The Multitasker That Leaves My Face Flawless In No Time
If you're like me, then your mornings can be described as chaos. It starts with rolling out of bed around 5 a.m. and heading to spin class by 6, followed by a quick shower and then a car makeup session as I drive to the office. I certainly don't want to look like I was up all night, so I rely on products that make me flawless fast! I recently discovered Pür 4-In-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation and Concealer, $36, and it has been a game changer — let me explain.
What looks to be a regular liquid foundation is indeed a foundation and concealer in one! You can utilize the pump to dispense product and apply it with your fingers, favorite sponge or brush. OR... twist off the top and reveal a doe-foot applicator for precise concealer placement. Because I glam on the go, I personally like to use the sponge-tip for both concealer and foundation, and then blend with brushes.
Pür has 100 shades to choose from in a pink, neutral and gold undertones (mine is MN3!). I have combination skin that is extremely oily at the t-zone and this gives me ample (yet buildable) coverage that keeps shine at bay and retains a subtly glowy finish. When used as a concealer, it legitimately covers imperfections (like the occasional, hormonal pimples that flare up from time to time). Even better, this product does not break me out. I was told by a close friend recently that my skin has been looking even clearer and smoother!
That's probably because this foundation is formulated with skin care-enhancing ingredients like retinol, ceramides and antioxidants. It also happens to be mineral-based, cruelty-free and eco-friendly. It's even bolstered with protection against blue light, which is great for any of us that are in front of smart phones and computers daily.
So if you're looking for a complexion enhancer that leaves your skin better than ever, I highly suggest you give this one a try. — Hannah Savin
To see more of my makeup must-haves, follow me on Instagram @the_beauty_whoreder
Cover image via @purcosmetics
The Weird Instagram Pimple Remedy That Actually Works
Instagram's targeted advertising knows me so well that it would creep me out if it wasn't so damn useful. (OK, it's still creepy.) Among many eerily spot-on ads I've been served was one from a skin care brand called Zitsticka. The brand's namesake product is a sort of next-level hydrocolloid pimple patch upgraded with something called microdarts, which supposedly help skin-healing ingredients like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide penetrate the skin's surface.
It was only a matter of time until Zitsticka hit me with an ad while I was suffering from a hormonal acne flare-up. Well-played, Zitsticka. I purchased its Killa Kit, $29, for eight patches plus eight pre-treatment cleansing cloths.
My $29 was well spent. I have never seen a skin care product — over-the-counter or prescription — wipe out a pimple so quickly. Overnight, Zitsticka chills out those angry, painful zits that would normally stick around for days on end. Plus hyperpigmentation-erasing niacinamide ensures that any leftover red marks fade with amazing speed.
Order yourself a kit now so you're prepared for your next skin crisis; you'll be glad you did. — Katie McCarthy
Cover image via @zitsticka
The Budget Liquid Eyeliner That Lasts For Hours On End
I'm a bit of a liquid liner snob, meaning I'm super picky about them. They don't have to be expensive, but they do have to be easy to use, they have to produce a dark, inky-black line, and they have to stay put. Revlon Colorstay Wing Line Liquid Eye Pen, $8.49, checks all of those boxes for me and then some. It's super dark, it lasts all day, and — here's the best part — it's got a nifty, angled felt tip that makes it simple to draw a cool, cat-eye flick. Love! — Alyssa Hertzig
Cover image via @revlon
The Grown-Up Glitter I Don't Need an Excuse to Wear
Growing up as a 90s kid, I've worn my fair share of glitter. Remember the colorful rollerball tubes of fruit scented goo? The pretty pots of the sticky stuff? The glitter-infused vanilla-scented body sprays? Yep, I collected all of those and wore them pretty much religiously. Fast forward to 2019, and I'm still drawn to the sparkly stuff like a moth to a flame. Glitter makes me happy. Period.
Several years ago, I discovered Urban Decay's Heavy Metal Glitter Liner, $21, and it's my go-to source for sparkle. Packed with vibrant glitter pigments, these tiny tubes come with precision brushes for painting the glitter anywhere you want. From small accents to loading up your lids with shimmering perfection, you can be confident that wherever you put it, the glitter won't transfer. Personally, my favorite application is to layer it over my black liquid eyeliner for a gleaming, sophisticated cat-eye.
I can't tell you how many compliments I receive when I wear this stuff. It absolutely draws all the attention to the eyes! The best part is UD offers so many different colors, so you can match your glitter to just about every outfit, or try an iridescent hue (that basically goes with everything).
Instead of looking like a disco ball (like I did in my younger days), I prefer this liquid liner that gives maximum glitter impact that is super easy to achieve. I also like to rock it day or night... be it for a special occasion, or just a regular day in the office. If you're looking to add a little twinkle to your eyes, I suggest you give this stuff a go! It's that good.
To see more of my makeup must-haves, follow me on Instagram: @the_beauty_whoreder
The Multitasking Micellar Water I Take on Every Vacay
Remember when it seemed like everyone was going crazy for Bioderma Crealine, buying marked-up bottles on Amazon and bulk-shopping on trips abroad? Well, that was then. Now, not only are micellar waters pretty much everywhere in the U.S., they are some of the cheapest beauty products you can buy at the drugstore. What a time to be alive!
After realizing my old standby micellar water isn't cruelty-free, I discovered It Cosmetics Miracle Water, $38. It's a little spendier than other micellar waters but also contains more powerful ingredients like hyperpigmentation-busting licorice root, wrinkle-fighting peptides, and antioxidant vitamin C. You can use it to cleanse, remove waterproof eye makeup, and tone and rehydrate dull-looking skin.
Miracle Water is so gentle and multifunctional that I've started taking a teeny-tiny version with me when I travel. It takes up so little space in my bag and does so much for my skin that I almost feel low-maintenance. — Katie McCarthy
Cover image via @itcosmetics
