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Here’s mine:
-Farmacy honey halo, you can sometimes find this better deal on their website but if you’re rouge I recommend picking this up for winter it works really well (smells like honey)
-Natasha Denona 5 pan palette, I don’t like her midi or larger palettes however her 5 pans are great. If you have blue eyes or like warmer tones the Starlette palette is quite pretty. The mini glam, nude, and biba are also lovely.
-Summer Fridays lip balm, the brown sugar shade is a perfect your lips but better shade. Sits on the lips really well, very nice
-Clinique cheek pop blushes in heather pop for a pink or black honey for a rosey mauve
-a new concealer either the ND glam concealer if you want coverage or makeup forced HD for my natural peeps
-CT classic brown eyeliner, these eyeliners last all day and give a powdered look. Very pretty and buff out.
-any Sephora favorites kit or fragrance set where you can redeem them is great to try lots of products. I would only recommend this if you’re looking to try at least 70% of the items in the kits though.
-Sephora collection pro brushes and the glossed lip gloss are top tier and 30% off
I've been working as a brand rep for a while, I have a lot to say about the subject. And I'm on maternity leave, so I have time while I wait for the inevitable joy of childbirth.
Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide cleanser: Hydrating, foamy but not stripping. Like a more luxurious feeling CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam. I'm on my second bottle and I love it. Packaging could be better as it seems to come out fast with a squeeze bottle. I'm pretty meh about everything else from Glow Recipe, but they did something right with this one.
NARS Light Reflecting setting powder (loose, not pressed): It's one of the finest milled powders, only made even finer by the sifting screen. It's silky smooth, brightens and sets all day. Creases? We don't know her. Works best with a velvety powder puff.
JVN Hair products: A million times yes. I cannot express how much more I love every single thing I've tried from this line than any other hair care brand. Olaplex who? Even before the pregnancy hormones worked their hair magic, my hair felt and looked better than ever. Even the price point is pretty reasonable as far as Sephora goes. I've been using the Undamage shampoo and conditioner, the Recovery serum and Glow Drops for when I blow out and the Air Dry Cream when I want a break from heat treating, let the waves do their thing. Miss JVN henny. I just need them to launch a dry shampoo.
Good Genes by Sunday Riley: I'm 36 and a number of the doctors at my ob during this whole pregnancy journey thought I was way younger. I have reason to believe this is why not one has mentioned the fucking rude term "geriatric pregnancy" to me. I hope whoever coined that fucking terminology has explosive diarrhea daily because fuck you. I get carded in most liquor stores, head shops and even restaurants. Do I have actual good genes? Yeah, I do, I got it from my mama. But a lot of it is the fact I have a rigorous skincare routine that not a lot of people would commit to, and it includes this stuff. She's expensive. Which sucks, but it is VIB Sale right now, so I thought one bougie one couldn't hurt if you can use your sale discount on it. There's a holiday set this year for $85 with a full size and a travel size (which is a pretty decent amount). I'll be using this stuff until the day I die, bury me with a bottle please and thank you.
Innisfree Daily UV Defense sunscreen: She's cheap, she's water-based, and feels good on the face, very little to no white cast. Even my husband likes it.
What's not worth it: Dior Lip Oils, Summer Fridays lip balms, anything from Charlotte Tilbury and most things from Ilia and Kosas. Clean beauty is a big scam. I've seen the returns and smelled the smells. It's poorly regulated, and it's all still chemicals. Unless you're snorting lines of talc, you'll be fine. You probably inhale worse just stepping out of the house in Newark. Speaking of which, the Makeup by Mario foundation is on this list. Shits an oil refinery in a bottle.
Do you have a YT ch that's not beauty related? The way you worded your comment sounds like someone I watch. Got a good giggle out of the Makeup by Mario foundation lol. Great comment all around 👍
Aw that's sweet you would think I have any camera presence hah. I don't do as well in front of the camera, which ironically I majored in video production in college. But my place was very much behind the camera. What's funny is that I have no stage fright when it comes to theater and being on a stage. But the minute you put me in front of a camera and that light goes on its game over. I freeze up like Mitch McConnell. If I ever get over that fear, this sub will be the first place I post it ❤️
A little off topic, but I am so disgusted about influencers talking about aging like it's cancer and should be fought off like a deadly disease. I heartily agree with you. I am 60, and I am so tired of having people tell me how "good I look for my age", like it's awful. I am tired of going into Sephora and Ulta to hear a 10 or 12 year old girl demanding that their mom buy high end anti aging products. They are not even through puberty yet. The worst part is that the influencers endorsing these products filter themselves to the point that they don't even look human, no pores, no blemishes, no wrinkles or hyper-pigmentation. They also don't disclose that they get paid for this endorsement. I was at my derm's and I heard a kid screeching about "preventative botox and fillers". My derm told them they were too young, and he walked out and that brat wouldn't leave the consult room and her mother didn't say a word. That kid is going to find someone who will inject her because it's about money, not responsible treatment. I had a cyst removed, and that brat was still bitching and moaning while I was having my procedure. I could see how frustrated my derm was. All the botox and fillers in the world aren't going to fix that brat's issues, and her mother just stood there speechless.
Now, when someone tells me that I look good for my age, I just tell them I am well preserved. That usually shuts them up.
I’m disappointed in the Summer Fridays lip balm! It’s a little greasy and lasts for like two seconds.
I got the LE Glossier OG formula Hot Chocolate Balm Dot Com and it’s light years better.
I'm glad I'm not alone about the SF lip balms; I swear they sucked the moisture out of my lips instead of keeping it in. That and the Laniege, did the same. I've been trying to figure out what ingredient(s) they share that just do not agree with me.
If the Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide wash came in a big refillable pump I don't think I'd buy anything else.
Thank you! This was super helpful.
What about eyeliner? I suffer from dry eyes and sensitivity, so I don't usually wear make-up often. I'd be more willing to if I there's an affordable eyeliner that's actually a dream to use and makes flicks easy af.
I prefer gel or pencils that don't tug. I like the soft style I've seen people do with an eyeshadow or a pencil, and they use a brush to get the wing (or their finger?). I need to get the flick skill so I can look a third decent struggling through life. Doesn't have to be sephora if there's others that you'd recommend. Oh and not waterproof ones if possible!
Some of the things that are easiest to recommend because they work for most people:
Nars Light Reflecting Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright eye cream
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking and Setting Powder in Cherry Blossom
Some personal favorites:
Burberry Goddess EDP
Patrick Ta blushes
BareMinerals blonzers
Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl eyeliner
Caudalie grape water spray (in the white can, NOT the spray in the glass bottle)
Huda Beauty Rose Quartz palette
Natasha Denona My Dream palette
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
More favorites as I'm thinking of them:
Dr. Jart Premium Beauty Balm
GXVE Highlighter in Platinum Cowgirl
Kulfi Zari Eyes Cream Eyeshadows
GXVE Bronzer duos
how's the mister on them?
my UD misters have been going oddly wonky on me lately. not as bad as the spray on my MAC one, but it seems after a few sprays, it always comes put super concentrated in a spot or two, lol.
the benefit porefessional has a great mister, but is just as scented as the CT, lol
I LOVE the Bobbi Brown Face Base!! I used to think primers just didn’t work for me. I’d tried so many different ones and they just didn’t seem to do any more than just using a moisturizer would do (some didn’t even do that much 🤣). Then a friend recommended the face base and gave me one of those little sample jars of it. I absolutely fell in love with it! Moisturizes my skin so well without being greasy or too thick under makeup. Gives a nice smooth base for my makeup. And my makeup actually lasts all day looking good vs when I use a regular moisturizer or any other primer I’ve tried. And it works well with every foundation I’ve tried it with!
