Top 10 Categories of Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup Products and Reviews

This blog is dedicated to some of my favorite products in 10 beauty categories: Skin Prep, Serums, Moisturizers/Eye Creams, Highlighters, Eyeshadow, Blush, Face Masks, Lotion, Hair Care and Lip Care.

Marshalls will forever be my go-to for most of these products found below because there is always a variety of low budget brands and sales for prestige brands on the shelves. However, other places I frequent for beauty products are Ulta and Sephora based on which product I am looking for. At the end of each review is where I purchased the product from... enjoy!

1. Skin Prep

Nothing is more refreshing than waking your face up first thing in the morning with some exfoliator or cleanser (in my opinion)! Here are some of my favorite products to apply to get the day started or to end the night...

L'Oreal Pure Sugar Scrub/Exfoliant (Kiwi) - This. Product. Is. Amazing. Enough said. But on a serious note, this is one of my favorite cleansers because of the texture, the smell of kiwi and how it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean. Hands down one of my favorite products of this blog! (Ulta)

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser - As a side note, any Mario Badescu products featured in this blog all came from a little travel-sized tester kit. I have heard great things about this brand so figured I would give it a shot. This is a great cleanser that I will use either in the morning to prep my skin, or as a product to help remove makeup at night. (Ulta)

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner - This product looks small, but a little goes a long way. You only need a few drops on a cotton ball for it to work its magic on your skin. After cleansing my face, this is the final product that I apply before any serums/moisturizers/makeup. (Ulta)

2. Serums

So basically this section is dedicated to all things Pearlessence. Pearlessence is a brand found on the shelves of Marshalls - where I got all of my Pearlessence products from. And the best thing about finding these at Marshalls? All of them were below $10 each... #score. So let's dive into each product individually..

Overnight Recovery Serum - This is my favorite products to put on my face before bed. It feels extremely hydrating and is quick to dry.. leaving your face feeling cool and fresh. (Marshalls)

Rose Water - This is one of the first products I use each morning and also the last product that I use before heading out of the house. It is incredibly refreshing and wakes up the skin. I also use it as a setting spray after makeup is applied. The water spritz helps melt/blend all of the products together and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. (Marshalls)

24K Gold Peptide Infusion - I use this product directly after toner. I feel that it helps hydrate the skin and acts as a base for applying moisturizer. (Marshalls)

Argan + Vitamin E - LOVE this product. I apply a couple of drops and blend with my foundation as I apply it to the skin - it helps the foundation spread more easily and helps make your product last longer. (Marshalls)

3. Moisturizers/Eye Creams

Hydration, hydration, hydration. They say the best thing one can do before applying any makeup products is to hydrate the skin. SO.. here are some of my favorite creams to help with that...

Vitamin C+ Anti Aging Night Cream - Ok so I know the picture says Day Cream, BUT the one I use is actually the Night Cream version. I am usually not a citrus person... but this is the perfect little hint of orange. Plus, the cream is extremely lightweight and hydrating overnight. (Marshalls)

Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream - This is one of those products where a little goes a long way. You only need a tiny bit on your finger to dab under and around each eye. (Ulta)

Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Eye Cream - So far, this is my favorite eye cream that I have tried. I received the Lancome eye cream and moisturizer in a little gift kit and am in love with both of them... mainly because I love the scent. (Macys)

Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Eye Cream - Like I mentioned above, this is BY FAR my favorite moisturizer to date. The scent and the consistency of the cream is perfect as a hydrating base. Love it. (Macys)

4. Highlighters

Oh, highlighters. My weakness. I am always on the search for highlighters because it is honestly my favorite step in my makeup routine. Here are some of my favorites...

