What's New in My Makeup Bag this February

While I'm more of a "stick to what I love" kind of girl than a makeup junkie, every once in a while, I get the itch to switch things up.

I recently adopted a handful of new products into my routine that have quickly become new favorites, and I'm giving you the run down on the new in today's post.

This all started because of my damn foundation. I'd been using Make Up For Ever's Mat Velvet+ for a few years, and recently found out that they had discontinued the old formula and revamped the product with a whole new line. If there's one thing in my makeup bag I like to stick to for a while, it's my foundation...so I was less than thrilled that I had to start from square one.

This of course led me to Sephora, which led me to click bait, new products, and more click bait; hence the 6 I'm sharing with you today. I'll walk you through what each one does, how I use them, and if they live up to the hype!

Have you tried any of these? Have a similar product that you love even more? Let me know in the comments below!

No1: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

I first discovered this product thanks to my friend Lindsey this past Summer, and would you even believe that it just FINALLY came back in stock recently?! That's how long I had been waiting, and that's how good it is. Hollywood Flawless Filter is a multi-purpose primer-highlighter complexion booster. It's one of those product that does it all, and it's known for it's Instagram filter-esque soft focus skin blur.

How I Use It: The applicator is a godsend. Most days, I use shade "light" as an all-over highlighter over foundation and bronzer. If I'm running errands on the weekend and don't want a full face of makeup, I'll use it all over my face on it's own.

Shop it here

No2: Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream

I'll admit, I had yet to hop on the eye cream bandwagon before adopting this product into my routine. I think reason being is because I just felt so overwhelmed with all of the recommendations out there; did I start with a serum? an overnight cream? I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around it, until this popped up as a 'recommended product'. This eye cream is described as a rich, fast-absorbing eye cream that visibly smooths and firms lids, crow’s feet, and under eye wrinkles. Most of the above get an A+, but one thing this cream is not, is fast-absorbing, which is why I use it before bed.

How I Use It: This cream is dense and very thick (hydrating too), so a little goes a long way. Although it comes with an applicator, I use my fingers to smooth a tiny pinch all around my eyes and wake up feeling like my eyes are brand new. I see a huge difference in the softness and firmness of where I apply compared to the rest of my face.

Shop it here

No3: Glossier Cloud Paint

Believe it or not, Glossier is a brand that's brand new to my makeup bag. For blush, I had previously been using NARS' The Multiple in shade "Orgasm", which I love, but was feeling like I needed a little space from the sparkle summer-esque cheek glow. Cloud paint is a soft, gel-cream formula that's easily biddable with your fingers or a beauty blender and it really delivers on giving that flushed-from-within glow. Shade "Beam" is a subtle, yet perfect peachy pink, which works great with my skintone.

How I Use It: I squeeze about half of a pea size directly onto the apples of my cheeks, and then blend it out with my beauty blender up my cheekbones. What's great about Cloud Paint is that it's buildable, and honestly foolproof. There's no such thing as a streaky cheek or an awkward, blotchy application.

Shop it here

No4: ItCosmetics CC Cream + Illumination

People rave about It Cosmetics, and after hearing the iconic CC Cream mentioned yet again on a podcast I was listening to, I decided it was time to move it off of my "new brands to try" list and give it a spin. I had every intention of trying the original CC Cream (without illumination) until I saw this version of it. I live for a dewy glow all year round, and after reading reviews that it really delivered on a glow rather than a sparkle effect, I was sold. I ordered 3 shades, and ended up going with shade "Light", which is perfect for my fair skin with neutral/cool undertones. GUYS, this product is good, and does a fantastic job of creating that flawless-healthy-glow type look.

Although a CC Cream, it delivers full, buildable coverage and protects your skin with SPF 50+, which was also a major selling point for me. It also provides intense hydration for the skin, color corrects (hence why it's a "cc" cream) and doesn't crease or crack. My only quip, is after trying it for a week, I feel that it doesn't last last for a full-day - meaning that the flawless finish it gives off in the morning is simply a little less flawless by the very end of the day.

How I Use It: A little goes a long way. I cover my face in 4 sections: forehead, cheek, cheek and chin with a damn beauty blender and a small pump directly on the blender.

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No5: Tartelette In Bloom Eyeshadow Palette

I don't wear eyeshadow every day, but always like to have a neutral palette on hand, and this is the perfect one. The In Bloom palette has a mix of matte and micro-shimmer shades, which make the perfect pair. Warmer pinks, browns and light golds are really all I ever need, so this is a one-and-done palette for me. Another favorite of mine if you're looking for something a bit more compact is Tarte's Flirt Palette.

How I Use It: I use a denser, shading brush with a darker shade on the bottom lid, then blend into my crease with a medium to lighter shade with a tapered blending brush & finish it off with a shimmery highlight towards the top of my brow bone.

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No5: Tartiest Quick Dry Lip Paint in Shade "Low Key"

Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paints are quickly becoming my new favorite lip products. They're super light weight and yes, they really dry instantly, leaving no color transfer. While I don't find them drying, I can see how they might dry out lips with a dryer base to begin with. Easy to fix though; just use Mac's Prep + Prime Lip prior to applying. Also love the Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint! Favorite neutral shades are "Bestie", "Low Key" & "Birthday Suit".

How I Use It: Prime my lips with Mac's Prep + Prime lip (linked above) if my lips are on the dryer side, and then apply!

Shop it here