It's summer...which means more time for me to shop for and try new beauty products.

I wanted to pop in and tell you about some of my absolute favorite buys right now. These are super affordable, easy ways to elevate your beauty routine. The best part? These products ACTUALLY work (I've tried them all myself).

Check out some of my favorites and be sure to tell me some of your favorite products in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!

My summer styling vibe? Wash and go. I don't like to spend hours with hot tools and perfecting hair that will probably ending up a little bit windswept anyway.

Not Your Mother's Products are great because they are cruelty free, super affordable, and are effective. I love this texturizing spray. It gives you those mermaid-like, natural waves and adds some body to even limp hair. I just spray it in after my shower, comb through, scrunch, and go. That's it!

You can find this product at Target and Ulta. I even found a trial size which was perfect for giving me a chance to try it (I think the trial was only $2.99).

The full size is currently $5.99 at Ulta, and they have this line Buy 1, Get 1 50% off. 

I know it's weird to have a toothpaste on my list of beauty products...but it is too amazing not to tell you about it!

This toothpaste is black...so yes, rinse your sink well after each use. But it works so well! I feel like I've used Crest Whitening strips every single time I brush. 

I drink a lot of coffee and deal with stains, but this strips them right off. I'm serious, my teeth are so much brighter now. The toothpaste is only $5.99 at Target, so way cheaper than White Strips and way easier. 

Honestly, I've tried basically every brand of foundation out there and hate almost all of them. They are too shiny, too sheer, too heavy, too dull. Plus, I am super pale, and none of the colors are actually ever pale enough to give me a perfect match.

I grabbed the Flesh Firm Foundation stick this weekend at Ulta...Game changer!! I've never used a stick for foundation, but I'm in love. You just scribble it on your face and then use fingers, a sponge, or a brush to smooth it in.

It actually matched perfectly! They have SOOOO many different shades. There were actually 3 pale shades I was debating between because they all matched. It was amazing! You can also get the stick in a lighter or darker color for highlighter and foundation.

Right now, the Flesh foundation stick is on sale for only $12 at Ulta. Give it a try. it's really worth it. Plus, it gives you the chance to control your foundation...you don't have to coat your whole face. I'm in love, truly.

This is a little bit of a pricier find on my list, but it's worth it if you want to up your brow game and are sort of clueless about how to do it.

I've never done a lot with my brows because I'm terrified to look like I have totally fake, drawn on, or crooked eyebrows. 

Enter Urban Decay's brow gel. It's sort of a like a cream but goes on like a powder. It's so simple! You just feather it into the brows you have. No drawing. No lines, no figuring out angles. It just enhances what you have and fills them in. I love that the palette comes with two shades. Both of the shades work on my brows, which is awesome. And it doesn't budge all day. Even in the shower, it doesn't smear.

Even on days I don't do my makeup, I do my brows now because it makes such an impact. Try it and see.

It's $29 for the palette, but I've had mine forever. It really lasts. And it comes with the little applicator, too. Check it out at Ulta.

Eyelid primer is essential if you want your shadow to last all day or in this heat. I've always loved Urban Decay's, but it is sort of pricey.

Morphe has an option that is half-price at only $10. And the best part? It is just as effective as Urban's, if not more. I use it every day. Grab yours at Ulta for only $10 (You can use Ulta coupons on it, too). 

Again, I know this is an odd beauty item, but it is so effective that I had to share.

Here's the truth...I've always sweat. A lot. A lot a lot. Even the clinical over-the-counter deodorants would leave with me sweaty and with gross stains I was hiding. 

I always wanted to switch to an all-natural deodorant because of the health benefits and because I'm a firm believer in cruelty-free products. However, I was highly skeptical.

And then I switched to Native.

This deodorant smells great....and the best part is that it works. 

Now listen, the switch over isn't perfect. You can read lots of articles about the detox process. Basically, it takes your body a week or two to adjust. And you can be a little smelly and sweaty (Not appealing, I know). But once you get through that stage, it's amazing. 

I seriously sweat so much less now. Like I apply my deodorant in the morning and that's it. I'm dry for the day. 

I know it's weird. I know it sounds odd. I didn't believe it at first either. But honestly, if you switch to a natural deodorant, you'll find that you need less and sweat less.

