My Holy Grail Drugstore Makeup List

Foundation: Depending on the day, there are 2 foundations that I consider my "go-to's…"
L'Oreal True Match Lumi is perfect for days when my skin is on the dry side.  I also consider this foundation my favorite for daily use.  The coverage isn't too intense and it's very easy to blend this product into airbrushed perfection. 

Revlon Colorstay 24 Hr is my favorite long-wearing foundation.  I reach for this stuff on days when I want a very full coverage look.  Also when I know I might be sweating, traveling, or gone for a long period of time.  

Both of these foundations are incredible.  I still have not found a high end foundation that I like more than these two! 

Concealer:  I think I've tried every single concealer that is available at the drugstore (or close to it anyways).  I was beginning to accept that an amazing drugstore concealer may just not exist for me until I discovered L'oreal True Match Super-Blendable Concealer.

Again, I have yet to find a high end concealer that even remotely compares… 

This stuff is incredible! It blends like a dream, lasts for hours and hours, and does not crease as long as it's set with a powder!

Eyelid primer: It's taken me a long long long time to establish good eyeshadow skills.  Does anyone else feel that way???

Beautiful eyeshadow is perhaps the most difficult to achieve (for me anyways) when it comes to makeup, so an outstanding eyelid primer is critical!  My 2 favorites are: 

NYX Jumbo eye pencil in the shade "Milk" and Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in the shade "continuous almond."

These are not your typical primers, however I find their thick & creamy consistencies and opacity to be absolutely GAME CHANGING when it comes to making your eyeshadow POP.  Trust me, either of these eye bases will change your life. :) 

Eyeshadow: I'm not gonna lie, I'm a snob when it comes to eyeshadow.  I typically reach for my big expensive palettes, but I thought I'd give an honorable mention to the Sally Girl Eye Shadow Connecting Compacts from Sally's beauty supply.  These babies, are a cheap thrill that offer some pretty impressive color pay off.  

Eyebrow pencil: My one and only, Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil.  Perfect for the girl who is nervous about her brows looking too "drawn on."  

Eyeliner: For the waterline, my all time favorite is Revlon Photoready Kajal Intense eyeliner in the shade, "Carbon Cleopatra."

For the eyelids, Revlon Colorstay Creme Gel Eye Liner "Brown" has been absolutely game changing for me.  I've struggled with eyeliner for years and years… I'm not sure if it's the gel formula or the fact that brown is a little more forgiving than black, but this product has revolutionized the way I do eyeliner!

Powder: Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder is my favorite for setting foundation (especially in my T-Zone), and e.l.f. Studio Tone Correcting Powder is my ALL TIME favorite for setting my under eye concealer.

Mascara:  If you follow me on Instagram, it will come as no surprise that I think Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara is THEBOMB.COM!

Bronzer & Blush: This is a recent rediscovered favorite of mine, and it has iconic status in the beauty blogging world… e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in "St. Lucia"

Highlighter: This subtle, finely milled highlighter is gorgeous! It smells a little bit like coconuts too...Wet N Wild Coloricon Bronzer in "Reserve Your Canbana"

Setting Spray: If I'm feeling like I look a little too "cakey" or my powder is more visible than I'd like it to be, this setting spray is a life saver!  NYX Dewy Finish Long Lasting Setting Spray

Lips: There are way TOO many AMAZING drugstore lip products to have a sole favorite, but I'd like to give a special shout out to the Milani lipsticks and lip glosses for being so incredible when it comes to pigmentation, texture, taste, longevity… and they are SOOO affordable!!

There you have it! My list of holy grail makeup products (at least for the time being #makeupjunkie).  I hope this inspires you to try some new things! 

Until next time, 

NAKED 3

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate!

As an avid, EXTREME lover of beauty products in general, I have a very special love for eyeshadows in particular. My obsession with eyeshadow started when I first purchased the original Naked palette back in January of 2012. It was my first major beauty splurge and I've made several eyeshadow purchases (both inexpensive and high end) since then.  

In fact, my eyeshadow stash is probably the largest within my entire makeup collection.  That being said, I don't think I've so much as touched a different shadow or palette since receiving the Naked 3 palette on Christmas day. 

Yes, it's THAT good!  I've gotten more compliments on my eyeshadow in the past 3 weeks than ever before.  Most likely because the Naked 3 palette has totally unique colors and hues.  It took me awhile to adjust to using rose/gold colors on my eyes, but I'm now in a good groove and I marvel at the beauty of these shadows every single time I use them. 

If you're looking to invest in a high quality palette, I most definitely recommend this one.  The creamy, buttery, smooth, and blend-able shadows will make you swoon. I'm going to stop gushing, but seriously, the Naked 3 palette helps me feel feminine and pretty even on average work days.  You can't put a price tag on that! 

What I love most about it is the fact that my dear sweet boyfriend searched long and hard because he knew how much I wanted it for Christmas.  My boyfriend is as rugged as they come, so when I picture him searching Ulta, Sephora, and Urban Decay (.com) in a desperate attempt to locate this oh-so popular and sold out item, it makes me feel like such a lucky girl. 

Ultimately, he ended up locating the product at Macy's of all places! I didn't even know they carried Urban Decay products, but that's very helpful to know for future reference. :)

I realize there are a ba-jillion reviews out there on this product, but I just thought I would break my blogging hiatus with my own personal take on the Naked 3. 

Until next time,