My Beauty 101

I've often thought about doing some type of website with beauty product reviews. There are a TON out there, but some of the reviews I've read in the past have been totally off. I realize that it depends on the type of skin, hair, and taste you have... I am constantly trying new products. I am the girl who has at least 4 different shampoos and conditioners to choose from and always have a least 4 different types of mascaras and 10 different lip glosses. I feel mediocre about a lot of things I've tried and used, but here is a list of things I absolutely swear by:

Note: I have really oily skin on my face. I do get dry patches around my eyebrows for some odd reason. The rest of my body is as dry as the Sahara. Thanks to my mom and her ancestors, wrinkles are very minimal. I do have a few tiny ones under my eyes and then across my forehead (from much arduous thinking). I have kept my acne under control due to birth control but do get them occassionally (like right now, ugh!). My hair may look thick and straight, but my genes have actually given me very thin hair (that is thinning everyday!!) that I have to straighten out with a blow dryer.

Skincare:

- Now, I use Beauticontrol products bc I used to sell the stuff. So, by default I have a ton of their product I am just trying to use and get rid of. I'm not in LOVE with the stuff, but I'm pretty happy with it. I've tried sooo many different skin care products and unfortunately have not fallen in love with anything just yet. The closest thing I found that I really liked was surprisingly Mary Kay. After I'm done with my stuff, I think I'll probably go back to that.

Face:

- Alot of make up artists will suggest a foundation primer. I've used a few here and there and have not been crazy about them. Perhaps bc of my skin... I think mostly bc the foundation I use never really needs anything else to help boost it.

- MAC Studio Fix Liquid Foundation - I have used this product the longest that I've ever used any other product. I absolutely love it. It does not clog my pores, and looks extremely natural, given the right color and right tools. I use a foundation brush or this really expensive brush I got suckered into buying at MAC. Now, I know MANY girls do not like to use liquid foundation. Bc it feels heavy, or they don't want to feel like theyre wearing a bunch of make up, or whatever. But it is the best for me. I wear it just about everyday and get compliments everywhere I go. It lasts all day long but is very easy to take off. During the summers, I use the very expensive brush which spreads it out very lightly but still gives me the look I desire from the product.

- I ALWAYS reccomend a bronzer. Even on days I don't wear much of anything else, I always make sure I have bronzer on. I use Clinique bc it has colors that are actually dark enough (but not heavy) to show on my skin and bc it is very reasonable in price. I have gone through 2 compacts so far and am looking to possibly try something else in the future.

- On special occassions I will wear concealer for under my eyes. I am happy with what I'm using now- liquid mineral powder concealer by Maybelline. It feels SO light on the skin... there's not that much coverage, but is okay for me as my dark circles are terribly dark.

Eyes:

- MAC Eyeshadows - All the reviews you hear and read about are true! The pigment is great and the range of colors is really vast. My faves are: Woodwinked (a frosty bronzy brown). Naked Lunch (a great highlighter). Ricepaper (a frosty ivory).

- MAC Pencil Eyeliner - These pencils give great pigment and last all day long. The color does not fade or easily wipe off... however all I use is face wash and water and it comes off easily. It's also got perfect consistency- not too hard or too soft. I love Stubborn Brown.

- Mascaras are the one thing I will spend loads of money on and buy tons of it. I've tried almost everything out there. There a few that I always go back to, but none that I absolutely have to have 24/7. I've suggested a few that I really like. My eyes and lashes are verry short, so therefore the huge brushes do not work well on me; but I've heard great things about Benefits Bad Gal and Christian Dior's Dior Show.

- Flirt's Far Out Lengthening Mascara - The brush is comb- like and really snags each lash to make them long. I really like it for length- it actually works!! But it can get quite clumpy. They are cheaper than Dept store brands but more expensive than drug store. You can find them online or at any Kohls store.

- L'Oreal's Voluminizing Mascara - This is definitely my go -to if there is nothing else I want to try. It does what it needs to do and is pretty basic. It's always been a favorite of my mom's too.

- Rimmel's Extra Super Lash - Best kept secret!!! I was in Richmond visiting friends when I realized I forgot to bring my mascara (gasp!). I had JUST bought a new tube of Lancome and I didn't have much time nor did I have much money, so I ran into Target and bought the cheapest mascara I could find. Any mascara was better than no mascara. I used it, not thinking much about it... but it shockingly gave me amazing lashes! I couldn't believe it- It was about $2 and looks like really cheap mascara. I used that sucker til it was dry. 2 coats and I was set. Lesson learned: Do not judge something based on its packaging. Try it. It won't hurt your pocket to find out!

Lips:

- Alba's Organic Lip Balm - There aren't many things organic that I'm crazy about when it comes to cosmetics. But this stuff is so worth the extra dollar or so. It's not thick and does help moisturize. They have amazing smelling ones- the one I have currently is Passion Fruit Nectar. It's not waxy either. It's just right. Even Chris likes to use it- and there aren't many lip balms he'll use.

- I use a lot of MAC's Lipglass bc of the color range and Vicky's Secret lip glosses bc they are fun and tasty. I'm not crazy about them though, as you have to reapply them both often. They aren't too sticky, but I am looking for something else... I used to be obsessed with Philosophy's lip gloss that I will be trying again soon.

Hair:

- My favorite topic! I have a lot of favorites, but my best reccomendation is to always switch up products... your hair does indeed get used to products.

- Aveda's Shampure Shampoo - I freakin LOVE this stuff. My hair feels like new hair when I use this stuff. It's pretty pricey, but so worth it. I would really like to try the other products by Aveda but am having a hard time spending my money on anything else but thist stuff bc I love it so much.

- Biolage Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner - This stuff smells so fresh and my hair feels good after a shower with this stuff. Not a miracle worker, but good stuff!

- Pantene Pro- V Moisture Balance - This product is fairly new. I just bought it the other day and I like it a lot. I actually am a fan of Pantene products anyway. They're stuff always smells so good and helps keep the sheen in my hair. I'll keep you posted on how I feel ab the new stuff as I use it.

- Redken's Butter Cream - This is a deep conditioner for your hair. My cousin turned me on to it and swears by it herself. My hair isn't too damaged but I like using this product every other week or so. I'm done for now. I will keep this page updated as I go along. Hope you find the love I have in the products I've mentioned! :)