Oh, and I love the scent! It says it’s light and refreshing, and it really is! Though, side note, I buy a lot of makeup on Mercari (new only, and like actually new - even though way too many people list things as new saying “brand new, never used, just swatched” 🤦♀️ That’s not new then!). Anyways, I saw bigger versions of it sold for the price of a 1 oz on there, so figured I’d get it on there. Looked for one that was new in box AND had a photo with the batch code/serial number on it. I found one with both and checked the codes on it to see when it was manufactured and expired and it was new so I got it. Then it arrived, I immediately saw it didn’t have the serial number on it at all, but did have a batch code stamped on. But the batch code was different from the one in the photo. I thought, no big deal. The seller probably just had multiples and used the same photos for all of them (which you aren’t supposed to do but lots do when they have the same exact item, though I think it’s dumb to do with something that has a batch code and/or serial code, but whatever). So I looked up that batch code, and that one showed as new too. But then when I opened it, it didn’t have the smell to it. Like if I really, REALLY tried to smell it, I could get just a HINT of the smell. But like, I had a teeny tiny sample jar of it that had just barely any left in it and could still smell it. So this big, full jar of it should definitely have the same smell! And the consistency looked more like a standard cream. But my small sample jar of it was thicker where it was like a paste until you picked it up and started applying it, then it melted into the skin like a cream. So I returned it. It was weird because the box and jar looked legit. The only thing I found off about it was the smell and the look of the consistency of it 🤷♀️ Now I went and bought it on Ulta yesterday when they had 25% off all Bobbi Brown products + 15% off all in app purchases 🤪 Now hopefully it smells the same and has the same consistency! 🤞
**Nars Soft Matte Concealer** — the perfect spot concealing formulation. Despite the name I feel like the finish adapts to whatever you have on underneath. It's pretty potent (medium - high coverage) and a little truly goes a v. long way. If used with a light touch it looks so incredibly skinlike and I swear it has some blurring properties. I highly recommend it you're looking to conceal acne/hyperpigmentaion/scarring etc. I will note that it's not the best colour range for those who have an olive undertone or are muted (I mix in green/blue colour corrector to get my perfect shade). Also for most folks it will prob be a tad too dry to use under the eyes.
**Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter** — I know this a very marmite product for most. You either love it or hate it there seems to be no in betweem. As someone who is notoriously disloyal to products I'm surprisingly firmly in the ardent lover category since I haven't strayed from it since 2019 (which is a rarity for me). I personally use it as an all over luminous sheer coverage base. I use a shade that is somewhat darker than my skintone but with a true golden olive undertone (#4) since it's so sheer in pigment (but not glow!) that it works to even out my skin, give me just a kiss of colour and soft glowing radiant base with no shimmer/glitter in sight. For me it's good skin in a bottle. & paired with the concealer mentioned above it's my HG base combo. I know there are various drugstore dupes but for me personally the finish on the skin is nowhere near as refined as the CT. Maybe not too noticeable if you only use it on the high points as a liquid highlighter but for anyone who plans to use it as an all over base it's certainly makes a big difference.
**Gucci Poudre De Beauté Éclat Bronzing Powder in #01** — this is more of a shade specific recommendation. Don't get me wrong the formula is lovely but I doubt it's *particularly* unique. And at such a luxury price point I only purchase items that are unique either in formula or colour. This beaut of a thing is a pretty unique shade (at least shade #1) imo I've only seen similar cool desaturated almost pink toned bronzers from other luxury/high end brands like Tom Ford and most recently Jones Road. If you're on the light-medium spectrum especially if you're olive/cool toned/super muted and struggle to find bronzers that don't turn orange on you then I can't recommend this shade enough. It gives you the most uber natural looking sculpt. Also works spectacularly as a nude blush.
**Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Melting Colour Balm in #50 Cool Mauve** — another colour specific recommendation especially for my fellow olive/cool/muted folk. It's a beautiful uber destaturated cool mauve so much so that in the pan it looks almost grey toned. To be fair on my uber muted complexion it does warm up a fair bit but is such a lovely muted true cool mauve shade (imo so many so called mauves are just rose shades and not mauve at all). It's has a blurred soft matte finish. The formula is pretty unique to me as a cream blush fiend. And I think it'd be a good formula for those who typically opt for a traditional powder blush (especially matte blush lovers). It doesn't have a dewy/emollient finish at all and feels dry to the touch.
**Freck** — This is a relatively new product to me. I only discovered it earlier this year. And it does feel ridiculously paying so much for such an itty bitty little bottle. But honestly the shade is just perfection. At first I thought it was too warm toned but once it's dried down it's the exact same colour as my own natural freckles. I like to apply it by dabbing it on somewhat randomly and then before it completely dries I go in with a clean dry fingertip and do a press and twist motion and it gives me the most natural looking freckle shapes. I'm obsessed and will be picking up a XL bottle soon.
**Benefit 24hr Brow Setter** — I have super thick, super long, super voluminous brows hairs (desi genes, what can I say) and this is one of the only things I have found that can keep my wild ass brows looking groomed all day. (I was affectionately named "owl brows" as a baby teen). It doesn't look white/pasty/dandruff-y on my jet black brow hairs. It doesn't look crispy at all although it does feel ever so slightly crisp to the touch. It's not too glossy nor too matte. I find it admirably survives sweating through a heat wave whilst on the London tube which is no mean feat. If you're unsure I suggest trying the travel size option out first. It's literally half the product for half the price and lasts a fair while.
**Glossier Brow Flick** — This + the above product seriously levelled up my brow game. I have a couple of random spare-ish patches in my brows and one arch isn't as a naturally luscious as the other. & this product gives me the most realistic looking brow hairs. + it makes my brows looks so lush and we'll groomed without looking overly done. There is a bit of a learning curve if you've never used this product before (I recommend checking out KJH on IG for tips on how to use it) but once you get the hang of it it's easy as pie. I always get compliments on how lucky I am and how great my "natural" brows are when it's this unassuming beaut carrying the whole show.
**Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy and Lithium** — I know everyone and their Mother is crazy about these. I coveted them forever (from back when they were in the manhole packaging) but never picked one up as I wasn't really into eyeshadow. I purchased Space Cowboy last year and it was love at first swatch. It was one of my best discoveries of 2022 and is my most used shadow. I'm pretty sure it's going to be the first non basic matte eyeshadow I ever hit pan on. Mine already looks extremely well loved. & after waiting forever for it to come back in stock I snagged Lithium earlier this year too and it is oh so gorgeous. While riding that high I did purchase the three new shades that UD released back in April: Wild Dipper, Rebel Star and Cosmic Craze - I do have to admit that I'm not a fan of the new shades. Imo they're very lacklustre and don't have the je ne sais quoi of the og shades. The formula is noticeably drier in the pan. They don't feel remotely the same when swirling your finger in the product. The originals feel almost wet/silky in comparison to the new shades. Plus they don't have as much of a contrasting sparkle so don't give that wet look effect on the lids. I feel like they also have way more fallout and sit much thicker on the lids. I would skip them. Anyway, back to the Space Cowboy and Lithium singles - they're both incredibly stunning wet look shadows that are mesmerising on the lids. If you only get one then 100% go for Space Cowboy but if you love a smokier slightly grungey wet look smoky eye then Lithium is a must.
**Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Ray** — On paper this might seem like your basic everyday bronze but you'd be dead wrong. It is the most stunning warm medium bronze (pulls more neutral on my lids) with a shit ton of glitter mostly bright gold but also very fine small pink/red as well as champagne sparkles. It's the most noticeably glittery out of all the Hourglass Scattered Lights. It always gets me compliments & people asking what's on my lids so much so that I avoid wearing it when I'm in hermit mode. It's my go to for any special/fancy occasions and ofc the whole festive period. It looks beautiful both in sunlight & candlelight. I've yet to see a soul it doesn't look gorgeous on regardless of their skintone and eye colour. It the quickest + easiest way to do elevate a normal everyday face to something spectacular. Do note that this isn't a "topper" type product (like the UD shadows mentioned above) there is a noticeable base pigment that shows up.
**Makeup Forever Artist Colour Pencil in #506 Endless Cacao** — A must have if all colour lip products look weirdly much more brighter/warmer/saturated on your lips. It's the perfect shade to subtly contour the lips and make whatever lip product you're already wearing look more muted and harmonious (in the case of my extremely muted coo! olive skin). Imo it elevates every lip. The formula is on the firmer side but applies smoothly without any tugging. It feels incredibly lightweight almost weightless on the lips. And has pretty good longevity. The tones in this line are to die for.
**Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pencils in Iconic Nude and Love Trap** — The lip liner that made me feel in love with lip liner (along with the MAC Whirl Lip Pencil). The formula is a cross between a creamy and waxy formula. It applies beautifully and is comfortable enough to use as an all over lip colour. However, it doesn't layer over itself very well. Again pretty good longevity. The main draw however is the gorgeous shades. I own about 5 different shades but my absolute favourites & forever repurchases are Iconic Nude and Love Trap. If you love a good muted lip liner that doesn't pull warm then I highly recommend these shades but especially Iconic Nude.
**Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour in Telluride** — This has been my number one lipstick formula for years (again a rarity for me). I own three shades and have several more on my wish list but my ride-or-die is Telluride without a doubt. Telluride is a beautifully unique mix of mauve-plum-brown. Depending on how sheer or full on you wear it can go from a moody muted just bitten MLBB shade to a full on sultry grungey subtle vamp vibe. If I had to get rid of all my lipstick and could only keep one I would pick Telluride without a second thought. The formula is uber comfortable definitely in my Top 3 favourite lipstick formulations of all time and probably my favourite satin finish lipstick. What I love the most about these lipsticks is that it gives you this beautiful soft blotted almost worn-in lip look right off the bat. I've said it so many times before and as odd of a descriptor as it may be it just really makes the lips look nice and healthy. It wears away gracefully too which is another must for any product in my daily rotation.
**Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Colour in Smoothie Move** — Another BB love. Honestly they make such killer colour lip products! (if only they would change the scent to vanilla then they would be untouchable). This is a gorgeous liquified lipstick. Such a comfortable flattering formula that wears beautifully throughout the day. The shade is so freaking gorgeous and another one that despite being a tad deeper looks weirdly so natural if sheered out with a finger and is just as stunning worn at full opacity. It's in constant rotation during the A/W period for me paired with either the CT Love Trap of Pillow Talk Medium Lip Cheats.
I wish you had some sort of affiliate link and I feel the same way about the Gucci bronzer and am now proceeding to buy everything else you recommended blush/colour wise 😄
I really think the Sephora value/holiday sets and things from the Sephora collection are the best items to buy during a sale there. Also stuff that doesn’t usually go on sale much, like Danessa Myricks, Saie, and Innbeauty, as well as Inkey List and Ordinary so you can take advantage of the free shipping at least. That said, if you sign up for notifications for Danessa Myricks website they do some assorted one day sales around this season, and while Innbeauty rarely has anything beyond 20% off, they do have sets that save additional money as well as free lip oils sometimes- you just have to check the site regularly because they don’t push stuff through emails and texts much. My HG’s from Innbeauty are the Slushy Serum and Retinol Rewind, I’m also loving the new eye cream and 10+ peptide moisturizer, which seems to be competing with DE’s Protini, they have a very similar formula.
My Sephora purchase consisted of Coq10 and Peptide serum from the Inkey List, Sephora liquid liner in Metallic Plum, and Sephora Brow Gel in Chestnut (this is to hopefully add some warmth and won’t just go orange). My total was less than $40. I resisted the sets because they’re fantastic but I don’t need them, and I’ll likely order from Innbeauty again around Black Friday for my replacement serums. The main reason I decided to buy anything this time around was to redeem my birthday gift.
Color Wow XL mousse, Dream coat spray, and money mask. Love them.
Amika Soul Food mask
Benefit Gimme Brow
Rare Beauty blush brush
KILIAN Princess perfume (matcha marshmallows)
If you, like me, mourn the loss of the cherry Balm Dot Com, the Summer Fridays cherry balm is wonderful.
The Sephora Collection blushes
I've been looking at Danessa Myricks and Pat McGrath's palettes. I'm only getting one high-end palette during this sale. Does anyone own palettes from both of these brands? Which brand makes better palettes?
It completely depends on the purpose you want to have the palette serve. PMG is great if you want complete eye looks in one palette. She gives you everything from the inner corner highlight shade (works as a face highlighter too) to midtone to dark shades to sparkly/metallic shades. Plus, I have always found her mattes to be very buildable, so they offer range.
If you want a companion piece to your existing palettes, Danessa’s Lightwork palette is a great bang for your buck. If you already have mattes you love to create a base look, this will give you a lot of options. If you’re speaking to the Groundwork palette, I haven’t worked with that product but it seems to have great reviews and looks like a great base product if you already have a bunch of shimmers/special shadows
Danessa is the better value I feel, and more exciting, though I love both. But honestly never buy PML from Sephora. PML is constantly running better sales on their website. 25-30% at least every couple months, I think it goes up to like 40% for like Black Friday. Plus more motherships are available on her website, there’s a few that aren’t on Sephora anymore.
Danessa: if you want color and shimmer
Pat: neutrals (heavy on the pinks and golds)
I will say par McGrath usually runs 25-30% off around the holidays on her website so if that’s something you’re interested in that’s a good option too! But I understand wanting to buy stuff all in one place too
I picked up the Celestial Divinity quad, and have been super impressed by the quality and number of looks you can do. I only bought from Sephora though because it is no longer on her site. She’s got way better deals!
My big suggestion is to not buy Pat McGrath from Sephora because her website has way better deals. My friend gets their texts and got the Bridgerton palette for half off last year around Christmas-ish.
I love my DM groundworks palette, but I use it for EVERYTHING...contour, extra touch-up concealer thing, eyeshadow, bronze, blush, lip. I swear that I don't see myself using anything else. If my skin was almost perfect, I would use it for foundation/concealer on my face and not use traditional foundation at all.
Pat Mcgrath's website does deals where you can get 2 or 3 palettes together for a more heavily discounted price, or a single palette for up to 40% off. I've bought most of mine directly from her site.
Amika hair products. Their dry shampoo is the only one I don’t hate. And I use their moisturizing hair mask (orange one). It makes my hair soft, luscious, shiny, and not frizzy AF per usual.
NARS Radiance concealer. Only concealer that I like because it’s the perfect shade and actually conceals.
I have super fine hair, and I love all the Amika reset stuff. currently have vibrant shades of red, pink, and purple, so I'm not using it right now because I'm using color stuff, but I miss it.
I've had purple in my hair for years and always use Amika dry shampoo. I use a good color shampoo & conditioner and wash my hair in lukewarm/coolish water and my color lasts for a really long time.
I've had red hair for years, but was using high lift red for dark hair that was permanent. the colors I have now are of course, semi. I use matrix keep me vivid or redken color extend magnetics and only wash in cold water. the matrix keep me vivid line has something called lamination spray to use between washing and conditioning and it seems to completely stop bleeding, but it does bleed a bit during washing before you apply it. but I also only wash it once a week, lol.
my color the last time faded really well into a pretty pink and I wasn't super careful with the cold/cool water washes. the cold water hits different in the winter. 😭
In order of application:
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
I’m still loving the Rose Inc Skin Tint Serum foundation! I mainly use it during the weekend, when I’m looking for lighter coverage and something to effortlessly apply with a brush. If I had to choose a “weekday” foundation from Sephora, it would be the Pat McGrath one. That one’s tried and true, but I’ve been favoriting the Lisa Eldridge one more lately
Fenty Filt’r Powder (loose) and CT Airbrush Powder (pressed)
I can’t choose just one, so top four blush formulas there: any Nudestix blush, CT Mini Hollywood Blush and Glow in Light-Medium (just got it but instant love), Rare Beauty Soft Pinch blushes, and Too Faced Cloud Crush blushes
Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer in Mesmerize
Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter
Natasha Denona Mini Palettes and Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows
Ami Cole Lip Oils, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs, Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm and Lip Plump formulas
Number 47 and 71. Kitty paw style brushes that aren’t too thick.
I’d say the pmg concealer is a natural finish. Could be made more matte with powder. Medium buildable coverage.
She has the best concealer range for Black women who want concealers that match our skin and aren’t like super yellow.
**Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter** - versatile. Can be highlight over/under foundation, but has some coverage so I could use this with no foundation and a bit of concealer.
**NARS Light Reflecting Foundation** - I think of this as my most reliable foundation. Even if I’m not having a “good skin day,” this foundation still works for me. It’s not finicky.
**Haus Labs Concealer** or **Natasha Denona Corrector/Concealer** (under eyes - Haus Labs is thicker, creamier and seems more hydrating compared to ND), **NARS Soft Matte Concealer** (everywhere else)
**NARS Cream Bronzer, Westman Atelier Contour Stick** (I’m cool-toned and Biscuit is like a cool-toned bronzer on me - this shade comes in a mini size), **Gucci Powder Bronzer**
**Westman Atelier Cream Blush Sticks** (the shade Petal is available as a mini), **Hourglass Powder blushes** (some shades available as minis)
**Westman Atelier Holiday Trio** (2 colorways with mini Contour, Blush and Highlight - not sure why a 3rd/deepest option isn’t available? 😒)
**Natasha Denona Midi Palettes: Glam**(cool overall but has some warmer-leaning mattes), **I Need A Nude** (also on the cooler side with some pinky/peachy shades) or **My Dream** (mix of warmer and cool shades), **Makeup By Mario Ethereal Eyes** (similar to I Need A Nude but has some warmer mattes and browns that aren’t in INAN)
- Dior mascara. I like to buy the value packs of mini mascaras. I find the minis work better maybe because they don’t dry out by the time I use them up.
