Here are the products I have loved using as the weather heats up.
Note: I am a terrible photographer. Really. Most photos used are stock photos.
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream
I'm a full coverage foundation girl. I have a lot of redness in my skin, freckles, an uneven skin tone, texture, dryness, large pores... I just want to cover all that shiz up and look perfect. But, that can get kind of heavy and it's not very appealing in the warmer months. So, enter a
BB cream. The coverage on this is very light, and the finish is very natural looking. Basically I'm wearing a tinted moisturizer that is loaded with sunscreen. It's great for days where I want to look better than a naked face, but I don't care about looking "perfect." (It's perfect for days at Disney World!) I usually follow it up with some concealer under the eyes and around the nose, and then a light dusting of translucent powder.
Anastasia Brow Wiz
I've talked about
Brow Wiz before. It still trumps all other brow pencils. However, I have heard that NYX has made a dupe. So when I'm out of this, which will be soon, I'm going to see how the cheaper NYX pencil matches up.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal
Once in a while, a product will come along that is absolutely, positively, life changing. A product that, when I use it, I never feel more beautiful.
This is that product.
It's quite expensive. And the version I have right now is actually a cheaper, travel size version. But I do believe once I am out (which might be soon since I am OBSESSED) I will purchase the full size.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector is an illuminator. There are a couple different ways you can use it.
I mix it with my foundation, or BB cream, and I apply it all over my face. The result is the most beautiful, natural looking glow I have ever seen on my dry, dull, lackluster skin. I love it! It's kind of shimmery, but your face doesn't look like you dipped yourself in glitter. The shimmer isn't chunky or chalky, it doesn't bead up. It just melts into your skin and gives it a look of perfection while feeling completely weightless. It's glowy and gorgeous, and perfect! It reflects the light in such a flattering way that any time I check myself out I can't help but stare at and be amazed by the glow. I had no idea my skin could EVER look like that!
Now, if you don't have dry skin, you might not get all the rage... Then again, maybe you would! If you have oily skin, and want to control your oil, but not look completely matte, you should totally give this a try. Most foundations that are made for oily skin are matte foundations. So, if that's what you've got, but you want to give the matte look a rest, try mixing this stuff in with your foundation. OR, apply just a dab to the tops of your cheek bones, and blend it in for a little light-catching reflection there.
Seriously though, whatever your skin type, go into Ulta or Sephora, and make your way over to the isle where the Becca products are located. Pick up a tester (there are, I think, 5 different shades, so almost every skin tone can find one for them), and squeeze some onto your hand, and spread that shiz all over your face.
Or just your cheekbones. Whatever.
You won't be disappointed.
Plus it smells really good.
Makeup Geek Eyeshadows
Best eyeshadows of life! I first got some for Christmas last year, and basically, I have not used anything but Makeup Geek since then. They are that good! They are pigmented, smooth, blendable, buildable goodness!
The best part is that they are about half the price of a MAC eyeshadow.
Makeup Geek eyeshadow pans: $5.99
MAC eyeshadow pans: $10.00
My most used eyeshadows this spring are:
Vanilla Bean (barely shimmery off-white) - all over, and on the brow bone
Barcelona Beach (cool toned, mid-tone brown) - crease, and under the eye
Shimma Shimma (very shimmery champagne) - all over lid
Using those three together is a quick, neutral, and very flattering eyeshadow combination.
If I want to change it up, I usually just switch out the Barcelona Beach for another matte shade (
Cupcake,
Wisteria,
Unexpected are all also favorites), and sometimes I deepen up the outer V with
Corrupt, or
Mocha.
Honestly, in order to name all of my favorite Makeup Geek shadows, I will have to name practically every Makeup Geek shadow I own (which is currently 24). I am obsessed.
I also have one of their foiled eyeshadows, two blushes and two pigments from their line. All are amazing!
Their foiled eyeshadows are more expensive, but they are very luxurious. They are slightly creamier, and they look super shimmery, like foil, when applied.
The foiled eyeshadow I own is called Caitlyn Rose. It is a gorgeous purple color, named after Caitlyn Rose, who was a friend of the owner of Makeup Geek. Caitlyn Rose died of Batten disease a few years back. 100% of the profits from the Caitlyn Rose shadow go to Batten disease research, and to families who are caring for those suffering with Batten disease.
I have a wishlist on the Makeup Geek site that has eight more standard eyeshadows, four more of their foiled eyeshadows, 1 more blush, and 1 more pigment.
Pretty sure I need a new Z Palette.
The brand is still pretty new and small, and they don't offer a million products, yet. They are constantly releasing new products, new colors, and new formulas. They just released a few new eyeshadow colors, and some new foiled eyeshadows. In a few months they will be releasing some lip creams, new pigments, and a few more new eyeshadow colors.
It's good for me, because I can wait a few months between purchases and not go broke buying ALL THE THINGS!
They are coming out with a foundation next year and I seriously cannot wait. It sounds PERFECT for me. I need it now!
I'm geeky for Makeup Geek.
Check them out, if you haven't already!
This totally sounds like a commercial. I don't get anything from pushing this much Makeup Geek on you, I just truly love this brand.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm - Mint & Shea Butter
I have dry lips. I always have. But when my lips get chapped,
Jack Black is the only thing that can heal them. Before I used Jack Black, my lips were freaking out. I had two back-to-back allergic reactions to some new lip products I tried, and it was 3 months of agony before finding something that actually worked to not only relieve the pain and dryness, but to HEAL my lips. It's not cheap for a lip balm ($8), but it works. And I love it. I love to use this under lip products all year round.
Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Lovechild
Generally I am not a fan of chubby lip pencils. I like the
UD Super-Saturated one because it is more like a gloss, but it's not super sheer. It has pretty good staying power, and this neutral medium pink color goes well with most makeup looks. I've loved throwing it on, and throwing it in my bag for touch ups throughout the day.
The only down side is that it must be sharpened after every 3-4 uses, otherwise the sharp edges will tug at your lips and it's not very comfortable.
Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Primer & Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
This
primer and
mascara are a match made in heaven. My lashes look fuller, longer, thicker, and more defined. That's hard to do on my baby-fine, stubby eyelashes! I wish these products weren't so expensive on their own. I got them both in a Tarte sample kit around Christmas time, and yes, I'm finally just now using them. I'm hooked!
I love how thin the brush is, on both the primer and the mascara. I always smudge mascara somewhere on my eye, so the thinner brush helps me not to do that as much. I'm also really enjoying the traditional wand, rather than the rubber/plastic wand.
There you have it, my spring favorites! The products I've been obsessed with over the past couple of months.
I provided links to most of the products. If you check those out, please realize that I didn't pay full price for anything other than the Makeup Geek products and the Jack Black lip balm, and even then, those were gifts for Christmas and/or my birthday.
Most of my sample size items from form Ipsy, are in little gift sets, or are free gifts with other purchases. Also, Ulta always has coupons and sales, and their rewards program is the bomb, so I hardly ever pay full price for anything that I purchase there.
