THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE
Hi guys!! I feel like I should have written this post months ago!! I always share things that I love or things that I hate via my Instastories but then after 24h they're gone! I always get tons of questions about something that I have previously mentioned in my stories, so I tried to round up all the products I've talked about /or plan to!
These things are products that I use literally on the daily. Most of them aren't very fancy or expensive, but I find they really work for me. Some of these products I've been using since high school and have just never felt the need to change them up! (I can feel the cringe)
BIOTEN
I'm going to start with Bioten! Bioten is a vitamin that helps your hair and nails with strength and growth! I take it daily and primarily took it to help my hair grow faster and stronger. While my hair is growing and seems to be healthier, I find it hard to tell, but I definitely notice the strength in my nails. They are much much more solid and strong than they were before.
PEARLESSENCE DRY SHAMPOO
This dry shampoo by Peal Essence is so good! It's a bit new to me, but I could tell immediately that it was so much better than the last bottle I had from another brand. It doesn't make your hair feel gross, but it does make it a bit lighter. I would say it's definitely good for blondes or light brown hair, but I'd be interested to see if it lightens dark hair... The smell is AMAZING. I got it at Winners. I can still never believe the power of dry shampoo, it's like magic.
SHIMMER LIGHTS BLUE SHAMPOO
I love this stuff. I've tried quite a few and to me, nothing compares to this one. It's so pigmented and strong, it literally stains things lol. I use it a few times a week and put it in as soon as I get in the shower and don't rinse it until the end of my shower. It really takes out all the brassy tones that blonde hair tends to get. You can buy it online, or at Sally's or Shoppers!
Hair Extensions
I get so many questions about my hair extensions! I've tried a lot of brands but to me, in the end it comes down to convenience. Normally when I want new hair extensions, I want them NOW. I don't want to read every review online, and then wait for shipping, and pay in USD. No thanks. I've definitely done it, but now I've just settled for what's local. I get my extensions from Sally's Beauty Supply. I don't think they're absolutely amazing, but I do like them. I prefer to get the thicker extensions that are just the wefts, and you sew on the clips yourself. I find they have more hair. But- This time I was lazy and opted for the ones that already had clips. I get a lot of questions about how I got them to be an icy blonde. Madison, my hair stylist, just washed them with blue shampoo! They took to it immediately, so she didn't leave it on for very long. We didn't even have to properly tone them. I found they were a little lighter than my hair, so I put some lowlights in myself. (I would recommend a hair stylist doing them, but again I wanted it done now. Haha. -And I've done it a few times.) These ones are 18".
Another huge, helpful tip is the two tools that are shown in the photo. The tiny comb and the hair clip. These two things make the process so much easier and faster. I use the clip to pin up my hair while I secure the extensions. I always start clipping in from the bottom, up. I always tease my roots where the clips go in. It makes it so much easier and secure, and also helps with pulling.
ST MORIZ SELF TAN
As you guys probably know if you follow along on Insta Stories, this stuff is my holy grail. I make sure to never sit in the sun and really try to keep my skin as healthy as possible. This stuff is an amazing alternative to sun exposure. I always found with the good self tanners, that they were so expensive. If you use it a lot, it's insane to keep buying it when it's 40.00 a bottle. This stuff is SO affordable and makes your skin darker than any other ones that I've tried. I get mine on Amazon and they're about 8.00 a bottle. Depending on how dark you want to me, I normally use the medium shade in the winter and dark in the summer. They last a long time. I use a black mitt, also from Amazon to apply it to my skin. The mitt is definitely a must have, I can't imagine it applying evenly with just your hands. I always moisturize before I apply it and find that really helps with the finish, it's always even when I moisturize first. I wait about 15 minutes before applying. (I linked everything below.)
SEPHORA LIP STAINS
I talk about these so much! I've been using them for years and they are so so great. Again, they're much more affordable than comparable brands like Stila. They stay on for so long and don't transfer (once dry) on to barely anything. Some of them last longer than others, I find with the darker colors you need to touch up after eating etc. Their color selection isn't the best, but it has the basics covered.
L'OREAL INFALLIBLE FOUNDATION
I love this stuff. Its so so light, but covers so well. I always feel airbrushed when I use it. It's a semi matte finish and I like that about it too! I tend to like a more full coverage foundation and this one definitely is one of those, but without feeling mega heavy and gross. The color choices aren't amazing, and I'd say thats the worst part. You might need to try out a few before finding your color.
