Hi, remember these? I have not done one in I believe almost 2 years! They are fun and I miss doing them. Its a fun way to share products that I am devoted to or have recently discovered and in turn, you get to share things that you like. It’s a great way to learn about new products because as we all know, the world of beauty and skin care is downright overwhelming….how does one even begin!
__________________________________________
So. here is my rundown-
1 I love this, this the third time I have purchased this. First I have dry skin so this feels like a warm hug of moisture and is so incredibly rich and emollient. I use it mostly at night as its extremely rich but boy does it ever feel good! Click here
2. A GREAT BRONZER I don’t really use blush I just like using a powder bronzer for an overall glow. This one by Mac is a favorite and one I have used for years. I used to use Guerlian but they changed the formula and it would crack so easily. This one is like titanium, Lordy knows I have dropped it my share of times and it’s still perfectly intact. The formula is silky and light, a little goes a long way. Click here for info
3 MASCARA DEBATE So I have, for years said Thrive was the best I had ever used and I have to say, it is top dog for me. HOWEVER, I have found one by Tarte that is a really really close contender. I don’t like that you cannot purchase Thrive in a store, you must order it through them online only.
Do they not realize how much more they would sell if they were in every Sephora and Ulta!! Anyway this one by Tarte is a similar formula, has tiny fibers to build up the lash and its really good. So I go back and forth between the two. Both are winners in my book!
4. FACTS ON FOUNDATION So I do use foundation but use it in spots on my face, not all over, I almost use it as a concealer. I have a high/low approach. I have not used many but became a fan of the award winning Giorgio Armani and have bought it over the years.
However a very close second, or a “dupe” as they call them in the world of beauty is absolute the Loreal illuminating foundation. They have a very similar formula and go on almost the same. They are both light, but offer coverage and have a bit of a subtle illumination factor. And then of course there is a huge price difference!
5 EXFOLIATE! I am pretty basic when it comes to skin care. I use makeup pad removers and a toner from La Prairie for cleaning. my face. Once or twice a week I do use these Glycolic exfoliating pads which I buy on Amazon for something a little deeper. It is recommended to not use them more than 2x a week. I definitely feel like they give my skin a bit of a renewed glow.
6 LIPS! I am so boring when it comes to this category. I have used Angel by Mac for about 10 years, morning, noon and night. Almost never switch it up. I did live life on the edge and bought another lipstick a few months ago when I couldn’t find a single tube of angel and had to order it.
Angel is a soft pink, a great natural and is just enough without being “too much”. I guess you figured by now, I am not big on lots of color but if you prefer a soft neutral pink then you should give this a try! Click here
7 PUFFY EYES? I have used a few products but so far this is the best (to me). You only need a drop as too much will leave a white residue on your skin which is not too pretty. But does it reduce the puffiness….YES!! It can be a lifesaver. It lasts for a few hours so you may need to reapply but this absolutely works!
8 UNDER THE SKIN I use either vitamin C drop of this Retina A 2=3 times a week ( switch off and on). Most skin care gurus will tell you the virtues of both of these and I do not have prescription grade (at least not now) but do use these products a few times a month.The Paula’s Choice came highly recommended and is a consistent winner in the beauty world, it doesn’t smell great but I use it at night followed by a moisturizer. The Ordinary makes skin care necessities super affordable which is amazing and for now this Retinol seems to be just fine.
7 SMELLING GOOD! Do you like fragrance? I do and wear it almost every day. I have several favorites on my vanity tray and switch off. Some are lighter for more casual summer days, for evening I may go for something a little heavier. These are just some of all my faves that I buy over and over…
I wear this a lot, most days in fact, great staying power too!
Just bought this one above and love it!
I have bought this one at least 4 times, its so beautiful.
When I want something light and beachy/ I love both of these…
8 A GREAT ALL AROUND PRODUCT I was always reading about how amazing this is. I bought it and honestly didn’t quite understand what to do with it. It wasn’t a cream or powder, not a foundation or blush but rather just a soft light all over color.
