Five October Beauty Faves

Hi friends!

From skincare, to SPF, to concealer and eyeshadow, I’m sharing my five October beauty faves with you in today’s post. These are the products I’ve been reaching for and really enjoying over the past few weeks. Let’s get started!

CATCH UP ON MY RECENT POSTS

Testing NEW Launches from Persona Cosmetics, ILIA & 19/99 Beauty

I’m Loving These Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks

Tried & True Products I’ve Actually Repurchased

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS GIFTED ITEMS BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN. 

 

DRUNK ELEPHANT B-HYDRA INTENSIVE HYDRATION SERUM

I’ve been testing out a lot of Drunk Elephant stuff recently because I was very, very kindly gifted a bunch of products from the range. (Hint: you’ll likely see much more from the brand to come on here!) I started incorporating their B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum into my nightly skincare routine back in September, and it is beautiful. Like the Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, this has a cream texture but I’d say it’s a bit thinner than the CeraVe if you’ve tried that. It’s incredibly lightweight on the skin while still packing a big punch in the hydration department.

Since we’re heading into cooler weather now, which makes my dry skin parch even more, I apply a generous three pumps of the stuff right after I cleanse my skin at night. It blends in seamlessly. My skin feels wonderfully softened and smoothed without any sticky tackiness. If you have oilier skin, this could probably double as both a serum and moisturizer, but since I’m dry I do like to layer either a moisturizer or an oil over top. I have also applied this during the day; just a quick two to three pumps before my makeup and it layers beautifully with my base products.

Drunk Elephant is not cheap by any means. This serum retails for a cool $48.00, but you do get a generous 50 mL of product, which I really appreciate. Most other luxury serums in the $40 – $50 – $60 range and beyond give you just 30 mL.

 

E.L.F. COSMETICS HYDRATING CAMO CONCEALER

I’ve been meaning to talk about the e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer on the blog for a while now. But you know…life! Actually I was going to do a deep-dive review, but then I realized I could get my point across in just a few sentences instead.

I first tried the original Camo Concealer this summer and instantly disliked it – way too matte and drying for my skin. But the hydrating version is all kinds of lovely! It gives me Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer vibes in that it’s lightweight and non-drying with high coverage that really stretches. You just need a few small dots to cancel out redness and discoloration. I love formulas like that; the less concealer you apply the better. Who wants cakiness under their eyes?! The finish here is natural and the formula moves with your skin, so there’s not much creasing or cracking even after hours of wear. (Yes I do set it with powder, just for reference.)

For just $6.00 you really can’t go wrong with this concealer. It’s a bestseller for a reason. Plus it’s available in 25 shades, so there’s something for everyone. (I wear the shade Fair Warm which is a good match for me. It’s light enough with a slight yellow undertone.)

 

MAYBELLINE COLOR STRIKE CREAM-TO-POWDER EYESHADOW PEN IN FLARE

I know you guys have read me carry on about this little eyeshadow pen in so many posts (here and here, for starters), but I like to keep things honest here. I’m still reaching for the Maybelline Color Strike Eyeshadow Pen in the shade Flare at least one to two times a week. I’ve purchased two since last year and I will 100% repurchase again!

The shade Flare is a gorgeous matte taupe grey that works so well when you want to softly smoke out any of your eye looks, and since it’s a pen, it’s incredibly easy to use. I like to smudge a bit along the outer corners of my upper and lower lash lines for instant depth and drama. So much easier to use (for me) than a pencil or a traditional eyeliner pen. This formula/format comes in a variety of shades and finishes, but Flare is definitely my favorite.

 

REFY BROW SCULPT

I’ve had my eye on this indie British brand for a while now, so when the PR team for Refy reached out earlier this season I jumped at the chance to try their cult-favorite Brow Sculpt. This product generated a lot of buzz on social media, especially for those who love that laminated brow look. (See here if you need a brief on laminated brows.) I’m here all day everyday for those fluffy, brushed-up “soap” brows. Any *one* product that can deliver that look in a pinch definitely has my attention.

I’m here to say that the Refy Brow Sculpt may be *thee* best brow gel I’ve ever tried. It’s a bold statement to make, especially for someone who tries new brow gels all the time, but it’s true! THIS. STUFF. IS. STRONG. The hold is next-level and it stays looking “laminated” all day long. Like 10+ hours long. It’s stronger than my beloved Maybelline Brow Sculpt or the e.l.f. Wow Brow, for sure. I’d say it’s most like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze but it’s easier to use since it’s in a mascara format rather than a pot you have to dip in and out of.

I’d just caution to be careful with how much you apply of the Refy product. A little goes a long way considering how strong the hold is, and your brows can start looking a bit white if you over apply. I do find that a bit annoying, if I’m honest, but the finished look is so beautiful that I don’t care!

 

SUPERGOOP GLOWSCREEN SPF 40

Like the Maybelline Color Strike Eyeshadow Pen, I’ve gone on and on and on about my deep love for Supergoop and their Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. Well, I recently finished what I think was my third tube of the stuff and I replaced it with their Glowscreen SPF 40 instead. It’s love at first use, I tell you! If you don’t like radiant or dewy finishes on your skin, you won’t like this. But I’m always chasing the glow. This has the sun protection and makeup-gripping abilities of the Unseen Sunscreen but with the gorgeous radiant finish of Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter. No shimmer or glitter in sight, just beautiful dewiness. Perfection!

Glowscreen has a thinner, more liquid texture than the Unseen Sunscreen, which is thicker and gel-like. In terms of hydration, Glowscreen does offer some moisture but not as much as the Unseen Sunscreen, which has a more pillowy, lush feeling.

What are your five October beauty faves? I’d love to know!

xo, and be well, Erica

 

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