Silicon Valley women love their beauty products.
They’re passionate about their mascara and brand-loyal to their skin-care line. They experiment with eye shadows and lip glosses and are just as likely to shop on drugstore aisles as they are the cosmetics counters of department stores.
A few weeks ago, I shared a list of my favorite beauty and grooming products with readers and asked for their own can’t-live-without-it list. Dozens of e-mails flooded my “in” box. Many of the notes had detailed descriptions of color, price and how the products were used.
The one item that was talked about with great intensity was mascara. It seems I’m not the only one hooked on its transformational nature. And almost everyone agreed: The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is the best beauty invention of the century.
The earnestness and enthusiasm of the responses made me smile. Lots of readers are as crazy about cosmetics as I am.
Surprisingly, there were more than a few products I wasn’t familiar with and others that I hadn’t thought to try. We might even give them a go in a future “The Bottom Line,” Style’s road-test feature.
For now, we’re spreading the wealth by sharing readers’ favorites with other readers. Here and online, 20 readers’ comments.
“I love St. Ives apricot face scrub, any Jo Malone fragrance – my favorite currently is White Jasmine and Mint cologne. Any Neutrogena moisturizers – especially ones that have SPF in them. In the summer, Healthy Defense with SPF 30 is perfect. Keratase Elasto Curl – great for gals with wavy hair.”
Margaret Hulgrave, Los Gatos
“I’m with you on that Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I love that thing – it really gives my stubby Asian lashes a nice curl. My favorite mascara is Shiseido Lasting Lift Mascara, which keeps my eyelashes curled for pretty much the entire day. I also like L’Oreal Le Kohl eyeliner in black, which goes on smoothly and doesn’t smudge.
“For my skin, I really like L’Occitane Brightening Cleansing foam. It leaves my face feeling soft and smooth. I also like the L’Occitane Very Precious Eye Serum. After using it just a few weeks, it softened the wrinkles around my eyes and left that area feeling very hydrated.”
Khanh Nguyen, San Jose
“I have to say my FAVORITE, can’t-live-without product is L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara. It is the best! I have tried all sorts of mascaras, ranging from expensive to cheap, and this one is hands-downs my favorite. It goes on smooth, makes my lasher longer, fuller and separates them. I have blond eyelashes, and this mascara makes my eyes pop! (I use the brownish-black color.) Everyone should try it. Check it out, if you haven’t already.”
Shelley Lautenslager, San Jose
“My must-have product is Blinc Kiss Me Mascara. I have sensitive eyes, and allergy season always finds me a teary mess, but this mascara does not budge and doesn’t flake off or smudge at all. Other hypo-allergenic mascaras bug my eyes still; this mascara is the only one that didn’t bother me toward the end of the day. It takes some effort to get this product off by rubbing my eyes with a wet washcloth, but it’s a small price I’m willing to pay.”
Mercedes Roy, Sunnyvale
“BeneFit Hoola Bronzer: blends well and doesn’t give an obvious fake-and-bake look. Natural and good for medium Asian skin-tones. Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascara: I’ve tried expensive mascaras, and this one is THE BEST. Glamour magazine has also picked it as one of the best mascaras out there – it lengthens and doesn’t clump, EVER! Shu Uemura eyelash curler: I’m totally with you on this one. Must be replaced after one year of usage! Urban Decay Eyeshadow: especially in Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, a glittery gold shade and also one of their top-selling shadows.
“Urban Decay eye-shadows have a dramatic edge but blend smoothly and easily. They last all night. Lorac Showstopper Palette: includes four eye-shadows and a blush, $35 and perfect for gift-giving without breaking the bank. Comes in cute black sparkly packaging with a rhinestone buckle. Lorac shadows, like Urban Decay and Nars, last all day. BeneFit Lip Plump: nude color gloss that works great under colored glosses. Helps lips appear fuller and more lush. Tingles, too!”
Kristen Sato, San Jose
“I have used La Prairie products for 30 years. My all-time favorite is Cellular Night Cream, Cellular Day Cream and the hand cream. Over the years I have tried less expensive brands, but always go back to the La Prairie as it goes on smoothly, vanishes into the skin – leaving a lovely glow – and does the job it is supposed to do: keeping the skin soft and smooth.
“I am a regular user of Cetaphil products, too. I use the lotion for washing my face in the shower and use the moisturizing cream for arms and legs. This is a wonderful product for dry, sensitive skin.”
