Skincare Haul: TJ Maxx

I hear you already, reader. Another haul? Yeah, I’m a full-blown skincare addict now. Someone told me they sold a lot of Asian skincare stuff there, so I went to have a look. I was actually really impressed with their selection; I found a lot of high-end stuff as well. Also, for the first time, I did not even look at nail polish. I have traded one addiction for another. I’m scared for my wallet.

The best deals I got were easily the high-end products. I didn’t really even want some of this stuff, but the discounts were so steep I couldn’t pass it up, like this Estée Lauder serum; I have a sample of this I haven’t even used yet, but check out that price tag. 29 dollars for a product that retails for $95? Of course I bought it. I bought the Shiseido stuff out of curiosity, but I do plan to use it eventually. I did open the night cream and I’ve used it a few times — it’s so rich and makes my skin feel amazing. I know it’s a skincare no-no to start using many new products at once, but I couldn’t help myself. Also, I’m afraid that I’ll like these products, I’ll begin to depend on them, and then I won’t be able to find it at a discount again and I’ll end up paying $95 for another jar of this cream. Luxuries become necessities eventually, after all.

The sheet mask getting was good. I’m stoked about the Jeju Natural masks, since I actually bought a bunch of individual ones in my second Roseroseshop order. I was so happy to see them at TJ Maxx that I bought both boxes. I don’t know much about the Celkin and Kwailnara masks, but the value was good, so I grabbed them. I think I’ve heard about The Creme Shop in passing, like that they’re fake-Korean, but I’m not bothered by that. I’m looking forward to finding out what I look like as a cartoon penguin.

I had no idea SheaMoisture had professional products, and that kind of excites me. I found this in the foodie section — likely because the box says “cocktail” — and couldn’t pass it up. I love the idea of mixing my own product, like I’m a hair scientist. This has to be fun.

Some things got left out. I found a Too Faced face palette and some of their Melted lipsticks; the lipsticks were six dollars each, and the palette was ten. They didn’t make it into the photos because I’d already put them in the vanity drawers.

I’m pleased with this haul. I spent more than I wanted to, but considering what I saved on the high-end stuff, it’s like I bought those retail and got sixty sheet masks for free.

I bought these products myself. I was not paid to mention TJ Maxx in this post.

Project Pan, Winter 2016: Neutrals and Brights

Hello hello! It’s time to share with you the makeup products I plan to use during the Winter 2016 season! Last season, I played around with some extreme smoky eyes and bold lip colors; this season, I wanted to experiment with colorful eyes and neutral lips. I’m excited to try some new things! If you’re familiar with fall’s Project Pan, you know that this isn’t a true PP challenge; this is a way for me to spend some quality time with makeup products I’ve bought and have never really used. It’s like a makeup date. For the next twelve weeks, I’ll be using these products on my face exclusively until the beginning of the next challenge, when I get my summer makeup out in March.

I suppose I’ll start with things that carry over from the last challenge. I won’t mention too much about essential things like foundation and primer, but there is a bit of overlap.

Face
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve written a makeup post lately without talking about this primer. Yes, it’s a big player in this look.

NARS All Day Luminous Foundation in Siberia

When I ran out of MAC Studio Fix Fluid, I was torn over what to replace it with. Part of me wanted just to get another bottle, because it actually was a good fit for me. I’m a person who likes to try new things, though, so I decided to go for a different foundation. There’s a part of me what wishes I’d just stayed with the MAC, though. I like the NARS foundation enough, but the thin consistency is annoying sometimes, and it’s not as neutral as I thought it would be. I’ll keep using it, but I probably will return to Studio Fix Fluid once it’s gone.

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW15

Yep, this again! I probably shouldn’t bother to include it since I used it like all of twice last cycle, but I already had the photo, so here it is.

NYX Radiant Finishing Powder in Brighten (pictured above)

I have a love/hate relationship with this powder. I love how complete it is; not only does it set makeup beautifully, it also brightens, color-corrects, and illuminizes, like it’s many products in one. However, it doesn’t keep oil in check, and the luminizing feature ends up making me look even more shiny than I am. It’s perfect for cool weather, but a no-go in the summer. I’m trying to use it up.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NW10

This powder is the best! The full coverage basically renders my concealer obsolete. Using it over liquid foundation is probably overkill, but it’s really the best complement to medium-coverage foundation. In the fall and winter, I want all the coverage I can get, and this helps me get there.

Marc Jacobs Glowstick in Spotlight

Remember this? Since I’m using neutral colors for my lip and cheeks, I wanted a neutral highlighter, and this was the best one. When I reviewed this, I reported that it was super creamy and blendable, but that was over the summer. Now that tepmeratures are lower, the stick isn’t quite so creamy, and it’s not as easy to use and apply. It’s a little disappointing.

