Beauty Favorites Vol. 2

Some time in the last few months I've completely changed up the products I've been using in the morning when getting ready. I'm usually a creature of habit, and 90% of the items I reached for were from the drugstore... somewhere along the way that changed. I'll blame it on Christmas when I got a few things in my stocking, that I'm now obsessed with.

Benefit The POREfessional

I used this primer a few years ago and loved it. It had come with a gift set, so it was sample size and I never repurchased it. This time, I had the sample size and couldn't help myself, I loved it too much to go back to anything else. It just leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth and ready for foundation.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

I got this foundation as a Christmas present and I love that it doesn't feel or look heavy but has really good coverage. It evens out my skin tone really well too which is something I look for since I have a lot of pink, especially on my cheeks. I've used it with both a foundation brush and a beauty blender and I think it works best with the beauty blender, and not as cakey.

Tarte Shape Tape concealer

I mostly use this under my eyes and while I don't have bag or super dark circles, it definitely helps me look more awake and well rested. It's thicker than the age rewind concealer I used to use but it doesn't feel heavy and I think it has better coverage. It also sets up really well and doesn't settle into lines or crease. Definitely need to set it with a light powder though because it can feel kind of sticky once it's blended in. Also use a beauty blender with this.

IT COSMETICS BYE BYE PORES POWDER

Now I don’t like to look super matte but I do have combination skin so I always set my foundation with powder because it feels like my foundation is locked into place and not going anywhere. I’ve used the illuminizer version of this powder, and at first it gave my skin a healthy glow, but throughout the day I felt it just made me look oily. So I use the bye bye pores powder all over and the illuminzer under my eyes to brighten that up more and on the top of my cheek bones as a highlighter and I love it.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA EYELINER PEN

This is the best liquid eyeliner. And I’ve tried a number of different ones. I’m usually partial to L’Oreal but once I tried this one, I couldn’t go back to anything else. It’s super easy to use, it dries really fast, and does fade off throughout the day which is the most important factor. It says it’s also a lash serum but I’ll be honest I haven’t really paid much attention to that aspect of it.

MAKEUP REVOLUTION VIVID BAKED BRONZER

Normally I go for matte bronzers because again, too many glowy products can make me look more oily. This bronzer, while it looks like it would be a bit extreme, especially with vivid in the name, just gives a nice natural tan glow. I never used to be someone who had to use bronzer everyday, just on occasion, but since I purchased this one, I have to have it or my makeup doesn’t feel complete. I use the color, Golden Days.

NYX SCULPT AND HIGHLIGHT BROW PENCIL

I had been using the NYX micro brow pencil for the longest time, but then I went to repurchase it and my shade was sold out. So I picked this up, since it was the same shade just a different type of pencil. And let me tell you, I love this so much better. The one thing I hate about most brow pencils that have a tiny tip, they always feel dry and I feel like I’m taking forever to fill them in. This pencil, is a little thicker and it’s creamier which I know isn’t for everyone, but personally I find it so much easier and quicker to use. The only thing I would change, the highlight for my shade, Taupe, is a bit yellow so I never use it. The one thing the Micro brow pencil has over this, the spooly brush on the other end.

TARTE EYELASH CURLER

I used a Revlon eyelash curler for the longest time. I’ve even said before I didn’t think there could possibly be a difference in eyelash curlers, they all do the same thing. I was wrong. My mom got a Tarte one and loved it, so I got one and I love it. Although I can’t lie, for some reason when I go to curl my lashes on my left eye, I flinch. I never did that with my other curler but for some reason, it’s a while experience trying not to blink when I go to do my left eye.

MAYBELLINE FALSIES PUSH-UP DRAMA WATERPROOF

Mascara is probably the one thing I change frequently. I'm always trying different mascaras. I might use the same one for a few months at a time but then I'll change it. I'm always looking for something better. Well let me tell you, this is better. Now waterproof is the key word here because I've tried the regular version and it's not the same.

The waterproof version will. not. budge. If you have a long day ahead of you and need a mascara that's going to last you all day, this is it. This stuff is the most waterproof mascara I've ever used. You can rub your eyes, that mascara might as well be glued to your lashes.

That being said, I usually use baby oil to get any mascara off and it usually works easy. However not so much with this mascara, you kind of have to work at it to get it off. Which can be a pain, but at least I know I have a go to mascara for days I know I'll need 12 or more hours out of it.

What products are you loving?