If you’ve been reading Shop Around this year, you’ve surely come across our 5 Things I Can’t Live Without series. All year we’ve picked the brains of local (and in some cases, national) beauty bloggers, stylists, makeup artists, boutique owners, and other experts to find out what their absolute favorite products are. As it turns out, there’s been quite a bit of overlap in the responses—leading us to want to reach for the next tube of Jouer tinted moisturizer or can of Elnett hairspray that we can get our hands on. Below you’ll find the beauty products our experts share as favorites—and the reasons why they can’t live without ‘em.
1. L’Oreal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold hairspray
This industry favorite, once forbidden in the United States, is praised for more than its long-lasting ability: “this spray has the best hold, and its smell makes life more pleasant,” says BlowoutBar owner Tess Belsari.
$14.99 at Ulta.
After trying countless high-end mascaras by Chanel, Dior, and MAC, Gilt City DC curator Marissa Schneider says she keeps coming back to this drugstore pick. Lianne Farbes of TheMakeupGirl loves it for its buildability and less-than-$7 pricetag.
$6.99 at Target.
3. Glamglow mud masks
August Skin author and beauty pro Ashley Weatherford likens Glamglow’s super-mud clearing treatment to a famous actress: “the Meryl Streep of masks, [it’s] versatile, accomplished, and a Tinseltown favorite.” Local fashion proprietor Marlene Hu Aldaba (of Hu’s Wear) says the “exfoliating and tingling” variety garners immediate results.
$19-$69 at Sephora.
4. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
Bellacara owner Angela Sitilides says this product changed her mind about tinted moisturizers: “They are either too sheer or too thick … but this formula is the ideal combination. It has the perfect amount of coverage, is oil free, has SPF 20, and adds a beautiful glow to my skin.” Birchbox cofounder Katia Beauchamp—after sifting through endless products in her career—maintains that this product is her “everyday go-to.”
$38 at Birchbox.
5. Caudalie Premier Cru line
Beauchamp is a fan of the brighteners in this high-end line’s eye products. Drybar founder Alli Webb praises the face cream for easing her beauty routine: “it keeps my skin moisturized and radiant throughout my busy schedule … it’s a serum and moisturizer in one, so it lightens my load when I’m traveling,” she says.
$98 to $155 at Nordstrom.
Are you a beauty expert (or addict)? We want to hear about the top five products in your makeup bag. Email us at delbasha@washingtonian.com.
