So I’m not even going to give a whole song and dance about the fact that I am embarrassed of how long it’s been since I’ve done a true blog post (#worldsworstblogger over hurr), but I can say I’ve at least been trying to post more on Instagram so if you’re not already doing so, follow me there as well as on the Liketoknow.it App via the App Store! It makes shopping your fav bloggers links beyond easy – like scary you’re going to spend too much money, easy.
Ok, so now that we’ve gotten past the fact that I suck as a blogger I am still a pretty damn good shopper and right now Sephora’s having their biannual Beauty Insider Appreciation Event aka the time to stock up and splurge on all of your favorite beauty products as well as the ones you’ve been itching to try! From now until tomorrow evening, Rouge members will receive 20% off of their purchase, VIB members will receive 15%, and Beauty Insiders will receive 10% off. You can use your appropriate promo code just once online and an unlimited amount in store. For Rouge members, the promo began last week and I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve made in store purchases after my big online haul, especially since there’s a very small chance my husband could be reading this. So since now is really one of two times a year you can save on most of your Sephora faves (the Spring event usually only goes up to 15% savings FYI), it really is the time to purchase and because of that I’ve had a ton of friends reach out to specifically inquire about my current skincare routine so I wanted to share all of the items that I bought and/or suggest buying now, broken out by Makeup, Skincare, and Hair. Since I was hoping to do this post on Thursday and it’s now Sunday, I’m sparing you with fancy collages and swatches so you just get a bomb ass shopping list, woop woop! And as always, please reach out and let me know if you have any additional q’s: Leah@livelovelipstick.com
Makeup
Foundations: Here are my current top picks, all of which are pricey so some savings definitely doesn’t hurt! And little reminder, I prefer a medium to full coverage and I always go a little darker than my face actually is to better match my shoulders and arms.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick: I’ve tried a bunch of foundation sticks, which are great for saving time in the mornings and this is by far my fav! I wear Warm Beige and I also love the matching brush!
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation: I actually just received a sample of it after hearing how much everyone loves it and I now understand why, it blends in so well! My sample was Warm Beige and while it’s of course technically on the darker side, I love it!
Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate: Heads up I usually just blend this over another foundation since it is heavy and full, but when I want a flawless look for the evenings, this foundation is perfectttt! I actually have a couple of shades but my favorite is 44 – Golden Medium and the matching brush is also my favorite liquid foundation brush to use!
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: I’m sure I don’t need to explain this one as it has been a cult classic for years, but I wanted to share that it’s now also available in a mini, yay! I wear color 5.5.
Miscellaneous Makeup Items:
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick: I’ve been wearing Candy Bling (a red raspberry) a lot, and just purchased One Mauve Time (a soft berry mauve), and I love it – will be perfect for Fall!
Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder: My absolute new favorite setting powder, hands down! I really love that with one tap it dispenses the suggested amount of powder to use, it’s perfect! But I would highly suggest getting the new mini size for travel after I made a mess of mine during our last trip. Trust me.
Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer: While it’s a bit pricey for a primer, it’s worth every penny as it creates the perfect canvas for makeup and has your skin feeling oh so soft.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout™ Full-Coverage Concealer: When you have a blemish that you need to cover up but don’t want makeup to make it worse, this needs to be your go-to! It is a concealer and drying lotion in one, so it helps treat the blemish as well as cover it.
Hourglass Caution™ Extreme Lash Mascara: Hourglass’s new mascara and it is a.ma.zing!! Also available in a mini size - loving this new trend!
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector® Pressed Highlighter in Champagne Pop: I am a proud owner of quite the highlighter collection and this one still reigns supreme, and again – avail in mini!
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops: While I’m not exactly sure if this qualifies under ‘Makeup’ or ‘Skincare’, but the fact that it contains color and I looove how it makes my skin look, especially on a mild makeup day (gym, pool, etc), I filed it under Makeup.
Skincare
AM Regimen: These are the items that I’ve either currently been using or have just added to my routine with purchases from the promotion
Toner: I just purchased Dr. Roebuck’s Lifesaver Skin Brightening Toner and I’m already loving how it feels first thing in the morning. It makes me feel refreshed and brightened, and also removes any dirt or lingering makeup from the night before, especially if I’m in a rush and don’t have time for a morning face wash.
Serums: I’m now alternating Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, which I’m obsessed with, and the brand new Olehenriksen Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum, after reading all of the insaaaane reviews from beauty editors.
Eye Cream: I was using Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream (which I love), but I finally decided to try the Olehenriken Banana Bright Eye Crème since people rave about how it looks underneath makeup and now will just use my C-Tango at night.
Moisturizer: Because I’m me and I always have multiple, synonymous products, I’ve been using It Cosmetics Secret Sauce Clinically Advanced Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer (avail in both full and mini size) and Drunk Elephant (are you noticing a theme yet?) Protini Polypeptide Cream, which makes my skin feel nice and plump (in a good way).
Sunscreen: Always remember to make sure to apply an actual sunscreen and not think you’re covered just because your moisturizer or foundation has SPF in it, I love Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, because it gives a great tint for when you’re wearing this to the pool or beach sans makeup.
PM Regimen:
Toner: I just purchased Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment and it is AWESOME! Not for the weak, it gives a pretty strong tingle as it is a toner that also exfoliates, an amazing dupe for the pricey P50V for those who are familiar with the cult classic. This can certainly also be used in the morning if you prefer.
Serums: I have been alternating Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum and Skinmedica Retinol Complex .25 (not from Sephora – just found on Overstock for an insanely low price, FYI), both of which are fantastic.
Eye Cream: As I stated above, I’m now using Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream at night.
Moisturizer: Nights when I use DE T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, I use Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream, which is so rich and thick in all the great ways; Nights when I use the Skinmedica Retinol, I am now using Olehenriksen Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème on top, again per the fantastic reviews it has received. And I should note that both new Olehenriksen Retin-ALT products are plant-based retinol alternatives and spoiler alert: they are purple (yes, purple) and smell AMAZING!
Misc:
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial (everyone needs, I do mine every week #babyfacialsundays) / Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil / La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser (not sold at Sephora, but affordable and gets skin super clean) / Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator / Fresh Sugar Face Exfoliator / Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (the mini is perfect for traveling!)
Hair: I purchased more than I usually do for my hair as I now color it regularly (approximately every 3 months to cover my greys, thanks to my boys!), am growing out baby hairs from my last pregnancy, and of course use heat on it every damn day.
Kerstase Reflection Sulfate Free Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Sephora has finally welcomed the uber popular line to and I decided to take advantage of the promo and ordered myself a bottle, hopefully I’ll agree with all of the outstanding reviews!
Ouai Wave Spray and Volume Spray: I already use the Volume Spray, which I’m a big fan of, so I decided to also order the Wave Spray considering it’s an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner.
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray: The new product description is “A heat-protective blowout spray that mimics the smooth, frizz-free results of a keratin treatment.” I live in humid South Florida, need I explain more as to why I purchased it?!
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask: An Allure Readers Choice Award Winner, I finally purchased this mask after hearing the impressive reviews of it restoring hydration to dry, brittle, and damaged hair.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3: If you’re already a fan (which I’m sure many of you are) or have been wanting to try it, now is the time to stock up! Now available is also the new No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo: My all time favorite dry shampoo, period. I don’t go on vaca without packing the mini size!
Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast: Go ahead, give it a try…you’ll love! And yes, available in mini size as well!
Welp, I think that about covers it…Happy Shopping!
Xo,
Leah
