Best Beauty Products | September 2019 Report
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of September, 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?
Giorgio Armani Cedar (206) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a rich, deep copper with warm, balanced red and orange undertones and a cream finish. ...
Giorgio Armani Cedar (206) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a rich, deep copper with warm, balanced red and orange undertones and a cream finish. ...
(Earth)quake is a deep brown with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in one layer, which applied evenly...
(Earth)quake is a deep brown with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in one layer, which applied evenly...
Giorgio Armani Acajou (207) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish with the finest...
Giorgio Armani Acajou (207) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish with the finest...
Mini Cheek Brush is the smallest brush head in the set, and it flares outward and has an airier quality at the edge than a typical blush brush. It...
Mini Cheek Brush is the smallest brush head in the set, and it flares outward and has an airier quality at the edge than a typical blush brush. It...
Classic Cheek Brush is designed to be the "most versatile and universal blush brush" the brand could create. The shape feels familiar to typical...
Classic Cheek Brush is designed to be the "most versatile and universal blush brush" the brand could create. The shape feels familiar to typical...
Soft Cheek Brush is supposed to give "sheer to medium coverage" with a slew of cheek products, up to and including setting and finishing powders. It...
Soft Cheek Brush is supposed to give "sheer to medium coverage" with a slew of cheek products, up to and including setting and finishing powders. It...
Worker Fan Brush is supposed to "do any task you want" and balances "size and density to handle blush, bronzer, sculpting, and even highlighter." It...
Worker Fan Brush is supposed to "do any task you want" and balances "size and density to handle blush, bronzer, sculpting, and even highlighter." It...
ColourPop Drop of a Hat Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium, pinky-coral base with warm, gold and copper shimmer throughout. The...
ColourPop Drop of a Hat Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium, pinky-coral base with warm, gold and copper shimmer throughout. The...
Olive (Dark Matte #12) is a muted, medium olive green with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had excellent pigmentation in...
Olive (Dark Matte #12) is a muted, medium olive green with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had excellent pigmentation in...
Calypso (GPV2 #15) is a vivid, orchid purple with warmer, pink undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The pigmentation was opaque in one layer,...
Calypso (GPV2 #15) is a vivid, orchid purple with warmer, pink undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The pigmentation was opaque in one layer,...
Cola Pop is a rich, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a natural sheen. It was richly pigmented--it's one of the deepest-hued shades in...
Cola Pop is a rich, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a natural sheen. It was richly pigmented--it's one of the deepest-hued shades in...
OFRA Star Island Highlighter ($29.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a bright, pale yellow gold with warm undertones (but doesn't lean orange) paired with a metallic...
OFRA Star Island Highlighter ($29.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a bright, pale yellow gold with warm undertones (but doesn't lean orange) paired with a metallic...
Pat McGrath Subversive Eye Ecstasy Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($28.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a rich, more jewel-toned combination of shades. Two of the shades (Crimson...
Pat McGrath Subversive Eye Ecstasy Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($28.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a rich, more jewel-toned combination of shades. Two of the shades (Crimson...
Giorgio Armani Sandstone (102) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with moderate, warm undertones and a lightly...
Giorgio Armani Sandstone (102) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with moderate, warm undertones and a lightly...
Giorgio Armani Rose Sand (523) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink-coral with warmer undertones and a cream finish. It...
Giorgio Armani Rose Sand (523) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink-coral with warmer undertones and a cream finish. It...
Giorgio Armani Rose Nomad (524) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark plum with moderate, warm undertones and a cream...
Giorgio Armani Rose Nomad (524) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark plum with moderate, warm undertones and a cream...
Just in time for the holiday season, Sonia G. is releasing a "travel" set! It's The Sky Face Set ($270.00) (and yes, an Eye Set is coming in the...
Just in time for the holiday season, Sonia G. is releasing a "travel" set! It's The Sky Face Set ($270.00) (and yes, an Eye Set is coming in the...
YSL Berry Brazen (88) Rouge Pur Couture SPF15 Lipstick ($36.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red-plum with warmer undertones and a cream...
YSL Berry Brazen (88) Rouge Pur Couture SPF15 Lipstick ($36.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red-plum with warmer undertones and a cream...
Giorgio Armani Desert (522) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a muted, rosy brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich...
Giorgio Armani Desert (522) Lip Maestro ($38.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a muted, rosy brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich...
NARS Banned Red Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, rusty brown with warmer undertones and a satin finish. It had rich color coverage that...
NARS Banned Red Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, rusty brown with warmer undertones and a satin finish. It had rich color coverage that...
