Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium to Full Coverage Radiant Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid in 4.5 – I ended up returning this because it was too light
bareMinerals BAREPRO 16-HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation in Light 25 Neutral – I returned this one as well because it was too dark lol
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in 612 Dimension Dark Brown
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Joy
Urban Decay Mini Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer in Shade 6
Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil in Stone Gray 05
Did you pick anything up from the friends and family sale
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.
I’m sharing my Sephora sale haul today! I bought a few things for my mom and then I finally purchased some products that have been on my wishlist for a few years.
Currently, I have Sephora VIB Rouge status, but I haven’t bought much makeup or skincare in the past two years, so my Rouge status will be downgraded next year. I decided to make some purchases with the 20% off while I still have it.
Charlotte Tilbury Darling Eyeshadow Palette | $72
I have been looking at eyeshadows for a while, this one was a bit of an impulse purchase, but the shades are so pretty. lately, I’ve been leaning toward warmer colours.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in 2 – Fair | $53
I’ve had this on my wishlist for a long time. I hope it lives up to my expectations.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light | $69
The bronzer came broken :/ I contacted customer service to get a re-shipment, so just waiting for the new one to come in. This has also been on my wishlist for a long time. It was sad to open it and see some powder on the outside of the packaging. I knew right away that it was probably broken.
MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Blush in Sweet Enough | $35
I bought this for my mom. She previously really loved the powder blush in Mocha, which I also bought. I thought she might like a baked blush more since she got hard pan quite often with the powder blush.
MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush in Mocha | $32
Sephora Collection PRO Powder Brush #50 | $45
I got this brush for my mom. She mentioned that her powder foundation was providing more coverage than she wanted. She prefers a more sheer coverage. Right now, she’s using a denser brush, so I thought a slightly fluffier one might do the trick.
Sephora Collection PRO Highlight Brush #98 | $40
I have a Sephora PRO powder brush and it’s one of the softest brushes I own. I currently have a highlight fan brush from Winners. I thought it was time to get one that had a name brand.
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 a few empties for you this month. I decluttered a few makeup items. I know you can keep some makeup for a while, but I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, so I don’t really want to keep makeup longer than two years.
Good Molecules Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel* – This cleansing gel was just okay for me. It didn’t really do much more than my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser which is less expensive.
Repurchase? No.
Skyn Iceland Arctic Repair Cream* – I tried it once as a face moisturizer, but I found it too heavy. I really enjoyed this as a body cream. I would use it after showering and I loved that it wasn’t greasy at all. The container is a 100% recyclable jar made from sugarcane. I found sometimes it was hard to twist the lid on nicely. Since it comes with an insert that holds a spatula. It wasn’t a big issue for me, but I would be worried if I put it in a bag.
Repurchase? For the colder months, I would definitely consider purchasing it.
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Shine Shampoo & Conditioner* (read my review) –
Repurchase? I would consider trying a different scent.
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light – I really liked this powder. Even though it’s a finishing powder, I used it as a foundation for days I wanted light coverage. I wish they had more shades though. The light shade wasn’t the perfect match.
Repurchase? Definitely!
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Light Neutral – I really liked this powder. It was the wrong shade, but it looked really nice on the skin. I know it’s called a full coverage foundation, but if you use a light hand, it won’t look heavy.
Repurchase? In a different shade, yes.
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7 – I purchased this when I bought the Luminous Silk Powder Foundation for my mom. The fluid sheers were on sale and this was one of the shades they had left. It was a good deal and I really just wanted to try it, so I chose #7 (a pinky pearlescent shade). I used this more like an illuminator mixed in with foundation instead of as a highlighter since it was a pink shade. It made my foundation look glowy. I still would’ve preferred to get a different shade, but I liked it.
Repurchase? I want to try other liquid illuminators from other brands, but if I were to get this again, I would get it in shade #2.
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review.
I’m sharing what I bought from the Welcome Back Sephora Canada sale. If you spend $100, you get $20 off and if you spend $75, you get $15 off. Unlimited times for in-store and one time use online. For online, use code WELCOME BACK. The sale is on until August 23rd, 2020!
I didn’t buy any new makeup since I haven’t been wearing any and have quite a bit of makeup to get through first. I chose 2 items I have been wanting to try and repurchased another one that I’ve reviewed before.
