Products I Would Absolutely, Positively Die Without...

Okay, maybe the title is just a bit dramatic?!

If you're a blogger, have you ever been inspired to write a certain post at a super random time?! Say, in the middle of your Sunday grocery shopping trip? Well, I can officially say that I have. I was perusing Walmart and it hit me... I NEEDED a new lip gloss. Since my braces got put on, I've been pretty much wearing nothing but boring ol' chap stick. I sort of look twelve. Lipstick stains the braces, so lip gloss it is. However, I'm sort of over spending thirty bucks a tube on lip gloss. I will say, though, that if it's REALLY good lip gloss, I'll spring for the investment. It was past 6:00 on a Sunday, so Ulta, Sephora, and the mall were all closed. What's a girl to do?! Thank you to the wonders of Google and the iPhone, my problem was solved. I Googled "Best Drugstore Lip Gloss" and found this post by none other than The Pioneer Woman herself, Ree Drummond. Who the heck doesn't trust The Pioneer Woman?! I, personally, read her book a few years ago and have taken every piece of her advice straight to the bank ever since. So, I headed over to the makeup section in search for Revlon's Colorburst Lipgloss. When I discovered that the stuff was a mere seven bucks a tube, I contemplated buying one tube of every color they offered. Okay, just kidding.... Sort of?

Do you remember Milky Pens?! They were a hot ticket item when I was in middle school. I was the creative sort and I wouldn't have minded owning every color Milky Pen ever invented. When I got birthday money, I bought another color. That sort of describes how I feel about this lip gloss. Except for it's more intense than the Milky Pen obsession, and I'm not even one to frivolously spend money on things I don't need. But THIS. IS. A. NEED. It's not goopy or sticky at all, has great color, and makes my lips feel so smooth. Truth be told, had I bought this in a fancy tube at Sephora, I would've sworn it cost thirty bucks. Having a bad day?! Think I'll go buy another tube of Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss. Having a good day?! Well, that day will be made even good-er if I go buy another color of Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss. Special event?! New outfit?! Next stop: Walmart for a new shade of Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss. Pay day?! Three more tubes of Lipgloss. Ya get my drift?!

When I feel this passionate about something, the blogger in me feels obligated to share it with the world. It's sort of my civic duty, if you will. Henceforth, I bring you a list of items I absolutely, positively cannot live without. Mind you, there are plenty of other products that make appearances in my regimen, but THIS... This is the best of the best. The great thing is that most of them are really, extremely affordable! I've tried out all kinds of expensive makeup, but I've just not been overly impressed with a majority of it. Truly, I find that the drugstore makeup I try out has been just as if not more impressive... And usually at least 1/2 the price! Consider this an early Christmas gift from me to you. I've selflessly conducted the research, and you should print off this list and immediately purchase all of them. DISCLAIMER: This could get a little lengthy {a tribute to my passion}, so hold tight. Without further adieu...

• Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss - This is a no-brainer. If you need more convincing, re-read the above. Go out and buy yourself some right this very second. Heck, at seven bucks a pop, go buy yourself FIVE! I guarantee you'll never bring yourself to spend much moolah on a tube of lip gloss ever again. Instead of spending thirty bucks on a fancy tube, get yourself four of these. I got two shades: Rosepearl & Peony. And last night I dreamt of dancing lip glosses... Not kidding.

• Vaseline - Now, one might think this is silly. But Vaseline is a gift to the earth. I dab it on my lips every single night before bed. Not to brag, but I've got some pretty baby soft lips. In case you needed further proof, I found this list. Vaseline can be used as a facial moisturizer, eyebrow tamer, cuticle cream, eye makeup remover, hair dye stain preventer, lipstick stain remover, perfume prolonger... And those are just a few uses! Did you know that adding a pinch of cinnamon to Vaseline creates a lip plumper that trumps anything you can buy in beauty stores?! Not to mention, if you ever get a scrape/burn/cut, you will be glad you have this on hand. Pretty much, every American home should be equipped with Vaseline. The end.

