Mar 8, 2021 - Beauty
We all have (at least) one primping item that we stay on the lookout for the perfect version of, and for me it is mascara: I am endlessly searching for the ideal one, and as soon as I’m pretty certain I found it, I go hunting for one that’s even better. Right now, I’m pretty enamored of Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, which goes on nice and thick, with nary a clump in sight. How about you? What are you forever in pursuit of?
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Kim France
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
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I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
Every so many years when my usual gets discontinued, I go on a hunt for a translucent powder compact that doesn’t cake up and looks completely natural / disappears into my skin. It needs to be in a small compact to easily fit into even a small evening bag. It also needs to be strong enough (both case and product) so that it isn’t going to crack or crumble if dropped or if bumped around in a bag, and so that the hinge on the case doesn’t break before the product is used up (in which case I’ll only use it at home). For years the perfect one for me has been the now-discontinued Shiseido Translucent Powder, which came in a small sturdy round compact. I’ve got a couple of backups to use until I find something comparable (Shiseido’s replacement formula has a much larger case). Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I heard some really great buzz about Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder: https://kosas.com/products/cloud-set
The Fenty Invisimatte powder is excellent, and comes in a really great-looking case (you can by a magnetized brush separately). https://www.sephora.com/product/invisimatte-blotting-powder-P39784685?icid2=products%20grid:p39784685
(buy!) (here’s the brush: https://www.sephora.com/product/portable-touch-up-brush-130-P15798548?icid2=products%20grid:p15798548)
I think we need the Otter Box equivalent for powder compacts!! 🙂
I’d have to say facial moisturizer––and––having said that I believe I’ve found THE product for me which is State Of that was mentioned on EIF podcast with Stacy London. I use both the oil (day) and the heavier, I believe it was referred to as “glop” on the podcast, cream (oil plus cream at night). It’s done wonders for my skin even during the Texas Ice Age. Sidenote: another discovery I made during said Ice Age was adding a few drops of Squalane oil to my regular Aveeno really boosts the moisturizing power. And I know the oil is supposed to be used on ones face, but it wasn’t/isn’t strong enough for me during winter months and I didn’t want it to spoil or go to waste. Really makes a difference for me.
Thanks! I’ve bee debating trying the State of cream (and, fyi, in case it helps someone, I have started putting a few drops of Squalene Oil on the psoriasis patches that sometimes pop up on my legs and elbows and it seems to help).
If you haven’t tried Caudalie’s Vinosource line, I highly recommend it. I had really dry skin this year, so I added the Vinosource SOS Deep Hydration Serum to my super basic Olay Regenerist & Cetaphil Cleanser daily regimen, and it totally worked. I have super sensitive skin, and this is one of the few products that hasn’t made me break out.
What is this “State Of” of which you speak?
Same question! I’ve googled “state of” several ways and can’t find anything.
Google “state of menopause face oil”
Oops.. sorry everyone for being so incomplete! Thank you, Abby, for providing the info. I’ll also add that the oil and glop/cream has lasted me quite a long time.
I bought the oil … really too light for me … face seems parched… so need to layer moisturizer over it
Eye cream is my obsession. For hydration and moisture, in the current rotation are Kiehl’s avocado eye cream and Belif Moisturizing eye bomb (which I probably won’t repurchase) and new this month, Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery, which could become my new favorite. For fine lines, I am currently using Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Complex followed by Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream. I am almost through a small jar of Peter Thomas Roth cucumber gel eye masks, which I found cooling but not overly moisturizing or anything amazing, so am going to try the Wander Beauty Baggage Claim eye masks next. The search continues for an eye cream that delivers de-puffing and reduces dark circles.
For hydration and moisture, I’ve been using Versed Zero-G Smoothing Eye Cream and I really like it. I’ve also hopped from one eye cream to another.
BTW, I’re really liked this skincare blog for education on ingredients and also recommendations: https://theskincareedit.com/is-eye-cream-necessary
She reviews products at all price points too, so it’s not just high-end luxe products, and I’ve learned a lot about whether you want silicone in your skin products, or whether you want small or large molecular formulations, or what is considered an unstable versus stable formulation, etc. Lots to learn!
