Makeup Reviews from an Ulta Employee
- Isabella Kinney
- Dec 9, 2020
- 6 min read
Earlier this week I added a poll on Instagram asking what I should do my next blog on and it was neck and neck. It was either makeup reviews or my favorite denim and makeup reviews won by 1 extra vote!
Here is how I will break down this post: I will start from the base (primers), foundations, concealers, contour/bronzer, blush, setting powder, eyeliner, mascara, and setting spray! Phew, that seems like a lot! But I will give you guys my top 2-3 favorite products for each category and at least 1 product I hate from each category. So let's get into my reviews! (Just an FYI, I have been working at Ulta for a little bit over a year but this does not mean I am a professional. Trust me I am far from it!)
PRIMER
e.l.f. Jelly Pop Dew Primer
This is a great drug store primer if you want something that is somewhat tacky and will grip onto your face and foundation. ($10)
Tatcha Water Cream
This is luxurious AF and pricey AF! But it is very moisturizing on the skin and leaves your makeup seamless and never cakey. ($68)
Too Faced Hangover Rx
This is my absolute FAV! Very silky on the skin and will leave your face refreshed. ($35)
Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer
is a close second to the Too Faced one has a silky/milky texture. It's a primer and moisturizer in one and will leave your face looking radiant. ($42)
I honestly do not have a primer that I hate, I never even used primers until I started working at Ulta so I have not tried any bad ones so far!
FOUNDATION
Becca Skin Love
This one has been one of my favorite foundations for YEARS! I wore it to my mom's wedding and it photographed very well. Can be a little heavy for some but this is my go-to foundation! ($22 ON SALE. $44)
L'oreal Infalliable 24H Fresh Wear
This is a good drug store foundation will give you a dewy finish and does last, but I really would not recommend wearing it for 24 hours because you're skin will want to kill you! ($14)
Anastasia Luminous Foundation
This is also very dewy and not heavy at all on the face. Has buildable coverage but more on the medium-full side. ($38)
Okay, I have tried a few foundations so I defiantly have some that I would turn away from/hate.
Not a fav, just lame:
WetnWild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation
NOT dewy and clings on to any dry patch you might have on the skin. The applicator is literally a flat plastic spoon that you glide on your face is just GROSS. A lot of people liked it and compared it to the NARS foundations but no ma'am.
CONCEALER
Colourpop Pretty Fresh
FAV Concealer! It has hyaluronic acid in it so it's very hydrating and creamy. It has medium coverage that is very buildable and helps covers and brightens! Literally, anything from Colourpop is always good! ($9)
Too Faced Born Thus Way Concealer
Another great concealer with great coverage. The formula is medium-full coverage and blends into your skin and foundation very smoothly. I use this all over the face for a natural look if I do not feel like putting on foundation. ($30)
Not a fav, just lame:
I might get hate for this one but...
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
I LOVED this concealer for the longest time and so do a lot of people. But let's be real this one is DRYING as hell. It has great coverage can literally hide darkness, redness, and any lies! But it is very fragrant and thick. ($27)
BLUSH/CONTOUR
MORPHE 8W WARM MASTER BLUSH PALETTE
This is a great palette if you can never decide on a blush they have great neutral colors as well as pops of pinks and some shimmers. You can never go wrong with this palette and it's probably my go-to. ($22)
Milani Baked Blush
Okay, I finally joined the hype for this blush. I have heard great things about this for YEARS and finally gave it a shot and it does not disappoint. The shade Luminoso is pretty close to the Orgasm blush from NARS. ($9.49)
Milani Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush
For my dewy queens or kings, this is a blush for you! Super subtle and gives you a nice fresh/radiant look. My only critique is that sometimes it can separate from your foundation which is not fun.