You can get Native at Target or on their website. I love their sales. My favorite scents are the coconut vanilla, the Rose, and the Blackberry Green Tea.

If you want to give it a try, use this link and you'll get a free mini deodorant with your purchase. 

Shipping is always free! An added perk.

As an Ulta Beauty Club Member and a Sephora Insider, I'm all about getting a good bargain to support my cosmetics addiction. However, over the years, I have found that some products truly are worth the extra money.

I've tried dozens of lotions, potions, serums, and products. Below, check out the five beauty products I've tried and loved. These are the products I feel are actually worth splurging a bit for.

I gave Dry Bar a try last year. I was skeptical; the hefty price tag made me hesitant. However, the results made me a believer.

This is actually the line of hair products that will change your bad hair days. Truly.

I am a huge fan of all of their products, but the charcoal shampoo is my favorite. It is super cleansing and helps get rid of all of the build-up products in your hair. This one is great, too, because you can use it once a week, which makes the price tag worth it.

You can give the Dry Bar On the Rocks Charcoal Shampoo a try for $10 for the trial size and see if you're a fan, too. 

I have been looking for moisturizers and serums to take away my fine lines, big pores, and patchy/oily skin for years. I hate to even think about how much I've spent in the search for the elusive cream to change my skin.

Stop spending money, do yourself a favor, and invest in Drunk Elephant.

I love that this brand is all-natural and cruelty-free (something I'm very passionate about). More than that, I love that the products work.

I've been using the day and night sampler kits as well as the cleanser and Peptide cream. It's been a month, and I've seen a dramatic change in my skin. Seriously.

It's smoother, the wrinkles are fading, and I feel like I need to wear less makeup. 

I recommend starting with the day and night sample kits ($23-27). They've lasted me over a month, and it's a great way to see what you think without the commitment. 

Head over to the Drunk Elephant website, or head to Sephora, who also carries the kits.

I tried the sample of the Shape Tape concealer and was super impressed. My dark circles disappeared in a second.

I was so impressed, that I bought the Shape Tape moisturizing foundation. It offers full coverage without the cakey feel I hate in a liquid foundation. I got my foundation on sale at Ulta for $19, but I still feel like it would be worth the $39 price tag. It has become my favorite foundation (and again, I've tried a ton, from Younique to Bare Minerals to Born This Way, you name it). Head over to Ulta to find out more.

I am a brunette with bright blonde highlights. I hate how halfway to my salon appointment, my highlights have faded a bit and just don't pop.

Enter Kenra's Brightening Shampoo. The violet base magically transforms your blonde back to the bombshell color you want after just one wash. Seriously.

I didn't believe it at first either...but in one wash, I saw results. If you use it a few days in a row, you'll see a dramatic change. At $26 for a full-size bottle, it's really not too much of a splurge, either. I use it about once or twice a week to brighten up my locks.

Check it out at Ulta, or wait for one of their Liter sales and stock up.

I'm an Urban Decay eye shadow snob. Ever since my first Naked Palette, I haven't gone back.

Their colors are gorgeous and super blendable. They help you get that perfect, runway worthy eye look without a lot of skill. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry, I'll wear just one color...and I still get compliments.

​My favorite palette lately is the Heavy Metals palette I got for Christmas. It's got a side for day and a bold side for night. Make a statement. Life's too short for boring eye shadow.

I used to think brushes were a waste of money. Until I started watching Youtube beauty experts like Christen Dominique and realized brushes are everything.

If you don't have a high-quality blending brush, I would say this should be your first investment. It ups your eye shadow game tenfold with just one brush. 

I love the It cosmetics brushes....I have a whole set I got on sale. The quality and the airbrush look it gives you is stellar.

Check out the brushes here, and then tell me in the comments what your favorite brush brand is. 

Lindsay Detwiler is a romance author with Hot Tree Publishing and a thriller author with Avon Books/HarperCollins UK. To learn more about her work, beauty tips, and more, visit her on Facebook.

It's summer, and I couldn't be happier. 

Days on the deck with lemonade, sunshine, and ponytails for days. 

In all seriousness, summer is a time for me to step back from the makeup routine and keep it easy, breezy. 