MAC Powder Blush in Taupe

During fall’s challenge, I only used this for contouring my nose, chin, and forehead. I’m also using it as a blush this time around because I wanted a neutral base look. In this capacity, it hovers somewhere between blush and contour, and I really like it.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Yes, this again. It’s still not dried out, so I’m gonna keep using it.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes in Brunette

Yep, this too.

NYX Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray in Matte Finish

This stuff goes a long way to keep me from looking powdery and unnatural. It doesn’t keep me mattified, but it makes my makeup look dewy and fresh. The bottle is almost empty; I’m definitely going to repurchase.

MAC Fix+ Finishing Spray (pictured above)

Having two facial sprays is probably overkill, but I feel like there’s a place for them both. The NYX spray sets my foundation, but I still use a setting powder, just for safety. The Fix+ spray keeps that last dusting of powder from looking too powdery. Probably unnecessary, but I like it.

Eyes
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly

Painterly is also making a return in this cycle. I’d rather be using an actual primer, since my lids are kind of oily and creamy products like this have never worked for me in the past, but I’m making it work.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean and Milk

Black Bean was a godsend last cycle for my ultrasmoky eye, so I’ll be using it for the same purpose this time around. I’ll also be using the Milk pencil for extra-white whites and extra-bright brights. These pencils make eyeshadow look the way it’s supposed to look.

Urban Decay Vice 3 Eyeshadow Palette

I’ve had this palette for a while, and I’ve never used it until now. I chose a colorful palette to go with this look that’s otherwise very neutral; I wanted eyes that really stand out. I’ll talk more about this, keep reading!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyed Pencil in Zero

For my eyeliner needs.

NYX Big and Loud Lash Primer (pictured below)

I talked at length last time about my love for lash primers, and I’m still very happy with this one.

Estée Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

This is a sample I’ve had in the drawer for a while, and I’m finally using it! I don’t really care for it, to tell the truth; the formula is fine, but the brush is huge and I don’t like huge mascara wands. I find them difficult to work with.

Lips
MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer

This is my favorite lip primer! It’s practically gone; in this photo, it’s twisted all the way up, and I’ve been using a lip brush to apply it. I can’t wait to buy another one!

Obsessive-Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Anti-Feathered (not pictured)

My favorite clear lip liner! Sometimes I overdraw with this, or underdraw, because it’s invisible. Lately, I’ve found that the MAC lip primer is enough to keep my lip color on, so I’ll probably phase this out once it’s gone.

Obsessive-Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Sebastian

I forgot to shake it up.

When I started building this look, I started by choosing a lip color at random, and this is what I got, and it’s the part of this look I’m the most excited about. It’s a color I’ve never really worn before, a color I’ve never really seen on people. At first, I wasn’t too sure about it and nearly put it back. I put it on, though, and I loved the way it looks on me. Sure, it’s not a conventional color, but it’s strangely wearable while also quite unique. I am really enjoying it.

The Process

While looking at densely populated palettes like Vice 3, I’ve often wondered what would happen if I wore the colors as they’re placed. Sure, it’s not organized to be worn a certain way, but I’ve always wanted to try wearing shadows one line at a time to see what the colors would look like, and just to experiment with different combinations. That’s the idea behind the eye looks I’ll be doing with this palette. In my first week, I’ll be using Vanity, Lucky, Reign, and Bobby Dazzle together.

I used the Milk pencil on my lower lid with Painterly on the upper lid and brow bone. I then applied Bobby Dazzle all over my lid. Can you see the difference? It’s a stark white on my lid, but a gentle shimmer on my browbone. I worked Lucky and Reign into my crease, and used Lucky and Vanity on my lower lashline. Starting with this column of shadows made this one easy; I’m definitely looking to some of the others being a challenge.

Here’s the whole look! Everything on my face is mentioned in this post. I plan to do a different eye look each week to match my Manicure Monday look, and I’ll post the eyeshadow of the day on Instagram, so follow me there to stay up to date. I won’t do any update posts until the very end. I hope you’ll follow along with me!

The Marc Jacobs Glowstick was sent for review, which is linked here. This post is not related to that review, and my opinion is not swayed by free stuff.
Everything else I purchased myself.

Project Pan, Fall 2016: Rose Quartz + Serenity-Inspired — Conclusion

Hi Reader! You might remember that I started a twelve-week beauty challenge where I committed to a handful of products for the whole twelve weeks. I called it a Project Pan, but since I’m not using them until I hit pan or use them up, it’s not the most accurate name for it. I did, however, completely my twelve-week obligation to them, so I’m doing one last update post to talk about what I did use up or hit pan on before I move onto the Winter 2016 challenge. For detailed product information and swatches, please see my first post for this challenge.

The sun has set.

As I mentioned in my first post, the products I chose were based loosely on Pantone’s Colors of the Year for 2016, with some black thrown in for fun. I had a blast with these looks. I left the house with black or blue lipstick on for the first time since middle school. I felt edgy, fashion-forward, and bold. I forgot what I looked like without crazy raccoon eyes. I’m a little sad I’m putting all this stuff away, but I made some progress with these products, and I’m sure they’ll come out of the drawer again someday. For now, I’m happy to be moving on to new things.