WetnWild Megaglo Contour Stick
Holt sh*t, this one is one of my favorite products ever!!! This little thing is always sold out of Target and Ulta and the one place I found it was at a Dollar General in Joshua Tree. This is amazing and if you want a subtle contour you can apply it under your foundation but if you want a more prominent one you can apply it on top of your foundation. It applies very smoothly and blends like a DREAM. ($4.49)
NYX Wonder Stick
This is a good contour stick if you are just starting to use contour. It is very simple and blends really well into the skin and will not give you a harsh line. My mom was the one who showed it to me and I'm pretty sure I stole hers. It also has a highlight to it but it's not the best just crappy shimmer compared to how nice the contour is. ($12)
Not a fav, just lame:
Similar to the primers I have not used that many blushes but there are some I don't really like.
Glossier Cloud Paint
I have a love/hate relationship with this blush it's overpriced and does the same as the Milani Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush. Depending on the way you apply it, it will separate from your foundation REAL QUICK.
SETTING POWDER
Maybelline FIT Me Loose Finishing Powder
This one is a good drug store powder and will not leave the face too cakey. A little goes a long way. It is not as brightening as I would like it to be but it still does a good job! ($7.99)
NYX HD Finishing Powder
This is also a great drug store pressed powder that does the job. It can be a little drying under the eye but defiantly brightens but does not have flashback. It works well with a beauty sponge and a makeup brush. ($10)
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
One of the top-rated powders ever and it DOES NOT disappoint It is defiantly pricey but does such a great job, I have dry under eyes and this has never dried me out. It is so seamless and not cakey at all. If you ever want to splurge I suggest getting this product! ($39)
Not a fav, just lame:
I am very picky with my powders due to the fact that my face is super dry (ugh)! I also like my powders to be light and not cakey on the face or under the eye. Some products that don't really measure to the ones listed above are:
Becca Hydra Mist Loose Powder
This powder was good at first but it started to cling onto any dry patches I might have. It looks super drying on the skin and doesn't really brighten under the eye.
EYELINER/MASCARA
Stila Stay All Day Eye Liner
One of my favorite liners!! I suck at putting eyeliner on but the felt tip is very precise. It stays on and pigmented. You could never go wrong with this liner. ($22)
KVD Tattoo Liner
This has been my go-to liner for the last couple of months! I cant decided if I like it more than Stila but it does a good job. I am not a fan of the actual owner but I believe she has stepped down from the business. ($21)
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
My favorite drug store mascaras EVER! I hate waterproof mascara but even their waterproof version is good. It gives you volume to your lashes while lengthening them. 10000/10 ($9.99)
Essence Lash Princess
OMG ballin' on a budget? Get this mascara ASAP! So cost-friendly and will really give your lashes a difference. It makes them longer and separates the lashes so you won't have 'spider lashes'. This is tied for first place with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. ($4.99)
Thrive Liquid Lash Extensions
This mascara is a great lengthening mascara! If you have ever seen Facebooks Ads of this mascara you can see that it gives you 10x times the length, trust me it's FAKE. But it does a really good job but not as good as the ads. ($24)
SETTING SPRAY
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
This is a staple setting spray and always holds the makeup! The one thing I noticed is when you get towards the end I can smell alcohol in the bottle which can be pretty drying on the face. But don't get me wrong this setting spray will hold up ALL NIGHT. ($33)
MORPHE Continuous Setting Mist
My FAVORITE setting spray!! It is literally a mist that holds your makeup so well. Have you ever been to Vegas and go through the misters they have outside? It is literally like that! Please go out and grab this! ($16)
Not a fav, just lame:
Too Faced Hangover Rx Setting Spray
Unlike their primer the setting spray SUCKS! I was super excited to try it out due to the fact that I love the primer so much but this was just disappointing.
Whew, that was a lot! But I hope you guys enjoyed my makeup reviews/favorites! I added quite a lot of products but I think it is fun to see different products at different prices. Makeup can be very expensive trust me, you should see my bank account but if you can find makeup that is at a reasonable price but still acts high end why not purchase?
- ciao!
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