Hello, my name is Sarah and I’m a product junkie. 🙂 Just in case you’re wondering what a product junkie is, it’s someone who is literally obsessed with trying all the newest and latest products. Yep, that’s me. I hate to even admit it, but I totally am.
The difference between me and most product junkies is that I don’t buy based on emotions. I usually do my research, pull reviews, and get the lowest price possible before I buy and try something and in case you’re wondering, yes buy. I have one rule, before all those sponsors go crazy and I get flooded with emails wanting me to try their products, NO, I do not accept any products for free to do reviews on the site at all, ever. It’s something that makes me personally feel uncomfortable.
If I’m going to recommend a product, I want it to be no strings attached, something that I genuinely love, and don’t feel obligated to push because someone else tells me to do so.
Most of these products I’ve been using for many years. I never recommend any service or product I haven’t tried for at least 3-6 months. Why? Because the first time using it could be fantastic, but when you use it for a period of time, your opinion can change or you find something that works better. I don’t want a bunch of people rushing off to buy something that doesn’t work as good as I told them it would.
With that said, I get asked a LOT about the beauty products I use. Most people think I’m far younger than I actually am and most of that is due to genes I admit, but some is due to taking care of myself and finding the best products that WORK. Because I am NOT about spending my hard earned money on something that doesn’t work. That’s a huge pet peeve of mine. I don’t mind spending $200 for a moisturizer, but it better last a year and it better work like I expect it to.
Instead of WASTING your money on all the products that DON’T work, and to appease everyone who keeps requesting a list of what I use, I’ve created the top 15 best beauty products everyone should have.
Top 15 Best Beauty Products Everyone Should Have
I have searched and searched and searched to find a good set of makeup brushes.
Seems like all the ones I would buy, the hairs kept falling out or they were poor quality. Shany is my favorite brand for must-have makeup brushes. They are inexpensive, yet, great quality. Here’s the set I personally have and really love it.
For eye shadow, my favorite brand is Elf. Like Shany, it’s inexpensive, yet, good quality. I personally use this eye shadow primer here. The eye shadows I use are the Elf Beauty Book here, which comes with a primer (so you don’t have to purchase it separately), and the 100 Piece Eyes, Lips, Face Palate.
I have tried a Shany eye shadow palate and the colors didn’t seem to stay on well. I like my eye shadow to be there, to show up, but not super dark. Kind of a natural look, but you can tell I’m wearing eye shadow. So the Elf products work really great for me.
2- Younique Royalty Moisture Boosting Gentle Face Cleanser
By far, Younique has THE best facial cleansers in the world that I’ve ever tried. Yep, totally obsessed with this stuff. It makes my skin silky soft and takes the red out of my face (I’m fair skinned).
For those wanting to purchase it, there’s also a Royalty Pore Purifying Cleanser. I absolutely adore all of Younique’s products. Huge fan! 🙂
Speaking of fair skin, I really have to take care of it to prevent skin cancer. There is a huge difference between a sunscreen you get at the drug store and this sun BLOCK. Since it’s SPF 50, it’s perfect for those with fair skin.
What I love best about it, is that it is NOT greasy. Don’t you hate when you put on sunscreen and feel like you’re an oil slick? Me too! Hate it. This one is not greasy. A little goes a long way (I use the size of 2 mustard seed drops for my whole face) and you can put it right underneath your makeup and you’re good to go. They make a body sunblock too by the same brand, but I haven’t tried that one. I just use the face one thus far.
To prevent skin cancer, I also recently started getting HydraFacials done at a local spa, which is where I heard about this sunblock. The HydraFacials are absolutely amazing. While it’s not a product per se, it is by #1 favorite thing to have done where I see the most results. I’m obsessed with them! Literally! Here’s a video to show you what it’s all about as far as the younger looking skin aspect of it. The technology is incredible.
I get these teeth whiteners free from my dentist just for having routine cleanings. I used to pay for teeth whitener, but this brand is the best I’ve ever tried. I absolutely love it and have been using it for years. Although, I don’t use it as much as I should…lazy girl. I had some specially-designed trays made for me and apply it in there. Here’s a set on Amazon though that comes with generic trays if you don’t have special ones made.
5- Artistry Creme LuXury Moisturizer
Here goes the $200 moisturizer. It is quite expensive, I tell you, but it’s also worth it! I’ve been using it for a while now and really like it. A little goes a long way. I’m two months into my jar (purchased on Feb 26 from Amazon) and it looks like I’ve barely touched it. But I only use it once a day or every other day (to rotate products) and they recommend twice a day.
I know there are a lot of products out there to curl eyelashes, but that silver do-hickey thing freaks me out. I tried this one like 10 years ago and have been using it ever since. It heats up, so it heats up your eyelashes and curls them so much better than anything else could do.
Since it’s heating, it’s not just crunching them like other things do. This protects your eyelashes from falling out and gives them a more natural curl. It’s ran on 2 AAA batteries and the batteries last a long time. The link I provided is a picture of what to look for (it doesn’t look like any are available at this time online), but they sell them at Walgreens. That’s where I got mine.
