Best Beauty Products | May 2018 Report
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of May, 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?
Bite Beauty Saffron Fire Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a vivid, medium coral with stronger, warm orange undertones and a satin...
Bite Beauty Saffron Fire Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a vivid, medium coral with stronger, warm orange undertones and a satin...
Bite Beauty Crushed Chili Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, coppery-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque...
Bite Beauty Crushed Chili Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, coppery-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque...
Smashbox 24K Rose Petal Metal Liquid Eye Liner ($24.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, light-medium copper with a hint of red and warmer undertones paired...
Smashbox 24K Rose Petal Metal Liquid Eye Liner ($24.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, light-medium copper with a hint of red and warmer undertones paired...
MAC Beach Nut Lipstick ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium-dark, muted purple with subtle,w arm undertones and a satin finish. The color payoff was...
MAC Beach Nut Lipstick ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium-dark, muted purple with subtle,w arm undertones and a satin finish. The color payoff was...
Becca Sunset Waves Gradient Sunlit Bronzer ($38.00 for 0.25 oz.) is is a medium-dark brown with warm, rosy undertones and a coppery sheen. It was...
Becca Sunset Waves Gradient Sunlit Bronzer ($38.00 for 0.25 oz.) is is a medium-dark brown with warm, rosy undertones and a coppery sheen. It was...
Tom Ford Beauty No Vacancy Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a vibrant, medium red with neutral undertones and a glossy, jelly-like...
Tom Ford Beauty No Vacancy Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a vibrant, medium red with neutral undertones and a glossy, jelly-like...
Sephora English Rose (86) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. ...
Sephora English Rose (86) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. ...
Kevyn Aucoin Rose Cliff The Neo-Blush Trio ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) blends to create a medium pink with warm undertones and a faint, golden sheen. It...
Kevyn Aucoin Rose Cliff The Neo-Blush Trio ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) blends to create a medium pink with warm undertones and a faint, golden sheen. It...
Bite Beauty Pink Salt Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Bite Beauty Pink Salt Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Sephora Fiji Bronzer Powder ($17.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a light-medium brown with subtle, warm yellow undertones and a mostly matte finish. The color...
Sephora Fiji Bronzer Powder ($17.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a light-medium brown with subtle, warm yellow undertones and a mostly matte finish. The color...
Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer Powder ($17.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a soft brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was opaque...
Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer Powder ($17.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a soft brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was opaque...
NYX Gilded Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark yellow with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had fantastic...
NYX Gilded Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark yellow with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had fantastic...
NYX Rose Dust Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark copper with warm, rosy undertones and a metallic finish. The eyeshadow was...
NYX Rose Dust Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark copper with warm, rosy undertones and a metallic finish. The eyeshadow was...
Sephora Blaze of Glory (76) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red-brown with warm, rusty undertones and a flat, matte...
Sephora Blaze of Glory (76) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red-brown with warm, rusty undertones and a flat, matte...
Tom Ford Beauty Erotic Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a rich, medium red with cool, blue undertones and a high-shine, glossy...
Tom Ford Beauty Erotic Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a rich, medium red with cool, blue undertones and a high-shine, glossy...
Sephora Rose Redux (84) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium plum with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Sephora Rose Redux (84) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium plum with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Kevyn Aucoin Sunset The Neo-Blush Trio ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) blends to a medium coral with warm undertones and a golden sheen. All three shades had...
Kevyn Aucoin Sunset The Neo-Blush Trio ($38.00 for 0.20 oz.) blends to a medium coral with warm undertones and a golden sheen. All three shades had...
Tom Ford Beauty Red Corset Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium-dark, red plum with subtle, warm undertones and fine pink...
Tom Ford Beauty Red Corset Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium-dark, red plum with subtle, warm undertones and fine pink...
Tom Ford Beauty Stolen Cherry Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a vibrant, medium red with subtle, cool undertones and a mirror-like,...
Tom Ford Beauty Stolen Cherry Lip Lacquer Liquid Patent ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a vibrant, medium red with subtle, cool undertones and a mirror-like,...
Bite Beauty Hot Harissa Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a satin sheen. The color...
Bite Beauty Hot Harissa Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a satin sheen. The color...
