As an overly enthusiastic makeup enthusiast, I spend what could only be described as a ridiculous amount of money on makeup and cosmetic products. Sephora* is basically my second home and whenever I visit, I have to actively restrain myself from going over my budget. Through my many many purchases, I have come out with a handful of products that I can no longer imagine going without. Most of these have been raved about by beauty bloggers, YouTubers and everyday makeup aficionados alike, however, I tend to ignore them, not because I doubt their credibility, but because I have very finicky skin and I need to find and test out products myself. As a result, when I’m looking for a new product, I go in without reading or looking up any reviews so I can find what works for me without bias.
Problem: Dry, Patchy Combination Skin
Solution: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($46)
As someone with really weird combination skin, it was a struggle for me to find a moisturizer that gave my skin the hydration that it needs without leaving my face totally oily and shiny. What I love about this product is that it’s a gel and not a cream, so it dries without leaving any oil on the skin. I’ve tried moisturizers from every price point in the past, and although this is definitely one of the most expensive ones, it is by far the best. Even better, it lasts a really long time. My 50mL jar has already lasted me for almost five months.
Problem: Oily Eyelids
Solution 1: Urban Decay Primer Potion ($26)
Eyeshadow, no matter how well-made and long-lasting it is, inevitably creases on me because my eyelids are really oily. I originally tried to avoid buying Primer Potion because it cost more than I was willing to pay at the time, but at one point I just got so frustrated with my eyeshadow creasing within roughly three hours of application that I caved and shelled out the money. Absolutely no regrets. The first time I tried it was Canada Day, which was a long, hot and sweaty day. Fifteen hours later, my eyeshadow was still in place. If that doesn’t attest to how great this stuff is, I don’t know what does.
Solution 2: Kat von D Tattoo Liner ($25)
Another issue that stemmed from my oily lids is that eyeliner, whether it be pencil, gel but especially liquid, would always migrate down my eyes and make me look like a raccoon. I remember once going to a concert and when I walked out, my eyeliner looked like I had been crying. I love Kat von D and her makeup line, so I decided to give this liner a shot and holy man, it’s amazing. I can wear it with or without primer and it does not budge. Another thing that I like (in a weird way) is that when it starts to wear out at the end of the day, it doesn’t smudge, but it flakes. Even though flaking isn’t great either, it’s less messy and hard to correct than smudging. In spite of reviews that say that it dries out really fast, I’ve had mine for about four months and it’s still pretty good, so I’m happy.
Problem: Oily T-Zone and Forehead
Solution: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($47)
My t-zone has always been really oily and most powders start letting the shine in a few hours. On the recommendation of a particularly lovely Sephora cast member, I gave this powder a go and despite my initial difficulty using loose powder for the first time, I got used to it and it has given me amazing results. I get a flawless, matte finish for hours. It’s very finely milled and also smells really nice, which is a bonus. A little does go a long way.
Problem: Dark Under-eye Circles
Solution: Kat von D Lock-It Concealer Crème ($34)
I stayed away from full-cover concealer for a long time because I was afraid that it would totally clog my pores up and cause breakouts. The last time I ran out of my usual concealer, I decided that I had had enough of putting on multiple layers to cover up my *very* dark circles and decided to opt for a fuller-coverage product. This concealer was released fairly recently, not to mention by one of my favourite brands and that it matches my foundation perfectly, so it was a no-brainer to me to try it, and oh my goodness it’s amazing. It doesn’t crease, it doesn’t clog my pores and the coverage is incredible.
Despite leaving my wallet more than a bit lighter than it started, these products are are awesome and completely changed the makeup and skincare game for me. Guilt-free pleasures like these are what I live for.
*All images and prices taken from sephora.com