Great read! I am feeling very fickle - I use many products regularly but can't think of any offhand that couldn't be replaced. Taking notes of some new ones to try.

Kyle, I searched for years for a pencil liner that wouldn't smudge or flake. The worst is when the colour would, within minutes, migrate to my under eye area.

I paid a fortune for this one, but it is amazing:

The Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner. I use the navy. Truly amazing and worth every penny!

Loving this thread! My holy grails are -
MAC brushes
Benefit cheek tint and Mascara.

I just love them!

Tatcha Silk Canvas Protective Primer. I use it underneath my undereye concealer and on my lids before I apply eyeliner. I started using it to prevent smudging/settling and it works like a charm.

Such a great thread! I'm making notes.

Kyle, Lancome has a good under-eye concealer for mature skin. I wear 215 buff neutral.

https://www.ulta.com/p/teint-i.....ku=2583119

Everyone's suggestions are fantastic! I put some items in my Amazon cart. Here are a few of my favorites.

Electric kettle from Costco. This thing is genius and I use it every day, all day. It heats water fast and precisely - you can set the perfect temperature. It's pretty too, and lights up different colors to let you know that it's working, or the water is ready. Comes with a tea infuser so you can pop the tea bags or loose tea right into the pot once the water is hot.
https://www.costco.com/chefman.....duct.10068

Pajamas from Honeydew. Angie has recommended these and I literally wear them every night. I wore holes in my last two pairs and Santa brought new ones for Christmas. Pop a Barefoot Dreams cardi over them when it's colder. Perfection!
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ho.....search-per

Chico's boyfriend jeans. Yes, Chicos! I have them in dark blue, light blue, pale grey and washed black and wear them all the time. Chico's sizing takes some getting used to, and these run large. I sized down one size from my normal Chico's size. The perfect, lower-on-the-hips, slouchy boyfriend fit. Tapered legs make them easy to roll.
https://www.chicos.com/store/p.....color=4540

Christian Dior foundation. I wear foundation because I'm on Zoom calls all day long and feel like my skin looks a little better with foundation. This is the best foundation I have ever worn. It does not settle into fine lines, it smooths out any imperfections, and gives the perfect not-matte, not shiny finish. I wear shade 4C.

https://www.sephora.com/produc.....Id=2508414

Laura, ha! How could I forget my electric kettle! Fast, efficient, and so cheerful with its blue light.

I must recommend my eye pencils from Urban Decay. Everything else I've tried smears or disappears, but these stay put.

Great suggestions in here! I'll add these 4:

Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Grip Extreme Hold Mousse - only in #4, Ultra Strong (a dab in my fringe keeps my curls from poking me in the eye (lol) without having to use heat).

Fenty Matchstix (all I use now for 'daily' looks - 1 for contouring/ outer eye creases, 1 for blush/ eyeshadow highlighter & 2 for concealer. Love that it's magnetic (including the brush) & non liquid - great for travel).

Uniqlo Relax Wireless Bra in Brown (finally, a shade that actually blends into my skin - never understood the 'nude' hype until this)!

Intimissimi Seamless Supima Cotton Shorts (pricy for essentially just undies, but it gives smooth lines without needing to adjust throughout the day, & breathability - in *very* hot weather I switch to Bandalettes around my thighs, to avoid chub rub).

Glisten & Glow Top Coat—turns every manicure into a quick-dry!

Pixi eyebrow brush & pencil--easy to use even if you're all thumbs.

Pacifica Salty Waves hair spray (in the air-drying months): Cheap, smells good, hair looks great!

Honorable mention: Burt's Bees tinted lip balm, but only honorable because my favorite everyday shade, Petunia, has been discontinued. Luckily my sister scored me probably a 7-year supply...

I LOVE this !   And how timely.  I read an article the other day on the make up products that women would re purchase right away if they lost all of their make up.  The majority wouldn't repurchase what they had lost, they would buy other things.  ( The author lost about $500 worth of make up at the airport ). 

my list : 

Uniqlo heattech ultra warm t shirts ( men's v neck and women's crew ) black and white

KVD liquid lipstick ( I forget the color , it's been discontinued, but I have 6 that I stocked up on )   I use it as blush too. ETA : The color is DOUBLE DARE

Rimmel lipstick 104 ( rosy beige ) 

Smartwool camis, short sleeve and long sleeve Ts

smart wool socks

Softt leather waterproof booties ( I have 5 pairs in different colors ) 

Maybelline Age rewind concealer !!!!!!!!!!   

A dark jean - I am not tied to a brand

Pond's cold cream ( in the winter - I use retin A and a few times a week a use this when my skin is really dry ) 

Vanicream moisturizer ( sooooooooooooo underrated ) 

A Hibonichi calendar  ( I have to write everything down ) 

A background noise machine for sleep

Waleda Skin Food for lips and under eyes

Vaseline

Laura, I have the Chico’s boyfriend jeans as well and agree with everything you said. They were one of only 2 pairs that survived my purge, but are too big now. I might consider getting a new pair if I can figure out the sizing.

Add to Cart. Add to cart. Add to cart. Boscia Make UP Break Up cleansing oil is an absolute fave of mine for makeup removal.

Do you buy the tall size, Kyle? Maybe we need an outing to check out the offerings in person I hope they keep the style for spring!

