What Are Your Holy Grail Beauty Products?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We've talked about “beauty empties” before (the products we finish all the way to the end), but not in a while — and I don't think we've ever taken a poll for the “holy grail” beauty products, the ones that are absolutely perfect for you. So let's discuss!
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
{related: great short makeup routines}
Kat's Holy Grail Beauty Products
Skincare
- I really, really, really like this Rice Foaming Cleanser from 9 Wishes, and I'll be really sad if I can't find it anymore — it exfoliates but is moisturizing. My face actually feels rougher if I don't use it for a few weeks.
- I love my Caudalie Lip Conditioner — so moisturizing, not gloppy. Nothing else compares!
Makeup
I'm not sure if I have any holy grails for makeup! Some long-running products that I really like include this IT Cosmetics concealer and this NARS blush. I really, really, really like this eyebrow brush from EcoBrow. I also keep buying Clinique Chubby Sticks for lipstick, although I vary my color — I really like the weight of the tint/color, the feel of it on my lips, and the price point.
Kate's Holy Grail Beauty Products
Skincare & Makeup
- My everyday, year-round facial moisturizer is Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 15; it moisturizes well without being greasy, and I've used it for years. [my CorporetteMoms review]
- Speaking of sun protection, I shared my then-longtime-favorites in last year's post on our favorite sunscreens, but my current fave is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 100, and I know I'll be sticking with it for a long time!
- I really love Eucerin's Eczema Relief Cream for my eczema-prone hands in the winter. It's a thick and creamy lotion without a greasy feel, and it doesn't completely wash off when you wash your hands. (In our house, I keep one upstairs and one downstairs!)
- I've used The Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover for-EVER. Last year, a Body Shop customer service rep told me that it'd been discontinued (it had disappeared from the site), but somehow it's BACK. Yay! [my CorporetteMoms review]
- Solar Oil is excellent for strengthening nails and moisturizing cuticles — it works so well! [my CorporetteMoms review]
Miscellaneous
- I've been very happy with Amika's Normcore Sulfate-Free Shampoo, which I've been using for a long time. It smells great (and leaves a bit of scent behind) and makes my hair soft and shiny. [my CorporetteMoms review]
- It had never crossed my mind to whiten my teeth until a friend of mine told me she whitens hers, and that spurred me to try it. My teeth looked fine before, but with Crest 3D Whitestrips (I use the least expensive product in their whitening line), they become noticeably whiter and look great for months.
- I'm on my, uh, sixth O.P.I. Crystal Nail File because I keep breaking them by dropping them on tile and hardwood floors (they're very brittle), but that shows how much I like them! So much better than an emery board or metal file.
Ann's Holy Grail Beauty Products
Skincare
- The Inky List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum: Smoothes and evens out my four+ decade old skin without irritation (and you can’t beat the price). [my CorporetteMoms review]
- fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence: An anti-pollution treatment that is perfect for layering under your moisturizer
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+: My first “prestige” beauty purchase is still a classic. [my CorporetteMoms review]
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Face Moisturizer: The moisturizer I reach for most in the winter when my skin is feeling blah [my CorporetteMoms review]
- fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash: A gentle, soothing face wash that cleanses without over-drying [my CorporetteMoms review]
Makeup
- Essie Gel Couture: I haven’t been painting my nails much as of late, but when I get back into it, my fine collection of Essie Gel Couture is waiting for me. [my CorporetteMoms review]
- Glossier Cloud Paint: Perfect for that five-minute makeup routine [my CorporetteMoms review]
- Glossier Balm Dot Com: A moisturizing lip balm in a range of flavors and tints
Haircare
- Herbal Essences Bio:renew Argan Oil & Aloe Repairing Hair Mask: This mask has kept my hair smooth and nourished from hot and humid summer days to dry and cold winter ones. [my CorporetteMoms review]
- Garnier Fructis Sleek Shot In-Shower Hair Styler Cream: I’m all about sleek, shiny hair and shaving a few minutes off my blow dry time.
{related: what are your favorite drugstore beauty & bath products?}
Elizabeth's Holy Grail Beauty Products
Haircare
- Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler: I have really fine hair, and this helps protect it from heat damage without weighing it down. It’s scented, but not quite as aggressively as some of the other Drybar products I’ve tried.
- Hask Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo: Hands down, the best dry shampoo I’ve ever used. I’ve found that the best method is to apply it before bed if you want to wake up with perfect second-day hair.
Skincare
- Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant: Does deodorant count as skincare? I think the scent on this is lovely, but most importantly, it’s one of the best antiperspirants I’ve ever used. I have both sensitive skin and extremely active sweat glands, so when I find something that works for me, I’m holding onto it with all my might.
- Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3%: My skin has been SO much healthier since I started incorporating niacinamide into my routine. The concentration in this essence from Naturium is low enough that it doesn’t irritate my face, but substantial enough that it has calmed my easily-aggravated skin and made it feel softer and smoother.
