2023 Beauty (and non-beauty) Favorites for 2024

 

Hey Beauty Lovers!

 

It’s been a pretty amazing year for makeup and beauty products.

So today I’m going to share with you which products I LOVED so much in 2023 that I am taking them with me well into 2024.

These products are perfect for gifts for any time of the year for pretty much anyone, especially you!

In no particular order here are some of my favorite beauty (and non-beauty) products right now.

 

You can watch my video review here

NYX: Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Lip Cream

I believe this was my first makeup purchase of 2023.

I was looking for a peachy-nude lipstick for my Shania Twain ‘Man! I Feel Like a Women’ makeup tutorial back in January.

So I headed to Ulta and found NYX Smooth Whip in Kitty Belly. It was just the shade I needed. 

Of course I couldn’t buy just one, so I also purchased the shade ‘Parfait’, a muted red.

Why You'll Love It:

They are long-lasting, have a comfortable matte finish, a light vanilla scent, and come in 24 shades.

Price:

 Retails for $8 each

See NYX Smooth Whip in action in my Shania Twain tutorial 

See my mini review on Instagram 

Clinique: Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream

This year I started noticing tiny little lines around the outer corners of my eyes. 

The likely reason is because I smile big a lot. 

However, I've also spent a lot of time squinting and shaking my head in disbelief recently😆

Regardless, this little jar of eye cream is a miracle worker. 

I just use the tiniest amount on my ring finger and dab it around my eyes at night.

The fine lines I already had are so much lighter and I haven’t noticed any new ones.

It’s a little pricy for a small jar, but because you only need to use a little at a time the half an ounce jar should last you a year.

Why You'll Love It:

Smooth, unscented, doesn't clog pore, and it actually works!

Price:

0.5oz retails for about $50.

Benefit Cosmetics: Fan Fest Fanning and Volumizing Mascara

I received a travel sized Fan Fest in one of my ipsy glam bags. 

It is one incredible mascara! It truly does fan out lashes and gives unreal volume. 

Even if I wear no other eye makeup, this mascara makes my eyes look bigger and more awake (quite an achievement as of late 😅).

Why You'll Love It:

Excellent volume and length, all day stay, and full coverage of lashes.

Price:

A mini  retails for $15, full-size for $28. 

You can check out my mini review on Instagram

Callaway – Strata Women’s 11-Piece Golf Set

If you follow me on Instagram, you are definitely familiar with my love for sports, particularly golf.

I had the opportunity to attend the PGA Championship this spring and absolutely loved it.

So, I started taking golf lessons this fall. I am by no means a natural or athletically talented in any way, but it’s a lot of fun.

Naturally if you are going to take golf lessons, you will need golf clubs. 

I got this set from Strata by Callaway. It’s a starter set for beginners, but it is serving me super well and is excellent quality. And it's pink! 🏌

Why You'll Love It:

If you are looking to buy golf clubs you likely already love golf and this set will give a great start.

Price:

Retails at $399. 

But try your local independent golf shop first. Sometimes you can get a better deal and you'll definitely get more personal customer service.

Tarte: Shape Tape™ Concealer

I used a mini of this concealer before 2023, but I really got more use out of a full size this year.

The original Shape Tape is just a phenomenal concealer. 

It doesn’t sink into fine lines, it doesn't streak or run, and it lasts for 12+ hours. 

It has a bit of fragrance to it which I don’t love but it dissipates quickly.

If you're familiar with my tutorials you already know I use this concealer often.

My shade is N12 Fair Neutral

Why You'll Love It:

Full coverage but with a natural finish, smooth application, and little goes a long way.

Price:

Travel-size retails for $14, full-size $31. 

Colourpop: Lippie Stix

I wanted a really true red lipstick to create some fall lipstick trends and I didn’t have to look any further than Colourpop’s Lippie Stix. 

This lipstick is a bright, vivid red with a matte finish. 

It lasts for hours without any need to reapply. It doesn’t feather or fade. 

It can be a tad drying, but a clear lip balm under it will fix that. 

Why You'll Love It:

Glides on smooth, saturates lips in true red color, and won't budge.

Price:

Retails at $8.

Check out Colourpop's Lippie Stix at its finest in my 3 Lipstick Trends Tutorial

NYX: Jumbo Multi-Use Face Highlighter Sticks

One of the most fun products I used this fall. 

These highlighter sticks are so versatile! 

You can use them as an eyeshadow, highlighter, blush, bronzer, contour, or lip color. 

The possibilities are endless.

They are soft and blendable with a dewy pearl finish and are perfect for travelling.

They come in six different shades.

I bought the shades Lemon Meringue, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Blueberry Muffin.

