• june 2022 makeup inventory

    My Makeup Inventory | June 2022

    June 7, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I have an updated makeup inventory list. These posts are more for me to track what products I have/had at a given time. The items in BOLD are unopened/barely used.

    Primers: 3

    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
    • Pixi +C Vit Brightening Perfector*

    Foundations: 3

    • Maybelline Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in Classic Ivory
    • Maybelline Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in Natural Beige
    • Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation in Fair Lady T2N

    Concealers: 2

    • Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-2: Fair To Light Skin Tones
    • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Neutralizer

    Powders: 3

    • Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
    • Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder (mini)
    • Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in Translucent

    Blushes/Highlighters/Bronzers: 10

    • Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho
    • Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Base
    • Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in 2 Fair
    • Honest Beauty Crème Cheek Blush in Rose Pink
    • Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek (mini) in Werk
    • Burt’s Bees The Luminizer in 1906 Starlight*
    • Milani Strobelight Instant Glow Powder in Afterglow
    • Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Blossom Glow
    • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light
    • Pixi Summer Glow Palette*

    Brows: 3

    • Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ebony
    • Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt, Mascara for Brows in Clear
    • Uoma Beauty Brow-Fro Blow Out Volumizing Gel in 6

    Eyeshadows: 6

    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Intense Gaze
    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Rosette
    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Sunset
    • Catrice Self Made Bae Palette*
    • Charlotte Tilbury Easy Eye Palette
    • Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Single in Half Baked

    Eyeliners: 3

    • Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in 116 White
    • MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil 502 Infinite Sand
    • MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in 100 Whatever Black

    Mascara: 2

    • L’Oreal Bambi Eye Original Mascara in 407 Extra Noir*
    • L’Oreal Bambi Eye Original Mascara in 400 Blackest Black*

    Lips: 5

    • Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm in Tropical Pineappple*
    • Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in 400
    • L’Oreal Colour Riche Les Nus Intense Nude Lipstick in 173*
    • L’Oreal Rouge Signature Matte Lipstick in I Create 416
    • elf Glossy Lip Stain in Fiery Red*

    TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS: 40

    I have quite a few items that I bought last year, but still haven’t opened yet. From the ones I’ve tried so far, I would probably repurchase the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer and the L’oreal Rouge Signature Matte Lipstick.

    Products marked with * were sent to me.

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  • smashbox photo finish primer water

    15 Beauty Favourites I’ve Repurchased | 2020

    February 14, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m sharing makeup and skincare products that have become favourites of mine. Either I already have repurchased or plan to repurchase in the future.

    Check out my 2018 list of beauty favourites

    In no particular order, here are 15 of my beauty favourites:

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – I love this primer water so much, that I actually bought 3 during a sale on Smashbox.ca! It’s one of the few products that I’ve bought backups.

    Check out my blog post on buying beauty backups!

    Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define* – Love this brow pencil. Benefit is one of the few brands that carries brow products with more than 3 shades and also different undertones.

    Colourpop Boss Brow Clear Gel – My friend recommended this brow gel and I love it. It doesn’t make your brows feel crunchy at all!

    Bioderma Sensibio H₂0 Make Up Removing Micelle Solution – The Garnier and Bioderma Micellar Waters are my favourites. The Garnier one is cheaper, so I repurchase it more, but I do see why everyone loves the Bioderma one too.

    Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes* – I think this would be a great eye cream for the spring/summer time for me. It was very nice and light, but wasn’t quite hydrating enough for Canadian winters.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer – This is one of my favourite primers that keeps my dry skin hydrated throughout the day.

    Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil* – I have been loving facial oils for my dry skin and this one is a great one from Good Molecules.

    Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer* – I love that brands are coming out with primers without silicones. This one is a great 2-in-1 product.

    Gummiband Hair Cords – I was originally gifted some hair cords, but I have since purchased more because I love them. Also, they’re a Canadian brand.

    Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder – This is a beautiful powder to set your makeup.

    Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This is the only lip mask I’ve tried, so I can’t say it’s my favourite. It is a great lip mask that keeps my lips hydrated at night.

    Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer – A favourite concealer of mine for spot concealing. It blends beautifully into the skin.

    Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – I really enjoyed this eye cream. It made my under eyes feel smooth and hydrated. I also loved the metal applicator.

    Rael Miracle Patches (read my review) – Love these patches!

    Volition Strawberry-C Brightening Serum* (read my review) – Loved this serum!

