1. Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream.
This is one of the most talked about and coveted face moisturizers in the world. It is stocked at only the most exclusive department stores and it costs an arm and a leg. But the fans are willing to shell out the cash for this potent cream. Everyone from Kate Moss to Rihanna to Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Lopez to Nicole Kidman swear by it. The list of devotees is endless.
It was invented by NASA aerospace scientist Dr Max Huber, who was very badly burnt in an experiment that exploded in his face. He tried many different medicines and products to heal and repair his burns but nothing helped. He decided to help himself and spent 12 years formulating a cream that could rid him of his scars. Crème de la Mer is that cream.
The thick cream contains the signature ‘Miracle Broth’ or the potent formula that comprises of sea kelp, minerals, vitamins and oils. But the real magic lies in how these ingredients are flawlessly combined through the time consuming process of bio-fermentation. This makes the cream a powerful workhorse that is ultra-hydrating and nourishing – unlike any other.
There’s also a specific way to apply this rich, luxurious cream. You have to warm a small amount between your fingertips to activate its key ingredients, and then pat it on your skin to experience its magical benefits. It works on all skin types though La Mer has now introduced two new formulations for oily and normal skin. Maybe it’s time to save up to splurge?
Check out my review on Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream.
2. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Introduced in 1982, this award-winning nighttime serum is the Holy Grail serum of most celebrities and beauty editors. Apparently, Lauder sells around 10 bottles of this elixir every minute! Now that’s impressive.
It works its magic while you sleep. The formula is Hyaluronic acid based and contains tons of anti-oxidants and peptides to help your skin renew itself while you snooze. It’s undoes the damage done to your skin during the day, hydrates, plumps and brightens skin, smoothens fine lines, and even fades spots – so that you can wake up to clearer, brighter, smoother looking skin. It gives beauty sleep a whole new meaning.
Check out my review on Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.
3. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.
This fabulous award-winning product was invented over 80 years ago by Elizabeth Arden herself. She used to use it to soothe her thoroughbred horses’ bruised legs! The ‘8 hour’ tag came from a loyal client of Arden, who noticed the balm totally healed her child’s scraped knee in just eight hours.
This cult product has an ever-growing fan following (including top models and A-listers), and it may even be the most popular product carried by makeup artists around the world.
However, it’s not a cream. It’s a balm. It’s got a very thick texture that needs to be warmed up between your palms before applying it.
And what exactly does it do? The real question is “What doesn’t it do?”
It’s the ultimate multi-tasker.
A few of the things it’s famous for are:
- Moisturizes dry skin
- Relieves chapped and cracked lips, elbows and heels
- Soothes minor cuts, scrapes and burns
- Heals rough and dry cuticles
- Soothes sunburns
- Acts as a face and body highlighter
- Tames eyebrows and adds shine
But those are just the most common ones. Enthusiasts keep finding new and interesting uses for it everyday. Pretty damn cool huh?
Check out my review on Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.
5. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
This beauty essence from Japan has a fan following like no other across Asia. In fact, it even goes by the name ‘Miracle Water’. Winner of too many awards to count, it’s believed to be the reason why Japanese women have clear, porcelain, dewy skin.
Legend has it that it was discovered by a Japanese scientist who noticed that old brewers working in a Japanese sake brewery had unbelievably youthful hands. He realized that the old workers were constantly ‘handling’ the sake. After spending years researching this phenomenon, he discovered Pitera – a by-product of the yeast fermentation process that was responsible for this youthfulness. And today, every bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence contains over 90% of Pitera!
This ‘Miracle Water’ looks and feels like water, but it does so much more.
It renews, hydrates and brightens skin, reduces spots and fine lines and improves the skin’s overall texture and tone.
It may cost a bomb but women who use it swear that it’s the best thing that has ever touched their skin. Some even claim it slows down the aging process by as many as 10 years! We don’t know about that, but if clear Japanese skin is anything to go by, this one is definitely a keeper.
Check out my review on SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.
6. Moroccan Oil
This argan oil-based product has achieved cult status with droves of women swearing that just this one product can tame their frizz, add moisture, seal split ends, enhance shine, cut drying time by half and leave their hair smelling incredible. And it’s perfect for all hair types. It’s no surprise that it’s endorsed by most of the leading hair stylists the world over.
Check out my review on Moroccan Oil.
7. Beauty Blender
When high definition cameras made their debut, makeup artist Rea Ann Silva was working on the set of the television show and her biggest task was to create flawless complexions, that didn’t look cakey.
What did she do? She started cutting the makeup sponges into triangles, when it dawned on her that what she needed was an edgeless makeup sponge. Since it didn’t exist, she created it. Hello Beauty Blender!
Its unique egg-like shape allows you to reach every crook and crevice like the corners of the nose and eyes with precision, and blend makeup without any streaks. And you don’t have to dispose it off after every use. Just wash and reuse.
Makeup artists, beauty editors, celebrities and beauty buffs can’t do without it. It became a staple in their makeup kits literally overnight. And though it’s way more expensive than a normal makeup sponge, it’s absolutely worth it, they say. There’s no going back!
8. Smith’s Rosebud Salve
This old-fashioned, rose oil infused lip balm is over 100 years old and can be found in the handbags of the Who’s Who.
Packaged in an old-school tin can, this cult-favourite is not just your regular lip balm. It’s does much more than just healing chapped lips. It also soothes cuts, scrapes and minor burns, softens rough cuticles, relieves chaffed elbows and knees and even treats diaper rash.
The flavours are not typical either. From Mocha Rose to Minted Rose to Rose & Mandarin to Brambleberry – each pot promises to be nothing short of delicious.
Oh and most importantly, it’s not expensive. And it lasts and lasts. I think it’s time to make some room in your handbag.
Check out my review on Smith’s Rosebud Salve.
9. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Shu Uemura was a top makeup artist in Hollywood during the 1950’s. While removing the heavy makeup for his clients, he realized that their skin was getting damaged. So he created a cleansing oil that would quickly and effortlessly remove even the toughest makeup, without stripping away the skin’s natural oils and moisture. In fact, the oil left skin feeling soft, hydrated and plump.
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil immediately picked up a cult following, with more and more women trying it and converting to loyalists. Today, every 7 seconds, a bottle of Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil is sold somewhere in the world!
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, one more bottle sold!
Check out my review on Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil.
10. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.
This product rules the backstage. It’s the perfect ‘morning after’ product of models and celebrities who work late, party hard and still look fresh like a daisy the next day. It literally removes all traces of fatigue on your skin – in a flash!
It moisturizes, brightens and tightens the contours of your skin to give it that rested, been-on-a-vacation look. It also works brilliantly as a primer under makeup to give you that sought-after glowing effect. No wonder it’s a regular on the social scene.
Now that you know what the creme de la creme are using, maybe it’s time you tried it too! Over to you now.
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