Hi friends!
I’m talking about feel good beauty all month long on here. If you missed my introduction post from last week, you can catch up here. In today’s first installment I’ll take you through a short list of 10 lush makeup products that feel like a real treat to apply to the skin. They’re creamy, hydrating, easy to use and easy to apply. Honestly I could have included so many, but I felt I needed to be strict with myself so I cut it at ten. You won’t find any powder textures on this list, not because I think powders are uncomfortable per se, but simply because I lean more towards creams when I want that special, “treat yourself” kinda experience from my makeup. It’s all personal preference really.
(If you are looking for some powder recommendations, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders are gorgeously smooth, as is the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, and the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed. Those are just a few off the top of my head.)
I’ve divided these 10 lush makeup products up into 5 categories – EYESHADOW, BLUSH, HIGHLIGHTER, LIPS and FOUNDATION. Let’s dive in!
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK. FIND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS HERE. SOME ITEMS WERE GIFTED, BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN.
EYESHADOW
BOBBI BROWN LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
I’ve sung the praises of these little gems since the birth of this blog two years ago. Hands down, these are the creamiest shadow sticks I’ve ever used, and I’ve used A LOT of them my friends – both luxury and drugstore. They glide on and blend out with very little effort, either with fingers or a dense brush. They don’t emphasize the dryness on my lids, nor do they sit in fine lines. They’re just very smoothing. They come in a long list of neutral colors and finishes, so there really is something for every taste (well if you prefer brights, you will be out of luck!).
MAC LONG-WEAR PAINT POT IN GROUNDWORK
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
You’ll notice that I not only specified the product here but also the color. That’s very deliberate because I’m a long-time user of the MAC Paint Pots, and while most shades have a smooth but slightly rubberized finish, Groundwork does not. It’s certainly smooth and exceptionally creamy, plus a total dream to apply/blend (again with either a finger or dense brush). But I find it doesn’t dry down to that rubberized finish. Fine by me, since it still manages to be fairly long-wearing (it will crease a bit on me by the end of the day, but nothing tragic).
For more in-depth info, check out this post.
BLUSH
RMS BEAUTY LIP2CHEEK
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
I couldn’t not include this gem in my blush category. It feels so incredibly lush and creamy to apply to the skin, and the finish is dewy, dewy, dewy! (If you have oily skin, you may want to stay away from this one.) I feel almost comforted when I use this product on my cheeks, like it’s a little treatment. (You can use this on the lips as well.) Just please aware that the first ingredient in the inky list is coconut oil, which can clog pores on some people. Personally I’ve never experienced a reaction or congestion after using this, but you might so keep that in mind.
For more in-depth info, check out this post.
CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK CHEEK COLOUR BALM
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
This blush from Clinique may not be as dewy as RMS Beauty lip2cheek, but it’s still certainly smooth as all get out. The key is in the name here: Cheek Colour Balm. So it has a wonderfully comfortable texture that sits very nicely on the skin, and is so, so easy to blend out. If you’re an on-the-go makeup applier this is the one for you; it’s a stick so you can just swipe it across your cheeks and voila, you have instant color with a softly hydrated finish.
For more in-depth info, check out this post.
HIGHLIGHTER
THE ORGANIC SKIN CO IN THE SPOTLIGHT HIGHLIGHTER
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
Oh, I absolutely love this highlighter and if you’re a fan of a cream get yourself over to the Organic Skin Co’s website right now! It strikes the right balance between creaminess and cling so that it sits so beautifully on the skin without disturbing any makeup underneath. It’s not sticky at all either, which is super important for a product like this. I should say, if you’re not a fan of a natural-looking highlighter don’t bother with this. You will not get a blinding, glow-for-the-gods kinda look.
For more in-depth info, check out this post.
LIPS
COVERGIRL EXHIBITIONIST CREAM LIPSTICK
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
The Exhibitionist Lipstick comes in a few different finishes but the cream finish is the one you want to go for if you’re looking for the ultimate comfort from your lip product. When I say this lipstick just glides across your lips like butter, you have to believe me! You get a great punch of color, but more importantly you get amazing moisture and comfort. What an absolute treat for only a few dollars! There are also tons of shades to boot, so a win-win.
To hear how I customized my own CoverGirl lipstick in the NYC flagship store, check out this post.
ILIA BEAUTY COLOR BLOCK LIPSTICK
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
I just recently dedicated an entire post to the Ilia Color Block Lipstick* so I won’t stay too long here, but this formula has such a beautifully thick, creamy and luxurious soft-matte texture. It really feels like such a treat to apply and wear throughout the day. It doesn’t suck the life from your lips, nor does it completely disappear with one sip of water; it has lovely cling and staying power.
TOWER 28 BEAUTY SHINEON LIP JELLY
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
Lip gloss lovers out there, listen up! These glosses from new indie brand Tower 28 are so lovely in almost every way. No stickiness, tons of shine, fun colors, great packaging, but best of all a gloriously thick texture that’s incredibly nourishing and life-giving to the lips. Don’t sleep on these, I promise you.
Check out my current edit of lip glosses here.
FOUNDATION
BARE MINERALS COMPLEXION RESCUE
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
I just did a whole post on my ranked foundation collection earlier this week, and the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue came out on top as my ultimate fave base. It has this great creamy consistency that just glides across the skin, even bare skin. This is like having a built-in moisturizer, coverage product (light admittedly), and SPF in one. It’s effortless, effective and beautiful to boot. I love mixing it with illuminating moisturizers like the L’Oreal Lumi Glotion, MAC Strobe Cream, or the NARS Tinted Glow Booster to boost the sheen.
For more in-depth info, check out this post.
ILIA BEAUTY SUPER SERUM SKIN TINT SPF 40
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
The Super Serum Skin Tint* is an incredible skincare-makeup hybrid that’s packed with goodies that nourish and protect the skin like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane and SPF 40. It feels so lovely on the skin, not just on application but actually throughout the day as well. It offers very light coverage but gives such a naturally glowy sheen that manages to make you look both polished and hydrated.
For more in-depth info, check out this post.
What are your favorite lush makeup products to use? I’d love to know!
xo and be well, Erica
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