Mini Makeup Clearout

Anyone that has a tendency to collect makeup knows the struggle--too much makeup and not enough face to put it all on! When you've accumulated a lot of makeup over the years, a good old fashioned declutter becomes necessary every now and then. Some are big, but most are just quick little clean-outs that consist of you staring at a product for several moments before finally setting it aside with a sigh because you just know you don't use it and you probably never will, so just get rid of it!

My mini declutter today consisted of three things. All three have been used several times and are also quite old, so sadly no passing on to a friend or donating. I do pass on to friends any makeup I've used a couple times and just didn't like, and I suggest everyone do this to keep from wasting product! What you may not enjoy, someone else would love.

First is the NYX HD Finishing Powder in mint green. Now there's nothing particularly wrong with this product. In fact I've used it quite a lot, and there's a sweet little dent in the middle that makes my heart sing a bit. But the reality is my skin is just too dry for most powders, this one included. I also don't even need powders, to be fair to myself. On any given day my makeup is very light, and powder just adds on an extra cakey layer that makes my skin look dense and flat. This powder is probably great for anyone that needs powders in their routine. The green is supposed to color correct any redness, which is why I bought it, but I haven't noticed any color correcting power from it, so I wouldn't say it works great for that purpose. Their regular translucent powder will probably work just fine.

Next is the 3CE Face Glow in Bondi Beach. It's their golden color, and is supposed to add a beautiful healthy glow to your face. I used to mix in a bit with my foundations, and also just apply it straight to the skin. It's honestly just a bit too dark for my skin, and doesn't quite look right on me, in my opinion, but the glow is gorgeous and if you love these kinds of products, I'd definitely recommend!

Last is the Xtreme eyeliner by Jo Mousselli, which I got in an ipsy back YEARS ago. It's honestly past time to be thrown out. And, I don't even use pencil liners. They tug on my eyes far too much, and I just don't like them. I much prefer gel or liquid. Even though it's pigmented and smooth and very dark, it's nearly $30, and honestly you could find a liner just as good for half the price. 

I tend to have mini declutters quite often as I often buy new makeup to try and end up disliking it or holding onto it for so long that I end up just hating myself for having to throw it away. I'm definitely trying to cut back on my makeup clutter, but it's a struggle for someone who's a collector at heart! What have you decluttered lately?

Review | Nyx HD Finishing Powder

I was in need of a decent setting product, as my last setting spray finally ran out. I decided to try my hand at a powder, which I usually don't bother with as my skin is very dry and flaky and powder tends to emphasize that. But, as I learned, some powders tend to work fairly okay with dry skin types, and now it was up to me to experiment and see which ones could.

I decided to get the NYX HD finishing powder as my first try. It was relatively inexpensive so if it failed, I wouldn't be out of a good chunk of my wallet. I also decided to go for the mint green color, as I do have a fair bit of redness as well. Couldn't hurt, right? I'd tried their translucent setting powder once before, when it came in the tub and you had to sprinkle it out. I hated that powder, as it showed off my dryness, and was the powder that made me swear off powders. But, now it was in a friendly compact, re-formulated, and I got it on a whim.

I must say I'm not disappointed! I don't use much, and mainly keep it concentrated under my eyes so my concealer doesn't crease. It does emphasize my dry skin a tiny bit, but not to such a noticeable or horrendous degree as powders can. It's quite bearable, and my concealer doesn't crease. The powder is very fine and thin, so it doesn't cake on and it's easy to control the amount you apply. I can't say I've noticed any difference in my redness, but I didn't really buy it for that. It may not be perfect, but it's decent, and that's good enough for me! I'd say this is a hit, and a cheaper option than more high-end setting powders that could potentially not work for me. After some research, I'm sure I can more confidently choose a high-end powder that could suit me. But this was a good first try, and restored my faith in setting powders a bit. As it is, I still want to invest in a good setting spray!

Haul | Most Recent Items I've Purchased

I finally return to beauty! I suppose this is more of a collective haul, built up over the last two months or so. But, as they're recent enough, and I've got quite a few things, a haul post seemed in order! The picture quality isn't so great, and for that I apologize. The natural light was dying and I'm a bit out of practice. I'll probably do more in depth reviews on individual items as I progress in using them and get a better understanding of them, but for now, let's see what I've picked up!

-Nyx HD Finishing Powder in Mint Green

-MAC lipstick in 'Syrup

-MAC Viva Glam lipstick in Miley Cyrus

-Milani blushes in Tea Rose and Romantic Rose

-Nyx Micro Brow Pencil in Chocolate

-MUFE Step 1 Primer in the white 'Nourishing' tube

-NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly

-Kat Van D Tattoo liner in black

-MAC Mineralize liquid foundation in NW13

I've also collected a few bits and bobs from my Birchbox subscription but I won't include those here. I might do a few reviews on things from the boxes, though, if I get around to it. As it is, I have a lot of things to review!

