Hi and welcome back to itscharissaaa.com! It’s been a while, huh?
For the first time in a really long time, I feel like I actually enjoyed my summer the way I wanted to. August basically made up for the questionable time I had in July, and honestly, that alone is worth celebrating.
I ran away for a little less than a month and spent my time frolicking around the GTA area. Naturally, as a self-proclaimed beauty lover, Sephora hated to see me coming. I perused several Sephora locations, made my way through a few Canadian drugstores, and somehow ended up with a lineup of products that quickly became favorites.
Some products get tested once and politely returned to the drawer. Others somehow end up in your hand every single time you get ready. This series is for the second group. Welcome to Currently in Rotation, a little beauty check-in on the products I’ve been using on repeat, why they made the lineup, and whether I think they’re actually worth your time. These currently in rotation beauty favorites aren’t necessarily the newest, trendiest, or most talked-about products, but they’ve earned their spot in my routine for now.
So let’s jump into it, shall we?
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
This product is widely loved and has been a long-standing favorite in the beauty industry. I’ve used it inconsistently over the years, then eventually stopped buying it altogether. This past April, my cousin (hi, Jo!) mentioned it in conversation, and I decided to pick it up again. I was very quickly reminded why this product has the reputation it does.
It doubles as a moisturizer and primer, which makes it the perfect bridge between skincare and makeup. For me, it’s the last step in my skincare routine and the first step in my makeup prep. It hydrates, softens, and gives the skin that plump, ready-for-makeup look. Even as an oily girl, I find this step to be a game changer. Makeup just looks better with this underneath. It has officially found its way back into my rotation.
Highly recommend!
Maybelline Poreless Jelly Hydrating Blur Primer
This one really surprised me.
Is it life-changing? No. Did it quietly become one of my go-to everyday primers? Absolutely.
The Maybelline Poreless Jelly Hydrating Blur Primer helps with the overall smoothness of my skin and gives that soft, blurred look without feeling heavy or greasy. I don’t necessarily notice that it helps with the longevity of my makeup, but that’s okay because I have other products that do an incredible job at that.
This primer does exactly what the name suggests: it helps your skin look smoother and more poreless. It’s light, easy to apply, and for me, a little goes a long way. Added bonus: it’s more affordable than most primers on the market right now, and we do love a product that respects the budget.
It’s become my everyday primer for lighter makeup days and has been a staple in my collection for the last six months. She will remain in the lineup.
Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir – 6W
I’m so mad I like this. I fear it does exactly what it says, and for that, it is a new and well-deserved favorite.
Guys, Trinidad is hotter than ever. I am constantly at war with myself over whether wearing makeup even makes sense. This is, of course, a hypothetical question for this beauty gal because the answer is always yes.
Because of the heat, I’ve had to get creative and relearn what works indoors, what works outdoors, and what can survive not only my oily skin, but actual sweat. It has been a rollercoaster, lol.
This skin tint has performed so well for me over the past couple of weeks. It’s lightweight, applies very thinly, and still gives a really nice amount of coverage that can absolutely be built up. For me, the longer I wear it, the better it looks. My complexion ends up looking healthy, even, and very skin-like.
My shade, 6W, is spot on. It has even made me put my Maybelline Skin Tint to the side for a bit, which says a lot. I can’t say enough good things.
E.L.F. Soft Glam Cream Bronzer – Medium
You’re shocked? Don’t be shocked.
E.L.F. products are constantly in my rotation. Yes, their prices have gone up year after year, but so has their quality. They still manage to be the more affordable option for products I use consistently, and I can respect that.
I currently use the shade Medium more as a contour than an all-over bronzer. It’s creamy and easy to blend, but it doesn’t disappear into nothing, which is always appreciated. Once I pair it with a powder, it stays on pretty much until I remove my makeup. No extra bells, no whistles, no unnecessary drama. It’s just a solid basic staple, and I’ve been loving it.
NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder – 04
I’m actually obsessed. I know, I know. We hate that word. But I am!
I forgot how good NARS bronzers are. This powder is smooth, pigmented, and blends like a dream. The shade 04 is also such a good bronzing shade for me. It looks seamless on my skin and somehow makes me look both bronzed and golden, if that even makes sense. Worth every penny.
