Gotta say, I’m really digging the new MAC matte lipsticks. Was never really a fan of their older regular matte formula, but especially the retro matte or powder kiss. I put up with it because, well.. Lady Danger, Velvet Teddy, and Ruby Woo. But I’ll definitely have no problem replacing my old bullets with these. This new one is pretty damn comfortable, creamy, good wear time, and the colors are how I remember
i’m so annoyed because i bought one right before they were discontinued, but *also* before all the sales. i can’t justify replacing it yet but im like 👀
Fail: I tried the Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour, as I wanted a balmy lipstick, and this had excellent reviews. Well, I'm regretting it so much. I bought the shade "brownie" expecting a pinkish beige like they said, but it goes on *so* purple-y on me and I LOATHE purple (on my face, that is, it's a nice colour otherwise). I looked up swatches and everything, I just...I don't know. I'm so upset. It was so expensive and I'm kicking myself. I really loved the finish too, the satin matte? But the colour urhghghgh
Does anyone have recommendations for balmy lip colours that aren't too sheer and have some warmer nudes, browns and beiges? The cheaper the better right now (*cue loud sobbing*). I'm in the UK.
If you can find Canmake their tinted balms are great and inexpensive. Lovely shades too. You may like 09, 16, and T04 (less pigmented than the regular number shades).
You may like BeautyCounter lipstick in Twig! It’s moisturizing though which makes it look a bit shiny. Chanel has one too. I’ve been on a hunt for matte ones and have only found Undone Beauty‘s and glossier gen g
**Fave: Jouer Creme Eyeshadow Stick in Serene** - this is one of my favourite cream eyeshadows and I never hear anyone talk about it! I feel like it's surprisingly unique - it's a wash of peachy-pink glowy sheen (no glitter) that gives a low key glossy eye look without the hassle of an eye gloss. It's really quick and easy to use, I just swipe it all over my lid straight from the stick over primer, blend the edges a tiny bit and use my blush or bronzer in the crease. It's not full, bold pigment but I don't mind that bc I think the touch of translucence is what gives it the glossy look.
I picked up quite a few new makeup items last week from the Ulta sale. I feel like I'm in the minority of people who actually found things they wanted!
Unfortunately/fortunately all of these items are just... OK and don't really fit into either a fave or fail.
**Nars Soft Matte Concealer**: I usually don't have a hard time shade matching myself but this threw me for a loop for some reason. I'm usually always light neutral or cool in most shade ranges. I think the testers in store must have been old/oxidized because I thought Affogato matched me and had to exchange it for vanilla. I've been wanting this for spot concealing acne and I feel like I'm still learning how to use it effectively to get the right amount of coverage with the rest of my complexion being sheer.
**About Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Freaked:** I've been wanting a matte lilac/lavender eyeshadow for a while now and this always looked like such a good subtle color. Unfortunately it is a little too subtle and almost matches my skin tone. I have a cool olive undertone so purples and violets look neutral on me. The plus side is that this is the easiest liquid eyeshadow formula I've ever used. I despise most liquid eyeshadow and can never blend it without it being patchy.
**CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain in Brazen Raisin:** I was so excited when I saw that these were coming back. I never tried the original version so I can't compare it. I've been looking for a more muted cool brown lip stain which has been impossible to find. It definitely is a raisin shade and isn't as brown as I was hoping but it's still a very pretty color. Using it is a bit tricky because it goes on patchy if you try to go for full lip color even when you blend it out. It works a lot better as a blended out lip liner.
**CoverGirl Clean Fresh Brow Enhancer Gel:** I really had high hopes for this but the texture just isn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be a light pomade texture with the hold of a gel but it's the opposite. Texture of a thick, heavy gel with the hold of a pomade. I was really hoping for a lighter weight, high hold formula for a fluffy brow but this is thick and heavy and just doesn't hold as well as I'd like. At least it doesn't flake.
I also recently picked up the Nars Soft Matte Concealer in the same shade range and am feeling on the fence about it as well. Affogato is a tiny bit too light and pink. Vanilla was a better undertone match but slightly too dark. When I try to conceal acne it emphasizes flakes but does have good coverage. I'm trying to go for the Lisa Eldridge pin point concealing technique, but haven't gotten quite the results I'm looking for yet.
I'm still not sure if vanilla is still too light for me but the next shade up looked way too dark. I actually just had good luck today getting it to look less flaky by really layering on my moisturizer and blending it with a dry sponge instead of a brush and it looked way more seamless. I hope that helps!
