Beauty: My Current Favorite Makeup Products

It's no secret, I love to try out new makeup products. Once I find some that I love, I keep them in my daily makeup rotation. These are products that I currently use everyday during the week. You'll see that it's a mix of drugstore finds and more expensive brands. Not every makeup product has to be expensive to work great! I like to play up my eyes a little more on the weekend but I typically stick to these products below. 

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal 

I figured I'd try this out since it was on sale and I'm SO happy I did. I love the pop of color it gives my cheeks and the texture is smooth and creamy. I love how it blends in my skin and it lasts all day. One of my favorite drug store finds! 

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35

I love BB creams ever since Adrianne introduced me to how amazing they are. Super light, moisturizing and I don't feel like I have anything on my face. I love it. Perfect for the spring, summer, fall and whenever you don't need as much coverage. 

Smashbox High Definition Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 

I love this foundation when I need more coverage. In the winter I tend to wear more foundation and this is still light but has the perfect amount of coverage. It matches my skin tone perfectly too! 

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real

Adrianne got me this mascara for Christmas and I completely understand the hype now. I never have clumpy lashes anymore and they transform my straight sad lashes into curled beautiful ones. I love this stuff!

Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer

I got this with a Tarte blush in a travel pack and fell in love. It's not orange at all and gives me a perfect sun kissed glow. I'm running low and am not happy about that! Time for a Sephora or Ulta run! 

Lancome Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee 

My mom bought me this after we saw a woman who worked at the Lancome counter wearing it. Her makeup looked phenomenal and she raved about the product. It's pricey, but lasts FOREVER. I haven't had to sharpen it yet! 

Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Palette w/ Brush

My future mother in law got me this for Christmas and I've been obsessed with it. It's so fun to play around with all of the different colors and I love how neutral they all are. You can use this for day and night. Worth every penny! 

e.l.f. Studio Duo Concealer/Highlighter

I've recently blogged about my obsession for this cheap drugstore find. It's an amazing product that I can't rave enough about.

Have you used any of my favorite beauty products I listed above? What are some of your favorites?

Review: Tarte Maracuja Blush & Glow Brightening Luminizer and Cheek Tint

A two in one product that gives you the most bang for your buck? Sign me up! I received a sample of the Tarte maracuja blush & glow brightening luminizer and cheek tint in candlelight and I was blown away by the product. The colors are described as shimmering champagne tints and that's exactly what I thought of when I first applied the product.

There's a brightening tint for your cheeks that you can put on over your foundation or on your bare skin. It gives you that glow or flushed look that you get just after a workout or if you're blushing. It has shimmer but not too much -- something that I usually avoid on my face--especially all over. 

The brightening luminizer is used as a highlighter for your brow and cheekbones or wherever else you'd like to showcase. It reminded me a lot of the Benefit High Beam tint that I reviewed and use regularly. 

On my bare skin. Look at all of that shimmer! 

There's a ton of great ingredients in the product that do some fantastic things to your face: aloe leaf extract, beeswax, maracuja, soybean extract and vitamins A, C and E. 

It's formulated without mineral oil, paraben, phthalates and sodium lauryl sulfate. Sound like a foreign language? Basically it doesn't have all that yucky stuff that is damaging and can age your skin like a lot of other makeup out there on the market. 

The best part? It's eco-friendly. Tarte makes the tube recyclable and that's something I can really get behind. I go through a lot of makeup containers and always feel so guilty putting them in the trash. This is the perfect solution! 

Overall I was very happy with the product and will likely purchase this when my samples run out. 

Have you tried this product or other highlighters? Do you like two-in-one products? 

Beauty Review: Tarte Blusher & Bronze On The Go

At a recent Ulta trip I noticed this Blush & Bronze On The Go set while in the checkout line and had to scoop it up. I was in need of some new bronzer since mine had shattered in pieces just days before (RIP bronzer) and thought this would be the perfect way to sample the Tarte brand that I've heard so many amazing things about. 

About The Product:

- Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface (light pink) 0.11 oz.
- Mineral Bronzer in Park Ave Princess (highly pearled golden tan) 0.11 oz.

