April Favorites

Hola, beautiful ones!! Welcome back & if you're new here, welcome! Once again, we've reached the end on yet another month! Seriously, I'm gonna need 2017 to pump the brakes a little bit. April has come and gone, so we shall see what the month of May has in store. But , I have a nice amount of favorites  and wanted to share them with you guys! So, if you're interested in learning all about my  favorites for April, then just keep reading!

BEAUTY

• Makeup
• No7 Beautifully Matte Makeup Base (retail $12.99)

This is another "Glamtwinz made me buy it" product that delivers on its claims. This product claims to "minimize blemishes and blot away shine without blocking pores", and I was happily surprised. I pulled this out for my makeup basket and fell back in love!! I get virtually NO oil breakthrough when I use this, no matter what foundation I use with it! But like many products I love, I think this is now discontinued, which I have no idea why because it's amazing! Many people say that this is very comparable to the Becca Ever Matte primer, which I own the travel size of. So, maybe I'll find that out for myself. But, if you're combination/oily & still see this product floating around in your Target, pick it up!! I also checked and see you can still order this on ulta.com since they now carry No7 cosmetics.

• RK by Kiss Forever Matte liquid lipstick (retails $1.99)

Even though I love me some drugstore & select high end makeup, I could never neglect the gems I've found in the local beauty supply store & this would be one of them. I had seen a fresh display of these & was drawn in by the wide selection of colors and rose gold packaging. I swatched a few of the testers and was impressed, so I initially grabbed three to test out. OMG, these are stunning! They're very comfortable, easy to apply , thin and watery in consistency,  have a light sweet smell and dry down super fast!! They don't make my lips feel super chapped or dehydrated , nor do they get thick and crumbly on me. Only complaint I have is that they're not the most long lasting ( I get about 5-6 hours of wear before it starts to fade, obviously less when I eat), but that doesn't bother me too much. Since then , I've picked up three more colors and am not disappointed! So if you want a nice quality liquid lipstick that doesn't break the bank, get these ASAP!! 
*as far as colors I recommend, I would definitely say Nene. It's a warm rosy terracotta that I feel is universal for all skin tones!!

• Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Cushion eyeliner & serum ---"Ultra Black"(retails $8.99)

I'm not really into Physician's Formula as a whole since they don't really offer anything that works for WOC, but I happen to see this eyeliner marked down super cheap & figured "Hell, I'll give it a shot. Nothing to lose, really." Since my eyes do water and I have oily lids, I need my eyeliners to last through the sandstorm, rainstorm, snowstorm, heat---you name it. And let me tell you: it really does ! The brush that comes in the cap of this liner makes it really easy to apply to my eye and is ideal for travel! It really does help my lashes look a little bit thicker and fuller, and it does not smudge or smear! I found it's not the best for winged liner, but for tracking the lash line---bomb.com! Only cons I have about this liner is the price point--PF has always been more expensive than most drugstore brands---and that it dries out pretty quickly.

• Elf Aqua Beauty Blush/Bronzer duo---"Bronzed Violet" (retails $4.00-6.00)

You guys know how much I love me some Elf, but as previously stated, they don't offer a ton of options for WOC, which annoys me! But, like other companies, they're finally getting the hint. So, on a random trip to Target, I happen to see these new blush/bronzer duos & picked up all 3 shades. However, I was most excited about this one since the colors looked like they would compliment my skintone the best. This did not let me down at all!! The bronzer gives me a very natural looking warmth and the blush gives the prettiest flush of color! These are marketed as being "cushiony color that's infused with purified water and Vitamin E & light like a powder but melts into the skin like a cream and allows you to build customizable color from sheer to bold." I've been using this duo nonstop every time I wore makeup this month! The texture is like the Colourpop jar products, bouncy yet creamy. I found that a dense brush like the Real Techniques sculpting brush or a beauty sponge are the best tool to apply these. 

• Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer (retails $32.00 for full size, $15.00 for travel size)

Too Faced is a bit of a hit or miss brand , in my opinion. Some of the products I feel are amazing, while others can just kind of be left on the shelves. This primer was one of those things I honestly passed on. It claimed to be " infused with coconut water, probiotics and skin revivers that work together to boost skin’s radiance, promote elasticity and help hydrate while locking down makeup for fresher, longer and more flawless wear." I was like girl, bye!! But then, I got a sample of it and decided to give it a go.......excuse me while I go eat my words. My skin just felt so hydrated and supple with a subtle glow! It does well under makeup, but I found that I prefer using this when I don't wear makeup or minimal makeup. Lately, I've been just doing primer, concealer , blush, bronzer and powder as my main makeup & I've been reaching for this like crazy! Since it's warming up finally, I want to look and feel more fresh faced & this has been helping a ton!

• Juvia's Place Masquerade Mini palette (retails $28.00)

I'm so behind on this bandwagon smh lol. I actually wanted to order a palette from them for the LONGEST time, but after hearing such horror stories about the customer service, I was like "Nah, bruh. I'm cool". But they had a sale on Hautelook back in February & I finally broke down and placed my order. Ya'll....this is so worth the hype!! It's the perfect cohesive mix of neutrals & bold colors, in my opinion. The mattes swatch kinda wonky (not gonna lie), but blend beautifully. The shimmers, however, are so buttery and smooth!! I've been dipping more into the neutrals, but plan on exploring the colors soon!! So, if you're still on the fence about ordering fron Juvia's Place or aren't sure which palette to get, I think the Masquerade is the best option! 

• Black Opal Colorsplurge Eyeshadow Duo---"Tawny Tease" (retails $6.95)

Black Opal is sooooooooo slept on and underrated, but their products are so amazing for women of color! I happened to see this little eye duo on clearance at Rite Aid & it was the last one left, so I swiped it up with a quickness. I've been using this and my Juvia's Place palette nonstop all month. On days that I wanted to just throw together a quick eye look to go run some errands or work, this has been coming through super strong!! The warm reddish brown is perfect for the crease to add some dimension to the eye or an all over matte lid color , while the soft gold is a great lid color or highlighter!! I'm usually not into really small palettes, but this one is so worth it! If you're someone that doesn't wear a ton of shadow or just looking for something easy to work with, I highly recommend this duo!!

• Sephora Colorful blush ---"Hot Flush" (retails $14.00)

I first heard Beautiessentials mention this blush in one of her Sephora hauls & thought the color was gorgeous! It's a glowy copper bronze orange that is just to die for!! Though I own a crap ton of blush, I knew I didn't own this shade & had to have it. So, I purchased it around my birthday & do not regret it one bit!! It gives off such a pretty glow on the cheek and I just cannot get enough!! I've used this alone as well as mixed with other blushes , and am just in sheer awe. All my women of color need to own this blush!! It's a little pricey for a blush, but it's so tough to find great blush colors that work well on my skin tone that this is so worth it!!

• Black Radiance Pressed Powder---"Mocha" (retails $4.99)

Black Radiance is another brand I feel is heavily slept on! Like Black Opal, they also have a huge shade selection for women of color, except they're a few dollars cheaper. I picked this up when my local Walmart was discontinuing selling this brand for $1, I believe. Ya'll , this powder is amazing!! It does a pretty good job of controlling my oil & setting my foundation without looking cakey and thick. I sometimes use this for my natural makeup days, as well, for a little extra coverage. I would say that Mocha is the prefect year round shade for me, it's not too orange or ashy. So if you're darker and looking for a nice, inexpensive setting powder for your foundation , check out Black Radiance!!

• Luxie #235 Blending Brush (retails $12.00)

I found out about Luxie through ipsy in early 2015 & fell in love with them!! Their brushes work amazing and the packaging is so girly and pretty with the pink & rose gold! I saw a set of their eye brushes as an ipsy deal & immediately picked it up. I do love all of the brushes in the set, but the #235 brush has been getting extra love this month! It's a little smaller than the average blending brush, but it still does amazing for blending out my transition color, as well as adding a deeper shadow in the crease or the outer corner. The price point is not super cheap or super expensive, it's reasonable for the high quality! 