I have come to really like this. I will use it for a touch of color if I don’t use my powder bronzer. It can also be used for light contouring (which I do not know how to do) but the creamy silky consistency makes it a cinch to use and the pot is large so it lasts a loooong time. Click here
9 LINING THE LIPS AND EYES When it comes to eye and lip pencils, I tend to go low only because there are so many brands that are $5-7 dollars that to me, work every bit as well as a pencil for $25. I like using a soft brown or a soft blue on the eyes and a neutral tan/cocoa on the lips. These are a few of my go to’s which can be picked up in any drugstore…..
NYX makes reasonable and great little eye pencils in a host of colors, I love this soft olive color. Click here
Use this lipliner, its a great neutral and works with many colors, I buy 3 or 4 when I see them in stock, click here
10 INSTANT PEEL I was at the infamous pharmacy/megastore on Madison Ave, Zitomer’s and the saleslady told me this was all the rage and that they cannot stock it fast enough. I was sold. So I tried one for the first time and must say it did slough off the dead skin almost instantly and my skin looked great and felt baby smooth.
So I am won over by this product, it is expensive, yes but my skin’s worth it. A box comes with 6 packs and its recommended to use it on average every 10 days- 2 weeks. Longer if you have very dry skin. I do love how it sloughed off the dead skin, it was strangely satisfying! It is pricey but so far I would say, worth it. Click here for more info.
This was also recently recommended and I have only used them a few days but they are a gentle exfoliant and can be used a few times a week-
Ok so thats my list…..now I want to hear whats on yours! I love learning about new products that you enjoy and have discovered a few great ones based upon your recommendations.
And that is a wrap on this Beauty Files post, hope you enjoyed it. Should I do these more often? Tell me what you are loving these days…I am all ears. Wishing everyone a great day and smooth end to you week. Until next time…
I hate to say how long I’ve used Clinique bronzing gel. Close to 40 years. I’ve tried other bronzer, but always have this in my bag. I will say Clinique has reduce the size of the tube and charge more. I don’t use foundation, (never have) This is a gel goes on smoothly and the best part is you see your skin. It’s so transparent. I also on occasion use Bare Minerals bronzing powder.
I’m a former esthetician and makeup artist who has had access to many different brands throughout my career.
I definitely have my favorites that work well for me and my skin type. I have combination skin if that helps anyone. I highly recommend Tatcha “The Essence” following your cleansing step. It’s a plumping skin softener that your skin just drinks in before you apply your serums and/or moisturizer. I love Elemis “Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30” for daytime use. My skin drinks it in and it doesn’t leave a greasy residue on my skin, plus it smells amazing. I also use the Elemis “Pro-Collagen Night Cream” for my nighttime moisturizer. It’s a richer hydrating moisturizer that also smells amazing. The Tatcha “Serum Stick” is a treatment and touch up balm for your eyes and face that I can’t recommend enough. I use it constantly around my eyes and on dry spots on my face throughout the winter. I hope you find something in my list useful for yourself.
I have found my new all time favorite make up. After years of using Estee Lauder and not being able to fine just the right shade….I heard about Phoera. It had so many positive reviews everywhere and so since I didn’t have anything to loose, I decided to try it. Very inexpensive, but I have paid so much more in the past looking for the perfect foundation. This was IT for me. I love the way it covers and doesn’t look too heavy. Anyone I have recommended to it loves it also.
Just want to share a foundation bargain/dupe. I’m 56 and still have slightly oily T zone. I also live in Southeast…lots of humidity. When I turned 50, suddenly I couldn’t find a foundation that didn’t separate, settle into pores or look too heavy. So I found Koh Gen Do Aqua foundation….Amazing! So skin like. It was $75 dollars but after wasting so much money trying others it was worth it. Then it jumped to $96! Had a conversation with myself…LOL. On a whim I tried Sephora brand foundation Best Skin Ever. Comes in a zillion shades. Tried it and Loved the coverage, finish and how it wore all day. Price? $20!! I’ve been using for over a year…totally satisfied. Hope this saves someone from make up shopping torture and some moolah.
