I Try Hundreds of Beauty Products Every Year — These Are the 8 Best I've Found In the Last 12 Months

I have what may be considered a sliiiight problem when it comes to beauty products. Namely, that I like to try new ones. A lot. I mean, A LOT. As a beauty writer, I try hundreds of beauty products every year — and, yes, I'm being serious. My neighbors kind of can't believe the amount of packages showing up at my door every day. (This isn't a #humblebrag, I swear.) And while many of those products are good, only a few are truly GREAT. We're talking epic, can't live without them, don't know how my beauty routine survived before them kind of products. Not all of the ones in this list are new, but they are new to me. Keep reading for the 8 best beauty products I've tried in the past 12 months.

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An Insider's Look: Beauty and Complexion Bootcamp with Makeup Artist Kerry Herta

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Beauty and Complexion Bootcamp with Veil Cosmetics and Kerry Herta at Nigel Beauty Emporium. Kerry is a longtime makeup educator and founder of Colour Box Makeup Studios -- and she's also the makeup designer and department head behind the promo campaigns for all seven seasons of American Horror Story. Her master class focused on tips and tricks for a flawless complexion, creating the basic makeup look that really isn't so basic after all. I'm thrilled to bring you a behind the scenes look at what I learned from Kerry's master class!

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An Insider's Look: Oscars' Head Makeup Artist Bruce Grayson

When you watch the Oscars, you're probably looking pretty closely at the people's faces as they're presenting or accepting awards. Have you ever wondered who's making them look so gorgeous right before they walk out on stage? That would be makeup artist Bruce Grayson. Bruce, along with his team of up to 20 additional artists, makes sure every single person walks out looking absolutely stunning. I'm thrilled to bring you my interview with Bruce today! Read on to find out how he got his start in beauty, the concealer he can't live without and so much more.

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First Look Fridays Interview Series: Makeup Artist Shannon V

I love discovering new makeup artists on Instagram. I follow a bunch of accounts who post looks from super talented makeup artists all over the world -- and, one day, I very luckily discovered Shannon V. THIS. GIRL. KNOWS. HER. STUFF. Every look she creates is so beautiful, so unique, so arrestingly gorgeous -- I can't help but stop the infinite scrolling just to stare in wonder at what she's created. Scroll through her feed and you won't be able to help but gasp. I'm thrilled to bring you my interview with Shannon today. Read on to find out how she got her start in beauty, the lip mask she can't live without and so much more.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Winky Lux Flower Lip Balm in Pink

Winky Lux Flower Lip Balm in Pink has a genuine pressed flower inside of it. Let me repeat that. Winky Lux Flower Lip Balm in Pink has a genuine pressed flower inside of it. Is that not just the absolute coolest thing you've ever seen? Let's go with a resounding YES.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm in Lilac

I have an addiction, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I am fully, deeply, madly, passionately in love with Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm in Lilac.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: MAKE Cream Luminous Lip Gloss in Dragon Fruit

As makeup goes, I tend to keep my face pretty free. Once in awhile, I wear eyeshadow or swipe on some lipgloss. But to be honest, I typically stay away from bright pinks since they feel too overwhelming and attention grabbing. Well, I certainly changed my tune the moment I discovered MAKE Cream Luminous Lip Gloss in Dragon Fruit.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Eye Shadow Collection

This palette smells like chocolate. Let me repeat that. THIS PALETTE SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE. From the first moment I gazed upon the Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Eye Shadow Collection, I was already in love ... but discovering that IT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE? How could I resist? (Um, I couldn't.)

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What's In My Makeup Bag (All Thanks to Splender)

If you're like me, you definitely love finding great deals on anything you buy online. Really, who doesn't love saving a little cash -- and earning rewards at the same time? Enter Splender.

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My Top 10 Travel-Friendly Beauty Essentials

So, I travel. A lot. Just within the past month and a half, I've visited the following cities: Boston, MA; Bloomington, IN; Denton, TX; Las Vegas, NV and Cleveland, OH. AND I have a trip to Los Angeles (yes, another one) coming up at the end of the month. Yes, I know this makes me sound like a total vagabond. No, I can't sit still for long. Yes, I have some very specific travel-friendly beauty essentials (XX of them, to be exact). Check out what I can't live without every time I jump in my car or hop on a plane.

