Sephora Spring Sale Must Haves + Discount Codes!

Save for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, the Sephora Beauty Insider Bonus Event one of my favorite sales of the year! I love to stock up on items that rarely go on sale and makeup can get expensive really quickly. Every time Sephora does a bonus event I like to stock up mainly on my tried and true favorites but I’ll also add a couple items that I’ve had my eye on, sale time is a good time to try new things that you normally wouldn’t spend full price on! Here’s my post from the last Sephora bonus event.

First make sure you’re signed up for the Sephora rewards program here. The sale is tiered so the more you spend the higher level you are and the better discount you get during these events.

Sephora Discount Codes:

Rouge members get 20% off for the entire event from 4/26-5/6 using code HEYROUGE. They have early access through 5/1. On 5/2 VIB members get to take advantage of the sale using HEYVIB for 15% off through 5/6. Beauty Insiders get 10% off from 5/2-5/6 using the code HEYINSIDER.

My Sephora Favorites

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector Concealer

I keep coming back to this concealer despite the price. I love it for coverage and brightening. It has a slightly sticky formula which allows it to apply very opaque and cover even the most stubborn under eye circles! It comes in 2 tones, I use the lighter one!

Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die For CC Cream

I’ve talked about this stuff for the past year ALL THE TIME. I’m sure you know all about why I love it by now, but it has proven huge changes in my skin since I started using it! It’s pretty full coverage for a CC cream, but it still feels lightweight. I use the color “Light!”

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

I love this foundation for days that I need something a little heartier than a CC cream, it goes on so smoothly and blends really well. It also builds really well and comes in a huge range of colors. I use “Almond” which is fair with golden undertones.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

I don’t even know how many years this has been a favorite of mine for, but I always grab one whenever it’s included in a sale because I use this product daily! In my last Sephora sale post I tried out the Becca setting powder and didn’t realize how much I didn’t like it until I went back to my trusty Laura Mercier setting powder. The difference is like night and day! This stuff isn’t heavy or cakey at all. I’ve also been using lately it to set my eyelids before applying eyeshadow, and my under eye area!

Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade

You’ll need a brush to apply this product but I find it works better than any other eyebrow product I’ve tried! Here’s the brush I use, it’s super affordable and has a built in eyebrow spooly which I absolutely love! I also feel like I have more precision with a pomade than with a pencil, which seems counterintuitive but I can control the amount of product I use as well as exactly where it goes with a brush, plus this product has the perfect shade for my brows! I use the color “Blonde.”

Kat Von D Tattoo Liquid Liner

This is hands down, by far the BEST liquid liner I’ve ever used, and if you know me, you know I’ve had winged liner on since the second I started wearing makeup. It’s my trademark look! I recently tried the new angled brush version of this stuff and I have to say I think I like the regular brush option better. I use the black color called “Trooper.”

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

This is one of those products that no one knows about, I’ve never heard anyone talk about it but I randomly got a sample of it once and have been hooked ever since. Best mascara ever! I don’t love lash extensions, but I love the look of them! This mascara is the best at mimicking that separated, but thick look that lash extensions provide. Of course it won’t be the same, but I’ve found that this is the closest I’ve gotten to achieving the look and feel of extensions without actually having the real things!

Too Faced Bronzer

The best matte bronzer with no shimmer. Plus it smells like chocolate, they actually use cocoa in the product! Perfect for contouring and a little goes a long way so it lasts forever! I use the color “Chocolate Soleil.”

Nars Blush

I’ve used this blush since 2008 and it’s my holy grail! It’s almost like a highlight and blush in one because of the subtle shimmer. It really adds that sun kissed look to the apples of your cheeks! I found out the hard way that you have to use it sparingly as to not look like a clown because it’s pretty pigmented. The color I am loyal to is called “Orgasm”, it is a peachy pink with a little shimmer, perfect for summer!

Beauty Blender Pro

I honestly feel a little silly for including this in here but then I realized that not everyone understands why they need to spend $20 on this face sponge. This tool applies liquid or powder products flawlessly and is the perfect density once dampened to “bounce” product into the skin, leaving no trace of the applicator unlike traditional brushes which can leave brush strokes. When dampened it doubles in size and absorbs minimal product unlike competitor sponges that you may use dry. I’m not going to lie, it is always hard for me to shell out the cash for this sponge, but when I go back to using other, cheaper tools I end up running back to the beauty blender every time. They last a long time too, so cost per use is actually pretty low! Just make sure you take care of it and wash between each use.

