I am revisiting last year’s favourites. There were some products I really enjoyed, but I don’t love them enough to repurchase. Others are favourites and I will repurchase again in the future. Keep reading to find out which products from my 2019 favourites made the list!
Check out my other posts revisiting my old favourites!
This year, I’ve taken a look at those “Revisiting” posts and reviewed them again. I’ve decided that every year, I will take a look at all of my favourites to see how my tastes change as I get older.
I have two makeup empties for this month. I don’t think I’ll be finishing any other makeup any time soon.
Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss in 236 Pour Toujours (read my review) – I used this up the best I could and then cleaned the tube. I absolutely loved this gloss and would definitely buy it in this shade and others. It’s actually more of a tint/stain than a gloss. It’s not matte, but it’s not super glossy either.
Repurchase? YES!
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder – This powder panned sooo quickly! Also, there are only 3 shades which is unacceptable. All brands need work to be more inclusive in their shade range, but especially luxury brands. Like anything, the powder can look cakey if you apply too much. If you do a light dusting with a fluffy brush, it looked very nice. I just didn’t find it that amazing especially with the price tag and how fast it panned. I prefer my Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder which I’ve had for twice as long and still haven’t finished.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Buxom Lash Mascara – I really loved this mascara when I tried it and seeing the cost per ounce, it’s actually a better price than other high end ones.
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara – This is an expensive one, but I bought one of those Sephora Favorites kits and redeemed a full size tube of this mascara. The mini size had such a short wand, so I look forward to using the full size wand.
L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara – This was one of the first drugstore mascaras I tried. I know the first mascara for everyone would probably be the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, but I skipped straight to trying this one. It’s still one of my faves.
Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara – Here’s another mascara that I tried a mini of, but the curve of the wand made it easy for me to apply to my lashes. I would purchase the full size of this one.
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara – I really loved the wand of this mascara and it separated my lashes nicely for a natural look (but with an extra oomph). However, this is the most expensive mascara on this list (cost per ounce).
Essence Volume Stylist 18 hr Lash Extension Mascara – I tried this one out because Tati recommended it. If Tati, someone who tries out tons of mascaras, likes this then you know it’s a pretty good one.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara (read my review) – This is a great mascara that lifts the lashes. I tried the washable one, but I’m sure the waterproof one would be even better.
Revlon Mega Multiplier Mascara (read my review) – I know there are probably better fiber mascaras out there, but this is one that I’ve tried and enjoyed. It easily washes off with warm water.
LIKES
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara – I tried this mascara before I started reviewing products. From what I remember, this was a great mascara. I’d have to try it again to see if it would get bumped up to my HITS list.
Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara – Maybelline mascaras are some of my faves. This one isn’t my fave out of the ones I’ve tried, but it’s still a good mascara.
L’Oréal Telescopic Intense Lash Length Original Mascara – My friend recommended the telescopic mascara, but I bought the wrong one. I think she likes the black one and I bought the gold tube. This one has a nice, thin wand that’s great for bottom lashes.
Essence The False Lashes Mascara (read my review) – This mascara is not my favourite. While I rated it 3.5/5 in my review, I probably wouldn’t purchase it again. Even at its low price.
Essence Get BIG! Triple Black Lashes Mascara (read my review) – This brush is too fat for my lashes.
Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara (read my review) – While I liked this mascara, I would prefer if the wand was a bit more tapered. It’s quite a fat wand and my lashes aren’t that long.
Clinique High Impact Mascara – I think this was one of the first mascaras I tried. My mom used to buy mostly Clinique makeup and she would buy the makeup during the bonus makeup bag at Hudson’s Bay. The ones that come with eyeshadow, lipstick, perfume and mascara.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Smart Gifted Mascara (read my review) – This is a great mascara for a natural look.
Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – I liked this mascara, but I probably wouldn’t buy the full size. There are ones I prefer more.
Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara – The makeup artist for my sister’s wedding used this one. If a makeup artist uses this, then you know it’s a good one.
Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara – Benefit mascaras and brow products are some of the best. I enjoyed this mascara and would get it again.
Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara – I’d say this one is my least fave of the Benefit mascaras, but it’s still a good mascara.
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara – This makes your lashes look darker and not clumpy at all. This is one of the few mascaras where I’ve tried a mini that has a fairly long wand.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara – I was excited to try this one because I know a few people who really like it. It wasn’t anything special for me. I’d rather buy a drugstore one that I like more.
Bourjois Twist Up The Volume Mascara (read my review) – This one is cool because you can get two different looks by twisting the brush. It’s not my favourite though.
MISSES
L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (read my review) – I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like the shape of the wand. I need a cone-shaped/smaller wand because I don’t have long lashes.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (read my review) – This mascara dries out too quickly (the tubes I’ve tried at least) and I don’t like the shape of the wand.Covergirl Total Tease Mascara (read my review) – While I did like this mascara, I didn’t like the tip of the wand.
Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara – I didn’t love the smell of this one (not that it really makes a difference because you can’t smell it on your eyes). The brush was quite hard and there are better mascaras for a similar price.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer – This has become one of my favourites. I still need to try the Radiant Creamy Concealer.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer – This is a great concealer, but it needs more shades.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer – This is another great concealer from Maybelline, but I feel like I finished it really quickly compared to other concealers.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer – Love this concealer and would definitely repurchase.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer – I really enjoyed this concealer and would definitely repurchase.
LIKES
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer – I tried this before I started beauty blogging so I never tested it out in different ways. I really enjoyed it, but I need to try it again to see if I would bump it up to my “Hits List.”
Cle de Peau Concealer – This is a really nice concealer, but I don’t think it’s worth it for me.
Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette (read my review) – I liked the colour correcting shades from this palette.
Milani Retouch + Erase Light-Lifting Concealer – I liked this concealer, but it needs more shades.
Colourpop No Filter Concealer – I know this concealer is affordable, but it’s hard to find the perfect shade match online. Also, this concealer oxidizes which I didn’t love.
Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector in Brick – A Sephora associate suggested this corrector to cover a dark spot I had on my leg for my sister’s wedding. It was a very nice, blendable corrector when I bought it in 2016.
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Concealer Palette – I liked the colour correcting shades in this palette. It was very emollient and not too thick. The concealer shades weren’t quite right (even when I tried to mix them to get my shade).
Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Green – I liked this colour corrector. It was nice and creamy.
RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up – I liked this concealer, but it started to smell different after a few months.
Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Concealer – This concealer was okay, but I prefer the Fit Me Concealer.
NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in Green – The shade of this colour corrector is very minty-green compared to the Urban Decay one (see swatches).
Physician’s Formula Concealer Twins 2-in-1 Correct and Cover Cream – I tried this when I was first getting into makeup. It was a great starter concealer and colour corrector.
MISSES
Marcelle CC Concealer + Corrector (read my review) – This was probably the worst concealer I ever tried. It was gritty!
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer – This was too thin to provide any coverage for me. It also settled into lines and made my dry under eyes look even drier.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer – This was way too tacky for me. I also got the wrong shade in this one.
Revlon Colorstay Concealer – I didn’t like the smell of this concealer. It was an okay concealer, but it doesn’t have a very wide shade range.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer – This is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like this concealer at all. This is too full coverage for me and the scent is way too strong for me.
Sephora Bright Future Color Corrector (read my review) – I didn’t like this colour corrector.
Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector in Yellow – I don’t know if they changed the formula since I purchased the shade Brick in 2016, but the Yellow would pull on my skin and it wasn’t as blendable.
Concealers I Own, but Haven’t Used
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
To Try
Bare Minerals BARESKIN Complete Coverage Serum Concealer
Bare Minerals BAREPRO 16-Hr Full Coverage Concealer
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
First Aid Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer
Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
Kosas Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
Milk Flex Concealer
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Bare Minerals Barepro Performance Wear Powder Foundation – I got a deluxe sample of this from Sephora as a promo. I really enjoyed it AND it was even in the wrong shade, but it was nice on the skin. Would definitely buy a full size.
