I’ve always loved make up, but I never considered myself a “make up fanatic” until an Ulta store opened in my hometown this past year. My first visit felt like Christmas and my birthday combined and I will be the first to admit that I’ve probably made way too many visits since then. Because of Ulta, I have learned to appreciate make up and how big of a difference there is between drug store and higher end make up (although I still am loyal with a few drugstore makeup items!). I’ve also learned to branch out from my regular make up routine and try to switch it up every few months or so. I’ve become quite the Ulta connoisseur and I’d love to share my Top 10 Products available at Ulta right now!
1. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $30
First Aid Beauty (FAB) is definitely my all-time favorite skin-care line. I have tried almost every product of theirs and have never been disappointed. The Ultra Repair Cream is key for these cold, blustery winter months. For hydration and soothing of skin irritation, this product is the best Ulta has to offer!
2. Too Faced Born This Way Absolute Perfection Foundation, $39
To me, foundation is always the trickiest make-up product to buy. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the best foundation: matching your skin tone, how much coverage you want, liquid or powder, etc… I’m actually on the hunt for a new foundation (I love my BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream, but it’s more for the warmer months when you don’t need as much coverage). After doing my research, I’ve found that this Too Faced Born This Way Absolute Perfection liquid foundation is definitely a fan favorite and is just what I’m looking for. It’s full coverage, but feels as smooth and light as butter on your skin. It’s oil free and infused with coconut water to naturally hydrate. I will definitely be buying this ASAP!
3. Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, $30
According to Ulta, this is a customer favorite that has been revamped. I’ll be honest, I’ve only recently started using highlighter in my make-up routine, so I’m still a rookie when it comes to this product, but this is the highlighting powder to beat! Beauty vloggers and bloggers have raved about this product and many have vowed this changed their (make-up applying) life. With the two-in-one packaging, I would call this one a steal!
4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23
Three Too Faced products in a row! I guess you can tell which make-up brand is my favorite 😉 I’m sure it’s no surprise to most of our readers that Better Than Sex Mascara is the bomb.com! I don’t have naturally curled or voluminous eyelashes like some girls have been blessed with, but that is no longer an issue because of this mascara. It has been a total game changer for me and I honestly don’t think I will use another mascara product again!
5. Benefit Cosmetics Instant Brow Pencil, $22
Eyebrows have become the biggest make-up statement of the year. Although we can’t all have Cara Delevingne’s iconic brows, we can enhance our own! I’ve tried hundreds of different brow pencils/creams/gels/powders…you name it! And I have never been able to find a product that is not only natural looking, but matches my eyebrow color. Last month I decided to yet again, take a shot in the dark and try a new brow product and picked up this brow pencil (I have had great luck with Benefit in the past, so I though it was worth a try) and it finally paid off! I use the shade “deep” and it’s absolutely perfect!
6. Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash, $10
Pacifica has a great line of skin care products and the best part about them is that their prices are very reasonable. I try to change up my skin care routine every month, so my skin does not become prone to one type of face wash. What I look for in a cleanser is that there are absolutely no parabens, silicon, and phthalates in the ingredients. I also look to see if it is a multitasking face wash, e.g. if it is also a toner and make up remover as well. This Kale Detox Deep Cleaning face wash checks off all of my criteria. It is a skin care best seller on Ulta’s website and the reviews seem to confirm the claim!
7. Matrix Biolage Colorlast Shampoo, $17
Any girl who gets her hair dyed should run to Ulta right now and pick up this shampoo. I’ve been getting my hair colored since I was 16, so I’ve been around the block once or twice when it comes to shampoo for colored hair. I discovered Matrix shampoo this past July at Walmart and fell in love with it. Sadly, when I went to go back and get another one, they were out of stock and never seemed to be available again. Luckily, Ulta came through and has so many more Matrix shampoo options! That is when I found the Biolage Colorlast Shampoo and have never strayed from this product since. Not only does this shampoo keep my color from fading for a long time, it also helps tame frizz and makes my hair feel softer and smoother overall. 10/10!
8. Laura Geller Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipstick, $21
Lipstick is a make up product that I do not use everyday. For me, it’s more of a special occasion kind of thing. I’m super picky with lipstick and probably have about 10 barely used sticks of different brands that I’ve tried, said “maybe someday I will wear this”, set it back down and has been collecting dust ever since. Maybe I’m just too lazy to reapply the lipstick throughout the day to make sure it doesn’t smudge or fade (I mean really, who has time for that?). Chapstick is usually what I opt for when I’m getting ready, but I’m slowly learning to incorporate lipstick into my routine every so often. This Laura Geller lipstick is so smooth (and most importantly, not sticky) on your lips and the color really does last (unlike most)! I’m all about the dark colors for Winter, so my favorite shade of this lipstick is Central Park Spice:Warm Cinnamon, but I definitely see the Lexington Ave. Coral shade in my future this Spring!
9. Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater, $7
If I could only choose one brand sold in Ulta to buy for the rest of my life, it would absolutely, without a doubt be Mario Badescu! This brand has been a godsend for me and my skin! I’m not exaggerating when I say that there are almost 100 different Mario Badescu products and they all work wonders in their own way! This rosewater spray is my newest addition to my Mario Badescu collection (I swear everytime I go to Ulta, I leave with another one of his products) and so far I am loving it! You can use it as a skin-refresher, make-up setting spray, or even on your hair to give it a lift.
10. ULTA Gilded Gold Natural Eye Shadow Palette, $20
I still haven’t hopped on board of the Naked Palette trend (I just can’t justify spending $50-60 on eyeshadow), but this Ulta brand eye shadow palette is the next best thing! It has all of the neutral shades that everyone loves from the Naked Palette and Naked2 Palette, but is half the cost. I love having the option of sparkly and matte shades so I can switch up my look from day to night. There is also a rose gold version of this palette (much like Naked3), which I plan to get very soon!
