27 Beauty Items That I Repurchase Again & Again (& Again)
Like the shampoo I've been in a 13 year relationship with....
As a teenager, I’d start AOL chatrooms and brand them as spaces for like-minded 13-year-olds to chat about ‘fashion, beauty & boys’. I was always going to end up here, wasn’t I?! Fashion we’ve got covered by the bucketload around these parts, although seeing as I’m 17 years in with my (now) husband, I haven’t got much to add to the boys’ topic. But beauty? I can do beauty. I love beauty! It used to be the main focus of my online pursuits, so over the years I’ve tried A LOT of stuff. Some good, some bad and some so game-changing I’ve repurchased them time and time again. This post is dedicated to the latter (and is very much inspired by Emily’s recent post that I LAPPED UP!). There are only two caveats. One - it’s something I’ve used up till the very end and bought again, and two - it’s a product I still use to this very day and can recommend with my whole chest…
MAKEUP
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation* (I use 4 for paler days and 6 when I’ve gone IN with the fake tan) - This is certainly not a daily product for me right now in my routine, but I can never imagine my makeup drawer being without it. In the past, I’ve used it up till the last drop, and I even wore it on my wedding day. If I want ‘event makeup’, then I’m grabbing this for a full-coverage face that doesn’t look full-coverage.
MAC Face + Body Foundation* (I use C2) - Another one I’ve used for years. I like to use this in the summer, because although it’s light coverage and essentially a tinted moisturiser, there’s a film-forming element that means it sort of sets. It’s GREAT for sweaty days.
NARS Tinted Moisturiser* (I use Alaska) - I feel like I’m too close to this product to be able to review it at this point. It’s my go-to base of choice. If ever I’m feeling BLEURGH (hello luteal phase!!), this will bring me back into the room.
Glossier Stretch Concealer* (I use Light 2) - Ever since Glossier first launched this product, it’s been a fundamental part of my routine. It’s creamy as hell, (if you’re oily you won’t love it), and the coverage is minimal, but for around the eyes it’s the only thing I’ll use.
Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Skin Enhancer* (I use Light/Medium) - I’m on my second one of these, and once it’s finished, I will gladly repurchase. It’s cream bronzer, contour, and general skin warmer-upper in one that just makes you look… healthy.
Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel* - My brows are huge (have you seen my Dad?!), and I’ve searched and searched for a formula that really pins them into place, ALL DAY, without any weird white gluey bits forming, and it’s this.
Armani Eye Tint in 22M* - This is just the best eyeshadow ever made, and I’m prepared to fight you on this one. It first came into my life six years ago, and I’ve barely worn another eyeshadow since. Slick it on directly from the doe-foot, blend with a fluffy brush, and you’re done. It takes all of about 60 seconds and lasts all day.
Beauty Pie The Perfect Waterproof Mascara* - I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I don’t really wear mascara anymore. It’s more of a special occasion thing for me these days. WHO AM I?! But if I’m wearing it, then I’m wearing this formula. It’s light enough to do a ‘fluffy lash’ thing, if I brush it out with a clean spoolie, but I can layer it up if needed.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter* - Rhode is grainy as hell, Olé Henriksen comes so close, but my favourite favourite lip balm is this. I don’t discriminate between the flavours, but if I had to pick, Pink Sugar is my favourite, followed by Vanilla and Mint.
HAIR
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo* - I’ve just done the maths. I’ve used this shampoo for 13 years!!! I mean, what else is there to say?! The only shampoo that truly gives me squeaky clean hair.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Sea Salt Scrub* - A newer discovery to me (thanks Emily), but as soon as I tried it, I bought two more tubs so I wouldn’t be without it for a while. That’s how strongly I felt. Clarifying, but hydrating at the same time. I switch between this and the B+B.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner* - To think that I never used to use conditioner makes me clutch my pearls!!! These days, my hair needs a helping hand in the shine department, so this adds softness, without any weight.
Ouai Air Dry Foam* - I’ve tried a few low-maintenance foams, but I really love this one because there isn’t a hint of that product-y feeling in your hair. It dries as normal without any stickiness, which is my number one pet peeve with styling products.
Oribe Dry Texturising Spray* - I just found a mention of this on my blog that was posted in 2012, so I dread to think how many bottles of this rather expensive volumising spray I’ve used. It adds oomph and much-welcomed dryness to hair that you want to look a little more tousled.
SKINCARE
Skincare is a tricky one, because although I’ve repurchased plenty of products over the years, I find that my skin is the most changeable beast of them all. What worked for me even a year ago isn’t necessarily what my skin is vibing with now. So, I’ve honed in on the three products that fall into this category, but work whether my skin is cooperating (or not!)…
Glossier Milky Eye Oil* - Being a wearer of exclusively waterproof mascara formulas, I’ve tried A LOT of eye makeup removers over the years, but I always come back to this one. It doesn’t sting, isn’t overly oily and is nice and compact in my drawers.
Beauty Pie Awesome Tan Drops* - I must have gone through at least four bottles of this. In the PM, I do my whole routine, leave it 10 minutes or so, and then take a full pipette of this all over to balance out my naturally ruddy complexion.
Revitalash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Serum* - I skip lash lifts these days and just use this and my good ol’ lash curler because it does such a good job of keeping my lashes long and fluffy. Whenever it’s Black Friday, I buy like three, and stock up for the whole year.
BODY
Glossier Deodorant* - Right now, because it’s summer, I’m using a hardcore antiperspirant (sweaty girls UNITE!), but for cooler months, it’s this that I use daily. Some natural deodorants make you feel like you are whipping pudding under your armpits, but I forget I have this on (in a good way).
Glossier You* - There are very few fragrances that I like, let alone use up to the last drop. However, this one has been repurchased twice, which doesn’t sound like a big deal to most, but it is for me.
Maison Margelia When The Rain Stops* - The same with this. My fragrance MO is light, fresh and fruity, and this ticks all those boxes whilst still having a sort of sexy feel.
Coconut Oil* - It’s not fancy, it’s pretty cheap, and I buy it in bulk. Because of my psoriasis, I keep my body care simple, so I apply this every day post-shower (unless I’m tanning - see below).
La Roche Posay Lipikar Shower Gel* - I haven’t used another shower gel since I started using this. It’s suitable for sensitive skin; you can use it to lather up your newborns if you want!! I stock up on the refill packs*.
St Tropez Express Tanning Mousse* - If you want to be tanned, like, now, this is what you want. I rebel and wear it overnight for the deepest tan possible without looking like an Oompa Loompa.
Tan-Luxe The Gradual* - For a more everyday, slap-dash-friendly way to tan, I reach for this formula. You apply it like you would a body lotion and it’s near impossible to mess up.
L’Occitane Hand Cream* - The OG and an industry favourite for a reason. Even my husband stocks up on this stuff. So thick it comes out like a sausage, but for something so firm it absorbs well.
L’Occitane Cuticle Oil* - A more under-the-radar pick, but whenever this cuticle oil runs out I always replace it. I like that it’s a bit more gel-like, so I don’t find it too messy to apply when I’m sleepy before bed.
BeautyBlender Brush Cleaner* - A miscellaneous choice to round things up, but I’ve been using this brush cleaner for years. I don’t own too many brushes these days (find my full list here), but for the ones that I do have, this is efficient.
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Hi Anna, I'm really interested in trying the Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Skin Enhancer. How do you apply it? Do you use a brush, and if so, which one? Or do you use your fingers? Do you apply it over or under the foundation or tinted moisturizer? Thanks!
Thank you for including Summer Fridays lip butter balm! So happy you love it 💕