Current Beauty Favorites (March/April 2017)

Hey Everyone!

Welcome back to Nia Imani! Today I wanted to share my Current Beauty Favorites with you guys.
A few people asked me to list links to all the products as well as pictures and I will definitely try to do that with this post! I know you guys are looking for my current skin care routine as well as my everyday foundation routine. I am currently having some skin trouble therefore, I am not using much skin care and I haven't used makeup regularly for at least two weeks due to my skin trouble. I will get back to my normal routine soon.

I wanted to thank you all for being patient with me. I know I have a busy schedule and a lot going on and that makes me a bit inconsistent with my activity on the site as well as social media. I am working diligently to become more active on Nia Imani. Please continue to be patient; I promise I will become more active in the coming weeks.

I wanted to thank you guys for a awesome emails! Continue to send me awesome post ideas and questions. Remember I do give complementary skin analysis via email as well.
Any who, with all that said, lets jump into this post!

Let's start with face products!

• Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea: This is one of Mario Badescu's newest products. It's a hydrating, refreshing spray. This spray features aloe, cucumber, and green tea. These ingredients are hydrating, lightweight, and refreshing. It can be used as a toner or refreshing spray. I find this spray removes the powdery makeup look from my skin after powder application. It also makes my makeup look extremely natural. I noticed this spray (unlike the rose version) keeps me matte longer. I highly recommend it for everyone. It is perfect for all skin types and conditions. It retails for $7.00 at Ulta Beauty. The link will be below.
• NYX Total Control Drop Foundation: This stuff is LIFE!!! This can be used on its own as a thin, lightweight foundation or it can be mixed into another foundation or face product to alter the color or it can be mixed into a moisturizer, serum, SPF, or oil for a makeup, skin care hybrid product. This is so similar to the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops its crazy! It lasts all day on my skin, it covers all of my hyperpigmentation and it looks like skin. I usually mix mine with the Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen SPF 45 they are perfect together especially in the warmer and sunnier months. This product retails for $14.99. Link is below.
• Ecotools Beauty Sponge: This sponge is BOMB.COM! I has a round bottom like a typical beauty blender and a triangular top that allows you to get into hard to reach areas. The triangular side also allows for a super crisp contour. It comes soak up too much product and it find it to be really durable. I purchased mine for $5.99 each. (I have four)
• Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Primer: This primer is super lightweight and easy to apply. I find a lot of primers for oily skin can be sticky or lumpy. It reminds me a lot of the hangover primer from Too Faced. I don't find it makes my skin look dry or flaky and it doesn't leave any film behind either. It does prolong the wear of my foundation and does keep me matte a few hours longer than I would have been without it. Its a great drugstore alternative to high end primers. I purchased mine from Ulta Beauty for $14.
• Milani Contour and Highlight Cream and Liquid Duo in Dark/Deep: I was pleasantly surprised by how well this contour and highlight duo worked; the contour is a nice deep, cool toned brown and the highlighter is a super soft, subtle gold. I usually mix the highlight shade into my concealer on my forehead and chin for a soft glow. The contour blends into the skin beautifully and it last all day on the skin. I highly recommend this product for anyone who is into cream contouring. The price varies but, I purchased mine for $9.99. The link is below.
• L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer in Fawn: This is an OG Holy grail product for me. I have been using this since high school. Its inexpensive, pigmented, long lasting, and super accessible. They have the best range of shades; they even have corrector shades! I usually get mine from my local beauty supply but, you can pick it up at Ulta. My concealer usually retails for $2.99 or $3.99.
• Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink: Anyone who knows me knows its rare for me to kind a blush I liked so for this to have made it into my favorites its a big deal. This is a beautiful bright baby pink blush with a gold shift and tons of shimmer. I feel that it is a dupe for the new Benefit Galafornia blush. It is extremely buildable which I like in a blush to avoid over applying. I also love than I don't need a highlighter when I'm using this product. It is perfect for my everyday spring and summer makeup routine. It retails for $9.49.
• L.A. Girl Pro HD Powder in Banana: This is an awesome, lightweight powder with no flash back under the eyes. The yellow tint is super brightening. The only downside is how small the container is. Makeup Revolution has a powder for $8 powder with way more product. This retails for $5.00.
• Makeup Revolution shimmer brick in rose gold: This is a dupe for the Bobby Brown Rose Gold Shimmer Brick. I find that it is more bronzy than straight rose gold. It is super pigmented, long lasting and I like that it isn't too glittery. They have an amazing variety of shimmer brink shades. I am currently eyeballing the pink one. I do recommend this for people into powder highlighting powders. They run for $7.00 each and I purchased mine from Ulta Beauty.
• Milani Face and Eye Strobe Palette in golden light: This is a great everyday golden highlight. It gives off a great glow, but it isn't too over the top. Milani is definitely stepping their game up! I purchased mine for $13.00.
• NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette: I really like this palette for abstract highlight shades. It's a great alternative to the Anastasia Beverly Hill palette. I purchased mine at Ulta (was is new... I'm always at Ulta)

On to Eyes:

• ELF Lock-on Liner and Brow Cream in Espresso: This product is crazy pigmented. Like one dip in the pan will fill in both brows. It has a nice color range and I love the price. I would rather spend $4.00 than $18 for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow.  
• NYX Cosmic Metal Shadow Palette: This is a beautiful palette. It as six shimmery shadows. This palette has extremely blendable shadows with great color pay off. I highly recommend it.
• Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner: This another one of my holy grail products, I have been using this for so long its crazy. I love how easy it is to use. I also love how much product is in the container. I feel like most liquid liners run out quite quickly and this lasts a while. I believe it only comes in black for those of you wondering.
• L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara Primer: This stuff is so good! It is better than the Lancôme primer and it is fraction of the price. My lashes get so long and my mascara lasts all day without one problem.  I beyond recommend this product, you all need this mascara primer.

