I schedule the QOTD posts 1-2 weeks in advance, so this answer is coming to you written on 2/9 technically… but the Marc Jacobs Steel(etto) palette, which is a cooler toned, more taupe-leaning palette… and performed incredibly well!!
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The Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lipsticks. The formula is exactly like it’s described. Pigmented but light and balmy. It’s the first new and innovative thing that’s made me want to buy the entire collection in a really long time.
The Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lipsticks reminds me so much of the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick, that curiously waiting for the English bunch of youtube to get their hands on the Bobbi Brown, since most raved about the Bourjois lip products in the past.
It’s a tie between two Fenty products — the skin primer (Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer) and the duo highlight in Mimosa Sunrise/ Sangria Sunset.
Most product from the Fenty line either didn’t worked for me, either are not my `vibe`, so somehow the Flyliner exceeded my exceptions; especially since few people talk about it. I found the formula very similar to other raved liners (Physician Formula, Kat von D, Styla) and I can’t think why more people are not talking about it. I have oily lids, hooded eyes, poor eyeliner skills… actually liking an eyeliner is hard with me. 😆
It seems I cannot rave enough over it, but Becca Ultimate Coverage foundation was the last product that overly impressed me (and I’m hard to impress). I don’t associate the brand with good complexion products, but after trying that and the Aqua Luminous Concealer, I was impressed. They somehow managed to nail down both a full and a light coverage option.
Too many recently! Probably a tie between Viseart Coy and ColourPop It’s My Pleasure palettes? Both have such interesting, unique shades that actually work very well in practice! Another surprise winner has to be Smashbox Fishnet eye pencil becoming my HG tightliner over my once highly praised MJ Blaquer Highliner. They look and feel fairly identical, but the Smashbox takes far longer to use up and never dries up even a little bit all the way to its end!
I agree. I just got this palette Friday and I”m already in love. I just did two looks with it and I’m very happy how they turned out.
I guess that would be a tie between the Diorshow Brow Styler and Dior Nude Luminizer, with the Brow Styler having a slight edge only because it’s the more necessary of the two. They both go back a few months, but I can’t think of anything more recent that truly exceeded expectations. I’ve bought many “meets expectations,” but the other “exceeds expectations” that come to mind are products I’ve been using for more than a year.
(As for products that failed to meet expectations, I can come up with a list! Lol)
I’ve really been impressed with the “matte” single bobbi brown eye-shadows. I’m an oily skin type and these truly hold up on me and the colors went on true to pan (disclosure: I always wear e primer) – when I swatched a few shades I thought they felt dry and assumed they would be patchy but quite the contrary sort of kick myself for not trying sooner. Colors I would recommend; Camel, rich brown, and black plum.
LOVE Camel. It’s the color I’d been searching for forever, and I wear it every day now.
Maybe when I use up all my palettes, I will use Camel and nothing else.
The $2.00 ELF brow pencil, which is now my go-to. It’s not a micro and only comes in one shade. It’s slighter too dark, but it’s the perfect texture, the spoolie works well … and it’s $2.00.
Not the most exciting choices but it’s a toss up between the Elizabeth Arden lip primer I got the other week and the Fenty Beauty loose setting powder (long, convoluted name AGAIN) in Lavender. First Fenty product I’ve tried (I have a sample) and I plan to go back to get the full size.
Mariella, how does the Fenty powder perform around eye creases (if you have any)? Intrigued by the color lavender…
Kitty, that’s what I like it for best – when I use it to set my under-eye concealer, the effect is really nice and it doesn’t emphasize or “create” any wrinkles/under-eye creases and it doesn’t look chalky or dry. Mind you, I use it lightly and just to “set”. I don’t “bake” (except coffee cakes and such!) so can’t say how it works applied more heavily.
Thanks Mariella. That’s exactly how I use powder underneath the eyes–very lightly. I’ll have to check it out.
I am racking my brain trying to come up with something that exceeded my expectations. I don’t know if I am having trouble because I try not to buy things that are not going to work for me and that haven’t reviewed well. I think I always buy products expecting them to perform exceptionally and tend to be more upset about the opposite, under-performing related to my expectations. I will say that even though there was so much hype around the Pat McGrath eye shadows, I still didn’t expect them to perform as well as they have. For that matter, the same is true of the LuxeTrance lipsticks.
