Everyday Makeup Drawer: 4-10 June 2017

I've been doing some version of an "Everyday Makeup Drawer" since I moved my stash to what has become my beauty room and got set up with two Alex 9-Drawers.

Unlike some others who do this, mine is usually replenished every Sunday. Although I'm actively working on Project Use them ALL, I am obsessing over the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette and plan to use it this week. Also, keep in mind that I'm self-tanned.

First, here's some action shots of this week's drawers:

I didn't include the lip products because they live somewhere else. The compartment with the Know Cosmetics & Glitter Glue is staples that live in the drawer permanently.

Items I'm testing are denoted with a (t). Items that live in my drawer every week are denoted with (p). Many of these will be staying put until they're finished.

Primers: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (p), Guerlain L'Or (p), CoverFX Mattifying Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- Pore Minimizing, Lancome La Base Pro Pore Eraser (t), Milk Makeup Blue Stick (t), L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base (p)

Color Correctors: LA Girl Pro Conceal- Lavender Corrector (p), Marc Jacobs Cover(t) Stick- Co(vert) Affairs (p), Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector (p)

Concealers: NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer- Chantilly (p), Tarte Shape Tape- Fair & Fair Beige (p),  Cle de Peau The Concealer- Ivory, Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer

Foundations: MAC Pro Longwear Foundation- NW15, It Cosmetics CC Cream- Fair, Light, Mac Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation- NW13 & NW 18, Lancome Teint Idole- 100

Powders: Chanel Les Beiges- No. 10, It Cosmetics CC Powder- Fair, Laura Geller- Golden Beige, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder- Ethereal Light (p)

Eye Primers: MAC Paint Pot- Painterly (p)

Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz- Dark Brown (p), Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow- Dark Brown

Contour: Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter- Light/Medium (t)

Bronzer: Marc Jacobs Tan-Tastic!

Blushes: Natasha Denona Blush Duo #19 (t), Tarte custom blush palette (with Make Up Geek as well), NARS Foreplay palette

Highlighters: Laura Geller Baked Highlighter- French Vanilla (p), Essence Pure Nude- Be My Highlight, Anastasia Beverly Hills Nicole Guerrero Glow Kit, Tom Ford  Skin Illuminating Duo- Moonlight, Milani Baked Blush 13 Rosa Romantica

Eyeshadow Palettes: Tarte Tartelette in Bloom (p), Viseart Neutral Mattes (p), Viseart.Paris Nudes (p), Viseart Warm Mattes, Custom Palette, MAC x 6- Love in the Glades, Natasha Denona Sunset Palette (t)

Eyeshadow Singles: Kiko Milano Water Eyeshadow- 200

Eyeliners: L'Oreal Voluminous Liner Noir (p), Fiona Stiles Eye Defining Pencil- Mulholland, Hourglass Mechanical Gel Eyeliner- Obsidian (p), L Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl- Nude (p), NYX Slide On, Glide On Liner- Golden Bronze, Jewel (t), Burberry Effortless Kohl- Antique Gold (p), NYX Retractable Eye Liner- Gypsy Blue (t), Chanel Style Yeux Waterproof- Terra Rosa, Dior Diorshow Waterproof Liner-Aqua Green (p), Julep Eyeliner- Brown

Eyelash Primer: Urban Decay Subversion Primer (p)

Mascaras: Lancome Monsieur Big (p), L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (Blackest Black & Waterproof), MAC Upward Lash

What are you trying this week?

QBB Hauls: Ultamate Fun at Ulta

Some of you are mad at me for the funny title, I know. Today I have another QBB Hauls for you. I promise not all of the posts this week will be hauls, but I've got a ton of them to get through. I'm starting to test these items but I require more than 1-2 times to form a real opinion.

Ulta has been killing it as of late. I think they have the absolute best rewards program out there, and I continue to enjoy being a Platinum rewards member. I truly prefer shopping at Ulta these days, and luckily I live near one. My only complaint is that I wish they had faster shipping.