Bella Pierre Mineral Foundation – This was the first mineral foundation I tried. This woman at a kiosk sucked me into her chair and put this on me. It was beautiful and I ended up buying this powder, a blush and others.
Shiseido Sheer Mattifying Compact Powder Foundation (read my review) – This is no longer around, but Shiseido still has some gorgeous powders. You just have to hope they don’t discontinue them.
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact – I think this is meant to use as an all-over face powder to illuminate, but I use it as a highlighter. It’s perfect for a subtle glow.
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – I really do love this powder, but the shade isn’t right. I wish they had more shades or a translucent option.
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder – This is my fave translucent setting powder I’ve tried.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation – This powder looks beautiful. I just need to get it in the right shade.
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder – This made my skin look like it had a filter on it. I don’t know if it was just a combo of a good skin day and a nice primer, but it looked really good every time I used it.
LIKES
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – It’s a beautiful powder, BUT it pans so quickly and there’s only 3 shades. Fair is too light and Medium is too dark.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – I don’t find anything special about this one. I had a deluxe sample and the powder would come out in clumps. I didn’t store it where any moisture could get to it, so I don’t know why it was like that.
Rimmel Clear Complexion Clarifiying Powder – This was a good powder from what I remember. I want to try the Rimmel Stay Matte one.
Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder – This was a nice powder, but I didn’t like the scent of it. I don’t think any powder needs to be scented.
Burt’s Bees Natural Mattifying Powder* – I had the wrong shade of this, so it made me look really pale. It was a nice pressed powder that did mattify. I probably wouldn’t repurchase though (even if it was the right shade).
Revlon Nearly Naked Powder – This was a nice powder that felt silky smooth. It doesn’t have the best shade range and it’s fairly expensive for a drugstore powder. I’d rather get a bare minerals powder for the price.
Smashbox Photo Filter Powder Foundation – This felt silky smooth, but the shade I got was way too light, so I can’t say for sure if I really liked it or not. It made my skin look patchy because it was too light.
Nude by Nature Mattifying Pressed Setting Powder* – It mattified and gave nice coverage. It wasn’t my fave setting powder though.
MISSES
Bobbi Brown Nude Finishing Illuminating Setting Powder – If this didn’t have the shimmer in it, it would be a beautiful powder.
KVD Beauty Lock-It Brightening Powder – I bought this at Winners when I wanted to try baking because it was before I knew that baking powder is its own thing. I also mistakenly bought a shade meant for dark skin tones. I tested it out anyway just to see if I liked the consistency, but it was way too heavy for my dry under eyes.
Catrice Light Illusion Loose Powder (Yellow Matt) – I didn’t like this because as I’ve said, I have dry under eyes and it just emphasized it. If you have oily skin, it might work for you.
To Try
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Lancôme Long Time No Shine Setting Powder
Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
Just a heads up that there are quite a few cult fave foundations that I don’t love as much as everyone else. There are more foundations that I’ve tried samples of, but 1) this post would be way too long and 2) I don’t have a full opinion on them since I only used them a handful of times. This post will only include liquids/creams/cushions/sticks. I will include powder foundations in my Powder Hits & Misses post since I haven’t tried as many. It will also only include foundations that are still available. I’m going to keep my little reviews as short as I can especially if I have a full review of the foundation. I will link them so you can read them if you’d like.
In no particular order, here are my Hits, Likes and Misses:
Hits
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick (read my review) – This might be my favourite stick foundation I’ve tried to date. I even had the wrong shade. It was perfect for a girls trip. I packed this to use as foundation/concealer. This is one of my favourite Bobbi Brown items (Bobbi Brown Hits & Misses). I bought it at the MAC Warehouse Sale and would definitely pay full price for it.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 – This would be my 2nd favourite stick foundation.
Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation (read my review) – Love this. Even though it’s labelled as a foundation, it’s more like a tinted moisturizer. If only they had more shades available (I’m in between shades).
Lancôme Miracle Cushion Foundation – I need to find the right shade because the one I was using is too pink for me.
Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – I feel like this has a little more coverage than what I’d consider a tinted moisturizer. It’s a great product though.
Likes
Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation – Beautiful foundation and one of the closest matches I’ve ever had. It does have fragrance in it and oddly enough, it doesn’t smell that great. I would rather try the self-refreshing one that doesn’t have any fragrance in it.
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation (read my review) – While this was a beautiful foundation, it just didn’t last long on me. I don’t know if the primers I tried were just too slippy or something. It looked beautiful on the skin, but I just couldn’t find the right shade match. It was either too pink or too orange.
Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF50* (read my review) – Nice cushion foundation, but I’m between shades.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation – Can’t find a good shade match, but this is a nice foundation.
Maybelline Fit Me Hydrate + Smooth Foundation (read my review) – I wish this had a pump. I’m also not crazy about the scent of this. Not my fave foundation.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick (read my review) – I liked it, but didn’t love this enough. It was just too full coverage for me (even when I used a very thin layer).
Hera Black Cushion Foundation – My sister got this for me in Korea. I just picked a shade that I thought would be okay based on pictures. Even though I’m quite light, the shade is too light for me. Plus, this is very fragranced (like a lot of K-Beauty products). The foundation itself is nice, but the fragrance is just too much for me. Plus, it’s hard for me to get in Canada. If it is available, it’s more than I’m willing to spend. So, I’d rather spend the money on something else.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation (read my review) – not my fave, but not my least fave.
The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream (read my review) – At the time I wrote the review for this, I really enjoyed it. Since then, I’ve tried other products I prefer more.
Perricone MD No Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF30 (read my review) – Nice foundation that looks natural and provides sheer coverage.
Misses
For the foundation misses, there are ones that either just didn’t impress me much, didn’t provide enough coverage or had too much coverage.
Almay Clear Complexion Make Myself Clear Makeup* – I don’t really want makeup that has salicylic acid.
NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil* (read my review) – not my shade and coverage was too light for me.
Bali Body BB Cream (read my review) – This provided no coverage whatsoever.
NYX HD Studio Photogenic Foundation – Broke me out and smelled like plastic.
Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer – Was way too thick for me and shade range wasn’t great.
Garnier BB Cream – Shade range is terrible and it made my eyes water. Too much alcohol in it??
Nars Velvet Matte Foundation Stick – I bought this at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale and it just didn’t wow me. It sounds kind of mean, but there’s a reason that this is rarely on lists of Fave Stick Foundations.
Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation – Washed off easily with water and looked patchy on dry spots. What would happen if I wore this when it’s raining or went on a Maid of the Mist boat tour??
Nude by Nature Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation* (read my review) – Not enough coverage.
Nude by Nature BB Cream* (read my review) – Not enough coverage.
Wet N Wild Photofocus Foundation – Shade was wrong, too matte for me. I know they came out with a dewy version, but I also didn’t like the smell or the fact that it used a spatula instead of a pump.
The following foundations are ones I can’t give a definitive opinion on:
Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation – I think I had the wrong shade and also knew nothing about applying it. I ended up throwing this out despite not using it very often.
Holika Holika Gudetama Photo Ready Cushion Foundation – wrong shade. Wasn’t my fave cushion though.
Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation – This was one of the first liquid foundations from the drugstore that I bought. It smells like chemicals, but I remember it being nice (I had the wrong shade though).
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation – I can’t say if I like or hate this because I bought the wrong shade. I bought this before I knew what I wanted in a foundation. I never fully tested it out. I would prefer a foundation that has a pump (instead of buying one separately and NARS has nice foundations that come with a pump).
