April Favorites: Beauty.
Favvvvorite time ever.
What’s up! What’s new in your beauty-loving world?!
I’m in the midst of trying a bunch of other new tinted moisturizers (Urban Decay, Erborian BB) because I’m a psychotic product junkie and can’t get enough. I also can’t stop with the old-school OPI shade Strawberry Margarita. Plus, I want a margarita too. AND I’m shockingly still loving that Stila mascara from last month!
Oh! Also, I tried the Batiste in the brown shade again (grabbed at Target) and I don’t hate it as much as I initially did. Crazy.
Let’s get to this month…
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer. This was an impulse purchase when I was shopping online at Bloomingdales for their friends and family sale. OF COURSE it wasn’t included in the friends and fam, but I had seen some reviews and was interested in it, so decided to bite the bullet. Totally loving it. It’s completely natural looking! It’s a bit thicker than the Complexion Rescue that I wear everyday, but I really really like it. It’s enough coverage for me right now and I think it will be fine in the summer too. And yes, I agree that it’s stupidly priced.
Dr Jart Illuminating Sunscreen. It’s no secret that I love anything dewy, glowy, shimmering – not GLITTERY, at least not on my face – but anything to make my face look luminous? I’m in. This is a bit thick but I’ve been wearing it on the days where I don’t put on tinted moisturizer. It gives the PRETTIEST sheen. I’ve only been using it for a little over three weeks (I got it during the sephora sale) but so far, so good.
Sunday Riley Tidal. It’s basically my mission to make my entire skincare regime Sunday Riley. There isn’t one product I haven’t loved. This is ridiculously moisturizing for my dry skin, which I was skeptical of since it’s a gel. I can also wear it under makeup easily. It’s probably my favorite of all her products I use (the Luna Oil, Good Genes) and it goes on my face every single night.
MAC Warm Soul Blush. This is an oldie but goodie, and I’ve been loving it recently. It’s odd because I rarely gravitate towards warm-toned makeup. But this works on my very cool-toned and pink skin. It’s sort of like a shimmery version of Tarte Exposed? But it’s not overly shimmery at all. It gives a very nice natural flush.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess. This is the time of year where I break out my favorite summer perfume. I don’t really believe in wearing different scents at different times of the year, but this is a nostalgic thing for me and I love wearing it in the summer only. And of course, rollerball, because it’s permanently stashed in my purse.
Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette. This was another impulse purchase when I was waiting in line at Sephora. I hadn’t even seen reviews on this (if I had, I probably wouldn’t have bought it – Temptalia is my go-to and she gave it terrible ratings) but am so glad I picked it up. First, the pigmentation is not wonderful, especially for the center shade. It’s slightly chalky, but not so bad that I can’t use it as a wash of color on my eyelids. I love that this is like an all-in-one palette, and since I’m all about the highlighting in the summer, I’m all over it. I’ve used it on my lids and as highlighter on the cheeks. I can totally see me using JUST this palette along with some mascara, concealer and blush!
Cover FX Click Enhance stick in Celestial. Okay, I realize I’m a little out of control with the highlighting products in this post. But this!! It’s awesome. I love Benefit Highbeam and last year, used the Clinique chubby stick highlighter. But this is a lot more natural and a bit creamier. It’s super easy to work with. And the perfect shade for my skin. Easy to swipe right on.
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Pickled Ginger. More of my bright coral obsession, right here. This is another shade similar to the Maybelline Shocking Coral. It’s a bit more matte but not completely uncomfortable. Obviously, I’m obsessed.
Anastasia Brow Definer in Chocolate. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m still a slave to the Benefit Gimme Brow. I use it every single day. And I never loved the Anastasia Brow Wiz. What I love this for though it to give my brows a bit more definition if I’m going out. The Gimme Brow only can do so much with shaping, so I add a bit of shape with this. It’s the perfect angle!
That’s all I’ve got! I’m dying over the new Urban Decay Alice line but since I’m not loving color on my eyes any more, I see no reason to get it. How sad. Whomp whomp. What are you loving right now?! What lipstick? What nailpolish? What’s your go-to sunscreen? And do you like a self tanner better than St. Tropez? SO MANY QUESTIONS.
{as usual, none of this is sponsored and all of these products were purchased by me. i am not affiliated with any of the companies above, nor do i accept free products. just love to talk about what i like, makeup junkie to makeup junkie. there are a few amazon affiliate links above. thank you for being here!}
40 Comments on “April Favorites: Beauty.”
I have the Anastasia brow pencil also and love it! My current obsession is the makeup eraser. It is amazing at quickly taking off all of my makeup while also exfoliating and not leaving a mess in my sink from eye makeup.
i’ve been eyeing that! do you just get it wet and use it?!
Yes! It’s so easy and quick to use. I love that I don’t end up with a mess in my sink from taking off my mascara and that it manages to get off ALL my makeup! I’ve even done a test and used a disposable towelette to see if anything was left behind and nothing!
The Tarte highlighter palette looks soooo pretty, and I wanted to love it, but yeah, it was panned. No pun intended. I just ordered the summer blush palette an hour ago on Sephora, and I can’t wait to get it. I can’t resist any Tarte blushes, and the palettes are so perfect for travel.
