New year, new cosmetics! I have been testing a bunch of new beauty products but I have to say, I actively tracked the Victoria Beckham package en route to me (daily) and ripped open the package to try it immediately when it arrived. These foundation drops are having a moment right now; they’re everywhere, and heavily hyped. Sadly, Magpies, they are incredible. Probably the best foundation I’ve ever tried. Worth $110?! I’m not sure — it is foundation, after all. But…! Very good foundation. Full thoughts on this and other recent beauty favorites and flops below — would you share your discoveries, too?
Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops.
Sadly, the best foundation I’ve ever tried. Which is saying a lot because we all know how good Westman Atelier’s foundation stick is (in my “instant reorder, and at full price if need be” category). First of all, I love the bottle/applicator. It has a tiny spout and you can squeeze it right onto your face without it running all over the place / drip-dropping. You squiggle it on wherever you need it, and it stays put, and comes out in the perfect thin little strip — just enough. Those details are crucial to making application easy and repeatable day in and day out. I’ve heard most people use a beauty blender to apply, but I use this cheap brush (the angled side), which is probably my best Amazon purchase ever. It’s honestly my most-used brush. I use it for foundation, liquid/cream blush, liquid/cream bronzer, highlighter! Applies so perfectly. Anyway, I will often add a little dab of Westman bronzing drops to a few areas of my face, right on top of the VB drops, and then blend it all together right on my face. The result is the dewiest, glowiest, most color-corrected version of your face — and the finish is shockingly natural. Shocking! I don’t know what black magic they used to create this, but I suspect it’s something about how hydrating it is. So many foundations end up looking cakey or splotchy or dry; this just wears like skin. It absolutely melts into your skin, but provides a good amount of coverage.
I will say, I prep my skin with Rhode’s glazing milk, which I’ve used for years now, and I think it provides the perfect base layer for this foundation. Definitely rec this duo together.
So, sadly, these drops are now on my RWI list.
Victoria Beckham Color Wash + Satin Kajal Eye Liner.
I was eager to try their color wash cheek stains and satin kajal eye liner, which have also been heavily hyped. I love the “color from the inside out” quality of the blush product, but I have found it a little tricky to apply. It comes in a little dropper bottle but the “release” function on it is tricky / hard to press with one hand (for me at least), and sometimes I let too much out and other times not enough. I’m still messing with this, though — I think the result is gorgeous, and, when applied well, looks like you’re not wearing any blush at all, but have just come in from a cold walk across a moor looking for Heathcliff. Going to continue to give this time and trying, because I think it has great potential and I’m assuming my issues are user-error related.
Now, the eyeliner — so many Magpies have raved about this. The consistency and glide of this product are incredible. I’ve never had a pencil go on so easily, so smoothly — almost like a gel pen in terms of slide. My personal quibble is that I wish the point were finer. I like a really thin application along the lash-line for daily wear, and I find it difficult to achieve with this product. I will use it when I’m looking for a more dramatic eye (evening) — but I have already found myself going back to my tried and true $8 drugstore favorite. (This is the only thing I have on Amazon auto-subscription at this point. I have a new pen delivered every two months, which is about how long it takes for the brush to go crazy, with loose strands flinging every which way, and start to dry out. But I use this daily! Just the finest line along my lashes to give my eyes a little pop!)
My Favorite Everyday Eye Shadows.
Do you wear eye shadow daily? My hunch is no. I feel like most Magpies are the minimalist makeup types who apply a dab of concealer and a swipe of mascara and look fabulous. Most days, I do apply a little bit of RMS eyelights cream eye shadow to my finger and swipe on and call it a day. Easy, takes no time, and simply evens out the eyelid. When I have a tiny bit more time, I use this Makeup by Mario palette and specifically use the MN2 color (top row, second from left). It’s one of those situations where I’ve literally used the other colors a handful of times, but this one square is almost empty. It’s SUCH A GOOD EVERYDAY COLOR. It brightens and evens out the lid, and these eyeshadow really last. I mean really. Kind of shocking because it’s a powder but it grips the skin really well. Cannot rec more. When I am really getting done up, I’ll use the MN2 color all over the lid, up to the brow, and then add MN6 or MN7 in the crease/along the lash line for a little definition. I am not great at applying makeup, but this simple formula really works and makes your eyes look great.
