My current makeup favorites: March 2022

Hello friends!

Today's topic is something I am excited to talk about, since I have been having the time of my life using these products. If you don't know already, I went cruelty-free in 2021, and since it has been an entire year of using cruelty-free, vegan makeup, I thought I'd write an updated post about what I'm enjoying most right now. This article is written in the order that I do my makeup in.

Let's get into it!

Skincare:

Sunscreen: Tula Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ( no tint; $36)

I can't say I haven't struggled with my choice of sunscreen in the past. I wasn't picky before though. I would usually just go with a sunscreen that my mom chose, or opt out of wearing sunscreen altogether. I also had, in the past, failed to choose a sunscreen that would work for my skin type. I realized after doing research that it was necessary to use a gel like suncreen-smething like the Unseen Sunscreen from SuperGoop, or this Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel with Broad Spectrum SPF 30, from Tula. I had my eye on some Tula skincare items, like the cooling and brightening eye balm, and the daily moisturizer. But, since those are products that I have already found temporary alternatives for, I decided to just invest in the sunscreen-and so far, it's been worth it.

Eyes

Eyeshadow primer: Rare Beauty Weightless eyeshadow primer ($18)

Usually, I would choose to buy a drugstore eye primer. I believe that I can save money while investing in eyeshadow rather than the primer. That being said, I was curious because I'd seen some reviews from my favorite beauty youtubers where they'd loved this product. Usually I choose products based on my liking, not anyone else's, but with this primer, I listened to the reviews and got the primer.

I have found that while I like it, I did have some issues with application. First off, it applies unevenly if I try to spread it with a beauty blender. Personally, I prefer to use my finger and lightly pat the product all over my lid.

Eyeshadow: Huda Beauty Naughty Nude eyeshadow palette ($67)

I love eyeshadow-something you probably already know if you've seen my other beauty related articles. But, the Huda Beauty Naughty Nude eyeshadow palette is very pink and brown toned. It's also more of a warm palette-something I rarely gravitate towards. But I was at Sephora a few weeks before my birthday last year, and I just couldn't put this palette down. I'd wanted to try Huda Beauty for so long, and I told myself that I'd buy this $65 palette-way out of my typical price range- as a treat for myself. I'd gotten through another year of dealing with my mental health struggles, and the pandemic after all-and I'd survived.

The colors are amazing-the shimmers are so beautiful, and the mattes are highly blendable and gorgeous on the eyes. I first started using this in December, thinking that I would stop by the time February came around. But guess what? It's March, and this palette is still my staple eyeshadow palette! I would say that if you aren't open to investing on a palette and trying out eyeshadows of different textures, don't get this palette. Otherwise, it is perfect for day simple looks and night smokey looks.

Mascara: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara (Black; $20)

I am always looking for a new mascara, but I believe the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes mascara is going to be something I repurchase again and again. I bought the full size right after my previous mascara started to dry up. I had no doubts that I would like it because I was already so in love with Rare Beauty as a brand. I'd tried the brand's other products and had had such good luck with the brand that I couldn't be bothered to hesitate to buy this product. It has a nice wand that helps give volume to my lashes, while also lengthening my lashes ever so slightly.

Base

Foundation: Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Foundation (shade 370N; $29)

So something I had been dying to try for a few months after Rare Beauty became available to consumers was the foundation. This foundation works so well for me. It doesn't make my skin too oily at the end of the day and it makes my face look flawless in daylight. I was skeptical of how this product would work for me initially because the description is so confusing to me.

On Sephora it is listed as a foundation for normal, combo and dry skin, but not for oily skin. That being said, there are a few beauty myths that are completely untrue about oily skin and one of them is that oily skin types should only use matte foundations. This foundation is quite dewy, and I got the shade closest but not perfectly matching my skin tone, which was quite disappointing to me. When I apply too much, the foundation looks very light and yellow on me, but with just the right amount I can match it to my neck. I like the consistency and the bottle design because I can control where I put it with the giant doe foot and also don't have to use my fingers to place the foundation where I want to.

Concealer: Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer (Shade 370N; $19)

So, I don't have much to say about the concealer. I love it as much as the foundation, but I don't like the packaging of this product. Whenever I take the top out, the concealer comes out like a blob on the tip of the doe foot and, with the tiny opening, I don't feel too confident trying to put the extra product back into the bottle. But as for coverage, it is great. It feels lightweight and has lasted for a few months now, so I would recommend it if you want a long-lasting staple for your collection.

Blush: Merit Beauty Flush Balm cream blush (Shade: Cheeky; $ )

Merit Beauty is a brand that I had been dying to try since the time when my skin was in a really terrible state. But now, my acne is gone and I can use this brand, which is a very minimalistic makeup brand. I have tried the foundation and concealer stick from Merit Beauty, but this blush is a product I have fallen in love with. It is easy to apply directly on the skin and blend out with a few fingers. But if you try to blend it with a brush, it just disappears. I still love the color and the formula though, which is why it made it into my favorites.

Bronzer: Rare Beauty Warm Wishes bronzer stick (Shade: Full of life; $ )

I usually roll my eyes at the idea of someone as tan as me using a bronzer stick. But like with all the other Rare Beauty products I have tried, people have only good things to say about this product, and my curiosity got the better of me. I have to say, this bronzer really lives up to the hype. I absolutely love the effect it gives me and I use it everyday. If I put a little too much on I look like an oompah lumpa, but when I apply just enough product, the bronzer goes on super smooth and blends out like a freaking dream. I don't think I will ever be trying out any other bronzer because this is the one for me.

Setting powder: Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder (Shade: Pillowy; Cost: $34)

In the past, I have always settled for loose setting powders, but when Kosas was my ride or die brand I picked up this setting powder. People have said that it gives a glowy finish while also blurring imperfections and controlling oil. I think I agree with the finish aspect of that comment, but I wouldn't say that it really blurs too much.

I have applied it all over my face and it feels like nothing on my skin, which I enjoy because I really don't like feeling like I have makeup on my face. I would say this is what I wanted the Glossier powder to be. Is it worth it? Yes! Unless you are someone who really likes an all matter look, I'd say it's worth the money.

Setting spray and Primer: Rare Beauty 4-in-1 Always an Optimist setting spray ($ )

The last setting spray that I used was not one that had a mister that Rare Beauty's setting spray has. I also found that it works very well as a primer because it is a four in one spray. The product feels so lightweight and smells like a spa. I am currently already halfway through my second bottle and I plan to repurchase this product as a staple in my collection.

Compared to the other sprays I've tried, such as the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray, this product has a long-lasting effect and is just feels better than the All Nighter spray. The only thing I kind of don't like about this spray is that I use it up quickly. It may be because I use a lot, but I wish there was more product in the bottle. That being said, I am a bit of a setting spray lover and overdo the spray sometimes.

So that is all I have for you guys! These were my favorite products for March. I hope you enjoyed this post, and I'd love to see what your favorite products were in March. Let me know in the comments below!

-May