February Beauty Buys

Happy Friday friends! It’s time for our Monthly Beauty Buys series featuring the products I have been trying and loving over the past few months.

If you are new to the series, welcome! You can find a little run down of what to expect in this post, but all in all, this is a place where we review our current beauty finds while sharing tips and tricks with the TTD community. Be sure to leave your recommendations or let us know if you’ve tried any of these in the comments below.

Alright, let’s get into February’s Beauty Buys!

BRIOGEO SCALP REVIVAL CHARCOAL + BIOTIN DRY SHAMPOO

So, for the longest time, I have sworn by the OUAI Dry Shampoo. I love OUAI products and the dry shampoo was one of the best I had tried. But around the holidays, I noticed my scalp was itchy (and a few other things I’ll leave out) and what I thought was only a change in weather, turned out to be an allergic reaction to the OUAI dry shampoo. Which really caught me off guard considering I use their hairspray and hair oil weekly and have only seen positive results.

In the midst of hunting for a new dry shampoo, a reader (Hi, Leslie!) sent me a DM suggesting I try the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo. This was my first time hearing about the all-natural line, but being curious myself (and desperate to find a new dry shampoo), I ordered one right away.

First impressions: I am not a fan of the nozzle — I wish it came out in a mist. And you have to really squeeze it to get any to come out. However, the product itself is amazing. The smell is not overpowering and it does not leave residue on the scalp or cause buildup. Highly, recommend!

Editor Tip: Apply at night. Do not brush out until morning though! Put your hair in a loose top knot and go to sleep. When you wake up, get a boar bristle brush and brush the powder through your roots. You can add a little more powder if needed. I promise you this trick will work! The boar bristle brush is a game changer for me. With or without powder, it distributes the oil to the ends of your hair.

BECCA UNDER EYE BRIGHTENING SETTING POWDER

I’ve been using this for about a month now, and actually really like this powder. In my experience, under eye powders can be hit or miss. They are either too drying or settle in every single line — no thanks!

The Becca Under Eye Brightening Setting Powder is a real win for me. The powder has brightening elements to give your eyes a subtle glow (I promise, nothing overwhelming…we like to keep things somewhat natural over here)  and make it look like you’ve had a full 8 hours of sleep.

Editor Tip: I use this with my Sigma Tapered Highlighter brush. The shape is actually great for the under-eye.

FACIAL STEAMER 

Ok, so there’s really nothing fancy about this, but, it’s great for at-home facials. This steamer is ideal to use with your favorite mask or treatment.

Here’s how I use my steamer at night:

1. Wash face with Tata Harper cleanser. Leave cleanser on the skin for 1 minute while under the steamer.
2. Rinse face and use toner.
3. Apply my favorite mask (full review here). Sit under the steamer for 2-3 minutes (up to 5 if you can stand it). This will amplify the effect of the mask and open your pores even more.
4. Rinse and apply your serum and moisturizer.
5. Go to bed and wake up with glowing skin!

Editor Tip: I was told by my esthetician to only use steamers 1 or 2 times a week. Overdoing it can cause broken capillaries. Have you guys heard anything about this? I only use mine once a week and have had zero issues.

TARTE HIGHLIGHTING EYESHADOW PALETTE VOL. III – RAINFOREST OF THE SEA VOLUME III

Ah, behold one of my favorite eyeshadow palettes! This was on my wishlist for so long, and I finally pulled the trigger when Sephora had the VIB sale in December. It’s such a good palette for someone who likes a neutral eye with some shimmer. The darker colors are also very complimentary to an “everyday” eyeshadow.

Above, I swatched the entire wheel starting at the top and going counter-clockwise. You can see the colors are very neutral, yet pigmented. While they do have a shimmer, they are not glittery and they do have any fallout.

HOT AND COLD REJUVENATING FACIAL WAND

Ok, I have a confession. I saved the BEST for last. I know you are probably thinking, what in the world is this? But hear me out.

This is a three-in-one facial wand that has a massager and two temperate settings.

We all know that warmth makes pores open and that cold makes pores close — similar to our hair. That’s why it’s always important to rinse your conditioner out with cold water, so the nutrients stay within the follicle. But let’s get back to skin…

The facial tool is ideal to help boost the absorption of serum and moisturizers.

How I use the Hot and Cold Rejuventaing Tool (AM + PM):

1. Apply serum to clean skin. Let that sink in for a minute.
2. Apply moisturizer.
3. Immediately after applying moisturizer, use the “Hot” setting on the facial wand. Double tab for the massage setting to come on. Rub the facial wand in circular motions until the timer beeps. You will feel it heat up, but nothing unmanageable.
4. Tap three times for the “Cold” setting to come on. This will feel like ice. Slowing rub this over your entire face, especially around the eyes. This will help close the pores after your products have absorbed into your skin.

Editor tip: This is a tool I use morning and night. It’s super gentle, yet effective.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Biotin Dry Shampoo | Becca Under Eye Brightening Setting Powder | Facial Steamer | Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Vol. III Eyeshadow Palette | Hot and Cold Rejuvenating Facial Wand | OPI in shade ‘Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around’