Month in Review | February 2017
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of February, 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:
- What were your favorites from the last month?
- What didn’t impress you?
- Did you return anything you purchase?
- Or successfully resist temptation?
Hourglass Liberator GIRL Lip Stylo ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark berry with reddish undertones and a natural sheen. It had...
Hourglass Liberator GIRL Lip Stylo ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark berry with reddish undertones and a natural sheen. It had...
Coloured Raine Vintage Eyeshadow ($6.99 for 0.064 oz.) is a rich, coppery red with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It was intensely pigmented...
Coloured Raine Vintage Eyeshadow ($6.99 for 0.064 oz.) is a rich, coppery red with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It was intensely pigmented...
Estee Lauder High Level Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium coral with warm undertones and a lightly glossy,...
Estee Lauder High Level Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium coral with warm undertones and a lightly glossy,...
Chanel Carmin Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs ($37.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium red with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It had...
Chanel Carmin Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs ($37.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium red with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It had...
143 is vibrant, medium-dark magenta purple with warmer, pink undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was fantastic--incredibly rich and...
143 is vibrant, medium-dark magenta purple with warmer, pink undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was fantastic--incredibly rich and...
Marc Jacobs (Earth)quake Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a deep brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had intense...
Marc Jacobs (Earth)quake Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a deep brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had intense...
Marc Jacobs Whirl(pool) Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a bright, medium bluish-teal with cooler undertones and a matte...
Marc Jacobs Whirl(pool) Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a bright, medium bluish-teal with cooler undertones and a matte...
Estee Lauder Uninhibited Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a soft...
Estee Lauder Uninhibited Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a soft...
Estee Lauder Noirish Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark coral-red with subtle, warm undertones and a...
Estee Lauder Noirish Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark coral-red with subtle, warm undertones and a...
Estee Lauder Boldface Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep red with cool undertones and as atin sheen. It had...
Estee Lauder Boldface Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep red with cool undertones and as atin sheen. It had...
Estee Lauder Out of Control Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium orange with warm undertones and a cream finish. It...
Estee Lauder Out of Control Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium orange with warm undertones and a cream finish. It...
Hourglass Achiever GIRL Lip Stylo ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark brown with a hint of plum paired with a lightly glossy sheen. It had...
Hourglass Achiever GIRL Lip Stylo ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark brown with a hint of plum paired with a lightly glossy sheen. It had...
MAC Cracked Emerald Paint ($22.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a vibrant, medium emerald green with subtle, warm undertones and cooler, green-teal pearl. It was...
MAC Cracked Emerald Paint ($22.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a vibrant, medium emerald green with subtle, warm undertones and cooler, green-teal pearl. It was...
MAC Overnight Sensation Paint ($22.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark purple with a cooler tone to it overall (although sheered out, it...
MAC Overnight Sensation Paint ($22.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark purple with a cooler tone to it overall (although sheered out, it...
LORAC Panorama Color Source Buildable Blush ($23.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium lavender with cooler undertones and a soft, luminous sheen. It...
LORAC Panorama Color Source Buildable Blush ($23.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium lavender with cooler undertones and a soft, luminous sheen. It...
MAC Betty Boop Red Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, medium red with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation...
MAC Betty Boop Red Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, medium red with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation...
Marc Jacobs (Brown)ie Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It...
Marc Jacobs (Brown)ie Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon ($25.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It...
Estee Lauder Inescapable Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft, medium-dark rosy pink with warm undertones and a cream...
Estee Lauder Inescapable Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft, medium-dark rosy pink with warm undertones and a cream...
Estee Lauder Prowl Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is dark pink with warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation...
Estee Lauder Prowl Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is dark pink with warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation...
NARS Damned Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich berry with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque...
NARS Damned Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich berry with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque...
Kat Von D Sanctuary Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.22 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with neutral-to-cool undertones. It had good...
Kat Von D Sanctuary Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.22 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with neutral-to-cool undertones. It had good...
MAC Digging It Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a rich, mahogany brown with warm, reddish undertones and a satin finish. It had mostly opaque color...
MAC Digging It Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a rich, mahogany brown with warm, reddish undertones and a satin finish. It had mostly opaque color...
