It’s been a while since I put together a beauty roundup, so I thought I’d share a few brands and products that I have been loving this winter.
We have a couple of new-to-me skincare brands, a drugstore mascara primer that has single handedly saved the holidays for me, and an easy breezy blush balm.
Recent Beauty Finds
Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes
I had never heard of Goldfaden MD before, so I went in blindly when they generously offered to send me a few of their products. I have been pleasantly surprised by everything they sent so far! My favorite is their Bright Eyes eye cream. I LOVE this eye cream. It’s ultra moisturizing, and it “instantly* depuffs my eye area when I apply it in the mornings. This product comes in a pump which I really appreciate, just feels less germy, you know? You just need one teensy tiny dab for your whole eye area. This is definitely a product I would repurchase.
Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub Exfoliator
Another big win from Goldfaden MD, this exfoliating scrub gently sloughs away dead skin and grime. I was having issues with my dry skin earlier this winter, and no matter what I put on it, I still had some stubborn flaky areas. It turns out all I needed to do was exfoliate! This scrub is gentle enough to use on a daily basis. My skin feels unbelievably soft after I use this. This scrub does leave my sensitive skin a bit red after. So, I just use it at night only (and the redness goes away after a half hour or so). One more thing: I keep and use this scrub in the shower because it can be a little messy if just used in the sink.
Eighth Day Regenerative Serum
This is kind of a crazy product that I find SO interesting. This regenerative serum is formulated with a blend of active ingredients including hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and Eighth Day’s Peptide-Rich Plasma stem technology that targets skin at the molecular level. Developed by Dr. Antony Nakhla, the serum is designed to repair, heal, and renew skin. SInce the formula is so jam packed and potent, Eighth Day claims that this serum can replace every other serum in your skincare cabinet.
Given these lofty claims, the staggering price point, and this serum’s cult-following, I was definitely skeptical going in. BUT, I have been using this serum at night for about six weeks now (paired with just their moisturizer or SkinFood), and I have to say…my skin has never looked better. I feel like my pores look smaller and the fine lines around my eyes are much smoother. And in probably the most important testimony: I am due for Botox in my forehead (my last round wore off months ago) but haven’t been in a huge rush to make my appointment! I will make one eventually, but I’m not, like, clamoring for it, LOL.
This serum is definitely pricey, but it packs a punch and is perfect for someone who doesn’t want to mess around with a multi-step routine. If you’re looking for something powerful to simply pair with moisturizer for day and night, this serum might be worth looking into.
Feel free to use my code RUTH10 for 10% off at checkout!
Merit Flush Blush Balm
This is such a fun product. It’s a blush balm that glides on easily and gives a subtle pop of color and dewy finish. I apply this high up on my cheeks and tip of my nose and blend with my fake beauty blender. I have this product in two shades: “Beverly Hills” (a muted peach) “Stockholm” (a soft, bright pink). Beverly Hills is more subtle and gives just a little glow, and Stockholm really brightens up your face and makes you look “flushed.” These are a great, more affordable alternative for the holy grail blush sticks from Westman Atelier.
Loreal Voluminous Mascara Primer
I have a friend whose eyelashes always look INSANE, and she swears by mascara primer. For some reason, I had it in my head that a primer wouldn’t work with a tubing mascara (you guys know how I feel about my Thrive Mascara), but finally I decided to give it a try. I grabbed this Loreal Voluminous Mascara Primer at Target a few weeks ago and have been SO pleased with the results. The primer, as promised, adds an extra “oomph” of volume on days/nights where I want a fuller lash. It’s perfect because my one complaint with Thrive mascara is that, while extremely lengthening, doesn’t add quite as much volume as I’d like sometimes. Using a primer allows me to still use my favorite mascara but simply amps up the results. I simply apply one coat of this and let it dry for a minute before I apply my Thrive mascara.
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Crème in Fig
This is a very accessible darker nude that is perfect for the girl (me) who isn’t very adventurous with lip color but wants to do something a little more festive during the winter months. The “fig” color is a warm mauve that is perfect for night time. I have been pairing this with the Makeup Forever liner in “anywhere caffeine.”