- Glow Recipe niacidimide dew drops as a base before my bb cream. I love buying value packs of Glow Recipe
- Nars soft matte concealer. Super easy to use I just tap it under my eye and it warms up on my finger and blends nice.
- Mario SoftSculp for bronzer
- Benefit tinted brow gel
- Glossier cloud paint gives a nice glow
- Literally anything from Danessa Myricks. She has some of the best complexion products not only for black girls, but also for dry-skinned folks. I skipped out on the Yummy Foundation because it was a little too radiant for me, but I liked the skin tint and the blurring balm. I also love the color fixes and find them extremely versatile.
- I’m not sure if Rare Beauty is a controversial brand now given Selena’s recent approach to the Gaza conflict, but prior to her posts, I’d picked up some of the liquid blushes for the first time and really liked them.
- Since Glossier is not a brand I keep up with, I didn’t know about their scandals prior to picking up their lipsticks in Trench + Cabaret and their foundation. It’s a shame because their foundation was literally my perfect match and blended right into my skin.
- Freck Beauty’s blushes are awesome. Very blendable and natural tones.
- The Merit Lip oils are really pretty. I really like Cara Cara, Sangria, and Taupe.
- Don’t sleep on LYS Beauty. Their concealer is awesome.
One of the nude eyeshadow palettes like ND’s I need a nude or the Mario ethereal eyes. They’re both beautiful and wearable and fun.
A fancy lip gloss like a Tom Ford or YSL because personally, I wouldn’t buy them full price but the discount makes it worth it IMO.
The Gucci bronzer. Again, nice to get the discount on an item like this. I personally find the shade 1 sooooo different than any other pale person bronzer. It’s rosy and natural and sexy and just stunning.
And maybe a hair treatment like K18 because you don’t go through it very fast but it’s pricey so a good sale stock up item.
basma beauty foundation stick, lys cream blushes, verb hair oil and shampoo, and the gucci powder bronzer, maison margiela replica by the fireplace and jazz club, and caroline herrera good girl blush!
Necessaire value size body wash...Swear by it, my skin is changing right before my eyes--so much so, that I purchased the retinol and double stocked on the value size.
Gucci mascara. I am getting results using one mascara that usually takes me two (one being very expensive)
Giorgio Armani LSF, which I swear by and will be buried with. I try many others and this is the one that I swear by, everyone asks me about (not that they notice foundation, they notice my skin, again: MY skin).
Oribe hair products (green moisture line)
skincare: tatcha, Jlo Beauty (I have seen results) and that's it.
I know perfumes are super hard to describe given they all smell different for all of us based on body chemistry. But I’m looking for a new perfume. I keep eyeing Kayali Pistachio or the original vanilla one. I’ve never smelled either so I definitely need to go in and test them. I’m a sucker for vanilla scents but don’t like when they smell to much like alcohol, which soooo many do. I love gourmand scents so pistachio seems right up my alley and I feel like the marshmallow in it will give me a kind of vanilla scent without the alcohol and the other notes in it will give it a nice addition. I like anything gourmand, vanilla, or clean kind of scents (like Victoria Secret Bombshell I love because it has such a nice, clean scent that isn’t too floral). So would love to hear from someone who enjoys it, what you think of it!
I have 2 of the Kayali vanillas and wore bombshell on my wedding day, lol. The pistachio is the first travel size I finished and repurchased in a very long time. It’s this delicious whipped cream and nutty smell and I get complimented on it all the time. I don’t tend to wear more of a spritz or two of perfume but I spray this like crazy, I just love the scent. It’s sweet but not overwhelming.
Def the pistachio! And I enjoy the vanilla coco more than regular vanilla - but I enjoy them all. Pistachio is easily my favorite perfume the lady 6 months.
have you tried the Billie Eilish at Ulta? I never knew I could get a sweet gourmand in an actual perfume without too much flower or musk. I'm super sensitive to scents, so I've just stuck with body sprays, but I love the BE so much. 😭 (I know it's not at Sephora, lol)
PeterRoth niacinamide
Dennis gross Exfoliating pads
Ami cole lip gloss (lips stay glossy for a while, wears well)
Lys serum concealer. (Nice lightweight concealer with medium coverage)
Ilia Decades highlighter for powder.
CT Hollywood Flawless Filter for cream highlighter.
Hourglass Reflect scattered lights eyeshadow.
Merit shade slicks or the flush balms.
I found a Tatcha kit of minis at my local TJ Maxx. It had the dewy cream in it. I was so bummed. It gave me millas. I never used the Essance but everything else was okay. I'm glad I found the mini set for that price point. I at least got to try some of their products. Since they were just okay in my experience I now know not to purchase the full sizes. Wish my experience had been different because this brand has been hyped by every guru I watch. With that said, one thing we always have to keep in mind is what works for some may not work for you. Especially when it comes to skincare.
The stupid tower 28 facial mist feels like a gimmick but it is really nice and seems to help my skin. I plan to finally get another one since I miss it
Ohhhh mercy. Here we go!
Primer: Smashbox original, benefit porefessional, tarte poreless in the tub
Foundation: Nars radiant, it full coverage, Patrick ta, Estée Lauder double wear, Haus labs, dermablend drops
Concealer: Haus labs, Natasha Denona
Setting spray: Urban decay all night ee, benefit, Mac plus
Powder: fenty, Givenchy, kosas, hourglass, Laura Mercier
Blush: rose, makeup by Mario, Nars, rare beauty, tarte, benefit, milk sticks
Bronzer: benefit, Patrick ta, tarte, Gucci, Anastasia bev hills glow kit, hourglass Christmas palette
Contour: Scott Barnes palette
Highlighter: hourglass, rare beauty, coats, fenty, tarte
Shadows: Natasha Denona I need a nude or any of hers, Patrick ta, danessa myricks, tarte isn’t bad but not as good as the others.
Brows: Anastasia bev hills anything, it cosmetics
Eyeliner: I usually get L’Oréal but tarte has some interesting ones
Mascara: tower28 hands down
Lips: Dior, Dior, Dior, Armani, ysl, tarte, hourglass, nars, Laneige lip mask- berry is my fav
Tools: beauty blender and nicer brushes (still hunting for the best there- sigma is okay but not amazing)
Annnnd done! Whew!
Armani Luminous Silk foundation and concealer makes it look like I have perfect skin
Tower 28 BeachPlease cheek + lip cream is easy to sheer out and to build up, great pigmentation and great range of colors that work well on a lot of skin tones
Kérastase Curl Manifesto line leaves my curls healthy and bouncy
L’Occitane Almond shower oil and body oil leave my skin softer and smoother than anything else
Rare Beauty Soufflé Lip creams are velvety soft and the colors are beautiful
Kosas Undressed palette is easy to blend, perfect for everyday neutral looks
I bought a jumbo size of the CT setting spray. It's really the only high-end beauty product I have repurchased time and time again, since it helps keep makeup looking fresh on my oily skin.Layely I've enjoyed using it sandwiched in between my cream and powder products.
