Top Ten Beauty Must-Haves

So have you ever just stood in the aisle at the drug store and stared at all the beauty products and wondered if any of those high priced bottles actually worked? Yeah, me too. Way too often. Now I'm all for experimenting and trying new products until I continually ended up with all of these half-used bottles jammed in a drawer and I used barely any of them. Most of the time I didn't even what most of them did. I would just go to bed with my makeup on wishing I looked like Blake Lively. And then one day I grew up and realized I could have the skin and hair I wanted if I only put in the work. That's the only difference between "us" and "them". They put in the work because their faces are their money, while the rest of us run our rat races and don't take five minutes for ourselves at either end of the day. But that is a change we can make for ourselves and something that will make us prouder of who we are. And those five minutes start by having the right products on hand that you know you can trust so there's no more guesswork. So here's my top ten list. Feel free to post yours in the comments!

1. EOS Chapstick 

So all of us have seen the adorable, brightly colored balls in the check-out line at Target and Nordstrom Rack, but do they really do any good or are they all ad hype? I'm here to tell you that they work. Miracles in fact. I keep them everywhere around my house - in my bedside drawer, in my purse, by the couch. Its become my mantra to never have one out of reach. Not only do they feel like gold on your lips, they taste and smell good too. But beware because your puppy will agree with me and use your EOS as a snack. Also babies think they make fabulous toys. 

2. Merle Norman Super-Lube 

I've tried a lot of oils and creams to keep my cuticles from drying out, but this is the only thing I've found that works. I remember as a kid my aunt kept a pot in her purse and used it daily and her nails always looked amazing. Rub it on your nails before bed and let it do its work while you sleep. Don't worry, it won't hurt your manicure. In fact, it helps it stay shiny!! 

3. Miracell 

I discovered this gem in a quaint corner drugstore in Aspen, Colorado. All it is is a mixture of different oils and vitamins and natural stuff. It can be used on any skin ailment from acne to cold sores. However my favorite uses are as eye-makeup remover and to get rid of red scars. Its the best makeup remover. I've found it only takes a little bit and the mascara slides right off. Plus it conditions your lashes and helps them grow. 

4. Too Faced Extreme Lip Injection 

So don't freak out, there aren't any needles involved. It's just a good old-fashioned lip plumper gloss. I tried a bunch of these too, and I actually found one I really liked . . . and they quit making it. But then I found this one and I fell in love! You can feel the plumping action start as soon as you put it on, and the heavy gloss gives you all-night moisture. I can definitely tell the difference if I accidentally skip a night. 

5. Loreal Youth Code Serum 

This started as an experiment that now I couldn't live without. This serum does a lot of things at one time. It smooths away fine lines, blends in brown and red spots, evens out skin tone, revitalizes and moisturizes. I cover my face in it every night before sleeping. It makes such a difference! It even helps erase the effects of tanning beds and over-exposure to the sun. 

6. Obagi Hydrate Luxe 

I have bi-polar skin. It looks oily but I have to douse it in moisturizer to keep it from flaking and getting super dry. After years I had finally perfected my routine to get the perfect balance. And then I moved to Indiana where its cold all the time and there is barely any humidity and my skin threw a fit and staged a full-scale rebellion. So I had to go back to the drawing board and try something new. I have used other Obagi products and loved them so I figured this product was worth a try. And it was a rewarding experiment. This is a very heavy lotion but it feels light on the skin. It doesn't take very much to create a fairly thick layer and yet it still sits well underneath foundation. It doesn't make your makeup grab on or look thick and goopy. I love it! 

7. Secret Outlast Deodorant 

This product is simply a life-saver. Know those annoying white marks that deodorant leaves on clothes that even washing machines won't get out? Those days are over! This gel deodorant dries so fast that it never gets on your clothes. And I love the fact that it comes in an unscented variety so the scent doesn't interfere with my perfume. And one other fabulous thing about it is that it lasts for at least 48 hours. No lie. 

8. Tea-tree Oil 

I absolutely love this stuff! I put it on my face every day after I wash it and before I put on my moisturizer. It cleans off the excess dirt that the face wash missed, and it calms down inflammation on pimples and helps them heal faster. I also use it on my arms and back after I shower. It works like a dream. Its easy to find at an organic food store such as Whole Foods, Earth Fare or Fresh Thyme. It's worth every dollar. 

9. Mabelline Colorsensational Lipstick 

This is sort of cheating since it isn't just one product its a line. But I love these lipsticks. They are my go-to when I need a new color. They aren't waxy and the color is consistent and doesn't pull like some  lipsticks do. Also they moisturize while giving intense color. And they have matte finishes and shiny and even lacquer. And they are only like $8! 

10. Urban Decay Naked Palate Eyeshadow 

Yep. This is the only brand eyeshadow that I will ever buy from now on. The Naked Palate is a great place to start because it has ever neutral you could ever dream of. They have sparkly and matte eyeshadows in the palate, and the sparkly ones are actually look sparkly on your eyes and not just on the palate. They blend well without grabbing and they stay all day long without fading at all. And if you put Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer underneath it you won't have to worry about it creasing all day long either. And it comes with a brush that is absolute perfection. I completely love everything about it! 

So that's my list of favorite beauty products. Hope it helps!