What beauty products have surpassed your expectations? Share your finds!
Most recently, MAC’s Peacocky eyeshadows.
Thanks to Wendy for today’s question!
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Fyrinnae’s Pixie Epoxy. It’s just so amazing for intense shadow looks.
I second this!
Definitely NARS Orgasm, I literally owned it for over 1 year and have not touched it until recently. I did not realize how amazing the color was until I tried it on again. Now it’s my favourite go-to blush. My 2nd would be Smashbox’s lipstick in Pout <3 super soft and smooth yet has color, absolutely lovely
Same as you, Christine. MAC Peacocky shadows. I love every single one I got 🙂
Yeah I love the Centre Stage and Unflappable mega metal shadows that I got from Peacocky too.
DiorShow Blackout. Makes me look like I have false eyelashes!
I agree with the MAC Mega Metal Eyeshadows, they’re great!
I have four items that have surpassed my expectations and are now “Holy Grail” items. The first is the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation. This is the best foundation I have ever tried. It makes my skin look natural and raidiant, yet provides the coverage that I need. The second item are Sigma brushes. These brushes are awesome! I have been reaching for them a lot and find that they are better than the MAC brushes that I have. The third and fourth items are mascaras. One is the Cover Girl Lash Blast Macara and the other is L’oreal’s Voluminous Million Lashes Macara. Both of these mascaras are excellent mascaras and truly give volume and length to my lashes.
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach. I’m still so amazed at how it neutralizes my dark circles and becomes my skin colour thereafter.
I need to get this!
myface lipliner, nude.
Olay Definity Tone Correcting Anti-Ageing Cream.
I have really bad melasma patches in the middle of my face, above my brows and under my eyes and this has reduced them unbelievably well. I use in conjuction with the serum and the results have been beyond my expectations.
It smells and looks like shampoo but it damn well works.
I’m so happy!
the new Wet n Wild eyeshadows
ArtDeco Soft Eye Liner Waterproof, for sure! (german brand)
I found these pencils of Art Deco that are soft, easy to sharpen, not blur, with some very interesting colors and just more than half the price of the MAC Powerpoint. We do not have UD or MUFE here yet.
Eyeshadow primer. I was sceptical, but I’m glad I gave it a try, because it really works!
Most of the MAC Mickey Contractor collection.
Toss up between Lise Watier’s Base Miracle face primer and Sephora’s #55 professional foundation brush. LW’s was the first primer I ever tried and I was just floored by how my skin and pore looked after applying it. I’ve tried other primers since – some good, some bad – but nothing has matched that “wow” factor. And I could never apply liquid foundation decently in the areas I need it most til I got the Sephora brush.
‘Morning ladies….Paula Dorff eye primer was beyoooond my exceptions. I was visiting a boutique in my town a few weeks ago for some brushes (the boutique carries lots of BE & Smashbox) I picked up the Paula Primer, and even tho I’ve been an UDPP devotee for about 2 years, I purchased this new pot and and am beyond happy with it. If anyone is looking for a new shadow primer, this one-in my opinon-is pretty fantastic.
MUFE Aqua Cream. Kicked my oily eyelids square in the butt and looks amazing! I can’t do without them and am on a quest to collect them all.
Illamasqua blushes. They’re brilliant.
NYX Studio Liquid Liner, amazing liquid liner on the cheap and I prefer it over the MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner because it’s easier to remove without scrubbing.
Sephora’s tinted moisturizer. It was exaclty the amount of light coverage I wanted and gives a good base for my MSFN to stick to with out looking cakey or powdery!
wow really? (for peacocky), I was very disappointed in them! I think I was expecting similar texture to starflash – that creaminess and intense pigment, and really found them lacking.
What has surpassed my expectations? Nars smudgeproof eye base & Chantecaille sea turtles palette (love!)
Too Faced Lip Insurance! I find that it really does help me wear bolder lip colors that I may not have a matching pencil to- and I still layer it under a pencil just because! I purchased it because all of my local Sephoras were out of the UD 24/7 clear lip liners. I’ve been pretty impressed with it. 🙂
Shiro Cosmetics’s Intertubes. Love ’em!
I love Shiro Cosmetics! Their pigments are fantastic. I’m surprised that the intertubes are good. Are there any you would recommend?
BeneFit’s Coralista! I have never had good experiences with their boxed blushes, but I got this for free, and ended up absolutely loving it!
Recently, Tarte products have been wowing me!!! For example, I love the Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara a lot! I got a sample size with some other Tarte goodies I bought on QVC and I love this stuff!!! It gives my lashes the perfect curl and definition.
Macs lipstick in creme d’nude. I thought I wouldn’t use it as much as I do. Now I use it everyday.
physicians formula 2-in-1 liquid eyeliner serum – better than department store eyeliners
I agree with you, Christine, on the MAC Peacocky eye shadows. I wear them with shadows from other brands and with other MAC shadows, or by themselves. Great quality, very versatile, great look!