I’m prone to jumping from brand to brand, and I’d just read that ideally one should stick with the same regimen for a while and really let it work before trying or adding something new (of course, unless you have issues with a part of the current regimen). So I’m going to try to do that this year.
After seeing it a kajillion times on Instagram, I bought the Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener in the Muna color. I wear it a lot–I don’t wear full makeup much these days, but this is a good boost if I am going to see someone or do a Zoom. I swipe it on, use a little liner and mascara and I am good to go (not that I really go anywhere).
It used to be eyebrow “pencil” until I got my brows micro-bladed. Now I can ignore my brows. Best thing I did. But I can’t leave the house without swiping Laura Mercier Tightline on my upper waterline. It helps make sparse eyelashes look thicker and darker.
Mascara that won’t smudge under my left eye. (The right eye is fine but the left is always, always a mess.) Bought the Hourglass when Kim mentioned it a few weeks ago and so far very happy with it!
Get tubing mascara – I use DHC and I have never had racoon eyes since using any tubing but otherwise I’m a mess !
I experience the same thing, smudges only under left eye. I’ve tried so many mascaras, mostly waterproof and it still continues. More so now, wearing a face mask as my face heats up. Ughhhh. Maybe I’ll try hourglass.
Have you tried ‘tubing mascaras’? They’re not meant to flake or smudge because the eyeliner kind of coats and tubes around the individual lashes if that makes sense?! They’re also super easy to get off just with water (and quite fun too). The kind of cult one in Australia is MCo Beauty https://mcobeauty.com/collections/mascara/products/xtend-lash-mascara because it’s so cheap but I’m not sure what the go is with shipping to the US. There is also a Kevyn Aucoin one that I’ve never tried but have heard good things about. https://www.mecca.com.au/kevyn-aucoin/the-volume-mascara/I-002418.html#q=Kevyn%2Baucoin%2Bmascara&start=1
I’ve used Make Up Forever’s Smoky Lash (regular, not waterproof, which I tried and didn’t like) for a very long time — I’m thinking at least ten years or so. It never flakes or smears on me, and can be put on lightly for a natural look and layered for more dramatic / evening.
I have two things I am on a constant hunt for, 1) Something – primer/foundation/powder/moisturizer that will really keep my t-zone matte, particularly my nose, and 2) a lip stain that actually stains, not a long lasting lipstick. Mac used to make a great stain but it’s been discontinued.
My oily skin has been the bane of my existence! Now in my mid-50’s, a little less so ( and few wrinkles so that is ok). BUT- the best primer I have tried, and I have tried them all, is Hourglass Veil Mineral primer. Expensive but a little goes a long way. HIGHLY recommend.
Thank you I will check it out!
Always looking for waterproof or water resistant sunscreen, spf 50 or more, PA++++, that I can’t feel when it’s on and doesn’t look white. Kao Nivea super water gel feels like nothing and is spf 50+ but not waterproof and only pa+++. I’ve rebought it a lot. Missha waterproof milk is waterproof and light, but I can feel it and it’s slightly white. Have not tried the latest Biore iterations yet.
MD SolarSciences makes 50 spf sunscreen that is the least white of any waterproof mineral sunscreen I’ve ever found. It’s my favorite. It also doesnt’ stain my swimsuits – clutch. It’s the one in the red box that I use.
The Biore UV Watery Essence SPF 50+ was a game changer for me. I wear it every day and goes on really well under makeup or alone. It feels like a glowy drink for your skin but is super light. I get it on yesstyle.com.
For me, a brunette with hazel eyes, it’s eyeliner. I’m always looking for the right combo of color and formula. I like a formula that is long-lasting and won’t end up underneath my eyes. For a long time, I used the Bobbi Brown eye liners in various colors. Clinique made a black honey cream liner for a while that was a genius color for hazel or brown eyes. That might have been the white whale, but it was discontinued. Currently, I’ve been using a Sephora-brand liner in “flirting game” — great color, but the formula is not great. Also, a black m.a.c. eyeliner. I realized I’d overlooked black all these years. It’s ok. So, the hunt is still on the for the perfect combo of color and formula.
