These are some of my all time favourite makeup/ skincare things, not the most exciting things…but things at this stage I can’t live without. I’ve spoken about all of these on here before at some point, but in my opinion they’re well deserving of another mention and if you haven’t tried them…you might want to that!
✖️ Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer*
I just posted about this on my Instagram stories (if you don’t follow me over there, do…it’s where I usually hang out, join me)…after running out of this, I’ve just bought a replacement and figured out it’s been well over a year since I picked up my last one. This normally wouldn’t be unusual considering it’s a huge tube (15ml), highly pigmented (as the super coverage part of the name would suggest) and that fact that the average person would only need a small amount of concealer…but I also use this (a lot actually!) as/ instead of foundation. It’s lasted ages! It’s available in 35 fair to deep shades (I wear the shade Swan usually, described as ‘fairest with neutral undertones’ although I’d say more neutral to golden), it’s oil free, weightless, hydrating, long wearing and photo friendly (so no flashback). It gives a beautiful skin like finish even with such an amazing coverage, is really comfy to wear and wears so well…even around the eye area. It has a really youthful finish, which I’m all about! I’ll sometimes mix it with sheerer coverage foundations, but it’s gorgeous alone applied with a damp beauty sponge.Read the full review here.
As well as the other skincare product further down this post, the PIXI Glow Tonic is something that gives me visible difference in clarity and the overall feel of my skin. There’s a few Glycolic Acid toners that I’ve tried and liked, but this one is a failsafe for me. It doesn’t irritate (it’s 5% Glycolic Acid…I do like The Ordinary’s too which is 7% but generally prefer the PIXI one that I can use everyday), smooths skin, gives glow and just makes the rest of your skincare work harder and makeup sit way better! If you don’t have an acid toner in your skincare routine yet (whatever your age or skin type)…try this one! Read the full review here.
✖️ Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel*
There’s not a huge deal to say here apart from that I’ve tried so many other clear brow gels and nothing compares to the ABH one! It’s super expensive for a clear brow gel and apart from that, if I could change anything I’d most definitely prefer a smaller wand/ spoolie/ brush…but there’s just something about this gel. It doesn’t make your brows feel crispy or sticky, sets and holds them in place all day and after trying so many over the years, I’m still yet to find any that come close. You can even get a more ‘soap brow’ effect from it, it lifts hairs up and keeps them there which is where a lot of other gels fall flat.
I ran out and kept forgetting to include a bottle of this in online orders from different places for the longest time (as well as the fact that I had so much other similar stuff I was trying/ using up so it slipped my mind), but repurchased it a few weeks ago while I was in town and called through Brown Thomas…I’d completely forgotten about them stocking The Ordinary. Basically, I’m disgusted at myself for not stocking up sooner truth be told…it’s one of those products (along with the PIXI Glow Tonic) that actually has a noticeable effect on my skin. It’s an all in one anti ageing treatment in lightweight serum form. Is inexpensive and works, what more could you want right?? It pretty much targets every possible concern (surface hydration, fine lines and wrinkles and irregularities in skin texture), contains Hyaluronic Acid (a key ingredient that benefits all) and in my opinion, if you haven’t tried it…you should! When I use up this bottle, I’ll already have a back up ready to go.
✖️ Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder*
I’ve used this on and off for years! It’s one of those cult products that lives up to the hype and you keep coming back to, even after trying other stuff in between. I use the shade Medium (and always have, initially it was the only shade it came in) even though I’m really fair, I just love the cool natural shadow contour tone. It’s now available in 3 shades (Light, Medium and Deep). It’s a pretty small and spendy compact (3.1g) but a little goes a long way, it’s sleek and perfect for travel. The powder itself is highly pigment but really finely milled so has a undetectable texture on the skin and blends out perfectly. It’s hard to overdo it with this which is excellent news both if you’re new to contour or like me, often needing to get ready fast and need something you can just flake on! Start from the back of your cheekbone for more intensity there and blend out towards you nose, perfection!
Let me know some of your favourites by tagging me in your post @lydmakeup or in the comments bellow.
Lyd x
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