a few of my favorite things...

Everyday Beauty

Today I am going to talk about my favorite everyday beauty products. I probably shouldn't really call them "everyday" since I don't necessarily wear makeup every day. I used to wear it everyday when I worked out of the home, but then again I also used to wear lovely suits, dress pants, blouses, skirts, and heels too. Some days I miss getting dressed up and looking put together like that.

My number one favorite beauty product is Dermablend Cover Creme.

This is the best cover up known to man (I swear)! I have a sister with vitiligo who came home with this one day after a dermatologist recommended it to her. This company creates products firstly for those with skin disorders and flaws. I used to sneak swipes of it when my sister would leave for the day. Her little container of it was quite small (.25 - .5 oz.) and she had it for years. I bought my own years later, a slightly larger container at 1 oz. and still have it 4 years later. It is a product I use even when I am not wearing makeup, mainly to cover my "I'm a Mommy" dark circles. The best, the best, the best.

Here are some of the other everyday beauty products I use:

Oil of Olay Facial Moisturizer. My mom has used it for as long as I can remember, my mother-in-law uses it, my sister-in-law uses it, and I am sure some of you.

My MAC eye liner brush. This baby is perfection and the reason I haven't bought eyeliner in years. Just swipe this through your favorite shadow and voila - eyeliner in seconds.

Sephora Pearl No. 8 eyeshadow. I use this regularly as a base and highlight shimmer on my eyes. It goes well with anything and is a really great texture and softness (not actual color shown).

Maybelline Great Lash mascara. A classic and affordable gem. Hey, even the stars are fans - you can't go wrong. Love it.

Finish off with some shimmery Sephora Lip Gloss. This is a great sheer yet creamy gloss and it smells like something from my childhood (which I still can't quite put my foot on). Once again, not actual color shown.

So there you have my everyday beauty faves - a good mix of drug store and department store products.  If you love makeup, you should check out this book:

I purchased this book years and years ago after seeing Kevyn on the Oprah show. He was such a talented makeup artist who passed away in 2002. This book is full of lovely photos and instructional makeup tips. I love to just flip through the pages and get inspired. He also has a couple other instructional books, Face Forward and The Art of Makeup. You won't be disappointed.

checks and balances.

My new favorite face wash.  Has a clean refreshing smell and works great with combination skin.  I wash my face twice a day, so being in love with my face wash is a must!!  What do you use?

 

bella IL fiore.

I used to love make-up before my boys were born.  Not that I ever wore a ton but I had drawers full of pretty much anything and everything.  I loved trying new colors and experimenting with new looks.  I always ended up buying make-up because I wanted it, not because I needed it.  Now fast forward a few years.  My beauty routine has completely changed!  What I at one time could have spent half an hour doing, has now been pared down to 5 minutes.  I need the basics of what I love and I keep it simple.

Bella IL Fiore is a chic make-up company that has put together the essentials in a girly way that won't have you wishing for more time to beautify.  With the cleverly packaged items you can easily get ready and feel beautiful at the same time.

You can choose from complete face palette sets, to roller ball eyeshadow, all the way to the kiss me now lipgloss or double agent lip tint.  I have always been a bit skeptical about lip tints.  In general they are usually a little messy and hard to use.  I can now happily say I have finally found the ultimate lip tint.  Bella's come nicely package in an easy applicator that is no-fuss.  The color is delivered straight to your lips and stains them beautifully.  Plus you have three colors to choose from!  I have definitely been converted to the Bella way: "simple, easy-to-use glamour that fits chicly in your clutch, cosmetic bag and life".

pretty lips.

I keep my make up simple.  I am not big on lipstick but I do have a thing for gloss.  I believe my all time favorite at the moment is chanel glossimer is sirop.  Seriously is the prettiest pink ever.  And yeah, kind of pricey but totally worth it.

   

tassi GIVEAWAY.

Remember when I talked about the Tassi here.  Well, I am still as much in love with it as I was then.  Honestly I use mine everyday.  It is definitely my go to must have when I am taking a bath or putting on make-up.  I am going on holiday in just a short time and it is already written down on my list of "things to pack".  That is how much I love and use it.

   

Today I have two Tassi's to giveaway.  How fantastic is that?  If you really, really, really want to win one, just follow the instructions below and answer this question...
What color would you choose?
Good Luck!

"keep your hair outta there"

Wanna win?

*enter a comment on this post
*please enter only once
*answer the above question
*currently we cannot ship internationally
*contest expires Thursday, July 24  at midnight (CST)
*one random winner will be announced Friday, July 25
*the winner has 48 hours to email me or a new winner will be chosen

tassi.

The moment I tried the Tassi, I was sold.  Tassi is a fairly new company I was introduced to not long ago, and I knew I had to share the greatness with my readers!

"What’s the Tassi? It’s a patented product that makes it easy for you to keep your hair away from your face. Made of a comfortable stretch terry cloth, the Tassi goes on in three easy steps and gently lifts and holds your hair. Unlike headbands, clips or turbans, the Tassi does not flatten, twist or mess up your “do,” so it’s perfect for protecting second-day blowouts, too. You’ll also love to use your Tassi while you’re washing your face, taking a bath, applying makeup or whenever you want your hair out of the way."

It is super simple to use and really works.  I use it daily for washing my face + taking a bath + applying my makeup.  It is one of those clever inventions where you say to yourself, "why didn't I think of that?".  It comes in a rainbow of colors and is only $14.99.  So you really have no excuse not try it out.

color me pretty.

Although I do not like to wear a lot of make up, I love make up!  I can't help it....I am a girl.  I suppose it is written in our DNA.  My favorites at the moment are these lovelies below.  Sephora has to be one of my all time favorite shops to hit when I am browsing the mall.  What are your make up must haves?

{full cover concealer + compact powder}

{mac tendertone lip balm in sweet tooth}

{bobbi brown long wear cream shadow
      in beach bronze}

shampure.

Am loving my new shampoo + conditioner {Shampure by Aveda}!  I first read about it here.  I just picked some up the other day and am completely happy with my purchase!  What's your current favorite hair product?

fresh + clean.

My only wish right now would be to have a clear + flawless complexion.  I do know that no one's skin is "perfect" but I have always been envious of those who could swipe on powder + gloss + mascara and walk out the door.  I am up for any beauty product that will help keep my face clear and free of imperfections.  If I had the money I would purchase one of these but since I don't particularly want to drop $200 on it at the moment I will settle for the neutrogena wave.  I just picked one up at target today and tried it out.  I must say, I think it is my new best friend.  At only $11.99, you really can't go wrong!

fake it.

I have fair skin with a large sprinkling of freckles.  I LOVE my freckles but wish I was a few shades darker come swimsuit season.  Since I do not want skin cancer nor do I want to add to the wrinkles I will already get one day, I opt for the tan in a bottle.  My dermatologist recommended St Tropez Whipped Mousse.  So far, so good!  What is your favorite self-tanner??