Tag: beginnermakeup

ColourPop “Going Coconuts” Collection | First Impression Review & Swatches

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I really try to stay mindful about my makeup purchases and remember that I don’t “need” any of these new releases. Whenever I saw this new Going Coconuts Collection from ColourPop… I threw caution to the wind and purchased every single item! If you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you know that I tend to wear really natural, brown toned eyeshadows and nude lipsticks. This collection included a very wearable 9 pan eyeshadow palette with all neutral shades, 3 super shock shadows in all bronze tones, 2 bronzers, and 4 sheer lipsticks that are all natural flushes of color. It was a no brainer that I picked this entire set of products up on the day it launched! I also added their Lippie Balm and Scrub, and their Coconut Face Milk to my cart too! I needed to get the whole tropical vibes experience. I have only used these products for 2 days in a row, so this is definitely a “First Impression Review,” but with the holidays quickly approaching, I wanted to show you guys what I loved and what I liked from this ColourPop Coconut Collection for you to gift, or for you to treat yourself with!

Going Coconuts Palette | $12 |

Whenever I first saw this palette, it actually stood out to me as being different from anything I’ve owned. Hear me out, it has a really good mix of cool tones and a few bright, shimmering shades that have silver and rose gold undertones. There isn’t anything that’s overly warm or golden, which I actually found refreshing from all the recent orange and red-tones palettes I’ve seen released. Not only is this super wearable for daily looks, but I think this would be a stunning special occasion palette. You could create the most beautiful wedding day, glam look using these shades! I love that the packaging is a hard plastic, as opposed to cardboard and it has a mirror inside. This is an ideal travel palette for me! The only con that I notice is that the metallic shades are crumbly, so you need to barely tap your finger into the pan to prevent them from smashing and breaking off into little pieces! I made the mistake of going full speed ahead into “Palm Reader” and had to gently pat it back into place after almost ruining it!

Shredded – satin matte cream

Palm Reader – metallic icy silver

Coolada – cool toned brown with gray undertones

Lovely Bunch – warm light brown

Coco Crush – metallic rose gold

Shell Yeah – satin matte terracotta

Get Crackin – cool toned dark brown with silver glitter

Da Coco – metallic taupe brown with silver and gold shimmer

Nutty – matte cool toned dark brown

Call Me On My Shellphone Super Shock Shadow Trio

The ColourPop Super Shock Shadows are one of my favorite formulas! They’re a cream-to-powder finish and have a bouncy texture when you touch them. I always use my finger to apply these. I think you get maximum color payoff by patting them into your eyelid, rather than swiping with a brush. These shimmer shades are super pigmented and foiled on the kids! They catch the light so beautifully and I guarantee you will have people complimenting your eyeshadow when you use one these! You can buy these separately for $6, or all three in a trio for $15. I used the shade descriptions from the ColourPop website for the rest of the items in this collection because I think they’re pretty accurate and I’m terrible at trying to describe these things! 😂

Peekaboo | $6 | “metallic ivory with silver glitter”

A Little Quarky | $6 | “peachy gold with blue & silver glitter”

Deep Dive | $6 | “bronze with purple and gold glitter”

Just a Tint Lip

Okay, where has this lip product been my entire life?! Girls, this is such a comfortable, hydrating lip crayon that perfectly tints your lips with a natural hue and a lip balm finish! These are definitely not high pigment, full coverage lippies, but they will give you a healthy looking hydration and sheer wash of color in an instant! I love the crayon-like shape of these because you can so easily line your lips and fill them in using one product. I have a feeling I’m going to be using these a ton in the next few months!

Island Time | $7 | “a sheer pinky nude”

Shaka | $7 | “a sheer yellow toned nude”

Waikiki | $7 | “a sheer cool toned pink”

Nude Beach | $7 | “a sheer mahogany”

Bronzer

These are my first pressed bronzers from ColourPop and I was definitely not disappointed! I purchased both shades because I usually mix my bronzers anyway and wanted to check for consistency in the formula. So the bad news is, these are SUPER dusty, like I barely pressed my bronzer brush into the pan and had major kick-up and fallout. These kind of made a mess on my vanity and I didn’t like that at all… However, once applied, these are such a pretty, sheer-to-medium powder! They build up beautifully on the skin and gave such a natural bronze flush to my cheeks. If you’re light to medium skin tone, I think you’ll really love “Coconut Beach” and if you’re medium to dark, then “Talk to the Palm” will be your best friend. These are the very pigmented and you just need to barely tap your brush into the pan to get full color payoff. Just be careful with how powdery they are! I would recommend using a fluffy bronzer brush, rather than a densely packed contour brush because the bristles will be more whispy and light, allowing you to not disrupt this extremely, finely milled bronzer!

