Your new favorite beauty products (You’re welcome!)

Can you all believe it’s already March? This year I will turn 24 and I decided to make the radical decision that this year I think more about myself.

Now before you start thinking about how selfish I am, let me explain. When I was in college, any money I had went toward survival. Food, books, gas. You know, the essentials. When Justin and I found out we were pregnant with Maisy all the way until her first birthday, any extra cash I had I spent on Peanut: new outfits, a new cloth diaper, a new toy.

I rarely bought myself new clothes, I spent the minimum on makeup and hair, and I decided that my 24^th year would be different. I started putting $30 of my weekly paycheck aside for myself. Sometimes I treat Justin and Maisy to something we all can enjoy, sometimes I splurge on something at Ulta.

Long story short, my journey into self-indulgence has led me to some absolutely amazing beauty products I couldn’t live without. They have truly changed the way I make myself up every morning.

A few things about they products, as a mother I absolutely cannot endorse something that isn’t easy to use, have outstanding quality for cost, or come from a brand that doesn’t have some kind of social conscious—my products don’t have to be perfect, but they need to be making a sincere effort.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

If you’ve seen these palettes pop up on Pinterest and ever wonder if they are worth the hype, I’m here to tell you abso-freakin-loutely.

I picked up my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette at Ulta with a 20% off coupon right after the holidays. Naked Palettes usually run a little over $50 each so a coupon was a pretty awesome score.  I loved this palette so much I purchased the new Naked 3 for myself and my friend Dani.

This eye shadow has a variety of shades that are highly pigmented. You don’t need to use very much to get a rich color and it lasts all day!

Urban Decay is a really great professional-quality makeup brand that has a great social conscious. They do not test on animal and they are working to make all their products completely vegan.

Have a Naked 2 Palette? Here’s my favorite look: Apply Bootycall all over lid, Apply Tease all over crease, apply Busted to the corners for definition and blend well. Add eye liner, mascara and curl your lashes. You’re done!

Clinique Redness Solutions

I have a problem with flushing face. I did a little research about the best makeup for a red face and heard about Clinique Redness Solutions.

They have a variety of products but I personally use the primer, moisturizer and SPF makeup.

The products are tinted green which counters the bright redness of your face, leaving you with a perfect flush-free coverage.

The proof of this stuff is in its use. The image above is a photo of me after a 2 mile run. I decided to leave my makeup on before heading out (I usually take it off)  so I could document just how awesome it is.

See the difference? This stuff easily covered all the red patches where I flush after working out. Seriously the best stuff ever. EVER.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller

Being a Momma, I sleep little. Between late night laundry loads, a teething baby, and working a sold 8 hours every day, I have earned some pretty terrible black bags under my eyes.

I have heard excellent things about under-eye rollers and so I picked this one up on a run to Target. The primer has cooling aloe to help relieve puffiness, and a light tint to help cover the dark circles.

Colgate Optic White Platinum Toothpaste and Pen

I used to have a pretty terrible Coke-a-Cola addiction, the result of which terribly stained my teeth.

I have a friend on Facebook who recommended the Colgate whitening pen so when I got a coupon from Target, I picked up the pen and a small tube of the premium whitening tooth paste.

After a few hours I saw a slight difference, after a week it’s much more noticeable. I’m totally obsessed with my new beautiful white smile.

Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting spray

Part of the miracle of the makeup lasting the 2 mile run definitely goes to this bad boy. I purchased the sample-size to give it a test.

After applying your makeup, spray your face a few times with this stuff. It will keep your makeup looking like it’s just been applied for up to 16 hours.

Remember that photo from earlier, the one after my run? Keep in mind that I had been wearing my makeup all day before I even took my run and I still looked pretty good!

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Aging Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Base

While you’re browsing the Urban Decay section at your local cosmetic’s store, check out the eye-shadow primers. They make a variety of primers including a matte, shimmer, and this anti-aging one. A sample of each come for free with the purchase of a Naked palette (talk about a bonus).

Urban Decay primers will keep your eye shadow from creasing, smudging, or smearing. All day! The anti-aging one helps battle those little smile lines that add more and more to your face every day being a Momma.

Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo

At the risk of a little TMI, there are plenty of mornings where I wake up, hit the snooze, and repeat until the absolute last minute. Giving up a little extra prep time in the morning for the comfort of my perfectly comfy bed usually means I forgo the shower until I’m home from work.

This is my dirty little secret. This dry shampoo absorbs excess oil and leaves a fresh scent. It’s perfect for making a hairstyle last another day and I don’t leave home without it.

There you have it, a few of my favorite beauty products, soon to be some of your favorites as well!

Have a favorite product you totally recommend? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading!