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Month in Review | January 2017

Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of December, plus a summary of how many products and brands were reviewed and a break out of ratings! 🙂

I think it’d be fun to go through what we used, purchased, resisted, and so forth each month, here are some questions:

  1. What were your favorites from the last month?
  2. What didn’t impress you?
  3. Did you return anything you purchase?
  4. Or successfully resist temptation?

34 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

Not all of these are items I purchased last month; nevertheless:
What were your favorites from the last month? Smashbox Smoky Cover Shot e/s palette and “Legendary” Be Legendary Lipstick as well as Stila old “In the Light” palette
What didn’t impress you? A Peter Thomas Roth masque
Did you return anything you purchase? Nope
Or successfully resist temptation? only because it wasn’t in stock yet and then there was too long a line – one of the Hourglass Stylo lip crayons (Visionary)

Alicia Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
So many favorites! The Vice lipstick line continues to excite me, and I wore 1993 fairly often in January, despite it being the color I was most weary of when ordering the Full Frontal set of five. I’ve been using the Kat von D Metal Matte palette often, as well shades from my Makeup Geek z-palette. I also rediscovered Bare Mineral’s Warmth, which has been a nice way to warm up and bronze my very pale skin this winter. For foundations, I started using Urban Decay Naked Skin again, and for all-day makeup wear, I found a new favorite in Revlon Colorstay, which I think I prefer to Estee Lauder Double Wear. I also have to mention Copper Blush from the Sephora Cream Lip Stains line, which I’ve enjoyed wearing, and the Wet n Wild Catsuit liquid lipsticks (though overall, I’m moving away from flat liquid lipstick mattes and more into regular lipsticks).

In skincare, The Ordinary/Hylamide/NIOD products I have from Deciem (the umbrella company) have all impressed, and I’m so happy to have discovered them! I’m also enjoying my sample of the new Peter Thomas Roth Hyalauric Moisturizer. I am also loving the Bite Beauty lip scrub and Agave lip mask.

What didn’t impress you?

I’m still struggling to use color correctors effectively, but I think I need to learn how to work with them better. I’ve given up on my Colour Pop Ultra Matte in Trap, which settles into every little line on my lips and looks absolutely terrible on me…I can only wear it lightly with some gloss on top, which takes away the transfer-proof aspect.
Also, I’m sad to say that I didn’t like my Bite Beauty duo I picked up…both settled into lines and just didn’t look great, which came as a surprise. I will have to try again in the future, because with all the rave reviews, I feel I must be missing something.

Did you return anything you purchase?

The Bite Beauty duo went back to the store, and the Marc Jacobs liquid lipstick…it felt lovely on my lips, but Slowburn was so similar to colors I already have (Sephora’s Marvelous Mauve and Wet n Wild’s Rebel Rose), and it definitely transferred and ended up getting on my teeth and chin.

Or successfully resist temptation?

I decided not to purchase a cart with a couple Natasha Denona metallic singles that were on sale…maybe they are as good as people say, but I’m happy with my Urban Decay, Sleek, and Makeup Geek shimmer shadows. Also skipped on a Lancome palette I saw on sale in a store…beautiful spring colors, but it was still pricey for such a small amount of shadow, and I honestly don’t know anything about Lancome’s shadow formula (any thoughts?).

Lucie Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
Of the things I purchased (which was not much), the Sephora cream lip stain in African Violet. I am really enjoying this formula and look forward to purchasing a few more.

What didn’t impress you?
The colors I purchased of the Laura Geller Fifty Kisses Lip Locking Liquid Lipstick. I LOVE the formula. It did not budge. But it had some downsides.

1. I didn’t realize how new they were that no one had reviews or swatches yet so I took a chance and bought Ravishing Rose and Orchid Love. The rose is a nice color, but way too warm for my skin tone. The orchid was too patchy in one thin layer and dried much much much darker than the tube when I added another layer to fix the patchiness. If it was true to tube, I would love it.

2. Way too much comes out on the applicator.

I otherwise loved it and will probably purchase the two colors I held off on (Melon Crush – which was gorgeous when swatched on my hand but I am waiting for Spring to purchase, and Pink Pucker).

Did you return anything you purchase? j
No returns. I need to be better about returning things that don’t work for me. I always feel weird about that.

Or successfully resist temptation?
I have successfully resisted the Burberry lip velvets so far due to cost, but they look amazing and I don’t know that I’ll be able to hold out much longer.

Asche Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
The Viseart Petit Pro and the Dior Nude Air Luminizer in 002!!

What didn’t impress you?
Chanel’s brushes. I purchased a large powder brush and a set of 5 minis. They were all extremely scratchy and shed like crazy! Not what I was expecting after spending over $200 on them.

Did you return anything you purchase?
I returned the 5 minis. I wasn’t going to use 3 of them at all, and I wasn’t going to keep the set just for 2 tiny brushes.

Or successfully resist temptation?
Been resisting the Too Faced Sweet Peach palette. I wasn’t that impressed with it, but FOMO is hitting me hard.

Rachel R. Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? UD Afterdark Palette, KVD Pastel Goth and Alchemist Holographic palettes, ABH Glow Kit Moonchild, Medusa’s Makeup Blush in Dangerous Liaison.

What didn’t impress you? From what I got, Medusa’s Makeup Lipgloss in Space Kitten. It looks bright pink and almost metallic in the tube. Swatched, it’s not even shimmery and is lighter and more translucent.

Did you return anything you purchased? No. The lipgloss came in a sub box. Everything else I got in Janurary was good.

Or successfully resist temptation? Coloured Raine Queen of Hearts Palette and their singles. I will probably get some of their stuff in the future, though. I just wanted to get the LE KVD palettes while they were still available. I’ve also managed to resist bhCosmetics Supernova and Wild & Alluring palettes for another month, but I will probably hit a sale in the future and grab them then.

Shannon. N Avatar

This month I’v re-fallen in love with BITE beauty!! I love that they are a Canadian brand (gotta show support for my country!) and they are so creamy and amazing!! I own Luminous creme lipstick in Mulberry, two Amuse Bouche lipsticks in Jam, and Beetroot, and I own a sample of Licorice amuse bouche! (can you tell i’m a bold lip lover? 😛 )

What didn’t impress me: Kat Von D’s Foundation, the super full coverage one. Which makes me SO sad. I’v been eyeing it FOREVER. And while I was getting my make over done at sephora, I asked to have that foundation applied on me. And it was a great colour match, but it showed off EVERY pore, and it looked SO heavy and cakey. And the Sephora artist used half a pump on my whole face! I got a sample bottle of it, and I tried it today with a buffing brush. and I had to take a makeup wipe and start over. It was HORRID looking 🙁 🙁

Asche Avatar

That’s a shame about the KVD foundation. I have a long love/hate relationship with that one. I generally like the way it looks on me, but it oxidizes so badly and transfers onto absolutely everything! It never truly feels like it sets, and the longer the day goes on the grosser I feel. I’ve given up on it.

Shannon. N Avatar

Oh wow!! It’s funny how differently everything works on different people!!

it felt almost powdery on the sides of my face. it felt like a liquid to powder on me, which at first I was excited about, because my skin is SO oily. But no matter what I used, it was just so cakey and heavy!

I didn’t experience any oxidizing either, but I HATE when foundations oxidize!! Its so frustrating!!

Alicia Avatar

I really should give Bite Amuse Bouche another try…maybe I was having a bad lip day when I tried the ones I picked up. I did try Beetroot in the store and loved the formula of that color…Thistle and Rhubarb just sadly didn’t work well for me when I tried them.
I recently discovered Deciem’s skin care, which is based in Toronto, if you want to support more Canadian brands! The product lines can be confusing to navigate at first, but I’ve loved the products!

