Beauty Questions
At this point, I feel like I’ve probably done and answered all the beauty questions there are. I can’t even remember them all! But I still think tags are fun to do and it’s a good opportunity to share some of my preferences, favorites, and routines in a format separate from reviews. I’ve compiled a list of 20 common makeup related questions so you can get to know the beauty lover behind the blog a little better. Hope you enjoy!
1.) What is your favorite makeup brand?
Makeup Geek. It always has been and probably always will be. Not only do they have some of the best quality makeup, their price points are reasonable and their ingredients are safe. They’re one of the few brands I feel 100% confident in and trust completely. I love that Marlena (Makeup Geek owner) is so in touch with her products and customers. I’m so proud to see them grow and get the recognition that they deserve being sold in Target!
2.) What three beauty products are always in your purse?
Lip balm, blotting papers, and eye drops. I don’t typically touch up my makeup when I’m out during the day, but I always have one or two (or three) shades of Maybelline Baby Lips because they’re super comfortable and easy to apply without a mirror. Palladio and Elf have my favorite blotting papers because one side has powder to help control my oil. There’s nothing worse than a windy day causing you dry contacts and Thera Tears eye drops are the only eye drops I’ll ever use because they’re so refreshing and comfortable.
3.) What is your favorite face wash?
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, specifically the one for the face and normal to oily skin. I accidentally picked up a different one once and it was completely different. I didn’t like it at all. I remember being worried at first that this wouldn’t do anything to control my breakouts, but it actually does! It’s just a simple, gentle cleanser without a bunch of crazy claims and harsh chemicals that does what it’s supposed to do.
4.) What is your favorite shampoo?
Pantene Curl Perfection. I love almost all Pantene shampoos and conditioners, but the Curl Perfection is definitely my favorite for my hair. It leaves my hair silky smooth and smelling fresh for 24 hours. Nothing has left my hair nearly as healthy as the Pantene Curl Perfection and I can’t ever be without it.
5.) What is your favorite body lotion?
It’s called the c. Booth 4-in-1 body lotion and I believe it is made by Freeman Beauty. I used to be able to find it at Ulta, but my local store doesn’t carry it so now I order it online from wherever has the fastest shipping. I love it because it has a scent that is safe for sensitive skin (Vanilla Butter is my fave) and it absorbs quickly without feeling heavy or leaving any kind of greasy residue.
6.) What is your favorite blush color?
My single favorite blush color ever is Makeup Geek’s Heart Throb. It’s listed as a matte salmon brown shade on their website. Brown might sound a little scary in a blush shade, but it’s so natural looking on the skin! My favorite thing about Makeup Geek blushes is that they don’t include talc. That is so important for my skin’s health!
7.) What is your favorite lipstick color?
Berry. Any berry shade, as long as it’s comfortable. A few of my favorites are Revlon’s Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie, Ulta’s Lip Butter in Enticing, Wet n Wild’s Lip Balm Stain in Rico Mauve, Pixi’s MatteLast Liquid Lip in Really Rose, and L’oreal’s Infallible Lip Paints in Spicy Blush and Nude Star. The photo below (from my Wet n Wild Rose in the Air tutorial) shows Nude Star lippie paired with Heart Throb blush.
8.) How many coats of mascara do you apply?
Three coats, always. It doesn’t matter whether I’m using one or two mascaras, I always apply three coats. Any more than that is too much and weighs the lashes down. Any less never seems to be enough. In case you missed it, you can check out my full mascara routine here.
9.) What is your favorite nail polish brand?
Sinful Colors. I love them because they’re super affordable (only $1.99 per bottle) and they always have great colors to choose from. The quality of their polishes is perfect and they’re one of the only brands I’ve ever repurchased specific colors from, like Snow Me White shown below.
10.) Do you prefer one nail color or designs?
My answer to this typically changes with the trends. I used to be really into the accent nails when those were popular, but these days I’m preferring just one nail color. I’ve also noticed that I've been choosing more neutrals and classics lately. I’m really enjoying the nudes, whites, pinks, and reds.
11.) How often do you wash your face?
Two, sometimes three times a day. I always wash my face first thing when I wake up and again when I shower before bed. If I’m wearing makeup, I also wash my face as soon as I get home for the day. I can’t stand sitting at home with makeup on my face!
12.) What makeup remover do you use?
That Cetaphil face wash that I mentioned earlier. I’ve never really been impressed with makeup removers. They’re just one more thing I have to buy and find a place to store, so I just stick with good ole soap and water. You can read my full makeup removal routine here.
13.) Do you use any DIY face masks?
Kinda yes and kinda no. I don’t use any kind of DIY face mask in the sense that I have to go grab 5 things out of my kitchen. But I do use this Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay that I have to mix together with apple cider vinegar. It’s the single best skincare product I use because it makes such a difference!
14.) How often do you use face masks?
I normally always use that Aztec Clay mask because since using that, I’ve never been impressed by anything else. I use it twice a week and leave it on for 20 minutes at a time. It’s intense, but it’s results are magical!
15.) How do you prep your face for makeup?
It really depends on the time of day and what I’m doing my makeup for. If I’m just going to run an errand or two, I don’t really do anything to prep the skin besides making sure my face is clean. If I’ll be wearing the makeup for a little bit longer, I’ll either go over my face with an ice cube or my jade roller and apply a primer immediately afterwards. I don’t like to wear a bunch of product on my face, so I keep daytime skincare and lotions to a minimum.
16.) What product do you buy the most of?
If we’re talking about makeup, I have a history of buying way too many eyeshadows. If we’re talking about skincare, I repurchase my body scrub the most often. I use the Tree Hut Sugar Scrubs once a week and usually have to repurchase every month or so. My favorite scents are the Pear and Chia Seed (what I’m using currently), Mocha and Coffee Bean, and Tropical Mango. They smell delicious!!
17.) Do you prefer matte or dewy skin?
Have I not mentioned my extremely oily skin yet?? I definitely prefer matte skin. I don’t want any dewy shine on my face, I get enough of that as it is. I always have to carry blotting papers with me to keep it under control. To put it into perspective, I’ve even been asked what highlighter I was wearing when it was literally just the natural oil that had shown through my makeup only one hour after application.
18.) Do you have any suggestions for affordable makeup brushes?
I’ve always had really good luck with BH Cosmetics brushes. They have so many options and sets at very affordable price points. Ecotools is also really good, but they don’t have the same amount of options. Sonia Kashuk is another one I’d recommend. Some I’d stay away from are Elf because they can be hit or miss, Real Techniques is sometimes a little scratchy, and I’ve had a lot of Morphe brushes fall apart.
19.) How often do you wash your makeup brushes?
Once a month. At the beginning of every month, I separate the brushes I’ve used the most and give them a good cleaning. It’s not something I really look forward to doing, but it’s so rewarding once it’s done and it’s extremely important. You can read all about how I easily and affordably clean my makeup brushes here.
20.) What is your best beauty tip?
I have two beauty tips that are total life changers, one skincare and one makeup. First, wash your face!!! Although makeup isn’t necessarily bad for your skin, it’s definitely not good for it either. Keep a clean face and let your skin breathe!! Second, if you smudge mascara anywhere on your eyes or face don’t touch it! Let it dry completely and it will flake of with a dry q-tip. More on that hack here.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a true beauty tag type of post. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! Talking about makeup is something I could do all day long! Let’s continue the conversation in the comments section below. Leave me some of your answers to these questions, I’d love to know what we have in common!
XO ♥ Christina ♥
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