While I'm on maternity leave, Wednesdays will be devoted to some of my favorite things. Let me know your favorites in the comments if I'm missing something great!
Clockwise from top right: Olay Pro-X Cleansing System, E.L.F Pink Passion Blush, Moroccan Oil, Neutrogena Skin Smoothing Stick, E.L.F Eyelid Primer, Deborah Lippman Happy Birthday Nail Polish
Olay Pro-X I bought this from Target for about $25 on a whim when I was struggling with crazy pregnancy skin. I have to say, it has been my favorite skin purchase ever. I have tried many products over the years (what woman hasn't?!), but this makes my skin feel soft, breakouts vanished, and it can be used in the shower…which is a HUGE time-saver for me. I recommended it to a friend and she had the same "love and first sight" experience I did.
E.L.F. Pink Passion Blush This blush was $3 (also a on-a-whim Target purchase), but I love its vibrancy. You have a hard time finding bright colors without venturing into the department store brands. Seeing as my boys destroyed about $150 of my MAC makeup when I was in the shower one day…I've shelved expensive makeup for the time being. This blush makes the perfect punchy flush, not garish by any means.
Moroccan Oil Okay, this is the priciest one of the bunch, but it is SO worth it. Using just a tiny amount every day cuts my drying time significantly and it singlehandedly saved my hair from the Great Home Hair Color Tragedy of 2011. It smells delicious and makes my morning routine such a pleasure.
Neutrogena Skin Smoothing Stick This is my go-to everyday concealer. I use it for undereye circles (and boy do I have those right now!), I use it for spots, and I use it to just even out my skin tone a little. It is about $6 at Target. This is one of the few products that I am extremely loyal to. I have probably bought 20 sticks since I discovered it in college. I use the "Light" color in the summer and the "Fair" color in the winter.
E.L.F. Eyelid Primer This has been compared by beauty bloggers to Urban Decay Primer Potion which is a very pricey alternative. The E.L.F. Eyelid Primer helps your eyeshadow cling to your eyes all day–and keeps the shadow from falling under your eyes. I use a purple shadow often and I was finding that it was falling under my eyes creating faux-undereye circles. This primer kept that problem at bay.
Deborah Lippman Happy Birthday Nail Polish This is the silliest most frivolous beauty buy, but this polish is SO.MUCH.FUN. I feel extra spunky when I wear it, which is totally worth the exorbitant cost. I have not found a low cost alternative to this polish, but I could never use up a whole bottle…so I think I'm good for the time being.