Wendy Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? The Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette. It’s beautiful! I resisted for a long time. I also loved the Touch in Sol Mettalist sample I received from Sephora. I’m getting a lot of use out of my UD lipstick in Backtalk this month.
What didn’t impress you? The Viseart Warm Mattes palette. I used my ebates e-certificate. I returned it for the above Anastasia palette and a gift set of Beauty blenders. I never return things, but the Viseart looked terrible on me. The 4 beige colors all looked the same on my lids, and the majority of the colors looked almost thick on my lids. Maybe it’s because even though I don’t have wrinkles yet I have thin dry skin on my lids.
Did you return anything you purchase? See above. My Sephora store was lovely about letting me exchange it. I called the VIB hotline before I went to the store.
Or successfully resist temptation? I’m being really strict with myself, because I swear I have a lifetime supply of lipstick and eyeshadow. I made a deal with myself that I’m only going to spend $ on replacing things that I use up this year. My 2 exceptions-I can blow my ebates rebate on fun makeup and during my birthday month (May) I can splurge.

Pearl Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
* Chanel Codes Subtils and Codes Elegance quads – really loving these eyeshadow formulas.
* MAC Glamorize Me palette and MAC The Shining Hour palette – I really like these. I don’t have anything like either in my collection so this was a purchase I feel really good about.
* Tom Ford Solar Exposure palette and Tom Ford new blushes – I don’t have these and probably won’t get the Solar Exposure palette because I’m not sure I care for the frost/shimmer in it but I do love the design and packaging of the palette. I feel like it’s a similar rendition of the warm Winter Soleil palette, I just need to add a layer of shimmer over all of shades and it would be the same thing? As for the blushes, I’ve had my eye on them for a while and think I just need to take the plunge and be done with it.

What didn’t impress you? The Tom Ford Spring/Summer lip duo releases, I guess. Great colors, but the packaging is not practical for me. I like lipsticks in a tube.

Did you return anything you purchased? No

Or successfully resist temptation? No – I caved and bought both large sizes of Tom Ford Bronzers Gold Dust and Terra. I think I’m going to splurge and get all of the new formulation of blushes as well.

Kate Avatar

In terms of products that impressed me, it was no contest. I picked up three of the Bite Edgy Neutral lipsticks- Cava, Porcini and Enoki. All of those were out of my comfort zone, but I love them all and don’t have a problem working with them. Enoki is maybe a little less impressive- just a little- but I’m really impressed. They’ve really upped their game in terms of the originality of their colours.

I also picked up an eyeliner from Pixi, which surprised me with how good it is. Most liners don’t last on my water lines, but this one is a champ.

I didn’t buy anything that was disappointing, but I did get a sample of Clean’s Amber Saffron perfume that wasn’t what I’d hoped. I like those elements a lot, but this one was pretty weak and disappeared within an hour.

In terms of avoiding temptation, I have been shopping my stash to decide whether or not I really need the Modern Renaissance. Still undecided though…

Genevieve Avatar

I haven’t purchased any of the above, but

Favourites from last month: Lorac Rose Gold Pro Metal palette, Clarins Red Terra and Fig lipsticks. Still loving my Sephora It Palette in Nudes and my Clinique Chubby crayon in Whopping Willow
Skincare: loving the La Roche Posay Ultra Light SPF 50 cream for sunscreen and have started using their serum as well. Really good.

Not Impressed With: Nyx Eyebrow kit – it fades too easily

Return Products: Nope
Resisted Temptation: There hasn’t really been anything new arrive here for awhile that has taken my fancy.

Janelle Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?

Both NARSissist Unfiltered cheek palettes have been winners. Such a beautiful array of shades and the formula is great, as usual.

I finally caved and purchased some Tom Ford lipsticks a couple months ago and liked them so much so I further splurged and received more last month.

In terms of fragrance, I discovered Library of Flowers’ True Vanilla. So gloriously additive.

What didn’t impress you?

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic foundation. Can easily get quite cakey and I swear it oxidizes on me. Since I can’t return it, though, I’m determined to make it work by trying different application methods and product amounts.

Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation. Luckily only received a sample but I find it looks shiny on me after only a couple hours, and that rarely happens with my drier skin.

GLAMGLOW Supermud didn’t do anything much for my pores and only dried out my skin.

Did you return anything you purchase?

No, I rarely do return anything, but if it counts, near the end of December, I returned Laura Mercier’s Instant Ink eyeliner. It was as dry as a desert the day I bought it. I could barely complete one eye with it!

Or successfully resist temptation?

Urban Decay’s After Dark palette. As tempting as the colour selection is, I told myself that I could probably find similar colours in other palettes that I already own.