Empties: 4
Let me talk first about the things I used up. I didn’t use up any products unique to the challenge, but instead used up some essential products and replaced them. I wrote about the MAC primer and foundations I used up in previous Empties Roundups. I also finally decided it was time to part with the Clarins mascara. I finished my MAC foundation up and went for NARS, I used up a Revlon powder and went back to MAC Studio Fix powder, I used up the MAC primer and went back to Smashbox, and I tossed an old mascara. That’s four empties.

Pans: 3
Honestly, I’m surprised I hit pan on anything. I hit three, though, and I’m pretty proud of myself! Have a look at that NYX eyeshadow trio. The champagne and matte black were my workhorse shadows for this look, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised I hit pan on those. It’s just that I’ve used some shadows for years and I still have yet to pan those, but I can pan these in twelve weeks. Maybe they’re small pans. I’m happy I panned the compact, because that’s a thing I’ve had for years. It’s nice to see progress made!

Notable Mentions
Lipglosses
I didn’t think I used up so much of the glosses, and I almost feel a little bad about it. These are two great colors that I should really think about wearing on their own someday.

The quality is low on these before photos because, foolishly, I didn’t keep the originals, only the edited versions.

Highlighter
Check out the fill lines on the High Beam! I’m surprised I used that much of it. A dab here and there really makes a difference!

Lipsticks
I didn’t put too much of a dent on Saint Germain, but Blue Velvet and MUFE #50 are visibly used. Blue Velvet looks the most worn-down. It seems like every time I went out, I had the blue lip on, and I feel like maybe I did use it more than the others because I was always touching it up. Obviously, when your attention is divided over three lipsticks, you’re not going to wear them down as mucha as if you’d only focused on one. You’ll also remember I had a fourth lipstick in the main post, but since I only used it once (when I saw family), I didn’t include it in the final post.

Lip Primer
Here’s my MAC Prep + Prime Lip, turned all the way up. Yeah, I’ve got to dig in there with the brush now to get to the product. It’ll be time to replace it soon!

The other eyeshadows
I don’t really want to include these, but I made the graphic, so I have to include it. Compared to the NYX shadows, I didn’t really use these at all, and so there’s practically no difference between the befores and afters. No surprise there. I really did think I was going these more when I started.

Facial sprays
While the MAC Fix+ is a relatively new purchase, so it’s not as used-up as the NYX Setting Spray is. You can see the fill line through the clear bottle. The NYX spray, while I can’t tell how full it is, it feels pretty light and, when shaken, it doesn’t sound like much is in there. It’ll be time to replace that soon, too!

I only included the products that show visible use or wear. There were a lot of things I included in the look that weren’t used-looking enough to warrant sharing. Some of the products in this look were being used for the first time and didn’t really show signs of wear. Some of them were only applied once, like blush and eyeliner, and don’t show much use. Some of them, like the Eyetini and Heavy Metal liners, were used all of twice. The most often used products were the ones with the most drastic signs of use, and that’s what I included.

And there you have it, twelve weeks of weird blue lips and raccoon eyes is over! Stay tuned for the Winter 2016 Project Pan!

I bought these products myself.

Empties Roundup: October 2016

It’s here, the Empties Roundup for October 2016! I used up a lot of fun things this month, and I’m pretty proud of the sheer number of them. Let’s get started!

Shea Moisture Hand and Body Scrub in Lavender and Wild Orchid

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The Shea Moisture sugar scrubs are my favorite thing. The sugar is coarse and abrasive (in the best way), the oil soaks into my skin quickly, and it’s pretty affordable at $9.99 for 12 ounces. Scrubs like these tend to be pretty expensive and come in small quantities at this price point; that’s what drew me to these in the first place. I’ll continue to buy these, but for now, I bought some scrubs from a local-ish maker in St. Augustine. One is almost nearly gone; I can’t wait to share those with you in next month’s post.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap in Lilac

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Last month I made it through the Peony soap, and now this one is gone, too. I’ve replaced it with the Honeysuckle scent that is very nice. These are the best liquid hand soaps.

Lush’s Snow Fairy Shower Gel

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I found this in the back of the bathroom cabinet. I must have had it for a few years. I opened it to sniff it, and then broke the cap as I was screwing it back on. Good job, Hulk. I liked this shower gel; I wasn’t big on the bubblegum scent but having glitter in it was enough to make me want to use it. Maybe I’ll buy it again if Boyfriend ever lets me step foot inside a Lush store again.

