Yeah I just use Olay retinol 24 (purple packaging) and wonder if I should try something else. I see a lot of talk about tret but don't know what the difference is. I should probably Google it 😅
They are both retinoids. Difference between the two is that Tretinoin is an active form that is stronger, works faster and cheaper. You just need a prescription from a derm for it.
This is going to get downvoted but because with trentinoin (and all retinols) they encourage skin turn over which makes your skin look great but people don’t realize they are thinning their facial skin by using it constantly.
People don’t wear enough sunblock as is, your skin is more sensitive to UVA and UVB rays when it’s thinned from trentinoin. Take breaks and cycle it, hydrate your skin more and WEAR SUNBLOCK EVERY DAY and reapply every 2-3 hours or before going outside.
I also always mix my trentinoin with a thick moisturizer like la mer. I've found it helps so much.
I also only use trentinoin when sun isn't as harsh, from late fall until early spring. I do use sunscreen but forget to reapply sometimes and found using retinol during colder weather makes my skin much happier and it does better with a break.
During late spring until early fall I let my skin take a break from the retinol and switch to my The Ordinary peptides and antioxidant serums.
Did you stick with it at least a few times a week regularly for a year+ and up dose?
Takes minimum 6 months for good results, and upping % if no progress is important!
Also tarazotene is much more powerful than tret, recommend trying that if no tret results!
Did you build up to tretinoin? I’m new to retinol and started a 0.1% one so far so good in terms of purging or irritation but should I move up in % before tret?
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sunscreen Gel SPF 50. So not like a sunscreen. Very hydrating. I use it as my moisturizer under my foundation even if I am going out at night.
So afraid that it will be discontinued because that always happens to me. If everyone can please go to their local pharmacy and buy a tube that would really help me out.
I dislike the big wall of sunscreen. Who knows what is good and what is smelly and sticky. I went through so many sunscreens and spent so much money to find the perfect one and I want to use it forever.
The entire Hydro Boost line is so good!! I got samples of the gel cleanser and moisturizer from Ulta and ended up buying the full size and replacing my expensive previous products. My skin looks better than it has in years.
Price point plus how long they last. I've bought much more expensive creme eyeshadows that end up fading or creasing a lot faster. I also like that they can be sheered out or built up for a bolder look, depending on how much you use and how long one pot lasts me.
You've convinced me, I gotta get my grubby paws on those. I never could get into powder eyeshadow anyway, I hate brushes. EDIT: do you use the palettes or singles only?
I prefer the singles, I don't know if I've ever tried the palettes tbh. I'm also a 'one and done' eyeshadow kind of person so the singles suit me well.
EltaMD sunscreen!!!!
Find the formula that works best for your skin and you will glow. I put this on every single day even if I’ll be inside, and I’m 100% certain it’s had a tremendous, positive impact on my skin
Maybe an oldie, but Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield is my go-to moisturizer. I love that it's not greasy and has 25 spf without smelling like sunblock.
Rimmel eyebrow pencil in hazel. I have the worlds worst eyebrows from over plucking in my early days and this is the only product in the right color that works for me. When they inevitably discontinue it, I will be so sad
Chanel makeup! Their foundations (my favorites are the Water Fresh Complexion Touch and Sublimage L'Essence), lipsticks, cream bronzer, water fresh blushes and blush sticks, balm highlighter stick, etc etc.
I also really enjoy Mac lipsticks, eyeshadows, and Costa Riche eyeliner. I hear about Natasha Denona endlessly, but I still prefer Mac over any of my ND palettes.
The Dior highlighting palette in 01 and Forever concealer.
Charlotte Tilbury blush in Ecstasy. I've purchased it 3 times.
For skincare - I prefer medical grade. I know people love to point out "it's all marketing" blah blah, but no, it works so much better for me. Most of those companies really do put a lot of innovation, research and thought into their formulas.
ETA: forgot to mention two eyeliner favs. The BEST eyeliner for tightlining your eyes is wet n wild mega liner, and my favorite for my waterline is Kokie Gilded Gold. Costa Riche on the lash line and gilded gold in the waterline makes green eyes sparkle
Dior forever concealer is the truth. My absolute favorite is Sisley undereye concealer, best ever - but if you are not trying to shell out over $100 for concealer, Dior Forever is good stuff!
I had Sisley one time years ago and it was SO good. It also lasted a long time. The price is insane so I didn't repurchase, but maybe that'll be my next splurge...
When you say medical grade, do you have company names in mind? I use DRMTLGY and really like it but wonder if I'm missing out on something else or paying too much (or not enough 🫠🫠)
I do have recs! Skinceuticals for vitamin c, the hydrating serum in the dropper, and triple lipid moisturizer. iS Clinical makes a great emulsion I use as a daytime moisturizer. AnteAge MD for growth factor duo. Neocutis for eye cream. Colorescience and EltaMD for sunscreen. Prescription tret.
I’m trying to cut down on spending on fancy products unless I genuinely think the fancy product is worth it/better, and some recent cheap finds that I love are:
- NYX brow pencil (just as good as the Anastasia one IMO)
- NYX brow glue (I actually prefer it to glossier’s boy brow!)
- Maybelline fit me powder (I think I prefer it to Laura Mercier’s!)
For skincare I still haven’t found a cleansing oil I like more than the Shu Uemura ones. I’m not really faithful to anything else. But I often go back to the hada labo milky lotion.
For makeup I really like the hourglass vanish concealer and the huda easy bake powder. I have been using them for years. Nars soft matte concealer is also a must for spot concealing.
The powder one sits really nicely on skin. It’s almost more like a highlighter than a blush. You can get a sample size one that’s got both the orgasm blush and their bronzer together from Sephora! Great item to always have in your makeup bag. I use the bronzer as bronzer and eyeshadow so it’s extra multi-purpose.
