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5 Makeup Splurges Worth the Money

I’m trying something a little different today. I know I normally share DIY projects, home decor, recipes and occasionally random stories about my family, but I’m branching out a bit! I love makeup and clothes and may start sharing a bit of that side of myself here too, because let’s face it, how many times can I repaint the living room in one year without the Mr. losing his mind?

If makeup is not your thing, fear not! Next week I’ll be sharing all sorts of great home decor ideas and room reveals, but maybe you are like me and are obsessed with all things to do with style and are always on the hunt for great products.

You may be thinking well who died and made you a makeup artist? No one! I don’t claim to know everything, but random fact – I used to be a massage therapist before I was a stay at home mom. I worked in lots of high end salons and spas over the years and when things were slow I became a hair and makeup guinea pig to the stylists. I picked up a few tips and tricks plus favorite products that I thought I would share with you.

5 Makeup Splurges you can't live without

Ok so fair warning these are my makeup splurges. I don’t always use expensive makeup, but certain products are just worth the money. I have a whole slew of inexpensive drugstore products that do the trick too and I’ll be sharing those soon (unless you all hate this post and I’m just rambling to myself out there in internet land), but sometimes the high end products really are life changing!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Foundation

Urban Decay Naked Skin

Foundation is not the area to skimp on price, if your skin looks good your makeup is going to look good, and this foundation is ahhh-mazing. It goes on super sheer and light, but if you need heavier coverage on a bad skin day you can layer it to get the coverage you need. I love that it feels like I have nothing on my skin. I know it’s pricey, but a bottle lasts me about 9 months so it’s well worth it. This works on all ages as well, my mom uses the same kind.

Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

If you are going to splurge on foundation you might as well have the right tool to apply it. I love this makeup brush, it really gives you a natural finish. I just use one pump of the foundation on my fingers, apply it to my forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Then use the brush to blend it all in.

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Light/Medium Matte Bronzer

Too Faced Milk Chocolate BronzerWhile we are on the subject of skin, this is my favorite bronzer. It’s perfect for giving your skin a little glow, but I also use it to contour my cheeks, forehead and nose. It doesn’t have shimmer, it’s just nice and matte without being orange. Plus it smells like chocolate, what’s not to like?

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

My eye makeup never used to last all day but that changed when I found this Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer. It’s something I can’t live without! I have used it for years and it makes all the difference, my makeup doesn’t budge with this on. Again a tube of this will last a long time, you just need a tiny dab.

LORAC PRO Palette

Lorac Pro Palette

This is my everything in one eyeshadow palette, it has every color you could want in it. The top row is all matte colors and the bottom row has a touch of shimmer, but not it’s not at all obnoxiously glittery. My favorite everyday colors in the palette are the cream, taupe, sable and espresso. For a night out I love the subtle shimmer of the champagne and pewter.

So there you have it – my tried and true beauty splurges, what about you do have any must have makeup?

Should I just stick to my day job? :)

Disclosure – The post contains affiliate links.

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40 Comments

  1. So funny, tonight for the first time I had my makeup done, a trial run for my sons wedding next weekend. I wear makeup everyday, just slap it on in the morning, never heard of foundation primer, eye shadow primer, contouring…. I look amazing! I then come across this post ( I rarely post a comment, must be the makeup fumes).. but I am off to Sephora in the morning!! Thanks!!

    1. Yes! I have tried a zillion different kinds but the one I actually like best is super cheap and just the ulta brand, it works just as great as the really expensive smash box kind. The face primer really helps your foundation last so much longer, plus you don’t need to use as much foundation!

  2. I love the home decor posts, but I’ve been hoping you’d start posting about your personal style as well! Yay! Loved the makeup post – keep ’em coming!

    1. Oh yay, thanks so much Angie, I’ve been so happy to get all the positive feedback! I so appreciate all of you reading and sharing your sweet comments!

  3. Thanks for branching out and sharing some of your makeup favorites. I look forward to see more from time to time.

  4. Keep it up! Love to hear about things others have tried and work!! I don’t mind spending the money if the item is worth it!!! Thanks for the info – can’t wait to hear more!!!!

  5. Kelly I love anything you post. :) Fun products to try! I totally agree that foundation is the place to splurge. (The Bobbi Brown I use costs more than yours so I may need to switch it up!)

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  7. I think you have to pro-rate the cost per month and suddenly it’s not that expensive. Also, how much inexpensive product doesn’t look good after you use it and it’s one more for the trash? I think women often feel they aren’t worth it if they aren’t out in the public everyday. I’m 80 and have very good skin because I have a healthy diet, exercise and am careful what I put on my skin. Life is too short to not enjoy some of the good things.

    1. Oh Carol this may be my favorite comment ever! This is so true and I’m so glad you said it :) Thanks so much for reading!

  8. I love the Lorac Pro palette!! Not as much in love with the 2nd one but I heard they just came out with the Mega palette which looks amazing!

  9. great post Kelly! I’ve definitely got to dry that blurring brush. I do admit to being a makeup junkie…the problem is I love to buy it but am usually too lazy to wear it! I wonder if I’m drawn to it for the same reasons that I’m drawn to decor, the pretty colors and delicious finishes :-)

  10. About 3 months ago my husband took a better job and it gave me the opportunity to quit my job and stay at home with our 2 yr old son. We purchased our first home at the end of last year and I was too scared to really start any kind of home diy on my own (especially since my hubby works out of town for 6 weeks at a time) until I found your blog and a few others! You all have gave me the courage to try and guess what… I LOVE it! I started with my son’s room and after skim coating one wall to smooth out the hideous texture to do a chalk board wall and re-texturing the rest of the room I painted his bookcase and made some diy art for his walls. I am close to putting it all back together now and can’t really believe that I did it all myself! So thank you! Your blog gave me the courage to try and do something I never thought I’d be able to do let alone enjoy.
    Sincerely Jenny .
    P.S. I love this post also I’m a bit of a make-up junkie

    1. Jenny! Thanks so much! Oh my goodness this totally made my night, you rock! So glad you are trying things out for yourself isn’t it fun to look back and see what you accomplished? Keep at it!!

  11. I’m a bit of a Sephora junkie, so I love hearing about your favorite products!

  12. Thanks for the info Kelly! I’m curious, what lipstick/glosses do you like? I can’t seem to find one that lasts.

    1. Love make up tips! Keep sharing please! I’m 61 and was wondering if there was foundation that covered wrinkles?! Probably not! Lol

  13. I love that you are branching out into makeup and looking forward to seeing some fashion posts from you. You rock!!!

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