Le Couvent des Minimes Soothing Night Hand Cream in Lavender and Acacia

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This hand cream is the best. It’s so creamy and rich, and that’s nice, but the scent is my favorite thing. I love lavender-scented products, and sometimes the scents vary; this one has the lavender that smells right. I want to buy this again, but I remember it being kind of pricey, so we’ll see. I think this was already my second tube.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

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Is there such a thing as a cleanser being too gentle? I like that this doesn’t make my skin feel completely stripped and dried out, but that makes me wonder if it’s doing the job, because I still feel oily after. I used up a couple of these over the summer and replaced them with Cetaphil cleansers, and I definitely prefer this one to those. I’ll probably buy this again; it’s good for the price and it must be working if my face doesn’t look like pizza anymore.

Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control Primer

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I had this hanging around in the makeup drawer, and there wasn’t much left in it, so I used it as an interim primer, between running out and buying more. I don’t know how well this worked as a blemish treatment, because I used the majority of this product in the past, but it wasn’t bad for a primer. When this ran out, I bought the regular Smashbox Photo Finish primer.

Softlips Cube Lip Balm

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You guys, this is the thing I’m happiest about using up. I’ve probably had this for years. I’ve had it so long, I don’t even remember what the scent/flavor is. I did a search and they have two that come in pink containers, so your guess is as good as mine. I’m so happy to have used this thing up. It was lovely stuff, but I was ready to move on. I’m now using a lip balm from Curology, back when I was getting stuff from them.

LA Girl Nail Polish in Black

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This is another good one. It’s not often I actually use up a nail polish. It was something I used to do routinely, when I only had a few bottles. It never happens now that I have like 1,400. Of course, it’s only a black creme in a small bottle, but it’s progress. I’m now working on a Sally Hansen black creme I’ve had in the drawer.

And there you have it, the empties of October 2016! I cannot believe it’s already November. This year is so ridiculous! Did you use up anything this month? Tell me in the comments! Also, if you’ve done your own empties post, consider joining the linkup, courtesy of Cosmetopia Digest!

I bought these products myself.
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Project Pan Update: October 2016

Is one month in too soon for a Project Pan update? I feel like it could be, since it’s not like I’ve hit pan on anything yet. However, I do want to talk about the experiences I’ve had with the products I’ve chosen, and to share a few of the looks I’ve done since I started. See last month’s post for info about the products I’m using for this challenge!

Casualities
While I say I didn’t hit pan on anything, I did say goodbye to a few of the products in the initial lineup. If you saw my Empties Roundup for September, you saw that I did finish up the MAC foundation primer and Revlon setting powder I mentioned in the initial post. Of course, these products were well-loved prior to the post and were not long for this world.

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I replaced them! I bought an old favorite, Smashbox’s Photo Finish to replace the MAC primer. It’s not that I disliked the MAC primer, but I didn’t like the lotiony, moisturizery product consistency as much as the smooth, velvety one of Photo Finish. I also replaced the Revlon powder with NARS’s Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. I don’t like it so much; I love the velvety feel of it between my fingers, but it doesn’t leave my face feeling like it. The first time I used it, it didn’t seem to pick up well with a brush, and as such did not apply well; my mascara actually bled onto the makeup under my eyes because the powder failed to set it. It’s not bad for midday touch-ups, though, so I’ll keep it in my bag. In the meantime, I’m using a MAC Studio Fix compact I’ve had sitting in my vanity.

Impressions
At first, I was nervous about these colors and making them work together. Now I’ve been wearing it out, I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it. People I’ve talked to really like the soft pastels mixed with edgy black. Of course, nothing earned more compliments than my blue lipstick, NYX’s Macaron Lippie in Blue Velvet. I definitely recommend this one if you’re still into the blue lips. Every time I wore it, I had tons of people asking about it, and one rude older lady at a bar who stared at me the whole night. It’s fantastic!

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Here I’ve compiled a few of the looks I’ve done since I started. If you follow me on Instagram, you likely already saw these as #fotd posts. I don’t think the looks will vary too much from these initial combinations. In every look, the pink, blue, and black are all represented pretty equally despite each one being different. The one that stands out most — due to being the least dramatic — is the glitter eyeliner look. It’s a fun change of pace from the heavy eyeshadows and bold lips. I’m really having a ton of fun with this look!

So next month I’ll post again, and hopefully I’ll be showing you less of my face and more of products actually being used. A lot can happen in two more months!

I bought these products myself.

Project Pan, Fall 2016: Rose Quartz + Serenity-Inspired

Hello hello! Today’s post is a little different from my usual fare. Makeup posts are pretty uncommon here, and I’m hoping this post will be the start of something new and fun. As you know, in the northern hemisphere, the autumn season is now upon us. Last week, I begrudgingly put away my summer clothes, and this week, I put away my summer makeup. I’m sad about summer ending, but I’m excited about digging some new things out of my collection. Warning: this is a pretty pic-heavy post.

This isn’t a Project Pan challenge as much as a challenge to commit to things I’ve never used, or have had a long time. Sure, hitting pan on these products is an ideal outcome, but really I just want to give this stuff some love. There’s a reason I buy everything I buy, and it deserves better to sit around and languish in a drawer, right?