Make Up For Ever Praline (109) Artist Liquid Matte ($20.00 for 0.08 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. ...
Make Up For Ever Praline (109) Artist Liquid Matte ($20.00 for 0.08 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. ...
Kat Von D Hawkwind Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.22 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish....
Kat Von D Hawkwind Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.22 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish....
NYX Crushed Bloom Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder ($7.99 for 0.21 oz.) is muted, medium-dark peach with warmer, yellow undertones and a pink-to-gold...
NYX Crushed Bloom Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder ($7.99 for 0.21 oz.) is muted, medium-dark peach with warmer, yellow undertones and a pink-to-gold...
February favorites: IT Cosmetics Your Skin but Better CC Cream, Bite Beauty Lipstick in Gazpacho, and MAC’s Taraji lipstick and gloss.
Not impressive: Jouer Longwear lipcream in Watermelon.
No returns.
Resisted: Kat Von D Pastel Goth?
1. February favorites: Clinique eye shadows, Korean brands Heimish and Pony Effect
2. Not impressed by Smashbox’s Cover Shot palettes
3. No returns but I did throw away my Smashbox eye shadows. I purge what I don’t use. I was outside my return window and I wouldn’t wish those shadows on my family/friends.
4. Resisted purchasing prestige brand eye shadows like Estee Lauder and Burberry (but I bought Korean brands instead). I can’t justify the cost of prestige brands that cost 2x as much as mid-range brands like Clinique, bareMinerals, etc., when my collection is so large that I’m only able to rotate throw my eye shadows occasionally.
*through
How’s the Pony? I have checked out some of the quads/liners so often, that they show up as unbidden sidebar ads, just to tempt me. Was needing to do a Memebox order, then saw that a Ulta has added some Cosrx, including 3 atfs/HGs. I feel partially responsible, as I lobbied them 2-3 times, outlining why Cosrx fits Ulta and why the line has integrity and effectiveness. Psych! Speaking of Ulta, idk about their word censor. They’d probably let Clio sell all their ‘kill’ products, but I was unable to say safety. Wtf?
I only have Pony Effect’s Holiday 2015 That Girl palette (9 pan) and I like it. I normally like high pigment eye shadows for smoky cat eyes but I noticed Korean eye shadows tended to use colors that I don’t gravitate to and I figured, why not try something outside my comfort zone? I’m Asian and Korean cosmetics tend to be shade limiting since their audience is Asian, so I figure colors that I don’t normally wear would have flattering undertones in Korean eye shadows to make them wearable to me. I found myself wearing the reds/oranges the other weekend! BUT I also did my placement similar to how it’s done in Korea, with the sparkly/shimmery shadows overlaying the colors on the lid and layering different colors on each other for a gradual gradient build effect. I’m okay with this method because it seems to work for my eye shape but I know some people find Korean eye shadows less pigmented than Western brands. I had no issues with hers (or the Heimish palattes) though (and I typically only buy eye shadows given an As or B+ grades here at Temptalia).
What were your favorites from the last month? Almost every Hourglass Lip Stylo, Estee Lauder Sculpting Lipstick in Out of Control and Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Gelee Powder.
What didn’t impress you? Two Faced Peanut Butter and Honey Palette and the Lorac California Dreaming Palette.
Did you return anything you purchase? Nope
Or successfully resist temptation? I resisted temptation on the Hourglass Stylos even though I’m drooling over them. Maybe next month!
February favorites: Nars Tinted Moisturizer, Nars Audacious lipstick in Brigitte, KvD Pastel Goth, Nyx duo chrome highlighter in Twilight Tint.
Not impressive: None, actually! I was lucky!
Returns: A sephora sleeping mask/moisturizer
Resisted: Hourglass lip stylos!
I’m wearing Brigitte today!
What were your favorites from the last month?
Revlon Ultra HD Gel lipstick in Desert
Wet n Wild Gold Bar highlighter
Physicians Formula Happy Booster blush in Natural
What didn’t impress you? Not sure how I feel about Revlon ColorStay Brow pencil yet. Very waxy. Wet n Wild PhotoFocus concealer is pretty lame–no coverage, strange thin putty-like texture.