NYX Cream Blush | Review

I had only ever owned powder blushes, which of course are great. I then recieved a Nyx cream blush in an Ipsy bag when I was still subscribed to it, and having tried it out several times since then I can safely say I very much love cream blushes. This one is in the shade Boho Chic, and is a lovely peachy-pink color that suits my skin tone perfectly.

What I like best about a good cream blush is that when you're going for a dewy or glowy look, like I often do, a cream blush will suit that look best. Powder blushes tend to mattify the cheeks, which isn't what you always want when going for that dewy look. A cream blush will keep the glow in place, along with adding its subtle pop of color. 

I tend to apply with my fingers, though you can dot it on your cheeks and blend out with a beauty blender or other preferred tool of choice. And, just like with all blushes, a little can go a long way. 

I really love cream blushes, especially Nyx ones, as they're affordable yet amazing. I recommend trying one of theirs if you've never tried a cream blush before. 

(as you can see, the logo has worn off on the cover quite a bit - it's been thrown around a lot!)

Disappointing Product: Nyx Matte Nude Lipstick

I absolutely love Nyx, it's one of my favorite (if not favorite) drugstore brands. I especially love their lip products. However, every brand has to have it's failed items, for some if not others. I imagine this lipstick may work on some people - especially those with medium to dark skin tones. This may look beautiful on you, but it sure doesn't on me!

This is from their Matte line, in the shade simply titled 'Nude.' It's kind of a peachy nude, but on me it looks chalky and dry. It makes my lips dry out like crazy, and shows every crack in them. It washes my skin out as well (I'm very pale) and just generally doesn't flatter me at all. I've worn it once, and regretted that decision immediately. I have to be careful with mattes because my lips can get dry pretty quickly, but some work pretty well for me, especially with a little extra help from a balm. This one is beyond helping, unfortunately.

This lipstick didn't work for me, but it may work very well for others. I'd say if you're a very pale person, don't try it. The shade isn't too flattering for pale skin tones, but if you like the way it looks on you, then by all means rock it! I was personally quite disappointed with this lip product, though I'd like to try another Matte from Nyx and see if the formula itself is too drying for me or if it's just this particular color. 

Mini Gift-Haul

I got a couple of really nice gifts for the holidays that I wished to share here, as well as a couple of lip products that I treated myself to. I haven't gotten the chance to try these items yet, but I'm so excited to. I'm so happy with these gift sets!

First is this amazing little box of sample mascaras from Sephora. It also includes one full-size at the bottom, which is difficult to see here, but it's Smashbox's Full Exposure mascara. It also includes numerous smaller sizes of other popular mascaras, as you can see. I'm super excited to try all of these because I've never tried any of them! I've been sticking with Tarte's mascara, so these will be a welcome change to try. 

I also got Benefit's little blush gift box. Both of these were from my mom, she really knows how to gift! This includes several small squares of Benefit's most popular blushes, all of which I've never tried, as well as their popular Watt's Up highlighter and a little brush. I'm sooo excited to try all of these, they're so gorgeous! Oh, and Hoola I guess is more of a bronzer than a blush. It looks rather dark in the picture, but I promise it isn't. I've heard many great things about every blush in here. I'm beyond excited.

I'm afraid the quality of this one went out the window (the sun was setting), but that's okay. I got two of Nyx's soft matte lip creams today, because I am in LOVE with this product. I meant it when I said I wanted to collect every color. Here I got Prague, which is a smooth purple-ish/mauve color, and San Paulo, which is a bright red. 

So that's it for my tiny gift haul! It was more than enough I think. Despite the gift sets being smaller sizes, it'll still take me forever to get through them all. I'm just...so...happy!! :)

Sephora & Ulta Haul

I went a little crazy in Sephora and Ulta recently and picked up quite a few things. So, I decided to share what I bought with you!

First I'll go over my Ulta purchases, since I only bought a couple of things from there.

I picked up one of the Melted lipsticks from Too Faced. I've been dying to try these out, especially as they're coming out with eight new shades in a couple of days. I picked up the color Melted Fig, which is a beautiful dusky purple color. I'm absolutely in love with it. It also smells like candy, which is an added bonus. I really want to get a few more shades (I've got my eye on Berry), and I also can't wait to see the new shades. 

Finally I got two Nyx blushes, as they were having a buy-one-get-one sale on some Nyx products. I got Apricot, which is the light pinky color. It's very pretty, and has tiny little shimmers. I also got Terra Cotta, which is a beautiful gold/light bronze color, and also shimmery. I plan to try it out as a bronzer and see how that goes.

