It feels good to have a few new makeup favorites to chat about because it appears that I haven’t written a post about new makeup favorites in months. I plan on filming a video using these products to show you how they apply, swatches, etc. (especially the foundation), but here’s a breakdown of what I used on my face on Independence Day. I posted a video in my Instagram stories and many people asked me for the details, so here you have it.
Face
I have been testing the new ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation* for a few weeks, and it is totally a hit for me. I have never had success with ILIA’s complexion products (their concealers and other foundations have never worked well for me), so this was a lovely surprise. First off, I managed to pick a great match for my skin tone, which is the shade called Salina. Second, it feels light and comfortable–no itchiness, desire to scratch it off, breakouts, irritation, or other skin-related issues. Third, it has the most beautiful, natural-looking finish–truly skin-like. No excessive dewiness, shine, and definitely no powdery, cakey, or obvious makeup-y finish either. Just natural and fresh, with light coverage. It evens out the skin tone beautifully.
I like to apply it with a beautyblender. So far, I have seen it work best on top of the Hynt Beauty Sun Prep face sunscreen, but I will have to test it with more sunscreens to see how it layers. I got mine at The Detox Market (where you can also order samples to test different shades).
On that day, I also used the W3LL People Bio Correct Concealer (shade Light) under my eyes only. I have already shown you all this concealer many, many times, but if you are new, you can see it in action in this video.
Before applying any setting powder, I added a drop of Maya Chia Illuminating Serum in the shade Afternoon Delight to my cheekbones as a highlighter. If you like glowing skin but you prefer a more natural look than what you typically see on Instagram, definitely check this out. You can read my full review here.
I also used the RMS Beauty Un-Powder, which is always necessary during the Summer heat to keep my forehead, nose, sides of the nose, and chin shine-free. I apply it with fingers, or with the same sponge that I use to apply the foundation. I have realized that when I use a brush to apply setting powder I always end up applying more than needed.
To warm up my complexion, which is actually a bit pale at the moment due to using loads of sunscreen daily, I used the Lily Lolo Pressed Bronzer in the shade Honolulu. I have been trying quite a few bronzers lately, and this is the ones I reach for the most. It’s a great shade of bronzer for light to medium skin tones, and it does not have any shimmer. I also used this bronzer on my eyes, along with other eyeshadows.
On my cheeks, I added a little warm-toned blush from a Kosas cheek palette called Papaya 1972, a beautiful shade of peach. I truly enjoy the Kosas blush formula. It blends well and has a luminous finish.
Eyebrows
Glossier’s Boy Brow is still my go-to brow product. I do the first layer with the clear one, which gives shape and texture to the hairs, and then I do a second layer with the brown or the black one to add a little pigment. On July 4th, I also added a little Kjaer Weis eyeshadow in Generosity, which is actually a good powder for brows. Not as ashy as I hoped it that it would’ve been when I first heard about the launch, but it works.
Eyes
I felt like I had gone a little overboard with eyeshadow when I first left the house, but I ended up really liking the look. I used a few eyeshadows that have been my go-to for a while, including Sappho Beckitt in the crease, Kjaer Weis Grace on the lid, and a combination of the two colors on my lower lid. Then after lining my eyes with the Kjaer Weis brown eye pencil, I smoked it out with the newest Kjaer Weis eyeshadow called Generosity*, a dark, matte brown to create a soft wing. After I was done doing my whole face, I just went in with the same bronzer I used on the rest of my face, and I blended all the eyeshadows with it. Sounds like a mess, but it looked nice and less makeup-y.
I highlighted the inner corners of my eyes with the highlighting shade of the same Kosas cheek palette that I used on my cheeks.
On my lashes, I used the ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara. One coat on top and one coat on the bottom lashes. When I use more than one coat I get a little flaking, so I just try to coat my lashes well with one coat.
Lips
Fitglow’s lip serums must be made by angels because I can’t put into words how luscious, comfortable and beautiful they feel and look. They are a hybrid between a gloss and a serum, so they give a soft sheen and a slightly plumping effect, without the stickiness of a makeup product. I wore the shade Bliss, which came in The Detox Market Summer Bundle box* (the box is sold out). It’s a sheer nude color with a soft shimmer. I lined my lips with the Lily Lolo Lip Pencil in the shade Soft Nude and I did not touch it up at all. They stayed on so well.
That’s it!! Please let me know if you have any questions.
*gifted
