I realize I'm late with this post, but here in Wyoming it's still technically spring since it's done nothing but rain and freeze us all to death lately. Here are a few of my FAVORITE products that have won me over in the last few months! I'm an elitist about products, but I'm also a bargain hunting fool! I am picky and I will also be making a list of things that didn't work for me and didn't impress me much in the near future.
1. Root Pump Plus- Big Sexy Hair: A little goes a LONG way with this product so it lasts a long time. I have a confession to make... I have big hair envy. I backcomb the CRAP out of my hair most days, but unless I use a bit of root pump when I blow dry, it tends to be in vain. Spray it at the roots of your damp hair and massage it around, and then blow dry with your hair upside down. If you buy this at a salon it can run you $20-30 bucks, but if you buy it at Ulta or a beauty supply house (I've got the hook up because my best friends are beauticians) it only runs about $10-$15.
2. Clump Crusher Mascara- Covergirl: I'm not usually a fan of drugstore brand mascaras. Like I said earlier, it takes a lot for a beauty product to really impress me and make me want to buy it again and again. This mascara separates my lashes and is great when I'm in a hurry because I don't have to apply 2-3 coats to get it to look nice. It doesn't flake, or end up under your eyes by the end of the day either. At about $7 bucks at Wal-Mart or Walgreens it's a steal. I use this as my every day, teacher going to work, mascara.
3. Amazonian Clay Foundation- Tarte: This was my latest splurge as I searched high and low for the perfect foundation for my wedding day in July. This foundation is moisturizing on my super dry (Like the Sahara) skin, and has really great full coverage. I have a lot of red in my face, and it's usually difficult for me to match foundations because they are all too yellow based. This line of foundations is great if you have a difficult to match skin tone. It's a bit more expensive at $38 a bottle, but a little bit goes a LONG way with this foundation. A little dab on all the different areas of your face will provide excellent and long lasting coverage. If you order it off QVC.com you also get an airbursh finish brush (which is to die for), but Sephora has a larger range of colors.
4. Shadow Insurance- Too Faced: This eye primer works (in my opinion) as well as Urban Decay primer potion for every day wear. I'd still suggest UD if you are going to be in a situation where you sweat or need 24 hour wear. I don't understand women who don't use a foundation/eye primer, but I guess it's just because they haven't tried it yet. Primer brings out your eyeshadow's pigment, and makes it last and last all day. I ALWAYS get compliments on my eye make up, and primer is my secret weapon. (Also my secret, I buy my Shadow Insurance on Ebay for $8 a bottle... heehee Sephora)
5. Demi Wispies Lashes- Ardell: Ardell lashes are a drugstore brand, but they are SO comfortable, and the band is so flexible. (Flexibility in eyelashes are important because they won't stick for very long to your lid if the band is stiff.) If you've never tried eyelashes before, these are super user friendly and usually come in a bigger starter kit. Ardell lashes are the most natural looking brand I've found so far, and in my opinion out preform higher end brands like MAC. Ladies are usually skeptical when I first put a pair of lashes on them, but as soon as they see how much it enhances their eyes and make up, they sometimes make the switch. This brand is inexpensive at $3 a pair, since you can wear them 2-5 times if you take care to put them back in the case and gently pick off the glue each time.
6. Soothing Chafing Gel- Monistat: Chafing gel... ew right? WRONG. This $7 bottle of magic is my favorite thing to use daily! It contains the same ingredients as high end FOUNDATION PRIMERS. It makes my skin so smooth and makes my foundation go on flawlessly. High end foundation primers can run you $20-$40 at Sephora, but I find this works just as well if not better. In fact, the only other foundation primer I will use is from Mary Kay, but the make up of the primer is different. Monistat chafing gel will keep your foundation in place on sweaty spring/summer days.
7. Light Moisturizer- Simple: This moisturizer is so good on my super sensitive skin. As the seasons transition from winter to spring I have temperamental dry/not dry skin. I have even used this on my fiancee's face (shhh, don't tell that I told. I forced it on him.) I buy my Simple brand moisturizer at Wal-Mart and it costs a whole $8. $8 for yummy skin on my face? Yes, please.
8. Saint eyeshadow palette- Kat Von D: Lesbihonest, I love Kat Von D. I will admit that I first bought this palette because I love her, and because her make up is always perfect. This palette is amazing. The colors are gorgeous and range from a light shimmer for a highlight, to a semi-matte, deep blackened brown. I also bought this for my upcoming wedding and I couldn't be happier. I'm usually devoted to my Naked 2 palette or the zillion other eyeshadows in my make up containers, but this palette is too pretty to put down. It also comes with a "tattoo" mini black eyeliner pencil (A $12 value) which is creamy and spreads like butter but stays put. I've been looking for an eyeliner for my waterline that doesn't go anywhere and this eyeliner is it. So, SURPRISE BONUS, always a good sign, right? This palette is $36 at Sephora, but if you subtract the cost of the eyeliner you're getting 8 creamy, dreamy, eyeshadows for a whole $24, or $3 an eyeshadow. (Basically what you'd pay for a Wet 'N Wild brand single eyeshadow.) Definitely worth the price.
9. Loose eyeshadow- Dark Heart Designs: I didn't want to put ANOTHER eyeshadow in my favorites, but if it's my favorite, it's my favorite. Dark Heart Designs is an independent make up company that specializes in loose pigment blushes and eyeshadows, but she's constantly coming up with other goodies to sell. Since the Kat Von D palette is neutral, I figured I'd suggest a company that makes gorgeous colored eyeshadows. These eyeshadows are pigmented and easy to use, and at about $6-$7 per container (which last for a long, LONG, time) it's so worth a try. You can purchase these products here: http://darkheartdesigns.storenvy.com/Here are a few colors that I have in my collection. From left to right the colors are: Abisinthe, Dirty, Ever After, Elphaba, and Dragons.
10. Remy Clip In Hair Extensions- Euronext: I bought these extensions for $30 from a lady who never used them... You sometimes need to dye extensions and shape them so that they blend with your hair, but mine were the EXACT color of my hair. (Creepy, eh?) Anyways, these extensions are amazing. They're about $110 at Sally's Beauty Supply and if you're careful with them you'll only go through one set a year. If you buy extensions you need to research how to care for them, and you can also research how to put them in properly so that they STAY, so that you don't see them through your natural hair, and so they don't rip your hair out.
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