Month in Review | June 2017
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of June, 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?
Wayne Goss Brush 10 (White) ($38.00) is a small-to-medium brush that flares outward from the base until its mid-point and then tapers to a rounded,...
Wayne Goss Brush 10 (White) ($38.00) is a small-to-medium brush that flares outward from the base until its mid-point and then tapers to a rounded,...
Wayne Goss Brush 12 (White) ($53.00) is a dense, medium-sized cheek brush that flares outward from the ferrule and then finishes to a slightly...
Wayne Goss Brush 12 (White) ($53.00) is a dense, medium-sized cheek brush that flares outward from the ferrule and then finishes to a slightly...
Urban Decay Torch 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Urban Decay Torch 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Milk Makeup Hotel Lobby Eye Pigment ($24.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light, champagne gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The texture was...
Milk Makeup Hotel Lobby Eye Pigment ($24.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a light, champagne gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The texture was...
Milk Makeup Gig Eye Pigment ($24.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a rich, coppery brown with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was intensely pigmented...
Milk Makeup Gig Eye Pigment ($24.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a rich, coppery brown with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was intensely pigmented...
Milk Makeup Mermaid Parade Eye Pigment ($24.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a bright, medium emerald green with subtle, warmer yellow undertones and cooler,...
Milk Makeup Mermaid Parade Eye Pigment ($24.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a bright, medium emerald green with subtle, warmer yellow undertones and cooler,...
Hakuhodo S127Bk Eye Shadow Brush ($38.00) is a medium, flat eyeshadow brush with a tapered edge. It is made out of Canadian squirrel, and the brush...
Hakuhodo S127Bk Eye Shadow Brush ($38.00) is a medium, flat eyeshadow brush with a tapered edge. It is made out of Canadian squirrel, and the brush...
Hakuhodo S133Bk Eye Shadow Brush ($35.00) is a medium, dome-shaped eyeshadow brush with light fluffiness and moderate density. It was similar in...
Hakuhodo S133Bk Eye Shadow Brush ($35.00) is a medium, dome-shaped eyeshadow brush with light fluffiness and moderate density. It was similar in...
Hakuhodo S5521BBk Highlight Brush Tapered ($47.00) is a medium, tapered highlighting brush that flares out from the ferrule and then tapers to a...
Hakuhodo S5521BBk Highlight Brush Tapered ($47.00) is a medium, tapered highlighting brush that flares out from the ferrule and then tapers to a...
MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. There's a hint...
MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. There's a hint...
Wayne Goss Brush 14 (White) ($33.00) is a long, fluffy, and airy brush that flares outward from the ferrule until the midpoint and then tapers to a...
Wayne Goss Brush 14 (White) ($33.00) is a long, fluffy, and airy brush that flares outward from the ferrule until the midpoint and then tapers to a...
Maybelline Classic Color Sensational Vivid Hot Lacquer Lip Gloss ($7.99 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones...
Maybelline Classic Color Sensational Vivid Hot Lacquer Lip Gloss ($7.99 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones...
ColourPop Sea Stars Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It had fantastic...
ColourPop Sea Stars Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It had fantastic...
ColourPop As You Wave Super Shock Shadow ($5.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a vibrant, deep coral-red with warm, fiery copper shimmer that gave it a more...
ColourPop As You Wave Super Shock Shadow ($5.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a vibrant, deep coral-red with warm, fiery copper shimmer that gave it a more...
NYX Alabama Matte Lipstick ($5.99 for 0.16 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly...
NYX Alabama Matte Lipstick ($5.99 for 0.16 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly...
MAC Dubonnet Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep red with warm, brown undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a...
MAC Dubonnet Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep red with warm, brown undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a...
Makeup Geek Sunkissed Bronze Luster ($22.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light, golden brown with a satin finish and soft, warm undertones. It had intense,...
Makeup Geek Sunkissed Bronze Luster ($22.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light, golden brown with a satin finish and soft, warm undertones. It had intense,...
ColourPop Rose All Day Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium, golden green with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic...
ColourPop Rose All Day Pressed Powder Shadow ($5.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium, golden green with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic...
Wayne Goss Brush 11 (White) ($48.00) is a medium-to-large, dome-shaped face brush that would work for cheek colors as well as for blending out product...
Wayne Goss Brush 11 (White) ($48.00) is a medium-to-large, dome-shaped face brush that would work for cheek colors as well as for blending out product...
Wayne Goss Brush 13 (White) ($53.00) is a small, rounded brush that flared outward from the ferrule and then rounded in toward the edge of the brush...
Wayne Goss Brush 13 (White) ($53.00) is a small, rounded brush that flared outward from the ferrule and then rounded in toward the edge of the brush...
