Review: NYC High Definition Liquid Eyeliner

Confession: The 1st time I EVER wore eyeliner was last summer.

I seriously wore makeup for years and never even touched eyeliner! After "mastering" the art of pencil eyeliner (I will review some of the pencil eyeliners I've tried in another post), I decided it was time for me to try liquid eyeliner. 

I wanted to start with a felt tip eyeliner and I wanted it to be pretty cheap because I was learning. Alli (MakeupByAlli) mentioned that one of her favorite liquid eyeliners was from NYC, which I knew was an affordable brand & I loved all of their products I'd tried, so I decided to go check it out. When I went to purchase the liquid eyeliner Alli talked about (which wasn't felt tip), I saw that NYC also sold a felt tip liquid liner, so I purchased that instead.

It's such a great eyeliner! For me, a beginner, it's super quick & easy to use! I can do it faster and make it look better than I ever could with any of my pencil liners. The tip is great and I can get a thin line or a thick line with it. It has never smudged for me and lasts all day--even when I have naps. If I mess up while applying it, it is easy to fix. It also works great when it is set with a shadow (I do this to make it matte). 

After reading some other reviews on this product I found out that a lot of people do not like this eyeliner, so this eyeliner is not for everyone. I do not have oily eyelids or anything like that, so I don't know if it will work for people who do.

I would mainly recommend this for anyone else who's learning how to use eyeliner. It's not too dark, so it won't look super harsh, and it's easy to use.

For under $4, this is a great product to try because it's not a huge waste of money if you don't like it. It's very affordable, possibly one of the cheapest liquid liners sold. 

PS- I decided not to do my Favorite YouTubers of February. I was way too behind to choose my favorites and it's already the middle of March.

Vaniply by Vanicream

I've had a dry patch on my hand since around June (I have had very bad eczema my whole life). It comes and goes, but it's been getting really bad recently. I have tried a total of 3 ointment/steroid prescriptions from my dermatologist, but they would typically make the patch go away for a day at most & then it would come right back, sometimes worse than it was before I used the ointment/steroid. 

Since none of the prescriptions were working, I decided I wanted to try some non-prescription products and see if any of them worked any better than the prescriptions did. I did my research and found that Vanicream had a new product, an ointment called Vaniply. I love Vanicream products (I highly recommend the Lite Lotion), so I was very hopeful about Vaniply. Before I ordered it, I called my grandpa (who is also a huge fan of Vanicream- he literally has a Lite Lotion in every room of his house) to see if he had tried it yet. Turns out he had tried it and he loved it. He even offered to let me borrow his to see if I liked it before I bought it. 

The first thing I noticed about this product was that it feels exactly like Vaseline, which I haven't had much luck with with my eczema (but I love it for my feet), so I looked at the ingredients to see if there was any Petroleum Jelly in it. Turns out it is Dimethicone, not Petroleum Jelly, which I believe is the active ingredient in Dermasil lotions. I love Dermasil, but the results aren't very long lasting for me, so that worried me a bit...

While reading everything on the back label, I noticed that it said it was for lips and skin. Since my lips are always super chapped, I decided to try it on my lips as well....

I LOVE THIS STUFF!! I put it on my lips during the day & put my Revlon Lip Butter right on top. Revlon Lip Butters usually turn into a train wreck when applied on dry lips, but with the ointment on them it glided on like a gem. It stayed on all day and you couldn't even tell how chapped my lips were! It made my lips super soft. As for the dry patch on my hand...I applied it to the patch before bed and when I woke up in the morning the patch was literally gone AND it hasn't come back since (1 week, which is the longer than any prescription ointment I tried). 

This stuff is amazing. I highly recommend it, whether you are using it as a lip treatment or a skin ointment, it's superb. AND it's safe for kids and those with sensitive skin (like myself).
Here is the link to the Vanicream website: http://www.psico.com/products/products.cfm

$6.99 at Walgreens. $5.29 at drugstore.com 

*This is not a sponsored post.*

Review: Dove Cool Moisture Foaming Facial Cleanser

Disclaimer: This product is discontinued. It is still sold on Amazon and possibly a few other websites, but it can be pricey. I do believe Dove is currently selling a similar facial cleanser, but I could be wrong.

I use this cleanser during my nightly routine. I use a makeup removing wipe to remove my makeup and then I was my face with this cleanser to clean my face. 

