2019 is the year I get into makeup, baby! I mean, I’ve been saying that for ages, but now that I’m almost 30 (haven’t even hit 27.5, I’m just dramatic), I feel like skincare and makeup are suddenly important. I’ve always been one for mascara and lipstick, but I’m not sure I knew what a serum was until, like, yesterday. Getting a beauty box subscription helped me branch out and try a bunch of new things. These are some of my new faves!
Glossier
I’m sorry (I’m not sorry). I know this is such an eye-roll-y brand to be into, but fuck if I don’t love their products. Glossier rocks. It’s a great price point, and I have yet to be disappointed in a single product. Little by little, my entire cabinet is being taken over. I have the Perfecting Skin Tint, Zit Stick, Stretch Concealer, Boy Brow, Super Bounce Serum, Solution, and I’m getting Glossier You (the solid and the spray) soon (it smells so freaking good). In addition to selling kick-ass products, their packaging game is so strong. The pink pouch has become iconic, and they always add some fun stickers.
BITE Beauty
I’ve been #blessed to receive a bunch of BITE products as free samples with cosmetics and in my FabFitFun box (that will come up quite a bit in this post). I have their Amuse Bouche lipstick in Meringue & Chai, two Matte Creme Lip Crayons, a Lip Pencil, and a set of Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipsticks! Needless to say, I’m a super fan.
PÜR, Be Your Selfie eyeshadow palette
Thus far I’m loving this palette that I got in my FabFitFun winter box. It’s a bunch of great neutrals with just enough sparkle for the holidays. I love it so much that I look forward to checking out what else the brand has to offer!
Too Faced
I’m new to Too Faced (I got their Melted Matte lipstick in Queen B as a sample), but I just snagged their Better Than Sex mascara in full- and mini-sized. I can’t wait to try it out. If their mascara is half as good as their lip products, I’m in good hands!
Juice Beauty
This one’s hardly a surprise—Juice Beauty is a pretty popular favorite beauty brand. I’ve used a bunch of Juice samples (thanks to my awesome friend, Gilly, who hipped me to the skincare game), but I’ve never actually owned a full-sized product until this season’s FabFitFun box (I added it on for a fraction of the retail cost).
HAN
HAN’s cheek and lip tint is possibly my favorite product ever. It’s super versatile (and clean!) and I use it almost every day. If you blend it, it’s such a subtle touch of color. I also have their eyeshadow in either Golden Glow or Chocolate Bronze (forgive me, I’m away from my arsenal of goodies). It’s super pigmented and perfectly shimmery.
OSEA
OSEA is a skincare and wellness brand that uses bioavailable organic seaweed in it’s nontoxic formulas! If you’re not obsessed already, I can personally vouch for the Essential Hydrating Oil, which I got in my Oui Fresh box. Plus, it smells amazing! Take their skincare quiz here!
Johnny Concert
Vegan. Cruelty-free. Amazing. I have their eyeshadow in a super-bright platinum white (I think it’s Skull? It came in the October Oui Fresh box.) Typically this whole aesthetic (the Kat Von D thing, Suicide Girls, fetlife.com, lol) makes me puke, but this makeup is actually pretty legit. I’m looking to make sure everything in my life is cruelty-free (except my Madewell bags, don’t @ me), so I dig any brand that’s committed to this. Plus, most eyeshadow is honestly garbage, so finding an awesome, pigmented one is a clear sign from the cosmos that a brand is good.
e.l.f. cosmetics
Yeah, that’s right. The stuff you can buy at CVS. It’s good! And it’s so GOSH DARN CHEAP. e.l.f. is my starting point for trying anything new and adventurous. Remember when gel eyeliner was a thing? My first ever primer was from e.l.f. All of my makeup brushes are e.l.f. (why pay more than $3 for something I barely know how to use?). When you’re a makeup neophyte, it feels good to be able to try out a trend for a few dollars rather than investing, say $20 in a Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (which, incidentally, rules, but she is an anti-vaxxer, so…) Pro tip: check out their actual website—there’s a way bigger selection there than at your local Target.
Pacifica
I’ve used a lot of Pacifica products before (I love their nail polish!). The Kale Detox face wash is excellent, their spray sunscreen is amazing for the price point, and their Aquarian Gaze mascara does the trick in a pinch (I’m still looking for a clean mascara that performs as well as conventional). As mentioned before, I love a brand that is vegan and cruelty-free, and this one is available at Target! They also have a fragrance line, if that’s what you’re into!
Thrive Causemetics
Another FabFitFun find! In this season’s box, I got a Brilliant Eye Brightener, and I absolutely love it! I suffer from the very serious ailment of dark circles, so anything that helps add some brightness to my dead-eyed stare is a huge plus. I love highlighting under my brows and in the corners of my eyes! It’s adds a tiny bit of shimmer to my usual mascara-and-lipstick only look.
Make Up For Ever
Make Up For Ever is a Parisian brand (I don’t think anyone’s surprised that I’m a Francophile) that I just discovered by a mild Sephora spree. I snagged this super fun eyeshadow palette that I can’t wait to use for all my holiday events! I’ve never really branched out with eyeshadow before, so it should be a trip!
Stay tuned for another roundup!
Della Bites 