January 2018 Favorites & Empties Recap

It's been a couple of months since I've done a monthly favorites post. While this will be considered January's favorites and fails, this is really more like a "mid-Winter favorites" edition.


First, a quick note about my utter failure of the brand focus for January. You'll see the best of the best reflected here, but the concept is one I'm not loving. It turns out that the brand that I picked for January (Smashbox) doesn't excite me. I found a few new loves, but my new favorite product out of the bunch was a CCO pick which is discontinued.


Primers, Foundations, and Concealers:

1- Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer (a new discovery), 2- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing (rivals Benefit's Porefessional), 3- L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base (does the job that I hope someday soon injectibles will take over), 4- Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer (a lovely drugstore concealer I've been reaching for), 5- Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Waterproof Concealer (a fantastic discovery), 6- Guerlain L'Or Primer (is a HG, especially when paired with) 7- La Mer The Soft Fluid Foundation (I do love this, despite the price), 8- Kiko Skin Tone Concealer (is my favorite color corrector, sorry to see the local store closed), 9- Lancome Teint Idole Foundation (is too much on its own, but I've found an ideal mate in), 10- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (too much on its own but my new favorite mixing oil), 11- Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer and Setting Spray (perfect for winter), 12- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- Radiance (one of my new favorite discoveries, I just wish I didn't have so many radiance primers at the moment), 13- ColourPop No Filter Concealer (quite nice, just oxidizes a bit)


Powders:

1- Maybelline Fit Me! Loose Finishing Powder 05 Fair (the raves were real), 2- CoverFx Illuminating Setting Powder (is part of my project pan but I do like it under my eyes as it turns out), 3- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light (my HG undereye powder), 4- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (my new HG)


Bronzer, Contour, and Brows:

1- Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow (the bronzer is outstanding on my pale complexion), 2- MAC Studio Sculpt Defning Bronzing Powder in Delicates (a new cool-toned favorite), 3- ELF Brow Kit in Light (multitasker-- I use the pomade on my brows and love the powder as a contour), 4- Benefit Browvo! Conditioning Primer (is something I love when I'm using it but always forget to repurchase), 5- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz in Medium Brown (no words necessary)


Blush:

1- Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow (has a lovely peach blush that leaves a healthy glow), 2- Smashbox Soft Lights in Prism (my absolute new favorite discovery and I'm gutted that the brand was foolish enough to discontinue it), 3- Physicians Formula Butter Blush in Plum Rose (a lovely nude blush only for fair complexions), 4- Clinique Cheek Pop in Nude Pop (one of my all-time favorites), 5- Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Blush (it's back in the philanthropy collection!)


Highlighter:

1- theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer (I'm sadly very late to this party), 2- Laura Geller Baked Highlighter in French Vanilla (a true favorite), 3- NYX Love You So Mochi Arcade Glam (a shockingly wonderful new discovery)

Eye Primers, Liners, and Mascaras:

1- Too Faced Glitter Glue (my go-to for glitters and shimmers), 2- Smashbox 24 hour Shadow Primer & Photo Finish Lid Primer (a wonderful duo of primers- one new, one an old favorite- that I've been enjoying), 3- Inglot AMC Gel Eyeliners in 77 & 78 (love these eyeliners and have been loving a teeny wing lately), 4- NYX Slide On, Glide On Eyeliner in Jewel (love this on the lower lash line with pinky looks), 5- NYX Metallic Eyeliner in Rose Gold (a great new Spring 2018 release), 6- Anastasia Beverly Hills Darkside Eyeliner (how did I ever live without this?), 7- Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liners in Liquid Silver and Liquid Gold (so lovely to use on a daily basis), 8- Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer (my favorite lash primer to date), 9-Chanel Le Volume Mascara in Ultra Black (I'm so sorry to see my final tube done and gone. I love this so much)


Eyeshadow Palettes:

1- NARS Wanted Palette (Admittedly, this was an impulse purchase but the roses and pinks just called my name. Look for a full review from me soon), 2- LORAC California Dreaming Palette (this is new to me- I put it away, unused when I was able to nab it on sale. This seemed to be the perfect month to pull it out, and I'm thrilled), 3- NYX Love You So Mochi Palettes (these are the shocker of the spring for me so far. So, so good!), 4- Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (I've been feeling rosy looks, so this came out to join the mix)

