1. Urban Decay Naked Beauty Balm ($34) // 2. Stila Color Balm ($22) // 3. Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Blush ($26) // 4. Hourglass Ambient Powder ($45) // 5. Illamasqua Rubber Finish Nail Varnish ($14) // 6. Bobbi Brown Lilac Rose Eye Palette ($60) // 7. Guerlain Liquid Liner ($37)
I love.love.love trying new beauty products, which is probably why I’m so enamored with Birchbox, but I digress. I’ve been waiting for this sale so I add a few new products to my makeup bag, and here are the seven that caught my eye.
One. Currently, I use Clinique’s BB Cream, which is really a souped-up tinted moisturizer with a lot of SPF blended into it. I like it, it gives a good light-to-medium coverage and it blends well. But I’m really intrigued by the Naked Beauty Balm and its supposedly anti-aging benefits from a host of ingredients designed to firm skin and improve texture.
Two. I saw this color on a model in Real Simple and thought it looked divine. So here’s to hoping that the electric-grape hue in the photo comes out looking as gorgeous as it does on the model. Wowza.
Three. Cream blush has always confused me. How do I apply it? Will it stay put or rub off during the day? Will I look like Bozo the Clown? However, this Makeup Forever blush has been getting rave reviews for its buildable coverage, blendability and wide range of colors. Most of the colors are sold out online, but the coupon is also good in stores.
Four. I am willing to try any product that promises to give me the coveted glowing skin. This ambient powder from Hourglass comes in a variety of shades meant to correct and brighten your complexion. Need a drugstore alternative? Physician’s Formula has something similar.
Five. This polish, with a “rubber finish,” is allegedly chip resistant with a deeper color than traditional polish. I’m intrigued by the possibility of a chip-resistant finish since I am too terrified of nail damage to jump into the gel-manicure boat.
Six. Lilac, ash violet, soft mauve and amethyst shadows? Yes, please.
Seven. I’ve grown tired of Stila’s All Day Liquid Liner. It’s easy enough to apply, but the formula seems to age quickly. When the tube is fresh, it’s deep black. Two weeks later, charcoal grey. So I’ve been considering switching to this Guerlain liner that is supposed to be the blackest black around. Plus, it goes on with a razor-thin line, which I enjoy.
If that doesn’t solve my woes, I will be going to my fall back, Blinc Liquid Liner. It goes on super dark, lasts all day and comes off with just a swipe off makeup remover. No scrubbing required. My only complaint is that the brush isn’t the simplest to use, but I can forgive that for gorgeous coverage.
I can’t recommend Eyeko eyeliners enough. I am not thrilled with their mascara though. That stuff goes on and stays on. For days. I have to basically rip my lashes out to get the mascara off.
Love that Bobbi Brown palette! I just got this Stila palete– similar colors, lower price point:
https://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2245580&productId=xlsImpprod4360043&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80045?cmpid=PSGO&CAWELAID=1319319003&catargetid=1542181012&cagpspn=pla
Yes, that purple looks VERY purple. But I’ve now tried all the colors in the palette and I find them to all be wearable. I love the variety, too.
Hi Belle. If you or your readers are interested in ordering the Bobbi Brown palette, you might be better off ordering directly from the Bobbi Brown site to take advantage of the friends and family sale going on now. The discount is larger than the one offered by Sephora.
Currently LOVING the finish created Hourglass powder in Dim Light.