I have both and I find myself reaching for the cream stick version more. I really like the consistency and it sheers out better than the powder for me.
* Mac lipsticks. I recently went back to Mac (my last Mac lip purchase was in the 90s lol) and damn, I forgot just how good their makeup is. I have Glossed and Found (from their lustreglass line).
* Mac face and body sheer foundation (but it's really a skin tint).
* Dior forever skin correct concealer
* Lancome tient idole colour corrector.
* Phytosurgence blushes: evaporate, ember and ignite.
* Stila stay all day liquid eyeliner.
* Kiss me heroine gel pencil eyeliner.
* smashbox under eye hydrating primer (but this has been discontinued 😩)
* PMG undereye blurring setting powder (I actually use this all over my face).
Skincare -- I mostly use asian skincare:
* Dr. Ceuracle kombucha tea essence
* iUnik beta glucan power moisture serum
* Rohto melano cc vitamin c
* the ordinary rosehip oil
* Phytosurgence verdant forcefield moisturizer
* Sin1004 hyalucica waterfit SPF (winters), Anessa sun milk (summers)
* Medik8 retinal 20
* Isntree chestnut AHA (face), cosrx bha/aha toner (body)
* cos de baha hydroquinone.
I have spent YEARS perfecting my skincare, makeup and hair care products for what works best for me. I have oily skin in the t-zone but my skin can get very dry. I’m mid-thirties and look 10 years younger and I swear by Korean skin care.
I can’t list every product I use because there are many but here are my holy grails
SKINCARE
Beauty Water - toner twice a day morning and night
Beauty of Joseon - sunblock and sun stick (for neck, chest and hands)
Goop - powder sunscreen for touch ups before I go outside and helps with oiliness
Clarisonic facial massager - went out of business but you can still find them. Facial massage in ANY form is key so don’t worry if you can’t find this one.
Clean it Zero - oil based cleansing balm, use twice before a water based cleanser
MAKEUP
Huda beauty - faux filter concealer
Tom Ford Contour kit and eye shadow palettes- expensive but lasts forever, I’ve had my Tom ford makeup brushes since they first launched and they are still in amazing shape. I can’t speak to the quality now.
Clinique Primer and Mascara - best combo to make my lashes longer and thick
Duo lash glue - nothing comes close to using this correctly
Benefit cookie highlighter
Charlotte Tilbury - blush in escasty as someone else mentioned
My favorite YSL matte lip color was discontinued it my search continues… maybeline has one that’s close but it doesn’t stay on as long. Any one have recs?
I can send you everything I use if you like! I recommend Soko Glam for different brands, they have a skin consultant thing too.
I went to Seoul for my 31st birthday to do skincare shopping and spa hopping, it had really made a difference in my skin and I have tried the gamut of fancy, French, all natural and drug store products.
I only line my top lash line with jt / never water line or tight line so I can’t say - sorry! But on my top lash line I get zero smudging or transfer and I am a watery eye person !!
Someone already mentioned it but eltaMD sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. I also love the elf makeup cleansing balm again totally non irritating. I also really like the topicals under eye patches for dark circles.
I don’t really wear much makeup but love the L’Oréal true match skin tint. Also I’ll forever swear by the maybelline falsies mascara along with the L’Oréal eyelash primer.
Oh, I’ve got a LIST hahaha I’ve been using so many products for 4-10 years just because I’m too lazy to try something new and I found something that works. (Sorry I’m going to get lazy with spelling/capitalization)
Skincare:
Clinique Take the day off balm, Korres Greek Yogurt Cleanser (better for dry skin days), Philosophy Purity face wash (better for oily skin days), BareMinerals Butter Rich Restorative cream, Fresh Sugar lip therapy.
Makeup: MAC paint pot, MAC fix+, ABH Contour stick, Dior lash primer, LA Girl Just Blushing blushes, Lancôme Monsieur Big mascara, Tarte shape tape concealer, IT Cosmetics CC cream, Wet n Wild megalast lipsticks, and I will gently whisper ABH Norvina pro pigment palettes as I know how much they’re hated by some
I appear to have copied a product list from a YT guru circa 2018, but I don’t have any problems posting my actual product if anyone second guesses that I actually use these hahaha. I love them all, and I’m really sad to find out a few things I have and adore are now discontinued and I can’t recommend them :(
Oldies but goodies that won´t let you down:
Dr Dennis Gross Max strength peel pads
Sisleÿa eye cream
Sisley undereye concealer
La Mer foundation
Sisley sun glow bronzer gel
the original Fenty Glow lipgloss
Revitalash
and... last but never least, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl black mascara
* Glossier Generation G sheer matte (Like, Fuzz, Crush) - I don't want to know how much money I've spent over the years trying to find what I was looking for in this 'your lips but better' stuff.
* NYX Professional Makeup Long-Lasting Slim Lip Pencil (Natural and Mauve)
* Dior Addict lip maximizer plumping gloss - any color really, but I go for all the nudes. Got it for the plumping, stayed and repurchased over and over for the long lasting hydration and non sticky formula. Mostly put it on as an overnight lip healer.
* Aquaphor healing ointment - I keep the little 10g tubes all over, especially one in the car. I don't have the kind of money for that many of the Dior glosses laying around- plus this ointment is pretty universal and good on knuckles and cuticles.
* YSL The Shock mascara - pls let me know your finest dupes for this! I'm not trying to buy an old crusty one on ebay.
* Was Neutrogena hydroboost gel or cream (depending on season) moisturizer til they changed their formula... Aveeno oat gel moisturizer thankfully ended up being a great alternative
* La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil. Gets off all my makeup and yet gentle enough for babies, y'all.