Coconut Beach | $8 | “a neutral golden bronze”

Talk to the Palm | $8 | “a neutral matte warm bronze”

Coco Loco Kit

This kit seemed like such a good set for this time of year! I have a serious phobia about dry, cracking lips and I do everything in my power to keep them looking hydrated and smooth at all times! These items are sold separately, or you can purchase them both in a kit! I think the set would make such a perfect stocking stuffer for any age girl in your life!

Coco Loco Lippie Balm | $6 | “Clear Balm”

I love the squeeze tube of this lippie balm! These are so much more sanitary than the pots of balm that you constantly have to put your finger in. This formula contains shea butter, vitamin e, coconut and macadamia oil. This smells like a tropical paradise and gives such a shiny finish to my lips!

Coco Loco Lippie Scrub | $6 | “Clear Scrub”

I love how gentle this lippie scrub is! I can tell that it’s exfoliating dead skin off, but it still feels like it’s hydrating my lips at the same time. This is made with raw sugar, shea butter, cupuacu butter, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil. I try to exfoliate my lips at least twice a week to make sure that they look smooth and fresh!

FOURTH RAY BEAUTY

Coconut Face Milk | $14 |

If you didn’t know already, ColourPop has a sister company called Fourth Ray Beauty, which primarily develops natural skincare products. They’re known for their face milks and setting sprays! This Coconut Face Milk is of course, formulated with Coconut Milk and Coconut Oil, but it’s also has Marshmallow Root, and Aloe for additional skin nourishment. I applied 2-3 drops of this on my bare face, before makeup application and let it sink in for about a minute. I felt like it kept my skin looking hydrated and set nicely underneath my makeup. I don’t think it replaces my use for a primer, but I liked it for a moisturizing first step to my makeup routine!

As you have read, I really loved this “Going Coconuts” makeup collection by ColourPop. I felt like it all looked so gorgeous once applied to the face and inspired me to create more looks. I think you can go natural or bold with this palette and the super shock shadows will add such a gorgeous, glossy layer of sparkle on top! If you only get one, I would say “A Little Quarky” was the most unique! The lip tints were another standout product because they felt so good and looked beautiful on my lips! I didn’t think they lasted for a long time, but I honestly didn’t expect them to! They’re a sheer, lightweight formula and sometimes you can’t have your cake and eat it too! On an every day basis, I don’t mind reapplying every other hour if I love the color and love the way it feels on my lips. My absolute favorite shade out of the bunch was “Shaka”! Have you been loving ColourPop’s weekly new releases? I actually enjoy seeing the new collections and look forward to their announcements, but I know some people feel like the brand is not as “exclusive” if they’re always promoting new things. If this a brand you really love, then please let me know, because I really love reviewing their things and their price point is wonderful! I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend. Only a few more days until Thanksgiving, yay! Thank you so much for reading!

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Concealers Worth Your Money, Honey! | Part II

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One of my most viewed blog posts is my “Concealers Worth Your Money, Honey!” post from October 23rd, 2016! I thought it was time for an update and to my surprise, only one of the concealers mentioned in that previous post has remained a present day fav! If I had to guess, this subject has such popularity because of how common dark circles are for all of us! Whether you have them because they’re hereditary, or you’re a new Mom, an overworked employee, whatever the circumstances may be…we all seem to struggle with being tired and/or having discoloration in our under eyes. I wanted to include different brands, price points, formulations, etc. to fit the needs of the variety of skin types/concerns of my readers. Just to give you some background information about me. I am always tired due to a new job with a very demanding work schedule. I also have dark, blue-black circles underneath my eyes from genetics. Plus, I have seasonal allergies which play a big role in the puffiness and swelling that I experience this time of year. Safe to say, I have less-than-perfect under eyes and personally NEED to wear concealer in order to feel comfortable. It’s a step I never skip, whether I’m going for a natural, “no makeup makeup” look or a full glam beat! There is never a time (unless I’m physically ill or in a state of emergency) that I’ll pass on concealer. Since I do have this great need, I’ve tested a lot of different formulas from many different brands and have narrowed down my list to 5.

L’Oréal Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Concealer | $13.49

I stumbled upon this product when I was trying to find a more affordable dupe for the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. After reading reviews and testing swatches in store, this one seemed to be the closest match on the claims and coverage from Tarte Shape Tape. This is a very full coverage product that dries to a matte finish. I would definitely recommend applying this with a damp beauty blender to thin out the formula. I really like the large doe foot applicator because it covers such a wide area very quickly! It claims to be water resistant and all day wear, but I’ve never really tested it to withstand either of those conditions. I can tell you that it for about 14-15 hours on me and didn’t fade. I really like the versatility of this concealer because I can use it to cover up imperfections, such as blemishes and dark spots, and also use it underneath my eyes!

