Nine Beauty Basics

The last time I shared anything beauty related with you guys was over three months ago. Since then, I have come across a few new basics that I use every single day or at least a few times a week.

All nine products listed, in my opinion, are ones you should add to your make-up bag, nail polish basket and your hairbrush drawer (or wherever you keep your hair products). I will keep it short and sweet, giving you the basic idea behind each one with a price and where to find them.  FYI, I never post products that I don't personally use or 100% believe in.

FACE

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly - I swore by and wore the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion for years. Nothing led me to stray away from it until I got my make-up done at the MAC counter one day. After that, I was sold. This paint pot is phenomenal as a shadow primer and lasts forever. I like it better than Urban Decay's. It's not as cakey or greasy and it's perfect for wearing alone, no eyeshadow needed. They also have several other shades to choose from. Price: $20

Urban Decay Anarchy Face Case - I got this as a Christmas gift, but was secretly hoping for the Naked 3 palette. Boy, am I happy I got this one instead. It comes with three gorgeous shimmer shades and two matte finishes. Under the shadows tray is another tray with two high pigmented blushes and highlighter. A black 24-7 glide-on eye pencil and pink high gloss shade called Scandal is also included. I am wearing it in yesterday's post. This is hands down my favorite set from Urban Decay and I have been buying them for the past several years. (PLEASE NOTE: I couldn't find the Anarchy Face Case online, just the Shattered one. Not sure if this was an in-store only exclusive. Please check your local Ulta and Sephora stores.) Price: $44

Kat Von D Lock-It In Powder Foundation - I used Bare Minerals for over 10 years. Then all of a sudden my face started to get really oily during the day and my make-up looked gross. I went into Sephora and asked what full coverage powder foundation they recommended. The lady led me to Kat Von D. What? No. Yes. This has been a GAME CHANGER. I have super oily skin and some acne and sun damage scarring. I need full coverage, but not with a heavy, over done look. I don't use the sponge that it comes with. I use my kabuki brush and am in love. No more loose foundation mess and it lasts much longer. I am wearing Light 49 for the winter months. This is my #1 recommendation out of all six products listed today. Price: $34.

NAILS

Orly Bonder - A good friend recommended this one to me. You lightly brush this over your nails before adding polish. It helps polish adhere to your nails for a longer wear. It's pretty self explanatory. You can get this almost any place that sales polish. I actually do see a difference in the longevity of my polish when I use versus when I don't. Price: $5.00

Sally Hansen Super Shine - Again, pretty self explanatory. I just really like how long the shine lasts when I use this top coat. I have tried several and I feel like this one lasts longer. It also helps with nail color chipping. Price: $5.00

Orly In a Snap - This dries your polish like no other. I used to use the OPI RapiDry, but sometimes it would mess up my polish, even though it did dry my nails super fast. I started using this Orly brand and found that it dries my nails just as fast as the OPI one did, but adds one more protected top coat to my polish. Plus, it is less expensive. Your nails will be dry in less than one minute. Price: $8.00

HAIR

Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo - The name is called Clean Freak. Very fitting, right? This is the BEST dry shampoo I have ever used and I have tried at least four. Yes, I know you can use baby powder, but it leaves so much white on my scalp and makes me look like I have gray hair. This product leaves zero white residue. It smells so good. It not only helps rid my oily roots, it also adds fabulous volume. I will never use anything else unless someone can find me something better, which I doubt will happen. Buy it! Price: $6.00

Wigo Teasing Brush - You know what they say, "The higher the hair, the closer to Jesus." This little number does the trick. You can tease until your heart's content and add as much volume to your crown as you would like. I feel it works better than a comb because of the bristles being so tight and coarse. My hair is super fine, so I need all the help I can get for a fuller look. Price: $4.00

TIGI Catwalk Root Boost - Like I said above, I have super fine and straight hair. Without product it is extremely flat and has zero body. I am sure there are some other ones out there that are just as good, but this one hasn't ever done me wrong. I have oily hair and this helps control it and adding amazing volume at the same time. I just don't spray it to my crown...it goes all over. It's ideal for when you are using ceramic iron tools. It helps the curls stay without having to add a ton of hairspray. Price: $14.00

I will let you know if and and when I come across any other must haves to add to your beauty routine and regimen. If there are any products that fall into these three categories that you can't live without, please comment below. It's girl code to share.