Holy Grail products are the products you can't live without. The ones you would buy for your friends (if money grew on trees) just to show them how great they really are. Holy Grails are the best in their category*. Here's my list:
Cleanser:
Jan Marini BioGlycolic Facial Cleanser cleans your face, cleans out your pores and is thick enough to leave on for a few minutes as a quick little mini-mask. Just don't use it to remove makeup or get it in your eyes.
Mario Badescu Orange Cleansing Soap is amazing, inexpensive and leaves my skin feeling fresh.
Jeune d' Age Organics Premiere Cleanser contains Roobios Tea, Jojoba Oil, DMAE and MSM to create a cleanser that leaves skin feeling pure and natural. Not dry, not oily; not sticky or slick. Just right.
Specialty Skincare:
Eye Cream:
Dr. Perricone Eye Area Therapy has given me results unparalleled by anything else I have tried.
Bare Escentuals Renew & Hydrate made mince meat of my crows feet within a week or two. If fine lines are your concern, this worked wonders for me.
Hydrator:
Exfoliator: YBF's Prep hands down beats all of the other exfoliators I have tried. If you are looking for a serious, manual exfoliator, look no further.
At-Home Peel: Murad's Intensive Resurfacing Peel
Peptide Cream:
Retinol Cream: Neutrogena Intensives Deep Wrinkle Night SA
Mask:
Skin Lightening:
Toner:
Lip Balm: Josie Maran Argan Oil Stick has quite a few more uses than for lips. Nothing beats this when it comes to saving dry, chapped winter lips.
Makeup Remover:
Concealer: Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer covers brilliantly and is super thin and wears like skin.
Liquid Highlighter: Hmmm...
Liquid Foundation: Cover FX Natural FX Liquid Foundation gives great coverage and a dewy finish. It covers imperfections without looking heavy. Plus it has an SPF of 15 and a silicone finish.
Estee Lauder's Resilience Lift Extreme Radiant Lifting Makeup looks like a second skin, wears all day and is plumping and hydrating. It contains hyaluronic acid to diminish fine lines and an spf of 15.
Mineral Foundation: In search of...
Finishing Powder: Diamond Finishing Powder from Purely Cosmetics makes your finish look smooth, perfect and gives your face an aura. It's not a sparkle or a sheen, it's in it's own class.
Face Perfecter: Mally's Poreless Face Defender makes you look like you have a diffused camera lens in front of your face, all day.
Dior's Crystal Nude Face Perfecter can be used as a primer or as a finisher and gives the skin a satin finish, while diminishing all fine lines.
Lip Gloss: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Polish is Sugar is the gloss I keep going back to. Universally flattering, shiny and delicious, I keep one in my desk, at home and in my purse at all times. It's a beautiful nude with a slight sparkle.
Lip Stick: Still searching...
Brow Powder: bareMinerals brow powder is the only powder that stays on all day without falling, smudging or moving.
Brow Pencil: Tarte EmpahsEYES Brow Pencil is my favorite. Doesn't move, is tiny and looks natural. I just wish it lasted longer.
Eye Shadow Primer: Still looking...
Pressed Powder Eyeshadow: Hmmm...
Mineral Eyeshadow: Bare Escentuals Shadows stay put until I take them off and come in more colors than you can imagine.
Cream Eyeshadow: Buxom Stay There Shadows are the best. Ever.
Mascara Primer: Urban Decay's Eyelash Primer Potion adds fibers to your own lashes, giving you a long and lush surface that doesn't flake or fall off.
Mascara:
DiorShow New Look Mascara is nothing short of amazing. Proof is in the pictures.
Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Mascara is my favorite mascara. I use it as a first coat to add length and color. I like to follow up with Buxom Mascara for added oomph. However, it is perfect on it's own.
Benefit's They're Real Mascara gives you crazy long lashes, with lots of volume and doesn't flake.
Powder Blush: I still waffle on this.
Cream Blush: Waffling applies here as well.
Shampoo:
Wen is always amazing and has no sulfates.
Dove Nourishing Oil Care (contains sulfates)
Conditioner: Dove Nourishing Oil Care
Stying Product:Still looking...
Huile: Leonor Greyl Huile De Palme
Conditioning Treatment: Still looking...
Cuticle Treatment: You tell me!
Favorite Line of Polish: ???
*Just so we are all on the same page, I have very fair, dry skin. I also have straight, color treated hair. Some of my favorite products may not be suitable for your skin type or perform the way you prefer. My list is also subject to change as I discover new things.
