"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." We have all heard that quote a time or two over the course of our lives, but what if the beholder has no idea what makes her FEEL beautiful? I say FEEL because everyone's idea of beauty is different, everyone;s time to spend on a skin care or makeup routine is different, and everyone's budget is different. That question asked above was me not that long ago. I have always struggled with self-esteem a bit in life. It wasn't until recently that I felt confident sharing products, techniques and tips with others that I have found make me feel better about myself. Because in the end, that's what truly matters ... how you feel about yourself, that you love yourself and that you are confident in your own skin. I am by no means an expert, and will usually defer to those who have a degree or license because that is their job. But I love learning new things & trying new products that I may not have had the courage to before. So having said all that, here are a few of my favorite products that I am currently using that I thought you may enjoy as well.
*Milani Eyeshadow Primer - I discovered this game changer whole looking for a primer for Brooke and her dance makeup. Her eyeshadow is a loose, fine powder so we needed something for it to stick to & hopefully not fade throughout the long days of competitions. This drugstore find does the job, so much so that I decided to try it on myself, (cue the choir singing ... Hallelujah!) Since using this primer, I have used less eye shadow because I rarely need to touch up during the day hence saving me time but also money in return.
*Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette - Speaking of eyeshadow, this particular brand has become one of my favorites because of its neutral shaded for everyday wear and get this ... it TRULY smells like chocolate!! Talk about eye candy!! (Love the Sweet Peach Palette as well, and yes, to smells like a fresh Georgia peach!)
*Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil - For the longest time, I did not use anything on my eyebrows. I do get them waxed, because frankly I do not have enough confidence in myself to pluck them correctly. So during a waxing, my stylist asked if I ever penciled in my brows ... um no. She recommended looking into it because my eyebrows are so light that it often looked like I didn't really have any. Not going to lie, I had visions of looking like I had tried to draw my eyebrows on with a crayon... y'all know what I'm talking about. So when I went in to the store I had a really wonderful associate help me choose the right color AND show me how to do it. Some of the best advice I have ever received!
*Benefit Roller Lash Mascara - I've tried a lot of mascara brands, but this one has been my staple for quite some time now. It goes on beautifully & lasts all day long. It's water-resistant and doesn't smudge. No more Alice Cooper eyes! (Not that there is anything wrong with Alice Coopers's choice of make up)
*IT Cosmetic Brushes - When I first went on the search for new make up brushes, this particular brand was recommended to me by my friend Nicole (who also doubles as my esthetician). Not only do they have a wide variety for you to choose from but they are great quality as well. While you can buy them individually to meet your particular needs, I chose this set to start with because it had everything that I needed. the traveling case is perfect for storage and care as well!!
*MAC Lip Liner SOAR - This has been my go to lip liner for years! It's described as a "midtone pinkish brown" color. It's long lasting and easy to pair with you favorite neutral colored lipstick. I always feel like my lipstick lasts longer when I use it.
*NYX Blush - Another drugstore favorite of mine! It comes in a variety of colors to match your skin tone and preference. I wear the color Rose & Play for my everyday look as it is a relatively neutral shade but gives me just enough color to keep me from feeling "washed out".
*Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder - This is a recent purchase of mine that took no time at all to fall in love with. It is a little bit of an investment but a little goes a long way so I suspect that it will last for quite some time. Not to mention it gives you that flawless finish that we are all looking for. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
*Urban Decay Oil Control Setting Spray - I have always struggled with oily skin and for the longest time felt like by mid-morning or even lunchtime (if I was lucky) that my face would look all kinds of shiny & no that dewy glow that is considered beautiful but more like I just ran a mile in the heat of summer look. (Not exactly what I was going for when I applied my make up that morning). This product solves that problem. I call it my "miravle in a bottle"! A couple of sprays after I am completely done applying my make up & Voila! ... no more oil slick! In fact, my make up stays quite fresh throughout the day.
*Estee Lauder Advanced Night Eye Repair - Adding an eye cream to my daily skin care routine was one of the last things that I incorporated. But then I started to see more fine lines & wrinkles then I was ready to accept. The skin under my eyes was not getting enough hydration, hence leading to more dark circles, puffiness and yes ~ those wrinkles. This product not only repairs, but fortifies and nourishes. I instantly feel a difference after applying. Yes, the bottle is also an investment. But for me, it has made me FEEL better, so I'll take it.
*Skin Gym Rose Quartz Crystal Facial Roller - I just purchased this not too long ago, and if you follow me on Instagram you will have already heard me talk about it. I now use it everyday! I put it in the freezer after I put on my moisturizers and such, then take it out after I have dried my hair (about 20 minutes or so ... yes it does take me that long to dry my hair, but that is a post for a different day). Then I simply follow the directions on the package and give my face a little relaxing massage. While this might seem like a luxury to you, and it is believe me, I have noticed a difference in my skin since adding this to my morning routine. It feels smoother and more radiant. I especially love how it feels underneath my eyes. Rose quartz is considered the "ultimate love stone promoting self love in particular" and if we go back to the beginning of this post, that's a fabulous goal to have... Love Your Self.
While beauty is simply just a word, it's how you FEEL that can make all the difference in the world. When we take care of ourselves ~ whether your a mom, student, career woman or all of the above ~ we FEEL better and in turn can be our best selves for those around us and all that life has to offer.
Have a great day!
