Makeup Products I’m loving!

I’ve been on a makeup buying ban since I found out that I’m off to New York with my hubby for our Wedding Anniversary in June……probably mentioned that just a few times now!  😛   Given I was told about this in mid-January I have done extremely well and haven’t bought any make-up at all!  I have been allowed to replace products…..so was pretty happy when I ran out of my primer (to be seen in my April’s empties post soon) as it meant I could order the new extremely hyped over primer from The Ordinary…watch this space for that one!

So…this ban has forced me to use what I have….which I would have thought the majority of people do actually use makeup they buy rather than keep it in a draw…although I’m guessing many beauty bloggers who follow me would agree….we buy a lot more makeup than we need and struggle to admit that! Haha!

There’s certain products that I have that I have been using a lot recently and I thought I’d share my current favourites.

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DiorSkin Forever has featured in my Instagram ‘Makeup of the Day’ photos quite a lot recently!  I am loving the combination of the DiorSkin Forever & Ever Wear primer and the Forever foundation set with the Laura Mercier Translucent setting powder.  Daytime wear of this little trio is lasting me all day without any issues.  Nars Radiant Creamy concealer is also my current ‘go-to’ for coverage and not creasing.  The Beauty Blender is always my favourite method for application of all four of these items…including the powder.  A dampened beauty blender, I find, lends itself to a flawless finish which really conceals my pores…happy Rachel!

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Prior to my buying ban, I was on the Cult Beauty waiting list for two eyeshadow palettes to come back in stock (which I might add…happened almost as soon as I decided to buy no more!) but at the top of my wishlist for New York are the Huda Rose Gold Palette and the Anastasia Beverley Hills Modern Renaissance Palette!   So…back to what I have!  Urban Decay palettes are my current eyeshadows and I have even hit the pan on the highlight shade of the Ultimate Basics!  I use these shades for neutral daytime looks or as transition and contour shades with brighter colours from the Full Spectrum Palette which again I have been using more of!

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The Full Spectrum palette shades are great for a subtle look or used on a white base for a stronger pop of colour.  Below is the difference with the same shade without then with a white eyeshadow primer.

Just sneaking in on this photo below is the Mac bronzer which I have had for so long yet didn’t really use.  I’ve now managed to hit the pan on this as I’m loving it!  I can see myself using this a lot more this year as it is a lot more subtle than I first thought it was when I bought it!  Like many people when you first see a shade of something and think oh wow that’s dark….this has kinda grown on me!   Benefit Gimmebrow also deserves a mention….it is without doubt my go-to brow product especially for quickness!  I do have other brow products but generally find myself reaching for this pretty much every time I apply makeup!

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Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose is beautifully subtle and another well used highlighter/blush.  It gives a natural looking hint of colour with a gorgeous highlight….I’m keen to try another shade of this when my ban is over.

I’m also using the Nars Sheer Glow foundation quite a lot either during the day or in the evening when I only need a foundation to last me for around 4-5 hours as I do find it doesn’t last too long on my skin type.  That said it has a lovely finish to it that I do like and it feels lightweight to wear.  I don’t tend to use this if I am out all day and into the evening, but for perhaps dance class or going out for a few hours, this is a lovely foundation to use….especially with the help of the Hourglass Mineral Veil primer!  That primer has a super soft finish to it.

I wrote a blog post on my thoughts on the Too Faced…Better Than Sex Mascara when I first got it and I used it quite a few times and slowly changed my mind to not being overly-enamoured with it………I didn’t like the brush, it was too awkward to use and I gave up on it…….then I started using it again!  🙂  Having persevered with this mascara I am now used to using it and the brush isn’t such an issue and in honesty, the effect it has on my lashes is great!  It is pretty impactful!

Lastly, the Clinique Matte Liquid Lip colour….absolutely loving these!  Ripe Pop and Cake Pop are the two stunning shades that I have and I love wearing both of them.  Ripe Pop is a bold and bright coral shade with Cake Pop almost being the polar opposite in a subtle nude.    They’re wonderfully moisturising and the colour is long lasting.

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What products are you loving at the moment?  Can you suggest anything I should add to my New York shopping list?

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments box below or on my facebook page. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook….links below🙂

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31 thoughts on “Makeup Products I’m loving!”

  3. stashy says:
    Reply

    How exciting that you’re going to New York – have you been before? It definitely warrants some makeup shopping! 😀
    NYC has a lot of Duane Reade stores – check their site to see what brands they sell so you can prep in advance. 🙂
    Great job on hitting pan on that MAC bronzer.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. xoJenny says:
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    I was pretty intimidated wit the BTS mascara brush too when I first started using it. Just by the looks of it I envisioned clumps and just being thick/messy. And when I started using it, boy was it intense and I wasn’t that fond of it mostly before I maybe wasn’t used to seeing my lashes that dramatic but after a few more times I began to love it more and more each time. It’s definitely one of my favorites. I haven’t bought a new one since I’ve used the old one but I’m sort of missing it again now after reading this!

    xo, JJ

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Nailderella says:
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    We have many products in common: I love the UB Ultimate basics, used to use that Dior foundation (I find it too high coverage now), and also want that ABH palette as well as the Huda Rose Gold Palette!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Beauty and The Ballroom says:
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      The LM powder is great. I wasn’t sure at first but I use it a lot now. The BTS has grown on me. I like it now but I went through a stage of not liking it, mostly the brush in honesty but I’m back to using it now 😋 xx

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  14. sarahscupofbeauty says:
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    You’re doing great with the No Buy Rachel! As I organized a big birthday party I got a lot of gift cards. So I wonder if I’d use them, it would be breaking my No Buy haha! Please tell me!!! Great selection of products! I’m intrigued about the luxurious products. I’ve always wanted to try Dior make up products, but always hesitate due to the price… xoxo Sarah

    Liked by 1 person

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