I’ve said it before, but I’m not a beauty blogger. I don’t want to be, nor am I trying to become one. I don’t keep up on makeup trends and struggle to get my eyeliner on straight. I can promise you now that you’ll never see a post about my beauty routine. But I am a girl and I like to find new products that actually work without wasting $20 on a lipstick I’ll never use again. So in the interest of passing on products I use and enjoy, here are a few of my favorites.
Most of these products I’ve used for decades. I’m sure any makeup artist would scoff at some of my makeup choices, but whatever. I also avoid telling makeup artists that I don’t even wear makeup most days (#momlife)!! Whatever, these are colors and products that I like. I have blonde hair and blue eyes with a light complexion and these work for me.
I’ve used the Clinique Superpowder since I was in high school. I’m not going to do the math for you, but that was many, many years ago. I vividly remember my mom took me to the mall to pick out some “nice make-up” for the very first time. We stopped at the Clinique counter and the woman said this product is great for people who don’t want to use foundation. I really didn’t need foundation at the time and have never looked back on this stuff. It is definitely thicker than a normal powder, which hides a lot of small blemishes and spots. I’ve introduced this green compact to a bunch of friends who now also use it regularly. I’ve just recently invested in some foundation, but on a day-to-day basis, this is all I wear on my face. I wear the matte medium color for reference.
The compact is $24 and can be found at most mall department stores. However, I always try to purchase it during Clinique Bonus Week because who doesn’t love free stuff?!?! They have a Clinique bonus going on right now at Saks using code CLINIQ74. If you spend $35 or more on Clinique products they will send you a 6 piece sample set and a cute make-up bag. Best way to try some new products!!!
Since you’ll need to throw something else in your cart to get the bonus, I also want to mention I use the Clinique All About Eyes concealer in medium petal. I’m pretty sure I discovered this product years ago to meet the minimum purchase for a bonus week. No shame in that, right?! I use this stuff around my eyes, which I’m convinced instantly makes me look younger. Or maybe that is wishful thinking. Whatever. I also use it on other blemishes as needed. $18.50 right now at Saks, or you can find it at any department store.
I discovered Diorshow mascara about 5 years ago when I was in my sister-in-law’s wedding. She gave all the bridesmaids this mascara as part of our bridesmaid gift, which was such an awesome and practical gift idea. I’ve tried to return to my drugstore brand mascaras several times, but they just don’t compare. I will admit, I hate paying for this stuff because it is expensive, but it is worth it. Nordstrom has it 10% off right now for $24.75 (originally $27.50). Not that saving $3 is much, but it is something because I’ve seriously never seen it on sale before.
I’ve also used Covergirl PerfectPoint eyeliner in black since high school. I’ve tried countless other brands and I always go back to this stuff because it just works. It has the click top so you don’t have to use a pencil sharpener and it has a small sponge at the bottom you can use to make the smudge look. The best part: it is cheap. I found it on Jet for $4.69 with free shipping, or you can find it at any grocery or drug store. This stuff just works for me.
I really love MAC for eyeshadows and lipsticks. Their colors are just amazing. For eyeshadow, I switch on and off between two colors. Phloof is my summer color and Vex is my winter color. Phloof is more of a neutral pink frost and Vex is a greyish frost, although it looks a tad purple in the picture above. I swear it isn’t purple. Both are $16 each and ship for free from the MAC website.
Here’s a MAC tip. They have a recycling program called Back-to-MAC for their eyeshadows and lipsticks. After you have 6 empty containers (or colors you’ve moved on from), take them back to a store and they’ll give you any color lipstick or eyeshadow you want for FREE!!! I just did it a few months ago and it is always fun walking out of there with a new color for free.
For my MAC lipsticks, I wear Frou in the winter and St. Germain in the summer. Warning, St. Germain is PINK. VERY PINK. And I love it. I found out about it from another blogger and it has become my summer favorite every since. Definitely a statement color, but it really works for people with blonde hair. Both colors are $17 and also ship for free from the MAC website.
Yes, I wear MAC lipstick, occasionally. But since I’m a stay-at-home mom, I rarely get dressed up in nice enough clothes to require actual lipstick. Instead, Burt’s Bees Shimmer in either Strawberry or Grapefruit are my everyday go-to colors. These are the little tubes you see in stores all over the place for $4.99. Love this stuff.
Finally, I love Lorac TANtalizer. This bronzer is amazing because it has enough variation to match most skin tones. You can buy this stuff at Nordstrom for $33, but I originally picked this up at Nordstrom Rack for around $8. I’ll take a $25 discount anytime I can get one.
Do you have any makeup products you love? I’m always looking for new tried and true favorites!!! Let me know!
