beauty empties vol 1

Is there anything more fun than digging through someone else’s beauty stash? Yup! Digging through someone else’s beauty TRASH. And I so kindly collected mine for you to snoop through. You’re welcome.

1. YSL Touche Elcat Radiant Touch concealer in shade 1 Luminous Radiance $38 (here*)

This silky, lightweight concealer sits beautifully on the skin. It has a natural finish and an ever-so-slightly peachy tone that brings a bit of brightness to the old undereye bags. I thoroughly enjoyed this product on special occassions and days where I got nearly enough sleep. Unfortunately for me, my under eye circle are fierce. So, I could not get by on the Touche Elcat and prayer alone most days. When I shell out $38 for 0.1 oz of product, I expect it to work miracles. Sadly, it didn’t work great me. If you don’t suffer from heavy baggage, I suggest you give this a try. Nothing else will add a subtle brightness without caking like this little ditty can. Perhaps someday I’ll have my life together and get a full 8 hours of sleep on a regular basis. Until then, I’ve switched to something that packs a little more punch.

2. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey $18.50 (here*)

This Almost Lipstick is aptly named. The cream formula leaves a subtle pink tint, a good amount of shine, and a super comfortable, moisturized feel. This lipstick became a daily necessity when I re-discovered it in the pocket of a purse I hadn’t used in a while. I’m sad to see it go. It was the perfect “my lips but better” look...ya know, if my lips were naturally smooth and shiny.. It has decent wear time and wears off evenly. Like traditional lipstick formulas, it will transfer to your cup, your hand, and to anyone you might be kissing, you cheeky thing. If it weren’t for the fact that I have about 1000 other lip products to work through, I’d probably replace it and purchase its sister shade, Black Honey. . For now, I will think of it with fond memories. Perhaps someday, we will be reunited.

3. Too Faced Peach Mist Mattifying Setting Spray $32 (here*) 

I love a good scented makeup product. I had a Bonnebell lipgloss scented like vanilla cupcakes that I would routinely whip out just for a whiff all throughout middle school. So, the Too Faced Peaches and Cream collection appeals to me on deep, spiritual level. I was never one for setting sprays but this product has started a whole kind of journey for me. The tea is that this works. It will seriously improve the wear time of your makeup and dose help combat oils. I often used it before AND after applying base products to get maximum shellac effect. The downside is that you need to SHAKE this bad boy like you mean it before applying. And if you don’t, you will have little white dots all over your face. Not cute! Once I got the hang of how much to shake, it gave me no problems whatsoever.  

4. Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer $65 (here*)

This baby has the best dispensing mechanism on a tub of moisturizer I’ve ever seen. The airless pump pushes up just enough product without you having to dab your dirty little fingers into the jar. I love this jar. I want every single moisturizer on the planet to come in this jar. However, the stuff inside the jar is just...meh. It is super lightweight and dries down nicely. It provides the perfect amount of daytime moisturization for oily. skin Makeup applies well over it but I just don’t think it delivers for the price. This (link) Ole Henrikson Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer performs the same for nearly half the price but you have to put your grubby little fingers in the jar.

5. First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy Overnight Balm $38 (here)

I love eye cream. It soothes my soul. Probably because of the aforementioned eye bags and the heavy duty concealing I do. I’ve tried a lot over the years and this is my favorite nighttime eye cream to date. In fact, I’ve already repurchased it. It’s gentle yet effective. The formula is thick and oh-so smooth. It has absolutely made a difference to the fine lines and crow’s feet that have taken up residence around my eyes. Apply with a delicate touch and go to sleep knowing you’ll wake up with better under eyes.

6. Caviar CC Cream $26 (here*)

This 10 in 1 Complete Correction Leave-in Hair Perfector is bomb. This is my 4th or 5th tube of this stuff. It claims to perform some kind of voodoo magic on your hair. Basically, It just helps keep my naturally wavy hair in check. Run a dime sized amount through damp hair and style as usual. It will keep frizz at bay and add just a little shine. For now, I’ve moved on to another leave-in cream but I certainly would purchase again in the future.

7. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base $26 (here*)

A creamy white base with a doe foot applicator - this base is good. Especially for those with oily eye lids. I recommend setting it with a skin-toned powered before blending eye shadows on top. Your looks will definitely last. For me, the Urban Decay Primer Potion is holy grail but if you find the slightly greasy feel isn’t for you, give the Nars Smudge Proof a whirl.

8. Glossier Boy Brow in Brown $16 (here)

With the promise of wispy, feathery, runway perfect brows, it’s no wonder that Boy Brow has developed a cult following. With a limit shade range and a fairly hefty price tag for a teeny, tiny product, it’s no wonder that I’ve moved on to the Colourpop Brow Boss. Listen, the Boy Brow is good. I get why people like it but there are comparable products on the market a lower price points. If you love Glossier, you will love Boy Brow. If you love a good eyebrow gel, the Brow Boss may be a good fit for you.

9. Maybelline Rocket Volum’ Express Mascara in Very Black $7 (here*)

This mascara is a ride or die for me. Affordable, accessible, perfect. This stuff really knocks my socks off. Opening a fresh tube is like opening a present on Christmas day but unlike undies from your Auntie, this stuff does not disappoint.. It gives me volume, curl, length and separation. If I were a poet, I’d write sonnets about this product. Luckily for you, I am not.

10. First Aid Beauty Ultra Hydrating Serum $36 (here*)

As you can see, this product was well loved and often traveled with. As an oily skin girl, I struggle with the age old dilemma - moisture vs oil. My skin, often parched from the hell I put it through, craves hydration but too many dry skinned products are unbearably rich. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Hydrating Serum is different. It provides much needed flaky skin relief but absorbs well. I’ve repurchased it over and over. Tried and true, this stuff is gold.

11. Becca Cosmetics Under Eye Brightening Corrector $32 (here*)

Unlike the YSL Touche Eclat, this stuff is heavy duty camouflaging goodness. While it is certainly thick, it’s surprisingly easy to blend. The subtle peachy tone corrects blue tones and brings brightness to dark under eye circles. Although this is not necessarily the intended use of this product, I also use it to color correct post-acne marks. It works some serious miracles on my dark spots. I am on #3. If you prefer to stay up all night watching Trailer Park Boys on Netflix rather than get your doctor recommended 8 hours of sleep, you might want check this stuff out. I won’t judge.

12. Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Acne Clearing Lotion $42 (here*)

I wouldn’t recommend a $42 benzoyl peroxide product lightly. You can get benzoyl peroxide at the drug store for much, much less. So, believe me when I say that this lotion is worth the dent in your wallet. I’ve struggled with acne for most of my life and struggled even harder with allergies. Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient that previously left my entire face tight, red, and covered in raised, itchy blisters. I tried every strength and every brand and every technique for desensitizing myself to this powerful acne fighting agent under the guidance of my dermatologist. It never worked. In one last ditch effort, I picked up a sample of Anti-Bac and the skin care game was changed for me. By some type of divine intervention, this stuff worked and even better, it didn’t cause painful rashes. I am forever a slave to Kate Somerville. Or at least until my skin gets the memo that I’m no longer a teenager.

Tune in for more trash talk soon!