Lips:

1- NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita (I was on a pinky nude kick this month and happy to pull this old favorite out), 2- Clinique Pop Lip Color- Nude Pop (this is in promo packaging but this is a lovely nude for daily wear), 3- Shea Moisture Luscious Lipstick in Tea Rose (one of my all-time cool-toned MLBB favorites), 4- Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Primrose (my best discovery of the month), 5- Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lip Oils (Ballet Blush pictured but several shades are stunning), 6- By Terry Baume de Rose (any version- I used the original potted, original gloss, and tinted glosses), 7- Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Creator (another lovely pink), 8- NYX Butter Lipstick in Root Beer Float (my favorite discovery from the Holiday 2017 kit), 9- bareMinerals GenNude Liquid Lipsticks in Smooch and Slay (my two favorite shades of the line, this shows the types of colors I'm into this time of year), 10- NudeStix Intense Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil in Belle (finally, a great discovery from the Macy's box!), 11- Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Babe Alert (my favorite of the line), 12- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow (this ended up on my lips just about every day. I'm obsessed)




Now, a quick note on my empties. I've been tracking my personal Project Pan on Instagram, but here's some analysis on the regular products I've used up- and the dollar value.

This didn't include any decluttered items, so it's shocking to see my monthly total over $900. I've decided to track these stats this year with the hopes of making my future spending conform with it. I know the bath/body will diminish once it gets warmer.

What have you loved or used up?

MAC Eye Brows in Spiked

Confession: Although I'm still angry and feel mistreated as a consumer by Boxycharm, I let my subscription (that magically restarted) go through September. One of the items in the September 2017 box was this brow pencil- MAC's Eye Brows in Spiked.

This is a currently-available product. Spiked is one of ten shades available from MAC for $18, and the brand calls it a "rich brunette."

For that $18, you get 0.09g/0.003oz of product in a twist-up mechanical pencil. I'm partial to my ABH Brow Whiz, but decided to try this because brow products are essentially the only MAC product I've yet to try.

This is a tiny tip. I really like the tip- it's smaller than anything else in my collection. Here are comparisons to both ABH Brow Whiz and the L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer:

Left: ABH Brow Whiz v MAC
Right: L'Oreal Brow Definer v MAC

I LOVE this teeny tiny tip and that's what sets this product apart from everything else. My brows are naturally quite lacking, so these teeny-tipped brow products are my favorite to add a little something without full-on Instabrows.

Look, brows aren't my strong suit. I could ignore that they exist, or I could share good products with you....

Spiked isn't my ideal shade, but it's close enough that I'll be using this guy up- and probably nabbing another brow pencil from MAC in the future.  I went through my brow collection and couldn't find an exact dupe currently in my collection. Here's a comparison of all of the similar products:

I see three drawbacks with this product. First, the teeny tip means that it will take some time to do your brows. I don't mind, but I know that's a deal for some people. Second, I think this product will be used up relatively quickly because of the formula and the tip. That said, it has slightly more product than the ABH Brow Whiz (0.09g vs 0.085g for $3 less). Third, there's no spoolie on the packaging. Grumble.

Bottom Line: This is a totally unexpected love for a more natural brow. I'll be more likely to take a look at MAC's offerings in the future.

MAC Lipstick in Dare You

Time again for another one of my quick hit posts where I talk about a single permanent collection item.

Today I'd like to share with you MAC Lipstick in Dare You.

Let's be honest. Due to the sheer size of MAC's permanent collection, quite a few shades tend to get lost. There's visual overload by visiting a MAC counter, so I'm still learning about different shades.

Dare You was an impulse purchase after reading a Racked article entitled 13 Easy Ways to Look Like You Have Your Shit Together. Sold.

Dare You, a Cremesheen lipstick, weighs in at 3g for $17.50 after the latest MAC price hike (wow). According to MAC, Dare You is a "deep brown red."

I think it's glorious for fall/winter.


