7 Beauty Finds That Spark Joy
I am a mom of three teenagers. My oldest is 18, my middle is almost 16, and my youngest is 13. I am tired - mentally and physically. But in a good way! I know I am totally blessed with truly the best kids (how did I get so lucky??), but nonetheless I’m exhausted from doing “all the things.” This is why I am extremely thankful for what makeup can do to hide the tired-mom-look on my face! Here are 7 Beauty Finds That Have Sparked My Joy In Getting Ready Again.
TL;DR
Jennifer shares 7 Beauty Finds That Have Sparked Joy in Getting Ready
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
7 Beauty Finds That Have Sparked My Joy in Getting Ready
Beauty Fatique
It’s not only being a busy mom that has made me fatigued lately - because I have also been feeling a wave of “beauty fatigue.” Let me explain…
In today's world of beauty, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the plethora of makeup & skincare products flooding the market and flooding our social media feeds. Sephora shelves are stacked with serums promising miracles, eyeshadow palettes in every shade imaginable, and a new drugstore mascara coming-out what seems to be once a week!! I mean, how many different ways can you spin a tube of mascara to make it better??
I love being a makeup artist and beauty content creator, it’s a cooler than cool job, and I do truly enjoy trying out new products. But there’s also some truth to, “Too much of a good thing.”
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Beauty fatigue isn't just about having too many options; it's about feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, and disconnected from the joy that beauty rituals can bring. It's that moment when you stare at your overflowing vanity and feel a sense of exhaustion rather than excitement.
I've been there a lot lately. And despite having access to so many NEW products that come across my desk, I realize I have found myself rediscovering some joy in reaching for only specific products lately. Some old standbys, but a handful of brand-new products.
Today I want to share with you the products that have me eagerly anticipating the moments of self-care, while genuinely getting me excited to do my beauty routine again.
7 Beauty Finds That Spark Joy
Pacifica Future Youth Facial Massage Roller, $25. Do you struggle with puffy eyes and face in the morning? It screams “I’m tired and exhausted!” So I have been reaching every single morning for this cooling zinc alloy roller that totally helps massage away my puffy face and facial tension. It wakes my face up like a strong cup of coffee. I leave it in the fridge and grab it first thing in the morning to massage all over my face. It’s an incredible tool and works even better when you apply your fave serum or moisturizer underneath it. Honestly, I find it kind of fun to use and now it has become a part of my morning ritual!
Glow Recipe Niacinamide Hue Drops Sun Glow Serum, $35. Skincare can be a tough category to get excited about - especially if you don’t see immediate results. Luckily, with the new addition of a bronzing tint to the original Watermelon Glow Recipe Dew Drops (that I already love) I have never been so happy to apply a serum! It feels hydrating, silky, and gives the most sheer realistic bronzed tint to my skin with all the added skincare benefits of brightening with the niacinamide. This is a MUST have for your spring/summer makeup routine. (The original serum would be a great addition to my above facial roller just FYI)
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Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, $429. One of my least favorite things about getting ready in the morning, is having to blow dry my hair. Ugh, I really dislike it. It takes too long and my arm gets tired - I just don’t enjoy it. I struggled to even mention this product because it is so expensive (in my opinion) and is certainly a luxury product, a want, not a need. I received this Dyson as a Christmas present from my in-laws and let me tell you - it’s changed my life and hair routine for the better.
It dries hair quicker, the dryer itself is lightweight to be so powerful, it’s small so very easy to maneuver, and it has a super long cord, which I really like. The flyaway attachment is a miracle worker - it’s crazy how it instantly smooths the hair. I rather enjoy drying my hair now because it looks supremely better than in the past with my old cheap dryer. If this is something you can afford and have lots of hair to dry like I do, I highly recommend it.
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Anastasia Beverly Hills Nouveau Shadow Palette, $55. I own a million shadow palettes. Okay that’s dramatic - maybe more like 50+. But this one I keep reaching for. Is it the expensive feel of the grasscloth-like packaging with magnetic closure? Or is it because of the unique blend of ultra-glam matte shades and shimmers? Or is it the pop of wisteria lavender shade that's so unique and makes me just feel “pretty” when I apply it. It’s a mix of all of these and I’ve found it’s the most fun to work with lately and gets me hyped to do eyeshadow looks again.
Smashbox Halo Sculpt & Glow Palette with Vitamin E, $45. I was lucky to receive this palette in a PR gift in two shades : Pink Saturation (pinks) and Back To Cali (warmer peaches). Many times I get PR gifts that never see the light of day on this blog or my social media because they’re just so-so and nothing to write home about. However, this 4 in 1 palette has gotten used every single day since I got them over 2 weeks ago. The 4 cushiony buttery shades give me everything I need to sculpt my cheekbones, give me warmth of a bronzer, cheek color, and the best smooth highlighters! I’m wearing the Pink Saturation in this post. I love the versatility and ease it gives me of not having to grab 4 different products to achieve a dimensional look.
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Milani Understatement Lip Liner, $9. Is it weird to get excited about a lip liner?? I don’t think so. I bought 3 of these the other day because I wanted more retractable liners that I didn’t have to use a sharpener with…I’m lazy like that! These are super pigmented and glide on beautifully to give a great defined shape to my mouth. I’m wearing shade “nude entrance” (a dirty rose) here and I created dimension on my lips by lining around the perimeter, then making lines across my top and bottom lip. There’s a reason I do this before applying a gloss - to give my lips the illusion of fullness by creating dark shadows with peaks of bare lips in between which gives off a fuller effect.
Buxom Cosmetics Plumping Lip Cream, in “Hot Toddy,” $25. I own a gaggle of Buxom lip polishes and have been collecting them for years - you can see them in the pic above. They are truly my go-to plumping glosses. When I’m feeling kinda down and not so cute, if I swipe one of these on, I know I’m going to instantly just feel better. I certainly have my favorite shades and the Hot Toddy (a tawny nude pink) has recently climbed to the top spot! It’s easy to wear with any outfit, and is just the right amount of color to make my lips look luscious and healthy!
What about you - Have you been overwhelmed by all of the beauty products thrown at us constantly? Are there any products you personally find true joy in when you use them? I’d love to know what they are!
The rest of my look details: Multi-colored striped tops always energize me and lift my mood similar striped tops for spring from Tuckernuck here $88 and Shein here $8. | My gold Amazon fat teardrop earrings, $11, I wear constantly | Really loving this tubing mascara lately, $24 | My lipstick/gloss organizer case from Amazon, $30
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Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared a low-sugar margarita, spring orzotto, and an Easter tablescape on Fridays with Oscar. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Jennifer, you look great! Thanks for this post. It’s helpful…and I always bookmark your recommendations.
I appreciate you Carolina Girl! Glad you’re finding my beauty content helpful. Feel free to send me topic ideas whenever!
Yes, I have definitely felt overwhelmed and bombarded with cosmetic company ads in my emails! I have learned to be much more disciplined now that I’m in my 60’s. I own a lot less products than I used to and I do just fine. Currently there are 2 products that I love to use. Drunk Elephant Ceramighty eye balm(cushiony and cooling) and eco brow defining wax! I have literally been using the eco brow for years! Thank you for always bringing us so many amazing products to try!
Well thank YOU for making me aware of the eco brow wax bc I hadn’t heard of it until now and I’m a brow junkie so about to go google it! Keep the personal recommendations coming – we can all learn from each other. thanks Nancy
Jennifer your tips and product choices are very helpful because you you are not on an unlimited budget. Your drugstore dupes are especially helpful. Keep it coming!
You got it Barbara! More budget friendly products in the works on blog posts to come!