I often talk about new products or purchases here on the blog, but I want to do something different. For this post I am diving into my favorite beauty products. These are the products that I reach for all the time, that hold up to their claims, and that never let me down. My favorite beauty products are the ones that I need to stop myself from using so that I can give other products a chance. I hope that by the end of this post you will discover a few favorites to add to your collection.
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
The first item in my favorite beauty products is Clinique’s Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly. This moisturizer stands out for me because it actually controls my oil throughout the day. When using it under makeup I notice substantially less oil and shine in my T-zone, and hardly no oil when not wearing makeup. Of course, it also provides all day hydration as it is a moisturizer. If you have oily or combo skin, try this moisturizer out!
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Second I have Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Another Play! by Sephora favorite, it is my go to for any special occasion makeup. It pairs great with the wet n wild photofocus line of foundation, powder, and concealer. The finish provided by this primer is smooth and soft, literally making it great for photos, and I believe it assists your makeup in lasting longer. Additionally, it blurs minor pores and imperfections, but it should be paired with a pore reducing primer for larger pores. Smashbox’s Photo Finish Pore Reducing Primer is a good option.
Body Fantasies Pink Sweet Pea Fantasy
Third in my favorite beauty products I have the Pink Sweet Pea Fantasy body spray from Body Fantasies. It is my all-time favorite body spray scent and it is downright delicious.
Tory Burch Love Relentlessly
Fourth I have Love Relentlessly by Tory Burch. I first discovered this romantic fragrance in a Play! box and was blown away that I could still smell it after a shower. The notes include pink pepper, rose, patchouli, amber, vetiver, and more.
Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighters
Fifth in my favorite beauty products are the Master Chrome highlighters by Maybelline. I reach for these often because they provide a dramatic, metallic sheen, which is exactly what I like from a highlighter. These never let me down, the formula is soft, and the shades work for most makeup looks.
Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara
Next I have Lash Paradise from Loreal, which is one of my two go-to everyday mascaras. This mascara is as good as they say by providing lengthened and voluminous black lashes. If you like that everyday false lash, dramatic look like I do, then Lash Paradise is an easy choice. One caution is that it is very hard to remove. In addition to your makeup wipes, you will need either eye makeup remover or micellar water to properly cleanse your lashes. The formula is ready to go from the first application.
Urban Decay Naked Heat palette
With the release of Naked Heat by Urban Decay, a hole in my eyeshadow collection has been filled. Anytime my outfit calls for red or warm eyeshadow I panic because a suitable match in my collection does not really exist. Now with Naked Heat, my needs are covered! I reach for this palette all the time. The pigmentation and quality is great, exactly what you expect from Urban Decay.
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Bronzer
Continuing on with my favorite beauty products I have the cult-favorite Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer. This stuff is top-notch because it has buildable pigmentation and a soft formula that literally blends itself! No matter if you are a beginner at makeup or a pro, this stuff is perfect to work with at all levels. The shade range available suits many skin tones without making you look orange. You cannot go wrong with this bronzer, and let’s not forget the lovely butter scent!
elf Matte Lip Color in Praline
Everyone has that shade of lip color that looks great and complimentary on you, as if it was made for you. Praline by elf is that shade for me, no matter if it is in the Matte Lip Color or liquid lipstick format. I first discovered Praline as a Matte Lip Color. Of course I love the pigmentation, smooth blendability, easy workability, and non-drying formula of all of the Matte Lip Colors.
Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara
I have another go-to, everyday mascara in my favorite beauty products- Lash Sensational by Maybelline. The formula provides fanned out lashes that are long and voluminous, basically providing glam and dramatic false lash effects, which I want daily. It is not as difficult to wash off as Lash Paradise, but it may need a helping hand. It is a mascara that is very wet for the first week, then the formula hits it’s sweet spot, so be patient with it! Lash Sensational Luscious is another form of this mascara that has conditioning oil in the formula. In trying it I can say there no difference in performance.
Kat Von D Shade and Light palette
On days where I want a quality contour and highlight, Shade and Light is my hero! Each powder is matte, super soft, and blendable. I love the range of contour shades because they enable me to choose if I want a light or a heavy contour, and I can even layer them up for variety and depth. The non-shimmer highlights are good for accentuating the jawline or setting certain areas of the face, as you get a banana powder, and two neutral-hued powders. As for pigmentation, it is definitely there but not to the point where you need to be overly cautious, making the palette easy to work with. Essentially, this palette works for the majority of skin tones.
wet n wild On Edge Creme Eyeliner in Carbon My Reach
Moving onto a cream, potted eyeliner is the On Edge Creme Eyeliner by wet n wild. It works well with any brush or eyeliner tool of your choice and features a smooth, creamy, matte black formula that dries down quickly and does not budge all day. I find it easy to work with, but any creme eyeliner may take practice if you are not used to the format.
elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil in Neutral Brown
Not forgetting about brows I have the Instant Lift Brow Pencil by elf! It is a favorite because of how quickly and easily it fills my brows. The diameter of the pencil is perfect because it is not too thin that it will break or work too slow, and not too thick that it is hard to get precision. I get the precision and pigment that I want literally instantly with this product. The shade match is good for me, and the spoolie is the icing on the cake, as combing it through looks great. For on-the-go, everyday, or in a time crunch, this brow pencil can handle it.
