If I lost all of my makeup and skincare products… what would I buy first?

Let’s imagine something dramatic happened to my beauty goodies, and I am suddenly left with nothing. What would I buy first? Find out what are my beauty essentials. 

Even though I love beauty and skincare, and I always try to keep up with the trends and recent launches, I have a very modest collection. All my makeup goodies fit into a Holiday Set Box from Sol de Janeiro. While my skincare goodies take up more space, they only take two small shelves on my bathroom organizer.

Like in many things in life, I prefer a less is more approach, especially regarding skincare products. I am sticking with products that genuinely work for me (and I love) rather than stocking up on every item. I also do frequent purges to my collection, as I am an expiration date freak. 

Now that I’ve completed my challenge of not purchasing a single skincare or makeup product for three months, I can finally jump into this exercise of figuring out my true essentials if I am left with nothing.

Without further ado, these are the beauty products that I would purchase first.

Skincare

Drunk Elephant’s Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser

During my three-month challenge without buying any beauty products, I realized how much I love this product and the difference it makes in my skincare routine.

Toward the end of this experiment, I ran out of Drunk Elephant’s Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser. This gave me a chance to finish some other cleansers I had on my bathroom shelf… at some point, I started counting how many days were left until I could purchase a new one.

This makeup remover from Drunk Elephant destroys my makeup quickly, it doesn’t have any perfume or specific scent, and it’s super easy to remove from my skin. Without leaving any residue or that greasy sensation.

I missed this product so much because my skincare routine consisted of applying layers and layers of sunscreen on top of the other for most of March. And, for me, a good cleansing balm is essential to remove these properly by the end of the day.

So, despite the price and other excellent cleansing balms out there… I know this would be my number 1 choice, over and over again.

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser

I don’t look for anything fancy when looking for a face cleanser. However, I am a bit picky in certain aspects: it has to lather, make my skin feel clean, and simultaneously not be stripped from its natural moisture.

And that’s what CeraVe’s Foaming Cleanser is all about—a simple yet reliable product with a great price point.

This product, in particular, is available in different sizes. So, I purchased the largest one last year, and I still have a lot of product available. Even though I use it a few times a day, this purchase decision alone allowed me to save money throughout the year and reduce my recycling pile. 

So, if I were at a beauty store looking for an excellent cleanser… this would be the one I would pick.

Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner

I've already written about Mario Badescu's Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner a few times, and I can't stress enough how much I like this product.

I have sensitive skin. Even though it fits into the combination skin spectrum, it has some dry patches. And this toner helps my skin hydration levels all day while keeping shine at bay.

Plus, it’s more affordable than my beloved one from Kiehl’s. And, despite having a light scent, it works well with my sensitive eyes.

Byoma Brightening Serum

Despite being the simplest (and cheapest) serum I own, this is the one I love the most and that I genuinely miss whenever I run out.

Byoma’s Brightening Serum has some of the essential perfect ingredients for combination skin: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.

I love that it nourishes my skin while making it look less shiny throughout the day. Plus, it works perfectly well with my makeup and other skincare products.

So, if I had to start from scratch, this serum would be one of my first purchases.

Sensilis Hydra Essence Gel Sorbet

This face cream from Sensilis was one of my favorite beauty discoveries last year. 

Here’s why: Sensilis Hydra Essence Gel Sorbet is everything my combination skin needs regarding a moisturizer. 

It absorbs quickly. But unlike other gel moisturizing formulas for combination/oily skin, it leaves a hydration sensation that goes on all day and doesn’t leave a matte finish—making my skin look healthier overall.

Suntique I’M AQUA Sun Essence

Now news here! Suntique’s I’M AQUA Sun Essence is my absolute favorite sunscreen.

I love how easy it is to apply and how well my skin reacts to its formula. Unlike most sunscreens, it doesn’t leave any white cast and is super lightweight.