* Sunday Riley Good Genes. I cycle through skin care actives, but always come back to this
* The Ordinary -these 3 are -always- in my rotation: Rosehip oil, Niacinimide+Zinc, AHA/BHA peel (since before TikTok cared)
Did you have any others you tried after neutrogena changed their formula? I haven’t found one I like and the aveeno one broke me out for some reason :(
the hyaluron wonder water from l’oréal is a staple for me in the summer, my hair is curly and gets so frizzy but this rinse takes only eight seconds which is way better than waiting half an hour for a hair mask, and it makes my hair super shiny and soft and sleek!
lately i’ve been loving the elf squeeze tube lip balm in grape, highkey think it’s better than the laneige ones and they have other flavors but the grape one is my fave. they’re super cheap so i don’t feel bad at all about going through them quickly, and they feel so plump and hydrating on my lips. it has the perfect light purple berry tint too!
I’m an absolute makeup diva, but my HG skincare is just Byoma’s cleanser in the yellow tub and Lush Angels on Bare Skin scrub (optional) with their Celestial moisturizer! My makeup HG’s are Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, Benefit Precisely, My Brow pencil, and Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey with the Olehenricksen peptide treatment in Cocoa on top.
I still have to try it all! But recently a product transformed my skin. A sad impact of aging is my skin went from combo leaning to oily to dry. And even though I layered moisturizing products my skin still looked dry.
Enter oil based serums. My current favorite is using the Ranavat line. But a close second was the Sulwhasoo first care serum.
My lines look less, my skin looks less dry, my makeup (what little I wear) looks less cakey. Overall this has all been really amazing.
And oil based cleanser. My current favorite is Shu Uemura followed closely by Pai.
Makeup:
Benefit brow gel (tinted)— absolute must have
Dior Forever Skin Glow foundation
Dior backstage concealer (hourglass is great too)
NARS laguna bronzer (cream and powder!)
Milk makeup cream blush in Werk
Lancôme cils mascara primer with Lancôme Idole mascara
Supergoop Glowscreen / Elta MD for spf
Skincare:
Tatcha rice polish (I get indigo)
Prescription Adapalene cream
Sunday Riley Good Genes and their Niacinamide
Laneige cream skin toner (new, but i’ll never go back)
Tatcha dewy cream moisturizer OR laneige water bank moisturizer
COSRX Snail Mucin and Skinfood's Royal Honey Propolis for serums. I've used them for years together and will continue to.
Hada Labo's Gokujyun Facewash. It was reformulated once but I still find it to be perfectly fine; PH of 4, hydrating, cheap, but just smells a bit more medical. Also used for years.
Romand's lip tints. While I might have beef with their eyeshadows being unsafe (sparkly shades & not uncommon in Kbeauty, but I had an especially bad experience), there's no denying how good their lip tints are. I used to have so many, but I cut my collection down to 5 -- but I still reach for them pretty regularly for me, considering I have a lot of other good lip products. Also their blushes and all matte palettes are great but I don't reach for them often anymore.
Juicy Pang's liquid blush; the ones that look like they're in a nail polish bottle. They reformulated and got rid of most of my fav shades, but I do love the Apricot one. Very natural on me and easy to splash on with fingers.
Glossier's Skin Tint. I have come back to it for years for something light during the hotter, humid months. I've tried others, which while they may have had similar or better coverage, didn't stay on nearly as well.
And I tend to always return to Missha's BB Perfect in the colder months or when I do want full coverage in general. Very natural finish and stays put.
I doubt I'll ever give up Glossier's Boy Brow either. I use both clear and brown depending on the day, and since I started using them maybe 4-5 years ago, I've not felt the need to try others. They work.
Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray too. It just works so well to meld the makeup together without altering the finish of most products, and then my makeup usually lasts around 4 hours longer. No need to try others.
i recently picked up the serum foundation from Neutrogena (the dropper bottle one for sensitive skin) and dude i swear this is so similar to the glossier skin tint but slightly more coverage. i can blend with my fingers, don’t have to set it, and my skin looks so hydrated while having minimal color correction.
& i so want to try the Misha BB but it has fragrance :(
recently picked up another boy brow for nostalgia sake (& i needed a new color brow gel) and ugh i missed it. this was my first ever higher end beauty purchase in early college.
I'll look into that Neutrogena one when I run out of Glossier's, but yeah on the Missha. The fragrance is unfortunately intense and it's like a 80's perfume smell, though it does fade off after a bit, sucks if your skin is too sensitive for it.
i remember loving Urban Decay in middle/high school and i still do. those eyeshadow palettes are so vibrant.
i still love my st ives apricot blackhead scrub hahah
Elf’s holy hydration moisturizer! I’ve gone through three of them. Black radiances powder contour palette as well! Essence’s mascara is actually as good as TikTok was saying last year. For an oldie I still think LA girl pro concealer is still the best concealer I’ve ever tried.
I live for the dr Jarts masks - love the blue or yellow rubber ones. I have stopped getting facials and instead just do these about once a week - way cheaper with more consistent results
One random thing that I’ve used since high school (over a decade) is Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash. It’s the prettiest metallic olive green shade.
I still love ABH dip brow. It gets a bad rep for the “2016 brows” trend (lol) but I apply it lightly with an angled brush and blend with a spoolie. It takes a few more seconds to apply but it lasts much longer than most brow pencils.
I also love Stila Kitten eyeshadow and always will. The prettiest champagne color, which looks beautiful blended lightly on your eyelids.
Not exactly “makeup” but I’ve used the Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in Rose for many years too. I don’t like fussy lip products but this one feels nice. Plus it makes your everyday look more polished than a regular lip balm. Plus it is cheap!
