Recent Beauty Purchases: Hit or Miss?

ELF Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation This is a fantastic foundation for mixing! I mix it with a full coverage foundation especially when I want a more satin or luminous skin finish. If you find your full coverage foundation is looking heavy or dry on the skin, try mixing. This will maintain the coverage but keep your skin looking fresh. I mix with Estee Lauder’s DoubleWear or Rimmel’s Lasting Finish 25HR.

The coverage is advertised as medium with a demo-matte finish, but I found it can get a little too dewy on my oily-combination skin (it’s best on dry, dry-combination skin). That being said, ELF changed the formula as of November 2015. The texture is much better on it’s own and has a medium coverage. I found it still got quite dewy on my skin throughout the day so this formula is still best for dry skin. There are only six shades which is one of the reasons I do prefer to mix. But at $8 a bottle, you can’t go wrong giving it a try! Plus, the foundations comes in an awesome frosted glass bottle… and a pump! Big bonus points for foundations with pumps! I got mine at The Real Canadian Superstore.

Tarte Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tan I’m hesitant to use any other self tanner because this one gives such a gradual, even, and natural tan. You definitely don’t look fake baked. This tanner is best with regular usage because it is super gradual (if you want insta-tan, perhaps this is not for you). Keep an eye out for a more in depth review as well as a before and after! I got mine at Sephora.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge These sponges are AMAZING! I’m hooked! I have to admit, I bought a Beauty Blender, used it a couple times, and then it sat in my makeup drawer untouched. Since trying the Real Techniques sponge, I’ve used it everyday! Compared to the original Beauty Blender, these sponges absorbs water better, have a pointed end as well as an edge, and have a more velvety feel. Plus, they are $13 for TWO.

I got mine at Walmart.

(The lashes pictured, Ardell Double Wispies and #162, are awesome too, just sayin’)

Nivea Men Aftershave Balm in Sensitive Everyone and their mom has tried this aftershave balm as a foundation primer since NikkieTutorials first introduced it to us. So I decided, why not? I was out of primer and at the grocery store and it was around $7 for a pretty substantial bottle. The first thing you’ll notice is the slightly masculine scent, but you can’t smell it once your foundation is done. It has a more liquid consistency so a little bit goes a long way but you do have to massage it in until it gets slightly tacky. All that aside, this is an alright foundation primer. Since it’s full of glycerin, your makeup does last all day but if you’re doing for a dewy or perfected complexion, a legit primer will do a better job. I have been using this as an everyday primer and it’s great for that. It’s quick, easy, and super easy on the bank account. All in all, if you want a basic primer that will help your makeup last all day, go for it! I got mine at The Real Canadian Superstore.