This is my first monthly favorites post in quite a while, so I'll try to be brief while covering a lot of products today. As this is a monthly faves post, you'll notice that many of these have made cameos on the blog before. Enjoy!
Disclosure: This post contains press samples sent to me for honest review. All thoughts are my own. Press samples are marked as such with two asterisks. This post also contains affiliate links which are marked with an asterisk. Purchasing through an affiliate link returns a small commission to me and is one way to support this blog. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
In the skincare realm, I found it difficult to only showcase two favorite sheet masks in this month's roundup, it was tough decision. The ISOI Blemish Care Mask (requires buying service) contains 20 ml of their extremely popular Bulgarian Rose Serum, not only does it smell delicious like spiced roses, but the serum just makes you want to leave the mask on forever. It's thin, and absorbs like a dream without the tacky dry-down. The only downside? The mask-fit and material is a low-tech cotton-type mask. I know, we're living in a brand new world of silk, biocellulose, and hydrogels now... why still spring for cotton masks? When you try it you'll find out. The second sheet mask I enjoyed is what I consider the crown jewel of the Leaders Insolution cotton sheet mask line, the Leaders AC Clear Treatment Mask**. It contains snail, teatree, and many amazing acne treating ingredients yet leaves dry skin incredibly hydrated and moisturized while minimizing the visibility of pores.
Three full-size items I've managed to become a bit obsessed with are the Goodal Double Bright Toner - great for a substantial boost of fresh (well actually fermented/rotten) scent of peony and antioxidants prior to going out in the sun on these bright and gorgeous days we've been getting around these parts; the Holy Snails Perseids Oil, a blend of emollient, fruit and nut oils that also not only soften and smooth the skin while giving it much glow, but also protect it from the elements. The moisture it gives lasts all day and/or all night, depending on where you place it in your routine. It's a beautiful tangerine/amber color and has a nice heft to it without overpowering oily skin. And last but not least... Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the most repurchasable of them all? I would have to say the Oull Smart Sun Care Facial Red Ginseng Sun Mist SPF 50+ PA+++*. It's a physical/chemical mixed sunscreen (so contains UV filters that block UV rays from all sides of the spectrum) with red ginseng, one of my favorite ingredients that I have a unique bias towards due to its ability to protect the skin through its saponins and ginsenosides, as well as give the skin elasticity and bounce. This sunscreen mist is pretty awesome in that it leaves skin looking dewy and radiant, and whenever I use it, I don't feel the need to cover up with any makeup whatsoever. The drawbacks however are the mist packaging (would prefer this in regular sun milk / liquid form without a pump), and the fact that darker skin tones may find that it has a slight white cast.
This month I've been out and about a lot more - quite a departure from my sedentary WFH lazy bum lifestyle so I've been using more than my fair share of makeup items. The NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown* has been excellent for giving my brows shape and an outline. Its thin auto-lead pencil form makes it easy to draw in thin wispy hair-like lines. It's retractable and has a brow brush at one end, and is one I definitely recommend to those with thin, wimpy brows like mine. Just a sidenote - the color is a tad on the warm side for one named "Ash Brown", so I would probably only get it if you have auburn to medium-dark brown hair. The Creer Beaute Sailor Moon Miracle Romance Eyeliner* rears its pigtailed head again as it's almost literally (and yes, I mean literally) the best eyeliner I've used thus far. It has an easy-to-use brush pen tip and the color swatches as a dark espresso brown. The best part? It lasts all day and doesn't hold a chance when swiped off with a little bit of cleansing oil. My skin these days has been covered by the IOPE Air Cushion XP with SPF 50 PA+++ in C (Cover) 21** (for MAC NC15 skin in case you're wondering). It's still got that semi-dewy but not too dewy look with light-medium yellow-but-not-too-yellow coverage that I enjoy much. Ending on a more colorful note, I've been wearing the Sephora Cream Lip Stain* in 5 Infinite Rose a ton over the past few weeks. Infinite Rose is described as a satin golden peach, but is more of a dusty rose color with a hint of silver microflecks of glitter in it. I'm not one for shimmery lipsticks but it's quite subtle in this one. Also, the lip stain wears all day with the exception of when one eats an oily mess in the mess hall. I enjoy the texture as it is lightweight, and not too moussey, an issue I had with the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams. It can emphasize fine lines on the lips and it smells like some sort of understated sweet scent.
What were some of your favorite beauty, lifestyle, whatever picks for the month of April?
Disclosure: This post contains press samples sent to me for honest review. All thoughts are my own. Press samples are marked as such with two asterisks. This post also contains affiliate links which are marked with an asterisk. Purchasing through an affiliate link returns a small commission to me and is one way to support this blog. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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