Hey, hey, hey! I feel like a happy new year is called for, even though February is fast approaching already. I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and start to the new year. I’ve decided that, after hardly uploading last year, this year I want to take a better approach to my blog but also still have the best work/ life balance I can, so it doesn’t lead to constant burn out like before. So you can expect posts for me at-least once every month, maybe more regularly. So, let’s crack on with the first post of 2022.
For today’s post I will be sharing a full face of new and old favourites. I have a tendency to buy new makeup that’s on my wish list, use it for a while and love it, and then buy some more new bits and forget about the old products; it’s a constant cycle. To avoid this continuing to happen, I’ve made it a New Years resolution to use up, rediscover and, for some, learn to love, the products in my collection.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer:
I first tried this primer around 7/8 years ago and it very quickly became one of my all time favourite primers; still is to this day! It gives you such a nice, smooth, poreless base. It has a silicone consistency but, unlike many other primers like this, it’s not drying; it gives the matte finish but with a hydrated feel. I have combination skin and I find it works really well all over my face, especially so around my nose where I get quite dry skin and I have fairly big pores too but it really improves the look of them. It’s a bit of a pricey primer, but it does its job really well and a little goes a long way.
Ps … My Perfect Colour – Perfect Finish Foundation:
I used to be utterly obsessed with this Primark foundation but, when they changed the formula to a much thicker consistency, I was really put off. It’s a fairly thick consistency, with more of a matte finish this time. The foundation itself performs well, it’s just not my go-to type of foundation to wear. Using a damp makeup sponge does really help the product to not look so cakey and feel so heavy on the skin and it blends out really well. The shade I have is ****, which is a little bit too pale for me so I’d probably like it even more if it was a good match. If you’re someone who likes more of a thick, full coverage base, potentially even someone with more oily skin, I think you’ll love this. I have written a full review on this foundation which you’re welcome to give a read if you’re looking to try this foundation; just be aware that my opinions then are a little different to now as I’m into more of a medium coverage, lightweight base, where as when I reviewed this, I loved the full coverage look.
Revolution Conceal + Define Concealer:
Next up is the concealer that had everyone hooked back in 2018, the Revolution Conceal + Hydrate concealer; can’t forget about the Conceal + Define one too. As much as I try to switch up my concealers and try new ones, I always end up going back to this one. It’s high coverage, blends out super smoothly, doesn’t cling to dry patches, doesn’t look cakey and it costs a total of £4.99. The foundations are also incredible; highly recommend.
Mini Smashbox The Cali Contour Palette:
I’ve had my eye on this palette for god knows how long and I finally decided to treat myself to it recently. In the palette you get 6 decent sized pans with 1 contour shade, 1 bronzer, 1 blush, 1 matte face powder and 2 highlights. For someone with quite pale skin, it can be quite difficult when picking out contour palettes, especially when it’s a ‘one colour’ palette but the shades match me really well. Don’t get me wrong, they certainly give me that golden glow so my blending skills need to be on point and I have to make sure I’m only taking a small amount of product, but they really look great on the skin. They powders blend really well, the highlighters are pretty pigmented and give you a great, pearlescent glow and the blush is a nice deep pink that gives that rose glow to the apples of your cheeks.
Revolution Brow Pomade:
Another one of those throwback products that I used to talk too much about in posts back in 2018 is this brow pomade from Revolution. This was way back when I was feeling the bold, dark brows; not so much anymore. This is in the shade Graphite, so it certainly is much darker than I like my brows to be now-a-days and I tried to use a light and steady hand to get that more natural look. Pomades can be a bit off putting for those that don’t want blocky brows, but remember a little goes a long way, find a good brow brush, use a steady hand and you can even spray a little setting spray in the pot to give you a thinner product to work with. I don’t dislike this pomade and I would reach for it again, but the Benefit Ka-Brow still has my heart; maybe if this was in a lighter shade I’d like it that bit more.
