My April Go-To Beauty Products

ByCordelia

My April Go-To Beauty Products

Today I thought I’d share my April go-to beauty products. Some of these you might be familiar with, some might be new to you.

My April Go-To Beauty Products

Paula’s Choice RESIST Hyaluronic Acid Booster (vegan)
Don’t be afraid because acid is in the name. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best skincare ingredients to help plump the skin and fine lines. I’ve been trying this out and I like the texture. It’s a liquid gel formula that can be applied under a moisturizer or mixed into a moisturizer.

Mineral Fusion SPF 40 Facial Moisturizer (vegan)
I was finally able to buy another tube of this stuff and have been using it during the day. It moisturizes nicely as well as protects me from the sun. With the weather being hotter and more humid, I do have to blot about 15-20 minutes after application to remove excess oil from my face.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment
I started using this after I washed my hair and it really does soften, add shine and volume. I love it. I like to use it when I braid my hair, too, so that when I take the braids out it gives me waves.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne
I put this on multiple times a day if I’m not wearing lipstick. It’s the last thing I put on before I go to bed. I put it on after breakfast. I put it on before I go to the gym.

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops in N10 (vegan)
I’ve been mixing Custom Cover Drops with other skincare products and foundations experimenting so that I can put together another video to show you more custom mixings.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral (vegan)
This has been the concealer I’ve reached for  more than any other lately because it’s light texture is easy to work with under my eyes, which are still very sensitive. See swatches here.

Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Score
This peachy-pink has been perfect for my low key daily looks on my ultra pale skin. Now available at Urban Decay’s website! I think these blushes are amazing and can’t be missed! See me wearing all the blushes here.

NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder
I use this to set my concealer and blur imperfections in my skin. I love it and I’ve been using it for 2 years and repurchased it as I feel it’s money well spent. See my review.

Notoriously Morbid Osteomancy (vegan)
I love my silvery white glow from this highlighter. Can’t be beat!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Granite
While I love love love Senna Cosmetics Mink, I need something cooler toned with my hair right now and Granite fits the bill.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils (vegan)
When putting on lip color, I reach for OCC Colour Pencils to line my lips first because I love how they feel on my lips and they go with most everything I own. Hoochie, NSFW, & Anime are everything! I wish there was a Technopagan pencil!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipgloss in Savage
When I pair Savage with Hoochie or Anime, the color looks amazing and it’s very moisturizing and comfortable on my lips. See me wearing the UD Revolution glosses here.

Too Faced Melted Metal Lipsticks (vegan)
Dream House and Debutante are the two I’ve worn the most. Dream House looks great with OCC Anime and Debutante works well with OCC Grandma or NARS Anse Soleil. See me wearing them here.

Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil (vegan)
I have a huge 32 oz jar of coconut oil that I use for removing makeup from my eyes, face and lips. It gets almost everything off in one go. It also is moisturizing and non irritating on my skin.

Embryolisse Micellar Lotion
This is the other product that I like to use to remove makeup. I’ve been using this to carefully remove mascara and liner from my eyes, which are super sensitive right now. I feel like my mascara is the worst to get off, and I have to very, very gently brush downwards with a cotton pad to remove my mascara from my lashes.

I’d love to have some eyeshadows to list but I’m still being very careful with my eyes. Thankfully I can play with my lips.

Speaking of lip products, as many of you know I was a huge fan of the LASplash matte liquid lipsticks. I’d bought a ton (almost $200 worth) and then I found out that they may or may not be cruelty free, so I’m really upset because I feel I can’t currently recommend them or wear them. My emails to the company have gone unanswered. It’s really upsetting because originally they said they were cruelty free, then they said they were vegan too. Then they told people they weren’t cruelty free or vegan. Then they said that someone who didn’t know the truth said that and that they are 100% cruelty free and that the liquid lipsticks are vegan. So it’s like the Milani thing all over again. I’m just sickened that I spent so much money on them and that they can’t be bothered to answer my email.

So If you’re looking for matte liquid lipsticks, the only brands I currently recommend are Fyrinnae, Jeffree Star, Aromi and Kat Von D. Ofra’s long wearing liquid lipsticks don’t dry down matte, but they’re great too. I plan on buying a few Anastasia Beverly  Hills to test out so that I can tell you whether or not I recommend them.

Finally, I’m thankfully all caught up with work outside of my blog, but I have a lot of stressful things going on in my personal life right now, so if I’m posting less frequently, that’s why. I’m hoping to have things resolved in a few weeks.

What have you worn the most this month? Let me know!