Benefit Cookie Box o’ Powder Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light, peachy gold with strong, warm yellow-orange undertones and a luminous...
Benefit Cookie Box o’ Powder Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light, peachy gold with strong, warm yellow-orange undertones and a luminous...
NARS Afghan Red Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deeper, reddish-plum with subtle,w arm undertones and a creamy finish. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Afghan Red Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deeper, reddish-plum with subtle,w arm undertones and a creamy finish. It had nearly opaque...
Tom Ford Beauty Maurice Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, reddish-copper with warmer undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It...
Tom Ford Beauty Maurice Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, reddish-copper with warmer undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It...
Pat McGrath Sublime Eye Ecstasy Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($28.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a new, five-pan eyeshadow palette with four metallic shades and one...
Pat McGrath Sublime Eye Ecstasy Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($28.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a new, five-pan eyeshadow palette with four metallic shades and one...
OFRA MarchBeautyWord Highlighter ($29.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a pale, golden beige with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. The pan is...
OFRA MarchBeautyWord Highlighter ($29.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a pale, golden beige with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. The pan is...
What were your favorites from the last month? Any of my Natasha Denona eyeshadows; the ND Mini Bronze & Glow palette I used, literally, every single day for the last couple of months; my Bite Beauty lipsticks but especially Virgo because it’s the most beautiful deepened raspberry in the whole world; the Kaleidos Makeup Futurism palettes I have, the shimmer shades in those palettes are unreal; and Tom Ford Lip Color in Casablanca I used more times this month than I can count. It’s my perfect rosy nude. OH, also, I purchased a couple of Flower Beauty lipsticks, one in the matte formula and one in the cream formula, and they are amazing! I’d like to find a red and maybe a nude that I like in that formula. So inexpensive and such wonderful quality! AND I also got a free little Sigma brush with the Enchanted palette I purchased, and I really love it! It’s perfect for getting into the innermost part of my lid and would also be great for more detailed crease work, and lower lash line work. That was an unexpected surprise.
What didn’t impress you? I purchased the Sigma Enchanted palette last week and I’m unimpressed so far. The sparkly eyeshadows are okay, but definitely need to be applied on top of a glitter glue for full pigmentation (I need to invest in one so maybe I can get more out of the palette). The matte shades, while smooth, just aren’t the kinds of shades I like to put in my crease, so I found myself pulling in other palettes to supplement. I also randomly purchased a Milani Keep It Full Plumping gloss in Rose Bronze… the shade in the tube is so pretty and I like the formula, but I thought it would be more pigmented, like a more pigmented version of the Fenty Beauty Gloss bomb in Fenty Glow, but it’s not. I have pretty pale lips, and I prefer my glosses and nudes to be more pigmented because it makes my lips look a little more full and balances things out with my dark hair.
Did you return anything you purchase? I tried to return the Sigma Enchanted palette, but Neiman Marcus doesn’t accept cosmetic returns.
Or successfully resist temptation? I’ve resisted purchasing the ABH x Jackie Aina palette (though I would really like to purchase it), and the Colourpop x Kathleenlights So Jaded palette. And a slew of other things. I’m trying SO hard to buy less and work with what I have in my collection.
What were your favorites from the last month? Benefit Goof Proof eyebrow pencil and Colourpop Precision Brow gel (used them interchangeably, not together), MAC Love Me lipsticks in Laissez Faire and Hey Frenchie, MAC Brave lipstick, MAC Mineralize Blush in Sweet Enough, Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Amethyst and Burnished Bronze, Lancome Definicils Mascara, and, as always, EL Double Wear Makeup and RCMA No Color Powder.
What didn’t impress you? NARS lipstick in Roman Holiday (I wanted so much to love it, but it looks terrible on me) and Colourpop Lip Tints (the extremely strong scent bothers me and the shades I bought look warmer on me than I expected).
Did you return anything you purchased? Not that I can remember.
Or successfully resist temptation? Colourpop So Jaded palette. I have no need for it, and yet I was still tempted. But I was able to resist!
What were your favorites from the last month? Chanel’s Blurry Grey e/s quad, Marc Jacobs Brav-O! eyeshadow and UD Love Drunk lipstick
What didn’t impress you? Natasha Denona Mini Star palette (the one I ordered by mistake!)
Did you return anything you purchase? the same thing – the ND Mini Star palette; I felt really bad returning it as it was my own mistake
Or successfully resist temptation? I honestly have not been tempted by much at all. The only things I can think of are that large eyeshadow palette by Melt Cosmetics and Dior’s Nude Glow highlighter (I have Pink Glow and it’s really all I need but Nude Glow keeps on tempting me!)
