and fresh, has no perfume and is very gentle. I like Garnier because I can easily buy it at the supermarket, it is cheap, and the bottle is huge.