NARS Blush – Orgasm
Still a cult classic, despite its shocking shade name.
We all know and love this blush. It’s that peachy-pinky shimmer shade that looks good on so many skin tones, and there’s a reason it has stuck around for so long. It continues to be a classic, and I love it as a subtle everyday blush. It gives just enough color and glow without doing the absolute most. That’s it. That’s the review.
Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara – Brown
My friend Mallory, forever fave btw, and I were recently discussing tubing mascaras. I admitted that despite hearing great things, I hadn’t really tried them before.
Fast forward to me wandering around Superstore and stumbling upon this gem. I already have great admiration for Essence mascaras, and I had been wanting to switch to a brown mascara for everyday makeup, so this felt like a no-brainer. And here we are. It’s a great, easy, everyday mascara. It doesn’t smudge, and in my opinion, it’s extremely lengthening. Best of all, it’s cheap. Haha, saying “affordable” just wouldn’t cut it here. It’s cheap in the best way. Great bang for your buck!
We’re almost there. Hang on. Just a couple more products to go.
Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm – Sakura Shaved Ice
Listen, if you’re my friend and I’m obsessed with you, I’ve probably gotten you one of these. I like higher-end lip balms as gifts, but this right here? Top tier. I love this stuff. *Currently pausing to reapply.*
Eadem did their big one with this. The formula is exfoliating, so it should be used with a little caution, but it does exactly what it says. Between the metal tip applicator and the pillow-soft formula, my lips feel luxurious every time I use it. Also, a tube will last you forever, which makes the investment feel a little less dramatic. Worth it!
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie – Barely There
As someone who eats their lip liner, lip liner stains were invented for me. I especially like this one because it’s affordable, comes in a great shade range, and legitimately lasts on me. Barely There is an everyday shade for yours truly, and despite the name, it’s not drying.
10/10. No notes. Well, one note: I store mine upside down.
Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil – Bliss
RIP, and I will forever be sad about this. When Ami Colé announced they were closing, I ran to the site and purchased three tubes of this lip oil. I’m currently on my last one, which feels very dramatic and very personal.
I won’t talk about it too much because it’s no longer available, but it truly was such a good product. Since it is currently in my rotation, it gets a quick and well-deserved mention. Gone, but not forgotten.
Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray
I love this and want to be this spray. It works well alone and works well layered with other products. It’s affordable but feels luxe. Light but effective. Easy but dependable. You see where I’m going? YA… lol.
I like to use this during my makeup application to help everything melt together, avoid that cakey look, and set things between layers. It’s one of those products that quietly does its job and makes the whole face look better.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Mattifying Setting Spray
Honestly, it’s like Danessa knew global warming would be cooking us, because the way she has consistently released products for the oily and sweaty girls? UGH. A gem.
If you haven’t tried anything from the Yummy Skin line, you need to. This spray in particular keeps me matte for an extended period of time, which is a dream in this heat. It sets your makeup so well! My favorite way to use it is when I’m done with my full face, spray and then lightly tap it in with a sponge. I also really appreciate the sprayer. It’s light and airy and doesn’t choke you like the next spray I’m about to mention, haha.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist
Did I mention how hot Trinidad is yet? OH, okay. If you’re living in the Caribbean and you wear makeup, you need this. In my humblest opinion, this is actually better than the One/Size spray. Yup. That one.
It wears a lot better on my skin and makes a huge difference in terms of longevity. My wallet also prefers this one, for obvious reasons. Girl, you need this as a finishing spray. Your makeup will thank you for giving it a fighting chance in the middle of this heat.
Final Thoughts
Tadaaa!
It’s a good bit of products, but when last have I shared favorites with you guys? Exactly!
I use a lot of these products together and interchangeably, and they’ve all earned their place in my current routine in one way or another. Hopefully, you found at least one item that speaks to you or politely asks to be added to cart. With the Sephora VIB sale coming up on September 11th, you may even be able to snag a couple on sale.
As always, I’m happy to answer any questions or just yap some more. DM me on Instagram or let’s meet in the comments. Thank you as always for reading, enabling, and tolerating me and my obsession.
Charissa
xx