I have a flurry of online orders that should be getting here this week; I'll combine those into one haul as well. These were all purchases that I made this past weekend. If there's something you'd like to see a review on, please let me know. I really only see one item that I may review.

OK, let's break this down.

• Yet another Tarte Tartiest Pro Empty Palette in Wild Animal. I can't rave about these palettes any more. They're sturdy and have a built-in mirror. At $17 each they're far superior to other empty palettes. I've been converting my collection little by little.
• Two items from Anastasia Beverly Hills- Eyeshadow in Gold Rush and the Liquid Lipstick in Rio. Gold Rush is one of the shadows that's on sale; I picked up a number of the others online. This was the only one my store had left. Funny story about the Liquid Lipstick- I thought I was purchasing the gloss, which was on sale. I thought the total was a bit high at checkout but shrugged it off. I brought it home and noticed it was a liquid lipstick. I was going to return it, but I've been wanting to try it out. Rio's not the color I'd normally reach for, but that's a perfect way to try it out.
• Two self-tanning essentials- Ulta Beauty Sunless Tan Applicator Mitt is similar to the St. Tropez one (which I've used). I also picked up the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face, which I've also used and loved in the past. I've been going hard with self-tanner, so I need to even my face a bit.
• Two goodies under the It Cosmetics banner. A travel size of the Your Skin But Better CC+ in Light is a shade darker than I normally wear. I've been in love with the CC cream as of late, but with all of this self-tanning, I need to go darker. The It Brushes for Ulta Essential Bronzer Brush was on sale for $18.10, so why not? I really like the brushes I have from this line.
• One total impulse purchase- the Revolution Makeup Unicorn Hearts Highlighter. I didn't even know that this was being released, so I couldn't resist. I know nothing about this.
• I always pick up any of the J.Cat Beauty Triple Baked Shadows that I spot since the brand's online only for me. This is Triple Crown, a lovely berry trio.
• I also picked up the Real Techniques Miracle Face & Body Sponge for self-tanner reasons.

Have you been shopping much at Ulta recently? What are your favorite finds?

QBB Hauls: Sephora 2017 VIB Rouge Fall Preview Event

Welcome to the first of a new series for me- QBB Hauls. I used to mainly show hauls on Instagram, but I'd like to start posting on this site again. This also allows me to see if there's a highly requested item and rack and stack items I plan to review. Just because I hauled it, I may not post about it. I don't receive products for free, so I'm not getting new items every day. I find hauls fun- perhaps I've watched too many haul videos?

This past Saturday was the Fall 2017 Sephora VIB Rouge Fall Preview Event here in the US. Although US customers weren't treated to sample in our bag or candies, we did have an event. I'm not sure why Sephora favors their Canadian customers for these events (they had closed-door events when US ones were cancelled, and this is actually the 3rd sample bag that they've gotten deluxe samples with but US got an empty bag this year alone), but that's Sephora these days. Don't even get me started on the current status of their warehouses.

Anyway, I digress.

The small bag was the GWP during the event. 

I  also picked up yet another Sephora Collection Solid Brush Cleaner because I go through these like crazy. You'll see so many of these in my empties.

Next, I picked up one of the featured items- the Urban Decay Go Naked 100% Perfume Oil. I will review this in the next week or so.

I will also be reviewing my next purchase in the coming week or two- the Milk Makeup Holographic Lip Glosses in Supernova and Mars. I fell in love with these after swatching them. They totally transform any lip color, and I think Mars in particular will be incredible for summer.

I also nabbed one of the Natasha Denona Blush Duos (#19) because I'm so intrigued by the line and wanted to try a face product that isn't the $89 contour palette.

Oh yeah, and I also got the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette! I won't be reviewing because it's almost impossible to find now, but here's a pretty picture of it. If it ever becomes permanent, I'm sure I'll be happy to review.