New to me Products

When it comes to products that I’ve never tried before, I’m picking up a couple that I can’t wait to review for you guys! The Becca Backlight Primer, I’ve heard from people is like an Instagram filter for your face! I can’t wait to see if it does what I hope/expect because it sounds amazing. The Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial is another product I’ve heard a ton of people rave about but I haven’t been interested in splurging since I don’t know what to expect. I’ll share my thoughts on my Instagram stories after I’ve used them for a bit!

Thanks for reading! What are you picking up from the sale?

xo

My Sephora Beauty Favorites: Beauty Insider Event!

We’ll, I guess the Sephora gods really love us this year because we were given another amazing opportunity to shop all of our Sephora favorites at discounted prices! If you had plans to do any holiday shopping at Sephora, now is the time to stock up on items that rarely ever go on sale. I usually stock up on my skincare items and a couple fun items I’ve been wanting to try.

I rounded up some of my current beauty favorites in this shop-able image (click on each image to shop), as well as dates, deets and discount codes about this most recent event. Keep scrolling to see more!

See my last Sephora favorites post here!

My Sephora Favorites:

Okay, now for some key details. First you must be a Sephora Beauty Insider to take advantage of the discount. Click here to sign up, it’s free and super quick. Depending on how much you spend you will earn tiers of benefits from Sephora’s rewards program. The higher the tier the better the benefits. You also earn points as you shop which can be redeemed for free sample products, so cool!

Important Event Dates:

Nov 2-5 Rouge level Beauty Insiders get to shop with 20% off using code ROUGEBONUS

Nov 9-12 VIB members will receive access to shop at 20% off with code VIBBONUS

Nov 16–19 Any level Beauty Insider Members will be able to shop at 15% off with code BIBONUS

Leave me a comment down below on what items you are buying in this Holiday event! Happy Shopping!

Sephora Favorites (plus discount codes)

In case you haven't heard from a million other bloggers, Sephora is having an amazing customer appreciation event for their Beauty Insiders! It is a tiered event so the discount varies depending on your account level, so read on for more details, or just click HERE to head over and shop!

**Scroll to the bottom of the post to see my current top Sephora picks!**

Tell me more, who gets to shop early?!

Starting on August 24th VIB Rouge members get access to all of their Sephora beauty picks at 20% off using the code "YESROUGE" one week earlier than any other VIB members. You can see on their website what level you are when you log in to your account. 

I'm not VIB Rouge, when can I shop the sale?

If you are not a VIB Rouge but you are still a VIB you can shop a week later starting the 30th of August, for 15% off using code "YESVIB"! If you aren't a VIB yet, make sure you sign up so you can still enjoy 10% off during the sale using code "YESINSIDER" to get these awesome benefits, and bookmark this post for next time too! 

Sephora VIB Event Discount Codes

VIB Rouge get 20% off with "YESROUGE"

VIB members 15% off with "YESVIB"

Beauty Insiders 10% off with "YESINSIDER"

Shop all my Sephora VIB picks here!

Hover over each item and click to shop! Pin this shop-able image on Pinterest! Just hover over the image and click on the Pinterest icon. 

Comparing Kopari Coconut Deodorant to Three Other Natural Brands!

What is all this hype about natural deodorant? Is aluminum in deodorant as bad as people claim? Does natural deodorant really work? These are all questions that I had prior to switching over from regular antiperspirant/deodorant to a natural brand. Yes, I switched for good and I am here to tell you why! 

Aluminum in Deodorant

As many of you have probably heard, antiperspirants (the deodorant that is supposed to control how much you sweat) contain aluminum. GASP. I know right?! It sounds so scary, and it sounds even scarier when your friends start gossiping about how you can, and WILL get breast cancer from applying an aluminum product on your armpits. The truth is, there is no actual conclusive evidence that this is actually the case. So if you decide to stick with your regular deodorant even after reading this post, I will not make you feel bad or warn you about cancer, although I feel obligated to let you know that if you have kidney disease you may want to consult with a physician before using an aluminum product, as your deodorant label will also ask you to do. 

