Makeup Favorites

Published on by Kate's Vanity

Happy December! I hope all is well with you. I can’t believe Christmas is almost here and 2016 will be over. Who is ready for a new year? I know I am! Today, I am going to be talking about my Makeup Favorites. I am not going to go too much into these products because this isn’t a review. These are products that I’ve been using for a while. I know everyone is posting their monthly favorites right now, but I just wanted to share with you my favorites that I’ve been loving lately…

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation
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I’ve been using this foundation for quite a while and it’s been the best foundation I’ve ever tried! At least for me that is. I was hesitant to spend $40 on a foundation since I had never bought a “high-end” foundation. I can tell you though, that it was totally worth it! I love it so much because it truly does feel “weightless” on the skin. Matte foundations seem to be a popular choice, but a lot of them felt really heavy on my skin. This demi-matte foundation makes your skin still look like skin, yet it has great buildable coverage. I wear the shade 0.5 which is a pretty fair shade with pink undertones. This line offers a wide variety of shades, which a lot of makeup brands are lacking. I really like the packaging and I love that it has a pump as well.

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Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Powder
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Up next, is the ever popular Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Powder. Say that 5 times fast! What I love about this powder is how light-weight it is and it doesn’t settle into my creases. It has a very silky finish and I feel like it can be used with any skin type. I guess my skin type is “normal,” whatever normal is. I wear the shade 10 Porcelain and this comes in 7 other shades as well. I purchased this from Ulta for $10.99. I have a picture of what it looks like down below. No, my sponge isn’t really that clean. I just turned it over to the clean side for this picture.

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Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
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I’m pretty sure everyone in the makeup world has heard of this crazy popular concealer, and I’m sure it doesn’t need much of an introduction either. This sought after concealer is always going out of stock. Luckily, I happened to find mine one day in an Ulta store. I bought it not long after it came out. This concealer is full coverage, creamy, and doesn’t settle into fine lines. A little bit goes a long way! My favorite method of applying this, is to use my Real Techniques blending sponge. I have this concealer in the shade fair, which is described to be for “fair skin with pink undertones.” You get a lot of product with this and it has a huge wand. Definitely worth the $24!

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Essence Contouring Powder
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This budget friendly contouring powder by Essence has been a long time favorite. I specifically only use the bronzer part, since I’m not too keen on the highlighter. This is in the shade Light 01, and they also have the shade Medium 02. I feel like this shade of bronzer is a great option for fair skin. It blends really well and doesn’t look too overdone. You can pick this up for $3.99 at Ulta, or on the Essence website and Target’s website/select stores.

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Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone
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My favorite highlighter lately, Moonstone is a pale gold shade that leaves a nice natural finish. No glitter chunks with this highlighter, Becca knows their highlighters! I actually purchased this in a set, The Glow On The Go Moonstone set for $20. I think that’s a great way to go if you don’t want to drop $38 on the full size version of this pressed powder. I purchased mine online from Ulta. The set also includes the Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlight in Moonstone. Which is the liquid version you apply with a wand. I haven’t used it yet, so I can’t really tell you how I feel about it. I’m definitely going to be pulling it out to use soon though.

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Moonstone swatch

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Moonstone blended

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Pencil
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Anastasia knows brows, that’s a fact! I have never tried the Brow Wiz, I just went straight for the Brow Definer. Some people might prefer the Brow Wiz because it has a fine tip, while the Brow Definer has a thicker triangle-shaped tip. I feel like this tip covers more area and it doesn’t take as long to do my brows. I picked this up from Ulta for $23 in the shade Taupe, which is a nice light ash brown. I have also been using this along with the NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe. The Nyx one seems to be a tad bit lighter and has the finer tip like the Brow Wiz. I like to use the Nyx pencil to get those inner small hairs, while I focus the Brow Definer on the tail ends. The difference in shades gives a nice effect.

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 Brow Definer swatch

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Triangle tip

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The Brow Definer also has a spoolie at the end. 

Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Mascara
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Another bargain treat from Essence, the Make Me Brow gel mascara is said to be a dupe for Benefit’s Gimme Brow. I wouldn’t know for sure because I have never used the Gimme Brow. I had my hands on it once, but passed it on to my Mom. I don’t know what I was thinking at the time, I wasn’t really into using a product like this and never tried it. Anyhow, This brow gel has a nice little brush that makes it easy to get to those little fine hairs. It’s tinted and contains little fibers to help fill in your brows. I really love it and it gives the perfect finish to my brows. I have the shade Blondy Brows 01. There are two other shades: Browny Brows 02 and Soft Browny Brows 03. I bought this for $2.99 at Ulta, what a deal!

