March Madness:  Four Beauty Favs

This month for my Beauty Favs post, I am highlighting the following four items which I absolutely love! I purchased them at Sephora and Ulta but you can also order them online using the links below.  I’ll start with introducing you to the world’s best eyeliner, then tell you about my two of my favorite face products to help get that youthful glow.  And finally, I’ll introduce you to several lip products all bundled together in a cute little collection from Sephora.  

I’ve said this many times, and I’m going to say it again:  Marc Jacobs eyeliner is hands-down the best (so is the lipstick but we’ll talk about that another time).  I have tried so many long-wear eyeliners and nothing beats Marc Jacobs.  I never have raccoon eyes at the end of the day anymore.  This stuff goes on, and it stays on all day and evening.  I starting out using the Highliner Gel Crayon in both Blacquer and Rococa, but once the Fineliner Ultra Skinny came out, I was hooked.  It glides on smoothly and so easily, and the precision point makes it difficult to make a mistake.  I’ve only tried the black and brown shades, but it does come in several other fun colors.  Blue will probably be the next one I try.  Before bed, I use makeup wipes to remove it before washing my face – you’ll need to do this, or use your favorite eye makeup remover, or it will still be on when you get out of the shower!

One of my favorite face primers to use under foundation has always been Laura Mercier Radiance.  Since I’m getting older and all, I have found that luminous products really help to give my face a fresh look.  I was completely out and had to use a “regular” primer for a couple of days as my backup, so I ran in to Ulta, completely forgetting that they do not carry Laura Mercier!  I pulled out my phone and did a quick little search on luminous primers and based on the description and reviews from other users, I decided to try out  BECCA Backlight Priming Filter, and I’m so glad I did.  This stuff really does have a nice luminous finish without looking too glittery.  I want to glow, not look like I’m off to a roller disco!  Sometimes on the weekends I’ll just wear this if I don’t feel like doing a full face of makeup because I feel like it really wakes up my face.  Under normal circumstances, it goes on under my regular foundation.  It also provides some moisture to my skin, so it doesn’t get that dry, powdery look by the end of the day.  If I do need a quick end-of-day touch-up before heading out for the evening, I’ll sponge on a bit of this on top of my foundation.

Speaking of trying to achieve that youthful glow as I age, I splurged on a bottle of Ole Henriksen Truth Serum after trying a sample size bottle.  First, the scent:  heavenly.  It’s lovely citrus scent is neither too sweet nor too over-powering.  I swear I like putting this stuff all over my face just to smell it!  It’s supposed to be used as a “daily multi-vitamin for your skin,” going on first before applying moisturizer.  Once it absorbs into your skin, it leaves a nice smooth and soft texture.  I personally like to put it on before bed, as I feel like the vitamins can work their way in while I sleep and I do wake up looking a little less tired.  It is supposed to brighten and tighten and I have indeed seen both going on, with the tightening especially noticeable on my neck (thank goodness!).  It’s a bit spendy, but you only need a few drops – a little goes a long way.

On to the lips – If you want in on any of the Sephora Favorites boxes when they come out, you have to jump on them immediately because they always sell out.  I decided to try out the new Give Me Some Lip collection of nude lip products that includes sample sizes of Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Sugar, Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in Futurist, NARS Lipstick in Orgasm, Smashbox Be Legendary Liquid Pigment in Mauve Wife, Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Exposed, and a full size tube of Urban Decay Vice Special Effects in Fever.  The great thing about buying collections like this is you get to try several different brands and products for a nice price, and then if you find one or two (or three) items you really like, you go back and buy the full size version.  Such is the case with two of the items in my lip collection:  the NARS lipstick will definitely be a purchase because it is a perfect every-day color, and the Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo, which is this cool crayon that glides on over the lips.  I wasn’t a huge fan of the Tarte Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint, as it made my lips feel kind of dry, but it did have staying power if that’s what you’re looking for.  The Urban Decay lip gloss is super sparkly – like glitter.  I wouldn’t wear this alone; maybe over another nude color and definitely not to the office (it’s a girl’s night out kind of product).  It was lots of fun to try out everything.  Another bonus:  it comes in this adorable lip-shaped box.

I’m already working on my list for April’s Four Favs.  If you have a favorite beauty product that you cannot live without, comment below and maybe I’ll give it a try!

Marc Jacobs Beauty Fineliner Ultra-Skinny Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner 0.0014oz. deluxe Blacquer – blackest, shiniest black

 

 

 

 

BECCA Cosmetics – Backlight Priming Filter 30mL/1Fl.oz

 

 

 

 

 

OLE HENRIKSEN Truth Serum Collagen boosted with True-C Complex .25 oz Mini

 

 

 

 

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Nude Lip