I'll readily admit to being hesitant to embrace the brown lipstick trend again, but shades like this have me all-in. I'm also one of the few cremesheen fans because of their balmy texture. I'll happily reapply time after time if my sensitive lips don't get dried out.

Let's go to the swatch.

Dare You also hits the metallic/pearlized trend just a bit. It just screams fall/winter to me, to be honest. This has been in hot and heavy rotation ever since I purchased it in late September.

Yeah, that's the type of shade that makes the wearer look like they have their shit together. Nicely called, Racked.

Do you have any lipsticks that are a go-to like that? Or have you discovered a new permanent MAC lipstick lately?

MAC Liptensity Lipstick in Roast and Butter

Referring to all of my US readers, I've got a little dessert for you while you digest that Turkey, and before you sprint off to the stores. May the deals be with you tomorrow!

What's better than Thanksgiving dinner? How about the perfect spicy brown lip to pair with it!

And for my non-US readers, enjoy a yummy brown lip today while I take a day to give thanks.

I've been loving the MAC Liptensity Lipstick in Roast and Butter ($21, 3.6g) as of late. It just feels like a Fall hug to me.

For someone who doesn't like brown lipsticks, I seem to have quite a few. I have a story about this one though. I was craving a brown lip and decided to just let my MAC SA (who has hooked me up this year with some of the hard to get LE products, so I make sure to go to her first for any whim) recommend one.

I hadn't even looked at the Liptensity line, but she recommended this one.

As always, she's spot on. This is such a warm and inviting brown that it's been in rotation in my purse this month. It does make me think of Thanksgiving, so I wanted to share it with you on Turkey Day.

These are hydrating and last about 4 hours without eating or drinking. When wearing this line, always bring your tube with you for reapplication.

MAC Snow Ball Prep + Prime Fix+ Set for Holiday 2017

ZOMG!

Holy Snow Balls!

I said something slightly saltier when I spotted this insane kit sitting at a local Macy's MAC counter.  Meet the MAC Snow Ball Prep + Prime Fix + Set.

Yes, that's three of the scented minis.

And yes- these are the guys who were back for Work It Out.  And cost $12 each then.

This set costs $20. $20. $20!!!!!

Hence my salty expression of joy that they're back.

This is possibly my favorite gift set I've encountered yet. I don't even need to review these- you know MAC Fix+. Just go. Go to the store and get this!

These normally would have a retail value of $36 ($12 each per 1oz Fix+- lavender, rose, and coconut), but this is something that should be in everyone's stocking at just $20.

Given that this is the third time we're seeing Coconut this year and second for this trio of scented Fix+ minis, I seriously hope this means that MAC is inching closer to making this permanent.

October 2017 Favorites

Much like September's favorites, I'm going to try to keep it simple here. I was all over the board in terms of testing new products this month (I hope the diversity of posts- and the frequency- was a tipoff to that.) Consider this the best of the best.

Eyes:

Eyeshadow: Quite unexpectedly, Tarte Clay Play found its way into my heart this month. I find it such a quiet but reliable friend that can rescue most looks gone awry. I also became obsessed once again with putting highlighter on my eyes- in this case, Fenty Beauty Trophy Wife. I've been looking for the perfect gold for years and this is it. I haven't talked about it in this space yet, but my Inglot Eco Palette was a go-to. Marc Jacobs The Lolita continues to be that go-to when I don't know what else to do.

Eyeliner and Mascara: I'll continue to give a written nod to the perfect ABH trio of liners that are the foundation of my work. I continued to enjoy my Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Precision Longwear Eyeliner and the Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara.

Cheeks and Face:

Blush: I got in a rut this month. I think Fiona Stiles Soft Cheek Veil in Valley was on my cheeks all but a few days, and Physicians Formula Butter Blush in Plumrose the other days. It was a neutral month, ok?

Bronzer: I finally finished my Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer this month, and I remembered why I love it. L'Oreal Glam Bronze continues to lurk around.

Highlight: I don't remember what I was wearing before it came into my life, but aside from the days when I was testing something else, MAC Whisper of Gilt has been my BFF. I get it, y'all.

Contour: Kat Von D Shade and Light palette. Enough said.