Love this post! NassifMD Hydro-Gel, followed by Hydro-Screen Hydrating serum, have done wonders for my skin. Don’t have many wrinkles but this duo has made my complexion look much more hydrated and youthful. Also use his detox pads and they are great too. I pretty much hit the high spots with iT illuminating foundation, which is light and airy yet provides coverage where I need it. Royal Water by Creed is my go to fragrance, along with several others that I use on occasion from that collection.
My dear Tina
Im so happy to read your ‘Beauty Files’ again, it’s so good to hear all your recommendations and tips. I will definitely buy the bronzer by Mac.
I believe in looking after my skin and love fabulous makeup, I take time to apply it every day including foundation and having studied current trends, nice brown eyeshadows and black liner/ mascara. Life isn’t perfect but your makeup can be 🙂
I hope you are enjoying the weekend, over here in the UK the Magnolias in full bloom are a sight to behold.
With much love
Sally xx
Hello, I wanted to buy your beautiful white wastebasket with the greek key around the top but I see it is sold out. 🥲May I order and receive when you get more? Thank you so much, Karen
Thrive is not sold in stores due to the macular degeneration encouraging properties it has. It is sold via there company by a loophole as a supplement. It’s horrifically damaging to the eyes.
Want your daily dose of Enchanted Home? Then join our email subscriber list and don't miss a single post of The Enchanted Home delivered right to your mailbox!
Hi, remember these? I have not done one in I believe almost 2 years! They are fun and I miss doing them. Its a fun way to share products that I am devoted to or have recently discovered and in turn, you get to share things that you like. It’s a great way to learn about new products because as we all know, the world of beauty and skin care is downright overwhelming….how does one even begin!
__________________________________________
So. here is my rundown-
1 I love this, this the third time I have purchased this. First I have dry skin so this feels like a warm hug of moisture and is so incredibly rich and emollient. I use it mostly at night as its extremely rich but boy does it ever feel good! Click here
2. A GREAT BRONZER I don’t really use blush I just like using a powder bronzer for an overall glow. This one by Mac is a favorite and one I have used for years. I used to use Guerlian but they changed the formula and it would crack so easily. This one is like titanium, Lordy knows I have dropped it my share of times and it’s still perfectly intact. The formula is silky and light, a little goes a long way. Click here for info
3 MASCARA DEBATE So I have, for years said Thrive was the best I had ever used and I have to say, it is top dog for me. HOWEVER, I have found one by Tarte that is a really really close contender. I don’t like that you cannot purchase Thrive in a store, you must order it through them online only.
Do they not realize how much more they would sell if they were in every Sephora and Ulta!! Anyway this one by Tarte is a similar formula, has tiny fibers to build up the lash and its really good. So I go back and forth between the two. Both are winners in my book!
Click here for Thrive
Click here for Tarte
4. FACTS ON FOUNDATION So I do use foundation but use it in spots on my face, not all over, I almost use it as a concealer. I have a high/low approach. I have not used many but became a fan of the award winning Giorgio Armani and have bought it over the years.
However a very close second, or a “dupe” as they call them in the world of beauty is absolute the Loreal illuminating foundation. They have a very similar formula and go on almost the same. They are both light, but offer coverage and have a bit of a subtle illumination factor. And then of course there is a huge price difference!
5 EXFOLIATE! I am pretty basic when it comes to skin care. I use makeup pad removers and a toner from La Prairie for cleaning. my face. Once or twice a week I do use these Glycolic exfoliating pads which I buy on Amazon for something a little deeper. It is recommended to not use them more than 2x a week. I definitely feel like they give my skin a bit of a renewed glow.