Good Molecules Peptide Serum – I got the eye treatment in my Lucky Bag and wasn’t blown away (I don’t have a lot of eye issues, to be fair) but I ordered a few more things when they officially launched and the peptide serum has made a HUUUUUUUGE difference to my skin in a very short amount of time… now I just need to see if it lasts! (the improvements to my skin, not the actual serum, that will last for ages anyway 😉 )
I just got the hyaluron serum, I used it today for the first time and I must say I liked it a lot.
Good to hear that the peptide serum is good.
I have what is called mature(ing) skin, Do you think it would be a good serum for us of a certain age?
Well, I’m forty and it works great for me! It’s not super expensive, so it’s worth having a crack at it, I reckon 🙂
Two recent acquisitions really stand out for me: the new Milani Bold Matte Lipstick in “I Am Strong” (I have 2 others, but haven’t yet worn them), and the new Wet N Wild Makeup Locker Foundation.
I wore the Milani lipstick to a concert the other night, and it held up for over 4 hours of dancing, singing, an screaming (it was some show, LOL!), with no migrating or fading, which for such a dark, vamp shade is nothing short of a miracle. I never got a chance to check my makeup during the event, as it was a packed house, but when I looked in the mirror at home, I was quite impressed!
The Wet N Wild foundation has been the perfect “everyday” foundation, as it has minimal coverage. I really only need something to even out my skin, but if I need more coverage, it plays well with various concealers. It lasts all day, doesn’t settle into pores, and has a beautiful, natural finish. That said, I don’t know how it will hold up in L.A. heat/humidity, as it has been freakishly cold, but I’m still glad I picked it up.
I would have to say the Colour Pop Lux lipsticks – they are fabulous and last much longer on my lips than most other lipsticks.
Another one is the L’Oreal True Match foundation line, Ivory Rose. In the past I couldn’t wear their foundations because they were all yellow undertoned, but now with the extended line, the brand has introduced the very pale foundation with pink undertones and I am delighted. It’s easy to use and often on sale. Which is great.
Kevyn Aucoin the Volume Mascara, it didn’t really give me volume it gave me length lol! I had a few compliments on my lashes and they did look nice, it went on smoothly, no clumping. I’ll be wearing it to a party this weekend.
I’ve had my eye on this for a long time. Definition, length and the appearance of more lashes is what I’m looking for so, thank you!
Ponds Cleansing Balm . It is exactly the same as the Clinique Take the Day Off melting cleanser, which has been my Holy Grail for years . It is one third the cost of the Clinique.
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Neutralizer- amazing coverage at an amazing price! I know I am late to the party on this product but wow!
Milani Eyeshadow Primer in Nude- another longstanding drugstore favorite that is new to me- fabulous!
Milani Bold Obsessions eyeshadow palette- great little palette in sturdy packaging, nice selection of mattes & metallics in ‘on trend’ colors- love it for traveling!
ColourPop It’s My Pleasure Palette. It’s a little treasure, color- and performance-wise.
A Maybelline eye shadow called “Sterling Greige”. I’ve wanted a natural looking color that looks almost colorless on my lids but adds shine. This is probably as close to HG as I can get, and is so affordable, too!
I know I keep talking about this palette but I have to say it again. Morhpe 3502. I had never tried anything from Morphe before and I just love this palette. I actually try not to use it and still keep pulling it out. The shadows are build-able warm goodness that i love. I can easily go from a no makeup eye look to a smokey eye with this and the shimmers work well. It’s a workhorse for me that I also incorporate when using other palettes.
I recently made my first (huge) order from indie brand Rude Cosmetics. They have these liquid glitter shadows called Star Party liquid eye shadows. OMG…gorgeous and long wearing. The only one I’ve found that’s as good as Stila! And 12 shades.
I also bought palettes and lip colors, all of which I really like, but these liquid shadows were the star of my order.
I’d say the Fenty Beauty Flyliner