Most days, when I am in a hurry and not wearing makeup, this is the only skincare product I apply. As it's pretty hydrating (it feels like water), I will apply coats and coats throughout the day.

Makeup

Dior Forever Matte Foundation

Even though this one is relatively new in my makeup collection, Dior Forever Matte Foundation is the best foundation I have ever used.

They have my exact Winter shade (0,5N), I only need the tiniest bit of product to cover my whole face, and the product blends out so well that it looks like I have great skin (and zero makeup).

Besides, I love that the formula has 86% of floral ingredients and the package is made of glass.

The best part? My skin remains beautiful throughout the day, and the foundation remains patch-free after using blotting papers. 

Nudestix Blush Nudies Bloom All-Over Dewy 

It wasn’t until last year that I discovered liquid and cream blush formulas, and my makeup has never looked that good.

I have a lot of texture on my cheeks and enlarged pores due to having severe acne for many years. So, no matter how much I spent on a blush (and how carefully I applied it), the product would sit weirdly on my skin—making me look older.

Nudestix’s Nudies Bloom All-Over Dewy cream blush in the shade Cherry Blossom Babe was the first product I have ever tried, and it was a complete game-changer for me.

And it’s still my go-to when I want to create an effortless yet natural makeup look. Worth every cent!

Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand

A liquid highlighter is another product that has completely changed my makeup game. 

Even though I am a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter, it bothers me that it comes with so much product. Something I will never be able to run out before it expires.

Many people still use the same jar they purchased years ago, but I have sensitive and breakout-prone skin. So, whenever a product reaches its PAO (Period After Opening), I discard it.

Regarding Tarte’s Shape Tape Glow Wand, the package is way smaller, and its applicator is much more convenient. I have the shade Sunbeam and plan to repurchase it in the next couple of months.

I love how this product gives me a healthy and glitter-free glow.

Urban Decay Moondust Space Cowboy Eyeshadow 

An internet favorite, I know! But, for me, Urban Decay’s Moondust Space Cowboy eyeshadow is worth the hype (I wish it were cheaper).

I love how effortlessly it allows me to create an eye look! 

This eyeshadow has been my go-to when I have to go to the office or when I don’t have enough time to play with an eyeshadow palette.

I usually apply it all over the lid on top of an eye primer or with some liquid blush underneath (for a color base). Et voilà! Ready to go.

Natasha Denona Mini Nude Palette

OK, I was about to name Natasha Denona’s Mini Biba Palette as the one I would repurchase first. Given how frequently I have reached out for it since I bought it.

But given that I can already create a pink eyeshadow base with Nudestix’s blush, I felt the need to go for something neutral. And that’s when Natasha Denona’s Mini Nude Palette comes in.

This mini eyeshadow palette was one of my last beauty purchases in 2022, and it was such a lovely surprise.

The shades work so well together, and the formula is way easier to blend out than the one on the Mini Biba Palette.

Plus, it comes with a small (yet reliable) eyeshadow brush. Perfect for someone who doesn’t have any tools.

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara 

No matter how many mascaras I try, I always return to Charlotte Tilbury’s Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara.

Why? It’s the one that makes my eyelashes look better and more elegant. I love that it allows me to go from something more low-key and natural to something more glamorous.

The wand is super easy to use, even if you’re clumsy or not used to applying mascara.

Any cons? It’s price. This is the most expensive mascara I own in my collection, and I have already purchased a couple of tubes.

Givenchy Rose Perfecto 001

OK, Givenchy's Rose Perfecto 001 was the lipstick I reached out to the most ever since I bought it (last year).

I love that the formula has a large percentage of natural ingredient formula. It's super comfortable on the lips, and the shade slightly changes when in contact with our lips' PH.

I use this so much that I bought a spare one months ago. If the brand discontinues this product or it goes on trend and becomes super hard to find.

So, this would be my first lip product purchase if I missed all of my products.

What about you? What would you buy first if you lost all of your beauty products?