Gia’s beauty holy grails

I turned 28 today. 

I’d like to celebrate my birthday like a true queen, Oprah Winfrey, and compile a list of my ALL TIME favorite products. Unlike O, I can’t give away 1000 serums. Though, I hope one day I can jump up and down screaming about how everyone gets a night cream. I use a lot of stuff whether to test and write about or for my own fun. There are tons of products I switch out for others but there are a select few that remain a staple in my beauty routine for years.

Here are my holy grail products I cannot live without. (That you should try, too!)

 

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

I wear lots and lots of eye makeup including heavily pigmented shadows, eyelash glue and glitter. This melts away every last bit of makeup off of my face, from foundation to waterproof eyeliner. I’ve tried other balm cleansers and many leave a weird film on skin. This rinses right off and makes my skin feel clean yet soft. I have full size jars of it as well as trial sizes so I can keep one with me wherever I go.

 

Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment

Knockout is an acid toner with both alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA). As a team, this mix of AHAs and BHA has revealed smooth, clear, glowy skin for me and I can’t live without it. When I do, my face starts to get congested and I spot blackheads and breakouts forming all over. This has made the single biggest difference in my skin care routine and changed my skin for the better. I could never give this up.

 

Ole Henriksen Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Cremé

This cream holds bakuchiol, a plant-derived ingredient that mimics the effects of retinoids. This has made such a difference in my skin since retinoids can be too harsh for me at times. When I use this at night, I’m guaranteed to wake up with a glow. I’ve tried to go without it and I notice my skin looks dull and tired. This is a miracle in a jar, IMHO.

 

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

I can be very bougie and this product is the most bougie. The price tag is high for a face mist but the way it hydrates, softens and plumps my skin instantly and super luxuriously, makes me never want to go even a day without this in my make up bag.

 

Glossier Lash Slick

I reach for this mascara every day. It instantly makes my eyelashes look darker, longer and separated (almost like I had a lash tint and lift.) While this is not a mascara that will give you drag lashes, something about it provides the the perfect base for drama. Days I want big, fat lashes, I curl them, apply Lash Slick, let my lashes dry, then throw on another mascara. Most days, this is the only thing my lashes need to look flirty and cute. It also does not budge until I use makeup remover or warm water even though I have very oily eyelids and tend to smudge. I refuse to go a day without this mascara.

 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick In Pillow Talk

This buttery-smooth, perfect pinky-nude is a staple in my makeup bag. I wear it to work or to a night out and it not only gives my lips the exact amount of color to look polished on a light-makeup day but also can be used for a sexy nude lip color at a big event. It’s just a gorgeous shade and formula in the most luxurious packaging.

 

Glossier You (Eau de parfum)

I’ve been approached me in elevators, chased down the street or circled back to at parties to ask what perfume I’m wearing when I spritz on Glossier You. The fragrance combines top notes of woody iris root and sparkling, spicy pink pepper with base notes of of warm ambrette, smooth ambrox and musk. It’s warm and clean and familiar. It’s my signature scent.