Hello dolls! I know that I'm late, but I will be discussing some of the things that I was loving for the month of April. From makeup to skincare to makeup brushes to my favorite book that I can't seem to put down... I hope you enjoy my dolls.
Makeup
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn & Chocolate ($18.00; Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy's, Ulta, Anastasia Beverly Hills)
I swear, this is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to eyebrows! Thank you to the eyebrow gods (Or the Queen of brows, Anastasia) for this! What I love about this product is that it's waterproof and it is perfect for oily skin. Now, I already purchased this before in Dark Brown, but I felt like it was too dark for the look I was going for with my brows. I ended up purchasing these two (Auburn & Chocolate) at IMATS NYC last month, and these two shades give me the brow look I want to achieve. I use Chocolate on the tail of my brow, and I use Auburn to fill in the rest of my brow. Perfect combination for me. For my dolls with oily skin and who hates when their brows wear off, you need this. Go and get it now! You'll thank me later.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup in 5C1 Rich Chestnut ($38.00; Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy's)
It took me months to finally build up the courage to purchase this foundation. A lot of the girls on YouTube and Instagram was talking about how this was one of their foundations, so I had to see for myself what the hype was about. And I must say, this has been my go-to foundation as of late. I love how it looks on my skin. It's a medium to full coverage foundation, but you can build it up to whatever coverage you like. Me: I am a full coverage type of girl. I love my makeup. This foundation is perfect for all skin types, especially my oily skin girls like myself. This is a must have on your makeup wishlist. I promise you that.
INGLOT AMC Eyeliner Gel in 77 ($14.00; in INGLOT stores, inglotusa.com)
The blackest black gel liner that I've ever used! EVER! I bought this last month at IMATS NYC and I haven't used another gel liner since. It's so creamy and it glides on so smoothly. I normally use this with my Sigma E10 liner brush for the perfect wing.
wet n wild coloricon Brow Pencil in Brunettes Do It Better ($1.99; at most drugstores)
If anybody that knows me know that my holy grail pencil for my brows is my Anastasia Brow Wiz in Dark Brown. But lately, I've been really loving using this pencil. It's not chalky, and it goes on smooth to create my brow shape. Only bummer is that it's not retractable, and I constantly go through these pencils because I sharpen it daily. However, for $1.99, it's all worth it. So, if you're not looking to spend $15-25 for a brow pencil, this is a perfect pencil to have.
In my honest opinion, this is sooooo much better than the Ben Nye Banana Powder! I feel like this was made for women of color. Ever since I got my hands on this, I haven't reached for my Banana powder. This has more of a yellow undertone, and it gives that under-eye highlight that us chocolate women try to achieve. Also, it is perfect in photographs, it doesn't give off that white castoff that the Banana powder sometimes do. For my chocolate ladies, you got to get online and grab some of this. It's well worth it.
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal ($38.00; Sephora, Ulta)
Can I get a YASSSS for this highlighter?! If you missed out on MAC's Whisper of Guilt or Estée Lauder's Heatwave like I did (yes, I will admit that I missed out on getting them), then this will definitely make up for it. Once I got my hands on this beauty, I never looked back. This is one beautiful golden pearl shade that is perfect for all skin tones. It gives off such a luminous glow on those places you're looking to highlight. The con about this? The price. $38.00 is pretty pricey for a highlighter, but believe me, it's totally worth spending your money on.
My boo @Mac_daddyy knew what he was doing when he created these diamond powders. I bought the bundle pack last month at IMATS NYC and of all the shades, I've seen to pick up Conceited a lot more. This is a gorgeous rose gold shade that gives a nice, healthy sunkissed glow to the skin. I use this to highlight the inner corners of my eyes, and of course on my cheekbones. I even use this on top of my BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal for more of a luminous glow. Get your hands on his Diamond powders because they sell out so quickly due to the popularity.
Boots No. 7 Beautifully Matte Make Up Base ($12.99; in Ulta stores, ulta.com)
Since I have oily skin, I definitely need a primer. Preferably a mattifying primer. And I actually found this at Duane Reade while I was in New York last month. I paid a little less because it was on sale. I must say, I'm pretty satisfied with this primer all in all. Only thing I don't like is the white residue that comes from applying the primer on the skin. But once you apply your foundation, you're good to go. It keeps my makeup looking matte for hours. I do mix this with my Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer.
L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray ($16.99; at most drugstores, Ulta)
Lately, I've been loving this setting spray. Normally, I would use my Model in a Bottle, but that's only if I want my makeup to really stay on matte. Or I would use my NYX setting sprays. But it seems like the L'Oreal spray has been my new go-to. It gives that nice, dewy look to your makeup, and that is so perfect for your summer makeup looks. Matte is perfect in fall and winter; whereas we want that dewy look in the summertime. Although I feel that this is a bit too pricey for a drugstore makeup, it's definitely worth picking up.
Skincare
My holy grail moisturizer! I just started using this again after picking this up at IMATS NYC last month. This is a must have for not only my personal use, but I carry this in my freelance makeup kit. Perfect for all skin types. Very lightweight, not too greasy at all.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser- for Normal to Oily Skin ($10.00-13.00; at most drugstores, Ulta)
I love washing my face in this day and night. It gets my face nice and clean, and it's not irritating to my skin. Very gentle, almost like it was made for sensitive skin (although this one is for normal to oily skin). They do have the one made for all skin types; I ended getting this one and I liked how it worked on my skin. Good price for a facial cleanser at the drugstore.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater ($7.00; Nordstrom, Ulta, Urban Outfitters)
Who doesn't want to stop and smell the roses? Especially when needing a refresher to the skin? I use this after washing my face, and I want to hydrate my skin before applying my serum and moisturizer. I love the smell of roses when spraying. So refreshing. I only wish they would make a bigger size, but it's worth the $7.00.
Makeup Brushes
(so sorry I don't have a picture of my fav brushes, they're currently being cleaned)
I love using this brush to give me that defined contour that sometimes that my F40 brush does not. I know this is suppose to be a brush for highlighting, but I have a habit to use my brushes for purposes other than what it says. Although I do use it for highlighting, I find myself using this to contour more.
This brush is a duplicate for the MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush, but for $10.00 less. It gives that nice airbrushed look that we all want to achieve like the models and TV stars. I use this to apply most of my liquid foundations because of the way my foundation looks after working this brush on my face.
Sephora Collection Pro Fan Brush #65 ($27.00; in Sephora stores, sephora.com)
A must have for that doll that wants that glow. That glow on the cheekbones. This brush will definitely do the job; although I think I want to get a smaller fan brush. Nevertheless, this has been my favorite highlighter brush to give me that sexy glow.
Book
#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso ($26.95; in most bookstores)
For all my boss women out there who own their own business, just started their own business, or in the process of starting their own business, this book is definitely for you! I haven't been able to put it down since I bought it, and this is my second time reading this. Sophia Amoruso, the owner of Nasty Gal clothing, tells her story of how she came from stealing and fighting to survive, to having a multi-million dollar company. Even if you don't own a business of your own, you still pick up this book.
I hope you enjoy my April favorites. This is the start of many. I look forward to showing y'all what I was loving for the month of May.
xoxo