I love this cleanser! It removes any excess makeup and is very gentle and refreshing. My face feels soft and clean after I use it. It's very moisturizing; probably the most moisturizing cleanser I've ever used! It also smells nice, which is a bonus. I also used to use this in place of a shaving cream on my legs & it worked very well. It's great for sensitive, dry skin!

I highly recommend this cleanser, however, I honestly don't think I will be repurchasing it due to the cost since it has been discontinued. I do love it though.

Here is an Amazon link for this product:

http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Moisture-foaming-facial-cleanser/dp/B000P06X38

Ulta Cheek Color: Infatuation

My current favorite blush is Infatuation, which is a blush from Ulta's collection. It's perfect for fall & winter and I have to say I've been loving it more than I love my Nyx blushes. It's super wearable, easy to work with, and silky. The only things I don't like about it are the packaging and that it doesn't last all day (but that's not a huge problem). Yes, the packaging is awesome for traveling & such because of the size, but it's not super durable. Regardless, it's such a gorgeous blush and I highly recommend you pick it up! It's only $7.00 at Ulta and right now they're buy one get one free! 

PS- In this picture it looks darker than it actually is. This picture makes it look like a dark berry color, but it's really a more natural berry color!

Maybelline Color Elixir in Mauve Mystique

$7.19 at CVS, I got mine for around $3 at Walmart

When it comes to lip gloss, I am super picky. I cannot stand wearing a lip gloss that dries my lips out or settles around my lips or in the dry patches on my lips. That being said, I can honestly say I love this lip gloss. It is not drying at all! It's pretty moisturizing and it's actually advertised to be balm-infused. This specific color is very wearable for anyone. It's a pretty-yet-subtle  nude-berry color. It's not too bright or too nude, it's a perfect medium. I don't mind the taste either- I can't tell what it is, but it's not that disgusting lip gloss flavor ;) I highly recommend this gloss. They're affordable and fit perfectly in any purse/bag; very convenient! This, in my opinion, is the perfect color for Fall & Winter! I love it!

My Favorite Scented Lotions

1. Rome Honeysuckle Amore by Bath & Body Works- I love this stuff! It smells just like honeysuckle, so if you don't like honeysuckle this probably isn't for you. Top: Italian peach, blackberry, green mandarin. Mid: Pink honeysuckle, white raspberry, peony. Dry: Golden amber, soft sandalwood, cypress wood.

   

   Now $5.50 at Bath & Body Works (yes, the full size 8oz!)

2. Be Enchanted by Bath & Body Works- This is a great everyday scent that anyone can pull off. It's perfect for Fall/Winter. Top: Mouthwatering citrus, iced pomegranate, chilled wild berries, chilled passion fruit. Mid: Sheer honeysuckle, floral frosted bouquet, sugared petals, dewfruit, Asian pear. Dry: Whipped vanilla, light mush, sandalwood.

   

   $12.50 at Bath & Body Works

3. Beautiful Day by Bath & Body Works- This lotion reminds me of Summer. It's very fruity and fun, and I don't care that it's Fall & I'm wearing a Summer/Spring scent ;) Top: Sun-kissed apple, dewy pear, sparkling cassis. Mid: Wild daisies, lily of the valley, fresh pink peony. Dry: White peach, blonde woods.

   

   $12.50 at Bath & Body Works

4. Love Sweet Love by Philosophy- I can't get enough of this lotion. It's a very sweet, romantic scent (it reminds me of Valentine's Day!) & it's very long lasting! It moisturizes well, but the fragrance makes it difficult to wear since I have extremely sensitive skin on my hands and legs. I still love it though!

   

   $35.00 at Sephora

5. Any and all lotions by Hempz Treats. These smell good enough to eat. They smell exactly like the dessert they're supposed to smell like- it's crazy how amazing they smell. They're extremely sweet, so some people might not like them. They're nice and thick- super moisturizing! I buy mine at TJ Maxx for about $6, but you can get them on Amazon as well. My favorites are Strawberry Cheesecake and Butter Pecan. I can't wait to try the holiday scents! 
   

My Favorite Perfumes

1. Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift: I know, I am uber cliche. Everyone says they love this perfume, and there's a reason! It smells amazing! It's perfect year round, but it's especially great for Fall/Winter! $40.89 at Target.
   

