I Tried Joanna Gaines’ Favorite Makeup & You Must Buy This Product ASAP
There isn’t a single soul I know who doesn’t adore Joanna Gaines.
From her impeccable styling on Fixer Upper to her gorgeous home decor line at Target, she’s won over hearts and homes nationwide. So when she listed some of her favorite beauty products on her blog, I had to see if her coveted stamp of approval also applies in personal care.
Of the 10 products she swears by, I tried 4: ColoreScience Sunforgettable mineral powder foundation, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, Mac Lipstick in “Fresh Brew”, and Jack Black lip balm. Here’s what I thought…
1. Colorescience Sunforgettable powder with SPF 30
Available on Amazon – $65
I’ll give it to you straight—I’m not sure this product is worth the price tag… which is regularly $65!
My disappointment in ColoreScience mineral powder is partly due to my expectation it would work like a foundation (a misunderstanding on my end). It’s incredibly sheer so I found myself applying way more product than I’d imagine to even notice the color tint, roughly 12 hefty shakes of powder. I’d imagine you’d need quite a bit anyway in order to receive the full sun protection advertised.
I’m now using it as a finishing powder, which does happen to work quite well. After my full face of makeup is applied, I’ll brush a bit of the mineral powder over top to mattify the finish and give just a touch more sun protection. I’m assuming this is how this product was intended but it’s a very expensive finishing powder if you ask me.
If you can find this product on sale, it may be worth your while but I would much sooner recommend itCosmetics CC+ Cream over this brush-on powder if you’re looking for a foundation with SPF like I was.
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
Available at Ulta – $21
Joanna hit the nail on the head here! I’ve tried the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pomade in the past (and have loved it!) but never the pencil application. I absolutely loved the results of this brow product!
The mechanical pencil applicator has a super-fine tip to make hairlike strokes, plus a spoolie at the other end to brush the product through. I like to shape the edges of my brows and blend the color throughout for a powder brow effect.
The only downfall of this pencil? It’s a bit spendy at $21 but NYX has a near-identical dupe for only $10! However, the NYX Micro Brow isn’t quite as pigmented as ABH Brow Wiz.
3. MAC Lipstick Shine in Fresh Brew
Available at Ulta – $18.50
I thought I was going to hate this lipstick. For starters, the “Fresh Brew” color is a shade I would never pick out for myself. I figured it probably looked great on Joanna because she has a tanner & warmer complexion than mine. It also has shimmer and a stick application, and I normally apply liquid lipstick. But I thought, “if this is what Joanna likes, it’s worth a shot.”
And I’m so glad I did! You guys, I knew MAC lipstick had a great reputation but I am in love! It has a super creamy application so the lipstick was comfortable to have on all day long. Since it’s more on the sheer side, it was so easy to reapply without the precision typically needed from a pigmented packed formula.
And as for the shade I didn’t think would work with my skin tone? I was wrong! It’s so universally flattering and the shimmer just adds sheen rather than sparkle. I can’t remember the last time I’ve loved a lipstick this much.
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect nude hue and with fall coming up, this MAC tube is going to get a ton of use. Great call on this lipstick, Joanna!
4. Jack Black lip balm with Shea Butter & Vitamin E
Available at Sephora – $8
At first, I thought this would be nothing more than an overpriced version of Aquaphor, but I really do like this lip balm by Jack Black. The ingredient list is less chemical-sounding than cheaper versions and the SPF coverage is a definite plus.
It glides on smooth and immediately feels ultra-hydrating to lips, which is important for me since my liquid lipsticks tend to dry my lips out.
Would I spend $8 on lip balm regularly? Probably not. But I could see myself picking this up when I feel like treating myself or including it in a self-care gift for a friend. Absolutely!
I tried BH Cosmetics and replaced my $40 foundation for good.
You have such beautiful skin! I will have to give the brow pencil a try…i am still looking for a good one 🙂 thanks!
Aw, thank you for the sweet comment, Kristen! My mom taught me very young to never skimp on my skincare routine so I have her to thank for it ☺
I’ve been eyeing the brow pencil for a while now. I am using the pomade for years and love it! Might be worth a shot to try the pencil.
I don’t know why it took me so long to try the pencil because I’m a fan of the other brow products by ABH as well. I think that the pomade may be a better value (more product in the pot for a lower price) BUT the application is sooo much easier with the pencil. Let me know what you think if you do try it out, Regina!
What is your skincare routine?? I think we need another post!
Ooo I like this idea! I’ll send that idea to our team so stay tuned!
Agreed! 😉
I would love to hear more about your skincare routine 🙂
I am so frugal with makeup but this eyebrow pencil is totally worth it. I’ve read that eyebrow pencils and their waxy formulas like cover girls actually pull out the hair, which I have experienced. But this one is so smooth and natural looking. It gives just the right amount of definition. Now I will have to try that lipstick!
You have such beautiful skin, I don’t notice wether or not you have makeup on other than the eyebrows. Especially the lipstick.
So sweet, Brittney! I think that’s why I ended up really liking the lipstick. It’s just enough tint to put a little color on my lips but the shade is the perfect neutral. I’ve worn it almost every day since I got it 😆
I’d also love to read about your skincare routine. Your skin is flawless!
Thank you, LRJ! I’ll definitely try to make that happen!
