DYNAMIC DUO

There was a time when my attitude towards putting effort into my hair appearance was nonexistent. I am still pretty low maintenance when it comes to my hair routine but I'm trying. It all started when I got a haircut at Stag Hair Parlor. I would wait months and months, even up to a year (gasp!) in between my hair cuts. And for healthy locks, that's a no-no! As soon as those few inches came off my head, I immediately felt a difference and now I'm all about my hair. Goodbye to those limp and frizzy ends of mine!

Reverie Hair Milk and Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Dry Shampoo have been my go-to's for my everyday hair needs. They work really well with each other and have never failed me. The Hair Milk is an ultra conditioning anti-frizz cream that can be used in wet or dry hair. It smoothes and softens your hair and has become a daily ritual for sure. I read everywhere that celeb hair stylists love this stuff so I gave it a go and now I'm hooked.

On second day hair or days when mane is looking particularly flat and boring, I spritz the Nirvana Black Dry Shampoo. It smells ultra luxurious (and like an Olsen twin), absorbs oil, gives texture, and doesn't leave that weird white cast in your roots. That's pretty much the ultimate dry shampoo if you ask me.

I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect sea salt spray for those days when I want mega beach babe locks. If you guys have any recommendations, let me know! 

BEAUTY BASICS

When it comes to my beauty regime, I try and keep it simple. The less makeup products to put on, the better. I'm usually in a mad dash to get through the door so I don't have much time anyway. I'll be the first to say that I'm guilty of hitting the snooze button too many times in the morning. I need my beauty sleep, you know?

So here are the beauty basics that I reach for on the daily and never do me wrong:

Prep: I have been loving Glossier's Balm Dotcom. I use the universal skin salve mostly for my lips but have used it on my cuticles to give my nails a little TLC. I tend to have dry hands so I always have a cream in my bag. I recently got this & Other Stories Moroccan Tea Hand Cream because it smells fresh and clean. 

Face: At the moment, I can get away with not wearing foundation everyday, but I always blend in a little NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes and in areas I need it. It evens out my complexion without it being too heavy. To really fake good skin, I dab the RMS Beauty Living Luminizer across my cheekbones and on my cupid's bow. This stuff make your skin look so healthy, hydrated, and fresh. What more could you want? 

Eyes + Brows: A little cat eye flick has become my signature look and I do it with the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner. I have never cheated on my liner, but the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner has me tempted. With that, curled lashes and a few coats of mascara, my eye look is complete. I don't go anywhere, and I mean anywhere without my brows on. I have gone through quite a few of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and Brow Gel. Its the perfect duo to naturally define your brows and have them stay all day. 

The Finishing Touch: Lately, I haven't been wearing much on my lips since they have been so dry thanks to the changing weather. When I do wear a lip color, its the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro because its easy to apply, matte, yet moisturizing, and the color is natural. It's everything I want in a lip color basically. Just before I leave for the day, I spritz on Diptyque Les Eaux Eau Rose. With a mix of damask rose, lychee, and bergamot, it's a fresh and feminine day time fragrance that always gets compliments. 

I have tried plenty of makeup and skincare but these are the standouts that always get the job done right. What are some of your beauty bag basics that you can always count on?