   

   "Top notes are raspberry, dewberry, green tea, freesia, and apple blossom. Middle notes are sweet vanilla along with sun-drenched honeysuckle and white hibiscus. Base notes are golden amber, musk, sandalwood, and peach. This fragrance is classified as fruity." {target.com}

2. Pink Ice by Rue21: Rue21 is a great place to get inexpensive fragrances! It's a very girly fragrance, but there is nothing wrong with that :) I will continue to repurchase this perfume because it smells great and it's inexpensive. $9.99 at Rue21.

   

   "Refreshing and bursting with the unexpected. A touch of timeless sophistication, sparkling whimsy and a cozy finish." {rue21.com}

3. etc! by Rue21: This is my favorite perfume for Spring & Summer. It smells very tropical and smells like pineapple! Once again, Rue21's perfumes are very inexpensive. $9.99 at Rue21.

   

   "The notes combine glittering fruits, soft florals, and fabulous sweet tarts." {rue21.com}

4. Fantasy by Britney Spears: This is a fun, yet sophisticated perfume. I love wearing it in the Fall and Winter. It's very classy! $39.99 at Target.

   

   "The story begins with an enticing mix of lush red lychee, golden quince, and exotic kiwi. Chase. A playful tease, laced with a yummy cupcake accord, jasmine petals and sexy white chocolate orchid. Captivate. At the end, a spell is cast with a surprising finish of creamy musk, enchanted orris root, and sensual woods." {target.com}

5. Aero NYC 1987 by Aeropostale: This was my every day perfume all Summer. It works for any occasion and it's just an all around great perfume. $19.50 at Aeropostale.

   

   "Blending delectable hints of beach flower, coconut, and strawberry with a backdrop of velvet musk and driftwood, our Aero NYC 1987 Fragrance will deliver a fresh and fruity scent that you'll love experiencing throughout the day." {aeropostale.com}

6. Ed Hardy Born Wild by Christian Audigier: I get compliments every time I wear this perfume! It's such a beautiful fragrance! Like Pink Ice, this is a very girly scent. It's perfect for Spring and Summer, but works all year as well. $23.19 at Target.

   

   "Top notes are blackberry and black currant buds. Middle notes are magnolia and peach blossom. Base notes are flowers and wood lily of the valley and sandalwood.This fragrance is classified as fruity." {target.com}

7. Ed Hardy Villain by Christian Audigier: This is a subtle, yet sweet, perfume & it's great for Fall & Winter. It's a very universal fragrance that anyone can wear! $29.39 on Amazon.

   

   "Top notes of lychee, watermelon, blood orange & tangerine. Mid notes of water lotus, magnolia petals, & freesia. Finish of crème brulee, sandalwood, & orris" {amazon.com}

Review & First Impressions: L'Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm

I finally purchased this hair mask after hearing so many great things about it on YouTube! At first, I noticed it wasn't as thick as I was expecting it to be. I put it in my hair & it felt like I wasn't even getting any in my hair! I let it sit for about 5-10 minutes & then rinsed it out. My hair didn't feel as soft as it does when I condition it with a normal conditioner, so I was kind of disappointed. I went to bed without putting any products in my hair & when I woke up my hair was incredibly soft and shiny! It has noticeable results, it just took a while for the product to work on my hair.
I do recommend it. I haven't seen a huge difference as far as damage goes, but it has made my hair look so healthy! & it smells good, which is always a nice touch.

$5.97 at Walmart

*This is not a sponsored post.*

Best Products For Sensitive or Dry Skin

I have suffered from Eczema ever since I can remember. It used to be so bad that I wasn't allowed to have baths or long showers because the water would irritate my skin so badly (even soft water). My mom also used to cover my hands in thick creams and put socks over them at night. I live in Utah, so it is very dry here--especially in the Winter, and I remember that when I was in 2nd grade my teacher bought me lotion because my hands were cracking and bleeding and constantly covered in rashes. It was so much fun.

Over the years, I have tried many different products to keep my Eczema under control. I hope you find this post helpful :)

• Aquaphor: I started using this when I was around 3 years old after my pediatrician recommended it. This is what my mom would cover my arms with. It's a miracle worker! I would go to bed with the worst skin & wake up with super soft, healed skin. The only thing that I don't like about this product is that it makes your hands feel really greasy for quite a while, but that is how it heals and moisturizes. Make sure you wear gloves or socks on your hands when you use this product. I recommend using it before you go to bed at night, after you shower.