I badly want to try the new Bite lipsticks, but I just cannot justify right now. I have waaaaaay too much makeup already!
story of my life. :/
Lipstick – I’m absolutely obsessed with Bite’s lipsticks and the Pickled Ginger is the one I want most for summer! Â I’m also loving the Persimmon (orange-red) and the Radish (bright pink, could work for summer and fall).Â
Sunscreen — Sun Bum (it’s broad spectrum, smells delicious like coconut and bananas, and absorbs without being greasy). I drive a lot, so I use it everyday on my arms, neck, chest, and top of the thighs (it’s sad/amazing how tan I get there without trying). Â I’ll even use it on my face and not have a problem. I get mine at Ulta. I tried Coola for my face, but it wouldn’t fully blend in. Â And I tried the Tarte sunguard (in the super cute fuschia bottle), but it became too greasy after a short time. Â
Nail polish – I’m a huge fan of Essie. For sunny days, I like Geranium (red), Sunset Streaks (coral), Butler Please (cobalt blue), In the Cabana (deep turquoise blue) and Haute in the Heat (deep fuschia pink). Their gelsetter top coat is amazing too!
Thanks for doing these posts! I love them!Â
i love sun bum!! it’s always my go to, smells so good.Â
Anastasia Liquid Lipstick in Sad Girl(best metallic dark red on earth!), NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Havana(Bright blu-ish violet, but its amazing), OPI Center of the You-niverse(black base with a TON of tiny silver specks), annnnnd I’ve worn Jergens Natural Glow since 2006. Favourite tanner ever, by far.
going to grab some jergens this weekend! haven’t used it in a few years.Â
I need a good sunscreen. I struggle with all of the natural ones with zinc. So thick and greasy. Â My husband thinks I am crazy every time I bring a new bottle home even though we have about 7 in the cabinet.Â
My favorite self tanner is the Tanwise Dark Mousse with Black Bronzers from Sally Beauty of all places. It’s like $12.99. Frightening in the bottle but looks gorgeous on my whitest white skin. So good, I haven’t had to get a spray tan, even for special occasions, in the two years I’ve been using this. Apply with a mitt though for best results.Â
I tried the Perricone MD line this month and am obsessed with the No Highlighter Highlighter and No Blush Blush. So pretty! Try them!
Have you tried IT cosmetics “Your skin but better” CC CREAM?? It’s amazing! I used to wear bare minerals Complexion Rescue but I love this stuff better. Â It’s very light and does not feel cakey at all! SPF built in and there’s the regular formula (more matte) and An illuminating version that I was using all winter when my skin was super dry and flaky. Â They don’t carry At Sephora but do have it at Ulta.
I totally agree! I love It Cosmetics CC cream much better than Complexion Rescue. I didn’t like the Illuminating one though. Â That one was a lith too sparkly for me! Â
okay so everyone tells me this! i haven’t been to ulta in AGES but i love all things IT. i used the CC cream back in the day when it first came out, but not since it has a new formula. i think i stopped back when i pregnant and trying to avoid parabens or something (i can’t even remember now!) – but i’m going to grab some!!Â
I know you didn’t ask about eye primer but this stuff is amazing — Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials. Also — just out of curiosity which shade of Complexion Rescue do you use? I’d love to know if it’s the same as mine (Vanilla) because I have a very hard time finding good color matches.
i do use vanilla!Â
I LOVE the tinted Elta MD sunscreen. Apparently it lasts all day long at the strength of spf41 where most others say to reapply after 2 hours because they aren’t potent anymore. As far as lipsticks, I can’t stop wearing my Anastasia Beverly Hills lip glosses. My faves are glisten and undressed. And I haven’t tried it yet but I am dying to try the loving tan self tanner. Have heard nothing but great things.Â
interesting!! going to look into that!Â
Ooooo we have so much to talk about! I bought a bunch of stuff during the VIB sale and by a bunch I mean a ridiculous amount that my husband can never know about haha Mostly stocking up but got a couple of new things.
I’ve been using St Tropez for years, it’s the only self tanner I’ve ever loved BUT….I picked up the First Aid Beauty gradual tanning moisturizer and love it! It doesn’t smell and I can put it on after my shower in the morning and not think about it. Â I’m fair skinned, I’m not sure it would work for darker skin tones but it’s the perfect glow for me. I will say, if I want more color for something I will still use St. Tropez but I think the First Aid Beauty has replaced it for most of the time. I wanted something easier since I’m about to give birth (any day!) and I know I’m not going to have time to be spending applying self tanner all summer. Â Highly recommend the First Aid Beauty tanner!Â
I finally picked up some Sunday Riley products after lusting after them for months. I got Good Genes and the Ceramic Slip Cleanser. I have not started to use them yet though. I had that Tidal cream in my hand and I put it back because I didn’t read anything about it but now I wish I did! You like it the best out of all the Sunday Riley products? What makes it so good and should I run out and get it today? HahaÂ
Not that you need another highlighter but have you ever tried Laura Mercier Highlight 01? It is the absolute best. I’ve tried them all. Love benefit highbeam too. You have to try the LM one though- I have been using it for years and haven’t made a dent in it yet.