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Take it (All) Off: Tarte Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes

I don't know about you, but when it comes to taking off my makeup? I. Am. Lazy. I mean, I'll do it -- but I want the act to be as easy and least consuming of my time as possible. So whenever I can get away with using a cleansing wipe instead of actual cleanser, cotton balls, pads, you name it? Sign me up. Enter Tarte Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes.

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My Top 6 Current Beauty Obsessions (and Miracle Workers)

I try a lot of beauty products. A LOT. At any given time, my apartment pretty much just looks like the inside of Sephora or Ulta combined. And, while I have my tried and true favorites, I definitely expand my beauty horizons fairly frequently. Right now, these are the six products I simply can't get enough of.

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Get Gilded: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24Hr Eyeshadow in Bold Gold

I love a good cream eyeshadow. If I don't need an eyeshadow primer and it stays in place all night long? Even better. Enter Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24Hr Eyeshadow in Bold Gold.

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Melt My Heart: Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick

Fun fact about me ... I don't really wear a lot of makeup. (And yes, I know I'm a beauty blogger.) I think it stems from all the theater I did as a kid, piling tons and tons (and tons) of makeup on my face. Ever since, I've just felt like I'm playing a part whenever I wear eyeshadow or lipstick, instead of just being myself. Well, I'm throwing all that out the window, because Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick has come along and completely changed the game.

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Throwback Thursday: My Obsession with Purple Lipstick

Hanging out with my college roommate (and still best friend!) David at a party in college. And, yes, rocking purple lipstick.

So when I was in college, I went through a mild obsession with a very specific beauty product ... purple lipstick. But not just any purple lipstick. No, I was truly, madly, DEEPLY in love with my purple lipstick from Bath & Body Works.

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Throwback Thursday: That Time I Went a Little Crazy with the Eye Makeup

Fun fact about me ... I was in my high school show choir, Soundsation. (We were better than the choir on Glee. And cooler. I swear.) Well, being in Show Choir meant many things, but one thing it DEFINITELY meant was that I wore a boatload of eye makeup in every performance. The more grey eyeshadow and black eyeliner, the better.

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Throwback Thursday: My Favorite Theater Role (And Most Interesting Makeup) Ever

Introducing myself as Jiminy Cricket during my first appearance on the stage in Pinocchio.

So, here's the thing. I was a total theater geek back in the day. (All right, I still am, I just haven't performed in awhile.) But I am super proud of my theater background and wouldn't trade any of the experiences I had onstage for ANYTHING. All right, that being said ... my favorite role of all time was definitely Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio. Take a look back with me at some of my favorite photos (and a video!) of my experience playing the role, like the one above -- and check out the awesomely crazy makeup I got to wear, too.

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Throwback Thursday: Having Fun with Stage Makeup

I was a theater kid. I started doing shows when I was four years old (see my post about how my love of beauty began), and I was immediately hooked. And, yes, it's because I LOVE performing ... but also, of course, because I love putting on makeup and transforming into another character. That really never held truer than during my time as Lizzie Banks in Mary Poppins.

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The Best Makeup Removers For That Stubborn Halloween Makeup!

So you've got your Halloween costume all ready to go and you're super excited. But there's one thing giving you a moment of pause -- the amount of makeup you'll need to remove at the end of the night. Well, never fear, because this roundup of makeup removers (like the Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, above) is sure to get rid of even the most stubborn Halloween makeup! Here are my favorites.

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Take It All Off. Your Makeup, That Is.

While getting ready for bed last night, I happened to look at myself in the mirror. Gone was the makeup. Gone was the moisturizer. Gone was any stitch of anything at all. All that was looking back at me ... was me.

We can all be extremely hard on ourselves. We always want to look like this celebrity, that friend, the random girl walking down the street. It's so easy to look at ourselves and see only the flaws and imperfections, never the positive traits that make up who we really are. I'm certainly guilty of this -- focusing on the pimple forming on my chin, the extra 15 pounds around my middle, the grey hairs spouting from my scalp. I needed to remind myself that, once in awhile, it's okay to just look at ourselves and find the beauty, both inner and outer, that really makes us who we are.

And so I present to you this picture ... taken in my hotel room in Pittsburgh (I'm on yet another work trip). Not a stitch of makeup on, my hair in a messy (and somewhat frizzy) topnot, not even slathered with moisturizer or eye cream or lip balm. My skin's a tad shiny and blotchy and the dark circles under my eyes are definitely visible without the ability to hide behind my glasses. But hey, that's just me.

I encourage you to take a real look at yourself in the mirror, too. You may find you like what you see staring back at you.