This season has brought a load of beauty products to the market. It seems like new eyeshadow palettes were just falling out of the sky, and we received more highlighters than snow. There were 10 products I just absolutely fell in love with, and while not all of them were released this winter, I discovered all of them this winter and they’ve completely changed my makeup game.
I have oily skin, like the kind that makes you look constantly sweaty, even in the cold dry weather. So, when I received a sample size of Tarte Maracuja Oil in my Ipsy bag, I thought: I have oily skin, how will this ever work? But, oily skinned people, put your fears and skepticism to the side. Oil is good for our skin because it’s dehydrated, hence why we have so many oils in our skin; it’s compensating for the lack of moisture! So go ahead, don’t be afraid to slather on the oil. This particular oil makes my skin amazingly soft, and, you guessed it… less oily! It’s also brightened my complexion and really helped clear up my acne.
ColourPop Ultramatte Lip-Wednesday
I’m not a pink lipstick person, I’m a dark vampy lip kind of person. So, when Colourpop was releasing free liquid lipsticks from their “Moment of Weekness” collection, I decided to pick up the pink shade because, well… why not? It was free with my purchase, so I knew it couldn’t hurt. Upon first swipe, I fell in love. This pink is the most vibrant color you can wear on your lips. It brightens up my entire face and goes with every look. You cannot go wrong with this color. Also, ColourPop improved their matte lip formula with this one. I can’t feel it on my lips throughout the day, and it absolutely does not dry my lips out. This color is so gorgeous, you’ll end up wearing it daily, as a day and night lip, heck, maybe even in your sleep.
ColourPop “Up and Away” Bundle
Orange and terracotta shades scare some people. You may have found yourself thinking, “Could I ever pull off an orange lip? No way!” But let me tell you, that saying “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it” really applies here. I got this set thinking that very same thing. But, I have a yellow lipstick, so I figured that orange lips can’t be as daring as that. These colors may seem more like fall shades, but they are so beautiful that you’ll want to wear them all year round. The shade “Mama” is my absolute favorite from the bundle. It’s a warm-toned burnt orange shade with a hint of red in it that’ll really make your lips pop. The formula is so smooth and comfortable, you’d almost forget it’s there if it wasn’t for the compliments you’d be getting all day.
Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation
If you are oily skinned, this foundation will become your best friend. I tried it for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it instantly became a holy grail item I reach for every day. It’s light to medium coverage upon first application, but I don’t mind having to build up the coverage. I actually prefer it. Another pro of this foundation is that it sets almost immediately! No having to wait for it to set. There’s a wide color range for warm and cool toned skin, and it makes your skin almost glow. It doesn’t break up on oily skin, except when it rains on your makeup (but I mean, kind of expect that). It also looks like skin when you have it on, and not like some kind of foundation mask. It’s comparable to higher end foundations, so maybe go for this one if you are on a budget.
Wet n’ Wild Catsuit Liquid Lipsticks
I have nothing but good things to say about this liquid lipstick. Wet n’ Wild stepped up the drugstore liquid lipstick game with this one. Do you want that high-end look on a college budget? Go out and get these now. The shade range is gorgeous (Oh my Dolly is a TO DIE FOR color) and it’s a “barely there” formula. The lasting power is great, but obviously, if you eat greasy food or drink out of a water bottle, you will need to touch up. But that’s the only set-back because these are so highly pigmented upon first swipe and non-streaky. I’ve told everyone I know about these liquid lipsticks, so if you’re going to get only one thing on this list, these are it!
Urban Decay “Electric” Palette
If you aren’t into colorful eyeshadows, go ahead and skip this section. But actually, don’t. If you’ve been on the Sephora website recently, you probably have seen that this palette has been really marked down for a while now. There are rumors that they are going to replace this palette, but I sure hope not, because everyone needs this palette in their lives. The shadows are so pigmented and bright and just beautiful. The neon looks I’ve made with this palette have been some of my favorites. I was always afraid of experimenting with colorful eyeshadows until I got this palette. Let me tell you, it’ll get you out of that comfort zone. Urban Decay is known for their intense and different eyeshadow colors, so it’s no wonder this one is one of their most popular palettes. And there’s a gorgeous silver and blue color in there, so go ahead and create an icy look for winter (or to pretend we had a winter)!
Go on YouTube and watch any beauty guru. Most of them bring up this concealer in their favorites. And for good reason, it’s incredible. When I put on concealer, I want it to cover up my dark circles like I didn’t just get four hours of sleep, and this does that very task. While on the higher end side, it will not disappoint and is so worth the price. It’s easy to blend in, especially with a beauty blender, and all you need is a little bit to get full coverage. I use this concealer almost every day, and whenever I use it, it just brightens up the rest of my makeup. And, it never gets cakey! As someone with oily skin, that’s especially important. It’s available in Ulta stores, so next time you’re in Ulta looking at concealer, make a beeline to this one. It will become your new best friend.
L.A. Colors “I Heart Makeup” Contour Palette
Dollar store makeup has a few hidden gems, this is one of them. This is one of my holy grails that I use on the daily. Do you want a flawless contour that looks like it was done by professionals? Get this palette. The pigment is great. The banana powder really helps to brighten your under eyes, and the cool-toned contour helps create those natural shadows you strive for. They have two versions for lighter skinned and darker skinned people. So next time you’re browsing the aisles in your local dollar store, seek out this palette, it’ll change your makeup game!
E.L.F. “Pinktastic” Baked Blush
I won’t lie, at first I wasn’t crazy about this product. But, that’s because I didn’t know how to use it! The thing with baked products is, you gotta scrape off the top to get to the real pigment. When I got to the pigment, man was this pigmented. It’s the perfect pinky highlighter, but it brightens up your face like the sun. If you like a wham bam highlighter this will be for you, but if you are all for a natural glow, stay away! This won’t be that. I like a highlighter that blinds everyone, and this pleases me so. It’s honestly my favorite highlighter now. This one is another must have. And the pinky shade will make it great for spring!
E.L.F. Matte Lip Color-Rich Red
The classic red… it looks amazing on everyone. This color is just that, a bright classic red that’ll make you look old Hollywood. It compares to higher end lipsticks, and its lasting power is great! It’s also so comfortable. However, it doesn’t dry to completely matte. But you’ll fall in love with the formula regardless. Have you been scared to try a classic red? Or are you just looking for a classic red that won’t break your bank? This lipstick is the one to reach for. It goes with everything, and I assure you you’ll look like you just walked down the red carpet and into class during the day.