Have you checked Ebay or Mercari? Sometimes things like that pop-up and they’re brand new.
Urban Decay has some great waterproof pencil liners that should work withy your coloring.
I have fine, straight, highlighted long hair so I am eternally looking for the haircare product(s) or combination that delivers all the volume/shine/colour protection. Who’s got the magic recipe?
Hairstory products. They are amazing and i also have fine straight hair with highlights. Ill never go back to realgar shampoo and conditioner ever again. https://www.hairstory.com
I love this post and all the responses…so interesting and helpful. I am always on the hunt for mascara for my blonde/sparse lashes as well as a perfect lip color.
Can we please do this for hair products too????
I am always looking to protect my neck as I age. Nectafirm is the ONLY thing that works. Highly recommend.
Thanks, I’ll check it out. I was about to maybe try Strivectin.
A do-everything (dark circles, puffiness, fine lines) eye cream that is cruelty free and doesn’t cost a million dollars.
Have 9 mascaras in my makeup drawer – expensive,cheap, clean, Korean beauty – and my current favorite is Sky High by Maybelline. The brush is flexible. It’s amazing.
The perfect everyday lip shade. A pinkish-tan-rose colored neutral that is the right blend of the two–not too nude that it blends into my skin tone, and not too pink that it’s looks unnatural– plus slightly sheer with a *hint* of sparkle and shine. Easy peasy .
Besame Dusty Rose. I adore all of their lipsticks, they are vintage inspired and feel great (and last). The dusty Rose is the perfect neutral pink for me.
Also-they have a red for everyone.
I’m currently endorsing Buxom power-full plump lip balm in Inner Glow – it doesn’t last so well, but it’s a good rosy neutral with some moisture/shine
Totally on board with your search. I like mine to lean slightly mauve. Used to have a Trish McEvoy that was perfect, but discontinued. My current favorites are Buxom Dolly and NYX Thalia (529)
3 Custom Color will make a custom shade for you or try to match up a discontinued shade that you can’t live without: https://threecustom.com/
A sheer red lip product that is truly red, not pink or orange, and stays red when I top it with a layer of SPF lip balm. I love my fully saturated fire engine red lipsticks, but for years I have wanted a sheer red for more casual stuff. My future candidates for sheer red are a couple promising shades of Holika Holika Water Drop Tint Bomb. Also, whenever I find a decent auburn mascara, it gets discontinued. Right now I’m using a Vivienne Sabo brown mascara (the rare times I use mascara), but I know the mascara gods will take it away somehow.
I love this Urban Outfitters Ohii Lip Smude in Cerise for just the right sheer red, I was also on that hunt for what felt like forever. It’s matte tho:
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/ohii-lip-smudge?color=060&type=REGULAR&size=ONE%20SIZE&quantity=1
I do a base layer of SPF lip balm from Coola topped with a Ilia tinted lip conditioner sheer lipstick in shades Arabian Nights or Bang Bang.
Have you tried Lipstick Queen Medieval?
I was/am/shall always be the loyal subject of Her Majesty, Poppy King. At one point, I owned over a dozen different shades of the original LQ stuff (Saint, Sinner, Blue Jean, Butterfly Ball, the test tube lip gloss, Oxymoron lip gloss, and Velvet Rope), including Medieval, which I love, but renders pink on me.
Lipstick Queen Saint Nude is the One for me!
I also love a sheer red. I bought Lime Crime’s Wet Cherry lip gloss in Maraschino last year. Got it in March so haven’t been able to wear it out. I don’t know if a lip balm with SPF could go over it but perhaps underneath?
Lipstick. I am forever on the hunt for a perfect lipstick, meaning: moisturizing but long-wearing; not matte but not really shiny; eco/green/clean; not too dark, not too light… So far I quite like Kosas and The Lip Bar, but I know I’ll get the itch to hunt for something else soon.