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer | $27.00

If I could only recommend one concealer to you, it would definitely be this one! I’ve used it for years and it’s just so consistently amazing. Not only is it very full coverage, but it is also lightweight and very blendable! Warning: this can get cakey and look dry if you 1. Apply too much (all you need is a small swipe of product underneath each eye) or 2. You blend it out with a brush. I’ve found that using a damp beauty blender is key to sheering out this concealer and making it look more skin like and natural, without taking away from any of the coverage it provides. It also will not settle into your fine lines, exaggerate pores, or cling to dry patches. I think it’s also very important to mention that this is formulated without Parabens, Mineral Oil, Phthalates, Triclosan, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and Gluten. It’s also Vegan and Cruelty-Free! I have 2 of these in my collection at the moment. One is in the shade “Light Neutral” which is about 1-2 shades lighter than my skin. It’s definitely personal preference, but I’ve found that buying a concealer that is a shade lighter than my foundation, really helps brighten up my under eyes. I also use the shade “Light Medium Sand” to conceal blemishes, which I want to match the color of my foundation and provide extra coverage for redness and inflamed looking skin.

Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer | $29.00

If you have dry under eye skin, combined with dark circles, then I would highly recommend this Too Faced concealer to you! The formula is infused with coconut water, alpine rose, and hyaluronic acid which keeps your skin plump and refreshed throughout the day! I’ve noticed that this product is a lot thinner than the previous two I’ve mentioned, however it still has high coverage and will conceal darkness and discoloration. It has a very lightweight feeling once applied and blends effortlessly into foundation. I’ve actually found that it pairs so perfectly with the Born This Way foundation from Too Faced! I know this product works really well on mature skin because it is so nourishing and won’t settle into fine lines. You definitely have to set this! I would use a really finely milled translucent setting powder on a tapered brush and just tap tap tap out the creases! I find that all hydrating concealers require setting powder to last all day. I use this in the shade “Snow” which is one of their lightest colors. It does oxidize (turn a shade darker) after it’s applied, so be warned of that as well. I would test some in store on the back of your hand, walk around for a bit, then check back to see if the color has darkened since first applied. That’s how I had to select my perfect brightening color!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer | $9.99

Okay I HAD to include this because I don’t use it alone, but rather in conjunction with all of these other concealers to brighten the darkness first, and then cover it with a shade of concealer that is closer to my skin tone on top. The “Brightener” shade is a peachy pink, color correcting product that is going to counteract the blue/black tones of your under eyes. It instantly gives life to sallow, sunken areas that need an extra boost! I’ve found that I use less concealer when I first apply this, which ensures that I never look cakey around my eye area. It’s seriously so good! I really love the shade “Neutralizer” as well. These are such a great affordable concealer that I seem to always have in my collection. Such a staple!

bareMinerals bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer | $22.00

If you really don’t have bad dark circles, but mainly just want to brighten and hydrate your under eyes, then this is going to be your bestie! This has such a silky, smooth texture and glides evenly over the skin. I love the way this feels on my skin. It is definitely not the most full coverage, but it does cover and will last for 8 hours (sometimes more) without fading! The way I apply this is by creating the standard diamond shape underneath my eyes, then letting the product sit there for about a minute. Then once I feel like it’s started to set, I will blend it out with my damp beauty blender. I’ve found that this method works best if you want to get the maximum amount of coverage from this concealer. As always, I think it’s really important to know that this formula is Paraben-Free, Phthalate-Free, Formaldehyde-Free , Chemical Sunscreen-Free, Triclosan-Free, Triclocarbon-Free, Propylene Glycol-Free. Mineral Oil-Free, Coal Tar-Free, Microbead-Free, and Cruelty-Free. If you get this concealer, I guarantee that your eyes will look more healthy and hydrated!

Whew, that was a lot! If you made it to the end, thank you SO much for sticking it out and reading all 5 of my recommendations. Each of these concealers is so different. I wanted to give you a variety to choose from because I know that we don’t all have the same skin types and concerns! If you know of an incredible concealer that I’m missing out on, then please leave me a comment so I can try it next! Love you!

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Favorite ColourPop Lip Products!

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I think it’s safe-to-say that ColourPop is blowing up! Not only are they sold on their website and Sephora, but as of today, they are now being sold at Ulta! They are one of my favorite affordable makeup brands because the quality is SO good. Everything that I have ever tried is so pigmented and beautiful! The two lip formulas that I love most are the Ultra Satin and Ultra Glossy Lips. I wanted to show you my favorite shades if you were thinking of purchasing something from one of their three retailers!

