I’m a sucker for habits. Especially when it comes to products; if I find something that I like and I’ll use it until I can’t find it any longer. My motto is if it works, it works then don’t mess with a good thing. I think I mixed a couple of sayings together in there but you get the idea. The other thing I’m a sucker for is affordable items that actually work. I’ve spent a lot of money trying fancy facial creams, lotions, shampoos, etc.  But I always come back to my old standbys every time.
You can probably tell that I’m pretty simple when it comes to beauty products. I tend to stand by what works no matter how simple it is. I’ve had a few people ask my beauty routine and I’m always shy to say that it’s just a mild face wash morning and night with daily moisturizer. I am a bit more fancy when it comes to cosmetics and I’ve upped my makeup game recently with a few of my favorite brands like NARS blush, Laura Mercier foundation and some new Chanel Lipstick. I know that these items I buy less frequently so I can splurge a bit more since I won’t run out of them in a month. (Although I use BareMinerals mascara and that’s a bi-monthly habit if I must confess.) But when it comes to a beauty routine, I like to go simple. For me, if it’s difficult I won’t do it, so I try to make it painless enough to make sure I follow through. Basically I’m basic when it comes to beauty basics. Below are my not-so-fancy everyday essentials that I use each day, rain or shine. 
From the top, l to r: 
1. L’Oreal EverPure Shampoo hands down the best shampoo I’ve ever used. It makes my hair full and doesn’t seem to strip away oils and my hair feels much less damaged even if I straighten or curl it every day. 
2. L’Oreal EverPure Conditioner because tangles. The struggle is real. 
3. SkinFix Hand Cream I’ve talked about this lotion before and it’s no joke. If I ever have a rough spot, I put a little bit of cream on their and overnight it’s gone. SORCERY.
4. SkinFix Daily Lotion since I loved the hand cream so much I switched to using their daily lotion in the mornings. It’s light but very moisturizing, especially good for this winter. 
5. St. Ives Apricot ScrubI’ve used this stuff since I was a teenager. I exfoliate my face about once a week or more if I feel a few breakouts headed my way. It’s gentle and doesn’t dry my skin out. 
6. Boots No. 7 Eye Creamthis is a new regular in my beauty routine. I use it just in the mornings underneath my makeup. Who even knows if this is right, but I do it anyways. Pro tip: read the instructions on the box before throwing away.
7. MultiVites Gummy Vitaminsso in order to remember to take a vitamin everyday, I leave these on my bathroom counter and let’s be honest: gummies the only way I’m going to take a multi-vitamin. The other ones are like horse pills. Plus, these taste delicious and sometimes I take more than the recommended dose which is probably why my hair grows fast. 
8. Up & Up Makeup Remover Wipes Another product that’s been with me for a few years now. Cheap, easy, always accessible. These little guys are life-savers — especially for the nights that I am too tired to take my makeup off by sink and soap, I just use these. Plus, they get eye makeup off easily and are super soft. Please never stop making these Target. 
9. Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizerabout a year ago I started using moisturizer underneath my makeup and couldn’t believe the difference in my skin and also in the way that my makeup applied. This lotion is so light and I’ve never had an outbreak with it.
10. Cetaphil Face CleanserI go between this soap and the bar soap when traveling (it’s easier to travel with) but I’ve washed my face with Cetaphil for years. Like so many years I can’t remember when I started — maybe when I was in high school? College? Always? It’s my favorite because my face never feels dry after I wash it but it still feels clean. 
11. Maybelline Baby LipsI use and lose a lot of lip balms but I love to keep this one around. I don’t know how moisturizing it is per se, but it makes my bare lips look like they have gloss on or can turn a matte lipstick into a glossy one. And it tastes delicious. I’m into it. 
12. Maybelline Line Stiletto Eye LinerHands down my favorite eye liner ever in the whole world. And yes I go through about a tube a month. I use a lot of eye liner, okay? It’s crutch. 
***
So there you have it. My everyday essentials and beauty habits.
I also just started using Target Subscriptions to help me remember when I need a restock on my essentials. It’s the best idea I never thought of. I’m always the person who forgets last minute that she needs shampoo and by last minute I mean in the shower looking down the barrel of an empty shampoo. So I just order what I need, schedule it out and it shows up on my doorstep before I even realize I need it. It’s a nice way to shop without really having to shop. 
***
So what are your beauty essentials? Are you fancy or basic or somewhere in-between?

