Beauty product must haves...part 2.

This blog thing is so fun! I get to write what I want, when I want...it's a fantastic outlet for a journalism major. And a much better "productive procrastination" alternative than Facebook. 


I had such a great response to the first post, and thought about many more things that I had forgotten about before I published the last one. Here's a part 2 to what I have found most helpful, but this is combined with more tips than anything. I get most of my tips from my mother (okay, what am I saying...I get everything from her) which I consider her to be the highest source of beauty tips in my book. But look how cool she is! This is her flying in a Blackhawk over Afghanistan with the troops. And she still manages to look beautiful. I don't mind showing her off one bit.

• First, the foundation that I have found works the best is CoverGirl Advanced Radiance. It has an SPF of 10 and goes on super light. It also has a little pump that doesn't make a mess, and it really lasts 4-5 months. This is what I mix with the baby lotion. My mom also swears by this as well.

• For those of us that haven't been blessed with olive skin or any hope of getting a tan in the summer: Jergens Natural Glow. It cost about $7-$8 a bottle, which lasts for a few months. It isn't a tanning lotion or a tanning mousse thing, it actually won't make you tan. It will make you a few shades darker if used religiously, but the only thing that it really will do is give you color to bring out the tone in your skin, so it doesn't appear as blinding. I highly recommend this.

• Yes, my hair is from a box. I get asked if it is my natural color all the time, and people are always surprised when I tell them I'm a natural blonde. And I don't even go to the salon for my brunette-hood! And when it says ten minutes...it literally...takes ten minutes. Get someone to help you, though. Make sure to wash your hair in cold/cool water (cold for the first week, cool for the rest of the time, about 6 weeks before roots grow in) and the color will actually stay in your hair and keep bright. Here's what I use. I also get the brass-free to avoid the red. But this also is from going from blonde to brown. I've heard that going brown to blonde...you need a salon to avoid all damage. Sorry. If you're a blonde and have always been thinking about it...do it! It's semi-permanent and it comes out in a few hot showers.

• I switch off using a different type of face wash. I have 3 different cleansers that I trade daily. It makes your skin not "used to" one kind, so it kills bacteria a lot faster. I switch off between that Clear Pore I mentioned before, Deep Clean Cream Cleanser, and the Deep Clean invigorating scrub. I'm a huge Neutrogena fan. 

• The same thing goes for using different shampoos/conditioners...only I buy one at a time though. I buy a different brand every time I run out to get different vitamins from each one. Right now I'm using Tresemme Color shampoo and conditioner, but I switch to Pantene Pro-V and Herbal Essences. Those won't kill your hair if you keep switching up your shampoo and conditioner.

• There always seems to be a question of what eyebrows should look like. On number one, they really are supposed to be that far out. If you don't have eyebrows that grow past that like I do, I just take a pencil lighter than my actual brow color and draw the tiniest little line. Seriously, so tiny. On number one, your eyebrow is supposed to begin right in line with your eye. The tiniest differences makes a huge difference in the overall look. Again, what I'm going for is most natural, but most groomed.

• When blow-drying, start from your roots and do those first. Make sure they are all dry, then move on to the rest of your hair. That prevents the hair from drying on your scalp and having a flat hair day. Story of my life in Jr. High. But this dryer is one of the best...I really like any ones that come with the attachable pieces though.

• This was the most simple picture I could find. What I do is just put that pussycat Bare Essentials in the crease of my eyelid for a simple look. Then if I have time put a lighter color on the actual lid and below the eyebrow. Just brings a shimmer to it without making it look like you have a ton of makeup on. I also just barely have switched over to the brown eyeliner. It blends in a lot better than the chocolate brown or black I used. Unless it's a black tie event, then go with the smokey eye look. But for everyday, this is definitely what I do.

• I have experimented with a lot of eyeshadow colors, but I've always gone back to the browns and purples--I have green eyes. For green/blue eyes, use more neutrals, but purple makes colored eyes totally stand out. Not a heavy purple, but very subtle. For brown eyes, you can wear tons of colors and not look overdone. You can wear pinks, blues, greens, and yes purple--that looks good on everyone I think. If you're hazel...you're lucky. Anything will work for you. But everything in moderation. Yes, she's wearing purple! 

I feel like I'm giving away secretive information here. But I always love when people tell me what they do and use so I can try it out...more often than not I've always switched just to change the routine up a bit. And it was really fun for me to put together. Again, if you're a guy and you read this, that's weird. For us girls, we can't hop in the shower ten minutes before we need to leave. It is a challenge to find what works for our individual face, but more importantly what we are comfortable with. But do put makeup on, even if it is just a bit of eyeshadow and mascara. Wear perfume. Do your hair. If you read my Ode to Men post, I am a firm believer in making ourselves as beautiful and presentable as possible.