• MAC Satin Lipstick in Twig - At this point I'm sure you're thinking "this chick is obsessed with her lips." This is the last one, promise. I just feel as though leaving this one off the list would be like stealing your boyfriend. If you are searching for the perfect shade of lipstick, I've ended your search. Effective immediately. I just cannot say enough about Twig. I have never nor will I ever find a lipstick shade that rivals this one. It's miraculously gorgeous. I'm just obsessed with MAC all-around - it's fabulous quality, good for skin, and really reasonably priced. While you're at your nearest MAC counter getting Twig, pick up their ENTIRE makeup brush collection and several of their eye shadows. They are BOMB. You may remember that I blogged a few months ago about how I'd just switched to MAC's mineral makeup from Bare Minerals. The girl at MAC used to work for Bare Minerals and told me that their brushes can be super aggravating to skin. At first, I just thought she was trying to up-sell me. But, after a few months of use, I believe the gospel! And I'm here to preach it to YOU. Buy a few MAC brushes, and you'll never use another brand. They can be a little pricey, but the quality is fantastic and they last FOREVER. If you shop at MAC, don't forget about their Back to MAC program! For every six empty makeup containers you return to them, they give you a free lipstick! How cool is that?! I've got several empty MAC containers stored in my makeup drawer, hoarding themselves until I have six. {Their products last forever, so this may take me awhile!}

• Urban Decay Naked Palette - If you're at all into makeup and you don't yet own this, you live under a rock. Invest in this palette! My every day eye makeup wear consists of just one shade - typically either MAC All That Glitters, or MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in Dare to Bare. However, this palette is my go-to for any occasion that calls for anything slightly more fancy. It's the perfect mix of colors! I much prefer the original Naked palette over Naked 2, but make sure you check out both before you purchase.

• Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler - I am not a girl who will try to sell you on a certain mascara. I've tried LOTS - from inexpensive to YSL mascara. While I love my YSL, spending thirty-five dollars on a tube of mascara every 4-6 weeks just isn't practical. I usually just go with something from the drugstore. However, I WILL sell you on this eyelash curler! I don't have long eyelashes at all, so curling mine is almost essential. I've tried several, but this one is the best out there! You can find it at Ulta or Sephora and I believe it's around fifteen or twenty dollars. I've had mine for about 3 years, and it's still going strong! As with any eyelash curler, make sure you clean this one from mascara build-up. I just use warm water and a tiny bit of eye makeup remover. {I'm not familiar with the Tarte mascara in the picture, but this is the only decent picture of the eyelash curler I could find! All others had bedazzled handles, which just would've been misleading! So, this picture it is.}

• Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Foam Wash; Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion; & Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - If you're a regular here, you know that I had a little scare at the dermatologist about six months ago. After that, I got in serious skin care mode! Suffice it to say, there isn't much involved in my skin routine. I've just not ever been one to spend huge amounts of money on a skin care regimen... Times when I have, I've just not been thoroughly impressed with the results! My dermatologist suggested Cetaphil skin care, which can actually be bought at Target or Walmart - Score! The three regular appearances in my regimen are the Cetaphil products listed above. I use the foam wash and gentle skin cleanser in the shower, and the lotion is basically the only lotion I ever use now! I got rid of a vast majority of the scented lotions in my collection, and just revert to this stuff. The greatest thing about it is that it can actually also be used as a facial moisturizer - my dermatologist actually recommended that I use it over any other facial moisturizer! It is unscented and makes my skin feel great. When I first started using the gentle skin cleanser, I was a little freaked out that it didn't lather up.. But it's soap free, and has done wonders for my skin! I'm hooked and sort of surprised that this stuff doesn't require a prescription - it's THAT good!

• Ponds Cold Cream - Like most other products, I've tried a myriad of makeup removers. I found one that I was in love with that is made by Exuviance and sold at Ulta. However, I'm absolutely convinced that it's just Ponds Cold Cream in a fancy bottle. You can get Ponds at any drugstore, and it's just amazing. It feels nice, smells nice, and seriously takes your makeup right off. It's doesn't make my skin freak out, and leaves my face feeling fresh. Not to mention, it's super inexpensive and lasts forever. What more could you want in a makeup remover?!

• Secret Invisible Solid pH Balance Antiperspirant - I'm a sweater - always have been! No one likes sweat. This is by far the best deodorant I've ever found! Something about it makes me NOT be as sweaty, which I LOVE! I use it as my every day deodorant, and apply it before a CrossFit workout. Nothing else compares!

• Moroccan Oil - Ahhh, hair... My favorite! The salon I go to uses and sells Moroccan Oil, and it's the best thing that's ever happened to my hair! I use both the Light oil treatment and the hydrating mask. I've blogged about this before, too. The smell, the texture, the way it makes my hair feel... I'm in love! If I do nothing else to my hair for the rest of my life, I WILL use Moroccan Oil. Forever and ever. Amen.