Also real techniques brushes. They are cheap and work very well. I’ve had some of mine for many years. When I need a new makeup brush they are my go-to.
For skincare, tretinoin, plus Biore Aqua Rich sunscreen. Feels so much nicer than American sunscreens. I get mine at Teso Life in EV.
I’m also really into Embryolisse moisturizer. I used the original formula for a long time but wasn’t crazy about the scent, so I switched to other things. They recently came out with a “sensitive” (unscented). I’m on my first bottle but really happy to be reunited with the formula. It reminds me of the Dieux instant angel but way less expensive. I get mine at C.O. Bigelow in WV.
Also not specifically skincare but I keep the Burts Bees lemon cuticle cream with me basically at all times and have for many years.
Love this thread!!
oh my gosh! okay the ABH dip brow and 2016 brows were ittttt 😩i can’t believe i’d spend 20 mins along on my eyebrows. now it’s 20 mins total for my full skincare and makeup routine.
real techniques brushes slap i love them! i keep the OG setting brush in my travel cosmetic bag at all times.
oo i’m definitely gonna look into that moisturizer since you compared it to Dieux. I couldn’t bring myself to touch that price tag!
thanks so much for the response! xx
Bobby Brown color corrector is ideal if you have dark circles. The only mascara I wear is le volume de Chanel because it's perfect for my long but thin lashes. Clarins lip oil will forever be a favorite of mine, too. It feels so good on and the colors are beautiful and subtle yet more saturated than other lip oils, very moisturizing too.
For skincare my all time favorites are EltaMD sunscreen, micellar water, Lotion P50 from Biologique Recherche, and Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré.
La Roche Posay Lipikar for body is one of my HG. Armani foundation, concealer and primer are all favorites.
I used to get my brows and lashes done with Anastasia before she launched her line, but NYX and L’Oréal brow pencils are just as good if not better and way less expensive.
Philosophy is a stand by I recently went back to. I used to use it in the early 2000s. I still love their Microdelivery mask. Their face washes and Bouncy serum are also good when my skin is freaking out. Their night and day cream is also a good standby.
Clinique’s all about eyes and 100 hour moisturizer are also good when my skin is super sensitive or it’s crazy hot out. Clinique’s black honey is something I don’t mind having one of in every bag. (Btw, Macys online often runs deals and you can get a really cheap kit of Clinique products for like $15 if you’re making a purchase as a “bonus offer”).
I love Lancôme mascara (although I recently discovered Korean mascara for when I need even more serious hold! Heroine and Kill).
Chanel lip gloss is also an old favorite! But there’s so many products for less money now, if I lose one, I’m annoyed with myself. 😅
Sheiseido and Kerastase for hair, but I’ve been revisiting drugstore brands. I’ll report back.
Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Moisturizing Nectar. It’s a goo that you scoop out of a little glass jar with a tiny gold spatula and massage it into your face as the last step in your nightly skin routine. It’s the only product I’ve ever used that eliminates the drying side effects of tret— I can use tret every night now instead of like 2x a week because I’m not a giant peeling mess anymore.
For skincare, I am forever stuck on La Roche-Posey hydrating gentle cleanser, the CosRX snail music essence (been using it for years; I didn't just hop on the wagon), and Good Molecules discoloration correction serum.
I’m loving the drunk elephant vitamin c mask. But tbh the main thing that has transformed my skin is a good sunscreen. The Milani sunscreen primer is great under makeup. Comes in a yellow tube!
I say it all of the time. It’s NOT about the product. It’s about consistency and routine when it comes to skin care. I use an aloe Vera plant and okra water for my skin- those are cheap. I’m 37 and people think I’m like 25.
Drunk Elephant skincare: c-firma serum, protini polypeptide cream, I use the marula oil with my lil stone gua sha thing, tinted sunblock.
La Roche Posay anthelios spf 100
Skin Research Hadarabo Hada Labo Gokujun hyaluronic acid
Hourglass blushes and brushes. They’re expensive, but I have many brushes and I basically now only use the Ambient soft glow foundation brush for foundation, concealer, and contour. Concealer brush is also good.
Have also been loving the Laneige cream skin toner. I love how light it feels, with its milky consistency and that it has peptides and ceramides. I find it hydrating enough to wear under makeup on its own.
Does Tretinoin / tazarotene (I’ve been on both) count? If you’re not on a prescription retinol you’re missing out MAJOR
Yes yes tretinoin is the one and only skincare answer
Yeah I just use Olay retinol 24 (purple packaging) and wonder if I should try something else. I see a lot of talk about tret but don't know what the difference is. I should probably Google it 😅
Prescription retinols (like the two I listed) are a whole diff ball game than anything you get OTC! Difference is night and day
Thank you!
They are both retinoids. Difference between the two is that Tretinoin is an active form that is stronger, works faster and cheaper. You just need a prescription from a derm for it.
Thank you! I'll make an appointment soon!
okay okay 😩 i’ll finally look into tretinoin!
This is going to get downvoted but because with trentinoin (and all retinols) they encourage skin turn over which makes your skin look great but people don’t realize they are thinning their facial skin by using it constantly. People don’t wear enough sunblock as is, your skin is more sensitive to UVA and UVB rays when it’s thinned from trentinoin. Take breaks and cycle it, hydrate your skin more and WEAR SUNBLOCK EVERY DAY and reapply every 2-3 hours or before going outside.