$14.26 at Walmart

• Vanicream Cleansing Bar: This works well. It's not my favorite bar of soap for sensitive skin, but it still gets the job done. The only problem with it is it stinks; I think it smells like wet dog. 

  

  $3.49 at Walgreens

• Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream: This is a great cream! It works well for both hands and feet. It's almost like Aquaphor, just less greasy and a little less moisturizing. 

  

  $13.99 at Walgreens

• Vanicream Lite Skin Care Lotion: This is probably my favorite hand lotion for sensitive skin. My hands seriously can't get enough of it. I find myself going through bottles and bottles of this because I love it so much. My grandpa loves it too- probably even more than I do; he has a bottle in every room in his house (& I'm not even kidding). It's super moisturizing and works wonders!

  

  $12.49 at Walgreens

• Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion: I really like this lotion, it's my go-to lotion. Since Vanicream is fairly hard to find in stores, this is the next best thing. I like using it on my legs especially. I load it on my legs after I shower & I put socks over it. After I take the socks off, I can still feel the moisture from the lotion for the rest of the day! 

  

  $9.27 at Walmart

• Cetaphil Daily Cleansing Bar: This is the best bar of soap for dry/sensitive skin. It works very well! I use this on my arms and legs.

  

  $3.47 at Walmart

Overall:

Favorite hand lotion: Vanicream Lite Skin Care Lotion

Favorite foot lotion: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

Favorite Cream: Aquaphor

Favorite Soap: Cetaphil Daily Cleansing Bar

That's all for this post. I was able to mention my current favorites, but this is just a handful of all the products I've tried over the years, so you can definitely expect a similar post in the future with even more products :)

*This is not a sponsored post.*

Pink Frosted Animal Cracker Lip Shine by Philosophy

A few days ago I picked up the Pink Frosted Animal Cracker Lip Shine by Philosophy. This thing now goes everywhere with me! It's the best. It tastes amazing & the color is perfect. It's pretty moisturizing for a gloss & it doesn't dry my lips out. It looks beautiful when paired with the Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Blush Twist. As of the moment, it is my favorite gloss. I LOVE it! I definitely recommend it :)

$10.00 at Ulta

*This is not a sponsored post.*

Review & First Impressions: Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm

Yesterday I picked up the Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Blush Twist. I had heard so many girls rave about them on YouTube & felt it was time I picked one up. I chose Blush Twist because it is a pretty pink color that anyone can pull off.
First Impressions: It wasn't very pigmented (not that I was expecting it to be- it says "sheer color" right on it), but it did have a nice tint to it. It was very moisturizing and didn't dry out my lips.
Review: This is a great product for anyone of any age. If you're like me & you don't like to have to worry about how lip butters or lipstick look on your lips half an hour after applying it, this is for you. It's basically just an awesome tinted lip balm! Great for on-the-go or just a carefree day. I believe they come in 15 colors, so I am excited to try more! Go get you some.

$6.94 at Walmart

*This is not a sponsored post.*

My Favorite Foundation

My absolute favorite foundation is the Covergirl Clean Oil Control foundation.I don't have particularly oily skin, but the oil control formula is definitely my favorite. I think this foundation helps keep my skin clear too. I have used this foundation for somewhere around 3 years & I have found that I tend to breakout more when I'm not using this foundation than I do when I am wearing it! The finish is not dewy, but not matte; it's a happy medium & looks very natural! It's definitely not a full coverage foundation (it's light/medium coverage) and pretty hard to build up coverage with. I apply it with a sponge or the Real Techniques Stippling Brush & it blends very well either way.I love this foundation & it really does make your skin look clean! Go check it out :)

$5.94 at Walmart.

*This is not a sponsored post.*

Battle of the Flat Irons: CHI Air 1" VS Remington Pearl 2"

I decided I wanted to do a battle of the flat irons! I wanted both of the flat irons to be ceramic, but I wanted them to be from different price ranges.

