So, I have a confession to make. Just a few years ago, I was aaaaaalllll about natural beauty products. I searched high and low for the best all-natural beauty products around and I found some really good ones. I did this out of necessity (ridiculously sensitive skin) and principle (I don’t want a bunch of chemicals on my skin). I started using nothing but these natural products and my skin was doing great!
Then I had kids and I started getting old (they go hand in hand, honestly). Suddenly, the all-natural beauty products that I had been using and loving for so many years just weren’t working for me anymore. I started breaking out again (thanks, hormones!) and, worse, my skin started appearing wrinkly and kinda crepe-y and dry (which is BIZARRE since I live in Houston which has the climate of an armpit). I did everything I could think of to make it work with my natural products, but sadly, they just weren’t cutting it anymore.
Eventually, I had to swallow my pride and try products that weren’t on my “all-natural, no bad stuff, hippy approved” list. Yes, I am still a proud pseudo-hippy and I try to do things as naturally as possible, but I am also unashamedly vain and I will do what it takes (within reason) to delay the aging process! Judge me if you must.
Vain as I may be, I am also busy and permanently exhausted (who’s with me, amen?). I have very little time or desire to spend hours upon hours beautifying myself. It’s true, I want to look and feel beautiful, but not if it takes me all day (and not if it requires heels or hairspray…I am clearly not a fashion blogger). So, whatever products I was going to go with had to not only be effective, they had to be easy to use, relatively affordable and/or last me a while. These were my requirements when I set out on my quest for busy-mom-approved beauty products.
Over the past year or so I have found some pretty amazing products that I have absolutely fallen in love with and want to share these gems with you! Here are my favorite, must have beauty products for busy moms (who are a little vain)!
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Must Have Beauty Products for Busy Moms
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I never thought I’d see the day when I would need a foundation primer, but alas, the day has come. If I don’t use a primer, my foundation will inevitably end up falling into my wrinkles and pores and make me look older than I prefer to look. This primer keeps my foundation on top of my skin and it doesn’t make my skin greasy or irritated. That’s huge, y’all. I will not wear make-up without this primer now. I love it.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder
This stuff is magic. It’s a translucent powder that sets your makeup, takes away any extra shine (and it stays away!) and doesn’t dry out your skin! It leaves your skin with a soft, flawless finish that I have not found with any other powder on the market. I love this powder!
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
My favorite eye shadow palette, by far! The colors are so amazing and they go on smooth and have a lot of pigment. They blend easily and you really don’t need to use a whole lot. The palette comes with a handy double ended shadow brush too!
tarte tarteist matte Lip Paint
I got this little gem in a Sephora sample bag. I usually don’t like or use any of the samples I get, but I adore this lip paint! It goes on matte, stays on a long, long time without reapplying and it’s a beautiful color (and it doesn’t irritate my lips, which cannot be said for most lipsticks). You have to try this stuff!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade
One fun fact about getting older: your eyebrows get thinner. Fabulous, right? Yeah, I had never needed to fill in my brows until I hit my mid-thirties and now I’m having to give my brows a bit of a boost. I love this Dipbrow Pomade because it’s easy to apply, stays on forever, and a little goes a long way.
Rodan + Fields Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream
This stuff is amazing. I’m sure you’ve heard about Rodan + Fields by now. I know at least 6 friends selling it (I don’t sell it and have no desire to because I’m busy enough as it is, so I’m not self-promoting in any way). I held off trying R+F for a long time because I thought it was too expensive and probably not all that great anyway. But then I caved and tried their Redefine line of products and I have to tell you I am hooked! I use the AM and PM cream, the face wash, and this AMAZING eye cream. It is magical, I tell you!
I’m not going to lie, R+F products are expensive at first glance. But, they last a really long time. I order a new jar of AM or PM cream every three months. And I’ve only ordered the eye cream twice in over a year. A little goes a really long way! When I did the math, I realized that when you break down the cost by how often you actually have to reorder product, it’s really not that much more expensive than if you were to get, for example, Clinique products every month. And, quite honestly, since I’ve been using R+F, my skin has never looked or felt better. I adore this product line and highly encourage you to try it.
Rodan + Fields Lash Boost
This product has blown my mind. Listen, I am a major skeptic. MAJOR. I am not the type of person that falls for the marketing gimmicks all these companies have floating around out there. I had seen Lash Boost talked about for some time and, as per usual, I just ignored the hype. But then my friend Peyton started talking about it and I knew it had to be good. Because I knew Peyton and she’s not one to peddle a product she doesn’t love. So I asked her if I could try it and she agreed and, you guys, this stuff is worth the splurge!
Meet Peyton. More importantly, meet Peyton’s eyelashes. Seriously, you guys, they look like falsies, but they are ALL REAL. This is one of the photos that really made me want to try this product and I’m so glad I did! Guys, I have stupid eyelashes. Short, thin and straight as a board. They don’t curl AT ALL. So I tried Lash Boost and my lashes went from stupid to amazing in two months!
Here’s some comparison photos for you. Peyton’s lashes are still unbelievable. My lashes are so much longer and a lot thicker (and they still won’t curl very well, which is why I’m looking up, but they’re better than they were!). I started using Lash Boost over two months ago and I’ve still got product in my tube! This stuff last a long time!
Okay, I’ll stop raving about these products, but I want to leave you with this. If you want to grab some Lash Boost (or any R+F product) get in touch with Peyton ASAP! Lash Boost is so popular it is out of stock until August, but you need to get on the list for it! Email Peyton (prl7304@gmail.com), or go to her website here, and put your order in. BONUS, Peyton is offering all my readers a special deal: if you place an order, she will throw in a free mini-facial kit so you can try out even more R+F goodies!
So there are my top 7 beauty must-haves! Do you use and love any of these products yet? Any you want to try? I promise, you’ll love them! And just in case you’re need a few more recommendations, here are some links to a few more of my fave products:
What are your go-to, must-have beauty products? Please share!
Love this post! These products are amazing! Cant wait to try them all. Thanks for sharing.
Love this list! Urban decay naked 2 is my favorite palette ever! Will definitely have to try the primer, I’m looking for a new one!
Those are some great suggested products! Haven’t tried the R&F products yet but it seems worth checking out. Thanks!!
You sold me on the finishing powder. I love that it takes away shine AND KEEPS IT AWAY! I’ll need to give it a try 🙂 Thanks for this great review!
I’m obsessed with all things eyelashes! I love mascara and anything that promises to grow my lashes. I’m going to try this!
Great picks! I love the range of shades in Urban Decay’s Naked 2, it’s perfect for everyday wear. Been using it for almost two years now and I’m so sad to throw it away… The Smashbox primer is something I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about and it’s on my wish list, can’t wait to try it out!
Lovely post, pinning this :).
Xoxo, Ana.
i must try this naked2 palette! i heard such great reviews! come check out my blog http://www.poshandspicy.com xoxo toby
Great list of Beauty must-haves! I have been pretty loyal to the Smashbox Primer. For me- the green, as it REALLY does significantly mask the redness that appears often on my sensitive skin. However, I have come across a game changer that I must share.
I must have walked into Ulta at Honest O’clock, because the SA working had walked me away from the Smashbox counter (how dare they?!!?) and slightly covertly led me to the Mally Perfect Prep Primer Glow. And did it live up to its name!! Not only does it apply gloriously silky, but left behind such a gorgeous glow that I didn’t want to follow up with anything else. It was love at first use, and I find myself reaching for it time and time again…. right past my Smashbox. SorryNotSorry.