Why is makeup so important to girls? Is it to boost our confidence? To feel empowered? To feel loved? Or is it an act of showing one’s self as an artist?  Some people believe that makeup is a way to express oneself.  There are many ways to do ones makeup — from basic/natural-looking to 3D art.

Personally, I know I am not a professional makeup artist by any means, but I do get a lot of compliments on my makeup (not to toot my own horn).  I know on the other hand that a lot of people think that I wear too much makeup.  Some believe that it makes me appear “fake” or that I am not “comfortable” in the skin I’m in.  I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) so I am confident in the skin I’m in.  But on the contrary, I believe that it all comes down to the way it makes you feel.  If you want to be bold with your makeup, be bold! If you want to be classy, be classy! If you want to do your makeup like a rockstar, be a rockstar!! Don’t be self conscious about enhancing your best or favorite features.

I want to share with you my top 5 favorite makeup items I use daily:

1. Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation : It is extremely important to use a really good foundation.  Think of it as if you were building a house; you wouldn’t build the rest of the house on a rocky foundation right?  So when I think of purchasing makeup, I don’t go cheap on my foundation.
2. Tarte Double Duty Beauty Tape Contour Concealer : I could not find a good concealer for the longest time till about a couple years ago.  Naturally, I tend to have some really dark circles around my eyes, but this has worked wonders!
3. Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder : I initially got this as a sample for my birthday month from Ulta and have used it ever since! I love it!  It comes in two sizes: regular (~$30) and mini (~$15).  Honestly, save the money and buy the mini.  I got the mini as my sample, and like I said I got it for my birthday, which was back in April, and I still have it.  Before that I was using Bare Minerals Faux Tan.  I really like both, but I think it depends on what you prefer when it comes to packed or loose powder.
4. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner : I used to shop for over-the-counter eyeliners but I found myself always fixing them because they would fade by the end of the night.  However, with this eyeliner, I never have to touch up and for being waterproof it is actually really easy to get off.  I just use warm soap and water at the end of the day.
5. NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil : Since I didn’t listen to anyone who loved me in my teenage years and plucked my eyebrows to pencil thin, I have now been trying to grow my eyebrows out for a solid couple years. I am still having to use a pencil, and so this is one of my favorite eyebrow products that is great quality for the price.  I used to use Anastasia dip brow and pencil, but I found it to be too expensive.

And maybe later, I will have another blog on how I apply my makeup 😉

xoxo,

T