Round-up: The Best of Holiday 2016
NARS Mind Game Velvet Lip Glide Set
Here’s a look back at all of our holiday product coverage this season! 🙂 You can view the full list here (157!), but I thought I’d highlight the top 25 on the blog as well as see what was covered and how well things did overall!
Guerlain Rouge Saphir (821) Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color ($56.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-red with cooler undertones and a natural...
Guerlain Rouge Saphir (821) Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color ($56.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-red with cooler undertones and a natural...
NARS Impudique Blush ($30.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a bold, bright, medium-dark raspberry pink with subtle, warm undertones and warmer, gold pearl....
NARS Impudique Blush ($30.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a bold, bright, medium-dark raspberry pink with subtle, warm undertones and warmer, gold pearl....
Bite Beauty Mistletoe Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, slightly muted red with warmer...
Bite Beauty Mistletoe Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, slightly muted red with warmer...
Dior Splendor (950) Diorific Matte Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark red with neutral-to-cool...
Dior Splendor (950) Diorific Matte Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark red with neutral-to-cool...
NARS Fearless Red Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium-dark, burnt red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The...
NARS Fearless Red Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium-dark, burnt red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The...
NARS Rouge Indiscret Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a deep red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had very good color...
NARS Rouge Indiscret Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a deep red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had very good color...
MAC Saucy Little Darling Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with warm undertones and a natural finish. It had rich, opaque...
MAC Saucy Little Darling Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with warm undertones and a natural finish. It had rich, opaque...
Urban Decay Oil Slick Nail Color ($10.00 for 0.30 fl. oz.) is a grayish black with cool undertones and silver shimmer. It was fully opaque in two...
Urban Decay Oil Slick Nail Color ($10.00 for 0.30 fl. oz.) is a grayish black with cool undertones and silver shimmer. It was fully opaque in two...
NARS Rouge Improbable Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with cool, bluish undertones and a semi-matte finish. This...
NARS Rouge Improbable Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with cool, bluish undertones and a semi-matte finish. This...
Urban Decay Smog Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "deep coppery bronze [with a Cream finish]." It's a medium, golden bronze with...
Urban Decay Smog Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "deep coppery bronze [with a Cream finish]." It's a medium, golden bronze with...
Urban Decay Bruise Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "sheer deep burgundy red with green shift [with a Sheer finish]." It's a...
Urban Decay Bruise Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "sheer deep burgundy red with green shift [with a Sheer finish]." It's a...
Make Up For Ever #01 Pro Light Fusion Highlighter ($39.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a very light pink with warm undertones...
Make Up For Ever #01 Pro Light Fusion Highlighter ($39.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a very light pink with warm undertones...
MAC Sweet Vision Magic Dust Powder ($28.00 for 0.29 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with warm undertones and a gold, frosted shimmer. [written_dupes...
MAC Sweet Vision Magic Dust Powder ($28.00 for 0.29 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with warm undertones and a gold, frosted shimmer. [written_dupes...
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact ($35.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes a powder highlighter and blush. The Extra Dimension Skinfinishes are supposed...
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact ($35.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes a powder highlighter and blush. The Extra Dimension Skinfinishes are supposed...
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Copper Face Compact ($35.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes a powder highlighter and blush. Both shades are repromotes, though Whisper of...
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Copper Face Compact ($35.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes a powder highlighter and blush. Both shades are repromotes, though Whisper of...
Bite Beauty The Perfect Bite Set ($25.00 for 0.20 oz.) includes four miniature-sized Amuse Bouche lipsticks. The...
Bite Beauty The Perfect Bite Set ($25.00 for 0.20 oz.) includes four miniature-sized Amuse Bouche lipsticks. The...
Make Up For Ever Artistic (Holiday 2016) Artist Palette ($49.00 for 0.45 oz.) includes nine shades of Artist...
Make Up For Ever Artistic (Holiday 2016) Artist Palette ($49.00 for 0.45 oz.) includes nine shades of Artist...
NARS Indecent Proposal Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had...
NARS Indecent Proposal Moon Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had...
NARS Glass Metropolis Audacious Lipstick Coffret ($125.00 for 0.64 oz.) contains eight miniature sized Audacious Lipsticks (each is 0.08 oz., while a...
NARS Glass Metropolis Audacious Lipstick Coffret ($125.00 for 0.64 oz.) contains eight miniature sized Audacious Lipsticks (each is 0.08 oz., while a...
NARS Mind Game Mini Velvet Lip Glide Coffret ($45.00 for 0.72 oz.) is a new, limited edition set that features six...
