Happy Saturday! It’s a rainy one here in DC, so I am keeping things low key with a Christmas movie marathon. So far, I’ve watched Christmas with the Kranks (it’s free on Amazon Prime right now!) and I’ll Be Home for Christmas, the 1998 road-trip classic starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Jessica Biel. They really don’t make them like they used to!
I wanted to pop back in with a really fun gift guide today—ideas for the beauty lover! For most of college and my young adult life, I’ve been pretty set in my beauty routine, but over the last year or so have been more experimental with trying new products. Both of my sisters are really into—and good at!—makeup, so they’ve introduced me to a lot of awesome products. And, whenever I get a new product, I love watching tutorials for how to use it on YouTube—if only those had existed when we were in middle school, hah!
As such, I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty products with you today—none of which should break the bank and all of which could double as great stocking stuffers. Definitely be sure to check out my Christmas list, gifts for the colorful home, the things I love for travel, for people who are always down for a drink, and for the hostess. Thank you for shopping my gift guides, as always!
IT Cosmetics makes the best brushes in my opinion, and while they are on the pricier side, they last forever. This Make a Night of It brush set is an awesome deal—you get five IT Cosmetics brushes for less than the price of one brush. I have this set, and it always makes me feel so fancy when I’m getting ready since the brushes are beautiful.
If you’re looking for more of a budget buy when it comes to brushes, I love the Sonia Kashuk line at Target. I use the SK paddle foundation brush, the SK brush blush, and the SK contour brush almost daily.
Regardless of what kind of brushes you use, make sure you clean them often! I love using cleaners like this Sephora one or baby shampoo when I’m out.
It seems like most people won’t leave the house without mascara on, but I won’t leave the house without my eyebrows done. I swear by the IT Cosmetics Brow Power Powder, which I apply with the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Brow Power Universal Brow-Transformer Brush #21 and finish off with the IT Cosmetics Brow Power Pomade. This combo keeps my eyebrows looking natural while staying in place all day.
My sisters gifted me the Becca ‘Be a Light’ Palette for my birthday and I am obsessed. It’s currently on sale for $29 and every time I use it, I get compliments on how my skin is glowing. I had never really used a makeup palette before, but it’s so easy to use—it’s foolproof! There’s a brightener, a blur powder, a blush, and a bronzer, so you get a complete look with one palette.
I wear liquid eyeliner on my top lid everyday, and I have tried every liquid liner on the market. Nothing beats the Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner. Nothing. It lasts all day and doesn’t smudge, plus you can’t beat the price. I use the Revlon ColorStay Pencil Eyeliner on my bottom lid and it is equally as good of a product.
I have two favorite mascaras—when I’m on a budget I opt for the L’Oreal® Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, which I think is the best drugstore mascara. When I am splurging, I go for the Dior Diorshow PumpnVolume Instant Volume Squeezable Mascara—it’s so good!
My favorite NARS Orgasm Blush is a cult favorite for good reason, it looks good on everyone is very pigmented so it lasts forever.
I’ve been raving about these NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencils on the blog here lately, so I would be remiss if I didn’t mention them. Speaking of lips, I also love Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick and think it’s the best drugstore buy. Cherries in the Snow, Wine With Everything, and Spicy Cinnamon are my favorite colors. And this Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment is great for dry lips in wintertime.
I think Urban Decay makes the best eyeshadow—and this Moondust eye shadow is beautiful and perfect to amp up any holiday look!
To finish off whatever look you’re going for, I love the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. It really keeps my makeup in place for a long time and has quickly become part of my daily routine.