I am starting with all new makeup this year: pressed powder, eye shadow, mascara, and tinted lip balm. All of my purchases are "drug store" and I'm trying to avoid Sephora this year.
I bought a Neutrogena skin cleansing system and I'm excited to try it out. I need to do something to improve my overall skin health. I'm tired of my pores and red flaky forehead. I do love my Olay sensitive skin moisturizer, though.
Speaking of rouge? If you've had it, what have been your fave perks?
The free shipping is nice, but when I shop sephora I usually buy enough to qualify for free shipping anyway...
I break things up into smaller orders to get more GWP. So rather than make one $50 or $60 order and use one promo code, I'll separate the items up so I can make two $25+ orders and use two codes.
That's probably the best perk, especially because some of the Rouge only promo codes are pretty good. I used a hair one that got me 5 or 6 deluxe samples of very nice products. If they had more fancy promo codes with gift bags, that would make me really happy. I love samples.
Other than that, it's a meh loyalty program. On paper, Ulta's program is so, so much better. But in practice, Ulta has been too annoying for me to deal with, so Sephora gets all my money this year.
So how can we make MUT dynamic for people on low/no buys?
More challenges? Use 5 things up by a certain date? Try something you own but haven't used in a long time? Make a Marsala face with only things you own? (Marsala face sounds funny.)
Any other ideas or thoughts?
BTW I have no empties to share this month. Anyone else?
I love this post. I have one suggested challenge, if it hasn't already been done - make creative use of and/or multitask with a product. For example, in the past few days, I've done my eyebrows using one of the eye shadows from Naked Basics, and a Bobbi Brown Walnut eye liner pencil.
I've also used a few eye shadows as blushes, and not those wacky "these are really eye shadows but legally we have to call them blush" products.
I always do my brows with the Naked Basics, Faint (the dark brown) is pretty much the perfect shade for me.
josieposy, you'll have to report back on the Puff Off, I was considering grabbing it, but eye creams always tend to be a disappointment for me.
I have some stuff to return at Ulta, and I'm excited, I'm going to get a Clarisonic Mia and maybe a new eyeshadow palette, either Too Faced Country or Rock 'n Roll. I'm debating whether I should wait and see if the Clarisonic will go on sale anytime soon. For Christmas I received and am keeping some of the Benefit skin care stuff (Face Wash, Eye Cream, Moisturizer), and I'm anxious to try them out.
Maybe recreating specific looks? (from a blog or a celebrity look)
Also, I love discussing techniques because there's always more to learn about how to apply make up. Maybe challenges where you have to apply a product in a specific way -- like that powder under foundation trick, tight lining (which I still don't get), applying powder blush with your brush held at an angle away from your nose, using a specific brush to apply cream or gel blush, using either super light or super heavy foundation for a day, or really blending powder eye shadow. People could report on whether it's a different technique than they usually use and which they like better.
I have no clue what a Marsala face is.
Ditto all this. I could use all the challenges, something concrete and specific to do/work on. I'm not very adventurous on my own.
Almay Smart shade - good, though the coverage is light. Easy to apply with fingers.
Tarte Amazonian Clay - I found this settles in my pores and creases. Not airbrush finish unless you already have flawless skin.
Kat Von D lock it tattoo foundation - this looked like a mask, remained tacky pretty much all day, and transferred to everything it came in contact with
MUFE mat velvet foundation - okay, but coverage was light to medium and kind of chalky - I think the matifying foundations stay on top of your skin instead of soaking in, so precise blending and application is key.
Hourglass immaculate matifying foundation - BINGO. Truly matte. Good coverage. Great staying power. Because it stays on top of your skin and dried quickly, it's a little tricky to work with, but I also think a little goes a long way, which is good because it is $55 :/
MUT 3.0 was my Everest and...I didn't even make base* camp.
So, time to lay it all out: haven't changed up my makeup regime in 10 YEARS.
Here are my tried and trues:
BB sheer finish pressed powder in pale yellow Nars Orgasm blush BB Bone, Navajo, Heather Mauve, Smokey Charcoal(?) eye shadows Smashbox O-Gloss Dior Show mascara
I DON'T EVEN HAVE A NAKED PALETTE.
