A Luxuriant Life

Lifestyle Blog

My Favorite Mascara

As a passionate collector of makeup I’ve have tried many different types of mascaras over the years.  Everything that could have been labeled “lifting, volume adding, waterproof, sweatproof, extending, ultra-black, jet black” I tried. I experimented with luxury brands and drugstore brands and still struggled with running mascara, clumpy lashes, fallout, dry and brittle lashes, and minimal volume. I fell in love with the Marc Jacobs mascara and have been using this brand for almost three years. It’s $26 which is still a great price for premium brands, it has a curvy wand and reaches the tiniest lashes for major drama. Its super-concentrated black pigment creates the greatest visual impact along with smudge-proof length and volume.

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My Skincare Routine

The key to beautiful makeup starts with a good skincare routine. As someone who has tried many different products, I think I found the best combination so far which has been working great! Now that I’m in my thirties, I am more mindful of what types of products I use on my face. I love products that have double duty like exfoliating cleansers, anti-aging moisturizers, or primers and foundations with sunblock.

I live in Houston (Texas) where it is super hot and humid for about 98% of the year. In this heat, makeup can slide off your face and moisturizer can get clumpy and clog your pores. 

There are a few things about my skin you should know:

  • I have very large pores 
  • I am susceptible to hyperpigmentation and dark scarring
  • My skin is oily year-round, but I have more dryness in the winter
  • I still experience acne and breakouts related to ingrown hairs
  • I usually use several shades for foundation and concealer as I get really tan in the summer and very light in the winter
  • I have two routines, one for morning and one for night time

Morning Routine

I wash my face with this foaming face wash, its gentle on my skin and hasn’t caused any breakouts or dryness.

I use this toner 

I use this face moisturizer

Night Routine

I usually wear makeup and prefer to have a deep clean. I have fallen deeply in love with this cleanser that erases all traces of makeup. I really wish I had found this cleanser sooner as I may have avoided a lot of breakouts related to clogged pores and leftover makeup! Before using this cleanser, I was really unaware of how much makeup was really left on my face at night. There’s a reason why this cleanser wins awards every year!

I follow this routine with my morning moisturizer followed by a gel eye cream with hyaluronic acid.

One beauty tool that I cannot live without is my facial cleansing brush that helps to remove dirt, makeup, and oil. I bought a package with the standard size and smaller size which is great for traveling!

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Favorite Beauty Products

My Favorite Beauty Products

Primers:

I actually have a tie between two of my favorite brands and I can’t live without either one of them.

Makeup Forever Primer, this matte primer is great for daily wear and lasts about ten hours. I have oily skin so anything that fills pores and creates an even base for my foundation is always helpful. One con about this product is that if you don’t apply it evenly, you can end up with a dry or chalky looking spots in certain areas. You can either buy this product directly from Makeup Forever or Sephora stores or online.  

Huda Beauty Primer, this primer is great for extended wear! I primarily use this one on the weekends especially if I have to apply my makeup early in the day or have plans to stay out late. The primer is a little on the higher side but I actually don’t have any complaints about the formula. I would actually give this 10 stars!

Foundation:

Huda Beauty Foundation! I have tried about four different liquid foundations in my lifetime and honestly, this brand is my favorite. I always get even coverage and it covers all of my dark spots, scars, and hyperpigmentation. The foundation is high coverage and lasts the entire day with the Huda Beauty Primer underneath. This foundation is also on the more expensive side but it’s worth the splurge. No other foundation or brand compares. I have received more compliments on my makeup when I wear this foundation. This can also be purchased at Sephora or directly from Huda’s website.

Mascara:

Marc Jacobs Mascara, this formula by far is the best. I usually lean toward a waterproof mascara from other brands like Too Faced, but the Marc Jacobs formula works best for me. I really like the thicker wand and the longevity of the product on my face.

Eyebrows:

Mac Dip Down Pot– A true favorite and makeup staple that I have been obsessed with for almost ten years. In the past, I would use MAC eyebrow pencil and I would run through those almost every week because the pencil kept breaking on the ends which wastes the product. The pot can last for almost 3-4 months depending on the use so it’s the most cost-effective solution for me.

Eyeliner:

I have used the NYX Liquid Eyeliner for almost seven years. It is water-resistant and stays in place for the entire day. The applicator makes it a breeze and I love the price point and the ability to find the eyeliner inside of Ulta, Sephora, drugstores, and the beauty aisles of most grocery stores. I think I’ve paid around $7 and I usually buy two at a time. 

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