Hi, friends! Happy April! It's been awhile since I did a Favorites post (not since my
2015 Makeup Favorites, I believe), so I thought it was about time to touch base with you all. I've been trying out some new products and rediscovering some old ones, and I'm so excited to finally share them with you!
COVERGIRL Colorlicious Oh Sugar Lip Balm in Caramel ($8.99 | .1oz)
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| CoverGirl Colorlicious Oh Sugar Lip Balm in Caramel |
I received this tinted lip balm for free a few months ago, and it's become the new staple lip balm in my handbag. I actually wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do. It applies smoothly and the subtle tint of the Caramel shade is sheer enough that you don't need a mirror. Most tinted lip balms I've worn feel more comfortable than a lipstick, but don't particularly leave my lips feeling soft, and this one does! You can check out more (including swatches) in my
full review. I'd like to buy another one of these in a brighter shade, maybe something fun for summer.
Does anyone else find these to be a little expensive, especially for CoverGirl? Maybelline's Baby Lips are half the price of these, and even Burt's Bees tinted lip balms are still a few dollars cheaper. I feel like these were priced like a lipstick when they shouldn't have been. The product is still good, but I just wanted to point that out.
IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer (Full Size: $28 | 1.35oz)
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| IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer |
I received this face primer from my
Korean Beauty Birchbox back in January. After hearing so many good things about it, I decided to open it up and try it. And wow, this is really lovely! You can apply this under your foundation, mix it in, or even wear it alone to give your skin some luminosity. It's definitely a "radiant" primer like the name implies. Depending on foundation you pair it with, it can give you a beautiful, dewy finish, or just cancel out the harsh matte look of some full-coverage foundations. For those of you who don't like the silicone texture of most primers, this doesn't have that. It's a water-based primer, any formula of foundation you apply on top of it will sit nicely. When I use this under the foundation below, highlighter is definitely not needed! I'm not sure if I really prolongs the wear of my foundation, but I like the effect it gives.
Pur Cosmetics Hydrafluid Water Serum Foundation in Light ($39 | 1oz)
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| Pur Cosmetics Hydrafluid Water Serum Foundation in Light |
Pur Cosmetics sent me this foundation to try a few months ago, and it still hasn't ceased to impress me. It has a thin, watery consistency that makes for a natural finish, though it somehow provides medium coverage and evens out my skin tone. It's kind of a mystery. I have no idea how they pulled that off, but it's been working great for me! You can check out my
full review for more details and swatches!
Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in Sailor ($18 | .04oz)
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| Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in Sailor |
I've
raved about these eyeliners before, but I forgot how much I really loved them until recently. I wore this pretty navy shade to a party, and we wound up going in a pool for a few hours. Despite all of the splashing going on (because people in their 20s are really just large children), this eyeliner was
in it to win it. Even my Benefit They're Real Mascara had smudged a little under my eyes, but my eyeliner looked identical to how I'd applied it 10+ hours ago. I was really impressed. I highly recommend these if you're looking for something long-lasting and truly waterproof. I've heard the Automatic (twist-up) versions aren't as good as these for some reason, so I would just invest the $2 in an eyeliner pencil sharper and this kind. They also come in a ton of different colors, though the shimmery ones like the Pink Champagne shade are creamier and might not be as bulletproof (they haven't been pool-tested, Sammi-approved yet).
Foreo Luna for Sensitive/Normal Skin ($169)
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| Foreo Luna for Sensitive/Normal Skin |
I mentioned I was trying this skin cleaning device in my
February Finds post. I know some of you are probably thinking, "Why do I need a fancy device to clean my face?" Well, you don't, but it's fun. I apply cleanser to my face like normal, then use this in circular motions over my skin, and my face feels so soft afterwards! It almost feels like a mini massage. I also feel like my face is getting a deeper clean than if I used my hands, or even a washcloth. There's also an "Anti-Aging" mode that I'm still trying to get the hang of. Full review coming soon! Do you own one of these?
Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster ($65 | 1oz)
Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Caplet Serum ($60 | 1oz)
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| Left: Elizabeth Arden Superstart Booster | Right: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Serum |
I've been using this skincare duo that Elizabeth Arden sent to me for over a month now, and I really like how they've made my skin feel when used together. The Superstart Booster (on the left) helps prep the skin for the treatments you put on top of it, like the Flawless Future Serum (on the right). Both of these products have great ingredients that provide vitamins and nourishment to your skin. They're quite expensive, so that's really the only thing that's holding me back from repurchasing (and the fact that a beauty blogger's job is never done). It's probably for the best, that way I'll keep trying new products, but check them out if you're looking for some new, classy skincare. You can read my
in-depth review here for ingredient information and more.
Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Gel ($25 | 1.7oz)
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| Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Gel |
I don't think I've ever tried a product from this brand that I didn't like. I've become such a surprise fan of Marcelle's makeup and skincare over the years. I got to try one of their eyeliners in a
Birchbox last year and I use their Golden Glow BB Cream in the summer when I get a tan. And they're reasonably priced, too. This moisturizer from my
February Finds is no exception. As someone with combination/dry skin, I'm always looking for something to hydrate my skin without clogging my pores, and I think I've found a winner with this one. It's a gel moisturizer, though it's surprisingly moisturizing for such a lightweight product. It's fitting in with my skincare routine perfectly, especially as we enter the warmer months (though it's currently 38 DEGREES in APRIL here so that might take awhile). Depending on how my skin feels, I'll either apply the Elizabeth Arden duo before it, or something thicker like my Seventh Generation Soothing Skin Serum (
a favorite) if it needs an extra boost of hydration.
Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Shower Gel in Be Enchanted ($12.50 | 10oz)
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| Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Shower Gel in Be Enchanted |
I got this shower gel at the outlets during Bath & Body Works' semi-annual sale, so it was only $3.50! I'm a fan of their stuff, but I refuse to pay full price for something I can get for cheaper if I wait. If you're a little flexible with the scents, you can get a lot of really good stuff when they mark down their products. I can't see myself paying $12.50 for these when I can get them for cheaper, so I'll just stock up during a sale. Being a gel formula, they're not particularly moisturizing, so I like using a fragrance-free body lotion when I get out of the shower. My go-to is still the
St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter, but I'm not terribly picky.
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| Left to right: Formula X Top Coat, China Glaze Skyscraper, Trust Fund Beauty Elegantly Wasted |
Formula X Shine Nail Top Coat ($10.50 | .4oz) - I mentioned wanting to Formula X's nail products in my
Summer Beauty Wishlist, so I picked this up. Working in the theatre industry, I don't get to indulge in a manicure too often, so when I do I want it to last. And let me tell you, my manicures stay literally
perfect for days when I use this. I painted my nails on Saturday, and on this lovely Tuesday I'm still chip-free. I'm crazy impressed. I always used to get sheet marks and see my nail polish start chipping a day or two after, but not with this stuff on top! Finally, a top coat that does what it's supposed to do! What a thought, right? I'd gladly spend the extra couple of dollars to get something that works.
China Glaze Nail Polish in Skyscraper ($7.50 | .5oz) - Another February Finds contender
. This is from a previous collection, but the good thing about nail polish is that it's often available online long after it's released.
It's a pretty blue glitter that doesn't act like a glitter or feel like a glitter. What I mean is, it's shimmery and sparkly like a glitter nail polish, but without that gritty texture and aggravating removal process. It's also more opaque than true glitter polishes, so I didn't need a base underneath this. I'll have to photograph some swatches next time I use it, because it's really quite pretty.
Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted ($15 | .57oz) - I showed this color in my most recent nail of the day. It's such a great transition shade between winter and summer, though I'll admit I don't always consider the seasons when I'm choosing a color.
I was introduced to this brand through my August Ipsy Bag, and now I want to pick up more of their shades, if not for the great formula then for their quirky names, With names like Boy Tears and Rich Bitch, how can I resist?
TV: The Voice (Season 10) - I only started watching The Voice last season, so I guess I'm late to the party, but I'm hooked! I'm such a music lover, and I was really involved with it back in middle/high school, so it's been fun revisiting it. Gwen Stefani is sadly not in this season, but it's still good! It's definitely more fun to watch with someone: my mom and I like to talk about who's going to win each round and yell at the TV when the judges don't agree with us. It's a good time. Let me know if you watch it! I want to hear who your favorites are!
MUSIC: Spotify's Discover Weekly Playlist - Mondays have been a little more exciting for me since I started streaming this playlist. Spotify updates it weekly with new songs every Monday, and I've been finding some great new artists because of it. If you're a fan of indie or pop, I think you'll really like it! Though beauty YouTuber Bethany Mota popped up with a song this week, and I was kind of shocked because,
she sings now? That was a certainly a plot twist. (For anyone curious, I think the song is pretty "meh.")
What have you been loving this month?
Want to see more of my favorite products? Click here!
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Disclaimer: Not sponsored. The CoverGirl lip balm and the Elizabeth Arden duo were sent to me awhile back. Some affiliate links included.
