Brows on Point with Billion Dollar Brows

April 28, 2016

It seems that more and more brands are catching on to the fact that micro pencils are some of the best tools for defining the brows. I've been loyal to them ever since I tried the Anastasia Brow Wiz, so when I got the chance to try the new Brows on Point Micro Pencil* from Billion Dollar Brows, I jumped at the chance to compare.

The Brows on Point Micro Pencil comes in four shades: Blonde, Light Brown, Taupe, and Raven. Although this seems like a small selection, the colors are quite versatile and I can imagine them suiting a wide range of people. I've tried all four colors on my own brows, and they are all pretty wearable. Blonde is the perfect light ashy brown - I'm not blonde, but this is perfect when I want a lighter/more natural brow. Light Brown is the only one I have some trouble with, as it's a bit warm for me. It will be perfect on those with red hair or warm-toned hair in general. Taupe is probably the perfect shade for me, as it's a true cool-toned brown. Raven is a deeper version of Taupe, perfect for those with the deepest hair colors.

The pencils are softer than the Brow Wiz, I find, though this makes it a lot easier to customize and control the color you get. It's why the four shades can fit so many hair colors - you can apply with light pressure to get a paler shade, or use more pressure to get more color payoff. I thought the Raven shade would look too dark and unnatural on me, but when a light hand, it still is a nice shade for me. I have a few spots in my brows that products usually don't like to stick to, but these pencils did with no problem - I think it comes down to the softer, less waxy texture. It flawlessly glides on so I find it super easy to apply, and even on rushed mornings I can still have nicely defined brows. I've found they last just as well as the other waterproof brow pencils I've tried - my brows look the same when I wash my makeup off at night as they did when I applied my makeup in the morning. I'm super excited to have found yet another dupe for the Brow Wiz, and I really think that the Billion Dollar Brows Taupe shade suits me better than my usual shade in the Brow Wiz!

Have you tried the new Brows on Point Micro Pencil? What's your preferred brow product - pencil, powder, or pomade?

*This post has been sponsored by BrandBacker, but all opinions are my own. See my disclaimer for more info.

The Face Oil Roundup

April 26, 2016

Over the past few months, I've really come to realize that face oils are kind of my jam. As someone prone to dryness and tightness of the skin, face oils just give instant relief and leave my skin looking radiant and feeling thoroughly nourished. Of course I've ended up with more than I'll probably ever need for just having one face, but they all serve a purpose and have a respected place in my collection.

THE OVERNIGHT WARRIOR | You had to know I'd start with a rave of the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, right? I've gone on and on about how much I love this stuff. It's neither too thick nor too thin, so I can instantly feel it moisturizing my skin, but I can still top it off with a layer of their Tidal Cream without it feeling too heavy. When I use this at night I just wake up with more even-toned and less-red skin. I definitely can get away with wearing little to no base products when I've used this, so it's definitely worth the hype and price tag to me.

THE SKIN SOFTENER | A new addition to my collection that I've fallen for rapidly is the Marie D'Argan 100% Pure Argan Oil.* I dabbled with the famous Josie Maran option a couple years ago but didn't really understand the hype (maybe it's because I had the light version). But this one I can get behind. I've only been using it for a few days, but I can already tell it's going to be a staple. My skin instantly feels so soft after I apply this - softer than any other oil/skincare product I've tried. Again, this is a perfect consistency, not so light that it sinks in without nourishing, but not so heavy that I'm afraid I'm going to break out.

THE JUICY ONE | There has been a good amount of hype around Clarins's face oils, and the one I'm in love with is the Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil.* It does have a strong scent (from the patchouli oil it contains), but it's definitely the most moisturizing of all the oils I own. It's the one I reached for the most during the winter when my skin was absolutely parched, and it always leaves my skin with the nicest dewy glow that's not greasy at all.

THE SOOTHING ONE | The gentlest oil I have in my collection is most definitely the Indie Lee Squalene Facial Oil. It's quite lightweight, so it's one I like to mix in with moisturizers or foundations to give them a little more oomph. It's also the one I always reach for after I've done a more rigorous exfoliating treatment. I just feel like it instantly gets to work in calming down the skin. This is one of my favorites to reach for in the summertime - its lightweight formula and its ability to soothe my irritated skin make it perfect.

