I didn't start wearing the "good" expensive makeup till around last October when I wandered into Ulta looking for a good foundation from the drug store makeup side of the store. While I was wandering around an older blonde who looked like Betsy Johnson (In a good way) showed me purminerals. She did my face and I couldn't believe it was me that I was looking at in the mirror. I loved my skin and my makeup application. Id rather not say how much money I dropped on that powder foundation, primer, blush, and bronzer. Lets just say it went into the triple digits.
And now, 6 months later, I am spending money at Sephora and watching makeup tutorials like its no ones business. I research different kinds of techniques and makeups I haven't tried yet. I have bought brushes and lipsticks and mascaras and bronzers like its my job. I love wearing, buying, doing, playing and discovering makeup. Its honestly the most fun thing I have done alone in my young adult years so far. I look back and wish I could give myself the skill and understanding I have now to my high school self. I was still wearing cheap foundation and too much powder. But now I'm wiser and able to narrow down my top ten favorite makeup products that you need to try for yourself to believe!
1.) MAC Prep and Prime Primer
Primer is honestly one of the most important parts of your makeup application. It makes your skin soft, smooth, and ready to be manipulated with foundation and powders. I love this primer because it keeps my skin from getting too oily and makes my skin super soft for before I put on my foundation. One pump from this cylindrical container covers my whole face with just enough primer. After applying to a clean face, I let it sit for a few minutes before I put on foundation so I know its dried and set. I apply this primer with my (clean and washed!) hands.
Can be found at MAC in stores and online for $30.00+tax. Lasts a long time.
2.) Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation
I could go on and on and on about this foundation. It covers blemishes and skin discolorations, wears for 12 hours, it blends into skin seamlessly, its lightweight, build-able, and doesn't feel like you're wearing a mask. Plus, you only need a small amount applied in circular motions in order to cover your entire face evenly and enough for an everyday look. I am not the queen of perfectly acne free skin, but this foundation hasn't aggravated my acne, or made my T-zone more oily than normal. This foundation keeps my skin looking natural, never orange, and really boosts my confidence about the redness prominent in some parts of my face and my occasional blemish situation because it makes them virtually disappear! Plus its cruelty free (not tested on animals) and has SPF! I apply this foundation with Sephora's makeup brush number 56, the pro flawless airbrush foundation brush
The Foundation retails for $38.00+ tax but lasts a REALLY long time because you don't need a lot of it. The Brush costs $32.00+tax and its one of my favorite brushes. The makeup you use will only looks as good at the quality brush you apply it with. Remember, its a beauty investment!
3.) Bareminerals Matte Powder Foundation
I adore this product because I am not normally a huge fan of powder foundations, but on the days when I don't have time to put on a lot of makeup or don't feel like it, sweeping this on my face instantly evens my skin tone and reduces the oil on my skin. This powder is also great layered on top of the Tarte foundation I mentioned previously to really set the look and make it look airbrushed and clean. This product is a mineral powder which is much better for your skin and something I use every day in my makeup process.
This product retails for $28.00+tax and lasts a fair amount of time depending on how much of it you use. You will absolutely make use of it!
4.) MAC "Brave" Lipstick
This lipstick is one of my favorites because its subtle enough for day time looks, but sexy enough for night time as well. Its the perfect shade of mauve and makes your lips feel soft and hydrated, not dry and chapped. I love mac lipsticks because the colors are always vibrant and long lasting. And, in addition to Brave, if you're into the Kylie Jenner look...
5.) MAC "Dervish" Lip Pencil
This lip liner was the closest thing I could find to the color "Soar" because my local MAC location was sold out, but because this liner is a hair darker than brave, it wears amazing in combination with the lipstick when I line my lips. Not only does the lip liner stay as well as the lipstick, it keeps the lipstick from smearing off onto my face and looking tacky. This is a dynamic duo, and I will be purchasing these two products as a pair again and again. I use this lipstick and lip pencil almost every day, its a go-to in my makeup collection.
The lipstick is $15.00+tax and the Lip pencil is $16.00+tax. Not a bad price for a staple!
6.) Vintage Cosmetic Company Kitty False Lashes
I did not start out as a huge fan of fake lashes, but as soon as I bought this pair and tried them, I was hooked! I got these at my work for $3.99, but the company is based in the UK and can be ordered online for about 4 pounds (you do the math and the conversion) but these lashes come with the adhesive AND are reusable. As long as you care for these lashes, they will do you proud. They are high impact and make your whole makeup application look clean, sharp, and frankly, "on fleek". I love these lashes and are wary to stray from this brand because this was my first positive experience with lashes.
7.) Purminerals Savvy Blush
This blush is my one and only besides a drastically more peach colored blush I own that I rarely use, because Savvy is amazing. Its the right color for my fair skin, it doesn't clump on my face, it looks natural and pretty. It honestly gives you the perfect flushed look. It lasts a long time because the pigment isn't too intense but its enough to be noticeable on your skin.
This item retails for $18.00+tax but lasts forever! If you wear blush frequently, you wont regret this shade, it's perfect.
8.) Covergirl LashBlast Mascara
When it comes to mascara, in my opinion there's no reason to buy a really expensive brand. Mascara is mascara is mascara. If you apply it enough, well, and correctly, it'll serve its purpose! I stick to the regular black mascara and not the waterproof because the waterproof is hard to get off even with soap, and I noticed my eyelashes were coming out from all the rough scrubbing. This mascara lasts all day and gets the job done and can be found almost anywhere! I'm sold.
Typically this mascara retails for around $6.99+tax depending on where you shop. For this buy, go ahead and get it from Walmart for the cheapest selling price.
9.) Tarte Park Ave. Princess Bronzer
Tarte is really one my favorite companies because their products are cruelty free and just work! This bronzer is a matte and waterproof, it's perfect for the days when I'm in the mood to contour. Its a true brown, not orange or unnatural looking, and always impresses me when I use it on a warm day where I may sweat a little. When I contour using this bronzer, the Tarte double ended contour brush is amazing, and without a doubt my favorite tool to contour with. Once again, another dynamic duo.
The contour brush (The Slenderizer, as its offically called) is $32.00+tax and the tarte matte bronzer is $30.00+tax. If you want to try contouring, this is an easy place to start that gives you great results!
10.) Maybelline Baby Lips Tinted Lip Balms
I am a big huge fan of baby lips. It makes your lips incredibly soft and healthy looking, curbs the appearance of chapped lips, and delivers a slightly glossy hint of color. I have 4 baby lips in my makeup collection and I use them quite frequently in lieu of lipstick. I honestly couldn't get enough of these things, plus with SPF you're encouraged to have colorful flirty lips at the beach or pool. Life doesn't get much better than that! Plus the packaging is too cute!
These are excellent because they're cheap and easy to find! I have never seen them sold for more than $4.00+tax and can be found almost anywhere
Makeup is so much fun, changing up your look on a day to day basis and being able to wash it right off at the end of the day is so liberating, and shopping and adding new things to your collection can be so exciting. Makeup can honestly do incredible things. My best advice to my lovely gorgeous followers is to practice any and all make up looks you're considering, watch youtube tutorials for techniques, and always be sure to wash your face really well before bed so you don't cause breakouts, as well as wash your brushes with mild soap and lukewarm water and lay them horizontally to dry!
"When you're putting on your makeup, you're an artist, but instead of painting a canvas, you're painting a face" -Cher, Burlesque
Love Always, B