Speaking of eyelashes, I can’t say enough about my Telescopic mascara. It’s simple and does the trick. I think the secret is in the brush. No clue, but it makes my eyelashes look big and normal. Not like some crazy spider. But, since I wear glasses (which I chose to wear because I prefer them), I need my eyelashes to look bigger so they show through my glasses, and this works perfect for me. The eyelashes still look big, but not spider-like.
8- Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner
You know, I’m not really a vain person at all. I’m pretty low-key, low-maintenance, but there IS ONE THING cosmetics wise I would not be caught dead without…my eyeliner.
This is the one I use (#210, Espresso). I’ve used it for like 10 years or however long it’s been out, and I love it. It’s kind of like a crayon, basically, so it slides on a lot better than a regular pencil. I use Espresso Brown, since my hair is brown. Black looks too dark on me personally and I’m not into colors like blue or purple or something. Just plain, basic, classic.
Okay, so when I first bought this thing, her and I went rounds. I want to prevent wrinkles (like, who doesn’t) and she kept GIVING ME wrinkles! I was ticked. But, I figured out how to use it. It comes with a water spray. I do NOT use that. I use my own cream/moisturizer (any one will work really, just so it’s creamy) and THEN use it and only once a week.
It seems to work so much better than using the water spray it comes with and my skin personally doesn’t seem to like using it more than once a week. It gets kind of bumpy looking. But, it’s worth using because of the results it gives.
Always use sideways strokes as you’re using this. I think that’s key too. After figuring out how to use it, I’m really impressed with the results. But, I will tell you, that if you want clear, younger looking skin, there is absolutely no substitute for having the HydraFacial done.
10- Younique Moodstruck Minerals Concealer
It might sound weird, but I don’t use a foundation or powder or anything like that. I use the concealer AS my powder! It gives you this healthy glow and is my #1 secret weapon to looking great! I don’t know what it’s doing to my face, but people notice when I’m wearing it and don’t when I’m not, so personally, I think it’s awesome!
The color I use is Frisky because I’m fair skinned and have reddish undertones.
Here’s the powder brush I use for my concealer. I did have a Younique brand powder brush, but the hairs kept coming out as I was applying makeup (even after washing it several times), so I gave up and bought this brush and it’s worked great for me.
I love my house. LOVE IT. It’s my dream house. But I have one complaint. The lighting stinks! So, my mirror is literally my best friend. Must have, especially since it’s lighted and has a magnifying side. I purchased it quite a while ago and haven’t had to replace the light bulb yet, so that’s a huge plus. For those wondering, it plugs into the wall.
12- Moroccan Oil
After I wash my hair, I put two squirts of this stuff on (for really long hair; use less for medium to short length). It’s a leave-in and helps my very long hair stay healthy and look shiny and pretty. I really like it and have been using it for years. I alternate every day (due to having different vitamins/nutrients in each one) with this product…
13- Loma Peartin Fortifying Repairative Serum
Gosh, I think I’ve been using this stuff for about 8 years now. A friend told me about it, I bought it, and was hooked. A big bottle (12 fl. oz) lasts me about 2 years, so it’s a very good investment. It looks like they are sold out on Amazon for the 12 oz bottle, so the link is for the small bottle. That way you can try it to see how you like it before investing in the big bottle. The big bottle usually runs about $30, so don’t pay more than that for it.
14- Sonicare Essence Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush
There’s not really all that much I can say about a toothbrush. You stick it in your mouth, turn it on, it works. Bada-bing-boda-boom, done. But I like it that it works so well and cleans my teeth better than manually brushing. It’s currently on sale for $24.97 on Amazon and there’s a $5 coupon on there to click, so if you purchase quickly, you can get this thing for less than 20 bucks!
Here’s the link to the replacement heads. I also have these Sonic seals because they are just awesome and glow in the dark!
15- Tweezerman LTD
I’ve tried lots of different tweezers and these are the best. Just sayin’. I think I got the referral from Allure magazine or something like that. They were rated #1, so I bought them last year and have been using them ever since.
Okay, there you have it. After all the products I’ve tried over the last 10 years or so, these are my current top favs! Hope this list helps you make an informed decision when picking out beauty supplies, so that you’re not just buying yet another product that claims to work and doesn’t. Not that there aren’t other great products out there, but that these are my personal favorites from everything I’ve personally tried, which is yes, a lot. 🙂
If you’re looking to organize all your beauty supplies, here’s what I use for my counter top. I REALLY love this thing!
If you’re looking to make your own DIY beauty products, here’s my top 20 favorite recipes using essential oils…
- Dry Shampoo
- Bronzing Lotion Stick
- Lip Gloss
- Soothing Salve
- Natural Sunscreen
- Bubble Bath
- Deodorant Stick
- Hair Wax
- Shaving Cream
- Moisturizing Lotion Bars
- Sugar Lip Scrub
- Whipped Body Butter
- Natural Body Wash
- Lip Balm
- Herbal Hairspray
- Mouthwash
- Fast Fizzing Bath Bombs
- All-Natural Deep Hair Conditioner
- Aromatherapy Jewelry for Essential Oils
- Homemade Makeup Brush Cleanser
What are your absolute best beauty products of all time? Do you have any holy grail products?
