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?

LORAC Mod Goddess Lip Gloss Set III

Ugh, we've finally made it to the end with these LORAC Mod Goddess lip kits. I don't know what I was thinking, buying and reviewing all six. That's 33 new lip products (31 if you count the doubles). No wonder these posts have been something admittedly I haven't looked forward to. It's not the products, it's the amount of time and effort to test.

Although I don't have a lot of notes, believe me that I've tried every product before featuring it here.

Set III has a nice variety, and let's just jump on in.

Socialite is the first and lightest shade in this set. The brand calls it "nude." Thanks for that description.

This is a shade that I either sheer out on my lips for a no makeup look or lightly accent my lips with due to pigmentation.

It Girl is next up. It's described as "coral pink" by the brand. This is the type of warm pink that I used to grab for on a daily basis. There's no discernible shimmer.

This is a fresh shade that works well with my pigmented lips without assistance.

Damsel is described as "dark mauve." It's got a lovely tone to it that plays nicely alone with my lips.

The cool-toned base of this shade really works well for me. It's one I've been reaching for frequently.

Entrepreneur is up next- we covered this earlier today. It's a nude rose shade that is also featured in Kit II.

Just as a reminder, this is what the shade looks like:

It's a pretty brown-toned shade.

Aphrodite is up next- a "deep rose brown" according to the brand.

It's a great fall shade.

Selene is the final shade in this kit- a " rose red."

I have found myself reaching for this warm shade time after time.

Lip Gloss Set III is a bit darker than Set II that we also covered today. I do recommend all of these either as gifts or as a way to supplement your collection (you get six for less than the cost of two shades).

I don't think I'll be buying and reviewing any more sets like this for quite awhile, to be honest.

LORAC Mod Goddess Lip Gloss Set II

Today I'll be wrapping up my overviews of all of the six LORAC Mod Goddess lip sets offered for Holiday 2017. We've already talked about all of the lipsticks, but I've got twelve new lip glosses (ok, ten because there's a double and I already owned one of them and am passing it along for Christmas) to talk about.

This is really pale, nude set overall.

Let's dive in.

First up, Sex Symbol.

According to the brand, this is "pink nude."

It's a pinky nude, but most of these don't make a big difference on my lips to be honest.


Second, Trophy Wife.

This is described by the brand as "flamingo."

Naturally, it's a light pink that's divine when mixed and matched, or as a subtle accent on its own.

Third is Granny.

Like the lipstick, the brand calls it "dusty peach."

I personally think it's more of a spicy shade myself and really enjoy it.

Fourth is Barista.

This is the only shade in all of the sets that I owned before- it was originally released this Spring with the Beauties that Brunch collection.

It's a very light nude that I have to be really careful with on my lips.

Fifth is the shade Mademoiselle.

According to the brand, this is "peachy nude."

Finally, let's talk about Entrepreneur.

This is the only repeat shade among any of the kits. I gifted my double of this and of Barista for Christmas. Entrepreneur is "rose brown."

It's a really neutral gloss that goes well on a daily basis.

As I mentioned, this is a really light, nude set.

Here's the set, swatched.

This is the most neutral set of the bunch and a great addition to my collection.

LORAC Mod Goddess Lipstick Set III

Today I have the final LORAC Mod Goddess Lipstick set to share with you. I still owe two of the gloss sets, but they will be coming shortly. Unlike other posts, there won't be lip shots for these on account of the current state of my face!

Mod Goddess Lipstick Set III retails for $29 and I picked mine up at my local Kohl's.

Like Set II, this features five satin lipsticks.

I really like the range in this set.

Sphynx is the lightest shade in this set.

The brand calls this "medium nude." I think it's a lightweight, camel-toned nude.

It's beautiful, but the emollient formula requires a bit of help (namely a lipliner and/or base to cancel my natural pigment) to get this to work well on my lips.

Next up, Granny.

The brand calls this "dusty peach." It's an apricot in my book, but deepens on the lips to be beautiful with the matching gloss.

It reads deeper with my pigmented lips than the swatch would indicate; it's one of my favorite new discoveries.

Next up is Heroine, one of the other standouts for me in this set.

According to the brand, this is "pink mauve." Other than stunning, I think it's a mid-toned, warm pink with some shimmer. I think it's my lip pigment that pulls it so warm though.

This is the type of shade I had to stop myself from purchasing in every single line.

Next up, beautiful Calypso.

This is a lovely berry. According to the brand, this is "berry violet."

It's a very warm violet.

Finally we arrive at my favorite shade in the set, Hipster.

According to the brand, this is "deep brick."

It's honestly one of my favorite shades of the season- and it's part of the permanent line. It's been so lovely this fall.

I think Set III is one of the most balanced of the three, and this has the most shades that I want to reach for on a daily basis. I'm so happy that I'll be replacing a lot of my older lipsticks with the lipsticks from this line.

This set is well-worth the investment for any beauty lover, or as a gift. Consider this QBB-approved!