I can't wait... and yes, I know. But this is a special shadow palette. I never said I wouldn't purchase palettes- I will be getting the new ABH, containing to build my Viseart collection, and buying more from Natasha Denona in particular.

Aside from the fact that Natasha Denona is incredibly pricey, this is a relatively sane haul, right?

Did you attend the 2017 Fall Preview event? If so, what did you purchase?

Sunday Dreaming: Dreaming of Summer

Welcome back to Sunday Dreaming! For those who haven't seen these before, they're a few items I've been side-eying.


1. White Skinny Jeans

Perhaps I was inspired by my Memorial Day wardrobe (in which I promptly ignored the actual temperature and dressed how I wanted), but one of the items at the top of my wishlist is a pair of skinny white denim, non-distressed. I realize that it's trendy to have ripped-up jeans, but it's not for me. I'm looking for something classic.

A few options that I'm considering (note- all of these are Plus Sized):

KUT from the Kloth, $89 (Nordstrom)

Eileen Fisher, $198 (Nordstrom)

SLINK, $98 (Nordstrom)

Lauren Ralph Lauren, $99.50 (Macys)

2. Kendra Scott Summer 2017 Elton Bracelet

Kendra Scott, $65 (Nordstrom)

I have the matching Rayne necklace and Elle earrings already, but I'd like to add the Elton cuff to my large Kendra Scott collection. I like having similar pieces to mix and match. In case you haven't figured it out, you'll most likely see a Kendra Scott piece here every week.

3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer

This primer retails for $16 and after accidentally purchasing one of the liquid lipsticks, I want to try the primer so much.

This is a really short Sunday Dreaming, but I've been on a purchasing bender as of late, so I'm pulling myself back. Look forward to numerous haul posts in the next few days!


That's it for my Sunday Dreaming this week. What are your top items this week?

Project Use them ALL is LIVE!

A couple of days late, but the page with my master list for Project Use them ALL can be found here.

I'm making great progress- 25 palettes down and over 130 to go. I'd planned to resume actual posts this week, but actual work has gotten in the way. Watch for my May empties & favorites, and a return of Sunday Dreaming this weekend.

And believe it or not, I'm posting this live a little before 5AM getting ready for work. Because that's this week, folks.

Stay beautiful, my friends.

Project Use them ALL Intro

From time to time, I find myself craving a makeup challenge- although I loathe overly restrictive ones. So, I think it's time to challenge myself once again to pull out palettes that are currently languishing in my Alex 9 Drawers.

About mid-May, I suddenly got the urge to start using all of my palettes again. That's where this project (Project Use them ALL) was born. I own way too much makeup for one person, and I'd like to really get to know what's in my collection.

Tomorrow the link for the official page tracking my progress will be live. As will some pictures to give you an idea what I'm working with!

Here's a peek into one of my now unorganized Alex  9 Drawer units with palettes that I need to use.

Yes, those are palettes without a home off to the side! It's in my best interest to get cracking on using these.

I'll post eye/face looks from time to time on my Instagram (@quirkybusyandbeautiful), so take a look.

For example, this is today's look!

I look forward to making my way through more than 150 palettes by 31 December. I hope you'll stick around for the ride with me.

Welcome Back....

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile, but this is the right time. I miss being able to write about items I'm testing out and sharing my opinions with the world. I don't miss feeling like there's a race to review, and I'm ok with being just me.

With that said, I'm going to start posting again. No, not every day. There will be different posts- empties, challenges, efforts to reduce the size of my collection. But Sunday Dreaming will be back.

I will be posting two of my ongoing projects in the coming days- Project Use them ALL and my Mission: 1000. I've been working on one for the past two weeks and the other since Jan 1. In the coming weeks, I hope to also share the items I'm working on using up this year. I've made some really great progress, including hitting pan on every pan of a 12-pan palette already!

So, here's to dipping my toes in.

