Products I Simply Can't Live Without

Okay, I said there was going to be a follow up to my follow up (look, I know what I mean) post earlier, so here it is, these are the products I either use on a daily basis, or recommend to my clients regularly:

Chanel Precision Bi-Phase Eye Makeup remover: I have used EVERY eye make up remover on the planet (it feels like!) and this is the only one I've been able to buy more than once. So many of them sting, aren't suitable for contact lense wearers, leave a soapy film on your face, or - and this is the killer - don't remove all of your mascara. I'm a big fan of the liquid liner, and full-on tranny lashes look, so it takes some removing. The best thing about this product is that you don't have to scrub at your eyes at all, just soak a cotton wool pad in a few drops, hold it to your eye for about thirty seconds, then rub gently, v e r y gently, and all your mascara will come off like a dream. And no stinging. Did I mention it doesn't sting?

Origins Liquid Crystal Cleanser: Oh, it breaks my heart, but Origins discontinued this last year, and I'm still not over it. I have attempted to stop using products that contain SLS and parabens over the last few years, as I realised that foaming cleansers were contributing to my flaky, blotchy, dry and SPOTTY skin. I found this, and my skin has never looked better, even as I rapidly approach my, er ... mid thirties*. Cleansing with oils feels weird at first, but, once you realise that the "taut" feeling you get after using a foam cleanser is actually your skin drying out and crying for moisture, you realise that this is what your skin is supposed to feel like after cleansing! I have three bottles of this left in my cabinet, and when they go, I'll be on the prowl for a replacement.

* Those of you who know how old I really am can stop laughing now. Thank you.

Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturising Balm: I'll be honest. I'm lazy. Lazy, lazy, lazy. Most days, I simply can't be bothered with both moisturiser and foundation, so I slap on a layer of this, and I'm all set for the day. I love it because it has a fair amount of coverage that's unusual in a moisturiser product, and as well as evening out my occasionally blotchy skin tone, it's also an excellent moisturiser - which, ironically, can be many a tinted moisuriser's downfall, they just don't soften the skin! Plus, it's choc-a-bloc full of essential oils, and it smells wonderful. I have seriously dry and sensitive skin at times, but when I'm wearing this, you'd never notice. It leaves you with a lovely dewy finish, which is perfect for the day time.

MAC Blot: This is simply the best powder ever for avoiding shine. Sometimes, the BB tinted balm can leave me a little too dewy (who knew that would ever be a problem?) and a light dusting of this over the top is more than enough coverage. I love that the coverage you get is almost invisible, and that you stay matte for hours. This (alongside eyeshadow primer) is probably the product I recommend most to my personal shopping clients. It's simple, relatively inexpensive, will last a very long time, and it WORKS.


Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow: Man, I hate cream eyeshadows. They crease, they're greasy, and they wear off your lids in about 30 seconds. Not this baby, it stays where it's put, and it stays there till you take it off. I have a real love/hate relationship with Benefit, when the product works, they are very, very good, but so very often, they're a triumph of cutesy packaging over substance, and when they're bad, they can be extremely expensive cosmetic disasters. These eyeshadows are one of Benefit's triumphs for me, the colours stay true (although they will fade a bit over the course of a 12 hour day) but they're easy to apply, they don't crease, and they are well worth the outlay. The colour selection is slightly limited, and if you don't like shimmer, then you're out of luck, but give them a try anyway.


So, there you go. Sadly, there's nothing trendy here, and nothing too obscure (though I hope I'll be forgiven including something discontinued here!) but, these are my baseline products, ones I myself use very regularly, and ones that have been proved to me over and over again that they work. Many of my happiest customers wander away with at least one of these products, and I hear from them all the time how pleased they are with them.