MAC lipstick is the bomb. I wear “O” all the time, as does my sister and my mom. And we all have vastly different complexion – we literally cover the spectrum from pale to dark skin tones (mixed family). I also know it’s one that I can hand to any friend when they ask if they can borrow a lipstick. I might be a little dramatic for some people to wear as a day look, but I use it 24-7. I forget what the actual lipstick line is called, but all the ones with a little bit of metallic shimmer that MAC makes are like magic. I would encourage everyone to try it. I feel like my “O” is part of the family at this point. It just makes me so happy. And being able to reapply a darker color on the run without looking is so awesome.
Oh my gosh, I’m so intrigued! I just looked up that color—so gorgeous 😍 I agree, it’s a bit more of a statement lip and I normally I would think that shade isn’t for me but now I’m convinced that MAC colors are just magical! I’ll have to try that color next. Thank you for the recommendation, Amanda!
Well you convinced me to go try that color lol
😆 💄 💋
Now I’m torn!!!! I want to try both colors…what to do, what to do?!?
MAC has 25% off on their website. 😀
OF course I gotta ask…..nail polish brand/color?
Hi Sona! If you’re referring to my nails in some of the pictures, I actually have a different color on each nail hah! I use Gellen gel polishes from Amazon and cure them with an LED lamp. Hope that helps!
Is that a color or type of MAC? I can’t find it and Ulta has MAC lipstick half off!
Here’s the “O” shade of MAC lipstick at Ulta. However, I’m not sure if it’s included in the select shades that are 50% off right now. But I hope that link helps!
It’s so weird because everywhere but ULTA it looks brown. https://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13854/52595/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/frost-lipstick#!/shade/%22O%22
Sheesh Amanda, you sold me on that 🤩💟
I used to use the Anastasia brow wiz and when I had to tighten up my budget, I tried out the Maybelline Total Temptation eyebrow definer pencil and it’s just as good if not better. I buy it at CVS when they have a deal and it’s sooo much cheaper.
I’ve used that one in the past too! I also liked it, especially how the spoolie end was rounded rather than straight. I made the switch just to try out the superfine pencil tips but I totally agree Maybelline’s definer pencil was awesome!
Loreal one is comparable too
The ABH Brow Wiz pencil is great, but the ABH Brow Definer is even better! It allows you to make both small, precise strokes (like the pencil) but also wide strokes (unlike the pencil). Plus, you get a lot more product w. the Definer, for just $2 more! Same amazing pigmentation and shade range too.
That’s a good point. And yes, definitely agree there’s more product in the definer version rather than Brow Wiz, so the value is a bit better. I think it’s all about applicator preference, because really all the ABH products are fantastic!
You should post a total before and after!
I have the first one you listed, but I use it on my kids, not me! One time I saw my sister in law using it on her kids, and I had to have it! She said her dermatologist had them in the office. I keep it in my purse and just brush that all over their face and shoulders when we end up outside. It’s SO much more convenient than sunscreen lotion, and not as greasy and that or a spray. Now if we are going to the beach or spending hours at the pool, then I absolutely use regular sunscreen on them. But for a quick playground trip or last minute walk around the park, etc, this works perfectly! Also, you are right – it is very expensive! But if you go to the color science website, every so often (maybe 2-3 times a year), they have a deal on a 3 pack, and you basically only pay for 2 sticks, rather than 3. So it was around $120 for 3 of them, and then I divided the pack between my family/friends because I didn’t need 3, so it was only $40 for a stick.
ONLY $40 🤣
I love this style post with all before and after shots! Thank you! I definitely gotta get the fresh brew lipstick… that’s an awesome look!
Love these kind of posts. Thank you for the recommendations. Please post your skincare routine sometime too. Your skin is beautiful ☺️☺️
I had to look up who Joanna Gaines even was lol. I do like ABH brow pencil and it’s often on sale somewhere. I’m excited to try a Mac lipstick that I bought earlier today. I wouldn’t have chosen the color you tried but it does look great on you so maybe I’ll give it a go if I like the formula (and if I find it on sale, of course!).
For the powder sunscreen, I have one from Supergoop from Sephora and it’s okay, the dispenser is pretty disappointing. Next time I’m going to get the Colorscience one to try. Yes it’s expensive, but I have some melasma on my cheeks (hyperpigmentation from hormonal changes) and it’s worked wonders for me to have a good SPF powder I can put on when I’m on the go to keep sun protection on my cheeks and brown spots away. I agree tho, it’s an after makeup thing, not in place of foundation (at least not with any level of coverage).
You don’t need to spend 65 for a decent brush-on sunblock! There are several dupes that play well as a setting powder or can be worn by alone. I like the “Brush on Block” brand (around $30), but Paula’s Choice has one too, and Mineral Fusion’s is just $15. Costco sometimes has 2-packs of Brush-on Block online only.
I hated the supergoop powder sunscreen but I loved the ISDIN. If anyone finds it on sale, let me know:
https://www.isdin.com/us/on-the-go-protection-isdinceutics_mineral_brush.html?cgid=sun-care
Please don’t buy MAC cosmetics MAC is not cruelty-free. MAC products are tested on animals, and their products are sold in China where animal testing is required by law
The link for the Jack Black lip balm goes to Aquaphor
Thanks, Karen! Just updated!