The Beauty Round-Up
To Beauty and Beyond
Hi loves! If you follow me on Instagram you would know that I have been reviewing a lot of beauty products lately. As a blogger, you are privy to a lot of PR samples and also companies that specialize in distributing beauty products to bloggers. One company I have been relying on a lot of late is Octoly. Octoly is an app that connects directly to your IG. You are privy to 5 credits and with those 5 credits, you can shop in the free store for different products. Companies that are represented by Octoly include MAC cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Givenchy Beauty, YSL Beauty, Lancome, MILK makeup, BECCA, Kiko Milano and many more. Click here to sign up!
"It gives the gentle highlight one needs for a subtle glow!"
One brand I am always loving is MAC Cosmetics. I fell in love with MAC after I discovered the red lippie for every woman that is sultry AF for deeper skin tones too; "Ruby Woo". After trying the queen of the reds, there was no going back! Recently, I have been introduced to MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation, 190 Foundation Brush, Strobe Cream highlighter, Studio Fix Powder, Prep & Prime Fix Hydrating Finishing Mist, and the 140 Synthetic Full Fan Brush all which I got through Octoly. I love that I can try new luxury beauty products and they always have something new to try. That Strobe Cream though, is to die for! It gives the gentle highlight one needs for a subtle glow! Scroll down for more..
Beauty products specifically makeup has been an uphill/tricky battle. For a very long time, there were not many foundations out there I could use that really blended in with my complexion. It wasn't until I found L'oreal True Match foundation that I began to feel comfortable in liquid foundation. Btw, this foundation is the best drugstore foundation I found and is so affordable. They were one of the first drugstore foundations that nailed undertones for deep complexions. Prior to L’oreal, I spent a lot of time looking ashen, grey, too red, and/or oily. It was a very tragic time in life when I didn't even know how to blend my makeup. Hello ashen face, dark neck syndrome. Thankfully, I never wore make-up enough for it to matter too much.
"Prior to that, I spent a lot of time looking ashen, grey, too red, and/or oily."
After a few years of sucking, I finally got on YouTube and began to watch videos which taught me how to do a little something, something. In fact, you can watch a video I uploaded to YouTube here a few years ago (and a few pounds lighter) complaining about my skills (or lack of) with makeup. Actually there is an old Get Ready With Me video from when I started getting a grasp of it all. I can not believe how compliant my skin was back then and how small I was. Sigh! I need to get back there, seriously!
5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS I CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT:
1. My Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich foundation SPF 15. This foundation was mind with me in mind. The formula is a bit oily so I set it with a matifying powder.
2. Sacha Buttercup Powder. I can not even function without it.
3. Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer. Listen, its the most gently and reliable highlight.
4. Real Techniques Face Brush. I apply my foundation with this all over brush and it provides me the best blend.
5. Mario Badescu Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater Mist. This is a product I absolutely swear up and down by. It is light and refreshing and multi-purpose. I can use it to refresh my face throughout the day on bare or beat face. I can use it as a primer before application. I can use as a makeup setting spray.
I have linked most of all the products listed. Two last ones I will highlight are the fragrances by Givenchy Beauty: "Live Irresistible" Eau de Toilette and EauDeMoiselle Angelic. These fragrances could not be more different from each other. The "Live Irresistible" smells like a garden of light florals whereas the "EauDeMoiselle Angelic" is a musk women's fragrance with very deep undertones. All products pictured in this post have been gifted through Octoly complimentary of the respective brand. If you are a blogger, please be sure to check Octoly out here and sign up. I have received so many full-size luxury products through this service all in exchange for one review via IG that should be live for 30 days. It’s worth it! Thank you all for reading along and following this journey. Until next time...big bisous!
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