_______________________

(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i[‘GoogleAnalyticsObject’]=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,’script’,’//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js’,’ga’); ga(‘create’, “UA-47115411-1”, {‘name’: ‘fmTracker’}); ga(‘fmTracker.set’, ‘dimension1’, ‘4431’); ga(‘fmTracker.set’, ‘dimension2’, ‘88299’); ga(‘fmTracker.set’, ‘dimension3’, ‘1550’); ga(‘fmTracker.send’, ‘pageview’); Advertisement

if (document.location.pathname !== ‘/’){var fm_custom_kvs = “fm-post=88299”;}

This post is sponsored by Target Subscriptions – everyday essentials delivered on the schedule you set.

Shop the Outfit

Fit Details

Monthly Capsule Wardrobe

Each month I create monthly capsules out of my favorite pieces, perfectly curated for each month.

73 Responses

  1. Girl we have similar faves! I switched to cetaphil cleanser and lotion after developing rosacea and I love it! I have been really wanting/needing an exfoliating scrub but was nervous because of my super sensitive skin! Will give St. Ives a go – funny how you always assume you need something high end if you have sensitive skin but sometimes basic is best! And will also definitely be checking out that eyeliner! Thanks!!

    1. I think that they have a sensitive skin version of St. Ives too! My skin could withhold sand paper, so I like this kind but if you’re sensitive maybe try the softer kind 🙂

    2. I’m so glad I read the comments today!! My daughter developed rosacea and I’ve been at a loss to know where to begin looking for a cleanser/lotion for her. We’ll be giving Cetaphil a try!

      1. Aw, glad I could help! It doesn’t necessarily “help” the rosacea (I use a prescription gel for that) but the cetaphil is gentle and doesn’t aggravate it! Good luck!

        1. Seriously, thank you! Gentle is what we need:) I’m so happy for a recommend that shouldn’t aggravate it further.

  2. I’m definitely with you being a basics girl! I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub about once a week and love it! I’ve also been looking for a new eyeliner for a while so I will probably be giving yours a go soon! Great post! x
    itsrachelmay.blogspot.co.uk

  3. I love Target and skincare as much as the next girl, but please don’t promote St. Ives scrub. They have some good products in their line, but that one specifically is bad for the environment as well as being too harsh for most skin. The microbeads are not filtered from water due to their small size and they leave tears in your skin as well.

    1. AMEN I’m glad someone said this! St Ives is HORRIBLE for your skin. The “microbeads” that exfoliate your skin are just fragments of jagged walnut shells! DO NOT USE

  4. Hi Kendi! Your eyeliner always look awesome in photos, so I am definitely going to try the Maybelline Stiletto eyeliner! Also I think I will try some of the SkinFix lotion for my hands. It’s so cold & dry where I live, and my hands are totally suffering right now. I have several products I am loyal to using, but I also love to mix things up by trying new products, so I think the eye liner and hand cream are going to be my next 2 newbies to try out! Thanks for the recommendations 🙂 And I had no clue about Target subscriptions. I’ll have to look into it, because I find myself at Target at least twice a week picking up something I’m running low on and need to buy. Scheduling it to arrive at my doorstep sounds so much easier!
    Warmest Regards,
    Cynthia at http://styleneverstops.com

  5. Girl we have similar faves! I switched to cetaphil cleanser and lotion after developing rosacea and I love it! I have been really wanting/needing an exfoliating scrub but was nervous because of my super sensitive skin! Will give St. Ives a go – funny how you always assume you need something high end if you have sensitive skin but sometimes basic is best! And will also definitely be checking out that eyeliner! Thanks!!

