My 2017 Makeup and Skincare Favorites

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Without too much preamble, I'm going to dive right into my favorite products from the last year, and then when I get to the end of the list, I'll discuss any patterns or other observations that come from looking at the group as a whole. These weren't all necessarily new releases in 2017--because I'm not that on top of trends--but they are things that I bought in 2017 or late 2016 and enjoyed during the last year.

Urban Decay Naked Heat palette and Juvia's Place The Nubian palette

The easiest choices for my list this year were the two palettes above. I've never been a big eyeshadow palette hoarder, but last year I ended up with a few of them, and I seem to have my eye on some others. Not sure what's going on there, but I doubt I will ever have more than a half dozen or so palettes as large as these. Even that is a lot of eyeshadow.

Urban Decay's latest Naked palette offering seems to be a bit polarizing. There are those who complain that all the colors are so similar that it's hard to create a look using just this palette that has any contrast. Fair enough. Then there are those like me who absolutely love coppery eyeshadows, and who have small and/or hooded lids, so that they don't create complex designs with their eye makeup anyway. I rarely use more than a couple of different eyeshadows at the same time. So for me, a whole spectrum of variations on a favorite in different finishes is right up my alley. While I understand why it's not for everyone, it's still one of my personal favorites from the past year. I also like the 80s-style design of the packaging, for what it's worth. (I haven't actually swatched or written about this palette here yet--not that there's a lack of information about it out there--but I will work on that.)

Juvia's Place The Nubian is another warm palette, like so many that came after it in 2016-2017. It's more exciting than Naked Heat, but also trickier to use (for me, at least). I reviewed it here, but the main difference is that the shadows tend to appear more orange/pink/red rather than brown on me, even those that look quite brown in the pan. It's beautiful and good quality and a lot of fun, though, so I don't like it any less than Naked Heat.

Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black

I finally bought the Physician's Formula liquid liner pen with all its ridiculous claims and horribly long name, and it's as great as everyone says it is. I reviewed it here. I recently brought the brown too, but I'm waiting to finish another brown liquid liner before I crack it open.

Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss in Oil Slick

This gooey, glittery cream eyeshadow isn't anything like a staple product, but it's got to be the most unusual and entertaining makeup I've bought recently. Swatched in all its glory here. I see that Butter London now has blushes and a highlighter in the same formula--intriguing! I will probably use some Ulta points to try out the blush at some point, though surely it's not as sparkly as the eyeshadow (right?), because I don't think that would work for me.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Yellow and Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil in Soft Blonde

Urban Decay's yellow corrector, on the other hand, has become a staple in my routine. I use it almost every day. (Reviewed here.) It's not cheap, however, so I've bought the LA Girl version, and I'm going to write a comparison post soon, since my Urban Decay tube is getting low.

What is cheap, though, is this Essence eyebrow pencil. Soft Blonde is a nice taupe that is slightly warmer than my discontinued Avon favorite, so while it's not the absolutely perfect shade, for $2 I will gladly accept nearly perfect. It's the right softness and pigmentation (i.e. not too much of either) to make it easy to use when I'm in a hurry (i.e. every morning).

Urban Decay Vice Lipsticks

From left to right above: Venom, Backtalk, Manic, Rock Steady, Sheer F-Bomb, Wildfire, Accident, Epigram.

Instead of choosing a specific lip product as my favorite, I figured that the number of Vice lipsticks I've accumulated by now is pretty good evidence of how much I like this line. Mind you, two were mini gifts-with-purchase, and there's one here that I don't actually like much (Manic), but I wanted to include them all for completeness. They combine easy application and wear with interesting colors and, most important for me, comfort. My only complaint is that I wish the case didn't look like a fucking bullet. I understand the visual pun, but I could really do without it. (By the way, I swatched a ton of Vice lipsticks from samples last year.)

Oh, you know what I just realized that's kind of weird? Of all the full-size Vice lipsticks I own, only two have not been discontinued (Manic and Accident). That probably says something profound about who I am as a person, or whatever.

CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patches, Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, and (not pictured) Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum

Moving three times to three different states with three very different climates within the space of a year has really confused my skin. I've needed to use more of these CosRx patches than I'd like, but they are reliable. I reviewed them here.

I actually don't remember when I started using my first bottle of the Paula's Choice Niacinamide Booster, but I'm now on my second. I've come to realize that my skin just really responds well to niacinamide, which keeps it smoother and clearer. It's convenient to be able to add this stuff to whatever other product I'm using at the time. It's very pricey, though, so when I finish this bottle I might try The Ordinary's niacinamide stuff, and I've also heard that Stratia's Rewind has a lot of niacinamide and is great. But it'll be a while before I need something else.

Paula's Choice Omega+ Serum is something that I loved, used up, and didn't replace, because it's more than I want to spend right now. But it made my skin feel fantastic, and--even though it's not a benefit they advertise--it cleared up the redness in the center of my face better than anything I've used before or since (including the Paula's Choice Redness Reducing Serum). It was also hydrating enough that I didn't need to use a separate moisturizer in the summer. I'm probably going to have to just buy another bottle, because it has so many ingredients in it that I could waste a lot of money trying to pinpoint what exactly worked so well for me.

So those are my favorites! It's a smallish list, I guess because I already have products in most categories that I love and continue to use from past years (listed here and here and here), and nothing more recent has surpassed them. Two observations from looking at the list as a whole: (1) there is some stuff here that's more expensive than what I usually buy myself; and (2) Urban Decay is heavily represented. On the first point, that's mainly due to having an Ulta MasterCard that I pay off every month. I use the points to get things I might not otherwise buy. (I'm a Canadian who never thought I would stay in the US this long, and I suddenly found I needed to build credit at a rather late stage in my life. And there was that pre-approved Ulta card . . .) On the second point, I've just been liking Urban Decay, I guess. I mean, they have been churning out a lot of crap, and their "shock me, shock me, shock me" eye-rolling marketing doesn't exactly resonate with me, but I've tried a bunch of things that I ended up enjoying a lot.

I was also going to write a disappointments post, like I did last year, but I wasn't able to come up with a very good list. That's surprising for a bitter bitch like myself. (Honorable mentions go to every Maybelline and L'Oréal mascara I tried, though, because they always, always flake like crazy on me.) Can I chalk it up to continued learning and having a better idea of what I like and what I don't like? I certainly think I made fewer impulse purchases in 2017 than in previous years, but as for whether I know myself better, let's give it another year and check in again.

What have you been liking (or hating) recently--whether it's something new or an old favorite? I'm always up for recommendations!

10 Favorite Products of 2016

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Since I wrote about the most disappointing products I came across last year, I guess it's only right to tell you my favorite products, because people like positivity and all that shit. I managed to come up with 10 again, all things that I used for the first time in 2016 (and an honorable mention). Obviously 2016 was the year I really came around to lipstick, because that makes up 40% of the list. Here are the best things I started to use last year, in no particular order (with links to previous reviews, when they exist).

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice

I love all three of the Super Lustrous lipsticks I have, but Fire & Ice (right) was the one I bought last year. I need to put it into more frequent rotation. Reviewed here.

2. Wet N Wild ColorIcon Trio in Plaid to the Bone

My love for duochromes has been well documented, and I can't resist an affordable version in a good formula like this. Sadly, it was limited edition, but you can still get it from gougers on Amazon if you are really determined. Reviewed here.

3. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Rapture

A photo posted by Lyn (brutally honest beauty) (@brutallyhonestbeauty) on Dec 19, 2016 at 2:12pm PST

Another product that is now discontinued, but you can get it in the Vice version (swatched here). I bought this when the Revolution lipsticks were being cleared out, and it became one of my favorite work lipsticks during the fall and early winter. I also bought After Dark, and I love it too, but don't wear it as often.

