Show Us Your Empties: 5 Australian beauty lovers share the products they’re repurchasing
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
Down to the dregs.
With the plethora of products on the beauty market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choice anxiety when it comes to creating a skincare routine. Self-care has taken a front seat and while it’s wonderful we’re treating our skin with the love it deserves, it’s hard to know where to start. Retinol who? What’s a gua sha?
The overabundance of product choices for skincare rookies is no match for those in the beauty biz. Between PR packages, brand launches and generally keeping in the know, beauty lovers face the task of wading through tubes, vials and bottles to find the glowing gems. Not only have they probably reached the bottom of a Chapstick (where do mine go?), but they’ve polished off the products that give them the effortless no-makeup glow we all want.
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If they’re using it down to the dregs, you know it’s good. On behalf of my fellow rookies, I asked five Australian beauty lovers to show me their latest empties to make the product search less anxiety-inducing.
Desiree Wise, hair and makeup artist
Sisley Botanical Eye and Lip Contour Balm is used to moisturise and smooth the delicate skin around the eye and lip area. My forever challenge with eye creams was either they were too greasy or they didn’t hydrate enough – I always felt dehydrated with prominent lines. This is the first one I’ve used that does everything it should.
I love it because its transparent gel balm consistency is super light and penetrates quickly, leaving the skin feeling smooth, firm and hydrated. It helps to reduce under-eye puffiness and correct the appearance of fine lines. Perfect for use as a base under makeup, particularly for smoother concealer application.
I use it morning and night as part of my normal routine, plus whenever I’m feeling tired and in need of a quick pick-me-up. An added bonus is its formulation, made with natural plant extracts like witch hazel, tomato and plant proteins.
Get it here.
My second finished product is the Chanel Le Vernis ultra-shiny, long-wear, protective nail colour. It’s my go-to lacquer. With a full spectrum of shades available, the colours are modern and suit every skin tone. The formula is super easy to work with, it applies smoothly and dries quickly to a shiny finish.
The one shade that I can’t live without is the ultimate nude – ‘167 Ballerina’. It’s not too pink, too brown or too opaque, but can be layered for a perfect creamy neutral if desired. It’s the colour for those times when you’d like to look polished, but not too done. I love it so much that I never wait for it to be empty before repurchasing. I always keep a spare on hand, so I’m never without.
Get it here.
Poppy Delilah, creative and kinesiologist
The one product I keep refilling and will continue to buy over and over again is Best Skin Ever Cleansing Oil from Living Libations. It’s a moisturiser, exfoliator and skin cleanser, all in one. It also removes make-up, smells absolutely incredible and is made from only organic and natural ingredients.
Oil cleansing is an amazing technique – especially for us oily skin types. At first, it felt strange to add more oil to my skin, but the base of jojoba oil has a balancing effect on your sebaceous glands and helps break down any dirt on your skin. It essentially tricks your skin into thinking it’s produced enough oil already, resetting it to its most natural state while leaving you feeling clean, luminous and hydrated.
Get it here.
Georgia Gaillard, freelance makeup artist and hairstylist
The Perricone MD No-Makeup Blush is the perfect blush! A liquid formula with a colour like no other, it melts into the skin with a few taps of a finger, a brush or a beauty blender. I love how many skin tones this blush looks fresh on – from pale through to deep olive.
I’ve been repurchasing this product for my makeup kit and my own personal makeup bag for the past two years; it’s available at Mecca for $52. It looks natural and it is my go-to product when I’m creating a little-to-no makeup look or doing a full beat.
Get it here.
Nadine Muller
I first heard about Australian brand Rationale through a fellow makeup artist who was working on a feature film with Rose Byrne at the time. She shared with me that Rationale was Rose’s favourite skincare –that was good enough for me to go out and buy it, immediately!
I’ve never had any serious issues with my skin. I got the odd spot here and there but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started noticing some sun damage and pigmentation. After a good 18 months of wearing face masks every day, I was also getting congestion and redness on my chin – which has dramatically improved since starting on Rationale last year.
‘The Cleanser’ is like a cream consistency; it doesn’t foam up and it doesn’t make your skin feel tight or stripped afterwards. It feels soft and hydrated, even before applying moisturiser. And it smells amazing!
Get it here.
Zoe Karlis
The Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara has been a staple in both my personal and professional kit for over 13 years. To say I’ve repurchased this a few times is an understatement! This mascara is my holy grail.
Being on set to get someone camera ready, or getting a bride ready for a big, long day often requires some heavy-duty, long-lasting products. I can 100 per cent feel confident knowing this mascara will not budge, smudge or flake like most others. It’s buildable and really pigmented… what more could I ask for?
And despite its staying power, this mascara magically washes off with just warm water. You read right – just water! So no scary panda eyes or residue. I’m a mascara fiend and am yet to find something as incredible!
Get it here.
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