April Favorites: Beauty.

Oh hi. I’m going to be a terrible example this month.

Let’s talk about how I went crazy with face stuff! Eeeeep. I tried two tinted moisturizers/BB creams, both of which I loved, a blush, a bronzer, a sunscreen… the list goes on. Little crazy. Why does Sephora have to have sales? They ruin my life.

Also! I have to tell you a story. I was super excited about a product this month… until I wasn’t. In early March I got a sample of the philosophy renewed hope in a jar. I used the sample and freaking LOVED it. The texture! The feel on my skin! The perfect moisturizer for nighttime! It felt like silk. I didn’t use it every night since it was a sample – probably every other or every third to make it last. Ha. Well. 

I ended up buying the large jar. I started using it nightly. About a week later, my face exploded. It was insane. I have been really lucky in the sense that I very rarely ever break out. I didn’t have acne as a teen and haven’t so far as an adult. Probably because my skin is so dry. This was crazy. All over my cheeks, sides of my face, eyelids (?!?!), forehead – everything. It was a mess.

I read up on the moisturizer which has AHA’s, and I’m thinking I broke out from going balls to wall with the AHA’s every night. Do you know anything about this? I have sort of sensitive skin, but not in the way that it breaks out with products. Does that make sense? I stopped using the cream (sad face) but read that sometimes your skin just needs to get used to it. Thoughts? Would you continue using it?

Anyhoo. New stuff this month but old stuff too. Things that aren’t mentioned: the gimme brow which I’m still dying over (so good), the tree hut sugar scrub (went through last month’s, on to a new scent), the kenra blow dry spray (am I broken record? it’s saving my hair with a baby), and batiste, of course.

First! I grabbed the SPF mineral sunscreen version of my favorite nighttime moisturizer. I really like the first aid beauty ultra repair (I’ll use it all over my body too) and was super excited to see an SPF version. I like it – have been throwing it on every morning, sometimes under makeup, sometimes on it’s own. So far, it’s just as great as the regular stuff!

Here’s where I started to go overboard in the face arena. I mentioned last month that I really wanted to try the bare minerals complexion rescue but my shade was sold out everywhere. I found it about a week later and have REALLY liked it. Since I’m not a huge fan of foundation, this is like my dream tinted moisturizer/BB cream/whatever you want to call it. It’s great on dry skin and gives me a little luminous glow. I use the shade vanilla, which excites me. (shocking.)

You’ll notice that pretty much everything in this post is all about a luminous glow. Dry skin + barely any sleep = lots of glowy skin products.

So! A few weeks (maybe two?) after finding that, the sephora VIB sale started and I saw this meteorites baby glow makeup, which is essentially another tinted moisturizer thing. I bought this for one reason: I’ve used the meteorites pearls for a few years as a setting powder and LOVE it. In fact, mine is so old that I probably definitely need a new one for hygienic reasons. I bought that after reading reviews on Temptalia a few years ago, and I just think it’s the best powder for dry skin. I barely ever ever ever ever use any kind of powder, but the pearls give a glowly, not-so-powdery look. It’s awesome.

Therefore, I had to try it in the cream version. The only thing I don’t like about this is how highly fragranced it is. I love the meteorites signature fragrance (is it lilac?) but I don’t love putting the scent on my face. That’s the only downside. I got the lightest shade and it’s perfect… even a little pink toned. It also feels quite hydrating. I don’t think it gives quite as much coverage as the complexion rescue – but I HAVE mixed the two together and I really like that too. I’m currently going back and forth and love them equally, so next month we will see if a true favorite stands out.

It also has a pump, which I really like. I always end up squeezing way too much product out for my face so this is ideal.

Clinique chubby highlighter! This is a repeat, I know. Totally talked about it last month but it’s sooooo cool. Like a big, fat highlighting crayon! I swipe it on my face and use my fingers to blend if needed. I even use it in the center of my lips.

Prettiest shimmer ever.

If you’ve been reading for awhile, you know that for years the only bronzer I’ve loved is the too faced milk chocolate soleil. It’s matte and not too orange and smells like CHOCOLATE. I haven’t used shimmery bronzers in years (combined with the orangeness of bronzers and paleness of my skin it just looks like a hot mess) but have had my eye on the kevyn acouin tropical nights celestial bronzer forever.  It starts as a lightly shimmery highlight and transitions down to a bronzer which seems a bit cool toned – my fave.

WELL.

I freaking love this bronzer. It looks SO natural and isn’t too shimmery but again – slightly glowy. How many times have I said glowy in this post? I don’t even know. But it’s true.

It’s not going to replace the chocolate soleil for me, but I have used it on it’s own and WITH the soleil. Love it both ways. Only downside is that the slight shimmer rubs off on Max’s face, which is why I don’t love it for everyday use.

I allllllso bit the bullet and tried a Clinique cheek pop! You guys have been telling me to for at least a year now. This is the shade pansy and it’s a light lavender – ummm, the shade I go nuts for. It’s kind of a powder verison of the benefit lollitint and it looks so pretty over it too.

This is definitely comparable to my favorite tarte blushes. I want more buuuuut do I really need more blush? Absolutely not. Whomp whomp.

Gotta talk about the benefit rollerlash again. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! A few points to make from last month: I don’t know if it necessarily curls my lashes because I would never NOT use a lash curler. Mine are too stick straight. It does help hold the curl though. I really didn’t want to like a high end mascara – so have you used anything from the drug store that is comparable? My drug store faves are loreal carbon black and maybelline the falsies. Which I still really like, but are NOTHING like this. This is super lengthening. I’ve tried so many mascaras but have never come across one like this that I love.

Another repeat, but a fabulous one. The bare minerals pop of peach passion lip oil balm. This is the best thing if you have kids/a baby/zero time/are on the go. It’s super moisturizing and you don’t need a mirror. It lasts for a while too. But I think my favorite thing about this one is the shade – the springiest coral Super natural while having a little coral glow.

I’m still loving on the zoya satin polish in Brittany. This has been on my toes for weeks and is the prettiest shade. Like a nude, but better. A little pink nude.

But just wait. Neons are making their way into the season.

Finally, this is an oldie but goodie for me. Don’t mind the crinkled tube.

I’ve used the weleda skin food off and on for years, but am currently waaaay back on the bandwagon. With the cold winter, my lack of consistent skin care and exfoliating, my skin has been super dry – more so than usual. I started using this on my arms and legs too. Not everyday, but at least once a week. I just hate that it only comes in small tubes. Can’t they make a huge version of this? I find mine at Target (it’s like $20 there?!) but it is considerably cheaper on amazon.

SO what are you into this month? Did you binge on the VIB sale? Do you want to paint neon pink lipstick all over the place? I’m into it. Tell me!

{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!}