MODA Blog's Holy Grail Products: Kathryn

Every product junkie knows that the ultimate reason behind racking up drawers and drawers of new lipsticks, concealers, powders, etc., is to find a holy grail. Holy grail products are those magical items that are just right–right texture, right color, right finish, right lasting power–and that's what makes them so difficult to find.In honor of that search, MODA Blog has decided to share some of our holy grail products in a new series. Every week, a different blogger will discuss their three all-time favorite beauty products, which can include anything from makeup to skincare to hair care. You'll get a peek into the beauty lives of our MODA bloggers and hopefully, discover some new holy grail products of your own.

Next up is first-year blogger Kathryn Hicks!

The following four products pack just enough punch to get me through whatever mess my latest P-Set has turned me into. We've got a kick ass face mask to tighten my stressed out pores, an aesthetically pleasing perfume that gives me a little pick-me-up and motivation to continue with the next problem, a long-lasting creme shadow to fake awakeness the next morning, and a hair glossing spray that converts morning mane taming minutes into extra sweet zzz's.

1. Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque

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In the midst of midterms (read: 12 straight hours in the Reg Stacks), skincare slowly slips from your mind and stress breakouts further dampen the mood of your current imprisonment in the already sufficiently dreary cement stacks. This face masque dries quickly (so you can return to your beloved problem sets and cramming), removes impurities, and minimizes pores. I have found that the clay component dries out breakouts and generally speeds up the healing process to a day or so at most. I try to use this every Sunday in a mini-pamper sesh, setting myself up for a week of good skin and calm nerves!

2. Urban Outfitters Petal Perfume Oil

Holy Grail Scent: Forget-Me-Not

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Perfumes are notorious for pretty packaging, but this oil-based perfume takes the aesthetic cake with its apothecary style labeling and real flower petals. This fragrance oil is pretty inexpensive when compared to the back walls of Sephora and lasts longer on your pulse points due to its Vitamin E Oil base. The large rollerball style design also makes it super easy to travel with and reapply when you're needing a fragrance pick me up! I use this daily in the Forget-Me-Not scent and apply on my wrists, sides and back of my neck, and insides of my elbow (strange but effective at keeping the scent lasting longer!).

These perfume oils can be purchased at Urban Outfitters in the following scents:

• Forget Me Not: Uplifting blend of sparkling mandarin + green tea that blossoms on skin with delicate notes of freesia + orris
• Globe: Alluring blend of pink currants, rose + blaze peony that sinks beautifully into skin with notes of white cedarwood + musk
• Rose: Addictive blend of fresh rose, peony and bergamot that evolves on skin with soft notes of white musk and blond woods

3. MAC Pro-Longwear Paint Pot

Holy Grail Shade: Bare Study

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Writing about this product brings me back to the memories of buying my first one of these when I was just getting started wearing makeup back in eighth grade. Since then, my skills have improved past excessive black eyeliner on the waterline and smudgy mascara (hopefully), but this cream eyeshadow still remains near and dear to my heart. Described as soft beige with with gold pearl, the shade Bare Study makes the perfect shimmery base for my (very) pale skin and brings out the blue in my eyes. The uber creamy shadow makes the perfect primer/base for your eye makeup, extending the length of your shadows and preventing creasing. My daily-go-to is Bare Study followed by Urban Decay's Sin on the lid, Naked in the crease, and Venus in the inner corner (from Naked 1 and Naked Basics Palettes). MAC currently has 26 shades of these paint pots, so whether you're looking for a neutral base for underneath shadows or something to stand on its own, they have got you covered!

4. Garnier Fructis Glossing Spray

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Super cheap, super effective, and sold on Amazon (a.k.a. a college student's dream), this glossing spray adds shine to your locks without weighing them down as a serum can. I typically do a serum (Biosilk Silk Therapy) when my hair is damp and finish everything off with this glossing spray after my hair is dry and natural/straightened/curled/whatever-I-am-feeling-that-day. If you have super frizzy weirdly wavy/curly hair like me, it also smooths things down quite a bit without blending together or messing up any curls. Added bonus: it has the characteristically fresh and citrusy scent of Garnier Fructis products and keeps your hair smelling as such all day!

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What are your holy grail beauty products? Let us know in the comments below!