Revlon Cherry Crush nail polish. Dark, sophisticated metallic red with a smooth finish. Long lastin.
eco tools mini eye brush set, korres eyeliners
I was really super impressed with this Sugarpill loose shadow sample I received with my order. I expected the colour to be as good as it was, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so easy to work with. Stays right in place all day and blends like a dream. Love it.
I am so debating on getting some sugarpill products. I have heard so many positive things. I love my brights!
Nexxus Pro Mend line has made my hair look fantastic.
Most recently, Forever 21 Love at First Sight eyeshadow palettes. Fully expected these to suck and pass them on to my little sister, but they are actually pretty good. I did a blog post on them.
I liked MAC Warm Soul Blush when I tried it at the counter and bought it, but I just LOOOOOOVE it now that I’ve used it for a few days! I find myself reaching for it almost daily!
seconded!
Definitely Nars Smudgeproof eye shadow base. I bought it on a whim because UDPP and TFSI didn’t work well for my super oily lids. Smudgeproof is a GOD SEND. I can even wear cream shadows all day with no creasing! Thank you, makeup gods!
Yes it is. It lasts for so many hours too!
Wet n Wild blushes.
Bobbi Brown products…The Balm Rinse is what my skin has been craving, as well the Tinted Balm gives me moisture and a glow, lets my skin show, does not mask it-As well the Extra Repair Serum and Extra Eye Cream has done wonders for my Chicago dry skin-
Also Fusion cream blushes are so nice, blend in, aren’t greasy and gives a natural look-
Nyx’s lipsticks. I actually wear lipstick now!
LUSH’s ultrabland – amazing makeup remover, Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara (Sephora just started carrying this mascara – i believe it is a Japanese brand – and I am soooo loving it! I have really small and short eyelashes and this makes them look miles long and curls so well!!! and I never buy anything but drugstore mascara typically so this is a big deal!), Garnier Anti-dark circle eye roller – LOVE, Befine exfoliating cleanser (got it in my last Birchbox and love it…use it with my Clarisonic and it’s not too much scrubby at all! Makes my skin feel so clean and smooth) BIRCHBOX!!! Love this service…if you don’t know about it, you should def check it out, esp if you love beauty products (as I’m sure you do if you’re reading this blog!!) It’s a $10 monthly subscription where you get 5-6 delux high-end beauty product samples each month!!! So much fun (ask me questions if you’re interested…i am in love!), MAC lip conditioner…can’t get enough!! love it, Revlon Pink Pop lipgloss (the shorter one…forget what it’s called) it is surprisingly such a pretty color!!!
ok, that’s it…i think
ooooh forgot 2 more…sorry
Moroccan Oil (the serious solution to my out of control frizziness!!!) and the COnair Infiniti You Curl curling Iron! Love these products! My hair never looks smooth and sleek, but the Moroccan Oil is a miracle Holy grail status product for my curly, frizzy hair…can’t believe i have lived 35 years w/out it. No more bad hair days! and this curling iron is amazing. My hair never has taken to a curling iron before in my life until now! Not only does this make beautiful, perfect curls in my hair, but the curls actually last…not just through the day, but into the next day as well! Seriously amazing! Do not pass go, do not collect $200…go out and get these products now! LOVE!
• Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF42 PA+++: Now I can skip sunscreen & this foundation stay-on like nobody business, yippie! (downside: visible white cast on flash photography. But hey, I’m not a celebrity, there would be no paparazzi who ambush and snap a picture of me! *LOL*)
• Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy: Miracle in a tube.
• Milk of Magnesia: Heard it, know it, tried it, love it, can’t live without it!
• Skindinävia Dance! Makeup Setting Spray: Holy grail! I sweat all the time (I live in super humid, summer all year country) and this stuff is a life saver.
• Magnesium Myristate Powder: I mix this stuff with my loose mineral blushes and all of them stay-on for hours on my cheeks! Love it! (ratio 1:15-20)
• Benefit Posietint: When I wear this thing, nobody will notice that it’s a cheek/lip stain, they thought I have naturally flushed cheeks & lips. One more thing, it’ll stain wonderfully from am to pm (except on the lips, I have to reapply after having my meal).
MUFE HD Foundation. It hasn’t failed me yet and I am tickled by how my complexion is flawless each and every time I use it.
Smashbox Halo… a dewy powder foundation.Milani HC Conceaker…Touche Fclat at one fifth the price.Benefit High Beam…best lit from within glow.
French Kisses Homemade Sugar Scrub from Serenity Lure! try it!
French Kisses Homemade Sugar Scrub at Serenity Lure! Love it!
The Buxom lipgloss line from Bare Escentuals. I bought it for the color and only swiped a little on my hand to make sure the color was true. But gosh, when I put a coating of it on my lips, the most amazing cooling sensation came over them. It’s so soft, although the color came out just very slightly lighter than it looks, I recommend EVERYONE buy one of these. It reminds me of a plumper (which it is), that cools your lips rather than burn them. Amazing!
nivea pure and natural liquid foundation;iwouldnt think that its so much effective to conceal and to bring flawless skin 🙂
that’s perfect
Rimmel lipsticks and stila stay all day liquid liners