NARS Mind Game Mini Velvet Lip Glide Coffret ($45.00 for 0.72 oz.) is a new, limited edition set that features six...
MAC Leap of Delight Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with warmer, pink udnertones and a satin finish. The consistency was...
MAC Leap of Delight Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with warmer, pink udnertones and a satin finish. The consistency was...
MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit ($35.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains four, miniature sized lipsticks--all shades from the permanent range. Of the...
MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit ($35.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains four, miniature sized lipsticks--all shades from the permanent range. Of the...
Bite Beauty Bronze/Pepper Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) features the most dramatic layered...
Bite Beauty Bronze/Pepper Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) features the most dramatic layered...
Bite Beauty Gold/Sour Cherry Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a holiday party duo if I've seen...
Bite Beauty Gold/Sour Cherry Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a holiday party duo if I've seen...
LORAC PRO Metal (Rose Gold) Palette ($28.00 for 0.144 oz.) contains eight eyeshadows, seven of which are rather...
LORAC PRO Metal (Rose Gold) Palette ($28.00 for 0.144 oz.) contains eight eyeshadows, seven of which are rather...
When I click for the full list, it is asking for username and password?
Here’s the right link! http://www.temptalia.com/best-of-holiday-2016-palettes-gifts/
Christine, thanks for your very detailed reviews. I trust your work so much that I don’t buy makeup anymore without “consulting” Temptalia. Can you clone yourself and do skin care products too? 🙂
LOL! I really don’t think I’m particularly insightful when it comes to skincare, so even if you cloned me, I’m not sure I’d be able to give you the same level of review as an eyeshadow! I feel like I can tell someone what works for me and why I like it, but offering deep analysis of ingredients is definitely not my forte!
Guerlain may not be able to do eye shadows any more, but their lipsticks are lovely. Ditto for Dior.
Love Splendour and UD Bruise.
True — Guerlain still knows how to make a red lipstick!
I second the MAC Nutcracker collection and MUFE Pro Highlighter <3 I'm in love!!
Great picks, Stephanie!
Loved the Bite Beauty The Perfect Bite set, and their holiday duos. Thank you for all your comprehensive, consistent, and thorough reviews, Christine!
My pleasure, Allison! 🙂
So far, I have 5 out of this 25! All are lovely. Although I have not tried out the Nars Lip Glides yet, I do have the set and believe these will be a refreshing, lip quenching treat during our rather dry, arid winter months.
Nice job! 😉 I can’t wait for you to try the Lip Glides.
Christine, I love everyone at Temptalia so please don’t take offense to this: the first display of the NARS mind game coffret for this particular post is spelled “HARS”. otherwise hope everything is going well!
I’m so sorry! That’s my fault, not the site or the system’s – my stupidity here! So sorry!
No sweat at all! Everything always looks perfect — you do such a great job and I am just happy to help everything stay beautiful!
By the way, do you remember when I said I loved Project Chimps so much that I bought a backup? Well I may or may not have also stocked up on the MetalMatte palette as well! Thank you for helping me wade through the ocean of terrible releases this year, (sorry not sorry!) as well as confirming that this one was worth snatching up!!! I think the rest of my holiday season will be pretty tame — I want to swipe up one or two of the newly released Hakuhodo brushes (the undyed blue squirrel/saikoho goat ones!!!) and I’m probably buying whatever Sugarpill releases for the remainder of the year. Oh, and the Copper Metalmorphosis kit from Pat McGrath. So excited!
FYI Sephora shoppers: Mind Game set appeared locally in little Sephora and slightly bigger Sephora instore Sat AM. Still OOS online. But the news is, little Sephora, at least, was still giving 20% to the rouges during the vib time frame. This has to be corporate, and not ‘local initiative.’ Doubt that is true online, but you might want to check your locals. They were semi hush hush about it, but I’m thrilled I could score mind game @20%, when it was unavailable during rouge time slot.
Oooh, I’m so happy you could get Mind Games after all, KJH! Yep, all the Sephoras around here have them instore, too, I believe.
