March Favorites: Beauty.
Hiiiiiiii.
What.a.month.
Um, I did some damage this month beautywise… when one who is stuck in the house for three months finds her way into a sephora, and then an ulta, oomph. I’ve tried so many things that I really LOVE. It’s been awesome.
Most importantly though, let’s discuss how dry shampoo is a new mom’s life saver. I still really love that dior cheek glow that I bought over the holidays, even though it seems that I have some blush issues below. Oh oh oh and! I haven’t been using the kenra blow dry spray as consistently as usual since I haven’t dried my hair in, um, three months – BUT! I’ve dried it a bunch lately and my love for the blow dry spray is revived. Still cuts my dry time in half. And the glam glow hydrate mask is my life at the moment. I’m currently sitting in a hotel room and BROUGHT IT WITH ME – that’s how much it is saving my skin. And the origins bubble bath from last month! SO good.
Okay now on to the last 28ish days.
Let’s start with my absolute favorite purchase of the month… the benefit rollerlash mascara.
You may remember that I stopped buying high end mascaras over a year or so ago – I loved the loreal carbon black and maybelline the falsies so much that I didn’t see a reason to buy pricier ones. Especially when they need to be thrown out in a few months.
Well. Call it a combination of being stuck in the house and stir craziness – I bought it on a trip to the mall last month and HOLY CRAP I love it so, so much. Like SO much. Like can’t get over it.
Then I also read a review about combining it with the benefit they’re real mascara, and I had a sample tube of that and did – whoa. Whoa. That’s all I gotta say.
I’m a longtime fan of these maybelline color tattoos and found this one in my grocery store (YEP) as I was breezing by the beauty section. The color is black orchid and it’s a purple-y/taupe kind of deal. It’s awesome by itself, but what I’m really loving it wearing it underneath some of the sparkly nude eyeshadows I have, like urban decay sin or maybelline iced latte.
Gotta mention this AGAIN – I realize I’ve included it a bunch of months in a row – but something crazy happened this month. I started using ONLY this benefit gimme brow. Like not using my brow powder and brush, or even my anastasia gel. I actually like my brows better with this at the moment. And only this. It’s so simple and I swear, pretty much foolproof.
More new things! Since I live and die by tarte amazonian clay blush, I had to get this color (I almost said flavor) when I saw it with the new spring stuff. It’s called celebrated and is obviously a peachy-tone, but on your cheeks? It’s super natural and just gorgeous. It might even take the place of tarte exposed for me? It’s gorgeous.
I haven’t bought something by clinique in ages, but since I’m marketer’s dream and this came through my email in a sephora blast, I couldn’t resist. A highlighter chubby stick! I love highlighters, especially cream ones. And anything in stick form. It’s so pretty. It is very light and bright so if you have dark skin, it may be TOO light and silvery. But for the palest of the pale, it’s great. And it’s EASY.
I’ve been wearing this everyday with some tinted moisturizer, the gimme brow, rollerlash and tarte blush above.
Can you tell I’m craving spring and summer by these colors?
As a huge fan of the original NYX butter glosses, I had to try the intense ones. Above is napoleon and they are super pretty. It will take restraint to not buy every color. They are SO opaque.
Next was an impulse purchase – the bare minerals lip oil balm in peach passion. This feels AMAZING on the lips and the color is pretty too. I’ve kept it in my pocket for the last two weeks and it’s crazy easy to apply (you don’t need a mirror since it’s a balm) and feels wonderful. I’d love to try this in other colors.
Zoya is my favorite polish (along with sephora formula x) and I just about lost it when I saw these neutrals for spring. They aren’t fully matte but they are close. I love all of these shades and they are ones that don’t make my hands look dead. Win!
These were difficult to photograph because of the frosted bottle, but we have ana (a nude), brittany (a pink) and leah (a light purple-ish gray) and I adore every single one. I haven’t worn much polish regularly since having Max but I can’t get these shades off my hands.
Perfect for spring and such a neat finish.
Who says “neat’ in 2015?
Oldie but good!
