Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Top 5: Holy Grail Products

Greetings from the Dark Side!

For me, it has always been very difficult to label a product as a Holy Grail (HG). I use so many different products that it is hard to choose only a few to call my HG products. But, I thought about it and choose 5 products I can definitely label as HG. My criteria for HG products are products that 1) I really, really like; 2) that I used very often; 3) that are NOT limited edition and could easily obtain them; and 4) if I lost/finished them I would immediately repurchase them.



1. Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm 'Standout'
I have A LOT of red lipsticks. And by a lot I mean more than 10. Probably more than 15. Out of all my red lip colors, this Revlon one is by far my favorite. This actually stays in my purse because I am using it constantly; it is my go-to red and my favorite for a night out. This is compact, applies very easily, and very convenient to have in my makeup bag. The Revlon Matte balms are rich in color, vibrant, and non-drying. I also love that this has a minty scent (I love minty scents!). I find this to very a very long-wearing red. And even when it starts to fade, it has a stain-like look to it that actually looks pretty good. All in all this is a red that will be staying in my makeup collection. It is also a plus that this is not as expensive as high end lipsticks! Yay for drugstore makeup! A runner up red that is cheaper that this is the Wet n Wild Fergie lipstick in 'Saraghina' (they are not the same at all, but it is a red I also really, really love).  
Review post of this product HERE.

2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer 'Neutralizer'
Next up is a product I cannot live without. This undereye concealer is my favorite-est thing to use around my eyes. I cannot even tell you guys how much I love this stuff. I love this so much that I currently have three unopened tubes in my drawer as backups. Yup, THREE! I don't think I will find another undereye concealer I like as much as this one that is as affordable as this one. Let me make it clear though that I only love the shade 'Neutralizer'. I tried the one in the shade 'Light' and I disliked it. I don't know what it is about 'Neutralizer' that makes it so great. All I know is that this stuff brightens my undereye area, works wonderfully as an eyelid primer, and is the best thing to clean up eyeshadow on the lower lash line. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this~ Give it a try if you have not. Regrettably, I have no honorable mentions in this category. I hate every other undereye primer I have ever tried. Well, okay, that's a lie. Benefit's 'Erase Paste' is pretty good, but also quite different to this concealer.
Review post of this product HERE.

3. Pumpkin & Poppy Cream Highlighter 'Lady of Light' 
Here is another product that worked its way up to my top 5 HG products. This one really surprised me when I first purchased it. I did not expect to love this as much as I do, and it has become a staple in my makeup bag. I was really obsessed with highlighters for a while, but this trumps all the highlighters I collected. I think I love this so much because it 1) suits my skin so well; 2) is a cream that sets like a powder; 3) is inspired my The Lord of the Rings; and 4) it is a reasonably priced indie product. This lovely champagne highlighter is the icing on the cake...er...or should I say the icing to my makeup routine. The dose of shimmery goodness on my cheekbones adds the most beautiful iridescent, subtle glow that is definitely reminiscent of the Lady of Light (aka Galadriel). If you are into indie makeup at all, this is a must-try product! I did mention before that this was similar to Illamasqua's 'Aurora' cream highlighter but I actually prefer this P&P one.
Review post of this product HERE.

4. Hard Candy Baked Blush 'Living Doll'
Before I go on and on about this blush, I quickly wanted to mention my love-hate relationship with Hard Candy. I find that HC is a hit-or-miss type of brand. Most of the products I have tried are a definite miss. However, this blush (which was also my very first HC purchase) is one of the few hits I have found. This doll-like pink is so beautiful! It adds a nice touch of color and sheen without being too bright or too shimmery. If you love pink blushes, this is a really great one to try. Of course, if you don't like shimmer or sheen on your cheeks, stay away from this. And honorable mention in the blush category is MAC 'Pink Swoon', another of my favorite pinks. 'Pink Swoon', however, is a matte. But they are both really beautiful pinks!
I  used this blush in THIS look.

5. Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water 
My last HG product is a skin care/makeup removing product. I am sure you have all heard of the Bioderma cleansing water (which was my favorite for a long time). This Koh Gen Do cleansing water is similar to the Bioderma one. They both remove eye/face makeup really well, and they both have the feel wonderful on the skin. But, since I live in the US, Bioderma is hard to come by. Unless I buy it online, I cannot get Bioderma cleansing water. Then I found the Koh Gen Do cleansing water which I can buy at Sephora. It is a bit more expensive than Bioderma, but I actually like it better. It leaves my skin feeling more refreshed than the Bioderma one. Ever since I started using it, I cannot remove my foundation with anything else! I tried using makeup wipes but the wipes do not remove nearly as well as the cleansing water. This is definitely HG material!


What are some of your HG products?

10 comments:

  1. Because of you I had to get Pumpkin & Poppy's Lady of Light and Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer! I really like them both. Lady of Light is SO pretty.

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  2. Ok, anything Koh Gen Do is a must and I agree on the Revlon Color Stay lip balms-except I use the pink. ;) Now, I'm going to have to try the Pumpkin & Poppy brand. Great review!

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  3. oh my goodness, A galadriel highlighter??! I definitely need some of that haha!

    www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com

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  4. I really need to jump on the bandwagon for this concealer-I've seen so many bloggers hype about it that I feel like I'm not a proper beauty blogger if I don't pick one up & try it out :D

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  5. Oooooh girl! That is the only undereye concealer I have and I love it! Brightens while concealing and it doesn't crease.

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  6. CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Mascara in Black/Gold (Hazel). I will take that mascara over Diorshow anyday, I love it so much that I have my mom ship it to me from the states since they don't carry it in Canada, haha. It's not the gold in it, I have very fine lashes so they get weighed down easily and the formula is light and the brush is great, it adds the most length and volume for me and I have tried A LOT of mascaras.

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  7. I swear by that maybelline concealer as well! It actually does brighten up my whole face. I get little sleep and this does the trick! :) Could you also review Vain Pursuits btw? I'd love to read on what you have to say abt them!

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    1. Same! I usually swipe it on in the morning then sometime re-touch throughout the day. Love this stuff! I've heard of Vain Pursuits before, someone posted abt them on my FB not too long ago. I think they do personalized skincare?

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  8. I really have to try that concealer! I am always on the hunt for a concealer that really hides my dark, brown-greyish circles, but I haven't found one yet to call my holy grail... I am currently using the LA Girl Pro HD Concealer and sometimes I really like, sometimes it feels like it doesn't apply as nicer as I would want it to...

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