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Deodorant

SO I recently had a baby. When I was pregnant I became more conscious as to what I was putting in and on my body for fear of it absorbing into me and harming my baby (pretty unlikely in most cases, but I'm an anxious individual). I had heard the rumors about aluminum and immediately switched to the first natural deodorant I could grab off of the shelves at the supermarket. I figured I'd just have to deal with being the smelly kid on the block until after I had my little one and was all done breast feeding. As I did more research on Aluminum, I decided that even if I didn’t mind it on my own skin, I didn’t feel super comfortable about my little on ingesting it since it was so close to her face while she fed.

Making The Switch to Natural Deodorant!

I began using natural deodorant, and as I used it more and more I began to realize, I really liked it! I went on the journey to find my favorite brand and scent and I tried a few along the way and thought it would be fun to share my discoveries so you all can skip the trial and error part and just buy the good stuff. 

I want to preface this with, natural deodorant is not for everyone. It is definitely a lighter product and won’t block your sweat glands as that is the job of the aluminum in a standard antiperspirant, and these natural choices don't include that ingredient. You may tend to feel wetter in your pits after a work out or a brisk walk, maybe more so than you would have had you used one of the non-natural options. Another thing to remember is that many regular (non-natural) deodorants are anti-bacterial, this is what makes you smell nice and pretty all day long as that lovely BO smell is the combination of sweat mixing with the bacteria on your skin, deodorants anti-bacterial qualities deter this from happening. Now, a few natural deodorants really do a bad job at keeping the smelliness at bay. But to my surprise, most actually keep up with their non-natural counterparts really well, even without anti-bacterial ingredients. I have to say by the end of some really strenuous days I may have noticed a very faint smell to the armpit region, but nothing overwhelming and never enough for anyone else to detect. The essential oil in many natural deodorants do a fantastic job of masking any unwarranted scent that you may produce throughout the day that may otherwise send your friends running in the opposite direction when you enter the room. I love the smell of natural scented products versus the strange, fake, chemically scents of non-natural ones. I think they smell almost perfume-y and I find that the scent is much lighter but lasts much longer, this paired with how light they feel on my skin is the reasons why I love natural deodorant and won't be switching back to the traditional stuff, even when I'm all done breastfeeding! 

Natural Deodorant Detoxing

With most people, the longer you use a natural deodorant the more your body will become accustomed to the product. I have friends who’ve experienced rashes or unusually strong armpit odor upon the initial switch from regular deodorant to natural. Often this goes away once the “detox” period has ended. This is the first week or so (it can even last up to a month) after switching to a natural product, you may be so smelly that you have doubts. I promise your body will start to regulate as you get used to the natural product and your body gets rid of all of the chemicals left behind from your old deodorant. Make sure you’re cleansing regularly, drinking lots of water and even taking hot baths to help open up your pores. Detoxing from deodorant is totally a real thing! Stick it out for the 4 weeks and it will get better, you just need to give your body time to adjust.

Natural Deodorant Review

KOPARI

COCONUT DEODORANT

So far I'm loving the coconut Kopari deodorant! The scent is divine, the perfect mix of subtle coconut and vanilla. Although I don't have sensitive skin some deodorants tend to give me a rash or break my out when I use them. This didn't happen with the Kopari one. I'm super impressed so far, and I feel like the price is fair for what you get! [I have noticed that deodorants with coconut oil tend to be the best for sensitive skin or skin that is prone to breakouts from natural deodorants]. Another plus from this deodorant is that is goes on super smooth, and the formula is clear, I have noticed ZERO transfer on clothing, even before the product has dried. In my opinion this deodorant is a must try!

LAVANILA

PURE VANILLA, VANILLA COCONUT, & VANILLA BLACKBERRY  

I recently tried a three set gift-box so I could test out a few scents of this brand's deodorants. I've heard so much about LaVanila since they hit Sephora and became super popular! Honestly, I was not super impressed. The product was effective from a deodorant standpoint, it worked as well as any other deodorant. I did notice white transfer on my clothing, even after letting the product dry before putting my clothes on. The product dries out in the packaging, even if it is closed tightly, if you stop using it for more than a couple days. Also, the scent is definitely not my favorite. I did like the blackberry vanilla best, but the other two ("pure vanilla," and "vanilla coconut") we're not at all what I wanted to smell like. I almost couldn't even stand the smell. I find this interesting as I know many people who've tried and love the vanilla scent (I think this was their OG scent). Not only did I dislike the scent, I noticed that the next day the product has broken out the area that I had applied it to, kind of like a rash. No good. I did try it out a few more times just to make sure it wasn't for me, and I can say for sure that La Vanila was not for me. 

