My Easy “Pre-Gym” Makeup Routine (so I look alive but not overdone)

Tinted Moisturizer with SPF

For the base of my gym makeup, I love Crunchi’s Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30. A simple base makes my skin look even and more awake, which is my goal. It’s lightweight with just the right amount of coverage. It’s not greasy or drying, either. It contains non-nano mineral zinc oxide which is a super safe form of SPF, along with vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten the skin and minimize the appearance of pores. Of all the tinted moisturizers I’ve tried, this is the best. If I wear any makeup to gym workouts, it’s this.

Use code ADVOCATE20 for 20% off through September. I have a full review of the Crunchi makeup I’ve tried here.

Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream

I always use the Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream in the morning. It’s a multi-tasking product that combines the benefits of both concealer and eye cream. It’s made with hyaluronic acid, which helps with water retention and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. And the pearlized pigment cuts the darkness of under-eye circles so it also has a brightening effect.

Use code TERILYN20 for 20% off your Colleen Rothschild order and read my full Colleen Rothschild review here.

Brow Gel

Brow gel is a non-negotiable for me. I even did my brows when I ran the Boston Marathon years ago. It makes me feel awake even when I’m struggling after a long night with Charles. I have a few different brands in my makeup drawer, but I like the ILIA Brow Gel in the mornings when I’m not doing full makeup, since it’s clear. Read my full ILIA makeup review here.

Lip Balm

The best lip balm I’ve ever used in my life (no, seriously) is the Oliveda Olive Tree Therapy Lip Balm. It lessens the redness around the outside of my lips, which is so nice. I usually put a little bit of foundation around my mouth to cut the redness, but I don’t have to when I use this balm. It’s currently sold out, so join my Oliveda Restocks channel on Instagram, and I’ll let you know when it’s back. It’s worth the wait, I promise.

You can read my full Oliveda skincare review here.

I have my favorite running gear linked in this blog post, and I also have the best Amazon workout picks rounded up in this post if you’re shopping for workout gear.

The post My Easy “Pre-Gym” Makeup Routine (so I look alive but not overdone) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

As a skincare and makeup junkie, there are very few brands I haven’t tried. However, there’s one brand that I was wary of trying for a while: Crunchi. I had heard that their products didn’t apply well or stay on well, and considering I have high standards when it comes to makeup, I wasn’t interested. Yes, I prefer clean and safe products, but they must perform as well as my non-clean makeup. And in my experience with Beautycounter (another clean, non-toxic brand that recently shut down) the makeup didn’t last very long or look very good (with a few exceptions like the foundation and lipsticks).

So when a friend of mine sent me some Crunchi makeup to try a few weeks ago, I was skeptical. It’s rare that a product blows me away, so I’m shocked to admit that there are now a handful of Crunchi products that have made their way into my daily makeup routine. I really like these products. I applied them for the first time on camera in this reel.

In this post, I’ll share some background on Crunchi, including what makes it a clean brand, what kind of products they carry, and how shopping from Crunchi works. I’m also sharing a detailed review of the products I’ve tried and my recommendations for what you should buy and skip.

Let’s jump in.

My Crunchi Makeup Review (what I like and what I don’t)

Is Crunchi Truly Non-Toxic?

Yes! Crunchi is known for being a squeaky-clean beauty brand. They test every ingredient they use, and everything in their products has been validated as “safe” via a 30-step screening process. They have a long list of “banished” ingredients you’ll never find in their products. See the Crunchi banished ingredients listed on their website here. The US doesn’t have a standard definition of “toxin-free” in the beauty industry. Still, Crunchi has defined “toxin-free” this way: It does not contain any ingredients known to cause harm or health hazards, based on available ingredient data and research. Non-toxic makeup is better for you because it reduces the risk of skin irritation, allergies, and long-term health issues. It’s also generally safer for the environment.

Every single Crunchi product is vegan (with one exception- the Hydrogloss Lip Oil contains organic beeswax) and gluten-free. And while almost every ingredient is natural, Crunchi does include a few synthetic ingredients (safety tested, of course) to help with performance, efficacy, and longevity. One of my favorite things about Crunchi is that its products are made here in the USA. Read more about Crunchi’s mission and safety standards on this page.

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff now!

My Crunchi Makeup Review

I haven’t tried any Crunchi skincare, but if and when I do, I’ll report back on that as well. Today, I’m breaking down the best (and worst) Crunchi makeup products, along with my recommendation of buy, maybe buy, or don’t buy. I also have a Crunchi promo code at the bottom of the post, if you decide to buy anything!

Beautifully Flawless Foundation – Maybe Buy

The Beautifully Flawless Foundation makes my skin look really good. It’s a medium to full coverage foundation (more on the full side). I’ve found it challenging to find a non-toxic full-coverage foundation, and this isn’t perfect. I don’t love how it feels on my face for the first 30 minutes after I apply it – it’s heavy until it settles in. I think this is an excellent option if you’re looking for a non-toxic, full-coverage foundation, but I still reach for other foundations in my bag more often.

The main ingredients in this foundation are snow mushroom, organic botanical sunflower and aloe. The Snow mushroom hydrates, smoothes, and plumps the skin, while the sunflower and aloe give you a smooth, buildable texture.

Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30 – Buy

The Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30 is a definite yes. This is my favorite Crunchi product by far, since it’s the perfect tinted moisturizer! Not too much coverage, not too little, not too greasy, not too drying. I’ve tried many different brands (Beautycounter, Ilia, Elta MD, Wonderscreen, Tarte) and I like the Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30 the very best. If you buy just ONE thing to start, get this

It’s hydrating, and the SPF does not dry me out (rare for tinted moisturizers). The coverage is better than the other clean-tinted moisturizers I’ve tried. It also doesn’t have any weird smells, unlike my other favorite tinted moisturizer (Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint, which I’ve also reviewed) and it doesn’t leave my skin looking greasy (like Dime Beauty Wonderscreen, another clean brand I’ve reviewed).

This tinted moisturizer’s SPF is non-nano mineral zinc oxide, a safe form of SPF. It also contains vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten the skin and minimize the appearance of pores. Squalane and hyaluronic acid help hydrate and lock in moisture.

My Alibi® Liquid Concealer – Buy

Definite yes. The My Alibi® Liquid Concealer brightens and covers so well – it even covered my dark circles flawlessly on a particularly hard day, after being up all night with my baby. I love the small packaging too. I’ve been grabbing this over my Tarte concealer (reviewed here) and ILIA concealers. It’s made with a superfruit oil blend, which hydrates, smoothes, and depuffs the under eyes. It also contains snow mushroom, which gives it that smooth texture and helps brighten the area under the eyes.

Cheekmate® Liquid Blush – Buy

Absolute yes. The Cheekmate® Liquid Blush is the second-best Crunchi makeup product I’ve tried (or maybe tied with the concealer!). It’s super pigmented and looks fantastic once you buff it in. If you’re new to liquid blush, however, it may take a bit to get used to. You only need a tiny dot of product and blend it very well with a fluffy brush, since it’s easy to overdo it.

The pigment is made of 100% pure earth pigments that are naturally derived and long-lasting. Plant squalane gives it a smooth, lightweight texture. Snow mushroom and meadowfoam seed oil hydrate and plump the cheeks, and licorice root extract is a natural antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental stressors.

Nutribrow® Eyebrow Pencil – Buy

The Nutribrow® Eyebrow Pencil is another definite yes for me. The color is the best I’ve ever found in a brow pencil and easy to apply. However, it doesn’t have any fancy frills that other brow pencils do (you have to sharpen it yourself, and it doesn’t have a spoolie on the end), but I still find myself using it over my other brow products and just grabbing another spoolie to brush after applying.

This pencil is made with fruit waxes, which keep the brows defined and sculpted.

Everluxe® Lip Crayon – Maybe Buy

The Everluxe® Lip Crayon is a “maybe” for me. I like how it looks and applies, but it has a very weird smell that turns me off. I rarely use it for that reason, but when I do, I love how it looks. This crayon is made with 100% pure earth pigments that are naturally derived and long-lasting and fruit waxes that give it a natural glide.

Hydrogloss® Lip Oil – Maybe Buy

I am not a huge gloss girl in general, but this Hydrogloss Lip Oil applies well and looks nice. It’s not sticky, and I like the shade options. This is more a preference than a true opinion, since I’m not a gloss person.

This gloss is made with organic beeswax which gives it high shine, an organic fruit blend for hydration, and 100% pure earth pigments for natural color.

Highliner® Pencil Eyeliner – Don’t Buy

HARD pass. This Highliner Pencil Eyeliner has a very stiff consistency and is very difficult to use. It required so much effort to apply that it actually irritated my eyes. If you really want a safe eyeliner, I suppose you could use this, but you may need to warm it up under a blow dryer to get it to work. I’d buy Ilia’s Gel Liner instead.

This eyeliner is made with sunflower seed oil for a creamy smooth application (I did not think it was smooth), and fruit waxes for smudge-proof wear.

Shadow Bar® Enchanted Neutrals – Don’t Buy

Hard pass on this, too. I reacted to the Shadow Bar Enchanted Neutrals eyeshadow (which I realize might not be the case for most), but I also don’t like the pigment or staying powder as much as other eyeshadows I have.

