I’ve been really happy with the skincare and makeup discoveries this past year so far. I’ve come across a lot of really great products that suited my skin well, and have gotten me more into makeup again. As a work-from-home, mom of a five-year-old, it’s easy to slip into the leggings, ponytail, and no makeup routine, but sometimes that extra effort makes me feel a little bit better about myself that day, and Beautycounter really sparked a love for having a makeup routine again. Let me tell you all about this Flawless In Five Set because I think it’s a great way to dive into this brand.
I thought the Flawless In Five Set would give me the best well-rounded idea about their makeup. It includes a foundation (or tint), a concealer, a lip gloss, a brow product, mascara, and cheek color. I was mostly okay picking colors on my own, but it did help to speak to my friend Steffanie, from Brighter, Darling, about the foundation options (color and coverage) so I would make the best choice.
The Foundation
I really thought I would buy the Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, but quickly learned after my chat that the foundation would give me the coverage that I am looking for. Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation is a god-send when it comes to foundations. It has a natural finish, which to me, usually means drier than I want. But somehow this foundation gives me hydrated skin with radiance. The color I got was spot on and easily applied by fingers where I want fuller coverage, brush for a more buffed outlook, and sponged over if I want it really thinned out.
The first day I wore this foundation I could NOT stop looking at my forehead and cheeks because my skin was catching light without any highlighter on it. It just looked healthy! And like real skin to me. Not skin covered with makeup. I like how it evens out my sun-spotted face and veils small blemishes. It also lasts all day for me (10 am to 6 pm) without showing any obvious signs of wear, so I still look fresh by the time my husband comes home from work. The shade I use is: Medium 340.
The Concealer
The Skin Twin Creamy Concealer has moved up to my number one spot for daily use. The previous choice was Kosas Revealer Concealer. I use this for those deep inner corners of the eyes, and well as any blemishes. It does a great job of brightening the entire eye area and not accentuating or drying out fine lines and wrinkles –I love the formula BUT I have had to play with it a bit.
I have deep creases under my eyes, so I am prone to concealer collecting in those spots. I can use a minimal amount, pat it in with fingers, go over it with a sponge, and 20 minutes later I’ll see them. So my solution to that is that I apply my concealer, and then use a mini beauty blender I have sprayed with Urban Decay setting spray to pat and blend in. It seems to do the trick for me! I can’t wear the concealer too thin or it won’t hide my dark under-eye circles so this technique works for me. The shade I use is: Medium 2.
The Brow Pencil
I’ll get the Color Define Brow Pencil out of the way here, not because it’s bad, but it’s not the most exciting item to talk about in the bunch. It’s a standard wood pencil that has a spoolie at one end for grooming. The color works great and it stays all day, my only wish is for a finer tip on the pencil. I am sure they avoided the mechanical pencil-style to reduce plastics, but traditional pencils get stubby on me and I end up drawing on darker brows than I intend sometimes. It’s not too soft or hard, I just prefer a more precise tip to carve out a brow shape. I don’t think I’d buy this pencil on its own, but still think it’s a good addition to this set. The shade I use is: Medium brown.
The Blush
I can’t speak for all the blush colors, but I chose a very popular one called ‘nectar” which has been described to be very similar to NARs orgasm. It’s the perfect peachy pink glow for my cheeks and I love that the pan doesn’t kick up excess dust. The packaging is NOT plastic, but a sturdy pressed cardboard that looks nicer than you’d think. The Satin Powder Blush does live up to its name with its satin finish. It really helps add to that healthy radiance I already get from the foundation.
The Gloss
When I share about Bare Minerals lip glosses on my Instagram stories, I raved about the feel. Lots of OMGs and you have to try this to my audience. I got one reply from someone telling me I would be wowed with the feel of Beyond Gloss from Beautycounter, and guess what guys? They were right! Beautycounter’s Beyond Gloss has that pillowy, cushiony feel to it when you rub your lips together. It stays in place and isn’t sticky at all. I would say this is more cushiony than the new Urban Decay Vice Plumping Shine Balms (which are also very nice, btw) and enough shades to make me feel like I’m going to go broke over the next year collecting them! It does have a very light vanilla flavor to it, and I also really like the applicator tip. The wand tip is tear-shaped which gives me a more precise application for glossy lips. The shade I use is Dahlia which is a cool pink.
The Mascara
Okay guys, this is one of the more important ones in the bunch, the Think Big All-In-One Mascara. To get an idea of what I was using before, I was using Maybelline define-a-lash which was a very thin formula, as well as RMS beauty Volumizing Mascara which applied nicely but if I got it in my eyes they would water all day. I cracked open this tube of BC’s mascara assuming it would give me too much volume and make me feel like I would get spider lashes. But I was SO wrong. This mascara is MAGIC!
I have very straight, light lashes and Beautycounter’s Think Big All-in-one truly does it all! It lengthened my lashes dramatically, while also volumizing, curling (a bit) and separating them beautifully. I feel I am a pretty harsh critic when it comes to volumizing mascaras — most of them are trash in my opinion. Who wants thick (and messy) lashes?! They better never discontinue this one because I really like the silicone-y nubbed wand and this formula makes me feel like I have beautiful lashes from morning till night! I do find it’s more difficult to remove this mascara, which is kinda good in a way because it’s not going to budge. But I have to really massage my lids with cleansing balms and micellar water before using a foaming cleanser to remove it all. I’m hoping I will find a product that removes it more easily for me.
So that’s it. That’s the whole Flawless in Five set. You get a great deal for the price ($150, but value is $190) on some high-performing makeup, and are given lots of options color-wise. I didn’t think I needed the help of a consultant but quite honestly, I’m glad I did or I might have chosen some things that wouldn’t have been happy about.
Would I buy everything again? I would shout from the rooftops about the foundation and mascara. I can see myself buying the blush, concealer, and lip glosses (oh boy do I want all the glosses!) but I will skip the pencil.
Have you tried anything from Beautycounter? If you haven’t, I think you’d really be pleased!
The foundation sounds excellent and you look radiant!
You look fabulous! Great color choices, too. Beautycounter sounds so familiar to me. Have you reviewed their tinted moisturizer in the past? If I hadn’t just bought a similar starter from Doll Beauty, I would jump on this. Sounds and looks like wonderful makeup
You look terrific. That mascara speaks for itself. I think I need that the next time I’m in the market for mascara. I know Mary Kay isn’t cruelty free but it’s the best eye makeup remover around IMO.
[…] have previously shared about their Flawless In Five set which is what really sold me on the brand, but since I intend to share more about beautycounter […]