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

35 Comments

  1. On the Mineral Fusion SPF 40 Facial Moisturizer that you use during the day you said you do have to blot about 15-20 minutes after apicarion to remove excess oil from your face, so after you blot at that time do you not have to the remainder of the day or do you have to continue blotting throughout the day? I do see that you mentioned that this is because of the warmer temperatures, therefore, do you not have to blot during the cooler months?
    I ended up on this post from reading Friday’s post about your Paula’s Choice haul which I am seriously about to purchase products to try. After reading this on the moisturizer I am curious because I hate having to blot/touch up very often throughout the day. If you have a chance I’d love to know. But if you don’t I do understand. Thanks so much.

  2. I’m sorry that some unpleasant things have cropped up for you recently. Hope it all gets better as soon as possible.

  3. So many things to add to my always growing want list but the Cover Drops are most definitely going to be my next purchase.

  4. A few years ago I won a Paula’s Choice set from your blog and I’ve been HOOKED since; I’ve place so many orders and I’ve yet to be disappointed with products, service or shipping. Thank you! I use your site as a reference point for a lot of purchases, reviews & recs….my most recent acquisition has been the Custom Cover Drops. Mixing it with my PC shine free mineral sunscreen makes for an easy morning application so far! The Bite Beauty line is nice but SO overpriced 🙁 How disappointing about LA Splash 🙁 I tried a KVD liquid lipstick but it just felt too heavy and drying on my lips….really look forward to your Anastasia review. Thanks for the post, sorry about the long reply – I’m not much of a commenter but an avid reader! 😀

  6. YES… To Unrefined Organic Virgin Coconut oil… that is my lifesaver for spring and summer and year round when things are just freaking out my sensitive skin. I swear I use it on everything, including to remove my LA Splash liquid lipsticks. I’m so disappointed that they can’t get their ish together Courtney… that drives me insane. I have been using them daily because it allows me to get kisses in to my husband without transfer. I’m so bummed to hear about that… but will keep my ear open from you to see if there are changes.

  7. Whoa! I had no idea that you can use coconut oil to remove make-up! 🙂 Thank you for the awesome tip.

  10. That’s one thing I don’t like w/ brands, total lack of transparency. Boo LA Splash.

  13. Love the Living Proof PHD and I have some TF Melted Metal lipsticks on order–I hope they look as good on me as they do on you!

  14. That totally stinks about the LA Splash. I can’t believe you spent that much money and they won’t even respond. Your list has so many winners and things I want like the UD Concealer and CoverFX drops.

  15. Thank you for the list. I am sorry to hear that you have some personal issues. I hope they are resolved soonish for you. It is SO annoying to purchase products that you think are cruelty free and then to find out that they are not or maybe not. Sounds very dodgy to me. No wonder you are concerned.
    Onto the makeup – I love the UD blush in score as well. It is gorgeous and would so suit you.

    1. Thank you for the kind words Genevieve. I am working to resolve the issues. And I agree! I just want transparency from a company. So happy you love the blush!

  16. I really want to try the Bite Beauty lip masks! They sound absolutely divine, and if it made your favorites/go-tos, that sells it to me, for sure! <3

  18. Excellent list. Thank you so much for noting what is vegan – seriously appreciated! That stinks about LASPlash. So sorry to hear you spent so much on them as well! 🙁 Shame on them for not being totally clear and upfront (such as answering your emails!).

    1. No problem! If I know a product is vegan I always try to mark it as vegan because I know that many of my fans are vegan 🙂

      Yeah the LASplash thing really has me upset. It really feels like the Milani crap all over again.

  19. Great list! I am strongly considering getting the CoverFX Drops at the Sephora event. I was ticked off that they weren’t in the store when I went to check them out 10 days ago. I hope they’ll be in the store so I can do a real color match.

    1. If they have the total cover cream by cover fx at Sephora, you can match your shade in that. It will be the same shade in custom cover drops.

      1. Thank, Phyrra! I think it’s the P20 that I need. Since I’ve only seen the CoverFX Drops on your blog and Sheila’s, it would be great to see ’em in person. But if not, I’ll buy them anyway to use the discount 😉

  21. I love IT Cosmetics and they had some brand reps at Ulta giving consultations the other day. My guy was awesome, he showed me how to put on foundation/cc cream with a brush instead of a sponge like I have been using. I get much better coverage this way! So the brush is my new favorite thing: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11061124

    They also had a gift with purchase which was this lovely lip gloss: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6500044

    I’ve worn it every day since I got it, the color (Love) is a great neutral for my skin tone and the gloss isn’t sticky or goopy, it feels like a balm and lasts!

    1. Nice! I go back and forth on whether a brush or makeup sponge is better for me, usually depends on the product. The It Cosmetics brushes are super thick and luxe!

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