February Favorites!
Now that we're finally into March (and warm weather here in the midwest), it's time for me to tell you all about my February Favorites! While I don't have many hair products that I fell in love with last month, I do have quite a few makeup and beauty items that I can't believe I've lived without for so long.
Makeup:
I always end up running late in the morning while I'm getting ready. I think I have tons of time, and then I look at the clock and realize that I took too much time trying to apply my makeup perfectly. One of the best timesaver products I started using in Feburary is Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer Water. This product is amazing. It acts as a primer, setting spray, and refreshing spray. It's super hydrating and wakes up your skin with electrolytes! As soon as I get done washing my face in the morning, I apply my face lotion, brush my teeth, then spray the primer water on my skin. I give it about 3 minutes to soak in (I typically brush my hair while I'm waiting), then I start applying my makeup. The water is oil-free, alcohol-free, and silicone-free, making it ideal for every skin type. It hydrates your skin without making it oily or drying it out.
P.S. Silicone-free products are so important because they're safe for sensitive skin. Silicone has the tendancy to lock in dirt and oils on the skin, which causes breakouts. If your skin breaks out easily, consider buying makeup and skincare items that don't have silicone in them.
This month seemed to be all about primers for me. I've used Smashbox's primers in the past before but stopped for the past year because I fell in love with Benefit's "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer. While I still like Benefit's primer, it wasn't keeping my makeup in place for as long as I had hoped. I picked up Smashbox's Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer in the mini size just for fun at Sephora. I couldn't believe that I had never used this one before. I used the orignial primer and the color correcting one, but never the pore minimizing one. This primer made my like look flawless even before I applied my foundation. It made my skin look so smooth and doll-like. I don't always have clear skin, and I didn't for a few days last month, but the primer even helped cover acne spots. It's no wonder why Smashbox is the leader in primers for the beauty industry. If you haven't tried Smashbox's primers before, don't feel pressured to commit to a full-size one. Usually Sephora and Ulta will have smaller travel-size (0.50 fl. oz.) primers up by the front registers. If you can't find them, just ask an associate, usually the mini primers are always there.
Make Up For Ever's Aqua Lip Liner...GIRLS, YOU NEED THIS LINER. If you know me or read my blog, you know how much importance I put on lip liners (you can read more about why lip liner is so critical here). This liner is like a lip tattoo. It stays on for hours, doesn't feather, and won't come off until you take it off with makeup remover. Unlike a lot of lip liners, this one won't dry out your lips, so you can fill in your lips completely without feeling like they're going to crack. When I use this liner, I line my lips, fill them in, top it with a light coat of lip balm (personal perference), then apply my lipstick. My favorite shade is 7C, and it's like a warm-toned brown. I really love how it looks with Mac's lipstick in the shade Pillow Talk over it. If you're friends with me on Snapchat (tiff.gabriel) or have seen me at work, then you've been seeing this combo on me quite often.
Beauty:
Clinique's Custom-Repair Serum has also become a life-saver this month. As some of you know, I'm abosoutely crazy about protecting my skin from aging. When I recieved Clinque's Custom-Repair Serum, I immediatedly researched it. This serum firms and lifts skin, evens skin tone by reducing dark spots, improves skin texture, and lessens lines and wrinkles. You're supposed to use this product two times per day (at night and in the morning), but I personally used it at night after I removed my makeup and before applying my night face cream. I adore Clinque products, and this one is didn't let me down. In the short month of using it, I have seen my skin tone even out more. I had a lot of dryness on my nose and the serum really helped stop the peeling and actually moisturized my nose without making it breakout.
It's been a hot minute since I used a face mask, so while I was in Sephora I picked up the Sephora Honey Sleeping Mask. I've used Sephora brand masks plenty of times in the past, so I had no doubt that I would love this one too (and I did!). Before I tell you how I applied it, I just have to mention that this mask smells SO GOOD. Usually face masks have that weird chemcial smell to them, but this one literally smelt like honey and flowers. Anyway, as I mentioned before, my nose was very dry last month; this mask helped nourish my skin and make it soft and smooth again. I applied it like a night cream. I washed my face, then applied the mask and went to bed. In the morning, I washed it off and put on my morning face lotion.
Once again, I apologize for the lack of hair products in this post. There hasn't been any that I really loved this month, so I don't want to tell you about a product if I'm not passionate about it...it's just not my style. Anyway, if you have any questions, feel free to comment below, tweet me, email me, whatever you'd like! I'm always happy to help!
