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Beauty/Skincare Favorites

Today I’m sharing with you some of my current beauty and skincare favorites. I don’t do beauty posts very often – I’ve typically been much more of a utility shopper for makeup, and tend to buy the same favorites over and over again. In the past year though, I’ve found a few new great products (and been on a bit of a lipstick binge), so thought I’d share some of my favorites!

Makeup Favorites

Hourglass Illusion Tint: I’m not a foundation person – I probably need it, but I’m not good enough at makeup and plus I don’t have much time in the mornings. So most days I’ll end up with either nothing at all, or just a little bit of this tinted moisturizer on my face. I have dry skin now (a recent development), and this Hourglass tint glides on very smoothly, and isn’t drying at all. I just use my fingers (it’d probably be even better with a Blender sponge).

Make Up Forever HD Blush: I bought one of these a few years ago, and these are still my favorite blushes – I just keep adding new colors. This one is #410 – a universally flattering coral shade. Another item that I just apply with my fingers – I don’t have a brush for this at all.

MAC Eyebrow Definer: I’ve recommended this eyebrow pencil multiple times on the blog, and it’s still my favorite. I always have at least 2-3 backups ready to go. My go to color is Lingering, and its a universally flattering shade to anyone with brown/black hair.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in Blackest Black: My friend recommended this (she’s a professional makeup artist), and I’m such a fan! The brush is great and I feel like my lashes have great volume and length. I love that its a drugstore purchase too…I always toss and replace my mascaras every 3 months, and it makes it easier on the wallet.

Now, my two current favorite lip products. I used to be a lip gloss person, but over the last few years I’ve transitioned almost entirely to either plain lip balm, or lipstick – the one exception is the Fresh Sugar tints, which I still love!

Lipstick Favorites

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick: My newest favorite lipstick line – a great combination of staying power and decent moisture. My current favorite color is Sweet Cream – I’m a neutrals lover, and this is a great neutral a nice coral pop of color without being too bold.

NARS Audacious Lipstick: This color is Brigitte. I love pinkish coral shades for my lipsticks, and this color is one of my all time favorites. I also have to say that I just love the NARS packaging here – its a sleek, magnetized tube that snaps shut with a satisfying click.

Skincare Tatcha Eye Serum Paulas Choice

Paula’s Choice Intensive Repair Cream: As I mentioned earlier, my skin has recently gone from combination oily to quite dry. I’m pretty sure this is yet another sign of aging (why the gods think its fair to go directly from acne to wrinkles is beyond me). Anyway, this is a great cream which I use daily, and helps my dry skin immensely. And the price isn’t outrageous.

Tatcha Eye Serum: This is my favorite eye cream right now, not least because of the great applicator. It’s the only eye treatment that I’ve found which doesn’t make my eye makeup come off, so I use it in the mornings under my SPF. I also love the ceramic applicator – it keeps the product hygienic, and feels so nice and cool going on the eyes. It’s seriously refreshing, and I love using it on planes especially. Why don’t more eye creams have a ceramic applicator?

Tatcha Eye Serum Applicator

Travel Case

Sephora Weekender Travel Case: Speaking of travel, I thought I’d share with you my current favorite travel case. I used to use a set of Harajuku Lovers cases which I’ve had for a decade now, but the zipper of one finally gave out so I decided to update. These travel case from Sephora holds all of my skincare and makeup in one neat package when I’m traveling – there’s a ton of pouches, as well as a brush holder (awesome). I also love that there’s a hanger – helps when you’re staying somewhere with little counter space, so you can just hang everything up.

Beauty Bag Inside

The case is a little bulky if I’m just doing a weekend trip, but I don’t really mind – plus the fact that it zips up in a long rectangle still makes it pretty sleek.

Silk Pillowcase

Slip Silk Pillowcase. Last, but not least. One of my favorite products that I’ve found. Silk pillowcases are often touted as being better for your hair and face at night (less slippage and breaking), and I’ve found that to be marginally true – I don’t have the same lines pressed in my face in the morning (I’m a sprawl out with my face mashed against the pillow type of girl). My hair also looks better in the morning vs with a cotton pillowcase.

The best benefit for me though, is just how cool and nice the pillowcase feels every night. Its nice to have that little bit of luxury at the end of the day. The only con? I have to iron mine weekly, but it only takes a few extra minutes. Worth it, for all the benefits.

What are some of your current favorite beauty products?

19 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle
    May 16, 2016 at 8:04 am

    Great post! So interesting that your skin has gone from combination oily to dry! When will my turn come? I am still combination oily at this age, gah!

    My go to base product are Korean cushion compacts. They are easy to use and above all, fast! They come with a special sponge which is saturated with a foundation like liquid and an application sponge. This might be a good option for your dry skin as cushion compacts are renowned for providing a dewy look. Check out IOPE Air Cushion XP for your skin type. I use Laneige long wear since I have oily skin. If you want to maintain the dewy look then there is no need to dust loose powder over it.