Below, check out a sneak peek inside my all-time favorite products for a 5-minute face. These are my tried and true products of all price points that you'll want to latch onto this summer. 

Do you have any products that are must-try products? I'm a proponent of cruelty-free products, and I love a good bargain. Comment below with the must-haves for the season.

I'm a huge animal lover and an advocate for cruelty-free beauty. I love my makeup products, but I also do not want any animals suffering for them.

Thus, the Petit Vour beauty box is a perfect subscription box to give me the best of both worlds. This box is $18 shipped each month and comes with four products, all of which are Vegan and cruelty-free. The sizes are great, the products are high-quality, and I am in love with getting a beauty gift in the mail every month.

Check out my video to see what's inside the April box, and comment below with any cruelty-free beauty boxes or products you think I should try next!

I've always been an Urban Decay girl when it comes to eyeshadow. I thought there was no way anything would ever compare.

However, one of my students (I'm a high school English teacher) always has eyeshadow that is just on point. She told me about Morphe palettes and because her eyeshadow was just rocking it, I decided to give it a try.

I was amazed that this huge palette was only $23! Way cheaper than the $55 I drop for a much smaller Urban palette. Still, I was super skeptical. Could it really hold up?

I love the sleek design of this palette. It is so thin and could easily slide into any bag. Plus one from the beginning.

I also love that the shades are so varied yet also so close. There are many nuances of the same shades, allowing for perfect blending and layering. It's easy for even a beginner to create those beautiful, smooth looking gradients using this eyeshadow thanks to the colors included.

I went with the Fall Into Frost palette after a lot of deliberation (There are soooo many color options, another plus!). I'm a shimmer girl, and I've been pleased with the frosty look. It's a modern frost, unlike some of the 1980's shades of nightmares.

Like Urban (and perhaps even more), these shadows are super pigmented, so a little goes a long way. They go on with a high density but are also easy to blend.

Overall, I'm in love with this brand. Will I still use my Urban shades? Yes. They are the first shadows that made me feel confident in my shadow skills. Plus, some of my favorite colors are in there.

Still, I'm so happy to have found another shadow I love with fun colors and so many options to mix it up.

​Have you tried Morphe shadows yet? what's your favorite palette? Let me know in the comments!

This was a true game-changer for me. 

If you use liquid foundation, you need to let it dry before setting it with powder--and yes, you really should set it.

In the past, I would do one of two things:
1. Slap on only liquid foundation and then be on my way
2. Slap on liquid foundation and immediately coat it with powder

Both of these techniques leave your foundation lackluster later in the day. Setting it with a translucent powder helps it stay all day. However, if you put powder on it too quickly, it will leave a cakey layer that just accents your pores.

I put on my foundation first (with a blending sponge) and then let it dry while I do my hair and other makeup. After about ten minutes, I'll lightly dust over it with translucent powder (I use NYX setting powder). My foundation lasts all day and doesn't get cakey. 

For an added glow, I'll add a quick dusting of Urban Decay Illuminated Powder to give me some life.

I'll be honest... contouring is not my strong suit. Still, the best tip I learned was to blend your contour on your cheekbones up toward your hairline. It makes it look more natural and prevents it from coming down too far on your cheekbones. If your contour line comes down to close to your nose, it makes you look skeletal. 

I used to cheap out on my brushes. Would a $20 brush really work any better than a $3 one? I didn't think so.

But then I realized that without the right tools, any products you are buying are just a waste. Why invest in high-end cosmetics only to cheap out on tools?

I have been using It Cosmetics brushes now for over a year and have seen a drastic improvement in my makeup. They help eye shadow, blush, and even foundation from going on too heavy. If you want that airbrushed quality, high-end brushes are a must. You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for a set, either. I got my It cosmetics brushes on special at Ulta. Watch for sales on the sets, and you'll be ready to bring your makeup to its A-game. If you want to give it a try, here's a travel set of It Cosmetic brushes to get you started for only $30.

Choose a bone color eye shadow as a base layer. This helps with blending and prevents harsh lines. It's almost like priming a canvas in painting. Your eye shadows need something to blend with in order to create that seamless look.