Last but, not least Lips:

• Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Crème in Pretty Problematic: I am not a huge fan of the whole metallic lip trend. I think they look weird on me but, this lip crème looks awesome on me. This is a pretty metallic berry lip crème. Milani's lip crème are super comfortable on the lips and the last quite a while. I recommend it for anyone but especially someone with a similar skin tone who is having trouble finding a metallic lip product that works for them.
• Mega Last Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick in Video Vixen and Berry Recognize: These lipsticks are the BUSINESS! They last all day and they are beyond comfortable. Plus they are really inexpensive. I can't wait to pick up a few more.
• Sun Bum Suncreen Lip Balm: This is standard lip balm but the thing I really like about it is the high SPF (30). I also love the coconut scent one; it smells and tastes awesome.
• Maybelline Baby Lips Color Balm Crayon in Blush Burst and Toasted Taupe:These are beautiful , extremely hydrating balm crayons for the lips. They give off a decent amount of pigment, tons of shine and a whole bunch of hydration. Its a great alternative to standard lip gloss. I totally recommend them. I can't wait to pick up a few more.
• Shea Moisture Lip Balm: I am clearly obsessed with anything balm like! I love balms because they give a beautiful shine and keep the lips hydrated and plump. This particular lip balm is thick and log lasting. It also has a subtle minty feel. I love it!
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Coffee Bean: It is another one of my OG products. Its the perfect lip liner for WOC. I can wear this with all lipsticks and it just defines my lip line in the most natural way possible. I will never be without this.

That's all Folks!

Thank you for stopping by Nia Imani. I hope you enjoyed the post. As always please send me any requests or questions you may have. You can send them via social media, the comments section, or my email. The links to all the products are below. Thanks again and have a great day!

Links:

• Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea: http://www.ulta.com/facial-spray-with-aloe-cucumber-green-tea?productId=xlsImpprod15471023&utm_source=mb-blog&utm_campaign=blog-facial-spray-comparison-2-1-17&utm_medium=content
• NYX Total Control Drop Foundation: http://www.ulta.com/total-control-drop-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod15361099
• EcotoolsBeautySponge:http://www.ulta.com/total-perfecting-blender?productId=xlsImpprod15361215
• Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Primer: http://www.ulta.com/one-heck-of-a-blot-instant-perfecting-power-primer?productId=xlsImpprod13801019
• Milani Contour and Highlight Cream and Liquid Duo in Dark/Deep: http://www.ulta.com/one-heck-of-a-blot-instant-perfecting-power-primer?productId=xlsImpprod13801019
• L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer in Fawn: https://www.lagirlusa.com/products/hd-pro-concealer?variant=7709997509
• Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink: https://milanicosmetics.com/Baked-Blush.html
• L.A. Girl Pro HD Powder in Banana: https://www.lagirlusa.com/products/hd-pro-setting-powder?variant=7709717701
• Makeup Revolution shimmer brick in rose gold: http://www.ulta.com/vivid-shimmer-brick?productId=xlsImpprod13661075
• Milani Face and Eye Strobe Palette in golden light: https://milanicosmetics.com/Spotlight-Face-and-Eye-Strobe-Palette.html
• NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette: http://www.ulta.com/strobe-of-genius?productId=xlsImpprod13591002&sku=2297374&_requestid=15983620
• ELF Lock-on Liner and Brow Cream in Espresso: http://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/lock-on-liner-and-brow-cream
• NYX Cosmic Metal Shadow Palette: http://www.ulta.com/cosmic-metals-shadow-palette?productId=xlsImpprod15361109&sku=2502623&_requestid=15989241
• Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner: http://www.ulta.com/line-stiletto-ultimate-precision-liquid-eyeliner?productId=xlsImpprod2830021&sku=2206342&_requestid=15991843
• L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara Primer: http://www.ulta.com/voluminous-lash-primer?productId=xlsImpprod14321015&sku=2305256&_requestid=15993860
• Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Crème in Pretty Problematic: https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/milani-amore-matte-lip-creme/ID=prod6329786-product
  
• Mega Last Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick in Video Vixen and Berry Recognize:http://www.wetnwildbeauty.com/new/megalast-liquid-catsuit-matte-lipstick.html
  
• Sun Bum Suncreen Lip Balm: http://www.ulta.com/sunscreen-lip-balm-spf30?productId=xlsImpprod11941051
  
• Maybelline Baby Lips Color Balm Crayon in Blush Burst and Toasted Taupe: https://www.maybelline.com/lip-makeup/lip-balm/baby-lips-color-balm-crayon
  
• Shea Moisture Lip Balm: http://www.target.com/p/sheamoisture-african-water-mint-ginger-shea-butter-lip-balm-0-5-oz/-/A-51044160
  
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Coffee Bean: https://www.amazon.com/Rimmel-1000-Kisses-Liner-Coffee/dp/B004IWK312