Disclaimer: All of the opinions expressed in this post are my own.
I was not compensated for this post in any way.
Hello, beautiful! I haven't done a beauty post in awhile, so I thought I'd tackle the Ride or Die Makeup Tag once and for all.
The Ride or Die Makeup Tag is something I've been seeing around Pinterest, YouTube, and the rest of the web for awhile now. This tag was started by Jaclyn Hill, a YouTuber and beauty blogger, and you can check out her original post here!
In case you aren't familiar with this tag, here's how the challenge works: for each "category" of makeup (foundation, concealer, lipstick, lip gloss, etc.), you can only choose ONE "Ride or Die" product to save. Basically, you just have to ask yourself "If I was on a desert island and could only have ONE foundation/concealer/lipstick/etc. with me, which product from my beauty bag would I want to take?"
Hopefully I'm not just being overconfident, but I think this challenge will be fairly easy for me! While I love, love, LOVE makeup and beauty products, I'm not the kind of person who buys a ton of products. Instead, I tend to have my favorites that I get attached to and keep re-buying over and over and over again. So, even though you won't get the benefit of watching me suffer and struggle over which products to select (sorry, guys - I'm actually hella boring), I'm super excited to share some of those favorites with you now!
FACE
Foundation
Concealer
Blush/Bronzer
Foundation Primer
EYES
Eyeshadow Primer
Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer: Much like foundation primer, I don't often use an eye primer unless it's a special occasion or a hot summer day; however, on the days that I do use this product, I definitely notice a difference in the pigmentation and longevity of my eye makeup! Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer ensures (see what I did there?) that your eyeshadow will stay put through thick and thin. I swear, on the days I use this product I could walk to hell and back, come back with half the rest of my makeup melted off, and still my eyeshadow wouldn't budge. Get it for $20.00 from Too Faced.Eyeshadow Palette
Too Faced Natural Eyes Eye Shadow Collection: (I forgot to include this product in the graphic, sadly!) Unpopular opinion time: I know everyone loves to rave about the Naked Palettes, but I'm the proud owner of three of them - the Naked 3 palette, and Naked Basics 1 and 2 - and although I love them, I'll never love them as much as I love my Too Faced Natural Eyes palette. These shadows go on kind of sheer, so if you're more into an ultra-pigmented finish, I can see why you'd prefer the Naked palettes. However, I love the way they blend and last throughout my entire day - even without primer on, the glitter stays firmly put on my eyelids (as opposed to gravitating down my cheeks)! Get it for $36.00 from Sephora. P.S. If you want to see exactly which shades I use, check out this post about my weekly beauty routine.Eyeliner
Mascara
BareMinerals Lash Domination Mascara: I've used the same tube of this mascara for so long, it's probably unhygienic TBH - but I love it so much, I just can't bear to throw it out! Honestly, I can barely tell the difference between most formulas of mascara, but there's just something about this one that sets it apart - it's not too thin, not too clumpy, not too dark. It's juuuuust right for my lashes! However, the wand is what truly makes this product as luscious and volumizing as it is. The wand separates every last lash, preventing your mascara from clumping and lengthening with every stroke. Get it for $19.00 from Ulta.Eyebrow Pencil
Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil in Taupe: I fully realize that by including this in my Ride or Die post, I'm solidifying myself as another basic beauty blogger - but if I'm being completely honest, there's just no way around it: Anastasia's brow products are simply the best ones out there. Of every brow pencil I've tried, nothing has compared to the subtle pigmentation and precise lines that I've gotten with the Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil. Not to be overly-dramatic, but this product was seriously what converted me from someone who never did her brows, to someone who can't go out without them filled. Get it for $21.00 from Sephora.LIPS
Lipstick
