Beauty Box 5

I’m a minimalist. Or at least I try to tell myself I am.

Whether it’s cosmetics or fashion, I try find quality items and purge often (easier said than done), but I’m always thinking “what if?” What if I really need that short sequin dress? What if there is a day I DO want to wear that sample of lime eyeshadow?

What I love about BH Cosmetics is that I don’t have to agonize over the “what if?” Their palettes are full of playful brights, subtle colors, and every day neutrals— I can have everything I want, and use everything I need in just once place.

This April we featured the California Collection Palette, which showcases standout shades from other Cali-themed palettes, including a basic bronze, bright gold, and a rich purple. Perfect for beginners or eyeshadow addicts, these shadows are blendable and feminine.

I like all the colors in these adorable mini, but my favorite is the gold (I’m trying to achieve sun goddess status) and the purple, which I’ve used it at the corner of my lids to upgrade a basic eye and applied wet with an angled brush for a DIY liner!

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1. Perfect my brows

I’ve been patient and allowed them to grow out, and now it’s time to tame them! I love a good thick brow and glamourous arches, but I was not blessed with either, so I’m trying to embrace a straight shape and eyebrow pencils.

2. Find my one true red

I love lipstick and I have a great selection of bright pinks and purples, but I’m still questing for the perfect red. I’ve thrown out or returned a few in the last two years because they were the wrong color, had an awkward shape, or dried out my lips, but this lack of a power red is killing me. The quest begins!

3. Go beyond the basic eye

Minimalist I am, and my daily look is simple: cat eye, bright lips, subtle bronzer on the cheeks. The thing is, I own tons of palettes and brushes, but I don’t experiment enough. It’s time to go wild, binge on tutorials, and see what I can do.

4. Treat myself to more masks

Right now I use a Korres sleeping facial several times a week and pretend it’s a night cream, but I’m not in love with it. It’s time to pony up and buy the masks I can’t get enough of them and use them more often. Goodbye, nose pores!

5. Go for quality, not quantity

I love clothing, but in the last year or two I’ve tried to buy more fitted, luxe pieces so that I really love everything I have and not settle for a second-rate fit. It’s a process.

photo: getty images

Have you promised to experiment with cream blush?

Treat yourself to more pedicures?

Contour like a champion?

Floss better?

Listen up, working gals and natural ladies: Love in Rio by NYX just might be your new favorite thing.

Here are two reasons NYX is always in my purse:

1. The endless opportunities. Love in Rio comes in 22 palettes for work and play, and the more bold palettes have some funky combinations that I’m dying to try.

2. Good packaging. I’m thankful that I can throw this guy into my purse and not worry about it getting damaged, and I love that I have three color options, even if I’m just rocking an itty bitty clutch.

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