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The products I’ve chosen for this season’s challenge were inspired in part by Pantone’s Colors of the Year, Serenity and Rose Quartz. There’s also a lot of black because I read at the beginning of the year black was going to be huge in spring. I don’t know if that panned out (hah) or not, but I loved the idea of pastels and black together, so that’s what this look is about. Typically, I buy the official products from Sephora, but this time I wanted to see if I could pull a look together without having to buy anything new. You’ll also see there’s a ton of stuff here, I guess I should note I don’t plan to wear all of this stuff at once. Let’s get to the products!

Face

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MAC Prep + Prime Skin Primer

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At the start of every makeup look is a workhorse primer. I bought this primer around the time I bought my foundation, so I’ll likely be running out of it before the challenge ends. I rather like how it works with the foundation, but it’s not my favorite primer ever. I really prefer the ones that feel less like moisturizer and more like a balm.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NW10

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I’ve had this bottle for about two years now, I think. I only use it half the year, so it’s lasted me a long time. I’ve not been too fond of it, actually. I bought it because I was so pleased to have found a pale-enough foundation, but I really wish it had more coverage. If I finally run out this fall, I’ll be trying some new options.

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW15

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I’ve had this concealer as long as the foundation, and I’ve rarely used it. I didn’t like it under my eyes, but I use it occasionally, when I have a nasty zit or something. This is more of a just-in-case item.

Revlon Photoready Powder in Translucent (not pictured)

I was in a tight spot when I bought this powder and I fully expected to hate it, but I actually kinda liked it. I used it a good bit over the summer and it made my BB cream look like smooth foundation. I’m unsure if I’ll buy it again, but I’ve enjoyed using it.

Benefit High Beam Illuminator

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This is a product that’s been in my makeup bag way too long. I never really used it — or any highlighter — because I was afraid of looking too shiny or overdone or what have you. The Marc Jacobs Glowstick post I did some weeks back taught me not to fear the highlighter, and I started using High Beam with my regular routine. I’m not the biggest fan of it; it’s watery and doesn’t blend well into powder, but it’s already halfway gone, I can deal.

MAC Powder Blush in Taupe

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Here’s my contour shade! I feel like it’s a bit dark, but that’s what they gave me at the MAC counter, so here we are. I’m using a light dust around the sides of my nose, my hairline, and my chin. I’m not contouring my cheekbones here because my face lacks the natural cheekbone shape, and I can’t figure out how to contour without just looking like I got dirty.

Korres Zea Mays Blush in 16 Pink

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Now this is something I’ve had for a few years now. I love a pretty pink blush, and I thought pink would be the best color for a look with so many cool tones in it. This is also something I have to use with a light hand.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

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I use this year-round actually, and I’ve probably had this one particular tube for longer than I should. The spoolie is still wet and delivers product, so it’s still good to me. I’ll probably use it until the spoolie is dry and crusty and has dingleberries on it.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes in Brunette

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I tend to let my eyebrows go a little in the summer, but in the fall and winter, when I’m putting a little more effort into my look, I actually take the time to fill them in. I don’t use the wax in here too often, and I’m not sure if I’ve ever used the shadows, but the brow powders are pretty great. Sorry about the palette photo, I should have cleaned it up a little before I took it. Even I’m a little grossed out by that one.

NYX Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray in Matte Finish (not pictured)

I’d heard a lot of good things about NYX’s setting sprays, so when I finally saw one — when my local Target’s NYX display finally looked like it hadn’t been picked over by wild animals — I picked one up. I love a good setting spray, even if it does seem like a really frivolous product.

Eyes

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MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly

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This cream eyeshadow is doing double-duty as my eye primer this round. I love this stuff; it doesn’t budge and lasts forever. Nearly everything I put on over it looks amazing and stays on until I take it off.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean

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So I said Painterly is a perfect base for nearly everything, right? Black shadow looks fine over it, too, but could still use some help. Black Bean is like a helper primer for this look. When I use this on my lids, I get the blackest smokey eye I could ever want.

ipsy + NYX Neutral Trio

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While this will be a mostly bright and colorful look, I also want some black. I chose this palette for the matte black shadow, but the two lighter neutrals are coming in handy for blending and whole-lid coverage.

Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow Quad in Queen of the Blues

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It was really tough to find a blue in my collection that worked for what I wanted. It’s so hard to believe that, out of like the hundreds of single eyeshadows and dozens of palettes I have, I could not find a light blue that actually showed up on my skin. This was the most Serenity-like blue eyeshadow I had, and I decided just to use the whole palette. The mid-tone blue was the one I like the best, but I can’t pass up that glitterbomb in the lower right.

Stila Collectible Travel Palette in Road to Radiance Across the USA

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Do you remember these? There was a whole collection of these cute little palettes, each based on a different destination. For a whopping ten bucks, you got four shadows and a cream blush/lip product. This is many years old, so I don’t think I’ll be using the cream product, but the shadows will do nicely for my look. I had the same problem choosing pink colors as I did blue; everything I picked out was either too shimmery or too pale.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyed Pencil in Zero

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My all-time favorite eyeliner pencil is included in this look, of course. What’s a dramatic makeup look without a black eyeliner?