Daily sunscreen with a decent SPF -not so glamorous I realize. I had, but lost, my white whale version when it was discontinued. RIP Bare Minerals Prep Step.
Ooh I love only physical block. Elta MD Tinted Face Moisturizer with Broad-Spectrum SPF 44, Mineral Face Sunscreen is my holy grail and I also really like BeautyCounters Dew Skin which has a lower SPF.
Tizo3 facial mineral sunscreen SPF40 is tinted and has a lovely powdery finish. I get it at my friend’s boutique. https://www.ericasboutiqueandskincare.com/tizo3-facial-mineral-sunscreen-spf40/
My daily facial sunscreen search is for one that protects but doesn’t smell like I am at the beach. How is Tizo3 on that front?
It doesn’t have a strong smell at all — I know what you mean.
My two faves: Perricone’s SPF 30 https://www.ecosmetics.com/product/vitamin-c-ester-photo-brightening-moisturizer-spf-30-2/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5eCBhCBARIsAEhk4r6VbxcrMHIXXJOEvA0AEb2vM7WpdMy3KELE7Y5WbqhPkZm_VWso470aAn1NEALw_wcB
AND SuperGoop Superscreen Daily. https://supergoop.com/products/superscreen-daily-moisturizer
I would love to find a mineral sunscreen I don’t dislike wearing. Paula’s Choice Calm has come the closest. Other than that one, I’ve given up, for now at least. Usually you end up feeling like you’ve been battered, and it’s a waste of time and money. I wear a chemical one almost all the time.
Viajera, let me pass on a useful tip I learned if you ever decide to try a powder version of mineral sunscreen. The especially good formulas, like Colorescience and Brush On Block, often come in tubes with brush attachment, which are awkward both to get product flowing through and to clean. A customer review I spotted a couple years back gave me the useful tip: just decant the powder sunscreen into a powder compact with a mesh sifter and puff, all of which is way easier to clean. Here’s an example https://www.amazon.com/AKOAK-Capacity-Reusable-Container-Elasticated/dp/B07PF8H53L/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=powder+container+with+mesh+sifter&qid=1615229884&sr=8-7 By the way, with you being a West Coast lady, I want to say Colorescience is reef friendly in both their powder and liquid mineral SPFs.
Thanks, D.!!! This is very helpful. There is a good chance I wouldn’t mind wearing a powder version, I have just been too lazy to try.
Eye cream that actually helps with my dark circles.
Biossance Squalane and Peptide eye cream worked for my dark circles — might be worth a try.
Something new to me. Neubrow. It works. Yay! It took a month before I could see the difference. I’m super satisfied. I don’t have to fill in at all now. And my brows were SPARSE.
Lip balm. I wore Carmex for years until one day it just stopped working. Since then, I’ve tried every lip balm people swear by, and none of them work for me.I subscribe to Ipsy and always select whatever lip balm they offer as my one choice. The best one I’ve found is from Anastasia Beverly Hills because it’s super thick and smells like marshmallows. It’s not amazing, but it works better than most.
I’m a balm addict and Sugar’s lip treatment is awesome. It doesn’t just put a slick coat on top, it is more of a moisturizer that feels like a balm. I’ve probably bought at least ten tubes of it so far.
I tend to like the ones I get at health food stores – various brands. They’re never more than a few dollars each, so it’s not a problem to experiment.
Try the new one by Alicia Keys at Ulta. It’s called “KEYS” (duh!) and it’s amazing! I put it on at bedtime and my lips still feel cushiony after I’ve had my coffee in the morning. It has a light vanilla scent.
Hi Liz, I also find lip balm stops working on me. And my biggest complaint is that they are often too “slidy”. Since you seem willing to keep trying – my current goto is Nova Scotia fisherman original lip balm. https://novascotiafisherman-us-com.myshopify.com/collections/sea-kelp-lip-balms/products/nova-scotia-fisherman-lip-balm
Have you tried Hurraw? I’m really liking them.