These shades are made of 100% pure earth pigments for long-lasting color (these are heavy metal tested) and organic olive and jojoba oils for smooth, buildable texture.

What is Crunchi’s Return Policy?

You can try Crunchi products for 30 days; if you aren’t happy with them, they’ll refund you. Unfortunately, you do have to pay for return shipping.

Where to buy Crunchi makeup?

Crunchi makeup is only sold online and has a direct-sales business model. In this model, someone receives a commission when you buy Crunchi using their link (this is called affiliate marketing). Like a realtor makes a commission when they sell you a house, I’ll make a commission when you buy Crunchi using the links in this post (so thank you!).

Bottom Line

I have been pleasantly surprised by Crunchi’s makeup. It performs better than expected, and I absolutely love the blush, tinted moisturizer, and brow pencil. Don’t forget that you can use the Crunchi Makeup coupon code ADVOCATE20 for 20% off orders when you use my Crunchi link.

The post My Crunchi Makeup Review (what I like and what I don’t) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I started using tubing mascaras because regular mascaras smudged on me, no matter what kind I tried – whether they were from the drugstore or a high-end company.  In this post, I’ll explain why tubing mascara is different from others and a roundup of the best tubing mascaras on the market.

But I’m a bit of a mascara snob, and I don’t think I’ve ever found a mascara that has met every single one of my requirements, and I’ve tried dozens. For years, I struggled to keep my regular mascara from smudging or transferring onto my skin and I couldn’t figure out why. It turns out, I need a water-based mascara instead of an oil based option, which is the difference between tubing mascara vs regular mascara.

10 Best Tubing Mascaras

Tubing mascara is similar to both fiber and curling mascaras in that it works to thicken, lengthen, and curl your lashes, but because the tubing formula actually has polymers instead of fibers that wrap around each individual lash, it doesn’t flake off in your eyes or smudge.

What is Tubing Mascara?

The reason tubing mascara is called “tubing” is because of its unique formula containing polymers that wrap a “tube” around each lash, creating a very even coat. Celebrity makeup artist Gilbert Soliz explains tubing mascara as, “liquid lash extensions.” Regular mascaras require multiple coats, which tend to weigh down your lashes (and also tends to clump if you’re not super patient with application!) so it can also be hard to get a wide-eyed look, given the weight.

Since the tubes from tubing mascara grab each lash and lifts, it creates a lengthening, wide-eyed effect. Tubing mascaras are also more rubbery, so they don’t smudge, hold amazing curl, and are long-wearing.  This might make you think that tubing mascara would be difficult to remove at the end of the day, but the opposite is actually true.

Most tubing mascaras are actually water-soluble, which means they come off with just a little bit of warm water, and gentle pressure. (I use warm water and a washcloth to gently wipe mine off at the same time I remove my makeup with this cleansing balm.) As you wipe away the mascara, you are wiping away the “tubes,” which fall away easily without leaving a runny black trail of mascara on your sink (actually VERY satisfying).

Since traditional mascara is oil-soluble, they require a true eye makeup remover for removal.

They also smudge more easily if you have oily eyelids (which is my issue!). Tubing mascaras are great for people with sensitive skin and eyes, oily lids, or allergy-prone eyes because the tubes do not smear or run on your skin or in your eyes after they’ve set (moi!).

Okay, now that we have some background, let’s chat about various brands of tubing mascaras. Here are the most popular tubing mascaras on the market, including my favorite.

My Top Pick: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

My #1 pick is the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara. This mascara is made with moisturizing castor oil, conditioning shea butter and carnauba wax that volumizes and lengthens. It’s cruelty-free and vegan (love that) and the best part…it doesn’t need very many coats to lengthen your lashes (even though I like a bold look and use 3, and I often use this Tarte Opening Act lash primer with mascara). It also never clumps.

This one is my personal favorite because the ingredients are actually good for your lashes and it just looks GOOD.  It’s lightweight and keeps lashes looking natural. I use it almost exclusively now. The wand is also easy to use and applies without clumping, and the formula is neither too wet, nor too dry like others I’ve tried. Tarte did recently release an XL version of this mascara that gives an even bolder look, and I love that one too. I outlined that specific mascara below in this post.

Trish McEvoy High Volume Tubular Mascara Jet Black

This Trish McEvoy High Volume Tubular Mascara is polymer-based mascara, which is water-resistent throughout the day, yet slides off with just warm water when you’re ready to remove it. It’s free of phthalates, sulfates, and gluten, and it is also vegan.  To use this mascara, just start at the base and wiggle the wand in a zigzag motion.  This mascara is popular for many, but for me, it didn’t give me enough volume. If you like a more natural lash look, this a good choice.

Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Curling Clean Mascara

If you’re looking for a great mascara wand – look no further than the Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Curling Clean Mascara. It’s flexible and made with three different types of bands that lengthen and define each lash.  The formula is “clean,” cruelty-free and vegan and uses Aquaflex Technology, which is usually used in hairstyling. This technology defines curled hair (or lashes) and gives lasting curl and definition all day.

The vitamin B5 and castor oil help to keep lashes soft, moisturized, and stronger. This is an Allure Best of Beauty winner, so it comes highly recommended. Also, not necessarily important, but the branding is SO cute. It’s on my list to try! If you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

The Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extension Mascara is my second favorite tubing mascara, and I used it for years before trying the Tarte mascara above. Made with shea butter and castor seed oil, this product is 100% vegan and cruelty free and is available in three different colors.

It’s great for sensitive eyes (made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrance) and safe for contact lens wearers, it’s even tested and approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists.

If you’re one to leave your mascara on overnight sometimes, this mascara won’t leave your eyes irritated the next day. For me, it was too wet for the first few weeks that I used it, making it difficult to build and it also dried out quickly and got clumpy. I felt like it only had a few weeks where the formula was perfect, but I did like it until I found a better option.

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara is great if you want defined lashes because it has a smudge-proof, carbon-black formula. The petite brush has bristles that are dense and short so they are able to grip every lash, making this formula especially great for lower lashes. Makeup artist Lavonne claims this mascara is an “industry pro standard.”

Because MAC works to lift, coat and separate, however, it isn’t as successful in adding a lot of volume. The formula is just a little too thin.

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara

If you want very long lashes, this Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara is a great option. Using film-forming technology, this mascara adds length, lift and definition.  It is vegan and cruelty free. When using, you just want to pull the brush out straight from root to tip.

I do like this but just wasn’t as impressed as I was with Tarte. I felt like the wand was too flimsy, which made it difficult to get the right pressure to apply and lift.

Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara

Tarte recently launched the updated version of the Tartelette Tubing Mascara: XL tubing mascara. I love this mascara because it has all of the same qualities as the original but with more length and volume. It lasts for 24 hours without flaking (why you’d want it to last that long is beyond me, though!). The tubing XL peptide blend gives extra length, lift, and pigment. If you’re choosing between the original and this, you just have to decide if you like a super bold lash (this one) or if you prefer a more subdued, natural looking lash (original).

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

With a “rich pitch black” color and volumizing formula, this Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara is a favorite for many. The tiny bristles grip your lashes and intensify the volume. Jojoba oil then works to keep your lashes soft and shiny.

The only negative is that this mascara creates gummy-like tubes, making it more difficult to remove. The product can dry out in the tube rather quickly, as well.

Caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara

If you’re looking for a mascara to really curl your lashes, this Caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara is for you. The bristles have wavy brush fibers that allow you to coat and curl every lash. For extra curl, apply starting from the base of your lashes and working your way up. The application AND removal is smooth and easy. I personally haven’t tried this mascara, but reviews say it provides medium volume that’s not feathery.

Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Mascara

Inexpensive ($5 on Amazon!), yet effective, this Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Mascara helps your lashes look thicker, more defined, and longer. It doesn’t flake or smudge and takes just a single coat for application. It does apply wet, though, so it can take a little more time to dry than most.

Bottom Line

If you have the same smudging issues as me, tubing mascara is your answer. It’s been such a game-changer for me, and I absolutely love how easy it is to remove. In fact, when I use a regular mascara (for a special occasion when I want a ton of impact), I’m always annoyed that it smudges after a few hours and then always groan and complain when I have to take it off since it feels like SO MUCH WORK.

If you’re choosing one to try first, I recommend the Tarte Tartelette Mascara (I have a detailed review of the Tartelette mascara linked here). It’s my all time favorite at a great price, and I have a coupon code for you to use ;). If you order directly from Tarte, use code terilyn15 for 15% off your order.

If there’s a tubing mascara that’s not included in this post that I need to try, let me know in the comments!!

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The post 10 Best Tubing Mascaras (and what makes them different) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I’m always on the hunt for high-performing products to add to my rotation (and I prefer brands that are clean and safe!). When it comes to foundation, I look for a formula that evens out my skin tone, has staying power, and doesn’t dry out my already dry, aging skin.

I’ve always had dry skin, and as I’ve gotten older, it’s continued to become more and more dry. As we age, it becomes increasingly important not to use products that are too drying because foundation can settle into fine lines, making signs of aging more pronounced. Additionally, a foundation that’s too drying for your skin type can create cakiness and look unnatural. The goal is to find that second-skin feel while providing the coverage you’re looking for. 

