I got my sister's xmas present in the mail yesterday - along with a metric shitton of samples. Mostly skincare and hair stuff.
Today I'm wearing bare escentuals face moisturizer and anti-wrinkle eye cream. They're both good sized samples so I'll keep using them and see what I think. First day they both absorb quickly, have strongish but inoffensive scents that dissipate quickly, and feel fairly nice but not at all greasy - so all good things.
I also have a bunch of strivectin wrinkle stuff, random other firming/wrinkley serums, a mask, two shampoos of a large enough size that I can actually use them, 2 non-face lotions and probably other stuff that I'm forgetting.
In terms of actual makeup: - a bare minerals lip gloss that I actually rather like. It's not at ALL sticky. Also has zero staying power, but I don't think there is such a thing as a non-sticky long lasting gloss. At least not in my price range. -Cargo blush in Bali - I love the little tin, but this shit is INCREDIBLY shimmery and has like no actual pigment. So really more of a pink toned highlighter. Which...fine, I can use it for that, but I was hoping for an actual blush. -Another lolli sample. We all know this one already. This will go in reserve for when I use up my current sample in 2 years.
And I bought the nyx illuminating finishing powder that sallyj loves, and it gets a thumbs up from me so far. Again, one day trial though. I also picked up a nyx cream lip stuff and a red liner. haven't tested those yet though.
"But I don't think there is such a thing as a non-sticky long lasting gloss."
Check out the Loreal infallible 8 hour le gloss. It lasts forever. Low level stickiness.
Eta: that said, I'm convicted that I'm a full fledged bare minerals fan girl. I love almost everything they make. Which is crazy because the whole process of makeup obsession started because I wanted to break away from the vice grip bare minerals has held on to me for the past 7 years.
"But I don't think there is such a thing as a non-sticky long lasting gloss."
Check out the Loreal infallible 8 hour le gloss. It lasts forever. Low level stickiness.
Eta: that said, I'm convicted that I'm a full fledged bare minerals fan girl. I love almost everything they make. Which is crazy because the whole process of makeup obsession started because I wanted to break away from the vice grip bare minerals has held on to me for the past 7 years.
I think I've had the loreal 8 hour gloss on my list to try for a while thanks to you mentioning it. any particular colors you love?
Lately I've been weirdly anti-gloss, but I think I might be coming around. It used to be all I wore.
I need to start working on my Christmas list, and could use some recs or guidance for the makeup portion.
*General, all-purpose palette. I tend to gravitate towards cooler colors, but I have Boudoir Eyes and Away Oui Go. I think I'd most benefit from something fairly all encompassing so that I can really learn how to play and how to make things go together. Hmmm, this is hard. If I could only pick one palette it would be my IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette. The colors are perfect for my color coloring and they blend well. I prefer matte, but the the transforming powder adds some subtle shimmer. It has neutrals and colors. If I was warm colored I would pick the Chocolate Bar Palette...I don't own it because it's too warm for my coloring.
* Brushes. I should probably upgrade from my 5-10 year old set :-) I don't fully understand how to use all the different brushes though. I really love my Sonia Kashuk brush set from Target. $40 for good quality and everything you need.
* Skin care. So, um, I do nothing to my skin. Like, I don't even take my makeup off at night half the time. Bad Hamster, I know. I could use a non oily makeup remover (mine now is awful), and who knows what else. My skin tends to get pretty dry, but when I moisturize it tends to break out. I probably need some super gentle cleanser and moisturizer. I use Neutrogena ultra gentle cleansing morning and night. Then I use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide morning and night (acne.org brand purchased through amazon). I used to just moisturize after (Eucerin SPF15 daily moisurizer for day) and jojoba oil at night. I have now added some Ole Henriksen steps into my routine, but I think the sheer transformation cream is life changing.
*Hair care. It gets pretty oily by the second day, but the bottom is super dry and frizzy these days. My hair is also colored. I am still on the hunt for something that works for me. I have fine hair, and prefer to wash only twice a week. It's wavy, but can get frizzy without the right products. Loreal Mythic Oil has been my go to hair styling product to tame frizz and keep the wave/volume I want to have. For washing/conditioning: I switched to no-poo method with baking soda about 18 months ago and was fine for about 4 months, but then had dry brittle ends. So I switched to an organic shampoo that made my hair feel dirty and flat. So I tried another salon sulfate free shampoo and conditioner and had an oily mess that required daily washes. Right now I'm using Lush coconut shampoo and a sea salt conditioner, but both have sulfates and cause my hair color to fade too quickly. I just did some reasearch and purchased samples for the Morocco Method...I will have to give a review once I use them. I considered doing the honey no-poo method, but I want less work.
I'd say that's all, but if you think of something I could use as a beginner shout it out!
