Products You Never Knew You Needed

This is going to be a quick entry because it's Friday and I'm exhausted (and promised Candice that I'd attend a grueling Pilates class with her in the a.m.), but I wanted to ask you all:

What is a product that you never thought you needed to use, that is now an essential part of your beauty routine?

I have a few but the one that makes the most significant difference in my apperance is this:

It is the Anastasia of Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil. Before our wedding, I never used an eyebrow pencil. I guess because I have full brows, I assumed a brow pencil could do nothing for me. But I was sorely mistaken, and my amazing wedding makeup artist showed me why.

When Danielle from The Perfect Face did my wedding makeup trial, I noticed she had filled in my brows, and though it took some getting used to, I realized just how much more of a polished apperance the enhancement brought to my face. There was more balance- my eyebrows were stronger, but not overly done (I like enhanced, not drawn-on brows.)

From the Trial:

From the Wedding:

Now, I can't imagine NOT using an eyebrow pencil. I use it to extend the lenght of my brows (they don't grow out as far as they should) and also to fill in any sparse areas. It really makes a subtle difference and takes my took to a higher level of "polished-ness."

So, tell me- what's a product you never thought to use or didn't think you needed, that you now can't live without?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Review: Anastasia of Beverly Hills Eye Brightening Pencil in "Sand"

Every December, I tune into the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for an hour of awe at the bouncy, shiny hair, crazy long legs and toned bodies that strut down the runway in gorgeous embellished lingerie and fluffy angel wings. What I always take away with me is how striking and pretty the makeup is from these shows. Particularly, I want to discuss the way the model's eyes seem to glow as if a halo is surrounding them (like Heidi's in the photo below).

In my desperation to mimic this look (but make it "daytime appropriate") I searched far and wide for a product that could give my eyes a glow that says "I had 8 hours of sleep and a yummy vanilla latte this morning." I tried Benefit's "Eye Bright" pencil and I found it to be too matte and chalky looking.

Then, while returning the brightening pencil at Sephora, I discovered Anastasia of Beverly Hills' eye brightening pencil in "Sand." This pencil is a gorgeous soft, sandy pink that glides on effortlessly. The main difference between Anastasia's pencil and Benefit's is that Anastasia's is shimmery, and thus reflects light, opening up the eyes and giving the entire eye area a glow (can you tell I am obsessed with glowy-ness, if that is even a word!?).

To achieve glowy eyes, I use the pencil on the inner corner (or "inner v") of each eye. Sometimes I use my finger to blend it out a bit underneath that immediate inner eye area. Then, I apply liner and mascara. For special occasions, I will dust an iridescent, shimmery powder on top of the pencil for extra staying power and a more intense glow.

I absolutely love this product, and use it every morning. It is gorgeous for the day (just on the inner v) and for the evening, you can use it to line just underneath your waterline for that coveted Victoria's Secret model look.

If you have any "glowing eyes" tricks, please leave your product suggestions in the comments section!

xoxo,

-Veronika