My Ultimate, Go-To Beauty Routine

I believe that, in general, we, as women, intrinsically feel our best when we think we are looking our best. It’s not about being superficial, materialistic, etc. — it’s about how we feel about ourselves, our bodies, our self-confidence. And, hey, if that involves days where we use a little extra powder or self-tanning lotion, then so be it. We are human, after all. I’ve been really into beauty products for a long time – I remember bookmarking and writing down products I wanted to try from my Seventeen and Teen magazines in my middle school and junior high years. My bathroom counter and cabinets are currently flooded with products – some great, some not so much. I’ve tried A LOT of products and believe I have a great sense of what works well for me at this point in my life.

I’ve been meaning to share a post with y’all like this for awhile and I’m thrilled to have teamed up with Schick® in promotion of the upcoming release of Universal Pictures’ Pitch Perfect 2, in theaters this Friday, May 15, to share my go-to beauty routine – what I do and products I use to feel my best everyday. This is a hearty post (lots of years experience I’m sharing here with y’all! :)) but I hope you can find a new favorite to make it into your routine as I can personally attest to the fact that the following are the best of the best!

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo + Conditioner: A few months ago, I thought if hair goddess Jennifer Aniston is going to become co-owner and spokesperson for this company, I’m definitely going to buy this product and give it a try. It’s absolutely WONDERFUL. The smell is so good and luxurious. Plus, I feel like this shampoo could cost way more $$ than what it does. My hair looks its best when I use this – I tried it out before the CCAD Fashion Show last weekend, when it was super humid, and my hair was without frizz all night. I’m totally hooked and will be using this all summer long! You can purchase Living Proof at Target, Nordstrom, Ulta, or Sephora.

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave In Product: I had heard awesome things about this product before purchasing – a ton of great reviews actually. All you do is spray on + comb through towel-dried hair. I use this before blowing out my hair and I feel like it really improves my hair’s shine, texture, and decreases frizz. It basically takes my sometimes dry/dull hair to super shiny and silky. I also swear it enhances my natural hair color. You can buy It’s a 10 at Target or Ulta.

T3 Ceramic Flat Iron: Oh man. If there’s a workhorse of my beauty bunch, it’s my straightener. Now, this T3 iron is an investment, yes. However, it has created stellar results for me now about 7 years. Yep, I’m sure I could have gone through a ton of cheap-o straighteners by now with less than perfect results. This is really the real deal. It gets hot and gets the job done, leaving smooth + straight strands every time. I purchased my T3 from Ulta.

Schick® Skintimate Strawberry Tangerine Shave Gel: The smell of this shave gel is like Heaven in a bottle. With warm weather arriving sooner than normal in Ohio, this shave gel has been on heavy rotation lately and really helps to create an enjoyable, aromatic (I’m big on smells if you can’t tell) experience with shaving as part of my beauty routine instead of feeling like a chore!

Schick® Hydro Silk Trimstyle Razor: Um, bikini ready, what?! Yes, I will definitely need to be in just a few weeks! This razor awesome – it’s is unique in that it is both a razor + a bikini trimmer. I love that the trimmer can be used with or without water. Plus, it also leaves a smooth, non-irritated finish. Don’t be surprised if you catch me taking leg selfies, like the girls in this video. No, but seriously.

Schick® Intuition Revitalizing Moisture Razor: Especially if I’m taking a shower in the morning or on-the-go, I don’t have much time to shave… but this is really the perfect razor for a time crunch. If you’ve never tried this razor, it’s amazing! It leaves my legs super smooth after each use. Plus, it literally lathers, shaves, and moisturizes in one swoop. The best. Why didn’t I think of this?!

Schick® Hydro Silk Women’s Disposable Razors: My go-to disposable razors. The blades last forever it seems and these razors always leave me with smooth skin afterwards! When I travel, this is the kind of razor that I take with me. Speaking of travel, you could “Rock Your Legs” all the way to Hollywood with the sweepstakes Schick is running right now. You can find these razors and all of the above shaving products at Ahold Stores including Stop & Shop, Giant, and Martin’s as well as Meijer.

St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion Spray: It doesn’t get much better than using this spray during a hot, humid summer when you still need moisturized skin but hate to put on a thick lotion that you’re just going to sweat off. I like to spray this on right after a shower or before leaving my house.

The Honest Company Body Wash (not pictured): Jessica Alba really knew she was doing when starting this awesome company of natural products for families + homes. I love everything they offer but their body wash (that also doubles as a shampoo I must add) smells so good + I love that what I’m putting all over my body is safe and non-toxic. I bought this wash at Target and you can also find it at Nordstrom.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser: I’m always hesitant to try new face washes because some have had a tendency to aide in breakouts. But, I also know that since face wash doesn’t stay on your face for a terribly long time, you can get good results from an inexpensive one. This Neutrogena wash passes my test with flying colors – I love the smell and I’m a sucker for clean packaging. I use this every time I shower, every night, and before every exfoliation/tan pad I use. You can buy this cleanser at most major retailers – I got mine from Meijer.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment: Oh man, I have a small sample of this stuff straight from the counter at Nordstrom at Easton – it’s really awesome. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all like some exfoliators do! It’s gentle but effective. I honestly think my skin loves this stuff – it always reveals a newer, brighter skin after use. Plus, I use this stuff before applying self tanner, mentioned below, for an even + natural looking glow.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads for Face: Love, love, love! The absolute BEST self-tanner I found for my face + neck! OMG. I can’t rave about these things enough. All you need to do is exfoliate two or three times a week and then use one of these “tan wipes” on your face, neck, and decolletage in the evening before bed – or you could even do it in the morning, as I feel the glow is pretty instant. I’ve had so many people comment on my “tan”! These glow pads create such a natural looking, dark tan. An amazing product and also an inspiration to stay out of the sun. Again, another product I discovered after talking to the lovely ladies at Nordstrom.

