It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these roundup posts that’s not centered around a solo product review, but instead features my some of my favourite makeup from the last several months! Honestly, these are some of my favourite posts to write on ze blog! They really make me think through my makeup collection and figure out which products are my true ride-or-dies. And let me tell ya- these are definitely some good rides (not dies) this month.
The Best Face Base Products
I will forever be a drugstore lover in addition to higher end luxury makeup. And that’s exactly why my favorite face products include both Rimmel and YSL. Let’s start with the Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint ($60CAD/$48USD). I’ve talked about this one a lot over the years (see here and here for full reviews), but it’s remained a necessity in my makeup routine for good reason. It’s lightweight, has good longevity on the skin throughout the day and it doesn’t break me out. It’s blends nicely and best of all, doesn’t make me want to immediately remove my makeup after a long day (although I do that anyways). But, as I’m writing this post, and trying to link it for all my Canadian girlies, it seems like it’s been discontinued?? It’s still available at Sephora US and direct from the YSL US website, but I have a hunch they might be reformulating it and just selling through the old stock in the meantime. Fingers crossed, it comes back to Canada soon and the formula remains the same!
And now on to two of my favorite drugstore beauty items- which both happen to be from Rimmel’s Kind & Free line! I find pressed powders are so expensive for no reason and I go through them way too quickly (oily girls unite!) to justify buying luxury ones. And this Kind & Free Pressed Powder ($9.98CAD) is just as good anyways. I switch between using the slightly tinted #010 Fair powder and the #001 Translucent powder but they both keep me looking relatively shine-free without adding any heaviness to my face makeup. They do their job very well. And when I need a little more concealing around my eyes or on blemishes, that’s where the Rimmel Kind & Free Hydrating Concealer ($7.98CAD) comes in. It’s also super lightweight but provides decent coverage. It’s not the fullest coverage but it’s enough for what I need and most importantly, it never feels heavy. I’m sure you’re noticing a theme here with my face makeup preferences.
The Best Setting Products
Now on to setting products, because like I mentioned, my skin type is relatively oily (or maybe more combination) and a good setting product is crucial in ensuring long lasting makeup. This Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray ($42CAD/$31USD) is an interesting one and relatively new to my makeup routine. I will say that I don’t use this one everyday but instead I reach for it when I have an important event where I know my makeup needs to last from sunrise to sunset. But the reason this setting spray is so interesting is because it actually contains rice starch to ensure the appearance of pores are minimized in addition to mineral clay to control shine. Because of that, you gotta shake this real good before you spray it on. And, although it is very good at keeping any shine away, it’s also not drying thanks to the hyaluronic acid to boost moisture and keep your makeup looking fresh, smooth and locked in place.
The other setting product that has stolen my heart are these lil’ Morphe To the Point Mini Powder Puffs ($14CAD/$10USD). I’ve never been one to bake my setting powder but man oh man, does it really make a difference! My makeup lasts so much longer especially around my eyes when I take the time to pack on powder and let it sit before swiping it away. And these little puffs are the perfect ones to help me do it. They are so tiny, but fit on your finger to perfectly get in the inner corners of your eyes or the creases around your nose.
The Best Everyday Essentials
And now we continue to the everyday essentials (aka the miscellaneous items) of this roundup. Let’s start with this Sisley Paris So Volume Mascara ($110CAD/$85USD). Did you see that price tag? If not, let’s back up and read it again. Yes, that does say $110. And I’ll be the first to say that’s insane. The only reason I’m even using this mascara is because my mom (she’s a lil’ bougie) gave it to me. But that said, it’s definitely one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used. Not good enough to warrant a $110 price tag, but close. Very close. It provides so much volume, curl and length without any clumping at all. It’s also extremely long lasting. I have oily eyelids so I find a lot of mascaras smudge on me throughout the day, but I hate to wear waterproof mascara because it’s a pain to remove night. But with this one, I wore it all over India, Mexico and Colombia in a variety of different climates (think humidity, wind, rain and sunshine) and it didn’t smudge one bit. It also has a conditioning formula to help lashes grow longer and stronger.
The next product is this Covergirl Exhibitionist (by Kelsea Ballerini) Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow ($14.97CAD/$12.99USD). Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this product on ze blog before today. Essentially, it’s just the perfect eyeshadow topper. I pat this on to my finished eye makeup with my finger and it adds the perfect bit of glitz and sparkle to my makeup. It’s a fun addition when I want to add a bit of glam but not spend hours doing an extravagant eye look. My full-on eyeshadow days are long behind me.
Next up is this Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade ($33CAD/$24USD). This one I know I’ve talked about on ze blog before because it’s just that good (full review here). It adds the perfect tint to my brows (I wear shade Taupe) while also adding some volume thanks to the kaolin clay in it’s formula for fluffy, natural-looking brows. And, best of all, it contains Vitamin B5 to nourish, condition, and strengthen brows. Oh, and it contains way more product than it’s competitors so I’m not running out to buy a new one every couple of months.
The last product of this roundup is the DHC Lip Cream Moisturizing Balm ($9.59USD). I’ve heard so much about this lip balm over the years but didn’t actually find it in stores until I stumbled upon it at Don Quixote (I miss you so much Don Quixote) in Singapore a couple of months ago. And let me tell ya- it does indeed live up to the hype. It contains antioxidant-rich olive oil, aloe, squalane and ginseng root extract to help provide long-lasting moisture and soothing relief. It’s coats your lips without being too thick so you don’t have to apply it every couple of minutes. And it provides a really nice shine! Ooh la la!
And that’s a wrap on this roundup! A mix of high-end and drugstore, practical staples and fun extras- basically all the products I’ve been reaching for nonstop! Catch ya in my next one!