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara
I've been using this stuff since high school and am still obsessed with it. I get asked on a daily basis if I'm wearing false eyelashes haha. The brush is really big, and it's rubber. I also like that it washes off really really easily. I hate it when mascara gets everywhere when you're trying to scrub it off your face. This stuff is good and isn't gooey and sticky, when it dries, it actually dries.
Cup O'Coffee Face Scrub
I love love love this face scrub. I use it more as a mask and find it really leaves my skin moisturized and soft. I tend to reach for it after a night of drinking and my skin is so dry and hungover. It's a miracle worker haha.
Makeup Brushes
These are two brushes I couldn't live without. I find they do the best job ever. I obviously use a million other brushes for different things, but I don't love them enough to share or recommend. This bigger brush my 135 BH Cosmetics is absolutely perfect for applying foundation with a flawless finish. I like that it's bigger and takes way less time to cover your face. It's so soft and so so affordable. I got mine in a huge set for like 20.00. I use a lot from that set, but don't find them irreplaceable like this one.
This fluffy blending brush by CALA I love love love. I think I just got it at Wal-Mart, and I'm sure all fluffy blending brushes are similar. But I find how big it is makes it so easy to apply eyeshadow and so blended out and pretty. Definitely try one of these if you haven't already.
Loulabelle Facial Serum & Facial Cleansing Oil
I am SO happy I found these products. They are amazing and I absolutely love the brand. They are all naturally made, and made in Prince Edward Island. Loveeee. I always wash my face with the cleansing oil , morning and night. It washes away all makeup and is so gentle on your skin. Before bed I always apply the facial serum after washing my face. I love the smell and it's pretty heavy so I definitely feel like my skin is highly hydrated in the morning. I love these two so much.
Robi Hydrating Serum
So I like this brand too. They are also all natural and made in Canada. This brand is based in Toronto. This serum is much lighter and I use it under my makeup depending on how dry my skin is. (I either use this or primer) I leave it for a few minutes to settle into my skin, then continue with my makeup. I swapped my daily moisturizer for this product. It's great.
Stila Highlighter in Kitten
This stuff is awesome. It's a great rose color and perfect for highlighting your face in your preferred areas. It's kind of a weird texture to touch, it's almost like putty. But the shine when the light hits it is so pretty and it doesn't disrupt your foundation of concealer that you apply it over. It's super light and not too dramatic.
Brittany Spears Fantasy
Hahahaha I think I'm embarrassed by this but I'm going to share it anyways. I am OBSESSED with the smell of this. It's definitely my signature scent and I've been using it since like middle school? Lmao. Anyone who has known me that long cannot believe I smell the same way as I did back then. Haha I have others, but this is definitely my old faithful. I remember getting a text from an ex boyfriend out of the blue one day saying that his brothers new girlfriend was wearing my perfume and I just had to laugh. I'm sure it haunts a number of people hahah.
Must have Lip Colors
There are a few lip sticks that I have been re buying for years and years so I want to include those. (Not all pictures are shown) Basically they are nude colors that vary from darker to pale pink.
Sephora Lip Stain in #33
Mac's Velvet Teddy
Mac's Creme Cup
Lise Watier in Jennifer
1. BIOTEN WEBBER NATURALS
2. PEARL ESSENCE DRY SHAMPOO
3. SHIMMER LIGHTS BLUE SHAMPOO
4. HAIR EXTENSIONS
5. ST. MORIZ TANNING
6. TANNING MITT
7. SEPHORA LIP STAINS
8. COVER GIRL MASCARA
9. L'OREAL INFALLIBLE FOUNDATION
10. CUP O'COFFEE FACE SCRUB
11. CALA CREASE BRUSH
12. BH COSMETICS BRUSH SET (135 IS MY FAVE)
13. LOULABELLE FACIAL SERUM
14. LOULABELLE FACIAL CLEANSING OIL
15. ROBI FACIAL SERUM
16. STILA HIGHLIGHTER
17. FANTASY PERFUME
18. SEPHORA LIP STAIN IN 33
19. MAC'S CREME CUP
20. MAC'S VELVET TEDDY
21. LISE WATIER IN JENNIFER
I am SO bad at answering all the DMs I get on Instagram!! If you have ANY questions at all comment them on this post and I will answer them! xx
I hope this helps!! Haha I will update it and add to it as time goes on so keep checking back for new favourites! xx