Bite Beauty Agave+ Nighttime Vegan Lip Therapy (1st time trying) – A hydrating lip sleeping mask in a decadent, balm-to-oil formula, with a dreamy chamomile-bergamot scent, for more supple lips overnight.
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm (1st time trying) – A PEG-free cleansing balm that smooths the look of skin with natural papaya enzymes, while melting away stubborn makeup, dirt, oil, and SPF.
amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask (repurchase) – A daily or weekly luxurious, deep conditioning treatment that completely restores and repairs dry, damaged hair.
I also redeemed some points. Both were 100 points:
Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder (1st time trying) – A weightless setting powder that refreshes and cools the skin with all-day moisture.
belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb (1st time trying) – A lightweight, refreshing eye cream that smooths fine lines with a 26-hour burst of moisture, boosts elasticity, and increases the resilience of the skin for flawless makeup application.
Today I’m reviewing Burt’s Bees products. Out of all the brands I’ve tried, I think Burt’s Bees is now #1 in Most Products Tried with 19 products. I was lucky enough to receive all of these products complimentary from Topbox, but I’m giving my honest opinions on the products. I have a few Hits and Likes, but I’ll be honest and say nothing from the brand has blown me away. I don’t think I would buy any of the products myself.
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
Blush in 1210 Shy Pink* – It’s really pretty! It’s a subtle pink, but gives you a beautiful, blushed look.
LIKES
The Luminizer Nourishing Highlighter in Star Light* – I like this highlighter for a natural glow/highlight.
Moisturizing Lip Balm in Tropical Pineapple* – It’s like any other lip balm. Keeps my lips moisturized and this one smells like a Piña Colada.
Gloss and Glow Glossy Balm in Winning in Pink* – This is a nice balm that makes the lips look glossy, but not sticky.
Natural Mattifying Powder Foundation in 1115 Sand* – This powder was quite pale on me, I need to get a darker shade. I did a light powdering of it on my t-zone after using the foundation and it instantly mattified my skin.
Natural Eye Liner in 1405 Soft Black – This was a very nice black liner. You can take your makeup look from day to night by applying it on the outer V and smudging it out.
Nourishing Lengthening Mascara in Classic Black* – I like the brush of this mascara. The mascara added length to my lashes, but still looked natural and it wasn’t clumpy. It came off easily with water, so it’s definitely not waterproof.
All Aflutter Multi-Benefit Mascara in Classic Black* – Similar to the nourishing mascara, this is a nice mascara that doesn’t make your lashes clumpy. It also came off easily with water. After wearing it for a day, my lashes were still curled. Between the two mascaras, I think I prefer this one.
MISSES
Sensitive Facial Cleanser* – This one isn’t really a ‘miss,’ but I didn’t like it that much either. It had a creamy texture which I didn’t really like. I prefer a gel cleanser. It leaves your skin with a bit of an oily feel. Not quite a film, but your face isn’t squeaky clean.
Burt’s Bees Renewal Refining Facial Cleanser* – I didn’t like the smell of this one.
Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion* – This also isn’t a ‘miss,’ but I didn’t find it to be anything special. It’s fragrance-free and it has a nice texture, but it didn’t really do anything for my skin.
Hydrating Facial Towelettes with Watermelon* – These are very strong/thick towelettes, but the watermelon scent is so strong that it gave me a headache.
Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation in 1025 Natural Beige* – It covered the redness around my nose and chin, but you definitely need a concealer to cover up acne or dark spots. This is NOT waterproof. It washes off easily with water which I don’t like.
Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturizer in 2025 Natural Beige* – This didn’t cover much for me and just like the liquid foundation, it washes away with water very easily.
Defining Retractable Eyeliner in Mulberry & Onyx* – This eyeliner pulled on my skin as I applied it to my waterline and it smudged so much. I tested it out for a day and after a few hours, the eyeliner was patchy. By the end of the day, the eyeliner had rubbed off. I hadn’t rubbed my eyes at all. I did close my eyes tightly a few times to see if any eyeliner or mascara would transfer. I was also disappointed in the Mulberry shade because it just looks black/brown on the eyes.
Natural Eyeshadow Trio in 1505 Shimmering Nudes* – The eyeshadows were okay. I prefer to have a palette that has at least 1 matte shade.
