OCTOBER BEAUTY REVIEW

I’m a big fan of the no makeup-makeup look, and generally like to keep the makeup side of my beauty routine quite simple. While I usually stick with the same rotation of products I know work for me, sometimes I try new products that wow me and I absolutely have to share. That’s what my Monthly Beauty Review series is dedicated to– sharing the hero products I think you will also love and will enhance your routine. I will also be sharing skincare products as well as I am constantly trying out new products, and sometimes happen on some real gems. So, let’s get started.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS I LOVED IN OCTOBER

TOUCH IN SOL NO POREBLEM PRIMER

I was never a big believer in primer. Being a dry skin girl, I was always happy to layer on my moisturizers a base for makeup without what I thought to be an unnecessary further step. At some point last year, however, I started to deal with texture and one adamant smile line that broke through any complexion product I wore. I decided to try out primers that claimed to smoothen out skin and fill in fine lines, and I eventually stumbled on the Touch In Sol No Poreblem primer. This beautiful little pink bottle has been magical for those concerns I mentioned. It is a product you should apply liberally to see optimal results, and I slather my face in this when I want my skin to look like porcelain. It made it onto my list this month because I noticed it actually filled in my stubborn smile line, and for that alone I give this an A* recommendation.

ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR FOUNDATION AND RADIANT CONCEALER

The Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation and Radiant Concealer were amazing for me last month. I have been very vocal in the past about my love for this foundation, and mention it in this blog post and this Youtube video. It gives perfected full coverage while looking lightweight and skin-like, even after powder. I did change the shade I have in this foundation when I got to work with Estée Lauder , and now use the shade 7NI instead 7CI. I found that I preferred the neutral undertone as the red undertone left me looking a little muddy. I also got to test out the Radiant Concealer when I worked on that campaign and it is as much of a winner as the foundation. I have never been big on concealer, but this Radiant Concealer is one I look forward to wearing. Paired together, these products give me a beautiful full coverage but skin-like look that lasts through sweat and humid weather. I could not ask for better. They are both on sale for a great deal right now.

KEVYN AUCOIN GLASS GLOW LIQUID ILLUMINATOR

Glass skin is probably my favorite makeup trend this year, since as you might know, I am a huge fan of dewy makeup looks. Kevyn Aucoin released their Glass Glow Liquid Illuminator this year– I use the bronze shade– and it is the perfect liquid highlight for getting the glass skin look. I have been a big fan of the Mac Strobe Cream in Goldlite for years, but this product has quickly replaced it. The Kevyn Aucoin illuminator looks like a sheen on the skin, living up to its glass skin name. The pigment is not overpowering so I am sure darker skin tones can easily wear the Rose color and the Sheer color as well. If you are interested in getting the glass skin look, I definitely recommend trying this product.

SEPHORA MICROSMOOTH POWDER

For finishing my makeup, the Sephora Microsmooth Powder in Ebony and the Urban Decay All Nighter spray have been absolute godsends. The Sephora Microsmooth Powder is a beautifully fine pressed powder that still deposits a good amount of pigment and blurring properties to the skin. I buff this into my skin when I am completely done with all my complexion products and it leaves my skin looking blurred out and beautiful..

URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER SPRAY

The Urban Decay All Nighter spray is perfect for when you need your makeup to last for a long period of time. I used this on my birthday and was out dancing all night– my face still looked decent when I got home. I have also used it in the day time when I was sweating in the Accra heat, and it has kept me looking reasonably good given the circumstances, and certainly better than I would look without it. I am not a huge fan of the scent of this as it is quite strong, but for the results it gives in lasting power, I am willing to move past that inconvenience.