I don't think there has been a time in my life when I haven't loved playing with makeup. I remember my first Daddy/Daughter Dance when I was little putting on a pretty dress, having my hair and nails done, and getting to wear my mama's bright red lipstick and feel like a princess. I think the obsession started then. Although I love 'special occasion' makeup (think Holiday/red lips), my 'can't live without' products are my favorite.
1.
Ready Touch Up Veil Broad Spectrum Spf 15 - I started using Bare Minerals makeup in high school when my mom was looking for a new product and let me try some out. I've been hooked ever since. I came across the touch up veil when I bought a starter kit and it came with it. I'm so glad it did! This stuff is amazing. I put it on my entire face after I'm done applying all my makeup just to 'set' it. It comes in a different shades if you prefer a color, but I use Translucent. I use it to touch up oily spots through out the day. Have you ever put on too much blush by mistake? Well, just swipe this over your cheeks and it will tone it down! It's a little expensive ($23) but since you don't need a ton everyday, it goes a long way and is worth it in my opinion. I've also used
this and love it, as well.
2.
Original Foundation Broad Spectrum Spf 15 - I've tried a lot of other loose powder foundations and I keep coming back to this one. It's not heavy and the 'medium beige' shade blends well into my natural skin tone. When I run out of this and don't have time to go pick up some more, I use Maybelline's Mineral Power powder, which is my favorite over the counter foundation.
3.
Covergirl Classic Color Blush - I only started wearing blush within the last year or so. It always scared me before because I never knew what color to choose and I've seen blush go
terribly wrong. A friend of mine let me try hers one day and this was it. I ended up loving the color on me (I use 'iced plum') and have never looked back. I still find myself wanting to try a blush from Bare Minerals, but 'why fix it if it ain't broke?' ;) and this one's only $7!
4.
L'Oreal Blackbuster by Infallible Eyeliner - Y'all. This is the best liquid/pencil mix eyeliner I've ever come across. I know that sounds weird (liquid/pencil mix), but it's a liquid eyeliner that goes on similar to a magic marker (like a pencil but smoother). And it stays on all day without touch-ups. I've always gone back and forth between liquid and pencil eyeliner and could never get the look I wanted. Pencil is too harsh sometimes and liquid can be, well, too liquid-y, ya know? My mom picked it up one day and suggested I try it. I'm so glad she did! The only thing about this eyeliner is that it only comes in black. I used to only wear brown, but I've switched to black because I love this eyeliner so much! I also recommend using this only on the top lid, not the bottom. (see #8)
5.
Pur Minerals Correcting Primer Redness Reducer - I don't know how I've gone my entire life before discovering this stuff. It's
ah-mazing. I was at Ulta one day talking to a makeup artist and I was telling her I needed something to put under my powder (other than piling on concealer) that would cover my redness(my face has a natural pink tone to it). She suggested this primer. It's an all natural primer that I put on before any of my makeup. The price is a little steep ($31), but you just need a tiny amount (a little goes a long way) and you totally get your money's worth. It goes on green (don't worry, you can't see it through your foundation) and eliminates any redness in your face. They also have all kinds of different options if you don't need a redness reducer. This is a
must have product in my opinion.
6.
Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara - I've tried tons of expensive mascaras, and none work as well on me than this mascara. It gives me great volume and length and is only $8!
7.
Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Color - This is another one of those products where a little goes a long way. I've tried many over the counter bronzers and none of them compare to this. I use a teeny bit on my forehead, chin, and cheeks. It gives a great overall glow and looks natural with minimal use.
8.
L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner - So, I don't always use a pencil eyeliner, but when I do, I use this one. I only put it on the bottom in a very, very thin (almost smudged...hard to describe, haha!) line. I love wearing my liquid (see #4) with a thicker line on top and just a little of this pencil on the bottom to get the look I'm going for.
9.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow - Of all the makeup products worth spending a little more money on, eyeshadow is one of them. I use the Urban Decay palette (see #14) that I got for Christmas, but I love these single eyeshadows, as well. I used the light colors up the quickest in my palette, so I buy these little guys while I use the other colors that are still left in my palette. The quality of the shadows are so great and they go one beautifully. Even if you don't like to wear a ton of eyeshadow (I only do a smoky eye for special occasions), I think wearing just a lighter color with a little shimmer really pulls a look together.
10.
Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss - This is another beauty product I believe in spending a little more money on. Over the counter lip glosses can look
so cheap sometimes. I actually found this color on a whim. I was needing some mineral veil and the store I went to had sold out, so I bought a mini kit that had it, along with this lip gloss in 'smooth talker'. I was shocked when I tried it on and
loved the color on me. It's natural looking but with a slight shimmer. It's my new favorite gloss! I want to see if they have it in a lipstick shade because it's that good.
11.
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - I've never found an over the counter highlighter quite as good as this one. I tried this based on another bloggers recommendation, and let me tell you, she was right! This is stuff is awesome and it's only $8! I do love my designer highlighters, but this is a great inexpensive alternative.
12.
Smashbox Under Eye BB Cream - This is my favorite under eye highlighter when my bank account allows it (it's $25 a pop). Even though it is under eye cream, I also use it to cover pimples and other blemishes. It stays on all day and has great coverage.
13.
Beeswax Lip Balm - I go through different lip balms constantly, but at the moment, this is my favorite. On a typical day I'll just wear lip balm instead of gloss or lipstick, so I always have some on me. I also wear lip balm to bed overnight so my lips stay smooth.
14.
Urban Decay Naked2 Eyeshadow Palette - I
love these shadows! I got this palette for Christmas last year and it has served me so well. Urban Decay has 3 different palettes, so you can pick the one that suits your skin tone the best. I personally love the 2 for my complexion. Even though it is pricey ($54), it comes with 12 high quality shadows that look amazing on. This palette is great for creating a beautiful smokey eye and all kinds of different looks. There's tons of tutorials on YouTube that tell you how to get a specific look with the colors from the palette. If you're into eyeshadow, I highly recommend this! If you're not, I recommend the single shadows (see # 9).
What are your favorite beauty products?
Stay sunny,
Katie