Natural Brow Pencil in 1610 Brunette* – This was too light for me, it almost looked reddish brown on my brows. I prefer to use a darker pencil. I didn’t love that it was waxy because the hairs would get matted down.
Matte Sticks in Buttery Blush & Liquid Honey* – These are a comfortable matte lipstick that doesn’t feel drying. Although the lipstick can be a bit crumbly. (I used to have these in the LIKES, but they got moldy very quickly).
Glossy Lipstick in Peony Dew* – It’s a sheer lipstick that’s a bit waxy. It’s like a morph of a gloss and lipstick because it’s a bit tacky.
Lip Gloss with Avocado in Tulip Spring* – This lip gloss had a passionfruit scent, I believe. It looked nice and gave a bit of tint to my lips, but I wouldn’t purchase this on my own. It felt moisturizing and wasn’t too sticky which was good, but I prefer a lip gloss with a wand for a more precise application.
Squeezy Tinted Balm in Mandarin Granita* – The shade of this is nice and it does keep my lips moisturized for a bit, but I’m not a huge fan of the scent. Also, when I was sent this, I was told that it’s best to apply with a brush or fingers. If you’re on the go, you don’t really want to use your fingers to apply lip balm. So I find that a bit annoying. I’d rather just use a stick lip balm.
Burt’s Bees is fairly new to the makeup game and they need to expand on their shade ranges. If you are looking for a brand that sells natural products, then this is a great drugstore brand to consider.
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.
Here’s what I bought from the Sephora VIB Sale last month. I made two separate orders:
Laneige Multi Cleanser – A cleanser with Papaya Enzymes that removes makeup and impurities
Amorepacific Purify & Polish Set – A daily, cleansing and exfoliating duo to reveal visibly smoother, refreshed skin
0.5 oz/ 15 mL Treatment Cleansing Foam
0.53 oz/ 15 g Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder in 2 – A multipurpose, modern pressed powder sets, perfects, and finishes, leaving skin with a diffused, luminous glow
Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation in G20 – A talc-free powder foundation that provides buildable coverage, a weightless matte finish, and shine control with kaolin clay
Samples:
Tarte Creaseless Concealer
Stellar Limitless Foundation
I bought the two powders for my mom. G20 was a bit light and golden, so I exchanged it for N30. I don’t think we’ve found her shade match in the Cover FX Powder yet.
bareMinerals Beautiful Finish Foundation Brush – A finishing brush with synthetic fibers for sheer-to-full coverage of Original and Matte foundations
Sephora Collection Solid Clean: Solid Brush Cleaner Mini – A gentle, solid sponge and brush cleanser featuring argan oil and a warm Moroccan fragrance
Sephora Collection PRO Featherweight Powder Brush #91 – A lightweight powder brush to apply powder foundation and translucent powder to the face and body
Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray – A weightless, alcohol-free setting spray that locks in makeup for up to 12-hour wear while imparting a dewy, hydrated look
Samples:
Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Vanilla, Custard, Hazelnut, Caramel
Except for the solid brush cleaner, it’s the first time buying the products above. I haven’t opened the bareMinerals brush yet, but the Sephora PRO brush is soooo soft!! The brush has a tapered end that’s really skinny, so it’s a bit top heavy. I would recommend a different brush that has a more even weight distribution if you buff/swirl powder on.
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.
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.
Surprisingly, I haven’t tried a whole bunch of products from Maybelline even though it’s an affordable drugstore brand. I think I have a lot of difficulty finding my shade match with their complexion products. I haven’t tried any of their blushes or eyeshadow palettes and only tried one lipstick so far, but here’s my list:
HITS
Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Treatment Concealer – This is a great concealer for me, I love how natural it looks. The shade Light might be a bit too light, I’ve gotten a recommendation to try the Neutralizer, so I might try that.
Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – I love this powder, but the shade 15 Light is a bit pink on me. Maybe it will be better during the summer time.
Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light – Great drugstore concealer!
Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in 130 Buff Beige (read my review) – I actually really loved this, even in the summer time. I don’t think it’s available any more though.
Face Studio Master Chrome Highlighter – I love this highlighter, although for me, 100 Molten Gold is a bit too coppery gold for my skintone, but I would definitely repurchase in a different shade.
Color Show Kohl Liner – I loved the nude shade they used to have in this, but they don’t have it anymore. I used to put it on my lower waterline and it would instantly brighten my eyes.
Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara Washable (read my review) – This is a great mascara, I definitely want to try the waterproof to see if it holds a curl better
Great Lash Mascara (Black or Clear) – This is a classic. The clear one is great for using as brow gel too.
Volum’ Express The Falsies Big Eyes – From what I remember, this is a great mascara.
Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara – Loved this mascara, need to try it again at some point to compare it to others.
SuperStay 24 Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in 65 Seductress – A Toronto makeup artist posted a pic of her bride and I commented on it saying her lip colour was beautiful, she replied back saying it was this liquid lipstick mixed with a lipliner and gloss. I see why everyone loves this liquid lippie! I’m not one for matte lipsticks, but this one is super long-wearing and you can top with a gloss in the middle to give that 3D effect.
LIKES
Hydrate & Smooth Fit Me Foundation – The shade I chose in this isn’t right, so that’s probably why I didn’t love it. It was way too orange. I also don’t love that this has no pump.
Matte & Poreless Fit Me Foundation – Same deal as the Hydrate & Smooth one.
Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Eye Shadow in Barely Branded – I am still debating whether I like cream shadows. I think I prefer sticks when it has shimmer. So, I might like one that’s matte.
Total Temptation Washable Volumizing Mascara – This is one mascara that I’m not crazy about. It’s okay, but I prefer the others.
Master Precise Curvy Liquid Liner (read my review) – This doesn’t have a really precise tip and it’s not super black, so if that’s what you’re looking for, skip this one.
MISSES
Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser – I didn’t like the silicone feel of this.
Master Prime Blur + Redness Control Primer – This didn’t do anything to correct my redness.
Eye Studio Brow Precise Pencil – I didn’t like the waxy feel of this pencil.
Color Show Nail Lacquer – I prefer a fat brush, this has a round skinny brush. For me, I prefer fat because it’s less likely to be streaky since I’m no expert at applying nail polish.
There’s a few products that I tried a long long time ago before I knew a lot about makeup…before using primer. So, here’s what I remember about them:
Baby Lips Lip Balm – I think it was okay, it wasn’t anything special.
SuperStay Better Skin Foundation – I used this a while back before I knew I was supposed to use primer. I don’t even know if I used to use a damp sponge when applying this. The shade I got was way off. I remember it being okay, but I’m not curious enough to to try it out again.
SuperStay Better Skin Concealer + Corrector – I remember it being pretty good, but didn’t love the chemical smell of it (Fit Me doesn’t have that smell). I don’t think the shade was right either.
Giorgio Armani Beauty was having a 15% off sale and the Luminous Silk Powder Foundation was on my list of things to purchase from Sephora for my mom. I decided to take advantage of the sale to buy from Armani. I recently made my first purchase from Lancôme as well. I decided to spend $5 extra to get the gift box because who wouldn’t want to have a beautiful Giorgio Armani gift box? My plan is to eventually buy from the luxury brands that I want to try and also get their beautiful gift boxes.
The package arrived really quickly. I ordered it on the 12th and received it yesterday. I also love that they’re smart: they ship it in a regular brown box that doesn’t have any logos on it (so no one is going to know that it’s Armani and steal it). It was shipped from L’Oréal in Québec.
I ordered three products to make the order over $150:
Fluid Sheer in #7 (I’ll write a review on it once I’ve tried it out)
2 Luminous Silk Powder Foundations in 5.5 for my mom
If you spent over $150, you got a little gift:
Sì Eau de Parfum Mini
Mini Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in 400
This is a gorgeous red! My kind of red (blue-red) because I don’t like orange-red lipsticks on me.
Today, I’m going to share with you my new beauty budget for 2019 that I’ve calculated for myself. After reviewing, my 2017 and 2018 beauty expenses. I’ve spent about the same amount each year (about $2000). I’m going to aim for $1800 for beauty expenses for 2019. If I get to the end of the year under $1800, then that’s even better! I’ve looked up how much the average woman spends on makeup and skincare each year and most articles said about $3000-5000. I think those numbers include things like manicures, haircuts, waxing and other treatments. I usually only get my haircut once a year and I rarely get manicures.
