The Beauty Product Favorites I Keep Replenishing: A Pug Mom's Beauty Routine
- chandra redding
- Jun 18
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
By Chan
The beauty industry launches new products every day. Each one promises better skin, fuller hair, or the perfect glow. While I enjoy discovering new products, the ones that matter most are the ones I finish, repurchase, and continue reaching for year after year.
I've tried luxury beauty brands, drugstore favorites, celebrity lines, and products recommended by makeup artists. Some were worth the hype. Some weren't.
The products below have earned a permanent place in my routine. They consistently deliver results, fit into real life, and make me feel confident whether I'm filming content, running errands, or heading out for the evening.
If you're looking for beauty products that are actually worth buying again, start here.
My Beauty Philosophy: Results Over Price
When it comes to beauty, I focus on performance rather than price. Some of my favorite products come from luxury brands. Others can be found during a quick trip to CVS.
The question I always ask is simple:
Did it do what it promised to do?
A product earns a repurchase when I finish it, miss it when it's gone, and willingly spend my own money to replace it. Because while brands send products every day, the real test is whether I'd buy it again myself.
Tatcha: The Brand I Never Want to Run Out Of
Why I Started Using It
Like many people, I kept hearing about Tatcha and wondered if luxury skincare was really worth the investment.
Why I Keep Buying It
I started with The Matcha Cleanse, then added The Essence, and finally one of their moisturizers. Over the years, I’ve tried several, including the Dewy Skin Cream. Right now, I’m loving the Ageless Renewal Cream.
Living in Georgia means dealing with heat, humidity, and weather that can ruin a good makeup day. In cooler months, I reach for richer creams like Dewy Skin Cream. When it’s warmer, lighter options work better under makeup.
The Product I Refuse to Run Out Of
If I had to choose just one Tatcha product, it would be the Kissu Lip Mask. I've tried countless lip treatments over the years, including the gold flake version, but I always come back to the original.
If I finish it, I replace it immediately. That's usually the clearest sign that a product truly belongs in my routine.
The Foundation I Always Come Back To
This might surprise some people. I’ve tried luxury foundations, Sephora favorites, department store brands, and products recommended by makeup pros. But I always come back to Neutrogena Foundation.
Why? Because it works. It gives me the coverage I want while keeping my skin looking natural and healthy. It wears well all day, photographs beautifully, and matches my skin tone better than many pricier options.
In summer, I wear Tan or Cocoa. In winter, I switch to Natural or Warm Beige. Is it the most glamorous product in my collection? No. Is it one of the products I trust the most? Absolutely.
The Hair Products Worth Every Penny
When I wear my hair naturally, moisture is everything. PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner helps keep my hair soft, manageable, and hydrated without feeling heavy. It's one of those products I continue reaching for because it simply does its job well.
When I wear my hair straight, there is one product I absolutely must have: Color Wow Extra-Strength Dream Coat. Georgia humidity is relentless. I've tried countless smoothing products over the years, but Dream Coat is the one I continue to repurchase because it helps keep my hair smoother, longer. For anyone who battles humidity, this product deserves a place on your radar.
The Dyson was absolutely an investment. And it's one I would make again. It dries my hair quickly, reduces the amount of time I need to expose my hair to heat, and has consistently delivered performance year after year. For me, that's the definition of value.
Luxury vs. Drugstore: What I’ve Learned
One of the biggest myths in beauty is that expensive automatically means better. After years of trying everything from luxury skincare to drugstore staples, I've learned that price isn't what determines whether a product stays in my routine. Results do.
My skincare routine includes luxury products like Tatcha because I've found they consistently deliver the hydration and performance I'm looking for. But when it comes to makeup, I often find myself reaching for affordable products that work just as well as their luxury counterparts. Neutrogena foundation remains one of my most trusted products, even after trying far more expensive alternatives.
I also regularly use products from brands like e.l.f. and Almay. Their products perform well, are easy to find, and fit seamlessly into my routine. Almay's eye products have been longtime favorites because they're gentle around my eyes, and e.l.f. continues to impress me with affordable products that perform far above their price point.
One reason I love shopping at CVS is that I can find many of the products I already use and trust while taking advantage of ExtraCare rewards, coupons, and beauty promotions. As someone who uses beauty products every day, those savings add up. If I can earn ExtraCare Bucks on products I was already planning to buy, that's a win.
My approach to beauty isn't about choosing luxury or drugstore. It's about finding products that work, regardless of the price tag. Some products are worth splurging on. Others prove that great beauty products don't have to be expensive. The goal isn't to spend more. The goal is to spend smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you prefer luxury or drugstore beauty products?
Both. I focus on how well a product performs, not the price tag. Some products are absolutely worth splurging on, while others work beautifully at a much lower price point. The goal isn't to own the most expensive products. It's to find products that consistently deliver results.
How do you decide if a product is worth repurchasing?
A product earns a repurchase when I finish it, miss it when it's gone, and willingly spend my own money to replace it. Brands send products all the time, but the real test is whether I would buy it again myself. If the answer is yes, that's usually a sign it deserves a permanent place in my routine.
How do you afford luxury beauty products without overspending?
I rarely pay full price for anything. Over the years, I've learned that finding great products and finding great deals are two completely different skills. Before I buy, I usually compare prices using Google Shopping, which lets me quickly see who has the best price on a product. I also use Rakuten, one of my favorite ways to earn cash back on purchases I was already planning to make. I keep the browser extension installed on my computer, so it automatically alerts me when cashback offers are available.
Another strategy I use is checking the offers attached to my credit cards. My Amazon Prime card, Capital One card, and American Express card frequently have special offers on brands I already shop. Sometimes those savings can be stacked with sales, coupons, cashback, or rewards programs.
When I'm shopping at CVS, I almost always use ExtraCare rewards and ExtraBucks. If it's a product I regularly use, I'll often wait for a promotion before restocking. For larger purchases, I occasionally take advantage of promotional financing offers, like Affirm, that provide a period of zero interest. If I choose that option, my goal is always to pay the purchase off before the promotional period ends so I can avoid interest charges. It takes a few extra minutes and a little planning, but those small steps add up to significant savings over time. The goal isn't necessarily to spend less on everything. It's to spend smarter on the things you already know and love.
What's the most important part of a beauty routine?
The best beauty products aren't always the newest, trendiest, or most expensive. They're the products you finish, repurchase, and confidently recommend to a friend. These are the products that have earned that place in my routine.
If you're building a beauty collection that works for real life, start with products that consistently earn your trust. That's where the best routines begin.
Happy beauty hunting.
— Chan
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