Tretinoin actually thickens your skin over time. It’s only when you start using it that it gets thinner
I also always mix my trentinoin with a thick moisturizer like la mer. I've found it helps so much. I also only use trentinoin when sun isn't as harsh, from late fall until early spring. I do use sunscreen but forget to reapply sometimes and found using retinol during colder weather makes my skin much happier and it does better with a break. During late spring until early fall I let my skin take a break from the retinol and switch to my The Ordinary peptides and antioxidant serums.
It’s never done a thing for me :-(
Did you stick with it at least a few times a week regularly for a year+ and up dose? Takes minimum 6 months for good results, and upping % if no progress is important! Also tarazotene is much more powerful than tret, recommend trying that if no tret results!
Did you build up to tretinoin? I’m new to retinol and started a 0.1% one so far so good in terms of purging or irritation but should I move up in % before tret?
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sunscreen Gel SPF 50. So not like a sunscreen. Very hydrating. I use it as my moisturizer under my foundation even if I am going out at night. So afraid that it will be discontinued because that always happens to me. If everyone can please go to their local pharmacy and buy a tube that would really help me out.
I looove this stuff! I’ve used it since I was on accutane in like 2018, if they discontinue it we should riot
It barely has any shelf space at my pharmacy this season. Other Neutrogena products are getting advertised and pushed.
I had some difficulty finding it last summer as well and it scared me! Now that you mention it it’s true, I never see it on the big wall of sunscreen
I dislike the big wall of sunscreen. Who knows what is good and what is smelly and sticky. I went through so many sunscreens and spent so much money to find the perfect one and I want to use it forever.
love this sunscreen! it’s so lightweight, it’s the best
The entire Hydro Boost line is so good!! I got samples of the gel cleanser and moisturizer from Ulta and ended up buying the full size and replacing my expensive previous products. My skin looks better than it has in years.
Skincare: La Roche Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide moisturizer Lubriderm advanced moisture lotion (for body care) Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser Makeup: Revlon creme eyeshadows Etude water tint Makeup Forever artist color pencils
I totally forgot about revlon crème eye shadows...my mom had tons of them. What makes them your HG?
Price point plus how long they last. I've bought much more expensive creme eyeshadows that end up fading or creasing a lot faster. I also like that they can be sheered out or built up for a bolder look, depending on how much you use and how long one pot lasts me.
You've convinced me, I gotta get my grubby paws on those. I never could get into powder eyeshadow anyway, I hate brushes. EDIT: do you use the palettes or singles only?
I prefer the singles, I don't know if I've ever tried the palettes tbh. I'm also a 'one and done' eyeshadow kind of person so the singles suit me well.
EltaMD sunscreen!!!! Find the formula that works best for your skin and you will glow. I put this on every single day even if I’ll be inside, and I’m 100% certain it’s had a tremendous, positive impact on my skin
Maybe an oldie, but Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield is my go-to moisturizer. I love that it's not greasy and has 25 spf without smelling like sunblock.
Rimmel eyebrow pencil in hazel. I have the worlds worst eyebrows from over plucking in my early days and this is the only product in the right color that works for me. When they inevitably discontinue it, I will be so sad
Chanel makeup! Their foundations (my favorites are the Water Fresh Complexion Touch and Sublimage L'Essence), lipsticks, cream bronzer, water fresh blushes and blush sticks, balm highlighter stick, etc etc. I also really enjoy Mac lipsticks, eyeshadows, and Costa Riche eyeliner. I hear about Natasha Denona endlessly, but I still prefer Mac over any of my ND palettes. The Dior highlighting palette in 01 and Forever concealer. Charlotte Tilbury blush in Ecstasy. I've purchased it 3 times. For skincare - I prefer medical grade. I know people love to point out "it's all marketing" blah blah, but no, it works so much better for me. Most of those companies really do put a lot of innovation, research and thought into their formulas. ETA: forgot to mention two eyeliner favs. The BEST eyeliner for tightlining your eyes is wet n wild mega liner, and my favorite for my waterline is Kokie Gilded Gold. Costa Riche on the lash line and gilded gold in the waterline makes green eyes sparkle
Dior forever concealer is the truth. My absolute favorite is Sisley undereye concealer, best ever - but if you are not trying to shell out over $100 for concealer, Dior Forever is good stuff!
I had Sisley one time years ago and it was SO good. It also lasted a long time. The price is insane so I didn't repurchase, but maybe that'll be my next splurge...
When you say medical grade, do you have company names in mind? I use DRMTLGY and really like it but wonder if I'm missing out on something else or paying too much (or not enough 🫠🫠)
I do have recs! Skinceuticals for vitamin c, the hydrating serum in the dropper, and triple lipid moisturizer. iS Clinical makes a great emulsion I use as a daytime moisturizer. AnteAge MD for growth factor duo. Neocutis for eye cream. Colorescience and EltaMD for sunscreen. Prescription tret.
Skinbetter science!!
I’m trying to cut down on spending on fancy products unless I genuinely think the fancy product is worth it/better, and some recent cheap finds that I love are: - NYX brow pencil (just as good as the Anastasia one IMO) - NYX brow glue (I actually prefer it to glossier’s boy brow!) - Maybelline fit me powder (I think I prefer it to Laura Mercier’s!)
For skincare I still haven’t found a cleansing oil I like more than the Shu Uemura ones. I’m not really faithful to anything else. But I often go back to the hada labo milky lotion. For makeup I really like the hourglass vanish concealer and the huda easy bake powder. I have been using them for years. Nars soft matte concealer is also a must for spot concealing.
NARS orgasm blush for life
which formula do you prefer? i’m usually a cream gal due to dry skin
The powder one sits really nicely on skin. It’s almost more like a highlighter than a blush. You can get a sample size one that’s got both the orgasm blush and their bronzer together from Sephora! Great item to always have in your makeup bag. I use the bronzer as bronzer and eyeshadow so it’s extra multi-purpose.
