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Sunday 30 November 2014

8 High End Products I Can't Live Without...


Why is it that all of your more expensive make-up must-haves always run out at the same time? Seriously - it happens to me every single bloomin' time and this month has been particularly cruel to me to say the least.  As I'm currently on a bit of a budget and am trying to curb my beauty product-spend-age, it's been difficult to justify splurging on high-end replacements. For some, I've managed to find good cheaper alternatives (see my recent 'drugstore gems' post here), but I've come to realise that there's a few high-end products in my collection I simply cannot live without.  Of course, as a blogger, I often end up treating myself to the odd luxury or two but there's only a small handful of them that I'd say hold the 'cannot live without' status.  I thought it was about time that I dedicate a post to my high-end 'holy grail' must-haves...

Nars / Sheer Glow Foundation / Link
Ever since I first purchased this foundation, it's never been out of my makeup collection.   It's a medium to full coverage foundation (in my opinion, more on the 'full' side) and always provides me with such flawless results.  It stays put all day and the formula is so easy to apply and blend out with a buffing brush. It's not dewy but provides a gorgeous subtle glow to the skin.  I particularly like this for nights out and events because it contains no SPF (no ghost face!) and I've also taken this away on holiday for use in the evenings and it's never let me down - it's so long-lasting. I have a full review here.

Mac / Mineralise Skinfinish Natural / Link
This powder has featured so many times on my blog - but for good reason! I'm still yet to find another powder that quite matches up.  It looks so natural and gives the skin such a smoothed out, 'soft focus' sort of finish. It controls oil and shine without looking cakey (even if you over-apply of a morning...) and doesn't cling to dry patches - it also doesn't darken or adjust the colour of your foundation underneath.  As well as controlling shine, it also sets your makeup and keeps your base locked in place for much longer - I notice such a difference when I don't use this (which isn't very often as it's a daily must-have for me!)  I can be out all day and after a few hours my makeup looks pretty much freshly applied - If i ever need to 'touch-up' it's very minimal.  I have a review here.

Estee Lauder / Double Wear Concealer / Link
I doubt I will ever find a concealer as good as this one!  It's expensive but lasts such a long time so it's price tag is perfectly justified to me considering I'd probably go through about 4 or 5 drugstore versions for just one tube of this.  It instantly covers dark circles, pigmentation and blemishes with a tiny dab - the full coverage is amazing yet it never looks caked or over-applied. It has a beautiful creamy consistency which is a dream to blend and it never sticks to dry patches.  This really is an unsung hero of the beauty world...

Nars / Matte Multiple in 'Altai' / Link
My contouring dreams came true when Nars released their Matte Multiples.  I much prefer contouring with cream products (and then add a dash of powder product to strengthen the effect afterwards once it's set) - i just find it gives a much more natural, sculpted finish as it's blended into your foundation as opposed to sitting on top of it. 'Altai' is a lovely colour for contouring as it adds a touch of warmth to the face without looking too bronzed.  My cheeks always look so defined after I've used this and the fact it's so long lasting means I can have perfectly contoured cheekbones all day long. I have a full review here.

Benefit / 'Hoola' Bronzer / Link
This is such an all-rounder which is why I love it so much.  It works as an all over bronzer if applied with a fluffy brush but also works perfectly as a contour shade.  As mentioned previously, I apply some of my Nars Multiple and then, once I've set with Mac's MSF, I'll dust a small amount of this along the contour line with the brush that comes in the compact. It intensifies the effect but still looks super natural.  I love the fact that it's matte too. I have a full review here.

Clinique / Bottom Lash Mascara / Link
Ever since I first started wearing makeup I've struggled with my mascara smudging below my bottom lash line. However, that all changed when I began purchasing Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara and I haven't used anything else since. I swear by it.  I never get panda eyes anymore and my bottom lashes always look so defined and separated thanks to the tiny little wand. It coats every single lash with ease, doesn't flake or smudge (even if there's a few tears - tried and tested ;)) I talk a little more about it in this favourites post.

Shu Uemura / Art of Hair Essence Absolue Oil / Link
If you've been reading my blog for a while, I bet you're sick of hearing about this product by now - but seriously, I adore everything about it and I definitely think it's helped towards hair growth.  My hair has never felt in such good condition since I started using this and I use it every time I wash my hair.  It doesn't weigh the hair down at all yet provides such intense moisture. I sometimes apply it to dry hair to revive my style if it's gone a little bit frizzy (perfect for rainy days) and I've also used it on extensions to help them stay soft and shiny for longer.  SUCH a wonder product. I have a full review here.

