So many favorites to share lately, but these are the products that have really stood out this past month. Like what you see? Let me tell you about 'em!
This April, I was all about that glow life! Not a shocker that my first favorite product is one of the most stunning highlights on the market. It's the
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone. Aside from its buttery formula and insane pigmentation, I've gotta give it up for the actual pale gold shade being stunningly versatile for face, eyes, and I may have even used it as a lip highlight over lipstick ;)
April was a great month for finding hidden gems at a ridiculously low price. If you caught my Marshall's haul over on Snapchat, you would have seen the Stila Set & Illuminate Baked Powder Trio in The Illuminators. Though this powder has been discontinued, I absolutely had to give it a mention because of how amazing this is as a finishing powder. If you can get your hands on this at your local Marshall's or TJ Maxx, DO IT. The subtle glow this gives your face is magic!
Here's a product I've been loving for quite a while now for its pigmentation, easy use, and longevity. The black Cream Eyeliner by Elf Cosmetics is so beautiful to work with and goes on smoother, blacker, longer than some other high end liners I own.
A few of you commented on a picture of this liner a while back that I had posted over on Instagram, telling me yours had dried out super quickly. I'm hoping they reformulated the product by the time I'd gotten my hands on it, because after a few months, mine is still as creamy smooth to apply as the first time I dipped my brush into it. I've been really careful since your heads up to tightly secure the cap after each use lol
The eyeliner is offered in 6 different colors and also comes with a little brush which is okay, but not my favorite to use for eyeliner on my eye shape. I prefer to use a synthetic bristled angled brush to do the job and am able to create a much more defined look without going my signature Amy Winehouse look when ish gets too real.
Simple Skincare have some amazing products for sensitive skin at an affordable price point. This product runs you about $12 at Target, but when I saw the Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer at my local .99 cents store, I snagged a couple to try.
I've been told by an esthetician in the past that gel products (specifically moisturizers) are going to be best for my oily skin type and cause the least amount of acne for me. As soon as I saw the word 'gel' on the label, I picked up two with her in mind. Can ya blame your girl? One dollar!
I highly recommend this for anyone who is oily acne prone looking for a moisturizer that isn't going to clog pores or be too heavy under makeup. This is seriously holy grail status for warmer months for me already! It really gives my skin the barrier of moisture it needs without being too much. If you've used Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron Serum, this looks and feels almost exactly the same, and you already know that's an adored product of mine.
Be sure to check your local dollar store for super good finds! If you see anything worth checking out, feel free to give me a heads up, too ;)
A few months back, I got this gorgeous Gallany Cosmetics Creme Satin Lipstick in the shade Naked in an Ipsy swag bag from Generation Beauty. Wow….this lipstick is everything I could ever ask for in a tube. So easy to work with, comfortable to wear, long lasting, gorgeous pigmentation and coloring….Your girl is smitten!
I've especially loved wearing it together with a lipliner I'll be sharing a few pics down. So many compliments on that combo! I've been addicted to this creamy nude and I just can't stop, won't stop. They're a bit on the pricey side, if you ask me, at $22 a pop, but are seriously worth every penny. If you're feeling splurgy for a lip product, I highly recommend trying this formula.
Milani Cosmetics has been killin' it lately with all of their new releases. This beautiful pallet called Everyday Eyes in Must Have Naturals has been my go-to palette this month for its beautiful shade selection and long wearing shadows that compliment just about any scenario I find myself in. I'm able to pull off really neutral, professional looks or sass it up a bit with a smokey, sultry look.
I'd just like to mention that the black in this palette is one of the deepest, darkest black shades I have in my collection! The first champagne shade is gorgeoussssss as a highlight for face and eyes and is actually a really good dupe for my first fave, Becca Moonstone. If you're on a budget, this palette is a must!