As described by Tarte: 

What it is: A travel-size duo that includes bestselling essentials for a gorgeous healthy complexion. What it does: This limited-edition duo will have you looking bronzed and beautiful on the go with custom-designed travel friendly compacts that fit neatly into any pocket or purse. Formulated without oil, talc, or fragrance, Park Avenue Princess Bronzer fuses earthly minerals with naturally derived ingredients for a finish that's pure perfection. The long-wearing, light pink sheen of Amazonian clay 12-hour blush adds an additional soft and healthy glow to the skin. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

Parabens- Sulfates- Synthetic Fragrances- Phthalates- Triclosan What else you need to know: Amazonian clay is nature's most perfect ingredient because it is completely intuitive and skin-balancing for all skin types. So whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, Amazonian clay will respond to your specific skin concerns and neutralize for better, longer, and truer wear.

My Review: 

I absolutely loved this set. And for only $15? It couldn't be beat. The bronzer is perfect for my skin tone and the blush gives a great pop to my cheek bones. I have had it for a while now and have barely made a dent in it even though I use them both every single day. They stay on all day while I am at work and well into the evening until I wash my face. I will be buying the full sized products of each when these eventually run out someday. 

I would highly recommend both of these products if you would like a fresh new blush and bronzer. 

Have you used any Tarte brand products before? Do you have any other recommendations for bronzer and blush? 

Five Summer Makeup Must-Haves

Summer is in full swing – is your makeup bag stocked and ready? Here are a few things I consider must-haves for summer:

Eye and face primers

Don’t let all the work you put into perfecting your makeup look go to waste when you step outside. Make sure you’re wearing eye and face primers, and be sure to pick up separate primers formulated for each area.

A few favorites:

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original

This is my year-round go-to for eye primer. It’s lightweight, easy-to-apply and it speaks for itself – my eye makeup always lasts the whole day.

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Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer in Skin

This eye primer comes in a close second. The product is a little thick, but once blended it will help your eye makeup stay put. As an added bonus, using a beige-toned eye primer helps cover any redness or discoloration on your eyelids making the colors you apply more bright and vibrant.

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Laura Geller Spackle Under Makeup Primer in Original

If you have any oiliness whatsoever on your skin, this primer will suck it all up. Enough said.

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Bright eyeliner

Summer is the time of year where you can wear fun and bright makeup colors and it looks totally normal. I’m a huge fan of bright eye makeup, especially eyeliner. My absolute favorite is wearing bright green. Come on – you can’t really get away with that during the winter.

A few to try:

Sephora Collection Nano Liner in Chlorophyll

This bright green is adorable. And surprisingly, it works with a lot of different eyeshadow colors.

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Inglot Matte Collection AMC Eyeliner Gel in 72

Pink eyeliner? If you’re brave enough to try it, I promise it will give your whole face a summer-y look!

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BB cream or tinted moisturizer

Don’t apply a thick foundation – let your skin breathe this summer! A BB cream or tinted moisturizer is perfect to wear “it’s hot outside” is an understatement.

Here are a few favorites:

Garnier BB Cream in Fair/Light

This is the BB cream I am currently using, and I couldn’t be happier. I bought this on a whim from Target and have been really satisfied with how lightweight it feels and covers up any imperfections on my skin.

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Smashbox BB Cream

This is the BB cream Amanda is currently using, and she loves it. You can check out her review here.

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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

I don’t think I’m the only one who loves this tinted moisturizer. It’s light and looks really lovely on the skin.

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Bright lip gloss

Second only to bright eyeliner, bright lip gloss is another summer makeup must-have. I prefer it over lipstick, because it doesn’t feel or look so heavy on the lips.

Try these:

MAC Tinted Lipglass (try Pink Poodle, Saint Germain or Angel)

I can’t get enough of MAC lipglasses. These lightweight glosses give a big color payoff without feeling too sticky or heavy.

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Stila Lip Glaze (try Kitten or Watermelon)

Stila’s lip glazes are a little bit thicker than a normal lip gloss, but they have so many color choices that are perfect for summer. The lip glazes don’t wear off easily and no matter which one you choose, you can be sure your lips will have a really pretty sheen or shimmer.

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Bronzing powder

I religiously wear sunscreen, so I can’t say I’m sporting any kind of a tan – even in the midst of summer. In order to fake it, bronzing powder is a staple in my summer makeup routine.

Tarte Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess

This is a perfect color for lighter skin tones – it doesn’t look too orange or ruddy. It’s best applied lightly in layers.

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Smashbox Bronze Lights

Another great bronzing powder choice. Super blendable and gives a lovely glow to the skin.

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What else do you carry in your makeup bag during summer?