"What in the world is a code?!?!" That's probably what you all are thinking right now & why am I basing my blog on it. I have spent months racking my brain to come up with what to name this little project, everytime I came up with a 'genius' idea I would grab my Iphone & goggle the unique name I thought I had & it turns out it wasn't as unique as I had imagined. Watching 'Dexter' the one day I came to a realization, we all have some sort of 'code' (principles or rules we live by as the dear dictionary would phrase it), granted mine might not be about trying to kill bad people while working for the police and trying to get away with it (which btw these last 2 seasons blew in my opinion, I'm sorry), but I think I set up some pretty good rules for myself when it comes to makeup & beauty in general which is why I chose to start this blog. I'm not saying "do everything I do by the book & listen to no one else but me" I'm just trying to lend a hand in helping everyone out there who may struggle with anything from oily skin to acne to even finding the right brush to apply your makeup with or making your eyes look a little bigger. Also, I know that what works for me may not work for everyone but these are my honest opinions on what works for me. The reason I love this industry, besides helping people boost their confidence level, is because I am constantly learning something new. So I hope you enjoy my journey :)
Here are my 5 products I don't think I could ever function without:
(excuse the effects I was having TOO much fun..)
#1- Mascara.
If I had to pick one item for the rest of my life (scary thought right?) it'd be mascara. Anyone that knows me knows I have the smallest eyes ever & I was (& even still am) picked on for it forever. Mascara is a great tool to help not only open up your eyes & make your lashes longer but also to help make you look more awake. This picture isn't even all the mascara I own nor am I a fan of every single one in this picture, but makeup is trial & error, you just have to find what works for you. That being said if I had to name my top 3 favorite mascaras it would go as follows:
1) Benefit - "They're Real"
2) Lancome - "Definicils"
3) Revlon - "Lash Potion"
#2- Carmex.
You're probably like what the hell right about now. I've tried everything from Maybelline Baby lips to Burt's bees to EOS & I am still beyond obsessed with these. I buy like 10 at a time at Walmart & hid them in every little nook & cranny of my life. Why? They have never broken me out, super soothing (I'm talking burt's bees 10x), aren't sticky & have multiple purposes which I will do a bost on at a later date.
#3- Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation.
I was the girl that used to be so tan that I used to wear a bronzer as my foundation (this was before I knew ANYTHING about makeup .... we all have those weird beauty mishaps we did when we were younger don't judge me lol). When I made the decision to stop tanning my face I was horrified when I saw what my acne scarred, damaged skin looked like, granted the normal person would be like 'omg your skin is nearly flawless' being a makeup artist you are trained to pick up imperfections so you can correct them. That being said seeing those imperfections everyday takes a toll on you at first because you see every little thing 10x worse than the average person would. I have finally come to terms with it all after about a year (yes a year), if I run a quick errand or even just don't feel like putting on makeup that day I don't but when I do this is my favorite thing to use!
I've tried probably every drugstore foundation and I'd say atleast 60% of high end foundations and this one kicks all their butts. This is a 3 in 1 foundation which means that it is not just a foundation but it also has a primer and concealer built in which takes so much of the hassle out of doing your makeup. I personally have extremely oily skin and this is the only foundation I've found where my touch ups are extremely minimal if any.
Quick notes on this product:
- I personally do not wear a primer under it, it has one built in.
- conceals blemishs great!
- full coverage
- I had the worst time finding my shade in this because it tends to oxidize like crazy (on me atleast), when a foundation oxidizes it has a reaction to either oils etc. in your skin or air resulting in the foundation changing color, normally to a darker or orange color. My personal tip is to buy a shade lighter than what you think you would wear if this is something that concerns you.
#4- The Original Beauty Blender.
So if you are anything like me you probably thought this product was all hype. I remember thinking to myself '$20 for a pink sponge?idiots'. Well I am now that idiot and completely eating my words because I couldn't live without these little guys now. I first went and purchased the Ulta brand dupe which was like $5 and thought 'if this is what people are raving about I'll pass' because it didn't expand once you wet it, soaked up all the product & you basically felt like you were punching yourself in the face. No Thanks. So I threw that in my junk drawer after about 3 trial runs never to be touched again and waited a good 6 months before even thinking of trying the original little guy everyone raved about. On a whim I ordered the Beauty Blender duo from Sephora.com the one day thinking 110% I was going to be returning it. When it came in the mail I went right up stairs, made one of those little pink beauties all nice and wet, squeezed a towel around it to get out the water & went to town. It was at that point I fell in love. First off you get flawless coverage, no annoying brush streaks, it makes my skin look airbrushed. I swear to you when I say this, I have not picked up a foundation brush to apply my foundation since I got this pink gem on March 26th 2013. There's no comparison between this and the knock off I tried - The Beauty Blender is so soft, gets into every area, doesn't hold in product & creates a flawless face.
#5- Sedona Lace FB 01 Fan Brush.
Yes I own 3 & I'm not even the least bit ashamed. If you gave me this brush along with a Beauty Blender I could almost garantee a full face of makeup from just using these 2 tools (give or take some eye makeup and a possible nose contouring, but even in a pinch I still tihnk I might be able to make it work). My biggest use for this brush is to apply my blush, every typical blush brush I come across I just hate and I ALWAYS go back to this one, always. I also use it for contouring, highlighting, cleaning up eyeshadow fallout, etc. The possibilities are really endless with this brush.
hope you enjoyed the 5 products I couldn't live without,
if there's something beauty related you can't live without leave it in the comments so I can check it out!
Have a lovely day & stay beautiful :) <3
