Let’s talk terracotta makeup: eyes, cheeks and lips

My love for terracotta-hued makeup began when Kat Von D released her famous Lolita Everlasting Liquid Lipstick a decade or so ago! I loved reserving the rosy, orange-ish gold color to warm up my complexion during the winter. However, I’ve started to use my favorite terracotta makeup during the warmer months as well to give me a sun-kissed glow. Here are a few items I’ve been reaching for lately:

The most user-friendly blush of the bunch, MAC’s Powder Blush in Gingerly is a product I’ve kept coming back to for years and years. This soft peachy-ginger shade is a nice departure from a traditional pink cheek. It applies pretty sheerly, so you don’t have to worry about overdoing it! Gingerly goes with so many different makeup looks, and gives you that natural sun-kissed look without any shimmer. Highly recommend purchasing this one if you haven’t already.

I love multitasking makeup, don’t you? The ColourPop SuperShock Cheek in Bardot is a perfect example of a true terracotta blush. The right balance of red, orange and a little bit of copper. I have used this on my eyes and cheeks. A little goes a long way — the finish is slightly shimmery and metallic. The texture is very creamy, yet easy to work with. Bardot would be great to travel with as well. A couple swipes on your eyes and cheeks — and you’re ready to shine. Make sure you secure the lid of this blush on tightly so it doesn’t dry out quickly and get crumbly!

There’s a little more of a learning curve to the elf Camo Liquid Blush in Bronze Bombshell, but the end result is gorgeous! The texture is a mix between a liquid and a cream blush — very concentrated. In the sun, terracotta-hued Bronze Bombshell has a fine, golden pearl shimmer with a satin finish.

I place a SMALL dot of the blush on my cheeks directly from the applicator (this prevents the blush from streaking) and then quickly blend out with a dense blush brush. It doesn’t dry down immediately, so you have a little time to work with it. Warm, rosy cheeks for summer — yes please!

It wouldn’t be a proper beauty blog post without me including a lip product! 😉 The NYX Duck Plump Gloss in Brick Of Time is the perfect everyday, rosy-terracotta shade. This gloss does not hold out on pigmentation; it has the pigment of a lipstick with the easy application of a gloss. Like the Mauve Bite gloss I mentioned in my April Favorites blog post, Brick Of Time has an intense, spicy taste and texture. If that doesn’t bother you, you’re going to LOVE this. Excited to try more shades!

From top: Brick Of Time, Bardot and Bronze Bombshell. You can view a swatch of Gingerly by clicking its link!

Three Amazon beauty finds you will LOVE

Getting an Amazon package in the mail brightens my day so much. I’ll just be honest! Recently I’ve purchased some beauty items from there that have quickly become staples in my routine. The best part? They cost under $30 for all three.

A lightweight gel-cream sunscreen that melts right into my skin and keeps breakouts at a minimum. Dreams do come true! I am loving the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. The texture is very cooling, and wears flawlessly under my makeup. I don’t even feel like I’m wearing sunscreen. There is zero whitecast, and it even makes my skin feel plump and fresh. Will repurchase again and again.

If you’re an avid TikTok watcher like me, you’ll notice that “sad beige blush” is trending right now! It’s so intriguing that something that looks “blah” in the pan can bring out your natural beauty. I bought this Wet N Wild Monday Feels Blush to try out the trend for myself.

Turns out, this $6 tawny beige shade is STUNNING! If you’re new to blush, this would be a great place to start. It is impossible to over-apply and brings out the natural flush of your cheeks. Bonus, this blush smells like coffee. Strange, but so fun. I honestly think Wet N Wild is one of my favorite drugstore beauty brands. They have so many hidden gems.

There is nothing more luxurious at the end of the day than using a cleansing oil that takes off your makeup effortlessly and smooths your skin. Even better if it’s $10 like the Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil! This oil feels sooo expensive. I’m usually not a fan of rose-scented products, but this one doesn’t bother me at all and is actually quite nice. I look forward to using it every night. My skin texture is softer and smoother. A treat!

The five staples in my makeup collection are…

Holy grail. Creme de la creme. Most repurchased.

However you want to say it, these five items have been absolute staples in my makeup collection for YEARS. Chances are, you’ve seen me write about them multiple times on here. So, I compiled them into a handy list!