I’ve been keeping the nest midnight fleur rollerball in my purse and have been reminded just HOW crazy I am about it. This is, like, good enough to eat without being a super sugary bakery scent. Freaking love.
Finally, I went back to the tree hut shea sugar scrub and I have to say there is no other scrub like this. At least not one I’ve tried. I’ve even tried making my own to mimic this consistency and I just can’t get it! It’s so soft and butter and smooth and delicious and lightly sugary for exfoliation.
And this brazilian nut scent smells like cake. Or something. Maybe I’ve been in the house for too long.
There are a lot of new things I’m waiting to try soon – a few being the bare minerals complexion rescue (have you tried it? my shade it sold out everywhere.), the supergoop CC cream, the new shades of clinique cheek pop blushes (you guys have been telling me to try these for years) and fresh lip color in nude. Oh man. Next few months are going to be baaaaad.
Tell me tell me! What are you loving? Now that the newborn haze has lifted, I feel so much more like the beauty junkie I usually am.
{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!}
77 Comments on “March Favorites: Beauty.”
I’ve been on Sephora binges lately. Buying pretty makeup helps remind me that this winter won’t last forever!
I recently decided to try Kat Von D’s line of makeup, and I am HOOKED! I bought five lipsticks and two eyeshadow palettes, and just bought several more things. The lipstick is super bright and lasts all day!
Also – Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner. Love!
Nars blush and lip gloss in Super Orgasm, which feels slightly inappropriate to wear to work, but it’s such a pretty peachy pink!
For my ultra chapped lips – First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy. It really has been helping.
Nail polish – I’m obsessed with the Formula X Sea Glass collection. I think I bought every color. Is 25 too old to wear sparkly nail polish?
And finally, for my dry skin, I’ve been using Dr. Jart’s water-fuse gel and sleeping mask. I really didn’t need another moisturizer, but these are great! I’m not sure how much I’ll need the extra hydration as the weather warms up, but so far I can definitely use it.
omg i love that sleeping mask – didn’t use it while pregnant because it has parabens, but still have some left to use now!!
this just scared me, because i use this religiously and try to avoid parabens. but sephora says otherwise: http://www.sephora.com/water-fuse-water-max-sleeping-mask-P374570
omg! you just made my day. i have no idea why i thought it had parabens. maybe i just assumed because the bb cream from them that i love does?? gah sorry to worry you!! THANK YOU!
just purchased the complexion rescue yesterday – so far, so good!!
I LOVE complexion rescue! It’s the best option for a CC cream and tinted moisturizer in one!
just was able to order it – wahoo!
I just bought the same NYX butter gloss. I’ve heard they aren’t as sticky and I’ve been needing a good gloss as lipsticks always leaves my lips dry. But I hate sticky lip gloss… so far so good. I really like the gloss :)
http://www.brisul.com
I’ve been using the complexion rescue for about a month. I love it! It blends really nicely with concealer or highlighter and can very easily be used as a thin minimal coverage layer or a thicker full coverage makeup depending on how you apply. It does better without primer underneath.
nice, thanks!
Definitely intrigued about both Benefit products you mention, but I have to ask about the mascara — I know you didn’t love They’re Real at first, and I tried it and was a) NOT impressed, b) HATED that it took For.Ev.Er to get off at the end of the day!!! Is the Rollerball the same way? Ie acts like a waterproof mascara even though it’s not technically? I don’t think I could deal.
I have been a loyal Falsies user for years but then I tried a sample (evil Sephora geniuses!) of Lancome Star Hypnose and it was amazing, but when I bought the full size it somehow does not work as well as the sample?! How is that? Things that I don’t understand…
I have tried Roller Lash and have to be honest and say that I am not convinced yet. I don’t have a problem taking it off – as long as I use a decent eye-make-up remover and then remove any little residual bits with my cleanser – my main issue is that it doesn’t curl my lashes. Barely any lift. I do have quite long lashes, so maybe that is why, but also the applicator is a bit weird. There may be a knack to using it. I’ve tried using it upside down to see if that made any different and I think it made it worse!!
