My Everyday Essentials (Drugstore and High End)

Now that I have a job where makeup is kind of a requirement (or at least to me it is) I have found myself reaching for the same products everyday and I wanted to share with you what I have found to last through out the day. Mostly what I use is drugstore but I do have 3 high end products that I use. I'll go through them all like I put them on in the morning just so I can keep everything straight. First is my Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer . I really like this product because it really does moisturize my skin without adding any extra oil. I then pencil in my eyebrows with my Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow and Eye Pencil in blonde. I have been using this for 4 or 5 years and I have never had a problem with it running off my face nor do I find I need to use any kind of setting gel with it. I then apply my Urban Decay Primer Potion in the original formula to my eyelids (duh). From there I have a few options as far as my eye shadow goes. For work I really like to stick with light neutrals, more on the end of natural beauty type makeup. So my eye shadow picks are as follows: Wet n Wild in Nutty, ELF Single Studio Eyeshadow in Pebble, Cover Girl single in Champagne, and a Cover Girl trio in Shimmering Sands. Lately I've really been loving Nutty and Champagne as my everyday colors.Then I use my E.L.F. Eyelash curler and apply my Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara in the waterproof formula. Next I use my Too Faced Primed and Poreless Primer and rub that into my skin. I don't let this sink in or anything before I apply my Cover Girl Clean Whipped Foundation using my E.L.F. Angled Foundation Brush. While I feel like the foundation does cover my flaws for the most part I do have some really dark under eye circles so I apply my Costal Scents Eye Bright Concealer. Then if I have any really noticable blemishes on my face I will use my Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer. I finish everything off my applying my Hard Candy Welcome Matte Powder. I hope a glance at my everyday makeup will inspire your everyday look! Be Fearless. Be Beautiful. Be You.

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation Review

I recently bought this foundation at Walgreens. It was about $10. I did buy this in a shade too light for me, in Ivory, but that's because my correct shade, Classic Ivory, was out of stock and I don't have any patience. One of the first things I noticed about this foundation was the pump. I've never owned a foundation with a pump before so it was a nice little perk. There is also a way to control the amount of product that is pumped out, you just turn the pump according to the little picture on the pump itself. The foundation isn't runny or too thick. It's like the perfect consistency for a liquid foundation. As for coverage and blendability I have to say I'm very happy. I use three pumps total to cover my face and I use less concealer than I ever have before, which is a big deal for me cause I have acne scars and a few blemishes. I also have dark under eye circles but I've come to terms that I'm always going to need an industrial strength under eye concealer for them. I would label this foundation a medium to full coverage. I have noticed that I do get a little oily on my forehead and nose midway through the day. Nothing a little oil blotting paper can't take care of, but still inconvenient none the less. I've already recommended this to some girls I met in the cosmetic section of Target, I would also recommend this foundation to anyone who feels they go through their concealer more than any other product. Be Fearless. Be Beautiful. Be You.  

Walgreens Haul!

Cover Girl, Milani, Maybelline, Sally Hanson, and Jordana

Today I was lucky enough to do a small shopping trip to Walgreens. Almost everything I bought was a new product for me, the only thing that was a repeat purchase was the Cover Girl Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara. I also bought the new Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation in Ivory. The right color for me would have been Classic Ivory but they didn't have it in stock and I didn't have the patience to wait till they had again. So in the mean time I'll be deepening it up with some bronzer. I also picked up the Milani Fix Brow Kit in Light. I've been using a pencil from Maybelline for years, but I'm curious to see how this powder functions. I've seen EleventhGorgeous use this brow kit before and it seems to work well, they also got it based on a recommendation from a makeup artist so that really helped push me to buy this. Then I picked up two of the new Maybelline Color Whispers in One Size Fits Pear and the other in Pink Possibilities. I did try these in the car because I was too excited and One Size Fits Pear seams pretty transparent with a little shimmer. While Pink Possibilities has a nice, buildable color. I also picked up a Jordana Fabuliner in Black. I have never been good at using liquid liner and I have decided that I'm going to master that skill if it kills me! Plus the liner was only $1.99.  I also picked up two new nail polishes. Lately I have found that I'm really drawn to taupes and rosegolds. One heck of a combination, I know. So I picked up Smokey Taupe from the Cover Girl Outlast line and Strobe Light from Sally Hanson Xtreme Wear. All in all I'm pretty happy with my purchases. I haven't really used any of them enough to form an opinion about them just yet so reviews are soon to follow. Be Fearless. Be Beautiful. Be You.

Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara Review

Before I start my review about this mascara I just have to say how much I love my Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion. I tried this mascara purely out of curiosity, and I'm glad I did. I found this mascara to have the same staying power as my Lash Blast Fusion. It doesn't flake or smudge. It is a drier mascara, which is why I think I like it so much. However, what sold me on this mascara would have to be the dramatic look it gave my lashes. I found that it made me look like I had false lashes on, it was that much of a difference. My older sister tried and said it did the same thing to her lashes. I did buy the waterproof version just because no matter the brand if its not waterproof mascara I'm gonna have raccoon eyes. All in all I'm thrilled with this mascara and will certainly repurchase this, probably more than the Lash Blast Fusion. Be Fearless. Be Beautiful. Be You.

Back to School Makeup: Drugstore Edition

Now I'm 21 years old and my school days are over but I do remember how excited I got before a new year began. It's a fresh start and the opportunity to kind of reinvent myself. It was actually my senior year of high school that I started to get into makeup. Like most teenage girls I was on a budget so I usually bought my new makeup through out the summer and at the drugstore. I have compiled a list of drugstore products that will help you achieve great looks all year round for every occasion. The first thing you need no matter what you choose to wear is a great primer. It will make your makeup last all day and all night so you can worry about bigger and more important things. My favorite eyeshadow primer is $1 primer from E.L.F. Eyeshadow Primer. I have said before it works just as well as my $18 primer from Too Faced and I mean it. You will also need a primer for your face, so you're foundation will last longer and your face will continue to be flawless looking. I personally like the Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer you can buy at Walmart for $8. However if you have used these products and you don't like them there is a few other alternitives. For eyeshadow primer your other options are L'Oreal De-Crease, Hard Candy Eyeshadow Primer, the $3 Mineral Eyeshadow Primer from E.L.F., or NYX HD Eyeshadow Base. Now for face primers you can choose from Rimmel Fix & Perfect or Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro, L'Oreal Studio Secrets Primer, or NYC Smooth Skin. I think there's another primer from Almay but I don't know the name of it.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer and E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

For eyeshadow I have a few options. My first suggestion I think makes the most sense and will save you the most money. If you're really on a budget I would recommend buying the new E.L.F. Little Black Beauty Books in both the Warm and Cool Editions. I think it will give you enough options to change your daily look up but it wont cost you a ton of money or take up a ton of space either. The Warm book will give you plenty of options for a great neutral look while the Cool book will give you the ability to do a great smokey eye. You could also mix and match colors and create a fabulous look of your own. The best part is they're only $5 a piece. My other suggestions are the Wet n' Wild trios. I think Walking on Eggshells and Sweet as Candy are the best everyday options. I think even the Cover Girl trios and quads are great. Shimmering Sands is a great option if you want a neutral look.

E.L.F. Little Black Beauty Books, Wet n Wild Waling on Eggshells, and Cover Girl Shimmering Sands

Now as for foundation and mascara I find it's hard to make suggestions. Everyone's skin is different so while one person looks great wearing Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse, it may break someone else out. The same goes for lashes. I have sparse lashes with oily lids. This means I need a thicken waterproof mascara. While my sister has natrualy dark full lashes, all she needs is and eyelash curler and clear mascara to make them stay put. My go to foundation and mascara are the L'Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle and Cover Girl Last Blast Fusion (the waterproof formulation). I do like other foundations like Rimmel's Lasting Finish and Maybelline's Dream Matte Mouse. I haven't found any other mascaras that I just can't live without.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion and L'Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle 

