SUNDAY SEVEN 04.11.2021

Happy Sunday!

Took the week off from round-ups last weekend to celebrate Easter with the fam which was lovely! This weekend, the Sephora Spring Sale kicked off with early access for Rouge Members from 4/9-4/19. If you’re Rouge, you can shop now for 20% off! Perfect timing to stock up on spring colors, lighter products for summer, fresh skincare, or self tan products and sunscreen. VIB access starts 4/13 for 15% off and Insider access starts 4/15 for 10% off. The sale runs through 4/19 and you can use the code OMGSPRING to save.

I figured I’d use this week’s Sunday Seven to round up some of my favorite products in seven main categories. This was so hard to narrow down! There are a few more things I use and love that I’ll include in descriptions below, plus one new product I’m dying to try but has already sold out. I’ll link it still, hoping it comes back before the sale is over!

This Week’s Sunday Seven

// 1. Skincare

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum -- $85
My holy grail Vitamin C. I’ve tried a bunch and always come back to this one for serious lightening power - it’s just the best as far as noticeable results go. I also love their C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Oil - not only it is a more cost effective option for when my skincare budget is lacking, but I LOVE how it wears under makeup. I don’t notice quite as much brightening with it, but it feels great and sometimes my skin needs a little extra moisture under makeup. Lately I’ve been using the oil version + this hyaluronic acid serum in the AM and the combo is amazing for glowy spring skin.

Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Oil -- $55
My absolute favorite nighttime oil (runner up would be this one). It’s got retinol in it which is great for fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and redness. I love what it does for the texture of my skin! Another great way to try this and the above vitamin C serum is to snag this little travel size duo for just $28!
*note the two retinol serums linked are not pregnancy safe - can’t wait to use again soon, though!*

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer -- $68
A splurge-worthy face cream - for real, actually worth the $$. I like to use this one at night (since I’m an OG Neutrogena Hydro Boost lover for under makeup) but you can feel how soft it’s making your skin as you’re putting it on. It’s magical. I also love all of DE’s cute packaging haha, I’m a sucker! This one is a little press + go pump so you aren’t digging your finger into the jar which is nice! It’s got peptides in it to visibly plump, firm, and restore bounce to your skin. “The brand focuses on healthy pH levels, formulations the skin recognizes, small molecular structure that’s easily absorbed, and effective active ingredients that also support the skin’s acid mantle.” - sign me up, forever and always!

// 2. Foundation

ItCosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Color-Correcting Cream -- $35
I’m sort of in between foundations right now so this category had me a little stumped! I’m currently using and still loving the Tart Face Tape foundation, but I’ve been using it for 3 or 4 bottles now and feel like I’m getting burnt out! I recently remembered how much I love this ItCosmetics redness corrector - it’s not technically a foundation, but holy moly is the coverage and color correction amazing. It’s the perfect product for spring/summer as it’s super lightweight but still gets the job done. I’ll wear it on “no makeup” days just to even out my skin tone and hide all the imperfections when I don’t feel like doing a full face. It’s a pretty impressive little product!

Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation -- $20
Don’t sleep on the Sephora Collection, guys! This is one of my go-to face powders, especially when my budget is tighter. They have good “yellow undertone” shades which sometimes is hard to find without being too dark. The finish is great, full coverage, doesn’t look cakey. I also love their bronzer - really great inexpensive option that seems to last a long time and has good color payoff. Though it looks like they may have changed their formula (or at least the packaging) so I’m curious to try the new one! Another OG fave is their airbrush foundation which is a great dupe to the Dior Airflash at a major fraction of the cost. Looks like all of Sephora Collection is 30% off through the duration of this sale as well! Can’t beat it. Love their eye shadows, too.

// 3. Cheeks

Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer -- $29
I actually have yet to try this one but have heard so many great things about it I think I’ll give it a try! Currently I’m using this cream contour with a bit of powder bronzer over top and I really like the formula. I think for spring/summer I might try to go for more cream products just for ease of application and quick lightweight looks after baby gets here. Originally I was dying to try this new NARS one, but it’s already sold out! Hoping it comes back before the sale ends because the few reviews I’ve seen on IG are amazing and the color looks so good.

Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Blush -- $27
Part of that same collection as the bronzer, I have yet to try but I’m always a sucker for a good cream blush. I’ve used this Clinique one for years and really love it - I just use my fingers to swirl product from the stick and dab it on to my cheeks. I think the compact of the Tarte version would be great to use with a beauty blender though so I’m definitely going to try it out for summer.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter -- $38
Word on the street is Becca Cosmetics is going out of business as of September 2021…such a bummer. So if you’re someone who loves highlighter, snag this cult favorite while you still can. The Champagne Pop color has been probably the most popular highlighter on the market over the last few years. I will say, a little goes a long way and the color is really pretty!

// 4. Eyes

Kat Von D Artificial Seeded Eucalyptus Spray 19" -- $21
One of the best liquid eyeliners - I currently have one swimming somewhere under my driver’s seat and I’m so sad about it LOL need to find that asap. I love the rich brown color - sometimes black feels too harsh on me for every day so this one is a good in between shade. Lasts all day, doesn’t flake or anything weird, and I like the tight brush tip (perfect for wings!) This one is also good in the Smoky quartz shade - my runner up fave!

Lancome Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer -- $27
I know adding a product to your lash routine sounds a bit unnecessary but I’m telling you this one is every bit necessary! It really doesn’t add a ton of time but the results are so insane you’ll never go back to mascara only. Don’t buy the Dior one - it’s a major waste. L’Oreal makes a good one actually, and so does Tarte, but this Lancome one takes the cake. Quick layer on your upper lashes, allow to dry for like 1 minute (not much more, you want it to be a little tacky) and then proceed with your mascara. Thank me later!

ItCosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara -- $25
I’m always coming back to this one - I mean it really does everything it says in it’s title. You can almost feel it stretching onto your lashes! I also love a mascara that’s a smidge on the clumpier side because I like them to look dark and “heavy” if that makes sense. No point in putting on mascara if I can’t see it LOL sure, some days and lighter looks call for a nice basic mascara with more of a clean application but my every day look needs more so I like the volume this one gives!

// 5. Brows

ItCosmetics Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil -- $25
Another goodie I was hooked on for years that I’m always coming back to. I recently became obsessed with this NYX one but it doesn’t seem to last as long so, while it’s half the price, I’m always having to run to Target for it. At least with the ItCosmestics I can guarantee it will last me at least double the time of one NYX tube. Love the Universal Taupe shade - it’s carried me through allll different hair colors.

// 6. Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk -- $22
I just simply can’t live without this liner. That’s really all there is to say about it LOL perfect shade for every day, I’m like a whole different human with this liner vs. without…no shame haha

bareMinerals Mineralist Lip Gloss Balm -- $20
I’m usually not a gloss girl but one of my favorite glosses that turned me is by bareMinerals and seems to have been discontinued so I’m interested in this new one! It sounds dreamy - I have my eye on the color Serenity to put on top of lipsticks.

// 7. Self Tan

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist -- $30
The easiest - most fool proof - self tan for your face! When I’m trying to keep up a tan, I use it 2-3 times a week at night during my skincare routine - usually after all toners/acids/oils etc. Just a few light sprays to the face and neck, then I sort of wave my hand to dry it a little, and rub in any excess along with my nightly moisturizer just to make sure it’s evenly dispersed. Don’t forget to wash your hands if you do rub it in. I’ve never broken out from it, the color is perfection (nothing crazy just a really nice glow), and it doesn’t settle into my pores or look like I rubbed self tanner all over. It’s pretty impossible to look like you missed a spot because of the fine mist, too. Bottle also last forever - I just love this stuff!

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops in Shade Dark -- $29
I’ll link these any chance I get. They are truly my favorite way to self tan - again, super fool proof and easy to apply. Put a pump of whatever body lotion you like in your hand, add a couple drops (not the whole dropper) right on top and rub it in. Repeat that process/amount per “limb” or “area”. In between areas I like to rub my hands together really well with any excess so none of it is sitting in a weird knuckle spot for too long. Wash your hands after but don’t go too crazy because you want to leave some product on the backs of your hands of course. The bottle is small but really does last a while - you only need to apply twice a week for a really good tan and you don’t use much. I will say, the Dark color is the best as far as “tone” goes. The Medium gives me a good glow but for whatever reason is more orange on me. I very much prefer the Dark - even when I’m really pale!

Phew, that was a lot! Hopefully this was helpful - happy saving!

xoxo,
KZ