Tom Ford Beauty Rouge Metal Lip Lacquer Liquid Metal ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and flecks of gold...
Tom Ford Beauty Rouge Metal Lip Lacquer Liquid Metal ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and flecks of gold...
Bite Beauty Smoked Za'atar Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream...
Bite Beauty Smoked Za'atar Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream...
Fenty Beauty Sand Castle/Mint'd Mojito Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duo ($36.00 for 0.24 oz.) consists of a medium taupe and cool blue. ...
Fenty Beauty Sand Castle/Mint'd Mojito Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duo ($36.00 for 0.24 oz.) consists of a medium taupe and cool blue. ...
Sephora Cinder Rose (83) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The...
Sephora Cinder Rose (83) Cream Lip Stain ($14.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The...
Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Eyeliner) ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, reddish brown with warm undertones and a metallic sheen with...
Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Eyeliner) ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, reddish brown with warm undertones and a metallic sheen with...
What were your favorites from the last month? of new purchases, the 2 REN products I purchased – an overnight “treatment mask” and a setting/hydrating spray; of “good ol'” stuff, ABH Vermeer and Sephora Fall Leaves and Cookie Crunch shadows, Hourglass Veil loose powder and Sephora Cappuccino pencil liner
What didn’t impress you? the new mascara I bought – 24 Hours Glam from Lise Watier
Did you return anything you purchase? nope
Or successfully resist temptation? as much as I’m still “lemming” for it, the MAC Jade Jagger Burning Nights palette. If it were avail. in-store, I’d have owned it long before now but, even though it is on sale, I really dislike having to order online without getting to try or swatch or see with my own eyes a product I might like to purchase. And I resent that companies pull stunts like this.
What were your favorites from the last month? Pat McGrath palettes and Wayne Goss eye set brushes.
What didn’t impress you? Nothing new tried.
Did you return anything you purchase? No
Or successfully resist temptation? I’ve been going back and forth on getting the Pat McGrath Subliminal and Decadence palettes and probably will for a few more months. I can’t see myself wearing the Subliminal palette and for the handful of colors I would wear from the Decadence palette, I have dupes. It’s that whole ‘need-to-collect-all-things’ and I have to remind myself that if I would never wear it, I’m not missing out.
Favorites from last month:
I’ve been loving MAC Margin blush. Fenty Killawatt Highlighter in Lighting Dust. MAC Spirit lipstick. NARS Laguna bronzer. ABH Soft Glam palette. ABH Radiant Blush Kit and Aurora Glow Kit. MAC Sun, Tan & Repeat Eyeshadow.
Didn’t impress: Persona Identity Palette. It’s alright. The metallics are pretty. A lot of redundant shades. I’m also not sure about the blush I bought from the Wet n Wild Flights of Fancy collection. Not sure about any of the shades
Return anything : No
Resist Temptation : KVD Anniversary collection. Becca Dreamscicle highlighter. NARS Erdem collection. Smashbox Pink and Palms eyeshadow palette. On a no buy for the most part. Cannot be buying makeup right now:(
Spirit is in my top 5 most wanted MAC lipsticks. I just did a Back-to-MAC and came very close to getting it, but went with Blankety instead, because it was so different than any of my other lipsticks.
Spirit is a must have. I don’t know why it took me so long to try it BUT Blankety is so pretty as well and definitely a good one to have. Got to love B2M. It’s responsible for a huge chunk of my too huge MAC lipstick collection lol
What were your favorites from the last month? That I purchased: Kat von D 10-Year Anniversary Palette; ColourPop Pretty Much Pigment Palette; Huda Beauty Gemstones Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette; Kevyn Aucoin The Neo-Blush Trio in Sunset.
What didn’t impress you? That I purchased: Kat von D Glimmer Veil in Gold Skool — dry, sheer, and the sponge-tip applicator started peeling off with the first use. Reine Rebelde 4 Play Wet Dry Eye Color in Savaje — the shades aren’t terribly pigmented when used dry.
That I didn’t buy: Urban Decay Lightbeam Summer 2018 Eyeshadow Palette; the Sephora eyeshadow singles continue to disappoint; Viseart Cool Mattes Palette; MUG Power Pigments
Did you return anything you purchased? I’m going to return Kat von D Glimmer Veil in Gold Skool this weekend. I may return the Reine Rebelde Savaje, but I want to use the shades wet before declaring it a dud.
