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Welcome to the 2020 Beauty Roundup post! This past year was a little different in the fact that we all stayed at home and I did not wear makeup, or style my hair in any capacity for 80% of that time. Do I still share my favorites for the year? ABSOLUTELY!
Beauty = self care for me and when I was ever feeling out of sorts, I turned on my favorite show for background noise, brewed my favorite coffee, and sat by the window and did my makeup just for fun. Getting dolled up with nowhere to go sometimes felt a little disappointing, but I found the silver lining anyway and perked my spirits up.
Many of the products I am sharing are tried and true favorites I have repurchased over the years, with one or two new favorites sprinkled in.
Let’s get started!
Face
I turned 30 this year and I started to notice that my oily/combo skin has started to become drier. It first became obvious when my full coverage foundation started settling into my new fine lines, even with heavy duty moisturizer underneath. Before, I needed a heavier foundation formula to counteract my oily skin, and it always worked until recently.
I researched a few new foundations that had moisture and SPF properties with great reviews and found No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation. Plainly put, it’s the bomb dot com and I am in love. The finish is medium coverage, light weight, lasts a full work day, I could go on…
I sometime mix with No7 Skin Illuminator in Nude for a subtle glow, followed up with my tried and true Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. Set with Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and et voilà.
Honorable mention:
- MAC Prep & Prime Fix+ Setting Spray is great for a nice boost of hydration, but I mainly use this for making liquid eyeliner out of eyeshadow. Let me know if you want to see how!
- Esteé Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation is and always will be my holy grail foundation, but I wanted to try something new that wasn’t as heavy.
Eyes
I have been into the no-makeup looking make-up trend and it’s incredibly easy to recreate. I start with Milani Eyeshadow Primer (better than Urban Decay IMO) for my oily eyelids, and apply COL-LAB Ultimate Eyes Cream Eye Color Stick under my lashline, over my entire eyelid and up to the crease. Blend out with a brush and you are good to go. My favorite colors are Mad for Topaz & Diamond Love (taupe and champagne).
On days I want a little more dimension, I use Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Palette. My Mom and I both own this palette and are equally obsessed. The palette features all neutral color ways with a nice mix of matte, glitter, and shimmers. Super flattering! Finish with L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes for false lashes in a bottle.
My eyebrows are pretty full anyway, so I really look for eyebrow products that set my hairs and fill in sparse areas. I go through eyebrow products quickly and do not want to spend a lot $$$ on something I will use up in a month.
I have been using Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara for years and is the ultimate dupe for the higher end false fiber eyebrow gels. When I am looking to add false looking hairs I opt for L’Oreal Micro Ink Brow Pen. The brush is a felt tip that has cuts and grooves that look like hair strokes. This product also helps keep hairs in place.
Lips
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick has been my go-to lip product for months now. It’s a mix between a lipstick, lip balm, and lip gloss with the best color payoff for how wet the formula is. I wrote all about it in my review here and shared my favorite shades Glazed Mauve, Love Is On, and Rum Raison.
Nails
This nail combo is still one of my favorites and continues to be my go-to. I keep my at-home manicure in top shape with the Seche Vite top coat, and it makes your nails feel and look like gel!
Hair
Hair care is a big deal and something I do not skimp on in my beauty routine. I will tend to spend the extra dollars towards a higher end product in the hopes it keeps my bleached blonde strands healthy and shiny.
The #1 hair care product by far, and the longest used product in my collection is Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer. I have blonde color treated hair and need a heat protectant to keep my bleached hair as healthy as it can be. I have used this roughly 6 years now, and I noticeably see a difference in my hair strength and texture if I don’t use it.
The #1 styling wand that gives the best curls goes to the InStyler AIRLESS Blowout Revolving Styler. I have thick medium length hair and I can curl my hair in under 10 minutes, when it can easily take me 15-20 minutes. That’s how efficient the rotating barrel is! My curls last for days and the 1” barrel is the perfect size to create my desired beachy waves.
Honorable mention:
Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray \\ I find I have to ration this product so I wont use it all too fast – it’s that good! Anyone else do that to products they love? This product adds volume, texture, and the best smelling scent.