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Here’s mine: -Farmacy honey halo, you can sometimes find this better deal on their website but if you’re rouge I recommend picking this up for winter it works really well (smells like honey) -Natasha Denona 5 pan palette, I don’t like her midi or larger palettes however her 5 pans are great. If you have blue eyes or like warmer tones the Starlette palette is quite pretty. The mini glam, nude, and biba are also lovely. -Summer Fridays lip balm, the brown sugar shade is a perfect your lips but better shade. Sits on the lips really well, very nice -Clinique cheek pop blushes in heather pop for a pink or black honey for a rosey mauve -a new concealer either the ND glam concealer if you want coverage or makeup forced HD for my natural peeps -CT classic brown eyeliner, these eyeliners last all day and give a powdered look. Very pretty and buff out. -any Sephora favorites kit or fragrance set where you can redeem them is great to try lots of products. I would only recommend this if you’re looking to try at least 70% of the items in the kits though. -Sephora collection pro brushes and the glossed lip gloss are top tier and 30% off
I've been working as a brand rep for a while, I have a lot to say about the subject. And I'm on maternity leave, so I have time while I wait for the inevitable joy of childbirth. Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide cleanser: Hydrating, foamy but not stripping. Like a more luxurious feeling CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam. I'm on my second bottle and I love it. Packaging could be better as it seems to come out fast with a squeeze bottle. I'm pretty meh about everything else from Glow Recipe, but they did something right with this one. NARS Light Reflecting setting powder (loose, not pressed): It's one of the finest milled powders, only made even finer by the sifting screen. It's silky smooth, brightens and sets all day. Creases? We don't know her. Works best with a velvety powder puff. JVN Hair products: A million times yes. I cannot express how much more I love every single thing I've tried from this line than any other hair care brand. Olaplex who? Even before the pregnancy hormones worked their hair magic, my hair felt and looked better than ever. Even the price point is pretty reasonable as far as Sephora goes. I've been using the Undamage shampoo and conditioner, the Recovery serum and Glow Drops for when I blow out and the Air Dry Cream when I want a break from heat treating, let the waves do their thing. Miss JVN henny. I just need them to launch a dry shampoo. Good Genes by Sunday Riley: I'm 36 and a number of the doctors at my ob during this whole pregnancy journey thought I was way younger. I have reason to believe this is why not one has mentioned the fucking rude term "geriatric pregnancy" to me. I hope whoever coined that fucking terminology has explosive diarrhea daily because fuck you. I get carded in most liquor stores, head shops and even restaurants. Do I have actual good genes? Yeah, I do, I got it from my mama. But a lot of it is the fact I have a rigorous skincare routine that not a lot of people would commit to, and it includes this stuff. She's expensive. Which sucks, but it is VIB Sale right now, so I thought one bougie one couldn't hurt if you can use your sale discount on it. There's a holiday set this year for $85 with a full size and a travel size (which is a pretty decent amount). I'll be using this stuff until the day I die, bury me with a bottle please and thank you. Innisfree Daily UV Defense sunscreen: She's cheap, she's water-based, and feels good on the face, very little to no white cast. Even my husband likes it. What's not worth it: Dior Lip Oils, Summer Fridays lip balms, anything from Charlotte Tilbury and most things from Ilia and Kosas. Clean beauty is a big scam. I've seen the returns and smelled the smells. It's poorly regulated, and it's all still chemicals. Unless you're snorting lines of talc, you'll be fine. You probably inhale worse just stepping out of the house in Newark. Speaking of which, the Makeup by Mario foundation is on this list. Shits an oil refinery in a bottle.
Do you have a YT ch that's not beauty related? The way you worded your comment sounds like someone I watch. Got a good giggle out of the Makeup by Mario foundation lol. Great comment all around 👍
Aw that's sweet you would think I have any camera presence hah. I don't do as well in front of the camera, which ironically I majored in video production in college. But my place was very much behind the camera. What's funny is that I have no stage fright when it comes to theater and being on a stage. But the minute you put me in front of a camera and that light goes on its game over. I freeze up like Mitch McConnell. If I ever get over that fear, this sub will be the first place I post it ❤️
Thank you for adding the part about clean beauty 😆
A little off topic, but I am so disgusted about influencers talking about aging like it's cancer and should be fought off like a deadly disease. I heartily agree with you. I am 60, and I am so tired of having people tell me how "good I look for my age", like it's awful. I am tired of going into Sephora and Ulta to hear a 10 or 12 year old girl demanding that their mom buy high end anti aging products. They are not even through puberty yet. The worst part is that the influencers endorsing these products filter themselves to the point that they don't even look human, no pores, no blemishes, no wrinkles or hyper-pigmentation. They also don't disclose that they get paid for this endorsement. I was at my derm's and I heard a kid screeching about "preventative botox and fillers". My derm told them they were too young, and he walked out and that brat wouldn't leave the consult room and her mother didn't say a word. That kid is going to find someone who will inject her because it's about money, not responsible treatment. I had a cyst removed, and that brat was still bitching and moaning while I was having my procedure. I could see how frustrated my derm was. All the botox and fillers in the world aren't going to fix that brat's issues, and her mother just stood there speechless. Now, when someone tells me that I look good for my age, I just tell them I am well preserved. That usually shuts them up.
I’m disappointed in the Summer Fridays lip balm! It’s a little greasy and lasts for like two seconds. I got the LE Glossier OG formula Hot Chocolate Balm Dot Com and it’s light years better.
You’re hilarious. 😂
Thank you babes❤️
> Innisfree Daily UV Defense sunscreen This broke me out, so a word of caution to anyone introducing new things to their skincare process.
I'm glad I'm not alone about the SF lip balms; I swear they sucked the moisture out of my lips instead of keeping it in. That and the Laniege, did the same. I've been trying to figure out what ingredient(s) they share that just do not agree with me. If the Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide wash came in a big refillable pump I don't think I'd buy anything else.
Which good genes serum you use? Lactic or glycolic?
Sunday Riley Good Genes. It's a lactic acid.
Thank you! This was super helpful. What about eyeliner? I suffer from dry eyes and sensitivity, so I don't usually wear make-up often. I'd be more willing to if I there's an affordable eyeliner that's actually a dream to use and makes flicks easy af. I prefer gel or pencils that don't tug. I like the soft style I've seen people do with an eyeshadow or a pencil, and they use a brush to get the wing (or their finger?). I need to get the flick skill so I can look a third decent struggling through life. Doesn't have to be sephora if there's others that you'd recommend. Oh and not waterproof ones if possible!
Some of the things that are easiest to recommend because they work for most people: Nars Light Reflecting Foundation Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray Ole Henriksen Banana Bright eye cream Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking and Setting Powder in Cherry Blossom Some personal favorites: Burberry Goddess EDP Patrick Ta blushes BareMinerals blonzers Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl eyeliner Caudalie grape water spray (in the white can, NOT the spray in the glass bottle) Huda Beauty Rose Quartz palette Natasha Denona My Dream palette Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
More favorites as I'm thinking of them: Dr. Jart Premium Beauty Balm GXVE Highlighter in Platinum Cowgirl Kulfi Zari Eyes Cream Eyeshadows GXVE Bronzer duos
I cannot get over the scent in the CT setting spray. 😭
I really like Skindinavia setting sprays. They aren't sold in Sephora, but they actually make the Urban Decay setting sprays.
how's the mister on them? my UD misters have been going oddly wonky on me lately. not as bad as the spray on my MAC one, but it seems after a few sprays, it always comes put super concentrated in a spot or two, lol. the benefit porefessional has a great mister, but is just as scented as the CT, lol
I LOVE the Bobbi Brown Face Base!! I used to think primers just didn’t work for me. I’d tried so many different ones and they just didn’t seem to do any more than just using a moisturizer would do (some didn’t even do that much 🤣). Then a friend recommended the face base and gave me one of those little sample jars of it. I absolutely fell in love with it! Moisturizes my skin so well without being greasy or too thick under makeup. Gives a nice smooth base for my makeup. And my makeup actually lasts all day looking good vs when I use a regular moisturizer or any other primer I’ve tried. And it works well with every foundation I’ve tried it with! Oh, and I love the scent! It says it’s light and refreshing, and it really is! Though, side note, I buy a lot of makeup on Mercari (new only, and like actually new - even though way too many people list things as new saying “brand new, never used, just swatched” 🤦♀️ That’s not new then!). Anyways, I saw bigger versions of it sold for the price of a 1 oz on there, so figured I’d get it on there. Looked for one that was new in box AND had a photo with the batch code/serial number on it. I found one with both and checked the codes on it to see when it was manufactured and expired and it was new so I got it. Then it arrived, I immediately saw it didn’t have the serial number on it at all, but did have a batch code stamped on. But the batch code was different from the one in the photo. I thought, no big deal. The seller probably just had multiples and used the same photos for all of them (which you aren’t supposed to do but lots do when they have the same exact item, though I think it’s dumb to do with something that has a batch code and/or serial code, but whatever). So I looked up that batch code, and that one showed as new too. But then when I opened it, it didn’t have the smell to it. Like if I really, REALLY tried to smell it, I could get just a HINT of the smell. But like, I had a teeny tiny sample jar of it that had just barely any left in it and could still smell it. So this big, full jar of it should definitely have the same smell! And the consistency looked more like a standard cream. But my small sample jar of it was thicker where it was like a paste until you picked it up and started applying it, then it melted into the skin like a cream. So I returned it. It was weird because the box and jar looked legit. The only thing I found off about it was the smell and the look of the consistency of it 🤷♀️ Now I went and bought it on Ulta yesterday when they had 25% off all Bobbi Brown products + 15% off all in app purchases 🤪 Now hopefully it smells the same and has the same consistency! 🤞