Anyway, if you can get your hands on a sample first, I would do that before you buy the full size. I find Benefit products really hit and miss . . .
i am totally with you on lancome mascaras and mascaras in general ! i love the tiny tubes but always hate the full size. i think its a consistency thing and the big tubes always dry out so fast for me. the last large tube i bought was a dior and it lasted like 1.5 months before it flaked everywhere and i said never again would i buy full size !
okay my thoughts – i totally agree with kirsten and don’t think it curls my lashes. i should have wrote that up above. BUT – i have super short and stick straight lashes, so i would never NOT curl them with a curler, you know? i just really love how it applies, it separates and gives me length!
regarding it coming off – i agree, hated that about they’re real. however, if i’m wearing any makeup i have really got into the habit of using the cleansing oils. i love regular coconut oil, but often choose the mac cleanse off oil or josie maran oil because they have a pump and are just EASIER. i use them anytime i wear makeup, so i haven’t tried to remove the rollerlash without using the oils. the oils take off EVERYTHING!
That sugar scrub looks awesome! I am a big fan of body scrubs :)
http://www.skinnybelle.com/
That Clinique highlighter looks GORGEOUS! I got a sample of the supergoop cc cream in my Birchbox and I’ve worn it twice, I like it. But not sure if I love it yet. It smells delicious, it covers fairly well if my rosacea isn’t terrible. It covered up my green primer really well, but it sticks to every flaky dry patch if I’m having a bad skin day. And I find it kind of hard to blend. I normally use dr. Jart bb cream and I don’t think I would buy supergoop over dr. Jart. But, I haven’t tried the it cosmetics cc cream yet so I’m hoping to fall head over heels with that!
oh darn. i have super dry skin and it’s still really flakey from the cold weather. i should try a sample first! i’m a huge fan of the dr jart, just avoided it while pregnant (it has parabens and as a first time mom i avoided everything they said to avoid, ha) and need to buy a new bottle!
Love Love my Supergoop CC cream! It makes your skin look amazing! Another one I like is Jouer tinted moisturizer…
I’ve always wanted to try the gimme brow form benefit!! It looks amazing
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
I have to go try rollerlash now…I was at Sephora on Saturday and I asked my cashier if she had tried it yet and she hadn’t. I tried They’re Real several months ago and LOVED it, but it was literally impossible to take off unless you bought they’re real remover…totally gonna go get rollerlash now! And I’m super intrigued by that clinique stick. Lately I’ve been really into smashbox’s halo longwear blush in passion…so so pretty. I was deciding between it and a tarte amazonian clay blush, but now I might just have to go get that one too!
is that one of the blushes that is like ombre shades??
I don’t think so it’s kind of a weird design..you twist it and it shaves off the product into a reservoir and you can do it gradually..I wasn’t sure if I’d like the design but it works really well so far and the color is really rich and pretty. Here’s a link if you wanna check it out! For some reason I couldn’t find it on sephora.com but that’s where I bought it: http://www.smashbox.com/product/6015/24008/Cheeks/Blush/HALO-LONG-WEAR-BLUSH/index.tmpl
well, i just bought the “gimme brow”. i’ve been introduced to so many products thru you… thank you! but if my husband really knew the money i spend on products, i’d be in much trouble, LOL!
ha. i so feel you. ;)
I get so excited for nail polish names. They are always so clever. When I get a color and a name I love I get a sick happiness.
i always wonder who has that job. it has to be so fun.
Gimme Brow is the best! I use it all the time, by itself, and my brows look much better. And it’s so easy (and I’m lazy hee hee!)
I can’t stop raving about Color tattoos, they are just best cream eyeshadows I have tried. I love Nyx lip products and this color looks amazing
You can check my favorites here; sparklygoddess.blogspot.com/2015/03/march-favorites-favoriti-za-mart.html
I am LOVING the complexion rescue!! We may have the same shade…Mine (Vanilla) was also sold out everywhere but I did find it online at Ulta. I really don’t like to wear foundation, but this stuff is PERFECT for me. I look dewy and wonderful and it really evens out my skin tone…it provides just enough coverage! I have breakouts on my forehead thanks to my bangs, and I think the complexion rescue is helping to clear it up. It’s so easy to apply too with your fingers or that brush…but I just tried to apply with the brush this morning and think I prefer it. It’s really easy and makes my skin look totally flawless. I would definitely recommend!