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have repurchased the Wet N Wild Tinted Hydrator in Medium Tan. It’s amazing how a skin tint can be so thin, but offer buildable, natural-looking coverage. All I need is a nickel-sized amount. The finish can look a little shiny, so I be sure to set with powder. Once it’s nice and set, the finish looks like an actual Instagram filter for your face, no lie! Perfection.

My favorite powder to set with for the last couple years has been the Laura Geller Balance N Glow Foundation in Medium. A light dusting of this baked powder gives me a natural, glowy finish. It is so lightweight, and doesn’t look cakey on top of the skin tint.

As for bronzer, I’ve been faithful to the Maybelline City Bronzer in Medium for the last 4+ years. It IS possible for a bronzer to be matte but not flat! Impossible to over-apply, this bronzer is great for beginners.

I absolutely love everything that I’ve ever purchased from Fenty Beauty. Rihanna just knows exactly what she’s doing! I’m usually a drugstore girl when it comes to lip products, but the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Lipsticks are worth every penny. They make your lips look hydrated and naturally pretty, with the right amount of color. Cookies & Cocoa is the perfect pinky-nude. I have four different colors in this range, but Cookies & Cocoa is a perfect “your lips but better” shade.

Floral but fresh…feminine but sophisticated…the Chloe Eau de Parfum is one of my all-time favorite fragrances. I’ve purchased it three times in the last eight years. It is just so timeless, and smells SO good. Love the bottle, too. It’ll look so pretty on your vanity!

The Most Comfortable Lip Products at the Drugstore

Would you believe that some of my most favorite and most comfortable lip products I own are from the drugstore? You no longer have to spend a pretty penny on quality, pigmented lip products. In these dark and chilly months, I love to play with pops of color in my makeup routine — well okay, I love pops of color in every season! 😉 These three lip products deliver.

Lip Oils are definitely popular at the moment in the beauty space! My favorite at the moment are the Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oils. I own the shades Cherry Lime and Blackberry Agave.

While pigmentation is on the sheer side, you can build these oils up to however bold you want. They have a smooth and glossy base, so they don’t feel the least bit greasy or sticky. Cherry Lime is a classic, sheer cherry red. Blackberry Agave looks less berry on me, and more like a terracotta nude. Still stunning! The chunky doe-foot applicator dispenses just the right amount of product. The packaging is chic and sturdy, and each flavor tastes yummy, too! I can’t wait to try more shades.

The word “plush” doesn’t seem like it would be used to describe a lip stain, but the Color Fetish Hydrating Lip Stains from Milani fit that bill! I cannot believe such an innovative lip product is at the drugstore. I am absolutely loving the shades Mahogany Mami, a red-berry shade; and Rose Rising, a darker but wearable plum-pink.

The texture is so unique — it’s inky but creamy, while delivering the perfect amount of pigment. No need to worry about making a mess with these; the applicator has a flat center with a pointed tip, making it easy to control! It stays on strong for a couple of hours, then leaves behind a pretty wash of color. Reapplying is no sweat — I barely have to use a mirror. Bonus: these lip stains taste like cake batter.

If you are a traditional lip gloss fan, you NEED to own the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in Rust. I remember buying this last winter, then it got lost in my makeup drawer. After finding it, I applied and realized just how stunning this rusty coral shade is. It’s the perfect balance of a traditional red with a drop of rust and coral, finishing with a pearly gold sheen. SWOON! It has enough pigment to be considered as a glossy liquid lipstick, in my opinion. The sweet vanilla flavor is the cherry on top.

My Current Beauty Favorites!

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted on here…I want to talk about a few beauty items I’ve been reaching for the most in my collection lately. The return of a couple tried-and-true favorites, along with the new. Let’s get started!

Is it 2016 again?! Does anyone else remember when the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette was all the rage a few years ago? I LOVED it, and even hit pan on several shades. When they released a mini version of this palette, I just had to pick it up. It is just as beautiful as I remember!

For the texture to be on the powdery side, each of these shadows are pigmented, but blend like a dream. My favorite shades are Love Letter, the dark pink in the lower right corner; and PrimaVera, the shimmery gold shade (top middle). That shade looks amazing as an inner corner highlight! I love playing with all of them.

If you’re a fan of creamy eyeshadow looks, I highly recommend the CoverGirl Exhibitionist by Kelsea Ballerini Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows. I’ve actually been using these as a base/primer, and then layering powder shadows on top. So gorgeous! I have the shades Forever (hot pink), Golden Magic (warm yellow gold) Nashville Dream (pinky-lilac). I recommend buying these online, as they are hard to find in-store.

Despite being really shimmery, they have good pigment and aren’t patchy. If you want to wear these without layering eyeshadow on top, I recommend priming your lids with a concealer or primer, and then setting it with powder before applying. This helps the creamy shimmer shine all day.

I’ve been really into wearing warm lip colors this holiday season! I’m not usually a fan of matte lipsticks, but the Juvia’s Place Nubian Earth Lipstick in Soil has the most comfortable, velvety matte finish. I would describe the shade Soil as terra cotta with a little bit of coral. It’s not the least bit drying, and the staying power is nice too. It glides on like butter! The packaging is sleek and sturdy; these lipsticks are currently on sale at Ulta, so now is the perfect time to buy.

Saving my most favorite beauty favorite for last! I first discovered the Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm about seven years ago after I heard someone talk about it on YouTube. The websites I used to purchase it from stopped carrying it, and so I had to find new favorites for a few years. However, I found it again last month. I was SO excited! If you like to collect lip treatments like me, add this one to your collection.

This emollient lip butter is unlike any lip treatment I’ve ever tried – while it doesn’t have a silky, hydrating texture, it is more of a thick, exfoliating paste with a matte finish. The formula is so nourishing, and makes my lips feel so soft! Truly a treat – with a light, citrusy scent. It stays on for such a long time.

Winter Makeup Favorites

It’s been a while! Life has been flying by lately, so I haven’t had much time to blog. I wanted to hop on here today and tell you about some staples in my makeup routine lately. Some are old favorites that I’ve rediscovered, while others are brand new and already loved.

Let’s start with one of the newest mascaras on the market, the L’Oreal Telescopic Lift Mascara. While I loved the original Telescopic Mascara, I stopped buying it because the wand was so skinny and flexible that I had a hard time putting it back down in the tube after just a couple of uses. Design flaw! The Telescopic Lift Mascara has gone viral on TikTok lately, so I had to try!

I am loving this formula so far. It is very thin and buildable, so it glides onto my lashes evenly. If you like a false-lash, dramatic look, you’re going to love this mascara. The wand is skinny and comb like; the wider side of the brush provides volume, while a comb-like side combs through and adds length. It’s like two mascaras in one. To remove, I have to gently wash my lashes with warm soap and water, and cleansing oil. Even though it’s not waterproof, it is long-wearing.

When the elf Poreless Putty Primer came out five years ago, I absolutely loved it, and repurchased several times. I don’t know why I stoped using it these past few years. I recently tried it again and remembered why I loved it so much. It is lightweight, non-greasy, plumping, and holds my makeup in place all day. Everything you want in a primer! There are a couple different formulas out there but I stick to the original.

Bright pink blush is so on trend at the moment, so I’ve been wearing an old favorite — the Buxom Primer Infused Blush in Havana. It gives my cheeks a pop of color, while blending seamlessly and staying all day. I barely have to tap my brush in it to get good color payoff. Just add a little to the apples of your cheeks, and you’re good to go.

The new elf O Face Satin Lipsticks feel more high-end than some of the high-end lipsticks that I own, yet they are under $10! The shade Standing Ovation is the perfect nude for medium skin tones like me. It has the perfect amount of pink and brown in it; one of those “your lips but better” lipsticks. While they are not technically long wearing, I’ve found that they have good staying power. Standing Ovation glides on like butter and doesn’t bleed after applying. I can’t wait to try more shades. These are amazing.

Fenty Beauty is probably my favorite high-end makeup line. Rihanna makes the BEST lip products, in my opinion! Hot Chocolate is the prettiest caramel brown shade with a pink shift. It looks great paired with the Standing Ovation lipstick I just mentioned. So glossy and moisturizing, and a cinch to apply. Love the Gloss Bomb line.

Four times elf Cosmetics knocked it out of the park

In my last blog post, I talked about a creamy taupe eyeshadow from elf Cosmetics that I’ve been using a ton lately. It got me thinking of all the other treasures I love from this beauty brand. Would you believe elf has so many great items, yet is super affordable? Here are a few more of my favorites from elf Cosmetics.

The Halo Glow Liquid Filter is probably their newest product. It has gotten a lot of buzz, so I had to try it for myself. I use this ultra-sheer skin tint as a primer beneath my other favorite skin tint from Wet N Wild. It can be used as a primer, tint, or mixed in with your favorite foundation.

My skin feels plump and looks dewy when I rub this in. I love the large doe-foot applicator it comes with. If you’re looking to give your skin extra glow without being tooo shiny, give the Halo Glow a go! 😉

The Bite Size Face Duo in Spiced Apple reminds me of one of my FAVORITE (but discontinued) blushes I used in high school, Maybelline’s Sweet Cinnamon blush. Spiced Apple is a neutral tawny blush with a hint of pink. It goes with just about any look! As you can see, it is well loved. The bronzy highlighter coordinates perfectly. These are on sale for less than $3 on the elf website right now.

The secret to rocking any lip color is making sure your lips are nice and exfoliated, free of flakes! The Cookies And Dreams Lip Exfoliator is so fun to use; it smells and tastes just like cookies and cream. This gritty stick smooths your lips in no time. I use it every day. It is not too abrasive at all.

Saving the best for last! You have got to add the Hydracore Lip Balm in Ecstatic to your fall makeup routine. This ultra-sheer black cherry shade is flattering on everyone. You don’t even need a mirror to apply. The hydrating formula doesn’t last very long, but I can look past that. Pair it with a cherry lip liner for extra staying power. Nonetheless, it is sooo flattering.

The Best Blushes Ever…

I mentioned in my last blog post that I am on a MAJOR blush kick. I’ve added quite a few to my makeup collection the past few months, so I wanted to tell you about my favorite formulas! You’re gonna love these.

Flower Beauty has long been one of my favorite drugstore brands. Nearly every product I’ve tried from them is top notch! The Lip And Cheek Gel Crushes are amazing…I have the shade Raspberry Crush; a bright, rosy raspberry shade. It gives you a sheer but buildable wash of color, and looks great on cheeks and lips. I would even carry it in my purse as a lip balm. The formula is hydrating but stays on my cheeks all day without feeling sticky.

If you’re more of a powder blush type of gal looking for an everyday pink, try the Ulta Beauty Mineral Blush in Stargazer. It is a muted mauve shade with a nude undertone. It reminds me of one of my favorite high-end blushes, Buxom’s Seychelles–with a mauvier tone and half the price. An affordable, long-lasting blush.

Benefit Cosmetics is known for their blushes, so I was super excited when they launched an entire new collection of them called WANDERful World Silky-Soft Powder Blushes (But, I’m still not over how they discontinued my all-time favorite powder blush, Hervana). The formulas are creamy and smooth even though they are a pressed powder. I purchased the shade Moone–a dark, deep berry. A little goes a long way, and Moone definitely makes a statement. This will look great in the fall. I also love using it as an eyeshadow!

I’m usually not a fan of matte-finish blushes (I gotta have a glow!) but I heard good things about the NYX Cosmetics Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint Blushes, so I gave this formula a go. I chose the shade True Nude, which is true to its name. This shade goes with any makeup look, and has a soft, blurred finish. The mousse-like formula goes on smoothly and blends easily too. I like to apply it to the back of my hand first, then blend onto my cheeks with a dense brush. So pretty, for not a lot of money.

Last but not least, one of my favorite beauty buys of the summer — the Profusion Blush Hour Soft Matte Liquid Blushes in Bellini and Sangria. While these are highly pigmented, they blend like a dream and look so natural. Bellini is a neutral apricot shade, while Sangria is a deep berry. Sangria is also stunning as a lip color! If you’re looking to test out the liquid blush trend for a steal, try these. They have a blurred, satin-like finish. Walmart carries Profusion, but I purchased these on the Profusion website.

Stay tuned for more of my favorite blushes soon. I just love how blush can really help your complexion come alive. There are so many great formulas out there!

Makeup In A Stick Picks

Sometimes the best makeup comes in small, convenient packaging! Whether you’re looking for a quick, no-fuss makeup routine or travel-friendly beauty items, I have you covered today.

I remember around 2012 when pH-adjusting lipstick was all the rage; the peak of beauty technology. I had my eye on a certain lipstick that did just that, but couldn’t shell out a pretty penny for it. TikTok influenced me to purchase the Essence Cosmetics Glimmer Glow Lipstick. In the tube, it looks like a sheer formula encased with sparkles.

When you apply, the clear pigment transforms into your perfect pink. I expected it to be a gimmick, costing around $3 — but this is the real deal. If you aren’t a fan of sparkles, just brush them off with a tissue or your fingertip. It stains your lips for a long time, and the formula is smoothing and non-greasy. The more coats you apply, the bolder the pink will be. Such a fun lipstick!

Your one-and-done eyeshadow look is here! I have been using the Thrive Cosmetics Brilliant Eye Brightener in Moona for the past year or so and have grown to love it. The soft taupe-mauve shade instantly brightens my eyes with a pearly finish. The formula glides on smoothly, but isn’t quite as creamy as you’d expect; I think the drier formula causes longer staying power. If you’re looking to branch out of your eyeshadow comfort zone, give Moona a try!

I will never tire of singing praises for Flower Beauty’s Light Illusion Concealer. This stuff is perfection in a tube. Each time I wear it as a foundation, I get compliments! The formula is glowy without being greasy; a satin finish. I apply it straight from the applicator and blend with a brush. Instant flawlessness.

Quick re-mention of one of my favorite cream blushes – Wet ‘n’ Wild Blush Stick in Floral Majority. The perfect combo of peach and pink, that makes your complexion look fresh and bright. It blends seamlessly into the apples of my cheeks, with a satin finish. A hidden drugstore gem.

Temps are taking time to rise, but you can pretend it’s summer by wearing Replica Beach Walk Eau de Parfum. If you love the smell of coconut sunscreen, you HAVE to try Beach Walk! I wear it year- round. It’s not too cloying or light, but it stays with you all day. The pick-me-up you need. Plus, the small size is easy to pack and travel friendly.

Five products you need to try from Haus Laboratories

Haus Laboratories has been one of my favorite makeup lines since it launched three years ago. Lady Gaga sure knows what she’s doing — I own quite a few pieces, and use them often in my makeup routine. If you’re curious about checking out Haus Labs but don’t know where to start, I gotcha. I thought I would share my top five favorite products from the line!

As you can see, this RIP Lip Liner in Ride is well-loved! It is the perfect, healthy mid-toned pink; not too bright or too nude for my medium skin tone. I love filling my lips in with this shade, then topping with a clear gloss. The formula is smooth and creamy, without tugging on your lips or drying them out. It is worth the high-end price point. Ride is a healthy, everyday pink shade. (Pssst..these are on SALE right now on the Haus Labs website!)

It seems like there are a million lip crayons on the market, but the Le Monster Matte Lip Crayon in Mannequin is one of my favorites. I own several of these, and reach for Mannequin often. It is a browny-mauve shade with a touch of rose. If you’re looking for a deep lip color but not TOO dark, give this one a try. The Le Monster Crayons have a similar texture to the lip liners; creamy and pigmented, without being super drying. They also have pretty good staying power — no bleeding or feathering.

When I was taking photos for this blog post, I realized just how many Haus Lab Lip Products I have! Their PhD Hybrid Lip Oil in Primary is also one of my staples. It is a sheer, cherry red shade that is soooo nourishing and comfortable. You may think that this lip oil may be sticky or goopy, but not Primary! I need to try more colors. You don’t even need a mirror to apply.

You already know! 😉 The Glam Attack Liquid Shimmer Powder in Froze Bronze is one of my go-to eyeshadows in my ENTIRE makeup collection — that says a lot, because I own many, many eyeshadows. The deep bronze shade with bright pink shift is surprisingly wearable; I get compliments whenever I wear it! The formula is truly unique; it is a pearly, liquid powder that is so easy to apply and blend. The more you blend it out, the more the pearliness diffuses. So gorgeous! I own almost all of these liquid powders, but Froze Bronze is my most favorite. (These are on SALE right now too!)

I love to collect blushes just as much as I love lip products! The Blush + Highlighter Duo in Flirt/Fling is one of my most-used blushes and highlighters. It may look boring in the pan, but Flirt is a gorgeous muted rose shade. It instantly warms up my complexion. While these blushes are pigmented, they actually apply quite sheer, so it is easy to build up to however bold or subtle you want. Fling may be a pressed powder, but it applies like a smooth, seamless cream. The peachy gold hue complements Flirt perfectly.

Have you tried anything from House Labs that you have loved? I would love to know.