5 beauty products I can’t live without

I’m not one who needs to feel fully made-up to run to the grocery store. But there are two things I won’t leave the house without, and a few others that I use on a daily basis.

1. Foundation

First is my foundation. I love love love this bareMinerals Matte loose powder foundation by Bare Escentuals. It has amazing coverage, while being so light you barely know you’re wearing anything. I have these little veins that show on my upper eyelids, and this stuff covers those right up so my eye shadow has less work to do! It comes in 20 different shades. (I use medium, in case you were wondering.)

2. Waterproof mascara

The other makeup must-have? Waterproof mascara. Right now I am obsessed with CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Volume, but I’ll switch it up every now and then. The non-negotiable part is the waterproof. When I’m outside taking photos (which happens a lot), I close my left eye while I’m looking through the viewfinder. And my eye waters a little bit. With non-waterproof mascara, I end up with mascara running down the left side of my face. Not good. So, waterproof, every time!

3. Eye makeup remover

One problem with waterproof mascara, is that it’s, well, waterproof. So it can be hard to take off. But not with Mary Kay’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover! This stuff rocks! I use it every day, without fail, and this huge bottle still lasts forever. Seriously, amazing. Period.

4. Apricot scrub

I used to have problems with keratosis pilaris (KP, or chicken skin) on the backs of my upper arms. It went away for awhile, but it recently came back with a vengeance. I scrubbed, I loofahed, I moisturized, but nothing helped. Then I tried (the generic version of) St. Ives Apricot Scrub for blemish and blackhead control. I scrub with this in the shower every morning, then moisturize. And, ta da, in less than a month my arms are almost all cleared up! (Disclaimer, while I am a veterinarian, I am not an MD, and I don’t even play one on TV. If you have skin problems, talk to your doctor.)

(Side bonus? A gentle scrub between shavings keeps my underarms in super shape, too! Just don’t exfoliate right before shaving – ouch!)

5. Microdermabrasion

Finally, Mary Kay’s Microdermabrasion Set. I use this two or three times a week, and it keeps my skin as soft as a baby’s you-know-what! I use step 1 (the abrasion part) in the shower after my cleanser, and use step 2 (the moisturizer part) when I get out. Then the rest of my skin care routine. I especially have this rough spot on the side of my nose, and this works wonders to take care of that.

Oh, and who could forget bonus product number 6… Chap Stick! (I do have this slight obsession…)

What are your beauty must-haves? Do you have different ones for summer and winter?

{Affiliate links were used in this post. Except for the Mary Kay items. If you want to check these out, or order other Mary Kay products, email my dealer friend Jeni. Mention my blog in her email and get 10% off your order! This is a catalog party, so I may get discounted Mary Kay products, based on sales.}