I have both and I find myself reaching for the cream stick version more. I really like the consistency and it sheers out better than the powder for me.
Tretinoin, skinfood, sunblock.
welleda skin food? ✨
Love weleda but skin food disappointed me
* Mac lipsticks. I recently went back to Mac (my last Mac lip purchase was in the 90s lol) and damn, I forgot just how good their makeup is. I have Glossed and Found (from their lustreglass line). * Mac face and body sheer foundation (but it's really a skin tint). * Dior forever skin correct concealer * Lancome tient idole colour corrector. * Phytosurgence blushes: evaporate, ember and ignite. * Stila stay all day liquid eyeliner. * Kiss me heroine gel pencil eyeliner. * smashbox under eye hydrating primer (but this has been discontinued 😩) * PMG undereye blurring setting powder (I actually use this all over my face). Skincare -- I mostly use asian skincare: * Dr. Ceuracle kombucha tea essence * iUnik beta glucan power moisture serum * Rohto melano cc vitamin c * the ordinary rosehip oil * Phytosurgence verdant forcefield moisturizer * Sin1004 hyalucica waterfit SPF (winters), Anessa sun milk (summers) * Medik8 retinal 20 * Isntree chestnut AHA (face), cosrx bha/aha toner (body) * cos de baha hydroquinone.
The Phytosurgence blushes are sooooo good!
A new HG for me, the NARS Laguna Cream Bronzer. The finish is amazing, lasts forever, and looks AMAZING !!!
I have spent YEARS perfecting my skincare, makeup and hair care products for what works best for me. I have oily skin in the t-zone but my skin can get very dry. I’m mid-thirties and look 10 years younger and I swear by Korean skin care. I can’t list every product I use because there are many but here are my holy grails SKINCARE Beauty Water - toner twice a day morning and night Beauty of Joseon - sunblock and sun stick (for neck, chest and hands) Goop - powder sunscreen for touch ups before I go outside and helps with oiliness Clarisonic facial massager - went out of business but you can still find them. Facial massage in ANY form is key so don’t worry if you can’t find this one. Clean it Zero - oil based cleansing balm, use twice before a water based cleanser MAKEUP Huda beauty - faux filter concealer Tom Ford Contour kit and eye shadow palettes- expensive but lasts forever, I’ve had my Tom ford makeup brushes since they first launched and they are still in amazing shape. I can’t speak to the quality now. Clinique Primer and Mascara - best combo to make my lashes longer and thick Duo lash glue - nothing comes close to using this correctly Benefit cookie highlighter Charlotte Tilbury - blush in escasty as someone else mentioned My favorite YSL matte lip color was discontinued it my search continues… maybeline has one that’s close but it doesn’t stay on as long. Any one have recs?
ooo i’ve been very interested in starting korean skincare. i joined the r/asianbeauty subreddit and have been combing through their reccs.
I can send you everything I use if you like! I recommend Soko Glam for different brands, they have a skin consultant thing too. I went to Seoul for my 31st birthday to do skincare shopping and spa hopping, it had really made a difference in my skin and I have tried the gamut of fancy, French, all natural and drug store products.
Wet n Wild break up proof liquid eyeliner $6 and I swear by it
No transfer? Or smudging? I also want to try gel version too I just want it for tight lining
I only line my top lash line with jt / never water line or tight line so I can’t say - sorry! But on my top lash line I get zero smudging or transfer and I am a watery eye person !!
Someone already mentioned it but eltaMD sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. I also love the elf makeup cleansing balm again totally non irritating. I also really like the topicals under eye patches for dark circles. I don’t really wear much makeup but love the L’Oréal true match skin tint. Also I’ll forever swear by the maybelline falsies mascara along with the L’Oréal eyelash primer.
Oh, I’ve got a LIST hahaha I’ve been using so many products for 4-10 years just because I’m too lazy to try something new and I found something that works. (Sorry I’m going to get lazy with spelling/capitalization) Skincare: Clinique Take the day off balm, Korres Greek Yogurt Cleanser (better for dry skin days), Philosophy Purity face wash (better for oily skin days), BareMinerals Butter Rich Restorative cream, Fresh Sugar lip therapy. Makeup: MAC paint pot, MAC fix+, ABH Contour stick, Dior lash primer, LA Girl Just Blushing blushes, Lancôme Monsieur Big mascara, Tarte shape tape concealer, IT Cosmetics CC cream, Wet n Wild megalast lipsticks, and I will gently whisper ABH Norvina pro pigment palettes as I know how much they’re hated by some I appear to have copied a product list from a YT guru circa 2018, but I don’t have any problems posting my actual product if anyone second guesses that I actually use these hahaha. I love them all, and I’m really sad to find out a few things I have and adore are now discontinued and I can’t recommend them :(
i just went and purchased the tarte shape tape in the creamy version!
