Looking Good - July 13, 2016

7 Essential Beauty Products for Women in a Hurry
If you're not exactly sure where to begin in the makeup department or beauty aisle, here is a list of essentials to cover the basics. You'll also find a few of my favorite tricks and tips to guide you on your way. While some days call for a face full of perfectly applied makeup, others only offer about a five minute window for pampering. Keeping these basic makeup must-haves at an arm's reach will give you just enough power to accentuate your beautiful features and look presentable in a flash!

1. Moisturizer For Night & Another For Day, With SPF

An easy way to add a little color to your complexion is with an all-in-one, slightly tinted moisturizer or a BB cream. Whether you choose a heavy foundation or go light on the makeup, always protect your skin with an SPF of at least 30, and moisturize before bed as well.

2. Mascara

If mascara isn't one of the most difficult beauty items to get right, then I don't know what is. I've found my favorite mascara to be the drugstore brand L'Oreal Double Extend black noir waterproof. It makes my very light, very short, very straight lashes extra thick. Find one that makes your eyes POP and buy it in bulk.

3. Eyelash Curlers

Unless you were blessed with naturally long and upward-curved lashes, you should arm yourself with a few different eyelash curlers to help open your eyes and simulate fluttery lashes. I use an ordinary rounded lash curler first, followed by a half curler to sections of my lashes, and always before applying mascara (once before I apply my eyeliner and once right before applying my mascara).

4. A black Eyeliner Pencil With A Smudge Sponge

This is a favorite little guy to have on hand for adding a hint of a smokey eye or a super dramatic one. I often buy drugstore versions like CoverGirl and always look for a soft and pointed spongy tip for smooth application.

5. A Great Set Of Brushes

They don't have to be wildly expensive, but they do have to come in a variety of sizes and shapes to get the job done. Think like an artist! Artists don't use one brush for all painting techniques, and neither should you with your makeup.

6. A Neutral Eyeshadow Palette For Defining Your Lids

Even if it's a rare occasion where I'm adding bold colored eyeshadows to my lids, I always begin with my neutrals. They create depth without focus and just enhance my eye's natural shape and beauty. Depending on your skin tone, the neutral palette should have a light shade, a few medium hues, and at least one dark in flesh-toned browns and/or white, black and gray.

7. Lip Balm

My favorite is Lip Medex by Blistex and while people love to tell me that I'm addicted to it, I also use it as a primer so my lips stay supple underneath my finished gloss or lipstick. My trick is applying it first, then the rest of my makeup, then as a final step, I wipe any left on my lips away and add my lip color.

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