One of the main things I feel like I experimented with in June was my makeup. I’ve been wearing winged liner since I was around 20 years old, so to mix things up I started smudging a bit of dark shadow at the outer corners. It created a softer look, though safe to say a good cat eye flick is still my OG. As far as skincare goes, there’s only one new product that’s made it into the beauty edit this month. I decided to dial my routine back a notch and for the most part, am using just three products; cleanser, serum and moisturiser.
The Makeup Edit
NARS Narsissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette | I’ve been doing a bit of an eyeshadow switcher each month, to rotate through the palettes I have as shadows always tend to be my ultimately makeup weakness, and the Wanted palette from NARS came up trumps for June. And I’d actually forgotten just how much I enjoyed using it. I alternated between using the bronzey tones for a more natural look, to the pink shimmers for a bit of pop and sparkle. This was a limited edition palette however NARS has recently launched a mini version of this palette which I think is a great edit of the more wearable shadows from the original version (though the dark browns wouldn’t have gone amiss!).
La Mer The Hydrating Illuminator | If I had to choose a favourite beauty product for June, this would be it. I’ve been starting my makeup routine with a primer for the past few months and have noticed a difference not only in how my makeup applies, but also in how my skin looks once I have foundation on. I’m usually chasing that ‘lit from within’ glow from my primer, and this ticks all the right boxes. It looks slightly opalescent out of the tube, but once worked into the skin, it gives a soft glow that reads more like a light sheen. I’ve been using this also on days when I’m not wearing any foundation, as it helps to liven up the complexion.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer (also here) | The signs of ageing have definitely become more noticeable as I’ve entered my thirties. My key problem areas have shifted from dealing with acne, to trying to conceal redness and dark circles. Safe to safe, a good concealer is key – something that feels relatively light on the skin, but packs a serious punch. I was pretty on the fence about the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer for a while; I found it too heavy, and could never get it to look quite *natural* on my skin. But like all good concealers, I’ve found it’s down to the application. Rather than using my fingers or a beauty blender, I’ve started to apply this direct from a small semi-densely packed brush (I use this one from Sigma). I’ll take a small amount of the product and swipe that onto the bristles, pat it onto any problem areas, and then work it in – before applying foundation. I think one of the main reasons this works is because I’m starting on a heavily moisturised base. The Shape Tape Concealer is thick and heavy, so it can look crepey and cakey if your skin is even the littlest bit dry.
Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in ’01 Amp’d Up Apple’ (also here) | There’s a few things I know for sure would make the cut for my desert island beauty kit. Good felt tip liner, a natural-looking brow gel, a bright red lipstick, and cream face products. The wear time might not be as good, but I’m yet to find a powder blush or bronzer that looks as dewy and natural on the skin as a cream one will. So it’ll be little surprise that I’ve really been enjoying dipping back into this cream blush from Clinique. The application is simple; draw on your face like a crayon where you’d like to disperse the colour, then blend out with a stippling brush, a makeup sponge, or your fingers. I love how natural this looks on the skin, and it’s so easy to blend out too. For beginners, you can start with a little and slowly work your way up as the colour does layer and build well. The contour from this line is fantastic too – I used this daily as my bronzer until it ran out!
Marc Jacobs Coconut Gel Highlighter Dew Drops in ‘Dew You?’ (also here) | Continuing on the theme of cream products, let’s talk about a highlighter I used last month. I’ve really been getting into Marc Jacobs Beauty; I’m yet to try a product that hasn’t hit the mark for me. And as a highlighter, this is pretty intense, and once it sets, it stays put. It’s a gold highlight – perfect for if you have a bit of a tan – with small flecks of glitter that look brilliant as they hit the light. It can be a little tricky to dispense the right amount using the pump, so I’ll usually take this on the back of my hand, warm up how much I need with my fingers, and apply where needed. You could also apply this using a small stippling brush. If you want more of a subtle effect, apply it before foundation on the high points of your skin where you want to glow (or all over if you want to look dewy).
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in ‘Trooper Black’ | I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with this liner over the years, and it’s taken using it over the past month to get a handle on exactly why. I love the applicator, it’s very easy to use and the colour is jet black that doesn’t really budge – very important for winged liner. The thing I do find though is that the colour dries up quite quickly. Within three weeks, I was already having issues with achieving a solid black line when lining up my cat eye flick. I’ve started storing it upside-down to see if that helps with the pigmentation issues, but essentially, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a product that gets used up or dries up fast.
MAC Shape + Shade Brow Tint in ‘Spiked’ (also here) | There’s only one way I like my brows – natural – so it’s always with some hesitation that I add a new product into the mix. I’ve been using the Benefit Gimme BrowLINK for months now, which I love as it adds in a little bit of colour where I need it, while still looking natural, but I wanted something that could give me a more precise application. And, I think I’ve found it. I haven’t really heard anyone talking about this brow tint, but it’s been a winner for me so far. There’s a felt tip pen on one end, and a powder applicator on the other, so you can add colour to sparse patches, and draw hairs where you need them. I personally just use the felt tip end to fill in the areas of my brows that need a bit of help, and I follow up with a spooly to blend the product into the hairs a little more. Love love love this product – definitely one worth trying.
Kiehls Lip Balm #1 in ‘Mint’ (also here in a three-pack) | Finding a good lip balm that does the trick is often a challenge for me. I get eczema on my lips, and unless the balm penetrates the skin to lock in moisture, it can actually make it worse. On a whim, I decided to give the Kiehls Lip Balm a go after spotting it in duty free. I like that the tube reminded me a little of the Glossier Balm Dot Com (which I actually came to like), and there were a few different ‘scent/flavour’ options. I went with mint, and I’m glad I did. The addition of peppermint oil creates a slight tingling sensation when first applied, but I feel like this helps to nourish the lips more. I like that it’s relatively inexpensive too – will definitely be picking up more tubes of this once the one I have on the go runs out.
Clarins Joli Rouge Lacquer in ‘Spicy Chili’ (also here) | I dip in and out of a lot of my favourite lipsticks each month, but the key one I’ve enjoyed wearing in June has to be this punchy orange-based red from Clarins. It’s a bit of a hybrid product – part balm, part lipstick, part gloss – which I think is what makes this so comfortable to wear. It’s also super pigmented, but if you wanted more of a sheen, you could pat some product onto the centre of your lips and blend out using your fingers. I apply this without a lip liner though do need to check up on it over the day. Being more of a glossy, balmy formula, it does have a tendency to slip off the lips in the centre after eating and drinking.
The Skincare Edit
Clarins Double Serum | Coming from a skincare junkie, I was surprised to find at the end of the month that I’d really only had one new product on rotation. I started skipping toner halfway through June to help minimise my routine, so use the Clarins Double Serum as a follow up to cleanser both morning and night. This has 21 plant extracts in it, with excellent anti-aging properties (hello!). I like that the pump delivers a made to measure dose – you can increase or reduce it as needed. I’ll either take one or two pumps if I’m feeling extra, and apply this all over my face, taking care not to bring the product too close to my eyes. The main thing I’ve noticed is that my fine lines appear less prominent, and my skin has more of a glow.
Were there any stand out beauty products you used in June?
