June 2017 Favorites

I'd originally planned to do a May 2017 favorites, but it just didn't happen. So, welcome to my first monthly favorites back! I'm going to try to streamline things a bit. If there's a hyperlink, I'm referring back to a previous review. Believe it or not, I'm calling back into the archives pretty deeply with this favorites.


Skincare:

I loved my safe sun the first half of the month, and went back to naturally pale the second half. I'm loving two products from Clarins, both of which I featured all the way back in May 2014! I repurchased the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for face  because I'd been bronzing my body but not my face. I also pulled the Clarins Shimmer Oil out of the cabinet (I'm still working on that initial bottle, but this stuff doesn't go bad.) and applied it with the Real Techniques body sponge for a gorgeous look. Sadly, I think it's discontinued but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

I'm toying around with posting my morning/evening skincare routines because I'm really honing in on what works for my skin. For the first time in years, I didn't even get hormonal acne this past month and I credit my skincare routine for that. Fingers crossed, I've introduced a serum that scares me within the past week at night to try to perfect my tone.

I will give a special shout-out to The Ordinary Caffeine Serum 5% with EGCG. I love Chanel's Le Lift Concentre Yeux, but not its $115 price tag. The Ordinary's serum isn't nearly as hydrating but it gives me a similar effect for $108.30 less! I'm also loving a lower-priced alternative in Enlite Skin Cardio Serum. I find that it's quite similar in effect to a serum I've tried from Clarins in the past. I've also continued to love Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and attribute my skin clarity to it. I'm testing some other Drunk Elephant items and plan to write a full write-up once I have thoughts.

In terms of cleansers, I reach for Enlite Foam Away Daily Clarifying Foaming Cleanser almost every morning and Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse nightly.

I was trying to explain my favorite SPF items but it turned preachy so I'm not going to touch it here.


Makeup:

This was a month where I feel like I pulled it back to basics a bit. I rediscovered some old favorites.

• Primer: I really discovered CoverFX Mattifying Primer with anti-Aging Treatment last month, but I used up a travel size. After I use the backup I previously purchased, I'll get the full size. Given the number of primers I own, this says a lot. I also fell in love with the Milk Makeup Blur Stick after initially dismissing it as too trendy. Nope, it works.
• Base: I alternated between two combinations primarily: the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, which was my jam in May as well, and I finally caved and bought Lancome Teint Idole at the end of the month after playing with samples for the entire month.
• Concealer: I'm still obsessed with my Tarte Shape Tape and actually picked up a third shade to work when I'm self-tanned.
• Powder: I guess I knew a great thing almost 2 decades ago- MAC Studio Fix remains my favorite.

• Blush: I really used two blushes this month: NARS Orgasm (in the Foreplay palette here) and Natasha Denona Blush Duo #19
• Bronzer: I really loved two bronzers this month: last year's iteration of L'Oreal GlamBronze in 01 (I've spotted this year's in stores already) and Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer in Tantasic (which smells like coconut).
• Highlighter: I rely upon Laura Geller Baked Highlighter in French Vanilla on a daily basis for eye-area highlight because it's so subtle, and I also fell in love with Pixi x Aspy Novard Glow-y Powder in London Lustre.
• Eyeshadow: Of course, I adore the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette (I will be reviewing this because it's now been made permanent), and have been loving the Viseart Neutral Matte & Warm Matte palettes amongst others.

• Lipstick: This has only been a favorite the past week or so, but I rediscovered Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Peyote to pair with my UD Heat palette. I also love MAC Shy Girl (in the LE packaging)
• Lip Gloss: This was really a month for gloss for me. Some of my favorites were Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses in Caramel and Metallic Rose. I also loved MAC Creamsheen Glass in Cha-Cha-Cha (especially with Shy Girl), Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in Bourgeoisie, and bareMinerals Gloss in Sugar (mini pictured because my full size ran off somewhere)

What were your favorites this month?

QBB Hauls: Recent TJMaxx/Marshalls Finds

Welcome to another QBB Hauls! I've been lurking around my local TJMaxx a lot and have been finding some real beauty gems there. It's not only drugstore brands- it's also high end. But let's start on the drugstore side of things.

After purchasing two of their baked palettes and watching a number of YouTube videos, I was so pumped to spot some of the larger BH Cosmetics palettes at my local TJMaxx! It ironically happened right after I was browsing their website and didn't know what to purchase.

I found two of the Contour & Blush palettes (1 &2), 2 of the blush palettes (Glamorous & Professional), and the Foundation & Concealer 2 Palette.  The total price for these 5 palettes? $25.49 plus tax! Admittedly the Foundation/Concealer Palette is too dark for me but I wanted to play and test the formula. I can bronze/contour for sure.

Moving on, let's talk some other makeup finds. 

I purchased the Style Essentials All About Glow Palette on clearance for $3 because I wanted to test the quality. Likewise, the Absolute New York True Palettes Element looked like foiled shadows in gemstone shades for $6. I just want to give it a chance. I also spotted a Milani Liquid Eye liner in Brown for $1.99 near my checkout line. For the same price, I also nabbed ELF Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain for the same price.

Oh yeah, I think I forgot something. That's one of the Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No 7 palettes in 202 The Tease (the purple one) for $19.99. I've been able to find two of these over the past three weeks. I spotted the MJ nail polishes for $9.99 each but passed.