SCHMIDT'S

GERANIUM FLOWER

The scent is amazing! I can't remember where I heard about Schmidt's deodorant, it may have been another bloggers Instagram stories or something of the sort. But I'm glad I discovered them! They are also a Portland company and I love to support local companies! The scent has totally staying power, it lasted all day, and I loved that it smelled more like a perfume than that weird deodorant smell. 5 stars for that! The white transfer is minimal to none as long as you let the product dry before you put your clothes on. UPDATE: after using this for an extended period, I have noticed that white transfer has been a little bit of an issue, nothing too crazy, but more than I would prefer. I did notice that the rose scent left a slight discoloration on clothing as the stick seems to have some added color (it is a light brown color) the geranium scent is definitely my favorite from the brand for sure!

JASON

LAVENDER

It had been a while since I tried out the Jason brand deodorant, and after testing it out again for this blog post,  I can remember why I hadn't repurchased it. The formulation is way too wet. I don't have 5 minutes to wait for my deodorant to dry before I get dressed. The lavender scent is nice, it smells like essential oils, not artificial at all, but it doesn't last very long and it almost seems as though the deodorant is completely non-effective.  Overall, not my favorite, too wet and doesn't work well. I do love the scent, just wish it lasted longer. 

I hope this post helped to answer any questions you may have had about these three natural deodorants! If there is another type of deodorant you’d like me to review, leave it in the comments below! I love trying out new products.

My Makeup Routine: Products I'm Currently Loving!

I posted this image on Instagram and got an overwhelming response of people wanting me to post a detailed blog post of the items I use on a daily basis! So here it is, my daily makeup routine! Click HERE to skip the blog post and see my makeup favs in collage form. I am by no means a professional makeup artist, but I am a licensed esthetician with some light training in makeup application. Makeup is more of just a personal hobby for me, and I have lots of fun playing around with looks on myself! Keep reading to see what I use and what I love about each product! 

FACE PRIMER:

This Smashbox primer is my all time favorite primer, I have some very large and visible pores on my cheeks as well as fine lines on my forehead and this stuff really is the best primer I've found that actually makes my face looks flawless, I just put it on my T-zone area and top of my cheeks.

I've also been trying out this primer, and loving it as well! It seems to work pretty well, and has a really beautiful, subtle scent to it. 

FOUNDATION:

I'm used to only be a high-end foundation kinda gal, but lately I've been all about the affordable, drugstore products and foundation is no exception! I've found a couple of amazing formulations that are comparable to some expensive designer brands I've used in the past. I have a whole post here from last year reviewing my favorite daily foundation, it's from L'Oreal and I still use it daily!

Another even more affordable [believe it or not] foundation I'm loving for days when I don't need as high coverage is this one right here. No joke, this stuff feels as luxurious as Georgio Armani, although it definitely is quite sheer, it is also very buildable which I love! Nothing better than a versatile foundation. 

A new CC cream I've recently started using on days where I really don't feel like wearing makeup but also don't want to scare people when I leave the house is this stuff! It has a built in serum with anti-aging qualities, it goes on so silky smooth and feels like your wearing nothing, but also has amazing coverage for a CC cream. It's a little pricey but comes with a lot of product in the bottle and a little goes a long way! I've applied it with my fingers, a brush, or a sponge and they all work since it is more of a moisturizer than a foundation. I love the versatility of this stuff! 

CONCEALER:

So, like every other female who's tried makeup, I could go on all day about how amazing this Tarte concealer is, and although I believe you should DEFNITELY try it if you haven't, everyone's heard about it a million times. What if I told you there's a comparable Colourpop concealer here available for a fraction of the price and works just as well [some may argue it's ever BETTER] than Shapetape?! Not lyin' pick this stuff up ASAP. Of course I still use [and LOVE] Shapetape, but as a daily product the affordable dupe wins out most mornings. 

SETTING POWDER:

Another duo of products I've used for years, and wholeheartedly swear by. I'll start with this illuminating under eye powder. Nothing seems to brighten up my under eye area better than this stuff, and it really fights the creasing effect that can happen after concealing if you forget to set or use the wrong product to set. This one is flawless for me every day! It also hasn't proven to have a flashback effect when I take photographs (key for a blogger) and doesn't look cake-y like some white/luminous powders can.

