Although I sample and test base products like crazy for this blog, I rely on a very small capsule sample of products to get me through the day to day. I finally had a chance to redeem some Ulta reward points and went HAM with these selections.
I wasn't swayed by the Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation ($44) at first with its paltry shade range and the huge promotion that went along with its launch. People were complaining of GLITTER?! No thanks. However, many companies have really stepped up their game for new serum foundations and...I had to try. I picked up shade Light which seems ORANGE in bottle but blends out to be a nice and yellow NC25.
I actually trial-ed it with a sample first and when it held up a dewy finish for hours with a flawless natural finish...I was sold. I'll be testing it out for a while before posting an in depth review. So far? Magic. It reminds me of the MAC Waterweight foundation with a glowier finish, so you won't *need* both. There's no GLITTER, but you'll look shimmery in full daylight if you don't set it down with a matte powder.
I also repurchased the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder ($34) in Medium Light which matches their foundation range from 2.0 to 4.0. This stuff is THE most finely milled powder I've tried that sets everything to matte perfection without caking up or looking like powder on the skin. It's a little drying for truly dry skin types, but with my skin hovering at normal/combination...it's perfection.
Finally, for base envy, I had to try the ever-raved It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer ($24) in Neutral Medium. I was afraid of its thick consistency before, but it's so kind to fine lines and dry skin and seems to form a film just on top of your undereyes and provides MEGA MAX coverage. Neutral medium seems to be NW20-25. You need less than a dot of product under each eye and I find that blending with fingers gives the best coverage.
Since Ulta had a BOGOhalf off deal for NYX Cosmetics...I needed to pick up their Vivid Brights Eye Liner ($7.99) in Vivid Fire (red) and Vivid halo (yellow). These are incredibly pigmented for their price and last well on the eyes if you work in thin layers. Don't layer as they will flake!
And a cheap thrill? TonyMoly Banana Milk Hand Cream ($9.99). Kitschy? Sure. It smells like banana runts and actually moisturizes my hands.
I'm content and complete for now. My newly returned combination skins loves the set up and I couldn't be happier with my current base routine.
xo Be