Did you return anything you purchased? No but I’ll probably return said concealer
Or successfully resist temptation? ColourPop Valentine’s collection, Makeup Geek vault travel palette
Oh! And resisted TheBalm’s 50% off sale. I’ll have to wait for the next one! Anyone know where I can still (legitimately) get TheBalm in Your Hand palette?
My February Favorites: KVD Pastel Goth and Hawkwind ELL, MAC Taraji VG Lipstick and Lipglass, and Sugarpill Feline Fancy, also Nyx Lavender Steel Duochromatic Highlight and Faux Black Eye Pencil in Obsidian.
Not impressed with: Lorac’s spring collection, TF Peanut Butter & Honey palette (which I cannot wear anyway), and much of Tom Ford’s lip duo’s and reformulated blushes.
Return anything: KVD Sanctuary ELL. Not because of quality, though. More like I bought it at night and had an SA telling me that it looked great on me. Stupid me!
Resisted anything: Only temporarily….the gorgeous Hourglass GIRL Stylos! I am definitely getting one or two over the next few months.
What were your favorites from the last month? That I bought: ABH Glow Kit in Moonchild, KVD Pastel Goth and Alchemist Holographic Palettes, Medusa’s Makeup Blush in Dangerous Liasion, Nyx Matte Lipstick in Up the Bass and Slide On Lip Pencil in Revolution.
What didn’t impress you? That I got: Medusa’s Makeup Lash Witch Mascara (it smears really easily), and the Tarte Swamp Queen Palette my friend gave me (it’s pretty average). Other: MUG liquid lipsticks, Urban Decay liquid lipsticks (especially the metallics), Too Faced Peanut Butter & Honey Palette (Too Faced in general, really), and LORAC California Dreaming Palette.
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? SugarPill Feline Fancy Collection, MAC Colour Rocker lipsticks (though I may still get a few shades), MAC Betty Boop Lipstick, Becca Prismatic Amethyst, LORAC I Love Brunch lavender blush and mint highlighter, and ColourPop pressed shadows (though I may order some in the future).
Oh! I forgot! I am also VERY impressed with the newest Colourpop pressed eyeshadows and alll the Coloured Raine eyeshadows!
I really want to check out the new ColourPop pressed formula!
Favourites from this month: new would be Smashbox Legendary Be Legendary lipstick and Cover Shot Smoky eyeshadow palette as well as UD Thunderbird BUT…I pulled out the UD 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette (from how many years ago???) and I have been absolutely loving using it again. What a joy to rediscover an old love!
Not so hot: A Vichy facial mask and MAC Love Thing Blush (I like it but don’t madly love it)
Returns: tempted to return that mask but as I bought it during a bonus points event at SDM, I’m not sure what would happen to my points. Thanks to Temptalia, I rarely return anything at all.
Resisted: buying more Hourglass Lip Stylos and more of the new UD eyeshadow shades
What were your favorites from the last month? Nars Unfiltered Palettes and Hourglass Girl Lip Stylos!
What didn’t impress you? The new Lorac, Too Faced and Tom Ford releases.
Did you return anything you purchase? nope
Or successfully resist temptation? I’m waiting on buying more than one shade of the Hourglass Lip Stylos (I have Liberator, next one will be Activist), and I resisted the Estee Lauder X Victoria Beckham stuff because dayum that is just too expensive.
What were your favorites from the last month? My new items from Cle de Peau and Tom Ford. I’ve been wearing them quite a bit.
What didn’t impress you? I haven’t been rushing out of the gate to pick up much lately. I did order a few new releases from Tom Ford and Chantecaille, but everything else has left me a bit meh.
Did you return anything you purchase? I returned Chantecaille lip matte in Suzy. Waaaaaay too pale for my pale skin. It looked terrible on me.
Or successfully resist temptation? I think the best I can muster on resisting temptation is my limited selections from the new Spring Tom Ford collection. It hasn’t shipped yet, but I picked out one of the eye duos, the highlight duo and one of the lip balms. The highlight duo is the one I’m not sure about – depends on the gold color.
I’ve been doing really good on my makeup buying ban and have actually purchased only drug store items.
1. What were your favorites from the last month? The Wet & Wild Liquid lipstick is actually pretty darn good and long lasting. Light weight and 3 for $10. I also picked up two Forever 21 liquid lipsticks which one was pretty awesome in being a higher end dupe and the other, a powder liquid something feels really weird on the lips so that’s a no. Black Radiance also has new liquid lipsticks that were pretty sweet too. L’Oreals new lip paints that’s kind of like MUFE in the tube, I got it in navy and formula wise it’s pretty nice. Money well spent
2.What didn’t impress you? I went to Sephora and swatched ALL the new liquid lipsticks you’ve been posting and OMG…umm UD Liquid Lipstick is a “HAYLE NO”, MUFE need a wider range than what they had so I’ll wait for the full like this month but the formula was pretty bleh to me. Tried Tartes liquid lipsticks again and it’s still a flat no for me on those although the colors are nice. I swatched a few more that I can’t remember and none of them made me NEED to buy it on the spot. Oh Sephora’s new watercolor lip tint. Umm that stuff stays on a little TOO MUCH. I don’t need my lips stained for 5 days lol.
3.Did you return anything you purchase? the L’Oreal navy went back for a different color. I did not like the Navy, it was a bit too dull for me.
4.Or successfully resist temptation? I successfully resisted purchasing anything from Sephora out of the 5 or 6 times I’ve gone in a store last month. I am pretty proud of myself and my restraint on makeup spending.
My favourites from the last month:
Sinful Colours Gilded +QUO Naked nailpolishes are PURE PERFECTION. Naked is a grey/cool shade lighter than my warm skin, and Gilded is the most complex and stunning nail polish i’v ever seen?? It’s Pink/fuchsia and gold flecks in a clear base. UGH. I love it for nail look that doesn’t clash with what I’m wearing!!!
Iv been LIVING in my Joe Fresh Lip Creme’s!! I have Plum, Fuchsia, Kiss Baiser, and sorbet! They are like. Cream lipsticks melted down into a tube!! They are creamy/a touch more shiny than a satin on the lips, they FEEL moisturizing, and soft. And when they wear off, they wear off so gracefully, and my lips are left feeling plump and soft!!!
I was given ELF’s Nourishing Night cream, and I don’t find it moisturizing enough for night time. But it’s PERFECT for day time!! the second ingredient in it is Dimethicone, Which sucks for people who want to avoid cones. But for me, it’s almost like. A priming moisturizer!
Mac Kajal liner in teal was my fav along with the Colourpop highlighters. ?Viseart Paris.
I bought a travel size Better than Sex Mascara it coats good but is alittle clumpy.
I got BH 28 Foil shadows also seem nice haven’t played with them.
I resisted Becca Amtheyst !
Feb Favourites: Shiseido’s Snow Shadow – the navy shade
Not Impressed with: NYX Brow kit
No returns
Resisted Temptation: Yep, at Sephora last week.
What were your favorites from the last month?
The new Sephora lip rouge tint has crazy staying power and zero transfer. Also, Clean Reserve Sel Santal may be one of the best smelling perfumes I have smelled in ages.
What didn’t impress you?
The Sephora Matte lip luster. Not long-wearing and transfers like crazy. Also wasn’t mad about the color I got (Petal), but that’s my fault.
Did you return anything you purchase?
Nope.
Or successfully resist temptation?
I have successfully resisted the Bite glitter lip glosses, but probably not for long. They’ve been in my cart for a week, but just haven’t pulled the trigger. The longer I wait, the less likely I’ll get them. Eventually my “must have now” fanaticism dies off and I realize I can live without them – especially since they might be a tad ostentatious.
What were your favorites from the last month? MAC Glamorize Me, MAC The Shining Hour, new-to-me Tom Ford bronzers and Tom Ford blushes. The blushes are so pigmented!
What didn’t impress you? Tom Ford Lip Duos
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? No – I planned to get a couple of Tom Ford pieces each month through July or August, now that we’ve seen his spring and summer releases, but it didn’t work out that way. ?
