Random Thursday: Holy Grail Cosmetics...

 
This week's topic from Lin, Meg and I is one I've been looking forward to. But that doesn't mean it's going to be easy! Here it is:

See what I mean? Fun, but there's just so much to choose from! So many, in fact, that I have an entire blog dedicated to the subject. Not only that, but I'll admit it, I'm fickle. Not many things stay at the top of my must-haves list for long. But I'll go through a few of my current top faves for ya this week!

1. Benefit Sugarbomb Blush - this blush consists of 4 different colours that, when swirled together, give a great shade for my pale skin.
2. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm - this stuff is seriously amazing. It's a French brand, but if you're in Canada (or the US, I believe) you can get it here - with free shipping and no minimum purchase! My full review is here.
3. MAC Rebel Lipstick - I love this shade. It looks pretty dark and intimidating in the tube, but the great thing about it is that it can be applied for a hint of color or layered if you're into the full-on look. Either way it's an amazing shade.
4. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - I like the illuminating kind for a nice glow (this one is in Bare Radiance) but the regular kind is a great formula too. Though my all-time favorite to create a beautiful glow on the skin is Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector is a-mazing. (Forgot to include it but daaaaaamn is it good.)
5. Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil in Espresso - Because this is a powder pencil it goes on really smoothly and is intensely pigmented. Lasts all day, too. Pricey, but worth it in my opinion.
6. MAC False Lashes Mascara - I like this particular one because the brush is large enough to really worth through the eyelashes, but tapered and with stiff, tightly-packed bristles that stop things getting too gloopy. I use it day and night - just layered more in the evening for more drama. Plush Lash is good too, but because of the fluffy brush it's a bit harder to apply.
7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - I love this stuff. Great for hands and face. Yep, you read that right. Read my full rave review here.
8. Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector Gel - I love this stuff. I use the tiniest bit worked into a spoolie and just brush it through my brows. I like that it coats the individual hairs to cover any variation in color but doesn't color the skin so it looks totally natural. It lasts all day, doesn't smudge, and that tiny tube will last at least a year with daily use. Miraculous.
9. MUA #11 Pearl Eyeshadow - this is by a British drugstore brand called Makeup Academy. It's pretty cheap but the color payoff is amazing. I might even like this better than MAC.
10. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré - another French product, this is a multi-tasking cream. It's great as a moisturizer morning or night but can also be used as a makeup remover or face primer. Pretty fantastic stuff. Read more about it here.
11. MAC eyeshadows - No, I cannot pick just one. Or two. Or three. Though the quality varies (with such a huge range it would have to), in general the color payoff is great, a little goes a long way and you just can't beat the selection. I use at least one every day.
12. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - generally I don't like the look of powder on skin because it often looks cakey and sits on top of the skin rather than blending in with it like a liquid or cream foundation does. But this formula works - even on my relatively dry skin. I use it to set my fondation or blend out blush and I find that it blends into skin more naturally than any other I've tried. I've had this one for over a year now and it's about halfway done - with nearly daily use - so though it seems more expensive than a drugstore alternative you get a lot of product and it goes a long way.
13. Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser - I recently discovered this cleanser and I love it. Again, expensive but goes a long way. It foams up like crazy and the foam is rich and dense - no big bubbles. I use about a third of what I'd use of any other cleanser, and while I'm not great at math, I figure that means it's probably cheaper than a drugstore equivalent in the long run.

Bonus: I forgot eye primer - which is pretty ridiculous considering I can't live without it. Too Faced Shadow Insurance is my fave - it takes shadow well, lasts forever and you need such a small amount that a tube lasts forever. But Lorac, Nars and Urban Decay primers are decent, and I like MAC paint pots if I don't need the shadow to last quite as long.
Okay, so that list got out of hand pretty quickly. Can you tell this is a bit of an obsession? If you made it all the way through the list, I applaud you - and I want to know what your holy grail cosmetics are! Link up and share: