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?

NARS x Man Ray Glass Tears Eyeshadow Palette

Say hello to my sole purchase from the gorgeous NARS x Man Ray collection for Holiday 2017- the Glass Tears Eyeshadow Palette ($45). I snagged this 6-pan palette online from Ulta, one of the few retailers to still have it in stock. Truthfully, I nearly picked up the nude Audacious coffret but talked myself out of it.

This palette obviously features some of Man Ray's art on the top of the palette, and it's just a stunning piece. I know NARS does holiday well, but this year they really made objects d'art.

But this is a site where I talk about makeup, not art, so I'll get on with talking about the actual eyeshadows instead. I was drawn to it when I first saw it in store, really liked it when one of my favorite YouTubers used it and couldn't get it out of my head. It's a well-edited collection of six shadows.

I've been feeling teals and olives and golds lately, and the addition of a matte cream makes this an awesome palette for me. I think this is a well edited collection of fall shades.

I've had a mixed experience with NARS eyeshadows, but found these to be some of the best that I've tried from the brand in a long time.

It's a gorgeous little set of shadows with a gorgeous packaging. This is on-point from NARS for this holiday. Hopefully it'll be under your tree this year!

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.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017 Beauty Exclusives: NARS Angel Pride Cheek Palette

Oy vey.

It's been a long, long week. I'm not complaining, but this was the roughest week to try to write new daily product review. Doing so has been a labor of love, especially when my AC stopped functioning and I had to play HVAC tech for the third time in 90 days that I've owned it! I'm sorry that I failed yesterday, but I know you'll all understand.

Today I'm thrilled to share with you the one purchase I've been waiting to buy for months: the NARS Angel Pride Cheek palette. I'm not normally someone who buys the face palette in various collections, but this was different. I had to have it so much that I did an in-store pickup in case of sell out.


Let's go back a couple of months. Despite my robust collection, I didn't own NARS Laguna bronzer. I had a series of sample cards to try and discovered that I loved it. Something kept me from purchasing at a pan, though, and I decided to wait. 



I've been bored with my highlighters as of late, and more than once I picked up the Hot Sand/Laguna duo.

Then I saw photos of this beautiful palette and I knew it had to be mine. I just wasn't sure when it was going to be released.

For a mere $59, you get Laguna, Hot Sand, and four all-new blushes. Although you get less product, with the size of my stash that's probably ok. Let's compare a bit. The palette has 0.29oz of Laguna and Hot Sand; full size normally is 0.28oz for Laguna and 0.16oz for Hot Sand. You also receive 0.12oz of each blush- full size is 0.16oz. All in all, I think these are generous pan sizes.

Let's talk formula.

Like many of the other palettes I've tried from NARS, I find these pans to be a little more firmly pressed. I expected that coming in. In terms of product longevity, it lasted through triple digit heat indices, which is good enough for me. I'm quite happy with it overall.

Let's dig into the shades.

Angel Pride I , described as "soft pink", is my type of cool-neutral pink. I reached for this the most frequently. I will admit that it's quite sheer- something I didn't notice in the other shades. It's also quite stiff and requires a steady hand to build up.

For most, this is the worst performing shade in the palette. As someone with rosacea in my cheek area, I don't mind, especially in the summer.

Angel Pride II, described as "shimmering coral" is a lively peach. It... reminds me of something.

I feel like NARS has done a similar blush before, but that's all good. This was the other shade I reached for this time of year.

Angel Pride III, described as "shimmering rose", is simply stunning and way too pigmented for summer for me.

I haven't worn this all day, but I love these colors once it cools down. I'll be wearing it then for sure.

Angel Pride IV, described as "shimmering mauve," is another fall-winter shade for me.

I get some faint Rockateur vibes from this one. To be fair, I didn't wear this on my cheeks due to the weather.

Laguna is the cult-classic bronzer.

It's simultaneously stiff but also extremely pigmented.

Hot Sand is a beautiful golden beige highlighter.

It looks like it would be too dark, but it's gorgeous on my skin! Wow!

I honestly tried to swatch all of them together but failed- the size of brush needed didn't give an accurate representation of the color diffusing you'll see on your actual cheeks.

Bottom Line: I really enjoy this palette, and I was content to use only it for blush/bronzer/highlight for an entire week. That says something. Although the textures vary and I suspect the standalone powders are a bit nicer, this is still a really nice addition to my collection. It's my first NARS multi-product face palette, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase. It's an awesome value, and I think it's worth picking up from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

June 2017 Favorites

I'd originally planned to do a May 2017 favorites, but it just didn't happen. So, welcome to my first monthly favorites back! I'm going to try to streamline things a bit. If there's a hyperlink, I'm referring back to a previous review. Believe it or not, I'm calling back into the archives pretty deeply with this favorites.


Skincare:

I loved my safe sun the first half of the month, and went back to naturally pale the second half. I'm loving two products from Clarins, both of which I featured all the way back in May 2014! I repurchased the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for face  because I'd been bronzing my body but not my face. I also pulled the Clarins Shimmer Oil out of the cabinet (I'm still working on that initial bottle, but this stuff doesn't go bad.) and applied it with the Real Techniques body sponge for a gorgeous look. Sadly, I think it's discontinued but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

I'm toying around with posting my morning/evening skincare routines because I'm really honing in on what works for my skin. For the first time in years, I didn't even get hormonal acne this past month and I credit my skincare routine for that. Fingers crossed, I've introduced a serum that scares me within the past week at night to try to perfect my tone.

I will give a special shout-out to The Ordinary Caffeine Serum 5% with EGCG. I love Chanel's Le Lift Concentre Yeux, but not its $115 price tag. The Ordinary's serum isn't nearly as hydrating but it gives me a similar effect for $108.30 less! I'm also loving a lower-priced alternative in Enlite Skin Cardio Serum. I find that it's quite similar in effect to a serum I've tried from Clarins in the past. I've also continued to love Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and attribute my skin clarity to it. I'm testing some other Drunk Elephant items and plan to write a full write-up once I have thoughts.

In terms of cleansers, I reach for Enlite Foam Away Daily Clarifying Foaming Cleanser almost every morning and Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse nightly.

I was trying to explain my favorite SPF items but it turned preachy so I'm not going to touch it here.


Makeup:

This was a month where I feel like I pulled it back to basics a bit. I rediscovered some old favorites.

• Primer: I really discovered CoverFX Mattifying Primer with anti-Aging Treatment last month, but I used up a travel size. After I use the backup I previously purchased, I'll get the full size. Given the number of primers I own, this says a lot. I also fell in love with the Milk Makeup Blur Stick after initially dismissing it as too trendy. Nope, it works.
• Base: I alternated between two combinations primarily: the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, which was my jam in May as well, and I finally caved and bought Lancome Teint Idole at the end of the month after playing with samples for the entire month.
• Concealer: I'm still obsessed with my Tarte Shape Tape and actually picked up a third shade to work when I'm self-tanned.
• Powder: I guess I knew a great thing almost 2 decades ago- MAC Studio Fix remains my favorite.

• Blush: I really used two blushes this month: NARS Orgasm (in the Foreplay palette here) and Natasha Denona Blush Duo #19
• Bronzer: I really loved two bronzers this month: last year's iteration of L'Oreal GlamBronze in 01 (I've spotted this year's in stores already) and Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer in Tantasic (which smells like coconut).
• Highlighter: I rely upon Laura Geller Baked Highlighter in French Vanilla on a daily basis for eye-area highlight because it's so subtle, and I also fell in love with Pixi x Aspy Novard Glow-y Powder in London Lustre.
• Eyeshadow: Of course, I adore the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette (I will be reviewing this because it's now been made permanent), and have been loving the Viseart Neutral Matte & Warm Matte palettes amongst others.

• Lipstick: This has only been a favorite the past week or so, but I rediscovered Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Peyote to pair with my UD Heat palette. I also love MAC Shy Girl (in the LE packaging)
• Lip Gloss: This was really a month for gloss for me. Some of my favorites were Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses in Caramel and Metallic Rose. I also loved MAC Creamsheen Glass in Cha-Cha-Cha (especially with Shy Girl), Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in Bourgeoisie, and bareMinerals Gloss in Sugar (mini pictured because my full size ran off somewhere)

What were your favorites this month?

NARS Nouvelle Vogue Spring 2016 Collection

Although NARS' Spring 2016 Nouvelle Vogue Color Collection launched on NARS' website 15 January and to counters on 1 February, I'm running a little behind in picking it up. Blame that on buying two entire Chanel collections lately.

I picked up a few key items from this collection that I'd like to share with you.

Let's start with the eyes today. Included in this collection is a duo eyeshadow and three Dual Intensity Shadows. I was severely tempted to just buy it all but slightly refrained, opting instead for Dual Intensity Kari and Tavros ($29 each, 0.05oz).

Let's start with Kari, a soft rose eyeshadow. It's quite different than other Dual Intensity eyeshadows I've tried (and I've tried most of them in the line).

Dual Intensity shadows are generally known to be metallic; Kari is not. It's almost more of a satiny shimmer. I love it in my crease. This is more of a softer, more feminine version of this line. I'm going to tip my hand on Tavros and just show them both to you here:

See what I mean about Kari having a different texture? (Yes, that's still my IV point under Tavros.) I find it interesting that NARS has taken the line in this direction and wonder if they're going to be releasing more eyeshadows like Kari. I'd welcome them.

And then there's Tavros.

When I first saw photos of this collection, Tavros caught my eye- and took my breath away. I am a sucker for a metallic icy mint shadow and have many of them in my collection.

I could just get lost in those all day long. I adore a wash of icy mint in the heat of summer for a pop of color.

The absolute showstopper for the collection in my opinion was the duo: Hammamet ($35, 0.14oz).

Funny story: I planned to skip this. I'm glad that I didn't. I thought it was just another neutral duo.  It sort of is, but a piece that brought me to tears has turned out to be a staple in my makeup bag.

So, here's the (not-so) funny story: After one of my infusions, I decided to stop by Sephora to attempt to pick up the last couple of pieces I wanted from the collection in-person. I had Tavros on hold, but decided to take a look at Hammamet. I'm right-handed, so without even thinking I went to swatch the duo on my left hand. I pressed down on that fresh IV site and literally saw stars. The world started to go dark on me. Tears came to my eyes. Lesson learned: NEVER accidentally swatch on a fresh IV location! It took some makeup remover, alcohol to disinfect, and sitting down for a few moments I bought the duo.

And despite it being warm, I was determined to make it work.

Luckily, it's pretty easy. I have used this so many different ways. It's my current favorite neutral eye look.

One of the pieces I was most interested in purchasing from the collection is Impassioned Blush ($30, 0.16oz).

This 'pink orchid' blush just screamed to me. It's totally in my wheelhouse- a light, buildable, cool pink.  It turns out that reality was even better than what I was expecting

Bottom line: love.

This might be one of the last collections for Spring 2016 that I picked up, but I have already integrated two of the pieces into my daily routine. Have you picked up anything from NARS Spring 2016?

Color Obsession: Pinky Nude Lips

Although the products that I'm reviewing are all over the board, I've noticed a distinct trend in the lip colors that I'm purchasing and reaching for on a daily basis. Plums and wines may be a huge trend for Fall 2014, but since it's still warm I've been reaching for pinky nude lips.

I recently had the revelation that there are nudes that work well with my immensely pigmented lips. (True story: I had a MUA not believe me that I wasn't wearing a lip product recently before a makeover. Sadly, that's not the first time that it's happened.)

These are all shades that I either have purchased within the last 2 weeks or have been living in my makeup bag (Reviews linked when applicable, others coming soon):

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 54 Boy
Lipstick Queen Saint Pinky Nude
Bite Lip Gloss Honey
Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Sheers 202 Brown
Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Pinkberry (in GWP packaging)
Lancome Lip Lover 314 Casse Noisette
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G B*tch Perfect
NARS Lip Color Dolce Vita
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Intense Nude
Tom Ford Lip Color Indian Rose
Tom Ford Lip Color Casablanca
Tom Ford Lip Color Negligee
Butter London Lippy Tinted Balm Abbey Rose
Lancome Lip Love 322 Beige Adage
NARS Audacious Lipstick Anita
NARS Lip Gloss Dolce Vita


Ever notice you're in a bit of a beauty pattern? I hesitate to call it a rut since there are so many beautiful shades. Also, I didn't realize how few of these had actually been on the blog!

That might give you a sense of why I've been rather quiet- I've got a ton of content and am trying to find the time to swatch, edit, and draft!

NARS Niagara Lipstick

I'm honestly shocked that I discovered these photos plus placeholder text in my drafts folder because NARS lipstick in Niagara ($26, 0.12oz) is such a lovely shade that I would've figured that I'd have posted about it by now.

NARS Niagara is described as "satin pinkish coral" by Sephora. I agree.  Niagara is the color that I think of when I think "grownup, work-appropriate coral." It has a lovely satin finish that borders on a matte.

NARS Niagara is one of those lovely shades that I believe to be universally flattering. In other words, it's like many of the shades in NARS' lipstick range.

To really appreciate this shade, let me show you some swatches first.

Outside, without flash:

Outside, with flash:

Inside, without flash:

Inside with flash:

Sadly, I didn't swatch this on my lips so I can't demonstrate the struggles I have with this shade. I bought it without trying in person (I actually seem to recall being enabled by Beauty Talk). This shade, like other softer lipsticks, gets lost on my highly pigmented lips. With the right base, this is a go-to for me.  I find NARS' lipsticks to be right in the middle in terms of moisture- not hydrating, but not drying. They generally wear for 4-5 hours before gracefully fading for me. NARS' satin formula leans more towards matte than glossy.

I think that Niagara is a classic shade, and I've actually purchased it for others as a gift. It just requires a bit more prep work to show up on pigmented lips.  Overall, it's a A+ color but C- execution without serious work.  If your lips usually handle lighter shades, I highly encourage you to check this shade out.