April 2019 Favorites
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly, $22 / L’Oreal Blow Dry It Thermal Smoother Cream, $6 /
Clarins Glow Booster, $32 / Benefit Gimme Brow+, $24
I’m so, so happy that it is consistently not-cold. My windows have been open. I have been outside. I’m eschewing jackets. It is wonderful! April was a fairly minimal beauty month for me, but details on my April 2019 Favorites are after the jump.
All About that Base
I don’t use conventional eye primer. I use MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. Almost two years later, I haven’t finished my first jar though it is starting to show signs of drying out. I recently bought a backup when I had 20% off at Ulta. It doesn’t appear to negatively impact the way my powder eyeshadows present. I get all-day, zero-crease wear and it is GLORIOUS. I *would* pay full price for this – but I don’t.
Beat the Heat
Since I blow dry and heat-style my hair a lot more than I used to, I’ve increased my product usage a bit to help shield it from damage. Enter L’Oreal Blow Dry It Thermal Smoother Cream. Before I apply Super Skinny, I distribute a nickel-sized amount throughout my length, give my hair a rough dry, then continue with Super Skinny. I love how this feels and smells, and its addition to my styling arsenal does seem to be forestalling some damage. Hallelujah.
Here Comes the Sun
Before I started using this tanner from Clarins, I was largely unfamiliar with the brand. I’ve shared Clarins Glow Booster before, but I’m trying to look more alive again, so I’m back to 2 drops four times a week mixed with my Argan Oil before bed. Since I counteract this a bit with daily Clarisonic exfoliation and 1-2x weekly Tarte Knockout usage, I’m arguably not tan yet, but I do look like perhaps I am alive-ish and go outside occasionally. (Psst, wear sunscreen.) I’ve really loved this tanner; the tiny bottle has lasted forever and it treats my skin well. I’d pay full price for this, too.
Guess Who’s Back, Back Again
Although I love the color of the Ulta brow product I’ve been using, the formula is a little, “wet,” for my tastes – a little hard to control. The price is right and I will repurchase as long as they make it. That said, I happened to be at Ulta when they had Gimme Brow+ on sale for half off. I hadn’t used it since the previous production halt. God, I missed this formula. I’m using shade 3 – which isn’t quite perfect, but is the best fit of what they have.
I really enjoy it and am using the hell out of it, but I would not pay full price for Gimme Brow+ even though I like it so much. I endeavor not to pay full retail for much of anything if I can avoid it, but still. I’ll switch back to Ulta Brow Tint or give Glossier Boy Brow a shot before I spend $24/tube on this.