Call me vain, but there’s something undeniably therapeutic from talking about the beauty products that I’ve been enjoying with friends, or writing about them online. Favourites posts and videos are some of my favourite content to read or watch and I kind of miss including them here. Let’s get started in remedying this:

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara ($13.99 CDN): For the most part, I’m not a terminal makeup repurchaser. One of the exceptions is this mascara. It has a large but regularly shaped natural bristle brush and a dry (right from the get-go) formula that creates loads of volume and drama with little product. Unfortunately, this mascara can get clumpy and too dry rather quickly. On the positive side, this formula  keeps me replacing my mascara tubes frequently. It’s the perfect formula that adds drama to my wimpy but long lashes that doesn’t smudge, flake, feel heavy on the eyes or require additional effort in removal.

Laneige Whitening BB Cushion ($47.80 CDN): There’s something about cushion style foundations that seem to leave my skin at its most radiant and natural-looking and this Korean offering provided on that front, whilst providing reliable broad-spectrum protection with a combination of mineral and synthetic actives and significant skincare benefits. The formula offers sheer to medium coverage but remains like a second skin and allows me to use enough product that I find I can rely on my makeup for my initial sunscreen application. Despite being sensitive to most chemical filters, I tolerate this octinoxate, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide combination well. I happily report that the formula is free of drying alcohols and offers a hefty dose of the pore normalizing and barrier repairing niacinamide and the antioxidant green tea. It’s the perfect sheerer base for the warmer weather in particular that I even find myself reaching for when I’m not grabbing other makeup.

Dior Forever Skin Glow 24H Wear Radiant Perfecting Skin-Caring Foundation ($64 CDN): I was also fortunate enough to discover a foundation formulation that I’ve been happily wearing every single day that I reach for a traditional foundation. I’m 99% sure that this is the reformulation slash replacement for Diorskin Star Foundation and I love it every bit as much. Yes it contains alcohol and fragrance – but at the very least it’s applied on top of your entire skin regimen – but it provides beautiful skin-like luminosity and medium-buildable coverage. I’m happy to say its a similar formula but slightly thinner in texture with more shade offerings.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in O1 ($50 CDN): This liquid illuminator was one of those products I had heard loads about but wasn’t excited to invest in. I ended up being really impressed with this pale golden beige liquid as an everyday highlighter. The giant doe-foot applicator makes it super easy to apply in specific areas such as the tops of the cheekbones and the formula lends that golden glow without highlighting imperfections in the slightest or reading as shimmer particles. I’m also a fan of how the formula is alcohol-free and features glycerin and squalane.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Mousse in Medium ($38 CDN): I’m all about embracing my fair skin throughout most of the year but lately, I’ve been into a bit of fake tan to even out my skin tone and add a bit of a golden glow. I’m happy that I picked up this alcohol-free one at the Sephora VIB Sale, as it is easy to apply, doesn’t irritate my eczema and applies easily and evenly. It’s a green-toned tan that isn’t overly dark but it’s enough to give my skin a golden hue and to even out marks on my legs and the like. I also find that it’s convenient to use, drying fairly quickly and not staining bedding.

Devacurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler ($38 CDN): Having looser curls and waves, this was not a cream that I ever would have thought to try from Devacurl. However, I received it as a point perk from Sephora. I really enjoyed using this cream underneath a gel in the rising humidity and warmer weather for helping my curls clump together nicely and minimizing frizz. The first few ingredients are fatty alcohols, glycerin and coconut oil and it has some protein thrown in as well. It definitely adds control to curls but wasn’t overly heavy in my experience.

Hada-Labo Goko-Jyun Premium Emulsion ($26.65 CDN): This emulsion is the first product of its kind that I’ve ever tried and honestly, I’m seeing the benefits of adding this to my daily routine as a pre-moisturizer step. It contains five forms of hyaluronic acid, fatty alcohol, glycerin and squalene. Using it daily before moisturizer has really helped to plump up my skin and leave it more hydrated and calmed. I will comment that it contains mineral oil, but it is more substantial than your traditional humectant as a result.

Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment ($22/$47 CDN): As a bit of an acid-exfoliant aficionado, I feel strongly that I should hate this product. The marketing reinforces the myth that tingling means that a product is working — it doesn’t by the way – and it definitely more irritating than some other chemical exfoliants. I do wish that it was formulated without the vinegar, which is what gives that tingle sensation. However, I find the combination of niacinamide, lactic acid, citric acid, polyhydroxy acid, malic acid and salicylic acid provides dramatic resurfacing of my skin without irritation.

Any thoughts?
Maggie, x.