My top 5 cosmetics

I am the Queen of Cosmetics. No one has more eyeshadow than I (well a drug store does, but that isn't a fair comparison).

I decided to share my top 5 cosmetic choices. These are my tried and true choices that I use daily - they never fail me! These aren't in any specific order - just my faves!

1. L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara - approximately 10$

• I will be the first to admit I have been blessed with long eyelashes (nothing as great as my brother's lashes though). So I don't need a lengthening (or even volumizing) formula, but I do believe in dark and full lashes. This is why I choose blackest black over clear or brown.
• Their claim: to build lashes to 5x their natural thickness for a full and dramatic lash look. It also claims to make them soft, not flakey, smudgey or clumpy.
• My take: First, don't rub your eyes during the day and you won't ever have flakey or smudgey lashes! But yes, they are soft still and only clump when I go too long before buying a new mascara. They are quite long with this formula and quite full. I swear by this mascara and have been using it for years and years.

2. L'Oreal Lineur Intense Eyeliner - approximately 8$

• I like dramatic eyes, even during the day so I tend to use black liquid liner (although I have switched to pencil lately for a softer look but it isn't as nice as liquid!). I started liquid liner back when I became obsessed with Emma Peel of the Avengers (a 1960's British adventure TV program). I started out using cake eyeliner and an eyeliner brush but have since found this liner, which is the closest thing to cake eyeliner.
• Their claim: all day wear (8-hours) and allows the user to create delicately thin or dramatically bold lines.
• My take: This is the best. It has a lovely felt tip that is long enough and sturdy enough to not break or make flimsy lines. I do like a thicker eyeliner line (as per Mrs. Peel), but I have done thin lines as well. It goes on smooth, thick (i.e. only need to go over your lid once), and dark (if you choose black like I do). Gorgeous for dramatic eyes!

3. MAC Studio Fix Fluid, SPF 15 - approximately 30$

• I really believe most women in the world don't wear the right colour foundation. I love MAC because they colour match you and the selection is so vast that there will be something for everyone. I have them do it twice a year - winter and summer.Your skin colour will change with the season, so you shouldn't be using the same colour year round! It also has SPF which is a must in foundation.
• Their claim: Comfortable and long-wearing (8 hours), goes on smooth for complete coverage. Oil free.
• My take: I have uneven skin tone, and I am difficult to colour match (my skin pulls too much yellow if I'm not careful). I have never had an orange jaw line with this product. It does last all day but let's be honest - in the summer, if you sweat, it will come off! Also, it does get on my white shirts and coat if I'm not careful. However, it is smooth and lovely on my skin. I have touchy skin, blemish-wise, and this is the best product thus far for me. I pay the money mostly for the colour matching though.

4. MAC Bronzer - about 25$

• Normally I use a loose powder to set my makeup, but this winter I realized that my skin has a boring and dull colour to it. I went to MAC and told them I wanted just a slight bronzer. They gave me the lightest colour for my face - and wouldn't you know, it isn't fake looking and just gave me a touch of colour to make me look healthier.
• Their claim: Lightly tinted power that gives sheer and natural colour.
• My take: While I do love this bronzer and use it daily (even in the summer since I don't like to sit in the sun), my biggest beef with any bronzer is the need to reapply it all day (same with regular powder). Bronzer is applied with a very big soft brush - but I can't carry that around with me all day! It takes up too much room. So if I can find a travel sized bronzer brush, this product would get 10/10

5. Almay Intense I-Colour Eyeshadow - about 10$

This isn't the actual colour I wear

• Anyone who knows me, knows that eyeshadow is my favourite cosmetic. I have so many shades and love to match them up. However, I don't have time to play around with matching colours now that I have to get out the door, get two kids to school and catch a train! So, I love colour sets that are matched for your eye colour.
• Their claim: Colour that intensifies your eye colour, blending smoothly and evenly for all day wear
• My take: Again, if you can keep hands off your eyeshadow, it will last all day, regardless of the type! What I love about this is the easy no-choice colour scheme. I tend to buy for green eyes, even though I have that typical Eastern European eye colour (not quite blue, grey or green). The colours are stunning and flatter the eye colour, even for those of us with in-between eye colours)