Product Junkie

Before I started watching YouTube videos, my product purchases were out of control. You know that feeling...Of having to have something because you saw it in a magazine or on a commercial and then when you got home, it just wasn't all it was cracked up to be. UGH..That is the worse.

Luckily I have since discovered beauty gurus on YouTube and my days of randomly purchasing products are over. Not only do I watch make up tutorials for how to do my make up, but they are goldmines for the latest and greatest products. I now go into the drugstore or Sephora or Ulta with a specific product in mind and I usually beeline right for what I need and then get right in line to pay. If I don't do that, my eyes start wandering and I become very overwhelmed. 

So, I thought I would share a two of my favorite YouTube Beauty Gurus and a few of my favorite products.

YouTube - 

Carli Bybel - Most of what I find appealing on Carli's channel is her use of drug store products. When she first started doing tutorials she pretty much exclusively used products on the cheaper end of things. I can spend hours in CVS, so that's what most attracted me to her. She is also very approachable on camera. (I know that sounds weird, but it's true).

Jaclyn Hill - Jaclyn is a former MAC make up artist. That right there should make you run, not walk to her channel. MAC make up artists are some of the most educated in the beauty biz. Every tutorial she does, I feel like I should be paying for the information I learn. Her contouring video is one of the best I have ever seen.

Products - 

I am obsessed with any and all Smashbox primers. I use the regular white primer for days that I am not red and the salmon (bottom left) colored one when my redness is out of control. 

Another (cheaper) primer I really like is the L'OREAL Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer. This is perfect for summer time or for winter days when you just need some extra glow to your skin.

For summer time my favorite foundation to use is a Garnier BB cream. Even though this obviously not considered a "foundation," the lightness and coverage is unbeatable. And if you are using the proper color correcting primer for your skin you usually don't need a full coverage foundation. Unless, of course, that is the look you are going for.

For winter time or if I know I am going to be photographed, I use more of a full coverage foundation. And for that I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Foundation. I have found that this gives me an airbrushed effect that a MAC foundation would give, but half the price. Plus since it's a Neutrogena product, I feel as though it is still breathable and good for your skin.

Regardless of what type of foundation you use, the most important thing (IMO) is how you apply your products. I always use my stippling brush to apply the primer first and then either the foundation or the BB cream. I think it just gives your face a more even texture than a sponge or your fingers would. I use the Sephora #44 stippling brush.  

A new favorite of mine is MAC's Prep and Prime Highlighter.  I use mine as a concealer/highlighter hybrid when I am doing a heavy highlight and contour look.

And last but not least one of my absolute all time FAVORITE products is Urban Decay's "Chill" Make Up Setting Spray. This is the best product I have ever used...ever! Your make up will stay on for DAYS with this liquid gold.

***Fine Print - Don't actually leave your make up on for days..always always always remove before bed! :)

Are you still there? I will stop for now with the wall of words. Next month I will definitely do another product post. 

What are some of your favorites?