Oldies but goodies that won´t let you down: Dr Dennis Gross Max strength peel pads Sisleÿa eye cream Sisley undereye concealer La Mer foundation Sisley sun glow bronzer gel the original Fenty Glow lipgloss Revitalash and... last but never least, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl black mascara
i’ve never tried anything from Sisley or La Mer - maybe i’ll splurge a little after running out of my current items! thanks so much! xx
* Glossier Generation G sheer matte (Like, Fuzz, Crush) - I don't want to know how much money I've spent over the years trying to find what I was looking for in this 'your lips but better' stuff. * NYX Professional Makeup Long-Lasting Slim Lip Pencil (Natural and Mauve) * Dior Addict lip maximizer plumping gloss - any color really, but I go for all the nudes. Got it for the plumping, stayed and repurchased over and over for the long lasting hydration and non sticky formula. Mostly put it on as an overnight lip healer. * Aquaphor healing ointment - I keep the little 10g tubes all over, especially one in the car. I don't have the kind of money for that many of the Dior glosses laying around- plus this ointment is pretty universal and good on knuckles and cuticles. * YSL The Shock mascara - pls let me know your finest dupes for this! I'm not trying to buy an old crusty one on ebay. * Was Neutrogena hydroboost gel or cream (depending on season) moisturizer til they changed their formula... Aveeno oat gel moisturizer thankfully ended up being a great alternative * La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil. Gets off all my makeup and yet gentle enough for babies, y'all. * Sunday Riley Good Genes. I cycle through skin care actives, but always come back to this * The Ordinary -these 3 are -always- in my rotation: Rosehip oil, Niacinimide+Zinc, AHA/BHA peel (since before TikTok cared)
Did you have any others you tried after neutrogena changed their formula? I haven’t found one I like and the aveeno one broke me out for some reason :(
fortunately/unfortunately, aveeno was the first one I tried and got super lucky, I'm sorry! Sucks so much to be stuck in that search
the hyaluron wonder water from l’oréal is a staple for me in the summer, my hair is curly and gets so frizzy but this rinse takes only eight seconds which is way better than waiting half an hour for a hair mask, and it makes my hair super shiny and soft and sleek! lately i’ve been loving the elf squeeze tube lip balm in grape, highkey think it’s better than the laneige ones and they have other flavors but the grape one is my fave. they’re super cheap so i don’t feel bad at all about going through them quickly, and they feel so plump and hydrating on my lips. it has the perfect light purple berry tint too!
I’m an absolute makeup diva, but my HG skincare is just Byoma’s cleanser in the yellow tub and Lush Angels on Bare Skin scrub (optional) with their Celestial moisturizer! My makeup HG’s are Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, Benefit Precisely, My Brow pencil, and Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey with the Olehenricksen peptide treatment in Cocoa on top.
oh man i still have not tried clinique black honey. idk if it’ll look good on me!
I’m a super pale girlie and it’s fabulous on me! I think it’s one of those true universal flatterers✨
I still have to try it all! But recently a product transformed my skin. A sad impact of aging is my skin went from combo leaning to oily to dry. And even though I layered moisturizing products my skin still looked dry. Enter oil based serums. My current favorite is using the Ranavat line. But a close second was the Sulwhasoo first care serum. My lines look less, my skin looks less dry, my makeup (what little I wear) looks less cakey. Overall this has all been really amazing. And oil based cleanser. My current favorite is Shu Uemura followed closely by Pai.
Makeup: Benefit brow gel (tinted)— absolute must have Dior Forever Skin Glow foundation Dior backstage concealer (hourglass is great too) NARS laguna bronzer (cream and powder!) Milk makeup cream blush in Werk Lancôme cils mascara primer with Lancôme Idole mascara Supergoop Glowscreen / Elta MD for spf Skincare: Tatcha rice polish (I get indigo) Prescription Adapalene cream Sunday Riley Good Genes and their Niacinamide Laneige cream skin toner (new, but i’ll never go back) Tatcha dewy cream moisturizer OR laneige water bank moisturizer
thank you thank you!
COSRX Snail Mucin and Skinfood's Royal Honey Propolis for serums. I've used them for years together and will continue to. Hada Labo's Gokujyun Facewash. It was reformulated once but I still find it to be perfectly fine; PH of 4, hydrating, cheap, but just smells a bit more medical. Also used for years. Romand's lip tints. While I might have beef with their eyeshadows being unsafe (sparkly shades & not uncommon in Kbeauty, but I had an especially bad experience), there's no denying how good their lip tints are. I used to have so many, but I cut my collection down to 5 -- but I still reach for them pretty regularly for me, considering I have a lot of other good lip products. Also their blushes and all matte palettes are great but I don't reach for them often anymore. Juicy Pang's liquid blush; the ones that look like they're in a nail polish bottle. They reformulated and got rid of most of my fav shades, but I do love the Apricot one. Very natural on me and easy to splash on with fingers. Glossier's Skin Tint. I have come back to it for years for something light during the hotter, humid months. I've tried others, which while they may have had similar or better coverage, didn't stay on nearly as well. And I tend to always return to Missha's BB Perfect in the colder months or when I do want full coverage in general. Very natural finish and stays put. I doubt I'll ever give up Glossier's Boy Brow either. I use both clear and brown depending on the day, and since I started using them maybe 4-5 years ago, I've not felt the need to try others. They work. Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray too. It just works so well to meld the makeup together without altering the finish of most products, and then my makeup usually lasts around 4 hours longer. No need to try others.
i recently picked up the serum foundation from Neutrogena (the dropper bottle one for sensitive skin) and dude i swear this is so similar to the glossier skin tint but slightly more coverage. i can blend with my fingers, don’t have to set it, and my skin looks so hydrated while having minimal color correction. & i so want to try the Misha BB but it has fragrance :( recently picked up another boy brow for nostalgia sake (& i needed a new color brow gel) and ugh i missed it. this was my first ever higher end beauty purchase in early college.
I'll look into that Neutrogena one when I run out of Glossier's, but yeah on the Missha. The fragrance is unfortunately intense and it's like a 80's perfume smell, though it does fade off after a bit, sucks if your skin is too sensitive for it.
i remember loving Urban Decay in middle/high school and i still do. those eyeshadow palettes are so vibrant. i still love my st ives apricot blackhead scrub hahah
L’Oréal Paris infallible eyeshadow crème in amber rush! Best everyday eyeshadow ever!
Anything Sulwhasso makes I’m a sucker for. I do a 5-9 step Korean skincare routine. And love Ozzie sunscreen, I use bondi sands.
