Why I Buy These Beauty Products Over and Over Again

Long-time loves

I had long heard about the magic of this lactic-acid-based toner, but I couldn’t have known that finally trying it would be like meeting a soulmate. Applied with a cotton pad post-cleanse, the toner changed my skin, ridding me of the breakouts that had always plagued my chin and making my complexion clearer and brighter overall. I couldn’t care less that it smells of vinegar; in fact, it almost makes me trust the product more because the company isn’t trying to mask it.

Long-time loves

I find myself behaving in slightly fanatical ways over this concealer. When my son was nine months old, he jammed his finger into an open pot. Refusing to waste the dollop, I immediately applied it. Another time, I dropped it on a ceramic floor and chipped the glass container. I continued to use it even though I got a cut under my eye because a tiny shard had gotten into the product. Why? It’s creamy yet dense and is made primarily of organic coconut oil. I cherish every last drop.

New crushes

I’m not advocating visible lip liner, but the staying power of laying down a base layer before applying lipstick cannot be understated. These liners, which took three years to develop, are made using a creamy silicone-free formula housed in cedarwood pencils. The 22 shades are handmade in the company’s Toronto-based factory, which gives it an extra dose of local love.

New crushes

Brand founder Sharon McGlinchey gave me a facial when she was in town, but I can’t tell you much about it because I fell asleep. She did, however, send me home with this cleanser and a cotton muslin cloth. Made with camellia, olive and coconut oils, the cleanser is gorgeously thick and is meant to be applied on dry skin. Then comes the cloth, which also exfoliates. I’ve never looked forward to washing my face until now.

New crushes

I’ve always had a soft spot for the green-leaning ways of Burt’s. The company launched lipsticks last year, but sadly there wasn’t a shade that was quite my jam. In an attempt to round out its offering for darker skin tones and to provide more on-trend shades, the brand is adding four new colours to its lineup. Among them I found a winner.

Guilty pleasure

As much as I love interviewing perfumers and learning about their creative process, I don’t wear a lot of fragrance. But every so often one comes along—usually an oriental—that makes me embrace the idea, and this is one of them. I received a small lab sample when it launched in 2012, and the violet, leather and wood instantly wooed me. Even so, I only wear it on special occasions. Byredo is one of those brands that is not easy to come by and is also a hit to the wallet.