Although I favor a more “natural” makeup look for sure, I love experimenting with new products and playing around with things I see recommended online. Often times I’ll find something I like well enough, but I’m not motivated enough to repurchase it once it runs out. Recently, though, I realized that a lot of the products I use in my everyday makeup routine are things I’ve been using for years, that I’ve repurchased sometimes upwards of 5-10 times. I still love to experiment and try new things pretty often, but apparently sometimes I know what I like and just want to stick to it! Below are nine beauty products I’ve bought over and over, and will likely continue to buy every time I run out until I find something that takes its place (looking at you, Boy Brow…)!
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in “4”: I tried a lot of different foundations in my 20s, but nothing beats this one. I haven’t bought another foundation in almost five years. It has a nice medium coverage with a very natural finish, but it’s also buildable when necessary. It never makes me break out and matches my skin perfectly (I got matched at a Nordstrom forever ago, and use this in basically every online makeup quiz to match other face products to!). I usually only need the tiniest bit, and I love the results because it’s not too dewy, or too matte. It’s just right.
Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in “Brown Copper”: I have this thing where the only color of eyeliner I will *actually* wear despite any attempts to branch out is bronze/copper or a shimmery brown/purple. It’s harder to find than it should be, and this color is so good I’ve just been buying it on repeat now for years. It’s special enough to wear when going out, but also works for everyday without looking like it’s too much.
NARS Powder Blush in “Orgasm”: I have been wearing this since college. If we’re in a counting mood, I think we’re at about 15 years now. It’s a cult classic for a reason! It puts just the right amount of color back into my face when I’m feeling washed out. I wear it every day, for any occasion.
Glossier Lash Slick Mascara: We held a mascara competition years ago, and the winner was ILIA’s Limitless Lash Mascara. I think I’m the only one who didn’t start wearing it daily after that, though–I was too impressed by Lash Slick! Any time Glossier has a sale, this is an auto-purchase for me. It’s not quite volumizing enough for getting fancy (then I’ll use ILIA!) but for everyday, this is perfect. It comes off super easily when I wash my face at night, which is just as important to me in a mascara as how it looks on.
Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in “Stay Neutral”: I honestly want to say that I’ve been using a version of this product since high school, back when it came in the marbled green packaging. IYKYK. I love to dust just a little bit of this powder on with a big fluffy brush to set my foundation, or I’ll use the round sponge to pat over any acne spots I’m trying to cover (after concealer and foundation) just to really feel like it’s locked in and not going anywhere for a while.
Glossier Generation G in “Like”: I have a LOT of lip products. It’s my absolute favorite category to experiment with, and I take several new products on a test drive every year. This is honestly the only lip product where I would *actively notice* in maybe a day or two if it went missing. It’s the perfect everyday color for me, and I love the “just blotted” finish. No notes.
Tarte Shape Tape in “Light/a> I’ve tried a lot of things to cover up acne spots, and this is the best one I’ve found. I don’t love the packaging, but the product is good enough to keep me coming back to it. I keep thinking I’ll find something that works as well, but so far, no good.
Glossier Boy Brow in “Blonde”: I don’t know how many tubes I’ve gone through of this product, but it’s definitely north of seven. I love how it helps my blonde brows look fuller almost instantly, with very little work. I *think* Merit’s Brow 1980 has finally unseated this as my go-to brow product, though, if you’re willing to shell out a little more (and the gold packaging is nice!).
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion: No makeup routine would be complete without a well-moisturized canvas to start out with. This isn’t a fancy brand at all; I buy this product at Target. I have gone through so many bottles of it and wish they sold it in some kind of economy size or had a refillable option, because I need it. My face practically drinks this stuff and it has never made me break out. Check back with me when I’m in my 80s, because I’ll probably still be using this.
