The Brushes That Make Me Feel Like a "Game of Thrones" Warrior
Have you seen the new "Game of Thrones" x Urban Decay collab? It's quite dreamy and includes everything from a Daenerys-inspired lip/cheek stain to a Lannister gold eyeliner.
For me, though, the clear stars of the collection are the brushes: There's Jon Snow's Longclaw, $28, a fluffy eyeshadow brush and Arya Stark's Needle, $28, a flat eyeshadow brush (appropriately) designed for precision work.
Each brush has a satisfying heft to it and the attention to detail is glorious: Longclaw features a white direwolf on the pommel, complete with ruby red eyes, while Needle has a delicate gold handguard. In other words, they look like you grabbed them straight out of your TV screen.
The quality of the brushes themselves is very good as well (personally I tend to be a fan of Urban Decay's brush offerings), but the real draw of these is the novelty. I don't know that I've ever felt cooler than when I used Longclaw to brush on a dusting of the burnished bronze "Casterly Rock," following it up with a hint of "Winter Is Here" at the lashline using Needle. Honestly, the joy of using tiny replica swords to apply eyeshadow is an experience that we all deserve. — Rosie Narasaki
Cover image via @urbandecay
The Coolest Vitamin C Product I've Tried To Date
I’m a huge advocate of taking preventative measures to slow the aging process. One ingredient I’ve become extremely fond of over the years is vitamin C. Touted for its glow-boosting properties, I can honestly say it’s a staple in my skin care regimen. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, and firms and smoothes skin, giving you a more even complexion. It also helps to protect your skin from free radical and sun damage, as well as reverse the signs if you already have some.
Vitamin C serums are great, I’ve tried many of them. One thing to consider with this potent ingredient is that you have to use it or lose it. Vitamin C is quick to oxidize, which means it becomes no longer effective after exposure to air and sunlight. Ever see a serum turn brown? That’s oxidation! I recently discovered a powder form of our hero ingredient: Cosmedix Pure C Vitamin C Mixing Crystals, $54, and I’m hooked.
Because the formula is in powder form, it’s completely stable and will not oxidize. It’s meant to be mixed in with your favorite moisturizers and serums to enhance your glow without adding an extra layer of product to your face. I personally like to sprinkle it in with a few drops of my other skin care faves and mix them all together before applying them to my face. It’s completely lightweight and it doesn’t cause dryness or flaking like some other vitamin C products. I love that it’s gentle enough to use daily. This product can be used day or night, but if used at night, make sure to use SPF as vitamin C products can leave your skin more prone to sunburn.
With repeated use, the texture and tone of my skin is brighter and clearer than usual. I can tell the difference when I skip using it. Even better, this cute little jar has lasted me months and shows no signs of running out. If your'e looking for a firmer, glow-ier complexion, or a travel-friendly vitamin C that will not oxidize, I suggest you give Pure C Mixing Crystals a try. -- Hannah Savin
To see more of my beauty favorites, follow me on Instagram @the_beauty_whoreder
Thumbnail via: @cosmedix_
This Glow-Boosting Setting Powder Is TRULY Translucent
Based on my experience with most face powders, "translucent" is almost always a lie. Most translucent powders work only for people firmly in the middle of the skin-tone spectrum. If you have dark skin, those powders look chalky and unnatural on your complexion; if you're pale, like me, they make you look like you went face-first into a pile of bronzer.
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, $46, is different. I can't speak to how this powder looks on deep complexions — although its Sephora reviews are almost universally glowing — but it's perfect on porcelain skin like mine. It doesn't create an orange-y or brown cast on my face and contains a super fine shimmer that leaves skin radiant, not glittery. And it's created by a company that's on track to be the first vegan luxury beauty brand. Sold! — Katie McCarthy
Cover image via @hourglasscosmetics
The Brow Product That Makes Me Look Groomed, Not Overly Dramatic
I like my brows to look good — full, groomed, neat — but not overly done. I basically just always want them to look somewhat natural, because that super-sharp, ultra-perfect, majorly dramatic arch thing that looks cool and striking on some people, is ultimately just not me. So for this reason, I've always been somewhat wary of brow products that add color, because I don't want to change the look of my brows too much. I want nice brows, but not WOW NICE BROWS, you know? This is why I love, love, love Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, $24. I discovered it while getting my brows shaped at a Benefit brow bar a few months back, and have been obsessed ever since. The mousse-like gel keeps my brow hairs in place, adds an ever-so-slight tint that subtly evens out the overall color, and bulks them up just enough. It gives me my brows, only better. It's amazing. — Alyssa Hertzig
Cover image via @benefitcosmetics
This Spendy Lipstick Is Worth the Extra Dough
Is it a tinted balm? A sheer, shiny lipstick? The distinction isn't quite clear, which is actually one of Cle de Peau Refined Lip Luminizer's, $58, many, many charms.
Honestly, it's everything you could ask for in a lip product: It's hydrating and comfy to wear, it's non-sticky and lightweight and it's got great color payoff that sticks around for hours. Perhaps best of all, it's the kind of thing you can swipe on and forget about (aka no need to worry about it causing any flaking or wearing off unevenly). It's also worth pointing out that it lives up to its "luminizing" moniker — thanks to its satiny-shiny finish, it adds a plump, dewy glow to your lips.
Okay yes, at $58, it's more than I'd usually advise spending on a lipstick. But you know what? If you're looking to treat yourself, this is definitely a good way to do it. It's the full package — because in addition to feeling fancy, it also looks fancy, with its slim navy blue tube. And it's slightly heavier than your average lipstick, which gives it a satisfying heft. Come on, you know you want it... — Rosie Narasaki
Cover image via @cledepeaubeaute.us