I also love to use it's big sister to set my face makeup. This powder is one I always go back to. Every time I try to branch out and try something new, I come RUNNING back to my tried and true, so I've given up even trying anything new anymore haha! 

BRONZER/CONTOUR:

Ok, so there are contour products out there that you can purchase, but did you know that the term "contour" is actually referring to a method of application and not an actual product itself? You can use ANYTHING. YOU. WANT. to contour your face with! I have a few bronzers that I love to use to contour with and I switch between them depending on how I feel on any given day and they range from designer, high-end all the way down to the most affordable drugstore brand and I love them all equally! I use this one for special occasions, it is a little pricey, but a little goes a long way, it smells AMAZING, and has staying power for all day events or long date nights!

This one is my daily go-to if I'm just working or running around town with friends or doing errands or something. Feels weightless on the skin and has a really pretty matte and flawless/seamless finish. It is a powder but it feels almost like a cream on the skin, very decadent! I reach for it probably the most out of all of my bronzers.

The most recent [and most affordable] bronzer I've been trying out is this one right here! It is in a stick form which I know is pretty common for contour products these days, and I know I'm probably just late to the trend but it is the first I've tried of it's kind and I'm obsessed! It is so easy to use, isn't orange-y or shimmery at all and best of all it doesn't break the bank, it is so affordable! Love!

BLUSH:

If you follow me on my other social media channels, you've heard me rave about this stuff, it's a new addition to my collection, but I have been using it on the daily! It has a very finely milled shimmer to it, which I don't normally gravitate to shimmery face products, but this one was formulated so beautifully I actually really love it! It gives off a subtle hint of glowiness, which makes you the perfect shade of sun-kissed and it couldn't work better on my skin tone!

An all time forever favorite of mine is this one, which I know is also a cult favorite so I don't need to say much about it, but this stuff looks beautiful on every person I know who has tried it. I think I'll just leave it at that! 

HIGHLIGHT:

You all know about this one here [which is a staple for me], but can we pause and talk about this one from Colourpop that's only 8 freaking dollars?! YES. 8. DOLLARS. And it is amazing! Super finely milled, not glittery at all, but absolutely show stopping, while still applying seamlessly and smoothly! I could not love it more. I you have no money like me, stop by Colourpop and grab it right now. Plus it's vegan and cruelty free! Can't beat that.

LIPS:

This color will always be my tried and true. I think I wore it every single day in 2016 and I still return to it when I need the perfect subtle pink-y nude lip.

Another lippie that I love that is still a pink-y nude, with a little more tan in it is this one right here, it goes on SO smooth and feels very moisturizing!

This high-end one is vegan/cruelty free and an absolutely stunning formulation. So creamy and beautiful, feels extra lux, and looks amazing. The perfect nude lip! Can you tell what color I like my lips to be yet? LOL

LIP TREATMENTS:

I'll just list the ones I'm currently loving since they are all amazing and they all moisturize my lips really well:

Lanolips

Rose Salve

Dr. Bronner's in "Naked"

Korres in "Jasmine"

EYE Products: 

MAC will always be my true love for shadows, this little palette is perfect if you're just starting out and want a nice range of shades that are easy to work with! I love this from MAC as an eye primer, it works better than a standard eye primer which tends to crease on me midday. It also does a great job of hiding veins or any discoloring you may have on your lids. Gives you a great blank slate to work with for applying shadows over!

If you know me, you know I love a good winged liner! My go to liquid liner is always going to be this one, so easy to apply and get a really sharp wing with, which is so key! 

I've also been trying out this one recently, love the formulation and seems like it lasts pretty well, so far so good! 

As far as mascaras go, I'm a HUGE fan of this stuff, I feel like every female on the planet has tried it and loved it at some point in their life! Another one by the same brand that is definitely worth trying out, is this one. It sure seems like they figured out the secret to making BOMB mascaras, because they keep coming out with new FIRE formulations! 

I recently got a sample of this one by It Cosmetics, and I think I have a new favorite. I hate spending a ton of money on mascara so I don't tend to branch out often, but since it was a free sample I thought, what the heck?! Well, now I'm addicted and going to have to re-purchase once my little baby sized sample runs out because this product is amazing. It doesn't clump which is a huge issue that I seem to have with every other mascara, because of it's non-clumpiness it goes on super smoothly and separates and lengthens in just one coat [of course I always do more, because I'm extra like that]. Overall, amazing product. 