CHI Air Classic 1": I liked this flat iron, but I didn't love it. Although it got really hot, I had to go over my hair a couple of times to get it to go straight- and my hair usually straightens pretty easily! I noticed it was leaving creases in my hair (and I wasn't even holding it very long), so I turned it down to the lowest temperature setting & it still left creases in my hair. It also made my hair super static-y. It drove me insane! After about 30 minutes, my hair was very straight. I usually straighten my hair one morning and then sleep on it & it will still be straight the next morning, but in the morning my hair was very wavy! I don't think it's worth the $100 I spent on it.

Remington Pearl 2": The first thing I noticed about this flat iron is that it heats up very quickly. It takes it about 30 seconds to completely heat up, no matter how hot you want it to be. It took me about 20 minutes to straighten my hair with this flat iron. It creased a little at first, but after I turned down the temperature it stopped creasing. It made my hair very shiny (as did the CHI) and silky. It straightened well and I only had to fix a few pieces the next morning. I also like that it's 2". I think 2" flat irons are easier and faster to use than 1". This is a great flat iron. I would love to try the 1" version as well. I have had problems with Remington flat irons before, but I loved this one! I think it was worth the $35 I paid for it!

WINNER: REMINGTON PEARL 2"

*This is not a sponsored post.*

So Totally Clean Everyday Cleanser by Formula 10.0.6 Review

I really liked this cleanser! I removed my makeup and washed my face, then I used the cleanser on a cotton pad. It removed so much that the face wash and makeup wipe had missed! It didn't dry my face out, and it smells pretty good! It's also great for sensitive skin, just like it says- it's really gentle (I even used it on my eyes). I definitely recommend it :)

I got mine at Ulta for $5.99

*This is not a sponsored post.*

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

A few weeks ago I decided to pick up the sugar lip treatment by Fresh. I bought both the original and the rose tinted lip treatments. I really like them! At first, I was scared to try the rose one; I thought it was going to be way too bright. I ended up loving the color & I think it's perfect for Fall!! The original one is like a lip balm on steroids. It's amazing. It's long lasting & makes my lips super soft. I definitely recommend both of them. I can't wait to try the entire line! 

Retail for $22.50 at Sephora.

**This is not a sponsored post.**

Garnier Products

Garnier Fructis is my FAVORITE brand when it comes to haircare. I used to love Tresemme, but I'll safe that story for another post. I've tried a lot of Garnier Fructis hair products, so I wanted to share my favorites with you. I'm also going to throw in a couple Garnier products I wasn't a huge fan of. 

• Sleek & Shine
• SLEEK & SHINE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: These were the first Garnier products I ever tried. To be quite honest, I probably love the smell more than the actual products. I probably wouldn't purchase these products over other Garnier products, but it's still a really great line. They definitely make your hair sleek & shiny, so if that's what you're looking for in a shampoo or conditioner, give these a try! Did I mention they smell AMAZING? Retail around $3-$5 & I get mine at Walmart.

• SLEEK & SHINE FRIZZ DEFEAT DEEP TREATMENT: This is supposedly a deep conditioner, but I actually think regular conditioners condition my hair better than this product did. It really dried my hair out & its formulation is actually pretty thin compared to regular Garnier conditioners. I didn't like it! Deep conditioner? More like cheap conditioner. Retails around $5.00 & I got mine at Walmart. I got mine free using the free product coupon you can find on some Garnier shampoo & conditioners.

• SLEEK & SHINE ANTI-FRIZZ SERUM: This is your basic anti-frizz treatment. Nothing too special about it. It works great, but I definitely prefer my Organix Coconut Milk that I mentioned in my previous post. Retails around $5.00 and I got mine at Walmart.
  
• SLEEK & SHINE INTENSELY SMOOTH LEAVE-IN CONDITIONING CREAM: This is one of my favorite Garnier products. It makes my hair feel really soft & it's a great leave-in conditioner! It smells really good too! Retails around $3.00 and I get mine at Walmart.

• SLEEK & SHINE SMOOTHING MILK: This stuff is great too. I mainly use it to prevent frizz and seal in all the other products I use. It works really well! Retails around $3.00 at Walmart.
  
• SLEEK & SHINE BLOW DRY PERFECTOR STRAIGHTENING BALM: This is seriously an amazing product. My hair usually takes about 15-20 minutes to blow dry- even if I let it air dry for a while. My natural hair is a little bit of everything: curly, wavy, and straight. When I use this product, I can easily dry my hair in 10 minutes & it will dry almost completely straight....and I don't use a round brush! The only downside to this products is that it's pretty gel-like, so it might make your hair more tangly and textured. I like it, but it is a little bit harder to use than most styling products. Retails around $3.00 at Walmart.
  
