Five to Try

Another month, another five products I think you should try. This time there's a little bit of everything - some makeup, some skincare, and even some haircare. In order to separate these posts from my usual favorites/loving lately posts, I try to pick out products that are innovative and something unique. 

Stratia Liquid Gold | I had heard rave after rave of this from various skincare bloggers on Instagram, so when my skin started freaking out and getting irritated out of nowhere, I ordered it right away. It's a thin lotion that can be used on its own as a moisturizer or as more of a serum (which is how I use it). What makes it so great for the skin is that it's chock full of ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids. It mimics the composition of the skin's barrier, so it's incredibly effective at repairing damage. It works to not only alleviate the symptoms of a compromised skin barrier, but also by strengthening the skin and "teaching" it to heal itself. I've been using this morning and night since I got it, and I'm hooked. It instantly feels so comforting on the skin, and it's definitely doing all the work in making sure my skin survives the winter.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer | This is another one I picked up after hearing great reviews. I had put it off for awhile, thinking it was essentially the same thing as the Glossier Priming Moisturizer, but it is a bit different. It has a thin, serum-like consistency that sinks in quickly, leaving a slightly tacky surface for makeup to adhere to. This doesn't add any dewiness to the makeup I put on top like the Glossier moisturizer, but it beautifully plumps up my skin and makes sure makeup sits beautifully on top and won't catch on dry patches. I always had issues with my makeup lasting all day without my skin just drinking it up, and I have noticed much better longevity with some of my favorite bases when using this first. Finally, a primer that showed me that primer is actually necessary!

NUDESTIX Brow Stylus Pencil & Gel* | This was recently sent to me in a set of some NUDESTIX eye favorites, and I thought nothing was going to get me to stray from my beloved Glossier Boy Brow + Milk Makeup Gel Brow combo, but this has. It's one of those triangle-tipped pencils on one end and a slightly tinted brow gel on the other. My one complaint is that it doesn't have a spoolie, but I always have one on hand when I'm doing my makeup anyway, so it's not a big deal. I love that the pencil isn't crazily pigmented, so despite it being that chunkier shape, you can still get a natural, feathery-looking finish. And the brow gel is no joke - it's definitely crispier than Boy Brow, but it ensures your brows definitely won't budge and separates them nicely for that fluffy look. By the way, you can get 10% off any NUDESTIX order by using the code DADMUNK10 at checkout!

Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick | I totally picked this up on a whim after seeing Anna say one of the shades was similar to the Glossier Gen G in Cake, but more pink and pigmented. I ended up not getting the shade she was talking about, Vibe, but instead picked Fresh, a rosy pink nude. The color is beautiful for adding a flush of color to the lips, and the formula is phenomenal - it feels so creamy yet lightweight when it's applied, but it dries down quickly to a comfortable matte that doesn't budge. I'm really loving these lightweight mattes that are coming out lately.

Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner* | I was 100% intrigued by the idea of a dry conditioner. I had never even heard of one. Like a dry shampoo, this Dry Conditioner helps to refresh the hair, giving it some shine while it moisturizes. I love pairing this with the Amika Dry Shampoo (one of the only dry shampoos I can use without my hair feeling gross) - I use the shampoo in my roots to absorb oil, and I use the dry conditioner through the lengths and ends of my hair to help it look more swishy and less fried. It's been so helpful because the dry winter air has been making my hair look awful! It also cuts down on static a lot, which is a huge lifesaver. This makes my hair look freshly blowdried and super lovely.

Have you tried any of these products before? What's your favorite thing you've tried lately?

Products marked with an asterisk have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

A Fresh Beauty Roundup

I've fallen hard for all things Fresh Beauty. I've been so grateful to work with them for almost a year now, and it's given me the chance to try so many of their products. I thought today I'd go through the ones I've tried in case you're looking to splurge on all things Fresh!

Soy Face Cleanser | One of my favorite cleansers, but one that I don't always mention. It's just a great basic workhorse of a product. It has a jelly consistency that doesn't strip the skin, and it does a great job at removing light makeup. It performs similarly to the Glossier Milky Jelly for me, and I use them interchangeably depending on how I'm feeling. It has Fresh's signature cucumber scent that feels oh so relaxing. 

Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner | This is another everyday favorite for me. Not only is it incredibly hydrating, but it's also pretty to look at - it has real rose petals floating in the bottle. This has a nice, cushion-y feel to it that really sinks into the skin and deeply hydrates and nourishes. I like sweeping this over my face with a cotton pad and then going in with a few more layers patted in with my hands. It makes my skin super plump and ready for the next steps of my routine.

Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence | This is one of their newer products, and I'm already hooked. Again, it has that lovely cucumber scent. This is more watery than the rose toner but still feels very hydrating. I like to pat a few layers into my skin before continuing on with serums and moisturizers, and I find it's been making my skin feel so smooth and plump. I love using it in the morning because it really wakes my skin up.

Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream | Literally all of Fresh's products are beautiful, but this one is especially. It's somehow a rich, luxurious cream and yet doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It feels instantly cooling and soothing from the rose - I love using it as my night cream, and I find I wake up with less redness in the morning when I use it. This is even a favorite of my sister, who has oily skin, so I'd say it's pretty versatile. I do prefer to use this at night/on days I'm not wearing makeup, though, because I find sometimes makeup pills on top of it.

Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream | While I reach for the rose face cream more at night, this is the one I reach for in the mornings. It's more lightweight and yet still packs a punch of hydration. It sinks right into the skin, leaving it super plump and ready for makeup. I also like using it during the day because it's full of antioxidants, so it helps protect my skin from environmental stressors throughout the day. It leaves the skin feeling velvety smooth rather than greasy.

Sugar Face Polish | I don't normally go for physical exfoliants, but this one has won me over. I love using this on a Sunday morning to wake up and invigorate my skin. It uses pure brown sugar as the exfoliant, which not only buffs away dead skin but also is a powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin. It's also formulated with strawberry for a kick of Vitamin C and plum seed and grapeseed oils to nourish. It's one of my favorite all-in-one products that keeps my skin looking radiant and smooth.

Rose Face Mask | This is another favorite, especially for slow weekend mornings. It's so great for dehydrated skin - it really feels like a big drink of water. It's so soothing and calming, so it's also one I reach for if I'm sick. It makes a throbbing head feel so much better. I love leaving it on for an hour or two and really letting it sink in and work its magic. This might just be my favorite product out of everything featured here.

Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask | This is the newest mask in their collection, and after trying it twice, I know I've found a favorite. It's a super quick mask (5 minutes) that gives instant results. It uses Fresh's Super 7 Complex to increase radiance and hydrate the skin, while Kombu Seaweed Flakes and Sea Fennel Extract smooth the skin's texture. I was skeptical, but I really did see instant results after just five minutes, and they lasted well into the next day. It made my skin feel so smooth, purified, and hydrated. This will definitely be a staple before special occasions and whenever my skin needs a pick-me-up.

Sugar Lip Treatments | These are probably Fresh's most popular product (or at least what I've heard people talk about the most). They're the best tinted balms in my opinion - they feel so nourishing on the lips, and they pack about as much pigment as a lipstick. I love the selection of shades, and I have a whole makeup drawer full of them. Bloom, a soft pink, and Honey, a warm nude are my favorites. I also need to get a new tube of the Petal shade, which is a neutral pink nude - I wore it almost every day for a year and ran out. If you're looking for a comfortable, everyday lip option look no further.

Sugar Cream Lip Treatments | I wrote a whole post about these here, because I love them so much and can't believe more people don't rave about them. They're a nice creamy gloss that doesn't feel sticky or gloopy on the lips. The shades are soft and natural and add a bit of shimmer to make the lips look fuller. Pearl is my favorite shade for adding on top of my usual pink nudes.

Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm | I can't believe I forgot to include this one in my photos, although it lives in my bathroom cabinet for easy access. It's one of my favorite lip balms. It feels nice and cushion-y on the lips, almost gel-like, and gives an instant hit of hydration. I'm sensitive to a lot of lip balms, but this one hasn't caused any problems for me. It smells amazing and leaves a soft hint of nude brown on the lips I love as well.

Rice Dry Oil | This is a new favorite I've been using every time I get out of the shower. It's so nourishing and sinks into the skin quickly, so you're not left feeling sticky or greasy and can put clothes on right away. It also smells absolutely amazing.