    What beauty favourites have you repurchased?

    Love,

    Products marked with (*) were gifted to me.

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  • makeup collection january 2020

    Makeup Inventory | Jan 2020

    January 8, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    I thought I would do an update on my makeup collection. I’ve gotten my inventory down to a reasonable number. I think it’s reasonable enough that I don’t feel the need to participate in a Project Pan or 20 in 2020 challenge. I’ve also decided not to do a Low/No Buy this year because I think I can control myself now. I don’t really get swept up in new makeup releases. I might get samples at Sephora, but I don’t feel the need to buy the newest product until I’ve read or watched reviews.

    In 2017 and 2018, I bought a bunch of products from Winners and the Mac Warehouse Sale. I didn’t even do full reviews on most of the items because they were old or discontinued. I did do quick reviews on some makeup items in my mid-year makeup inventory:

    Primers & Foundations | Bronzers | Blushes | Mascaras | Highlighters

    Makeup inventory posts from previous years:

    Dec 2018 | June 2019

    July 2018Dec 2018June 2019Jan 2020
    Primers121174
    Foundations13766
    Concealers11565
    Setting Sprays/Powders111157
    Contour0311
    Bronzers6331
    Blushes14552
    Highlighters13945
    Brows3363
    Eyeshadows129602317
    Eyeliners12923
    Mascara10232
    Lipstick28774
    Lip Liners7540
    Lip Glosses/Tints/Balms10421
    Makeup Removers13142
    Perfumes5453
    Nail Polishes431970
    Total Items34016810066

    My plan is to get my collection down to 50 items by the end of the year. It’s shocking to think that I once had 340 makeup items (this number includes individual eyeshadows). It’s even more alarming to think that I paid for most of those items too. While I have been lucky enough to be sent products over the years, I’m sent more skincare products than makeup. Most of those items were impulse purchases because they were on sale or a good deal.

    What are your makeup plans for 2020?

    Love,

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  • makeup of the day

    My Makeup Routine | Fall 2019

    September 23, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    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.

    What products are in your makeup routine?

    Love,

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  • Makeup Inventory | June 2019

    June 21, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    This time last year, I had 340 makeup products (check out my post). By December of last year, I decluttered a lot and finished quite a few products (check out my post). I cut my collection in half and now my collection is down to 100! I hope to continue streamlining my collection. Maybe next year, I’ll have 50-75 products.

    Primers: 7 (I had 11 in December)

    Setting/Finishing Powders: 5 (8 in Dec)

    Illuminating Powders/Creams: 0 (3 in Dec)

    Foundations: 6 (7 in Dec)

    Concealers/Colour Correctors: 6 (5 in Dec)

    Contour: 1 (3 in Dec)

    Bronzers: 3 (3 in Dec)

    Blushes: 5 (5 in Dec)

    Highlighters: 4 (9 in Dec)

    Brows: 6 (3 in Dec)

    Eyeshadow Pans/Sticks/Creams: 23 (60 in Dec)

    Eyeliners: 2 (9 in Dec)

    Mascaras: 3 (2 in Dec)

    Lipsticks: 7 (7 in Dec)

    Lip Liners: 4 (5 in Dec)

    Lip Glosses/Tints: 2 (4 in Dec)

    Makeup Removers: 4 (1 in Dec)

    Perfume: 5 (4 in Dec)

    Nail Polish: 7 (19 in Dec)

    TOTAL: 100 (170 in Dec)

    How many products are in your collection?

    Love,

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  • Makeup Inventory | Dec 2018

    December 21, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m checking in with my makeup inventory to show you how much progress I’ve made since my Mid-Year Makeup Inventories (click the links below):

    Primers & Foundations | Bronzers | Blushes | Mascaras | Highlighters

    I finished and decluttered half of the items I had in July; mostly decluttered.

