Hi friends!
I’ve been talking about a lot of new items in my makeup collection recently, so I thought I’d take a little break from that today to celebrate some good ‘ole tried & true products that never fail to give me joy. These are products that I’ve adored for ages, and that I’ve actually repurchased. Keep in mind, it takes a lot for me to repurchase a makeup item because: a) most often I never empty them, or b) newness distracts me and I end up replacing one product for another. But these guys are my heroes and my holy grails; I don’t want to be without them!
I’ve spoken about most of these in separate posts, so I’ll link to any pertinent reviews along the way if you’re looking for something more in-depth. But for now I’ll take you through everything by category, and touch on why they are so dear to me. Let’s get started!
CATCH UP ON MY MOST RECENT POSTS
Review: The Jamie Makeup Blighlighter Collection
Celebrity Esthetician Renee Rouleau Busts Skincare Myths & Talks Next Big Skincare Trends
Let’s Talk All About Liquid Eyeshadows
SPF
I’m totally in love with the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen and have repurchased it two or three times since discovering it in 2019. You can check out my full initial review here. This is an excellent chemical sunscreen that performs three functions for me all in one: protection, hydration and priming. It has a beautiful gel-cream texture that not only protects the skin but provides wonderful softness throughout the day. Plus everything I layer on top of it (i.e. makeup) sits perfectly without issue; that’s not alway the case with other SPF’s I’ve tried. I’ve just purchased the Glow Screen version to use after my current tube runs out. I can’t wait to dive into that!
EYESHADOW PRIMER / EYESHADOW
I’ve spoken about the MAC Paint Pots on here so many times before (see here and here), but these are OG favorites of mine from way back when I first started wearing makeup. I always have at least one in my collection at any given time. If you’re not familiar with these iconic products, they are cream shadows that you can either use as primers for powders or on their own. I currently have Painterly, which I use as a primer, and Groundwork, which I use as an eyeshadow. Painterly is a pale, slightly pink shade with a matte finish that effectively blanks out any veins or discoloration you may have around the eye. Groundwork is one of my go-to everyday eyeshadows; it’s a mid-tone, neutral brown shade with a gentle satin finish. They are easy to use, creamy little pots of goodness!
I wrote a whole post dedicated to my love of the L’Oreal Infallible 24 HR Waterproof Eyeshadow in the shade Bronzed Taupe. I remember when it first launched years ago; I loved it then and I still love it to this day! It’s a pressed-powder eyeshadow that almost feels like a cream when you apply it. It’s incredibly easy to apply and boy is it bulletproof, both with or without a primer underneath. Bronzed Taupe is a gorgeous neutral/cool toned grey-brown with a sophisticated shine. You need this one in your life!

Some of my most tried & true products, including Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, amongst others.
MASCARA
Hands down, the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara has got to be my most used and most repurchased makeup product of all time. I wrote all about it back in this earlier post. I have absolutely no idea how many I’ve been through over the years, but trust me it’s A LOT. If you have a problem with your mascara smudging along your lower lash line then you need this in your stash. It’s specifically formulated to be used under the eye so once it dries it doesn’t budge or flake at all. The downside is that there’s not much product in the little tube so you go through it quite quickly – I’d say every 2 months at most – but personally I don’t care. I love it, it’s like insurance for your lower lash line so I’m all in!
BROW GEL
If you’re looking to shop brow gels on a budget, the Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt is your absolute best bet. I’ve sang the praises of this drugstore gem so many times on the blog that I’ve honestly lost count, but that’s when you know something is really that good. (Check out this post and this post for proof.) I’ve repurchased both the clear formula and the tinted formula a few times over at this point and this product only launched in 2020. It’s the best I’ve found in a long time for grooming, shaping and holding brow hairs in place all day. Want soap brows without the soap, try this one!
BLUSH
Clinique is the only brand to hold two spots on my tried & true list, and for good reason. I adore Clinique, always have and always will. Not only is their skincare iconic, but I think their color products are severely underrated these days when there’s new brands popping up every five minutes. Their Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in Amp’d Up Apple was one of the first cream blushes I ever used or loved, and it’s still in my collection to this day. Not only do I appreciate the stick format for its speed and convenience, but I love the balmy texture of the formula and how seamlessly it applies and blends into the skin. It’s total cream blush for dummies, so if you’re a newbie in this category I wholeheartedly recommend checking this one out. For reference, Amp’d Up Apple is a warm rosy pink with the most subtle satin finish. You can see photos of me wearing it in this post.

The MAC Paint Pots and the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen are some of the most tried & true products in my beauty collection.
POWDER
As a self-proclaimed dewy skin obsessive, you’re probably scratching your head at the mention of “powder” here. To be fair, I go in and out of using powder on a daily basis depending on the season and how dry my skin is at the time, but I’ve been a big fan of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders for years now. They are expensive for sure, but if you still want or need to wear powder as a dry skin person, there’s nothing else like them on the market. They effectively set the skin, but are incredibly lightweight and offer the most subtle sheeny finish. I’ve never ever noticed any cakiness when I use this product. I once went through an entire Ambient Lighting Palette; like, I hit pan on every single shade! Now I’m making my way through the Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder in the shade Mood Light, which is lovely and light on the under eye area.
LIPSTICK
I just posted my Flower Beauty edit a few weeks ago and you know their Mix N’ Matte Lip Duo in the shade Honey Nude was on it! This is your lower-cost alternative for the now-iconic Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick that’s every bit as lovely and lush. Everything from the shade (an uber-wearable nude pink) to the texture (a comfy demi-matte) to the wear is just perfection in my book. My first tube got old and a bit discolored, so I repurchased it in 2020. As long as the brand doesn’t discontinue this gem, this will be a staple in my collection!
What are some of your tried & true products? I’d love to know!
xo, and be well, Erica
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I’ve always had the best luck with L’Oreal carbon black waterproof mascara. I’ve been buying it for years and I love it! I accidentally bought some that wasn’t waterproof once and that was a huge mistake. My eyes water a lot and that stuff runs like crazy! Pinned this list!
Thank you so much Michelle! I remember you telling me about that L’Oreal mascara; I think I might have used it once but I’m unsure, would have to see the packaging. Oh gosh I can’t wear waterproof mascaras; I find them so hard to remove!
The only thing I could find to remove them was Avon’s makeup remover. I don’t have an Avon girl any more and I hate to order online and pay more for shipping than the actual product! LOL
Oh my gosh, they are still Avon girls out there??!!