Despite putting my foot down and really putting myself on a spending ban for the past month and a half, quite a few new things have found their way into my collection. I received a couple very generous packages within the past couple weeks, and I may have fallen off the spending ban wagon a few times. I swear I'm getting better.
L'Oreal does face masks | I've been wanting to try L'Oreal's take on clay masks since they were released, and I managed to pick up two of the three (spaced a week or two apart) to try. I chose not to get the third (the green mask) because it's supposedly for oily skin, which is far from my skin type. I've been loving the Exfoliate & Refine Clay Mask (the red one) and the Detox & Brighten Clay Mask (the black one). I really like using them at the same time - I apply the black one through the center of my face (forehead, nose, and chin) and the red one on my cheeks and they really give my skin all they need. I'm planning on doing a more in-depth review of these, so let me know if that's something you'd want to see. For now I'll just say that I definitely prefer the Detox one to the famous Origins charcoal mask.
More from Urban Outfitters Beauty | I received the most lovely surprise package last week from Urban Outfitters Beauty with so many products to try. It'll take me a while to get to everything, but there are a few I'm really excited about. I got the Milk Makeup It's All a Blur set,* which has a few things I haven't tried yet from the brand. I've done three posts about them (here, here, and here), so you know by now how much I love them. I was also really excited to try the RE:P All-Night Moisture & Relief Mask.* The packaging and branding looks so chic, and I can't resist anything from a Korean brand. It smells like those fluoride treatments I'd get at the dentist as a kid, but other than that I've really been enjoying it. It's lightweight but really hydrating and soothing. I also got the Rohr Remedy Boab & Rosehip with Vitamin E Oil,* which I was immediately intrigued by based on the packaging - isn't it gorgeous? I've been using this on my legs when I get out of the shower and it's been keeping them so hydrated and lovely. The last thing I'm going to be trying soon is the Eyeko Black Magic Mascara* - I've been on a bit of a mascara kick lately (as you'll see further down in the post), so I can't wait to try this one.
A Mini Peach & Lily Haul | Once I have my sights set on things from Peach & Lily, I pretty much can't talk myself out of them. So I ended up with the Lagom Cellup Gel to Water Cleanser and the Shangpree Pore Tightening Mask. I've been using the cleanser every morning and I absolutely love it - it's like a 2-in-1 double cleanse that makes sure I get all remnants of my night creams off to get my skin ready for the day. It comes out as a balmy gel, but it turns into a thinner consistency as you rub it into the skin. It leaves my skin feeling so clean but not stripped at all. I ended up buying the Pore Tightening Mask because the description sounded quite similar to the Charlotte Tilbury clay mask - I had used a sample and liked it, but didn't want to drop $75 on it. This one from Shangpree stood out because it contains hyaluronic acid to keep the clay from drying out the skin. This really does tighten the pores right away and draws out all impurities. It does leave my skin feeling a little tight afterward, but that's nothing a good face oil can't fix.
Pixi's Take on Mascara Layering | The other super generous package I got recently was from Pixi Beauty with some staples to try the mascara layering trend. It came with the Black Lacquer Lash Primer,* Lash Booster Mascara,* Lengthy Fiber Mascara,* and Lower Lash Mascara* (they sell the four of them as a set for a discount, too!) So far I've really been loving wearing the lash primer and Lash Booster mascara together - they make my lashes look so long and fluttery. I really like that the primer is black, so I can wear it on its own on more natural makeup days - it really defines and fans out the lashes. I haven't tried the fiber mascara yet because my sensitive eyes are a little terrified, but I'll give it a go and report back. I really like the Lower Lash Mascara as well - its wand is not only small, but also very thin. It makes it really easy to apply to the lower lashes without making a mess.
Jumping on the UD Naked Skin Train | My skin has been acting up a little lately - I'm blaming the traveling I did at the end of August. I decided none of my concealers were cutting it, and when my sister was going on about how much she was loving the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer I took the plunge. To take care of the splotchy redness I was getting all over my face, I also picked up the Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Yellow (I've tried green concealers before and they just don't work with my pale skintone - I thought yellow would be a better match for me). I've been loving the combination. I pat on a bit of the yellow one on any spots and blotches, and then I go in with the concealer over it. It doesn't get cakey and really makes my skin look much more even. The concealer works beautifully under my eyes as well. Since I started wearing these two I haven't gotten nearly as many comments about looking tired, so I'll take that as a win.
What new products have you been trying lately?
*Some products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.