Some things I gave in to from the past few weeks...
bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor (in Free Will), Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Mutt, Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof liner in Rose Platine, Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner #11
I went to Sephora to make a return (YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in #3 Juicy Grapefruit - really disappointing!), but you know how that goes... They had loads of new products in stock, and after a loooong browse, I decided on three things. I'm happy to say I was really pleased with my little haul! The bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor is like a lipstick/lipgloss in one, and the shade Free Will is a really flattering pinky nude (not brown at ALL, which is what I feared!). I've been using the Buxom Stay-There eyeshadow in Mutt over a base of MUFE Aqua Cream in #13 (a metallic beige) - I really love this combo!
I wanted the MUFE Aqua Liner in #4 (the teal/turquoise), but it was out of stock. Upon swatching the other shades, I fell in love with #11, a really unique burgundy. I rarely stray from black liquid liner on the lid, but shockingly, I've used this almost every day since I got it. It's surprisingly versatile, and I'm not joking, it does NOT move, smudge, smear, or flake. I still want #4, but I'm thinking I need a black, too. It's that good.
While I was at the mall, I popped into Nordstrom, wanting to swatch the Chanel Rose Platine liner. Well, of coooourse it was gorgeous, and I couldn't walk away without it. So here we are.
Buxom Mutt, bareMinerals Free Will, MUFE Aqua Liner #11, Chanel Rose Platine
Buxom Stay-There eyeshadow in Mutt (I love the texture - spongey?)
bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor in Free Will
MUFE Aqua Liner - such a precise point!
Lush Dark Angels cleanser, Ocean Salt (sample), Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask
I haven't bought anything from Lush in ages, but sometimes I like to go in the shop and scope out the face masks. I'd always wanted to try the Catastrophe Cosmetic mask (the blueberry one), but whenever I checked, it'd be out of stock! There happened to be one in stock that day, so I grabbed it, along with what is probably my favorite face cleanser/exfoliator ever, Dark Angels. I loooove this stuff (I've repurchased three times at least!). You only need a tiny amount, so this tub will last a good month or more (because I tend to use it daily...). It really helps keep my skin clear - I just have to be sure to rinse really well so there's no black residue left behind. And be warned, this is NOT to be used in the sink - way too messy!
Topshop lipsticks in Nevada, Ooh La La, and Coy - the rest were freebies! (hair pins, black felt liner - which is crap, some not-too-shabby face wipes, and a little bag)
I wasn't planning to buy from Topshop (their usual flat rate shipping is RIDICULOUS!), but they had a rare complimentary shipping promotion, so I took advantage and bought three lipsticks I'd had my eye on. They also had a promotion for a bag of freebies when you buy three cosmetic items - so it was definitely the right time to make a purchase! I really love the bullet lipsticks, but the pencil was a bit disappointing. It's very similar in color to NARS Bolero (which I expected, and as I looove Bolero, was part of why I wanted to try it), but it's much drier and less smooth than NARS Bolero. Oh well, at the least the other two are winners!
Topshop lipsticks in Ooh La La and Nevada
Topshop lipstick in Ooh La La
Topshop lipstick in Nevada
Topshop Coy (similar to NARS Bolero, but not nearly as smooth!)
NARS Bolero lip pencil vs. Topshop Coy - very similar shades!
CoverGirl Lip Perfection lipstick in Fairytale, Revlon Just Tinted nail polish in Dawn, Revlon Grow Luscious lash liner in Emerald
The nail polish purchase was out of sheer curiosity, but I'm so happy with it. It's like a matte finish jelly, if that makes sense. I used it with a top coat and it looked so pretty! Don't be fooled by the new lipstain of the same name - it looks like it'd be a pretty coral/orange, but it's actual a dark blood red/brown. Yuck!
Topshop Nevada, Ooh La La, Coy; Revlon Emerald, CG Fairytale
I tested the Revlon Emerald pencil on my upper lashline, and it wore surprisingly well without smudging. It's also quite pigmented, and such a great shade (put it this way, I'm as much a sucker for this shade in eye products as I am for a nude lipstick).
CG Fairytale (I didn't apply this very well! haha)
I practically never buy CoverGirl products - aside from their LashBlast mascara, I find most of their products to be below par, and besides, I think they are a brand that does animal testing (boo). However, this shade was hard to ignore after a while, as it looked like a dupe for two of my favorite red/corals, YSL Rouge Volupte #27 Rose Paris and Chanel Rouge Allure in Genial. I also think red corals are pretty universally flattering, and require so much less bravery than a straight up in-your-face red. I've gotta say I like the "flavor" of this lippie, too. It reminds me of candy necklaces, of all things.
top to bottom: CG Fairytale, YSL Rouge Volupte #27 Rose Paris, Chanel Genial
Of all the items in this haul, I have just one regret - the Topshop Coy lipstick pencil. NARS Bolero is just better, in my opinion. But it's not a 100% regret, because having three items in my basket was what enabled me to get all the freebies... I think I'd just rather have purchased a different product from them instead.
What have you all bought lately? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading, lovelies!
xoxo,
<3 Jess