To Try
Bite Changemaker Micellar Foundation
L’Oréal Infallible 24Hr Freshwear Foundation
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation
What are your fave foundations?
Love,
Products marked with (*) were sent to me for review.
Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink – This was a beautiful blush that had the perfect amount of pink and shimmer.
Repurchase? Absolutely! I would also try other shades.
Sephora The Cleanse: Daily Brush Cleaner – I bought my first bottle of this years ago and it took me a while to finish it. It was probably expired by the time I finished it, to be honest. It had a pleasant smell when I first bought it, but they’ve since changed the scent of it. It smells more like chemicals which I don’t like. Although it does clean brushes well (for a quick clean).
Repurchase? No.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer in 21 Cinnamon – I really enjoyed this concealer. I bought it last year during the Sephora sale, so as you can see, I used it up pretty quickly. It looked really nice on the skin.
Repurchase? Yes.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation Stick SPF21 in 260 Bisque N – I decided to declutter this because I’ve had it for a while. I peeled off the sticker on it and it said it expired in 2018 which was when I bought it! I liked it, but I think I actually prefer the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick. I liked this one better than the Hourglass Vanish Stick though. The Hourglass was just too full coverage for me (even using it sparingly).
Repurchase? Maybe.
1 newbie, 1 empty
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème – I just featured this in my monthly favourites post. I really liked this eye cream. I don’t have dark circles, so I don’t know if it helps with that, but my under eyes felt moisturized and smooth. No reactions to it at all! I have heard that people have used it for a few months and all of a sudden, they had a terrible allergic reaction to it. Their eyes would get puffy and red 🙁
Repurchase? Sadly, no. If it causes reactions after using it for a while, I don’t want to repurchase.
Rael Miracle Patches (read my review) – Love these hydrocolloid patches!
I thought I’d share my makeup routine lately. My skin has been getting better so I’ve been doing more No Foundation looks when I go out. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that my Makeup Of The Day posts all look the same because I keep using the same products. I’m trying to finish some of my current collection before buying any more.
Below is a list of most of the products in my makeup collection. Some products aren’t included (like eyeshadows and my contour palette because I don’t use them every day). Any product that was sent to me will have a (*) after the name:
PRIMER/SPRAY
Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer
Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer
Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizing Primer (Nourishing)
Nars Tinted Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base in Medium (if I’m wearing eye makeup)
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (didn’t use in Summer, but will use in Fall and Winter)
Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
Cover FX Dewy Setting Spray
For primers, I might use a mix of two (hydrating and blurring). I’m enjoying the Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer and Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer.
FOUNDATION
Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation in Golden 3
Nars Velvet matte Foundation Stick in Fiji
Lancome Teint Idole Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 in 260 Bisque N
Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Full Coverage Powder Foundation in Light Neutral
CONCEALER
RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up in 11
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Custard
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer in 21 Cinnamon
Sometimes I might just use concealer and pop on some Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder to mattify.
POWDER
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in 2 Medium
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
BRONZER
Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Boogie Down Bronzing Powder in J217 Safari
NYX California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer in Free Spirit
BLUSH
Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
Nars Liquid Blush in Luster
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho
HIGHLIGHTER
theBalm Mary Dew-Manizer (mini)
theBalm Cindy Dew-Manizer (mini)
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 01 Highlight
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7
Sometimes I’ll use my bronzer or highlighter as my eyeshadow. The NYX California Beamin’ Bronzer has a bit of a sheen, so it’s really pretty on the eyes.
EYES
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Art Deco Eyeshadow Single in Off White (to set eyeshadow primer)
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadow in M549 Dark Taupe
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 502 Infinite Sand
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 100 Whatever Black
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara*
Benefit BADgal BANG Volumizing Mascara
BROWS
Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette
Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define in 6*
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel in Perfect Brow
Colourpop Boss Brow Clear Gel
I haven’t been doing a lot on the eyes lately. I might just put a light brown and blend or use my bronzer. I’ll use a nude eyeliner along the lower waterline to brighten the eyes. Then I might tightline the upper lashline with a brown/black. For brows, I’ll either use just the Charlotte Tilbury eyebrow gel or use one of the pencils and follow up with one of the gels.
