Rain-drops really do look dazzling on roses and little kittens' whiskers certainly are adorable but we're not here to discuss nature and cute things, beauty is the name of the game.
While I'll freely admit I'm not loyal to any one brand for most things, possibly because I feel like I still have quite some distance to cover on my journey towards finding the perfect moisturiser, toner, sun-cream, shampoo...you get the idea, there are some beauty products that I really do love.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad I think of these beauty saviours and then I thank my lucky stars for the geniuses who invented them!
- Batiste Dry Shampoo
I put off buying a trusty can of Batiste one time because I was too tight-fisted to shell out the €4.99 it costs. I bought another brand, a pretender, and in short, it was crap. Another time, out of desperate measure, I had to buy a pharmacy own brand dry shampoo and it did not deliver. Batiste is the one and only for sprucing up not-so-fresh gruaige or for giving hair at any stage a lift and a bit of life. Nothing else compares.
- Catrice Camouflage Cream Concealer
I am a sucker for Catrice products. They are just so frickin' cheap but even so, the quality is really good. One of the best budget concealers out there (if not THE best concealer, budget or not) is the camouflage cream. It's thick and creamy but doesn't cake, it lasts for ages and the packaging is deceptive, if you know what I mean. I really love this little pot of magic and the friends who have taken up my recommendation to switch to this from their usual MAC and Make Up Forever offerings are definite and enthusiastic converts.
- CND Vinylux Top Coat
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This is a recent discovery of mine and I absolutely love it. I've mentioned before that doing my nails is a relaxing pastime of mine and this has changed the face of my DIY manicures forever. Pictured above is an example of the brilliant weekly polishes but it's the top coat that has stolen my heart. I applied it over a nail polish from NYC which usually chips and peels within a couple of days but with the CND Vinylux Top Coat over it - the colour stayed for days and it increased The Look. I could have told people my polish was designer and really expensive and they would have believed me.
- Coco Mademoiselle
My mother used to always wear Chanel No. 5 and I thought it was the most glamorous ever. I always said that when I became an adult that would be my perfume of choice. Well, I am an adult now in theory but I still don't feel mature enough to be wearing the ultimate classic. When I discovered Coco Mademoiselle a few years back I was smitten. Never before had I felt that a scent was Me (except for Charlie Red when I was 14 but that's a different story.) It has definetly become a classic in its own right but it's fresher and younger than its older sister and sorry Chanel No. 5, I'll still be wearing Coco Madesmoiselle when I'm 95.
- La Roche Posey Eccaclar A.I.
Despite my affinity for budget (but as high quality as possible, of course) products I will always splash out on this spot basher. Put a dab of this baby onto a blemish as soon as it starts to rear its yucky head and it seriously blasts it away. It's amazing. And Teamed with La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, well, they are the Batman and Robin of the skin world.
...And then I don't feeeeel so bad.
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These staples in my (humongous) toiletry/make-up bag are bona fide hero products and probably feature as your go-tos as well. Or do they? Do let us know what items you will never betray in the comments below!
