essentials
First off… Chaps BBQ pit beef sandwich was amazing. My mom, dad, and cousin went and ate there and brought my sister and I a sandwich each back. Some of you might not know what pit beef is. It’s Baltimore’s version of BBQ. The beef is grilled, and is crusty on the outside, rare on the inside. It is juicy and delicious. Chaps was rated #1 BBQ in Baltimore for the past 22 years… it had to be good!
As soon as I got it I threw some onions on and dumped some bbq sauce on… or so i thought. it was actually a hot sauce/ketchup combo and it was spicayyyy. I then threw some actual bbq sauce on and this sandwich was divine. I love bbq and this was definitely one of the best! Simple, so tasty.
I am a huge product/makeup junkie and decided to share with you guys my essentials list. Hope you enjoy!
LUSH. I just found this store the other week with my sister at the Annapolis Mall. They use vegetarian and vegan products only and don’t test on animals. I’d heard great things about their products so I went to one of my go-to websites makeupalley.com and looked at some reviews. The lush website also has reviews on all of their products. I always like to check out customer reviews before I purchase anything, it helps me decide if its worth it or not.
I decided on the Dream Cream and the Tea Tree Water Toner.
The Dream Cream is a body moisturizer and its amazing. At first it feels a little thick on your skin but once its absorbed in it is so soft. Even makes my elephant knuckle elbows baby smooth.
I ran out of my toner so I hopted for their Tea Tree Toner and wow this was worth the buy. It refreshes my skin like no other and I feel like it actually is making my face more radiant. I bought the smaller bottle to try first, but when its done i’m definitely getting the big one. Its the perfect toner for my skin. I have normal skin, not too oily or dry so it was a great match.
Makeup wise- here’s my every day go to loot.
I start with Bare Minerals. I’ve been using this product for about 2 or 3 years now and I haven’t found any better. I dont like it when foundation gets thick and notiable. I like the natural look and this has great coverage with natural looking results.Β
Hoola by Benefit Bronzer. This is my ultimate bronzer. A matte finish, no sparkles or shimmer. It is a great natural color and has no sight of orange to it. HIGHLY recommended.
Shu Uemera eye lash curler. I’ve been cursed with extremely short lashes. I think once in high school a girl asked me if I trim them. Answer? that’d be a big fat no. I do not trim my eyelashes, they are just that short. What has helped them BIG time is this eyelash curler. It grips the eyelashes at the bottom and creates a longggg lash effect on even me! Whenever I get a compliment that my eyelashes look long I practically scream i’m so excited. This curler is the bomb.
Eyeshadow palette of choice? Bobbi Brown’s Shimmering Nudes.Β This is the best palette i’ve purchased. The colors are so subtle yet are sophisticated at the same time. The dark brown all the way to the right is the best eye liner when you wet the eyeliner side of the brush. So precise and perfect.
Mascara- i’ve tried the expensive, the cheap, and now have found my fav. CoverGirl Lash Blast. Not too pricey, can be found at any drugstore and lengthens like crazy. favorite mascara to date.
blush? NARS orgasm. Kinky sounding, amazing looking. This is the best coral blush and flatters all skin tones. Don’t think i’m kidding when I tell you to rush to your nearest sephora and buy it now.
Scent? My signature scent- Burberry London Original. I have loved this since the first day I smelled it. It is timeless and seasonless and can be worn whenever you please. I buy mine at Marshalls/TJ maxx so it’s not too expensive.
So whats your fav products? I am always on the lookout for some great new finds!
i also have NARS orgasm and i totally agree- AWESOMEEEE. and my sister uses the burberry perfume- smells really great! Ive been wearing bare minerals for a few years now as well it really is a great foundation. you do not even feel like you are wearing any makeup!
Thanks for the review on LUSH! I’ve heard of their products and love that they’re vegan. I just haven’t had a chance to check out the store.
Oooooh yaaaaay!!! From one product junkie to another, I love this post!! π Lots of gooood stuff here!
I wish I had a Lush store at my mall…I’ve been trying to get my leasing agent to track them down and bring ’em here! Love their bath bombs.
Have you ever tried the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner? I bought a little jar of it (dark brown) forEVER ago, and I still use it all the time…it is the best! Try it try it!
mmmm BBQ~yes! thanks for sharing your product lovin’ with us. i am not big on products, i use mac and nars make up and loreal face wash.. that is about the extent of my products though! oh and matrix hair spray. boooring.