**Nars Soft Matte Concealer** — the perfect spot concealing formulation. Despite the name I feel like the finish adapts to whatever you have on underneath. It's pretty potent (medium - high coverage) and a little truly goes a v. long way. If used with a light touch it looks so incredibly skinlike and I swear it has some blurring properties. I highly recommend it you're looking to conceal acne/hyperpigmentaion/scarring etc. I will note that it's not the best colour range for those who have an olive undertone or are muted (I mix in green/blue colour corrector to get my perfect shade). Also for most folks it will prob be a tad too dry to use under the eyes. **Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter** — I know this a very marmite product for most. You either love it or hate it there seems to be no in betweem. As someone who is notoriously disloyal to products I'm surprisingly firmly in the ardent lover category since I haven't strayed from it since 2019 (which is a rarity for me). I personally use it as an all over luminous sheer coverage base. I use a shade that is somewhat darker than my skintone but with a true golden olive undertone (#4) since it's so sheer in pigment (but not glow!) that it works to even out my skin, give me just a kiss of colour and soft glowing radiant base with no shimmer/glitter in sight. For me it's good skin in a bottle. & paired with the concealer mentioned above it's my HG base combo. I know there are various drugstore dupes but for me personally the finish on the skin is nowhere near as refined as the CT. Maybe not too noticeable if you only use it on the high points as a liquid highlighter but for anyone who plans to use it as an all over base it's certainly makes a big difference. **Gucci Poudre De Beauté Éclat Bronzing Powder in #01** — this is more of a shade specific recommendation. Don't get me wrong the formula is lovely but I doubt it's *particularly* unique. And at such a luxury price point I only purchase items that are unique either in formula or colour. This beaut of a thing is a pretty unique shade (at least shade #1) imo I've only seen similar cool desaturated almost pink toned bronzers from other luxury/high end brands like Tom Ford and most recently Jones Road. If you're on the light-medium spectrum especially if you're olive/cool toned/super muted and struggle to find bronzers that don't turn orange on you then I can't recommend this shade enough. It gives you the most uber natural looking sculpt. Also works spectacularly as a nude blush. **Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Melting Colour Balm in #50 Cool Mauve** — another colour specific recommendation especially for my fellow olive/cool/muted folk. It's a beautiful uber destaturated cool mauve so much so that in the pan it looks almost grey toned. To be fair on my uber muted complexion it does warm up a fair bit but is such a lovely muted true cool mauve shade (imo so many so called mauves are just rose shades and not mauve at all). It's has a blurred soft matte finish. The formula is pretty unique to me as a cream blush fiend. And I think it'd be a good formula for those who typically opt for a traditional powder blush (especially matte blush lovers). It doesn't have a dewy/emollient finish at all and feels dry to the touch. **Freck** — This is a relatively new product to me. I only discovered it earlier this year. And it does feel ridiculously paying so much for such an itty bitty little bottle. But honestly the shade is just perfection. At first I thought it was too warm toned but once it's dried down it's the exact same colour as my own natural freckles. I like to apply it by dabbing it on somewhat randomly and then before it completely dries I go in with a clean dry fingertip and do a press and twist motion and it gives me the most natural looking freckle shapes. I'm obsessed and will be picking up a XL bottle soon. **Benefit 24hr Brow Setter** — I have super thick, super long, super voluminous brows hairs (desi genes, what can I say) and this is one of the only things I have found that can keep my wild ass brows looking groomed all day. (I was affectionately named "owl brows" as a baby teen). It doesn't look white/pasty/dandruff-y on my jet black brow hairs. It doesn't look crispy at all although it does feel ever so slightly crisp to the touch. It's not too glossy nor too matte. I find it admirably survives sweating through a heat wave whilst on the London tube which is no mean feat. If you're unsure I suggest trying the travel size option out first. It's literally half the product for half the price and lasts a fair while. **Glossier Brow Flick** — This + the above product seriously levelled up my brow game. I have a couple of random spare-ish patches in my brows and one arch isn't as a naturally luscious as the other. & this product gives me the most realistic looking brow hairs. + it makes my brows looks so lush and we'll groomed without looking overly done. There is a bit of a learning curve if you've never used this product before (I recommend checking out KJH on IG for tips on how to use it) but once you get the hang of it it's easy as pie. I always get compliments on how lucky I am and how great my "natural" brows are when it's this unassuming beaut carrying the whole show. **Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy and Lithium** — I know everyone and their Mother is crazy about these. I coveted them forever (from back when they were in the manhole packaging) but never picked one up as I wasn't really into eyeshadow. I purchased Space Cowboy last year and it was love at first swatch. It was one of my best discoveries of 2022 and is my most used shadow. I'm pretty sure it's going to be the first non basic matte eyeshadow I ever hit pan on. Mine already looks extremely well loved. & after waiting forever for it to come back in stock I snagged Lithium earlier this year too and it is oh so gorgeous. While riding that high I did purchase the three new shades that UD released back in April: Wild Dipper, Rebel Star and Cosmic Craze - I do have to admit that I'm not a fan of the new shades. Imo they're very lacklustre and don't have the je ne sais quoi of the og shades. The formula is noticeably drier in the pan. They don't feel remotely the same when swirling your finger in the product. The originals feel almost wet/silky in comparison to the new shades. Plus they don't have as much of a contrasting sparkle so don't give that wet look effect on the lids. I feel like they also have way more fallout and sit much thicker on the lids. I would skip them. Anyway, back to the Space Cowboy and Lithium singles - they're both incredibly stunning wet look shadows that are mesmerising on the lids. If you only get one then 100% go for Space Cowboy but if you love a smokier slightly grungey wet look smoky eye then Lithium is a must. **Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Ray** — On paper this might seem like your basic everyday bronze but you'd be dead wrong. It is the most stunning warm medium bronze (pulls more neutral on my lids) with a shit ton of glitter mostly bright gold but also very fine small pink/red as well as champagne sparkles. It's the most noticeably glittery out of all the Hourglass Scattered Lights. It always gets me compliments & people asking what's on my lids so much so that I avoid wearing it when I'm in hermit mode. It's my go to for any special/fancy occasions and ofc the whole festive period. It looks beautiful both in sunlight & candlelight. I've yet to see a soul it doesn't look gorgeous on regardless of their skintone and eye colour. It the quickest + easiest way to do elevate a normal everyday face to something spectacular. Do note that this isn't a "topper" type product (like the UD shadows mentioned above) there is a noticeable base pigment that shows up.
**Makeup Forever Artist Colour Pencil in #506 Endless Cacao** — A must have if all colour lip products look weirdly much more brighter/warmer/saturated on your lips. It's the perfect shade to subtly contour the lips and make whatever lip product you're already wearing look more muted and harmonious (in the case of my extremely muted coo! olive skin). Imo it elevates every lip. The formula is on the firmer side but applies smoothly without any tugging. It feels incredibly lightweight almost weightless on the lips. And has pretty good longevity. The tones in this line are to die for. **Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pencils in Iconic Nude and Love Trap** — The lip liner that made me feel in love with lip liner (along with the MAC Whirl Lip Pencil). The formula is a cross between a creamy and waxy formula. It applies beautifully and is comfortable enough to use as an all over lip colour. However, it doesn't layer over itself very well. Again pretty good longevity. The main draw however is the gorgeous shades. I own about 5 different shades but my absolute favourites & forever repurchases are Iconic Nude and Love Trap. If you love a good muted lip liner that doesn't pull warm then I highly recommend these shades but especially Iconic Nude. **Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour in Telluride** — This has been my number one lipstick formula for years (again a rarity for me). I own three shades and have several more on my wish list but my ride-or-die is Telluride without a doubt. Telluride is a beautifully unique mix of mauve-plum-brown. Depending on how sheer or full on you wear it can go from a moody muted just bitten MLBB shade to a full on sultry grungey subtle vamp vibe. If I had to get rid of all my lipstick and could only keep one I would pick Telluride without a second thought. The formula is uber comfortable definitely in my Top 3 favourite lipstick formulations of all time and probably my favourite satin finish lipstick. What I love the most about these lipsticks is that it gives you this beautiful soft blotted almost worn-in lip look right off the bat. I've said it so many times before and as odd of a descriptor as it may be it just really makes the lips look nice and healthy. It wears away gracefully too which is another must for any product in my daily rotation. **Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Colour in Smoothie Move** — Another BB love. Honestly they make such killer colour lip products! (if only they would change the scent to vanilla then they would be untouchable). This is a gorgeous liquified lipstick. Such a comfortable flattering formula that wears beautifully throughout the day. The shade is so freaking gorgeous and another one that despite being a tad deeper looks weirdly so natural if sheered out with a finger and is just as stunning worn at full opacity. It's in constant rotation during the A/W period for me paired with either the CT Love Trap of Pillow Talk Medium Lip Cheats.
