MUA Favourites - Halifax Edition - Part 1

When I’m looking for inspiration of any kind,  I often turn to the internet because it’s just easy. And thankfully other people do too because that’s probably why you’re reading this! However recently I saw a post on Facebook that got me thinking, why don’t I just turn to the people I know for inspiration? We have an amazing group of talented Makeup Artists here in Halifax, who inspire me and others daily through their work. I reached out to a few that I know and have worked with to see what their favourite products are. These girls are all amazing talented artists with different styles and preferences when it comes to the products they use. One of the things I miss about working in a makeup environment everyday is sharing product reviews with other artists. It’s incredible how many products there are that I have never even heard of and would never think to try until someone I know tells me they’re good. 

It turns out these girls have great suggestions and now I’m gonna go broke at Sephora/MAC and anywhere makeup is sold. If you’re reading this, you obviously do not have to purchase everything, however you’re going to want to because these girls are great salespeople. 

Since those of us who work in this industry tend to be product junkies (myself included) these talented girls had a lot of favourites so I have decided to do two posts of their suggestions. The first which you’re reading now is skincare, and their makeup favourites will be next! 

Here is part one of our local-expert-recommended shopping list, with all contributors being Halifax Makeup Artists! I have linked all of their contact information, be sure to check them out!! 

Alicia MacVarnock (who can be found freelancing, or working at Bowtique Hair and Makeup) loves the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. Why it’s her favourite: “Oils are super effective at moisturizing and strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier. This particular facial oil leaves my skin feeling hydrated all day. It also wears well under makeup”. I have heard that this product is amazing, and now of course I have to try it!  

Glossier The Solution Daily Exfoliant was a favourite of Brandy Marien (Brandy can be found beautifying her clients at MAC Dartmouth).  According to Brandy “It’s a super strong acid toner, it’s legitimately softened my fine lines on my forehead and taken away 80% of my redness and acne scarring”. That’s a pretty huge change. A product that softens fine lines and helps with redness and scaring?! Add to Basket. 

Freelance Artist and Lash Tech Megan Morrison mentioned The Ordinary Buffet, which I had never heard of. Megan loves this because “it’s an amazing peptide solution to help combat multiple signs of aging, fine lines, dark spots. It hydrates and brightens and promotes smooth, firm skin texture”. I don’t know about you guys but to me that sounds like a gosh darn dream. 

Janine Gerrits (Freelance Artist and Assistant Manger at the MAC Halifax Store) loves the Herbivore Blue Tansy AHA+BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask. I’m assuming this is awesome because the name is so long lol. Janine says “I love it because it’s very gentle, but my skin always looks super bright and fresh, particularly the next morning. Plus, the tub lasts forever which is a plus”. Another favourite was MAC Comfort Crème. I have used this myself but wanted to include it because it’s SO NICE. Janine has been “using this for YEARS! It’s super rich, but doesn’t feel greasy and when I use it I see a huge difference in the redness in my skin”. I can attest to that one, MAC is not known for their skincare but there are a few skincare products that they got absolutely right and Comfort Crème is one of them. 

Shanea Sparks (who works at MAC Halifax as well) also loves MAC Comfort Crème. It’s such a good product I think anyone who worked there has had a thing for it. She also loves the Peter Thomas Roth Acne System stating it’s among her “all time favourite skincare products". She also loved the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream which I have never tried. I love Bobbi Brown but have never tried their skincare! One of the reasons I love trading favourites with other makeup professionals. My shopping list is growing....

Naphtali Carleton (Freelance Artist) mentioned a couple of products I had never heard of. The first is the Alba Botanical Very Emollient Kids Sunscreen SPF 40. I love occasionally using kids products since they’re so gentle but still effective. If you’re sensitive this is a great option for you. According to Naphtali “I love that this sunscreen works double duty to protect my kids and I from the sun. It absorbs quickly and is super gentle on even my little fair ones. It’s also free from Oxybenzone Parabens, Nano Particles, and is cruelty free”. She also mentioned the Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream. I’m new to this brand so I definitely want to pick this up. Naphtali loves it because it “brightens, hydrates (with peptides), and gently firms around my eyes! It’s the perfect base for under concealer. It also happens to be vegan, non toxic, hypoallergenic, and free from all synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, fillers, gluten, and GMOs and is cruelty free”. Dang these girls know their stuff!

If you have acne prone skin it can be difficult to know what to use. Jennifer Murphy (Lash Tech and Freelance Artist) likes to use the Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution . She also loves the Kate Sommerville Daily Exfoliant used with her Clarsonic Brush. I've heard amazing things about all of these products and anything that helps with acne without stripping your skin of it's glow sounds good to me!

Angela Hix (who you can find working at MAC Dartmouth) had a favourite that I have never heard of before – organic jojoba oil! She says “it’s not really an oil, this wax makes all the difference in my winter skin care routine! It’s great as an antibacterial based oil for healing acne, gentle for even sensitive skin and skin affected by psoriasis and eczema. It’s nutritious for the skin, full of vitamin B and E and helps to maintain moisture and reduce oil production.” 

Ok guys I don't know about you but I've got to go shopping. These girls all have beautiful, glowing skin and now I know why! These products all sound amazing! And since these are the words of our local experts I absolutely stand behind their recommendations even though I have never tried these products myself (but after reading this I certainly plan to!). 

Thank you to all of these talented contributors for taking the time during our busy season to send me all of their favourite products. I encourage you to check out their work on their social media pages and websites which I have linked throughout and down below. 

Thank you so much for checking out this post! Tune in next week for round 2! 

Meghan xo

Follow our contributors:

Alicia MacVarnock @amcvmakeup
Brandy Marien @elusivebrandeen
Megan Morrison @meganmorrisonmakeup
Janine Gerrits @jgerritsmakeup
Shanea Sparks @strellz_
Angela Hix @angelahixmua
Naphtali Carleton @naphtalimkup
Jennifer Murphy @jennifermurphybeauty

Follow Me:
@meghanlawlormakeup
meghanlawlormua@gmail.com
facebook.com/MeghanLawlorMua/


Disclaimer: some product links used are affiliate links. This post is not sponsored and all opinions are true and honest.