Why You'll Love It:

Multi-use, gorgeous finishes, lasting and smooth.

Price:

 Retails at $8 each.

.You can read my full review here

Too Faced Italian Spritz Eyeshadow Palette

I bought this palette toward the end of spring and have gotten so much use out of it.

The bright, fun colors are so beautiful and so soft and easy to blend.

This palette transitioned beautifully into fall where bright pops of color were a major trend.

Why You'll Love It:

Smooth like butter shadows, multiple finishes from shimmer to matte, and ridiculously long lasting.

Price:

Retails at $54

You can check out my full review and tutorial here

WEAR by Erin Andrews: Buffalo Bills Women's Half-Zip Jacket – Royal

My favorite sports commentator is Erin Andrews. She's awesome and she has my dream job.

So when I heard she started her own line of sports apparel that was more fitted in design for fans who don't necessarily want to be swimming in a giant guys' size jersey, but still want to show their team spirit, I was sold! 

There are a variety of  teams from the NFL, NHL, MLB, and more to choose from.

My football team is the Buffalo Bills.

Unfortunately, they are not having the ideal season, but I still love them! 💙💖

When I saw this Bills jacket I was hooked!

It is so soft and comfortable to WEAR.

It's fitted enough, but also has enough flexibility to give me range of motion when practicing golf.

It's also warm, so those sunny 35 degree NY days are still perfect golf weather.

I could wear this jacket everyWEAR!

Why You'll Love It:

Comfortable, fitted, shows off LOVE for your team!

Price:

Retail $75, but on sale right now for $49!

P.S. The next WEAR product I want is Buffalo Bills WEAR by Erin Andrews x Baublebar Stack Bracelet 😁

Too Faced: Maple Syrup Pancakes Eyeshadow Palette

If you haven't figured it out yet: I'm a sucker for an eyeshadow palette.

And when I saw this Maple Syrup one I was drooling over the shades.

The shimmers, the metallics, the mattes all super pigmented and skillfully curated to compliment each other for an endless array of eyeshadow looks.

Why You'll Love It:

Buildable and blendable, nearly 18-hours of wear without creasing, and a beautiful shade range. 

Price:

Retails at $54

You can see my full tutorial & review here

Tarte: Maneater Nightfall Eyeshadow Palette

This is the ultimate eyeshadow palette.

There are 24 different eyeshadows with varying finishes and shades.

There are more neutral and subtle shadows and there are more dramatic and intense ones.

Along with a large mirror, this palette is honestly the perfect travel palette.

You will have everything you need no matter what mood you are in.

Why You'll Love It:

Wide shade and finish range, extra long lasting, easy to apply with a brush or fingertip.

Price:

Retails at $52

You can catch my full review here

All the products I mentioned:

NYX: Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Lip Cream in Kitty Belly and Parfait

Clinique: Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream

Benefit Cosmetics: Fan Fest Mascara

Callaway – Strata Women’s 11-Piece Golf Set

Tarte: Double Duty Beauty™ Shape Tape™ Concealer in N12 Fair Neutral

Colourpop: Lippie Stix in Trust Me

NYX: Jumbo Multi-Use Face Stick in Lemon Meringue, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Blueberry Muffin

Too Faced Italian Spritz Eyeshadow Palette

WEAR by Erin Andrews: Buffalo Bills Women's Half-Zip Jacket – Royal

Too Faced: Maple Syrup Pancakes Eyeshadow Palette

Tarte: Maneater Nightfall Eyeshadow Palette

Those are some of the beauty (and non beauty) products that I loved this year and will continue loving through 2024.

What beauty products did you love this year?

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you found this post informative and entertaining.

Don't forget to subscribe before you leave 📬

Thanks again! I'll see you soon!

XOXO

Ultima Beauty 

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Metallic Eyeshadow | Fall 2023 Makeup Trend | Tutorial

 Hey Makeup Lovers!

 

We are swiftly moving through November (I feel like it just started). And this is the time of year for sparkling colors and fun beauty looks. ✨✨

So, I have one more fall makeup trend to share with you, and this one will transition perfectly into winter. 

It is metallic eyes!

 Metal/metallic eyeshadow was a major player at Fashion Week and incorporated in many different ways.

From subtle metallic shadow on the inner eyelids to bold metallic pieces attached to the face like a mosaic, metals were all over.

 

You can watch my video tutorial here

 What is Metallic Eyeshadow? (Is it just shimmer eyeshadow?)

Metallic eyeshadows are unique. 

Most of them have a shiny, metal-like shine blended right into the color itself.

They differ from shimmer eyeshadows in that shimmers typically have glitter pieces added to them that sit on top of the shadow, metallic eyeshadows don’t have glitter added to them, they have a smooth foil like finish.

