How many products do you use on a daily basis? I thought about this the other day as I was getting ready for work and was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of products I use. You would think after listing them all off that I leave the house looking like a clown, but really, it comes down to the application technique and amount of product used.
So, I’m going to talk about my makeup and hair routine in this post and then I’ll ask you to tell me how many products YOU use on the daily. Here we go!
On days I wash my hair:
1. Shampoo- Pureology Nanoworks
2. Conditioner- L’Oreal EverStrong In the Shower:
3. Body wash- either Bath and Body Works or Victoria’s Secret Brand (or Target)
4. Soap- Dove sensitive skin (it’s the only soap I can use that doesn’t make my skin freak out) 5. Face wash- La Roche Posay Effaclar foaming gel cleanser mixed with Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Foaming face wash.
Before hair styling:
6. Garnier Fructis XXL Volume Thickening Mousse
7. Redken Extreme Anti Snap leave-in treatment
8. Pureology Thickening Spray (sometimes)
9. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
After blow drying/styling prep:
10. Kerastase Nutri Serum
11. CHI 44 Iron Guard (sometimes)
Makeup (and yes, this is the order I do it in):
12. Moisturizer- Neutrogena Sensitive Skin moisturizer
13. Concealer-MAC Studio Fix concealer (the one in the pot) applied to any red areas with a Sigma foundation brush
14. Powder- MAC Studio Fix Powder foundation- applied with Sigma large fluffy brush
15. Lash Curler- shu uemura Eyelash Curler
16. Inner eye highlighter- Anastasia of Beverly Hills Highlighting Pencil in “Sand”
17. Gel Eyeliner- Bobbi Brown gel liner in “black mauve” or MAC fluidline gel liner in “Dipdown” (on top lid- applied with Sigma or MAC slanted eyeliner brush)
18. Eyeshadow- MAC “brun” eyeshadow to line lower lashline only (no eyeshadow on lids) 19. Waterline eyeliner- Bonne Bell “black ink” eyeliner
20. Bronzer- NARS “Laguna”
21. Eyebrow Pencil- Anastasia of Beverly Hills in “medium brunette”
22. Blush- either Bobbi Brown “peony,” Benefit “Coralista,” or Stila “Petunia”…I have others too, but these are my faves lately
23. Mascara- either DiorShow waterproof (black) or L’Oreal Volume Collagen waterproof in “Blackest Black”
So, that’s it, 23 products later. Now, let’s talk tools:
* Hairdryer
* CHI Flat Iron
* Velcro Rollers
* Velcro Roller clips to hold them in place
* Eyelash curler (but I counted that as a product)
* Sigma and MAC makeup brushes
* Bobby pins- to hold front layers in place when hair is styled
* Clarisonic Mia (to cleanse skin- I use it at night only though)
Phew! It’s exhausting to think I use so many products…yet it doesn’t take me a long time do to my makeup at all. Like I said, it’s all in HOW you apply it/how MUCH you apply. I’ve got my routine down because I wear my makeup the exact same way every single day. I don’t always wear the same blush or eyeliner color, but the application is the same. On weekends, I sometimes wear eyeshadow or do a smokey eye. I also sometimes use a (shimmery) highlighter in the evening on my cheekbones.
So, tell me, are you shocked by how many products you use? What’s your product number? (please God, tell me it’s close to mine, LOL!)
Also, a lot of bloggers have already mentioned this article, and if you’re a blogger, I suggest you read it. It basically is someone saying beauty bloggers aren’t reliable because we aren’t professional makeup artists and don’t work in the industry.
I write this blog because it is a fun hobby for me and I love sharing tips, tricks and positive inspiration with like-minded women. I don’t write it because I think I’m awesome at makeup. I learn a lot from other bloggers/vloggers who are much more skilled than I am.
Having said that, I love to review products and I don’t think my reviews are any less significant because I’m not a professional makeup artist. I write about how the products work for me, and I think people understand that. 100 people could rave about a product and it might not work the same for someone else.
Anyways, I’m rambling, so I’ll stop and allow you to share with me in the comments your product-junkie-ness.
Thank you for reading, contributing to the conversation and for being beautiful and awesome!
xoxo,
Veronika.
Good post! Just wondering though – why do you use a body wash and soap in the shower?
Laura- I use body wash on most of my body and then I use sensitive skin soap on my underarms and other sensitive areas.
Ahh, I gotcha. Maybe I should give that a shot on parts of my body that are more prone to dryness. Thanks!
