Whenever people ask me What beauty products do I like?, I always let my guard down. I know it’s kind of ridiculous considering I’m a beauty editor and all, but that’s just because I’m going through a mountain of products that I test in my head. There are many products I like, but think about what I do not like is the best way for me to narrow down my options. Before I begin this potentially controversial list, I’d like to point out that beauty is subjective and that a product that can get me The Ick could be someone’s holy grail. We all have different skin types, makeup preferences, etc, so I’m not judgmental and vice versa, I hope!
Because I’ve tested so many products, when something doesn’t work for me, I have to get rid of it as soon as possible. Otherwise I’m left with the total product organization chaos. (I usually give it to friends or family who might use it.) So without further ado, 13 products are about to be removed from my makeup arsenal, from foundation creams are no longer suitable for my 40+ year old skin for products that never entered my regular cycle for one reason or another. Some of these are painful to remove, so it’s no easy feat! Keep scrolling to see what makeup products I’m launching and what I’m trying instead.
I’m starting this list with the most headache product to name: matte foundation. Disclaimer: Anyone who has read my recent posts (P.S.: Thanks), I may sound like a broken record, but I’m clearly learning the fact that da Mine doesn’t like thick backgrounds anymore. I used to appreciate the full, mannequin-like coverage they give me, but now they feel too thick and don’t blend well. Well, I’m going to create a sad playlist to help me get through this beautiful breakup.
Like that moment when you find out that someone you’ve never really paid attention to might actually be the one for you, dewy foundation seems to be the most compatible with my skin these days. My love for La Mer’s Soft Fluid Foundation has been going strong over the months. It applies smoothly, provides just enough coverage yet looks natural and lasts all day.
I know serum-like skin tones are all the rage and you’d think I’d be completely satisfied with my new-found preference for natural makeup finishes and all, but sadly I’m not like that. I find that many of the products I’ve tested over the past year are either too greasy or don’t penetrate the skin well. A lot of them are also very messy and strewn all over my makeup bag and fingers, which is a total pet thing.
To get that natural yet matte look, I have a feeling foundation might be the way to go. It’s true that I’ve only tried a few of them and not all have worked, but I still prefer the way they look at me over the color of my skin. This one by Iris & Romeo is my current favorite and works as a serum, moisturizer, sheer coverage foundation, sunscreen, and blue light and pollution protectant.
Coming from an eco-friendly point of view, face wipes are clearly not the ultimate beauty product to have in one’s arsenal, but I can’t deny that they can be. It’s only 3 a.m. and I’m trying to get myself some makeup on my face as fast as I can to hit the hay. But there are other options, Marie!
I realized that nothing can compare to a good micellar water for me, and Bioderma Sensibio is my GOAT. It’s gentler on my face and eyes than many makeup wipes I’ve used. Not to mention, it’s even less wasteful, especially if you smear it with a reusable cotton pad, like this Mittys from Take My Face Off.
This issue is still controversial, but to be honest, I never really understood magnetic lashes to the point where they became my go-to. One of the reasons is because I prefer to use my own liquid eyeliner instead of magnetic eyeliner. I can still keep trying, though!
I have no intention of returning to the eyelash extension life any time soon. (I can only let myself do two high-care beauty rituals, hair and nails first.) But the thought of having to remove glue from lashes for days after putting on false lashes. Tradition doesn’t sound very appealing. Marie for what? I’m looking forward to testing a professional pair of lashes that allow you to apply your own false lashes quickly, last over 10 days and use a glue that seems to be much easier to remove than traditional eyelash glue . I am here.
The idea of a lip highlighter sounds interesting, but a few that I’ve tried this year haven’t worked for me. They are uncomfortable to use (like a slow, filling vibe), and they don’t last long on my lips either.
Listen… Nothing compares to a beautiful matte lipstick, so I’m going back to a product that I absolutely love and know well. Surprisingly I haven’t tried this one by Pat McGrath, so it’s at the top of my list.
I’ve always loved powder blush, but sadly, this is another beauty product that doesn’t work for my skin like it did when I had more collagen. While there are still some that work for my skin and are too pretty to give up completely, overall, cream blush is the best for these cheeks.
This waterproof cream blush looks natural and comes in cute packaging. Everyone says thank you, Selena.
When the ultra-fine eyebrow pencils first came out, I was impressed with how precise they were to draw brows. It was a great way for me to mimic microblading as best I could. However, the pencil tip for some of them will break so quickly that it’s almost comical.
Thank goodness for the eyebrow pen! I can still paint on fine hairs without worrying about wasting product. This one by Anastasia Beverly Hills is waterproof, so if someone throws a glass of water in my face, soapy fashion, I’ll be fine (hopefully).
My podcast co-host Blaire once told a story about applying a sticky layer of famous lip gloss and walking out onto the street in New York City only to let the wind blow, who knows what on the lips. her — and stay there! Now, whenever I apply a layer of lip gloss that’s too sticky, I’m reminded of that horrifying story.
I’m glad lip gloss technology has advanced to the point where we can have shiny, dewy lips without the fear of dog hair clinging to it all day and feeling uncomfortable in general. I love this product from Tower Beauty, which contains nourishing ingredients like apricot kernel oil, raspberry seed oil, and rosehip oil.
Shiny eyelids look cool to others, but not to me. Looks like my face is sweating. Needless to say, this is a trend that I just can’t keep up with! (Even so, maybe I would look better with colored eyeshadow?)
For a bold eye look that relies on color rather than transparency, I love these liquid eyeshadows from Halsey’s makeup brand.
Unpopular opinion comes, but I’m not a fan of soap brows! Before you realize the tridents, I just wanted to point out that eyebrow trends can be quite extreme from decade to decade. (We don’t really notice them until they’re finished, though.) I think some soapy brows can look stiff, over-blown, and unnatural, especially if you use them. an unsuitable heavy product. Let your eyebrows move. Do not hate me!
I like a soft brow when it looks soft and natural. A lightly tinted brow gel, like this one from Benefit Cosmetics, will do the trick.
Similar to my matte foundation problem, the bold concealers I used to love now look like Wite-Out on my under eye circles. Rude, so I had to find another approach.
Moisturizing concealers, like this one from Rose Inc, are now my friends. It contains skin-friendly ingredients, like squalane, vitamin E, and fig butter extract (which calms redness and soothes skin).
I’ve always liked long-lasting lipsticks, but when we’re at home in front of Zoom all day, I can indulge in my often overlooked collection of satin lipsticks. Now that I’m more out of the house, those shiny satin lipsticks are at home!
When I don’t need bulletproof (or super mask-proof) lipstick, I’ll opt for something in between, such as a soft cream. These Mouth Cloud lipsticks by Half Magic Beauty are absolutely a dream and come in a set with the matching Sculptitude 2-in-1 Long-wearing Lipliner.
When years ago, when highlighters were really popular, I always went for dreamy, pearly shades. They just look more cosmic and magical. However, I find they don’t really work well on my skin tone. (Sidebar, for the record, I don’t like the look of the highlighter on the nose. Bye!)
Sadly, it’s about time I swapped out more of my pearl highlighters (I CAN keep one…) and switched to warmer colors, like peach and gold. Charlotte Tilbury never goes out of style with highlighters; you are guaranteed to always have a bright light from within.
Next, This mineral makeup brand is a dream for my 40+ acne prone skin