Metallic eyeshadow can give you smooth, wet-like, or foil inspired effect. They are more reflective than glittery. But they can give an unparalleled shine that is absolutely stunning. 

What’s the Best Way to Apply Metallic Eyeshadow?

Most of the metallic eyeshadows around are a powder formula, particularly pressed.

There are some liquid and cream metallics (see the middle of my tutorial) but these are typically harder to achieve a long-lasting full lid look.

 My advice is based off of powder formula metallic shadows.

 

There are basically two ways to apply metallics:

1. Use an eyeshadow brush.

2. Use your fingertips.

My preferred method of applying metallic eyeshadow is with my index finger. 

Fingertips pick up the beautiful shiny pigments so well. A gentle press and sweep across the eyelids gives you that gorgeous foil-like shine. It also gives a more intense color payoff than a brush.

Eyeshadow brushes are a perfectly acceptable method of applying metallics.

It will give you a little less intense metal look and a more of a blended effect.

This will still give you a very pretty metallic eyeshadow appearance, and may be a better method if you prefer a little less intense metal finish.

How Do I Do a Metallic Eyeshadow Look?

Excellent question. And I have a metallic eyeshadow tutorial for you right here (don'tcha love me?)

 You can also watch my metallic eyeshadow video tutorial here

1. Walnut Brown Eyeshadow in Crease: Start by tracing a matte brown eyeshadow all the way through the crease of your eye. Use a blending brush to soften any harsh lines you get.

This will create a nice framework for our metallic eyeshadow.

2. Metallic Burgundy Eyeshadow: Now for the main attraction. Pick out your metallic eyeshadow (I went with a pressed powder in a claret/burgundy shade). 

Next rub your index finger into the metallic eyeshadow and with a gentle press on the lid, sweep it across your eye.

Depending on the color intensity you want you may need to repeat this step until you get the desired shade and metallic finish. 

3. Brow Highlight & Liners: Take a pearly off-white eyeshadow and dust it through the brow bone. You may need to blend the seams of the brow shadow and crease shadow.

Add a black liquid liner and trace that across the top lash line, winging it out just a tad at the end.

Then use a black pencil liner and run it along the lower water line of your eye.

These will just help define the metallic eyeshadow.

4. Hickory Brown Shadow, Liquid Metallic Shadow & Mascara: With a matte deep brown eyeshadow line the lower lash line to add more depth to the eye.

Next, take a liquid metallic eyeshadow on a small eyeliner brush and paint it onto the inner corners of your eyes for an intense metallic effect.

Use a black mascara on the top and bottom lashes for some volume.

5. Concealer, Cream Contour & Highlight: Use a concealer in a shade that matches your skin tone to clean up any fallout under the eyes.

With a cream contour shade just lightly define under the cheek bones and blend with your fingertips.

Take a cream highlighter and work that into the tops of your cheek bones for a subtle glow.

6. Neutral Blush & Magenta Lipstick: With a neutral blush (with finely milled shimmer) dust that onto the apples of the cheeks.

Finish things off with a plumy-magenta lipstick with a satin finish to contrast the metallic eyes.

And we have...

Our finished metallic eyeshadow look!

The two different metallic shadows (liquid and powder) give this metallic eyeshadow look some extra dimension and shine.

And black mascara nicely contrasts with the eyeshadow color and finish.

 With such a strong eyeshadow I opted to keep the rest of the face a bit more subdued with a mild contour, highlight, and blush. And then a fresh pop of plumy pink lipstick on the lips.

The products I used to create this metallic eyeshadow look:

Too Faced: Eyeshadow in Short Stack

Vasanti: Contour Eyeshadow Brush 4

Luxie Beauty: Rose Gold Medium Angled Shading Eye Brush 207

Too Faced: Eyeshadow in Serve Hot

Too Faced: Eyeshadow in Powdered Sugar

Costal Scents: Ipsy Pearl Limited Edition Precision Pencil Brush

Trifle Cosmetics: Lava Liner in Molasses

Beautique: Defining Eye Pencil in Black

Too Faced: Eyeshadow in Haute Cakes

Luxie Beauty: Rose Gold Flat Definer Brush 221

Eyeko: Galactic Lid Gloss in Zodiac

Tarte: big ego™ mascara in Black

Maybelline: Fit Me Concealer in Ivory

NYX: Wonder Stick in Light

Lottie London: Ombré Blush in Serene

Slmissglam: Rose Gold Blusher Brush

MAC: Satin Lipstick in Rebel 

Again, you can see my metallic eyeshadow tutorial video here

And now you have a fun metallic eyeshadow tutorial up your sleeve for any time you are invited to a party, a night out, or just want to have seriously pretty eyelids!🎇

Thank you so, so much for reading.

