BEST IN BEAUTY | FEBRUARY 2015

Today I’m sharing 12 beauty favourites for the month of February, along with a mini review of each product. I tried to narrow this list down a few times, but I just couldn’t — there were so many great finds last month that I want to share with you! So grab a beverage or a snack and get comfy, because this is a long one.

February Themes

Overall I wore softer, lighter hues last month along with a few new, colourful products thrown in. I’ve definitely been transitioning out of my dark, matte lip phase and into some lighter, glossier shades. My skin was also drier than usual during February, so I’ve changed my skincare up a bit and added more hydrating products into my routine.

Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1

C $25

This is a hybrid product that does exactly what it claims: a three-in-one volumizer, texturizer, and dry shampoo. I wash my hair twice a week and this helps to keep things fresh, add a tousled lived-in texture, and gives tons of volume. I spray it at my roots and massage it in, or flip my head over and spritz it throughout. It doesn’t leave any white cast on my medium brunette hair. Plus, it smells divine, and the scent lasts all day. It’s definitely a polarizing scent though, so you’ll either love it or hate it. I’d describe the scent as warm, vanilla based, and a touch powdery. FYI: At Sephora Canada, Drybar is an online exclusive, so you won’t be able to find it in store.

I’m wearing Triple Sec to give me some extra grit and texture.

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Versace Yellow Diamond

C $62

When I place an order at Sephora.com, I usually select a couple of fragrance samples at checkout. If you’re like me and switch your fragrance up seasonally it’s a great way to test drive new scents. That was the case with Yellow Diamond — I received a sample, and it was love at first spritz. So, during Sephora’s 3x Points on Fragrance event I purchased a 1 oz. bottle and I think it’s the perfect end of winter / beginning of spring fragrance. Plus, the packaging is absolutely stunning! It’s definitely in the light, bright, clean scent category — think Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue — but more floral and a touch more woody.

{From Sephora.com}

“The color yellow recalls the brightness, sensuality, and great energy of this fragrance, able to depict and emphasize the charm and femininity of a woman”
—Donatella Versace

Notes: Citron from Diamante, Pear Sorbet, Neroli, Bergamot, Nymphea, Freesia, Orange Blossom, Mimosa, Amber Wood, Palo Santo, Musk
Style: Surprising. Radiant. Fascinating.

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Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer | Rosewood

C $6 – $8

I picked this up at Target for 30% off during my last shopping trip before they peace out of Canada (I can’t begin to tell you how sad I am about this!). So Canadians, if you want one last Sonia Kashuk fix, run to Target now because things are pretty picked over. This lip liner is creamy, long wearing, and the colour is absolutely beautiful. Rosewood is a medium-deep rose with a hint of terracotta — it’s a nice colour in the marsala family if you’re interested in trying a more trendy lipcolour but don’t want to fully commit to a lipstick. I’ve worn this as an actual lip liner, and all over my lips as a matte lipstick. I love it both ways.

I’m wearing Rosewood all over my lips as a matte lipstick.

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Clinique High Impact Mascara

C $19

I’m usually a drugstore mascara girl. There are so many fantastic mascaras available at the drugstore these days that I don’t usually buy high-end, but this one is really special. I have very sensitive eyes and am a contact wearer, so I’m always looking for a mascara that makes my lashes look great, doesn’t flake and doesn’t irritate my eyes. This one checks those boxes, and then some. I think this is the most lengthening and volumizing mascara I’ve ever used. It’s traditional bristle brush, which I don’t usually like, but the brush and the formula are magical together. It’s also a perfect layering mascara. When layering, I use this one as the first coat (kind of like a mascara “primer”). I usually pair this with Covergirl’s Lash Blast Volume (another favourite) when I want super dramatic lashes, but 2 -3 coats of this on it’s own is amazing too.

I’m wearing 3 coats of Clinique High Impact Mascara on my upper lashes, 1 coat on my lower lashes.

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Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder

C $38

I’ve been getting so much use out of this deluxe sample I picked up in a set for a Sephora 500 Point Perk. I love to use it to set my under eye concealer with a Beauty Blender, and it’s great paired with the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (which is another a favourite this month). It also works well with every concealer I’ve tried it with. This is a completely translucent powder, which I like because it doesn’t alter the shade of your concealer. This type of powder works best with concealers that are fuller coverage because it doesn’t add any extra coverage or colour to the under eye area to make it look cakey, or emphasize fine lines. It keeps everything looking light, bright and totally smooth — almost airbrushed. It’s also very flattering in photos, and I haven’t noticed any white flashback.

I’m wearing IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye set with Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder.

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Maybelline FIT ME!® Matte + Poreless Foundation | Natural Beige

C $7.96

I have combination skin and prefer a medium-to-full matte coverage. For 6+ years, my go-to foundation was Estée Lauder Double Wear — that stuff is seriously bulletproof! So naturally that’s my basis of comparison for any other long wearing matte foundation, and I’ve never found anything (high-end or drugstore) that compares. Recently there’s been a surge of matte foundations popping at the drugstore, and I’m really impressed by them. This foundation reminds me of my beloved Double Wear in both wear time and formula, which is pretty amazing. I actually think I like it better than Estée Lauder Double Wear, plus this foundation is under $8! If you’re going wear this during the day, keep in mind that there’s no SPF, so you’ll need to use a moisturizer with SPF first. But the great thing about no SPF is that it photographs beautifully. It’s also fragrance free. I wear shade Natural Beige (220) and it’s a great match for me.

FYI: I’ll always list more information about my skin type and my foundation shade comparisons at the bottom a post, if you have a similar skintone / type and are curious if my shade might work for you, too.

I’m wearing Maybelline FIT ME!® Matte + Poreless Foundation Natural Beige (220).
 

