The Top Ten Award

Thank you Alexis of Dolly Rocker Girl for awarding me the Top Ten Award! I am always so honored and surprised when another blogger acknowledges my existence in any way, let alone with an award! What this means is that I can list my top ten cosmetic products that I use and love-- and would recommend to my readers! 

Now, I should explain a few things before unleashing this list. I don't wear a ton of make-up and I'm pretty minimalist about it. I don't own a lot of products. So what I use, I use because it WORKS for me, consistently! So that might be a comforting thought if you consider trying one of these things out. And as you can see, only about five are actual "cosmetics." Well, that's because, as I mentioned, I don't own a lot of make-up. But I spend as much, if not more money, on hair products as well as other things. Also, I am a college student and live on a TIGHT budget. So 90% of these products are drug store ready! But enough of me, go ahead and see for yourself!

1. Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara: I am obsessed with mascara. If I had to chose only one make-up product to live with for the rest of my life, I would chose mascara. Let me explain, I am half Korean, so my eyelashes naturally jut downwards.. they have absolutely no curl. So my top priority everyday when I put on my make-up is to get them up and widen my eyes. It always has been. So I have tried SO MANY mascaras. It's my drugstore guilty pleasure; I can't help but walk through the cosmetics aisle and battle within myself if I should try out this or that new mascara. Anyway, the Colossal mascara is my most successful find so far. There is a huge brush, the waterproof version (which I always get in any mascara because it actually keeps my eyelashes UP, no matter the weather) always keeps the lashes curled, and just makes the lashes dramatic and bold.


2. Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo: For those of you who may not know, dry shampoo is what you spray in "day-old" hair to soak up any oil, give it a fresh feel, and basically cleans it up and makes it smell nice-- so you don't have to clean your hair everyday! The invention is genius, I think. What I love about Rockaholic is that is also gives you texture- so you get that great bedhead, messy look... and it also makes your hair ideal to do an updo or messy bun without it all falling out because it's too slick. It smells lovely and is all together so convenient. Whenever I backpack across Europe someday, I'll be bringing a couple cans of this!


3. Vera Wang's Princess: I'm not a big perfume wearer, unfortunately. I know Coco Chanel would be very disappointed in me.. (she's quoted with saying, "a woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future.") which actually kind of depresses me now. But my sister bought Princess and I thought it really was divine. Not to mention, I loved the advertisements for them with Camilla Belle. First, she is gorgeous and it literally made me want to buy the perfume. As if I used this perfume I would join the fairytale, fantastical world of Vera Wang! (And the cap, which is a crown, is actually a ring too!)

4. BareMinerals: The whole BareMinerals set is what I use for my foundation/concealer/bronzer! It really is so brilliant. There is the base mineral foundation for your whole face, then "mineral veil" to set it and give your skin some glow, then "warmth" for a healthy bronzer. (That's what's included in the package, but they have plenty more extra products.) Initially I got it because I was having some acne problems and wanted something guaranteed healthy for my skin, and it really works like a charm! It comes with handy brushes to use for different sections, makes your face look dreamy, feels so light all the time, and makes your skin glow. Plus, the product lasts a long time! I would highly recommend this to take care of all foundation needs!

5. Dove Damage Therapy Hairspray: My newest find in hair care. I use hairspray almost everyday because whether I give my hair some curl, wave, or straighten it, I need it to STAY that way! So at first I used Pantene Pro-V but it was too harsh, then Aussie but it just smelled horrendous. I don't love the actual smell of hairspray, which is always a problem because it lingers in my hair, obviously. So I was lucky to randomly select and fall in love with Dove's Hairspray. It actually smells GOOD and light, and the "extra hold" version gets a good hold without turning your hair into a rock! I use it everyday and love it.

6. Clean & Clear 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser: As I previously mentioned, I used to have some acne flare-ups a couple of months ago, and tried so many products. I even bought Pro-Activ, the whole expensive package and I was sure it would work, what with it's celebrity endorsements and TV testimonials... Well, they LIED!! I used it for three and a half entire months, and nothing changed. It only wasted my money, time, and emotional energy. So I decided to give Clean & Clear a try. I used their products exclusively, (the cleanser, deep cleansing astringent, dual action moisturizer, and persa-gel 10), and my skin quickly became entirely acne-free. It was absolutely amazing. Now, I am clear-skinned and now only need to use the cleanser for my twice-a-day face washes in the morning and night, moisturizer, and persa-gel when I have trouble spots before I sleep. Have acne or pimple problems? USE CLEAN & CLEAR.

7. Spin Pins: The most wonderful hair invention since the bobby pin. Basically you want to make your hair into a bun. Sleek bun? Sure. Messy bun? Can do. High bun? Low bun? Yes and yes. All you have to do is grab your hair like you would put it in a ponytail, twist the hair, then spin your hair into a bun. Take one Spin Pin and twist it up into the bun. Take the other and twist it down into the bun. Voila. It's so genius, and a really cute hair option when you want to just throw it up and get it out of your face. Ideal for day 2 hair when it has some texture and it will all stay up. No longer do I need 10 bobby pins for a cute bun... just 2 spin pins!

8. Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner: I have a set make-up routine for everyday, but when I want to be all fancy or am going out at night, this is the eyeliner I use. The end is soooo slim and you can really be very precise with your line. It's incredibly helpful. Doing a winged end or cat eyeliner is so easy with this- and it stays on very well!


9. Maybelline Define-a-Line (in Chestnut Brown): This is my every day eyeliner. I LOVE IT. I have brown-black eyes, and my hair is dark, so I needed something to define my eyes that wasn't black- which would be way too harsh for everyday wear. This eyeliner literally just glides on, so easily. And the lighter brown shade really makes my eyes look so big- better than any other eyeliner I've ever used. I only put it on my top lash line and it really just opens up the eye. If you have dark hair and dark eyes, please use this. You will not regret it.


10. CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara: This is the mascara I am currently using. At first I wasn't sure about it because it clumps up a bit and the brush was a little strange with it's short bristles, but it stays on throughout the entire day, and gives my lashes this flirty curve to it! It's kind of amazing actually. My lashes expanded and I really do get tons of volume, but it looks natural- not like I obviously used an eyelash curler and piled the mascara on. 

There you have it! Hope that wasn't too exhausting to read. Now, I'm supposed to list ten bloggers who win the award as well, but I'm a relatively new blogger and only have a handful of true blog friendships... so unfortunately I'll have to pass on it. But it's a free country! Go ahead and blog your Top Ten and I'd be happy to take a look. If you have any questions on these products let me know!

-Raquel x