I'm Not a Beauty Blogger, But I Like Makeup
Sephora things + a whole lot more.
Early last week, I sent a paid letter with a 5-minute video of me applying my everyday makeup (all of which is from Sephora because I’m basic like that). In what some would call a predictable event, however, I went into Sephora earlier this week and shopped the Spring Sales event in person and ended up getting a few new core products that I’m sort of freaking out over. This is very like me to go out of my way to create a special video only to turn right around and change up products, and I thank you for still loving me and being along for the ride.
It’s Thursday as I write this, and I did a full face of makeup this morning just to play with my new products because I couldn’t wait for the weekend. I have no plans to even leave the house today, but sometimes your inner child takes over and leaves you feeling 12 again and really really excited about new makeup. Here’s how it turned out:
So here’s what’s new to my makeup and skincare drawers as a result of this Sephora sale (which, by the way, is now open to VIB and Rogue members and opens to the public for 10% off everything on Monday!):
SKINCARE
I rarely if ever get off the proverbial skincare boat once I’ve discovered products that don’t upset my reactive & sensitive skin, but I’ve had my eye on the Farmacy line ever since I discovered their makeup cleansing balm last year. So this go-round, I decided to throw caution to the wind and give some of their other facial products a fair shot. So far, my skin has been very happy and I feel like it’s extra glowy in all the right ways. Here’s what I’m using by them:
Clean Bee Ultra-Gentle Facial Cleanser: If you hate honey, don’t buy this because it smells like, well, honey. I love it and I’m very excited to have a facial cleanser that lathers after using a no-lather one for years. I’m cautiously optimistic, but actually looking forward to washing my face right now, which is a welcome change.
Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer: It’s only been a week, but this shit appears to be magic in a jar. It is so luscious, feels incredible on my skin, and a little goes a long way. When I was checking out, the cashier said “OMG I love this stuff,” which I felt was a great endorsement because lord knows she’s got a lot to choose from. I got the mini size to start, but I have a feeling I’ll be graduating to the regular size soon enough.
Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil: I love a face oil as a last step, but I retired the few I have because I felt like they weren’t doing much for me. I decided to go all-in with this Farmacy purchase and added this to the mix as well. A little drop is all you need and sends me to bed like the shiny queen bee I am.
BEAUTY
I thought I was satisfied with my makeup line-up (thusly why I shared a private video of it last week. Again, I’m so sorry), but realized that maybe I wasn’t and needed a Sephora expert’s help in the matter. I found the most gorgeous employee I could whose makeup I admired and she led me down the right road on a few new products.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: This is nothing new. I’ve been using it for years and it’s more than worth the hype. However, I’ve been noticing for a while that the color I was matched to looked and felt too yellow for my skin, so I had this woman match me this week and it turns out I was right. I was using 6.25 and she upgraded me to 6.5 which is almost an exact match for me. Really happy I did that.
Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Contour Stick: I’ve been using powder contour and highlighter for a couple of years now because powder is much easier to start with than liquid or cream. But I’m 36 now and decided I’m ready to graduate. I explained this to the woman I was working with that I don’t want intense contour—just something easy to use and subtle enough while making an obvious difference. She led me to this contour stick and HOLY SHIT, guys. It’s literally exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I got it in the Medium shade, and the woman told to use this small buffing brush to blend it in rather than putting it directly on my face then blending it. You get some on the brush and apply it that way, and WOW. I am obsessed. I mean, you can see in the pictures up there ^ My makeup has never looked better. I used it below my cheekbones, a little under my jaw, and at the top of my forehead!
Saie Super Gel Highlighter in “Starglow”: Once I explained that I wanted a new highlighter that was more “dew” than “shimmer and sparkle,” my Sephora bestie led me to this pump bottle. She put a half pump on my hand and used her finger to touch it gently to my cheekbones and I was all “OK!” This gives me that fresh glow I’ve wanted for so long but was using all the wrong products to achieve. It’s so simple and yet so impactful. I love love loooove it.
Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balm: This is the winner of this Sephora haul by miles. MILES, DO YOU HEAR ME? I have never in my life crushed harder on a lipstick-balm. We all know that Pillow Talk is Charlotte’s top-selling shade because it looks good on just about everyone, but I didn’t know it came in this format. The hyaluronic acid makes it shiny and sticky in the best, least annoying way I’ve ever experienced. It’s a true balm that stays on your lips and gives you that perfect not-NOT-wearing-color-on-my-lips look. I am o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d and already ready to buy more. It comes in a lot of colors, but Pillow Talk is the literal perfect one for everyday. I think every lipstick should be a lipstick-balm going forward.
READING 📖
My mom recommended Remarkably Bright Creatures to me a few months ago, so after finishing Lessons in Chemistry last weekend, I almost immediately picked this book up and, after just 3 sittings, I’m almost halfway through. The writing is captivating, the characters are intriguing, and I am clearly loving it. Definitely recommend this book!
For my Dallas locals: I finally got around to updating my favorite Dallas spots on my blog after years of delaying. It’s an extensive list with a saveable PDF, so check that out if you haven’t already!
Two new Substacks I’m loving are Harling Ross’ Gumshoe and Maggie Higgins’ Craveable. I’ve been a longtime Harling fan—she was an OG at The Man Repeller and has amazing hair, incredible style, and I have it on good authority that she’s a wonderful person in real life. Her Substack is all about sustainable shopping, whether it’s for fashion or home decor and she truly has the best recommendations and tips.
Maggie (AKA MagsMeals) was my first younger follower to refer to me as “the cool older sister.” I met her in person last year in South Carolina, and I’m happy to report she is just as charming and delightful as she is online. She’s a naturally gifted cook and baker, and her Substack has finally given her a way to share her recipes and thoughts on life in a truly craveable format.
LISTENING 🎧
This week, Ellen was on my podcast and it’s my favorite Ellen-sode to date. It’s completely unhinged in the best way and we cover A LOT. Take a listen if you haven’t already wherever you listen to podcasts (That’s What E Said)!
Merritt had a really poignant and vulnerable episode this week on Beck and Call about grief, and it’s definitely worth a listen. She lost her father her freshman year of college and not only talks about her own experience with grief but invites listeners to share their own journeys with an otherwise impossible emotion to navigate.
MAKING 🔪
I have two chicken dishes I need to share with you today. The first is Defined Dish’s Chicken Piccata Meatballs. They are fabulous as they are and I served them over a bed of Palmini noodles (noodles made from artichokes) to save on carbs and WOW. Pour that sauce all over them, honey.
I also made these juicy ass chicken burgers two nights in a row, that’s how yummy they are. And stupid simple, too. I served them on Trader Joe’s whole wheat buns with some provolone cheese and Primal Kitchen’s Non Dairy Buffalo Sauce, but dress them up however you want!
SHOPPING 🛍️
Exciting news: I updated my pill organizer this week. I got an AM/PM one that, left unattended, would absolutely read as an 80-year-old’s, but whatever. I’ve got pills to take, places to be, and people to see!
Along with that Amazon order came this dog barking control device because let me tell you—Cece might be perfect, but she is a monster in our backyard. God love her, but her bark has busted eardrums and she makes hanging out in the backyard pretty unpleasant. She can’t help that the two German Shepards next door are constantly on patrol and provoke her, but I refuse to NOT be out there with my dog especially as our pergola comes together. So I read the reviews on this device, took a chance, and guys? IT FUCKING WORKS. It doesn’t harm the dog—it just emits an incredibly high-pitched sound only they can hear that annoys/freaks the shit out of them so they STFU. I only had to press it three times and it was silent outside. Best $30 I’ve spent in a while, but I’ll keep y’all posted.
Speaking of the pergola, we FINALLY ordered some furniture to set up. Can we talk about how astronomically expensive all furniture is, especially outdoor furniture. Like the absolute gall of these manufacturers! This is what we decided on because it fits our space perfectly and was on the low end, price-wise. I’m very excited to get it all set up and start sitting out there before the mosquitos rain fire and hell down on us. I also went ahead and got this waterproof cover for it because Dallas weather be crazy, y’all.
I hope you have a fabulous weekend, and if you’re local to Dallas, I EXTRA hope you’re stopping by my meet up Saturday at Clifton Club, from 4:30-7:30!
— EGM
Lipstick balm ordered!! V excited!
Looks like I have some shopping to do!