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion

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For my liquid liner needs. Liquid liner doesn’t get better than this stuff. Of course, I haven’t tried the new Razor Sharp liners yet.

Eyetini Swizzle Stick in Blue Hawaiian (not pictured)

Another ipsy bag grab! I only realized I had this when I was digging through a drawer looking for something else, and I saw it was just the right blue to match my lips, I decided to give it a go. I don’t know if I’ll use it that often, but I’ll keep it around.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Air Guitar

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I’ve been buying the Heavy Metal liners for years now. I can’t get enough glitter, and this is my favorite way to add glitter to a dramatic eye. Again, I don’t know that I’ll be using this a whole lot, but if I do, I’ll likely be using it over the Blue Hawaiian liner, because it doesn’t bring enough color on its own. Really, I just like the option.

NYX Big and Loud Lash Primer (not pictured)

Holy cow, you guys. I picked this up on a whim because I was dreading having to buy another expensive Lancôme one. I will never buy that Lancôme one again. I’ve already got pretty long natural lashes, but this one seriously makes my lashes twice as long. I almost want to do a whole post about it, I’m so impressed with it.

Clarins Be Long Mascara in Intense Black

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I don’t normally buy high-end mascaras, but a pushy Nordstrom sales lady sent me home with this one. I have to say, it’s not terrible. She assured me that it was going to make my natural lashes even longer, but I never noticed a change. It makes my lashes feathery and long, but doesn’t add a lot of volume or plumpness, so a lash primer is a necessity. I also wore this mascara last winter, which I know is a big no-no, but it was expensive and there was still some in there.

Lips

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MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer (not pictured)

Of course I use a lip primer. I’m not using liquid lipsticks this round like I totally should be, so I need all the help I can get keeping the creamy traditional lipstick on. This is actually my second tube of this.

Obsessive-Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Anti-Feathered (not pictured)

This is my favorite clear liner, and I use it for every lipstick I don’t have a matched liner for. It’s already half-used and I’ll probably be done with it by the winter. It’s the best.

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Saint Germain

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Here comes the good stuff. This pink lipstick is creamy, bright, and so pink it kind of hurts to look at. It’s just what I needed.

NYX Macaron Lippie in Blue Velvet

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The first time I saw these, I knew I had to have them, and I ordered all of them. Of course, until now, I’ve not worn any of them. This was the first blue lipstick I’d seen since the ’90s, and it’s both nostalgic and modern to me. I’m really excited and a bit nervous about wearing this out, but at the end of the day, it’s just a color just like pink is.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Intense Artist in 50

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Here comes the black! I gotta be honest, I never dreamed that black lipstick would be sold somewhere other than costume shops around Halloween. Even more, it’s a chic fashion statement. The middle school goth in me isn’t sure if she should be horrified or pleased.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Pink Plum

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I added a fourth lipstick to this look in case, for some reason, ridiculous lipstick is out of the question. I got this out of a Walgreen’s sale bin, and it’s kind of nice. It’s a sheer pink, so it adds color without being too much. Again, I like having the option.

MAC Mineralize Glass Lip Gloss in Beautiful Moves

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I will admit I bought this because I didn’t know when I’d see a blue-green lip gloss again. I love that I’ve found a use for it! As the challenge moves on, I’d like to be able to wear this over both blue and pink lipsticks, ensuring I get both Colors of the Year in one lip look.

MAC Dazzleglass Lip Gloss in Sugarrimmed

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The same for this gloss. I love the pink sparkles over the blue lipstick. It creates a lot of fun dimension.

Here are some quick and dirty hand swatches for all of the above products:

Lipsticks, left to right: Saint Germain, Pink Plush, Blue Velvet, #50

Lipsticks, left to right: Saint Germain, Pink Plush, Blue Velvet, #50

 

Glosses: Top, Sugarrimmed, Bottom: Beautiful Moves

Glosses: Top, Sugarrimmed, Bottom: Beautiful Moves

 

Blushes: Top, Korres Zea Mays blush, Bottom, MAC powder blush in Taupe

Blushes: Top, Korres Zea Mays blush, Bottom, MAC powder blush in Taupe

 

Eyeshadows, Left: Sonia Kashuk Queen of the Blues, Right: ipsy + NYX neutrals palette

Eyeshadows, Left: Sonia Kashuk Queen of the Blues, Right: ipsy + NYX neutrals palette

 

Heavy Metal in Air Guitar: alone on left, over Eyetini Blue Hawaiian on right

Heavy Metal in Air Guitar: alone on left, over Eyetini Blue Hawaiian on right

And, of course, what’s a makeup post like this without a preview of the whole look? I’m actually surprised how subtle this first round was; looking at the variety of products in this list and bright some of the colors are, I expected something pretty costumey, but it’s all really wearable together. Of course, I’m only dipping my toes in; I’m sure it’ll look a little more clownish when I get the blue lips out. I plan to rotate the products and colors in and out, but generally keep the same look.

