Typically, we bloggers rave endlessly about all of our holy grail, can’t-live-without-it, would-die-if-they-discontinued-it products.
Today, I’m going to talk about products I live without. As much as I am obsessed with products, I was surprised at how many products I never, or very rarely use:
1. Lip Color– I tend to apply a clear gloss (I love Victoria Secret’s Beauty Balm) to my lips while at work, but I don’t wear any lip gloss or lipstick on a daily basis unless I have an important meeting or evening event. I do LOVE lipgloss, but it has a time and place for me. I do like the clear VS lip gloss, because it prevents my lips from getting too dry.
2. Hairspray– The last time hairspray touched my hair was when my stylist curled it for me. I hardly every use hairspray, for many reasons, the most important being that it just doesn’t work for people who don’t wash their hair daily. If you sleep on hair that’s been hair sprayed (at least for me) it just doesn’t look right the next day. I tend to touch-up with the flat iron in between washes, and hairspray ruins the texture for me. It just does something not right, so I avoid it. I will use it occasionally in the summer if I’m in a high-humidity situation.
3. Makeup Primer– I tried Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, and I didn’t see what all the buzz was about. I actually felt my makeup looked worse with it than without. Maybe I just don’t have the right skin for it or something, but it’s just another step to me that I don’t see results from.
4. Regular Mascara- Weird, right? I ONLY use waterproof formulas. I won’t even buy a non-waterproof mascara. I like the staying power and non-smudginess it offers. I also like the texture of WP formulas.
5. Liquid Foundation– I don’t remember the last time I used liquid foundation, though I am not opposed to it. In fact, I’ve been wanting to try the new NARS foundation that everyone is raving about (sheer glow). The thing is, I’ve been using MAC Studio Fox for more than 9 years, and I don’t feel like now is the time to switch. I worry about skin breakouts too.
6. Hand/Body Cream or Lotion– Beauty confession alert! I absolutely hate the feeling of cream on my hands or body. I have no idea how my skin is not alligator dry, I really don’t. Cream makes my hands feel dirty for some reason. When I do moisurize, I have to wash my hands IMMEDIATELY.
7. Eye Makeup Remover– I don’t own eye makeup remover. I just wash it off with my facewash…is that awful?
8. A Regular Toothbrush– Non-electric tooth brushes are completely alien to me. I can’t imagine brushing my teeth without my Braun Oral B spin brush (I would like to get a Sonicare next). I even bring it when I travel.
So, tell me, which popular beauty products do you live without?
xoxo,
Veronika.
So far I live without any type of facial moisturizer or wrinkle cream, but I am re-considering this! I also live without perfume…I've tried a bunch, but they all make me sneeze. I need to even wash my clothes in the non-scented detergent.
This isn't a product, but I totally live without a flat sheet on the bed. I don't understand what it's needed for and I usually just wind up kicking it off anyway.
I also always use waterproof mascara. But can't get it off without eye m/u remover. So for me it goes hand in hand. How do you do it?
I pretty much agree with you on all other points! Body lotion/cream makes me feel like I need to take another shower. lol
I also swear by waterproof mascara, it's got so much staying power! When we went horse riding in Loch Ness, I got a leaf in my eye and my eyeball was watering like a fountain. But no smears. 🙂
I don't use any traditional eye makeup remover, instead I use my mom's proven technique: a cotton ball and baby oil. It works like a charm and keeps that tender skin around your eye from drying out or becoming irritated. The oils slide the makeup right off and then I wash my face.
Girl, I don't know how you don't use lotions! I love them! They have to be easy to absorb though, like Dove or Nivea. In the winter, my hands get so dry they hurt so I'm constantly using Johnson's Baby Lotion hand potion.
Interesting post! I can't believe you don't moisturize! How in the world does that work???? I could not leave my house without foundation either 🙂
I don't use hairspray either though and I love my spin brush! I use one on my daughter too, the difference in the cleanliness of her mouth is noticeable.
Also, I can't believe you don't use make-up remover to take off waterproof mascara! How do you do that?? I just use the Neutrogena Wipes to swipe it off before I wash my face.
I loooove my sonicare. So much I can't wait to get the clairsonic!
I also hate the feeling of lotion on my hands. I have found a few that dry nice but for the most part I go without!
Great blog BTW 🙂
I love this post! I also rarely moisturize my body. I've just never really needed it. I'm not a hairspray user either. I've had the same tiny can in my stash for a couple years now just in case.
Oh, I also recommend the SonicCare toothbrushes!