LIPS
Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Balm
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Grapefruit*
Dr. Paw Paw Original Clear Balm
Perricone MD No Lip Gloss Lip Gloss*
Pixi On-The-Glow Multi-Use Moisture Stick*
I have been preferring lip balms/glosses over lipsticks lately. Just adding a bit of gloss to the lips leaves them looking plump and moisturized.
Marcelle Velvet Gel Lip Liner in Rosy Nude – Still working on this one because I don’t wear lipstick that often.
FINISHED
Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Bare Pink – This was a beautiful lipstick shade. I’ve been leaning more towards glosses and lip balms lately, so I probably wouldn’t repurchase this one.
Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation in 01N Nude Vanilla (read my review) – Loved this foundation, but I wish it came in more shades. If they expand to a shade that matches me better, I would definitely repurchase!
DECLUTTERED
MAC Cremesheen Glass in It’s A Strike – I bought this at the MAC Warehouse Sale in 2017 and it started to smell different, so I decided to declutter it.
MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Kittenish – I also bought this at the MAC Warehouse Sale and I liked it, but again, I am leaning more towards glosses and balms.
TheBalm Batter Up Eyeshadow Sticks in Dugout and Shutout (read my review) – I decided to declutter these because I just didn’t reach for them when I would wear eyeshadows.
So, my 2019 Project Pan kind of failed since I ended up decluttering quite a few of the products. It did make me realize that I need to think twice before I go and buy something that I can’t return (from a warehouse sale or Winners – TheBalm Batter Up sticks were from Winners).
Her skin type is oily and she uses powder foundations. She tried a cushion, but ended up giving it to me because she doesn’t like liquid foundation. She dislikes eye makeup (especially mascara), so she only ever curls her lashes.
Morning Skincare – Update
Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion – Mom loves the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 collection. Originally, I bought her the Day Cream, but she didn’t like that it came in a pot (for her day cream…for some reason, she’s fine with using the potted creams for nighttime). So, we got the Day Emulsion which comes in a bottle with a pump. She must like it because she bought two more bottles at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale.
She also has a few different SPF products floating around. I don’t know which one she’s currently using on her face, but we have the Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion and the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer one.
Primer & Colour Corrector – Update
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Smoothing)
L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream- Anti-Redness (read my review) – My mom said the smell is starting to affect her too, so if anyone knows of a product that’s similar, please let me know!
Foundation – Update
After the Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Foundation, she used the Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Compact Foundation in I20 Natural Light Ivory. This was a nice foundation, but the shade wasn’t quite right and she finished it fairly quickly compared to the Sephora foundation because the pan isn’t very deep.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder Foundation in 5.5 – The shade 5.5 is a bit dark, so if she were to repurchase, she’d go down a shade or two. She’s enjoying the foundation – it’s very smooth and looks beautiful. One thing she doesn’t like about the compact is that it comes with a sponge and the middle part with the powder flops back and forth (like the Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer), powder collects in the sponge section which is wasteful.
Concealer – No Update
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer in Warm Light Medium
She still uses this concealer and she likes the consistency.
Eyes – No Update
Tweezerman Lash Curler
She doesn’t wear eyeshadow or mascara.
Blush – Update
Lancôme Blush Subtil in Aplum – Plum-mauve blushes are her favourite! The compact for this blush isn’t the best though. My mom accidentally dropped it and it chipped off the edge because it’s just plastic. Also, why do high end blushes have to come with those useless brushes?
Lips – Update
MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Spontaneous – I bought this at the MAC Warehouse Sale and my mom is just using it to finish.
MAC Cremesheen Glass in It’s A Strike – Same as the patentpolish pencil, this is not the right shade for her and she’s just using it to finish it.
