mdr♡makeup

Hey beauty lovers!

Because I haven't really been purchasing make-up lately, I only have a few products to include in my favourites this month. I'm trying to refrain from purchasing any non-essential make-up products (by non-essential I mean products that I purchase that aren't for the purpose of replenishing something I've run out of) until the Sephora Rouge/VIB sale in November, so every month until then, I'll try my best to include little extras like fav YouTube videos/books/movies/shows of the month.

Anyway, with that said, here are the products that I've been loving for the month of May (and then some):

1. NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint

2. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop/Moonstone

3. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

4. Miscellaneous Favourite: YouTube Video/TV Show

Hey beauty lovers!

I have a few things I've been loving this month that I wanted to share, including some new products that purchased to try out during the Sephora Spring sale at the beginning of this month. Here are my favourites for the month of April:

1 - Benefit The POREfessional: Matte Rescue Invisible Finish Mattifying Gel

I decided to pick this up during the VIB sale earlier in the month and I have to say that it's become one of my holy grail skincare products. I'm severely oily in my t-zone and that area of my face becomes excessively oily not even one hour after applying my make-up. I use this after my moisturizer and before my face primer and I stay matte for up to 10 hours, depending on the primer I use. I find that my make-up stays matte the longest when I use it under the MUFE Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer. I have also used it under some of my lower end primers and it does extend the mattifying effect of those primers as well.

2 - Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer

I also picked this up during the April VIB sale and, as I mentioned earlier, it does a fantastic job at keeping my make-up matte all day long. This primer in combination with the Benefit Matte Rescue Gel has become my holy grail duo for keeping my face matte until I remove my make-up at the end of the day. I have not tested it without the Matte Rescue Gel, so if you would like to see a review on how this primer works alone, let me know in the comments below!

3 - LUSH Dark Angels Face and Body Cleanser

I purchased this cleanser because it was recommended to me by a friend of mine who has absolutely flawless skin. I had very severe hormonal breakouts this past month and was willing to try anything to help clear it up. At first I absolutely hated this cleanser. The scent was a little nauseating (smells slightly like licorice) and, after the first few times I used it, I noticed that my breakouts were actually getting worse. I was told later on that my skin would actually get worse before it got better when using this product and it did just that. I'm now into my second week of using it and most of my breakouts have cleared up while the rest of them have significantly gone down. It has natural exfoliants so I only use it two to three times a week. My friend that made the recommendation told me to leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off, like a face mask, so that is how I normally use it.

4 - LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I purchased this lip scrub last year and I'm just now down to my last few uses (granted, I didn't really reach for this on a regular basis until recently, but I digress). This lip scrub is great for getting rid of any dead skin cells on my lips to give you a smooth, even base for lipstick - especially liquid lipstick. It smells and tastes great and is completely edible. The product label even advises you to lick off the scrub once you're finished exfoliating your lips (I personally just wash it off, the idea of ingesting my dead skin cells is kinda gross)! It's abrasive enough to give your lips a good exfoliating and make your lips appear a little bit fuller due to the blood stimulation in your lips. I've just purchased the Mint Julip flavour and I'm excited to dig into it after I finish this jar.

5 - MAC Lipstick in "Yash"

I rediscovered Yash in my lipstick drawer this month and fell in love all over again. I've been wearing this lippie non-stop all month with Subculture lip pencil (just to even out my faded lip line). It's the perfect matte peach nude for my complexion (light-medium, warm) and just a hair darker than Honeylove lipstick by MAC if you find that that shade is a little bit too light for your skintone. Yash is my favourite everyday shade and also makes my lips look much fuller than they actually are!

6 - Pandora "Linked Love" Ring

Hey beauty lovers!

This may be a bit of a boring post, but I thought it might be helpful to compile a master list of my favourite affordable/drugstore products, all under $20. I tried my best to list the exact prices of each product in Canadian dollars; however, drugstore prices vary depending on where you go and some of the products are only listed in US dollars, which can be difficult to convert to Canadian dollars as it changes daily. If you find that there are specific product areas that are not covered in this post, it simply means that I haven't found a favourite affordable product for that area just yet. Sit tight! I'll be sure to update this post if anything changes and as I find my affordable holy grails :)

I have linked all of the products for purchase (click through the price of each product) and, where applicable, I've linked similar products for any that are discontinued.

FACE

Primer: The Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It, C$16
Foundation: Maybelline FIT Me Matte + Poreless #220, C$6-$12
Concealer: Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer C$6-$9
Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, C$6-$9
Contour: NYX Blush in "Taupe", C$8
Bronzer: Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder, US$4.99
Highlight: ColourPop Cosmetics Super Shock Cheek Highlighters, US$8

EYES

Brows: NYX Micro Brow Pencil, C$12 // NYX Tame & Frame Brow Pomade in "Espresso", C$10
Eyeshadow Primer: e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer US$1 (discontinued, new formula can be purchased here)
Eyeshadow Palette: Covergirl TruNakeds Eyeshadow Palettes (Nudes/Goldens/Roses), C$12-16
Liquid Eyeliner: NYX Matte Liquid Liner C$10
Pencil Liner: NYX Wonder Pencil, C$6
Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational, C$6-$10

LIPS

Lipstick: Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss, C$5-$8
Liquid Lipstick (matte): ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip, C$6 // NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick, C$10
Liquid Lipstick (other): ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip, C$6 // NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, C$10

Let me know what your favourite drugstore products are in the comments! A sister post with a list of my high-end favourites is coming soon!

Xo,
Marian