It’s been awhile since I had a post about makeup and beauty so I thought it was time to update you on some new makeup studs and duds! I’m still loving the products mentioned in this post but there are some new favorites that are definitely share-worthy!

My Need for Humidity-Proof Makeup

Before summer hit I did some reasearch on humidity-related beauty. A big part of why I started this blog was to share this kind of research and testing. Being a history teacher, I’m quite familiar with researching and I’m always studying beauty products and DIY projects before I even go out and buy.  One day my husband was like, “You spend so much time reading reviews and trying things out, others could benefit from your research!” He’s right and I have totally dropped the ball on that front in the last year. Between digging ourselves out of debt and the time it took me to build a new curriculum for my new job, makeup and beauty “research” was mostly on the back burner.

However, after two summers  in Rhode Island, I knew that I couldn’t handle another humid summer with crummy makeup. So, right when school got out for the summer, I hit the internet to research the best products for humidity. Research returned way too many mixed messages on what kind of makeup is right for humidity. Some said stick to long-lasting, full coverage foundations that will stay all day despite the heat. “Oh,” they said, “and make sure you set the foundation with powder to really make it last!” Others said use a lightweight foundation and don’t use any powder blush or setting powder. Instead, use creme blush and bronzer and spray it with a makeup setting spray instead.

Well, let me tell you my success with the first option. Last summer I tried two “high coverage” foundations that were recommended by some youtubers (1 & 2) and they were so thick it felt like they were constantly sticky. Adding powder just made them even more cakey and uncomfortable. So, this summer I decided to look for a lightweight foundation but I was skeptical because usually lightweight foundations mean light coverage and that’s not going to cover my acne scarring. I wasn’t even sure you COULD have full coverage with a lightweight formula.

Enter my first Makeup Stud.

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Makeup Studs:

Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-use Pigment

It’s a mouthful and boy does it pack a punch. When Marlena from Makeup Geek showed how amazing this Dermablend pigment was (see her apply it at 4:30 in this video) and mentioned that it was lightweight, I just had to try it. It gives INCREDIBLE coverage for as little as I use. You can see in the pictures how much I use on normal days. One drop goes a long way with this stuff. It definitely wears off throughout the day, especially on really humid days, but it feels so much better than most of my foundations and it’s SO quick and easy to apply and run out the door.

I would definitely apply it with a brush, as you can see in the picture below. I love this brush for foundation.

L’Oreal Lash Paradise

I’m very late-to-the-game in sharing this with you. My “ride or die” mascara was this mascara, but the Lash Paradise gives me the same look for half the price. I prefer the non-waterproof over the waterproof.

L’Oreal Infallible Lip Paint in Spicy Blush

This lipstick was recommended by emilynoel83 on youtube. A couple of the items on this list actually come from her or via her recommendation. (She would be a good one to follow for great makeup reviews and tutorials.) It’s simply the perfect pale pink neutral lip for my skin tone. It feels like a mix between a liquid lipstick and a lip gloss. The “Lip paint” is creamy and smooth. It’s not going to last like a liquid lipstick but it’s the perfect thing to pop on quickly to add some color before running out the door!

Stila Good to Glow Shadows

I bought this set from the Nordstrom Sale and I have to admit, my favorite in this set is definitely “Kitten.” The other two are gorgeous shades as well, but they haven’t gotten much use yet. I can see myself gravitating more towards those two as summer turns into fall. Kitten gives such a beautiful glow to the eyes and doesn’t dry patchy like some other liquid eye shadows I have tried. It’s elegant and not overpowering.

Makeup Revolution The Emily Edit – The Wants Eyeshadow Palette

As I mentioned above, emilynoel83 is one of my favorite youtubers and she recently released this palette. Not only did her release video make me tear up, but I knew instantly that I needed to try the palette because Emily is one of the few youtubers that I absolutely trust for product recommendations. She doesn’t do sponsored videos and she always tries products for an extended period of time before recommending. Beyond that, when she reviews a palette she always makes sure to comment on the mixture of mattes (for the crease) and shimmers, whether the pops of color hold their pigment and whether there are enough other colors in the palette to complete a look.

The day after The Wants Palette released in Ulta stores, I drove to my local Ulta and tried it out. I was a little disappointed in the swatches because they didn’t seem that creamy, especially compared to the Jaclyn Hill Vault Collection placed next to it (see all of them in the widget below). I went back and forth whether it was worth it to try The Wants Palette or whether I should just pick one of Jaclyn’s Vault Palettes. In the end, I went with my gut. If Emily says it’s good, then it’s good. Plus, the Jaclyn Hill Vault collection is by color family (eg: purples in one palette). I really wanted something that would give me a lot of new options to try.

It is the perfect palette for someone who wants to round out an eye shadow collection (or start one). Even though it’s large, I can totally see myself taking this with me when I travel. I can get any possible look out of just this palette.

And now…for the…

Makeup and Beauty Duds

Milani Gilded Desires Palette

Before I even knew about The Wants Palette, I was in store and swatched the Milani Gilded Desires Palette. I instantly fell in love with the gorgeous glow on the swatches. It came home with me and each day I tried something new. But, unlike the Emily Edit Palette above, these shadows just didn’t last on my eyes. Plus, the top left matte shade is so flaky that I’ve basically stopped using it. This is particularly annoying because that is the one non-pink matte crease shade in the palette.

I do enjoy the cheek highlight shades. They are absolutely beaming so I use them sparingly. Though I still try to use the palette, I do find myself turning to the Stila “Kitten” shade above more frequently when I want the same kind of look. It just lasts longer. Plus, look at the two palettes side by side in the image above. They are the exact same price but there is just no comparison for quality or variety of shades in my book.

Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Lotion

After teaching Consumer Economics last year, I’ve been more conscious of buying store brand items over name brand and that’s why I purchased this sunscreen. This, however, is one store brand item I would skip. It is one of the most greasy, sticky formulas I have ever tried. That just doesn’t work on humid, Rhode Island beaches. The first time I used it I came home completely covered in sand. Forget trying to reapply at the beach, you’ll just be rubbing sand into your skin!

I did some research and picked these two sunscreens to try – 1, 2. Both have worked very well for me and are a great, non-greasy formula. This one is a little hard to spray with the beach breeze but I apply it at home and use this one to reapply at the beach.

Dove Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo

This smells great but instead of making my hair feel fresh, it feels more heavy. I won’t repurchase.

Special Mention Product

You can see it in the background of some of the photos above, but I just got this L’Oreal Infallible Foundation stick. I have only worn it a few times but I’m really liking it. I don’t believe the look it gives is as good as the Dermablend (above). That being said, it’s a nice, easy look when set with powder.

Well, that was a lot of info on my recent makeup studs and duds so I don’t blame you if you did a lot of skimming! Nevertheless, I hope that you found even one makeup stud to think about trying or one dud to avoid. Definitely let me know in the comments about makeup studs or duds you’ve tried recently!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Virginia

Linking up with: Curly, Crafty Mom  | Color and Grace | Fashion Should Be Fun | Glass of Glam | Pink Sole | I Do deClaire | Pumps & Pushups | Jersey Girl, Texan Heart | Lizzie in Lace