So today, I’m sharing my favorite lightweight foundations for mature skin. If you want to see how many of these look when they’re applied, you can see them in this YouTube video about my favorite foundations. It’s embedded below as well.

The Best Lightweight Foundations for Mature Skin

There are so many great options on the market that narrowing them down to one option can feel overwhelming..

I’ve broken it down a bit to help you find the best one for your personal makeup preferences and desired finish. 

Best Lightweight Foundations

• Best Oil Free: Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation
• Best Dewy Finish: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow Tint
• Best Skin Care–Makeup Hybrid: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint 
• Best Natural Finish: ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation
• Best Stick Foundation: ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
• My Top Picks: For a natural finish, The ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion stick is my favorite. For a glowy finish, I’d pick the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow.

1. Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation

The Future Skin Gel Foundation may sound like it’s designed for oily skin since it’s oil-free, but it’s actually a great option for dry skin.It’s thicker than you might expect but it blends easily.This clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and oil-free formula is also incredibly hydrating, so it’s also a great option for winter months when skin is even dryer.  

It’s on the pricier side, but you don’t need much of this product, so it will last you a while. The one thing I don’t like is that it comes in a little tub so you have to stick your finger or a brush in there. I prefer a pump dispenser for sanitation’s sake. 

It’s made up of 60% water, giving it a super lightweight, gel-like consistency. It contains aloe vera, arnica, rosemary, and green tea for a soothing formula that’s full of antioxidants to protect the skin. It provides medium to full coverage, so if you’re looking for a heavier-duty look that still goes on lightweight, I’d recommend this. I love it for the winter months! I have a full Chantecaille makeup review if you’re interested in testing out any of their other products.

2. ILIA True Rewind Complexion Stick

The Skin Rewind Complexion Stick is ILIA’s newest foundation. I discovered it after I fell in love with Merit’s stick foundation and wanted to compare them. After trying both (see my comparison in this reel), I prefer ILIA to Merit. It blends a little easier than the Merit stick, and since the stick itself is bigger, it’s easier to apply. The coverage is buildable and natural. I wear the shade Willow and love it on my dry, mature skin. I do apply an oil underneath, though, so that it goes on very smoothly.

3. Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow Tint

The Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow Tint has been my go-to lately. I love that it has a very natural-looking finish with just a little bit of glow.  If you struggle with dull skin, you’ll love this. In fact, all of the products from the Tarte Maracuja line are super hydrating, so look for those products if you also have dry skin. It provides medium coverage and gives a glowy, fresh-faced look. This vegan foundation also has strong staying power, which I appreciate, especially during the hot summer months. 

It contains over 10 superfruits, maracuja oil, grapeseed oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and illuminating flower extract for added hydration, elasticity, smoothing, and protection from free radicals. It also reflects light to blur the appearance of pores and fine lines for a soft, glowy look. All Tarte products are cruelty-free and made without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, and gluten.

4. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 

This is the lighest foundation in the bunch. I first tried the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint in the fall of 2022 at a work conference, and it has become one of my favorites for sheer coverage. It gives a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, but it’s still very sheer! ILIA makeup is clean, cruelty-free, and doubles as skincare, which I love. 

I love this product when I’m looking for a no-makeup-glow. The only drawback, in my opinion, is the scent – it has a subtle smell that reminds me of dog food. Yuck. It fades after a couple of minutes, but I wanted to mention it as a heads-up. The product performance is so good that it’s still worth using. It’s hydrating, natural-looking, and stays all day long. You can read more about the coverage in my full review.

The vegan formula contains non-nano zinc oxide SPF 40 and shields against sun damage, pollution, and blue light. It uses hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and plant-based squalane to hydrate, improve skin texture, and minimize the look of pores. The active skincare ingredients make this one of the best lightweight foundations for aging skin. You can see more ILIA products I love in my review of ILIA Makeup.

5. ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation

After I got hooked on the ILIA Serum Skin Tint, I wanted to try their regular foundation and I really like this product. It provides medium coverage and blends very easily. It also has a wide range of shades to get a perfect match. One of my favorite things about this foundation is that it’s buildable, so you can choose your coverage depending on the day. It’s natural-looking, breathable, and extra hydrating for dry skin. I have a separate ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation review, if you’re looking for the full run-down of this product. 

It’s made with active skincare ingredients like niacinamide, allantoin, and aloe to soothe, nourish, and improve skin texture. It gives a lit-from-within look while still looking like you. I wear shade SF2.5 Molokai.

6. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Oil-Free Foundation 

The Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Oil-Free Foundation is amazing if you’re looking for fuller coverage that still feels lightweight. It’s a cult classic in the makeup artist community and for good reason. It truly gives a “satin glow” effect. It helps improve dullness by illuminating the skin, improves skin texture, and creates a glowy filter to blur imperfections without any cakiness. 

Despite it being a medium-to-full coverage foundation, it still gives a natural and radiant finish that lasts all day. The only downside is this formula isn’t as clean as some of the others on this list. However, if you’re looking for an oil-free foundation that doesn’t feel heavy or dry but still provides full coverage, this is one of the best lightweight foundations for aging skin.

It uses Micro–fil & trade technology which is a patented process that allows the pigments to sit flat on the skin for blendable, natural-looking coverage.

7. Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation

The Nars Light Reflecting foundation is a natural-finish foundation with buildable coverage. I like that it provides a little bit more coverage than some of the sheer options on this list, but it still feels and looks like your skin. 

It’s another one that multitasks as foundation and skincare. It’s made with biomimetic oat, Japanese lilyturf, cacao peptides, and milk thistle. Those ingredients help soothe skin, improve skin clarity, reduce redness, strengthen skin’s barrier, hydrate, and protect against blue light and other environmental stressors. 

It’s vegan, fragrance-free, and made without mineral oil, silicone, talc, alcohol, parabens, SLS, SLES, phthalates, PEG, or gluten. 

8. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint

This lightweight liquid foundation is made specifically with dry skin in mind, so it’s a perfect hydrating option for aging skin. The water-gel formula is made with hyaluronic acid for a boost of moisture. It’s oil-free, so it’s great for acne-prone skin since it won’t clog your pores. It gives a natural-looking finish and provides subtle coverage to even out your complexion while still looking natural.

This formula is super long-lasting and doesn’t settle into fine lines. The only drawback is that it’s also not as clean as some of the other foundations on this list. Ingredient list aside, this is one of the best lightweight foundations for aging skin, especially if your skin type is on the drier side. I haven’t tried this one in a very long time to vouch for it, but it does have good reviews online.

9. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Foundation 

The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation is a great lightweight option if you’re looking for medium coverage. This foundation is long-lasting and holds up all day. The formula is made hydrating enough for normal-to-dry skin types but is also suitable for oily skin (but if you have really dry skin like me, I would go for a different product!). I love that it’s infused with skincare ingredients and doesn’t feel too heavy. It creates a solid base without completely hiding your skin, so you’ll still look natural and glowy. 

It’s made with hyaluronic acid, rose complex, and Bix-Activ to hydrate, brighten, and minimize shininess and the look of pores. It’s made without parabens, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, or triclosan. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free. 

10. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full-Coverage Foundation

This IT Cosmetics CC+ cream has heavier coverage, but it’s buildable, so you can start with a lighter hand. Even though it’s full coverage, it smoothes the skin without looking or feeling too heavy. 

I love this option for aging skin because of the anti-aging serum and extra hydration that it provides. It also has SPF 50, which is a win. Although this product is cruelty-free, the ingredients aren’t as clean as other foundations on this list. If you’re on the hunt for a full-coverage option, this one still looks natural and has active ingredients that are beneficial for aging skin. 

It has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E to hydrate, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize discoloration, brighten, and soothe the skin. 

What are the benefits of a lightweight foundation?

Foundation doesn’t need to feel heavy on your skin. Even lightweight formulas can provide beautiful coverage by blurring imperfections like redness, discoloration, and minor blemishes without feeling heavy or sticky. A good lightweight foundation will give a subtle, healthy glow while still looking like your skin. 

Most lightweight foundations won’t hide blemishes completely like full-coverage foundations do but paired with a solid concealer (this is my favorite concealer), you can create a nice base for the rest of your makeup. Another benefit of a lightweight foundation is that the shades are relatively forgiving, making it easier to transition between seasons. Lightweight foundations are the perfect solution to even out your skin tone while still letting your natural features (like freckles!) shine through. 

Is it better to apply foundation with a brush or sponge?

Whether you use a brush or sponge to apply foundation, it really comes down to personal preference. Lately, I’ve been loving the Tarte Blur Brush. It makes the product so easy to blend right into my skin. I don’t put a ton of product on, and I focus on the center of my face since that’s typically where I need the most coverage. Then, I blend it outwards using circular motions. I find that this technique helps the foundation melt into my skin in a really seamless way, but sponges can also be effective when used correctly. In the past, I’ve used both a brush and a sponge. It just depends on which application technique you like!

Can you just use concealer instead of foundation?

Using foundation helps blend your whole look to create a more seamless finish. If you’re not into foundation, try the Supergoop! Glowscreen SFP 40. It provides barely-there coverage while still creating a nice base for your other products. I use it before applying foundation; it adds the perfect glowy touch without looking greasy. 