Ultra Satin Lips

These are described on ColourPop’s website as, “High pigmentation and a satin-matte finish in liquid lipstick form to keep your lips soft and comfy all day long.” I would definitely agree that they have a comfortable, satin finish that lasts for 4-5 hours, which is very impressive for me! The only downside is that because they aren’t completely matte, they can transfer if you apply too much or skip lip liner. I prefer this formula over their Ultra Matte Lips because these don’t settle into lines or overly dry out the lips. I would highly recommend these to anyone who enjoys the precision of applying a liquid lipstick, but wants more of a hydrating feeling in the formula! There are so many beautiful colors to choose from and at only $6.50, you can afford to buy more than one!

Rever

This is about to be my most worn shade of Summer 2018! It is an orange-red shade that is super vibrant and neon on the lips. I was a bit nervous for this color, just because it isn’t the most wearable, but it surprisingly looks really normal on! I am so excited to pair it with a bronze shadow and peach blush during the warmer months!

Magic Wand

I love this light, pink nude for my every day makeup routine! This is the only lipstick that has the print completely worn off of the packaging! I find that it goes with everything, whether I am doing something natural or more dramatic. I can always trust that it is going to look good! I can pull this off without a lip liner when I am my natural, medium skin tone, but whenever I am self-tanned, I do need to line my lips with a pencil 2-3 shades darker for definition!

Calypso

Remember when everyone wanted the iconic “Kylie Jenner” mauve lip color? This is the closest I have ever come to finding that insanely popular hue. It is described as a mid-tone pink, but I would also add that it has violet undertones. Depending on your skin tone, I could see it pulling either purple or pink; either way, it is going to be stunning!

Frick N’ Frack 

This is such a beautiful rosy, plum color! Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something about the tone of this lipstick that makes my brown eyes stand out! This is one of my favorite “date night” shades because it instantly makes my entire makeup appear more dramatic!

Dreamy

I am going to have this peachy pink shade on repeat all Spring! This is such a fresh, bright color that is very wearable. Sometimes I stray away from pink lip colors because they can look a little unnatural and stark on my olive skin tone, but there is enough warmth from the peachiness within the shade, that it looks really pretty! I do pair this with a nude lip liner underneath to give my lips additional definition!

Ultra Glossy Lips

I am so picky with my lip gloss formulas and at only $6 a piece, these are some of the best I have found within an affordable price range! You cannot beat the pigmentation, silky texture and on-trend shades! ColourPop describes these as, “High shine gloss with just a hint of colour in a moisturizing and non-sticky, comfortable formula.” I completely agree! I have tried both the cream and glitter finish colors and they’re all so beautiful!

Fairy Floss

I love wearing this pale nude gloss over a lip liner to give my lips a really full and hydrated appearance! It is pretty sheer, but it is extremely shiny, with no stickiness! If you like clear glosses, then I would definitely pick this one up to wear over your favorite lip liner!

Finders Keepers

This is my favorite mauve lip gloss ever! I think the color is so stunning on my medium skin tone! It is so creamy and gives such a healthy, shiny look to my lips! I think I am going to wear this all the time in the Spring months for a fresh makeup look!

Moon Child

This is the only ColourPop gloss that I own with glitter in the formula and it is SO good! You cannot feel any of the sparkles (one of my biggest pet peeves) and the formula is so silky! It is a beautiful nude pink, with finely-milled gold glitter throughout! I have worn this over light and dark lipstick shades and it goes with everything!

Thank you so much for reading this post! I am definitely going to get back into my routine of posting weekly. I miss writing so much and I have so many exciting ideas to share with you! As always, I would love to know if there is anything specific that you would like me to review! I also wanted to remind any readers that enjoy my content to follow me on Instagram! I am constantly posting new products and mini reviews! It gives me such a great forum to talk with you instantly and answer any of your questions through DM! Have a great week!

How to Look Well-Rested with Brighter and Wider Eyes!

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Do you have dark circles, puffy eyes or just a sleepy looking appearance after repeatedly hitting snooze on your seven alarms? Because same. I developed a routine to de-puff and give a highlighted, lifted appearance to my under eye area, while also brightening and widening my eyes! Keep reading to see the list of products I use and the ways I apply them to look more awake!

I always wake up with puffy eyes and the Clinique “Pep-Start” Eye Cream is my go-to for hydrating and brightening! I love it for so many reasons. I’ve struggled with finding the perfect formula to lightly moisturize my under eyes before I apply concealer. Whenever eye creams are too heavy, it will cause whatever you put on top of it to look heavy and crease. This one is so lightweight, while also being hydrating, so it’s the perfect formula for A.M. application! It is cooling to the touch, which helps with de-puffing as well! I’ve also noticed that this doesn’t give me those small white bumps, which sometimes can happen with different eye creams that I’ve tried. I use a small, pea sized amount and tap it on with my ring finger since it applies the lightest amount of pressure! I wait about a minute for it to sink in and then I go onto the next step!

