Holy Grail Items: The Skincare Edition

There is this odd rationale that some people have when it comes to spending money on skincare. I came across a couple videos from some beauty gurus on youtube that puzzled me. 
 One gal finally found an exfoliator that she liked. It took away the flakiness she had been experiencing, it left her skin feeling smooth and hydrated and made her makeup go on even more evenly. So what's the hangup you might wonder? At $7.99 this product was "too expensive" and she went through it in 6 weeks, so she will not be repurchasing it. Uh, ok. 
Another pair of gurus thought nothing about spending $50+ on an eyeshadow palette or another $58 on a foundation but think its "outrageous to spend more than $20 on skincare". What kind of logic is this?
In this tough economy we all have to watch what we spend. My goal with this blog has been and will continue to be my best recommendations on products and how to get the most bang for your buck.

I really feel like if you are going to spend your money, skincare is worth the investment, more than any eye shadow palette.
Your skin is something you have forever. Clear,firm, smooth skin isn't a trend. 
Ideally, men and women should have started a basic skin care regimen by high school,adding product to it as is appropriate.

Today I am featuring what I call my Holy Grail skincare items.I am always looking for lower cost skincare, these items however, are on the higher end but are items that are what work for me and have for many years. 

In the category of mud masks, Borghese's original Fango reigns supreme. 
I have tried so many masks, but nothing touches this baby, this mud mask multitasker cannot be beat. It firms, detoxifies, gets rid of any dead skin and evens the texture and tone of the skin, unclogs pores, etc. You name it, Fango can do it. It uses the aromatherapy benefits of geranium and lavender oils to relax the mind. 
I love that this mud mask does not dry out the skin the way many do. The texture is rich and a little goes a long way. 
This is spendy but the jar will last at least 9 months if you use it once a week. 
It can also be used for the body and they have also developed newer versions, targeting specific concerns. 
I think a jar of this should be in everyone's home!

Caudelie is a brand I was introduced to by my friend Blakeley when she started working at Sephora. Their Beauty Elixir is something that I really believe in because not only does it have skincare and cosmetic benefits, but like Borghese's Fango, incorporates aromatherapy. For the skin, it brightens the complexion and smooths out the surface while minimizing the appearance of pores. This is one of the best products that will set your makeup and for me, makes my makeup look seamless and perfectly blended. This is a mildly fragranced product, but naturally so. It is so clean, herbal and fresh, incorporating rosemary, orange blossom and peppermint. I like to use this when I need a little pick me up or second wind. It really is soothing yet energizing. When I have a cold or if I am sleep deprived, the peppermint really brightens my mood and as silly as it sound, makes me feel as good as new.

The product that really got this blog on its feet, so to speak, is the magical Advanced Night Repair. I have been using this since 1998 and almost 15 years later, notice the difference when I try a new product that claims to be newer and better and not in a good way. Applying this product on clean skin, prior to moisturizer, increases levels of hydration by acting like a magnet. It plumps up fine lines and pores, making the skin look really healthy with or without makeup. 
Whenever I use this, I love how my makeup looks. I always talk about not using a primer and this is why. Because the skin is plump and hydrated, makeup goes on smoother than ever, making a primer an unnecessary addition to your beauty routine.
When I describe this to my friends, one thing I always highlight is how it truly repairs the skin. It's almost like the neosporin of skincare. It soothes and heals a sunburn or burn from a curling iron. Because it acts as a barrier to smoke, pollution or other nasties that the environment throws at us, it kinda presses pause on the skins aging process. When people think I'm 10 years younger than I am, I know its due to using this.

When I was 22, I started working in cosmetics. One product that I had not been using, but was scared into using is... eyecream!!! The skin around the eye area is so thin that that is where you will see the first signs of aging. It is also the area that spills the beans on your sleeping habits and whether you're sick. I have used many products over the years but always come back to Shiseido's Benefiance Eye Cream. This is super concentrated and emollient. A little goes a long way with this baby. 
The times that I have tried something new, I always come running back to Benifiance...this being one of those times! I've really noticed a difference in how moisturized my eye area is, as well as how my concealer goes on and wears. It really goes on smoother and doesn't drag or settle into fine lines. 
Since we are headed into winter, aka dry skin a-go-go, I will make sure that this is something I will never be without. 



These are my Holy Grails, what are yours?
Right now I'm trying a few different moisturizers, cleansers and exfoliators, hoping for a Holy Grail for at least one of them. As always, stay tuned for reviews!