If you’re on the hunt for a good concealer, I’m a long-time lover of the Tarte Shape Tape concealers. Their new Shape Tape Radiant Medium Coverage Concealer has made it onto my list of all-time favorites. It’s brightening and concealing, so it’s great for the skin under your eyes or blemishes. I like to use it to conceal dark circles and then I take it up to the corners of my eyes to create a lifted effect. 

What foundation is best for a no-makeup look?

If you’re going for a true no-makeup makeup look, I would pick the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. It provides more coverage than tinted moisturizer but still looks like skin. It creates a gorgeous filter-like effect that melts into your face while enhancing your natural features. This is a go-to for me on days when I want to look fresh-faced, but natural. It’s a minimalistic base that adds the perfect healthy glow!

If you’re looking for more “no-makeup” makeup inspiration, check out my makeup routine. It’s a mix of my favorite natural-looking products and it takes less than 10 minutes!

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The post The Best Lightweight Foundations for Mature Skin appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I’m VERY picky about what I choose to put on my face and clean beauty is something that I’m passionate about. I’m always on the lookout for my new favorite product (I consider myself a pretty big skincare and makeup junkie – see my full makeup routine here), and ILIA has so many options to choose from. Today I’m sharing my ILIA Beauty review and my honest opinions on what’s worth picking up for yourself.

You’ll see a short description of each product and my take on each one. Lots of winners but a few I don’t love.

ILIA Makeup Review

ILIA Beauty is different from most makeup brands since they also incorporate active skincare ingredients to protect skin during the day from environmental stressors and sun damage. (I try to be extra productive wherever I can, so multitasking formulas get bonus points in my book.)

Sasha Plavsic launched this beauty brand in 2011 in Vancouver, using her background in homeopathic health and wellness to develop a safe makeup line that is still high-performing. Their clean approach to makeup prioritizes healthy ingredients, sustainable packaging, and skincare-led formulas to protect and improve skin texture over time.

I love this approach to makeup. More and more brands are starting to include skincare ingredients in their makeup, but that was part of ILIA’s mission from the beginning. Their makeup uses ingredients that renew your skin’s moisture barrier, which is especially great for dry, aging skin like mine.

I reach for their makeup when I’m going for a no-makeup makeup look and just want a subtle wash of color. It leaves such a glowy and fresh finish. Some of my very favorite influencers (like April Lockhart) wear almost exclusively ILIA and have such gorgeous makeup, which inspires me to try more ILIA products.

Is ILIA Beauty Clean?

Yes! ILIA Beauty is always made without gluten, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, BHA/BHT, propylene glycol, PEG, cyclomethicones, or chemical screens. Their formulas are created using natural, non-irritating ingredients that are suitable for all skin types. I feel comfortable using their products knowing how much research and intentionality goes into picking their ingredients.

Is ILIA Beauty Cruelty Free?

ILIA Beauty is certified by Leaping Bunny and never tests on animals. Their brand focuses on sustainable practices through their packaging as well, using recycled aluminum, glass components, and responsibly sourced paper.

Is ILIA Beauty Vegan?

The only non-vegan ingredient used in ILIA Beauty is beeswax. Synthetic beeswax uses mineral oil, so Ilia uses ethically sourced natural beeswax to get around that. (Mineral oil is a byproduct of gasoline and clogs pores.) All Ilia Beauty products are vegan except the below. These do include beeswax:

• Limitless Lash Mascara
• Fullest Volumizing Mascara
• Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
• Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment
• Multi-Stick
• Balmy Days

My Favorite ILIA Makeup Products

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

The Super Serum Skin Tint is a personal favorite of mine. The water-based consistency is similar to a tinted moisturizer and includes non-nano zinc oxide to protect skin from sun damage, blue light (love this!), and pollution.

It uses hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide to improve skin texture and hydration after a few uses. The lightweight finish stays intact all day and is so hydrating and natural looking.

My take: I go for this product on days when I don’t want to look like I’m wearing makeup, but still want to even out my skin and add a little extra glow. I do have to note, however, that it has a subtle smell when you first apply it…sort of like dog food. Gross, I know. The smell dissipates after a few minutes, but just a heads up if you experience the same thing. It looks and feels so good on my skin that it’s worth it for me.

This is far and away the best tinted moisturizer with SPF that I’ve tried. (I used Beautycounter’s Dew Skin for years but found it was too drying as I got closer to 40, so I now go for this Ilia skin tint instead.) I wear shade ORA ST6. Also, I wrote a full review of the Super Serum Skin Tint that you can read here.

True Skin Serum Foundation

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation is a medium-coverage foundation. The formula is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and safe for any skin type. Niacinamide, allantoin, and aloe help minimize pores, fine lines, redness, and uneven tones and the active skincare ingredients work even after you take off your makeup to improve your skin texture and dullness.

My take: This foundation is so breathable and natural looking, and it’s buildable so you can choose what coverage you’re looking for. And I also appreciate that the hydrating ingredients prevent it from becoming dry or cakey throughout the day. I love this one so much that I have a full review on this foundation which you can read here. And a round-up of all my favorite lightweight foundations here.)

Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

The Skin Rewind Complexion Stick is one of ILIA’s newest products. I was really excited to try it after loving Merit Beauty’s complexion stick, and while they’re similar, I prefer ILIA because the stick itself is bigger making it easier to apply. It also blends a little bit easier. It’s buildable for more coverage and look so natural! I wear Willow. It works well on my dry, mature skin but I do like a face oil underneath (I like this Merit Glow Serum). See how I compared it to Merit in this Instagram Reel.

True Skin Serum Concealer

The ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer pairs well with their Skin Serum Foundation, or on its own for natural-looking medium coverage. Vitamin C, mastic, and albizia julibrissin bark extract help improve skin’s appearance (particularly smoothness and dullness) while actively protecting your complexion from outside pollution. The crease-free formula is super creamy (like shockingly so) and blendable for easy application and a natural finish that lasts until I take it off at night.

My take: I really like this concealer for my cheeks, chin and forehead since it’s so easy to blend. I don’t like it as much for my undereye area since it’s not quite as full coverage as I’d like for that area. (For undereye, I prefer Tarte’s Shape Tape Radiant Medium Coverage Concealer.)

Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil

The Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil is super hydrating because it uses hyaluronic acid, meadowfoam seed oil, and salicornia herbacea extract. I hate when lip products leave a sticky finish, and the Balmy Gloss moisturizes your lips without stickiness.

The active skincare ingredients nourish your lips and don’t include phenol, menthol, and salicylic acid (which can make your lips feel more chapped), so I appreciate that this formula doesn’t include those.

My take: This is one product that I haven’t yet tried, but it’s sitting in my cart and I’m just waiting for a sale.

Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm

Tinted lip balms provide the perfect flush of color without looking like true lipstick. This is creamy and buildable and it helps with dry or chapped lips, both when you apply and over time. Salicornia, rosehip seed oil, and shea butter provide hydration. This was actually the product that started Ilia Beauty and is now a cult classic. It gives the most gorgeous. natural-looking tint.

My take: This is hydrating and creamy but you have to use a really light touch when you apply (at least with the color I have). It’s much more pigmented than most balms I’m used to and the product can bleed easily.

Multi-Stick

The ILIA multi-stick makes makeup so easy. It’s great on days when I’m short on time because it doubles as lipstick and blush. It leaves the prettiest long-lasting color and adds just enough to make you look fresher and more awake. It uses shea butter, avocado oil, and orange peel wax to condition, soften, and protect the skin. The multi-tasking formula is buildable, so you can customize how intense you want the color to be.

My take: It’s a great option to use if you’re running out the door since it’s so easy to apply. The buttery texture is super blendable and not too pigmented. It find it a little dry so I have to press harder than I’d like to apply but that may be the nature of my dry skin. I also haven’t found a shade I think works well as eyeshadow, but it works well for cheeks and lips for sure.

NightLite Bronzing Powder

The ILIA Bronzer is a talc-free powder that gives a matte finish. While the formula is powder, it feels almost buttery and is super blendable. Unfortunately I think ILIA may be discontinuing it. I was able to find a few shades available on Amazon, so be sure to order quickly if you’re interested.

My take: This stuff is seriously pigmented and it’s easy to go overboard… but if you like a matte bronzer, you will probably love it. My employee uses it daily and says to make sure to use a large fluffy brush to diffuse the pigment. We both have the lighter shade Drawn In.

Color Block Lipstick

The Color Block Lipstick gives a smooth, bold color while also hydrating your lips all day. It’s very full-coverage and uses organic castor seed oil which helps with the intensity of the color. This is probably my longest lasting lip color, almost like it stains them (in a good way) so I only do light touch-ups after meals.

My take: The lipstick is hydrating and two two shades I have are both very pretty. (I have both Amberlight and Rococco… I’m wearing Amberlight (no filter) below). I do find that I have to be super precise when I apply because it’s a true lipstick and not a lipsheer or balm-type formula.

ILIA Color Haze

ILIA Color Haze is another multi-use product! It’s a cream blush and lip color in one, and I can’t get over how long it lasts on skin! The most interesting thing about this product is that it’s dewy when applied to your cheeks, but has a matte finish on your lips. Just a tiny bit will go a long way––it gives the prettiest soft wash of natural color.