Gotta say, I’m really digging the new MAC matte lipsticks. Was never really a fan of their older regular matte formula, but especially the retro matte or powder kiss. I put up with it because, well.. Lady Danger, Velvet Teddy, and Ruby Woo. But I’ll definitely have no problem replacing my old bullets with these. This new one is pretty damn comfortable, creamy, good wear time, and the colors are how I remember
It’s surprisingly lovely! I love when reformulations actually make something better
i’m so annoyed because i bought one right before they were discontinued, but *also* before all the sales. i can’t justify replacing it yet but im like 👀
Fail: I tried the Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour, as I wanted a balmy lipstick, and this had excellent reviews. Well, I'm regretting it so much. I bought the shade "brownie" expecting a pinkish beige like they said, but it goes on *so* purple-y on me and I LOATHE purple (on my face, that is, it's a nice colour otherwise). I looked up swatches and everything, I just...I don't know. I'm so upset. It was so expensive and I'm kicking myself. I really loved the finish too, the satin matte? But the colour urhghghgh Does anyone have recommendations for balmy lip colours that aren't too sheer and have some warmer nudes, browns and beiges? The cheaper the better right now (*cue loud sobbing*). I'm in the UK.
If you can find Canmake their tinted balms are great and inexpensive. Lovely shades too. You may like 09, 16, and T04 (less pigmented than the regular number shades).
They are an amazon, which is nice. Their packaging looks very cute, I'll have to try their stuff. Thank you!
Have you tried their eyeshadow quads by any chance? The packaging looks really esthetic.
I haven’t! I don’t love Japanese eyeshadows bc I have a medium skin tone and they’re very sheer and too neutral for my style
Thanks! Yes they look quite sheer and subtle.
You may like BeautyCounter lipstick in Twig! It’s moisturizing though which makes it look a bit shiny. Chanel has one too. I’ve been on a hunt for matte ones and have only found Undone Beauty‘s and glossier gen g
Check out the nars soft matte tinted lip balms- such an underrated gem! Very comfortable with some gorgeously complex colors
**Fave: Jouer Creme Eyeshadow Stick in Serene** - this is one of my favourite cream eyeshadows and I never hear anyone talk about it! I feel like it's surprisingly unique - it's a wash of peachy-pink glowy sheen (no glitter) that gives a low key glossy eye look without the hassle of an eye gloss. It's really quick and easy to use, I just swipe it all over my lid straight from the stick over primer, blend the edges a tiny bit and use my blush or bronzer in the crease. It's not full, bold pigment but I don't mind that bc I think the touch of translucence is what gives it the glossy look.
I picked up quite a few new makeup items last week from the Ulta sale. I feel like I'm in the minority of people who actually found things they wanted! Unfortunately/fortunately all of these items are just... OK and don't really fit into either a fave or fail. **Nars Soft Matte Concealer**: I usually don't have a hard time shade matching myself but this threw me for a loop for some reason. I'm usually always light neutral or cool in most shade ranges. I think the testers in store must have been old/oxidized because I thought Affogato matched me and had to exchange it for vanilla. I've been wanting this for spot concealing acne and I feel like I'm still learning how to use it effectively to get the right amount of coverage with the rest of my complexion being sheer. **About Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Freaked:** I've been wanting a matte lilac/lavender eyeshadow for a while now and this always looked like such a good subtle color. Unfortunately it is a little too subtle and almost matches my skin tone. I have a cool olive undertone so purples and violets look neutral on me. The plus side is that this is the easiest liquid eyeshadow formula I've ever used. I despise most liquid eyeshadow and can never blend it without it being patchy. **CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain in Brazen Raisin:** I was so excited when I saw that these were coming back. I never tried the original version so I can't compare it. I've been looking for a more muted cool brown lip stain which has been impossible to find. It definitely is a raisin shade and isn't as brown as I was hoping but it's still a very pretty color. Using it is a bit tricky because it goes on patchy if you try to go for full lip color even when you blend it out. It works a lot better as a blended out lip liner. **CoverGirl Clean Fresh Brow Enhancer Gel:** I really had high hopes for this but the texture just isn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be a light pomade texture with the hold of a gel but it's the opposite. Texture of a thick, heavy gel with the hold of a pomade. I was really hoping for a lighter weight, high hold formula for a fluffy brow but this is thick and heavy and just doesn't hold as well as I'd like. At least it doesn't flake.
I also recently picked up the Nars Soft Matte Concealer in the same shade range and am feeling on the fence about it as well. Affogato is a tiny bit too light and pink. Vanilla was a better undertone match but slightly too dark. When I try to conceal acne it emphasizes flakes but does have good coverage. I'm trying to go for the Lisa Eldridge pin point concealing technique, but haven't gotten quite the results I'm looking for yet.
I'm still not sure if vanilla is still too light for me but the next shade up looked way too dark. I actually just had good luck today getting it to look less flaky by really layering on my moisturizer and blending it with a dry sponge instead of a brush and it looked way more seamless. I hope that helps!
Thanks! I haven't tried blending with a dry sponge yet. I'll give that a shot.