If you enjoyed this eyeshadow tutorial you will also like my smoky eyeshadow tutorial.

And don't forget to subscribe for even more tutorials and reviews!

Thanks again for reading!

Until next time,

XOXO

Ultima Beauty 

Want more makeup fun between blog posts? Check out my social media pages!

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ILIA Beauty | Limitless Lash Mascara & Multi-Stick | Review

 

Hey Beauties!

Here we are almost mid-November and the days are getting shorter, and shorter (thanks "daylight savings"). 

But that also means it's time for more get togethers and the need for new party makeup.

 As it is getting cooler outside are you looking for that perfect winter flush?

Or some seriously dramatic lashes without the stress of applying false lashes?

 The review I have for you today is of two products that will solve all of your winter party makeup woes. ❆

It’s time to talk about ILIA Beauty’s Limitless Lash Mascara & Multi-Stick!

You can watch my video review here

If you’re a Sephora Beauty Insider (all you need is an email address to sign up) you probably are already familiar with the options they give you as a free gift with purchase during your birth month.

 One of those options for 2023 is this duo from ILIA Beauty. 

Obviously, this is the one I chose. And I have no regrets!

I'd heard of ILIA Beauty in the past, but I had never used any of their products. 

I don’t know what I was waiting for because if the rest of them are as spectacular as these two, I’m already hooked!

A clean beauty brand that centers around good-for-your-skin ingredients, ILIA has been on the beauty scene since 2011. 

ILIA’s creator, Sasha Palvsic, has an inspiring story behind the journey that led her to create the clean beauty brand that is now becoming a household name. You can check it out on ILIA’s website. 

Now onto the mascara and multi-stick review!

You can see my video review and mini tutorial here

Limitless Lash Mascara in After Midnight

Product: Mascara

Name of Shade: After Midnight

Color: Black

Waterproof: No

Formula: Volumizing and Lengthening

Wand Shape: Straight

Lasts for: 12-15 Hours

Smudges/Flakes: No/No 

Pros: Super saturated black mascara formula that looks killer on lashes.

The wand is perfect; the one side has shorter bristles that build volume and adds curl while grabbing every little lash. The other side of the wand has longer bristles that comb through lashes giving length and separation.

It lasts all day without any flaking, smudging or running, however it can be removed with water.

Clean ingredients and cruelty free.

Cons: It's not waterproof, but it does stay put as long as your lashes aren't significantly saturated with water. It's not cry-proof (don't ask), but it last through warm weather and humidity.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5)

Would I Purchase a Full Size: Yes

Final Thoughts: Multiple lash effects in one mascara, extremely long-lasting with 99% naturally derived ingredients makes this one incredible mascara.

Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint in At Last

Product: Multi-Stick

Name of Shade: At Last

Color: Rosy Mauve

Finish: Natural

Formula: Cream

Smudges/Streaks/Runs: No/No/No

Blendable: Yes

Lasts for: Approximately 12 Hours

Pros: Can be used as a blush, lipstick, or highlighter. Comes in a twist up tube for easy application.

Soft, blendable texture that glides onto skin smooth for the perfect pop of color.

As a blush it gives a gorgeous natural flush.

As a lipstick it gives a beautiful hint of color to lips.

Buildable coverage the melts into skin and lets you decide if you want a subtle hit of color or a stronger shade.

Great for on-the-go application.

Lasts all day and even when it does start to fade it leaves the prettiest tint of color.

Cons: None.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5)

Would I Purchase a Full Size: Yes

Final Thoughts: Creamy, buildable multi-stick that has so many uses. It comes in 12 different shades, lasts for hours, and leaves a naturally glowing finish. 

Here is one of the looks you can create using ILIA's Mascara & Multi-Stick:

A really natural flush and lip tint perfect for finishing off a dramatic look or for an all over neutral makeup appearance.

The Limitless Lash mascara gives lashes total coverage and the inky black piment increases the intensity whether your wearing a full-on makeup look or just the mascara on its own.

Here is another makeup look I created using ILIA's mascara and multi-stick

Super lashes and a lovely flush.

You can read about the rest of this look here

That is my review of ILIA Beauty's Limitless Lash Mascara & Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint.

Really excellent products that are made from clean ingredients. 

My video tutorial & review

Thank you so much for reading!

If you're interested in beauty reviews and tutorials subscribe so you won't miss a post 📪

I'll see you next time😊,

XOXO

Ultima Beauty

Want more makeup fun between blog posts? Check out my social media pages!

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