beautyblender Makeup Primers Roundup

I’ve been trying out these amazing makeup primers from beautyblender for a few weeks now and here’s a quick roundup of each of them.

Opal Essence Serum Primer ($32; sephora.com) is a dewy makeup base for anyone wanting a smooth, even canvas for makeup with a touch of dewiness in a lightweight formula. The consistency is like that of a thicker gel primer with a bit of an iridescence to it. It is sheer to the touch and doesn’t feel greasy or tacky.

Selfie Shield Dry Oil Primer with SPF 38 ($32; sephora.com) is a dry oil primer that has a shiny finish but is perfect for dry skin types like mine or even if you have a bit of dry patches here and there. It adds a gorgeous glow to my makeup that shows through my foundation and doesn’t make foundation slide off, despite the slightly shiny finish. It gives off the same finish as mixing a few drops of oil to your foundation.

The Leveler Pore Minimizing Primer ($32; sephora.com) comes in two shades Light-Medium and Tan-Deep. Tan-Deep is a touch dark for my skintone, but Light-Medium is great even on its own to even out the complexion and add a slightly matte finish without adding too much coverage. It also helps minimize pores to an extent and is perfect to layer under matte foundations. If you have dry skin, a good, preferably rich moisturizer underneath is something I’d recommend.

*Press Samples

Algenist Hydrating Essence Toner

The Algenist Hydrating Essence Toner ($25; sephora.com) is an alcohol and oil-free toner that is great for combination-normal skin. This one features alguronic acid and chamomile to soothe and calm skin. I would call this more of a balancing toner than hydrating and a good one for someone like me in the summer since my skin leans more towards the dry-combination side. However, I did need a good moisturizer afterwards, since it did leave a few places feeling slightly dry. Its a good balancing toner if you don’t have very dry or very oily skin and want something to keep pores clean.

*Press Sample

Under $15 Hair & Bodycare Buys To Try!

A few under $15 budget hair and body care picks that I'm currently loving!

A couple of awesome body washes from Soap & Glory -  the Clean On Me Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel ($10; ulta.com) and the Shower Ranger Cooling Body Wash ($9; ulta.com), both of which smell amazing and cleanse without stripping. If you are looking for an everyday body wash, this is something that is good to try. They are both sulfate-based cleansers, but not too drying.

The Renpure Coconut & Vitamin E Body Wash ($6.99; target.com) is another great body wash to try that is plant based, sulfate and paraben free. I love this one as it is very gentle, pleasantly fragranced and surprisingly foamy. 

The Avalon Organics Smooth Shine Apple Cider Vinegar Finishing Rinse ($11.69; Whole Foods) is to be used as the last step of your hair wash, after shampoo and conditioner and adds shine and body to lackluster hair. The scent isn't my favorite, but it washes off and does't linger and I like to use it once a week.

The Grace Goat Milk Soap ($6.50; Duchess Of Soapshire on Etsy) by Duchess Of Soapshire  is a very gentle, goat milk soap. Its a great everyday soap for the face and body, doesn’t have a strong scent and cleanses beautifully without stripping. It will also be a good one to try in the upcoming colder months ahead.

Renpure’s Whipped Coconut and Peony Shampoo and Conditioner ($6.99; target.com) is a great, gentle, sulfate free, plant based haircare range that is formulated for wavy and curly hair. It helps define my waves better and controls frizz to an extent. There is a strong, incense like scent to these two and the product itself is great if you have wavy/curly hair and want something that moisturizes and adds shine.

*Press Samples