Beauty is so much fun to share and write about. I’m by no means an expert as there are so many thing about my skin I would love to change. Yet, every time I share on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app, on Instagram with “Swipe Up” or on the blog, y’all click on everthing! {thank you, thank you, thank you!!!}
During a recent Instagram suggestion post request, I got many suggestions for more beauty! After sharing all about the Sephora Sale in this post, I thought I would share what I ended up keeping and why. I’m also sharing what I bought and ended up returning.
On each Friday Five post, I also always included something beauty. On last week’s Friday Five, I included 5 beauty items that I’ve purchased during this quarantine that I foresee being a part of my beauty regimen for years to come. In case you missed it, the list is at the bottom of this post!
As always, thank you for being here, thank you for reading my posts, thank you for shopping using my links. I beyond appreciate it and really wish I had a better vocabulary to really show you how much appreciate you!
What I Kept and Am Loving
- Olaplex – this stuff is pure magic. While expensive, I noticed a difference in my hair the first time I used the Olaplex mask. While the Olaplex shampoo and Olaplex conditioner are expensive, I’ve never had to use so little of a shampoo to get the lather I like. I use the mask about 1-2 times a week and leave it on as long as I have time for, thanks to the suggestion of a hairdresser reader. Disregard the 10 minute suggestion on the bottle.
- Anastasia Mini Eye Primer – this was 100% an impulse purchase. But after using it once, that is how often I’m wearing makeup, I loved the color, consistency and how it made my eyeshadow not smudge.
- Charlotte Tillbury Pillow Talk – a tried and true favorite. I needed a backup! {see my blog post all about my favorite lipstick and lip liner shades}.
- Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Collection – I haven’ been using this enough yet to see if it makes a difference. Yet, I love and trust this brand so fingers crossed I experience clearer skin soon!
- Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum – obsessed with this brand {see the blog post all about it here}. I’ve been told, both in person and from beauty influencers I trust, that a daily Vitamin C serum is a must for clearer, brighter skin. I’m super self conscious about my melasma, so I’m trying to be better about applying this daily.
- Better Than Sex Mascara – while I don’t agree with the name, the brush is bomb. I am a the #1 fangirl of Thrive’s Liquid Lash extension mascara, but again this brush is super amazing. The limited times that I’ve applied mascara in the last couple of weeks, I’ve layered them both.
- Tan-Luxe Self Tanner Illuminating Drops – I’m a self tanner virgin. And, let me tell you, the first time I applied this, it showed. I use it about once a week, mixing it with the best clean beauty body lotion on days that I’ve shaved my legs. The more drops you add to your lotion, the deeper the tan. But it isn’t immediate or crazy color, so I would totally recommend this.
- Dp Hue Gloss and Semi Permanent Conditioner – If you’ve been around here for a minute, then you remember when I went blonde-ish at the beginning of the year. I got blonde belyage highlights, my maybe 3rd time in my life getting highlights, to help blend grays and not be high maintenance. Along with everyone else, my hair was not looking so hot during quarantine as the blonde got blonder and any blending went away. I got this, in light brown, to try to help tone down the blonde highlights. I’ve loved the way it looks and I’m even thinking of getting the next darker shade to either mix or try a little more of a change.
What I Returned and Why
- Lawless The Little One Eyeshadow Palette – while I love clean beauty as much as the next guy, I don’t really need another eyeshadow palette. Hint: No one does! I’m not wearing makeup, like ever, and I saw a TikTok saying you don’t need another eyeshadow palette or lip balm. That stuck with me. Plus, the couple of times that I have put on makeup, I always lean towards this clean beauty palette or this neutral eyeshadow palette, both of which I already own.
- Tarte Sea Color Splash Lipstick in Salt Lyfe – a recommendation from a fellow blogger, I snagged it when I saw them post about it. But on me, it was less than stealer. Listen, neutrals, nudes and that lipstick that your favorite blogger talks about allllll the time and says the you have to have it might not work on you, and that is A-Ok! I much prefer this lipliner with this tinted lip balm on me. {please tell me that I’m not the only one that has put on their favorite lip to go out and then realized it is going to see the inside of your glorious face mask?!?}
- Sephora Collection Shadow Brush – while a great brush, I found a bunch of mine that have never been used in my quarantine cleaning. No need for more!
- Charlotte Tillbury Pillow Talk Medium – as the original color is one of my top beauty suggestions, it looks great on everyone, I had high hopes for this color. It is in the same color family of my ride or die favorite lip liner color. {in Edge to Edge} But it was much too brown on me. Also, it is very similar to Soar, which I already own. {see my lip liner blog post HERE}
- Coola Exfoliater and Applicator Mitt – I though I needed this with the self tanner drops that I love and mentioned above. Yet, Kara {@karalovescoco} said no need! And to just apply in front of the mirror in big circles. To exfoliate, I use this clean beauty body scrub.
Five Beauty Items I Purchased During Quarantine That I Will Buy Again
- Olaplex – literally magic and worth the money
- Thomas Roth Face Mask – love that is goes on clear and you get so much
- Tan-Luxe – my first time using self tanner! I love the subtle glow and ease of mixing it with your body lotion.
- Pixi FortifEYE – amazing and so luxurious. These will be a stable in my routine for years. Obsessed.
- Elemis Resurfacing Facial Pads – these are magic and they are on sale this weekend! Use them after washing your face.