I have SUPER dry lips and these are the best I have found:
https://www.moroccanmagicbeauty.com/collections/lipcare
Burt’s Bees work for me, but it’s lip gloss that has taken me on a sentimental Journey, now that masks cover my lips — Bonne Belle Dr. Pepper or Coca-Cola, to be specific.
Lanolips 101 ointment multi balm in the small tube is the best imo. It comes in various scents but I’m partial to coconutter. I typically prefer unscented products but this doesn’t stay scented once applied and has no taste. It’s not sticky and I wear it year-round.
Same here — have dozens of lip balms, including several of the recos here. Also, same on finding lip balms stop working. My current favorite is Honest Beauty tinted tip balms. They are really moisturizing. Glossy, but not too much slip.
I think my pursuit for undereye concealer is epic in a white whale kind of way. But the wonder of aging is that I no longer have Fs to give about that. Instead, I buy colorful eyeglass frames and embrace my dark circles like the badges of courage that they are. And hey, this summer TikTok’ers made creating faux dark circles a trend so I’m in the zeitgeist.
I’m always looking for a great, dewy concealer that doesn’t crease even though I know this doesn’t exist. There is literally no concealer that isn’t going to gather in the tiny wrinkles under my eyes, right? But, if any of you know of one, lay it on me.
RMS, concealer works for me. I actually add a bit of setting powder cause it’s so creamy during warmer weather.
I 2nd MaryJane’s suggestion of RMS Uncoverup – super creamy dewy texture and lots of color choices.
I’ve tried RMS! Very nice but creases on me like crazy.
I’m on the same fruitless search, Adrien. I currently have 6 different ones in my makeup bag. I tend to use Glossier’s stretch concealer the most. It goes on nicely and does a pretty job, but I yearn for better. I do find that using a primer before the concealer helps it stay put and not sink into the little lines as much.
Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Undereye Concealer is amazing. I tap a little under my eyes and am good all day. It doesn’t crease and does not need to be set with powder. A tube lasts a long time (over a year) since a little goes a long way. Highly recommend.
Mascara for me too! Just got a sample of the Hourglass but haven’t tried yet – have high hopes :). Love this post…fun to read what has worked for everyone!
The absolute perfect lip shade that would enable me to throw out the hundreds I have purchased looking for it. Alas, my quest continues..
I’ve found mine (Marc Jacobs Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) but it hasn’t stopped me from continuing the quest lol
I love Kiss Kiss Bang Bang! Gorgeous color
I am perpetually in pursuit of a product that will fade or eliminate brown spots. I had a BBL laser treatment last week, so I’ll see if that does the job. In the past, the results from BBL have been limited. BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner, which I got at SkinStore, has faded spots a little, I think. It’s pricey but has a nice feel so I like it as a night cream. What I’d really love to find is some goop that actually works.
If the laser doesn’t show the brown spot results you’re looking for, find a medsoa/aesthi that does/has ThermoClear. Might take a few sessions but it works.
I did IPL which eliminated the brown spots but they eventually came back as my derm said they would .. . Not a perm solution but does give you a break and even tho they came back they seem lighter. Best time to do is fall I think.
I am very pleased with the lipstick I tried 2 years ago — both color and consistency of Rosewater by Kosas. (But I haven’t worn lipstick in at least a year.) Meanwhile, between overwashing my hands and playing with a teething puppy, my hands and fingers are dry and scabbed. I’ve tried Aquafor, Dr. Haushka nail oil, and Eucerin so far. I need a heavy duty hand cream. Any suggestions?
Squalene oil works really well for dry skin.
Thank you all! Will try out your suggestions.
I swear by O’Keefe’s Working Hands.
Love O’Keefe’s foot cream too for both dry winter feet and sandal-worn summer feet. During this very dry winter, I’ve been using O’Keefe’s WH at bed time and then my other favorite, Weleda Skin Food Light, during the day on my hands, elbows and knees.
Lisa — Another vote for O’Keefe’s Working Hands. I get the tube version at Target. Cheap and miraculous. Only thing that keeps the skin around my thumbs from cracking in the winter.