Smashbox Super Fan Mascara:
Can you tell I did a Smashbox order recently? I used to use their Full Exposure mascara, again one of my all time favourite products, so I thought it was time to try out a new one from them. This is the Super Fan Mascara and it claims to help achieve super fanned out lashes, to lift, curl, lengthen and give lots of volume; to me this sounds like everything I look for in a mascara. I wasn’t too much of a fan of the wand at first, mainly because it’s quite small, but I read that it has double bristles to help with getting from root to tip of each and every lash in order to coat them all in product. My lashes looked super long, had a nice curl which I hardly ever can achieve, not for that long anyway and they didn’t smudge or leave me with panda eyes. Because I wear contact lenses, my eyes can sometimes water quite a bit or on other days they can be quite dry, leading me to blink more and this can cause mascaras to smudge more easily, but this one seemed to stay put throughout the day. I’m super pleased with this product and I can see myself reaching for this regularly.
Charlotte Tilbury Classic Brown Eyeliner:
If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know just how much I love brown eye liner. Whether it’s pencil, liquid or cream, it has to be used every time I do my makeup. Most pencil liners, when being used on the water line, can rub off very quickly and need reapplying, but this one applies smoothly, you can build it up to be more opaque and it lasts well throughout the day/ night. It is a bit of a pricier liner but I am yet to find one just as good for any cheaper.
MAC Boldly Bear Lip Liner:
This lip liner is just the perfect shade for my lip colour; it’s not too dark or too light and it compliments any lip colour I put on top. It’s such a smooth and creamy lip liner which works really well, not only for over lining but also making sure they still look even and natural.
MAC Whirl Lipstick:
Another product that went crazy in the beauty world a few years ago, probably even longer now, is Whirl by MAC. I find MACs matte lipsticks to be some of the best formulas as they’re really creamy so don’t dry out the lips, but they also last really well on the lips. I never used to be a fan of dark lip colours, but during the colder month I fall in love with it again. I also like the darker lip with more natural makeup, as sometimes with a bold eye look it can look like a lot of makeup, especially for everyday; this one just compliments the look nicely.
ELF Nostalgic Lipstick:
What a throwback this lipstick is eh? If you were a ciaoobelllaxo fan back in the day, you’ll know all about this lipstick. I have had this in my collection for longer than I’d like to admit, but it’s just the perfect shade to pop in the centre of the lips to give the illusion of plumper lips. It’s such a creamy, hydrating lipstick but it blends seamlessly into other lip colours; I love it. If anyone has any good dupes for this, please let me know in the comments below as this was discontinued quite a while ago, but you may get lucky and find it on Amazon or eBay.
I’m so pleased I decided to reach for some different products, I think I’ve found my new go-to, everyday face. As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read this post, I really hope you enjoyed the read and I will see you all soon with a new post!
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As soon as I read “contact lenses” I just remembered being sat in the Italian restaurant with you and you talking about changing you lenses and me being like “ :O you have an inter-changeable lens camera Luci!?”, haha.
Oh the Revolution Brow Pomade is my fave! With you on that one. Also, the Revolution Conceal and … range! I’ve got the Conceal and Hydrate Foundation coming up in my next favourites post too, haha. My favourite eye liners are the Zoeva ones. I don’t know if they’ve re-formulated since I purchased mine as it was a little while ago but they are stunning and last pretty well!
You’re affinity for MAC gives me such a makeup buzz Luci! 🙂 Well, I’ve never heard of the ELF Nostalgic Lipstick! I’m shocked! Going to see who ciaoobelllaxo is now as I’ve never heard of them!
Lovely to see you back again Luci 🙂 Can’t wait to see your next post!
Ellie x | https://elliebowsandsparkles.blogspot.com
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haha nooo, I remember that!! I love the foundation too, they’ve absolutely killed it with the whole range. Oooh I’ll keep an eye out for that post then. For someone who loves MAC so much, I’ve not tried many of their products; it’s on the wish list though haha! Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the read! 🙂