MY PRODUCT REVIEWS FOR 2018:
Hello fellow makeup lovers! On this tab, I’m sharing my personal opinion on various beauty products. I am definitely not a makeup expert, but I have always been a makeup lover. I love reading about and trying the latest makeup trends and beauty tips. Of course, I have some staples in my routine, but I am always open to trying the next best thing.
A little bit about my skin…
My skin has changed dramatically over the years. Although I am very protective of my skin against the sun’s rays, I have developed numerous sun spots. Additionally, since having my daughter in 2016, a cystic pimple likes to make an appearance every month… in a new spot… and leave scars. I am also a terrible sleeper, so my eyes carry a lot of baggage!
#1. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
The basics… This foundation has been talked about for the past few years by just about everyone! Many celebrity makeup artists claim that this is the Holy Grail of all foundations! This is a lightweight foundation that provides medium coverage and a silky finish. It also comes in 24 shades. If you purchase this at Sephora, they will use a special device to analyze your skin tone and match you to the perfect Giorgio Armani shade.
My Review… Originally, I thought that this foundation would only be appropriate for a night out or special occasions. I guess I thought this because I saw my favorite makeup artists applying it on celebrities for premieres and such. If celebrities were wearing this at big Hollywood events, then how could an average mom from Long Island possibly wear this as everyday makeup? Well, I was completely wrong! This foundation doesn’t feel heavy at all, but you are able to layer it if desired. I think one layer of the foundation applied with a sponge or brush is perfect for everyday use. I have a lot of dark spots, so I need decent coverage and this foundation does not disappoint! I love the finish too. Some other foundations that claim too illuminate and radiate sometimes end up looking too dewy and shiny. This has a nice natural glow to it. The only downside to this foundation is that it’s pricey. If you are applying one layer every day, then it should last you a while, but if you are someone who likes to layer the foundation for heavier coverage, then the cost will definitely add up quickly.
The basics… This Nars blush has been another popular makeup item for almost two decades. It came on to the market in 1999 and quickly rose to stardom. The color is called Orgasm (yes, you read that right) and many makeup artists rave that it is the “it” color that looks good on everyone. This blush was designed to provide a natural-looking flush…you know, that certain kind of flush I guess (tee, hee). It has also been said to be the best-selling blush in the United States. (I have only heard this from many celebrity makeup artists and Sephora employees, but Orgasm is indeed an Allure Reader’s Choice award winner and highly-rated product on various websites.) I was skeptical about this product in the past because I am very selective about my cheek color. I have an olive skin tone with some yellow undertones. How could a peachy pink blush with a hint of gold possibly look good on me?
My review… Wow! This color is just amazing! It lives up to its claims. The color does provide a healthy, natural-looking glow. I don’t use highlighter that often (but if I do, it’s this one), but the bit of gold and shimmer in this kind of gives that highlighter-feel without being too much. I can totally see why Nars has multiples Orgasms… I mean multiple Orgasm PRODUCTS such as a lipgloss, a cream to powder multipurpose stick (actually called Multiple Orgasms!), a liquid blush, a lipstick, and an illuminator. Nars also offers the best-selling blush in combination with other products such a highlighter or bronzer. All of the products mentioned are available below.
Here is a great one-minute video that shows how Nars Orgasm blush works on ANY skin tone and how to apply it. I am somewhere between the ivory and caramel skin tone.
#3. Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara
The Basics… Last but certainly not least, Lancome’s Monsieur Big Mascara. I was extremely excited to try this mascara! I have tried just about every mascara on the market (well, every top rated one!) except this one. There are several blogger babes that rave about this one, so of course I just had to give it a try. Lancome originally started in 1935 as a fragrance house, but when L’Oreal purchased the brand in 1964, it quickly became one of the most luxurious brands in the world! Lancome is a very trusted brand and honestly, any product I have tried of theirs in the past, I have loved. This is a high-volume mascara that is said to glide on like silk and not clump. You are supposed to be able to wear this all day long without reapplying or flaking of any kind. I have thin eyelashes that are not that long, so I am always looking for a mascara to provide volume and length.
My Review… Lancome does it again! This mascara lives up to its reputation. I love that I was able to apply layer after layer, but the layering is not endless. I did feel that applying too many layers may lead to messiness and clumping. I stopped at 4 layers…I like even numbers. It glides on nicely and I was able to wear it all day long without any reapplication or running, which is probably my favorite thing about this mascara. In all honesty, some of the other mascaras I have used have given me pretty much the same length and volume, but they did not wear like this one! I can see why this was a 2017 Allure Best in Beauty Award winner. It is also recommended that the Lancome mascara primer be used prior to applying. I’m sure I will try this at some point, so I will keep you posted! I think this mascara is priced fairly. It is in the same range as many other top-rated mascaras on the market.