I also got the Vice 3 palette from Urban Decay. I'm so happy about this palette! I know that it's been out a couple of months so it's nothing brand new, but I'm in love with it. The colors are gorgeous. I also love the giant mirror it comes with. I'll try and maybe photograph some looks that I use this palette with.

I picked up Nars' Dolce Vita blush, which I'd heard some good things about. I also didn't have such a dark, wintry looking shade so I was dying to get it. The first Sephora I went to was completely sold out of it, I had to get it from another one. I'm so happy they had it, it's truly gorgeous.

I also got the full size Urban Decay primer potion. I really like this product, I got to try a sample of it and fell in love. My eyelids get pretty oily and this makes my eyeshadow stick like nothing else. It's a pretty standard, popular product and nothing new.

I also got the Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil. I've heard great things about it, and decided to try it out. 

Lastly, I got the YSL glossy stain lipstick in Rouge Laque. I put it on almost immediately after leaving the store, and let me just say this is an absolutely gorgeous lip product. I'm so in love with it. It's sleek, opaque, easy to use, and looks absolutely beautiful. Once it dries it stays on super well, as the "stain" in the name implies. It barely budges until I eat, and then some comes off. I'm so enamored with this! It's soooo so so pretty.

Wow, that's quite a lot...but so worth it. I'm happy with everything I got. I'm afraid that's all I've got for today! Much love xx

Top 5 Lipsticks

I decided to gather up my five favorite lipsticks, both drugstore an high-end, and write a little bit about each and why they're my favorite! I don't know about you, but lipsticks are one of my guilty pleasure products. I hoard lipsticks, and often have to restrain myself from buying more. I actually have this product with most makeup products...perhaps I'm just a makeup hoarder?

I have two high-end and three drugstore lipsticks here, and while they are some of my favorites, it's nice to have some of the affordable variety. Here we go, from left to right:

Milani Lipstick in Black Cherry - The Milani lipsticks are some of my favorite drugstore lip products in general. They come in a variety of textures (cream, matte, etc., just read the labels) and are extremely smooth and colorful. They also smell wonderful! Black Cherry is a dark purple-y red color, and looks gorgeous on pale skin (like mine). I believe Milani lipsticks run for about $6-7, and I buy mine at Walgreens.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Annabella - The Audacious line is gorgeous in and of itself. Annabella is actually my first lip product from Nars, and I have to say I'm super impressed!! It's a super bright red that, again, looks gorgeous on pale skin. I'd naturally recommend a lip liner for this, or any red lipstick, as they can be difficult to work with, but it's so worth it. These run for about $35 a tube I believe. Quite expensive, but worth it in my opinion. And of course, there are always drugstore dupes to be found.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa - I picked this color because it's a bright, almost hot pink/fuschia color, and I didn't have the color in my line up. But let me just say the soft matte creams from Nyx are AMAZING. I literally love every single color. They are so lovely. For a drugstore lip product, I highly recommend investing in these, or even their lip butters. I just love the way these smell, their texture, their color pay-off, their lasting power, everything. I'm highly impressed with these. Nyx is one of my fave drugstore brands anyway, but wow! I can't adequately express my love for these without rambling for ages. I literally want every single color. For those confused by the name, these lipsticks are a cream, but dry matte on the lips, and they don't dry your lips out at all. Which is great, because my lips get super dry. These run for about $5 I believe.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in Pourpre Intouchable - Yet another high-end, these lipsticks run for about $32 at Sephora. I was drawn in by YSL's gorgeous packaging, but I have to say this lipstick quickly became a favorite. I'm not sure about their other colors, and would like to try them, but this one suits my skin tone particularly well. As a shine, it's a little sheer, but is buildable, and has tiny little glitters in it. It also smells like peaches, aka delightful. The tube feels weighty and expensive in my hand, which just sings to my inner makeup hoarder. I really love this lipstick, and plan to invest in a few more YSL colors in the future. 

Rimmel Lipstick in Bordeaux - I have many of the Kate Moss lipsticks from Rimmel, but this one beat them out just a bit. It's one of my oldest lippies in my collection, and an old favorite. It's a dark burgundy red, absolutely beautiful, and again it smells oddly nice (though the Kate Moss lippies smell even better). It really sticks to my lips, even on my long days, and doesn't cake up on my lips and make them look dry and cracked. It's one of those that I constantly reach for, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap, good lipstick. In fact, I'd recommend Rimmel in general! They're pretty great.

So, there you have it! My top five favorite lipsticks. I'm sure I'll do many more top five product posts, as I highly enjoyed making this and sharing what I love. As my collection grows, I may also make a separate drugstore faves & high-end faves! Who knows :)

See you around lovies xx