This...Not That: Beauty Edition

Products actually worth buying, just in time for the Sephora Sale!

Since we’re almost in our third month of dating…

You should know I love a makeup and beauty moment. This shouldn’t come as a shock to you since I wake up looking like a glowing spring chicken every morning…or at least that’s what I tell myself. (Don’t send this to my husband.) I'm extremely picky about pretty much everything and always brutally honest with you, especially if you're wearing a Cartier Love bracelet. No judgment! I know I already graced your inbox this week with It’s Not You…It’s Your Van Cleef Alhambra, and this is a little different from my usual newsletter, but I felt like sharing. I love a Friday date!

If you happen to live in the U.S, firstly I’m sorry. But the good news? We get to experience the Sephora Sale that kicked off today (4/4 - 4/14). If you’re outside the U.S, this would still be good to bookmark for when you want to treat yourself.

Speaking of treating yourself, now would be the time to subscribe!

Regarding beauty, I’ve tried and tested so many products and would never lead you astray. My friends feel the same way and every time this magical time of year rolls around I get a handful of texts asking what I’m adding to cart. Therefore, I’ve compiled a This…Not That list of products I’ve tested, along with ones I think are the better buy. I’m sure you have your favorites, but it’s always good to try new things. Strap in!

Makeup: Face

This: iNNBEAUTY Project Moisturizer, Saie Gel Illuminator, Pat McGrath Foundation, Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops, Makeup By Mario Setting Spray. Not That: Augustinus Bader Moisturizer, Iconic London Primer, Armani Beauty Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray.

• Buy this iNNBEAUTY Project Extreme Cream Moisturizer…Instead of the Augustinus Bader Face Moisturizer.

  • I know AB has its fans, but iNNBEAUTY’s moisturizer wears better under makeup and the price point is a lot easier to digest.

• Buy this Saie Glowy Super Gel Illuminator…Instead of the Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer.

  • I tried to love the Iconic London primer, but it didn’t sit well under makeup and had too much shimmer. The Saie adds luminosity without shimmer and sparkle.

• Buy this Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Foundation…Instead of the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation.

  • I do like the Armani but find myself using the Pat McGrath a lot more for evenings out. It doesn’t feel as heavy as the consistency is thinner, but still provides coverage that enhances your skin.

• Buy Westman Atelier Hydrating Bronzing Drops…Instead of the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops.

  • The Westman doesn’t have any shimmer like Drunk Elephant’s and leaves a natural tan glow, instead of an orange shimmery sheen. Sorry, I think the Drunk Elephant drops are over hyped. There, I said it!

• Buy this Makeup By Mario Setting Spray…Instead of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbush Setting Spray.

  • The Makeup by Mario sprays out more evenly than the Tilbury and feels more lightweight on the face.

Makeup: Cheeks

This: Patrick Ta Duo, Haus Labs Blush, Hourglass Liquid Blush. Not That: Tom Ford Contour Duo, Rare Beauty Blush, Saie Liquid Blush.

• Buy this Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour Bronzer Duo…Instead of the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Cream Contour Duo.

  • I used to have the TF option, but prefer the shade range from Patrick Ta’s duo. The inclusion of bronzer powder allows for extreme sculpting.

• Buy this Haus Labs Powder Blush…Instead of the Rare Beauty Soft Bouncy Blush.

  • I prefer the pigment of the Haus Labs and for it’s a bit more blendable than the Rare Beauty. My favorite shades are Fire Moon and Pomelo Peach.

• Buy this Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush…Instead of the Saie Liquid Cream Blush.

  • We’ve already discussed this product, and I find the Hourglass lasts longer on the skin and looks more natural than Saie’s cream blush.

Makeup: Lips

This: Lawless Lip Mask, Fenty Gloss Stick, Makeup By Mario Lip Pencil. Not That: Laneige Lip Mask, YSL Gloss Stick, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner.

• Buy this Lawless Lip Plumping Mask…Instead of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.

  • I know the Laneige is popular, but a friend told me to try the Lawless and I loved it! It plumps your lips overnight, leaving them hydrated without feeling like you’ve been stung by a bee.

• Buy this Fenty High Shine Gloss Stick…Instead of the Yves Saint Laurent Lip Gloss Stick.

  • I have the Fenty gloss stick in the shade, It’s Fu$$y, which I guess sums me up. I prefer it to the YSL because of the price point, and it doesn’t look too glossy and fully accentuates the lips.

• Buy this Makeup By Mario Lip Pencil…Instead of the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner.

  • I always used the Tilbury but got a sample of the Makeup by Mario and liked how it felt creamier and easier to apply, while still having Tilbury's lasting power.

Makeup: Eyes

This: Ilia Cream Eyeshadow, Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow Palette, Armani Beauty Cream Liquid Eyeshadow. Not That: Hourglass Eyeshadow Stick, Huda Beauty Eyeshadow Palette, Merit Eyeshadow.

• Buy this Ilia Cream Eyeshadow…Instead of the Hourglass Eyeshadow Stick.

  • I bought two of the Hourglass sticks and as much as I liked the formula, both sticks broke immediately. Ilia has more shades and is easier to use.

• Buy this Make Up For Ever Mini Artist To Go Eyeshadow Palette…Instead of the Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette.

  • I actually use both, but over time found myself picking up the Make Up For Ever palette more. It has the perfect collection of nudes and shimmer for a natural eye look.

• Buy this Armani Liquid Eyeshadow…Instead of Merit Cream-To-Powder Eyeshadow.

  • The Armani has been my go to and adds a wash of color. The Merit delivers a similar texture when it dries down, but the Armani is fool proof application wise.

Not Makeup

This: L'Occitane Shower Oil, Dr. Idriss De-Puffer Serum, Patrick Ta Body Crème. Not That: Sol de Janeiro Shower Oil, Clarins Depuffing Mask, Fenty Body Crème.

• Buy this L’Occitane Shower Oil…Instead of the Sol de Janeiro Shower Oil.

  • I personally don’t love the smell of the Sol De Janeiro and find L’Occitane’s almond oil isn’t overpowering, and fully nourishes the skin.

• Buy this Dr. Idriss De-Puffer Roll On Serum…Instead of the Clarins Depuffing Face Mask.

  • I have both, but the Dr. Idriss is a lot less messy and I like keeping mine in the fridge, so the roll on applicator gets cold. It actually de-puffs and doesn’t break the bank.

• Buy this Patrick Ta High Shine Body Crème…Instead of the Fenty Parfum Body Crème.

  • I love the Fenty, but Patrick Ta just released this glowy body cream that’s perfect for when you want to go out and glow. There is a slight shimmer but it doesn’t look sparkly. Ideal!

In case you were wondering…

I didn’t include anything hair care related because I only trust my stylist and friend with his recommendations. I barely do my hair myself because I’m terrible at a blowout, so it didn’t feel authentic to speak on the topic! If you want my recommendation on highlighter, which to be honest is my favorite product, we already covered that topic in our date a few weeks ago. Everyone is picky about brushes and I didn’t want to bore you. However, if you’re in the mood I would highly recommend Makeup By Mario’s F4 and F1 brush as well as Saie’s Foundation brush.

I love when you share your thoughts and feelings, so let me know what beauty products you want to try and are currently lusting over.

See you next Friday!

XO XO

Grace

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I independently select products I love and would buy myself.
I may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase via some of the links above.