• Skincare
• Mario Badescu Facial Spray w/Aloe, Cucumber & Green Tea (retails $7.00)

Mario Badescu has some pretty amazing skincare products for a reasonable price. I had a bad reaction to a cream I was using years ago & was experiencing major dry patches, so I tried out some products from MB and fell in love!! Especially their rosewater spray! So, when I heard they were coming out with a cucumber and green tea spray, I was all over that! Now, when I first purchased this, I was not too impressed by this like I was with the rosewater spray. But, the more I used it , the more I fell in love!! I use this before applying my makeup or moisturizer & it has just been working wonders on my skin! So, if you don't like the smell of roses too much, try this one instead!

• C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve (retails $8.00)

I think I raved about this last winter or winter two years prior, and I still love it just as much!! This keeps my lips super hydrated and soft while I'm applying the rest of my makeup or just as a simple lip balm. It does smell like rose, but it's not overly strong or old lady. I also like that you can use this on multiple parts of your body! I've thrown a little of this on my hands or elbows when I'm a little ashy & don't have my lotion with me. A small bit really does go a long way!! I actually still have my first jar & a backup that I haven't cracked open yet!

• C.O. Bigelow Freshwater Lavender cologne mist (retails $9.00)

I own a ton of body sprays and some perfumes, but I've been wearing this bad boy out all month!! It's fresh, clean and a little on the cologne side, but I love it! I actually bought this scent for my father for Christmas/ his birthday, and he thought it was a little girly , but he did enjoy it. Soon as I smelled it, I knew I had to pick it up for myself!!

• Hair Care
• Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Grown Loc and Braid Butter (retail $10.99) 

I promise Shea Moisture has just been showing up and out in my hair care rotation. I've been using this product for the last like 6 wash days (I do my hair routine once a week) & cannot put it down!! It provides moisture and softness & my hair just soaks it all up!! It also has a nice sweet smell like the other products from this line , but for some reason, this product lingers in my hair for days after applying it! I found this product at TJ Maxx originally, but I think this can be found in other drugstores with the other JBCO products. I'm definitely gonna have to get more since I'm almost done with this jar.

• Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Styling Gel (retails $4.99)

Though I own a whole lot of hair products, gels aren't something that I'm super into. For some reason, I don't over indulge into gels--I have my favorites & stick with them. This gel happens to be one of them. I first heard about this on Youtube back in the early part of my hair journey. I had just gotten off the EcoStyler  train because it was just not working for me, no matter how much I wanted it to (at least the olive oil one, I still wanna try out the argan oil one). So, I decided to revamp my gel stash & picked up a few new ones to try out, including this one. This gel gives my hair amazing hold and definition without leaving it dried out and crunchy!! I also recently discovered that it makes a great edge control!! It gives my edges and baby hairs such a smooth yet natural hold better than any edge control I've tried!! Plus it's only $5!! 

MUSIC

• Alone With You--Tevin Campbell: This song just do something to my soul. He's easily one of the top four singers that will just capture my music loving heart. Now, I love the cult classics like Can We Talk, I'm Ready & Always in My Heart like the rest of the world, but this is SO UNDERRATED. This was off his debut album & the first time I heard it , I was hooked! It's grown & sexy without being trashy. UGHHHHHHHH I can't get enough! Tevin did his thing with this one!
• 1990x--Maxwell: This just takes you to a whole other world, especially if you listen to this at night time. Ohhhhhhhhhh, you just need to listen to it. Maxwell is like a fine wine: he just gets better as he gets older.
• Vibe---Leon Thomas III: I used to stay playing his mixtape , Metro Hearts, back in college & this is easily my favorite track!  It just calms my soul and mind so easily. Only thing I complain about, like everyone else, is that I wish it was way longer! A 1:40 is just not cutting it for me!

MISCELLANEOUS

• KathleenLights: I'm SOOOOOOOOOO late on this bandwagon. Honestly, I'm more into the smaller beauty Youtubers overall, but I've heard people rave and hype up Kathleen for so long, I figured I would finally check out her channel for myself. Y'all, the hype is real.  I didn't want to be a believer, but I am. Kathleen, you're alright with me!
• Juicyyyyjas: She's not  quite as big as Kathleen, but I absolutely love her channel as well!! Plus , her name being Jasmine may or may not made me love her even more!

Well, we have finally made it to the end of this favorites post!! Hopefully you've found some good products within this list to try out for yourselves! Let me know some of your favorites or not so favorites from April! Thanks for reading, and like always, Stay Beautiful!