Freck Mascara Lash Rocket: An Ode.
Wow, wow, wow. I might be burying the lede with the placement of this blurb in this post, but you must know about this mascara. You know I’m a big mascara girl. If I could only have one cosmetic item on a desert island, it would be mascara. And I will always try the new new. For the past few years, I’ve been loving Tower28 (still believe it’s a better mascara than most “prestige” mascaras that are $15-$20 pricier) and Westman’s formula (which I would only rec buying when on sale — it is so $$$ and I’d still put it on equal footing with Tower28). I think Freck has displaced them on the throne. The thing I can’t get over is the way it makes you look like you have about 3x as many lashes as you actually do. I swear — the volume effect is insane! I think it’s because the wand does a phenomenal job of separating the lashes from one another, like individually! Lengthening, volumizing, feathering! WOW. Insane. I also like that this contains a serum that promotes lash health and does not leave lashes stiff / brittle / etc. A fantastic product; 10/10 review from me.
Continued Love Affair: Sarah Creal Concealer.
Just a little note to say I continue to use and adore this Sarah Creal concealer. The best I’ve ever used. Cannot rec more. In my “immediate reorder” bucket. If you’ve not yet tried, it’s a formula specifically designed for maturing skin — it does not settle into fine lines, and is creamy/nourishing without being thick and cakey, but DOES offer significant coverage.
Eadem Lip Chouchou.
My favorite lip product this winter. Deeply hydrating and non-sticky. I like the clear butter croissant color. This claims to both exfoliate and hydrate — I don’t know about the exfoliation claim but it does a good job of hydrating the lip!
I also still wear the Queen Musia creme lipsticks whenever I want true color on my lips. I am obsessed with both the colors Madam Bovary and Dorian. Just gorgeous colors and non-drying. Pair either with this lip liner in color “Desert Rose” for a “YLBB” look (term introduced to me by a Magpie reader, and it means ‘your lips but better’) — the absolute best.
I saved all of my favorite daily beauty products in one visual shopping shelf here in case easier to refer to / shop!
Beauty Products on My Radar.
A few other items on my radar:
+People are loving this No Makeup Makeup. I probably won’t give it a full try for awhile since I’m so hyped up on the VB drops, but I’ve heard polarizing reviews: some beauty bloggers I trust rave about it, but a few of my girlfriends have said it’s like putting on stage paint / very difficult to work with.
+What is the deal with the Fara Homidi lip compact? I can’t believe the price on it but it keeps coming up amongst beauty editors. I do like the idea that it comes with a base/priming product and then you apply the color on top. I almost always follow this two-step process at home — lip balm, then lipstick, no matter how “nourishing/hydrating” the color is.
+Does everyone use castor oil on their lashes and brows? I just heard about this as an alt for using growth serums with questionable products. I ordered a bottle to try. It comes with a little applicator wand for lashes/brows.
What other beauty products are we loving right now?
P.S. My favorite under-eye patches. I’ve said this many times, but this has been a big unlock for me in my skincare routine. I wear patches almost every morning — will get up, wash face, apply serums and moisturizers, and then wear these while getting the kids ready for school. Then remove after they’re out the door and apply makeup. It gives you the most hydrated, happy undereye area!
P.P.S. Luxe body lotions. To this I would add (in fact, need to update this post) my beloved Cyklar Naked Neroli. I’m on my second tube; I can’t live without it. Smells divine; has skincare-grade ingredients; leaves skin so soft and happy.
P.P.P.S. Books that calm the nervous system.
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My eyebrow lady has me use castor oil on my brows! I think she’s recommended it more for hydration/nourishment than growth, but I do think it helps just keep my eyebrows feeling healthy.
Oh interesting!! Thanks!
A daunting task for me has always been removing mascara at the end of the day so on a whim I recently had my eyelashes tinted. Why I never did this before! I was astounded by the great results. Highly recommend trying it.
On a side note, I purchased an empty mascara bottle from Amazon and filled with a high grade castor oil that I use to condition my lashes. They’ve never looked healthier and more lush.
Ooh now this is encouraging re: castor oil! Also had never thought of the tinting option, too – thanks for sharing that. My lashes are pretty dark but I can imagine this will be an unlock for others!!
xx