So a while back I posted this about some of my favorite drug store beauty products. Well, it's been a while, so I thought I'd give you an update! Spring is fast approaching, so here are my top 5 beauty picks (in no particular order) for a fabulous spring season. Also, warning, I could talk about these products forever, and do. So...just skim along if you're not the reading kind.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation
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Okay, if you've known me for ANY amount of time at all, you know how completely inept I am at makeup application. I get confused and give up altogether. I've always wanted to wear foundation, but my skin kind of gets in the way. Bare Minerals always made my face look flake-y, and everything else I tried just kind of made my skin look...blah. I'd been hearing allllll about this foundation on YouTube and beauty blogs, so when I got an Ulta coupon (hollaaaa) I decided to give it a shot. Oh, hi. Is that what good skin looks like? I love this stuff. Seriously. It's got buildable coverage, so I use it pretty sparingly but even when applied more liberally (like, say, at 6 in the morning when you're still groggy and have no idea what's going on) you still look flawless. Also, in case you're wondering, I wear the lightest shade...and it's still too dark. Remember when I said it's buildable? I spray on Burt's Bees Complexion Mist before hand (which they don't make anymore...commence freak out), let it dry for about 10 seconds, then get to work using my hands as an applicator (you use less if you apply with your hands than if you use a foundation brush). The foundation slides on and blends in easily and voila, no fake face! Lovely. Oh, and did I mention it's SPF 20? Perfection, I say. Even for those of us who are completely cosmetically incompetent. Also, for those of you out there who love your high-end cosmetics, this is supposedly identical to NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. For a fourth of the price. Ringing it at $12, this Neutrogena Foundation is an affordable addition to anyone's collection.
L’Oreal EverStyle Alcohol-Free Volume-Boosting Mousse
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I'll be honest, I'm a sucker for product placements from my fave bloggers. Usually I can't afford most products, but this time my homegirl Reagan did not disappoint. I ran out of my usual styling products (couldn't tell you what they were, though, they were that memorable) and saw her post on using mousse as a foundation and I figured, what the heck, I've got an Ulta coupon (I know, I know...but they come in handy!) so I'll give it a shot. And surprise surprise, I love it! It's taken a while for me to figure out how much product to use in my hair (still getting used to the new 'do) but now that I've figured it out, I'm in love. Not only does it provide a great foundation as well as volume, but I've found that now when I curl my hair with an iron, each curl looks smooth and defined, not frizzy and just...weird. I love this stuff, I tell you. For about $7, it's a great investment.
EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss
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Full disclosure here, I've always hated shaving cream. Seriously. I always got annoyed with it and usually I'd end up with little red bumps on my legs. Sexy, no? So I gave up on shaving cream wayyyy back in high school and just opted to use my body wash. Recently, though, the bumps on my legs came back in full force. Tried different razors, tried shaving less often, and nothing really worked. So one day at Le Target, the Husband and I were looking around and he saw this. At first I just had my usual reaction, "Too much money for a product that I already know doesn't work." But then he said something that sparked my attention, "Oh, look! You don't have to use it in the shower. You can dry shave." ....whaaa? Can it be all my lazy leg shaving dreams have come true? Well, I've used it for a few weeks and have noticed a few things: one, no bumps! two, ohhhhhh yes it works shaving dry. You know those mornings when you BANKED on colder weather only to realize that it's warmer and in all actuality you want to wear a skirt but you're legs look atrocious and you could never leave the house looking like that? Yeah, problem solved. It's thicker than lotion, but goes on smoothly for an even shave. I've tried it in the shower, but honestly, I like shaving dry better! It doesn't slide around as much and I can make sure I've applied it evenly. Even better? It's not a crazy overwhelming scent, just a nice, soft vanilla. Perfect for spring "sportin' my legs" season! Even if you're crazy pasty white like me.
Big Sexy Hair Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder
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Braids are back again, friends, and in a big way. This texturizing powder is the perfect product to help those pesky hairs stay in place. I originally bought this as a dry shampoo just kind of on a whim with a leftover Amazon gift card. It does work as a dry shampoo, but serves more to add life back to your hair rather than hide any oily-ness you might have from second or third day hair. But, let me tell you, sprinkle a tad on your scalp and massage it in and Poof! you've got your first day hair back! It's an odd texture, so don't be freaked out if you try it and touch it and get super weirded out. Don't you worry because soon enough you won't be thinking, "What the mess did I just put in my hair" because you'll be thinking, "Oh dang I look good!" I especially like using it on my bangs when I decide to braid them back. It adds just enough texture to give your hair a good grip without looking sticky and stringy like hairspray does. It's also great if you want to add some volume and grip to first day hair-just lift your hair up at the crown and sprinkle directly on your roots. Massage, tease, and be amazed! You might see the price and gasp a bit. So much for a tiny bottle? Buttttt it seems like it's going to last me a long, long time. I've had mine since January and looks like I haven't even made a dent in it! Gotta love that.
Too Faced Liquif-Eye Eye Shadow Transformer Eyeliner
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Okay, so yes I'm a sucker for product placement on blogs, but I'm also a sucker for product demonstration. I was in Sephora last weekend to swatch a few eyeshadows I was wanting from Ulta (I know, right? Soooo sneaky) and saw a lonely makeup artist waiting to assist a customer. Okay not really, but I asked a question and suddenly I was in a chair sans makeup and listening to her gush about Too Faced. It's a company I don't know too much about since all I really hear about is Urban Decay's Naked Pallettes, but I figured I should go ahead and listen. She really seemed to just want to try lots of different looks so why not, I sat there and let her. During demonstrations like this, I usually feel guilted into buying things, and this time was no different....but it's because I think this product is so. dang. cool. Basically, it's a clear formula waterproof liquid liner that turns any eyeshadow into an eyeliner. Any color! She showed me with emerald then with bronze, and I was hooked. I love things that allow me to change my mind frequently, and this seemed to be the perfect product! And it is. To date I've tried gold, mocha, and black eyeliner and I love it. The key with this product is you have to completely wipe down the wand, or else you'll taint the rest of the formula. It glides on easily, even on my wrinkle-y eyes (that's a whole other story) and the best part is, if you mess up, use a Q-tip and some eye makeup remover and it's like it was never there. Love it! Such a great product for someone who can't make up her mind (me) or someone who loves to experiment with different colors (also me). It's kind of pricey at $18 per bottle, but I talked to lots of people in Sephora (not just employees) who raved and raved about it, and even one lady who came back to buy more was a professional make-up artist who said she runs out about every 18 months and uses it on almost every client. Well, I don't have clients, it's just me, so I figured I'd try it out! If you're looking for a new liquid liner, I definitely recommend you give this one a shot!
So there you have it my friends! My 5 Spring Break Beauty Buys. What are your spring beauty favorites? Do you have anything you can't live without during warmer weather?
Also, let me know if you like product reviews! I've been thinking about doing some grocery store reviews of different products...would anyone be interested in that? Just let me know in the comment section!
