Love at first sight - does it exist? I'm not so sure, lust - yes, but love usually requires a little more than an aesthetic attraction. We've all made this mistake, whether in terms of the chocolate in the box that looked so appealing but ended up being a dud, the good looking man in the bar who was actually a twat or the beautifully packaged make-up product that made your eyes water or caused a breakout! Sometimes though, the magic is in the first taste, kiss or use and that's it - you've fallen hook, line and sinker! Today, I'm discussing the products that had me at first use - there are no slow burners here, just 20 products that I loved as soon as I applied them. I have a mixture of skincare, makeup and general beauty products to share with you, so let's get started!
Skincare:
I have two cleansers that blew me away from first use. For reference, I have dry and sensitive skin (sensitive in terms of redness rather than breakouts) and I tend to favour products that will nourish and brighten my skin. The first cleanser is from Omorovicza and it is their Thermal Cleansing Balm, which I have repurchased probably around 6 times at this stage. It is the first product that I tried from the brand and I hesitated in buying it because it is pretty pricey and I was unsure if it would suit my skin, but I am so glad that I did buy it because it is such a gentle, yet effective cleanser. It is soothing, calming, nourishing and hydrating and removes every last trace of makeup - it can even be used on the eyes. I know that a lot of people wince at the price of Omorovicza products but I always recommend keeping an eye on Lookfantastic for discount codes because you can usually save up to 20% on there. Feel Unique also stock the brand and quite often include it in their sales too and if you order from Omorovicza directly, you can avail of free samples and they often run promotions too. I'm not sponsored by any of these brands/sites by the way, I just like to share where I usually find discounts!
The second cleanser is a recent addition to my collection and it is Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse. This is very similar to Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm but the texture is a little smoother, which makes it suitable for a pump, rather than a tub. This balm is so nourishing and the scent is very relaxing so I really enjoy taking the time to massage this into my skin and it leaves it thoroughly cleansed but very nourished and not at all tight or feeling stripped.
I always use a facial mist but there are so many that feel like you are just spraying water on to your face and I don't see the point in those. One of my favourite mists to use is Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist because it actually hydrates my skin and I can really feel the difference when I use it. I am on my 4th or 5th bottle of this but I knew from the first spray that it would be a big hit.
I have tried so many serums over the years and one that blew me away from first use is Sarah Chapman Skinesis Intense Hydrating Booster. It has a different texture from most other serums I have tried in that it is quite watery but with an oily feel, but that oiliness doesn't translate onto the skin in a greasy way. My skin literally drinks this up and is left soft to touch and really hydrated no matter what moisturiser I use afterwards. I find that I can go a little less expensive with my moisturiser if I use a good serum. I have recently begun using another serum that has been total love from first use, but it won't be released until next month so I will tell you more about it around its release date and when I have had a chance to see how my skin likes it over a longer period. I haven't included a moisturiser because I don't feel that I have found 'the one' yet.
I have tried many, many face masks in my time and some don't seem to do anything for my skin, some are just meh - skin looks a little more hydrated but nothing special, but there are two masks that are magic for my skin (and I don't mean Charlotte Tilbury "magic" because her magic cream was anything but when I used it!). You will have heard me rave about these many, many times so I won't waffle on for too long, but they are Oskia Renaissance Mask and Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask. The Oskia mask is a "one product does it all" type mask - it cleanses, exfoliates, refines, brightens and moisturises the skin. The first time that I used it, I actually said "wow" because the difference in my skin was noticeable immediately - it looked fresher, my pores were less visible and it was glowing and the results are the same every time I use it. I am now on my 4th tub, which speaks volumes given that I am a skincare junkie! I find BeautyBay to be the best value for Oskia. Further review here and here. The Omorovicza mask was kindly sent to me and I have been hooked from first use. I described it as Spanx for your face here and that is exactly how it feels! It lifts and firms the skin like no other mask I have used before and I would highly recommend it to anybody over the age of 30, especially for occasions when you want your skin to look its best.
Make-up:
The first product will come as no surprise to regular readers because I've waxed lyrical about it many times! It is Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This has been a staple in my makeup bag for years and I love it just as much today as I did the first time I used it. It makes my skin look fresh, radiant, plump and youthful and every foundation I have tried applies beautifully over it. It is worth the hype! The second primer is Becca Backlight Priming Filter. If you are having a dull skin day, fear not because this nifty little product will being life to your face whilst blurring imperfections. It is also hydrating but not greasy - would highly recommend!