BROW Products:

I feel weird admitting this considering how much everyone seems to be obsessed with eyebrows over the past couple years, but I am so low maintenance with my brows, I have only actually ever used one product... I guess I am just lucky it is the first product I tried on my brows and it is the only one I've felt I ever needed?! I say yes. A little goes a LONG way with this little thing, I think I've had the same pot for over a year and I'm just needing to re-purchase. I do my brows every day so it has really lasted a long time! I love the color blonde since it is not too warm but also not too ashy, perfect for my light brunette hair and fait skin. I don't like to be overpowered by a super strong brow and I love how with this stuff it is easy to control the level of intensity you're going for. 

SETTING SPRAY:

Soooo I'm not sure this stuff is even made to be a setting spray, but that's what I use it for [amongst many other things as well] and it is one of my holy grail items! I even keep one in my bag for when I go hiking in the summer as a mid hike cool down spritz, and it is like heaven in a bottle and for only like $7?! You can't beat that, friends. I think I have at least three bottles at any given time all over my house, in my car, in my bag, etc. I am addicted to this stuff!

When I need something a little more hard core, I choose this one. Although I'll always love my Mario Badescu, it doesn't always hold up for those late nights, or long events. Urban Decay always comes in clutch, it's just not as practical for daily use! I'll always have both on hand though!  

HONORABLE MENTION:

No face sponge compares to this one, and I won't let you try to convince me otherwise. It seems expensive for what it is if you haven't used it yet. You will never understand or be able to justify it until you actually get your hands [and face] on it. I promise you once you do, your makeup game will be forever changed. Make sure you use it damp, and make sure you keep it cleaned after each use. You can use it for foundation, concealer, powder, cream bronzer, it basically pays for itself with how versatile it is! 

Whew that was a doozy! Kudos to you if you made it through to the end! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about anything I may have missed, or further specifics about any of the products I mentioned. If you're curious about a different product that I didn't mention let me know below, you never know I might be willing to do a "Try it out Tuesday" review post on some new stuff! I always love trying new makeup. 

As always, thanks for reading!

xo

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation Review

When it comes to drug store foundation, I have not had good luck. I hadn't purchased a drugstore foundation for over a year when I started hearing about this particular product, and decided it was worth a try. A few people had told me that it wore similarly to a high-end foundation that I'd been using and loving for some time. Honestly, I had very low expectations and I decided to try it on a day off, just in case it failed as I thought it would. Boy was I absolutely WRONG. L’Oreal’s Infallible Pro-Glow foundation was a pleasant discovery, and I am bummed I didn't try it sooner! I know it's been out for over a year now, but I still thought it warranted a review since it worked so much better than I imagined it would. 

My Simple Skincare Routine

My skin is normal to oily. I have t-zone oily areas (forehead, nose, and chin) and the rest of my face is generally normal (depending on the time of year). I usually gravitate toward a matte foundation but recently have been loving a little bit more of a luminous and natural look. The high-end foundation I had discovered was working really well for me, but I was really just over the $60 price tag and ready to find a new more affordable option. I did some research and found the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-glow foundation, heard lots of good things from lots of good people and decided to give it a try, and at the cool price of $12.99 a pop, it wouldn't hurt the bank too much if it ended up being a total flop. 

Here are the claims: 

-24 hour wear with a hydrating glow

- Lightweight and creamy, goes on smooth with a glow that lasts

- Medium coverage that hides imperfections

- Ideal for normal to dry skin

Consistency Of The Product

This foundation feels like it would be too thin on first application, but it actually covers really well for the consistency straight out of the tube. It is definitely runny and you can hear it in the tube when it is shaken. I did like the consistency for ease of application, just be careful how much you squeeze out at a time because it will run!

Application

I picked up the shade 202 Creamy Natural, which was the perfect shade for my fair skin with red undertones. I applied the foundation using a damp beauty blender, this stuff is very light feeling, but really stays where it is put. It goes on extremely smoothly, and does not settle into pores or fine lines. The foundation claims to be a "medium coverage" which seems correct since I only needed one layer and I only used setting powder under my eyes for brightening. A+ in this category because normally I set with powder all over my face and then follow up around lunch time with round two of powder, but this foundation gave me a solid work day with no powder the whole time! Highly impressed. 