I’ve been using the Becca “Under Eye Brightening Corrector” for a couple years now and I can’t imagine this product not being in my daily routine! If you have stubborn dark circles that show through with even the most full coverage concealers, then you need to invest in a good corrector! This one is a peach color with light reflecting illuminators, which will counteract the blue tones in your dark circles. A little goes a long way with this product, plus it lasts all day long! I apply this with my damp beautyblender underneath my eye and in the inner corners.

After I’ve moisturized and corrected, I apply a full coverage concealer! I always purchase one that’s 1-2 shades lighter than my foundation to give a highlighted effect! My holy grail formula is the Tarte “Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer” (that’s a mouthful!) and it comes in 14 shades so you’re bound to find your perfect match! It is by far the most lightweight, full coverage formula that I’ve ever tried! It truly conceals acne, dark circles and redness so flawlessly! I always use this product with a damp beautyblender to help sheer it out slightly! If you’ve struggled with your concealer wearing off, then you NEED to try this one because it doesn’t fade during the day or look drying!

By this point, I’ve used so many creamy, liquid products underneath my eyes, that I have to set it with a powder to lock it all in and prevent any creasing! I always choose a yellow-toned, matte highlight powder to enhance the brightening effect I’m going for! Even if you have a different skin tone than me, I would still highly suggest checking out the NYX “Highlight Pro Singles” on Ulta.com! These aren’t sold in store, but I always stock up online! At only $5 a pan, they’re extremely affordable and there are 12 different shades to choose from. I was constantly buying the Anastasia highlight refills and then I discovered these, which are just as pigmented! The powder will also help smooth out any fine lines you may have, which is an added bonus!

Now that my under eyes are concealed and bright, I move onto making my eyes look big and awake! On a daily basis, I typically just apply my bronzer in my crease and take a shimmery shade all over the lid. Even when I’m rushing, I will never forget to highlight my inner corners with a shimmery, champagne eyeshadow! This makes the biggest difference in opening up your eyes and reflecting much needed light in an otherwise shadowy area! I love using this L’Oreal “Infallible Eyeshadow” in “Iced Latte” to brighten everything up! I take my pinky finger and dab the shadow on my inner corners, blending it outwards to seamlessly fade into my lid color.

I have round eyes, with a lot of lid space, so I always use eyeliner on the top lash line to help define and thicken the look of my eyelashes! Whenever I don’t put eyeliner in this area, I feel like my eyes look super tiny and tired. My favorite liners to use are the Kat Von D “Tattoo Liner” in “Trooper” for an ultra black, winged liner and I love the Marc Jacobs “Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner” in “(Earth)quake 41” for a smudged out, brown liner look! I also use the Marc Jacobs liner on my top waterline to further define that area, as well as smudged out on the outer corners of my lower lash line!

I’m pretty sure the best makeup secret to opening up your eyes and making you look awake is using a nude eyeliner in your lower waterline! The Tarte “Fake Awake Eye Highlight” is the most pigmented and long wearing one I’ve tried so far! I’ve repurchased it so many times because nothing compares! The nude color will neutralize any redness you have from having your eyes closed all night long. Using a light color in the lower waterline will help widen and brighten your eye. Back in the day, I would use a white eyeliner, but I’ve started to enjoy the more natural effect of a nude eyeliner now! If you haven’t tried this beauty hack yet, you really need to! It makes the biggest difference and I really can’t do my makeup without it!

Do you have any tips or tricks to getting a fresh and well-rested appearance when you’re really just a sleepy gal?! Let me know by leaving me a comment! I love learning new techniques from you guys! Thank you so much for reading, I hope you found this type of product review/routine helpful!

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September Favorites!

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I have been trying so many new things in September, but only a few items have stood out as absolute favorites! I love sharing the different things that I recommend to my family, friends and coworkers! My “monthly favorites” are the products that I know will work for a variety of skin types and people with different levels of experience with makeup. I try to include products that are great for everyday use because the majority of my life consists of work and activities that limit how glam I can be from 8 am – 5 pm (although I do wish I could wear glitter eyeshadow to weekly meetings).

Anastasia Beverly Hills, Brow Powder Duo – $23.00

I recently picked up this old favorite of mine that I haven’t used in years! The Anastasia brow powder duo is a two-shade product that helps fill in and shape the brows! This is the most natural way to define your eyebrows, so if you don’t like using a pencil or pomade, definitely try this out! The formula is so good, it will stay put and is completely smudge proof. You can build up this powder, so I recommend using different amounts of pressure to get the desired light-to-dark effect on your brows. With the lighter shade in the duo, gently fluff it with feather-like strokes into the front of your eyebrows. With the darker shade, use slightly more pressure and precisely shape your arch and tail. They have 11 shade options to choose from and I use the duo in “Ash Brown.” By using a powder, you will get a much softer and natural effect, while still looking like you put effort into your eyebrows!