THE EVERYDAY PICK | I pretty much reach for these all equally often, but the one I feel like I can use no matter how my skin is feeling is the Pixi Rose Oil Blend - it really does seem to be a "one size fits all" kind of product. It kind of does it all - it's quite soothing due to the rose oils, as well as super moisturizing. When I'm in doubt about what oil to use, I'll always grab this one without a second thought. My skin just drinks this stuff up, and I know I'll definitely be going through multiple bottles of this as long as it's part of the Pixi Skintreats line.

What are your favorite facial oils?

*Some products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

Get Glowing

April 23, 2016

Posts about glowing skin are definitely my favorite to write, which I'm sure you can tell because I put up some variation of one almost once a week. Having quite dehydrated skin, I'm always after products that will give me a glow. I'm constantly updating my stash with new glowy products, even though I've only got one face and would have to look like a shining beacon that's visible from space for the rest of my life to use everything up.

I always talk about skincare bits in posts like this, so I'll just get those out of the way first. I've mentioned over and over how much I love the Glossier Priming Moisturizer - it's basically holy grail by now. It's one of the best moisturizers that just instantly makes my skin glow, even though it doesn't have any shimmer whatsoever. A similar product I've been using lately is the Lune+Aster Recharge Cream* - this is basically an ultra-hydrating cream that's meant to be worn under makeup. If you've got dry skin that drinks up your makeup, you need this. It gives the same phenomenal healthy glow to the skin as the Glossier, but it's quite a bit thicker (a plus for me, because I usually layer the Glossier moisturizer with another thin moisturizer for optimum hydration). I really notice my base staying on longer than usual when I use this as my skin is well-hydrated, so it doesn't drink up my foundation. For a more obvious glow I like to pile on the MAC Strobe Cream - this has teeny tiny shimmer particles in it, just enough to catch the light and make you look like a dreamy ethereal woodnymph. I especially like this mixed with the Glossier Priming Moisturizer.

Speaking of shimmery base layers, I've also finally gotten my hands on the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter. This is even more beautiful than I ever imagined. It's similar to the Strobe Cream in that it adds a believable dewiness to the skin with the help of some shimmer, but while the Strobe Cream is more of a white pearl, the BECCA primer is more of a pale gold. This is seriously dewy skin in a bottle and I'm obsessed.

Now that we're in makeup territory, I'll move onto the piece de resistance of the post - the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moodlight. I finally got this (for my birthday! Thanks Mom!), and I'm head over heels in love. It's quite a subtle highlight, so it's perfect for everyday. It really just enhances and perfects the skin. I assumed this was a highlighter and bronzer, but it's really pretty much two highlighters - the darker shade is more of a rose gold and is actually more shimmery than the light shade. I apply it on the backs of my cheekbones like a blush/bronzer/highlighter combo and then top it off with the lighter shade on the tops of my cheekbones. I can't even describe how stunning this product is, I know I didn't pay for it but if I ever hit pan I'd repurchase in a heartbeat.

Another palette I've been dipping into quite a bit is the Lune+Aster Moonrise Glow & Contour Bronzing Palette.* I mentioned this in my Lovin' Lately post, and it's just a perfect palette if you're in need of both a bronzer and a highlighter. The bronzer isn't totally matte - more of a satin finish really, and the highlighter is a stunning champagne gold. This really reminds me of the famous CT Bronze & Glow Palette - my sister has it, and swatched side by side, they really are quite similar. If I'm not using this palette I go for my trusty combo of the Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion Bronzer in 15I and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator in Starlight (which may have been limited edition? say it isn't so!). All of these products will give the skin the most amazing glow - I think the difference all lies in using a glowy bronzer as well as a highlighter. It really makes you look like you've just gotten back from the most relaxing tropical vacation. Since that's something I wish I was actually doing in real life, I just pile on the glowy bronzers and highlighters.

What glowy products have you been loving?

*Some of the products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.