    CURRENT MAKEUP INVENTORY

    Primers: 11

    Setting/Finishing Powders: 8

    Illuminating Powders/Creams: 3

    Foundations: 7

    Concealers/Colour Correctors: 5

    Contour: 3

    Bronzers: 3

    Blushes: 5

    Highlighters: 9

    Brows: 3

    Eyeshadow Pans/Sticks/Creams: 60

    Eyeliners: 9

    Mascaras: 2 

    Lipstick: 7

    Lip Liners: 5 

    Lip Glosses/Tints: 4 

    Makeup Removers: 1

    Perfume: 4 

    Nail Polish: 19

    TOTAL: 168 (started with 340 – I finished and decluttered 172 items in the past 5 months)

    I haven’t bought any new products in the following categories since taking Inventory of my collection in July:

    • Blush
    • Bronzer
    • Highlighter (I have a new one, but I didn’t buy it for myself…so it doesn’t count)
    • Illuminating Powders
    • Eyeshadows
    • Lip products (lipstick, balm, gloss, tint, liners)
    • Makeup Remover
    • Perfume
    • Nail Polish

    MAKEUP INVENTORY GOALS

    You’ll remember from my Makeup Goals post, that I set a number for each category of what I should aim for and I said that I wanted to cut my collection in half (which I did!). I hope to continue decreasing the number of items on my collection and maybe reach 100 items by the end of 2019.

    • Primers: 8-10
    • Foundations: 6
    • Concealers/Colour Correctors: 5
    • Setting/Finishing Sprays/Powders & Face Mists: 5
    • Illuminating Powders/Creams: 2
    • Bronzers: 2
    • Blushes: 3
    • Highlighters: 6
    • Brows: 3
    • Eyeshadows: 3 palettes
    • Eyeliners: 5
    • Mascaras: 3
    • Lipstick/Balms: 10
    • Lip Liners: 2
    • Lip Glosses/Tints: 3
    • Makeup Removers: 3
    • Perfumes: 3
    • Nail Polish: 5

    Have you set any makeup goals for yourself or resolutions for the new year?

    Love,

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  • Beauty Products | Save or Splurge?

    July 23, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    If you’ve been reading my recent posts, you’ll know I’ve been doing inventory of my beauty products. Check out the recent posts below!

    Primers & Foundations | Bronzers | Blushes | Mascaras | Highlighters

    Makeup Goals: A Streamlined Collection

    I’ve decided to compile a list of what beauty products I personally plan to SAVE or SPLURGE on. I’ll also have some products where I’ll be IN BETWEEN– which means I’ll either buy a mix of both high-end and drugstore or I’ll buy products that aren’t super expensive, but not super cheap either.

    Skincare- IN BETWEEN

    I was reading articles on which beauty products to save and splurge on and a few said to save on skincare. I think I will mostly save because there are some great products found at the drugstore. If I want some luxe items, I can always get samples from Sephora and Nordstrom without breaking the bank. I do love the Sonia Roselli Water Balm though (read my review), so I will continue to splurge on that because it’s a multi-use product.

    Primers- SPLURGE

    You need a good base for your makeup and that starts with primer.

    Foundations- SPLURGE

    More expensive foundations just look and smell better than drugstore ones (for the most part).

    Concealers/Colour Correctors- IN BETWEEN

    I think splurge on a good spot concealer I can wear without foundation. There are some good under eye concealers from the drugstore.

    Setting/Finishing Sprays/Powders & Face Mists- IN BETWEEN

    I think a mix of both is okay.

    Makeup Brushes- SPLURGE

    When I first started getting into makeup, I didn’t want to spend a lot on brushes, so I bought some on Amazon. They’re very soft and performed pretty well, but once I bought better quality ones, I could see the difference in my makeup application.

    Makeup Sponges- SAVE

    I think it’s kind of crazy to buy a $20 sponge. I have never bought a beauty blender, so I don’t know if it performs better than a cheaper sponge, but I feel like they’re all quite similar; some may be denser than others, but they all blend the same, don’t they?

    Bronzers- SAVE

    I love the Physician’s Formula one and it blends even better than the high end ones I’ve tried.

    Blushes- IN BETWEEN

    I think I might splurge on a good, matte blush I can use every day because blushes last so long. I love the Milani ones that have shimmer and I really want to try a Physician’s Formula one.

    Highlighters- IN BETWEEN

    Similar to blushes, I might splurge on 1 high end highlighter and then the rest of the collection will be drugstore brands. For the ones I own, the drugstore ones look prettier than my higher end ones (without having to wet them).

    Brows- IN BETWEEN

    I’m kind of torn because I like the NYX Micro Brow pencil, but that pencil lasted so long that maybe it’s worth it to splurge on a brow pencil. I will definitely splurge on brow gel though and get the Benefit Gimme Brow.

