Brooke's Beautylicious Faves

From time to time I think to myself, "Self, you HAVE to share this awesome product with . . . well . . . everyone!" And for whatever reason, I never really feel like I have the right place to do that. I've decided that I'm going to start sharing these types of things in a feature called "Brooke's Faves"—maybe once a month or so. These will likely be themed posts (where all the featured items/tips/life hacks/whatevers fall into a similar category), so if the category doesn't interest you, feel free to skip it. These probably won't be things that I've been asked to promote in any way . . . just things that I'm really loving and want to let you know about! So with ALL that build up, here's the first edition of Brooke's Faves!

I certainly don't consider myself a beauty guru (not by ANY stretch of the imagination!), but in the past couple of years, I really think I've come into my own where makeup is concerned. I've found some products that I truly love and enjoy using on a daily basis. Here are six of my faves. Perhaps you'll find something new to try and fall in love as well?!

I was introduced to NYC Color HD Color Trio Eye Shadow through Influenster last year and have continued to use it. It stays on well and lasts all day. I've been using a more neutral color palette with browns and golds, but found a brown/plum palette last week (Central Park Plums). I'm loving it! Plus, it's around $3, which is a fantastic price for eye shadow!

Another Influenster find that I'm still using is Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara. It gives a bolder look, which I'm a fan of. I personally like a dark, black lash, so this is pretty perfect for me. I assumed that it would be really expensive, but it was the same price as the Cover Girl mascara I as using before. I'd call that a win!

While we're talking eyes, I've been super displeased with my eye liner recently. I've used the same Cover Girl liner for YEARS, but recently it doesn't seem to be holding up as well—breaking and crumbling as I apply it. Oddly enough, my mom and aunt have had the same experience, so I've been hoping to find a solution. I think I've found it in the Cover Girl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner. It goes on SO smooth and I haven't had any issues with breaking or crumbling. I picked up a really pretty brown shade, and can get the perfect smudged look with the other end of the liner (or with a Q-tip).

A WHILE back, I found out just how much I love a good foundation brush. So imagine my delight when I received this awesome Mary Kay Brush Collection for Christmas a couple of years ago. I use ALL of these brushes and have absolutely loved them. It's easier to use these than those little applicators that come in the eye shadows, blushes, etc., and I think it looks better. This set is a little pricier than something I would buy for myself (currently $55), but it makes for a great gift!

One of my other Mary Kay favorites is the Foundation Primer. Y'all! If you're not using a foundation primer, would you just try this? I thought it was just bunk at first, but it really does smoothe everything out a bit and my foundation goes on smoother as a result. I tend to have fairly sensitive skin, and this hasn't caused any breakouts or other issues for me. It's very light. PLUS it has SPF 15 in it, so that's a huge plus for me. It's $16 and lasts forever. Seriously.

Okay. Let's talk lips. I WANT to be a lipstick girl. I am southern after all. ;) I just don't have much tolerance for the need to constantly reapply. Plus, my lips are ALWAYS dry, so finding a good balance there can be difficult. I'm really loving the NYC Color 8HR City Proof Extended Wear Lipgloss right now, though. The Gold With Me color is a really pretty neutral with a light shimmer and seriously gives a little color all day—yes, even after numerous bottles of water, meals, etc. And at around $3, it's a perfect price.

What about you? Any beauty faves you want to share?