Welcome back, all! I hope everybody enjoyed the long weekend and soaked up every last minute of summer. It has been a long while since I’ve rounded up my monthly beauty favorites. This mostly is due to the fact that I’m trying to use up products before I buy new ones, and I’m overall just happy with what I use on a daily basis. However, I I recently purchased a few new-to-me products to fill some gaps in my makeup collection. A new month and new season should justify a few new products, right?! So, let’s get to it – new beauty first impressions.
EYEBROWS & EYELASHES
I used to be a huge fan of Benefit’s Gimme Brow, but I never felt the need to repurchase it given the price. Thanks to a recommendation from Elle, I picked up Essence Make Me Brow. You guys, this practically is an exact dupe for Benefit and IT’S LESS THAN $5. You can’t beat that! I have the shade 01 Blondy Brows, and it works great with my blonde/taupe eyebrow hairs. I haven’t used this on bare brows yet, but I do notice a difference when I use it over eyebrow pencil – my brows look more defined and full.
Eyelash primer is a staple in my beauty routine – it lengthens my lashes and helps to hold the curl post-eyelash curler and mascara application. While I’ve never been a fan of the L’Oreal Voluminous mascara, I knew I had to try the new Voluminous Primer as an alternative to my go-to Clinique lash primer. This is a great drugstore lash primer! It applies evenly, dries pretty quick, and my mascara goes on smoothly over it. I would say it’s darn near identical to the Clinique product, and at $10 or less for each, either one makes a good choice. I’m interested to see how long this tube will last until it either dries out or the product becomes clumpy.
LIPGLOSS
It’s rare these days that I stray from the NYX Butter Glosses, but Revlon won my lips over again. I’m a huge fan of Jessica (LolaMarie7) on YouTube, so when she recommended the Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Super Natural, I went and got it the same day. This is the ultimate your-lips-but-better gloss. It looks good alone or with any lipstick. My favorite combination as of late is a nude lip pencil filled in all over my lips and this gloss on top. Easy peasy! The formula is super smooth and doesn’t feel heavy or sticky.
KAT VON D #LOCKITREVOLUTION
Thanks to Influenster, I was lucky enough to receive and test some new Kat Von D beauty products. The Lock-It Concealer Creme is a great concealer for under eye circles, especially if you prefer a doe wand applicator. I don’t think I would use this product to conceal blemishes because of how thick it is, and it can take a little time to blend out. This won’t replace my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, but it’s a good alternative.
Along with the concealer, the Lock-It Setting Powder is one of the best loose translucent powders that I’ve ever tried. It’s lightweight, oil-absorbing, and doesn’t accentuate fine lines or create cake face. My makeup seems to last longer when I use this powder to set my T-zone, and I haven’t noticed any flashback (when your face appears white in photos) with photography.
As part of the same collection, I also received the Lock-It Edge Concealer Brush and Lock-It Setting Powder Brush. Let’s get the obvious out of the way – these brushes are straight-up pretty. I’m a fan of the sleek design, and I find that they are very comfortable to hold and work with. However, I don’t find either of these brushes to be anything groundbreaking. At their price point ($24-$38), I have brushes that cost drastically less (hello, e.l.f.) and work just as well. So, if you’re in the market for new makeup brushes, I recommend checking out less expensive alternatives first.
It’s always a promising sign at the beginning of the month when a majority of new beauty first impressions are positive ones! I hope that there’s a few products here that you want to try out for yourself – best part is that most are affordable and accessible at the drugstore.
What new beauty products have you tried lately? Anything I should add to my shopping list?
oooh i want to try that brow stuff! i love the loreal mascara, and i keep meaning to pick up the primer. i don’t think i have tried anything new in ages!
If you love that mascara, then I imagine you would love the primer. It has become a new regular part of my makeup routine!