Burberry Lip Velvets and Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Crèmes, as I have waaaaay too many lip products at the moment.

Coloured Raine Queen of Hearts palette, for the same reason of After Dark, except now I am kind of regretting that I didn’t snag it. Ugh.

Lea Avatar

I agree with you on the GlamGlow mud – much too drying in my opinion. If you’re willing to spend on your skincare, you should test out the Chantecaille mud mask – it has honey amongst it’s ingredients, so it clears out your skin but none of the pesky drying effect. I’ve not found anything that I like better so far.

Pearl Avatar

I agree about Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk. I have normal to oily skin and the finish was fabulous for about the first hour. After that, I looked like an oil slick. So much oiliness and sheen – even on the most humid of days when I might have a sheen, it was nothing like an hour after wearing Luminous Silk. Lasting Silk is to me is what Luminous Silk is for others, it seems.

Natalia Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
NARS Copper Face duo. Blends, the colors are workable even on my pale skin. THE PAKAGING! Honorable mention goes to MAC Gel lipstick. Love it. Never though I will go anywhere near metallic sheen, but until you tried Gel you will not know how well it can be made 🙂
What didn’t impress you?
This is not to do with a product itself, but with the HUGE hype around it and my expectations because of it. I mean NARS Audacious lipsticks. I finally got myself one in Raquel and it is GREAT! The tube is sooo well made. But! I cannot say that I see a huge difference between the regular NARS lipsticks (like Niagara) and the Audacious formula. It’s probably just me.
Did you return anything you purchase? We cannot return makeup products over here. Period. Once you bought it, you’re stuck with it. I even had an occasion at The Body Shop when I paid for an item and changed my mind right away (I know, not smart at all, but in my defense this is the only time such thing happened ever) and they would not let me return it. True story 🙁
Or successfully resist temptation?
I keep resisting this UD Ultimate Basics palette. Want it really bad, maybe will give in soon, but until now I’ve managed to resist.

Joyce Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? Almay Smart Shade blush in Coral, Revlon Kiss Balm in Apple, Stila Spirit eyeshadow palette

What didn’t impress you? Revlon cream eyeshadow. I mean I still regularly use them, but more as a lightly tacky base underneath powder shadows. I feel like their pigmentation isn’t that great and doesn’t really build up either.

Did you return anything you purchased? Nope!

Or successfully resist temptation? ColourPop Valentine’a Day collection! And still holding out for a sale for Versace Yellow Diamond in the 3.0oz bottle 🙂

LeeLeeB Avatar

1. Favorites from Jan.: KVD Metal Matte. AmorePacific CC Cushion Compact.
2. What didn’t impress you? It was skincare: PTR Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream (just a generous sample). Meh.
3. Returns? Nope.
4. Temptation? Oh, I was bad! I bought KVD Alchemist and Pastel Goth, when I was really trying to stop buying palettes. Plus, I obsessively stalked swatches of KVD’s six new Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (nudes). I just bought one & will buy another (but that’s part of my February failing to resist temptation 😉

Kiss & Make-up Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? I posted a currently loving video late January, and one of my make-up favorites in there was the Morphe 35OM Palette.

What didn’t impress you? Nothing comes to mind, it’s been a good month!

Did you return anything you purchase? We can’t return beauty products here, so nope.

Or successfully resist temptation? Almost bought a Paula’s Choice lip gloss, but the mixed reviews eventually held me back.

Emily Avatar

1. What were your favorites from the last month? Too Faced Born This Way foundation & Urban Decay Revolution Lipgloss in Kinky & Ofra liquid lipstick in Americano
2. What didn’t impress you? Colourpop ultra mattes (The formula was way too dry.)
3. Did you return anything you purchase? Nope
4. Or successfully resist temptation? The new M.A.C makeup art collection

kjh Avatar

Balm twice before those CP suckers, and I swear they are quite wearable. Start with the first balm right after you wash your face. If you do eyes first, put second balm on right then. Use the cp matte dead last. I swear this works. I’m over 65, and don’t have shrink wrapped lips with that prep. It’s even pretty comfortable. I figured this out after giving away a great kvd red, then getting a dupe in a S set. I was determined to find a way…and that was it. Lip primer does not work as well…like ozone or bite. It has to be along the lines of Paula’s lip/body balm.