  6. I'm definitely with you being a basics girl! I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub about once a week and love it! I've also been looking for a new eyeliner for a while so I will probably be giving yours a go soon! Great post! x
    itsrachelmay.blogspot.co.uk

  7. I think that they have a sensitive skin version of St. Ives too! My skin could withhold sand paper, so I like this kind but if you're sensitive maybe try the softer kind 🙂

  8. I love Target and skincare as much as the next girl, but please don't promote St. Ives scrub. They have some good products in their line, but that one specifically is bad for the environment as well as being too harsh for most skin. The microbeads are not filtered from water due to their small size and they leave tears in your skin as well.

  9. I love this list of products! I use the multi-vites gummies. And now that I know target makes those make-up remover wipes… they’re going to be a new favorite of mine too!

    Paige

    http://thehappyflammily.com

  10. Hi Kendi! Your eyeliner always look awesome in photos, so I am definitely going to try the Maybelline Stiletto eyeliner! Also I think I will try some of the SkinFix lotion for my hands. It's so cold & dry where I live, and my hands are totally suffering right now. I have several products I am loyal to using, but I also love to mix things up by trying new products, so I think the eye liner and hand cream are going to be my next 2 newbies to try out! Thanks for the recommendations 🙂 And I had no clue about Target subscriptions. I'll have to look into it, because I find myself at Target at least twice a week picking up something I'm running low on and need to buy. Scheduling it to arrive at my doorstep sounds so much easier!
    Warmest Regards,
    Cynthia at http://styleneverstops.com

  11. Oh how I miss what variety Target has to offer. (Target here in Australia don’t offer as much great brands.) I’d love to get my hands on that hand cream! It’s dry here and I hate super dry hands.

    StephanieLists.com

  12. Cetaphil and Baby Lips are my go-tos, so I couldn’t agree more with those. I was excited to see you post about an eye cream! I’m dying for a good recommendation for one for my gross, puffy eyes.

    iamkelskels.blogspot.com

  13. I'm so glad I read the comments today!! My daughter developed rosacea and I've been at a loss to know where to begin looking for a cleanser/lotion for her. We'll be giving Cetaphil a try!

  14. Aw, glad I could help! It doesn't necessarily "help" the rosacea (I use a prescription gel for that) but the cetaphil is gentle and doesn't aggravate it! Good luck!

  15. Seriously, thank you! Gentle is what we need:) I'm so happy for a recommend that shouldn't aggravate it further.

  16. Oh how I miss what variety Target has to offer. (Target here in Australia don't offer as much great brands.) I'd love to get my hands on that hand cream! It's dry here and I hate super dry hands.

    StephanieLists.com

  17. Loreal Sulfate Shampoo/Conditioner is the only stuff I use anymore! And I’ve had lots of expensive stuff. I LOVE the moisture one. Love No. 7 face products too… daily serum and night cream. Will be trying the eye cream. Thanks for the post!

  18. Loreal Sulfate Shampoo/Conditioner is the only stuff I use anymore! And I've had lots of expensive stuff. I LOVE the moisture one. Love No. 7 face products too… daily serum and night cream. Will be trying the eye cream. Thanks for the post!

  19. AMEN I'm glad someone said this! St Ives is HORRIBLE for your skin. The "microbeads" that exfoliate your skin are just fragments of jagged walnut shells! DO NOT USE

  20. Best scrub ever at Target is SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration for Hand & Body Scrub. It exfoliates and leaves skin moisturized. Wonderful stuff.

  21. Best scrub ever at Target is SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration for Hand & Body Scrub. It exfoliates and leaves skin moisturized. Wonderful stuff.

  22. Lovely essentials though, one of mine is also those Gummi-Vites! Candy+vitamins?! That is perfectly ok in my book

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Favorites from the Week

this week’s most loved posts