Laura- I have super sensitive skin so I don't like to use body wash on parts that are really sensitive to artificial scents and stuff. That's why I use sensitive skin moisturizer on my face too. I can break out in hives so easily.
Hi Veronika – love your blog!! I also use many, many products each day but my list varies because I do my hair and makeup differently to suit my mood or outfit. Are you having great luck with the Clarisonic??
Jessica
Jessica- I am really enjoying the Clarisonic, it is a deeper clean and a great way to get rid of dead skin cells 🙂
thanks for the sweet comments! I wish I could be more experimental with my makeup, but I like to stick with the same look I guess!
Loving the blog – how are you liking the dry shampoo? Thanks!
anon- OMG the Tresemme dry shampoo! Love it! I must post a review. For the $5 price tag it's a must have. I used it today!
I'll be picking it up tomorrow then! Thanks Veronika!
anon- the smell of the spray is a little strong, but it doesn't stay all day. I think it's a great product to have if you just need to freshen up your 2nd or 3rd day hair a little bit. I still do love babypowder. sometimes i still do a quick sprinkle of babypowder after using the dry shampoo.
Wow great topic. I added my products up and came to 13. Well 14 if you include toothpaste! I also have to use Dove. Very interesting article, I read that earlier. Must be nice to sit front row at fashion week though… 🙂
Kristina- totally forgot about toothpaste! ack!
i use 14 on a "fast" day. i want to step it up more though
I use 33 products alone (not including tools) on the average day that I wash my hair. That's nuts. Honestly, though, I don't think I could easily cut out anything.
stephie- i knew you'd eventually chime in and make me feel better! I totally TAG you to do this post! I want to see your daily/fave products 🙂
I'll definitely post about this!! I was a little surprised because it really doesn't take me long to get ready.
Ok so after reading this I sat down and thought about all the products I use and it came out to 22 on my "low maintenance days" and that is like minimal makeup people can usually barely tell I have makeup on! It's hard to believe how many products we use on a daily basis!
The web site that you linked to was kind of an annoying story. I'm kind of surprised how serious and concerned all these professional make up artists sound in regards to beauty bloggers. I visit your beauty blog because I like your perspective, your style of writing and its always great to get a new tip. Not really sure why it needs to be made into anything heavy and serious. It's just make up, its fun!
Hi Veronika, I just started reading your blog about a month ago and I love it! I always look forward to reading your reviews and tips. It's actually inspired me to get back into taking better care of myself, appearance wise. I've never really thought about the number of products and tools I use on a daily basis; currently 19, lower but that's because I've become lazy in the last few years with my daily routine. I expect that number will be creeping up in the near future. 🙂
I'm afraid to total my product number up…if I overcome the fear I will let you know:) lol
I haven't added my number up yet either! Seems like a lot of work right now 🙂 haha. I have noticed that I *need* a lot of products to just go on a simple weekend trip. A lot of work goes into maintenance, especially as I get older, LOL. 🙂
Uh-oh, I'm doing some mental math and it's not pretty! But like you said, it's really all about how much you use and how you use it! There are definitely a lot of "essentials" in my daily lineup but I feel like they're all worthwhile.
Mind if I snag this idea for a post about my own beauty routine?
That article kind of annoyed me. I can see why the writer would be bothered by bloggers who don't actually try a product, but trash it anyway – but what a lot of us do is write about what we use and how it works for us and I really don't think we are any less competent at saying, "This product worked well for me and this one didn't" just because we don't work in the makeup industry!
Does contact solution count? I counted about 21 products that I use in the morning. Crazy!
Hi Veronika! Fun post. I was in Sephora yesterday and picked up DiorShow mascara after reading about it on your blog. OMG I'm in love! My eyelashes have never looked so full and thick- thank you for the recommendation! As for products, I use around 18. My hair is pretty much wash and go so I think that's why the number isn't higher.
I just want to say that I love your blog! I read it just about everyday! I noticed that you said you do smokey eyes on the weekend – what technique do you use to achieve that look? I went out and bought the new CoverGirl smokey eye set, but ended up looking like a clown because I didnt put it on right. Any tips? (A whole post on smokey eyes might be fun…unless there was one I missed (-; )
jaclyn- of course you can use it! I tag you 🙂
amandad- i don't really have a technique, it is more a lot of experimentation and blending with me because I am not a pro. I usually foucus on putting a darker brown in my crease and blending it in with lighter shades and also lining my eyes with black gel liner for the evening instead of brown (that I wear during the day).
