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. I have been using this for decades.
Usually on 50% off or 2 for 1, I bulk buy twice a year. If they ever discontinue this or change to a ‘new improved formula’ (which is usually not better at all) 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 constantly since about 2003 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 long, and I use this every time I wash my hair. 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. If they ever stop making it I will buy every single bottle I can find. This is the one hair product I have been using constantly since the day I discovered it. I cannot express how much I love it.
Astalift Night Cream and Jelly Aquarysta the only moisturisers I use on my skin in winter. 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. 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 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, 750 ml 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 is not highly perfumed and is very gentle. I like Garnier because I can easily buy it at the supermarket, it is cheap, and the bottle is huge (750ml)
Love the idea of trying a couple of these, especially being the BiFacil devotee that I am. The problem seems to be, and I noticed this when I purchased from Yves Rocher before, is that the Europeans fragrance their skincare, sometimes quite heavily. I love trying out new products, and I have found some of those “Of they discontinue this I’ll jump off a roof” products in the process.
I agree! Many of my favourites have been discovered accidentally. I think the one I would miss the most is the Sebastian Potion 9, because there is nothing else like it on the market. My hair likes just this one product, nothing else.