My Rare/Hard-To-Find Beauty Starter Pack

Hola chicas, I thought I’d so a wee lil spin on the usual “Starter Pack” themed posts as I have so many products that I’ve gone out of my way to purchase on the interwebs as they were indie branded or hard to find. I did find that some of them were duds (which is always a sad day) however, I have found a significant amount of gems that I’ve just got to share with you. It’s always difficult to shop based on a product’s reputation and the lack of a physical tester or swatch can be unnerving, but these are solid products that I would recommend and would indeed repurchase myself. If you’re looking to treat yourself with a U.S. only gem from Depop/eBay or perhaps a little something from an online-only store, then I’d give these a ponder.

FOUNDATIONDeciem The Ordinary Coverage Foundation*

If you lovely lot follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I bloody go on about this foundation on IG stories all the time. I can’t recommend this enough, for such a low price of £5.00 you’re getting a lot in terms of product, quality, longevity, and overall look on the skin. I’m less of a fan of their Serum Foundation as I have naturally combo/oily skin so I’m not exactly looking for a dewy finish. However, the Coverage Foundation of a perfect satin/demi-matte finish that really lasts on my skin. It’s not the longest lasting foundation evaaar, but it does a very, very good job for such a low cost product.

CONCEALEREssence Camouflage Full Coverage Concealer

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this one vaguely in a few makeup blog posts before, but it needs a teeny tiny mention once again. This concealer really did surprise me, it’s got amazing coverage! I did end up buying a few shades lighter than intended but I now use this as a “highlighting concealer” with other concealers and it doesn’t get patchy, crepey, or dry – it’s easy to blend with a sponge but dries down quickly so you need to work fast!

POWDERCoty Airspun Loose Setting Powder in Translucent 

I picked this up on Amazon as you can’t really buy this in any usual drugstore or shop in the UK and I was well impressed to say the least. The powder itself isn’t white, but slightly beige toned, so I was apprehensive about the whole “Transparent” thing as coloured powders tend to layer on me and get pretty cakey looking. Actually, this does a FAB job at setting my face and I also use this to bake my nose (my most oily area) and it stays put all day long. Oh, and the actual post of this is huge so you’re getting a lot of product for your ££££.

FACE PALETTETropic Sculpting Face Palette in Vintage Rose*

Out of all the face palettes that I’ve ever used, this is by far my fave. It’s from a brand called Tropic, and as far as I’m aware you can’t just run into Boots or John Lewis and pick this up. It’s definitely worth the £££ in my opinion, however, as all three powders in this palette are major *hits* for me. The blush is so long lasting and melts into the cheeks for a beautiful flushed glow, especially with the highlighter dusted on top. The contour is also my ideal shade, with cool tones but not too grey or muddy on the skin. If you’re looking for good all-rounder face palette for travel, this is it.

CONTOURMake Up Geek Contour Powder Pan in Infidelity

If you look at this poor little pan (on it’s lonesome) you’ll probably think, what the fuck is that? But honestly, this is such a brilliant contour shade and formula. I’ve used this to death for about 2 years now and it needs to go in the bin and hard pan is forming and chunks come off when I try to use it. However, I did have the best 2 years sculpting with this, and at such a low price I can’t argue with it. You can also buy it in a proper compact instead of the pan, but it’ll set you back a little more mula.

BRONZERPhysician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer

I know I’m being a right pain by mentioning this as you literally can’t get it anywhere in the UK, but if you can get it, get it. It’s beyond amazing, and worth every single penny – I’ve had this for two years now and I’ve barely made a dent in the powder and I use it all the time. The formula just melts into the skin and I’ve actually never over-bronzed when using this bronzer (which is crazy impressive as I’m quite heavy handed with powders).

BLUSHMilani Baked Blush in Luminoso

An oldie, but a goodie, this is the best peach-toned blush in my collection and I don’t think any product is going to change that. I know that’s a massive statement, but I don’t think any blush has ever made me look so naturally perky and healthy – this blush is magical. It does have little fine shimmers in it so the finish is a sheen-y satin on the cheeks, leaving you looking glowwwwwing.

HIGHLIGHTWet n’ Wild Gold Bar Highlight

Okay, so I may have paid double the price for this bad boy on Depop but it was worth it to get hold of a rare, limited edition highlight from the US. I would also say if you have the opportunity to get this highlight, do it! I love love love champagne/gold highlighters as they’re the most flattering on my skin, and this one looks beaaaautiful. If you apply this with a fan brush you can get a beautiful glow, and with a denser pointed brush you can get a *see my highlight from space* strobing effect.

MASCARABuxom Lash Mascara*

I was so unbelievably surprised with this mascara when I was sent it in a high end beauty box, I really wasn’t expecting much as it blew some of my other mascaras out of the park. The formula is quite wet, but it means that you have a lot of time to build on the lashes, which is fab for adding length and for maintaining separation. I don’t see anyone talking about this product so where’s all the hype at?! This mascara is fab, okay?!

What are your fave rare or hard to find products?

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*I was gifted some of the products in this post, however the opinions and views are my own*
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