    Eyeshadows- SPLURGE

    I’ve noticed a difference in how my eyeshadow looks when using higher end ones especially with the fallout. I think I will invest in a few high end palettes- that have a good selection of neutral mattes and shimmery shades.

    Eyeliners- IN BETWEEN

    Similar to blushes, eyeliner lasts me a long time (I prefer pencil liners), so maybe I should splurge.

    Mascara- SAVE

    As much as I love some of the high-end deluxe samples of mascaras, there are so many drugstore ones I love that are a fraction of the price. Especially when you should dispose of it after using for a few months, it’s not worth it to pay $30 (unless you only own 1 mascara, then maybe it’s worth it, but I like to have several).

    Lipsticks, Liners and Glosses/Tints- IN BETWEEN

    I think I’ll get 1 or 2 for each of the 3 types (lipstick, liner, gloss/tint), but save on the rest.

    Makeup Removers- IN BETWEEN

    I like Simple makeup wipes and Garnier Micellar Water, but I really like Clinique’s Cleansing Balm. So, a mix of both.

    Perfumes- SPLURGE

    When I was in high school, I used to use body sprays from Victoria’s Secret, but no more of that. I have two signature scents at the moment (1 for spring/summer, 1 for fall/winter) and I also have one that’s a bit more spicy that I don’t wear daily.

    Nail Polish- IN BETWEEN

    I think I’ll find a good, wine red and a neutral to splurge on, but buy brands like OPI and Essie for the rest of my collection.

    What products do you splurge on?

    Love,

    jen

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  • 2018 Mid-Year Makeup Inventory | Mascaras

    July 6, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Since it’s July, I’ve decided to do a mid-year makeup inventory on some of my makeup. I’ve seen a few people do it on Instagram, and thought I should do that too and decide how many I want to finish of each type of product before I can purchase more.

    Today’s post is on my mascaras. I think I’ve done pretty well. I haven’t bought a new one in a while, I obtained a few more from my friend who got them in a bonus and already had a full-size.

    If you want to see the other makeup inventory posts I’ve written, click the following links:

    Primers & Foundations | Bronzers | Blushes | Mascaras | Highlighters

    Current mascara inventory:

    • started with 10; 5 (after decluttering some of the ones pictured)

    Since taking this picture, I’ve finished the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and obtained the Burt’s Bees Nourishing Lengthening Mascara (I also must’ve forgotten one in my collection when I took this picture- an Estée Lauder one). After this post, I’m going to be retiring the 3-step fiber mascara (read my review), L’Oréal Lash Paradise and the Estée Lauder one because I’ve had them for a while. I’m not going to do a makeup buying ban for mascara. After retiring 3, I’ll have 5 and next month, it’s probably going to be time to retire more.

    Estée Lauder Sumptuous Knockout Defining Lift and Fan Mascara in Black

    I did not like the brush on this mascara. I tried using the mascara with another brush and I liked it. For me, it wouldn’t be worth buying a mascara (if I purchased high-end ones) if I didn’t like the brush though.

    L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in Black

    I may be one of the few that doesn’t like either Better Than Sex or Lash Paradise. I’ve compared both mascaras (read my review). I just don’t like the brushes and they both dry out so quickly.

    L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black

    I think this was one of the first mascaras I tried in high school. It’s still a fave of mine.

    Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara in Black

    I really like this one, it looks natural and I love the brush.

    Burt’s Bees Nourishing Lengthening Mascara in Classic Black

    This one kind of smells (in a different way than other mascara), but once it’s on the lashes, it’s fine. I like the brush and it comes off easily with water.

    Urban Decay Perversion Mascara in Black

    I like this one too, it makes my lashes look darker and not clumpy at all!

    Urban Decay Troublemaker Mascara in Black

    I like this mascara, but since it’s a deluxe sample size, the wand is so tiny and it’s hard to use it.

    I love most of these mascaras, but I’ve said it many times, I don’t like buying mascaras over $15. There are so many amazing drugstore ones, why buy high end ones? Especially when you should throw them out after a few months. Mascara gets bacteria very easily and you don’t want to get an eye infection. My fave mascaras are by L’Oréal and Maybelline. I’ve only tried a few other drugstore ones because I received them from Influenster for review purposes. I’ve received the Revlon Mega Multiplier (read my review) and CoverGirl Total Tease Mascara (read my review).

    What are your fave mascaras?

    Love,

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