Influenster has opened me up to quite a few new products I’ve really liked. That lip gloss looks great on you- I’m not typically a lip gloss girl but if it’s not sticky, it would be worth a try! And guilty: I’ve never tried eyelash primer before. That might be in my next beauty haul!
I’m not a gloss girl either, but this stuff slides on so smoothly. It’s a perfect finishing touch to any lip product!
Your hair always looks so good! Loving that lip color.
Zelle
Southern Style
You are so sweet, thank you!
I love the lancome lash primer, but only use it when I have the free samples, so I might have to try out the l’oreal version! The perfect nude lip is so hard to find and that gloss sounds awesome!
You definitely should try out the L’Oreal lash primer, or even the Clinique one since it’s only $10. I love both! And, that gloss is the best find!
I got that primer too! And I wanted the brow gel after seeing Elle’s post too!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
The brow gel is so great, and you can’t beat the price!
I swear by that mascara primer! I can’t go a day without it! And I’m definitely going to have to check out that Essence brow stuff! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I’m so glad that I tried that eyelash primer – it’s so good!
Nice tips 😉
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: ROUTE 66 SIGN
NEW POST: ABANDONED MOTEL
Glad you enjoyed it!
That lip gloss is so pretty, and I love how neutral it is and how it can go with everything like you said. And that Kat Von D concealer looks so pretty!
That lipgloss is seriously my new favorite – I wear it almost every day!
I almost got that mascara primer the other day! I love the Urban Decay one but it’s expensive!
This one is such a great alternative!
That lipgloss looks amazing on you! 🙂
Blessings,
Edye | Gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
Thank you!
I’ll have to check these out. So far, I’ve been loving the algae oil by Osea! :]
// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
Oh! I haven’t heard of that, but it sounds luxurious.
That brow product sounds AMAZING!
The Adored Life
It’s pretty stellar for a cheap alternative to a more expensive product.
I’ve heard really good things about the lock it line from Kat Von D.
http://tresfly.blogspot.com/
It’s been so fun to test out!
Totally agree with the Lock It concealer! And that brow product sounds great – I’m going to have to look for it in stores!
You definitely should, you can’t go wrong with the price!
Oooh I need to try that Essence brow product! Sounds amazing- and hello, cheeeeeap! 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Right?! That’s the best part about it. 😉
Thanks for sharing! I love a good setting powder so I may check that one out when I run out of my current one!
You definitely should – it’s the best loose powder that I’ve ever used!
I always love reading about new products and I really want to pick up that Kat Von D line now!
I think you would love it!
I love finding new beauty products. I will have to try that lip gloss! Looks like the perfect shade! And I’ve been on the hunt for a good setting powder. The few that I’ve tried I didn’t love.
That lip gloss is my new holy grail – I seriously cannot go a day without putting it on. Do you like pressed or loose setting powders? I’m sure I could give you a few recommendations. 🙂
I can’t rave enough about the Kat Von D Lock It line, such amazing products! Both the concealers and the setting powders work better than anything else I’ve tried, and those brushes are so soft <3
Green Fashionista
I’m with you! I really love the loose powder, best one I’ve tried by far.
Thank you for all the new product recommendations, it’s so easy to get into a rut with the same products and there is always so many new things out there to try!
There really is – the drugstore has stepped up their game so much in the makeup department!
I feel like I’ve been using the same makeup colors since middle school. I just did some shopping online at Sephora and can’t wait to try out some new Tarte eyeshadows. I’ll have to check out your products too. Great post!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
I’ve heard Tarte shadows are awesome – hope you enjoy them!
I love that L’oreal is now selling the primer on its own! It really helps mascara application so much!
I agree with you! So glad that it’s available now.
I’ll definitely be trying to find the make be brow – can’t beat a great dupe!! I’m really happy with the coverage I get from the concealer and the way the setting powder works – best ones I’ve used in a long time! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Yes, Make Me Brow is such a great dupe for Benefit. And, I love the KVD loose powder – best one I’ve tried!