4. Covergirl TruNaked Palette in Roses

This palette is filled with very pigmented, rosy-but-not-too-warm shades that work extremely well for me. An exception to most mediocre drugstore attempts at competing with the more expensive popular palettes out there. The mattes are great over primer, but the more I've used it, I've realized that the shimmers can benefit from a glitter primer, so keep that in mind. Reviewed here.

5. Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches

A photo posted by Lyn (brutally honest beauty) (@brutallyhonestbeauty) on Oct 10, 2016 at 9:13am PDT

I plan to review these soon, because I'm on my second pack now. I've tried the Nexcare patches too, and I like these better, because they are thinner and less conspicuous.

6. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Sour Cherry

I got this lipstick as part of one of the Bite holiday duos (which are still available, by the way), and Sour Cherry (bottom right) was my favorite of the four. I'm really enjoying the Amuse Bouche formula. Reviewed here.

7. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery

This one made the list because it surprised me. I generally dislike liquid lipsticks, but this is easy to use, comfortable, and long-wearing, so I'm impressed all around. I wore it to my wedding as well as when I went out recently.

8. Black Radiance Eyeshadow Primer

This primer is a better replacement for the discontinued Wet N Wild Fergie primer than the new Wet N Wild Primer, according to my tests. Reviewed here.

9. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sideline

I'm sure you can get something similar for cheaper, but I got this as my free UD birthday gift. It makes an interesting everyday eyeshadow that is exciting but not too dramatic for your boring coworkers. Swatched here.

10. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

This is something else that I guess I should review, but I'm not sure what else to say other than that my skin has been better since I've been using it. Niacinamide is a form of Vit B that helps reduce the visibility of pores and wrinkles. It also make some people's skin clearer, and I am apparently one of those people. I've been adding a couple of drops to my moisturizer since early fall and seeing good results.

Honorable mention: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

I've been using Bad to the Bronze for well over a year, but I'm including it here because it was by far the product I used most often in 2016. And it's still not dried up, and I still have a ton of it left. It always makes me feel polished when I am rushed or lazy. Reviewed here.

I used a bunch of other good stuff last year, but these are the things that stood out when I looked back. Just like my list of disappointments, I'm not sure there's a real pattern here. Some cheap, some expensive, some researched, some impulse purchases.

How about you? Any great discoveries in 2016?

My Cheap Favorites: Review and comparison of Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara in Black and Covergirl Lashblast Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

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Covergirl LashBlast Volume has been around for a long time, but I find that it can be hard to find reviews of products that were released before beauty blogging exploded, so I hope this is useful for someone. Plus, I said I would review it in my favorite cheap makeup post, so it's about fucking time. Even though mascara is the one product that I've used since I was about 14, and I don't really go out without it, I find it relatively difficult to review. Mascara is one of those things that seem to perform vastly differently on different people and that people have wildly different opinions about. I've said it before, but Maybelline Great Lash, which you always hear recommendations for, doesn't do shit for my eyelashes. And there are divided opinions about the stuff I'm reviewing here, Covergirl Lashblast Volume. These things make mascara reviews tricky. So, as always, I'm just going to tell you about my needs and preferences and experience with this stuff, and let you decide if it seems right for you. Rather than telling you IT'S THE BEST BUY IT NOW.

This particular mascara is especially difficult to review, because there's nothing exactly remarkable about it, despite its being one of my favorite mascaras out there. That's probably why I've put off writing a full review of it for years. The fact that there's not much to say is why I like it, I guess. It's a good, everyday mascara, that makes my lashes look thicker and longer, but doesn't do anything crazy. It also holds a curl well (both versions), by which I mean that when I brush my lashes upwards with the mascara, they stay that way, since I don't actually use an eyelash curler. From a normal viewing distance, it just looks like I have naturally decent lashes without any goop on them. This is an illusion, because in reality I have short, sparse, invisible eyelashes. It's easy to use and not messy, so it's the mascara I grab when I don't want to have to think about anything. Probably the strongest recommendation for this mascara that I can give you is the fact that, despite trying many dozens of other mascaras over the years, I have bought at least one tube of Covergirl Lashblast Volume annually for almost a decade now--and in several of those years I bought multiple tubes. I keep coming back to it. It's reliable.

