Lauren’s 14 Questions blog looked like fun, so I figured I’d jump on this bandwagon and join her. Here goes!
1. What is the one product you could not go without?
Brow filler. Hands down, 100%. I didn’t even have to think about it. I have almost no eyebrows but when I fill them in they look so normal (it’s magic). I have been using the Tonya Crooks The BrowGal Eyebrow Pencil for a few years now, and I haven’t found a single product that even comes close to it.
2. Favorite Makeup Brand
This question is super hard because I have a favorite makeup brand for each thing. I need categories, people. Also, my favorites change so frequently. Right now I am on a serious Becca Cosmetics kick. Their bronzers, highlighters, and eyeshadows are seriously beautiful and amazing to use. Plus they feel like velvet on the skin and look so natural. I’m all about that natural makeup. So that is my answer and I’m sticking to it.
3. Who is your style inspiration?
I would kill for Zooey Deschanel’s wardrobe.
4. Do you remember the first makeup item you purchased?
I sure do. It was a Cover Girl pressed powder compact. I used it every day on my flawless middle school skin because I didn’t understand that I definitely did not need makeup yet. I also bought and used a clear mascara that just made your lashes look wet, but I loved it. It was like training mascara!
5. Who is your favorite beauty blogger or YouTuber?
My girl Chloe Morello! She’s so down to earth, hilarious, and I would totally be friends with her in real life.
6. What are your top 5 makeup brands?
- Becca: Since I listed it above as my favorite, I kind of have to put it as #1, right?
- Morphe: I wouldn’t say this list from here on out is in any particular order. I use Morphe brushes more than any other brand, and I absolutely love their sponges. Plus the Jaclyn Hill palette is about as perfect as makeup gets.
- Maybelline: Real talk, it was a toss up between Maybelline and Pixi for this spot. I wanted to put a drugstore brand on here because you can get some seriously good stuff at Target nowadays for a fraction of the price of high end makeup, and Maybelline has been killing it lately. Their Instant Age Rewind concealer is the one I’m most likely to reach for, the Fit Me line is pretty widely loved, and their Master Chrome highlighters could compete with high-end brands.
- Too Faced: I have to say, their Born This Way line is among my favorite products ever made, the setting powder especially. I don’t think I’ve ever used a product from Too Faced without feeling like it was absolutely worth the money. Their products are also simultaneously fun and indulgent, which makes them a joy to use.
- Benefit: Benefit isn’t the most fun brand ever, nor is it the flashiest or the first that comes to mind when I think of my “favorites”. It is, however, extremely dependable for quality and has the widest range of quality products of any brand I’ve listed. Some brands do many things but are really only known for having one or two stand out products, but Benefit kind of rules in all categories. Some that immediately come to mind are primer (POREfessional), mascara (They’re Real!), bronzer (Hoola), concealer (Boi-ing), blush (Dandelion), and brow gel (Gimme Brow). Not many brands can boast about that kind of resume.
7. What is your top beauty tip?
Add an essence to your skincare regimen. It will change your skin!
8. Why did you start blogging?
Lauren and I would always be talking about makeup and other beauty products, then we got really into subscription boxes so we decided to just blog about it all. Her blogs still make me buy a lot of things. Sorry, wallet.
9. Random Fact About Yourself?
The first thing I do when I get home after work is immediately put on pajamas.
10. Describe your dream makeup haul.
It would begin with someone giving me a $5,000 gift card to Sephora, and then I would take it from there. YSL, Marc Jacobs, Natasha Denona… ALL OF IT WOULD BE MINE.
11. How often do you wash your makeup brushes?
Depends on the brush. I will use a foundation brush and sponge maybe twice before I wash them, but bronzer, blush, or powder brushes? I’ll go a couple of weeks without washing them. I once heard you’re supposed to wash your brushes after every use, but that sounds extremely tedious, not to mention potentially bad for your brushes.
12. If you could only choose to do one before leaving the house, would you do your hair or your makeup?
Hair.
13. 5 Beauty Products you couldn’t live without
- Tonya Crooks BrowGal Eyebrow Pencil, obviously. It’s just the best there is.
- Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder. The best setting powder ever, it makes your skin look so flawless.
- Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Cream. This is my go-to year after year!
- Morphe Highlight & Contour Sponge. There is something magical about this sponge. Seriously.
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Champagne Pop. This is the most perfect highlighter for my skin. I am almost sad when I use a different highlighter because I wish it was Champagne Pop every time.
14. What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?
I have always done this for fun, so I suppose it would depend on what you’re trying to get out of it. The pros make it big because they put in a ridiculous amount of time and work. Lauren is pretty badass when it comes to growing our readership, so I will defer to her answer of being diligent and making consistently regular posts being key to becoming successful.
This was definitely harder than I thought it’d be! I definitely have a lot more favorite products and brands than those listed, but it was kind of fun to really think about what I use and love the most and force myself to follow the rules and decide which were truly my favorites. Hope you enjoyed! What are your favorites – do we have any in common?
xo,
Jill