Holy Grail-Worthy: Crystal’s Favorite Face Products
If I had to choose, I would splurge on face products over eye or lip products. Why? I like thinking that I’m getting my money’s worth in powders and concealers because they have to be the perfect bases for the rest of my makeup.
Plus, good skin ingredients and color ranges come with pricier bases.
I’ve wasted so much time trying many face products to find the perfect ones for me. But when I did, it was worth it. My eyeshadows look better on my flawless face, and my lips are even more pouty when my complexion looks blemish-free.
These are the products that I’d marry and declare a relationship with for life. Read on to discover what some of my HG finds for the face.
Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15 ($35 US – left) is the most pigmented powder I’ve ever tried and feels smooth on the face. I can look flawless by lightly dusting this all over my face. I’m really loving this especially now in the winter! The creamy coverage doesn’t make my face look powdery.
Stila Perfecting Concealer in shade f ($23 US – rigth): I prefer creamy concealers to cover any blemishes I have, and this is the most perfect one ever.
It dries down to a matte finish, but smooths on easily. It lasts the whole day after I set it with powder and looks natural. When I feel like I want super coverage all over my face, I like to blend this with a little moisturzier to make a DIY tinted moisturizer!
I usually don’t need to use a bronzer on my tanned skin, but I find that I do need Benefit Dallas ($28 US – left)! It’s a combo of blush and bronzer that gives me natural all over color for those days when I don’t feel perky. I love brushing this plum-rose-bronze color onto my forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. No more winter pasties!
I love the bright coral blushes for cheeks and my favorite is Benefit Coralista ($28 US – right). It looks superb on tan skin because of all the pretty gold shimmers. The box is huge and worth the high cost.
I know that lots of people love the fruity scent, but I find it a little fake smelling – it’s a good thing that it doesn’t last too long on the skin!
Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($5.29 US): These classic blue oil blotters work so well for the price. I don’t need fancy sheets, because I use at least one a day. These work so nicely for me, there’s really nothing bad I can say about them.
Pink highlighter looks great when applied on top of blush, but alone it’s a disaster. That’s why I appreciate MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Warmed, a swirl of gold and bronze.
I can totally wear this on top of my bare skin to give me a sun-kissed look that’s fabulous. I find that this doesn’t look that great on top of blushes, but that’s ok – it gets plenty of love from me anyways! (Look for it in your CCO!)
What are your HG face products? Do you like any of the ones I put on my list?
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On November 6th, 2009 Faye said:
I LOVE Benefit Dallas, although in the current climate I am finding it quite hard to justify the money!
On November 6th, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Faye!
I really love Dallas too. It’s such a great color for the cheeks or all over the face. It was hard for me to justify the purchase too! However, you do get 12 grams/.42 oz of product, which is a lot! I barely made a dent in mine and I’ve had it for almost a year! That’s how I justified it anyways, LOL!
On November 7th, 2009 Faye said:
Hehe I think I am going to have to make my boyfriend read your comment so he doesn’t make me feel guilty when I go out and buy some next weekend!
On November 8th, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Faye!
LOL! Great strategy! Who knows though? You might be able to work it with other purchases too. Just use the cost per oz. justification like I did!
On December 20th, 2009 Sarah said:
Heya!
I totally agree with you, if i had to choose i’d prefer a better foundation and skincare products than eye/lips, as i normally only have one liquid foundation, one concealer etc, therefore splurging on those items to get a perfect base vs justifying £12 per eyeshadow, which would be like x 10 to get a nice choice of colours and blends. To be honest also, I like to buy palettes now if I do want higher end eyeshadows, as normally its getting the best of both worlds. (e.g. urban decay book of shadows 2 has 12 eyeshadows in it, and those retail at around £10-12 each, but the palette retailed for £27.)
x
On December 20th, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Sarah!
I always think about that factor too. It really comes down to this for me, should I splurge on that powder which has SPF and is a great color match for me or that green eyeshadow? The powder, of course!
I also love palettes! I honestly don’t think that single eyeshadows are any better than the ones in palettes if you use a good primer. I love my Urban Decay Book of Shadows to death!