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Here are the products I used for this particular face:
Face:
MAC Prep + Prime Skin Primer
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW10
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Brow Powder in Brunette
Korres Zea Mays blush in Pink
MAC powder blush in Taupe
Benefit High Beam illuminator
NYX Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray in Matte Finish
Eyes:
MAC Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean
ipsy + NYX neutrals trio palette (all shades)
Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow quad in Queen of the Blues (glitter shade, frosty blue shade)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eyeliner in Zero
NYX Big and Loud lash primer
Clarins Be Long mascara in Intense Black
Lips:
MAC Prep + Prime lip primer
Obsessive-Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Colour pencil in Anti-Feathered
MAC Amplified lipstick in Saint Germain
MAC Mineralizeglass lip gloss in Beautiful Moves

If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading! I plan to post updates with new looks and product progress every month, so you’ll have the chance to see how some of these less conventional products are used. I’m really excited about this look, and I’m so happy to be sharing it. What products are you digging out now that it’s cooler outside? I want to know!

I bought these products myself.

Empties Roundup: August 2016

Hello, reader! This is the Empties Roundup for August 2016! I’m proud of what I used up this month. Let me also begin by saying I love how many of you commented on last month’s post, and especially about how I cut the tubes open. Doesn’t everyone do this? I just loved that it was a common sentiment from so many people.

Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Cream (Mini)

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I’m a huge fan of BB Creams in the summer; I love to let my hard-earned freckles show. From this one, I got pretty good, though light, coverage; this stuff covered my redness without also covering up the good stuff. It took me most of the summer to use up this tube; I’ll be using Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB for the rest of it, and in the fall I’ll be going back to my regular foundation.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (Mini)

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I’ll be honest, I’m only chucking this because it stopped turning in the sharpener. I love to use a pencil all the way down to the end! This eyeliner is my absolute favorite and since the mini Zero pencil is a popular free sample, I have a handful of them in my makeup stash at any given moment. I’ve already started working on the next one.

Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Moisturizing Shampoo

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When I bought this shampoo, I bought it because it was so summery-looking. I actually bought the whole collection; in addition to the conditioner, there’s also a sea salt texturizing spray and a curl cream. It’s just what I needed to keep my hair looking like summer. I’ve already bought another one.

Bath & Body Works Kauai Lei Flower Shower Gel

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Ahh, Kauai, my favorite Hawaiian island. I actually finished the lotion for this months ago, and still had well over half of the shower gel left. I decided that instead of going out and buying another product, I was just going to use up stuff I already have. It’s really the story of my bathroom cabinets, it’s nothing but half-used lotions and gels that don’t go together. I washed makeup brushes with this stuff a few times before I put it back in the shower.

And that’s it! I’m really close to finishing up some more stuff, so September’s post should be really good! What did you empty out this month?

I bought these products myself.

Review: Highlight Cosmetics’s Liquid Lipstick in Broadway Red

Hello, reader! Ready for another lipstick post? The lovely people at Highlight Cosmetics were kind enough to send us a sample of their liquid lipstick. The shade I’m trying out is Broadway Red.

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Broadway Red is a matte red with shimmer that, when dry, creates a metallic look. As is typical of liquid lipsticks, it comes with a doe-foot applicator, which makes for easy and precise application. The product formula is really lovely; it dries super quickly, practically the second I put it on, and the wear time is really good. As long as I’m not putting oily things on my lips, it stayed on and looked perfect; it stands up to liquids pretty well, but not pizza and lip balm. After extended wear, my lips did feel a bit dry, likely after coming into contact with liquids. At the end of the day, I used bi-phase makeup remover to take it off, and it did leave some staining behind; this was gone by morning.

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I’m new on the liquid lipstick bandwagon, and I finally see what the fuss is about. It’s so nice to not have a ton of lip color come off on the glass. Because I haven’t previously tried this kind of product, I don’t really have a lot to compare it to. I can’t speak for how well it holds up against other brands. My hope is that all liquid lipsticks wear as well as this one does.

Apart from the impressive wear times and color quality, Highlight also uses some natural ingredients. Turmeric and tea leaf extracts are in here, which are both known for their uses in folk medicine. Safflower oil is included to help moisturize the lips. I didn’t really notice a difference in lip moisture, and I even felt a little dried out at some points, but for such prolonged wear, I don’t mind. Highlight liquid lipsticks are also free of gluten, parabens, are non-toxic, and cruelty-free.

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At 25 dollars for 4g/.14oz, Highlight liquid lipsticks are comparable to other lipsticks on the market. They can be purchased on Amazon and from the Highlight Cosmetics website.

