Pur Quick Pro Glitters Kit for Holiday 2017

This is one of those posts I'd meant to put up a long time ago, and I've owed it to you.

Sorry for the detour, but let's get back to today's topic du jour- the Pur Quick Pro Glitters Kit ($39). I'll confess that I purchased this by total accident. Apparently I missed a sale on this by a couple of days and Ulta hadn't pulled the sign. I thought it was a lot cheaper. Normally I would've passed this by.

In retrospect, I'm happy that I've tried it, as I have a complicated relationship with this product. This is a huge improvement compared to the previous packaging (which included netting).

The holiday packaging is divine.

In this kit is five small, liquid glitters that made me think immediately of Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter and Glow eyeshadows. These have a teeny tiny plastic spatula. However, like the Stila shadows, I prefer tapping on the lid with a brush.

Let's delve into the individual shades, which weigh in at 0.19 fl oz/5.5ml.

Namaslay is a warm champagne. Pur/Ulta describe this as a "rose gold"- I don't see the rose.

This is that little plastic applicator I was referring to.

It's gorgeous both on the hand and in the eye. However, that's not the whole picture- which I'll get into after showing you all of the photos.

Lust is next up. It's a beautiful cranberry glitter that's perfect for the holidays.The brand describes this as "rust copper." OK.

I have to admit that I like this better than either of the red-toned Stila shadows for holiday looks. It does brighten the lid nicely.

Queenie is an icy blonde gold. When I saw the color and the shade name, I immediately thought "Queenie was a blonde..." Any theatre nerds? No? OK, moving on. The brand calls this "bright gold."

Queenie is a very light gold- think ABH 10K. I always wear a nude leaning white base with this.

OMG is the cool taupe of the bunch. It's a medium-depth shade. According to the brand, this is "bronze." What's up with these descriptions?

Do you see bronze? I see taupe!

Finally, we get to Midnight Diamond. This shade, black with suspended silver glitter, or "black" per the brand, exists in the Stila and Wet 'n Wild lines.

There's how thin the applicator is.

I think this is more sheeny than glittery, personally.

Performance: This is where I'm glad I've had the additional time to play with these. I'm honestly struggling and looking for help. Over Too Faced Glitter Glue and waiting five minutes to dry down they transferred throughout the day. Over MAC Paint Pot? Same thing. Over Kat Von D's primer? Same thing. Over a bare lid? Same thing. I'm not just talking fallout, I'm talking migration into the crease. These are beautiful and stunning and awesome. But I wore Lust to Thanksgiving dinner and was covered in glitter. I wish I knew of a base to pair with these because they're beautiful.

Bottom Line: These are a nice alternative to the Stila liquid glitters and offer much smaller glitter particles. If you're looking for a perfect Insta-look, these are for you. I'm still looking to find that right combination to keep these from transferring.

September 2017 Favorites

I love doing my monthly favorites... I hope that they're fun for you to read as well. I've been testing so many new products that I've tried to keep my favorites streamlined. Any links are to previous reviews that I've done on the blog for your reference.

Eyes:

Eyeshadow: I really kept reaching for three palettes this month- Natasha Denona Lila Palette, PUR Trolls Palette, and LORAC Mega Pro 1. I'd expect these three to keep popping up from time to time. I'm also still a huge fan of all of the MAC Girls Palettes.

Eyeliner and Mascara: Other than my favorite trio of ABH liners, I also reached for the long-discontinued Chanel Perle de Lune and was thrilled to bring the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Eyeliner back into my life via the Ulta sale. Nothing like keeping it simple.


Cheeks and Face:

Blush: Dose of Colors Blush in StateMint brought me back down the rabbit hole into old habits. Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Bliss found its way back into my drawer, and I purchased a full-sized version of Tarte Paarty. When I wasn't wearing a light pink nudey blush, I was also wearing Natasha Denona Blush Duo #15.

Bronzer: I've been reaching for two bronzers- both from the drugstore- this month. I'm so close to finishing my Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze and L'Oreal Glam Bronze 01 is my cool-toned go-to.

Contour: I feel sort of like I'm cheating since I only bought this halfway through the month, but Catrice Prime & Fine Professional Contouring Palette has been my go-to since I purchased it when I want an effortless contour. I've been testing other products, but I love this little guy. Look for a full review soon.

Highlighter: I wasn't very committed to highlighters this month. Fenty Beauty Metal Moon and Becca Prismatic Amethyst probably found their way onto my cheeks the most frequently.


Lips: 

Basics: I continue to worship Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer, as it now allows me to comfortably wear matte liquid lips. I've also been using up my Fiona Stiles Ultra Luxe Nourishing Lip Balm.

Lipstick: I'm still fairly boring when I'm reaching for lipsticks. Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Peacemaker and Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Uber Beige are still my go-tos.

Liquid Lipstick: I discovered how much I like two formulas this month. Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Lipstick in Freshly Baked ruled my daytime looks, whereas I've been playing with Dose of Colors Matte Liquid Lipstick in Berry Me at night. I can't wait for it to cool enough to wear it out during the day.

Lip Gloss: It was all about Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow this month. Period. End stop.


Base Products:

Primers: I've been trying to finish primers this month, so the only constants are my Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 spray- which is a must, the L'Oreal Magic Base to fill in some fine lines, and the Milk Makeup Blur Stick.

Concealers: Tarte Shape Tape. Any questions?

Foundations: I rediscovered how much I love the Chanel Perfection Luminere Velvet foundation this month. I continue to enjoy La Mer The Foundation (tell me if you'd like my thoughts), It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Gel Cream.

Powders: I forget why I stopped using Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light under my eyes. It's one of two powders (the other being the NYX one I talked about yesterday) that set my eyes this month). In terms of all-over powder, it's been either the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder or MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural.


Nails:

Color: I'm going back to my roots here. I had one of a few shades on my nails most of the month. Thanks to Glossybox for bringing Morgan Taylor Magician's Assistant into my life. I've also been loving some CVS finds- Pop-Arazzi Pewter Perfect & Staying Up Slate. I also pulled Chanel Alchimie out for the few days it was cool (Side note: whoa, that's digging in the archives to find that post!). I also put China Glaze Pearl Jammin' on my nails as soon as I purchased it (there's something fresh about muted pastels in fall).


Skincare and Bodycare:

Skincare:  I ran out of Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and my skin showed it almost immediately. I now have a $80 staple in my routine. I also continue to enjoy First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer.

Bodycare: I rediscovered my love for L'Occitane's almond line this month. In particular, I've been loving the L'Occitane Almond Milk Lotion. In the shower, I fell in love with Le Petit Marseillais Shower Gel in Mandarin and Lime.


That's it for my beauty favorites- but I'd love to share a few non-beauty items with you as well.


Non-Beauty:

Style-wise, I've been loving the combination of my Sam Edelman Felicia Flats, and will be picking up other colors. These come in wide, which is wonderful. I've also been wearing my Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote on a daily basis.  This might be TMI, but I've discovered how lovely the Delimira Womens' Plus Size Maternity Bras are. I'm not pregnant, nor have I had a baby recently. However, I am a thirty-something who is naturally "blessed". Those bras give me nighttime support and actually help ease some of my back pain.

What have you been loving this month?

Pur Bronze Your Selfie

I have to share a total impulse purchase when browsing Ulta recently: Pur Cosmetics' Bronze Your Selfie Skin Perfecting Face and Body Liquid Bronzer ($26, 1.7fl oz)

2016 QBB would be screaming at 2017 QBB for purchasing this because I hate liquid bronzers. But here's the truth: this isn't your average liquid bronzer.

I love the squeeze tube, since it keeps it clean and nice. One of the things I hate about liquid products is when they're messy. I'm also a powder person. Still, I love this product.

Here's the liquid bronzer, dotted. I know it looks a little scary.

Let me take a moment to address the blue line. That's what Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Violet Vixen did to me after 3 cleansing oils, 3 cleansers, 2 exfoliators, and scrubbing my hand until I cried. I have repeatedly reached out to Stila and Sephora but they have not responded. To say I'm upset and disappointed is an understatement. Please excuse the staining and let Stila know about it if it bothers you.

Here's what the Pur liquid bronzer looks like, spread out but unblended. It still looks really scary here:

But trust me on this.

Here's a couple of shots of this, blended out. It's so natural!

So it's totally wearable, even for my natural NW13-15 skintone. The trick that I've learned is simply just to keep blending.

My favorite way to use this is to blend down neck and chest if I want to use a foundation that's a little too dark (I technically need to mix one of my favorite foundations and can't always be bothered). I find it looks healthy and beautiful.

I got mine on sale at Ulta, so I don't know if it's being discontinued. I do recommend this, even for my pale friends. It's a product that works well on face or body, so those are relatively hard to find. It's very worth it for me.

On second search, it's a LE product but still available on Pur's website. GO! You'll thank me later.