My take: I love love love the Color Haze blush. It’s very pigmented but blends beautifully and is long lasting. Most liquid blushes dispense too much product, which leaves a mess to clean up but this deposits the perfect amount and gives the perfect “I just finished a good workout” flush. I find it a little too matte on my lips (just not my style) but I LOVE it for blush.

Clean Line Liquid Liner

The ILIA liquid eyeliner is highly pigmented without the use of Carbon Black. Carbon black is a commonly used ingredient in eye makeup but many people don’t know that it’s been proven to be a carcinogen. Ilia uses charcoal instead to produce a safer (but still effective) pigment. This water-resistant eyeliner stays put all day and the applicator makes it easy to apply, even if you struggle with liquid liners.

My take: The felt tip is flexible but firm enough to effortlessly create a smooth, clean line. It gives the perfect level of control. So many kinds of eye makeup smudge on me, but this one doesn’t. I don’t use liquid liner often but when I do, it’s this one.

In Frame Brow Gel

This In Frame Brow Gel is a very easy-to-use brow gel for everyday. Most days I go for The BrowGal Clear Eyebrow Gel with the Glo Brow Pencil since I get a fuller brow that way, but I use ILIA when I’m more rushed.

Limitless Lash Mascara

The ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara is made of bee and carnauba waxes to nourish each individual lash and keep them lifted. The gentle formula is flake-free and water-resistant, so it stays in place until the end of the day. This product is made with shea butter and keratin to enhance lashes without being irritating.

My take: I have sensitive eyes and not only does the ILIA Limitless Lash mascara not irritate, but warm water easily washes it away without having to pull too much at my skin. However, this mascara isn’t my top pick (I prefer Tarte’s Tubing mascara), but it’s a great clean option, especially if you like a VERY natural looking, lengthened lash. I just prefer more volume and I have issues with mascara smudging, unless it’s tubing mascara. (More on tubing mascaras here.) Since this isn’t tubing, I can’t use it without smudges!

Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment

The ILIA Lip Wrap is an overnight lip treatment to help hydrate dry or cracked lips. It contains papaya enzymes, salicornia (sea succulent) and hyaluronic acid (!!) which work together to buff the dry skin off your lips and then provide majorhydration. You can use this in the morning and evening, but I tend to use it mostly at night.

My take: ILIA Lip Wrap is awesome. It’s super hydrating and doesn’t have a weird smell or taste at all. I use it every night!

Lip Wrap Reviving Balm

The Lip Wrap Reviving Balm is basically the daytime counterpart to the overnight lip mask. It’s an everyday balm that includes active levels of hyaluronic acid and salicornia (just like the overnight treatment), but it does not include the papaya enzymes, since those are what help to exfoliate and buff the flakey skin off –– and no one wants that during the day.

My take: I keep this in my purse at all times. It’s not tinted, but it’s the perfect balm. Seriously hydrating and makes lips look fuller without any craxy ingredients. It is kind of hard to dispense after a while so just know you’ll have to squeeze a bit harder than you expect as it starts to get about halfway empty.

Is ILIA Beauty Legit?

I am a big fan of many ILIA Beauty. Their makeup (especially their foundation and skin serum) gives such a natural-looking finish and hydrates my skin. They’re not my go-to when I’m looking for a more glam or full coverage look, but for everyday wear I love their products. If you’re on the hunt for subtle-looking makeup with clean ingredients, I would 100% recommend giving ILIA a try.

Where is ILIA Beauty Sold?

You can buy ILIA Beauty directly from ILIA’s website, but they also sell their products at a few other retailers including Sephora, Nordstrom, Revolve, Kohl’s, and even Walmart!

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The post ILIA Makeup Review – what I like and what I don’t appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Right now (and always), I’m favoring natural, light makeup that still looks polished. In the cooler months I go for a slightly heavier eye with more eyeshadow and in the summer months, I tend to prefer cream formulas for blush and bronzer over powders since they look better and hold up more in the humidity.

My Cold Weather Makeup Routine (under 10 minutes!)

1. SUNSCREEN

My current favorite sunscreen is Supergoop Glow Screen. It’s ultra lightweight and leave a radiant finish, but it’s not too shiny or glowy (just enough). It looks perfect under makeup.

I also use the Supergoop Glowscreen Body sunscreen on my arms and legs. I love how easily it blends. I find it hydrating too.

2. CONCEALER

I love the Tarte Radiant Shape Tape Concealer. Tarte has lots of concealers but I prefer the Radiant formula over the regular Tarte Shape Tape since it brightens and conceals in one step. It’s also lighter weight which I appreciate. I wear shade 22N. If you want a heavier concealer, my review of the Tarte Shape Tape Original may be helpful!

3. FOUNDATION

After concealer, I apply foundation. I have a few that I really like so it just depends on what look and type of coverage I want. I have a post with all my favorite foundations for dry skin but I listed the three I’m wearing the most these days.

 On days I’m not doing a full face of makeup, I use this ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint – it’s a tinted moisturizer combined with skincare (read more details in my ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint review.)

ILIA Skin Rewind Foundation Stick – it applies so quickly with medium coverage and looks very natural. I use the ILIA Complexion Brush to blend. (Yes, I’ve tried the Merit foundation stick and prefer the ILIA one since it’s more hydrating. I have a full review of Merit makeup here. And you can see a comparison of the two foundation sticks in this reel) 

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation – If you prefer a traditional liquid foundation, this is a classic and my favorite of all I’ve tried. It’s very lightweight but has medium coverage that is hydrating and easy to blend. I have a detailed review of this True Skin Foundation here. I usually mix it with this Light Serum Highlighter. it’s so pretty and doesn’t look too shiny but just gives me a healthy glow and then I don’t find that I need a highlighter after my makeup is done. (But if I do want more highlighting, I use the one from this cheek palette.)

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow Tint – I love love love this foundation. It provides medium coverage and gives the most natural, radiant glow. It also lasts all day, which most dewy foundations don’t! I wear this the vast majority of days. I use this Tarte Blur Brush to blend it. I wear shade 24N.

4. EYESHADOW

I typically don’t wear a lot of eyeshadow – just one base color and one color for a little bit of definition above my crease (which looks best with my hooded eyes). 

Chantecaille Eyeshadow in Copper – This isn’t really a cream shadow, but I find it applies more like a cream than a powder. I use my finger to apply and blend just below my brow bone and it makes my green eyes pop.

Tarte In Bloom Palette – When I want a powder eyeshadow, I typically wear something from this eyeshadow palette. I love this one because I actually use all of the shades.

5. EYELINER

Next, I tightline my upper lash line — never my lower waterline — since it looks more natural than lining above the lash line and helps make my lashes look thicker. (If you have no clue what I’m talking about, L’Oreal has an easy tightlining tutorial!)

I use this ILIA Clean Gel liner in brown to tightline my upper lash line (just the outer 1/2 to 3/4… not all the way across) to help open my eyes and make my lash line look thicker.If I want a little more pop of color, I’ll use Chantecaille pencil liner instead of black; I have this in Amethyst. It pairs BEAUTIFULLY with the copper eye shadow.

6. EYELASH CURLER & PRIMER

I curl my lashes everyday and I’ve used this Shu Uemera eyelash curler for almost ten years. It never pinches and creates a long-lasting curl.

Most days I wear just mascara, without a primer. If I do want a thicker lash that day for some reason, I love this Tarte Lash Primer. I coat my lashes in primer and then add mascara about 1 minute later after the primer sets just a bit but doesn’t completely dry.

7. MASCARA

Most days I skip primer and use just Tarte Tartelette XL Mascara only since it gives me long, thick lashes and is one step vs. two, and quick and easy is the name of the game in the warmer months! I have a full review of the Tarte Tartelette Mascara if you want to know why it’s my favorite (and I am a very big mascara snob). But, the bottom line is that it never smudges. Ever.

8. BROW GEL AND PENCIL

I fill my brows in no matter what, even if I’m not doing a full face of makeup. Most days I go for The BrowGal Clear Eyebrow Gel with the Glo Brow Pencil since I get a fuller brow that way. If I’m in a hurry, I use the ILIA Brow Gel or Merit Brow 1980 Gel.

9. BRONZER

I’ve gotten on the bronzer train in recent years and always feel better when I use it, particularly around my hairline since I’ve had some hair loss since having my son.

Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer – this is very matte and very pigmented and it’s easy to go overboard so tread lightly! But once I learned that, I fell in love with it. I use the shade Light Medium.

Beautycounter Cream Bronzer – Unfortunately, this is unavailable right now but I absolutely love it. It’s also the the easiest bronzer to use. Just apply with your finger and then blend in with a fluffy brush.

If you’d prefer to buy a blush and bronzer combo, I love this Clay Play To-Go Cheek Palete.

10. BLUSH

Depending on my mood, I’ll either use the powder blush or a cream blush.

Precious Gems Amazonian Clay Cheek Palette – This is my favorite option for powder! I use all of the shades and just decide based on how I’m feeling that day.

ILIA Multi Stick – This is a great cream blush option, and you can use it as a lip color as well.

11. PRESSED POWDER

Tarte Shape Tape Glow Powder – If I finish my makeup and I look just a litttttle too glowy, I use this. It still keeps my makeup looking natural and dewy but tones it down just a bit. It also helps set my makeup. I use the shade Starlit.

