Ivy says:
I’d like to have engraved on my headstone:
Here Lies BadBadIvy.
She never paid full price for anything.
There are just 2 small problems with that. The first problem is, I am planning on being cremated because burial is expensive. The second problem is, there are just a few items I will gladly pay full price for, especially in the beauty realm. So I guess I’ll have to have “She rarely paid full price for anything” carved on my cremation urn. It totally lessens the impact, but I’m all about some honesty.
At any rate, here are the 5 must-have beauty items that I will gladly pay full price for:
1. MAC Fluidline. For my eyes, I prefer blacktrack. You might like another color depending on your eye color and how deep-set your eyes are. Simply put, this is the best eyelining method I have ever found.
It makes a sharp, clean line that can either be smudged or can stay sharp and clean to your preference. It takes a bit of practice- I’ll admit that the learning curve on this is a bit steep- but once you have learned to apply this, you will never want to use another sort of eyeliner again. It will stay on your eyes come hell, high water, or the apocalypse, but does come off easily with my preferred eye makeup-removal method. (later in post)
2. MAC eyeshadow, any color. I promise I don’t work for MAC cosmetics. But their eyeshadow is so fab, it needs to be on this list too. They have wonderful, vibrant colors as well as more muted shades. It has wonderful staying power, and has never done that creasy-thing that several other types of eyeshadow does, even if you don’t use an eyeshadow base.
For blue eyed people like myself, try Saddle. It really makes blue eyes pop!
3. Philosophy Hope In A Tube Eye and Lip cream. If you’re a sexy young thing with no worries of wrinkles, you can skip this. However, if you’re like me and you’re in your thirties (or older, even- my mom loves this stuff too!) and are beginning to see crow’s feet and laugh lines, get thee some Hope In a Tube. I am convinced it has totally staved off all my signs of aging.
4. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. Everything else I have mentioned is pretty expensive. This, on the other hand, is not. I’m going to do another post on the best beauty bargains, but the reason this is here is because this is hands down the best eye makeup remover that’s not totally oily.
Remember up there when I said the Fluidline would last through anything? That also includes through most eye makeup removers I’ve tried. I found baby oil will take it off, but it also stings my eyes and is greasy as all get-out. I tried expensive brands, cheap brands, everything. Finally, I tried the Rimmel brand and was totally hooked. It’s not greasy, non-stinging and takes my eye makeup off with just a few swipes.
5. BeneFit Dandelion pink powder. One of my very favorite pastimes is to go to the makeup counters at department stores and have the ladies show me the types of makeup they think I’d look best in. One day I went in, exhausted, and looking like something a few cats had dragged in. “Girl, you look tired,” the cosmetics lady said. “You need to try this.” She then showed me the thing I had been looking for my whole life. Dandelion.
You just kind of sweep it around your cheeks, jawline, and forehead and lo and behold, you look well-rested. I have no idea how it works, but it really does. I like to apply this with a fan brush, but you can use a fat blush brush as well.
Honorable Mention: Some things are just for people with a certain skin tone, or skin type, etc. The items I listed above should work for just about everyone. I do have to mention one item that is super, super fab, but is for people with a slightly darker skin tone, like mine. If you are more porcelain and less tan, you won’t want to use this. It’ll make your skin look orange. However:
BeneFit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer: I wanted a very light foundation that just smoothed my skin tone and didn’t feel heavy. The counter gal suggested this, and I am so glad she did. It is actually a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 sum protection. This covers so many bases, it’s not even funny. But it only comes in one color and I’ve seen it get a whole lot of bad reviews on MUA from girls that clearly have a lighter skin tone than I do. So, if you’re darker complected, you’ll definitely want to try this, but if you’re lighter complected, you’ll probably want to steer clear.
Now, I know everything except the Rimmel is expensive. But these are the items that are totally worth it. If you cut corners on other items (that list coming soon!) you will be able to splurge on these items. You are definitely worth the splurge!
Now, let’s hear it from you: What are your best beauty spurges?!
