Okay, guys. It’s been ages since I’ve done one of these! There’s a chance you haven’t even been reading my blog long enough to have witnessed a beauty favorites before. The truth is, I didn’t do much beauty-wise for, like, the first 8 months of Casper’s life. It took me a while to get back into a routine and to start to treat myself to a beauty regimen again. That said, this post is going to be loooong because I find that these sorts of posts always are and we have some catching up to do. Basically, I’m going to list the products that I use often and consider favorites. I’m a bit of a product junkie, so I have tried a bunch more stuff, but these are the hits.
Side note, I happen to love this sort of thing because I’m a total snoop. But, if you don’t, fret not. Tomorrow I’ll be back with a recipe!
This has definitely been the year of skin for me. I have been sort of freaking out about it. I did a peel and started working out, then my skin repaid me by losing its shit for like 3 months. So, I’ve been trying to treat it extra nicely. Also, my mom has pretty great skin and swears by liberally moisturizing.
Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner–I have seen so many people sing the praise of this product and when Nicole posted about it I finally tried it. I LOVE this stuff. Like, it was a total game changer for me. The texture of my skin and overall appearance has definitely benefitted. This along with the moisturizer I’m about to mention have made a world of difference. It helps even out my skin tone and texture since it’s an exfoliant. Cannot love this more.
Philosophy Purity Cleanser–I have used this product for a few years now and it’s a favorite. It removes all my make-up and doesn’t leave my skin feeling squeaky and dry. I have the large size and it lasts me forever.
Simple Micellar Water–I recently discovered micellar water and it’s kind of amazing. It’s inexpensive and works like a dream. It’s a make-up remover and cleanser, that also moisturizes, plus you don’t rinse it off. It’s not greasy at all and doesn’t leave my skin dry. I also have the cleansing cloths for the gym and they’re great since I don’t want to dry out my skin after a workout, but I still want to wipe off all the sweat and stuff.
Coconut Oil–That little dish with the white lid is filled with virgin coconut oil. I use it as an eye make-up remover. It’s gentle and beats any product I’ve tried before. I just swipe a thin layer over a cotton round and it takes my eye make-up right off. I usually find it for a good price at Target or Trader Joes.
Rose Water Spray–I saw this on Tracy’s blog and first bought it when I was 8 months pregnant, sans AC, during a heatwave. I’d spritz this all over my face and sit in front of a fan. It was magical. I still spritz a bit of it on whenever I need a pick-me-up and sometimes in between moisturizing my skin and applying my make-up.
Rosehip Oil–I actually recently started using this after I saw it on Laura’s blog. I have been needing a little extra moisture the past few months and wanted to try this because it’s natural, comes in a cool apothecary bottle, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. After I cleanse my skin I put this on first before using my regular moisturizer, I warm it up in my palms and just gently pat a few drops over my face and neck. I usually just use it at night, but sometimes in the morning too. You can use it all over your body and nails, as well. It is orange, so let it absorb and wash your hands after you apply.
Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream–This moisturizer is AMAZING. I am sort of obsessed with it. Originally I tried the SPF from this brand and hated it so much that I returned it. I picked this up after reading reviews and I could not love it more. It’s like magic. I feel like I have the softest, smoothest, princess-unicorn skin after I use it. It’s not heavily scented and the scent it does have is pleasant, I’d describe it as lightly citrusy and clean. It moisturizes really well without being greasy. Between this and the glycolic acid toner, my skin is so happy. I really want to try their night cream, as well.
R+Co. Death Valley Dry Shampoo–The salon I go to carries this brand and I was curious to try out a dry shampoo that didn’t leave a ton of residue in my hair. It smells good, doesn’t leave too much residue in my hair, but gets the job done (i.e. leaves hair with some flexible texture while also absorbing grease). It’s a little on the pricier side, but I love this stuff. (I think I paid a few dollars less at the salon).
Giovanni 2Chic Brazilian Keratin Body Lotion–I saw this on my friend Nicole’s blog, also, and immediately ordered it. I LOVE this stuff. It absorbs super quickly, smells good but isn’t too heavily scented and makes my skin feel amazing. I just used the last bits up and need to reorder asap.
Hempz Blushing Grapefruit and Raspberry Creme–I love Hempz lotions. I bought this, along with the anti-aging formula in a Buy1 Get50% deal at Ulta. I’ve been using their lotions on and off for years and am always pleased when I repurchase. I like their scents and the formula isn’t too heavy but still really moisturizing, which I totally need in the winter months.
Philosophy Living Grace–I love the Grace scents from Philosophy. My best friend always says they smell a little mature (ahem, old lady), but I dig them. They’re clean and fresh and not too heavy. Since being pregnant and subsequently birthing a child, I can’t handle heavily scented things like I used to. This is perfect for when I want a little spritz of something.
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette–I have used this palette for a while and I still love it. I use it at least once a week, but for a long time, it was daily. I am into the rose-gold hues in this palette and keep coming back to it. I like that it isn’t as harsh as some of the other palettes with lots of cooler tones.
Tart Tartlette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette–I love this palette!!! I really like matte shadows, especially for day time and these shades are so lovely. The formula is super smooth and I use this palette the most. That said, I just got the Tartlette In Bloom Palette and it is quickly becoming a favorite, as well.
