15 Beauty Items That Changed My Life

As expected, I am always asked various beauty questions because I work in the beauty industry. I see product pass my desk on a daily basis; new products, revamped products, foreign products, niche products, etc. I normally answer quickly with an obvious answer (I always attract towards vintage-y niche brands for effect). However, I had to ponder when I was recently asked, “What products have changed your life?” Life changing. That is a huge statement. That is beyond picking an item for image or stature. That is is asking what items I could not live with out.

So, to feed the minds of everyone, I have compiled this list. Not only is this list in existence from working in the industry that I do but, it is also from years and year of being a makeup and product junkie, having horrible skin and limp hair and to let’s not hinder the obvious: I am a perfectionist in beauty. (I have been known to spend 30mins yelling at liquid eye liner in order to achieve the perfect cat-eye)

Not only does the list below contain 15 items that changed my life but it also contains the all important reasons why they have changed my life….

1. Bloom Cosmetics Lip Gloss

I will admit, I have a lip gloss obsession. I own dozens of them, all packed away neatly in a makeup caddy. But no lipgloss has ever driven me to import it from Australia or buy out any Chicagoland dealer sans Bloom's Lip Gloss. It smells of vanilla, moisturizes your lips and comes in a great variety of colors!

2. Sampar Paris Equalizing Foam Peel

I received a sample of the this item (and the next) from my job. I think the term I used to a co-worker was "I have never been so impressed with a skincare brand in my life!" Dramatic, yes but, so truthful. This foam peel has done wonders to my acne prone skin. It doesn't sting while on nor does it dry out my skin.

3. Sampar Paris Lavish Dream Cream

As a continuation to #2, Sampar's Lavish Dream Cream has aided in my love affair for this French skincare brand. Although I only use it at night, it has changed my skin dramatically. I don't even blink saving the $125 to replenish my stock.

4.Smashbox Cosmetics Eye Shadow

Whether in a single, trio or palette, Smashbox's eye shadows are my favorite. They are true to pigment, silky and, they never crease. Plus, they have so many color options. I have found a color to match almost any outfit I needed one for. Smashbox is also Cruelty Free which is just a great thing.

5. Bourjois Yes to Volume, No to Clumps Mascara

I am one of those lucky people who have fantastically thick, long lashes. The only problem is, they are blond (even though I have brown hair). So, in order for mascara to look normal I need one that gets to the very root of my lash. Bourjois' Yes to Volume, No to Clumps is by far the best mascara for this. Its plastic comb looks difficult to use but, it is extremely easy and the result is fantastic.

6. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder

Ok so I know you are thinking, "What could she use baby powder for?" Actually, I use this as a translucent powder for my face. It keeps my oily skin shine-reduced and doesn't clog my pores.

7. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip Balm

I just LOVE a red lip. It is so vintage. But, I hate lipstick and red lipgloss just does not work on my full lips (hey fishy fishy). I was upset always with my attempts at the infamous red lip until I meet Benefit's Benetint Lip Balm. It not only give my lips a sheer red tinge but, it moisturizes and smells like roses.

8. Pur Minerals Mineral Mudd Masque

I am such a fan of a true mud mask and this mask is it. I only use it once a week but, just once does wonders on blackheads and dead skin. It always leaves my skin clear and clean.

9. St. Ives Mineral Body Wash

Considering this is sold for $4 at almost every drug store, it is possibly the best buy I have ever made. Trusting other washes for my oily skin for years, I mistakingly forgot one of them on a trip to Costa Rica and last minute bought this as a replacement to pour into my 3 oz travel bottle. It moisturized my skin so much and even stopped any break-outs I had for the rest of the summer. I haven't trusted my skin with anything else since.

10. Benefit Cosmetics Babe Cakes Eyeliner

Just like a red lip, I love a cat eye but, I have major issues drawing them with anything but a liquid liner. The only problem with most liquid liners is that they dry out in the tube. Enter Benefit's Babe Cake. I fell in love with this years ago when the brand first popped up in Marshall Fields Watertower Place in Chicago. It's dried into a cake (both in brown and black) and all you have to do is wet a liner brush, swish it around and VIOLA! Perfect cat eye liner.

11. Stila Perfecting Concealer

I will come right out and say it: This is the only concealer I use. Why? Because it is the only concealer that works. It stays all day and it is the only on I have ever found that matches my pale olive skin.

12. Desert Essences Blemish Stick

So, when I do get a major blemish, I use this. I hate other spot treatments, especially ones that bleach fabric and this one works really well.

13. Urban Decay Baked Bronzer

I love this bronzer. I was originally turned off by the sparkly look and weird mix of color but, it proved itself in being the only bronzer I have ever tried that didn't make me look fake baked.

14. Juice Beauty Oil-free Moisturizer

This is my day cream. Because it is light weight and oil-free it is perfect for going under any makeup or powder that I am wearing. As a plus, it is organic and smells like grass.

15. Joice KPak Rejuvenating Mask for Hair

I have really thin, static-y, easily breakable hair so anything that can 'rejuvenate' it in anyway is an A+ in my book. Joico's mask is just that. As a side story: it was the only thing that saved my hair when the stove in my old apartment blew up with a gas leak and burned a whole bunch of my hair off. (I pulled out chunks, enough said)