wet n wild photofocus Color Correctors
I cannot leave out wet n wild’s photofocus Color Correctors from my favorite beauty products! The creamy formula blends out easily and well, while correcting imperfections. It may even be the same formula as the photofocus concealer, which explains why I like these so much! My favorite is actually peach because it instantly cancels out my under eye darkness. These concealers are not talked about enough.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam palette
Another awesome palette that I cannot get enough of is Soft Glam by Anastasia Beverly Hills. It may have “soft” in the name, but I get major glam from this palette! ABH eyeshadows always have a soft, blendable, and strongly pigmented formula, and this palette is no exception. I can go subtle, full-out glam, or anywhere in between with this palette. My favorite shade is Mulberry for doing smoky, burgundy looks. If you have been on the fence about this palette, I promise it will not disappoint!
elf Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain
To talk about foundation I have the Flawless Finish Foundation from elf. It has a lightweight formula, buildable medium to full coverage, and a semi-matte finish (meaning it is a bit dewy). For daily use it has never let me down and always look great. It wears well throughout the day, is never patchy, and is my favorite foundation from elf.
wet n wild photofocus Concealer in Fair Beige
wet n wild’s photofocus concealer is a drugstore concealer that actually works and cannot be beat in price. The formula is creamy, blends out beautifully, is buildable in terms of coverage, and holds up throughout the day. I use it daily with any foundation and I trust it. For any concealer I bake my under eye area to avoid creasing in my fine lines, as every concealer creases on me.
Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter in Pearl
Next up I have Butter Highlighter in the shade Pearl. Do not get me wrong- I love the Butter Blushes and all of the Butter Highlighters, but Pearl gives me that bright white highlight look that I crave. Besides the good smell, its cream powder to powder formula always looks good over any makeup and shines all day.
Sephora Matte Perfection Powder Foundation in Fair Neutral
I have a powder foundation in my list of favorite beauty products. Sephora’s Matte Perfection Powder Foundation is the best powder foundation that I have ever tried! It looks so natural on the skin with airbrushed results and never cakey or dry. When comparing myself in photos wearing this foundation vs other foundations, I can see a remarkable difference. It gives me enough coverage for my needs, but it is more of a light to medium coverage. Easily this foundation is my go-to for special occasions. I use it as a foundation itself, not as a setting powder.
wet n wild photofocus Foundation in Nude Ivory
Another foundation that is a favorite is wet n wild’s photofocus Foundation in Nude Ivory. Besides it being a perfect shade match for me, the formula is creamy, matte, long-wearing, and full coverage. This is another special occasion foundation for me. It works well with the photofocus line of concealers and powder, or any products you want to pair it up with. Keeping in mind the formulation that I have mentioned, it can look heavy and cakey if you apply too much. Start out easy and build it up to the coverage that you need for flawless results. The no flashback claims are true and you will look good in photos.
NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Here is an OG liquid eyeliner in my list of favorite beauty products. I have tried all sorts of liquid eyeliners from the drugstore that I have ended up not liking for one reason or another. New York Color’s Liquid Eyeliner has never let me down. It’s matte black formula lasts all day and is simple to apply with the brush. The best thing is that you can build up the line without the eyeliner wiping itself away. You also get a decent amount of product for the price. Sadly, New York Color no longer exists. They still have a website but the buy now button does not work.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation in 112 Natural Ivory
The final foundation in my favorite beauty products is Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation. I trust this foundation for daily wear as it really is matte, long-lasting, and full coverage. Speaking on the poreless claim if you have huge pores like myself you still want to pair it with a pore reducing primer, but it is smoothing to minor imperfections. Fit me always looks good.
wet n wild photofocus Pressed Powder in Warm Light
Next I have the wet n wild photofocus Pressed Powder in Warm Light. This setting powder works great with the corresponding foundation, or any foundation of your choosing. It actually sets my foundation without leaving tacky spots, and the smooth powder adds a flawless touch to your look. Again, no cake face here! You also get so much powder in the compact that it will last a long time.
Loreal Infallible Paints Blush Pro Artist Palette
The final product in my favorite beauty products is the Infallible Paints Blush palette by Loreal. It makes the cut because the shade range is perfect for daily use! Each blush is matte and has a buildable formula and pigment to avoid your blush situation getting out of control. None of the shades fade throughout the day. Finally, the packaging has a sleek design making storage a breeze.
In conclusion of my favorite beauty products, each of the above mentioned items stick to their claims, are easy to use, and overall really work! On a day-to-day basis it can be hard to not reach for these products because I love them so much, even when I have new products to try! I want to make it clear that my favorites are not limited to this list. There are so many more products that I want to include but the list would get out of hand! A better option would be to do drilled-down posts where I talk about favorite products by brand or by category (i.e. favorite blushes). If you would like to see posts such as those, please let me know in the comments! Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine!
