Good morning schooners!  In the past year, my skin has gone from nary a breakout to constant trouble zone.  I’ve never ever known much in the beauty department…products to use, or makeup tricks.  But I’ve been on the hunt to learn better skincare tips in the past few months, so that I can have healthier skin that ages well.  I asked Michelle if she would share with us her beauty routine along with her favorite products for women who are on a tight budget like me.  You are in for a real treat!  Meet Michelle…

Hello Annapolis & Company readers! My name is Michelle and I am the creative mind behind the blog Fierce & Fashionable- my little place in cyberspace where I share my thoughts on fashion, life, photography, and food. I am a huge fan of A&C, so when Mary Beth & I discovered we’re both fellow Oklahoma bloggers we knew we had to collaborate! Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite beauty products, complete with a few tips & tricks as well.

Now, if you’re like me, you may struggle with getting all of your eye makeup off your face. This is when I use #4, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes. These things are amazing! Not only are they inexpensive (less then $7) they work really well. Goodbye, stubborn mascara!The key to any successful beauty routine is consistency, so today we’re going to begin with skin care. If there is one product that I truly swear by, it’s the Clarisonic Mia (#2 Above). The Mia is sonic cleansing system that gently cleans your face (6x better then your hands alone) and helps open your pores to allow moisturizers to absorb better. Yes, it’s expensive, a whopping $120, but if your going to splurge on one product, this is it. I use this twice daily to clean my face, along with #1 above, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. At only $8 from your local retail store, this face wash is a great deal!

Finally, any skin routine should be complete with a moisturizer. I use #3, the Clinique Moisture Surge each night, it’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and makes my skin feel smooth. One container of it seems to last forever.

My favorite part of applying make up is using it to make my eyes look bigger! I first utilize #3, the L’oreal Paris Perfecting Base, on my eyelids. This helps make your look last all day. I then use my other Must – Have beauty product, #1, the Urban Decay Naked 2 eyeshadow pallet. Although this is the most expensive product in my makeup arsenal (nearly $50), it’s my go-to. These eyeshadows have so much pigment that you can use very little and still achieve a standout look! I splurged on mine at my local Sephora, where it currently has a 5 out of 5 Star ranking!

To help make your eyes truly “pop”, apply #4, the Maybelline Define-a-Line eyeliner to your top & bottom eyelids. At only $4.94, this eyeliner rocks! To finish up your eye look, apply a mascara to add volume to your lashes. #2, the Sephora Collection Mascara helps to make your lashes look thicker and longer, without the clumping that many mascaras leave behind.

There are so many different make up options for your skin. My favorite is mineral make up and I really like the bareMinerals Foundation. Not only is it light weight & easy to apply, this foundation also contains 20 SPF so it protects your skin as well. This bareMinerals foundation costs about $29. A more budget friendly option would be (#1 left side) the Maybelline Mineral Powder which is only $8.99! If you’re not a foundation girl, another simple option would be a BB Cream like the Maybelline Dream Fresh Beauty Balm.

Help make your look feel fresh by utilizing the Maybelline Fit Me blush or the PurMinerals Bronzer. To get the most natural glow, smile, then apply the blush/bronzer in a circular motion to your cheek bones.

To complete your look, swipe a red (yes, I said RED) lipgloss on to your lips. I know Red may be a “scary” color, but it truly brightens your face and smile. My favorite is the NARS Lip Gloss because it gives my smile a nice shine, without the sticky-ness some other lip products have. If beating chapped lips is your goal, try the EOS Organic Lip Balm, to help soothe & heal.

Now it’s time to wake up your beauty routine!

What new products are you going to try?

I would like to send a HUGE thank you to Mary Beth for allowing me to share todays products, tips, & tricks with you! Please remember to stop by Fierce & Fashionable and say hello!

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