Second vote for O’Keeffe’s Working Hands. Get the tub, not the pump because pumps contain alcohol (to make the “pumpable”). That stuff was a game changer for me. Dirt cheap too.
This is my affordable and effective favorite. I’ve tried O’Keefes, but find it too thick . This comes in a tub:
https://www.polysporin.ca/products/cracked-skin-healing-balm
This is one in a tube:
https://www.cerave.ca/en-ca/our-products/moisturizers/therapeutic-hand-cream?gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5eCBhCBARIsAEhk4r7GWlYiuQEvVYCP73r3yNr0naOwVvq5pPBqrlc-WXrO36eEHPd-vMMaArxiEALw_wcB
And here’s a nice lemony one:
https://jrwatkins.com/products/hand-cream-lemon-cream-3-3-oz
I’ve used them all.
I have a few, including mascara that lengthens and volumizes my wimpy lashes. But my biggest desire is for a tinted moisturizer with treatment and SPF that looks like SKIN. I detest overly made up faces – no instagram makeup here!
Have you (or anyone) tried Ilya? I’ve been creeping closer to pulling the trigger on a purchase – I would also love a product with spf & a bit of tint for coverage & enhancement without going full paddy-cake foundation!
I just tried the Ilia Super Serum SPF 40 because 2 friends recommended it. They both have “easy” skin. I do not – very sensitive, prone to rashes. I understand why they like it: it comes in a decent range of tint colors, it is light , silky, and it looked lovely on my skin – velvety texture after it dries and just the right amount of coverage. BUT…I had a horrible reaction to it including swollen, itchy eyes and an angry rash on both cheeks that took days to go down. I can’t imagine that my reaction is typical but if you have sensitive skin you may want to try to find a sample.
Thanks so much for this intel – I appreciate it though I’m sorry to hear you had this reaction 🙁 I will try to sample before I commit!
I got Trinny London BFF destress, lightly tinted and my skin looks great with it on.
I discovered Trinny’s fun fashion and makeup videos on Youtube during quarantine, and ordered some of her cosmetics, which have have worked really well for me (lip to cheek, lip gloss and cream eyes shadow). Kim, I don’t know if you know her, but I think she would be a great podcast guest.
Oh I agree, I love Trinny’s makeup and she would be great on the podcast. I watched her show in the UK, What Not To Wear. So good.
I really like and have used Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for years.
I love Josie Maran Protect and Perfect; all chemical sunscreens irritate my eyes and the tint in this one eliminates the white cast of mineral sunscreens. On me it looks “natural but better” and I love it and don’t leave the house without it. However, I warn that it comes in exactly one shade (why, I do not know), so your mileage may vary.
The natural-looking tinted moisturizer with treatment and SPF is mine.
It seems every time I fall in love with one, the formula is changed for the worse, it stops being sold in America, or it is discontinued entirely.
I really liked those Josie Maran sheer blushes from a number of years ago — I think there was some coconut in there? They went on so well. (A lot of times I need to add moisturizer to a “stick” blush.) I’ve been meaning to try RMS but they’re a little more money and I’m not sure I’d be allowed to touch the sample right now to check out the consistency. Also my Zoom lighting is crap so I’m really not bothering.
I loved those too.
For the question on tinted moisturizer with SPF, try Alastin Hydratint Mineral sunscreen (SPF 36). I used to switch up tinted moisturizers all the time but have been using everyday for the last 3-4 yrs.
Mascara that lifts, curls, lengthens but doesn’t thicken. My lashes stay straight no matter what and they would be broken and short if not for GrandeLash. I had cracked the mascara code with the perfect combo but both products were discontinued. The only thing that now works is a different Hourglass mascara combo: The “curator” tool that is like a long screw that you use to apply first the Ascent primer and then the Realist mascara. My stubborn straight lashes stay curled and separated perfectly. It is an investment of money and time in the application, but it is worth it for me. It used to be weird to travel with because I have been asked about the Curator tool before by TSA, so Chanel Inimitable mascara is my back up.