Wayne Goss Brush 15 (White) ($25.00) is a medium fan brush, which flares outward significantly from the ferrule and has a more feathery, airy edge...
Wayne Goss Brush 15 (White) ($25.00) is a medium fan brush, which flares outward significantly from the ferrule and has a more feathery, airy edge...
MAC Russian Red Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had rich, opaque color...
MAC Russian Red Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had rich, opaque color...
Huda Foxy Lip Strobe ($18.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is a dark, reddish-bronze with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich, opaque coverage (as...
Huda Foxy Lip Strobe ($18.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is a dark, reddish-bronze with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich, opaque coverage (as...
Burberry Dark Nude (408) Lip Velvet Lipstick ($35.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark, reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It...
Burberry Dark Nude (408) Lip Velvet Lipstick ($35.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark, reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It...
Favorites from last month : ABH Modern Renaissance. My love is still so strong for this palette and love that I’m still coming up with new looks using it. Otherwise I loved my Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Matte Bronzer and Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
Didn’t Impress: Cargo Texaslash Mascara and MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash sample. I’m trying to use these up and downsize my mascaras. The Cargo mascara was in a set and the MAC was a free sample from my last MAC purchase online. The Cargo is just basic. A fat brush that gives you a natural look. Washes off easily. I just like more oomph with my lashes and for a mascara called Texaslash, there is nothing big and dramatic about your lashes so this mascara is a let down. I don’t think I can tell if I like or don’t like the MAC mascara. The wand is so small that it’s hard to hold to build up the mascara. A little difficult to wash off. Not sure I’d buy full size. Maybe if I found it at a CCO?
Returns? Nothing
Resisted: Lots. UD Naked Heat. Not impressed and annoyed there’s nothing heat about it really. Morphe Jaclyn Hill. Yeah not supporting such a liar. The Sephora VIB sale. $15 off of $50 is nothing special. I had 20% off at Ulta. Plus 950 in points which translated to $35. My $76 purchase turned out to be $24.
What were your favorites from the last month? Still loving Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense and Mineral Veil Primer mixed as a makeup base. The mixture is actually soothing to my rosacea-inflicted skin, and makes me look normal enough that I have even, a few times, gone with just that plus powder over (which I’m willing to do because they’re also both mineral sunscreens). If I’m supposed to be answering with a cosmetic, then I’d say my personally-created blend of Besame French Vanilla, Silk Naturals Temp Tryst Finishing Powder, and RCMA translucent setting powder that I use as a finishing/setting powder continues to make me look flawless (at least for the first few hours, before the oil takes over). I actually had someone tell me I was “glowing” last week. When it comes time to redo the blend, I might go with everything except the RCMA, and substitute Silk Naturals’ Golden and Translucent (both) Cloud powders, as the blend is still a little on the cool side for me (could use some more yellow tone).
What didn’t impress you?
Did you return anything you purchase?
Or successfully resist temptation?
Gah! Hit send too soon! The answers to the last questions:
What didn’t impress you? I’ve started using grapeseed oil instead of coconut oil to clean my face, and it doesn’t work as well. I’ll work through what I have then try sunflower seed oil next. If that doesn’t thrill me, I’ll go back to coconut oil (Kirkland brand, baby!) which I actually love, it’s just really inconvenient to store in the bathroom. I don’t have a cosmetic answer to this question.
Did you return anything you purchased? No.
Or successfully resist temptation? No. :-/
Alecto, I recommend trying hemp seed oil for a facial cleanser. If you want to make it extra special, add some sweet almond and jojoba oil… If your skin is dry, the grapeseed probably isn’t giving you the feel you are expecting.
Thanks, Angie. My skin isn’t dry (oily, actually), but the grapeseed oil doesn’t seem to “melt” makeup like coconut oil did. I actually have hempseed oil that I use as food; I’ll try it once or twice for skincare and see how I feel about it.
Yeah, that Paula long name TM is one of my HGs, too. Often use just that. Think it’s a true neutral, not highly tinted, but a bit of a blur. It IS soothing. Occ other products break up over it, but mixing works pretty well. You can add luminizers, gel products, just about anything, to lean into the color scheme you are wearing. You’ve inspired me to work on blending powders. I blend everything else, so why not?
I had the same problem with the Paula’s, but I recently (in the last 2 weeks) discovered by accident that walking away from my prep process for about 15 minutes prevents “breaking up” of products over the Paula’s, and also, my makeup looks smoother and lasts longer. I got distracted one day and took care of another task after applying my Paula’s/Mineral Veil mix, but before foundation, and everything after that proceeded **much** more smoothly. I always waited for layers to dry between, but it seems like there’s an actual “setting” process that takes place with the SPF/primer layer that takes longer? YMMV.
