Real talk: Three beauty bloggers spill about the products they love best
The life of a beauty blogger is a product-filled one, and you can only imagine the number of things they test and review and use (and eventually store in every nook available). We regularly see Liz's faves here on Project Vanity so we were curious to find out what products other beauty bloggers actually rely on and have repurchased multiple times. We asked bloggers Nikki Tiu of AskMeWhats, Martha Sta. Barbara of The Beauty Junkee, and Donnarence Masilungan of My Lucid Intervals about their beauty mainstays and they gamely let us peek into their makeup kits!
Everyone relies on different bases to make their makeup last the whole day, so when you find the stuff that works for you, you are thankful that the long search and experimentation comes to a close. Clearly, Nikki has found The Stuff with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, which is a reliable companion for eyeshadow lovers; the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, a silky setting powder that blurs pores and fine lines; and the Paul and Joe Beaute Protective Dual Powder Foundation, which has great coverage with a natural finish and something that Nikki confesses she has backups upon backups of!
Nikki’s repurchases are tried-and-tested staples: Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, a classic face moisturizer whose decades-old formula has been reformulated to keep up with the changing times; Burt’s Bees lip balms, which you can enjoy in a wide variety of formulas and colors; Benefit Cosmetics’ That Gal Primer, which Nikki regularly empties because she uses it as her day-to-day primer; Naris Up’s Day Keep 24 Hours Long Lasting Eyebrow Mascara, which is a great option for fine hair, unruly, brows, or creating a custom brow color; K-Palette’s 24H Real Lasting Eyeliner, which will last through the sweatiest of days; and Etude House’s Proof 10 Eye primer, which Nikki regards as on-par with more expensive options.
For Martha, it’s all about reliable utility. She has the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, which she says has lasted her forever; the Lucas Papaw Ointment, a moisturizing salve whose formula is so effective, they haven’t changed it for 100 years; and the Clean & Clear Oil control film, a lifeline for those with oily skin.
When it comes to her repurchases though, Martha's picks consist of an interesting mix of hygiene essentials, scents, and makeup products: Olay body wash, Pantene conditioner, Palmolive conditioner, Biogenic alcohol, Clean & Clear oil absorbing sheets, and theLanvin Eclat D’Arpege are her staples. She keeps her face clean with Shiseido Perfect Whip Senka, a foam cleanser that doesn’t dry the skin. Her makeup picks include: Etude House Curl & Fix Mascara, whose packaging has recently been revamped as part of their Berry Delicious collection; L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer, which has been attaining a cult status for being effective at a competitive price; and Shiseido Sheer Mattifying Powder Foundation, which has medium to heavy coverage but offers such a smooth texture!
Donnarence's picks prove that holy grail products needn’t break the bank. Her absolute favorite powder foundation is the FS Two Way Cake, a P399 powder that she lauds for its color, coverage, and texture, and has come back to it since she discovered it in 2011. She also uses Carmex lip balms to keep lips from getting chapped. Her last pick is the Canmake Shading Powder No. 1, her everyday bronzing/contouring powder that she loves for its soft and blendable texture.
Donnarence’s repurchases keep in theme with her penchant for quality affordable items. She has already gone through several tubes of the Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara; Ellana Cucumber Melon Brush Cleaner, which she uses for quick spot cleaning; K-Palette Real Lasting Eye Brow Liner, which easily creates hair-like strokes and lasts all day on her; Marrionaud Angled Brush with Spoolie, the tool she just can’t live without; and the Maybelline Gel Liner, which rivals even the best of the best.
Finding out about what products beauty bloggers actually love, it's interesting to note that there's a great mix of both drugstore bargains and high-end luxuries on their lists. Do you spot any of your own faves? What products would make it to your own list?