12. SETTING SPRAY

I’ve been finding that my makeup doesn’t stay on as well as I like so I’ve started using a setting spray almost everyday. I have this Shape Tape Setting Spray and like it but really want to try the Maracuja Setting Spray since I love all things Maracuja (they are more hydrating and glowy).

13. LIPS

I LOVE lipstick and lipgloss. I have tons of different colors and brands, but my current favorites are:

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Products (yes all of the different varieties!) – If you prefer a traditional lipstick, you’ll love the Lipstick Creme. If you like gloss but don’t like the messiness of the gloss, you’ll love the plumping or the juicy lip!

Ravie Beauty in Dahlia – this is the most forgiving color – I don’t even need a mirror to apply! It applies like a balm but looks like a lipstick and is very hydrating and it’s a very natural looking pink.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk – this is matte, but is very hydrating and the PERFECT nude color.

I also line my lips almost everyday, since I think it helps them look fuller (and we naturally lose lip definition and fullness as we age.) I like this Chantecaille lip liner in the shade Discreet.

This may seem like it takes forever, but it’s really only 5-10 minutes! This reel shows how I apply it all.

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The post My Simple Makeup Routine (under 10 minutes!) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I’ve been using Beautycounter alongside a handful of other brands for a few years now, but as a skincare and makeup junkie, I was always trying new brands so I have some great recommendations for the best replacements for your Beautycounter products.

Fingers crossed we’ll get our Beautycounter favorites back later this year after Beautycounter gets sorted out, but until then, the show must go on for our skin, ha! (Here’s a post about what happened to Beautycounter.) The best brand I’ve found for Beautycounter swaps is Oliveda. I’ve been using their products in place of all of my Beautycounter stuff for over a month now, and I can confidently say they are great alternatives (and even better in some cases) for your favorite Beautycounter products. Oliveda is a European brand that focuses on waterless skincare, so it’s extremely potent and the results are SO wild. I noticed a change in my skin within 72 hours!

I know that it’s a LOT simpler to order from one place vs. multiple retailers, so the majority of the links below are to Oliveda with a few Colleen Rothschild additions. And for the makeup section, almost everything is ILIA since that is currently making up the majority of my makeup routine. If you aren’t familiar with those brands, I have a review of Oliveda here, a Colleen Rothschild review here, and a review of ILIA here.

Oliveda’s website can be a bit confusing, and since the products aren’t organized the same way that Beautycounter organized theirs, it can be hard to know what to order for your skin type! The list below should help, but feel free to fill out this skincare survey and I will email you back with personalized recommendations! You may also notice that a lot of Oliveda products are sold out (things have been going somewhat viral!) but I’m sharing in-stock alerts in this Instagram Broadcast Channel, so be sure to join that for alerts.

I also send out text updates about Oliveda restocks. If you want to join my list, click this link and the hit send when it populates the word “oliveda” in your text composer. I know not everyone checks email or FB and/or IG all day (ahem) so hopefully this helps those of you who haven’t been able to get things when they restock before they sell out again! These are text messages that I send (not the company!) and I won’t blow up your texts unless it’s time sensitive or I think it’s important!

If you’re reading this post on a computer, that link won’t work. Just text OLIVEDA to 336-554-7262 to join.

The Best Replacements for your Beautycounter Products

Countertime

Countertime Cleansing Oil

The Oliveda Arbequina Cleansing Oil (F78) is the best swap for the Beautycounter cleansing oil. It smoothes, refines, and provides lipid defense, but it also removes impurities without destroying your skin’s natural barrier function.

Countertime Essense

The Corrective Facial Tonic (F67) is Oliveda’s toner for dry, aging skin. It works to soothe your skin while also getting rid of dead skin cells. It has hydroxytyrosol and the vitamin C booster camu camu which protect your skin from environmental stressors AND gives your skin a radiant/youthful glow. Nothing will ever be my beloved Countertime Essense, but this is a great alternative.

Countertime Radiance Serum

I wasn’t a huge fan of the Beautycounter Radiance Serum anyway. I tried the Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum a few weeks ago and my mind is blown. This is what people call “botox in a bottle”. It’s made with para cress which has a lifting effect similar to botox, but’s clean and safe. It targets fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. I’ve noticed a significant difference in my smile lines since I started using this.

I also just got the Oliveda Green Retinol Face Elixir and I’ve been adding a few drops to my Corrective Face Serum at night. This is a natural retinol made with bakuchiol, which is the same retinol alternative that Beautycounter used. This reduces fine lines and pore size, improves complexion, contracts pigmentation, AND protects against free radicals. If you’re only getting one serum, get the Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum, but add the Green Retinol to your wishlist since you can add it to your routine at any time.

Countertime Soft Cream

The best Soft Cream swap is the Oliveda F42 Corrective Face Cream. It’s ideal for dry/aging skin because it has extra hydroxytyrosol in it (a super powerful antioxidant). It’s smoothing, super hydrating, improves elasticity and reduces fine lines. It contains a sun protection factor!

Countertime Supreme Cream

I was worried it would be hard to find anything as great as the Beautycounter Supreme Cream, but the Oliveda F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream has blown me away. It’s actually more hydrating than the supreme cream. The texture is weird and it takes some getting used to how it’s applied and massaged in, but now I love it.

Countertime Eye Cream

The best swap for the Countertime Eye Cream is the Oliveda F60 Corrective Eye Cream. It’s hydrating, boosts collagen, and gives you a smoothing effect around your eyes. But the real game-changer is when you add a few drops of the Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir underneath the eye cream. It It has a triple hyaluronic acid structure and a ton of antioxidants, so it hydrates and plumps while also giving your eyes a more lifted, radiant look. You apply a few drops under your eyes, massage it in, and then follow with the Corrective Eye Cream.

Countermatch

Countermatch Foaming Cleanser

For the Countermatch Foaming Cleanser swap, you’ll want to use the Oliveda F71 Corrective Cleansing Gel. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol (this is the superstar of antioxidants, mainly found in olives and olive oil) and gives you a deep clean while counteracting pigmentation. It’s super gentle and very hydrating (I can even use this on my very dry skin). It smells amazing, but the smell is very natural and not super strong. (I’m sensitive to scents and love this.) I can use this morning and night and my very-dry skin isn’t stripped at all.

Countermatch Toner

The Oliveda Activating Facial Toner is the perfect toner for normal or combination skin because it’s non-drying and does not strip your skin, but rather helps restore your skin’s natural balance.

Countermatch Serum

The best recommendation for an alternative for the Countermatch serum is the Oliveda F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Hyaluronic serums are great for dry and aging skin because they deeply moisturize and hydrate. This serum also repairs oxidative damage and makes your skin look and feel more elastic/tight. This can be used in the morning and night.

For something a bit more affordable (and almost as good), I’d recommend the Colleen Rothschild Hyaluronic Serum.

Countermatch Adaptive Moisturizer

The most similar in terms of benefits is the Oliveda F05 Anti Oxidant Face Cream but it will feel different. The consistency feels much thicker, but it’s not heavy on the skin. It protects, balances, and hydrates your skin, but it has antioxidants in it too that fight the effects of environmental stressors on your skin. This is lightweight (in terms of hydration, not feel!) and plumping.

Countermatch Eye Cream

The best eye cream option for de-puffing and brightening is the Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream. It contains hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and caffeine targets puffiness and water retention. I wouldn’t use this at night though, since it also has coverage that you wouldn’t want to waste. For PM, use the Oliveda F09 Anti-wrinkle Eye Cream. I love the texture and it’s completely non-irritating. It tightens and reduces fine lines around your eye area. You can use it in the AM too, but I just love that Colleen Rothschild Tinted Eye Cream.

Countercontrol

Countercontrol Cleanser

A great cleanser for oily or breakout prone skin is the Oliveda F38 Purifying Cleansing Gel. This gives you a super deep cleanse while also supplying your skin with highly concentrated antioxidants that help prevent signs of aging.

 Countercontrol Toner

The Oliveda F11 Activating Facial Toner is perfect for oily/acne prone skin. It helps clear away impurities while also soothing your skin with chamomile extract. It also refines pores and gives your skin tone a more radiant glow.

Countercontrol Serum

The Oliveda F81 AHA + HT Serum Face is a true hero product. It’s similar to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel in terms of benefits: reduces scarring, improves elasticity, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. It’s great for breakout prone skin because it gentle exfoliates and sloughs off dead skin which can cause build up and breakouts. This is pretty potent though, so I’d only use it once a week to start!

For a daily serum, you’ll want to try the Oliveda F06 Cell Active Serum . This serum helps smooth your skin and reduce pore size, but it mainly reduces dark spots and smoothes wrinkles! What I love most about this is that it has a skin-tightening effect! It’s just a great all-around serum for most skin types.

Countercontrol Spot Treatment

For a spot treatment, you’ll want to use the Oliveda F85 SOS Face Drops. These drops unclog pores, balance sebum production, and reduces acne-causing bacteria.

CounterControl Gel Cream

The Oliveda F07 Anti Aging Face Cream is a great face moisturizer for oily/acne prone skin. It’s lightweight, improves skin elasticity, and overall just balances the skin’s hydration. It’s important to use a moisturizer, especially when you have oily skin since drying out your skin causes it to produce more oil to overcompensate.