• STYLE FLAT IRON PERFECTOR STRAIGHTENING MIST: This is my holy grail heat protector- I even like it more than the Tresemme Thermal Creations heat protector. Don't be fooled by the name, it does help your hair become straight faster, but it works well when you're curling your hair too. It makes my hair really voluminous, light, and soft. I really like the way my hair feels when I use it & I can tell it protects my hair from heat. Also, a lot of styling products break me out on my forehead and my back...but this product doesn't! Retails around $3.00 at Walmart.
  
• SLEEK & SHINE ANTI-HUMIDITY HAIRSPRAY: I'm not a huge hairspray user, but I don't recommend this hairspray. The nozzle (continuous spray) stopped working on mine just a few days after I purchased it. I bought another one thinking it was just a one time thing, but it happened again. My mom and my sister also bought it & had the same thing happen to them. The hairspray itself is great though. Retails around $3.00 at Walmart.

• Fall Fight
• FALL FIGHT SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER: I bought this line of shampoo & conditioner because my hair falls very badly. I really like the shampoo, but it's not my favorite. I didn't think it did much for my hair. The conditioner, on the other hand, is the best conditioner I've ever used! It makes my hair feel super soft & I can now wash my hair without my hands getting covered in hair! I rarely see hair in my sink or on my bathroom floor, which is amazing; I used to have to vacuum my bathroom floor every day because there was so much hair on it! Retails between $3-$5 at Walmart.
  
• Length & Strength
• LENGTH & STRENGTH SHAMPOO: This is my favorite shampoo! It makes my hair really soft & detangled. I have also seen a difference in the quality of my hair. I can definitely tell my hair has gotten a lot stronger since I started using this shampoo. & it smells really good! Retails around $5.00 and I get mine at Walmart.

• Triple Nutrition
• TRIPLE NUTRITION SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER: I really liked both of these products. I don't know if I would repurchase the conditioner because I like the Fall Fight one so much, but the shampoo is definitely my favorite shampoo to use in the Summer. It's great for days when you're not planning on putting heat on your hair. I think it makes my hair softer and shinier than the Sleek & Shine shampoo & conditioner. I recommend this shampoo & conditioner, especially if you have a dry scalp. Retails around $3-$5 at Walmart.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  That's end :)
  **This is not a sponsored post.**

Makeup Starter Kit

A new school year has just started, which means a lot of girls are starting to wear makeup for the first time. I decided to do a post about what I recommend for a makeup starter kit. All products mentioned will be drugstore products (with one exception). :)

Let's start with foundation. When I started wearing makeup, I didn't wear foundation- & I don't feel like this is necessary for a beginner. However, some girls might want to wear foundation to even out their skin tone. If you are new to makeup, liquid foundation might be a little tricky, so I recommend starting with a powder foundation. It may not have the coverage of a liquid foundation, but it is definitely easier and faster to apply. My favorite powder foundation is the freshMinerals Mineral Powder Foundation. It's a light coverage foundation, which is perfect for a beginner! I apply it with the puff it comes with & it works great! It retails at $24.64 and I get mine on Amazon.

Now for powder. Powder is also one of those products that a beginner does not need (in most cases). If you want to reduce shininess or have a little more oil control, a little powder won't hurt. I personally only use powder to set my foundation (including powder foundation). My favorite powder is the CoverGirl Smoothers Pressed Powder. It retails around $5 and I get mine at Walmart.

Blush. Blush is a great piece for a starter kit. I recommend starting out with a pretty natural blush. My favorite blush is the NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in Rose Glow. It retails at $4.99 and I get mine at Target.

Eyelid primer is another one of those optional products. It will help your eyeshadow stay on longer and help it stay in place. My favorite eyelid primer (believe it or not) is the E.L.F. eyelid primer! I get mine at Target and it retails at $1.00!

