There are products we forget at the back of a drawer, and others that stay with us for years without us daring to touch them. You know the scene: the suitcase is being zipped up, and we slip in that little bottle before we even pack our passport. Not the flashiest ones, no — just the ones that do the job, morning after morning, season after season. None of them is perfect, and that’s exactly why they stay. Why go without them, frankly?
The styler that smooths, curls and tames
When it comes to straighteners, we all dream of the same thing: controlled heat that doesn’t sizzle, plates that glide without snagging, a device that lasts for years. The GHD styler often comes up top in conversations, but let’s be clear — I haven’t tested it myself. And the price stings a little, it’s true!
On fine to normal hair, this type of device often gives a clean straight finish and soft curls that keep some movement. That said, it all depends on the hair: thick hair or already sensitised strands won’t react in the same way. The move that changes everything? Work in fine sections, glide without forcing, and don’t go too high on the temperature — you never need the maximum, unless you want to frazzle fragile hair.
The mascara that does the job
At Chanel, the Le Volume family includes lengthening, separating and volumising mascaras, with a deep black and an applicator designed for shorter lashes. I haven’t tested them — on paper, they tick a lot of boxes without being the best on the market. Other brands do just as well for far less, that’s certain.
But they do everything properly. And in the morning, when you have three minutes left, that’s already a lot! You don’t ask a mascara to change your morning; you ask it not to let you down at the first shower or by the end of the day. These are supposed to keep that promise, without any drama.
The overnight lip balm
It’s the pyjama-time evening step: apply a thick layer of balm to the lips, just before bed. Verbena, lime blossom, orange blossom, sweet almond — this type of formula plays the natural card, and it’s often described as soothing overnight.
On waking, lips are said to be softer and smoother. I haven’t tested it, but the idea is really appealing. A little tip: apply it thickly — it’s now or never! This little evening step costs nothing, takes no time, and transforms your first sensation of the day.
The concealer and the radiance pen
Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer is one of the concealers you hear the most praise about. This cream balm in a pot is presented as a product that can blur dark circles and minor redness with a few taps, without drying out the eye area — quite rare for a full-coverage formula, it has to be said. A tiny dot is enough each time, so the pot lasts a long time!
In the same family, YSL’s Touche Éclat remains a safe bet: this pen delivers a creamy fluid that, according to the brand, helps to brighten the eye area. Apply it under the eye, on the brow bone, on the side of the nose, then set with a veil of powder. And let’s be clear: it doesn’t erase everything, it brightens. That’s not the same thing, and marketing sometimes tends to confuse the two.
The mineral foundation
Makeup without suffocating the skin is possible — at least with this type of product. A powdered mineral foundation, such as bareMinerals, is often presented as an option suited to sensitive skin: covering, evening out, luminous, without a mask effect. I haven’t tested it, and fair warning, it takes a real learning curve.
The right move? Small circles with a kabuki brush, without overloading the brush, and layering if needed rather than applying everything at once. That’s where many people give up: the first time, it feels like nothing is covering. Give it two extra minutes, work in veils, and the product sits completely differently.
The floral mist and micellar water
After cleansing, a spritz of floral water is a simple little pleasure. Orange blossom or verbena hydrolats are traditionally used to refresh, soften and prepare the skin for the next step — brands such as Melvita have been offering this for years. No hard data on my side, but the everyday comfort is definitely there!
Bioderma’s Créaline H2O bottle doesn’t have the glamour of pretty packaging, and yet it’s a safe bet for sensitive skin. Fragrance-free, no rinsing needed, it’s used to remove makeup without rubbing — for waterproof mascara, though, a specific remover is better. And if your skin feels tight after cleansing, it might be the first thing to try, no? It’s worth checking before you suspect your day cream.
The electric epilator, the discreet companion
It’s rarely talked about, and yet the electric epilator remains one of the least expensive options over time. Recent models from Braun or Philips are presented as more comfortable and designed to catch short hairs. I haven’t tested them over several seasons, but it’s a reliable companion — as long as you accept the time it takes.
Take your time on each leg, preferably in the evening, when the skin is relaxed. It’s a ritual you learn to tame. You don’t magically replace wax or a razor; you choose another way of doing things, more patient, that eventually becomes part of the routine. Nothing spectacular, but your wallet remembers.
Budget
Expect to pay around £70–£215 for a branded straightener from a department store or online, compared with £25–£60 for a budget high-street model — the difference comes down to temperature control and lifespan. For mascara, £9–£35, to be replaced every three to six months. A night balm: £4–£17. For a branded concealer or highlighter, budget £25–£40 from a department store or online. Mineral foundation sits between £22 and £35, organic floral water between £7 and £13 for 200 ml (Melvita, Neal’s Yard Remedies, or similar), micellar water between £9 and £16 for 500 ml from a pharmacy. An epilator: £35–£130 depending on brand and attachments.
When it comes to natural formulas, look for COSMOS Organic or COSMOS Natural labels: this European standard governs the composition, far better than the word 'natural' alone. But they don’t all guarantee the same thing: COSMOS Organic requires a minimum percentage of organic ingredients, while COSMOS Natural requires at least 95% naturally derived ingredients and a proportion of plant ingredients from organic farming (at least 50%), without imposing a minimum of organic ingredients in the finished product. And when a refill format or glass container exists, it’s a real bonus — the gesture matters almost as much as the bottle.
Three habits that change your routine: clean your brushes once a week, tap concealer rather than rubbing it, and powder only the T-zone. The complexion looks more stable, without being overloaded. And wash your mineral foundation kabuki every two weeks — it seems like nothing, but your skin breathes better.
In the end, none of these products has magical powers! They’re just reliable companions, chosen, sometimes recommended, never replaced. The ones that stay aren’t the most expensive or the prettiest on the shelf — they’re the ones whose ritual you know by heart, the ones that ask for nothing more than a few seconds. And you, which product would you never give up for anything in the world?
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