Faith’s Favorites: 7 Products That Have Earned A Permanent Spot In My Routine

Welcome to the first installment of Faith’s Favorites, where BDG’s executive beauty director waxes poetic about the products bringing her joy.

The first thing most people do when they walk into my bathroom is audibly gasp. Not at my marble floors or my plush, fluffy towels (I wish), but over the sheer amount of products I have scattered everywhere — and that’s not including the ones hiding behind my cabinet shelves. What can I say? I’m a proud maximalist. Some of my peers are good at sticking to their tried-and-true favorite beauty products, keeping their routines minimal and clutter nonexistent. I am not one of those people. Being surrounded by pretty, shiny things brings me joy and comfort, and I am fully unable to resist the temptations of the new products that come across my desk each day. I want to try everything. How can I not, when everything is packaged so adorably, the ingredients are so innovative, and every product promises to soothe my skin, hair, body, and mind? While the products in my medicine cabinet rotate in and out faster than a revolving door at a beauty pop-up, there are some staples that I’ve found throughout the years that remain firmly in place — unyielding and often-used, even when newer, shinier models come by to tempt me.

Ahead, find the classic products, plus a few new favorites, that have earned a place in my permanent collection.

The Face Cream

The fact that Kiehl’s has been around for over a century is a testament to its products. This face cream was the first fancy face cream I ever started using in college — I started off borrowing my roommate’s, then loved it so much I had to buy one of my own. The squalane and glycerin strengthen your skin’s barrier and leave it feeling soft and hydrated, even in the dead of winter.

The Classic Foundation

If there was a makeup MVP hall of fame, Armani’s Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation would be sitting at the throne. Beauty editors, makeup artists, and celebrities alike all count on it to even out their skin tone, cover blemishes, and add a subtle glow. There’s a reason it’s so popular — it’s really that good. The secret’s in the light, creamy, hyper-blendable formula, which melts into your skin for a your-skin-but-better effect. (If you’re wondering what the key is to TikTok’s trending “clean” aesthetic, this is it.) Other foundations may come and go in my rotation, but you’ll never find me without my Luminous Silk.

The New Foundation

My skin has been misbehaving like a teenager going through puberty, which means that I’m looking for fuller coverage than I usually do. This Very Valentino 24 Hour Wear Liquid Foundation from Valentino Beauty has medium coverage that’s easily buildable while still looking incredibly natural on the skin. I apply with a foundation brush for more coverage, then blend it out with a sponge. It gives a filter-finish effect in real life with a semi-matte finish that’s truly impressive.

The Classic Mascara

I’m not a picky eater, but I am picky about my mascaras. My lashes are thin, long, and point straight down, so I’m always looking for a mascara that creates a fanned-out lash look. This mascara from Lancôme is perfect for that — and for making everyone wonder if you got a lash lift or lash tint. The plastic fan brush grabs every lash and lifts it up and out, and the comb element distributes the formula evenly for a fluffy, soft look.

The New Mascara

I was excited to try YSL’s new Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara when it launched for its promise to deliver major volume and drama — and it didn’t disappoint. I love the fat, bristly brush, which adds volume to my barely-there lashes in just one sweep. Plus, it somehow didn’t smudge or smear, even after hours of dancing. If inky-black volume is what you’re after, this will be your new favorite.

The Setting Spray

Makeup tends to slide off my face by the end of the night, but this spray from Urban Decay locks everything in place and keeps my makeup looking as fresh as it did when I first applied. It’s a must-have for anyone with oily-combo skin like me, and a classic that’s withstood the test of time for good reason.

The Fragrance

Some people have a signature scent — I am not one of those people. Instead, I have a shockingly huge perfume collection I lovingly refer to as my fragrance garden. Recently, there’s been a flirty new addition, and her name is Prada Candy. This gourmand scent comes in a sprightly bottle with a hot pink cap, and she’s not shy about making her intentions known. The main note is caramel, which is blended with musk and warm benzoin resin. It’s not a subtle fragrance, but rather one that commands attention with a hair toss and wink in a slinky silk slip dress. Spritzing this fragrance just puts me in a fun, flirty mood — it’s that simple.