Clarins Instant Concealer has impressed me from word go! It is light in texture yet pigmented enough to cover dark circles and hydrating enough to use on the under eye area without creasing. It is also perfect for covering blemishes and a little goes a long way! Win/win!
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is a wonder product that had me hooked from the beginning. Bear in mind that I have dry skin so for oily or combination skins, this might be a but too "dewy" but for me, this is like an instagram filter. It just softens the look of everything and gives my skin a healthy luminous glow.
YSL Faux Cils has been my go-to mascara for years and whilst I love trying other mascaras, they rarely top the YSL one, however Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara has me hooked. I knew as soon as I applied it that it was love because it is intensely black, gives lots of volume, doesn't smudge, doesn't make my lashes crispy and gives my lashes the dramatic look that I love. I would highly recommend trying it if you usually buy Faux Cils.
I am a self-confessed eyeshadow palette addict and own so many that I have lost count but the two brands that blew me away from first use are Too Faced and Natasha Denona. Too Faced shadows are so easy to work with - they are pigmented, buttery in texture, long-lasting and I love the durable packaging they come in. Natasha Denona eyeshadows are very much worth the hype and price - they are the most intensely pigmented shadows I've ever used, they are so soft that they are almost creamy, they practically blend themselves and they still look freshly applied at the end of the day/night. I know they are pricey, but they are worth it. The first time I used them, I knew my other palettes would be neglected! Read my thoughts further here. A very honourable mention also has to go to Viseart eyeshadows - another expensive, but worth the price tag brand. In case you didn't know, BeautyBay now stock both Natasha Denona and Viseart - again not sponsored, but I wanted to let you know where you can buy the products if you don't live in the U.S.
I have quite a few brands of blush in my collection but the ones that blew me away at first use are from Hourglass. Because the blushes are mixed with the Hourglass powders (Diffused, Dim, Luminous, Radiant, Incandescent, Ethereal and Mood), they give the cheeks a very healthy flush of colour and glow, without being overly highlighted. They are unique in that way and the result is very flattering - I love how healthy and alive my skin looks when I use these blushes. Due to having dry skin, I don't like powders on my skin but Leanne from LPage Beauty convinced me to try Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light. I picked up the mini version when I was in Sephora in June and as soon as I tried it, I loved it. It doesn't make the skin look matte, doesn't look cakey (both are no-nos for me!) and it blurs my visible cheek pores so I am delighted that I took Leanne's advice and bought it.
Finally for makeup, I had to mention Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in the shade Pillow Talk. I love how soft this pencil is and I can wear it with most lipsticks/glosses because it's very similar to my natural lip colour. The first time I applied it, I knew that it would become one of my most reached for products and it has!
Hair/Nails/Tan/Fragrance:
Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque: I have dry, damaged hair due to years of colouring, using heated tools, long-term illness and the medication that goes with that and I use hair masks more often than regular conditioner. This is the mask that I have repurchased more times than I can remember. It was love at first use for me due to how silky soft it leaves my hair and how nourished and strong my hair feels as a result of using it. It also adds shine, which is no mean feat when you are on as many meds as I am!
Essie Nail Topcoat Gel Couture is a recent purchase but I am hooked! I painted my nails a week ago and there is literally no chipping yet! They look as good as when I first painted them, which has never happened before and it is all down to this top coat. I already know that this will be forever repurchased.
Xen Tan Moroccan Tan: I am a fake tan aficionado and have tried so, so many brands but from word go, this tan had me. It is tinted, which makes it easy to apply, it has a beautiful scent and is non-drying due to the Argan Oil in it. It gives the most beautiful, flawless tan and lasts a good 5-7 days. My only qualm is that the tube only contains 137 ml, which I fly through! For a deep, streak-free tan I recommend giving this a go!
My final product is Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Mandarin - a classic! I am so ridiculously in love with this scent and have been since I first sprayed it. It is refreshing and uplifting yet the inclusion of basil means that it isn't just a citrusy scent, which can be too over-powering. Every day is made better when I wear this fragrance because it instantly lifts my mood and makes me smile!
This is probably one of the longest posts that I have every written so thank you if you have made it this far! I would love to hear your thoughts on these products, but also which products made you fall in love the first time you used them? Do you believe in love at first sight? Please tell me in the comments below!
Thanks for reading!
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