Complexion Rescue is AMAZING. So that that I purchased it. Doesn’t dry out my skin and have gotten so many compliments on my skin since I started wearing it. If I am going out at night or something I will mix it with a little but of my laura mercier foundation for a little bit more coverage.
OMG! I am crazy about that mascara too. I never buy fancy expensive mascaras but that one actually works and looks sooooo good.
Bought the new Benefit mascara this month instead of replacing my usual Too Faced Better Than Sex and I am loving it too! I’m going to try it with They’re Real (which I’m not a huge fan of but have samples) like you suggest. My nail polishes this month have been the matte cashmere collection from Essie but i just bought Sephora’s new one, Breathless this weekend. It’s like a light, shimmery pink. LOVE. You mentioned either on the blog or IG or somewhere about growing your hair out. I chopped mine last summer too and I have been using Lee Stafford treatment that I got at Ulta. It’s for …hair that doesn’t grow past a certain length. It might be in my head but I swear the stuff is working magic on making my hair grow faster and it feels healthier than ever. I’m using it twice a week. Try it!
i’m going to get suckered into that hair product now!
That black orchid looks amazing! I love the 24 hr tattoos too (though I hate when my nails dig into the product).
I am totally loving everything Dior, as usual! The Star foundation/eye concealer, the cheek and lip glow (omg the best!) and the new coral shade of their Dior Addict Lip Glow is so pretty. Oh, and I bought the new eye reviver eye shadow palette!!!
I love your picks for this month! The Bare Minerals Lip Oil Balm is catching my eye mostly though. Would you say the color is well- pigmented? I’d love a lip product that kept my lips hydrated while also providing nice color.
Right now, I am loving the Laura Gellar Baked Blush in Pink Grapefruit. I received a sample of it in my Birchbox and I think it puts my makeup look together perfectly. I just put some on the apples of my cheeks over my bronzer and it makes me look so made up!
definitely not very pigmented, but not super light either if that makes sense. it is very true to how it sounds – a balm. so a sheer wash of color? more than the dior lip sheers though!
Oh okay…sounds like something I’ll have to try either way! Thanks for the reply :)
I am also liking roller lash, but not loving it yet. I don’t know if I am using the wand to apply it correctly and haven’t been able to find a good tutorial (makeup dummy here). Any tips on applying would be greatly appreciated!!
Love Gimme Brow! I actually just bought a new one on Friday.
The Maybelline eye color sounds so pretty- I may pick that up.
I am loving this post! I have been on bedrest for 40 days and have about ten to go! The kenra blow drying spray you use is amazing I agree! I think I am going to grab some NYX lip gloss. I definitely need to stock up on those before the baby comes. Thanks for the great tips!!
I’m a big fan of the Tarte Amazonian clay blush too! And you can’t beat NYX for lip products – their cream lipstick in “hot pink” is my current fav. The blue hues in it aren’t harsh against my fair complexion!
I also love Midnight Fleur–have you tried the new Nest Indigo scent yet? I am so in love with it right now! My Sephora had a 3-pack of Nest rollerballs in the travel section–highly recommend!
i haven’t! is it floraly?? i usually sneeze and get headaches at those scents.