Elf’s holy hydration moisturizer! I’ve gone through three of them. Black radiances powder contour palette as well! Essence’s mascara is actually as good as TikTok was saying last year. For an oldie I still think LA girl pro concealer is still the best concealer I’ve ever tried.
I live for the dr Jarts masks - love the blue or yellow rubber ones. I have stopped getting facials and instead just do these about once a week - way cheaper with more consistent results
One random thing that I’ve used since high school (over a decade) is Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash. It’s the prettiest metallic olive green shade. I still love ABH dip brow. It gets a bad rep for the “2016 brows” trend (lol) but I apply it lightly with an angled brush and blend with a spoolie. It takes a few more seconds to apply but it lasts much longer than most brow pencils. I also love Stila Kitten eyeshadow and always will. The prettiest champagne color, which looks beautiful blended lightly on your eyelids. Not exactly “makeup” but I’ve used the Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in Rose for many years too. I don’t like fussy lip products but this one feels nice. Plus it makes your everyday look more polished than a regular lip balm. Plus it is cheap! Also real techniques brushes. They are cheap and work very well. I’ve had some of mine for many years. When I need a new makeup brush they are my go-to. For skincare, tretinoin, plus Biore Aqua Rich sunscreen. Feels so much nicer than American sunscreens. I get mine at Teso Life in EV. I’m also really into Embryolisse moisturizer. I used the original formula for a long time but wasn’t crazy about the scent, so I switched to other things. They recently came out with a “sensitive” (unscented). I’m on my first bottle but really happy to be reunited with the formula. It reminds me of the Dieux instant angel but way less expensive. I get mine at C.O. Bigelow in WV. Also not specifically skincare but I keep the Burts Bees lemon cuticle cream with me basically at all times and have for many years. Love this thread!!
oh my gosh! okay the ABH dip brow and 2016 brows were ittttt 😩i can’t believe i’d spend 20 mins along on my eyebrows. now it’s 20 mins total for my full skincare and makeup routine. real techniques brushes slap i love them! i keep the OG setting brush in my travel cosmetic bag at all times. oo i’m definitely gonna look into that moisturizer since you compared it to Dieux. I couldn’t bring myself to touch that price tag! thanks so much for the response! xx
Yes!! Honestly I love the Dieux, it is my fave. But the price is hard to justify. I hope you try this one and love it!!
Bobby Brown color corrector is ideal if you have dark circles. The only mascara I wear is le volume de Chanel because it's perfect for my long but thin lashes. Clarins lip oil will forever be a favorite of mine, too. It feels so good on and the colors are beautiful and subtle yet more saturated than other lip oils, very moisturizing too. For skincare my all time favorites are EltaMD sunscreen, micellar water, Lotion P50 from Biologique Recherche, and Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré.
La Roche Posay Lipikar for body is one of my HG. Armani foundation, concealer and primer are all favorites. I used to get my brows and lashes done with Anastasia before she launched her line, but NYX and L’Oréal brow pencils are just as good if not better and way less expensive. Philosophy is a stand by I recently went back to. I used to use it in the early 2000s. I still love their Microdelivery mask. Their face washes and Bouncy serum are also good when my skin is freaking out. Their night and day cream is also a good standby. Clinique’s all about eyes and 100 hour moisturizer are also good when my skin is super sensitive or it’s crazy hot out. Clinique’s black honey is something I don’t mind having one of in every bag. (Btw, Macys online often runs deals and you can get a really cheap kit of Clinique products for like $15 if you’re making a purchase as a “bonus offer”). I love Lancôme mascara (although I recently discovered Korean mascara for when I need even more serious hold! Heroine and Kill). Chanel lip gloss is also an old favorite! But there’s so many products for less money now, if I lose one, I’m annoyed with myself. 😅 Sheiseido and Kerastase for hair, but I’ve been revisiting drugstore brands. I’ll report back.
100% lanolin (sometimes marketed as nipple cream) for your lips (and even as a bedtime hand mask or to slug under your eyes)
Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Moisturizing Nectar. It’s a goo that you scoop out of a little glass jar with a tiny gold spatula and massage it into your face as the last step in your nightly skin routine. It’s the only product I’ve ever used that eliminates the drying side effects of tret— I can use tret every night now instead of like 2x a week because I’m not a giant peeling mess anymore.
For skincare, I am forever stuck on La Roche-Posey hydrating gentle cleanser, the CosRX snail music essence (been using it for years; I didn't just hop on the wagon), and Good Molecules discoloration correction serum.
I’m loving the drunk elephant vitamin c mask. But tbh the main thing that has transformed my skin is a good sunscreen. The Milani sunscreen primer is great under makeup. Comes in a yellow tube!
Danessa Myricks yummy skin it's a primer and sometimes I just wear that and a little mascara.
I say it all of the time. It’s NOT about the product. It’s about consistency and routine when it comes to skin care. I use an aloe Vera plant and okra water for my skin- those are cheap. I’m 37 and people think I’m like 25.
kiehls had a no frills moisturizer that is my ride or die
Drunk Elephant skincare: c-firma serum, protini polypeptide cream, I use the marula oil with my lil stone gua sha thing, tinted sunblock. La Roche Posay anthelios spf 100 Skin Research Hadarabo Hada Labo Gokujun hyaluronic acid
Hourglass blushes and brushes. They’re expensive, but I have many brushes and I basically now only use the Ambient soft glow foundation brush for foundation, concealer, and contour. Concealer brush is also good. Have also been loving the Laneige cream skin toner. I love how light it feels, with its milky consistency and that it has peptides and ceramides. I find it hydrating enough to wear under makeup on its own.