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Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow | In the Spotlight

US $9.99

Makeup Geek makes some of my favourite eyeshadows on the market. They’re made with high quality ingredients, the colours are gorgeous, they wear well, and they’re super affordable. Last month I purchased some of the new foiled eyeshadows, and I almost didn’t put this shade in my basket. I wear all kinds of different colours on my eyes, but I don’t gravitate towards pinks. It looks more pink in the pan than it does on your lids, I would describe it as more of a soft metallic peach. It draws so much light to your eyes — such a flattering, neutral, pretty shade that meshes with your skintone and coordinates any with other eyeshadow. It’s a perfect spring shade, and helps to make the eyes look bright, open and rested.

I’m wearing In The Spotlight all over my lid and underneath my lower lashline.

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Makeup Geek Pigment | Liquid Gold

US $6.99

I ordered this along with the foiled eyeshadows and it was my first experience with Makeup Geek pigments. Wow! This stuff is seriously like putting molten gold onto your eyelids — it’s the most insanely metallic gold with an olive green undertone. Because I have green eyes, I tend to overlook green eyeshadows since they usually blend in with my eye colour rather than complimenting it, but this pigment is strangely wearable and flattering. The packaging is a bit messy (Makeup Geek actually overfills their pigments, the jars contain about 2 full grams of product in a jar that’s meant for 1.5 grams), but the product is amazing so I don’t really mind. I will definitely be picking more of her pigments up in the future!

I’m wearing Liquid Gold in the centre of my lid and lower lashline.

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Paula’s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream

US $26

I’ve been using Paula’s Choice skincare products almost exclusively for about a year and I can honestly say that this is the best my skin has ever looked. While I love a lot of their products, the standout for me during the month of February has been this moisturizer that I also use as an eye cream. I have combination skin that has been leaning a bit more on the dry side this winter, so I use this to “boost” my other moisturizers when my skin needs it. I just mix a bit of this in with my nighttime moisturizer to add more hydration, and apply it to any other areas of the face that need a little extra love (around the nose, etc). This cream works beautifully as an eye cream day or night, alone or under makeup. I forgot it at home during my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest, and really realized how much I missed it!

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O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream

C $8.99

This is not a glamorous hand cream by any means, but it’s the only thing that helped my dry, cracked (and even sometimes bleeding!) hands during our frigid winters. I was visiting my parents last winter and noticed this cream in their bathroom, so I asked about it — and my Stepfather (who actually works with his hands all day) swears by this hand cream. My hands were in rough shape, so I started using it on Friday night, and by the time I left on Sunday my hands were totally healed and perfectly soft! I actually couldn’t believe it. Plus, it’s fragrance free and you can’t beat the price. I keep it on my nightstand and slather it on right before bed so it can soak in overnight.

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IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer | Neutral Medium

C $29

This is a product that gets a lot of hype and I have to say that I was a bit skeptical of it at first. I ordered online from The Shopping Channel (Canadians: this is the only place we can purchase IT Cosmetics), along with a few other things I wanted to try from the brand. It’s not the type of concealer I would usually like — it’s super thick, creamy, full coverage and needs to be set immediately or it will slide around and crease on you. But, I really love this concealer during cold months when my skin is on the drier side and in need of some extra hydration. Beware: a little bit of this goes a long way. The amount I have squeezed out in the photo above is way too much for both eyes. Bye Bye Under Eye is perfect with another product on my list, the Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. I just dab my Beauty Blender into a dusting of the powder and then bounce it under my eyes to set the concealer — it doesn’t budge all day. I wear the shade Neutral Medium, which they says will suit most skintones. It’s slightly salmon toned, so it works well to correct blue and purple hues around the eyes.

I’m wearing Bye Bye Under Eye set with Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder.

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Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer | Amber

C $8 – $10

I also picked this up at Target for 30% off during the closing sale. I use this as a lipstick or lip liner topper when I want a bit of extra shine because it’s sheer and sparkly with a hint of golden iridescence. It’s great to keep in your bag to go over any lipstick you might be wearing, since it doesn’t change the shade of other lip products. One of my favourite ways to make my lips look fuller is to apply a high shine gloss in the centre of my lips, and this has been my go-to product when I want that effect. I love this formula, and own a few other colours from the Ultra HD range — this is the only sheer shade, the others have more of a liquid lipstick opacity. The formula is a bit thick and more on the sticky side (think: MAC Lipglass), so if sticky lip glosses bother you, this won’t be your jam. I personally don’t mind the stickiness of this formula because the wear time is exceptional.

I’m wearing Amber on my lips (more heavily in the centre), over my natural lip colour.

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What were you guys loving last month? Please feel free to leave me your recommendations and new discoveries in the comments, I’m always on the hunt to find my next favourite beauty product! And if you try something that I recommended, let me know how you like it. I’d love to hear from you!

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About My Skin

Skintype

Combination (right now leaning more normal / dry), sensitive, acne prone. I only use fragrance free skincare products.

Skintone

Light / medium with yellow-warm undertones | MAC NC 25 – 30

Foundation Shade Comparisons

High End

Best match: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup – 2W2 Rattan
Makeup Forever Matt Velvet + Mattifying Foundation – 40 Natural Beige
Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation – Medium 53
Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Foundation – Sand Beige

Drugstore

Flower Cosmetics BB Cream – BB2
L’Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation – 320 Natural Beige
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 24 HR Foundation – 105 Natural Beige
L’Oreal True Match Foundation – W3 – W4
Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation (Normal to Oily) – 220 Natural Beige
Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Spotless Foundation – Medium Beige
Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation – 857 Golden Tan
EX1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation – F200

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Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and contains my genuine thoughts and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your purchases help to support JustineCelina.com!

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