Ida Wool, Los Gatos
“I used to be a Definicils (Lancôme mascara) groupie until I discovered Diorshow Unlimited from Dior. I’m afflicted by the same short, straight eyelashes that many Asian women have, and the Diorshow Unlimited gives my lashes a bit of curl, thanks to the curved applicator brush, as well as superb lengthening – all without any clumping! My husband and kids even say they notice a difference (they’re a pretty tough crowd.)”
Robin Lyons, San Jose
“My four sisters and I have been giving each other our favorite things at Christmas for a few years. Here are some of our favorite things:
“Tweezerman lash comb. You don’t realize how great this is until you get one! The best! Crystal nail file. It smooths the roughest feet! Eucerin Calming Creme. Put on after shower and it really hydrates dry skin. Gal Pal deodorant remover pads. Removes deodorant marks from shirts like magic! Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser. Clinique eyeliner in #105 Chocolate Lustre. Bare Escentuals brow powder in pale/ash blonde. I have dark brown hair and a light complexion. This is the perfect shade. Benefit Ooh La Lift under-eye de-puffer.”
Jill Schlageter, Morgan Hill
“Here are my favorites: Benefit Eye Bright – this stuff is magic on my dark under-eye circles and the shadows between my eye and the bridge of my nose. Finally people have stopped asking me if I’m feeling well! Neutrogena Hand Cream – just a teeny bit moisturizes my dry hands and my ashy legs. Shu Uemura eyelash curler – I totally agree with you; it’s really the best one out there.”
Marcella Peek, Belmont
“Here are my must-haves: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer with SPF 15. I don’t know why I didn’t look at this brand sooner. This is the best primer I’ve ever tried, and sometimes I actually go out without my tinted moisturizer wearing just the primer.
“Smashbox Backdrop Cooling Tint color No 1. I’ve been using Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer for years, but took a chance and bought this a couple of months ago and have been pleasantly surprised. I think I may stay with this. It’s every bit as a good and is $10 less!
“Smashbox Brow Tech (taupe). Having over-zealously plucked and shaved (yes, shaved!) my brows in high school many moons ago, I am left with very skimpy brows that are now getting gray! I’ve tried many, many, many products, but this is the best by far. The color is perfectly neutral and sticks to the hairs all day long. I tend to rub my face, and my brows are intact at the end of the day. This is a winner! Jo Malone Cologne (Lime Basil & Mandarin). I still love and wear Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey, but I find myself wearing this almost every day. It’s so easy and comfortable to wear and doesn’t scream, ‘Notice me!!!’ Laura Mercier Secret Concealer color No. 1. This is so creamy and glides on smoothly, and doesn’t settle or cake.
“Christian Dior Diorshow Mascara in black. 2007 must have been my year for making changes, because I’d been using Lancôme since high school. I love the shorter wand (great for those of us who must almost kiss the mirror to apply makeup) and fat brush. The other big plus, no flaking. Fresh Body Lotion (Sugar Lemon). Fresh IS fresh, and this lotion leaves me feeling smooth and pampered.
Carole Daniel, Union City
“My newest discovery is Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It comes in a purplish tube that looks like a genie’s bottle, and it makes your eye makeup last ALL DAY without touch-ups, even through workouts.
“My other favorite is Shu Uemura’s basic black mascara. I have stick-straight eyelashes, and this is the only mascara that is dry enough to not straighten my eyelashes after I’ve used a curler on them. It’s also nicely plumping and doesn’t flake. Also, if you’re looking for non-fancy products that truly work, I swear by Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream (comes in a tub, available at drugstores – I buy two at a time at Costco). It’s super-thick and emollient, and I use it all over my body and on my feet. No more cracked heels!”
Stacy McMullen, Pleasanton
“I am really into skin-care products and pretty much obsessed with eye creams. I have used Shiseido, La Mer and La Prairie eye cream products. The one I found works best is Cle de Peau eye cream (serum pour les yeux). It is very moisturizing and lasts all day. I can see and feel the difference. I found a new one when I traveled to Japan last month from a brand called Ginza. It is supposedly the top line from the same beauty product family and is only sold in Japan. I bought the eye cream but have not opened the package (still waiting to finish my current Cle de Peau eye cream).”
Joanna Liu, Los Altos
“My favorite products: Shiseido sun protection liquid foundation – lightweight but with good coverage and SPF 42. Benefit Dallas blusher – on me, this is a beautiful neutral tone. Shiseido eyelash curler – I’ve used both this and the Shu Uemura one, but have found that the Shiseido one fits my eye shape better. Origins’ A Perfect World line of skin care – I love everything I’ve tried (and I think I’ve tried it all). Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protection Stick in Plum – I love the color and the feel.”