Other Favorites

Cleansing Balm

I preferred the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm anyway. I’ve been using it for years. I have a full review of the CR Cleansing Balm here.

Vitamin C Serum

We all loved the Beautycounter Vitamin C serum for good reason, but I think you’ll love the Oliveda F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum more. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol which is a super powerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu, just like Beautycounter. This has 1300% more power than vitamin C alone. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion.

Overnight Resurfacing Peel

The Oliveda F81 AHA + HT Serum Face is just like the Overnight Resurfacing Peel. It’s a chemical exfoliator that visibly reduces the signs of aging. It also reduces scarring, improves elasticity and firmness, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. Everyone should have this in their skincare routine.

Sunscreen

Supergoop Glowscreen is my favorite face SPF, but it’s not a zinc-based sunscreen. If you want zinc, then the Acure Radically Rejuvenating SPF 30 Day Cream is perfect since it’s a clean option! (This post with non-toxics sunscreens has even more ideas.)

AHA Mask

I actually didn’t love the Beautycounter AHA mask as much as I already liked both the Colleen Rothschild Dial Enzyme Polish and Oliveda Honey Enzyme Face Mask. They’re similar, but the Oliveda Honey Enzyme Face Mask has a warming sensation that I love. It’s also green which is fun! It’s especially beneficial for dry and/or aging skin since you’re paying more for those types of products and you want to get the most out of them. (The women who give me my facials have been telling me for years that I need to use an enzyme mask regularly to see improvements in my fine lines and deeper wrinkles).

Bamboo Face Polish

I haven’t found anything like this, but the Oliveda Olive Core Face Peeling is also a physical exfoliator and it’s a great option even though I love the powder form of the Bamboo Polish.

#3 Balancing Oil

If you were a Balancing Oil fan, then the F25 Neroli Face Oil Serum from Oliveda is a great replacement.

The Clean Deo

All natural deodorants tend to stop working for me after about 12 months, including the Clean Deo. This is actually an issue that women commonly run into if they use natural deodorants, since our body chemistry changes over time. (It’s also why some clean deodorants work for some people but not others. For example, I CANNOT use Native but some people love it.)

Anyway, when one stops working, I switch to a new one. The one that has worked for the longest amount of time is the Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel. I’ve used it for 6 months without stank.

(If you do get stank with a natural deo, use the Bella Skin Probiotic Underarm Toner and it will help a LOT! I use it just once a month or so.)

Body Lotion

Wink Llama All Over Lotion, hands down. Yes, it’s a kids lotion but it’s so good. Tommy and I have both used it for years since it smells just as good as the Beautycounter Body Lotion (although it is a different scent) and it’s more affordable.

Shampoo / conditioner

I’ve been using the Colleen Rothschild Shampoo and Colleen Rothschild Conditioner for over a year now. The Colleen Rothschild hair mask is legit too. I use it in place of my conditioner a few times a week.

Body wash

Primally Pure Citrus Mint Body Wash is a 10/10. So hydrating and smells amazing.

Makeup

Skin Twin Foundation

The ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick is SUCH a good foundation, but if you want a liquid foundation, the ILIA True Skin Foundation is a good option (I have an ILIA foundation review here).

Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer

I wasn’t in love with the Dew Skin tinted moisturizer anyway (it too drying as my skin aged), but I DO love the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 because it’s more hydrating. I have a full review of the Skin Tint on the blog here.

Cheeky Cream Blush

I’m super sad to loose the Beautycounter blush but the ILIA Multi Stick is just as good.

Cream Bronzer

I hate it because Beautycounter was set to launch new bronzers that I had tried and they are SO GOOD. I haven’t found an alternative yet, but the Tarte Shape Tape Contour works well as bronzer if you use just a touch and blend it out. I also love their Tarte Park Avenue Princess powder bronzer if you want to go that route.

Mascara

As much as I wish I could wear a regular, oil-based mascara, they always smudge on me. So I always shop for tubing mascaras that are water soluble. (Read more about tubing mascaras and how they work here.)

However, if you were a Beautycounter mascara fan and it didn’t smudge on you, you’ll really like the Tarte Maneater mascara. If you need a good tubing mascara recommendation, you can’t beat Tarte’s Tartelette Tubing mascara (read my Tartelette Tubing Mascara review here).

Concealer

The ILIA Concealer is a great (super clean) alternative. My preference is the Tarte Shape Tape Radiant concealer though since I only really use it under my eyes.

Lip Sheer

I just got the Ravie Beauty Effortless Lips in the mail a few weeks ago and they are UNREAL! They apply very much like the Lip Sheer (actually, better). See how each Ravie Beauty shade looks on me in this video. Go for Dahlia for the best everyday shade.

Lip Intense

I like the ILIA Colorblock Lipstick. It’s not quite as good as the Beautycounter lipsticks but it’s similar and a clean option. My all-time favorite lipstick is Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk.

Brow gel

ILIA Brow Gel is very similar to Beautycounter’s brow gel, but it doesn’t dry out as quickly.

Discount Codes

One silver lining to trying new products is that you can typically get a discount on your first order (and I believe all of my codes work on every order).

• Colleen Rothschild – Use code TERILYN20 for 20% off
• Tarte – Use code terilyn15 for 15% off
• Wink – Use code TERI for 15% off
• Primally Pure – Use code TERI for 10% off

Oliveda doesn’t have a promo code, but they do have good perks.

1. A freebie when you take the Oliveda skincare quiz and order 2+ of the recommendations. I have to note that I think their Skin Quiz results can be a little confusing to understand, so if you fill out my skincare survey here, I can help get you personalized recommendations.
2. Free shipping on $50+ orders (ALWAYS!)
3. 365 day product guarantee.

Okay, that’s all I have for now! Like I mentioned above, if you have good recommendations for Beautycounter swaps, please drop them below!

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The post The Best Replacements for your Beautycounter Products appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Beautycounter has been discontinued! In the meantime, I have recommendations for the best Beautycounter replacements in this post. Also, be sure to join my email list so you can be the first to know when your Beautycounter favorites come back.

On May 6, Beautycounter consultants found out that Beautycounter and its products won’t be returning until late 2024. That also means that thousands of Beautycounter consultants no longer have a source of income. I am disappointed since I love and use their products, and financially, it’s a big hit to our household. I’ve been with the company for 8 years and have consistently been one of the top 3-5 sellers in the entire company.

While most consultants who made a significant income built teams to do so (and worked their booties off to support them), I made the vast majority of my paycheck from my own personal sales. (You can read more about my thoughts on the lost income in this post about the aftermath of the Beautycounter shutdown.)

What Happened to Beautycounter?

In short, the founder of Beautycounter, Gregg Renfrew, sold the company to a private equity firm, Carlyle, a few years ago — I think that was the biggest mistake. However, I’m not certain Gregg wanted to sell to Carlyle. The rumor mill has said she was outvoted by the board, mainly one key investment group who wanted to divest.

So why did Carlyle buy it? My thought when they bought it was that their plan was to increase margins and then sell it to a larger company, like Johnson & Johnson, who wanted to get into the clean beauty business, using an established player rather than create their own formulations.

Beautycounter Controversy

While I disagreed with who Gregg sold the company to, as a business owner, I can understand why she did it. Growing a business is exhausting — exhilarating and rewarding, yes, but also exhausting. Add 30,000 women to the mix and yowza, that’s a lot of pressure (and drama). I don’t fault Gregg or the board for wanting to sell and make a substantial profit — companies do that all the time. When you start a business, an exit strategy is very often planned at the same time. The problem was with who purchased the company. If you know who Carlyle is, the massive implosion that followed can’t have been a surprise.

I don’t think Carlyle fully understood the consultant business model (which is why the compensation plan changes didn’t go over well), and when they couldn’t make the money they anticipated they planned to exit. They stopped funding the business (that part has been confirmed) and that is why Counter Brands went bankrupt.

Gregg Renfrew purchased back the intellectual property (IP) — the Beautycounter name, the formulations, etc. — but getting the company back up is much more complicated than a Poshmark transaction. When that happened, the original return date that was communicated of May 1 was laughable. I never even shared that date with my clients because it was truly unrealistic.

When that relaunch didn’t happen, I still never shared a return date since we didn’t have one. When companies have launches — whether it’s a new product, a new website or a new arm of the business — nothing is confirmed until it happens. And these types of transactions and ownership changes typically take MONTHS to iron out, not a week like Gregg communicated when she bought it back.

What happened with Beautycounter consultants?

They essentially lost their jobs. Gregg said Beautycounter will come back in Q4, but essentially, the company is gone. Counter Brands (which is different from Beautycounter) filed bankruptcy and went into foreclosure (which isn’t as dramatic as it sounds but rather a business move that makes sense financially) and Gregg’s new company – G2G – is just kind of a shell. It’s an LLC name that owns some assets (the IP, mainly); it’s not a functioning business where consultants can make money. “How Beautycounter Fell Apart, Sinking Almost $700 Million With It” was the name of the New York Times article that was published right after we learned about everything.

I didn’t realize I had so many Beautycounter consultants following me on Instagram but I’m getting lots of DMs about what this all means — I guess because I have shared my thoughts on it and been vocal that Beautycounter is NOT my only source of income — so while I had a call for just MY team, I also hosted a call for consultants who were on other teams. I will send you a link to the recording if you fill out this form.