China Glaze, Street Regal Collection – $7.50

If you know me, you know I have an obsession with blue nail polish. I have always loved royal blue shades, but I’ve noticed that so many of them chip within a day of wear. I know certain colors are more difficult to formulate than others, so maybe blue is one of the cursed ones! I finally found one that is a cream finish and lasts really well on my nails! The China Glaze “Street Regal Collection” is online only at Ulta.com. The blue polish is called, “Born To Rule.” They have some absolutely stunning Fall shades in the range and I would recommend checking them out online if you enjoy doing your nails at home! I have been pairing any polish with the CND Vinylux Weekly Topcoat and I think that also helps prolong the wear of the manicure!

L’Oreal, Infallible Pro Matte Liquid Lipstick – $9.99

This is by far the best liquid lipstick formula at the drugstore! The most standout feature for me is the longevity, this will stay on your lips without fading or transferring for hours…it lasted throughout an entire meal without budging! You actually have to use an oil-based makeup remover to get this stuff off! It’s matte, but not uncomfortably drying. I really love the applicator because it allows you to be super precise when filling in your lips and it distributes just the right amount of product. I have mine in the shade, “Stirred,” which is a vampy, burgundy color. Be warned that the colors are darker than what they appear in the tube! I’m super excited to try out some of the more wearable nude shades now that I know the formula is top-shelf status!

Kiehl’s, Midnight Recovery Eye – $37

My under eyes are such a problem area for me. I’ve tried a lot of different eye creams and never found “the one” or a formula that did everything it claimed to do. I have super sensitive skin, so most eye creams would actually burn my skin and give me a reaction with small white bumps. I have been testing the Bobbi Brown eye cream for awhile and it’s really good, it was actually my favorite for a few months. When I ran out of that one, I decided to try out the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye because 1. Sephora finally sells this brand 2. So many people rave about it being their holy grail eye cream 3. No parabens, mineral oil, fragrance, silicones 4. Affordable in comparison to other popular eye creams! This claims to help with dryness, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. Since using it, I’ve noticed a significant difference in my dark circles, which is super exciting! I’ve noticed an increase in hydration and my fine lines seem to be fading! It’s absolutely a miracle product and I would highly recommend it if you’re like me and desperately trying to prevent any signs of premature aging!

Tarte, On the Prowl Tarteist PRO Magnetic Palette – $10

These magnetic palettes make life so much more convenient! You can pop in your single shadows, blushes, highlighters, powders, literally anything that you can de-pot and keep them in one little place! These are really ideal to keep your 3-4 essential products that you know you reach for every day. You don’t have to dig through your vanity or worry about misplacing anything, because you have it all in one compact place. I have a few different Z Palettes and although they’re nice, I really do prefer these Tarte magnetic palettes so much more! These come with a mirror and they’re more padded than the other ones I’ve tried in the past. I would definitely feel comfortable and confident that my powders wouldn’t break when traveling with the Tarte version. The camo print is so adorable and fun! They also have a leopard print and some limited edition holiday versions as well! Any product that helps keep me and my makeup collection somewhat organized is a winner!

That is all for my September Favorites! I love using all of these products and I feel like you would too! Let me know if you are also enjoying any of these beauty items! What were your favorites in September?! Please leave me a comment letting me know! I love talking to you guys and I feel like I get so many awesome product recommendations! I hope everyone has a great week!

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Shop the products here!

Anastasia Brow Powder

China Glaze Nail Polish

Loreal Liquid Lipstick

Kiehl’s Eye Cream

Tarte Magnetic Palette

Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit Under $170!

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Did you know that you can have a complete collection of makeup for only $170?! Well, you can! This blog was written to further prove this point! One of the most common beauty questions I am asked is, “What are the best makeup products from the drugstore?” I wanted to list out my top picks in each category that are tried and true! These are not only my personal favorites, but are also loved by friends and family that have tried too! I love finding products that perform like high-end makeup, but are budget friendly, so this post was a joy to create! To narrow down the list, I only included the products I feel are necessary for a day-to-day makeup look! You can interpret this post as a drugstore makeup starter kit, since I am only providing my reviews on the basic beauty necessities! I hope you enjoy reading and find your new favorite drugstore makeup products! 

