Beauty items that have never let me down!

It's safe to say that if you know what Ulta or Sephora are, then you have wayy too many beauty items.Well...I do anyways.  I have at least one drawer in the bathroom filled and 2 make-up bags. I used to be an impulse-beauty shopper. If I saw a tutorial and liked the look of what the vlogger/blogger used, I felt I had to have it. Over the years, I have calmed down and luckily Thomas still loves me. 

I have been able to narrow down the items I've been using because I've learned to stick to the ones I love. Although my routine changes, I know I have an arsenal ready of my all-time favorites, just in case.

Let's start with primers -- I cannot tell you how many primers I have used and hated. Some have caused my foundation to separate, made my face an oily mess, or just didn't work at all. My all time favorite primer is Becca First Light Primer. It's a lavender tinted primer with a little bit of shimmer. This does two things - 1 helps with discoloration and 2 it really helps your skin appear to be hydrated or "awake." My makeup goes on smooth and it doesn't break me out.

My 2nd favorite Primer is the Laura Mercier primer. I love this because it works well with mineral foundation (powder) or liquid. This also doesn't cause breakouts and LM has different primers for different skin needs, which is always a plus!

My favorite drugstore foundation would have to be L'Oreal Lumi Liquid Foundation. This foundation not only gives you the effect of looking dewy, but it doesn't cause breakouts and is build-able to allow for full-coverage. I love applying this foundation with a brush, rather than a sponge. I find my beauty blender will soak up a lot of the product. I use this brush below!
                                                    

My all-time favorite luxury foundation - IT Cosmetics CC Cream. The formula is full-coverage, but completely weightless. This is my favorite foundation in the summer. I do find the formula will cling to my dry patches if I wear this in the colder months. While a brush will work for applying, I prefer to use a beauty blender-- little goes a long way. They make a luminous and matte version of this as well, which is wonderful, again, to cover all skin types!
                                                  

Now on to concealers -- I have yet to use a drugstore concealer that I really love. I do like the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, but if I use it as an under eye concealer, my eyes water. It does offer great coverage and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.

 

For luxury brands - I love IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under-eye. You only a little dot for both eyes -- just rub it between two fingers to let the product warm up and then dot along the undereye area. It's full coverage, works with any foundation and leaves the prettiest glow around your eyes. I love that it doesn't dry out my skin and it stays put ALL DAY. Not to mention, a travel-size tube lasts over a year. A concealer I love for blemishes would be Lancome Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer. This is great to wear over foundation, it blends well and doesn't feel greasy on your breakouts. I've found both of these concealers at Sephora!

                 

           

Bronzer -- LAWD do I have issues finding great bronzers. Most of the time, the color is too "warm" or red and makes me look orange. I did get lucky this summer though by finding my OG drugstore bronzer - Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer. It seriously blends like butter and the color is perfect. I use the darker shade and it's perfect for contouring without leaving my face looking muddy or too tan.

For blush - I'm not too picky about my blush as long as the color is great and lasts. My all time favorite blush is from BareMinerals - Golden Gate. It's the prettiest rose/apricot color. I have found a dupe by Wet N Wild, but it's no longer sold. Another solid dupe is L'Oreal True Match Mineral Blush in Soft Rose!

I ALWAYS try to set my makeup using a finishing powder. I'm not all into the "baking" process because it takes too much time. I just want to dust my face and go. One thing I hate about most setting powders is how dusty or caked the makeup can look. I don't want to look like you could scrape my makeup off with a putty knife. My favorite setting powder is by NARS. It's the Crystal Light Reflecting Powder and it is UH-MAZING. It sets your makeup without going on too powdery. You can't even tell you have any on, but it works so good. I never have dry patches throughout the day and it doesn't take any of the hydration out of my skin. I'ts revolutionary. I have yet to find a more affordable dupe, and the pan I have has lasted me like 2 years so it is well worth the money.

My final product that is a MUST - my two favorite mascaras! My favorite drugstore mascara is L'Oreal Lash Paradise. It is exactly like the Too Face Better Than Sex in my opinion, because it's not as messy. Sometimes the BTS can be a little too wet, like it takes too long to dry my lashed in place. The Lash Paradise is also super affordable and you get grab it on your grocery run - WIN. My favorite luxury brand mascara is, and always will be, Dior's Diorshow in Black. It's amazing. I've used it for nearly 10 years - it doesn't flake and offers such great volume.

For lips and eye shadow - I am always changing it up. I haven't found a go-to palette yet, but I'll do a whole post on eye shadow and lip products I love soon!

What are your go-to beauty products?