• Teasing Comb & Big Sexy What a Tease Backcomb in a Bottle - God made these two products especially for those of us who fall under the "girls living in the south" category. He just knew. I don't go a single day without using my teasing comb! I couldn't find the exact one I have online, but the Tool Structive Tortoise Backcomber pictured below is really similar. You can find it at Sally's for $2! The Big Sexy spray is what I use for serious big Texas hair {if you're not familiar with the term, it stems from the saying that "everything is bigger in Texas" - that includes the hair, y'all!}. I don't use it every day, but for special events - and it works miracles on otherwise drab and flat do's!

• Big Sexy Spray & Play Harder and Freeze-It Mega Freeze - I'm convinced that every girl should own at least two types of hairspray. One for when she's getting fancy, and the other for every day. These are mine! They're both fabulous, and both pack that extra hold factor. Essential ingredients to the perfect hairspray! The only real difference? Big Sexy is about four times the price of Freeze It. If you're springing for the Freeze-It, make sure you get the Mega Freeze in the orange can. It just doesn't even compare to the original!

• Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo - If you are putting all of the aforementioned goop in your hair, you absolutely have to make sure you're cleaning all of the goop residue OUT! I mentioned to my mom this weekend that I had some sort of funky residue in my hair that made me feel like a homeless person even after I'd just washed my hair. She basically told me to drop everything I was doing and grab this Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo from Target. Mama was RIGHT! I used it for the first time this morning, and my hair has never felt cleaner or softer. The directions say to use it once a week, or twice if needed. I think I'll use it once more tomorrow, and once a week from now on! I feel like I just got my hair did in a New York salon, no lie. Every woman on earth should make this a part of their beauty regimen. If Paul Mitchell and Neutrogena had a baby, this would be it.

• Caldrea No. 17 Sea Salt Neroli - Onto the home! Because every pretty girl should keep a pretty home. Y'all.... This is the best kept secret in the cleaning world. This stuff MAKES me want to clean! Like, I legitimately look forward to it. That's a testament to how good great it is. It smells like I'm sitting on the beach, looking out over the Mediterranean. YUMMMM. I've got the hand soap, hand lotion, counter top cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner. I became OCD about cleaning my counters after discovering this gem. Only because I couldn't help but anticipate the way it makes my house smell. I use the all-purpose cleaner to mop my floors. If ever you walk in my house and I'm on my hands and knees sniffing the hard wood, don't judge. For real. Next, I'm dying to try all of their laundry products, linen & room spray, and hand balm. Let's just be real, though.. I might consider bathing in the all-purpose cleaner. Sea Salt Neroli bubble bath?! You're welcome, Caldrea.

• Park Hill Soy Candles - I've got this darling friend who owns the world's most darling boutique. She came back from market ranting and raving about this new candle line she'd picked up for the store. I thought she was a little crazy for being so obsessed with candles.. Then I tried one. Holy OMG. My house smells better than Hobby Lobby at Christmastime, and we all know how great THAT smells. My favorite scents are Sweet Tea, Pomander, Tall Cotton, and Southern Pear. You won't be disappointed! Plus, I love the packaging - so rustic!

• Tyler Glamorous Wash in Diva - If you know me in real life, you probably know how much I love doing laundry. Like, it's a sickness. The thought of doing laundry makes me giddy. Even more so than the thought of wiping my counters with Sea Salt Neroli counter top cleaner. No joke. That love was heightened when I discovered this Diva wash, as I like to call it. Now, when you Google this one, you're going to be sticker shocked. Let's not kid ourselves... You are not ever going to wash everything you own with this stuff. You'd go broke. You'd have to stop eating. Maybe it'd be worth it? I kid, I kid. But really. Buy it, and wash all of your sheets and towels and intimates in it. First off, your house is going to smell like a dream. Second, people who smell your linens are going to become addicts. They, like us, will hop on the Diva wash train. All aboard, y'all! A girl at work actually introduced me to this. She said her kids teachers always comment on how amazing her kids' clothes smell. That was enough to convince me to check it out. I bought my first container and it lasted about six months. On my to-do list is "buy more Diva wash." If loving thirty dollar laundry detergent is wrong, then I don't want to be right. This stuff is what dreams are made of.

• Shout, Tide-To-Go Pen, & OxiClean - Once upon a time, I was on a business trip and spilled Qdoba on my white pants in the Dallas airport. Because who doesn't wear white pants when flying on three planes in one day while trying to make it home on a Friday afternoon after the end of a long business trip?! Tide pen to the rescue! If your tide pen doesn't do the trick, then spray with Shout, and wash with OxiClean {RIP Billy} when you get home. The number of garments saved by these three alone is a number I don't care to count.

WHEW! That's it, folks. I can now breathe better knowing I've shared this with the world. Have you tried any of these?! What products can you just not live without?! Let me know in the comment box.

Happy Monday! xoxo