I figured, to add some interest to this post, I'd compare the regular and waterproof versions, because they're not exactly the same. That's normal. It seems that most mascaras have very little in common between their regular and waterproof formulas, so if it's the formula you like, you might be disappointed if you switch from one to the other. If it's mainly the brush you're into, you'll be safer. Here's a comparison of the ingredients of these two mascaras.

Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (non-waterproof):

Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Triethanolamine, Acrylates Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Polyethylene, Oleic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Trisodium Edta, Simethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides. may Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines.

Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara Waterproof:

Petroleum Distillates, Polyethylene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Trihydroxystearin, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Tall Oil Glycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylparaben, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines, Talc.

You can see these lists do, indeed, have very, very little in common. The lack of water in the waterproof version is interesting. I wonder if that means it will resist bacterial contamination better?

Considering the extremely different ingredients list, these two mascaras actually do perform similarly, though I slightly prefer the non-waterproof option. It seems to provide a bit more volume and length with less effort, though the difference is minor (and in fact, when I look at the photos below, I can't really see a difference). Both of them are great for not clumping, much like their younger sibling, Covergirl Clump Crusher by LashBlast (reviewed here). I prefer how both of them work about a week or so after I've opened them and they've started to thicken up a bit.

They both, of course, have the same fat, plastic brush. If you hate spiky plastic brushes, you might want to avoid this one, though I have found that since the spikes are short and not too sharp, I don't end up stabbing myself in the eye like I do with some others (Benefit They're Real, for instance). The downside of the blunt ended brush with short bristles is that it's hard to get all the tiny lashes in the corners of my eyes or to get right to the roots of my lashes, especially on the back/top side of them (which I always coat, because they are blond, and they will look two-toned otherwise).

Here are my eyelashes bare, then with the regular Covergirl Lashblast Mascara, and then with the waterproof version:

Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara in Black

Covergirl Lashblast Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

It's worth noting that the Black shade is not very black, unlike the Very Black shade. Um, as you might expect. Black is almost a dark grey/charcoal color, which is going to be a little more subtle. I think that when you compare the two photos above, you can see that the Black looks a little softer, and it's even clearer in these swatches:

I always like to have a waterproof mascara on hand, because my eyes are very watery. If it's a cold or windy day and I have to stand at the bus stop for even 5 minutes wearing non-waterproof mascara, I am guaranteed to end up with black streaks on my temples. This Covergirl stuff lives up to its waterproof claims. It is not, however, oil-proof--as it shouldn't be, because how would you remove something that neither water nor oil would melt? But be warned, during a very long and very awkward work dinner a few weeks ago, I went to the bathroom and saw that my waterproof mascara had transferred slightly to my eyelids, because the sweatiness of having to make nice with my professional nemesis in front of a foreign colleague was apparently more than any mascara could handle. I haven't noticed it smearing during normal circumstances, however.

If you want a good, everyday, no-frills mascara, this may work for you too. I don't think it's just my stubby lashes it improves. I first bought it on the recommendation of a friend with gorgeous, fluttery, thick eyelashes, after I asked her what she used, back in 2007. It doesn't make my eyelashes look like hers, but it did enhance both of our natural assets, as unequal as they are. Another thing that probably contributes my buying this stuff so frequently is that are often excellent sales on it on Amazon, so I don't think I've spent more than $4 for it in years. Keep an eye out on Amazon, if you're interested.

It's a bit unusual that I've stuck with the same product for quite this long, even if I do alternate with trying new mascaras. It seems to me that people are more loyal to their mascara than to other types of makeup. Do you stay with what works, or are you fickle about mascara?

My cheap favorites: the best skincare for $10 or less

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Here is the long awaited (by me) sequel to my cheap makeup post: skincare. As with the makeup, these are all things I've tried and repurchased because I liked them so much. Trusty and reliable! There are other good cheap options out there, of course, but I'm not going to vouch for anything I haven't used. Please leave your suggestions in the comments, though.

Some categories, again, are missing, because I don't use that type of product (e.g. toner), or I don't have a current favorite, or my favorite is a little more expensive (e.g. targeted products like retinol, or exfoliants, or my favorite sunscreen). And because I like to experiment with new things, I don't have all of these products on hand to photograph at the moment. You should keep in mind that I have combination-oily skin that is not particularly sensitive, and that I don't usually like fragrance in products I put on my face. If you have a different skin type, your results may vary (though you may find some of these things effective anyway).

That's enough preamble and disclaimer. Here's the list:

Favorite Cleanser: I'm using some Paula's Choice face wash at the moment, but my favorites are from Neutrogena.  I especially like the Redness Soothing Gel Cleanser and the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser. They do a great job of removing oil and makeup without drying out my skin. The latter comes in a really big bottle for $8-10, so it's an especially good value.

Favorite Facial Wipes: I try not to use these too often because of the waste, but a few times a month when I'm too tired to wash my face properly or when I'm traveling, they are handy. I've tried a lot of brands, and my favorite are the Simple Cleansing Wipes. They are unscented and they remove makeup effectively without causing dryness. They also have a very soft but durable texture (make sure you get the regular ones, not the exfoliating variety). The cheapest place to get them online is in a pack of two (50 wipes total) from Amazon for about $7 (and right now there is a $1 off coupon).

Favorite Makeup Remover: I don't use actual makeup remover on my eyes most of the time (only when I end up with a free sample somehow). Although dual phase formulas can be very effective, I don't like the oily residue they leave behind. It tends to cause milia around my eyes even if I wash it off. Instead, I wash my face first, and then I spread a small amount of Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (about $10) on my upper and lower lids and wipe it off with a dry tissue or cloth. It removes all the makeup residue and--bonus--my eye area is left moisturized. If I have a lot of waterproof mascara caked on my lashes, the lotion doesn't remove it instantly, though it does clean up any that has transferred to my skin. And I have a huge bottle of decent, gentle moisturizer that I can use for whatever other purposes I want. (You can also use moisturizer like this as a cleanser in a pinch--or if you find most cleansers drying. Apply it to your dry skin and massage lightly, splash on water and massage some more, and rinse.)

Favorite Daytime Moisturizer with Sunscreen: This isn't my sunscreen. As I said above, the everyday facial sunscreen I use costs more than $15 (though a bottle lasts me a year). But I work from home, and some days I don't get out of the house until after dark. On those days, I like to just use SPF in moisturizer for a little protection and one less step in the morning. I'm a big fan of the Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15. I tried to go without it when I finished my last bottle, but I really missed it, so this is my second. As the name suggests, it's not fancy, but it does a great job of moisturizing and absorbs quickly. It doesn't burn around my eyes like lotions with higher (chemical) SPFs tend to do. This is the theme here: it does what it's supposed to do very well and doesn't do anything I don't like. It's cheapest on Amazon, where it's around $8 (I've seen it in stores for up to $14).

Favorite Acne Spot Treatment: Lots of people like benzoyl peroxide for acne, but I tried to get it to work for years and it never did anything for me other than bleach my sheets and towels. I've found tea tree oil more effective. I dip a q-tip in it and dab it on individual zits. With oils like this, there's a lot of variation in strength (even though they all say "100%" on the bottle, they are actually diluted), so look for good reviews. I've been using the Mason Natural Tea Tree Oil ($8) for a few years with good results.

Favorite Facial Oil/Anti-Aging Treatment: I love rosehip oil. It does all sorts of wonderful things for your skin, no matter what skin type you have. (Read more about it from Lab Muffin.) The only downside for me is that I have to avoid my eye area with it, or at least use it sparingly there, because my eyes don't like oils and again with the fucking milia. You also have to read reviews of this stuff, because the quality and potency will vary between brands. And make sure it doesn't smell like roses--it's not made from rose petals. In fact, it usually smells a bit like cooking oil. I've had good luck with the Aura Cacia Rosehip Oil ($7) and Life-Flo Rosehip Seed Oil ($6). You only need 2-3 drops for your entire face, so a bottle lasts a long time, at least until it spoils.