Anastasia Glow Kit (Sun Dipped) - I purchased this palette last Thanksgiving during some early Black Friday shopping after our family get-together and I am SO hoping that it is on-sale again this year. It is a bit pricey without being on sale, but if you can snatch it up with a discounted price, it's a win-win. Again, a little goes a long way with this product, and if I didn't drop it and break one of the four inserts *cringe* then I would probably wait another Thanksgiving or two to grab another one if it is on-sale because I have a lot of product left even after a year! (Ulta)

Algenist Reveal Concentrated Luminizing Drops - These drops are SO versatile. I have recently started applying all over my face after applying my primer and before I apply any foundation because it gives your face an all-over subtle and healthy glow. But, it is perfect for mixing with foundation and also acting solely as a highlighter on your cheekbones. And the best part about this product? It is another product that I found on the shelves of Marshalls for under $10. (Marshalls)

5. Eyeshadow

So far my favorite eyeshadows have been the Urban Decay palettes...

Urban Decay Heat Palette - This is the perfect palette for Fall. The colors range from light brown and rust to shimmery reds and browns. It is a bit pricey, but if you can hold off until you have coupons (or not), it is totally worth the purchase. (Ulta)

6. Blush

Powders and liquid/creams... blush is a world in and of itself. I have tried both powder and cream/liquid blushes, and though I still use both, here is my favorite so far...

Milk Blush Lips and Cheeks in 'Rally' - I love everything about this product. The packaging allows you to use/apply with your fingers which helps warm the product to melt into your skin to give it a subtle color and is easily buildable if you want more concentrated coloring. Also, this product can be used as lip balm/lipstick. Not too shabby at all. (Sephora)

7. Face Masks

Aside from highlighters, this my next favorite product to apply every single night. Here are my top three so far...

Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask - This mask is a thicker consistency that dries thickly on the face but feels amazing when it is washed off. Of the three, this is my third favorite. (Ulta)

Pearlessence 24K Golf Illuminating Mask - Ok, this product right here is GOLD.. no pun intended. Of the three masks in this section, this is my absolute FAVORITE. It does sting my face for 30 seconds to a minute when I first apply, but then it goes away. It is lightweight and sheer.. it does not feel thick on the skin at all. However, when washed off, my skin feels hydrated and fresh to the MAX. Two thumbs up for this one! (Marshalls)

Teatox Antioxidant Face Mask Matcha Tea + Clay - This was the first face mask that I ever tried and it is still going strong. Similar to the Mario Badescu one, this one is a thicker consistency... but smells AMAZING. I blame my love for face masks on this product! (Marshalls)

8. Lotion

There are SO many lotions out there so it's really hard to narrow in on my favorites.. but here are the two that come to mind...

Philosophy Fresh Cream & Mint - My. Goodness. If you like mint chocolate chip anything, TRY THIS. The scent is not overpowering and the product is not super oily. It has the perfect hint of mint and hydrates without feeling like there is actually something on your skin. This was one of my favorite Marshalls' finds of all-time. (Marshalls)

Palmers Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E Lotion - Another product that I have used over the years that is still going strong. This lotion is very hydrating, has a thicker consistency and smells like chocolate - which makes me like it even more! (Wegmans)

9. Shampoo/Conditioner

Keeping with the mint scent and the beloved Marshalls' finds, here is a duo that I absolutely love...

CHI Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner - It is hard to describe how much I love this product. The smell of mint/tea tree pours from these bottles and is so refreshing and leaves the hair feeling clean and soft. (Marshalls)

10. Lip Care

I love wearing different shades of lipsticks, BUT, there is one product that I cannot go anywhere, and I mean absolutely NOWHERE, without. So I had to go with the product below for this lip care section...

Palmer's Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E Chapstick - I really don't have any words for this product other than I love it and don't think I will ever find another product that replaces it. This, for me, is an absolute staple in my purse, in my pocket and in my hiking backpack. (Wegmans)

So there it is, my top 10 categories for beauty products. I am not a makeup expert by any means, these are just the products that work for me and my opinions of them. If you have similar thoughts on any of the products mentioned above or other products that you enjoy using, feel free to drop a comment below!