Makeup
- Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Under-Eye Concealer: This concealer from Sephora is relatively inexpensive, but the texture of it seems to really agree with my skin. I keep one at home, one in my desk, and one in my purse.
- Benefit Dandelion Brightening Finishing Powder: Even in the middle of summer, my skin tone is somewhere between Casper the Friendly Ghost and Wednesday Addams. This blush from Benefit provides enough color to make me look alive, but never looks clown-like.
Readers, how about you — what are your favorite holy grail beauty products?
Stock photo via Stencil.
Fun!
1. Laneige lip mask
2. Makeup forever concealer
3. Revitalash
4. Sunday Riley Good Genes
Fun! Mine are Good Genes by Sunday Riley, Best Skin Days by Iris & Romeo, and Glossier Boy Brow.
I bought the last dozen or so tubes of Borghese’s Brow Milano –I actually called the NYC corporate office, where the woman who answered the phone sent me everything they had in a closet. What trial and error did you endure to land on Glossier? I ask because I’ll eventually use up my Borghese stash…
I was going to add boy brow as well. I order multiple tubes and love it. Does a good job at adding a slight tint, grooms, and fills in. It looks very natural and I have not found it to be cakey at all. I use it basically everyday and it gives me a put together look for zoom calls even if I have nothing else on. I highly recommend!
Bumble and Bumble hair care. Kiehl’s copper peptide face cream. Shiseido sunscreens. Jouer eyeshadows and blush/highlighter kit. Bobbi Brown foundations.
Eyes – Maybelline falsies is cheap and as effective as pricey brands
Face – Estée Lauder double wear foundation- the only foundation that truly lasts all day for me and looks good the entire time. I never have to even touch it up which is HUGE for me. I dilute it with primer if I want a more sheer look.
Lips – Mented lipliner – nicely pigmented.
Maybelline babylips lip balm – surprisingly pigmented but still somewhat sheer balm. I love it in the
very pink shades.
There are a couple of types of double wear—which is the one you like?
I like the OG liquid formula. I haven’t tried the newer versions but this is a great reminder to test them out.
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink for lips. This stuff does.not.come.off. When I put on one of deep reds, I have to use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to clean up the lines (I have not gotten the hang of lip liner) because it does not simply wipe off. Color 15, Lover, is a me-but-better color and does not require that.
NARS blush, Perricone no makeup lipstick, and Aveeno moisturizer!
Nuface
Hourglass face powder
Paula’s choice 1 % BHA Acid
Duo latex free eyelash glue
Balm cleansers
Does anyone here use BR’s lotion p50? It seem sot be a holy grail on skincare blogs, but I’ve never met anyone who uses it in real life.
seems to be*
ugh, can it be Friday already?
I love p50, as do my sisters, nieces and daughters. We have formed our own little P50 cult. If I stop using it for a week or so, my skin just seems so dull.
Haircare: Kerastase Maskeratine (let it sit for 6+ mins on towel-dried hair)
Skincare: Paula’s Choice BHA 2% toner, RetinA, Cerave Moisturizing cream and Foaming Cleanser
SPF: Purito spf50, La Roche Possay any European spf50 (I have extremely sensitive skin and these two brands work perfectly for me).
Makeup: Lancome mascara, MAC StudioFix foundation (sits on skin full day, looks natural and they have a pale shade fitting my skin), Maybelline lipsticks (I love Hollywood red, wear it during day), MAC eyeshadows, Essie nail polish.
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Tretinoin 0.05% gel
YTTP Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream (caveat: haven’t repurchased since they were bought out, so proceed with caution)
Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor (IMO far superior to Olaplex #3)
Tarte’s Sex Kitten Eyeliner! I’ve received so many compliments on my eye makeup since I began using it.
Olive & June Nail Polish kits! My at-home manis get tons of compliments.
Tarte maneater mascara.
Dr Jart CC cream
NARS blush palette (has 6 colors, I’ve been using it daily for 1.5 years and still not run out!
It Cosemetics Bye-Bye pores, used with Honest Co. reusable bamboo cotton rounds
Honestly? CeraVe eye cream has worked WONDERS for me.
1. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid. Literally changed my life.
2. Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner.
3. Cabaret mascara (my eyelashes are non-existent and this actually makes me look like I have some).
4. Korres Night-Brightening Sleeping Facial.
5. elf Wow Brow.
6. Becca Under-eye Brightening Corrector (although Becca is out of business this is still being made by Smashbox).
7. Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioner Wash.
Haircare: Olaplex (the only thing that works for my highlighted, curly hair)
Skincare: prescription retinol, Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser, La Roche Posay Ultra Toleraine Moisturizer, Biossance Sunscreen
Makeup: Mineral Fusion powder foundation, Nars blush, and random drugstore mascara and eyeliner
Differin! It does more than just prevent breakouts.
Cetaphil rich hydrating cream.