Texture And Coverage

I was definitely hesitant on this foundation for the sole reason that it had glow in the name. Usually this means I end up looking like a greasy disco ball half way through my day. With this foundation it is less of a glow and more a lit from within effect, luminous and dewy but not shiny or shimmery, thank goodness. Overall this "glow" is very natural and subtle. I’d say coverage is medium and hides imperfections decently but I still like to use a concealer on blemishes or uneven skintones.

Final thoughts

Overall, I am very impressed with the formulation of this foundation! It is so natural and lightweight, yet covers everything that needs to be covered without feeling cakey or looking super obvious. It is a "your skin but better" foundation, and I'd highly suggest picking it up and giving it a try! 

My Makeup Routine: Products I'm Currently Loving!

I linked this product from a few different retailers, depending on where you like to shop, click the images in the carousel below!

Let me know down below your thoughts if you've tried it, if not, I'd love to hear about your favorite drugstore foundation! 

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

xo

Summer Makeup Favorites

Hello, again! This is a post I've been wanting to do for a long time, I just knew it would be slightly time consuming and long but I finally found the time, so here it is! 

I've been so excited to discover some really great cosmetics over the past couple months. It has taken me a long time to perfect my daily routine, and find a combination of products that work well for me in terms of making my skin look great on a day to day basis as well as long-term. I've been branching out to use brands that I've never used before, and combining them with holy grail items that have been in my collection for years! These are just a few of the products I've been obsessed with lately. I'm only including my top favs, obviously I'm leaving out some of my daily items only because I don't consider them holy grail items, and I switch them out on a regular basis (eyeliner, shadows, blush, etc.) 

To start with I'd like to highlight (no pun intended) Becca cosmetics. Obviously Becca has become a cult favorite very rapidly over the past year and of course I can't resist a trend so I gave it to a try to see if their products lived up to the massive hype surrounding them. I started of with their most popular highlight Shimmering Skin Perfector in none other than Champagne Pop. This creamy powder gives a peachy warm "glow from within" affect, and is formulated without parabens, no complaints there! It is a powder but applies as if it were a cream, leaving a very natural glowy look. I have to say this product more than lives up to it's major popularity. I was advised to go with a different color due to my warm undertones, but Champagne Pop works great for my skin tone and I haven't met a person yet who's tried it and not loved it! 

On to another Becca product, this one was purchased by total accident but quickly became a staple in my daily routine! I went into Sephora originally to purchase the Becca Undereye Brightening Corrector, and somehow got this instead. Luckily, it ended up becoming a favorite and a product I'll be re-purchasing over and over, I'm sure. The Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Creme is a thick consistency, heavy coverage concealer, that brightens as well as conceals. I feel it is best used only on the under eyes as it can look really cake-y if you aren't careful, but the coverage is the best of any concealer I've ever used and we all know ain't nobody got time for dark circles, I sure don't. Becca definitely gets 5/5 stars for my summer makeup routine! 

Ok, so this post is definitely out of order for how I apply these products, but whatever. I HAVE to mention Too Faced. I discovered Too Faced cosmetics last year when I was in Bellevue for a weekend trip, I dropped my bronzer on the floor in the bathroom of my hotel and it shattered into a million pieces. Once again I frantically ran to Sephora and grabbed the first product I could get my hands on, I definitely believe that the packaging played a part in my discovery of this brand. If you haven't seen what it looks like, please, go check it out. It is SO CUTE. There are heart shaped blush compacts, brightly colored lipglosses, cute names, etc. And beyond packaging, the formulation of everything I've tried by Too Faced is PERFECTION. 

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The Too Faced Born This Way foundation has been sold out at my Sephora for a long time, but I finally got my hands on it and it is hands down the best foundation I've ever used. I've been on the quest for a foundation that works for me and I feel like I've tried everything, so you can imagine my excitement when I found this stuff! When applied with a damp Beauty Blender, your skin will look and feel baby soft and flawless. It looks like you don't have anything on at all! It leaves a dewy slightly matte finish and obviously when you have the correct color for your skin tone it matches with your skins natural texture. The best news about the foundation is that it comes in 18 colors so there is a match for every skin color! I've heard great things about the Born This Way concealer as well, so I'll be picking it up on my next trip to the mall.

