Happy Tuesday everyone!
This post has been a very long time coming! Over a year ago, I posted about what’s in my makeup bag, but since that time I’ve added quite a few new products to the rotation. Living in Tahoe and working from home, I typically never wear any makeup during the week. For that reason, it’s all the more important to me that when I actually do want to get dolled up that I have products that I can count on to do their jobs well. I thought I’d share a few of my new favorite beauty finds, along some of the hair/skincare products I’m loving as well!
This post has been a very long time coming! Over a year ago, I posted about what’s in my makeup bag, but since that time I’ve added quite a few new products to the rotation. Living in Tahoe and working from home, I typically never wear any makeup during the week. For that reason, it’s all the more important to me that when I actually do want to get dolled up that I have products that I can count on to do their jobs well. I thought I’d share a few of my new favorite beauty finds, along some of the hair/skincare products I’m loving as well!
Skin/Hair
Clarisonic Mia 2: I got the set pictured above from my parents for Christmas (it’s no longer available, this set is similar), and I’ve loved having a Clarisonic so far! It does a fantastic job of getting your face clean and taking off makeup, definitely worth the investment!
Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter: I read about this on someone’s blog this winter and decided to try it out after seeing it at my local TJ’s. It is so thick and creamy, perfect for dry skin! It’s also a great value for such a large amount and smells amazing. (Although if you’re not a coconut fan, don’t buy it because the coconut smell is very strong)
Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel: I actually used this stuff a long time ago and hadn’t bought it in ages, but with all the weddings we have this summer I thought it would be good to have on hand. It’s really velvety and a little goes a long way. It helps keep shine at bay better than any mattifier I’ve tried!
Hana Air Professional Hair Dryer: The generous folks at Misikko were kind enough to send me the Hana Air Dryer a few months ago and I absolutely love it! This thing is seriously the Ferrari of blow dryers. Most days I let my hair air dry, but chances are when I do have to dry it to go out somewhere and I’m probably running late, which is why this has been a lifesaver because gets even my long, thick hair bone dry in only a few minutes! I have been really impressed with the quality thus far and I appreciate them sending it to me!
Face
Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin: I’ve tried quite a few different foundations, but heard good things about this one online so I thought I’d check it out–so far I love it! I use shade 300 (Golden Beige) and I love that this foundation is lightweight yet full coverage. I’ve been applying it with a stippling brush and it provides such a beautiful matte finish to the skin. Because it is mattifying, you do have to work quickly applying/blending it because it dries really fast, but overall I like it a lot. Plus, the price is great too!
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer: I originally bought this in the winter because I felt that my old bronzer was way too orange/shimmery for my pale winter skin. I knew I wanted something more matte/with brown tones, and I stumbled on this bronzer by Too Faced and absolutely love it. First of all, it smells so so good–it really does smell like chocolate! Second, I love that it’s matte because I think it gives you more versatility and is much more natural looking. Third, I love the more brown color because it really prevents that Oompa Loompa look you can get with some bronzers, and it’s really great for contouring. When I first purchased it, I was debating between the Chocolate Soleil (which is a more medium/deep color) or the Milk Chocolate Soleil (which is more for fair skin tones) and ended up going with the darker of the two shades. I have been really happy with my choice because I think with the darker color it’s really up to you to vary how much you apply, whereas with the light color I think you’d just end up using more product to get the same effect, so I wouldn’t buy it unless you’re super fair-skinned.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: I got a deluxe sample of this for being a Sephora VIB, and I really like it! Because my skin does next to be more oily/breakout prone, I typically have never loved tinted moisturizer as I felt they made me too greasy without providing the coverage I needed. However, with BB creams being all the rage, I’ve tried out a few of them (and haven’t been too impressed) but discovered I like this tinted moisturizer the best for lightweight coverage. It just helps even out the face without being heavy and I love that it has SPF 20 in it as well. Once I run out of my sample, I think I’m going to buy the oil-free version to use for the rest of the summer!
Real Techniques Stippling Brush: I picked this up at Ulta the other day when I bought my Relvon foundation as I had heard that a stippling brush was best for applying foundation. At only $10, this brush is probably not the best one out there but it does a pretty darn good job in my opinion! It’s great for buffing on liquid foundation really evenly to get a flawless finish, and perfect if you’re not ready to invest in a higher-end brush.
Eyes
Maybelline Volum’Express The Rocket Mascara in Blackest Black: I am constantly trying out new mascaras but since finding the Rocket by Maybelline, I think my search may be over. This stuff is AWESOME and hands down my favorite mascara I’ve tried. It makes your lashes really full and dramatic, but does a great job lengthening and separating as well. It’s just the perfect mascara in my opinion.
Benefit They’re Real! Mascara: Before discovering The Rocket, this was my go-to mascara and I still like it a lot. It really lengthens and separates lashes, but to me it provides a more natural look than the Maybelline, which can be good depending on what look you’re going for.
elf Studio Cream Eyeliner: Eyeliner is a product I wear pretty infrequently, so it’s something I don’t want to spend a lot on, which is why this elf liner is perfect. I wear it in the shade Coffee and it’s perfect for putting on my top lashline for a more natural look that defines my eyes. I put it on with an eyeliner brush and I feel like it goes on really smoothly and lasts!
elf Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara: Seriously, elf products are my weakness when I go to Target because they’re just so cheap yet some of the products work so well! Case in point–this brow gel. It does an excellent job of holding my unruly eyebrows in place yet it only costs $1. I seriously keep a tube in my purse, in my car, in my makeup bag, I love it!
Lips/Nails
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Berry & Petal: I’ve talked about these Fresh Lip Treatments before because I’m pretty much obsessed. They are so moisturizing and I have them in every single color. Berry was a shade that was newer back around the holidays, and it’s a beautiful deep pinky purple color that really is great for the wintertime. More recently, I picked up their newest shade, Petal, and it’s so lovely for summer. It’s a really natural pinky-mauve color and I’ve been wearing it constantly.
Benefit Posietint: This is a stain that can actually be applied to cheeks or lips, but I usually put it on my cheeks. I’m not typically a big fan of cheek stains, but this seems to be a little creamier and easier to blend into the skin. I love the fun pink color and it’s the perfect thing to throw on with some tinted moisturizer to just brighten up your face in the summer, while still looking very natural. Plus I like that you can use it on your lips too because it makes it great for taking on vacation in the summer when you only want to bring a few products.
Essie Come Here! Nail Polish: I am a huge fan of Essie in general when it comes to nail polishes, but this neon coral shade from their new Resort collection is absolutely perfect for a summer pedicure. It’s so bright and fun, yet it’s that perfect blend of red, pink, and orange that it really goes with everything.
What about you? What products are you loving lately? I’d love to hear! Xoxo