1.Favorite from last month: Shaaanxo BH Cosmetics palette, MAC Pinch O Peach, Lorac California Dreaming palette, MAC Flamingo and Sunny Seoul lipsticks
2. Nothing that didn’t impress me. I like what I’ve purchased
3. Didn’t return anything
4. It feels like I haven’t resisted much. I guess I resisted the Pur Trolls palette. Very pigmented and some lust worthy colors but too bright for me. If I bought it, I know it would sit there. I’m resisting the Lorac brunch collection. I’m tempted but I’m not sure how to do pastel looks without getting into chalky territory
What were your favorites from the last month? Nars Unfiltered Cheek Pallette, Laura Mercier Eye Artist Palette
What didn’t impress you? One of the Tarte shadows a friend gave me. It doesn’t have a name, but it’s turquoise and gold metallic.
Did you return anything you purchase? Nope!
Or successfully resist temptation? I just discovered Glossier and have been holding back from buying their entire makeup line.
What were your favorites from the last month? Sheet masks – I’ve mostly used the Leaders Aquaringer masks, and they leave my skin so moisturized and plump. My makeup also goes on really smoothly afterwards. Innisfree Scalp Scaler, Bumble & Bumble Don’t Blow It, Smith & Cult Doe My Dear, Boscia Sake Hydrating Treatment, Sunday Riley Luna Oil, Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in November, Marc Jacobs Liquid Lip Creme in Truth or Bare, VDL Lip Cube in Rosewood. Heavy in skincare and lippies this month!
What didn’t impress you? Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks…I don’t know what happened. These were my favorite for everyday makeup for months, but since I’ve moved to a cooler, drier climate, the shimmer isn’t showing up quite the way it used to. I wonder if I’ve just had the product too long. Perhaps it dried out? Anyone else experience this?
Did you return anything you purchase? All purchases were very intentional, so no regrets this month!
Or successfully resist temptation? Nars Soft Matte Concealer, Hourglass Girl Stylos, Nordstrom K-beauty Pop-up shop
1, Favorites: I love my old Chanel duo from a previous spring collection: Rose Majeur… The purplish-blue colour in there is so deep. 🙂
2. Not impressed by: the NYX brow pencil I got last week. Colour is ok, but the staying power is not there. It’s as if the colour gets absorbed in my skin. Also it makes my eyebrows feel itchy. 🙁
3. Returns: you can’t really return here, but I am thinking about going back to the Mac store since I got an eyebrow pencil that is way too warm for me (I can’t believe how they matched me with this colour). Hence why I bought the NYX one, because I couldn’t really use my new Mac pencil.
4. Resisting: going to the first NYX shop that opened last winter here (I have been resisting for a while now, hahaha!). I bought the pencil online, but I think that if I go to the shop I will buy way too much, because I ‘ve been hearing everyone rave about this brand for such a long time.
And the new Chanel spring collection, Energies et puretés… Everything looks so lovely in that collection!
What were your favorites from the last month? The Kyshadow Burgundy Palette is still going strong, also loving the ELF foundation stick. Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Tiny Chum
What didn’t impress you? Maybelline Fit Me Foundation did not work for me at all.
Did you return anything you purchase? Not able to return cosmetics in Ireland, but I did receive a shattered Bronzer from ELF in the mail which I was given a refund for
Or successfully resist temptation? I really really want the Kat Von D Pastel Goth Palette, but its not stocked here & would cost me about €100 on Amazon…
Wait, December? Don’t you mean February?
Yes, sorry, that is what I meant – I am a moron!
No you’re not!! You are amazing 🙂
Not being able accurately proofread makes me incompetent, but thank you for trying to overlook my deficits! 🙂
What were your favorites from the last month? A blush from Aromaleigh called “Kali”: vibrant tomato red with a pale blue highlight — gorgeous! Also, I got three more Bite multisticks, and I’m happy with how they work for layering purposes
What didn’t impress you? UD’s 24/7 concealer pencil, though I was trying to use in a way it was not intended
Did you return anything you purchase? The UD concealer pencils
Or successfully resist temptation? I’m sure there are things I wanted but didn’t get (or haven’t gotten yet), but I can’t think of what they were, specifically