Primers: I wore quite a few, but nothing's fab enough to shout out. I have a quiet routine, but I'm not going to write the same thing every month.

Concealers and Correctors: I'm trying a new concealer that I'm not yet ready to shout-out... wait for the review.

Foundation: I discovered a new HG foundation this month- Inglot HD Perfect Coverup Foundation. Look for a full review soon. I also rediscovered how much I enjoy MAC Studio Fix Foundation, which is a true classic. An old HG, Chanel Perfection Luminere Velvet, just wouldn't stop jumping into my hands in the morning.

Powders: I rotated through a few powders this month. After taking the sifter off, I rediscovered just how good NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder in Flesh is. I also continued my love affair with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light, RCMA No Color Powder, and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light.



Lips:


I'll be honest, I've been playing with holiday releases for most of this month (for example, all 6 LORAC kits), so I don't have any favorites! I'm looking forward to giving my lips a break in November!

Nails:

I  pulled out some classic shades this month- Chanel Rouge Noir, Chanel Atmosphere, and Chanel Particuliere.

That's it- it's a light October because of all of the testing.  I'm doing something different this month- an entire month-long everyday makeup drawer. Wish me lujck.

MAC Snow Ball Eye Bag in Smoky Gold for Holiday 2017

And hello my lovelies!

Welcome back to Holiday 2017. Sorry that I had to use a bit of filler, but this week has been insane. Heck, just look at my Instagram regarding this very post to see what's up. I had this on my eyes and photographed by a few minutes after 5AM.

Let's talk about my final selection from the MAC Snow Ball Collection-the Eye Bag in Smoky Gold. As an aside, I know that's descriptive, but I hate the name. This comes with three products in a gorgeous makeup bag for $39.50. There are two versions of this- Smoky Gold and Smoky Pink. This is being widely released on Thursday, November 2 as part of Phase II of MAC Snow Ball Holiday 2017 collection.

So, let's talk about what you get for your $39.50. I tend to find the eye kits one of the better values (if the products perform).

First, you receive a pair of Extra Dimension Eyeshadows in Just Gleaming and Snowdusk in one of those pre-made MAC duos.

Comparing the size of the pan, you receive the same amount as the singles, which normally retail for $20 each. And these come with the gorgeous snowflake stamping as well.

I thought these two corresponded really well with the singles at the event, hence why I picked this up. Just Gleaming is a pretty champagne gold color, and Snowdusk is a gorgeous taupey brown that's hitting those cool-toned notes for me.

Like the singles, here's a finger swatch:

No, not the most original shades but they're so pretty to have.  I think they're very wearable.

Now, let's talk about when I tested the shadows. Admittedly, these got a one-day test, with Glitter Glue on my lid, and without primer in the inner corner.

These are really stiff and produce a lot of fallout for this formula. Whereas the singles just glide like butter, I had to be careful with these and ultimately ended up foiling them. I honestly don't mind, but I feel it's significant enough to provide a consumer warning. I've never ran into this with the Extra Dimension eyeshadow before- I'm used to them being almost creamy. Hmm.

The day that I tested these I put Snowdusk all over my lid, with just a little bit of Just Gleaming on the inner part of the lid and a bit of inner corner highlight. In case you're wondering, I paired this with the top row of the Viseart Cool Matte eyeshadow palette.

Next up, you receive a Technakohl Liner Kajal in Photogravure.

This is the same size as the ones normally released, and is a part of the permanent collection.

This is a totally wearable dark brown- I've been testing it on the lower lashline, and actually abandoned black upper liner one day to see how it performed up there. It's not my holy grail, but it's a nice formula. And the color's just a great, wearable shade.

I think the best review I can give is that as someone with way too many brown liners, I'd repurchase. I've been testing this off and on for the entire work week, unlike the shadows. It's good.

So far, so good with this set!


The final product in the bag is the In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara, which normally retails for $22.

I'm going to point you to the brand for photos of the wand, as I'm not going to open this guy up until I'm ready to start using it. Sorry, but I don't want to be wasteful of mascara. I have used the formula before- be careful, as a little goes a long way with this rubber wand.

We're at a total value of $79.50 for the contents of the bag.

