my favorite products: make-up & skin care

Anyone who knows me or has seen my make-up bag {or my bathroom} can attest to my product addiction.  However, recently I haven't been quite the product collector as I used to be, because I have finally found some products that work great for me! I get compliments on my make-up and skin every now and then so I wanted to share with you lovelies my favorite products. Maybe you too will find something on here that you have been searching for that will turn into your favorite! 

daytime favorites:

1. bare minerals regular powder foundation | 

this stuff rocks! minus the price tag. But it's so worth it. I have been using it for at least ten years. You can sweat in it, put it on lightly for a pretty day look, layer it on a little heavier for an evening look. However, I tried the new Matte product and I broke out the very next day. I think I was allergic to it. 

2. NYC Color Wheel bronzer in Rose Glow | 

just enough bronze for the months I see less sun

3. Tarte Cheek Stains | 

I used to be scared of using creamy cheek products but these are lovely. A few little dabs give you just enough stain and these have a touch of extra dewy glow to them.

4. Revlon Grow Lucious Mascara | 

this mascara does what it says. I love it, read here. 

5. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips |

I love gold toned eye shadows and not to mentions ones that enhance your specific eye color.

evening favorites:

6. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in colorless or Laura Geller Spackle in Bronze |

I always use either one of these for special events or if I know photos are going to be taken. However, you could almost use the LG Spackle all by itself without any other make up for the day time. 

7. Bath & Body Works Naughty, color changing lip gloss |

this was a very recent find. It has a great flavor, isn't too sticky and the color is really pretty. I actually use this during the day sometimes. 

8. ELF Shimmering Face Whip in Lilac Petal | 

this adds a pretty dewy shimmer for the evening. You have to be careful with how much you apply. Also don't put it over your problem areas (ie acne) because it will enhance it in a negative way.

9. Take a sip of your pregame cocktail... ;-) or maybe I had one too many cocktails while numbering the pic.

10. Tarte EmphasEyes Eyebrow pencil |

my Momma told me about this one and I am in love! It's so subtle and you don't get the 'I markered my eyebrows on' look. 

11. Smashbox Photo Finish Eye Lid Primer |

I have very 'crepe-y' eyelids that don't like to show pigment in eyeshadows very well and that's where this comes in. It's like magic for my eyelids. 

12. Maybelline Define A Line liner | 

I like this because you can be very dramatic with the application or you can use the little smudger tip to give your look a little more a smoky look.

13. Sephora how to do Smokey Eyes kit | 

this kit is fab because it gives you step-by-step directions (with pictures) on how to do the smokey eye look. Genius. 

happy face:

1. Olay total effects foaming facial cleanser |

I love this face wash because it bubbles up and I can use it over my eyes (even though it says not to)

2. Olay Complete all day UV moisturizer for combination/oily skin | 

I have been using this every day (and night) for probably 10 years. I love it, hands down. It's not greasy, it has a nice smell, it goes on nicely under make-up. 

3. Philosophy Turbo C Booster powder | 

a friend of mine introduced this to me a couple years ago and I use every so often and when I do, you can notice a difference a couple hours later. 

4. Philosophy Microdelivery exfoliating wash |

another friend of mine recommended this product to me and I love it. It makes you face and your hands so super duper soft. 

5. Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum | 

I like this product because it absorbs quickly but I haven't noticed a dramatic difference. 

6. Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque |

I have been using this since HS and I swear by. Especially for spot checking pimples. If I notice one coming in I put a dab of this on it before I go to bed and the next morning it's either gone or depending how bad, it's reduced by like 50%. No lie. 

Do you use any of these products or do you have any absolute favorites that you have found recently? Just because I found my faves doesn't mean I'm not opposed to still testing out and trying new ones. Especially if it has to do with eye creams. 

here's to being a girl, 

fab product alert: falsies mascara

For a while I had been on the hunt for a really great mascara. About two years ago I came across that exact mascara - Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara. The claim is that 96 % of women who tried it saw fuller, longer lashes in 6 weeks. So I decided, why not? 

Well ladies, I AM OBSESSED and highly HIGHLY recommend this mascara. For me it really does work! Not only does it work, it is not clumpy, it's not runny, it double and triple coats nicely without getting the spider leg look and the best part it doesn't melt or fall of your lashes through out the day. 

So I really love to wear fake eyelashes, but let's not kid ourselves those puppies take a very steady hand, practice and quite honestly time, more time than I like to spend on my primping routine. I have been hearing a lot of talk about the 'Falsies' mascara and decided to try it out for myself. It ended up doubling the length of my lashes!! 

Side note: I hope you don't believe your lashes will really look like the above with just mascara. That is false advertising (pun intended) and it's almost impossible to get your lashes to look like that without falsies or if you're my friend Marcella who was blessed with amazing lashes! 

On the left, one coat of the Falsies mascara, right is no mascara

Curled with eyelash curler and two coats of Falsies mascara

Never fails when I talk about eyelashes this pops into my head

oooh la la, 

LeFoof