I remember the day my mother bought me my very own make up. I was in fifth grade, and had been sneaking experimentations with her lipstick and eye shadow for about a year. I don’t remember the reason I was deemed mature enough to begin my own make up collection, but one day after school I was brought to an Aveda salon and selected the most beautiful peach lipstick. Thus began the lifelong journey of procuring the finest and most fabulous beauty products.
Throughout the years I have experienced the good, the bad, and the downright unhealthy of the beauty world. From Bonne Bell scented sparkle gel, to Maybelline baby blue eye shadow, to orange bronzer. I have been through an opaque white lip gloss phase, worn black cat-eye liquid liner to 8am classes, and briefly thought it was glamorous to draw in a beauty markĀ. Fortunately, I have reached the blessed stage in my life where I am comfortable going out in public without a lick of make up. However, I still adore painting my face and changing my attitude with a mere swipe of blood red lip stick. Between the first Aveda lip stick and today, I have learned there are a few certain things that no woman should live without. These seven products are all you need to look and feel spectacular.
1. Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One liquid soap. This delicious and all-natural formula lathers like mad
with only one or two drops in the hand. It is the most gentle and effective body wash I have ever experienced. In addition, all flavors smell heavenly. My favorite scents are peppermint, almond, and citrus; I have all three in my shower.
2. The red lipstick. The staple of any bombshell, sex kitten, or rock star. Apply a thick coat of any one of these reds by MAC, and instantly transform into the man-eater that is lurking inside of you.
3. Tahiti Sweetie Body Lotion is your skin’s wildest fantasies come to life. The scent transports the wearer to a tropical island where her only responsibility is to apply sunscreen. Moisturize with this cream daily and you will soon have the most delightfully luscious skin.
4. Pure shea butter. Any brand will do. I use the thick concoction to moisturize my face; it does wonders for the tiny lines I have around my mouth from too much fake n bake I subjected myself to as a teen. In addition, it doubles fantastically as an eye make up remover.
5. Burt’s Bees lip balm; need I really say more?
6. Nars eye shadow in Night Breed. I am a big proponent of the sultry, smoky eye, and this is literally all I use to achieve said look. Use this tool of fabulocity dry as a shadow, or wet as a liner.
7. Last but not least, every woman needs a signature scent backed by a veritable arsenal of perfumes. My personal favorite is Narciso Rodriguez’s For Her. It took me years to ascertain this delicious, transcendent scent. Head to Saks and test drive every single perfume. Much like discovering your soul mate, you’ll just know when you find “The One”.