Now for eyeshadow. Eyeshadow is my favorite! I like a lot of different eyeshadows & palettes, but if I had to choose one eyeshadow product to be the only eyeshadow I used for the rest of my life (dead serious), it would hands down be the Bonne Bell Eyeshadow Box  in Cafe Classics. It was my first eyeshadow & I have used it almost everyday since I started wearing makeup. It has 4 beautiful colors that are great for a beginner (tip: if you are new to makeup, try to stay away from brightly colored eyeshadow & stick with the more neutral colors). They are amazing quality- very creamy, pigmented, and easy to apply. I have completely hit pan multiple times- & 1 will easily last me a year if I use it everyday, so that's saying a lot. I actually prefer them over any of my high end eyeshadows. Buying this product can be tricky. I used to buy mine at Walmart, but the drugstores in my area have recently stopped carrying them. :( I currently purchase mine online at drugstore.com. They retail at $3.37 in stores and around $10 online (including shipping).

Lastly, mascara. I love mascara almost as much as I love eyeshadow. I'm really picky when it comes to mascara & I will not wear waterproof mascara. I understand that mascara is a personal thing, so not everyone is going to like the mascaras I recommend. I like my lashes to look like falsies and have length and volume. I naturally have very full eyelashes, and I really like to make them pop. That being said, I am not going to recommend the cliche Maybelline Great Lash mascara because I'm not a huge fan of it. If you want to try it, go ahead. I have 4 other mascaras I will recommend to beginners because I love them!

1. My holy grail mascara is The Colossal by Maybelline. At first, it is a very wet mascara and it's a little hard to work with. After a couple uses, it dries up a bit & works like a gem. I get the 9x in any color. I'm not too picky about color. Seriously though- try it!! & it's great for beginners because it will come off easily if they mess up, but it won't smudge throughout the day. Retails at $5.94 and I get mine at Walmart.
2. Maybelline MegaPlush mascara. This is probably the easiest, quickest mascara to apply. I use it on days where I wear a small amount of makeup. It makes my lashes look very natural & it adds a good amount of volume and a lot of length. You don't have to build this mascara up a ton, which is nice. The only con to this mascara is it is a pain to get off if you mess up (& I'm talking about the non-waterproof formula!), so beginners might find it difficult to work with. Retails at $5.54 and I get mine at Walmart.
3. CoverGirl LashBlash Volume. This mascara is your typical mascara. Easy to apply, great brush, etc. Great for beginners! Retails at $5.06 and I get mine at Target.
4. CoverGirl LashBlast Length. This is very similar to the LashBlast Volume, except it adds length except volume. They both do a great job at separating my lashes and doing what they say they do. Nothing too special, but great for beginners. Retails at $6.94 and I get mine at Target.

*Target and Walmart will sometimes sell the mascaras I mentioned in 2 packs for like $7 or something like that. It's a great deal, so look for it the next time you're at Target or Walmart :)*

Finish your look off with your favorite lip balm or Lip Smacker & you're done!!

Let me know if you'd like a tutorial for beginners using the products I mentioned in this post!


***This is not a sponsored post.***

Current Blush Favorites

Ulta Cheek Color: Ulta's blushes are great! They are very pigmented and they're a convenient size and nice for traveling. They're a little difficult to blend, so just be careful not to apply too much. If you purchase them online, keep in mind that they look a lot darker than they actually are. They retail for $7.00 & you can get them at Ulta :)

NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in Rose Glow: This is by far my favorite blush. It gives my cheeks a beautiful rose glow (hence the name) and looks very natural. This blush isn't super pigmented, so I don't recommend it for those of you with darker skin tones. I apply mine with a less-dense blush brush & I love how it looks! Definitely go check this one out. It retails for $4.99 and I get mine at Target.

Nyx Cosmetics Powder Blushes: Nyx is my favorite brand when it comes to blush. They offer a wide variety of colors. They are the perfect size and shape for traveling. They blend easily and are very pigmented. All around great blush! They retail for $5.99 & I get mine at Ulta. I believe Target also sells Nyx now, but I could be wrong.

BareMinerals Ready Blush in The Aphrodisiac: This is my favorite high end blush. I apply it with the BareMinerals Angled Face Brush & it looks beautiful. It's very pigmented and looks natural. Gorgeous blush all around. Similar to the NYC mosaic blush. Retails at $22.00 and I get mine at Ulta. 

So those are my favorite blushes at the moment. If you have any great blushes I should try, let me know in the comments!!

***This is not a sponsored post.***