e.l.f. Moisturizing Lipstick in Bordeaux Beauty: Okay, so in my last post about this product, I was utterly convinced that it's true name was Bordeaux Berry. Having realized the error of my ways, I'm now going to do the product the justice it deserves! This lipstick was one of my Christmas presents from Ryan, and I was super excited to open it because I've been dying to try the vampy lipstick trend. Before this product, red lipstick was my go-to; however, I'd long admired the sexy, glamorous look of a dark, Lorde-style lip and couldn't wait to see how it looked on me! I was pleasantly surprised to find that this lipstick was the perfect blend of purply and reddish tones, perfectly complementing my pale skin. Also, it's worth mentioning that this lipstick, while creamy and hydrating, doesn't seem to budge no matter what you do! You can eat, kiss, drink, and while a little lipstick might transfer onto your fork, partner, or glass, the pigment on your lips will remain virtually unaltered. For just $3.00, this product is both an investment and a steal! Get it for $3.00 from e.l.f. Cosmetics.Liquid Lipstick
Stila Stay-All-Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso: It's probably cheating to go from lipstick to liquid lipstick, but since they're technically two different things, I'm rolling with it anyways! I love, love, LOVE this product - it's the best red lip I have ever worn (and, dare I say, will ever wear). It was the first liquid lipstick I ever tried, not to mention the first shade of red I ever dared put on. I quickly fell in love with its long-lasting formula, which - much like the e.l.f. Moisturizing Lipstick - WILL NOT BUDGE no matter what abuses you inflict on it! Also, it's my personal belief that this shade of red is ultra-flattering on every skin tone: it's not too orangey and without bluish undertones, so it's more of what you might call a "true red." Get it for $24.00 from Ulta.Lip Balm
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Rose: I have been using this product for about five years, ever since I first stepped foot into a Sephora. It was my first-ever free birthday gift as a Beauty Insider, and it was probably one of my first-ever "empties" - and for good reason. I've been using this product since I was thirteen not because I'm a creature of habit (though that may be true), but because there's nothing out there that compares to it. The formula is creamy and hydrating, and the sheer rose hue is the perfect "my lips but better" lip color. In my opinion, this lip balm and a little bit of mascara are all you'll ever need for those days when you don't want a full face of makeup. Get it for $24.00 from Sephora.
Lip Gloss
Naked Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss in Nooner: Apparently, every lip gloss I've ever owned and loved has been renamed, because the one that I have (from the limited-edition "Naked on the Run" palette) is named "Sesso." However, Nooner is pretty much the same gorgeous shade. This shade is one of those perfect "my lips but better" colors - which I've been saying a lot lately, I know; but I much prefer a natural look to a glam one, so it works - that comes with a little hint of shimmer. It's hydrating and long-wearing, without drying up in that gross way that lip glosses often do. Plus, it has an almost minty aftertaste that leaves you feeling so fresh that you'll want to keep reapplying it all throughout the day! Get it for $20.00 from Nordstrom.
Lip Exfoliator
e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator: Admittedly, lip exfoliator is a bit of a weird category for this challenge. However, I just discovered this product recently, and absolutely cannot get over how incredible it is! This product smooths, shines and hydrates your lips like no other. It's gritty but never abrasive, simple to use and, most importantly (to me at least!), it has an AH-MAZING taste. Just like brown sugar! Get it for $3.00 from e.l.f. Cosmetics.
SCENTS
Body Spray
Bath and Body Works Beautiful Day Fine Fragrance Mist: This product is the only scent I'm including in my Ride or Die post because I'm not a huge fan of traditional, alcohol-based perfumes. Bath and Body Works' Fine Fragrance Mists, on the other hand, are light and not-too-concentrated - the perfect affordable scents for everyday wear! Though I have many favorites from Bath and Body Works, I chose the Beautiful Day spray because I've simply never gotten that type of reaction from any perfume I've worn before. I actually first caught on to the magic of this scent from a friend at BU - fully expecting her to tell me it was some expensive designer perfume, I asked her about the amazing scent she was wearing and she turned me on to Beautiful Day! Then, when Ryan fell head-over-heels with this scent in-store, I knew I just had to have it. Currently, I'm using a different fine fragrance mist from them; however, I have Beautiful Day-scented cream body wash right now and I'm absolutely in love! This clean, floral scent will leave you smelling fresh without leaving a cloud of perfume behind wherever you go. I promise: you and your special someone will both go crazy for the incredible smell! Get it for $14.00 from Bath and Body Works.