Anna Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
Shiseido Synchro Skin foundation is the best and so is Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Secret Salma.
Sunday Riley UFO Oil is a skin saviour!

What didn’t impress you?
Topshop Beauty lipsticks – They awkwardly lie on top of the lips.
And also Clinique Pep start moisturizer – pure silicone in a jar.

Did you return anything you purchase?
Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate. Too greasy for my combo skin.

Or successfully resist temptation?
Dior Lip Glow in Berry. I don’t need another tinted lip balm, do I?

Hannah Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? NYX HD Banana Powder (pressed), Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, NYX Lip Lingerie in Ruffle Trim, and even though this isn’t a makeup product, Juicyfruit gum and just gum in general.
What didn’t impress you? LA Girl HD Loose Powder. It’s gotta be the worst powder I’ve ever tried.
Did you return anything you purchased? No, but I should get in the habit of doing so.
Or successfully resist temptation? ColourPop’s new shadows, Tarte Shape Tape, and L’Oreal True Match Lumi.

Lauryn Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? Violet Voss Ride or Die Palette
2.What didn’t impress you? ABH Modern Renaissance. I’m pretty mad at them right now. had a slight mishap with y palette,. Essentially, I accidentally knocked it into my bathroom sink ( due to my own clumsiness), even though the palette was CLOSED, things did meet the water BRIEFLY.. and I mean BRIEFLY.. the palette fell apart and the shadows were RUINED. They turned hard and chalky, chipped apart, even though they did NOT get soaked!. I did email ABH to ask if there was something I could do (like crush and reform with alcohol etc) I got a simple “there is nothing you can do to revive the shadows, sorry”.. Really? SORRY? I’m sure I’m not the ONLY PERSON who’s used shadows wet. So how can a quick meeting with water destroy this palette? I don’t know, but it did. I didn’t want ABH to “do” anything, because it was my fault, but a pricey palette like this, should not have gone to pot. I could understand if it fell into a BUCKET of water and sunk to the bottom or something..
3.Did you return anything you purchase? No
4.Or successfully resist temptation? I did! I love palettes, its a “thing” for me. I’ve resisted quite a few that have come out, Rose Gold, Gilded Gold.. things like that. So hard, but I did resist!

Lauren Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? A couple of old favorites – UD Ozone lip primer pencil, EL x VB Modern Mercury highlighter, Tom Ford L&B in Christopher, and a perfume – Rahat Loukhoum by Serge Lutens
What didn’t impress you? Estee Edit Gritty & Glow palette
Did you return anything you purchase? The Estee Edit Gritty & Glow palette – I really wanted this palette for the blue. I tried it out for a date night, and unfortunately at the end of the night it was a patchy faded mess (over NARS primer)

Anna Avatar

My January favorites are Hourglass stylos in Liberator and Protector and Chanel Crayon in Frambois. (I havent bought them though)
In my own collection, I rediscovered TF Lips and Boys and I love how carefree the application and upkeep are! Well worth the splurge!

What didn’t impress me: liquid and cream eyeshadow. I have bought a couple for the ease if use but haven’t noticed a lot of ease:/
Didn’t return anything. I am waiting out to get Nars Thessalonique and some of the Audacious lippies later on, but at the moment I am on a no buy trying to finish up some of my products.

Anna Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? Too Faced Peach Palette. I love that palette
What didn’t impress you?Nars foundation – The luminous one- so cakey looking.
Did you return anything you purchase? The lip palette by smashbox. I’m a liquid lipstick type of chick.
Or successfully resist temptation?

kjh Avatar

OMG I have bought nothing this year, yet. Vox clamatis in deserto! Cannot believe it. But, boy have the snow tires made night commute easier. Doubt I’ll get through Feb as a no buy, but the unintentional no buy is the best kind!
Channeling those velvet lip glides a lot and the dark Audacious. Unfiltered 1 and other Nars blush palettes. Lots of no eye m/u in Jan. Dk why. Must go with a no buy.

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