Face

     

NYX Cosmetics Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer, $15.99
An amazing primer for all skin types. This product works best by gently patting into the areas where you have enlarged pores or tend to get oily. I have tried out very expensive, high-end primers and this one beats them out every time. This will fill in all of your trouble areas, including fine lines, while also extending the wear time of your face products. Another great aspect is that you only need to use a small, pea-sized amount for a flawless complexion! 

     

L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation, $12.99
I can’t get enough of this foundation! It gives you full-coverage and conceals any redness or skin troubles, while also allowing some of your natural moles and freckles to peak through! I love the demi-matte finish because it keeps your face looking fresh, while also controlling the production of excess oils. My favorite way to apply this foundation is with a damp Beauty Blender or sponge, but I have also found that this product goes on beautifully with a flat top blending brush. 

     

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer, Neutralizer, $8.99
Another long-time favorite of mine, I have found this concealer to always be a staple in my collection. The coverage on this product is amazing and will definitely conceal any dark circles or discoloration. I use the shade “Neutralizer” because it has a brightening, yellow undertone, which highlights my medium-to-tan skin tone perfectly! There are a few different shades in the collection so you can certainly find a perfect match for yourself too! The reason I continue to repurchase this product is for its combination of a full-coverage finish, brightening shade formulation and ability to wear throughout the day without fading or creasing!   

NYX Cosmetics HD Finishing Powder, Banana, $9.99
I feel like this is a hidden gem from the drugstore because it brightens your under-eye in the same way that most high-end “Banana” shade powders apply! I set all of my highlighted and concealed areas with this product to provide additional brightening effect, while also ensuring nothing creases throughout the day. If you have dry under eyes, you can just swipe your damp beauty blender that you applied your concealer with, into this pressed powder and apply directly to your skin to give an additional amount of moisture, while also setting your makeup! I have noticed that the formulation of this product gives an airbrushed finish to the under eyes because it buffs out any fine lines underneath the eyes and fills in the pores that can tend to appear in your t-zone. 

     

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder, Transparent, $4.99
This is my favorite all-over face setting powder because it is so finely milled and gives your skin an airbrushed appearance without looking chalky, which some matte powders can tend to do. I purchase the shade “Transparent” because it sets my foundation, without altering the color. Whenever certain liquid products oxidize, they can change to a darker or more orange color, the same can happen when applying a face powder. Choosing the wrong shade can completely throw off the good color match you had for your foundation, which is annoying. I like this particular shade because it truly just sets your foundation, without changing the coverage or color of it.    

    

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder, Sunny, $4.99
Such a beautiful, natural looking bronzer that can suit so many skin tones. This is a really popular bronzer because it is matte, which can be tough to find at the drugstore. It also has a unique terracotta undertone that gives your skin the most beautiful warm glow. In my opinion, bronzers that have an almost red undertone can translate on the skin very naturally since your face gets a tint of that when you’re sitting outside, regardless of your pigmentation! Although this bronzer is extremely warm, I have seen it work on a variety of complexions because of its unique color. At a price point of 5 bucks, it’s definitely worth a try! 

        

Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush, Pearlescent Pink, $2.99
These blushes are my absolute favorite from all drugstore brands because of their extremely inexpensive price and incredible pigmentation. I have every color in the range, but especially love “Pearlescent Pink” because it’s an exact dupe to one of my favorite high-end blushes by NARS in the shade “Orgasm.”

     

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.00
This highlight can be found at Ulta because I truly could not find a product from the common drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, etc.) or Target/Walmart that was worth mentioning in this post. It’s really difficult to find non-glittery, sophisticated highlights at a low price point. I came across this product out of pure curiosity and ended up loving it! It is a very neutral, champagne highlight that can complement any makeup look. It has very fine gold shimmer, which I personally think looks more natural on the skin than silver or white. If you live near an Ulta and want to add a highlight to your kit, I would definitely recommend giving this product a go!

     

L’Oréal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray, $16.99
This is hands down my favorite drugstore setting spray because it makes your makeup last forever! It gives your skin a slightly matte look, which is nice whenever you’re trying to keep a fresh face throughout the intense summer weather! I also love this formula because it doesn’t cause your mascara to transfer onto your eyes, as some setting mists do. I truly think I like this setting spray more than my Urban Decay because it works better at keeping my makeup on and looking freshly applied. My only complaint is that the nozzle on this product doesn’t dispense the mist as finely as the Urban Decay. Luckily, I can look past a packaging annoyance when I’m paying only half of what my high-end favorite costs!  
 

Eyes

   

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer, $4.99
As someone who has oily eyelids and constantly fears eyeshadow creasing, I need to use a primer every day. The best one I have found at the drugstore is by Wet n Wild! Not only does this product prevent creasing, but it truly brings out the vibrancy of the eyeshadows you are using. I noticed that the pigmentation lasted longer when using this product than without. 