Now, let's talk about the bag itself.

It's silver with a lace overlay and beautiful. It's worth a few dollars at the very least. We're already at double the price-that's the range of value that I generally look for in a value set.

In short, I think this is a great kit and it would make a fantastic gift. Although I'm done purchasing from what I consider to be one of the best collections of the season, I hope that there's a full restock and everyone gets to enjoy it as well. I'm feeling very festive these days!

MAC Snow Ball Collection for Holiday 2017: The Extra Dimension Eyeshadows

I almost feel guilty reviewing these shadows because they were blink and you've missed them limited.

Remember how I was complaining after having gone to the preview event? Luckily, I had a contact hook a sister up. I was one of few people to have the opportunity to purchase all five shades- and I did. Please note that I'm not bragging, nor am I trying to rub in that I got such limited items. I'm so sorry that these were hard to get because they're honestly some of the best that MAC has put out in years.

Let's just hope for a restock. This is the product page.

I'm honestly posting because not even the great Temptalia has all five- and they're sitting in front of me. Since I have a blog, I feel a responsibility to do it.

Each of these shadows contain 1.3g/0.04oz of product, and they retail for $20 each. This is the same as the permanent collection Extra Dimension Eyeshadow that I have in front of me. They're in stunning cracked gold packaging- similar to the cracked rose gold that I featured in this post.


Let's look at these breathtaking shades. We'll go lightest-darkest. One key caveat here is that these are finger swatches.

First up is Frostwinked.

According to MAC, this is "white with silver pearl."

Initially, I waffled on this shade. It's really hard to see on my skin, but it's frosty and pretty. I love this in the inner corner. I think this would be stunning on deeper skintones with a white base.

I should also try this as a highlight, right? It's very pretty and sparkly.

Next up is Delicate Drift.

According to MAC, this is "light pink with sparkle."

This is one of the more subtle shades in the collection- and other one that's tough to capture.

I see gold and pink, but this isn't an overly sparkly shade. It's pretty and subtle- but not breathtakingly original. I do think I could wear this to work on my lids. And might.

Next up is Stylishly Merry.

According to MAC, this is "gold shimmer."

MAC's underselling this. Stylishly Merry is one of the most beautiful eyeshadows I've ever seen- and the troublemaker of the collection. This was the first to sell out. It's a multichrome on my skin. It flashes between pink, gold, and even a slight greeny shift in the middle. When I was at the event, someone with a dark skintone swatched it next to me and it looked far more gold on her- it's pinky on me. I put this on my lids ASAP. It works wonderfully, even not foiled. I just use a 228 and pat over Too Faced Glitter Glue (my new go-to routine for most sparkly shades). I'm OBSESSED with this shadow.

My swatches don't do it justice. I'll try to edit in an "on-the-eye" photo when I next wear it (currently testing other holiday releases, and it's way too sparkly for M-F). If I wasn't so tired, I'd have some words to describe what this does to me. It makes me feel things, ok?

Next up is It's Snowing.

According to MAC, this is "pinky purple shimmer."

This is another chameleon shade to me. At the launch event, I really thought this was a light taupey brown- a warm one at that. I never would've called it pinky. But I see pink in this really smooth shade in some lights.

But I think you see brown in this swatch, too.

This is a buttery smooth shade that I think is work-appropriate and less bling. Think smooth jazz vs pop. It's so pretty and shifts in shade just a bit.

Last up is Starry, Starry Nights.

According to MAC, this is "black with silver sparkle."

For once, I totally agree with MAC.

Not the most original shade, but it's going to be fun to play with it in this formula. I saw a MAC MUA sheer it out all over (so pretty), and I'm going to try to replicate the look some upcoming weekend. It's oddly festive.

Here's a group swatch:

Obviously, the bottom is under cold studio lighting.

I normally don't like to show items that aren't for sale, but I hope that these swatches are helpful. I can't wait to play with these more, but I'm testing a palette this week for the blog- and will be doing evening looks with my Use them ALL palettes. This collection totally screams holiday to me.

If you get the chance to pick any of them up, I highly recommend these. I feel guilty to love these, but they're so fun.

Did you get your hands on these?