A few months ago, I wrote a post called Bargain Beauty: Cheap Products I Love. I received a delightful whack of emails from women all over the country asking what I thought about their moisturizer or their mascara, or whatever product they were using, and was it their best choice? It was bunches of fun, and I loved it.
A close friend of mine always says “I hate to ask you more questions, but as long as you’re here, can you help me with…?” I’ve repeatedly assured her that asking me about all things beauty or makeup product related is akin to asking Hubs about football. Bring it on. My four favorite things to hear, in no particular order, are: “I bought your book,” “Have you lost weight?”, “Can I ask you a beauty question?”, and “I’ll bring the wine.”
I understand that the behemoth cosmetics/beauty product labyrinth can often feel confusing and overwhelming. Every luxury line assures us they’ve discovered what nobody else has, and for a mere $400, your “Personal Beauty Consultant” will get you started on their Basic Skin Care Plan, so you, too, can turn back time and look like your daughter’s slightly older sister. Oh, and she’d just be tickled to book you for a makeover, to help hide those tiny lines creeping down your cheekbones. She swears it’s totally complimentary, but you know deep down that you’re going to walk out a couple hundred bucks poorer, with a glossy shopping bag full of products you won’t remember how to use when you get home.
So we head to the drugstores, only to discover that the 19-year-old clerk at the cash register doesn’t have a clue about the products on her shelves or about skin care and makeup concerns of middle-age women. And there are no testers, so everything we choose is bought on faith or advertising, rather than any hands-on demonstration or trial. This often results in multiple trips back to Walgreen’s to return yet another product that failed us. It can feel like we’re shopping by braille.
As a confessed beauty product junkie, who started in the industry at age 24, I’m happy to share my findings with you. I’m an animal about research, comparisons, and reviews, and I refuse to shop at any store that doesn’t have a no-questions-asked return policy. Maybe I can help you avoid the mistakes I’ve made and the hassles of trying to return something you’ve opened and tried (which is just stupid. How are you supposed to know if you love it or hate it if you haven’t tried it??)
So here’s my list of Beauty Products I’m Loving Right Now, in 2016 (Note: I’ve received no compensation from any company for my reviews. In fact, unless they read my blog, they’ll never even know I wrote this):
Best Foundation: Bye-Bye Foundation. My very first infomercial beauty product purchase, ever. Foundation is one of the hardest products to get right. Expensive foundations look great, but ouch on the pocketbook. Cheap foundations are affordable, but hard to blend and often come in weird, non-people-colored shades. I’ve looked for the “The Foundation” for years, and this is it. It’s gorgeous, blends easily, covers flawlessly without looking heavy or obvious, and has a fabulous luminescence that keeps your skin glowy all day long. This one product works as my moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation. Find it online at “It Cosmetics” or at Ulta.
Best Mascara: Physician’s Formula Instant Lash Extension Kit. If you like lashes out to there, this is your new crack. It comes in two tubes, to be used together. I’ve tried virtually every extension-type mascara from Maybelline to Chanel, and not one made a visible difference. This one does. Apply one coat for subtle thickening and lengthening, two coats for more noticeable lashes, or if you’re a lash tramp like me, three coats for “OMG, are those real?” lashes. Get it at Rite Aid for about $13. You’ll never buy another mascara.
Best Concealer: Here’s a trick I learned years ago. For most skin tones, get a yellow concealing stick (Cover Girl makes a cheap one that will last the rest of your life). Apply sparingly after your foundation. Using a small brush (no fingers, please), gently dab and blend a tiny bit under your eyes. The yellow will brighten under-eye circles and shadows better than traditional beige concealers, making you look younger and less exhausted. What else could we ask for?
Best Cleanser: I’ve rediscovered cleansing oils, and had forgotten how yummy they are. They remove everything from foundation to mascara, and leave your skin feeling soft and dewy, not stripped. Clinique makes a beautiful one that rinses off easily. If you’re a frugalista, Neutrogena’s Ultra Light Oil is also wonderful. Think of it as a mini-facial. Your skin will thank you.
Best Eyeshadow Quads: Lancome. Absolutely. They’re color combinations are gorgeous, blend like silk, and have a soft shimmer that doesn’t look like a child’s glitter craft project. They even come with instructions. My current favorites are Coral Crush (neutrals) and Amethyst Glam (bright violets), worn together. All of their quad eyeshadow palettes are stunning and last forever. If you’re looking for a new look, go check these out before you buy elsewhere. Available at Lancome counters or online.
Best Self-Tanner: St. Tropez. A little more expensive than Jergen’s, but so worth it. It’s beautiful, truly natural looking, easy to blend, and comes in everything from mousse (my fave) to lotion and spray-on, with no funky smell. You can’t screw this one up, and you won’t look like you’re channeling The Donald. This is the pick from everyone in the industry for a reason. Available online, at department stores, and Sephora.
Best Nail Polish: The Sinful Collection. A hundred or more fabulous colors, many with a beautiful, subtle shimmer, available at drugstores for two bucks. So chip proof, my manicurist hates it because he can’t get it off without a bucket full of polish remover and a stack of cotton balls. Sorry, Orly. I’m never coming back.
Finishing up my coffee and heading out on a cosmetics run. ;) The yellow under-eye concealer is such a solid tip. Thank you, thank you for sharing that, because I’ve had under-eye circles my whole life. I’ve looked tired since I’m 10. Question: I see people (mostly on TV) with white concealer under their eyes. (Not talking about Trump, because that’s just where his tanning goggles were..lol) When does that come into play vs. the yellow concealer, or sometimes both?
Linda, I never use light concealer under my eyes. It’s extremely difficult to blend into any semblance of most skin tones, and the light color often highlights an area you’re trying to conceal. It’s also not much help for dark circles or redness. Yellow is the only one I use. Hope that helps! :)
Who knew I could laugh out loud this morning and get some fabulous beauty finds.