Last but not least concealers and setting powders. Now not everyone need's a concealer, but they don't hurt to have for the occasional blemish or after a late night of studying. I really like Revlon's Photo Ready concealer because it goes on really nice and smooth and it has pretty great coverage. If you use it under your eyes be sure to set it with a powder cause it will crease. If you're looking for an even heavier concealer I would recommend Hard Candy's Glamoflauge Concealer. It reminds me of Makeup Forever's Full Cover Concealer. Now on to setting powders. My new love is Hard Candy's Welcome Matte Powder. I've used it a few times and it really does make a difference with how oily my face gets through out the day. My other favorite powder is L'Oreal True Match Powder. I think it has enough coverage that you could use it as and extra coverage step if you felt you needed it. Even if you don't need the coverage it's a great powder that doesn't get cake-y.

Hard Candy Welcome Matte and Revlon Photo Ready Concealer 

I hope all of this has been helpful and will help you achieve the look you want this school year. Remember to study and make good grades because that will serve you better in life then makeup ever will. Be Fearless. Be  Beautiful. Be You.

My DRUGSTORE Makeup Essentials

If there is one thing I have learned since I started doing makeup it's that no one wants to spend a lot of money on it. Everyone is looking for that stunning can't-live-without-it product that doesn't cost a fortune. Especially for young girls who are just starting out in makeup who want to try things out but most likely don't have a whole lot of money to spend. I have gone back into my makeup collection and picked out my drug store must-haves and  basic products everyone should have. First I'll start with the primers because without them the rest of your makeup is pointless. My go-to drugstore primers are Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer ($8) and E.L.F. Eyelid Primer($1). I love both these primers. I think they both do everything I need a primer to do. Now I will admit that the foundation I use is expensive for a drugstore brand, it is the L'Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation ($13). I love the coverage of this foundation, it's a medium to full coverage. The powder I use is the L'Oreal True Match Powder($6). I like this powder because it adds some more coverage and as someone who loves a full coverage look that is essential. Now I have dark under eye circles so a concealer is a must-have. I love Revlon's Photo Ready Concealer ($7). This is such a creamy stick concealer. Just be sure to set this with a powder. Then last but not least my eye products. The only mascara I will use is thee Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion($9) in the waterproof formula. For my eyebrows I use the Maybelline Expert Wear Eyebrow Pencils($4). Then for eyeshadows I am stuck between to brands but I love them and use them both equally. First are the Wet n Wild trios($3). I love them. They are so pigmented and easy to find. I would die without them. Then I have my Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Trios($4). I also like the quads and singles. I think all of the colors are beautiful and I like that you don't have to search around in your collection for shadows that will work together cause they're all right there in front of you. I hope this post was helpful to all  you newcomers out there!

CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1 Kit Eye Shadow in Tapestry Taupe

I recently bought a huge amount of new eye shadows, mostly Cover Girl eye shadows. I picked up singles, trios, and quads. Some of the shadows were great while others left some to be desired, and because this is such a well known brand and is very accessible I would like to review all of them for you. I personally like to read reviews before I go out and purchase things and for some of these eye shadows I wish I had done that. However, I knew when I bought these I wanted to do reviews on them so I wanted to be as unbiased as possible and give each shadow a fair shot. Tapestry Taupe is one shadow that I love. Its not a dark taupe and I like that. I like to use this all over my lid and crease for a quick and pretty natural looking eye. I have worn this everyday for a week to work. I think this is a great stand alone eyeshadow great for busy moms that don't want to spend forever getting a nice look or even college girls like my younger sister who have more important things to worry about than coordinating eye shadows before class. However, because this isn't too dark I wouldn't use this as a crease color with something that has a brownish tint to it on the lid. It could get lost with a shadow like that. over all though I would say this is a repurchase all the way and a great basic in any makeup collection.