MakeUp

My Everyday Must Haves!

 

 

 

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Every girl has her go to products that she cannot go without on a daily basis. Whether it’s the perfect lipstick or hair spray, a find at the drugstore or a high end splurge. Once you find something great that works for you, it’s an investment piece. I like to try different products left and right but the issue, just like many of us, I have super sensitive skin so I always breakout. I have to be very choosy when it comes to makeup and once I find something that works, I can’t let it go. Here are few beauty items that I use everyday that I cannot live without!

 

Neutrogena Skinclearing Oil-Free Makeup ($11.99) 

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Though my current foundation is made by MAC, for years I have always crawled back to Neutrogena Oil Free foundation because it is super light and doubles as a skin care product. It doesn’t dry my face out nor does it clog my pores. During the summertime especially, I use this to ensure I don’t have a greasy face or breakouts. I have to be cautious not to try every foundation that I see and so far for the past 5 years, this oil free liquid makeup has impressed me.

 

MAC Coppertone Powder Blush ($21)

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Obsessed! I love that this blush has lasted me 2 years (same refill pan!) and it goes well with my natural skin tone and when I’m tan during the spring and summer. It’s the perfect blend of peach, pink, brown…you name it! I randomly picked up this blush at the mall as an impulse buy and usually those picks eventually get tossed in the back of my cabinet in the makeup graveyard, but this perfect shade convinced me otherwise. Of course MAC makes great quality makeup but I literally use this every single day and it goes great with any type of look I’m going for. It’s definitely a beauty staple. If you’re looking for something that’s versatile like NARS Orgasm, check this out. 

LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer (Travel $7/Regular $32)

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If my face needs to a bit of color and a natural glow, LORAC Bronzer has been my right hand man since I was a freshman in college. Yup almost 10 years! I have yet to find another bronzer that blends well with my skin tone and doesn’t give off an orangey glow or something super cakey. This goes on very smoothly and comes with an awesome brush that facilitates contouring. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of great options for bronzer that work, but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! It’s a quality find and the travel size has lasted me almost 2 years, so you can’t beat that! 

ELF Finishing Spray ($3)

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ELF is a hit or miss when it comes to makeup and you really can’t resist picking up their products because of their affordable prices. I randomly tried this after reading pretty decent reviews online. I figured people raved about it because it was so cheap but it proved me wrong. On a normal day, I don’t wear a lot of makeup so finishing spray wasn’t something that I needed, but for those long nights out and hot summer days, it’s nice not to look like your face is melting. The finishing spray is all natural which is nice and that means no breakouts and it’s not sticky or hardening. I usually spritz it on my face and neck 2 to 3 times and it leaves a nice dewy look. Now, I’m from Florida and I currently live in Texas, so I’m used to sweating and constantly dabbing my face and reapplying makeup but since using ELF’s Finishing Spray, everything stays in place! It’s a steal and I think it’s a practical dupe for any high end finishing sprays. It’s $3, c’mon now, go try it!

 

WIGO Color Teasing 100% Boar Bristle Brush (3.99)

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I love big hair and I cannot lie! I think it’s timeless and sexy. So, go big or go home! My hair is super thick and I’m very thankful for the mane I was blessed with, but since it’s so heavy, it’s tough to add volume sometimes. I’ve tried small toothed combs and large paddle brushes, pretty much everything and it just wouldn’t stay. I discovered the WIGO Teasing Bristle Brush at Ulta and it’s changed my life completely. I just need to do a few backcombs on my crown with a bit of hairspray and creme, I’m done. It’s perfection and doesn’t pull my hair out nor does it make it look matted like a rat’s nest. The teasing brush has done wonders on my hair and I couldn’t ask for anything better. The only negative is that some of the bristles pop out very easily, so you have to be very careful and meticulous when cleaning the brush, but overall no complaints! 

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Please share with me your favorite everyday picks! 

 

FancyPants Favorites! My Top Beauty Picks!

These are just a few products that I have been loving and couldn’t help but want to share with everyone! What’s exciting is that these are all super affordable products with high quality results! Enjoy!