I can’t wait to try Physician’s Formula Instant Lash Extension Kit. Thanks Vikki!
Thanks, Nancy! I love that I could give you a giggle in the morning. That mascara is a little messy at first (the small fiber one), but I just use a fluffy brush to sweep off any fibers that fall onto my cheeks in the process. SO worth it! :)
I know moisturizers are different for all skin types my moisturizer of choice at this time is
Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel cream. What are you using Vikki?
ps…………….love It products
Barb, Even though my skin is very dry, I don’t use a moisturizer underneath Bye-Bye foundation. It’s in the product, and it stays dewy all day long. If I feel like I need a “booster” of moisturizer, I’ll use whatever yummy night cream I have on hand (I jump around a lot. They’re all fabulous), applied somewhat generously, and sleep in it. But for daytime, my foundation lasts longer and looks prettier without additional moisturizer applied beforehand. Does that answer your question? :)
I will try this foundation and thanks for the concealer tip! Wow, I would have brought the wine for this advice anytime.
You’re welcome, Haralee! And if you bring wine, I’ll tell you my “secret secrets” that I don’t share with anyone. Sshhh… :)
Ooh, good stuff. I definitely need to grab that yellow concealer. And where can I find this sinful nail stuff?
Thanks, Lisa! The Sinful nail colors are at Rite Aid and Walgreen’s (and probably other drugstores that we don’t have in our little town). They are usually in a stand-alone display right near the front of the store. It’s an extensive line, with lots and lots of colors. The shimmer ones are gorgeous and sophisticated, and stay on forever. It’s a lot of bang for your two bucks. Have fun! :)
Thanks for this, Vikki! I think you could have a second career accompanying women like us to the cosmetics counter (then we’d go out for wine after).
Thanks, Roxanne! You just determined my new career! I’d love to be a personal beauty product shopper. If I could do that and write, I’d die a happy old lady. :)
I owe you a nice bottle of wine for this list! I put a lot of it on my CVS list and I will take a closer look at the Lancome counter when I get to Macy’s. I worked for them years ago, when it was a glam biz and fun.
Thanks!
b
You’re very welcome, Barbara! Yes, definitely check out the Lancome quad eyeshadow combinations. They’re gorgeous. And don’t be afraid of the shimmer. It’s not the “shiny,” cheap glitter look of drugstore shimmers. Blend well, and you’ll love, love, love them! :)
I love Bye Bye concealer. It’s the only thing that makes the dark circles disappear. But I haven’t tried the foundation yet. Is what you use is in the white tube and says “Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer”?
I notice It has a cc cream and a celebration foundation too.
Cathy, I love Bye Bye concealer! I use it on any spots I might have on my face, and the tip of my nose, for a little more matte coverage if I’m getting dressed up. Yes, the foundation is the white tube that says “Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer, 50 SPF.” A little goes a long way, so start with the tiniest amount first, then add more if you need it (you usually won’t). I wear it every day, and I get 3-4 months out of a tube. The celebration foundation comes in a pressed compact. I have one in my handbag for T-zone touch-ups during the day when necessary, but it’s more matte and I prefer the luminescent finish from the tube. But whatever works for your skin type, both products rock! :)
I’m glad a little goes a long way because it sure is expensive. But I don’t wear makeup unless I’m going out somewhere or having company so I’m sure it will last me a long time.
I just looked at my local CVS (it’s a block away from me) for The Sinful Collection nail polish but they didn’t have it so I just ordered some off of Amazon. I got the set of 10 colors and some of them are pretty wild but I’ll give those to my granddaughter.
Ok I thought I bought the sinful collection nail polish through Amazon but actually it was Sinful Colors. I can’t find Sinful Collection anywhere. Is it Sinful Colors or Sinful Collection?
Also I went to my local Ulta and they didn’t have ByeBye foundation but they did have the CC cream. Now every CC cream I have tried in past didn’t cover well at all. I bought this stuff and it is WONDERFUL! I highly recommend it.
What brand is the CC cream?
It’s from the Bye Bye line from It Cosmetics too Rita.
Vikki, Thanks for your tips and recommendations! I can’t wait to get to the store and purchase some of these. I’m saved this under favorites because knowing me, I’ll forget what they were before I get there! Teresa
You’re welcome, Teresa! Happy to help! :)
Great stuff Vikki! Ive been considering Bye Bye Foundation. You know Im a Lancome girl but I like that it is your skin care, makeup & SPF all in one. How did I not know you were using this? Yes, its been way too long since we got together! I’ll be seeing you soon.
Goddess, this just shows you how long it’s been since we got together for giggles and gossip! If you want to try the foundation before you buy, come on over! :)
Wow – so many things I never knew about. Great reviews! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Cathy! I love that you stopped by and commented! :)
This is great! I watch commercials with a 20something marketing products for wrinkles and age spots and wonder if these companies really think that I believe she had either to begin with.
I agree, Amy! Either way, she will be us someday, and I wonder what she’ll use then? :)
Vikki, is there a wonderful eyeliner you are loving this year? Lately, I have had trouble getting eyeliners to last on my eyes. An hour or less, and it’s gone. I would love one that goes on smoothly in a very thin line, and that lasts all day.
Rita, absolutely! It’s made by Physician’s Formula, and part of the mascara line I’m so giddy about. I comes in a fatter, red tube, so it’s easy to hold and work with. It goes on like silk (no messy lines). I go over it with a shadow (soft black or a pop of color, like violet, which is very subtle over black liner) to “set it,” and it doesn’t move all day. :)
I’ve been using powder over my eyeliner lately, especially in the humidity of summer. I’ll try Physician’s Formula, next buy.
Thanks
b