You can also find some awesome skincare deals at TJMaxx, if you didn't know.

I got a bareMinerals Good Clean Fun cleanser set on clearance for $10, A 6-pack of Precision Beauty nail files (flamingo!), 2 Flamingo clippers from Precision Beauty,  a package of Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, 1 Yes to Grapefruit Lip Balm, a 2-pack of Lavanilla deodorants (for $16.99!), Schmidt's Rose & Vanilla deodorant.

Last up are the masks I nabbed at TJMaxx.  I've got SpaLife Miraculous Moisturizing Hand Gloves (2 pairs, $3.99), SpaLife Under Eye Strips (12 pack, $2.99), and a random Pore-Shrinking mask from CVS. Whoops.

Have you found anything interesting at TJMaxx recently?

Marc Jacobs The Conceal Full Cover Correcting Brush

Today I'm happy to share with you one of the best purchases I've made in some time.  It's one thing to buy high-end cosmetics, but having the right tools to maximize them is another thing.

I've been using the Marc Jacobs Beauty The Conceal Full Cover Correcting Brush #14 ($30, Sephora exclusive) for about six weeks now and it has truly changed my life.

I'm normally a natural bristle fan, but this synthetic-hair brush has changed both the application and performance of my concealer.

The brush itself is sleek and shiny, like a sportscar. It has a metal cap on the end, and Marc Jacobs embossed in silver lettering on the brush handle.  I suspect that the shape of the brush head is the secret to its success.

Here's a close-up of the brush head. There are shorter and longer bristles that allow for the concealer to be spread evenly.

Although the price tag is high, this has totally changed my concealer game.  I use less concealer and it is spread far more evenly than my usual mode of concealer application (fingers).  I've tried other concealer brushes, but this works best with any of the concealers that I use.  I'm able to create an even skintone easier with this brush and skip my usual second concealer application.

I find that it's difficult to  clean but worth it. It provides a flawless finish.  I highly recommend this brush as an addition to your brush collection.

NOTD: Marc Jacobs Le Charm

After my (link) disastrous tangle with Marc Jacobs Florescent Beige (if I'm being honest), it took three months and the lure of Sephora's VIB sale to get me to purchase a second bottle.

Le Charm has been raved about by many a beauty blogger, and I've been on a rosy neutrals kick lately.  It seemed like the perfect color to test- and since it's a metallic foil, a totally different formula than the jelly sheer shimmer that was so awful to work with.

I'm so glad that I took a chance on Le Charm. It has restored my faith in this line, plus it's just beautiful.

Le Charm is a true rose gold metallic foil.  I experienced exactly none of the drying issues with this formula.  These swatches are with 3 thin coats.  It lasted more than 3 days without a chip- very well wear for me.

Marc Jacobs is exclusively found at Sephora. Le Charm is sold out online right now, but I found it in my local store.

NOTD: Marc Jacobs Fluorescent Beige

Today's NOTD is from the Marc Jacobs Beauty line launched exclusively at Sephora in August 2013: Fluorescent Beige.

I'm not a fan of the formula; this is three coats.  It's streaky and there is still VNL.

It's hard to tell from these photos, but there's a beautiful pink shimmer hidden in this polish, making the color both totally neutral and work-friendly yet unique.

I have been playing with this formula and find it disappointing and frustrating.  I suspect it may be this type of polish, though.  I frequently have issues with sheers.

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon-Blaquer

Marc Jacobs makes my favorite liquid black eyeliner of all time, so I was really excited to have a chance to try the Highliner Gel Crayon.

I was lucky enough to nab this travel-sized eyeliner when Sephora offered it as a 100 point perk within the last couple of months.  I'm glad I did- because I won't be buying the full-sized version.

The Highliner Gel Crayon is a standard somewhat soft crayon eyeliner:

It's a beautiful saturated black, but this swatch photo should demonstrate exactly what I didn't like about this eyeliner:

It smudges way too easily.  It doesn't stay put for longer than a couple of hours, and it migrates all over my eye area. 

You can find this exclusively at Sephora, and in a few different shades. However, if you're looking for an eyeliner from this line, go for the liquid.

Marc Jacobs Magic Marc'er Precision Pen

Today, we take a look at my favorite item from the newly-launched Marc Jacobs Beauty line, the Magic Marc'er Precision Pen ($30).

Even as a luxury makeup collector, I blinked twice at the thought of spending $30 on an eyeliner. Looking back, it's been a great investment and after about one month, it's my go-to.

Marc Jacobs Magic Marc'er Precision Pen functions like a high quality calligraphy pen rather than a marker. The best part of this eyeliner is the precision control over the width of your line.  Need a pin-thin line along your lashes? Check. Tilt to a near-vertical angle.  Need a thicker, cat-eye look? Tilt your wrist.

Photo taken outside, in indirect sunlight:

Color-wise, it's a fabulous, true black.  There is a bit of sparkle, but it's not the dominant feature of this eyeliner.

In terms of durability, this eyeliner rocks.  I suspect that it would last for a few days if you didn't wash your face (not something I recommend). I routinely have to scrub with eye makeup remover for quite awhile after 19 hours of wear in a day.


The Bottom Line: Probably the best liquid liner I've ever tried.  A splurge? Yes. If you're in the market for a high quality, waterproof eyeliner, worth checking out.

Price: $30

Availability: Sephora