Lip products seem to be the top scorers this holiday season, with cheek products coming in second and eyeshadow palettes lagging far behind! I’m thrilled that I’ve got tons of new lipsticks to try — unusually, there were lots of mini lip sets that contained mostly colors that are likely to be flattering for me 🙂
I’m actually really liking my NARS Give Intake Dual-Intensity palette. Unusually, it has all the kinds of colors I need to do a complete basic eye look, and I can get at least two cool-leaning neutral eye looks that will be appropriate for job interviews and almost any job setting. Plus two of the blushes do work fine for me even though they lean warm. If I applied intensely, they might not, but I mostly concentrate color on my eyes and lips, so I go lightly on my cheeks. I still think it would be a more cohesive palette if the cheek colors were cool-toned, though.
And of course I’m still loving my Viseart and MUFE palettes. The Kat Von D Shade + Light is mostly for my kit, since the warm colors are really too warm for me, and all-matte eye looks on me tend to look dry/emphasize wrinkles; I need to add or top with a bit of shimmer.
I’m loving my new Chikuhodo, Wayne Goss, and MUFE brushes; I plan to order some from Smith Cosmetics when their brush folio comes back in stock, and I’m thinking of using my Nordstrom Notes toward a couple of Tom Ford brushes — or toward one of the new Simplehuman mirrors, once Nordstrom actually gets the new models.
Eyeshadow palettes during the holidays seem to be getting weaker and weaker overall 🙁
So glad you are digging your new brushes! What brushes from MUFE are your favorite?
Ah, MUFE brushes! I use the eye brushes a lot, because I’m a nut for sanitizing eye brushes after each use, they’re my favorite synthetic brushes, and of course, being synthetic, I can sanitize them quickly with alcohol. So flat shaders: #s 208, 220, 226, 228, 230, 244, also 210 and 240. I like the #234 angled shader brush for applying/blending eyeshadow on my hood. The #216 and 236 are great for buffing out cream shadows and stubborn powders. For gentle blending, the #242. For tightlining with gel I find #172, the “precision corrector brush”, to be perfect. The #274 double-ended brow brush is perfect for applying Aqua Brow without overdoing it. The square lip brush, #300 — very precise. The #120 medium powder fan brush is great when I have a very pigmented blush that I want to apply sparingly. I love the #160 teardrop shaped blush brush for applying countour. The #144 Precision Highlighter and Concealer brush is probably my favorite highlighter brush, especially when I want precision. The #154 Buffer Blush brush is perfect for the MUFE HD cream-to powder blushes, applying and blending out. The #148 Blending Blush brush is perfect for what it says; if cheek products have gone on too intensely, if I pick up some finishing powder with this brush I can buff it all into submission. I don’t use foundation brushes on myself except to blend out the edges, and my favorite foundation brushes to use on others actually come from other brands, because I prefer buffing-style foundation brushes to paintbrush-style. I find the MUFE powder brushes to be great for powders like their HD powder, not so much for my Hourglass powders, so I use mine more in my kit than at home.
I wish companies would come out with awesome eyeshadow palettes at the holidays — even time a permanent release to come out then. An awesome eyeshadow palette is just such a great gift, for yourself or someone else, because you can spend a lot of time playing with it.
That’s the biggest pro for synthetic (to me) is how you can clean them with straight alcohol and not worry a bit about them degrading in the future!!
Thank you so much for the recs! I might have to give their brushes another try (I only like a few).
Christine, I think high-quality synthetic brushes are great for pro kits because of the ease and quickness of sanitizing between clients, also for preventing allergic reactions (since some people have allergic reactions to animal-hair brushes). I think they’re especially good for working with cream products, too; maybe try the 228 for applying cream eyeshadows and the 216 and 236 for blending them, and try the 154 for cream blushes like the MUFE HD blushes and the Bite Multistix. Especially if you don’t like to have to wash cream products out of your natural-bristle brushes. And I think the flat MUFE flat synthetic brushes work well for eyeshadows that work best with that kind of brush — the choice depends on how large or small of a brush you want.
Thank you again, Fran! I tend to reach for synthetic for cream products but rarely enjoy them with powder products (except for when I want sheer or all over coverage – like I use my MUFE powder brush for setting powder!).
I hate to ask, but was the Mac Sweet Plum Eye Bag set reviewed? It was the one thing from the Mac Nutcracker collection that appealed to me and I don’t want to break the piggy bank unless it’s really good.
I’d love to get my hands on the Nars blushes and maybe the Mind Game Velvet Lip Glide, but my budget’s not up for it. I wish more brands got better at international distribution (and/or to have Sephora in my part of the world). I see so many things on this list that I just can’t find anywhere.
I didn’t review that as I had already reviewed all items in that set previously!
Oops. My bad!
I’m pretty upset that Bite Mistletoe is sold out!
Awww!