Harley Street Skincare / Spot Buster Solution / Link
As far as spot treatments go - this is by far the best I've ever used.  Again, i've spoken about it quite a bit on my blog but I really do think it's the bees knees and it's worth every single penny. If I ever have a breakout, it clears it within a couple of days and helps to prevent scarring/marking after the blemish has gone.  Unlike other spot treatments, this one doesn't leave a residue so it's perfect if you're applying makeup afterwards - you can't tell it's been applied at all.  Because it's a spray, you can apply it easily over larger areas too. Without a doubt the best anti-blemish solution I've ever tried. It featured in my skincare routine post here.


What are your 'can't live without' products?


26 comments:

  1. i swear by hoola and my mineralize skinfinish natural! that nars matte multiple sounds amazing, definitely going to check it out :)

    Rachel // Style Soup

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  2. Some amazing picks! I really want to try a few of these! x
    Emma | Emmys Blog

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  3. I've just bookmarked the spot buster thanks lovely, still need to try nars foundation desperately though and hoola is my FAV xxx

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  4. I just bought Nars matte multiple, i absolutely love it

    Jess x
    www.jessicalaar.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. Really want to try Nars Sheer Glow,it sounds amazing and is always raved about! There are some great dupes out there but sometimes you just have to pay for the good stuff xx

    athingofbeauty33.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. I've found my HG spot treatment in the Clinique Anti-Blemish Clinical Clearing Solution, I adore it!
    Loved to see what your absolute favourites are! :) xx

    Gyudy's Notes Of Beauty

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  7. For some reason I've always over looked the Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer, but I think I'll definitely be giving it a try after reading this. Sounds almost too good to be true!x

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  8. I need to get my hands on NARS sheer glow!
    xprincessjas | ♥

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  9. I love Hoola it gives me a great bronzed look. I have never got on to well with Nars Sheer Glow which is so disappointing.

    GreyWalls 

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  10. Great products, I agree that all of my high end products run out at once!

    lovefrombethan.blogspot.co.uk

    xox

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  11. I love the Nars Creamy Radient concealer - there are some similar products in the drugstore but in the end Nars still wins them all.

    http://mmemento-mmori.blogspot.com

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  12. Hoola is my favourite bronzer and I always forget to repurchase mac mineralised skin finish. I love high end products x

    Pintsizedbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. Loved this! You really hit the nail on the head with a few of these products :) Another one of mine is the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Whiskey for tight lining. It adds the perfect amount of definition to my lash line :)

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  14. Really love the products!

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  15. I love the Nars Sheer Glow :) I definitely can't live without my Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara

    Kate X

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  16. Totally agree with bottom lash mascara. No idea how my lashes coped beforehand!

    Annabel ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

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  17. I really enjoyed this post - I like buying high end makeup but I spend a long time deliberating about what to try, as unlike people might think even beauty bloggers don't have a bottomless budget for makeup! You included a couple of products I'm really interested in, like the Nars multiple in Altai (I'm going to go and read your full review now) as well as Sheer Glow which I'm really keen to try. But you also introduced me to the Double Wear concealer, I don't think I've ever seen it on a blog before! I'll definitely have to keep my eye open for that one. xx

    One Little Vice - UK Beauty Blog

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  18. That bottom lash mascara sounds amazing!

    Xo

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  19. This year I purchased both Hoola and sheer glow foundation and I totally agree with you, they are wonderful products! I was particularly chuffed that Hoola worked beautifully for my warm olive skintone, despite being a fave of so many pale girls! Benefit did brilliantly :)
    Iqra |The Blushing Giraffe x

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  20. Nars sheer glow is my go-to foundation, I also love Nars laguna. x

    STONE FOX INC.

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  21. I really want to try some Nars products!
    I love my Estee Lauder Double Wear xx

    Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x

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  22. I also love the Nars Sheer Glow foundation, partially because it is my perfect and shade and partially because it is such a great product. Plus, I ordered a pump for it from the Nars website, which makes it so much more convenient. Great post!

    www.youarebeaut.blogspot.com

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  23. Agree with so many of these! I have run out of Nars Sheer Glow and I am not coping very well!!

    Laura xx

    maquillagemagic.blogspot.co.uk

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  24. I want all of these aghh.

    Sophie x

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  25. I wish I had more opportunities to get into high-end makeup! That's why I really liked Birchbox when I had it. These all look beautiful

    Watching for Pigs on the Wing

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