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Mac Lipstick in Magic Spell & Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in In control
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These two aren’t something that I have been using for a long time exactly, but they’re already a favorite! I have received a lot of compliments wearing this combination. These two belong in a set that also came with the Vamplify Lipgloss in Tuned In. I assume you use all 3 of these together. I haven’t used the lip gloss yet. The lipstick on it’s own already has a nice shine. The set is called the Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lip Kit. The lipstick in Magic spell is a mid tone mauve nude with a cremesheen finish and the Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in In Control is a brown mauve. The Vamplify Lip Gloss in Tuned In is a mid tone rosy nude. I ordered this set online from Nordstrom for $39.50. Right now, it’s 20% off and you can get for $29.63. I will link it here. This set also comes with a cute pink and burgundy cosmetic bag.

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Mac Lipstick in Magic Spell 

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Mac Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in In Control

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Mac Vamplify Lip Gloss in Tuned In

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Mac Lip Gloss in Tuned In contains a doe foot applicator.

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Top-Bottom: Tuned In, Magic Spell, In Control

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Mac Nutcracker Cosmetic Case

Sorry this post was a bit longer! I hope that you enjoyed reading it though. What are some of your favorites lately? Let me know in the comments. I hope you all have a great week!

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43 thoughts on “Makeup Favorites”

  4. I really like the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin foundation and have been curious about the powder – glad to hear that you love it!
    I’ve heard sooooo many raves on that Tarte concealers! It’s on my list to try… but it’s not at Sephora (I think it’s exclusive to Ulta?) so I can get it! 😦
    Oh that MAC lipstick in Magic Spell looks lovely! The whole set, actually. So wearable.

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    1. I have the better skin foundation and concealer too. They are really nice! I just haven’t worn them in a while. I need to do a better job at rotating everything lol. But yeah, they just have the Tarte shape tape at Ulta or the Tarte website. I’m sure Sephora will get it eventually. It seems to sell out fast though. I was glad to find mine in store.
      I’m loving the MAC set! I had never tried their lip liner before either and now I see why they’re so raved about lol. 😊

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  6. Love it all! Great post hun!!! I really want to try that tarte concealer! Heard so many good things! I’ve got that moonstone and it’s so pretty but doesn’t show up on me, I should just give it to my bestie so she can have a backup! 😉💓💗💖👍👍

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    1. Awe thank you so much! You will love the concealer! Though, when I opened mine at first it had a strong smell lol. After using it though it went away. I guess I should’ve mentioned that lol. If you don’t want your moonstone, I will gladly take if off your hands lol 😘💗💗💗

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  10. All of your make up choices are literally all my favorites too. The Becca highlighter is definitely one of my favorites, its soo incredibly pretty! I haven’t tried the Tarte concealer but its definitely on my upcoming list of things to get from sephora/ulta!

    xo, JJ

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  11. KATIE!!!!!!!!!! Huni, what a beeeeeeautiful new blog you have!!! I’m over the moon for you, the design and everything about it is fantastic – well done you!! Can’t begin to tell you how good it is to have you back, you are always missed when you’re not blogging so one very happy follower here 🙂 As always a great post – that Mac Lippy looks right up my street, I wonder is it too late to put it on Santa’s list?! hehe XXXXX

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    1. Karen!!! Thank you so much! My good friend Kami designed the blog header for me. It was so very thankful for that. 😊 I have missed you sooo much! And am so happy to be back! ❤ Definitely look this Nutcracker set up! The lipstick isn’t part of the regular line. xxxxxxx

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      1. Awwh she is such a gem!!! What a talented gal, and I do hope she is keeping well as last I heard she was suffering with health issues 😦 I missed you tooooo!!!! So much ❤ It's so good to have you back sweetie and I will defo look up the set, the colour is just gorgeous 😉 XXXX

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes, Kami does have health issues. Her and I email back and forth on the regular. She is such a sweetheart! ❤ Thank you so much! It’s great to be back! 😊 I hope you are able to get this set! 💕 xxxxx

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Awwh that’s so lovely that you keep in regular contact. Would you tell her I send my regards to her Katie – she’s such a lovely girl. I can see why you two get on so well 🙂 ❤ XXXX

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