Or successfully resist temptation? Anastasia Dream Glow Kit; Huda Beauty Coral Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette
Favorites from last month: Pur Visionary palette and the Smashbox Pinks and Palms eye shadow palette.
Still loving the L’Oreal Colour Riche Shines and used them just about everyday last month either as a stand alone color or as a lip topper.
What didn’t impress me: It is not so much that it didn’t impress me as that I am having a hard time determining if I like it and after using for a whole month I just still am not sure which is unusual for me. I am usually pretty decisive. Some days I like the Becca Hydra Mist powder and other days I hate it. I can’t figure out what the difference is as I have pretty much been using my staples underneath it everyday. At first I thought I just liked it for the novelty of the “wet” feeling when you apply it but after a month that novelty has worn off and I still have days where I love it and days when I hate it. Not sure it is worth it even for the days I love it because if it turns out to be a day I hate it then it ruins my makeup for the whole day. I will likely finish it and not repurchase.
Return anything? No.
New beauty discoveries: No new discoveries as I am on a no-buy so only purchased a few things at the beginning of the month and nothing recently. I have discovered an old love and that is the Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat in the shade Pink Venus. I have used Pillow Talk and Nude fairly regularly but hadn’t used Pink Venus in quite a long time and when I wear a lipstick that pulls either too brown or too peachy I can use Pink Venus underneath and it gives me just the right amount of pink to offset the lipstick without making the lipstick look like a straight up pink.
What were your favorites from the last month? Dior Addict Lip Glow in Berry, MAC Mineralized Blush in Sweet Enough, Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighter in Precious Petals, MAC Creme in Your Coffee Lipstick, Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Mademoiselle, and I’m starting to really like the Colourpop Fame Eyeshadow Palette. Perfume-wise, I’m loving Mugler Aura and Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic.
What didn’t impress you? Smashbox Vlada Petal Metal Eyeshadow Palette—I’m having trouble getting a look I like with it. Very disappointed, but I haven’t given up yet.
Did you return anything you purchased? I returned Smashbox Petal Metal Shimmer Drops and bought the Petal Metal Gilded Rose Highlighter instead, which works much better for me.
Or successfully resist temptation? Almost every time I pass a Chanel or MAC counter I resist loads of temptation!
What were your favorites from the last month? Personally I liked the Sephora and Colour Pop lipsticks., but I haven’t really purchased anything in the last month.
What didn’t impress you? I didn’t like the look of the new Viseart palettes.
Did you return anything you purchase? No
Or successfully resist temptation? That Mecca Max here in Aus has a lovely little palette in rose gold colours and whilst very pretty, I did resist purchasing it.
Hi Christine… I love your reviews and they are a must read for me before I purchase anything… my local Sephora has just started carrying Guerlain. So please share your views on the parure gold and lingerie de peau foundations.. what else would you recommend from Guerlain? Xoxo
I’ve reviewed Lingerie de Peau in the past, and I’m assuming it’s the new version of Parure Gold, which I don’t have a review for, sorry! You can search my reviews here: https://www.temptalia.com/p/_brands/_guerlain/_makeup/?sorting=date_desc
Things I loved…well, the jury is still out, but I’ve been testing the Sunday Riley Flash Fix kit, and I enjoyed it enough to buy a second one, but I’m not sure yet about full sizes. The Ceramic Slip cleanser is nice, especially for regulating my slightly oily t-zone, and Good Genes is effective. It did seem to fade my freckles and brighten, but I don’t want to fade my freckles any more than my current skincare routine probably does. I like my freckles! So, I’m torn…but it’s a nice product. I might just stick with my Lactic Acid from The Ordinary and forego the lightening effect.
I like the Clinique Even Better Glow Foundation so far!
I returned a CosRX Centella Water Toner (didn’t do anything for me, but did seem to leave me a bit dry) and the Origins Soothing Lotion (recommended to me to soothe redness, but after testing it for a week, I realized it was causing irritation.
I resisted the temptation to buy the Bite agave lip mask in Lavender.. love the mask, but clear can be used with lip colors.