"But I don't think there is such a thing as a non-sticky long lasting gloss."
Check out the Loreal infallible 8 hour le gloss. It lasts forever. Low level stickiness.
Eta: that said, I'm convicted that I'm a full fledged bare minerals fan girl. I love almost everything they make. Which is crazy because the whole process of makeup obsession started because I wanted to break away from the vice grip bare minerals has held on to me for the past 7 years.
I think I've had the loreal 8 hour gloss on my list to try for a while thanks to you mentioning it. any particular colors you love?
Lately I've been weirdly anti-gloss, but I think I might be coming around. It used to be all I wore.
I have petal, blush, and coral sands (I think those are the names...). They are bright pink, light pink, and nude respectively. It has surprising staying power.
SallyJ, have you tried Kevin Murphy Beach Resort? My friend with fine way hair uses it and it looks so nice on her and it seems to get good reviews for fine wavy hair.
SallyJ, have you tried Kevin Murphy Beach Resort? My friend with fine way hair uses it and it looks so nice on her and it seems to get good reviews for fine wavy hair.
I haven't tried the Beach Resort, but I love Kevin Murphy products.
SallyJ, have you tried Kevin Murphy Beach Resort? My friend with fine way hair uses it and it looks so nice on her and it seems to get good reviews for fine wavy hair.
I haven't, but I love those kinds of texturing sprays. I don't use a ton of product to be honest...I don't actually need it. My biggest issue is shampoo & conditioner right now. Most everything I've tried seems to flatten my hair (which naturally has some volume), make it greasy (naturally it's not and I can go for 5 days between washings if I choose), or lose all my natural wave.
The Hourglass Modernist eyeshadow palette from Barney's. OMG, they are so buttery I can't stand it. These are just quick finger swatches; I'll do an eye look in the morning.
Initially I'm pretty impressed with the Away Oui go set. There is a fair amount of variety in the eyeshadow colors, which I wasn't expecting as much. The blush seems pretty low in color, but it was hard to really tell on my arm st that stage in the game. The gloss seems to be highly pigmented. No comment on the mascara yet, other than I like that it isn't a stupid plasticy applicator.
My one complaint thus far is that the gloss and mascara aren't meant to be kept in the big box, so they don't have ribbons to pull it out. Not a huge deal, but it would be nice to take the whole box with me or just one pallette.
I need suggestions for a little makeup treat for myself. If you wanted to get yourself something little to perk you up after a stressful few weeks and some family stress/drama, what would you buy? I'm going to save most of my shopping for the Sephora VIB sale.
I need suggestions for a little makeup treat for myself. If you wanted to get yourself something little to perk you up after a stressful few weeks and some family stress/drama, what would you buy? I'm going to save most of my shopping for the Sephora VIB sale.
I don't know if the stores have these in stock but I would get one of these.
I need suggestions for a little makeup treat for myself. If you wanted to get yourself something little to perk you up after a stressful few weeks and some family stress/drama, what would you buy? I'm going to save most of my shopping for the Sephora VIB sale.
I'm in Kansas City and I got what appears to be a VIB/Rouge card for 20% off 6-10th, no mention of an event with an extra code for a friend. I am Rouge.
I hate my makeup today. I got a silvery grey eye pencil in my popsugar box that I wanted to use so I'm all icy silvery and navy on the eyes and Bite Fig on my lips, but then I wanted to wear boots because it's finally not hot here so I'm wearing brown boots and this warm (toned) purply-grey dress and it just doesn't go at all. First world problems I guess.
In other news, almost everyone on my list is getting makeup for Christmas this year.
That Maybelline brow shit they came out with IS SHIT! It's just a wand and some shitty product that holds your brows in place and that is all. It sucks at filling them in, sucks at adding shape, all of that. Fuck it and I'm mad now.
I am not mad, however at NYX's cream blush in red cheeks. It's a lot of color, don't get me wrong, a bit redder than a strawberry color but I put it on with a stippling blush, was slightly horrified but then pleased as punch when it blended out nicely with a regular blush blush. So hooray!
I wanted to share my minimal-makeup-look FOTDs. The red shirt is yesterday, the other is Tuesday. By the time I reneged to take the Tuesday one I didn't have lip product on anymore, but it was NYX butter gloss in Tiramisu. Wednesday lipstick was Lipstick Queen in Jean Queen.
For both days, face was the same except for blush. Tuesday was Hourglass Mood Exposure, yesterday was NARS Sex Appeal.
Eyes on Tuesday were just my HG setting powders with MUFE Artist Shadow M-536 in the crease and Julep gel eye glider in smoky taupe shimmer. Mascara both days wad CG CC. Eyes on Wednesday were from the Paula's Choice Nude Mattes palette: cream on brown bone and inner corner, beige on lid, tan in crease, plum taupe to line.