My shopping trips are including frequent visits to Target, Sephora, Ulta, and make up counters. Don’t get me wrong I’ve always had an interest in beauty buys but never to this extreme. Once upon a time my beauty buys consisted of makeup remover, moisturizer, and nail polish. Nowadays, I’m skipping the shoes and sales racks and heading straight to the beauty aisle. So here’s what I picked up over the last week:
Make Up:
elf Makeup Brushes
Great for applying foundation or blush
-Flawless Concealer Brush 84024
I know it’s great for concealer but I want to try it as my highlight brush
I bought this as a back up to my brow brush. The description says it’s great for separating lashes after mascara application. I’ve never tried that and I want to give it a test run. What do you do to your lashes after you apply your mascara? Am I missing a step? Tell me something.
Note: these brushes are super inexpensive and aren’t expected to last a life time, but if you keep the brushes clean it increases the longevity.
L.A. Girls HD Pro Concealer
This concealer has replaced my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. I’m literally reaching for it everyday. It provides great coverage. This concealer is crease-resistant, creamy yet lightweight. This concealer also has staying power. It’s long-wearing formula camouflages darkness under the eyes and skin imperfections.
Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Bronzer , Gingersnap
I ran out of MAC’s Mineralize Skin Finish in Gold Deposit and I wasn’t thrilled about paying $32 for another compact. So I searched for another shimmer style bronzer at Walmart and found Black Radiance’s baked bronzer in the beauty aisle. After researching the brand, it turns out the shade I picked up was a perfect dupe for MAC’s Gold Deposit. I absolutely love the color. It’s pigmented and leaves me with gorgeous glow. This compact is much smaller than MAC’s.
Milani Baked Bronzer, Soleil
So one day Walmart was out of Black Radiance’s Baked Bronzer. I nearly had a melt down in the makeup aisle. When you’re used to paying $4.99 for your favorite product the thought of paying $32 sends you in a tizzy. So I began to look for other options and I stumbled upon Milani’s Baked Bronzer. I was already familiar with the brand so I gave it a shot. I love it! The color is a tad bit lighter than Gold Deposit and Black Radiance’s Gingersnap. It is also nearly doubled the price and size of the BR’s compact.
Neutrogena Skin Cleaning Mineral Powder, Tan
What do you use to set your concealer? For a while I wouldn’t use a thing and then I tried this mineral powder and have been hooked ever since. (Thanks GlamTwinz). Tan is the darkest shade and it’s not that dark, but just right for setting my under eye concealer. I’m open to try others so drop me a line with a few suggestions.
MAC Cosmetics Pressed Pigment, Tan
So I’m trying to step up my makeup game and that includes trying new products. Pressed pigments are a new thing, but new to me. It’s a shadow that highly pigmented and it comes in a loose form. Think loose powder, but it’s a shadow. In this case a little goes a long way. The color I picked up was “Tan.” It doesn’t look tan at all. Think bronzy-pink. It’s more on the pink side than the bronze side though. The pigment has a frost finish with hints of shimmer. Note: apply pigment and other eye makeup before applying foundation. This product can have some fall out during application and it’s hard to get out. Your foundation and concealer can correct any fall out from the pigment.
MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow, Amber Lights
Amber lights is my all time favorite MAC eyeshadow. I’ve been using this color for well over a decade at this point. The shadow is a pretty antique gold. It’s full of shimmer with a frost finish. I only purchased this shadow because I ran out it. So it’s just a re-up on my essentials.
MAC Cosmetics Lipstick , Faux
This is my second time purchasing this lipstick shade. I bought it last September and was reluctant at first, but it’s my new favorite lippie.
The color is a soft mauve pink with a satin finish. This is another essential in my makeup bag!
NYX Eyebrow Gel , Espresso
So this is an oldie, but I’m just now getting around to try it. I typically fill my brows with MAC’s ‘Embark’ eyeshadow, but I’m open to try something new. I hope I like it.
Face:
NYX First Base Primer Spray
For the last month I’ve been using Figs & Rouge Avancé+ Mattifying Emulsion MT+ Sheer Primer, but it was only a trial size. It came in my mom’s ipsy bag and it’s not readily available so I need something else. I picked this one up at Target and thought a primer spray, huh? This could be interesting. I already use NYX’s finishing sprays so the base spray should be just as amazing. The directions say hold the bottle six inches away from face, and spray directly onto clean, moisturized skin. Once primer sets, continue with your makeup routine. Can’t wait to use tomorrow.
Olay Regenerist Luminous Brightening and Protecting Lotion with SPF 15
I’ve been looking for a new moisturizer for a while now. I’ve tried a few, but I’m still testing out others and this is one of my latest finds.
I picked this one up from Target and so far it’s okay. It feels more like a light sunscreen. It smells like it too. I think I will use this more during the summer, because of it’s SPF formula.
L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Facial Oil Light Serum
I’ll be honest, I just tried this product because it was on the clearance table. I’m glad I gave it a shot though. This thing is like liquid gold. I apply a couple drops on my forehead, cheeks, and chin and then rub it in. The oil is very light, and doesn’t leave any residue. The formula contains LHA to help stimulate skin surface cell turnover. Other users say the oil helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and I’m hoping it can work some magic on my forehead.
Hair:
Annie Flexi Rods
I forgot to take an individual picture of my flexi rods. Sorry. Anywho, this isn’t my first time trying flexi rods, but it is my first time trying the purple one’s , which are 3/4 in diameter. I typically use the grey rods (11/16 in diameter), but now that I’m using the purple rods I’ve noticed my curls are slightly fuller. Great decision, but one pack was $5. So five rollers for $5. Seems a bit too much for me. Needless to say, I’m looking for a new beauty supply store to buy my flexi rods in the near future.
I’m making a trip to Big Lots today, where they sell a lot of deeply discounted brand name beauty products. I’m on the hunt for more moisturizers.
Add all my fabulous finds to you beauty bag. Shop them all below:
