Faves + Fails | Sunscreen, Self-Tanner, Sandals & Stuff | Feb 2020
The end of another month means it’s Faves + Fails time! In this post I’m sharing my experiments with skincare, makeup, clothes & accessories from the month of February 2020!
Faves + Fails in Skincare
CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen is a NEW tinted SPF 30 mineral sunscreen. The tint covers any white cast and is best for light/medium skin tones. It’s got a luminous finish and feels hydrating all day. It wasn’t perfect under makeup as it shortened the wear time by a few hours and it’s not water resistant. If you’re looking for an everyday sunscreen that’s less drying than the Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 then this could work well for you!
Paula’s Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment: I’ve been trying Paula’s Choice 20% Niacinamide Treatment this month to try to reduce the look of my enlarged pores. When used 2X a day for 30 days it’s supposed to visibly reduce pore size and smooth orange-peel texture (Paula, you’re talking to me!!) I’m 3 weeks in and so far I’m not seeing much of a difference but I’ll report back next month when I’ve got the full 4 weeks under my belt!
Previously, I was using the Paula’s Choice Resist 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for the same purpose and I did see a small improvement in pore size after 2 months of use, but it wasn’t enough of a difference to keep using it. The good news is that it didn’t irritate my skin at all (usually salicylic acid makes my skin red and burning)!
I tried Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops in Medium and they were kind of a fave AND a fail… I love the idea of adding the drops to my favorite moisturizer to self tan. The drops can be used for face and body, but I haven’t used them on my face yet since it’s winter. I did’t use enough of the drops the first few times so I wasn’t getting very tan but once I added more, the tan was impressive. It looked great when I mixed it with my moisturizer well enough, but I got a little lazy and didn’t mix it well as I got to my lower legs and ended up with uneven color. Find it at Sephora, & Amazon
Hair Care
I’ve finally found the perfect use for Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Conditioning Spray! To loosen my curls and transform them into beachy waves I spritz Rosarco Milk into my hands and run them through my hair. My hair looks much more natural and less “done” and it also adds shine & softness!
Colleen Rothschild Smooth & Shine Hair Serum is my current fave leave in hair conditioner!
Makeup & Tools
I reviewed Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue foundation and it’s my new Holy Grail! It’s skin-like, offers medium coverage and long-wear even without primer! My only criticisms are the shade range and fragrance. I have to mix 2 to get a color match (2W1 + 3N1). Check out my full review here! Nordstrom, Ulta, Sephora
I also reviewed the Tati Beauty Blendiful makeup application puffs. I thought the Blendiful was pretty good at applying foundation but didn’t love it for powder face products. Where it really shines is applying under eye concealer! Full Review here.
Makeup Geek reformulated, repackaged, and relaunched their eyeshadows and they sent me both of the new Matrix Palettes in PR! The eyeshadows are the same great quality as the originals with easy blendability and virtually NO fallout! All the shades are sold separately so you can create your own palette, or you can purchase curated 9 Shadow Palettes or 4 Shadow Mini Palettes, and don’t forget to use my code ANGIEH&F for 10% Off at Makeup Geek! Review
I liked the look of the Maybelline Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette so I grabbed it and gave it a try and it was good! It’s a small 16 pan palette with a mix of warm toned matte and shimmer shades.
I used my Jeffree Star Magic Star Concealer a lot this month and remembered why I like it so much! It’s very opaque while still being lightweight and doesn’t settle into wrinkles much. My best shade match is C17.
I’ve been testing loose setting powders looking for one that doesn’t give flash back when photographed in a dark setting and Jeffree Star Magic Star Setting Powder is the best so far! I have it in the shade “Beige”.
I tried Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand in Light/Medium and was surprised at how dark it comes out of the tube! I thought it would be a “fail” for sure but it actually blends into the skin really well and is so sheer that it looks great! While it didn’t end up being too dark for me, it is a little redder than I like, so this was just ok for me. Nordstrom, Sephora
Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Lipstick in Naked Coral is the lipstick I’m wearing in the video (above)! It’s a really pretty nude with a touch of peach that’s perfect for spring! Ulta, Amazon
I always seem to buy lipsticks in 3s so I also got Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Daringly Nude! It’s a true nude but it’s not too light and not too brown, just the perfect pinky-nude for everyday!
The 3rd lipstick I got is Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Bare Affair. I remember liking Revlon lipstick but all of mine are a couple years old. This color is similar to Daringly Nude from Maybelline but it has more of a sheen.
I’ve been wearing a dark purpley taupe nail polish this month and so many of you asked about it! It’s Essie polish in “Merino Cool“… Love it! Amazon, Target
Clothes & Accessories
I’ve gotten a ton of questions about my ring this month as well. I love how delicate and unusual it is. I have the rose gold, but it also comes in gold and silver!
I got a couple of new necklaces from Adornmonde recently and love them! My neck has become sensitive to nickel so I have to wear better metals and these are plated in 24 karat gold so they don’t give me a rash! I bought a gorgeous Pegasus Coin Necklace that’s great for layering or on its own!
I also got this Toggle Rectangle Chain Necklace that can be adjusted from choker length to a long necklace easily to layer with the coin necklace! I love the rectangle shape of the links and that they have crystals on one edge to add a subtle sparkle!
Here are a few lower cost similar necklaces for layering for those of you without sensitive neck skin!
I’m feeling all the ’70s vibes with this Rainbow Sweater! It’s a cotton/poly blend so it’s lightweight and not itchy. It comes in a few other colors too! https://amzn.to/2vtNbaV, https://amzn.to/2HYTiXA
Love this graphic Tiger Top too! It’s a lightweight waffle knit that layers well under a denim jacket or faux leather jacket!
This Wrap Blouse is a great spring wardrobe staple! It’s lightweight and pairs well with jeans or work pants. Its got a wrap front that folds under so you don’t have to tuck it! It comes in a few floral colors as well.
I found a half-price dupe for one of my favorite sandals (from Steve Madden) at Target! These Cork Platform Sandals are so comfortable and look just like the more expensive option!
Steve Madden Sandals in Tribal Strap
I bought this Travel Makeup Brush Case for my daughter for Christmas and she loved it so much I got one for myself! It’s a really clever design that holds ALL your brushes in a compact case that doubles as an upright holder for your hotel vanity!
These gorgeous Wire Wrapped Candles have been quietly glowing in the background of my videos for months. The wire wrap/fairy lights on the outside make them something special!
MY AMAZON SHOP: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hotandflashy
My Discount Codes
Curology Prescription Tretinoin: http://curolo.gy/hotandflashy First Month Free!
Save 50% on Tao Clean Aura Orbital Face Brush System: Use code HotAndFlashy at http://bit.ly/HotAndFlashy
$5 Off at Timeless Skincare use this link: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY ($5 discount will automatically be applied at checkout, no code needed)
20% Off at Colleen Rothschild Skincare: Use code FLASHY20 at http://bit.ly/2YvrbWl on any full priced item (can’t be combined with other offers).
Save 10% on Makeup Geek with code ANGIEH&F at: https://mkgk.co/angiehotandflashy
BK Beauty Brushes (Get 10% Off with Code ANGIE10: http://bit.ly/2PGDopw
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