Thursday, July 17, 2008

Trend-Filled Thursdays: Cult Beauty Products

Benefit Benetint. Dior Diorshow. Smith's Rosebud Salve. What do all of these products have in common? They all fall into the category of cult beauty products. You know ... those products everybody talks about, everybody has in her beauty stash, everybody uses without a doubt. But out of all the products out there, which are the ones worth running to the store to replenish time and time again? This beauty chick dug deep into her stores, testing and testing until her eyes ran with tears from all the makeup remover and her lips stung from countless swipes with tissues. And the end result? The products that you see below. They're the ones that create the trends season to season, the ones that stand the test of time and will never disappoint. They're just a few of the most fabulous CULT BEAUTY PRODUCTS.

Dior, Dior mascara, Dior Diorshow mascara, Dior Diorshow Waterproof mascara, mascara, eye makeup
Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara ($24 at sephora.com): Want long, lush, thick lashes? Then you simply must get thee to Sephora to pick up your own tube of Diorshow. The first time I swiped this across my lashes, I seriously didn't expect to see such a drastic change. But just one coat took them to a level of greatness previously unforeseen ... and two coats? Oh my goodness. They literally reached my eyebrows, no eyelash curler necessary! I also love that it lasts all night without clumping or streaking. All in all? Definitely cult classic worthy.

Smith's Rosebud Salve, Rosebud Perfume Co, lip balm, salve
Smith's Rosebud Salve ($6 at sephora.com): This balm has been around since 1895 ... and with good reason. It not only keeps lips from being chapped -- which, yes, you would hope would happen with a lip balm! -- it heals cuts, tames mangled cuticles and even fixes ashy elbows and knees. And for under $6, that is one amazing feat! The delicate hint of rose inside the old-timey tin adds such a lovely touch, and it's not overpowering or cloying in the slightest. As an added bonus, the company has extended its offerings to include everything from Strawberry to Brambleberry. I totally want to stock up on the entire line.

Aveda, Aveda shampoo, Aveda Shampure shampoo, shampoo, hair products
Aveda Shampure Shampoo ($36 at aveda.com): I have tried a lot of shampoos in my day, fellow beauty chicks. And the one I keep coming back to time and time again is Aveda Shampure. I first fell in love with it back in 1992, on my first trip to Mark Frank's Salon in Cleveland, OH. It softens, it smooths, it adds luster and shine ... is there anything this shampoo can't do? I really don't think so. At $9, it's a bit more expensive than drugstore brands, but way cheaper than offerings from competitors like Ojon and Alterna. And the brand's signature aroma -- a mix of a whopping 25 plant and floral essences -- wafts out of the bottle and sticks with your tresses all day long.

Philosophy, Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shampoo Shower Gel Bubble Bath, Philosophy 3-in-1, shampoo, shower gel, body wash, bubble bath
Philosophy 3-in-1 ($16 at sephora.com): A confessed shower gel fanatic, I usually have about 10 in my shower at any given time. It's even gone up as high as 15 when I was really obsessed. But in constant rotation are a variety of 3-in-1s. This gel -- which can be used as a shampoo, bubble bath and body wash -- has been created in so many enticing scents that it's just impossible to pick only one favorite. Vanilla Birthday Cake? Yes please. Raspberry Sorbet? Most definitely. Senorita Margarita? Si, muy caliente! The brand even creates new limited-edition varieties every season, some of which benefit charities (like Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart), and of course we can't forget the many Graces which have made their way into the line. Lathering and sudsing up just doesn't get any better than this.

Urban Decay, Urban Decay Primer Potion, makeup primer, eyeshadow primer
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20 at sephora.com): Okay, I admit it. I was late coming onto the primer bandwagon. I just didn't really believe my lids needed it. Sacrilege, I know! Luckily, I finally decided to take the plunge and try Urban Decay's famed version ... and, of course, it was love at first sight. My eyeshadow doesn't crease or smudge, it lasts for hours, and it just looks better. The silicone-based formula is definitely the best out of any primers I've tried. And, thankfully, Urban Decay redesigned the tube -- the old one trapped a ton of the potion inside, causing beauty bloggers everywhere to bring out cutting boards and sharp knives to hack into them slasher-movie style!

Tocca Candles ($38 at beauty.com): Now, I think most people would say I'm very generous with my product giveaways. I tend to give away products like candy at Halloween -- if you want something, chances are I'm going to let you have it. Such is not the case with Tocca candles. I hoard these like they're going out of style. (Right now I have at least 10 scattered around my apartment, all in various stages of burning.) My point? These. Candles. Are. Fabulous. The burn time is around 60 hours, and the scents are seriously to die for. The best is most definitely Cleopatra, a blend of grapefruit and cucumber that's just soothingly delectable. Trust me -- once you go Tocca, you won't go back.

2 comments:

  1. I am as addicted to the Philosophy scents as you are. I love the graces, my favorite is Amazing Grace. I haven't tried Inner Grace yet, that's fairly new but that is one I will be trying next.

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  2. Great post! I love UDPP and Philosophy, and want to try Aveda products... I never knew they were so affordable! :)

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