makeup

First of all, can I just say, I can’t believe it’s October!! I probably say that about every month, but seriously….the year is almost over.

But it’s probably good that September is over. I spent a lot of time in Sephora, Ulta, and the beauty aisle of Target. I’m not quite sure why, but I bought a lot of beauty products last month. It might be because we are moving into Fall, so I needed to replace some of my Summer stand-by’s. But either way, I wanted to share with you some of my recent beauty purchases.

Two of my favorite products of the bunch are the NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light. I prefer cream blushes no matter the season since they work into the skin to look so natural. This NYX blush is a beautiful color and the formula is really nice. Some cream blushes just sit on top of the skin, but this one really blends in beautifully. As for the Hourglass powder, I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said, but it is a miracle worker. I use this powder to set my under eye area. It doesn’t cake up my make up and just provides a subtle highlight.

My next two favorite buys are the Mac Pro Longwear Foundation (NC 20) and Concealer (NC15). I love my current favorite Mac foundation, Face and Body (N2), but am looking for something with a bit more coverage for Fall. The Pro Longwear is the perfect solution. It provides medium to full coverage and doesn’t dry out my skin. The concealer is just as great. It provides great coverage without creasing too much. I got mine in a shade lighter to highlight my under eye area and to act as a bit of a highlighter when contouring.

A couple other things I bought this past month were Sephora’s version of a Beauty Blender, the new Si perfume roller ball, and Covergirl Lash Blast Length mascara. I am actually not too fond of the Sephora Beauty Sponge. I bought it because I wanted to try a cheaper version of the Beauty Blender (I have had to throw away my third one because of mold!!), and that is exactly what I got. It is very dense, so it doesn’t have the same kind of bounce as the BB. And I don’t think it blends makeup as nicely.

One that I am very fond of is the Giorgio Armani Si Rollerball! I love the vanilla-based fragrance. It is warm and sweet and perfect for Fall. I don’t wear a lot of fragrance, so this is perfect for me. It’s not too overpowering, plus the roller ball makes it easy to apply without over-doing it.

I can also say the same for the Covergirl Lash Blast Length mascara. I have a very VERY similar YSL mascara last year, which was much more expensive. I am all about finding a cheaper alternative that is just as good, if not better. The Covergirl Lash Blast is the perfect every day mascara. Provides a little extra length while still looking natural.

So, what were some of your favorite beauty purchases last month?

I consider myself some of an expert when it comes to make up for dry skin. I have extremely dry skin. There is no “combination” anywhere. For those of you who have oily skin, you may not be able to understand the curse of dry skin. Sure, we don’t really have to powder as much or use mattifying primers. But if we don’t moisturize properly or use the right foundations, our makeup will look blotchy and uneven, any dry skin will look flaky, and our skin is more prone to wrinkles.

In the past few years, I have done a lot of research into finding the best foundations for my skin and I think I have found 4, at different price points, that work best my dry skin. If you suffer from dry skin, hopefully these will work for you too!

L’OREAL True Match Lumi has been one of my favorites for years! Mainly because I can get it from Target and it’s less than $20. It is 40% water which is great for dry skin. It also provides that dewy glow that most of us dry-skin girls don’t get naturally. I typically just apply this with my fingers so that my body heat warms up the foundation and it works into my skin naturally.

MAC Face and Body is my current everyday foundation. It has light coverage that is a bit buildable, but provides the most natural finish I have ever gotten with a makeup. You can also feel your skin just drink up the moisture and once it settles, I completely forget I’m wearing makeup. I apply it with a damp Beauty Blender and get a pretty flawless finish. Sometimes I mix it with my moisturizer for a homemade tinted moisturizer.

NARS Radiant Cream Foundation is another foundation that is in my rotation when I am traveling (because it’s not a liquid, so I can just pack it in my makeup bag) or when I need a bit more coverage. It has medium to heavy coverage (depending on how you apply it) and is great for special events when you are looking to get that flawless face. Of the cream foundations I have tried, it is the only one that doesn’t cling to my dry skin or leave a powdery finish. I apply it with a damp Beauty Blender when I want a medium finish or a foundation brush when I want a heavier finish.

YSL Le Tient Touche Eclat is a foundation I have only tried a sample of, but absolutely love it. The only reason I have not purchased yet it is because I have all 3 of the above mentioned foundations and it’s pretty expensive. However, the samples I got for free from Sephora have lasted quite a while. This foundation offers a medium coverage and leaves a lovely luminous finish. One draw back is that it has quite a strong scent. Nothing offensive, but if you are sensitive to scents, you will not like this one. I like to put this foundation on with a slightly damp foundation brush for an air-brush finish.

Dry skin or not, what is your favorite foundation?

September Beauty Buys

Best Foundations for Dry Skin