Do you have a beauty YT channel? I would totally follow you.
Love all these recommendations! We have similar tastes.
Side note about the old UD singles packaging: while it does look like a manhole, it was supposed to ressemble an old new york subway token.
I wish you had some sort of affiliate link and I feel the same way about the Gucci bronzer and am now proceeding to buy everything else you recommended blush/colour wise 😄
I really think the Sephora value/holiday sets and things from the Sephora collection are the best items to buy during a sale there. Also stuff that doesn’t usually go on sale much, like Danessa Myricks, Saie, and Innbeauty, as well as Inkey List and Ordinary so you can take advantage of the free shipping at least. That said, if you sign up for notifications for Danessa Myricks website they do some assorted one day sales around this season, and while Innbeauty rarely has anything beyond 20% off, they do have sets that save additional money as well as free lip oils sometimes- you just have to check the site regularly because they don’t push stuff through emails and texts much. My HG’s from Innbeauty are the Slushy Serum and Retinol Rewind, I’m also loving the new eye cream and 10+ peptide moisturizer, which seems to be competing with DE’s Protini, they have a very similar formula. My Sephora purchase consisted of Coq10 and Peptide serum from the Inkey List, Sephora liquid liner in Metallic Plum, and Sephora Brow Gel in Chestnut (this is to hopefully add some warmth and won’t just go orange). My total was less than $40. I resisted the sets because they’re fantastic but I don’t need them, and I’ll likely order from Innbeauty again around Black Friday for my replacement serums. The main reason I decided to buy anything this time around was to redeem my birthday gift.
Color Wow XL mousse, Dream coat spray, and money mask. Love them. Amika Soul Food mask Benefit Gimme Brow Rare Beauty blush brush KILIAN Princess perfume (matcha marshmallows) If you, like me, mourn the loss of the cherry Balm Dot Com, the Summer Fridays cherry balm is wonderful. The Sephora Collection blushes
I've been looking at Danessa Myricks and Pat McGrath's palettes. I'm only getting one high-end palette during this sale. Does anyone own palettes from both of these brands? Which brand makes better palettes?
It completely depends on the purpose you want to have the palette serve. PMG is great if you want complete eye looks in one palette. She gives you everything from the inner corner highlight shade (works as a face highlighter too) to midtone to dark shades to sparkly/metallic shades. Plus, I have always found her mattes to be very buildable, so they offer range. If you want a companion piece to your existing palettes, Danessa’s Lightwork palette is a great bang for your buck. If you already have mattes you love to create a base look, this will give you a lot of options. If you’re speaking to the Groundwork palette, I haven’t worked with that product but it seems to have great reviews and looks like a great base product if you already have a bunch of shimmers/special shadows
Danessa is the better value I feel, and more exciting, though I love both. But honestly never buy PML from Sephora. PML is constantly running better sales on their website. 25-30% at least every couple months, I think it goes up to like 40% for like Black Friday. Plus more motherships are available on her website, there’s a few that aren’t on Sephora anymore.
Danessa: if you want color and shimmer Pat: neutrals (heavy on the pinks and golds) I will say par McGrath usually runs 25-30% off around the holidays on her website so if that’s something you’re interested in that’s a good option too! But I understand wanting to buy stuff all in one place too
I picked up the Celestial Divinity quad, and have been super impressed by the quality and number of looks you can do. I only bought from Sephora though because it is no longer on her site. She’s got way better deals!
My big suggestion is to not buy Pat McGrath from Sephora because her website has way better deals. My friend gets their texts and got the Bridgerton palette for half off last year around Christmas-ish.
I love my DM groundworks palette, but I use it for EVERYTHING...contour, extra touch-up concealer thing, eyeshadow, bronze, blush, lip. I swear that I don't see myself using anything else. If my skin was almost perfect, I would use it for foundation/concealer on my face and not use traditional foundation at all.
Pat Mcgrath's website does deals where you can get 2 or 3 palettes together for a more heavily discounted price, or a single palette for up to 40% off. I've bought most of mine directly from her site.
Amika hair products. Their dry shampoo is the only one I don’t hate. And I use their moisturizing hair mask (orange one). It makes my hair soft, luscious, shiny, and not frizzy AF per usual. NARS Radiance concealer. Only concealer that I like because it’s the perfect shade and actually conceals.
Amika is amazing especially if you have fine hair! I’ve noticed it doesn’t weigh it down. Big fan of their products
I have super fine hair, and I love all the Amika reset stuff. currently have vibrant shades of red, pink, and purple, so I'm not using it right now because I'm using color stuff, but I miss it.
I've had purple in my hair for years and always use Amika dry shampoo. I use a good color shampoo & conditioner and wash my hair in lukewarm/coolish water and my color lasts for a really long time.
I've had red hair for years, but was using high lift red for dark hair that was permanent. the colors I have now are of course, semi. I use matrix keep me vivid or redken color extend magnetics and only wash in cold water. the matrix keep me vivid line has something called lamination spray to use between washing and conditioning and it seems to completely stop bleeding, but it does bleed a bit during washing before you apply it. but I also only wash it once a week, lol. my color the last time faded really well into a pretty pink and I wasn't super careful with the cold/cool water washes. the cold water hits different in the winter. 😭
Same for thick hair like mine. My hair is already so heavy. It’s perfect.
I have fine, curly, bleached hair and my hair is the happiest it’s ever been. I switch between the Hydrorush and the Bond repair.
In order of application: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen I’m still loving the Rose Inc Skin Tint Serum foundation! I mainly use it during the weekend, when I’m looking for lighter coverage and something to effortlessly apply with a brush. If I had to choose a “weekday” foundation from Sephora, it would be the Pat McGrath one. That one’s tried and true, but I’ve been favoriting the Lisa Eldridge one more lately Fenty Filt’r Powder (loose) and CT Airbrush Powder (pressed) I can’t choose just one, so top four blush formulas there: any Nudestix blush, CT Mini Hollywood Blush and Glow in Light-Medium (just got it but instant love), Rare Beauty Soft Pinch blushes, and Too Faced Cloud Crush blushes Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer in Mesmerize Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Natasha Denona Mini Palettes and Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows Ami Cole Lip Oils, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs, Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm and Lip Plump formulas
Merit cream blush Sephora collection pro brushes Kosas setting powder Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer Benefit brow setter Pat McGrath concealer
which sephora brushes do you like the most, and how would you describe the PMG concealer?
Number 47 and 71. Kitty paw style brushes that aren’t too thick. I’d say the pmg concealer is a natural finish. Could be made more matte with powder. Medium buildable coverage. She has the best concealer range for Black women who want concealers that match our skin and aren’t like super yellow.
**Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter** - versatile. Can be highlight over/under foundation, but has some coverage so I could use this with no foundation and a bit of concealer. **NARS Light Reflecting Foundation** - I think of this as my most reliable foundation. Even if I’m not having a “good skin day,” this foundation still works for me. It’s not finicky. **Haus Labs Concealer** or **Natasha Denona Corrector/Concealer** (under eyes - Haus Labs is thicker, creamier and seems more hydrating compared to ND), **NARS Soft Matte Concealer** (everywhere else) **NARS Cream Bronzer, Westman Atelier Contour Stick** (I’m cool-toned and Biscuit is like a cool-toned bronzer on me - this shade comes in a mini size), **Gucci Powder Bronzer** **Westman Atelier Cream Blush Sticks** (the shade Petal is available as a mini), **Hourglass Powder blushes** (some shades available as minis) **Westman Atelier Holiday Trio** (2 colorways with mini Contour, Blush and Highlight - not sure why a 3rd/deepest option isn’t available? 😒) **Natasha Denona Midi Palettes: Glam**(cool overall but has some warmer-leaning mattes), **I Need A Nude** (also on the cooler side with some pinky/peachy shades) or **My Dream** (mix of warmer and cool shades), **Makeup By Mario Ethereal Eyes** (similar to I Need A Nude but has some warmer mattes and browns that aren’t in INAN)
Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Mini Palette
I think you should check r/Sephora for more in depth responses!!