If you read my posts on my 2017 and 2018 beauty expenses, you’ll know that I spent $2000 (give or take). I am aiming to cut it down by $200 and hopefully as the years progress, I can get my beauty expenses down to $1000! One thing I want to change about my spending is WHERE I spend it. In 2017 and 2018, I bought a lot of products from drugstores and Winners. Discount prices from Winners are great, but they tend to be impulse buys. Also, if I don’t like the product, I can’t return it and although it’s cheaper than a high end product, it still adds up. When I make purchases from Sephora, I can easily return things. A lot of my impulse purchases are ones I’ve regretted (read my post on Products I Regret Buying).
Right now, my expenses are high because I’m trying out different products to find what I like and what works for me. I’ve found a few products that have become favourites, but obviously, your favourites can change and you find new products you love even more.
I’ve created a breakdown of how I think I will spend the $1800 budget. This is a rough estimate of what the different categories might cost. I think giving myself an overall budget for beauty is easier than doing the $25/month for my monthly blog allowance. I feel like I end up blogging about most of my products anyway.
Skincare products – $600
This category gets the most because I need acne products, eye creams, day/night products and toners
Primers – $120
Most primers that I buy are about $40-50, I should probably be good until June for primers
Foundations/Powders – $120
If anything, I will need to get a powder. I already bought a bunch of foundations last year
Concealer – $100
Eyeliners – $60
Brows – $100
It takes me a while to finish a brow pencil, so this budget is probably more for my brow gel
Mascara – $100
I only buy drugstore mascaras and I replace them every 3 months
Miscellaneous – $600
Makeup brushes and sponges
Products to review for the blog
Products that I don’t necessarily NEED, but WANT, i.e. a new lipstick or eyeshadow palette
I didn’t include a section for eyeshadows, lip products, blushes, bronzers, nail polish or hair because I already have a lot of things that I should finish before buying new products in those categories. I didn’t include a perfume category, but whenever I need to buy one, I could probably include it in the miscellaneous section. Usually, I only have one or two at a time and I just bought one last year at the MAC Warehouse Sale.
Here are October’s favourites! I’ve also added some non-beauty faves at the bottom of the post. Keep reading to find out what I’ve been enjoying this month 🙂
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Light-Neutral – I have been absolutely LOOOOVING this foundation, although the shade I chose is a bit dark for me. I’ve used it several times now and it looks like I have a filter on my face because it just blurs out my pores. For about a year, I was having trouble deciding which powder foundation I wanted to try and finally chose this one and I’m so happy I did! I wore it yesterday and I wore it for about five hours and it didn’t break up on my chin or nose (yay!) and my bronzer, blush and highlight layer beautifully on top. I use a kabuki brush and take my time to blend the foundation out so it doesn’t get cakey (one time I wore it, it did get a bit cakey). It did get a bit shiny on my forehead, but that’s to be expected.
I love multi-layer cotton pads from The Face Shop. They’re so handy for toner and each pad is 5 layers. I’ve been looking into making reusable pads because as nice as these are, the multi-layer cotton pads can be expensive. I also love these cotton swabs from Winners (just a random brand) that have a pointed end and a flat end. The pointy end is great for cleaning up your winged liner. The flat end is great for using my Clinique acne gel and also it’s easier to use for removing nail polish (for those harder to reach corners that a cotton pad can’t get).
I’m really liking this Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber Toner! It smells refreshing and I’ve been using it in the morning. I’m so glad I spotted this at Winners last month. I’ve poured some into a spray bottle so I can use it as a facial spray. I checked the Thayers website and both the toner and the facial spray have the exact same ingredients, so I’m assuming that it’s the same product in a different bottle.
I broke out while I was using the Witch Hazel Toner.
I guess it’s a Tarte Appreciation month. I have been loving this Timeless Smoothing Primer. I have a Limited Edition one, so the lid is different than the regular primer (which has a gold lid). Check out my full review on the primer.
5 Songs I’ve Been Listening To
These weren’t necessarily released this month, but I discovered them this month.
After hearing this song on Tati’s Halo Launch Party Video, I have been listening to this song non-stop: Ruelle – Hold Your Breath. After listening to some of her other songs and reading comments, someone mentioned The Originals. I looked it up and found out that this song is from 5×03. No wonder I like it. I’ve gotten so many songs from The Originals.
Rita Ora – Let You Love Me
Halsey – Without Me
Nick Jonas & Robin Schulz – Right Now
The Chainsmokers ft. Kelsea Ballerini – This Feeling
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:
