Hey Guys!
Today I am sharing all things beauty! I have deff have been way more into beauty than fashion lately so I thought I would round up all of the beauty items that I love, can’t live without, my recent purchases, and items I am considering purchasing but haven’t yet. This post is quite long so grab and snack (or a glass of wine) and a comfy seat for this one.
Must Haves:
These are the products that I NEED in/on my vanity at all times! (lol) I have a back up (or two) for most of these items because they are that good and I don’t want to run out of them. Plus, makeup companies like to discontinue products without notice so I have to make sure that I stay prepared just in case.
Foundations
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation
I use the shade 4C1 Praline. It’s not a perfect match (too cool) but I make it work because the foundation is that good. I actually just shared about this foundation on my Save vs Splurge post. I have yet to find a foundation that blurs and smooths on the level that this foundation does. It is on the pricier side but if you are in the market to try a higher end foundation, I would definitely grab this one. I for sure have a few backups of this just in case they ever decide to discontinue it so that I can be prepared (lol!)
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
I use the shade Brûlée. I like the natural finish on this foundation and the lightweight feel of it.
Natural Concealer
Nars Natural Radiant Creamy Concealer in Sucre D’ Orge
These concealers come in a mini size too ($13) which are perfect for travel or just trying out the product to see how you like it. This concealer also comes in a ton of colors so you will most likely find a color that works for you.
Full Coverage Concealer
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer
I have this concealer in a few shades but the one I use the most is Sand. This concealer is so good because it’s not so creamy that it creases a ton under the eyes but it is also not too drying. I also like the fact that you get so much product for the $29 dollar price tag so it lasts a while esp if you don’t wear makeup every day. I have even used this concealer (in a different shade) as a foundation and it looks amazing! The applicator is so large that it is really easy to use that way if you want to.
Setting Powder
This powder is sooo good! It doesn’t dry out your under-eye area at all after you apply it which can be a huge problem for me because I have dry under eyes. I like the color vanilla because I like my under eye area to be super bright most of the time. If you don’t like that look, that’s okay because this powder comes in a few shades and you can find one that’s a little less bright to use under your eyes. If you want something brighter than vanilla, they have a translucent powder in this formula as well.
Bronzer
This was my “go-to” before I purchased the ABH bronzer. It’s not as pigmented as the ABH but it gives a really nice sun-kissed glow.
This bronzer is very pigmented and the color is perfect for warming up the skin. A little goes a long way with this bronzer so it lasts a while.
Cream Bronzer
Nars Natural Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chocolat.
This technically isn’t a bronzer but I use it as a cream bronzer because the color is that good. It is the perfect golden brown and gives me a glow without being too dark or unnatural on my skin. I typically set it with one of the powder bronzers above. Occasionally I will set it with this loose setting powder.
Nude Lip Combos
All of the lip combos that I have listed are from Charlotte Tilbury. When I first tried these lipsticks I did not like them because I wasn’t used to the “slip” that these lipsticks had. They are VERY creamy and it took me a while to adjust to them. After I figured out how to make them work for me I fell in love. Since then, I have been OBSESSED with her lipstick formulas because they are so smooth and creamy. They really do hydrate your lips. They are also sooo pigmented which I love. I have tried a few of her nude lipsticks and have listed the ones that are my “go-to’s” down below.
Hepburn Honey Lipstick and Foxy Brown Lipliner
Bitch Perfect Lipstick and Foxy Brown Lipliner
Penelope Pink Lipstick and Foxy Brown Lipliner
Lipliner
This is a lighter brown color that I like to use with most lipsticks. It is the perfect brown for me and at $4 you can’t beat the price. It’s usually sold out so when I see it in stock I usually buy 2 or 3 of them. The good news is that I just checked and the color is in stock! I really like to line my lips 3/4 of the way with this liner and then add a nude lipstick in the middle to create more of an ombre lip.
This is a really deep brown. I have to use this very lightly because it can be a bit harsh on me if I go crazy with it. My mom lovessss this liner and has worn it for years! She usually pairs it with a light pink lipstick like MAC Saint Germain or MAC Snob.
Mascara
I have three “go-to” mascaras. I have no issue with any of these clumping or flaking down my face during the day which can be an issue for me with some mascaras.
Waterproof Mascara
Lashes
Lilly Lashes in “so extra” Mykonos, “so extra” Miami , Miami , Mykonos
These are a bit pricey but the upside is that you can reuse them a few times. Sephora doesn’t carry the “so extra” versions but the good news is that there is a sale happening on the Lilly Lashes Website so I have linked the “so extra” versions there.
Lashes by Lush: Big Baby
These are my faveee lashes of all time and they are only $10. They are currently sold out and I am patiently waiting for a restock so I can stock up on more. If you want to see what they look like, I have them on here.
Lipgloss
Pat McGrath Lipgloss in Love Potion and Pale Fire Nectar
These glosses are amazing and definitely worth the price tag. They give a really high shine without being too sticky. I actually have a few of Pat’s lipglosses but these two are my favorite. They are both shades of pink. Pale Fire Nectar is unique in that it has a durochrome sheen to it that makes any lipstick look amazing! I have only ever seen one other lipgloss that looks sort of like that and it is Morphe Frosé.
Fragrance
This is my signature scent. If you don’t like floral scents or the smell of roses you might not like this one. It smells JUST like a bouquet of roses and I feel so put together when I have it on. A good runner up for me would be this one.
Face Wash
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
Faves:
These are things that I really like but aren’t my “holy grail” items.
Foundations
Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation
On a recent post I said I use the shade M18 but I actually use the shade M19 (whoops lol). This is a very skin-like foundation and I usually go for this when I want to look put together but I don’t want a ton of make up on. Keep in mind that the coverage is light to medium with this foundation so you can still see your skin “peeking” through. If you are looking for a full coverage foundation this is not it…just a warning lol
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Full Coverage Matte Foundation
I wear the shade Gingerbread 430 N. This foundation is FULL coverage. You will deff need all the works (concealer, blush, bronzer, mascara, etc.) when wearing this because it gives you a true “blank canvas” after you apply it. The smell of this is VERY strong (smells like gardenias) though so if you are sensitive to scents or don’t like really strong floral scents I wouldn’t recommend it.
Concealer
Kylie Concealer in Maple and Oak
I doubted this concealer when I bought it but after using it a few times I really like it. It is a full coverage concealer and it does a great job at covering my tired mama eyes.
Setting Powder
Kylie Cosmetics Concealer in Yellow
I really like this powder but for the price you do not get very much powder. If the price was lower, I would probably bump this one up to my “holy grail” products. Also, this is a tad bit drying if you use too much.
Bronzer
I first used this last summer and fell in love. It goes on so smooth and blends in so well. It gives the perfect amount of bronzing without being too harsh. I like to set this cream with the Huda Beauty Setting Powder in Coffee Cake. The combo is just so pretty! (I know I keep saying that but if I didn’t like the products I wouldn’t be posting about them lol!)
Kylie Concealer in Toffee
Lipliner
These are like my classic lipliners. I used to use these NONSTOP because they are both shades of brown and go with pretty much any lipstick or lipgloss. IMO, Hover is a tad more pink than Cork but both are gorgeous. I was actually about to buy a replacement for cork but I found a back-up of it in my vanity!
Nude Combos with these liners are:
Cork and PeachStock Lipstick
Lipstick
This was one of my very first every day lipsticks when I started to really get into makeup. It is a very light peach nude which can be intimidating but I think this shade can work for everyone. Adding a brown lipliner with this makes it super wearable. I used to wear this with cork lipliner and I would get so many compliments. Another combo that I like with this lipstick is sweet tea lipliner but Morphe.
This formula is so creamy and I don’t have to wear this color with a lipliner which makes it super easy to wear. I usually throw this in my makeup bag that I keep in my purse to use while I am out because it’s nude and looks good with everything. If I were to try it with a lipliner I would try it with MAC Chestnut.
Recent Purchases:
These are products that I have recently purchased in the past few months. I have only tried these products a handful of times so I don’t have much to say about them yet. My initial impression is that I like all of the products but I will let you guys know my thoughts on them after I use them for a while.
Foundations
Uoma Beauty “Say What?!” Foundation in Honey Honey TW3
Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation in 323W
This shade is a bit too dark for me. I can make it work but I will most likely end up grabbing a shade that a little lighter. Other than the shade, I really like to finish. It reminds me of a more dewy version of the Laura Mercier foundation that I love.
Concealer
InstaBake 3 in 1 Concealer in Jamsterdam
Stay Woke Luminous Brightening Concealer in Honey Honey T1
I have only used this once but I really like the consistency. It is a very thick full coverage concealer which is a quality I like in my concealers. I wish I would have gone a shade or two lighter but other than that its pretty good!
Eyeshadows
I created a look on insta using this palette and created a highlight for it. The highlight is named “everyday make up”.
Glow Products
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter in Shade 6
This goes under your foundation to create a “glow from within”.
Bronzer
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer in Tan
This bronzer is so smooth and pretty. The first time I think I used too much of it and I wasn’t too sure how I liked it but the second time…WHOA! I was super impressed. I’m excited to use it more to form a better opinion of it.
Blush
Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in Pillow Talk Intense
The color of this blush is so pretty. It’s like the PERFECT rosy-pink color. I usually have an issue with these colors turning red on my skin but I don’t have an issue with this blush at all. This product is pretty cool because you can use the two parts of the blush together of separate. The outside of the blush is the actual color portion and you can use this alone for a more matte blush. The inside can be used on top to create a sheen or it can be used alone to create a glow. Personally, I like to swish my brush into both portions to give my cheeks glow and a wash of color.
Wishlist:
These are things that I have my eye on but haven’t purchased yet. I always have things on my wishlist on the Sephora and Ulta websites. Normally before I make a makeup purchase, I watch a ton of vides about the product to see if they will work for me and then I make the purchase.
1. Dior Forever Matte Foundation
2. Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream
3. Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer
4. Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation Dewy
I love the matte version of this and I want to see if I love the dewy one just as much!
5. MAC Lipstick in Leave Me Breathless
6. Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer in Teddy or Chocolate
7. Colourpop Pretty Fresh Foundation
8. Colourpop Pretty Fresh Concealer
9. MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Influentially It
10. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Sweetmouth and Glass Slipper
Update: Sephora is doing a “more points” code where you can earn points faster when you make purchases. If you are rouge you can earn 4X per dollar, VIB 3X per dollar, and Insider 2X per dollar.
The code is morepoints
Happy Shopping!
-XO,Elle
