1. Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette - Not tested on animals
I had been eyeing this product for months and every time (cough..cough..2x a week) I was in Sephora - the sales associate would test out the colors on me and I would always say, this is a purchase for next time around. This kept getting pushed off. One night while browsing the Sephora app, I decided to finally give it a go.
There is something you should all know about my logic is not always…well…logical. When shopping in a store, I rarely go above and beyond. Things that are purchased, they are reasonable, usually. I tend to get buyers remorse, thinking….Ang, you did not need to spend that much on a dress, palette, eye shadow, purse, etc. However, if something is purchased online, none of this happens. If I am not paying at the counter of a store, I can spend a good chunk of change without the remorse. And if something is purchased on my phone that has my credit card saved and it bypasses the payment process and the website states, pay with last used cc. Hell, I almost feel like the funds are not even mine. Anyway, I regress. That is just a bit of what my husband calls, illogical thinking.
This palette really can be used by anyone. An expert MUA or someone who is new at the game and learning the art of contouring. The powder blends beautifully with a big fluffy brush. Now with having this, I do not feel the need to reach for a bronzer. This encapsulates everything you could need.
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal - Not tested on animals
This lovely little guy does not need much explaining. I am truly amazed with how much I love the Becca cosmetic line. She has created such beautiful, soft, luxurious products that do not test on animals. Personally, I have been trying very hard to buy from lines that do not test their ingredients or final products on animals. This is a personal choice, but I do not believe in hurting animals for the benefits of people. If you know of any cosmetic lines you would recommend, who do not test on animals, let me know below!
This highlighter creates a soft glow wherever you dust it. I brush it on my cheeks, cupids bow& the middle of my forehead. It looks like you are glowing within. You can dust it on lightly for a soft sublet glow or you can build this powder with out it looking cake for a bold highlighted look.
3. NYX Cosmetics Blotting Powder - Not tested on animals
While at work recently, I borrowed a friends blotting powder to fix my breaking up foundation on my cheeks. In a bind, I was not trying to be picky. Asked her to borrow, ran to the bathroom, blotted and fell in love. I was pretty shocked at how well this product worked. It creates an all over matte, without looking too powdery and cakey. Clearly, I needed this in my life. Went to Ulta and now he lives happily ever after in my purse makeup bag.
4 & 5. Anastasia Clear Brow Gel & Anastasia Brow Wiz - Not tested on animals
These 2 babies are a must have for anyone. Throw out your existing products and start from scratch. The Brow Wiz, is such a soft pencil. It's hard to make an exaggerated brow with this at first. It's very buildable pencil, truly fool proof. The lines start off very soft, the more you add, the more intensity that can come to your brows.
Secondly, the clear brow gel, I bought and thought, this is a waste. I can easily use my drug store clear gel - WRONG! This is like super glue for your brows. They.do.not.move. It does not come across as chunky either. The brush evenly distributes all of the gel, making your brows look perfectly in place.
6. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara - Not tested on animals
The same friend who let me use her NXY blotting powder, told me about this mascara. She really has been passing along some serious recommendations my way! When it comes to mascara, this is my do or die product. I need it. I live for it. I have zero concept of too much mascara. Do you self a favor and go buy this product. It transforms lashes from, meh, to oh my god, tell me everything about your lashes. Go! Hurry….I can wait. You need this.
7. Hanae By Hanae Mori
Let me tell you a little story….. about 3.5 years ago, I was at Nordstom (shocking) and I found a beautiful perfume, Hanae Mori No. 4. With needing a new perfume, I purchased it immediately. About 6 months later, I went back to Nordstorm to purchase another No. 4 by HM. They explained to me that this was a limited edition and the perfume was gone. I was so upset. Fast forward to several weeks ago, I was at Nordstrom and noticed a new HM fragrance. After picking it up and smelling it, the sales associate explained that HM had a series of numbered fragrances over the years and they brought back the one that was most in demand for a permanent fragrance in their line. Hanae is HM No. 4!!!! I am in utopia! It's still as beautiful as I once remember. I have been spraying this on myself non stop. It's a vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine bundle of love.
8. Alex & Ani Bracelets
I purchased the above bracelets a few months ago and not a day goes by that they are not on my wrist. The are great alone or great as stackable bracelets. I'm not really a minimalist when it comes to jewelry so I am person who stacks my wrist. They are such a fun way to add a unique colors, metals and textures to an everyday or dressed up look. The beauty of the Alex & Ani line is, it's very affordable. Each bracelet usually runs around $28. They can be used as great gifts or a great pick me up for your daily jewelry rotation.
