A couple of years ago I began employing a spreadsheet to keep track of the conveyor belt of beauty products I test. Every month I scan through it to bring you the best makeup products I tried in the last four weeks. This month I did not need to consult it at all—94 percent of the 40-plus products I tried were underwhelming. Thankfully, the entire month wasn’t a dud, I discovered four divine products: Mac’s Fix It Primer and Setting Spray, Prada’s Moisturizing Lip Balm, Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Mascara, and About-Face’s Blush Rush.
These four didn’t just stand out relative to their competition this month, they impressed me so much they won space on my overstocked makeup shelf. That means a lot since I’m currently using a one-in-one-out system—finding space for these meant voting four makeup products off the island.
Mac Fix It Primer and Setting Spray
Nordstrom
This primer/setting spray has existed for decades and I’ve only just tried it?! If you haven’t tried this, rectify that one lest you miss out on one of the best makeup products ever. A mist before I start my makeup and again when I’m done is the difference between makeup that needs to be touched up throughout the day and makeup that stays in place and looks flawless for 14 hours.
Prada Moisturizing Lip Balm
Nordstrom
I am not very easily influenced, but I had to try this Prada lip balm-stick after seeing Sabrina Carpenter use it. I expected to be at least temporarily entranced by the shiny metal packaging and kitschy pH-adjusting lip balm, but I did not expect this to become an important part of both my skin care and makeup routine.
As you swipe this across your lips the blue gives way to a pink—but like any color-adjusting product, the exact shade of which depends on the individual. Essentially, it enhances your natural pink tones. The first time I wore this around my sisters they asked if I had finally gotten the professional lip-blushing treatment I keep talking about.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
Nordstrom
When I think of Lancôme, I think of mascara. The brand is synonymous with high-impact, long-wear formulas—although I did not know that firsthand until recently. I’ve begun testing them and its Demi Moore-used Monsieur Big Mascara makes my stumpy sparse lashes look thick, long, and dark. It does so without creating clumpy, spidery lashes (the usual pitfall of dramatic mascaras).
About-Face Blush Rush
About Face
I tried so many great blushes this summer that I thought it would be impossible for another one to impress me for a while. That’s been true, save for About-Face’s new liquid Blush Rush. It’s so pigmented—no really, I mean, I apply a tiny dot the size of a freckle and blend. That’s all I need for a natural flush that lasts all day.