6 LIPS! I am so boring when it comes to this category. I have used Angel by Mac for about 10 years, morning, noon and night. Almost never switch it up. I did live life on the edge and bought another lipstick a few months ago when I couldn’t find a single tube of angel and had to order it.
Angel is a soft pink, a great natural and is just enough without being “too much”. I guess you figured by now, I am not big on lots of color but if you prefer a soft neutral pink then you should give this a try! Click here
7 PUFFY EYES? I have used a few products but so far this is the best (to me). You only need a drop as too much will leave a white residue on your skin which is not too pretty. But does it reduce the puffiness….YES!! It can be a lifesaver. It lasts for a few hours so you may need to reapply but this absolutely works!
8 UNDER THE SKIN I use either vitamin C drop of this Retina A 2=3 times a week ( switch off and on). Most skin care gurus will tell you the virtues of both of these and I do not have prescription grade (at least not now) but do use these products a few times a month.The Paula’s Choice came highly recommended and is a consistent winner in the beauty world, it doesn’t smell great but I use it at night followed by a moisturizer. The Ordinary makes skin care necessities super affordable which is amazing and for now this Retinol seems to be just fine.
7 SMELLING GOOD! Do you like fragrance? I do and wear it almost every day. I have several favorites on my vanity tray and switch off. Some are lighter for more casual summer days, for evening I may go for something a little heavier. These are just some of all my faves that I buy over and over…
I wear this a lot, most days in fact, great staying power too!
Just bought this one above and love it!
I have bought this one at least 4 times, its so beautiful.
When I want something light and beachy/ I love both of these…
8 A GREAT ALL AROUND PRODUCT I was always reading about how amazing this is. I bought it and honestly didn’t quite understand what to do with it. It wasn’t a cream or powder, not a foundation or blush but rather just a soft light all over color.
I have come to really like this. I will use it for a touch of color if I don’t use my powder bronzer. It can also be used for light contouring (which I do not know how to do) but the creamy silky consistency makes it a cinch to use and the pot is large so it lasts a loooong time. Click here
9 LINING THE LIPS AND EYES When it comes to eye and lip pencils, I tend to go low only because there are so many brands that are $5-7 dollars that to me, work every bit as well as a pencil for $25. I like using a soft brown or a soft blue on the eyes and a neutral tan/cocoa on the lips. These are a few of my go to’s which can be picked up in any drugstore…..
NYX makes reasonable and great little eye pencils in a host of colors, I love this soft olive color. Click here
Use this lipliner, its a great neutral and works with many colors, I buy 3 or 4 when I see them in stock, click here
10 INSTANT PEEL I was at the infamous pharmacy/megastore on Madison Ave, Zitomer’s and the saleslady told me this was all the rage and that they cannot stock it fast enough. I was sold. So I tried one for the first time and must say it did slough off the dead skin almost instantly and my skin looked great and felt baby smooth.
So I am won over by this product, it is expensive, yes but my skin’s worth it. A box comes with 6 packs and its recommended to use it on average every 10 days- 2 weeks. Longer if you have very dry skin. I do love how it sloughed off the dead skin, it was strangely satisfying! It is pricey but so far I would say, worth it. Click here for more info.
This was also recently recommended and I have only used them a few days but they are a gentle exfoliant and can be used a few times a week-
__________________________________________________
Ok so thats my list…..now I want to hear whats on yours! I love learning about new products that you enjoy and have discovered a few great ones based upon your recommendations.
A FEW SALES ANNOUNCEMENTS-
Last day of our chinoiserie tole sale!
Click here
All silver now 45% off for 3 days only! use code silver
Click here
And that is a wrap on this Beauty Files post, hope you enjoyed it. Should I do these more often? Tell me what you are loving these days…I am all ears. Wishing everyone a great day and smooth end to you week. Until next time…
How do you remove the tubing mascara?
