We’re kicking off a new series on the blog today that takes a sneak peek inside our friends’ bathrooms and makeup bags to bring you their Top 10 favourite products. We thought it would be interesting to see what other people use and maybe discover a few new things ourselves!
First up is our friend Jes, someone we’ve known since we were at school and with whom we share a serious passion for beauty. She’s a busy working mom so she likes things that work well and don’t require too much time and effort, but she also likes to glam it up sometimes. Let’s take a look at her top shelf:
Skincare
Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser
I stopped using any foaming or gel cleansers 2 or 3 years ago but also don’t like always having to use a facecloth to remove a cleanser. Enter Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser. This washes off with water leaving zero residue and skin that’s clean but not stripped at all. It’s targeted at people with dry skin but it works amazingly well on my combo skin. I use this as my morning cleanse and sometimes second cleanse at night (I like to mix things up). I massage onto dry skin and rinse with warm water.
Lush Ultrabland
This is just a very straightforward cleansing balm. I think it is actually the first (and possibly the only) one I have tried. But it works so I’m sticking to it. I use this when I am feeling lazy and don’t have the energy to double cleanse. It removes all my make up and cleanses my skin quickly and effectively. I massage onto dry skin and remove with a damp facecloth.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
I have used this since I was about 22 and I will use it forever. It is a really light serum that sinks into the skin beautifully and leaves it feeling smooth and hydrated. I find it hard to know if serums are really working, but I know my skin feels great using this and looks a little brighter in the morning. I use this after cleansing and toning and before my moisturiser at night and sometimes in the morning. This is the one serum I will take with when I am travelling and use morning and night.
Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisture Night
I think this is my 4th tube of this stuff! It apparently has retinol in it but I don’t rely on this to get my retinol as the quantity is tiny. I use it because it is just a great moisturiser. It’s not greasy or sticky, feels lovely to apply and my skin just loves it. Although it says it’s a night cream I often use it in the morning too.. as I said the amount of retinol is so small I don’t think it could do damage with the tiny amount of sunlight I get on the average day. As with the ANR, this is the moisturiser I will travel with.
Hair
Toni & Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray
It gives my very fine, limp hair a bit of texture that is so desperately needs. It is not sticky or crunchy and just adds some subtle volume. I don’t have time to blow dry my hair before work between getting myself and my toddler ready for the day so I just spray loads of this on brushed damp hair and let it air dry.
Makeup
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
This is a light coverage gel foundation that’s easy to blend and feels like skin. I love their Healthy Mix Foundation and 123 Perfect CC Cream but this has to be my favourite. It is also probably the best shade match for me of all my foundations. During the week I just smear it on with my fingers as it’s the quickest but still gives a great finish. If I have more time I will use a brush.
Catrice Sun Glow Matt Bronzing Powder
This is just the perfect, affordable, completely matte bronzer. It’s not too orange and has the perfect amount of pigment – there’s not much more to say! I use this every single day of my life applied around the perimeter of my face and along my cheeks.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
So many lashes! This stuff is truly magical. I only have a sample I got in a Sephora kit a while ago but the full size is on my NEED list for my husband’s next trip to the States.
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet
I am pretty obsessed with matte liquid lipsticks – I have 3 shades of this and can’t pick a favourite. They are the most long-lasting lip product you could ever hope for. I never wore a bright lip until I discovered these because I could not imagine having to reapply every hour and worrying my lipstick was all over my face constantly. With these you can have some drinks, eat a meal, let hours go by and then maybe start to think about reapplying. I just apply straight from the doe foot applicator – I don’t even use a lipliner.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
This is so creamy and easy to blend and can be used under the eyes and around the nose (my two problem areas). The coverage isn’t that great, but for more natural days this is my go-to. The shade I have (20 Sand) is also nice and illuminating.
Fragrance
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Perfume
Sneaking in an 11th favourite here – but it smells amazing! A lot more ‘heavy’ and more masculine than what I would usually go for. It says it has strong ‘sandalwood’ and is ‘sexy and sensual’ if that helps give you an idea. Because it’s quite strong I usually use it in the evening.
Thanks Jes! I loved reading all about your favourite beauty products. Definitely going to give that Avène milk cleanser a go, sounds awesome.