I've tried a few different ways of sharing my love of beauty products on this blog. I've done videos of makeup tutorials; I've reviewed subscription boxes and bags; I've shared my monthly favorites. None of those has really been "me" as cliche as that sounds. So like so many other things in my life, I'm trying something new!

Today I have the very first in my series of Top 5 Beauty Products. I buy all kinds of beauty products for all different reasons and then I mentally put them into categories in my mind. I thought it would be useful to share some of these products and some of these lists, starting with my Top 5 Tried & True Beauty Products. These are the items that I have used for years and keep repurchasing and going back to. Some are inexpensive and some are more pricey, but all work great and will be staying in my makeup bag as long as they are produced.

#1 Urban Decay - Naked Palette (Ulta-$54)

I've tried lots of neutral palettes, but this one is simply my favorite. It's got 12 buttery, blendable shades that suit just about everyone. It's heavy on shimmer, but that's how I roll. I don't know what I would do without 'sin' in my life. It was not inexpensive, but definitely worth it for the range in shades and how long it has lasted me.

#2 Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Glosses (Ulta - $4.99)

I've turned to Rimmel for years for my lipgloss and lipstick needs. This product, however, is my favorite. It's the perfect complement to lipstick, adding some glitter and shine, but works just as well on its own. It's got a pretty great range of colors and an especially robust select of pinky shades. As you can see I've got a bunch of them (only part of my collection) and haven't found one I don't like.

#3 NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black (CVS - $2.99)

When I began leaner about makeup years ago from YouTube beauty gurus, I went on a mad search for the "BEST LIQUID EYELINER" because I needed to master my flick. One of the first ones I picked up was the NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black (duh). It was inexpensive and was generally well thought of by those in the know. Despite my immediate success with this product, I tried others. But they never quite worked as well as this cheap little number. So I keep coming back. Can't you tell how much I love it? You can't even read the packaging! Why is it great? The brush is thin and easy to control. The product is thin and liquidy and does not dry out. Applying it is a dream because it is some opaque. And it is not a felt tip, masquerading as a liquid liner. Plus the price is a dream.

#4 Revlon Colorstay Foundation - Normal/Dry Skin (Target - $9.99)

Have you been searching high and low for a foundation that works for you skin? Have you tried higher end brands, relatively inexpensive drugstore brands, weirdly and unexpectedly pricey drugstore brands, and everything in between? Well if you have fair to medium, normal to dry skin, then you have skin like me AND Revlon Colorstay Normal/Dry Skin Foundation MAY just work for you. As you may have guessed, I try lots of foundations. Not all of them, but more than the average person. Despite the array of foundations I really should use up, I keep buying new bottles of this one. I like it because it is light, but offers pretty good coverage. If I properly moisturize and exfoliate my dry skin, I have not probably with it either. And it's long-lasting. I haven't found a foundation that works better for me for the long-term in multiple seasons. I do have hopes for another recently purchased foundations, so stay tuned for updates about that. But I've had my hope for a better foundation dashed before...

#5 Estee Lauder Pleasures Parfum (Sephora - $82)

Okay, I am going to admit right now that I only very recently actually purchased this perfume, BUT I AM STILL PUTTING IT ON THIS LIST! Blasphemy. Treachery. Insanity. But, I do have a history with this perfume and for that, it goes on the list. On to the history. About 5 or 6 years ago, a woman visited my office and with her wafted a glorious scent. Almost as quickly as she arrived, she departed, but that fragrance stayed with me. As the years passed, occasionally I would catch a hint of it on the wind, but never could trace its origins. I visited Sephora and other purveyors of fine fragrance to no avail and felt sure I would never know the name of this elusive scent. That is until a tiny vial of Estee Lauder Pleasures found its way to me in one of my subscription boxes. It didn't smell like much of anything at first, but as the minutes ticked away, a lovely aroma hit my nose. The quick spray of Pleasures had interacted with my body chemistry (as so many perfumes are wont to do) and had transformed into the scent that had been haunting me for years (and I do mean years). This unassuming little tube denatured alcohol and other random chemicals had done what I thought was impossible. I horded that little sample of Pleasures for as long as I could, but finally very recently broke down and bought a (small) bottle and am lovingly holding it this very minute.

After all that, I'm sure you just want me to describe the scent, right? It is floral and light, but surprisingly long-lasting. It is definitely very fresh and not too sweet. According to their website it contains Top Notes: White Lily, Violet Leaves, Green Accents | Middle Notes: Black Lilac, White Peony, Karo-Karounde Blossoms, Baie Rose, Pink Rose, Jasmine | Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli. I think it's probablyt the Baie Rose, Jasmine and Violet that make it so special to me. Good work, Estee Lauder!

Well that's it for this list! What other kinds of lists do you want to see?

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