It is not florally at all. It is actually less floral than Midnight Fleur. Midnight Fleur is Exotic Woods, Black Amber, Patchouli, Night-Blooming Jasmine, and Vanilla Orchid whereas Indigo is Moroccan Tea, Kashmir Wood, Cardamom, and Wild Fig. I agree with Ashli, I also love it!
i’m loving the tarte energy self-adjusting gloss & chubby stick. I love the balm-feel of the stick over the gloss. it’s like the dior glow lipstick only more moisturizing. it gives me the perfect lip shade. love.love.love
i have both gimme brow and the new mascara samples to try so now i am excited ! i have been loving tarte amazonian blush (forget the color) but it stays great for a powder blush ! Using some tarte fat lip tints that are just ok, my lips are so chapped the past 2 weeks i have no idea why ! i tried juice beauty peel for sensitive skin and have used 2x and its irritating to my skin : (
so that one will go to my sister. i love the sincerely perfume sample i got from birchbox and i almost always hate perfume samples but this one i loved ! for hair im just eh over everything right now i thought about trying the blow dry spray but saw mixed reviews online over it so i have held off. i have colored highlighted hair and im afraid it might be a bit drying. but maybe in the summer i might try it since blow drying is such a pain !
those tarte lip tints have KILLED my lips in the past!! they are soooo drying. i have no idea why.
You have provided me with so much inspiration!! I always look forward to these posts :)
I have been loving all things Super Goop lately, including the CC Cream! Obsessed. It took a little getting used to because it’s THICK, but if you use just a little bit it goes a long way and provides the perfect consistency (for me, anyway)!! You just make sure your skin is well moisturized first. I have also been loving the Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Nude (but I can get a little oily sometimes, so this one might not be for you) AND the Cleansing Oil. It takes off every trace of makeup and never leaves my skin feeling dry. AND!! Two more things and I’ll stop blabbering — Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner with Rose Water. Obsessed. And the Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms. Love, love, love.
This stuff looks awesome!
As a side note, you got me hooked on the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque and now it is no longer being carried at Ulta! I’m so bummed – I love that stuff!
omg what! it isn’t?! i wonder why?? that’s where i always buy it too!
(though i do think it’s cheaper on amazon…)
I’ve started using Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum and am HOOKED. If anyone has thin or small lashes – try this out. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3030017
I’m a huge Bliss fan and just started using Bliss That’s Incredi-Peel’s and they are awesome. They brighten my dry skin and I wake up feeling so refreshed!
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4360135
Great post! I like your product selection, some amazing thing you have there :) Would love to try that scrub…
hushhush990.blogspot.com
I tried the Kenra blow dry spray after you mentioned it in another favorite post and I am now obsessed! It is amazing!!! I have super thick and curly hair, this really reduces my drying time. Thank you for recommending! Its definitely a keeper!
I love Benefit Gimme Brow too! I never used to use anything on my brows until my sister suggested I do it this summer. It’s amazing how it transforms my face!
I’m OBSESSED with Bare Mineerals complexion resuce. I have combination skin (dry flakey patches but oily t zone) and the is the only cc/bb/whatever cream I’ve ever liked. I wear 02 vanilla and Ulta has it online, if that’s what you’re looking for ;) I’ve been stalking all the sites!
Btw don’t you love grocery store makeup buys?! The hubby sees what I spend at Market District and thinks it’s all food… Little does he know I slipped in a few nail polishes :)
Have you tried Vinylux Weekly Polish? Love them! They last for a good week without any chipping (can easily get away with two weeks if you don’t mind a couple chips here or there). It’s regular nail polish without the on/off hassle of gel (comes off with regular remover). Definitely a must try- and they have so many fun spring colors now!
I am OBSESSED with the Pacifica makeup/skincare line – I always find it at Target in the natural beauty aisle, but I’m not sure where else to find it. I’m in love with how naturally glow-y and fresh my skin looks with their highlighting primer serum (which I often wear over my moisturizer without any foundation on top). They also make a trio of blendable highlighters that is really great because the silvery, pink, and bronzey colors are each usable at a different time of year (and thus, different skin tone) for me. My BFF has also raved about their CC cream, but I haven’t been able to find it in the lighter shade to test it out!
