Some makeup favs

As a beauty product junkie, I own A LOT of products. I mean A LOT A LOT. Not quite to the level of a YouTube beauty guru, their makeup collections more closely resemble a small Sephora, but definitely more than one woman who isn't a professional makeup artist and doesn't earn a living related to the beauty industry should. The worst part is that I'm always wanting to try new things, so I often have multiple types of the same thing. For example: I own about 10 different black eyeliners. (Pencil, liquid, gel, gel pencil, felt pen, kohl, etc.) Not to mention various other liners in shades of brown, purple, green and blue. I own more nail polishes than some small spas, and enough eye-shadow to make some professional makeup artists jealous. My collection of sample sized products has my travel bag of toiletries solidly stocked for countless trips. In short, I have amassed quite an impressive/ridiculous collection for someone who doesn't get paid to do anything beauty related.

For someone who owns so much makeup, I usually don't wear a ton of it, nor do I necessarily wear it every day. I saw a great video the author John Green made earlier this year about his love of makeup that summed it up perfectly:  "It's like really beautiful armor, because it makes me feel more confident and somehow kind of protected as I go through my day. It's sort of like wearing my favorite outfit except I can do it everyday." Sitting at my little makeup desk, figuring out my "look" for the day, is relaxing and fun, and is one of my happy places.

Because I've amassed such a ridiculous collection, I rarely use up makeup items. More often than I'd like, I have to toss products because they have gotten old way before I ever use them up. Or by the time I finally finish them, I can no longer get a replacement because it has been discontinued. But some things I love so much I actually use up, and repurchase to make sure I'm never out of it. I thought I'd share some of those, since I've been into making year-end lists these last couple of days, and these are basically my makeup/beauty favorites of 2014. I highly recommend them all, in case you're in the beauty buying mood. :) For other favorites, feel free to check out some of my previous posts.

• Tarte multiplEYE lash enhancing primer: I swear this stuff works with just about any mascara to make my lashes look thicker, and my lashes just don't look the same when I don't use it.
• theBalm Sexy Mama anti-shine translucent powder: Love this to set makeup. Leaves me with a matte but not flat finish to skin, and doesn't have a white cast like many "translucent" powders do. I hit pan on and completely finished the first one I purchased in just a couple of months - testament to how much I loved it. I keep my eye out for when theBalm is on Hautelook to repurchase.
• Physicans Formula Eye Booster eyeliner & serum: I have used up and repurchased this liquid eyeliner pen many times - a testament to my favoritism. (See note above about my collection of eyeliners.) I find it easy to use, one I get the most precise line with, and it lasts well too. Not quite as sweat/heat-proof as the Milani liquid liner, but I find it easier to control, and a bit more foolproof. The brown is great for everyday, and the black is good for a bit more drama.
• Seche Vite dry fast top coat: I am addicted to this, my gold standard for polish top coats. It dries in what seems like about a minute, and is super shiny. Unfortunately, because of it's super fast drying formula, it also tends to get thick and goopy before you're done with the bottle - but a little thinner helps with that. I have bought this over and over.
• Dew Puff: the first time I used the bamboo charcoal version of this little magic sponge, my face felt softer than it had in YEARS. I didn't know what konjac was exactly, but I wanted more in my life. As I continue to use it, I feel the texture of my skin continues to improve. I'm hooked.
• Wet N Wild eyeshadow in Nutty. I consider this the perfect more-brown-than-gray taupe shade. Shimmery, but not too much so, it takes a different tone when sheered out, making it great for a one eyeshadow look. Best of all, it's like $1. I've actually used up and had to repurchase this shade - shocking given the amount of eye-shadow I own and how much product you get for the $1. (The fact I broke the pan helped this along - but it also does get a lot of use.)
• NARS Smudge Proof eyeshadow base. I've said it before and I'll say it again - this stuff is awesome. I have oily lids and had never had a shadow from any brand last more than a couple of hours on me without smudging and/or creasing until I discovered this stuff. It changed my attitude about wearing makeup every day. It is pricey, but I think it's totally worth it - have and will continue to repurchase. A close runner up is the LORAC Behind the Scenes primer , which has nearly usurped the NARS in my heart, mostly because it works almost as well and you get more bang for your buck with it.
• Zoya Remove Plus nail polish remover.  This is kind of a splurge for what it is, but honestly, I think it's worth it. It removes polish with ease, and doesn't kill my nails like acetone - important since I paint my nails a couple of times a week. I buy the jumbo size, which lasts me about a year.
• Queen Helene Mint Julep masque. Great affordable option if you have combo/oily skin. I'm also a fan of the queen's Grape Seed Peel-Off Masque - I get an absurd level of satisfaction from a peel-off mask.