What were your favorites from the last month? That I bought: Besame Sleeping Beauty Collection (I got the eye palette, cheek palette, and lipsticks), CP Lilac You a Lot Palette, SugarPill Fun Size Mini Color Palette, Viseart Dark Edit Eyeshadow Palette, and Pat McGrath Subversive Eye Ecstasy Mini Eyeshadow Palette. That I Didn’t Buy: Urban Decay Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette (I’m planning to buy it).
What didn’t impress you? I like what I bought. That I didn’t buy: Melt Blushlights and Radioactive Pressed Pigment Palette, Natasha Denona Gold Glow Highlight Duo, Pat McGrath Midnight Sun Mothership Eyeshadow Palette (not quality, just the color selection), CP Peach Collection (not quality, just thought it was a bit boring), and Anastasia Norvina Vol. 1 Pro Pigment Palette (the layout!).
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? Clinique Cheek Pop palettes, Hourglass Ghost Ambient Lighting Blush Quad, Pat McGrath Nocturnal Nirvana Blitz Astral Eyeshadow Quad, and Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette.
Rachel, at the risk of being an enabler, can I just suggest that maybe you stop resisting with regard to the Natasha Denona Gold Mini palette. I finally got mine the other day (the one I didn’t want arrived within 24 hours; the one I wanted lolled about in a Canada Post facility for FIVE days!!!). Anyway, it’s a wonderful little palette (dare I say “worth its weight in GOLD?”) and one of those cases where following Oscar Wilde’s advice regarding temptation isn’t a bad idea!
LOL, no worries, Mariella. I actually find your advice helpful. An online friend got me a Sephora friends and family sale code that starts Oct. 5. My husband gave me an early birthday gift card so that I could take advantage of the sale. I’m was considering revisiting Gold Mini, and the fact it has your endorsement goes a long way to sealing the deal.
If you do get it, Rachel, I hope you like it as much as I do. I still need a lighter shade for highlighting/inner corner/inner lid but the shade Legend is a wonderful neutral “blending out” type colour (if you have UD Tyranny, it’s in that sort of “family”) and the matte olive is a much nicer shade that I ever would have thought. If you do get it, I think you’ll enjoy it and you’ve now got 2 incentives – the F&F discount and a gift card from a very smart husband!
Thanks! I did end up ordering it, along with the UD Naked Honey, and a couple lipsticks. I have a little left over on the gift card, which I’m going to save for later use.
Wow – that must have been a pretty generous gift card. I do hope you like the palette, Rachel – I’d feel really bad if you ended up disappointed and only got it because I encouraged you!
I was leaning heavily toward the Mini Gold anyway. If I don’t like it, I can return it. Don’t worry! *smiles*
I picked up the Sublime and Subversive palettes during PMG’s 20% off sale and am so damn happy I did. They’re freaking great and I absolutely love the packaging. They’re just gonna kick around in my travel bag with no worries AND I’ll actually have some really top quality eyeshadow for vacations without worrying about busting an expensive or heavy palette.
Despite my ban on shadow palette purchases I think three or four came home with me last month. Three on sale, one basically for free (thank you ulta points) and I know I purchased another, but can’t recall which one off the top of my head. Successfully avoided buying more lipsticks I think – btw, how horrible is your spending when you can’t remember what you purchased over a month’s time??
What were your favorites from the last month? My Colour Pop lipsticks in LA Lady and Tea Thyme are my lipstick go to favourites, with the Flower Beauty Golden palette.
I also like the L’Oreal Metallic/Chrome eyeshadow singles in Rose Gold and Bronze.
What didn’t impress you? I am pretty impressed with all I have purchased. I was surprised at how easily the Flower beauty palette worked, you just have to be a bit careful of how you use your eye brushes in them because of fallout from a couple of shades, that’s all.
Did you return anything you purchase? No – definitely discouraged here.
Or successfully resist temptation? Yes I have. I walked through Sephora and Mecca Cosmetica the other day and whilst I loved the look of UD Honey, I resisted because of all the orangey/mustard mattes that I wouldn’t use.
What were your favorites from the last month? Melt Gemini, Juvia’s Place Warrior II, Stila Shimmer and Glow in Jezebel, Essence Lash Princess Mascara, Milani Baked Blush in Petal Primavera, Shisedo Color Gel Lip Balm in Juniper and Clinique Pop Splash Lip Gloss in Bonfire
What didn’t impress you? I’ve stuck to things I love
Did you return anything you purchase? No
Or successfully resist temptation? Most Colourpop, Natasha Denona, Pat Mcgrath, Too Faced