Here's another Ipsy mention! I received the City Color Cosmetics Highlight Trio in last month's bag and have been using it non stop. It's so dang cute and compact, but don't let that fool you! The 3 shades included are beautiful when applied. Literally every highlight shade you'd need on an everyday basis in a small, sleek package.
This trio isn't as buttery as something like those from Becca, but in terms of formula, I think that's why I love them so much, to be honest. If you have oily skin, larger pores, or scarring this may be the type of formula you'd want to look into for how it wears on the face. The slightly drier consistency applies and stays put without slipping into areas we'd rather not have accentuated. Love!
The Maison Martin Margiela Replica fragrance sample in Beach Walk has really grown on me for how well it's able to transport me to another place. There are layers of scents that seem to linger and unveil themselves throughout the day, telling a story of relaxing beach days laying in the sunshine, feeling the misty ocean's breeze. Does that not sound amazing?! So tempting to purchase the full size of this, but I may stick to a rollerball size after this sample is up since it's a very specific scent that I'd not want to get sick of. Give it a sniff test next time you're in Sephora :)
Makeup Revolution is a brand that's crossed the pond last year and has made me fall in love with their Baked Vivid Bronzer & Highlight collection. If you'd like to see a fully dressed blog post about them, click here. They're seriously beautiful if you're in the market for baked goods.
When I saw this sleek looking Ultra Blush & Contour Palette in Hot Spice at Ulta, I was immediately pulled in by the beautiful presentation. The range of peachy pinks and coral nudes had me, but once I saw it included matte, shimmers, and baked shimmering products, I knew it was game over. This is a palette that's also proven to be great for travel for it's shade and finish options, but also for that huge mirror it includes.
I'd recommend this for those with light to medium tan skin tones as with my medium complexion, I need to build a few layers up before getting some color to show up with a couple of the shades. I personally don't mind that, but just a heads up for those who might.
Deeper skin tones may find these blushes to wear a bit too light/powdery looking. I'd definitely go for the baked highlights in their Vivid Baked collection, though! They'd look absolutely STUNNING on deeper complexions.
Oh yeah….NYX's Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Soft Spoken has been another lip product that gets a lot of compliments and questions from you for the shade, but what you may not know is that there's so much more to this bad boy than meets the eye.
The wide doe foot applicator and formula are equally as stunning to work with and I have to say, feel much more expensive than the $7 price tag. It's perfectly pigmented, lasts all day, and is honestly one of the most comfortable liquid lipstick type products I've had the pleasure to try.
Remember the Gallany lipstick I mentioned above? This is the lip liner I love to pair with it from Essence Cosmetics in Soft Berry. I am absolutely mind blown by this product! For a wooden lip liner at only $2, it legit applies like the most creamy of retractible lip liners. It glides on effortlessly with intense color, no tugging. She's a beauty on her own all over the lips, or to anchor down any nudes as I use it with the lipstick.
This is the second Essence lip liner I've tried and the first one in the shade Cute Pink wasn't anywhere near this in performance. I'm not sure if I got a dud, or if there are inconsistencies in the line, but I'm definitely going to find out. Of course, if you've tried these liners and know the answer, I'd love if you'd let me know your thoughts :)
I traveled to Arizona in April to visit family and this Small Z Palette came along for the ride. I packed it with some of my essential single shadows and found it so handy to have them all in one place where I knew they'd be safe and easily accessible. The sturdy packaging, petite size and a clear window are great for travel and really forced me to downsize my army of palettes I tend to want to bring on trips. Bigger is definitely not always better, and in this case, it was just the right thing to bring with.
If you have any questions about the products above or my experience with, shoot me a comment or a message on any of the social media below. I love hearing from you :)
Have a fantastic day, Beauty Babes!
♥ xoxo
Labels: beauty favorites, beauty reviews, beauty tools, becca, Elf, Essence Cosmetics, eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Fragrance, highlight, Lipstick, Makeup Revolution, Milani, NYX, simple skincare, skincare, Stila, z palette
