I am, and have always been, and perhaps will always be, a creature of habit. My shopping experience has been an endless process of finding what works for me and praying it is never discontinued (nothing has yet—knock on wood!). It’s a result of my own minimalist tendencies, frugality, and sensitive skin. Though, I think I’ve come to a point in my life where I’ve developed an arsenal of essentials that keep my face happy, moisturized, and clear. And the best part? Most, if not all, of these products price in at your average drugstore for under 20$! Who doesn’t love cheap and convenient? Both the skincare and makeup products have all served me well for quite some time now, and hopefully they will for you as well!
CLEANSE
- Noxzema Original Cleansing Cream – Finding a cleanser that gets all of your makeup off without drying your face is hard, especially if you’re like me who is particularly prone to dry patches. I find Noxzema brand a perfection solution to this dilemma. It comes in a little tub of cream and a quarter-sized amount in the palms of your hand is more than enough to get the grime out of your face without being too abrasive. Squeaky clean!
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser – I’ve heard miracle stories about Cetaphil for acne-prone individuals but for me it’s just a great, all around facial wash. I use it in the mornings (that is, when I’m not completely brain-dead tired) and when I’m in the shower. Paired with Noxzema, it’s the ultimate cleanliness with the least harshness.
- Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System – Exfoliating keeps your skin supple, fresh, and most importantly, so soft. Every time I use the brush I have to stop myself from just constantly touching my cheeks! It’s definitely worth the investment (let’s be honest with ourselves, it’s pretty darn affordable), and the refill pads will last you months.
CARE
- ArtNaturals Argan Oil – Argan oil. I cannot rave about this stuff enough. Seriously. It’s rocketed itself to the top of my favorites list. I slather some on my face at night and wake up to the best skin of my life. It sounds like a hyperbole, I know, but I promise it’s not too good to be true. It’s moisturizing, natural, not too heavy, absorbs quickly, and works just as great in your hair (I use it to nourish my curls). Do yourself a favor and invest in some, like yesterday.
- Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner – Admittedly, I’ve shied away from using toner since I added argan oil to my skincare regimen, though I definitely recommend Thayers witch hazel. It’s not too drying, and is great for shrinking pores and getting the last bits of oil and dirt from your skin.
- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen (SPF 15) – I used this basically everyday; it’s a must have. Perfect as primer before I put on my makeup, it keeps my skin hydrated without making my makeup go all slippy-slidey. The SPF is also a plus, you can’t ever be too serious about protecting your skin from the sun.
- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream – Night cream is another product that’s been replaced by argan oil, but one that I think is integral to any skincare collection. Aveeno’s Ultra-Calming line kept well moisturized with me through my rough, scaly patches, and it sometimes helps supplement whenever the oil needs a bit more help (as you can probably tell by now, my skin gets seriously dry).
- Blistex Conditioning Lip Serum – Kind of an unconventional addition, but definitely necessary. I usually apply Blistex serum at night for soft, supple lips and let me tell you—I was hooked from the the first use. Highly recommend!
PRIMP
- Covergirl Smoothers Aquasmooth Compact Foundation – Covergirl was the treasure chest at the end of my long journey for the right foundation. When liquid foundations weren’t cutting it for me, I tried several other compacts before settling on Aquasmooth by Covergirl. Something about the formula is so creamy and light, while still managing to even out my complexion. It might not be for everybody, but it works wonders for me.
- Milani Baked Blush – I picked up this baked blush by Milani on a whim at the drugstore once. I figured it was cheap enough (around 5$), so why not? I was so pleasantly surprised. It’s super, super pigmented, and pretty and pink. Worth every cent you spend on it!
- Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder – If there’s anything you need to know about me, it’s that I love to sparkle. Glitter, shine, gloss—it all fills me up with a certain whimsical joy. After I picked this up (and put it down, and walked around Ulta, and picked it back up again) I knew there was no going back. It’s a little on the pricier side, but it’s been also three years and I’ve worked my through just about half of it. Overall, I find that it’s a great investment.
- BareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipstick – I rarely use anything other than this liquid lip from BareMinerals. It’s matte but not drying and goes on nice and smooth. I prefer the more neutral color tones, but they offer more than fifteen gorgeous shades!
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade – A heavenly eyebrow pomade that, paired with a gentle hand, can fill out your brows in the most natural way.
- Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara – I’ll be honest here, I didn’t even know I had eyelashes before I discovered Smashbox mascara. It’s bold, coats and lengthens each lash, and doesn’t run, even in the humid Hawaii sun. This is staying in my arsenal for sure.