After many years of beatin’ my own face, I feel like I have a really solid base kit to work from. I have experimented and edited it many times, but this group of essentials has been pretty consistent. I thought it might be handy to do a series focusing on these tried-and-true basics for those of you still working out the important elements of your own kits.
My recommendations are twofold: first, I’ll suggest the fundamental elements that I think make a well-rounded, personal makeup kit. Then I’ll recommend a product in the category, like a specific concealer or brand of lipstick, for example, that I’ve tried and can attest to it’s awesomeness. I think this might be more helpful if you’re looking for a place to start!
Keep in mind that the products I recommend are just that: a place to start. If the foundation or mascara I choose doesn’t work for you, identify exactly what it is that you don’t like and take it back to look for something else! Drugstores, Ulta, Sephora, Target, and Walmart have excellent return policies, so keep your receipts. Don’t be afraid to try something new because that’s how you learn!
Here’s a peek at the upcoming posts in the series:
- Fresh Face
- Everyday Eyes
- Lickable Lips
- Some Optionals
- Fabulous and Functional Makeup Bags
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A little photo disclaimer:
The products I’m showing you are ones that I own and have used, which is why I feel comfortable including them in an essential kit. Because I have used them, they look BUSTED. These products have battle scars from all the face beatin’!
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Laura’s Essential’s: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss and ColorBurst Lip Butter
Ahhhhh. Lips. The gateway drug for every beauty addict. It’s starts off innocent enough, with a Lip Smacker or two every so often. Then it escalates to a completely full storage container just for lip glosses. I can quit at any time, I swear!
Lip Gloss: Revlon Super Lustrous
The Revlon Super Lustrous line of glosses is quite possibly the best you’ll find in a mass-produced brand, but they’re also good enough to compete with prestige brands like MAC, Chanel, and the like. The consistency is just about perfect: thick enough to last longer, but not sticky or goopy. They have a great color payoff, though they aren’t opaque, and the shine is fantastic.
There are some bright shades, like Firecracker, and some great nude shades, like Peach Petal (shown above). You can find these great glosses anywhere Revlon is sold for roughly $5-7.
Lipstick: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter
For my lipstick choice, I choice the Revlon Lip Butters because they are just so easy to apply and wear, including the darker shades. I love the packaging, including the top of the tube which has a clear window so you can see the product. (Why don’t more companies do this??)
The color range is fantastic! There are super pale, less common shades like Gumdrop, a light lilac, all the way to the sultry Red Velvet (pictured above). The formula is gel-based, so the product goes on incredibly smooth, but it’s not going to slip around and smear everywhere. I think what is most surprising about these Lip Butters, though, is how pigmented they are. Most colors are opaque, providing the coverage of a true lipstick with the ease of a moisturizing balm. (See me wearing Red Velvet here.) They also have a fabulous nude shade called Creme Brulee that I can’t get enough of. You can find these babies anywhere Revlon is sold for $6-7.
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I really want to thank all of you for reading! Thanks to the new Maybelline Fashion Week collection post, there have been a lot of new visitors, and I hope you choose to stick around!
I have a lot of photos to take, posts to write, and I’ve been asked to do the $20 Makeup Challenge, so keep checking back!
Much love,
Laura
I’m feeling the importance of pursuing my passion and focusing my efforts on making it happen. What’s your passion? Let me know in the comments!