Same here about number 6, I own moisturizer and never use it… hate the feeling of my body sticking to my clothes…
I asked Santa (my dad) for a sonicare for xmas.. can't wait for it.
My product I can live without is definitely a flat iron… I can get my hair really straight with a big round brush and hair dryer. I feel like the added step of the flat iron is just damaging my already dry hair.
I hate liquid foundation. I don't use a flat iron either. I just got a sonicare toothbrush a few weeks ago and now I don't know how I ever lived without it.
Love this post. Really got me thinking. I pretty much agree with all of your items except for liquid foundation and hairspray. Although I just recently started using those 2 products that I lived my whole life without. I only use face lotion, don't own makeup remover, use a electric TB, rarely wear lip color and have never even tried a face primer – I also live without night cream or wrinkle cream but am reconsidering it due to some very fine lines
Clean & Clear makes a good facial wash/make up remover and it gets off my mascara/eye liner so well! I switch between liquid foundation and just powder depending on the redness of me cheeks, and MAC eye primer is the best ever! Your makeup will look the same for days! For me, it really is a night and day difference and I feel like it makes the colors more vibrant. There's not much I don't use, I'm a beauty junkie.
Awesome post! I will have to try electric brushes some day! I just discovered your blog and really like it so far!
https://clearlybeautiful.blogspot.com/
Hi veronika! I love posts! Do you know of a good product to use for static hair?
Alright Veronika, I know you don't use face primer, but I'm going to recommend something that I learned about by watching a beauty video on YouTube, and I really, really hope you try it and write a review:
Monistate Soothing Care Chafing Relief Gel Powder. ON YOU FACER (as primer). Yes, Monistat. Seriously. On your face.
It contains the same active ingredient of all all the high-end primers (diethicone), but in greater quantity, and at a much, much lower price. I think it was $6 when I bought it.
I know you don't love Photo Finish (and I don't either), but this product immediately became a holy grail product for me. Can't live without it now.
So go buy some, try it, and write a review!
What a great, unique post! Keep it up girl 🙂
I am wit you on the eye makeup remover. I don't use it either.
erin- believe it or not, I have tried the chaffing cream as a primer, and I didn't enjoy it at all. I thought it made my skin look weird and more oily! thanks for the rec though, I know it works for a lot of people!
Do you have a favorite mascara? I have non-existent wimpy lashes so I am always looking for recommendations. 🙂 I have a pretty pared down beauty routine, but I definitely use an eye makeup remover! I can't stand getting water in my eyes (weird phobia) so maybe that's why it's a must-have for me!
e- I really LOVE DiorShow waterproof, and also covergirl Lashblast (WP). I really love L'oreal voluminous too!
i have super short thin eyelashes and mascara is my "must wear" item. i have figured out that by layering two different mascaras, i can finally get the length and volume i want! i put a layer of DIOR black mascara first for length (it's not waterproof) then add a layer of loreal voluminous waterproof in black for volume. it works miracles and doesn't smudge!
Im gona be like everyone else and wonder – HOW do you get waterproof mascara off without using makeup remover (or picking it off)?
Perhaps try some extra virgin olive oil? It'll at least dissolve the mascara making it easier to wash off – it's good for your skin too, making it an efficient AND cheapest makeup remover EVER!!
annette-I wash my face at night, sleep, and wash whatever didn't come off at night in the morning. I just use my regular facial cleanser. I don't have to scrape it off or anything…it just washes off after two attempts 🙂
funny you mention the spin brush; when dan moved in he used one, so I decided to try it out. Just as I was getting used to the vibrations in my mouth, he found out from his dentist that it was actually wearing down his gums! now we both don't use them..but hopefully you have strong gums hehe
Hairspray totally dries my hair out; when I do need to use it for curls or wearing it up I use giovanni organic hairspray http://www.giovannicosmetics.com. In fact, I also use their shampoo and conditioner. It is less harsh on my hair and scalp and so far I like it!
About primer… I've always used smashbox photo finish when going out at night, but today I had my product training at Benefit and they introduced me to both dr. feel good and that gal, both of which i love! dr. feel good balm is good for normal-oily skin and you pat it on after or before you put your makeup on. that gal is good for lighter skin tones since it's pink and has a bit of glow to it..I have it under a light foundation and like the way it looks and feels on my skin.
My advice to you, get to a macy's or sephora and try to get a sample and/or demonstration of that gal and some kind of gorgeous (a liquid to powder foundation that is super light with some coverage as well)..I use this in the winter more than I do in the summer.
(ok so maybe i'm biased to benefit but still :))
xx