When talking about beauty and personal care practices, it is common for many of us to have a go-to product that we swear by. This could be anything from a reliable foundation that complements your skin perfectly, to an effortless-to-glide-on liquid eyeliner for an impeccable cat-eye look (if these truly exist), or even a lipstick colour that seems suitable for every event.
Cosmetics journalist, Simone Gannon, has a mix of “time-honoured and modern classic” items that consistently feature in her cosmetic and skincare assortment. She divulges the “star” products she simply cannot do without.
1: L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara
“I have remained loyal to one particular mascara for almost eight years. It ranks amongst the best mascaras I’ve tried and it’s conveniently priced. Depending on where you shop, it ranges from 13 to 17 euros. The formula is impressive and I’ve sampled a multitude of mascaras… this is one that I continuously purchase.”
2: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
“It’s a long-standing product and has undergone numerous name transformations. It’s simply a standard product, suitable for everyone, genuinely lovely to use…you apply it and feel quite extravagant, it enhances the skin beautifully. My mother uses it too, it has evolved over time, but it has remained a constant.”
3: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
“It’s truly miraculous. Its uses are innumerable. I possess the lip balm, the pot of balm, the hand lotion, and now the body cream. It’s a tremendous treatment for chapped lips, arid areas, elbows, knees, you name it. It’s an all-rounder, trustworthy product.”
4: Orgasm Blush by Nars
“I owned it for numerous years and adored it. Now, it’s available in an array of different formulae, including the option of buying it in a cream stick form rather than powder.”
5: MAC Ruby Woo Retro Matte Lipstick
Ruby Woo has always been among my favourites. It’s universally loved and every time I put it on, people often query, ‘my goodness what lipstick are you wearing’ – it’s not a recent product, it’s Ruby Woo.
6: Laura Mercier’s Authentic Flawless Weightless Perfecting Concealer
This is a contemporary concealer, introduced in January. The formula is captivating because it’s a fusion of serum and concealer… which is perfect as our skin becomes drier, more wrinkled around the eyes with aging, and more hollow. The concealer is simply superb, buttery, creamy, light, and quite luminous. It seemingly blends on its own, smooths effortlessly under the eyes, and remains intact.
7: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Another standout product. It continues to be relevant and as effective as always.