Is it damaging to your lashes?
I hate to say how long I’ve used Clinique bronzing gel. Close to 40 years. I’ve tried other bronzer, but always have this in my bag. I will say Clinique has reduce the size of the tube and charge more. I don’t use foundation, (never have) This is a gel goes on smoothly and the best part is you see your skin. It’s so transparent. I also on occasion use Bare Minerals bronzing powder.
Can’t wait to try some of these. Thank you for sharing.
I’m a former esthetician and makeup artist who has had access to many different brands throughout my career.
I definitely have my favorites that work well for me and my skin type. I have combination skin if that helps anyone. I highly recommend Tatcha “The Essence” following your cleansing step. It’s a plumping skin softener that your skin just drinks in before you apply your serums and/or moisturizer. I love Elemis “Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30” for daytime use. My skin drinks it in and it doesn’t leave a greasy residue on my skin, plus it smells amazing. I also use the Elemis “Pro-Collagen Night Cream” for my nighttime moisturizer. It’s a richer hydrating moisturizer that also smells amazing. The Tatcha “Serum Stick” is a treatment and touch up balm for your eyes and face that I can’t recommend enough. I use it constantly around my eyes and on dry spots on my face throughout the winter. I hope you find something in my list useful for yourself.
I have found my new all time favorite make up. After years of using Estee Lauder and not being able to fine just the right shade….I heard about Phoera. It had so many positive reviews everywhere and so since I didn’t have anything to loose, I decided to try it. Very inexpensive, but I have paid so much more in the past looking for the perfect foundation. This was IT for me. I love the way it covers and doesn’t look too heavy. Anyone I have recommended to it loves it also.
Thanks for bringing this back!! Looking forward to sampling new scents and visiting the Chanel and Mac counters when I’m out.
I love when you post beauty and clothing finds. Have really missed them.
Just want to share a foundation bargain/dupe. I’m 56 and still have slightly oily T zone. I also live in Southeast…lots of humidity. When I turned 50, suddenly I couldn’t find a foundation that didn’t separate, settle into pores or look too heavy. So I found Koh Gen Do Aqua foundation….Amazing! So skin like. It was $75 dollars but after wasting so much money trying others it was worth it. Then it jumped to $96! Had a conversation with myself…LOL. On a whim I tried Sephora brand foundation Best Skin Ever. Comes in a zillion shades. Tried it and Loved the coverage, finish and how it wore all day. Price? $20!! I’ve been using for over a year…totally satisfied. Hope this saves someone from make up shopping torture and some moolah.
Love this post! NassifMD Hydro-Gel, followed by Hydro-Screen Hydrating serum, have done wonders for my skin. Don’t have many wrinkles but this duo has made my complexion look much more hydrated and youthful. Also use his detox pads and they are great too. I pretty much hit the high spots with iT illuminating foundation, which is light and airy yet provides coverage where I need it. Royal Water by Creed is my go to fragrance, along with several others that I use on occasion from that collection.
My dear Tina
Im so happy to read your ‘Beauty Files’ again, it’s so good to hear all your recommendations and tips. I will definitely buy the bronzer by Mac.
I believe in looking after my skin and love fabulous makeup, I take time to apply it every day including foundation and having studied current trends, nice brown eyeshadows and black liner/ mascara. Life isn’t perfect but your makeup can be 🙂
I hope you are enjoying the weekend, over here in the UK the Magnolias in full bloom are a sight to behold.
With much love
Sally xx
Hello, I wanted to buy your beautiful white wastebasket with the greek key around the top but I see it is sold out. 🥲May I order and receive when you get more? Thank you so much, Karen
Thank you, Tina. Always enjoy your beauty and fashion posts, and your common sense approach!
Thrive is not sold in stores due to the macular degeneration encouraging properties it has. It is sold via there company by a loophole as a supplement. It’s horrifically damaging to the eyes.