Hellobee

I started using Korean skincare products last summer and after seeing what a big impact they had on my skin, I’ve gotten much more into beauty products. At 3 and 5 my kids are also a bit older and more independent, so I’ve had a little more time to myself to actually put some makeup on. That said, I’ve always loved makeup and I’m not afraid to go dramatic. I’ve tried lots of makeup, skin and hair products over the past year, and thought I would share some of my current favorites!

1) Lighted Mirror – I don’t know why it took me so long to buy one, but I love using a lighted mirror to apply my makeup! I like to sit so I don’t apply makeup in the bathroom, and in the evenings the lighting isn’t the best in my room. This mirror provides the perfect amount of lighting.

2) Acrylic Makeup Organizer – With a growing makeup collection I needed a better way to organize them instead of inside a plastic box, so I recently purchased this organizer and it’s a great size! I keep the makeup that I use all the time in the open top compartment for easy access.

3) Lucas’ Paw Paw ointment – This is a cult beauty product from Australia used for everything from chapped lips to cuts to pimples. I’ve been using it as a lip balm lately and believe me I’ve tried them all!

4) Bite beauty lip treatment – I swear I have the most chapped lips on the face of the planet and this has been the only thing that has made a significant difference in my lips. You use the exfoliating scrub stick then apply the lip mask before bedtime for 5 nights. I’ve been using this with the PawPaw ointment during the daytime, and this is the softest my lips have been in my life!

5) Bobbi Brown stick foundation – I was born with a chubby round face so I’m fascinated by the dramatic effect that contouring can have. For a night out I like to use this foundation stick (Almond color) to do some contouring on my cheeks and the sides of my face. It’s very creamy and blends easily, and more dramatic than powder contouring. Next on my wishlist is the Kat Von D contouring palette!

6) Nars concealer – My holy grail concealer has been Cle de Peau for many years, but my skin seems to be getting drier as I get older so I wanted something lighter, especially for the summer. This Nars concealer in Custard is my current go-to.

7) Beauty Blender – This is the perfect tool to apply foundation or blend in your cream contour. Foundation brushes were always too much work for me, but this blender is so easy to use and clean!

8) Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner – I’d been using Stila’s waterproof liner and still think it’s a great eyeliner. But I decided to give Kat Von D a try and I love it even more. Stila’s tip looks like a felt marker, whereas Kat Von D’s is made of individual hairs shaped into a precise point. The consistency is different and I like how dry Kat Von D’s eyeliner goes on… it makes it easier for those precise cateyes!

9) Anastasia Dipbrow – The Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil is all I need if I wanted to draw my poor sparse brows in really quickly. But when I want to make my brows fuller and spend time on really getting them right (something I still struggle with!), I bust out the Dipbrow (Soft Brown). It does take a little practice to use a brush since I was so used to using pencils, but I am obsessed with brows and I’ve seen the most gorgeous brows created with just this little product (follow Anastasia Beverly Hills on instagram for brow inspiration!).

10) Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush – I’d heard about how awesome these blushes were for years, but my NARS Orgasm blush lasted forever, especially when you rarely wear makeup! I’ve been using Captivating which is a peachy color, and can’t wait to get a pink color as well. The colors are all beautiful, soft and highly pigmented.

11) Mac Kinda Sexy Lipstick – The pinky nude I’m currently using.

12) Makeup Forever 36 Lipstick – A hot pink color that I get compliments on every time I wear it! I never wore bold lipstick, but I’ve realized that it really has the biggest impact when it comes to makeup.

13) Mac Cherry Lipliner – A classic red lipliner.

14) Sephora Cream Lip Stain 1C – I searched for the perfect red and thought I could never pull off red lips, but now I love them. This is a matte classic red that’s gorgeously pigmented.

15) Mac Cremestick Sublime Culture Lipliner – Perfectly matches Mac’s Kinda Sexy. If you want to go for the Kylie Jenner mauve lip, the color she uses is Mac Whirl.

16) Makeup Forever 16C lipliner – A perfect match for the aforementioned MUF 36 lipstick. I love that this is waterproof and does not budge!

17) Softlips – I had to mention this because I’ve been using it for over two decades. It makes my dry lips soft before applying lipstick. No other lip balm has this consistency! The original Cherry flavor will always be my favorite.

18) Josie Maran Argan Oil – This 100% Argan Oil can be used on your face, hair, nails and is completely natural. I received this as part of a sample box I purchased and loved it, but it is pricey so I wonder if any 100% Argan oil is similar!

19) Valentia Vitamin C Serum – I’d read so much about the benefits of Vitamin C for your skin (anti-wrinkles, antioxidant, evens skin tone, etc), and I bought this serum off Amazon. I have definitely noticed that the brown spots under my eyes have faded significantly since I started using this.

20) Tarte Maracuja Oil – All these years I’ve been under moisturizing my skin and since I started layering products, I’ve noticed a big difference in my skin. I love to use this on my dry cheeks and eye area, particularly in the winter. I rotate between this and the Vitamin C.

21) Ren Exfoliant – No matter how lazy I get about my skincare, I’ve always been diligent about exfoliating. I love this particular one because it foams and you can feel the exfoliating beads, but it’s very gentle on your skin. Plus it has a light citrusy scent that smells great!

22) Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil – I apply a small amount to my hair before blow drying it. I love how light it is and it smells wonderful!

lipstick and lip liner colors on – pink: Makeup Forever  |  red: MAC/Sephora  |  nude: MAC

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I’m always on the lookout for new beauty products… what are some things you’re loving lately?