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Get ready to hear a lot about Too Faced haha! This is another product that was sold out for a long time, always a good sign, which is why I pursued it until I found it! The Primed and Poreless powder is AHHH-MAZING. Especially when used in conjunction with the previously mentioned foundation. If you have any pores on your face that show after using foundation, this literally erases any trace of them. I have huge pores so this is a must for me. The only downside to this product is that I've somehow already hit pan after using it for just under a month which wouldn't be an issue but for the price of $30, I expect to use it for a decent amount of time before having to shell out some $ to replace. Unfortunately I've fallen in love with this product so regardless of the cost-per-wear, I will be re-purchasing this one again. 

 I don't even know where to begin with this stuff. Obviously by the state of the packaging this little one has been used to death and I'm just about ready to replace it for a fresh compact. This is the exact same one that I purchased on my little trip to Bellevue that I mentioned earlier and is the product that began my obsession with everything Too Faced. In comparison to the longevity of my Primed and Poreless powder, this little guy has been going strong for over a year and there's still plenty left! The Chocolate Soleil Bronzer is by far my favorite item from this brand. It is the perfect matte brown color, and can be used all over your body wherever you need a little contour or want to accentuate. I love that there is zero shimmer and zero orange undertones, it makes this bronzer a multi-purpose product as you can give yourself a little color but carve out a fantastic contour. LOVE. 

Whew, almost done! These last few are some tried and true items that I've had in my collection for a long time, but have worked with me and for me for just as long, and I don't forecast them going anywhere anytime soon! 

This next product is another cult favorite, but I like to think that I was the first to discover this amazing stuff. The Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder is one of those products that you don't think you need until you try it and then you find yourself wondering how you ever lived without it. This stuff is magical. I use this brightening powder under my eyes to amplify my concealer and really make sure that I get the super "awake" look even if I'm not feeling it (haha secret weapon!). I know it is not recommended to use all over the face since it has a pearly white tone, but I have definitely also used it as a highlight in a pinch! 

I used to solely use MAC when I was just starting out with makeup years ago, but it's definitely phased out of my collection in a big way besides lipstick and this little guy. Even though I may not use MAC foundation or powder anymore, I will ALWAYS include this  in my collection. The color I use is Painterly, and although I don't always wear eyeshadow, I will always put this on my eyelids to cover any darkness since my skin is so light, it instantly brightens up my whole face and makes my hooded eyelids look more open. As an eyeshadow primer, this stuff is better than anything labeled "eye shadow primer" that I've tried in the past. Underneath any shadow this will eliminate creasing 100% and it also amplifies the pigmentation in any colored shadow. It also comes in a range of colors (I've only ever used Painterly).  A++ in my book!

Ok, the one drugstore item that is a constant for me is this mascara. I feel like if you know anything about makeup I don't even need to say why this stuff is so amazing. You already know! The formulation is perfection, the wand is lengthening and separating, it doesn't clump or flake, it is just amazing. If you haven't tried it, TRY IT. End of story. 

We're at the end!

....I do have an honorable mention product that I just discovered this past week, and I don't think I can consider it a full fledged favorite since it hasn't gone through all of the trials yet, but as I've used this over the past week it has definitely grown on me in a big way.

I'll keep it short, but I think this stuff deserves a little back story. I have never, I repeat NEVER used a face primer religiously. I never really understood the purpose and everything that I had tried never seemed to make any difference in the wearability of any product I used over the top of it.

I recently subscribed to Sephora Play, and I've been having fun trying out some new products. I got this Smashbox Photo Finish primer in my July box, and so far it is fantastic! I've always had an issue with my foundation slipping off throughout the day since I work long days and don't have time for touch-ups. I get weird greasy spots on my face (ew, sorry) and no primer has ever helped.... until now! This stuff cures all of my work-makeup woes and then some! It does a fabulous job of evening out any texture issues that my skin has, is blurs my big pores and it keeps my foundation even and matte throughout my entire work day! 

I've been so excited about my Sephora Play subscription, most of the products I've received over the three months that I've gotten it, I will be purchasing when the deluxe samples run out. It's by far the best subscription box I've tried (and I'm pretty sure I've tried them all lol).

WOW. If you've stuck around this long, snaps for you! Thank you for reading, and hopefully you've discovered some new products from this post, or are inspired to try some of my favorites that you may have previously been hesitant on trying. 

Please comment below any of your summer favorites that I should try! I'm always looking for new favs, and I love a good reference :) 

xo Julianne