(photo credit: Lucy Scholl – these are her luscious lips, not mine)
#4. LipSense
I was recently sent my first LipSense kit from my girl Lucy Scholl over at Lipswithlucy (<–Instagram handle). Lucy is a super sweet, independent SeneGence distributor, who is extremely passionate about what she does. Since having kids, I don’t wear lipstick or lip gloss that often. I’m one of those moms that smooches her kids probably way too much, but I just can’t help myself. They are just so kissable! After messaging back and forth with Lucy on Instagram, I finally decided to give LipSense a shot. Lucy sent me this beautiful color, Pink Champagne, to try out. I watched Lucy’s tutorial on how to apply it, which I strongly recommend if you buy this product! I applied it just as she did, and voilà! I had soft, pretty pink lips with a bit of shimmer.
As Lucy shares in her tutorial, you MUST have patience when applying this product. Your lips need to be clean and dry. If you have dry lips (like mine in the winter), I strongly recommend exfoliating your lips beforehand. (I exfoliate my lips once a week with coconut oil and sugar.) Then, you have to carefully apply three coats of the color, giving ample time to dry in between each coat. Lastly, you apply a moisturizing lipgloss. If you are someone who prefers a matte look over a glossy look, I don’t know if this product is for you. In order for me to wear LipSense, I needed the lipgloss otherwise my lips felt too dry. The color truly lasts all day long! I did reapply the gloss here and there, but the color stayed. I absolutely LOVE the Pink Champagne color! I usually wear nudes, so this worked out perfectly. It is a soft pink with the perfect amount of shimmer.
Honestly, LipSense totally does what it claims, providing color that lasts up to 18 hours. If you’ve been searching for a lipgloss that lasts, then this is for you! It isn’t cheap, but being that you only have to apply the color itself once a day, it should last a long time. They also have a large selection of colors from which you can choose. For me, I don’t think this is a product I will use everyday because I’m always rushing around on weekday mornings and my patience at that time is usually low. I do, however, plan on wearing it on the weekends, especially for date nights and girls nights. I will basically be using it for every special occasion from here on out.
If you are interested in LipSense, you can go to www.senegence.com/lipswithlucy or message Lucy @Lipswithlucy on Instagram. 🙂
#5. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Mist
I have to start off by saying that this is one of my NEW FAVORITE PRODUCTS! I have loved Tatcha products for quite some time now, so I was not surprised that I immediately fell in love with their Luminous Dewy Mist. This product gives my dry, aging skin a more youthful glow!
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Mist is very versatile. You can use it prior to applying your makeup to increase your skin’s hydration or spray it on your makeup brush or sponge for a fresh, dewy look, after your makeup application for a soft and smooth finish (it also works to set your makeup in place), throughout the day to rehydrate if needed, and I’ve even read that it can be used as a hair detangler! I have tried different moisturizing mists and all they did was make my skin look greasy. For the mamas out there, this gives you the “pregnancy glow” with being preggers. I’ve actually gotten more compliments about my skin and complexion since I started using it. I’ve also been using highlighter less and less because it’s really not needed when you use this product.
#6. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
I have worn eyeliner on the top of my lids for as long as I can remember. Over time, I wanted to move away from heavy black liner to something softer. I love the effect of eyeliner, but wearing black constantly just became too much. On Black Friday, my family and I were shopping at Nordstrom when I came across a Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner duo set. It came with two small pots, one that was a black gel and the other that was a dark mauve, as well as the ultra fine eyeliner brush. I was in need of new eyeliner at the time and both of my cousins recommended this one. (Side note: Silvia uses this too!) I decided to get the set because it had black, which I had used frequently, and a softer color, which I was looking to try out. The set was only $25 too! Unfortunately, the set is no longer available, but everything is still available separately.
The eyeliner glides on easily and you actually don’t need to use a lot of the product! One pot of the gel costs $27, but it will last! You will need to purchase the ultra fine eyeliner, which is an additional $29. Aside from the easy application, I love that this eyeliner lasts! You can wear it pretty much all day and it won’t go anywhere. It’s waterproof and sweatproof! Depending on what look you want, you can easily create a strong, defined line or create a softer, more smudged look. This eyeliner is number one in my book! I love using the Black Mauve Shimmer Ink for a softer, everyday look and Jet Black for nights out.
All the makeup used to create the look in the photo at the top (with the exception of the LipSense) can be found below:
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