Favorite Mask: Hands down, Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask. Reviewed here. It really absorbs oil and helps to clear pores without drying out my skin. Love it, and it's $4 for a huge tube that never ends. I've tried more expensive clay masks. This is better.

Favorite Lip Balm: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick ($2-4). It looks like a glue stick, smells subtly like white chocolate, and keeps my lips super soft all winter. My favorite, forever. This enormous tube lasts a long time, as you can tell from my beat-up photo. Do not make the mistake of buying the teeny Palmer's lip balm with the sunscreen in it! That one is bitter and a fraction of the size for the same price. If you can't find the giant Swivel Stick with the other lip balms, look next to the Palmer products in the lotion section (or at Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada, sometimes it's with "ethnic hair care"). Or get it from drugstore.com for less than $3.

Favorite Hand Cream: I love, love, love Caldrea Hand Balm in the Ginger Pomelo scent. It's way better than the more expensive hand creams I've tried (ahem, L'Occitane), though it might be a tad splurgy at $10 a tube. But it smells amazing, and moisturizes extremely well while still absorbing quickly and not being greasy.

Favorite Foot Cream: O'Keeffe's Foot Cream ($5). Reviewed here. Put a very small amount on your feet before bed and they will be softened up significantly by morning. In a few days of using it, all the rough skin will be gone. It's really good. I don't recommend using it on hot and sweaty nights, because it has a slightly greasy feeling, and I think that's gross when I'm already sticky.

These are the best of the (cheap) best in my opinion, but I'd love to hear about any other affordable skin care you'd recommend--especially if you have a different skin type, since I can't really evaluate things that don't suit mine.

(Note: The title originally said "under $15," because when I started writing, I thought that the Simple moisturizer was over $10. But everything on the list can actually be found--in the U.S.--$10 or less. Excellent!)

My cheap favorites: the best makeup under $10

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I wrote a post like this way back when I started my blog, so I thought it might be interesting to update it and see how many of my favorites have stayed the same and how many have changed, now that I've tried a lot of new shit. I've also compared a lot of cheaper things to more expensive products along the way, and in all cases, the makeup in this list equals or outperforms pricier alternatives. I'm just doing makeup today, but I'll follow up with another post about my cheap favorites from other categories like skin care and hair products.

My cheap favorites are reliable and inexpensive. They're things that I replace when I finish them. Obviously I don't use these products exclusively, but I keep coming back to them because I prefer them to others. Below I've included links to previous reviews on my blog, if they exist. I've also tried to link to the best places online to buy these things, to my knowledge. Most of them are easy to find in any drugstore or Target/Walmart, etc.--in which case you might be able to get them on sale. But you might be like me and prefer online shopping when possible, so I've linked them below.

There are a few categories of makeup for which I don't have a current cheap favorite. For example, foundation: I'm picky about it and haven't found anything I absolutely love at any price point, though the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation, reviewed here, is decent when sheered out, and Boots No. 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation is amazing if you can find a good color match (I can't). As for concealer, I have a favorite (reviewed here), but it's not cheap. I've used some good drugstore concealers, like Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles, but I tend to run into problems with the range of shades available. I had a favorite powder (Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent Powder--lots of Maybelline here in the "almost" category) but of course it's been discontinued, so I'll have to find something else soon. I don't have a favorite bronzer, because I almost never wear bronzer. I also don't currently have a favorite lip gloss, I guess because it's not a product I love to wear in general. There a plenty of perfectly fine lip glosses out there, but nothing that I am particularly excited about.

But let's get to my actual favorites. My photos aren't the prettiest, because I am currently using most of these things and, in many cases, have been using them for a long time, so they're a bit beat up. (Lots of images after the jump.)

I've found my new PERFECT facial sunscreen, and I am so fucking happy!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Remember how my favorite sunscreen was discontinued? And I kept trying to find something to replace it? And then I decided this was as good as it was going to get?

I was wrong!