Belle’s Six Best Spring Beauty Products
Apr 14, 2016
1. Madame C.J. Walker Silkening Leave In ($26) // 2. Stila Correct & Perfect Color Correcting Palette ($45) // 3. Anastasia Brow Highlighter ($23) // 4. Stila Oasis Eyeshadow ($18) // 5. Pore Sebum Control Stick ($16) // 6. St. Tropez Self-Tanning Mousse ($16-$48)
When spring arrives, I change up my beauty routine a bit. I wear less foundation, show a little more skin, and freshen up my beauty routine. Here are the products that I’m most excited to work into the rotation.
One. Fun fact, Madam C.J. Walker was Sarah Breedlove, America’s first female self-made millionaire. She was an African American woman who made her fortune selling hair products in the late 1800s. Very cool.
The Madam C.J. Walker line is developed for women of color, but this Silkening Leave In Treatment is a miracle for any woman with very dry hair. Comb in a bit after your shower and it makes your hair feel amazing. If you only need a bit of softening, I still love Infusium 23 Leave In Conditioner.
Two. Do you have acne? Under-eye circles? All-over dullness? Color-correcting is the answer. This Stila palette gives you every tool you need to hide imperfections and give your skin a boost.
Sephora has a whole color-correcting page to help you address your specific concerns and learn to color correct like a pro. If you’re on a budget, try Wet n’ Wild or NYX’s concealer palette.
Three. This highlighter stick gives your eyes that “Sure, I slept 8-hours last night” look when applied correctly. (See this tutorial for the 10 ways to use a highlighter pencil.) This Anastasia pencil is my favorite, but there are good options in every price point. This Rimmel London pencil has just a hint of shimmer to it.
Four. Oasis by Stila, the greatest eyeshadow base ever. Lay it under any other color for a glint of gold metallic that looks fresh and natural. The closest drugstore option I’ve ever found is Iman White Gold.
Five. Makeup primer is essential in the hot, humid weather. I usually wear NARS Pro Prime Oil Free. I received a sample of this Caolion pore stick, and I love it. It adds a bit of moisture, while minimizing the look of pores. The best part? You can apply it over makeup if shine starts to peek through.
Six. Feeling pale? Yeah, me too. St. Tropez tanning mousse is my favorite. I apply it with their applicator mitt to keep it off my hands, and get a smoother finish. You can get a free sample right now using your bonus points, if you’re a Sephora VIB.
I love the color that I get from St. Tropez, but i have a hard time putting it on in the morning and going through a workday. The smell isn’t as bad as others, but there’s a smell and it rubs off on clothes. So for a while I would put it on before bed and wash it off in the morning, but it stains sheets. Help? How do you use it?
I’ve always used St. Tropez at night after a shower and then allowed it to dry for at least an hour before getting in bed. Some of the color does rub off on sheets, but I’ve never had an issue with it actually staining. I’ve made it a habit to try and use it on the day or two before I normally change my sheets so that I don’t have to live with the smell of it for very long 🙂 No luck applying during the day, as the color is too obvious on my (very pale) skin and only looks right after I’ve showered it off.
Can you wear sweatpants or something to bed to prevent the sheet-staining?
It dries very quickly so I’ve never had a problem wearing pants to bed. Maybe try putting it on an hour or two before bed if you’re having major problems with staining sheets. I’ve never had a problem with permanent stains (I have white sheets so that I can bleach them) but a little does usually rub off, but not much.
I put it on Sunday mornings. Then I clean my house. Then I shower. Lasts me through Wednesday I only reapply if I need it for Friday.
I have the same issue with the smell of tanners (and my sheets). I found this brand, Vita Liberata, last summer and LOVED it. Little/no smell so I can put it on in the morning. It also dries quickly and isn’t sticky.
https://www.sephora.com/phenomenal-2-3-week-tan-mousse-P379476?skuId=1529767&icid2=brand%20content_vitaliberata_bestsellers_carousel_us_brand:vita%20liberata_p379476_image