I could on all day but I will stop there! Also can I just tell you how much I have been re reading all your pregnancy and baby posts. I’ve read them a million times. I took so many of your suggestions, so thanks for sharing all of that! (Also made a billion freezer meals) I’m due in 2 weeks so really any day now! (Freakingggg out)Â
first, congrats on having a babe soon! how exciting! and you’ve convinced me to try the FAB tanner. the Tidal cream is just SO moisturizing but it’s also insanely light. creams that are “light” or gel-like rarely are moisturizing enough for me and this is. but at the same time it works so well under makeup! i think it has hyaluronic acid too, and my skin usually does well with those products!Â
and i have not tried that highlighter! like i need another one…Â
Totally into the Tarte blush in Flush right now. I used to be all about dollface, which I thought was the perfect pink. But now that I have Flush, I don’t think I can go back. It’s a gorgeous light pink with just a tiny hint of blue undertone, and I know how you love those cool-toned pinks! Look at it on Tarte’s site to see a better example of what it looks like. For some reason I think it looks way different on Sephora.Â
sooooo pretty!!Â
I’m loving the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea eyeshadow palette! It’s soooo pretty! I have cool tones to my complexion and this palette compliments perfectly.Â
Supergoop sunscreen is the best!!
I recently bought the Sunday Riley tidal balm too! Those products are all soooooo good!Â
I love, love, love anything tarte! The twinkling palette looks gorgeous but I’ve always been a little hesitant to try any illuminating or highlighting kits because my skin tends to be on the oily side and I’m afraid it might call attention to that. This one looks very muted though so it might not be as bad as some of the other ones.
I have been loving Colourpop Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick in naked ladies, its a bright red coral, you would love it. You should try Colourpop. And I recently got a Lancôme Juicy Shaker, in Apricute- it’s so nice. I always look forward to your beauty favorites.
I was wondering how you use the Complexion Rescue? I find it very hard to use on my dry skin. I bought it because of your recommendation since you also say you have dry skin but I just can’t get it to work!!
hi elle! are you using a moisturizer underneath? i always moisturize under – i’ve NEVER been able to just use a tinted moisturizer on my skin no matter how “moisturizing” it claims to be. so i moisturize 5-10 minutes before and then use my hands to blend in the complexion rescue!
I’m still bummed I missed out on the Dr. Jart sunscreen during the VIB sale. Can you believe it is still out of stock?! Grr! I’m loving MAC patentpolish lip pencil in Fearless. It is perfect for throwing on quickly without a mirror and is a pretty sheerish-bright pink. I’m also in love with Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Sorbet. It is a light bright pink. I got Tarteist mascara from Sephora as a 100 pt perk and I have to say I really love it! I’m so happy you are still loving Stila mascara!
love your makeup and beauty posts! the only thing makeup wise that I bought this month was a new dior lipstick from the spring collection that I probably don’t even need!
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I used to be a HUGE product junkie and had a giant stash of products from multiple brands. After I had my baby, a friend of mine sent me tons of samples and turned me on to Beautycounter and I’m a TOTAL convert. The products look and smell amazing and are 100 percent safe (did you know the personal care industry hasn’t been regulated in the US since 1938 and that Europe bans 1300 ingredients and we only ban 11?!) Ugh.
This stuff  WORKS and I end up actually feeling sorta hot and youthful (for a mom) and I feel great using them on myself and my family. I was a skeptic, but I promise this stuff will make anyone a convert. I’d be happy to send you samples if you’re interested!
My go to self tanner is the self tanner with bronzer from Victoria’s Secret. I have never gotten streaks, it smells great and after 1 app I always get asked where I went for the weekend! Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find it in store or online for a few months so I’m praying they aren’t discontinuing it like they did their makeup.
Warm Soul looks gorgeous! It’s on my list to get! I’m currently loving Makeup Forever’s Pro Sculpting Duo. I’m also loving OPI’s “Cosmo Not Tonight Honey!” It’s a pretty champagne color.Â
ahintofbeauty.blogspot.com/
Have you tried any of the Glossier products? I’ve been eying the milky jelly cleanser, balm dot com and a few others in the line but am not sure if I want to put down the cash just yet.
I have been loving the Milani Oh My Gloss lip gloss in snog and Covergirl jumbo gloss balm in 235, a bright coral shade. Also been loving the Covergirl supersizer mascara, it is amazing for big, voluminous lashes. I’m currently looking for a bright pink lip color for spring and summer. I also sort of want to get a Lancome juicy shaker lip gloss, they look so fun!
Have you tried the Loreal Brow Plumper? I absolutely love it, and it’s so much cheaper than any other brow mascara I have tried.Â
Current obsession: maybelline bad to the bronze cream shadow as a base, MAC expensive pink shadow on top of the bronze color, MUG peach smoothie in the crease, and MAC nylon in the inner corner. Then tons of mascara. It’s so pretty, and I am super pale like you are. I feel like it makes my eyes pop.Â
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