Best of Beauty 2017

Well it's been awhile! Almost a year a half since I stopped blogging. And even longer since I've blogged regularly. However, lately I've kind of missed it. I'm not sure how regularly I'll be writing posts but, I thought I'd share some of beauty faves from 2017. Most are items I've had for some time but there are a few new bits in there. 

RCMA No Color Powder - I use this every single day!  I take my Real Techniques setting brush and set my concealer under my eyes, around my nose, and my chin.  It helps my concealer stay all day and helps the wear time of my foundation.  The first place my foundation starts to wear off is my chin.  Probably because I tend to touch it the most.  But for the price ($12) this stuff is absolutely amazing and I doubt I will run out anytime soon. 

Pixi Glow Tonic - Over the past 2 years I have probably gone through 20 bottles of this.  It's my hands down favorite toner.  A few month ago Target had been out of it for about 2 weeks and I freaked out. Now I always have a backup on hand. I have dry skin, especially in the winter so my skin can't really handle anything that has alcohol as the number one ingredient.  The Glow Tonic has a 5% Glyolic Acid Formula with Aloe Vera and Ginseng.  It is gentle yet gets rid of any dead skin I have.  I don't even remember who I originally heard about this from but, it has been a game changer in my life.  Whoever it was needs to be thanked with my famous apple pie. 

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes - I rediscovered this mascara this year.  I was drawn in by the gorgeous packaging but, kept repurchasing because the formula is just great.  This is my normal everyday mascara.  I feel as a girl who wears glasses the blackest of black mascara is a must.  This gives me the perfect lift and slight curl that I need.

Charlotte Tilbury Vintage Vamp Eye Shadow Quad - I remember drooling over this eye quad and when I finally bought it, I didn't use her as much as I should have.  A few month ago I was getting bored of my normal palettes and I pulled out Vintage Vamp and we fell in love all over again.  I highly suggest this for anyone with blue or green eyes.  They just pop when wearing this quad.  I use the medium maroon shade in my crease, the darker shade on my outer lid bringing it in about half way and the lightest shade on my inner lid.  Once and awhile I will pop the gold right in the middle of my lid, on top of the rest.  I now reach for this 3 or 4 days a week.

Covergirl Healthy Elixir Foundation - I bought this on a whim.  2017 was not a huge beauty year for me.  I did not buy a lot of new items just a lot of repurchases of items I knew worked for me.  So, I was standing in CVS staring at this foundation thinking well why not I haven't bought any other foundation this year.  And well it's my best "why not" purchase to date.  It has become my absolute favorite foundation.  I wear it every single day.  Most days I sheer it out with moisturizer (I use cetaphil).  I wear the lightest shade, 705.  It works so well with my dry skin.  I don't have to worry about having any dry patches.  I have used the real techniques sponge to apply it but most days I just use my fingers and the coverage is great. 

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence - This stuff most be sourced from special fountain in a secret mountain somewhere heavenly because my face knows when I am not using it.  I put a small amount in the palm of my hand and then press it into my skin.  I use the essence after the Pixi Glow Tonic and before my serum.  I feel like it helps hydrate my face and my serum and moisturizer absorb better when using it.  I have tried other brands who have a similar product but I always come back to the SK-II. 

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso - I have used this blush for ages.  It is a staple in my beauty drawers.  It compliments my skin tone so nicely and the fact that it is a baked blush gives it a natural sheen.  I can wear this alone or with bronzer.  I reach for this blush almost every single day.  It is something I don't even need to think about. 


Honorable mentions
Glossier Stretch Concealer & the Balm Dot Com
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser & Moisturizing Lotion



What were some of your 2017 favorites?

xoxo,
Gina

Current Foundations In Rotation

I have recently acquired three new foundations.  As if I don't own enough already I just had to have these too.  First up we have Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint($55).  Hourglass claims this foundation will give you a smoother, firmer, more youthful appearance.  I can only attest to the smoothness.  I use one application all over my face.  I enjoy using this with a brush more then my beauty blender.  The beauty blender just doesn't work well with the consistency.  It is on the thicker side but, once on the face it doesn't feel cakey.  Out of all the foundations this is my least favorite.  Since I have combo skin this works well in my t-zone but not so much on my cheeks where I am more dry.

Next up we have Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint($26).  This is one of the best light weight "foundations" I have tried.  Its almost like you are wearing nothing.  I dab a bit of this all over my face and work it in with my fingers.  It gives good coverage and evens out my skin.  You can build this up to give more of a medium coverage but I would say of you want to do that use a brush instead of your fingers.  This is my number one out of all three.  

Lastly we have the Givenchy Teint Couture Balm($43).  This is a pretty light weight foundation that gives a more medium coverage.  Out of all the foundations this one smells the best.  It kind of has that rose smell that Chanel foundations have but, it smells fresher.  I love using my beauty blender with this.  I use about one and half coats.  I go back in and use another coat on my cheeks since they are more red.  I enjoy this foundation but I can't see myself reaching for this on a daily basis.   

Hourglass Illusion in Vanilla

Glossier Skin Tint in Light 

Givenchy Teint Couture Balm in Nude Shell

Have you tried these foundations ??  What are your favorites at the moment ??

Love, 

City Styles 

September Favorites

I was a bit of a makeup minimalist in September.   Since I have been in training with my new job I stuck to the basics. 

Becca/Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop - I can't get enough of this highlighter.  Every time I wear it all I can think is highlight on fleck.  If you are still living under a rock and haven't bought this you need to run to Sephora like yesterday. 

Bite Beauty Deluxe Creme Lipstick in 002 - Bite Beauty has been releasing a limited edition shade of lipstick every month.  For the first few months of the year I had been diligent about buying them.  This is the shade from February.  It is a nice egg plant shade.  Perfect for this time of year.  

Glossier Skin Tint - I recently bought this and have been testing it out.  I enjoy a nice lightweight foundation.  I have a more on depth review coming soon. 

LA Girl Cosmetics Pro Concealer - This has quickly become my holy grail.  I have already bought a back up.  I love the coverage it gives and how great of an eyeshadow base it is. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock - If I had to get rid of all my eyeshadows and only keep one it would be Misty Rock.  It is such a beautiful mauve/purple shade.  I smudge this all over my lids and blend it out with a MAC 217.  

What are your September favorites ?? 

Lip Balms In Rotation

Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream ($15) - I love to use this every morning before putting my makeup on.  This helps soften my lips and prep them for lipstick.

Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral ($33) - I break this out during the day after my lipstick has worn off and I need a little bit of color on my lips.

Glossier Balm Dot Com ($12) - I keep this in my bag at all times!  I have very dry lips and this moisturizes them so well.

Grown Alchemist Watermelon and Vanilla Lip Balm ($13) - I had to have this because watermelon and vanilla are my two favorite scents and flavors.  I keep this at my desk and use this to freshen up my lips.

By Terry Baume de Rose ($60) - This took me forever to actually buy.  It is definitely a luxury item but worth every penny.  I keep this on my night stand and put it on before bed. 

What lip balms are currently in your rotation ??

Love, 

City Styles