Makeup she has in her purse to touch-up throughout the day:
Clinique Superpowder Double Face Makeup in Matte Neutral – to get rid of the shine.
MAC Lustre Lipstick in Midimauve – I gave her this one since it’s a more sheer lipstick than the satin lipsticks. It has a bit of pigment and shine – looks more like a tinted balm.
Vaseline – glossy and easy to apply without a mirror.
I realized that I never wrote a dedicated review to the Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss.
This innovative lip gloss combines the comfort and shine of a gloss, the pigment of a lipstick and the lasting power of a stain. Our innovative oil in water emulsion is lightweight and non-sticky, providing up to 6H of wear. Enriched with glycerin, lips feel hydrated throughout the day. The high shine finish and vivid colour payoff are buildable from sheer to full coverage in 1-2-3 coats.
1) One coat for a sheer natural look witha dewy shine finish 2) Two coats for an intense look with fresh colour and lacquered shine finish. 3) Three coats for a dramatic look with audacious colour impact & ultra lacquered shine!
Originally, I bought this for my mom. It’s the shade 236 Pour Toujours. We bought it based on the online swatch (see below)- it looked more mauve than it does in real life. My mom tried it and it wasn’t quite her colour, so she gave it to me.
I quickly fell in love with it. This lippie is basically a hybrid of a lipstick and a gloss – pigmented with a glossy sheen. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky like a gloss. It’s the perfect My Lips But Better Shade for me. I love the flat applicator and the slightly pointy/rounded tip of it.
Top swatch is slightly blended in, bottom swatch is straight from the tube.
RATING: 5/5
The name of this shade is perfect because I think I will have this in my collection ‘Forever’ (Pour Toujours). I would definitely consider trying other shades.
Today, I will be reviewing my 2018 beauty expenses. Last month, I reviewed my 2017 expenses and it was eye-opening. I was originally going to post this later in the month (closer to the new year), but I think I’ve spent enough money on makeup and skincare this year and I have all of the products I need. Last week, I started my self-imposed ban on buying makeup until next year. My goal is to not buy any makeup or skincare products until the next Sephora sale (the one they usually have in April).
In comparison to my beauty expenses, I was curious to see how much I spent on clothing this year. I spent about $1200 on clothing, accessories and shoes (I think a good percentage of that was spent at La Senza – buying bras and underwear). My most expensive single purchase was my Michael Kors Daniela Large Crossbody Purse (almost $200 including tax- purchased on sale).
I spent about $500 on skincare, $100 on makeup tools and $1600 on makeup for a total of about $2200. I bought a few foundations and primers this year, so I probably won’t be NEEDING any next year. I might be tempted to buy the Lancome Teint Miracle foundation next year, but I definitely don’t need any more primers.
So, last year, 79% of my purchases were impulsive and only 21% were planned. This year, I did much better and planned vs. impulse purchases were 50/50.
Here’s a breakdown of WHERE I purchased my products this year. Last year, I purchased most of my products from the drugstore and the MAC Warehouse Sale. I didn’t go to the Warehouse Sale this year, but I have been purchasing more products from other websites/stores, i.e. Tarte, Tula and The Body Shop.
Whenever I’m scrolling through Instagram, I always see all these pretty flat lays with gold, black and silver packaging. High end products have such pretty packaging! A lot of drugstore brands’ packaging are getting prettier too, but there’s something about the look of a YSL or Dior lipstick tube that just makes you go “oooohhh!” As I became more obsessed with makeup, I bought more drugstore products to blog about because they’re more affordable. Ever since I wrote the post about streamlining my makeup, I’ve been decluttering makeup that I don’t use and doing my best not to buy new makeup. My plan is to find high-end favourites so that I have 1 or 2 holy grail items in each category (foundation, concealer, blush, etc.) and then, for the blog, I’ll buy drugstore products to review.
(items in bold have been purchased since this post was published)
There are so many brands out there that I want to try:
