Thanks to some new makeup finds, I have been having more good skin days than bad. And thanks to a few others I’ve tried, you can save some money on total flops. Keep reading to see what’s working and what’s not.
Lancôme Prep & Matte Primer
Good skin days are rare during fertility treatment, but this glue-like primer makes my full-coverage foundation stick in place without problems. By the end of the day, my foundation is normally blotchy and breaking apart. Not so with this oil-fighting product!
I mean honestly, here’s a 100% unedited/not even color corrected photo where my skin (except for a couple IVF zits, which we can’t expect a primer to fix) looks smooth, even, and fantastic despite a rushed makeup application and hours running errands. Consider this a new forever addition to my kit.
*Complimentary product from Influenster
Score: A new must-have for me
Find it here for $35
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Mattifier
Want a slightly less intense pore-filling primer than Benefit’s Porefessional? This is a great in-between level of primer with the added bonus of mattifying.
*Complimentary product from Influenster
Score: I prefer Porefessional, but this is a close second
Find it here for $38
Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener
With ample product and a smooth application, this highlighting stick is easy and lovely. While I prefer a blinding highlight when I take the time to apply it, this summer-ready item is good for a ‘no makeup makeup’ look.
*Complimentary product from FabFitFun
Score: I’ll use it all but I won’t buy more
Find it here for $24
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Correcteur
If we’re friends on Instagram, you probably saw my rant about this supposedly universal product. After trying it a few times, all of my concerns were validated. While it’s advertised at adding radiance, this product instead applied like a matte too-dark concealer. Is this just a mislabeled item?
*Complimentary product from Influenster
Score: Completely useless to me
Find it here for $31
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50
Uhh… this is a biased review. After trying the Colorescience Brush-On SPF, all other sunscreen is dead to me. I can admit this sunscreen applied nicely and stayed matte under my makeup, but the overly perfumed fragrance ruined it entirely. (It thankfully dissipated, but still… Who wants perfume under their eyes?)
*Complimentary product from Influenster
Score: Hard pass
Find it here for $39