Benefit Roller Lash–I saw this stuff all over the blogs and snapchat and immediately wanted to try it. It’s basically witchcraft. Like, I can actually see it lifting my lashes. I put it on when my mom was here and she bought herself a tube that day.
Anastasia DipBrow Pomade–this little tub of pomade is probably one of my top beauty musts. If I do my make-up at all (some days I don’t) this is one of the 3 things I always put on my face (bb cream and blush are the other two). I’d choose to do my brows over my lashes or lips or lids any day. I’m a total believer in the notion that your brows frame your face. I love that this product sets after about a minute so there’s zero smudging throughout the day and even into the night.
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder–I am a huge fan of powders like this. I used to use UD Razor Sharp and loved it, but hated the applicator. I love that I can use a big brush with this and if you twist it correctly, you can lock up the holes and throw it in a bag to travel without opening it up upon arrival and dying in a cloud of face powder. Plus, it’s super silky.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush–I have 3 of these blushes and always want more. The one I use most is Blissful, but I also have Natural Beauty and Frisky. They’re nicely pigmented and easy to build up and blend.
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment–Can you tell that I like Tarte products? I really do. They’re some of my favorites. This BB cream has really decent coverage, definitely not like a foundation but for almost every occasion it’s more than enough for me. This stuff is really smooth and light. I’ve been using it for a few years now and continue to repurchase it.
Benefit Porefessional–When I want my skin to look extra smooth and weirdly pore-less I reach for a primer. I’ve tried a bunch but this is my favorite. I don’t use it every time I wear make-up, but when I do I mostly use it on and around my nose and cheeks before applying foundation or BB cream.
Too Faced Shadow Insurance–I never wear eyeshadow without a primer. I love the formula of this one, it’s not too thick and goes on smoothly. It also lasts forever.
Smith’s Rosebud Salve–I have little stashes of lip balm all over my house. Like, literally, every single room that I am in with any sort of frequency has a lip balm in it. I’m a big fan of this stuff, its wetter (ew) than most balms and smells great. I don’t love the little tin because I try to avoid that style of balm because they ick me out, so these tubes are perfect. I recently picked up a gift pack, for myself, and it came in classic, mint-rose, and orange. I love them all. The orange smells like Christmas and it’s currently on my nightstand.
Lipstick Queen Medieval–I love lip stains and used BeneTint for years. I love Lipstick Queen products–the sinner formula is so opaque! and the saint formulas are nicely, yet subtly tinted. This comes in a stick, so there’s less chance to F things up and the formula gives you a little moisture. If you like a berry-stained look (I do, obvs) this stuff is wonderful. It lives in my purse and I wear it more than any other lip color.
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream–This is a drugstore wonder. If I want a little more opacity or fanciness (and I’m not using my favorite Buxom glosses, Mudslide and Debbie are my go-tos) I reach for this product. It goes on silky, dries matte, yet remains soft. I have a few but the shade Stockholm is my favorite.
Julep Coco–If I have a signature nail color it’s definitely in the deep, almost black maroon and burgundy family. I wear this color a lot (the bottle is almost gone). It’s described as oxblood and definitely on the browner side but plenty dark with lots of red. I love it.
Zoya Casey–This color is an almost black, purple-toned burgundy. It’s another favorite that I wear often. Aside from Coco, this is the shade I reach for most often.
Seche Vite Topcoat–This is the end-all-be-all topcoat for me. It totally transforms a nail color into a super shiny, gel-like finish. I have a huge bottle for refilling my small bottle because I am a maniac.
Okay, if you’ve read this far you’ve reached the end! Congrats! You’re either a trooper or just as crazy as me. PLEASE tell me what your beauty must-haves are!
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, though not all of them are. None of these brands know me or compensated me. I am just a bit of a beauty product nut and love to share my favorites!
Nicole
I’m so glad you’ve found happiness with some of my recs 🙂 That toner + lotion are still my faves. And I LOVE beauty product recommendations, so I’ll always read these start to finish 🙂 I think I need that cloud cream in my life!
cindy
Thank YOU! I seriously love those recs. And the Cloud Cream is a dream. I seriously make this satisfied sigh very time I use it (everyday) and Sean’s always like, “that good, huh?” and it really is. Ha!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
I am so NOT makeup/beauty savvy, so this is incredibly helpful (and fun) to read!! Hope you like the rosehip oil!!! I wish it wasn’t orange, but I love that it is so hydrating.
Also, love that Naked palette too! Bought it a few months ago!
cindy
I’m so glad! and Yeah, I do love the rosehip oil. I’m glad you warned that it is pigmented. I also wish it were clear, but it’s really hydrating and such a good price point. So, it’s worth it.
Beautiful Bedlam
Your favourites could be my favourites, so many similar ones! It makes me trust your opinion on the other products even more haha I am popping the Mario Badescu toner on my shopping list right now! It sounds amazing! We have done a 2015 Favourites post also, we would love if you could check it out if you have a chance 🙂 http://beautifulbedlamblog.com/?p=719 Thanks! xx