     

L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow, Iced Latte, $7.99
These are the best shimmery eyeshadows at the drugstore! They come in a ton of colors and I always get compliments whenever I wear them out! The shade “Iced Latte” is a perfect, taupe/champagne, every-day eyeshadow color to wear all over the lid, or just to brighten up the inner corners of your eye. I like to apply these eyeshadows using my finger because you will get the most color payoff by gently pressing the pigment onto your eyelid, rather than sweeping with a brush!

        

Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Collection, Earthy Elements, $8.52
This is my favorite drugstore eyeshadow palette because the formula is just as good as many high-end palettes than I own! I had previously never tried Milani eyeshadows and picked up one of these palettes on a whim. I could not be more pleasantly surprised with the buttery texture of the matte blending shades in the palette. I love the shade selection in the “Earthy Elements” Palette because I am obsessed with warm bronze and orange shades. These shadows last forever on the eyes too! Every palette in this range have beautiful shades that you could combine to make many different looks. If you like the shades in the Urban Decay Naked Palette, you should pick up “Bare Necessities” because it’s an exact dupe!  

    

L’Oréal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner, Black, $8.99
Finally, a good felt tip eyeliner at a drugstore price! I am obsessed with this eyeliner because it is completely matte black and does not budge once you apply it. I find that for me personally, using felt tip eyeliners work easiest when doing winged eyeliner, so that is why I am very happy to have found this one at the drugstore. 

         

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer, Nude, $6.99
These Rimmel liners are excellent for the waterline because they stay in place, even if you have watery eyes like me! I love using a nude shade for every day because it widens the look of my eyes, while brightening my inner rim, which is a win-win on sleepy mornings at work! 

    

L’Oréal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, $9.99
This is just my personal favorite mascara of life. Regardless of how many high-end mascaras I buy, I always come back to this one from the drugstore because it gives me my idea of perfect eyelashes. I think this formula does an excellent job at both lengthening and adding volume. I also love the fact that it does not smudge and is able to last on my eyelashes all day long. 

     

NYX Cosmetics, Micro Brow Pencil, Ash Brown, $9.99
This eyebrow pencil is an exact dupe for my Anastasia pencil in the shade Ash Brown and costs half as much. It’s a no brainer to switch to these because they apply exactly the same, their shade selection is just as expansive, they give a natural looking texture to the brows, plus they last throughout the day! I continue to repurchase this eyebrow pencil and personally could never go back to paying twice as much for Anastasia pencils again. 

        

e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit, Medium, $3
This is my favorite eyeshadow powder! I like to use powder on the front part of my brows so it doesn’t look as harsh as filling in completely with a pencil would. This powder has the perfect ashy undertone to compliment my eyebrows and keep them looking as natural as possible. 

      

L’Oréal Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Gel Mascara, Medium to Dark, $9.99
By far the best eyebrow gel at the drugstore! This product will hold your hairs in place and make sure they do not move throughout the day. Whenever I don’t set my eyebrows with a gel, I notice they tend to fall straight (which looks weird and terrible) so this product is perfect to prevent that from happening! The formula attaches to your existing hairs, so if you wanted to fill in your brows naturally with just one product, you could totally just run this through to get a subtly defined look. 
 

Lips

    

Jordana Easyliner for Lips Retractable Pencil, Tawny, $1.99
One of my favorite every day lip pencils! The shade “Tawny” matches my lips perfectly and allows my lipstick to stay in place and not settle into any lines. I love filling in my entire lips with this product and wearing as a lipstick as well because it’s so beautiful. I can’t get enough of these liners and own them in every color!

    

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick, Root Beer Float (aka Pops), $5.99
This lipstick feels more like a chapstick, which I personally enjoy for every day wear! I think the color is a beautiful nude shade, but I am also impressed with their bold colors as well! The formula is very sheer and won’t be the longest lasting through eating and drinking, however if you are just looking for an easy, comfortable lipstick to wear to work and school, I think you will enjoy these!

    

NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss, Crème Brulee, $4.99
You just can’t go wrong with NYX lip products! These lip glosses are so nice to wear because they have a buttery consistency that isn’t sticky at all! They are pigmented, so you could totally get away with just wearing one of these without a lipstick underneath! I own many shades and all are consistently incredible!
       


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this lengthy post! These products would cost a grand total of $168.34 without tax if you buy every item at full price. Most of the time, ULTA offers Buy One Get One Half Off on their drugstore lines, plus many drugstores also run sales and provide coupons on beauty offers so shop smart! I think that you will all love these products, but I also want to know which drugstore makeup products you love the most! For whatever reason, I get more excited about finding hidden gem products that are inexpensive, than high-end makeup releases, so I would really appreciate your suggestions! Thanks again! 🙂

   

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