The Makeup Box

You know how we often gush and wax lyrical about the latest mascara or lipstick, but stop using it after awhile and go back to certain staples that maybe aren’t the coolest, newest or most-loved, but have withstood the test of time because they are so danged reliable?

I’m curious to know what items you have REPURCHASED, preferably more than once! 

For me the list is below:

1. Nivea Creme (metal tin)

This is a very basic, very thick moisturizer that I’ve gone through tin after retro-blue tin of. I use it on my insufferably dry elbows and shins, and also use it sometimes as eye cream AND lip conditioner when I’m in a pinch. I’ve never broken out from it (just make sure your hands are clean when you use it on your body, and don’t double-dip and incorporate any bacteria). It’s also rich enough to keep my skin conditioned for hours, and SO affordable that I can have tins and tins of this lying around everywhere.

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2. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Waterlight SPF50+

I do like my La Roche Posay and Avene Thermale sunscreens, but let’s not forget that Neutrogena is a fraction of the price AND every bit as effective. It never looks white or streaky, sinks right in (for normal/combi skins), doesn’t feel sticky and won’t leave an oily-looking sheen or peel and rub off when you apply anything over it (La Roche Posay Anthelios sometimes will depending what other products you layer it with).

Neutrogena sunblocks contain helioplex and are UVA stable. Not all sunblocks on the market are, so that’s important to note.

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I have an on/off relationship with this product over the past 10 years, and have certainly purchased and re-purchased multiple times. It’s one of the few waxy, opaque concealers that I find workable on both the eye area and over spots.

One thing to note is that this is a waxy texture which can vary greatly depending on the temperature. If you are using this in a cool environment, it is dry and better for spot coverage. If you are in a warm climate, this concealer will be softer and have more slip, and work better under the eyes unless you set it with powder. Using a concealer brush to soften and pick up product before I blend it in with fingers is the best way I’ve found to work with it. Because it’s not as expensive as many other high-end brands, I actually use an NW (warmer/pinker) for my eyes to neutralize any blue/purple, and an NC (cooler/yellow) for spots.

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4. MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation

I used this years ago when MAC first came to Asia, and then stopped for a few years, but recently came back to it again when my skin got a little paler and I began to find it hard to locate very good matches for my light, olive tone.

It extremely versatile if you use it with a dual-sided sponge (Sephora). I can apply it sheer to mattify my T-zone, or heavier when I want some coverage around the eye area. If I am traveling and need to keep my bags light, I just pack a concealer and this powder and I’ve got my base covered without bringing any liquid foundations, etc.

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5. MAC Brow Pencil in Taupe

If I am wearing makeup, I WILL do my brows. Mine are naturally a little sparse in areas, so defining them a bit can really help to frame the face, add polish, and strengthen your eye look.

I don’t have much to say about this other than that it’s the perfect level of pigmentation and density/hardness for me. It gives the right amount of color and wax to fill in brows without looking heavy or too light to make any difference.

I also love the fact that they have a good range of taupe-based tones that work for dark haired girls. (Black pencils look wacky and most browns go on too red.)

The other thing is that I blow through brow pencils very regularly, so I figure I might as well use MAC’s and get lots of free lipsticks via the Back-to-MAC program!

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6. L’oreal Voluminous Mascara

This isn’t a mascara that is designed to build up tons of length or hold the curl on very straight lashes. For me, I just want fuller, more fluttery looking lashes and I don’t prefer waterproof formulas, so I absolutely love this. (I can get the same effect using Great Lash from Maybelline or some of the Bourjois mascaras, but it usually takes me a lot less time to achieve that same effect using Voluminous.)

The tricky thing is this isn’t sold in my country, so the only way for me to get a regular supply is to either STOCK UP (I buy about 5-6 tubes at a shot so that I’m set for a year) when I travel or to ask my poor friends to help me buy a bunch when they travel.

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7. Carmex Lip balm

I have particularly sensitive lips which seem to react to many things. Pair that with the fact that I LOVE trying out new lip products, and you have a potential disaster in the making. Carmex is so far one of the best and most affordable “treatments” when I need to soothe my raw, stinging, rash-ey lips. I actually bought these in 12-pack trays on a couple of occasions AND used all the tubs up.

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8. MAC Pink Nouveau lipstick

This powderybright-pink is such an unlikely shade to list as a staple because it’s not exactly the type of color people wear on a daily basis, but I loved it - and wore it - to death last year. It never fails to brighten up my day and instantly makes me feel more chipper and energized.

Good for days when your spirits are flagging and you’re feeling a little wilted at the corners.

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9. Soap and Glory Glad Pits Anti-perspirant

Trust Soap & Glory to make something so unglamorous so fun.
The scent of most drugstore deodorants and anti-perspirants give me a headache, and I’ve tried so many brands over the years you wouldn’t believe it.

Then awhile back, I thought “Why Not” and decided to try something different. Glad Pits probably isn’t for everyone as scent is very subjective, but it works for me and keeps me feeling fresh, is soft enough not to interfere with any scents I happen to be wearing, and doesn’t give me a headache.

The bonus is this is actually quite affordable. Not cheap, but affordable.

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10. Gatsby Powder Oil-Blotting Paper

These are so cheap in Asia, that I don’t mind the fact I go through these like nobody’s business. I buy 2 or 3 packs at a time because I use a sheet every 3-4 hours (or more often depending on the weather). These aren’t the typical rubbery sheets which seem to be so popular everywhere, and which I happen not to like much. These are made from pulp paper and have a super-fine layer of translucent oil-absorbing powder on one side, so your skin looks matte and STAYS matte longer.

The powder does not affect your makeup, and I actually use this in place of any powder through the day as I don’t like to build up more and more pigment on my face. If I need to get my picture taken, I actually use one of these sheets to set my makeup RATHER than powder.

No ghost-face, no visible powderiness. Just clean, matte, polished skin.

Hi followingfishies,

I haven’t found anything wrong with the products I got from beflurt so far and I haven’t heard anything bad that would lead me to believe otherwise.

Let me state first and foremost that I am not affiliated with beflurt or paid if any of you buy any of their products. I approached THEM to request for a discount code for readers who might be interested in shopping on their site.

I’m not a “guru” and have never considered myself to be one. I’m just a person whose hobby and passion happens to be makeup, and likes sharing ideas. I certainly don’t “know it all” but I hope to be as fair as possible in terms of the presenting information about companies or products.

If you have any unreleased information regarding counterfeit products by any company, do please share what you have found so everyone can be better informed and make their own decisions about whether to purchase. Until then, I’ll reserve passing negative judgments on any company or brand until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

If I recommend something, I do it of my own free will ONLY if I really think it’s a good investment, NEVER to deliberately mislead anyone for my private gain.