This is a tip that came from the Youtubers. When there's so much to learn and think about with your makeup technique, how you hold the brush seems to be the least of your worries. However, where you hold the brush can totally affect your blending game. For seamless eye shadow blending, hold your brush near the end of the handle and use light pressure. This keeps it from getting streaky/ having hard lines.

Need more tips? Want more advice? I recommend checking out Christen Dominique's Youtube channel. She's got amazing advice and her beauty routine is always flawless. I love it, however, because she's super good at breaking it down for the average woman. You don't have to be a beauty expert to master her techniques.

Yes, I'm a beauty and hair product addict. I've earned my Ulta VIP status and then some. I've racked up Sephora points like it's my job. I've collected countless lotions and potions in the hopes of finding the miracle product that was going to tame, defrizz, smooth, unwrinkle, define, improve, and everything else the beauty world promises.

I've spent way too much money--and I've been way disappointed so many times.

However, with my trial and error, I can say I've found quite a few products over the years that are actually, truly worth your time. Here are my top 5 products worth the price tag.

Sephora sent me a sample of Dry Bar Sake Bomb Shampoo and Conditioner... and my wallet was forever ruined.

This shampoo and conditioner is pretty expensive... but it's the only shampoo/conditioner combo I would actually classify as life-changing. 

I'm always looking for that perfect shampoo to take my hair up a few levels, and this one does it. After one wash, my hair was noticeably softer and easier to style.

I recently got theDry Bar Charcoal Shampoo and Conditioner kit from Sephora. It is equally as life-changing. The dry shampoo is also on its own level. I definitely recommend any of these products... it's worth the dent in your pocket, trust me.

I found this miracle foundation from Christen Dominque's Youtube channel. This water-based foundation is like none-other. It essentially melts into your skin but still gives you adequate coverage. It is by far my favorite foundation of all time... and I've tried a few dozen.

I used to think all brushes were the same and, thus, the cheaper the brush, the better. I went for quantity over quality.

And then I triedIt Cosmetics' eye shadow blending brush. My eye shadow game went up a couple of notches. I invested in a set of brushes from Ulta and realized the brush really does make the face. 

I have a set that includes the foundation brush, powder brush, concealer brush, and two eye shadow brushes. They are worth the money because they truly make every step of your makeup look more natural.

Again, I was always convinced curling irons were all the same. I was using the cheapest curling iron possible and couldn't figure out why my curls were falling flat by noon.

I finally invested in a Hot Tools gold-plated curling iron. Now, my curls seriously last over a day without any extra steps. 

I'm an Urban Decay eye shadow fan, but when my mom bought me the Too Faced Chocolate palette, I fell in love. When you don't have time for ten steps of eye shadow application, this palette is perfect because you can swipe on a single color and be ready for the day.  Each shade is perfectly shimmery and pretty by itself. They are super blendable and smell amazing. I love this set of eye shadows for my everyday wear, and they are easy for beginners. You don't have to be a blending pro to get these super smooth shadows to look angelically pretty.

Books are my first love...but makeup and beauty products are a close second.

Check out this amazing review guide by Reviews.com. It will save you time and your hard-earned cash when you're in the market for a new curling iron.

Feel free to share with any of your beauty loving friends.

I'm a bookworm, but I'm also a beauty addict. I've spent tons of cash over the years at Ulta, Sephora, Target, and all sorts of places looking for the best beauty products for the average woman. I believe in cruelty-free cosmetics as well. Every Tuesday, I bring you quick information about a beauty product I've tried and loved. Feel free to comment below with products you think I should try out. I'm always on the hunt for the next best product :)

As a beauty addict, I'm always trying to improve my sad technique. I'm no expert at makeup and don't claim to be. I need all the help I can get. You can buy great products, but if you don't know what to do with them, what's the point?

That's where Christen Dominique comes in. Her Youtube channel has completely transformed by beauty routine. I've picked up so many tiny tips and tricks from her that have made a huge difference in my confidence in my makeup.

Her videos show you the power of makeup. I love some of her five-minute face videos, too, because they feel achievable for women of average makeup skills.

Check out her channel! She is beautiful, entertaining, and so dang good at makeup! She also gives honest beauty critiques of products, which I love.