They have a LUSH in the Towson Town Mall too!
I love bare minerals too! works best on my skin – better than anything else I’ve tried. Love it!
thanks for the fun makeup product recap! i work with a few makeup/skincare clients so allllll my stuff is mostly from them but i love it so luckily it’s all good. and getting to try all the new stuff doesnt hurt either π
i love bare essentials and lash blast!
the lush products look TDF.
I like st ives apricot scrub, but i dont really have the funds to buy anything fun!
-muffy
samesies makeup taste π I completely agree with you about Covergirl! I’ve tried them all. Expensive and cheap and covergirl volume exact is my fav! I like the sound of that tea tree toner! Definitely gonna have to check that out π And Nars Orgasm is my next blush when I run out! My scent? D&G Light Blue!
Love, love, love Bare Escentuals products! That’s all i own but I want to try some MAC eyeshadows in the future.
I know what you mean about the eyelashes…mine are way short, too π¦ I used to heat up my curler with my hairdryer and then curl my lashes. It was fun until my arm slipped off the sink counter one day and I pulled out all my eyelashes (but only in one eye!). But that was years and years ago – they grew back! I need to try that Shu Uemura eyelash curler – I’ve only heard good things about it!
Be careful with the Lush products! I think they contain parabens. You can check your cosmetics at the cosmeticsdatabase.org to see what their hazard level is – hope this helps!
a more natural and CHEAP toner? – WITCH HAZEL – the kind you can buy at the drugstore cut w/ some alcohol. I got a huge bottle for $1.79 and I’m STILL using it! No funky blue dyes and whatnot π supposed to be great for the skin – I loves it.
oooh bare minerals are pretty good and do not have parabens – I think. the ONLY product in the bare minerals line that DOES contain parabens is the mineral veil!
I’m a bareMinerals girl too! I just wish they had a pressed powder cause I always end up spilling mine and wasting the precious powder π¦
I’m not too picky with anything else but my favorite perfumes are Chance by Chanel for the winter and Princess by Vera Wang for the summer.
That sounds like an awesome store!
I may have try that mascara, but I have been a fan of Maybelline Great Lash and Loreal’s Voluminous mascara, forever.
I tried the Shumera eyelash curler, and did not like it. It is always named the top curler in magazines, but I like my Revlon one better.
Loved seeing your beauty essentials. I also am cursed with incredibly short lashes, so I’m definitely going to look into that eyelash curler. I also love Burberry perfume (I wear Burberry Summer). π
I loove bare minerals products, they’re the best–so light and natural! another one of my favorite products is Bobbi Brown’s Brick Compact Bronze Shimmer–its great for adding a nice glow. Thanks for sharing your other makeup must-haves. Love your blog and looking forward to reading more π
Thanks for the beauty product tips! I love Bare Minerals foundation but I haven’t tried that Benefit bronzer yet. I’ve heard the Nars blush is amazing. And the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow…I am adding all of this to my list! You definitely have a beautiful glow and I think we have simialr skin tones, so I’ll give this stuff a try π
I love the Benefit Perfect 10 product—it does have a shimmer but it’s half brozer/half pale pink.
Oooo I saw LUSH stores all over Europe, but I didn’t know they had them in America! I’ll have to check that out. And I’m totally with ya on the NARS Orgasm. I’ve been using it for years! Their Laguna bronzer is also an essential of mine and looks good on all skin tones! Looooove NARS.
I haven’t seen that tea tree mineral water. Is that the same company that makes the Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner??
Love the beauty tips!
LOVE Bare Minerals!! Seriously life changing.
I want to try tea tree toner so badly! Maybe I should try Sephora…that place is DANGEROUS to me.
The sandwich looks so tasty!
Nice haul. I love the Shu eyelash curler π
i love my eyelash curler too! mine are long but straight- i have to use that thing to make them look decent!!
i would love to try that sandwich place.. i will one of these days! lol
oooh thanks for the product recs via your regime!! Love! I’m a bare minerals fan – but need to get on it with some other stuff… and buy another eyelash curler (been lacking for about 2, no 3 years… maybe longer… eek!)
I bought Nars orgasm blush a month ago and LOVE it. I also love Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer and concealer. It makes my skin look flawless.