Black Tea Age-Delay Body Cream | This isn't out yet, but definitely keep an eye out for when it launches. It really does firm the skin while intensely hydrating. It makes my skin feel so smooth, evening out the slightly bumpy skin I have on my arms and legs. It takes a minute to sink in, but I don't mind waiting around a bit for the results it gives me. 

Have you tried anything from Fresh? What's your favorite product?

All products mentioned were sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. This post isn't sponsored, I just love the brand! This post contains affiliate links.

In My Makeup Bag | February

It's a new month, so that means I've gone and shaken up my makeup routine a bit. The overall look always remains quite similar month to month - glowy skin, fluffy brows and lashes, and a nude lip, but I love digging through my collection to find new products to put all together. This month I'm being a bit more "extra" with the look, adding a few extra steps here and there.

As always, my main focus is my skin. I want it to look perfected, but not overdone and unnatural. I've been starting with the Smashbox Primerizer mixed with a bit of the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion for a hydrated, dewy glow right off the bat. I've only just started using these two, but so far they're great. For foundation I'm still using the MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour that I talked about last week in my Re-ignited Love post. It's beautifully dewy and sheer on the skin, evening everything out and making the skin just look healthy and radiant. Combined with that primer mixture, my skin is positively beaming all day long. I've also been going in with multiple concealers - Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light with a beautyblender over larger areas of redness and then concealing my undereye circles and any spots with the Milk Makeup Flex Concealer in Fair. I love using the combination of concealers because the Glossier one has the perfect finish to blend in with the foundation, and the Milk Makeup one has the coverage and longevity I need on spots and dark circles.

For my cheeks, I still can't bring myself to put down the Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff. It's just my all-time favorite blush, and if for some reason I had to get rid of all but one of my blushes, this would definitely be it. But I have been going over it with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal Glow. I just recently got this with a giftcard, and though it was quite an impulse purchase, I'm so in love. The Ambient Lighting Blushes are my favorite powder blushes, and this lovely cool pink shade is a perfect match for my beloved Puff. It adds a nice hit of luminosity to my skin without turning me into a disco ball. I've been bronzing as usual, but this time I'm using the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Palette - my sister is the best ever and is letting me borrow hers to decide if it's something I'll want to wear for my wedding. I'm still deciding if I like the tone of the highlight on me, but I'm obsessed with the sculpting/bronzer side. It's the most beautiful shade - not too warm and not too cool. Highlight is still Glossier Haloscope in Quartz, but I have been dusting a little bit of the CT Highlight from the Bronze & Glow Palette on over the top of it, too.

For the first time since it launched, I haven't been using Boy Brow! Shock horror. I was recently sent a kit from Nudestix that included their Brow Stylus Pencil & Gel, and I'm hooked. I never thought I'd like those triangle-shaped pencils, afraid they would give me blocky brows, but this one is so easy to use. It's still possible to create hairlike strokes with it, and I like that it's not overly pigmented - you can easily build it from a natural to more sculpted look. The gel is so nice too - it's a little crunchy, especially compared to Boy Brow, but it does a great job at coating every brow hair, making them look full and fluffy, and then staying put no matter what.

For eyes I've been all over the NARS Wanted Eyeshadow Palette - I've been doing the same look almost every time I use it, but I just love how it comes out. I have a full review up, but I just love the shade selection and find it's not overly warm on me, which is perfect because warm tones usually pull bright orange on my skin. For lashes I've gone back to my beloved Wander Beauty Unlashed Mascara. One coat is perfect for a natural, everyday look, but it builds up beautifully to give fluttery, full lashes. It also doesn't smudge on me and holds a curl well despite not being waterproof.

I've been all over the place with lips, too. One minute I'm reaching for a slick of the Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Fresh smudged into some lip balm, and the next I'm going for the new Stila Sheer Liquid Lipstick in Sheer Patina. The Laura Mercier is a beautiful brightening rose shade, and the formula is lightweight yet ultra pigmented. I was never a huge fan of Stila's original liquid lipsticks, but I've been loving this sheer version - it's much less drying on the lips, and I like the more natural look it provides. Patina is a really pretty cool mauve/pink shade that goes great with my blush combo.

What products have you been using lately? 

This post contains affiliate links.