Guide Guide for the Beauty Obsessed

The secret title of this post is: "Things I Want Right Now" but that didn't sound quite as nice as "Gift Guide for the Beauty Obsessed."  But it's no secret that I'm "beauty obsessed" so I doubt I had many of you fooled.  

So Christmas is 10 days away and perhaps you've got a few people to buy for (or, ahem, everyone left to buy for).  I'm no good at presents for Dads or cousins but I've got a keen intuition for the ladies in your life who are makeup enthusiasts.  If I was a betting lady, I'd say the following items would please even the most intense makeup lover.  

Beauty Wish List

Any time of year is a good time of year for a beauty wish list.  I actually keep a Google Doc spreadsheet with a ranked list of all the beauty products I want to buy but I can't quite justify.  Then I slloowwlly chisel away at the list as the year goes on.  Totally normal.  Beauty spreadsheets, they're a thing.  

Let's start, shall we?  

1.  Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer-  This stuff.  Every blogger on the planet loves this stuff.  So, being a natural sucker, I now want it too.  Whenever I swatch this in Sephora, it's just so insanely blendable and super high-coverage.  And considering I'm fighting an ongoing battle with some persistent under-eye dark circles, this could fill a very specific spot in my collection.  

2.  Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation- Ever since I saw Essiebutton talk about this foundation, I've been obsessed with trying it.  I've never used mineral powder foundation before (mainly because I assumed I'd look powdery) so this seems like a good place to start as any.  The truth is, I'm in a never-ending search for the world's most perfect foundation that gives the skin of an angel.  Completely attainable goal.  So, maybe this is the one! 

3.  Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner- Not to sound like a total creep, but this is another Essiebutton suggestion.  She's been wearing this recently in her videos and it looks like the blackest black liquid liner ever.  In addition to the insane pigmentation, the reviews on Sephora rave about it's all day staying power (as the name would suggest).  Being a chronic oily-lid gal, a long lasting liner makes a big difference for me.  The price is a bit steeper than I would normally pay for liner but the reviews say it lasts forever and therefore I've just justified it.  That was easy! 

4.  Jo Malone Perfume- At this point, I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with any scent.  I smelled practically every scent a few months ago and I fell in love with 80% of them.  The truth is, I could gladly wear Chloe for the rest of my life but I do like a little variety now and then so if I spurge on a new scent, Jo Malone would be it.  I would just like to smell like a citrus orchard and a bouquet of assorted herbs and I don't think that's too much to ask.  

5.  Benefit They're Real- Gah, I wish I didn't want this!  But I do!  I've had a sample for a few weeks and at first I was only mildly impressed.  Then, on a whim, I decided to layer it over a different mascara (L'Oreal Butterfly Effect) and it was magic.  It separated my lashes and added so.much.volume.  It's exactly what I look for in a mascara.  So, I'm done for.  

So what's on your beauty wish list?  

Beauty Wish List

Around this time of year, or any change in seasons really, I get so excited for new makeup.  When the weather changes, It just feels like a perfect time to try new lipsticks, eyeshadows and even hair color.  I've got quite a wish list racking up at this point.  These are basically all things that seem juuusstt outta my reach because I can't quite justify the price.  But I'm sorta an expert at justifying ridiculous purchases so it's probably just a matter of time.


1.  Lorac Pro Pallette

So preettyyy.  I've heard quite a bit about Lorac palettes and I've always considered buying a few but usually settled on something else.  This one really has me interested though.  It's gotten excellent reviews and I love that half the shades are matte.  Plus, all the shades seem wearable.  I hate the idea of buying a palette and only wearing 75% of the colors (which I'm guilty of doing).  But at $42 I just can't get myself to do it!  Someone convince me.  

2.  Nars Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base

I think the one beauty product that really alludes me is a great eyeshadow base.  I'd really like to think that I don't have especially oily eyelids but I'm starting to think that perhaps I do because no primers have really proved to be long-lasting for me.  I've been hearing a lot about the Nars Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base so it's high on my list.  At $24 it doesn't break the bank but I've just got a mental block stopping me from purchasing.  I have a feeling I'll cave soon because a good primer is worth the money if it makes eyeshadows stay longer and look more pigmented.  See, I'm good at justifying.

3.  Jo Malone Lime Basil Mandarin Perfume

Guys, this stuff is what dreams are made of (I hate that I'm ending that sentence in a preposition but I don't care enough to rephrase it).  I kept hearing Jo Malone mentioned a ton on a lot of YouTube channels and I had never heard of the brand before.  I went searching and found a counter at Nordstrom and fell in love with almost every scent.  They're all so impactful but still light and clean.  If I had to choose, I think I like the Lime Basil Mandarin the best.  However, at about $115 for a 3.4oz bottle, I just can't even consider biting the bullet.  I got a wedding to save for guys!  

4.  Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner

    

Maybe I spoke too soon because I think this is the stuff dreams are made of.  Under normal circumstances, if I saw shampoo and conditioner selling for $50, I would laugh at the fools willing to pay that much.  But I happened to try some of this at a friend's house YEARS ago and I still think about the amazing hair day I had.  Complete strangers complimented my hair.  I don't know what is in this stuff but I would guess that it's unicorn tears and sunshine rays.  

5.  Buxom Lip Gloss

In the scheme of things, $19 is not much money.  But also in the scheme of things, lip gloss is not that important (I guess).  Before trying this gloss, I couldn't imagine what could make a gloss worth $19.  I have plenty great lip glosses from the drugstore for a fraction of the price.  Well I sampled it at Sephora and I have to say, the colors are beautiful, they're glossy and slightly sparkly, and they last for HOURS.  That's probably the biggest difference I noticed between Buxom and my drugstore go-to's.  I sampled this gloss at about noon and at 5pm, I still had color and shine on my lips.  But I work hard for my paycheck and I still can't quite part with my $19.  


So what's on your beauty wish list?