I have so many more thoughts about all this from a business perspective– I worked in finance for 15 years, including at Goldman Sachs – and the fastest way to share information will be through a Zoom call for Beautycounter consultants. I also have thoughts for Beautycounter consultants and what their next steps should be.

Where can you buy Beautycounter?

While I get to try a lot of beauty brands for my job (and have a few I love), Beautycounter was my go-to when someone asked for help with a skincare routine. As you know, their products are clean and work VERY well for almost everyone.

Unfortunately there’s nowhere to buy Beautycounter anymore, but I did discover a new-to-me skincare brand that I’ve been absolutely loving. I shared more about the brand (Oliveda) in this post, and also wrote a post with the best Beautycounter replacements that you can read here. If you aren’t one of my clients, you can sign up for my beauty emails here. And, of course, my blog will be updated with that information ASAP too.

While many people lost their jobs in May — myself included — I have always found a way to be successful, even when things looked very dire in my personal and professional life. This will be no different. It will be stressful, for sure, but we aren’t the first people to lose our jobs and there is always a viable next step. Let’s go.

The post What Happened to Beautycounter? appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I have strong opinions on what makes a mascara worth buying more than once and I’m always looking for a unicorn. And the Tarte Tartlette Tubing Mascara is that unicorn. I’m sharing my full review today and what I look for in a perfect mascara.

I want volume AND length. And most mascaras are one or the other. I also want a mascara that does not smudge, and only tubing mascara can truly promise that. Most traditional mascaras smudge on me since they’re oil soluble, which is why regular eye makeup removers takes them off. Because of this, the super popular volumizing + lengthening mascaras don’t work for me. The only mascara I can wear without smudging is water-soluble, a.k.a. “tubing” mascara. While tubing mascaras are great for length, they often fall short on volume. But today, I’m here to tell you that I have found a unicorn. I shared a bit more about how tubing mascaras work in this blog post.

For years I was wearing the Thrive Cosmetics Mascara. It was lengthening but didn’t provide much volume. I’d give it a B. However, a few years ago I learned that Tarte had a tubing mascara (and I love Tarte), so I quickly grabbed the Tarte Cosmetics Tartelette Tubing Mascara. And while there are still some things I wish were better, I’d give this mascara an A or A-, which is saying a LOT considering my high standards.

I wear Tarte Tubing Mascara almost exclusively right now, so I thought it was time for a full review. I should also note that since I first shared this blog post, Tarte has released a new tubing mascara called the Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara that provides MORE volume and length. This review is strictly about the basic Tarte Tubing Mascara, but I have to say, the XL version is my preference (I love a bold lash).

Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

The Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara is Tarte’s first-ever tubing formula mascara. It’s made to create flake- and smudge-free 24-hour wear that’s super lengthening. They also have a Tarte Tartlette XL Tubing Mascara that came out earlier this year for even more volume and length.

The plastic-molded brush applicator has 296 bristles to help coat every inch of your lashes. It also contains shea butter, caster oil, and plant waxes, which help create a bold and long lash. Two coats provide ample darkness, but I often do a third since I like a bold lash look.

What is a Tubing Mascara?

Tubing mascara generally means it contains tube-like polymers that wrap around each individual lash, which creates an enhanced lengthening effect. The difference between regular mascara and tubing mascara is that when you apply a tubing mascara, you’re coating each lash with a ‘tube’ that won’t budge, versus painting layers of pigment onto your lashes, which is how regular mascara formulas work. It’s also why you have to apply multiple tubing coats before the first one dries. It doesn’t layer well.

Tubing mascaras are water-soluble, which means the fibers come right off with warm water and a gentle swiping motion with your hand or a washcloth. They won’t smear or smudge with the natural oils of your skin and face wash or eye makeup won’t remove them the way you’d expect.

Tarte’s Tubing Mascara Key Ingredients

One of my favorite things about Tarte’s Tubing mascara is that it contains ingredients that are good for your lashes.

• Shea butter conditions lashes
• Castor oil moisturizes lashes
• Carnauba wax helps create a smooth application with lengthening & volumizing benefits

Formulation

I appreciate that Tarte is formulated with clean ingredients and does not contain parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, or gluten.

Benefits

There are so many benefits to using this mascara other than the look.

• It’s vegan
• 24-hr that won’t flake and is smudge free.
• Ophthalmologist tested, so it’s safe for contact lens-wearers (I wear contacts and have sensitive eyes and have no issues with this mascara)
• Dermatologist tested, so it’s great for sensitive skin
• It’s sweatproof making it perfect for all day wear, even when working out. I can wear it to pilates or while strength training, but if I get super sweaty while running, I may have a few tubing stragglers. (For the 2019 Boston Marathon, I wore this waterproof mascara and it did not budge.)

Results

I have the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara on one eye and no mascara on the other. Impressive, right??  Tubing mascaras wrap each lash, which looks very natural but still provides great length.

And a finished look:

Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara Review

Like I mentioned in the intro, I’d give the Tarte Tartlette mascara an A- or possibly an A. While it’s the best tubing mascara I’ve tried, I’d still prefer more volume and a softer lash feel, but that’s just the nature of tubing mascaras. Since they’re formulated differently than oil-soluble mascaras, they just don’t look and feel quite the same. But even with that one downside, it’s still 100% the mascara I recommend if you struggle with smudging like me.

I love so much about the mascara, however.

Not clumpy

I don’t feel like I’m coating my lashes in pigment, and I don’t have issues with clumping like I did with other tubing mascaras, like Thrive and Hourglass Unlocked. The mascara wand gives me full control of the application, and it’s sturdy but not too inflexible. The Thrive Mascara wand always felt too stiff, and Hourlgass was far too flexible and hard to apply (it felt like the tip might fall off at any moment.) I truly feel like I can coat each lash almost individually, even with tiny lashes under my eye.

Natural looking finish

One of the benefits of tubing mascara is that it looks very natural, especially with just 1-2 coats. Since you’re coating each lash versus building up product, your lashes look more natural than regular mascara. So, if you like a natural makeup look like me, you’ll love this. Since the mascara uses a polymer that wraps around the lashes, I feel like it gives me a wide-awake effect.

Long-wearing

The claims are true. It stays on all day and it doesn’t budge.

Lengthening

With this mascara, my lashes look very long. Part of that is thanks to the eyelash boost serum I’ve been using recently. I do think that the XL tubing mascara gives me a little more length and volume, which I prefer, so I’ve been using that more.

How to Apply Tubing Mascara

Apply Primer

If you want even more volume, first apply lash primer. Tarte makes a great lash primer, but if I had to pick a favorite, it’s this lash primer from DIME. It’s a game-changer for mascara, even regular versions. But for the sake of keeping your online order simple, just add the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer to your cart. I’m SO picky about mascara/primer, but I know most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between DIME and Tarte primers.

Apply the primer just like I would mascara, and while it’s still fresh and moist, apply mascara. Don’t wait for the primer to dry.

Apply mascara to lashes

Immediately apply mascara on top of the primer. I’ll even do one eye with primer and finish with mascara before doing the other eye’s primer. I find that it works best if the primer does not dry. However, I haven’t used a primer since switching to the Tarte Tubing Mascara. I don’t feel like I need it, but I did find it helped with volume a lot with other brands.

After I’ve done my top lashes, I use the applicator to brush a little mascara on my bottom lashes. I use a light touch to keep them looking natural and only do one coat on my bottom lashes.

Clean up with Q-Tip

Since tubing mascara is easily removed with water, you can quickly clean up any mistakes with a damp q-tip. Just get it wet in warm water, and then use it to clean up any mascara that’s on your lid. If you let the mascara dry on your lid before cleaning it off, I recommend using a clean spoolie to brush it off instead, since it’ll flake right off your skin.

The raccoon eyes effect is very minimal with tubing mascaras.

How to take off tubing mascara

While you wash your face

The easiest way to remove tubing mascara is with warm water. I have to splash my face a few times to get my lashes wet enough for the mascara to begin sliding off. Then, I apply my cleansing balm and then remove it with a warm, wet muslin cloth. I press the wet cloth into my eyes to loosen the formula while I remove the cleansing balm and then finish by fully removing my mascara. Read more about my cleansing balm in this full review.

In the shower

If you shower at night, you’ll love how easy it is to remove this mascara. Just let the water rinse over you for a minute or two, and use your fingers to help pull the tubes off. SO easy (and very satisfying).

Is Tubing Mascara Safe?

It depends on which tubing mascara you’re using. Tarte uses clean ingredients, so yes. Just like anything, it’s important to test a product yourself before using it right away. In general, tubular mascaras are good for people with sensitive eyes.

Where to buy Tarte Tartelette tubing Mascara

You can order it online directly from Tarte, or find it at Sephora, Kohl’s, Ulta, or Target.

If you order directly from Tarte, use code terilyn15 for 15% off your order!

Here’s a photo of the finished result. Awake-looking, long lashes!

ILIA Red lipstick in shade Rococco! Read more about my ILIA favorites here.

Use code terilyn15 for 15% off your Tarte order

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The post Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara Review (from a mascara snob) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.