    My newest go to eyebrow pencil is by Hourglass and it was a big change for me since I have used Shu Uemura hard eyebrow pencil for years! Like you, I always had backups of the Shu. I have been using the Hourglass pencil for more than 8 months now and am loving how pigmented it is. It did take some getting used to initially but I love it now!

    I was a lip gloss girl like you but now, I am liking the new ultra moisturizing sheer lipsticks. My fave lip product is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine! So easy to use and give a nice color on my lips.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 16, 2016 at 8:14 pm

      Hi my friend..your skin is gorgeous, you are a lucky gal! I’ve eyed cushion compacts but didn’t know what to buy so thank you for the recommendation!

  • Reply
    Belen
    May 16, 2016 at 8:50 am

    I used to hate applying foundation (the mess on your fingers, the streaks left by the typical flat foundation brush) until I tried using a dense, flat top kabuki. Problem solved. I just dab a few dots on my face and then I kinda vigorously brush my whole face in circular motions. Buffed perfectly, no streaks. And my favorite brush for the task is only $4, ha! I’ve tried fancier, more expensive ones but keep coming back to this one: http://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/studio-powder-brush?Dept=tools-single-brushes

    • Reply
      Jaime S
      May 16, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      ELF has great products and they cost nothing!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 16, 2016 at 8:15 pm

      Thank you for the recommendation! I’ll pick this up next time I see elf products.

  • Reply
    senorita
    May 16, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    please don’t use an eye creme; use a serum. I recommend Isomers .
    Use all their skin care products. They are the ones who make all the fancy
    brands for the suckers who fall for the supermodel’s looks.
    Their own brand is so much better. No advertising.
    You can call or email them in Canada and they will give you a
    recommendation. it is a family owned business and they have the cutting edge and proprietory blends before
    the markets. Also, they use the full load of the ingredients, not just a splash so it can be put on the label.
    I have been using Isomers for almost 20 years and everyone guesses my age to be 20 years younger.
    I am not affiliated or have any personal knowledge of the owners.
    They may be on Facebook.

    • Reply
      Jaime S
      May 16, 2016 at 7:22 pm

      Isomers can also be purchased at a discount on Evine live formerly ShopNBC.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 16, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Thanks so much for the recommendation, I took a look and there’s some very interesting looking products. I’d love to try them one day.

  • Reply
    Cassie
    May 17, 2016 at 11:06 am

    From a skincare perspective, I’m all about the Tatcha exfoliating powder (gentle) as well as their serums. Most days I don’t bother with a base on my skin to be honest. Blinc tubing mascara and Josie Maran coconut cheek gelee are my cosmetic go-to for a natural look. I’m sure I’ll have to rethink under eye concealer once my little munchkin arrives, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 18, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      I’ve been eyeing that gelee! Glad to hear you like it.

  • Reply
    D
    May 18, 2016 at 7:53 am

    Have you tried the Tatcha Kyoto red lipstick? I am not a big lipstick person but got this recently and in addition to being long-wearing, the color was one of the most flattering reds I have ever tried.

    – D
    http://www.styledtour.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 18, 2016 at 9:22 pm

      No but it’s on my list! I’m still a bit shy about red lipstick 🙂

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    May 18, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    Bit off topic but wondered if you still had/used the Celine nano luggage. Am considering one but am on the fence because I’m worried it may look a bit…twee. Thoughts? Advice?
    p.s. as a long time reader, have always enjoyed your posts and am selfishly happy you’re still blogging theses days!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 19, 2016 at 10:02 am

      No, it was a great bag but the strap I felt was a bit too long for me. I love the bag and think it is a good design, but if you want it to be a forever one I’d hold off on buying it now. I would have recommended it when it first came out…in that case you would have gotten quite a few good years of wear. But now, I’d wait 🙂 My honest opinion!

  • Reply
    S in HK
    May 19, 2016 at 5:01 am

    Hi Kat!
    I am addicted to Marc by Marc Jacobs’s eyeliner (all others have melted off my face!) and ultra slick lipsticks from Edward Bess (gorgeous colors, texture, scent). Hope you are well!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 19, 2016 at 10:02 am

      Hi S!! I hope you are well! Thank you for the recs, I’ll def. be looking at that eyeliner next as I have the same problem!

  • Reply
    Ava
    June 9, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Dear Kat,

    I am SO behind! I love this – what a great post!
    I wonder, did you find that your skincare routine changed post Baby Feather?

    Hope you and Baby Feather and the entire Feather family are all well! Baby Feather is getting SO BIG!!! What a cutie! (re: your IG – and love the way everyone has been styling the shawl – so gorgeous!!)

    x
    Ava

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