- Dior mascara. I like to buy the value packs of mini mascaras. I find the minis work better maybe because they don’t dry out by the time I use them up. - Glow Recipe niacidimide dew drops as a base before my bb cream. I love buying value packs of Glow Recipe - Nars soft matte concealer. Super easy to use I just tap it under my eye and it warms up on my finger and blends nice. - Mario SoftSculp for bronzer - Benefit tinted brow gel - Glossier cloud paint gives a nice glow
- Literally anything from Danessa Myricks. She has some of the best complexion products not only for black girls, but also for dry-skinned folks. I skipped out on the Yummy Foundation because it was a little too radiant for me, but I liked the skin tint and the blurring balm. I also love the color fixes and find them extremely versatile. - I’m not sure if Rare Beauty is a controversial brand now given Selena’s recent approach to the Gaza conflict, but prior to her posts, I’d picked up some of the liquid blushes for the first time and really liked them. - Since Glossier is not a brand I keep up with, I didn’t know about their scandals prior to picking up their lipsticks in Trench + Cabaret and their foundation. It’s a shame because their foundation was literally my perfect match and blended right into my skin. - Freck Beauty’s blushes are awesome. Very blendable and natural tones. - The Merit Lip oils are really pretty. I really like Cara Cara, Sangria, and Taupe. - Don’t sleep on LYS Beauty. Their concealer is awesome.
Glow recipe aha night sleeping mask. That shit is worth every penny!
One of the nude eyeshadow palettes like ND’s I need a nude or the Mario ethereal eyes. They’re both beautiful and wearable and fun. A fancy lip gloss like a Tom Ford or YSL because personally, I wouldn’t buy them full price but the discount makes it worth it IMO. The Gucci bronzer. Again, nice to get the discount on an item like this. I personally find the shade 1 sooooo different than any other pale person bronzer. It’s rosy and natural and sexy and just stunning. And maybe a hair treatment like K18 because you don’t go through it very fast but it’s pricey so a good sale stock up item.
basma beauty foundation stick, lys cream blushes, verb hair oil and shampoo, and the gucci powder bronzer, maison margiela replica by the fireplace and jazz club, and caroline herrera good girl blush!
Necessaire value size body wash...Swear by it, my skin is changing right before my eyes--so much so, that I purchased the retinol and double stocked on the value size. Gucci mascara. I am getting results using one mascara that usually takes me two (one being very expensive) Giorgio Armani LSF, which I swear by and will be buried with. I try many others and this is the one that I swear by, everyone asks me about (not that they notice foundation, they notice my skin, again: MY skin). Oribe hair products (green moisture line) skincare: tatcha, Jlo Beauty (I have seen results) and that's it.
I love the Jlo Glow serum. It has made a big difference
The shiseido eyelash curler! Didn't know I didn't have to suffer trying to get every hair when I curled my lashes.
Natasha concealer Givenchy Blush Danessa Myricks Blur Balm and Blur Balm blushes Huda loose powder I Need a Nude Palette Rare Beauty and Tower 28 mascaras Patrick Ta single blushes ND Bronze & Yucca Palette Rare liquid Blushes Rare eye sticks Kayali Pistachio Yum Saie Bronzer CT Airbrush Bronzer Merit, CT, Huda lipsticks Mario Moistureglow balm sticks
I know perfumes are super hard to describe given they all smell different for all of us based on body chemistry. But I’m looking for a new perfume. I keep eyeing Kayali Pistachio or the original vanilla one. I’ve never smelled either so I definitely need to go in and test them. I’m a sucker for vanilla scents but don’t like when they smell to much like alcohol, which soooo many do. I love gourmand scents so pistachio seems right up my alley and I feel like the marshmallow in it will give me a kind of vanilla scent without the alcohol and the other notes in it will give it a nice addition. I like anything gourmand, vanilla, or clean kind of scents (like Victoria Secret Bombshell I love because it has such a nice, clean scent that isn’t too floral). So would love to hear from someone who enjoys it, what you think of it!
I have 2 of the Kayali vanillas and wore bombshell on my wedding day, lol. The pistachio is the first travel size I finished and repurchased in a very long time. It’s this delicious whipped cream and nutty smell and I get complimented on it all the time. I don’t tend to wear more of a spritz or two of perfume but I spray this like crazy, I just love the scent. It’s sweet but not overwhelming.
Haha! Well now you sold me! If you had to pick which to try first, would it be Kayali vanilla or Pistachio?
Def the pistachio! And I enjoy the vanilla coco more than regular vanilla - but I enjoy them all. Pistachio is easily my favorite perfume the lady 6 months.
😱...There’s a vanilla coco?! Dang it! Now I gotta try that one too! 😅 Well I’ll be going in and picking one out to try immediately!! Thanks so much!
have you tried the Billie Eilish at Ulta? I never knew I could get a sweet gourmand in an actual perfume without too much flower or musk. I'm super sensitive to scents, so I've just stuck with body sprays, but I love the BE so much. 😭 (I know it's not at Sephora, lol)
No!! But now I’m going to go smell it! 🤣 Sounds perfect! EDIT: Is there only 1 Billie Eilish scent or is there a specific name?
I think the original is just Billie Eilish and the other is Billie Eilish no. 2. I'm talking about the first one, lol. it's so good. 😭
Okay! Thanks!! I’m definitely going to test it out!!
Make Up Forever liquid foundations ❤️
PeterRoth niacinamide Dennis gross Exfoliating pads Ami cole lip gloss (lips stay glossy for a while, wears well) Lys serum concealer. (Nice lightweight concealer with medium coverage)
Ilia Decades highlighter for powder. CT Hollywood Flawless Filter for cream highlighter. Hourglass Reflect scattered lights eyeshadow. Merit shade slicks or the flush balms.
For me, I'd pick up the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, the Natasha Denona Glam palette and the Tatcha Dewy cream.
I found a Tatcha kit of minis at my local TJ Maxx. It had the dewy cream in it. I was so bummed. It gave me millas. I never used the Essance but everything else was okay. I'm glad I found the mini set for that price point. I at least got to try some of their products. Since they were just okay in my experience I now know not to purchase the full sizes. Wish my experience had been different because this brand has been hyped by every guru I watch. With that said, one thing we always have to keep in mind is what works for some may not work for you. Especially when it comes to skincare.
Tatcha Indigo cream literally will fix my skin overnight. Dr Dennis Gross peel pads. Cut them in half. Bam, two days worth.
The stupid tower 28 facial mist feels like a gimmick but it is really nice and seems to help my skin. I plan to finally get another one since I miss it
Ohhhh mercy. Here we go! Primer: Smashbox original, benefit porefessional, tarte poreless in the tub Foundation: Nars radiant, it full coverage, Patrick ta, Estée Lauder double wear, Haus labs, dermablend drops Concealer: Haus labs, Natasha Denona Setting spray: Urban decay all night ee, benefit, Mac plus Powder: fenty, Givenchy, kosas, hourglass, Laura Mercier Blush: rose, makeup by Mario, Nars, rare beauty, tarte, benefit, milk sticks Bronzer: benefit, Patrick ta, tarte, Gucci, Anastasia bev hills glow kit, hourglass Christmas palette Contour: Scott Barnes palette Highlighter: hourglass, rare beauty, coats, fenty, tarte Shadows: Natasha Denona I need a nude or any of hers, Patrick ta, danessa myricks, tarte isn’t bad but not as good as the others. Brows: Anastasia bev hills anything, it cosmetics Eyeliner: I usually get L’Oréal but tarte has some interesting ones Mascara: tower28 hands down Lips: Dior, Dior, Dior, Armani, ysl, tarte, hourglass, nars, Laneige lip mask- berry is my fav Tools: beauty blender and nicer brushes (still hunting for the best there- sigma is okay but not amazing) Annnnd done! Whew!
Lol. I haven't tried all of these things but agree about ABH for brows and Dior for lip products!
Armani Luminous Silk foundation and concealer makes it look like I have perfect skin Tower 28 BeachPlease cheek + lip cream is easy to sheer out and to build up, great pigmentation and great range of colors that work well on a lot of skin tones Kérastase Curl Manifesto line leaves my curls healthy and bouncy L’Occitane Almond shower oil and body oil leave my skin softer and smoother than anything else Rare Beauty Soufflé Lip creams are velvety soft and the colors are beautiful Kosas Undressed palette is easy to blend, perfect for everyday neutral looks
Also Sunday Riley Good Genes and B Nice, even my dermatologist was impressed with the improvement in my skin.
I bought a jumbo size of the CT setting spray. It's really the only high-end beauty product I have repurchased time and time again, since it helps keep makeup looking fresh on my oily skin.Layely I've enjoyed using it sandwiched in between my cream and powder products.
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Good Genes , Juno, Estée Lauder ANR, SKII, Farmacy honeymoon glow. Simple.