Just got the same color tattoo and I love it. I also picked up Rose Riot. Haven’t worn it yet but I’m sure it will be great. Can’t go wrong with the color tattoos!! I’m also obsessed with Nest fragrances. They last ALL day and smell so good. Indigo is my favorite! My recent skin care finds are Josie Maran cleansing oil and exfoliating cleansing powder. Sooooo excellent!! Paired with her Argan oil and your skin is like a baby’s butt when you are done. Clinique Chubby Stick lip balm in Curviest Caramel and Urban Decays Naked Skin Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation (<—-what a name!) are my current makeup obsessions. Can't get enough! Thanks for sharing your faves. I love your beauty posts!
I always enjoy your blog. Do you ever do anything on cruelty free products?
I love that Tree Hur exfoliator, I have tried others but always come back. And seriously, it smells SO good. The other scents (flavors?) do NOT compare. I am going to have to check out that Clinique highlighter chubby stick…beuaty is an adventure!
Jessica if you are into highlighters you HAVE TO try the Becca highlighters. They have liquid that you can mix with your foundation or tinted moisturizer OR pressed that you can brush on your cheeks, forehead, etc. They have a ton of different colors (even rose gold!!!!!). I just bought them a week ago after watching a Jesse James Decker makeup tutorial (embarrassing) and I am hooked.
Have you ever bought makeup off of the QVC website? A girlfriend just turned me on to it and they have tons of good deals! Some things aren’t a steal, but they have lots of little kits and makeup/brush combos for way less than you could buy each thing separately. :)
Great post! Can’t wait to add the new Tarte blush to my collection!
Oh – You must try the Dior Addict It Lash mascara! It’s amazing! No clumping, separates the lashes, lengthens, and it may be my imagination but I also think it helps curl my lashes also. I used to use a curler, but recently stopped to try to cut back on my makeup time, and then I started using this mascara and it’s amazing! Don’t miss my lash curler at all!
Those Zoya polishes are GORGE! Ugh, I’m a sucker for anything in those shades.
Also I got a Klout Perk this weekend for the Roller Lash mascara so I’m super excited for that to arrive!
I’ve been really loving NXY “Simply….” lip crayons, MAC Cardinal lipstick from MAC x Phillip Treacy, and I just recently fell in love with the Anastasia contour palette. Like, in true love.
I really really want benefits roller lash! It’s everywhere currently! X
I love the idea of makeup (and i like Stuff, and marketing sucks me right in), but I’m not very good at a) using it or b) using more than one of each type of product. I’m working on slowly branching out.
I just bought the Bare Minerals matte foundation (I get so oily over the course of the day) and I’m really excited that I picked my shade right the first time! It’s weird, because it does give my skin the mine-but-better look that I want…but it takes a minute for me to adjust when I see it. I also really like the packaging–instead of a sifter that goes everywhere it’s got a top that you can slide open and closed (sort of like a big can of salt). Means I can travel with it!
I need to re-purchase the Rimmel waterproof pen liner, because mine is finally drying out after…uh…I won’t say how long. BUT it lasted forever and really was pretty waterproof.
I want to try Essence longwear lipstick. Apparently it’s actually longwear, feels great, and is like $3. What??
I’ve been reading your blog for almost a year now and I adore it. Your writing is hilarious and engaging. All of your posts are great – whether it’s food-related, beauty-related, Max-related or TV-related. :) Thank you for sharing bits of your life with us.
I am SO late to the party, but I have recently become totally obsessed with the NYX Matte lipsticks. I’ve bought 4 colors in a week and a half. It’s a problem. You NEED to get Shocking Pink. I literally was like OMG Jessica would love this!!! Alabama is one of the greatest reds that I’ve ever had on and Natural (which sounds SO boring) is actually also incredible. I had it on the other night and two strangers complimented me on my lips. Random. I got Nude too, which I wanted to love, but the application is just weird. I like layering it with my Creme Brulee butter gloss though so it worked out. Plus they’re only like $6 a piece – winning!
I sprayed this on myself when I went to check out the Bobbi brown at sephora and when I got back to work everyone was all over me asking what it was. I’m saving up! Happy it’s not as pricy as bond no. 9 but still at $125 gotta wait a few paychecks before taking the plunge!
http://m.sephora.com/product/P394141?preferedSku=1684539