HOW DID I FORGET ?????

I am stunned …. I forget

Sunblock ! I wear it year round.

Right now I am using Versed tinted and Joseon. I have LeRoche Posay next up . The tinted fluid ( I love it and got it on sale at 50% off ) we have to wear a lot of moisture underneath in the winter.

Argan oil! The food grade version, love to slather it on thick on dewy freshly washed skin. It absorbs so quickly and surprisingly mattes my oily skin.
And mouth taping at night with medical tape:-D
My two favourite and most inexpensive beauty hacks.

LaRoche-Posay products typically work very well for me so I'm a big fan. I especially like the Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen and Anthelios tinted fluid sunscreen.

I've never tried their Cicaplast B5 Balm but put it on order this morning based on the recommendations here. Can't wait to try it!

Great post btw!

Laura, Yes to an outing! And I do take a tall in those jeans, but it helps to try on the regular size so I know what to order in a tall.

I’m late to this thread but I wanted to +1 Laura on the Lancôme All Over Concealer. It’s the best under eye concealer I’ve tried. I also second the Victoria Beckham Beauty satin Kajal liner. It is super creamy so I find it works best for tightlining for me. Have you tried Urban Decay 24/7 waterproof liners? Those are good for waterlines.

I just discovered a new mascara that has become my holy grail. Its Tower 28 Making Waves mascara. It makes my eyelashes look like I got a lift and tint.

I really love the Avalon Vitamin C face wash. It’s one product I’ve actually stuck with.

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Two+ years of masking really did a number on my skin (redness, irritation, maskne, etc). I decided to give the Paula's Choice "Calm" line a try based on the ingredient list and some very positive reviews, and this regime has truly blown all other skincare products out of the water for me. The 1% BHA exfoliant in particular is sooo much more effective than any of the prescription-strength acids the derm has offered me. This product line really ticks all of my boxes: clearing pores, boosting hydration, barrier repair, microbiome support. I'm *finally* back to my standard no-makeup mode, after relying on tinted SPF and concealer to even out redness for what feels like forever. And my skin just feels great. No seasonal eczema so far this year! Highly recommend for anyone struggling with redness, inflammation, and sensitive skin.

My super coarse hair is stubborn and American products aren't made for Asian hair like mine. Much as I hate Jeff Bezos, Amazon is a godsend for finding Japanese products. This stuff is the texture of marshmallow creme.

* Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 (made in Japan - ever since I tried it on a recommendation from this forum, I've not used anything else. Weightless, light, and I've never had so much as a sun-kissed look while wearing it, no matter how long I'm outdoors)
* Bare Minerals eye pencil (the only one I've found that doesn't migrate)
* Sallly Hansen All Over Body Wax Kit (works for face, underarms, bikini line, legs, anything)
* MAC matte lipsticks (staying power, amazing range of colors)
* Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
*Tru Body Lift Triangle Bra (tried them when I lost weight during the pandemic and couldn't get fitted for a regular bra, stuck with them because they're comfortable and supportive enough for everyday wear)
* Jenni seamless ribbed hi-thong (I never imagined I'd ever wear thongs, but Dh is partial to them and since I feel better in my own skin now, I am more adventurous. These are comfortable and I am not even aware of them while wearing, unlike any other thong I've ever tried)

Since my top can't-live-without product was recommended on thsi forum, I am taking notes here, too!

On Gossamer bikini panties — I swear if they ever stop making them, I will cry. Despite the sheer-ish fabric, they wash and wear like iron (I wash in delicate cycle and hang to dry).

Origins GinZing 40SPF tinted moisturizer. Every day even if I’m just staying at home. I layer Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer over it when I’m going anywhere. More SPF, and just an extra hint of coverage.

Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer. It’s a suitable replacement for my old favorite which was discontinued. I hate the taste/smell of a lot of lip balms but I can tolerate this one.

I’m taking notes on this thread!

what a fab thread and so nice to read our top favourites!

My holy grail products are:

  • La Roche-Posay invisible fluid suncream, I've become a big fan of it. It doesn't leave a white film on the skin, it's light and absorbs well and sp50 is great for peace of mind!

  • Weleda wildrose body oil, it's a great moisturiser, smells lovely and it leaves a faint rose perfume which lasts forever
  • Rosewater as a toner and grinded rice mixed with pink clay as facial scrub- both work for my sensitive skin and help me save for expensive serums/moisturisers.
  • Chantelle bras, they are so expensive but they last a very long-time and they fit very well.
  • Klorane oat dry shampoo, I don't use it very often but it works!!!! It doesn't leave any residue and the hair looks fresh! Klorane also used to do a lovely shampoo for white or silver hair but recently changed the composition and no longer works for me

I forgot one — I take this with me to stay hydrated when I go walking or to the gym. The pocket is large enough for a phone and my license or credit card. No room for keys, but I think I can squeeze in a lip balm.



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My Holy Grail products seem to be the of the drugstore variety - excellent value and on repeat purchase.

Cereve PM moisturizer - first layer morning and night
Stridex pads (red tub)
Herbacin Kamille Cream for sensitive skin (it's like Aquaphor) - In the winter I "slug" with it a couple of times a week with my RX topical underneath.

This is a possible holy grail product: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream. I haven't been using it long enough to be sure (although I have repurchased twice so far).