BTW, I went ahead and ordered the Silk Naturals powders and I’m going to mix them with a 100% titanium dioxide powder (my skin responds very well to that — soothing) to try as an evening powder. Probably sounds weird, but I wash my face, put on skincare, then after everything has sunk in, I do a light dusting of powder. It can actually calm my skin, and it helps to keep my morale up if I happen to catch glimpses of myself for the rest of the evening.
What were your favorites from the last month?
1. All the nail polish I bought! Really loving Picture Polish’s “Summer” shade right now (not sponsored or affiliated with any nail anything in any way). I have fallen down a nail art tutorial hole and it was either this or gardening and it’s too hot right now, so nail art it is. I have found doing my own nails and just playing around with nail art to be very relaxing. Work is slow right now so I am enjoying doing it leisurely in the evenings.
2. Guerlain Terracotta Light Bronzing Powder Brunettes 03 – I like how softly the color goes on at first and you can build to your desired depth. I will be repurchasing.
What didn’t impress you? UD Naked Heat – at first ? because I love the colors and the layout of the palette (I’m a sucker for palettes), but then the similarity between those 3 shades and when I realized how dupable it was . . .?.
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? Didn’t buy Urban Decay Heat or Wayne Goss set – I can dupe the Naked Heat and I have a hard time using and sullying white brushes so the WG set is an easy pass. I’m not going to buy (I have KC singing in my head) any of the MAC Chromat collection.
What were your favorites from the last month? Laura Geller Beauty Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Diamond Dust, and Sauce Box Mermaid Life and UD Naked Heat palettes. My love for the UD x Basquiat collection is still going strong.
What didn’t impress you? BhCosmetics Foil Eyes II. I bought it on sale for the good shades, but I am disappointed that the formula isn’t as good as the first one. I can make them all work, though.
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? UD Naked Heat lipsticks and eyeliners. Tarte ROTS 3: It would make a good minimalist summer palette for me, but I’ll wait till it goes on sale. BhCosmetics Solar Flare Palette, but I might get it on a future sale. Still resisting MAC Juicy Fruity and Yoni collections.
Without a doubt fave product is the Anastasia Aurora highlighter. I wasn’t going to buy it but so happy I did . Having so much fun with it ! I’m going to really have fun with this Palette on July 4th!
Not tempted by UD Naked Heat, thank goodness . Way too tempted by other things though and went way over budget for the month . For every item that tempted me I bought maybe one of ten ! I did not return anything .
Have a great 4th of July everyone !
What were your favorites from the last month?Benefit under brow highlighter stick
What didn’t impress you? dr. brandt needle no more 3D Plumpfix
Did you return anything you purchase? no
Or successfully resist temptation? yes-the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette
Favorites: I’ve been loving all my cream eyeshadows lately. It has been in the back of my mind that I need to use all the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize shades I bought last summer, plus Mally and Laura Mercier Eye Crayons, MAC Soft Serves and Paint Pots. They are so simple to apply and most are ‘one and done’ shades.
One more Favorite! The Mario Badescu Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea Facial Spray. Very refreshing and I am hooked on the fresh scent. Great for my dry skin, I keep it on my bedside table and spritz last thing at night.
Didn’t Impress: Boscia BB Cream, I adored this when I first got it late last summer, wore it for a month or so then moved on when the weather turned cool. When I pulled it out to wear again discovered it had separated awfully. Being a mousse-like product it will not recombine. I still have at least three quarters of it left and it wasn’t cheap.
Returns: Nothing, but really am considering returning the Boscia BB. I just wish I had discovered the defect sooner…still on the fence.
Resisted: The Naked Heat, just didn’t excite. I keep hearing about cooler toned palettes that are going to be released, I will wait for those!
Favorites purchases of last month: The Jean-Michel Basquait collection (I got everything) and my pieces from the Jouer Skinny Dip collection (eyeshadow palette, Skinny Dip highlighter, and Skinny Dip lip topper). I wasn’t going to get the Basquait collection but then it went on sale so I decided to give it a go. I ended up being impressed by this collection. I personally think this collection has been one of the best UD has put out in the past 3 years.
Not impressed: The items listed above were my June haul, with the exception of an Estée Lauder lipstick (Inescapable) and liner (Rose), and so everything I bought was pleasing.
No returns.
Resisted temptation: I am really yearning to buy some Hakuhodo brushes, including the 5521 Christine reviewed this month, and the Natasha Denona Sculpt and Glow Contour and Highlight Palette.