Love this post! Oh gosh…I use about 20 products to get ready everyday (sometimes 5 or 6 on my eyes alone!), but it can also vary depending on where I'm going and how I want to look, of course.
I really need to do something more with my hair though. I just use mousse and hairspray daily, but I think it's time for a little more! Word to the wise…short hair is not easier to manage than long hair! 🙂
Um, I just did a rough estimate and I use about 23 products daily, more for a special event. Wow! Guys sure have it easy 😉
I actually prefer reviews on products in blogs from women who are not makeup artists and do not have professional connections to the industry. Maybe I'm just leery, but I'm always wondering if they're just being paid to promote a particular brand or product. Kandee Johnson comes to mind…
I honestly think the linked article makes a very good point. It makes me take a step back because I am constantly reading reviews from blogs like this one. Don't get me wrong, it's a good read, but we all still have to respect the true professionals out there. I can see how it is frustrating for them. In my industry this would be like someone who threw a birthday party for a friend and thinks they are now a professional event planner. It happens all the time.
shelly- I see your point, but honestly, most fashion and beauty bloggers aren't claiming to be experts. Most of us are just women who love makeup and fashion and our passion is what drives us to write.
A lot of the times MAC or another brand will come out with a line of really drastic shades and some of their looks are totally runway-only. I think it's refreshing to read the blogs of real women who live in the real world using products and giving their reviews on how they work for them.
No one is caliming to be a professional by writing a blog, it's just about sharing out style, tips and tricks with other like-minded people.
I have always wanted to be a beauty editor and have written for a local website about fashion and beauty trends…I'm not a professional, but I have a lot of knowledge about makeup, products, fashion etc. I am passionate about it and am constantly trying to learn more. That doesn't make me feel like an illegitimate beauty reporter, it just makes it come from a different perspective.
25 daily, but more for a special event.
Great post. I was just thinking this morning how many products I use daily lol. My make up depends on my mood, but I always use 3 shadows and a 4th for my brows, plus all the brushes – that's 10 right there!
Also, don't forget an under eye cream. I know that you are young, but it's never too early. I am in my early 30's and I use it religiously:)
A- i sometimes use it at night only 🙂
I don't think you use a lot at all…I use a ton of products and different combinations of them all the time. It takes a lot to look naturally beautiful. I love your reviews on stuff…I think it's great when real people review, not some person getting kickbacks for how much sales increase.
Keep up the good work!
Another great post! I think you have a great point of view regarding the linked article. I enjoy reading about your approach to fashion and beauty. I feel encouraged to try new things.
As for my product count I'll go in order of how I get ready…shampoo, conditioner, face wash, face scrub (sometimes), body wash, eye cream, tea tree oil/spot treatment, hope in a jar, SPF 15 lotion, face powder, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, eye lash curler, mascara, chapstick, lip gloss, leave in product for hair, blowdryer, curling iron (sometimes), finishing gloss for hair (when needed). 21! Usually I use the same makeup products but just apply more eye liner, mascara, and eye shawdow to change my look just a little bit for going out.
On my low-maintenance days, I use 8 products. I don't put any product in my hair so that saves a lot of time.
I use shampoo, conditioner, face wash, soap, mascara, powder, eyeliner, and chapstick. I use a blow dryer and a flat iron for my bangs.
When I am going out, I may use eyeshadow and foundation.
I use 18-21 products daily (I have a few and/or products in my skincare routine).
As far as the article is concerned, I don't feel the point they're trying to make was really thought out all that well. All "reviews" are made based on opinion and bias. If they have been applying the makeup for 6 weeks on multiple clients, great. They're judging quality and wear, right? The only way they'd know if the makeup was failing beyond that would to be to ask the client, but then that becomes the client's opinion of the product. And I highly doubt every artist contacts their client after the fact to ask how the makeup held up, reacted to their skin, etc. I like the reviews and opinions you give here, that's why I read. I think you're beautiful and I've liked your personality since I was wedding planning on the Knot boards in 2008.
And lastly, I had an additional question about the Maybelline 'Born With It' lipstick. I was out over the weekend to pick up a tube, but found there were a couple of options. It also appeared the shade varied by each option. Could you post a picture of your tube in a future post so I know what I'm looking for? Thanks!
cassie- thanks for your sweet comments 🙂 the tube is a clear burgundy color with a silver base. it says "015 Born with it FF220" on the bottom. The Barcode is 0 41554 19823 2 and it says "colorsensational" on the barcoe sticker. Hope this helps!
Ah yes! That does help. Thanks so much!
you are very welcome cas 🙂