::waits to see how many CEP MU laws I've broken::
*MU PUN
You are not doing that bad! We were all gushing over Clinique black honey lip stick in the last thread, which has been around since the 70s and very popular in the 90s.
Speaking of foundation, the Maybelline Fit Me stick @helenabonhamcarter recommended worked out great for me. I basically draw lines on my face and then blend them with my fingers. It's the perfect thing for someone as lazy as I.
The Garnier BB cream (not sure of the name, the one for oily skin) has impressive coverage. It's similar to the Tarte BB primer. I haven't used it enough to do a full review because I've mainly been using the stick.
I haven't decided who will get my money this year between Ulta and Sephora. I'm platinum for the remainder of the year at Ulta, but they're irritating me. I haven't received an email from them since October, and it's not because of an issue on my end. But they don't seem to care enough to fix it. I'm irritated about missing out on my % off coupons and bonus point offers. Sometimes the bonus point offers will show up in my profile, but not always. Jerks.
So Sephora may get my money this year. They don't always have the products I want, though.
I'm trying to decide how to use a Sephora giftcard. I'm trying to choose between the semi sweet choc bar palette, double exposure, or a Bobbi Brown palette, as I don't have any of her products yet. Would anyone like to help me decide?
I'm shopping Ikea's website for a narrow chest of drawers for makeup storage. You guys are a bad influence.
That might have been a better choice. I bought a Shandy prof case and it is huge, but almost full. and I haven't gone all in either. I only have 2 palettes!
My DH did find and refinish a makeup table in a gorgeous gray color and the seat in a beautifully yellow chevron fabric. I love it.
MUT 3.0 was my Everest and...I didn't even make base* camp.
So, time to lay it all out: haven't changed up my makeup regime in 10 YEARS.
Here are my tried and trues:
BB sheer finish pressed powder in pale yellow Nars Orgasm blush BB Bone, Navajo, Heather Mauve, Smokey Charcoal(?) eye shadows Smashbox O-Gloss Dior Show mascara
I DON'T EVEN HAVE A NAKED PALETTE.
::waits to see how many CEP MU laws I've broken::
*MU PUN
You are not doing that bad! We were all gushing over Clinique black honey lip stick in the last thread, which has been around since the 70s and very popular in the 90s.
I still love black honey! I have some in my purse makeup bag now...
I mentioned O-Gloss b/c at 5+ years old it's one of my newer additions.
I love the idea of doing more/different challenges this year, especially the idea of picking a handful of items to try to use up. Huzzah for the new makeup thread!
I have this and love it. I bought silverware organizers to separate and organize things. The only downside is that I wish it was a little bigger as I have it completely full .
I've never posted in one of these but my new coworker got me into makeup this summer and I just hit Rouge (although I prefer Ulta). I just got Kat Von D's new palette Innerstellar and I love it. I'm trying to find an eye cream to help with some lines and dark circles.
What's surprised me is the difference that this habit has made in my skin. I never used to wear makeup regularly, and when I did it was always cheap stuff. Since I started wearing makeup every day having a routine my skin has really cleared up.
I want a vanity but have no space. I bought a wood expandable silverware holder for a drawer and use that and it works perfectly.
I have no interest in the lipstick, but I like the look of this LORAC blush palette. I don't wear brown blush and would use Unapologetic as an eye shadow.
I tried Cherry Smoke out last night. I like it so far, but I think it's going to take a little bit of playing to figure out the right looks for me with it. It's definitely outside my usual neutral comfort zone.
I'm trying out three little wonders. I think it's reducing some of my redness, but I'm also getting a few zits. Mixed feelings, I'll keep using and see if the zits are a consistent thing or what.
I went through all my old makeup and cleared out some of the old yucky stuff, and consolidated everything in my new train case and one acrylic drawer. A good way to start the new year!
I would like to see a challenge where people talk about their technique or recommend a tutorial. I.e., highlighting, which I have no idea how to do -- either describe in detail how you do it (what tools, what makeup, what order it comes in your full routine, etc.) and post pic(s) or link to a tutorial that you think is good.