September 2016 Favorites

Hey guys and gals! I'm going to start taking a different approach to my monthly favorites, I think. Let's keep it simple: one per category. I'm not going to talk about mascara since you know I toss them every month!


Makeup:

Primer: Too Faced Hangover Rx Primer- I started using this in August and it has replaced MAC Prep & Prime as my favorite daily primer. I'll probably get a backup next month when Sephora has their sale, despite the mountain of primer that I need to work on!

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer- Girl. I know all of the YouTubers are raving about this. But it's really that good! I can work with Fair, so I'm thrilled that Tarte actually made a shade for me. I wish that there were more shades- especially for those with deeper complexions than mine.

Powder: RCMA No Color Powder- This is so cheap and works like a charm. I'm currently taking a vacation from it in order to work on my Use it Up powder, and miss it. So good.

Foundation: L'Oreal Pro Matte Foundation- I'm so happy to report that it was my primer rather than this foundation that broke me out initially. I cannot believe how flawless I can look with an $11 foundation. This has become my daily foundation of choice for months now.

Blush: Benefit Rockateur got pulled out of the drawer! Woot!

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer- Light Bronze. This is effortless and goof-proof.

Highlighter: Becca Shimmer Skin Perfector- Rose Quartz. I'll be devoting an entire post to this coming up in a couple of days. It's my new HG.

Palette: MAC C'est Chic- Until I picked up the Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics, this was a daily staple for me. It's so wonderful and you can get so many looks from it.

Solo Eyeshadow: L'Oreal Infallible in Amber Rush- I know everyone raves about this. But it's rave-worthy because it's just. so. good.

Eyeliner: Inglot Gel Eyeliner #77- It's so dark and lovely and perfect for wings. I love layering this over a liquid liner

Finishing Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light- This just gives my face life.

Lipliner: Dior Greige- I decided to make this a use-it-up item and gosh I miss it already. So great for my pigmented lips

Lipstick/Lip Gloss: MAC Lipstick in Pink Plaid. I love topping this with the gloss from last holiday's pink lips kit for an effortless light pink look.

Nail Polish: OPI We the Female. I was really feeling these fall transitional shades! (On that note, I'll be posting a review of Kendra Scott's new nail line soon once I get a few more of the shades.)


Skincare

Only one major standout this month- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser. I'll put it up against any high-end foaming cleanser!

Hair

Drybar Triple Sec continues to be a favorite of mine, and a product I'll never let myself be without. I also really like Living Proof No Frizz Styling Gel since in September it was still hot around here.

Fragrance

Since I've been concentrating on Use-it-Up, I don't really have a favorite fragrance of the moment. Let me finish another bottle or two and I'll go back to wearing what I want rather than what I should be wearing.


Jewelry

This was the month that I let my obsession with the Kendra Scott Andy Cuff Bracelet (currently on clearance for $39.97) take over. This is perfect for my large wrists, and I actually gifted one to my mother for her birthday as well.

Style

I wore a lot of fun things in September- I really enjoyed Gwynnie Bee (I'll write an updated review soon) and continued to wear out my two Elizabeth & James Cynnie Totes.


That's it for my September favorites! I wanted to quickly get this post up so it was still sorta relevant. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but trust me I'm working on something big around here.  Check out my Instagram for some of my more recent looks (the matte-hater is crushing on the new UD palette. What?!?).

Makeup Allergies, and a Plea for Help!

Important November 2017 update: Most of the comments have been from people who have had Shape Tape issues. I have positively ruled that out as the cause of this issue for me. I'm sorry that so many have had issues with the product, but this is NOT a post about Tarte Shape Tape causing issues for me.

It has to do with lashes and lash glue. Trust me on that. I could put Shape Tape on my lid right now and not react (I've tested that theory); it's lashes (not 100% sterilized) and lash glues with latex, formaldehyde, and other nasty ingredients.

Warning: Less than Pleasant Images Ahead

I need your help! 