Beauty

Facial Cleanser- Cetaphil

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I have super sensitive skin and my face is oily so it’s difficult to find a cleanser that won’t cause breakouts and clog my pores. I’ve been using Pond’s since elementary school but have recently let my dear pal go and hibernate in the back of the cabinet. I’ve tried Proactive and other big name products and still no luck; they caused more breakouts and my skin to become flaky! Then randomly one day when  strolling down the Target aisles, I picked up Cetaphil. Everyone and their mothers swear by it and I finally see why. Within 2 days of washing my face, my skin was radiant and soft. It’s pure perfection and if you’re not using it, go get some.

 

Facial Moisturizer- St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer

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Like I said previously, I used Pond’s for my entire life but as I get older, I’ve noticed my skin is changing, especially as the seasons pass. Though my skin is oily, once in a while my face will get overly flaky and dry; mostly due to me experimenting with different cleansers. I’ve finally found a moisturizer that does its job by refreshing my skin and not clogging my pores. You just need a small dollop to cover your face, neck, and chest and you’re good for the day! It’s very light and also helps firm your skin. It’s a great product and I wouldn’t use anything else.

 

Facial Scrub- St. Ives Apricot Scrub

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Ok, I know I sound redundant and a spokesperson for St. Ives but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! St. Ives Apricot Scrub is a facial product that I use 1 to 2 times a week depending on the season and how much makeup I wear. It helps with blemish control as well as making my skin feel silky smooth. It’s a steal!

 

Summer Glow- Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Self Tanning Tinted Lotion

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I know I just posted an article listing the top self tanners for 2014, but as a Florida girl, I know tanners! I’ve pretty much tried them all and I’m not too fond of many that are on the shelves (not saying those products aren’t great but they just don’t work for my skin). It wasn’t until last year that I tried Victoria’s Secret brand of tanners and bronzers. The Beach Sexy Self Tanning Tinted Lotion is amazing and a little goes a long way. It’s very simple to use because you just put on your standard body lotion/body butter and add just a tiny bit of the tinted lotion on top of it. Make sure you blend it well and wash your hands of course! It lasts for a few days, adds a beautiful glow to your skin, and it doesn’t smell like your standard tanner.  It’s worth the try and one step closer to looking like those mutants AKA Victoria’s Secret Angels!

 

Nail Polish- OPI Samoan Sand

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I’ve been obsessing over nudes lately just because they are so simple and sophisticated. I’m normally a black nail type of girl because I feel that’s fashionable but I’m so tired of people asking me if I’m depressed or goth. Really people, black nail polish does not reflect a person’s mood! I like black but I think I’ve been converted to the light side. The perks of this color, in my opinion, is that it’s not brown, white or pink. It’s a solid neutral that goes with everything!

 

Hair- Bumble & Bumble Tonic Lotion and Styling Creme

http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/index.tmpl

My hairstylist, Allie, in Raleigh, NC introduced me to these amazing hair products 2 years ago. Bumble and Bumble is a solid line of products that are worth the splurge. It’s pure quality and works with different types of hair. The Tonic Lotion made a great change to my scalp. It’s a light spray that I put in my hair when it’s damp and usually every other day I lightly mist it into my scalp. I normally have an itchy scalp and Allie noticed that it was red and flaky. She told me to spray the tonic lotion on my scalp and it acts as a refresher to the hair. Ever since then my head hasn’t itched once! It’s truly wonderful! The Styling Creme I only use when my hair was damp or I’m doing some necessary teasing to my mane. It adds a kick of volume and you only need a tiny bit around the crown area. To be honest, I’ve used these products for 2 years and I’m using the same bottles. So, it may be a tad more expensive than drug store products, but you definitely get what you pay for!

 

My favorite products aren’t always pricey and the popular go to names but these are amazing, high quality items. These are based on my opinions and my personal experiences. All of these products can be found in your local drug store except Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Self Tanning Tinted Lotion (obviously!)  for an affordable price! If you’re looking to change products or always open to try something new, check these out! Word to your Mother!