Kathi Guerrant, Mountain View
“First of all, you need to get rid of the dead surface skin cells. Borghese Pelle Rinnovo Skin Renewal Polish is the best one I’ve come across. I’ve been using it twice a week for years. The polishing beads in this creamy, non-greasy formula are very small, almost sand-like, and do a very nice job of getting rid of the dead skin cells to reveal the new, soft skin underneath. This not only feels wonderful, it makes my skin look wonderful, too. Have a little bit of breakout? No problem, polish it away! It even smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, softening them up so they are less noticeable. I also use this on my neck. You can find it at Bloomingdale’s for about $50.
“L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Transformance Skin Perfecting Solution. This lightweight foundation primer makes my foundation go on smoothly and evenly and provides the right amount of moisture throughout the day. Perfect! Long’s drugstore, about $20.
“Oil of Olay Regenerist Night Continuous Recovery Moisturizing Treatment. This night cream is non-greasy, and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is so soft and smooth – I feel like I am touching new skin every morning. I use this every night without fail! Long’s or Walgreen’s, about $20.
“Last but not least – the best beauty pick is staying out of the sun and no smoking!”
Toni Martinez, Sunnyvale
“My fave product is Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub. I use it daily in the shower. It exfoliates and keeps my skin bright. And besides, everyone enjoys a tropical feeling in the morning!”
Nancy Novak, Los Altos
“I am a forty-something with skin that needs saving. I have been transformed with Philosophy products. Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser can take off my strongest armor, including my mascara smear. It leaves my face clean and refreshed. You don’t need a toner is the claim. I have very dry skin and have had problems with most heavy face creams, but Philosophy’s When Hope Is Not Enough Replenishing Cream works well in my daily routine. Although it is a heavy cream, my face loves it. Other heavy lotions/creams have caused irritation and redness. So I can’t live without these two products. I also use the Supernatural mineral face makeup.
Valerie Trovato, San Jose
“My favorite product is Lorac Front of the Line waterproof eyeliner. I originally just bought it for the applicator – like a felt-tip pen – which makes application so easy. The consistency of the actual eyeliner is great, too! It’s not too thick or too watery and the pigment is nice and dark.”
Rowena Wegner, San Jose
“Here are my favorites:
“1. Shu Uemura eyelash curler. This is the first curler that I used that didn’t pinch or bend my eyelashes in a weird way.
“2. Stila convertible eye color. I just tried this and really like it, even though I don’t spend a lot of time on eye makeup (usually just the eyelash curler and done.) This has liner, a firm sponge tip for blending and shadow on a soft sponge. I have it in teak, which can be dramatic or subtle.
“3. Balm Shelter tinted moisturizer. I had used Stila tinted moisturizer for years but read about this product in the Merc recently and decided to try it. It goes on really smooth, has good coverage and I like the higher SPF.
“4. Nars Blush and Bronzer duo in orgasm and laguna. Laguna is a bronzer, and orgasm is a pink, peachy color that looks good always! Sometimes I use the bronzer as eye shadow.
“5. Sephora Professional Perfection makeup base. I don’t use primer or makeup base too often – I work at a high school! – but when I do, I really like this house brand from Sephora. It is very smooth and has a hint of illumination in it.
“6. Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation in 40 watts. I am a big fan of Stila products, and I’ve used this foundation for a number of years. My skin seems to break out with many brands of foundation, but not this one.”
Mary Connolly, Santa Clara
“My favorite lash liner is Laura Mercier eye liner in black ebony. You apply underneath the upper lashes, just along the line, with her flat liner brush. It really makes your eyes stand out, and the whites look whiter. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer is my foundation, and I love it. Sheer color that just evens out skin. I also LOVE Clinique’s gloss in black honey. I’ve been wearing this color for about 25 years, when it was first out in a pot. Now it’s in tube form. Though very dark in the tube, it goes on to look very natural. I don’t know what I’ll do if they ever discontinue it. I always know I can apply it whether using a mirror or not. The foundation primer from Leeza Gibbons’ Sheer Cover line helps to keep makeup looking flawless.”
Kathy Shannon, San Jose
“I have several items that I’ve found to be fabulous products: Vincent Longo Water Canvas Base Primer and Water Canvas Creme-to-Powder Foundation. Also, Matrix Sleek Look Smoothing Serum (Step 4 in their four-step product line). It’s a perfect finish to any hairstyle, and you can seal the dry ends of your hair and make it look super-healthy.”
Maureen Wong, Mountain View
