Just for fun: A few beauty related things i've realized over the years.

#1 If you should invest your hard earned moolah in one item in your cosmetic bag, it should be a good foundation.
We all know expensive isn't always better, but I do believe if you're going to splurge, splurge on a good foundation. Who really cares about your amazing eye makeup if your foundation looks blotchy? Alright.. I'm not trying to bash all drugstore foundations. There are a few good ones, but you have way more options, and a larger selection of shades to perfectly match your skin when you branch out into the higher end brands. The wonderful thing about getting your foundation from a department store is, you can sample it before purchasing it. Get color matched, and request a sample that will be enough for a few uses. Test it out at home, and see how you like it!

#2 Mascara doesn't need to be purchased anywhere else, other than the drugstore. 
When it comes to mascara, there are so many options at the drugstore. I've tried so many high end brands, along with many drugstore brands, and the high end brands never delivered more than the drugstore brands. Especially for a product that will dry up in a few weeks, I find that paying $20 and up for a mascara is a waste of money. You're better off investing in a good mascara base and eyelash curler. Don't get me wrong, curiosity sometimes gets to me and I'll treat myself once in a while, but on an every day basis, drugstore mascara works just as good!

#3 If you tan frequently, have more than one foundation shade on hand.
Especially for those who use self tanner often. Keep a foundation on hand of your actual skin shade, regardless of how light it is. I know many of you probably feel that you look your best with a nice tan, but being fair is just as sexy! I didn't abide by this for years. Can you believe my actual coloring is usually the lightest shade at the drugstore, but I've been self tanning for ten years and throughout the years have only purchased my tan shade!? Talk about pressure to tan every day - If I didn't tan, I had no makeup!

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#4 If you're on a life long journey of finding the fullest coverage foundation out there, (where using paint as foundation has crossed your mind at least once) You need to take a step back and take your focus off covering your skin, but fixing your skin. 
Of course we all want flawless skin, and we expect our foundation to do the work for us. But, a foundation will never fix the problem - it will only conceal it for a few hours. The key to having flawless skin is by taking good care of your skin. When you have no makeup on, take a look in the mirror and note your problem areas/any issues you have with your skin. Try figuring out what's causing it - improper cleansing? allergic reaction? hormones? your diet? You can find help from various skincare forums online. Or, make an appointment with a local dermatologist. Once you start catering to your skins needs, your skin will start looking better and you'll find yourself looking for foundations with less coverage. Pft! Who would have thought?!

#5 Don't purchase anything without browsing reviews first.
9 out of 10 times, if I'm purchasing any item of makeup, I've done thorough research on it beforehand. The one time out of ten is usually when I've found a too hard to pass up deal, or it was an impulse purchase. My favorite place to check reviews is http://makeupalley.com. You can check reviews for any product and narrow the reviews by skin type, coloring, etc, so you could see if a particular product would possibly work for you. It's easy to navigate and it's free. Of course, a percentage boils down to personal preference. You may love a product with terrible ratings, but if the majority of the ratings are negative, I'll usually skip and look elsewhere.

#6 Cater to your eyebrows.
Along with your skin, eyebrows are one of the most important features on your face that need a little extra care. Having well groomed brows make all the difference in your face. I've learned to work with my brow shape and pluck only my strays a couple times a week. For unruly brows (such as mine), a clear brow gel or clear mascara works great to keep them in place all day. For those with very light colored brows, a tinted brow gel works great to make your brows a little more prominent. For the most natural looking brows, a brow powder/brown matte eye shadow works the best. If you're guilty of over-plucking and are having trouble growing your brows back, check out my post on how to grow them back (here).

* I'll do an updated eyebrow filling tutorial soon!

#7 Take chances with color!
Many people out there are terrified by anything that isn't neutral. I was the same way. I always loved bright colors, but never had enough guts to actually wear them myself. Have you heard the saying "You can't knock something until you try it?" OK. Bad saying. That can go in so many different directions. Disregard that. LOL To get yourself past your fear of color, you just have to go for it. Break the ice by wearing colored eye shadow or a bright lipstick the next time you go out with your friends - you're usually more confident when you've got your girlfriends with you and you won't feel the urge to wipe it off in embarrassment. *The embarrassment is all in your head, BTW! If anyone is looking at you, they're most likely admiring your awesomeness! Then, wear it out again with your friends. After wearing it a couple of times, you should feel comfortable to wear it out on your own. 

Milani Rosehip has become one of my favorite lipsticks, and I wear it at least a couple days out of the week. In the past, I'd maybe wear it one day out of the year.

Agree/Disagree with any of my points? Have some things to add to the list? Share in the comments below!