Tuesday, April 22, 2014

New in My Life

It's safe to say that my no-buy is officially over. From January to about the middle of March, I kept myself from buying any makeup to 1.) really use what I had and 2.) make an effort to save some money.  It worked for awhile - I was able to resist all the new products, new releases, and I was perfectly content rediscovering and finding new things in my collection.

However, eventually sales and the new summer products got to me and I had to add some new things to my collection.  Needless to say, my makeup buying is back with a bang, and I'm happily rolling in some new products!




I may or may not have jumbled up all my drugstore, Ulta, and other miscellaneous purchases with my Sephora purchases from dramatic purposes.

Click below to see the details!







In all its beautiful magnificent glory.  There are all items that have been on my wishlist for ages, plus a couple of impulse buys I just had to have!





Sephora


For the most recent BI/VIB 15% sale, I took the opportunity to stock up on some HG skincare and products, plus also indulged a little.  I use the Murad Clarifying Cleanser and the Clinique Acne Solutions Toner day and night, religiously, so I got another one of each to stock up.

On the far right, I also picked up another Bobbi Brown Corrector because it does amazing things for my undereye circles, and I recently ran out of it.  I also needed a new hand cream, and although I love my L'occitane Cherry Blossom hand cream, I wanted to get something a little less expensive.  I've heard great things about the Soap and Glory Hand Food, and since it was only $5, I figured it would be a good one to try out.



Now that I have all my skincare and replacements out of the way, I can finally talk about some of the more fun stuff.  Right in the middle is the Tarte Be Mattenificent palette that I've been lusting after since it came out.  By the time I actually wanted to buy it, it was sold out everywhere online.  I had lost hope on finding it anywhere, but I found it in my local Sephora and did not hesitate to pick it up.  I haven't actually worn it yet, but it has the most beautiful selection of mauve and rose toned black shades, along with the essential brown and black liner shades.  It looks like it's going to be a great everyday palette, especially since it has the perfect matte, rose tone blush include with it.




I finally was also able to pick up the Clinique Cheek Pop in Plum Pop.  This is another product that I've been lusting ever since they came out.  The simple clear packaging an bright colors drew me in, esecially Plum Pop.  It has that Radiant Orchid-esque undertone and has a great satin-type sheen.  I would love to own all four shades, but I already have my eye on Ginger Pop!

The small tube to the right of the Clinique blush is the Josie Maran Lip and Cheek Oil in Endless Guava.  It was a new product that I stumbled upon in Sephora, and I just had to pick it up.  Spoiler Alert: this is one of my new favorite products. It has this interesting creamy-gel like texture that does not seem like it would stain; however, my initial swatch on my arm lasted through a couple showers, and at that point, I was sold.  Endless Guava is a bright, warm-toned pink shade that works well on my cheeks and lips.  It's brightening and gives a rosy effect, and doesn't feel drying on my lips at all.  Like my initial swatch, it lasts all day on my cheeks, although it fades a little quicker on my lips.  I've been drawn towards this recently, and I can't wait to try more shades as well.

 Ever on the search for the perfect pale pink nail polish, I also picked up the Nails Inc Nail Polish in Kensington Square.  I haven't tried this out yet, but it looks promising!

Athe very bottom is the Make Up by Forever birthday present from Sephora with the Smokey Lash Extravagant and N9 lipstick. I'm pretty excited about these as I've always wanted to try out their lipsticks and mascara!

Next are some lip products from L'oreal, Maybelline, and Revlon: 


 I recently encountered some 40% off sales at Rite-Aid and Ulta on these products, and I did not hesitate to pick them up.  Once again, these are all product that I have wanted to try out these shades.  From the top is the Revlon Super Lustrous Matte lipstick in Mauve It Over.  This is a beautiful matte, neutral mauve color that looks good, no matter what.  The matte texture also makes it a little more special.  The other Revlon lipstick is the Shine Super Lustrous in Berry Couture As soon as I saw this shade, I had to try it because it reminded me of Radiant Orchid, as well.  I wore it the other day, and loved the purple-magenta tone of the lipstick.  I think the Shine formula of this also makes it a bit more moisturizing than the original formula, so I'm definitely happy with this shade.

I'm also so excited to finally try out the Maybelline Color Elixir in Mandarin Rapture.  I've already worn this product a few times, and love the brightness and sheen that it has.  I expected this to be a bright orange, but it's more like an orange coral, which makes it even more wearable in my opinion.  It's also a little more sheer, but it's easy to build up into a more dramatic look. 

I already own the red shade of the L'oreal Caress Liquid Lipstick, but I've always wanted to try Rose On and On.  It's a beautiful pink bright pink shade that has been perfect for spring.  I've been reaching for this quite often, as well; especially since this formula lasts for a few hours.  I think it's a lighter, and sheerer dupe of the YSL Glossy Stains.  Lastly, I was finally able to try out the L'oreal Color Riche Extraordinaire in Blushing Harmony.  It's a great glossy mauve shade that I find incredibly moisturizing.  I am completely hooked onto these, and want to try out more shades!  It's not quite a liquid stain, but it a pretty long-wearing gloss.

L-R: Revlon Berry Couture, Revlon Mauve if Over, L'oreal Blushing Harmony, L'oreal Rose On and On, Maybelline Mandarin Rapture




From Ulta, I also picked up a couple other products. As soon as I walked in, I saw the entire Cargo line for 50% off since I'm pretty sure they're discontinuing the line from Ulta.  I'm finally able to try out another blush - namely the Beach Blush in Sunset Beach  I've heard great things about these blushes and I like that I could use this as a highlighter or even eyeshadows in a pinch.  Finally, as a birthday present from Ulta, they were offering a full-size Calvin Klein mascara.  I haven't tried this yet either, but I'm curious to see try out some Calvin Klein products.






Lastly, and probably the most exciting product is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette



I'm sure you all have seen this before, but I'm so excited to finally have it.  It's the perfect mix of neutrals with just a little bit of variation.  I bought it awhile back from the HSN website on a deal they were offering.  I haven't worn it too much yet, but I'm in love with the shade selection and texture!


Whew...that was a lot.  I think I've got quite a few products to experiment and play with now after some extensive retail therapy over the past month.  I like to call some of these birthday presents to myself...but I'm already searching for more things to try out!  I think this should hold me over for a couple more weeks though, yes?  I'm in the process of trying these products out more, but expect extensive review in the weeks to come, especially after I finish my finals and (eek!) graduate!



5 comments:

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  2. Great haul! So jealous you were able to find the Tarte palette after it sold out online...I had no such luck :(

    http://belleamiki.blogspot.com

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    1. I had almost lost all hope, and then I walked right by it in Sephora and had to take it home with me! Maybe check some local Sephoras and Ultas! :)

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