Other products I used in this look:
Face:
Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45
Revlon Photoready powder in Translucent
Benefit Dallas bronzer
Benefit High Beam highlighter
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Browl Gel

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Urban Decay eyeshadows Foxy and Tease, found in the Naked 2 palette
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
Maybelline Great Lash waterproof mascara

Highlight Cosmetics sent this product for review. All opinions are my own. Other products mentioned in this post were purchased myself.

Empties Roundup: July 2016

Welcome back! It’s a little late, but here’s the Empties Roundup for July 2016! I don’t think it’s as impressive as last month’s post, but I’m excited anyway. Let’s get started!

Toni & Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo

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So I am super lazy and I hate washing my hair. Even though I love the way it looks after I wash it — my curls and waves are never as happy as they are after a good shampoo — I put off washing as long as I can stand it because I hate doing it. suffice it to say, I use a lot of this stuff. This is my first time with this particular product, but I really liked it. It didn’t leave a lot of white powdery residue like a lot of dry shampoos do, and it was pretty affordable. It didn’t absorb oil as much as I would have liked it to, but I’d buy it again. It’s not the worst I’ve ever used.

Bath and Body Works Waikiki Shower Gel and Lotion

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I ran out of these at about the same time, and that never happens for me. Why do Bath and Body Works make their shower gel bottles so large but the lotions so small? Usually I run out of the lotion when the shower gel is still half full. Complaint aside, this scent was really nice. It’s fruity, floral, and tropical, the way you’d expect a Hawaiian-inspired scent to smell.

(Seed) Grapeseed Enriched Healthy Hand Cream

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I actually won this in a giveaway from Polish Galore! It actually was a really nice hand cream. It was fragrance-free and formulated without parabens, phthlates, petrochemicals, and common allergens, and is cruelty-free. The product is quality, but even the effort they make to keep bad ingredients out makes me want to get another tube. It’s very moisturizing, but still a bit light; I’ll still need something heavier after I’m done washing dishes.

Lancôme La Base Pro Primer (Sample)

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This is my favorite primer in the history of makeup primers. A Lancôme rep sold me on it years ago when I was foundation shopping. I ended up returning the foundation — it oxidized like mad and made me look like a Simpson — but the primer was definitely a win. This was a sample I had sitting around in a cosmetic bag, and I used it just to use it up. I don’t know if I’ll repurchase this right away — I’ve got another one I want to use up first — and honestly I’ll probably buy Smashbox Photo Finish when I’m out of that, because it’s a bit of a better value. However, my heart will always belong to La Base Pro.

I’ve got a lot of things that may make their way into August’s roundup! I’ve got a tube of BB cream that feels a little light, a lip gloss pot I’ve been working on for ages, and I finally hit pan on my Dallas bronzer! It feels so good to empty a product, and writing these roundup posts — as well as reading so many others — makes me want to keep doing it.

That’s July’s Empties Roundup! What did you finish up this month?

I bought these products myself.

National Lipstick Day 2016

Did you guys know today is National Lipstick Day? I only just found out this morning, but I knew I had to write about it. I love any excuse to dig a lipstick out! For National Lipstick Day 2016, I’m wearing Revlon’s Crushed Velvet Lip Creme in Push-Up Plum. Before I go on any further, I should tell you this is like an eight year old lipstick. I promise I smelled it and looked it over for mold and grossness before I used it. Also, I chose this one by just digging into the lipstick drawer and pulling something out.

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This is a lipstick I’ve had languishing in my vanity drawer basically since the day I bought it. I got it on sale after Revlon had discontinued the line and Walgreens was clearing it out. I snapped it up along with a few others. I don’t know why it is I’ve never really worn them. I’ve always loved plum lipsticks, but I’ve just never felt like wearing this. In fact, I nearly put it back a few times, justifying it with “oh, this doesn’t go with what I have on” or “oh, maybe I should go for something more seasonal”. I decided that no, today’s the day. I’m giving this lipstick the love I should have given it eight years ago.

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The texture of the lipstick itself is really creamy and smooth, and while it’s easy to apply, it’s not easy to apply well. There’s some patchiness, and it settles into lines pretty easily. However, from a distance, it’s hard to tell. That close-up photo looks a little scarier than it is. Also, one thing that annoys me about this lipstick, is that the outside of the bullet has this fine silver shimmer over it, but the inside doesn’t. It’s such a letdown!

So there it is, National Lipstick Day 2016! What are you wearing to celebrate?

Other products I used in this look:
Face:
Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45
Revlon Photoready powder in Translucent
Benefit Dallas bronzer
Benefit High Beam highlighter
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Browl Gel

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Urban Decay eyeshadows Foxy, Snakebite, and Blackout, found in the Naked 2 palette
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
Maybelline Great Lash waterproof mascara

Dress: Modcloth

As this is a very old lipstick, it’s no longer for sale. Other Revlon lipsticks are sold in stores nationwide.

I bought all these products myself.