Favorite Tings of 2017 – Beauty Edition

Dec 10, 2017 | Uncategorized

It’s been forever since I’ve written anything about product since I’ve adopted a slightly more minimalist approach (I’ve tried to not be a hoarder). Still it’s impossible to not be surrounded by product because I work in this industry, and naturally, I have an opinion and a list of favorite lil’ tings! Since I’m around beauty gurus every day, I assume everyone knows what the good stuff is, but then I realized that’s not a representative sample and I should share the knowledge, especially during the holidays so you know what to ask Santa for. Let’s begin!

Make Up

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF 20  | $34

This year, bareMinerals came out with their first full coverage, long-wearing liquid foundation, and if you know me, you’d know I don’t do foundation. I’m a tinted moisturizer and concealer type of girl – I keep it sheer and light. I would never seek this kind of product out, AND YET…

I have grown to really love this product! I’m pleased with how flawlessly yet naturally it looks after application, and that I don’t look or feel cake-y. It dries quickly to a matte finish, feels like second skin when on, and doesn’t budge. It’s a medium-to-full coverage, which means it can build. If you are used to performance foundations, this formula has a competitive advantage because bareMinerals skipped out on a lot of yucky ingredients you’ll find in other long-wearing liquids, but did not sacrifice on quality. I would encourage anyone on a foundation hunt to give this one a try.

**I pinky swear this is an honest review, they don’t even know I’m writing it. I just really think barePRO liquid is off the chain. If you check out one of my vlogs, you can see what it looks like in real life.

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment  | $26

First of all, I just realized all of the shade names are inspired by iconic songs, so already I’m in love. Product-wise, I thought this was an interesting and unseen approach to matte lipcolors, which we’ve been seeing done by every beauty brand, ever. Powermatte is unbelievably thin and lightweight, yet pigmented AF. The applicator is a stiff tip (THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID) and delivers perfect precision for this formula. Once applied, it takes a minute to dry and then it goes full matte and does not move.  To me, this lip product is kind of like magic.

Also, side note, I’d like to say for the record that I am a fan of lip textures. I know lip fillers are the rage right now, and when you see close up photos of injected lips, they look like super smooth balloons. I’m so thrown off by this unnatural smoothness that I’ve gone the opposite way – I like to see the lip lines within natural lips, the natural texture. I’m not saying I’m all about bumpy, chapped lips, but I now love to see those micro lines, and this formula is so thin that it allows for that texture to come through.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara | $23

Is it really better than sex? I’m going to leave that up to you to decide. I can confirm this has taken the crown of my favorite mascara. You should know this is the first mascara I have bought with my own money in years. Usually I’m frugal about it and use deluxe sized samples that I get with my points at Sephora, but after trying a deluxe sized of BTS, they earned themselves a new customer. Also, you should know I was born with like 3 eyelashes and they’re all straight, so anything that makes me look like I actually have lashes are pretty remarkable.

Go get the smaller version at the check out lane at Sephora. No one really needs a full size mascara (have you ever finished a full sized mascara and not gotten pink eye?).

Skincare

bareMinerals Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam |$22

I believe firmly that one should remove make up before going to bed, but I require the least effort possible in order to achieve this. I don’t do a multi step process to take my face off. Instead, I jump into the shower and use this cleanser, and it gets all my make up off. I LOVE the texture of it – it’s soft, smooth, and builds in body. Most importantly, my face feels clean and calm when I’m out of the shower.

Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial | $80

I needed to reign in my wallet because I’ve been charging my card left and right, but I have my eyes on this little dude when I’m off of my spending freeze. I tried not one, but two samples of this just to be sure, and I’m into it. Sukari Babyfacial is an AHA / BHA exfoliator (not a scrubby St.Ives situation, but a creamy texture that exfoliates using acids) and the weird thing is that I really felt it the first time I used it. It felt almost aggressive, a little stingy and warm, but then it calmed down after 2 minutes. You’re supposed to leave it on as a mask for 20 minutes, then wash off. After the second use, I noticed my problem areas of my nose and chin area had less texture and dead skin around it, so I think it might have worked!

This shit is expensive for an exfoliator though so it better work. I rarely ever buy skincare because I am very skeptical of all skincare, especially expensive skincare, but I’ve heard only good things about their products AND I’m such a huge fan of their brand.

Revive Moisturizing Renewal Cream | $195

This product shouldn’t be for me, but as it turns out, I received this in a goodie bag at an industry event. If you’re a prestige skincare ride-or-die kind of chick and you’re not already using this Revive cream, GET YOURSELF A GREEN JAR PRONTO. My favorite thing about this cream is that it’s the perfect texture – thiccccc but not heavy. Product benefits include some fancy technology and Glycolic Acid so it’s exfoliating at the same time that it’s moisturizing you. When I use it at night, I wake up with glowing skin. It’s amazing. I also didn’t realize it was so expensive until I started using it regularly and decided I loved it, and gave it a little google search. At $195, I definitely cannot afford my skincare regimen. Maybe you can, though 😉

 

BODY / HOME

Fresh Sugar Lychee Bar Soap |$15

I bought this in the summer on a whim because I had run out of Dove bar soap and this one smelled really good. I almost didn’t buy it because why spend $15 when you can spend $2, but I decided to live a little. For the next 3 months, my showers were absolutely delightful.  It literally feels so much more nourishing, the lather is smoother, the fragrance is so elevated. I ran out and realized I had another Dove bar soap… now, showering now is less exciting. Take my advice, go for the fancy soap.

I think these are a great gift to self, or even gift to other because they’re already beautifully wrapped. BOOM.

Le Labo Santal 26 Candle | $75 / Santal 33 Perfume | $185

I have a secret / not secret love affair with Le Labo. I have now owned three of these candles and I can’t stop. I also got a little sampler of the perfume (which, by the way, they charge for) to see if I’d also love the eau de parfum and it turns out I love it a little too much. There is something so elevated and sophisticated about this fragrance – it’s not feminine or masculine, it’s not young, it doesn’t smell like the typical florals or sweet notes I usually go towards. Instead, it’s a warm, almost smoky, almost sweet, kind of leathery. It’s a unique fragrance that I slowly but madly fell in love with.

I also think this is the fragrance anchor that will remind me of New York, always. If I deserve an Xmas gift this year (I am still trying to decide), this perfume will be my gift to self.

And that concludes my Favorite Tings – Beauty Edition! I’m not a big product junkie anymore but I do have strong feelings about the products I do love, so I hope this was a helpful collection. Also, remember friends, if you decide to splurge, you should splurge on things you will use often and that which will bring you joy!

xo

Trace

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