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado: Ah, the sensitive and delicate under eye area. I’ve tried a lot of creams that make my under eye area irritated, red, and dry. Not fun. A little goes on a long way (I think it will last forever) with this cute lil’ pot of eye cream from one of my favorite skincare companies, ever, Kiehl’s. My under eye area is now much more hydrated and smooth after dabbing it on every night before bed. You can find this eye treatment at Nordstrom.

L’Oreal Revitalift Daily Volumizing Moisturizer: I am finishing my first container of this moisturizer and I’m honestly a bit sad. It’s really grown on me and made my skin look much more plumper, fuller, and brighter. I apply this every night on my face and neck before bed. You can find this moisturizer at most major retailers – mine is from Meijer.

Maybelline Master Kajal Eyeliner in Black: I’ve raved about this eyeliner before and my friends that have tried this have loved it as well. The thick pencil gives you much more control than a skinny pencil plus it lasts forever! You can find this at most major retailers, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, Target, and Meijer.

Maybelline Eye Shadows: Just a simple palette of browns and tans. I’ve been using the darker brown color to fill in my eyebrows lately, which is a new thing for me. I’ve done away with my blonde highlights and am embracing my natural hair color for the first time in a long time! You can find these at most major retailers, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, Target, and Meijer.

Urban Decay Naked3 Eye Shadow Palette: All of the Naked palettes are beautiful, stunning colors, really (there’s a Naked1, Naked2, and Naked 3)! I like the Naked3 because I prefer shimmery purples/pinks on my eyes when I do wear mascara as they tend to highlight my green/hazel eyes. You can find this eye shadow at Ulta, Sephora, or Nordstrom.

Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer: A little shimmer to allow for radiance makes this my new favorite primer. I definitely only wear primer for special occasions: Weddings, nights out, a nice dinner, etc. so I’ve been able to stretch this small sample out for months! It makes my makeup last for hours longer plus it provides a smooth canvas for application of foundation. You can find this at Sephora or Nordstrom.

Maybelline Pumped Up Mascara: I know I’ve raved about DiorShow Blackout Mascara for years! I still use it occasionally buuuut there’s a new kid in town that does just what DiorShow does for waaaay smaller of a pricetag. This Maybellined mascara is the real deal and I can’t get enough of it. My eyes pop after using it! Love! You can find at most major retailers, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, Target, and Meijer.

NARS Bronzer in Laguna: A natural looking bronzer! Swear! This is my absolute favorite bronzer and I’ve tried A TON over the years! I apply it before blush. You can find this at Sephora or Nordstrom.

bareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener: This is absolutely not necessary but really it’s essential if I’m wanting a full face of makeup – does that make sense? It brightens my under eye area and covers dark circles as I apply it before foundation. You can find this at Ulta, Sephora, or Nordstrom.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Foundation: This lightweight, tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 is the best foundation ever in the heat! It provides coverage but lets your skin breathe! I’ve used it for years. I prefer the oil free formula to cut down on shine. You can find this at Nordstrom or Sephora.

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer: This concealer is amazing and it just feels so good to put it on because it uses a sponge-like applicator that allows for ample coverage. It covers every blemish I’ve ever had, complete with a dewy finish. I’ll be buying this for years to come. You can find at most major retailers, including Kroger, Giant Eagle, Target, and Meijer.

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler: When I’m looking for that extra “pop” with my eye makeup, this comes out to play, curling my lashes immediately before applying my mascara. I’ll have this and use it forever. You can find this at Sephora or Nordstrom.

NARS Blush in Amour: NARS does blushes and bronzers like none other. I know a lot of people swear by NARS’ Orgasm (I know, memorable, right!?) but I think Amour gives me much more of that warm, rosy glow that I crave. It instantly warms my face and even when I’m at my palest, it gives me instant color. I’ve been wearing this for years. You can find this at Sephora or Nordstrom.

bareMinerals Bare Skin Liquid Foundation: I’m in my first bottle and it’s not going to be my last. This foundation is what I’ve been looking for for awhile – full coverage without looking like full coverage. It lets your skin breathe and looks so natural. I like to apply it with my Beauty Blender sponge. You can find this foundation at Ulta, Sephora, or Nordstrom.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick: The best colors of lipstick can be found in this line by YSL. What I LOVE about this particular line is that it has a bit of subtle shine and makes my lips feel incredibly hydrated all while provided vivid color. It really doesn’t get better than YSL lip color. You can find this at Sephora or Nordstrom.

Men’s Degree Deodorant: Here’s a fun fact: I use men’s deodorant every.single.day. I just love the way that Degree smells (yes, I still am loving smells – it’s a large part of me liking a product). Plus, it’s stronger than women’s deodorant so I know I never have to worry about gross B.O./sweating. The stuff’s amazing and I never would have known it if I hadn’t lost my deodorant on a trip with my husband years ago.

Burberry Brit Perfume by Burberry: I started wearing this perfume in college and have had to have a bottle on hand ever since. I like to have different options of perfume for different occasions and this Burberry Brit always is my “going out” selection. It’s a stronger smell so I like it at night. It’s so yummy. And just smelling it brings back a million great college memories. You can buy this perfume at Nordstrom or Target.

L’Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray: I know I just started using this last month but I’m hooked. It sets my makeup and makes it last for hours. Plus, the coolness of it just feels good on a fresh face of makeup. You can find this at Target or Meijer.

Whew! That pretty much sums up my routine. Now y’all know about this girly girl! I would love to hear your go-to beauty products – I’m always scouting for items to make it into my routine!