I've developed a sudden allergy to something that has literally cost me multiple days of work and my eyelids peeling. (Ewwww.)

Until the past month, I only once had a makeup allergy. The Tom Ford cream eyeshadows made my eyelids burn, so I immediately removed it and sadly passed it on. I tend to shy away from a lot of cream shadows as a result.

More forward to mid-September, 2016. After playing with some fun new makeup, I woke up with my eyes swollen shut.

These photos were taken on Day #2, after I seriously attacked it with antihistamines, topical creams, etc.

Day #3, the peeling took over.

I'm still not sure what caused it since I was playing with new makeup, but I had a few suspects given the location of the most inflammation:

• Concealer- I don't normally bring it onto my lids  (Tarte Shape Tape)
• Eyeshadow Base- I used a new one (NYX Milk Eyeshadow Stick)
• Eyeshadow (but I used that several days prior without issues) (Urban Decay Electric Palette- the greens)
• Eyeliner- I was trying a new one (Revlon ColorStay Gel Eyeliner in Blue)
• False Lash Adhesive- but it was the same one I've been using for close to a year (Duo)
• False Lashes themselves (contact allergy? I dunno) (Ardells)

It took about 5 days to be back to normal.

I swore never to use NYX pencils on my eyes again, banished the eyeliner, and bought a latex-free lash adhesive. I was just starting to feel better about life until this afternoon.

I was playing with the new Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics and was loving my look:

Everything was all cool. I was loving the Rebel Eyes trend and was already dreaming of a terracotta look for Monday.

About an hour later, I decided to try to add some lashes to pump it up.

Probably 30 min later, I realized my eyes were burning, so I rapidly removed my eye makeup and discovered this:

It was mostly my right eye but both eyes are impacted (as evidenced by the hurt). The shiny nature is some ointment that I already put on it. I know my brows are all over the place, but that's beyond the point of this.

What the heck?!?!?!?!

Here's the list of products I used:

• Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape
• Eye Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer
• Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics- Extra Bitter
• Eyeliner: None
• Lash Adhesive: Revlon Lash Adhesive (latex-free)
• Eyelashes: Andrea #45s

I'm heartbroken. And now I want to know WTF is causing this!

Here are the only commonalities.

1. Urban Decay eyeshadows

     Mitigation: I've worn them for years without issues. It was a green look the first time, so it's not a red dye issue. That was a thought of mine.

2. False Lashes

     Mitigation: I wore lashes from January-September almost every day

3. Lash Adhesive

    It's not Latex. I'm wondering if there's another ingredient that's triggering this.

4. Concealer

     I don't have any reaction to it anywhere else....

I'm at a loss. I'm also changing jobs soon so I don't want to look like this all the time. So I could really use your help!!!!!!!!

Has anyone else ever run into something like this? If so, what was it? Please shoot me an email- it's quirkybusyandbeautiful (at) gmail (dot) com! Or leave a comment. I'm desperate to figure this out. I don't want to think that I have to give up on makeup. I adored the look I was playing with, but I've ended up with the same reaction.

I'm wondering if it's lash adhesive or the lashes primarily. I ruled out latex, but I wonder if there's something in both Duo and Revlon adhesives that's also in the Tom Ford cream shadows.

Help!!!

QBB's Skincare No-Buy- Part 1

Hey guys!

So this post will be a little different- I don't have any photos planned. You'll see some of it soon though when I do my September empties and favorites (Girl. I needed a legit shopping bag for September. Holla!)

I wanted to take a moment to talk about this crazy No-Buy that I've been on since March!

I think the need for a no-buy hit me shortly after the Sephora sale this spring, when I literally couldn't get my basic skincare and haircare in a medicine cabinet. Just the daily necessities.

Let that sink in for a moment.

I also had overflowing bins of samples.

So I decided to do something insane: go on a skincare no-buy. I wanted to use up everything that I had so that I could make an informed decision on what my skin really needs. This will be wrapping up soon- likely with the next Sephora sale and Lord & Taylor's Friends & Family (in case you didn't know, you get 10% off cosmetics. Including Chanel.). One might think this is scary given my ultra-sensitive skin, but I've given away many samples I know won't work for me, and I tend to use brands and lines I trust.

I'm so not even done yet, but I'm starting to run low on some key categories. That fits in with my original rules.

• You can buy makeup wipes (I use them swatching and cleaning up my face)- but you only get 1 package of Purity wipes every 2 months at best.
• You can buy a single item in a category once you've finished all full-size and travel-sized items in that category
• If something happens with your skin and you need a specific treatment, that's ok.
• Stop buying skincare! Just because you want something, you don't need it.
• Sunscreen does not count- I consider that preventative medication, like vitamins (someday I'll go into this, but I wear 3 different sunscreens daily and just pray I'm avoiding my likely fate. I also have the skin of an early 20-something in my mid-30s. HOLLA!)

Even though sunscreen doesn't count, here's the sum total of my skincare-related purchases since I went on the no buy (I had an eye cream in reserve):

• Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser
• Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist (I just got this once the weather suddenly did a 180)
• Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50
• Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 15

The only one that was a bit naughty was the face mist, but the only hydrating face mist I own that's not a primer or setting spray is a large bottle that can't go with me. The last time I bought skincare was in March, I believe.

The money that I've saved allowed me to somewhat finance my recent DIY renovations. I've also been discovering a number of products that I love. The only reason that it will be coming to an end is the changing seasons- I simply don't have any more samples of the rich products that my face demands once we hit fall.

I shocked myself- Either I'm just good to have already identified amazing products that I love, or I'm cheap when testing them one after another. I think I'll be repurchasing a lot of the moderately priced (for skincare) products I used before this no buy. Perhaps it's that whole wanting to know what else is out there itch that I had to scratch?

Here's my dilemma: I really liked a couple of extremely pricey items. In one case, I was using items from that same parent brand, just down a couple of lines (AmorePacific v Laneige). I just don't know if I can justify a huge pricetag for an item that performed better (but not that much better) than my trusty items (that are usually in the ballpark of $30-50 each).

When I finally start purchasing items, I'm going to be filling my medicine cabinet with the following items by category (Part 1)

• Foaming Cleanser: I adore a foaming cleanser for usage in the morning. I'm really loving the Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser (under $10) I bought- and its price! In terms of high end cleansers, I do love L'Occitane's Immortale Cleansing Foam ($30).
• Creamy Cleanser: This will be a bit, since I have two large cleansers I'll be using up. I tend to keep 2 large on-hand (one in the cabinet and the other in the shower). I have three that are my favorites: Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam ($35, currently in the shower), First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser ($30, likely next up in the cabinet for usage with my sonic face cleanser), and Chanel Mousse Douceur (I love the clean feeling that I get with this, but it might be too much for winter). I do want to try Aerin Rose Gentle Cleanser ($35) because my skin loves rose items.
• Hydrating Toner: I have two that I really love. I also like to keep 2 toners around because my skin gets bored within weeks. I'll likely keep Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner ($16) and Laneige Sensitive Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner (about $25-30) in rotation.
• Facial Mist: I'm going to keep repurchasing one of my favorite budget staples: Reviva Labs Rosewater Facial Spray. It's super hydrating- rosewater, aloe, and hyaluronic acid are among the ingredients. It's also about $8 on Amazon for 8oz! I'm also going to keep using the Herbivore one that I have (but it lives on my bedside table for a reason)
• Facial Oil: I have to re-introduce this into my routine for fall. I have three that I love: one honey oil-  Guerlain Abeille Royale Face Treatment Oil ($98), and two rose oils- Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil ($62), and By Terry Liftessence Oil Elexir ($140)

That's as far as I'm going to go today... more later this week. Also: September favorites & empties!