Best Beauty Products | August 2017 Report
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of August, 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?
Hourglass My Favorite Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and...
Hourglass My Favorite Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and...
Make Up For Ever 9 Coral Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.02 oz.) is rich, medium-dark pink-coral with warm, golden shimmer. This particular shade was...
Make Up For Ever 9 Coral Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.02 oz.) is rich, medium-dark pink-coral with warm, golden shimmer. This particular shade was...
Bite Beauty Tourne Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick ($24.00 for 0.25 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm, yellow undertones and a creamy...
Bite Beauty Tourne Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick ($24.00 for 0.25 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm, yellow undertones and a creamy...
Make Up For Ever 4 Frozen Green Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.02 oz.) is a cool, pinkish white base with gold-to-green shifting shimmer. The...
Make Up For Ever 4 Frozen Green Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.02 oz.) is a cool, pinkish white base with gold-to-green shifting shimmer. The...
Hourglass I Desire Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely...
Hourglass I Desire Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely...
Make Up For Ever B202 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is light, bubblegum pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had...
Make Up For Ever B202 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is light, bubblegum pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had...
Hourglass Secretly Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had...
Hourglass Secretly Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had...
NARS Louise Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was very...
NARS Louise Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was very...
Make Up For Ever S112 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a soft, golden brown with a semi-matte finish. This would be a contouring shade on...
Make Up For Ever S112 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a soft, golden brown with a semi-matte finish. This would be a contouring shade on...
Dose of Colors Hot Fire Matte Liquid Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a vibrant, medium orange-red with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. ...
Dose of Colors Hot Fire Matte Liquid Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a vibrant, medium orange-red with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. ...
Hourglass I Can't Wait Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark plum with warm, red undertones and a cream finish. ...
Hourglass I Can't Wait Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark plum with warm, red undertones and a cream finish. ...
Hourglass I Live For Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bold, medium-dark orange with warm, red undertones and a cream finish. It had...
Hourglass I Live For Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bold, medium-dark orange with warm, red undertones and a cream finish. It had...
Hourglass I Can't Live Without Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. ...
Hourglass I Can't Live Without Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. ...
Hourglass I Hide My Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a deep, muted berry with subtle, cool undertones and a...
Hourglass I Hide My Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a deep, muted berry with subtle, cool undertones and a...
Hourglass You Can Find Me Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a brighter, medium coral with warm undertones and a...
Hourglass You Can Find Me Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a brighter, medium coral with warm undertones and a...
Hourglass I've Been Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium, plummy brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich, opaque...
Hourglass I've Been Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium, plummy brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich, opaque...
Hourglass When I'm With You Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a dark berry with cool undertones and satin finish. It had good color...
Hourglass When I'm With You Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a dark berry with cool undertones and satin finish. It had good color...
Chanel Memory Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a golden bronze with warm, brown undertones and a pearly sheen. When...
Chanel Memory Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a golden bronze with warm, brown undertones and a pearly sheen. When...
Make Up For Ever B316 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium pinky coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte...
Make Up For Ever B316 Artist Face Color – Blush ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium pinky coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte...
Hourglass I Always Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and a...
Hourglass I Always Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and a...
Coloured Raine Soul Satin Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark taupe with neutral-to-warm undertones and a satin sheen. The color...
Coloured Raine Soul Satin Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark taupe with neutral-to-warm undertones and a satin sheen. The color...
Make Up For Ever B218 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. ...
Make Up For Ever B218 Artist Face Color ($23.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. ...
Hourglass One Time Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had...
Hourglass One Time Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had...
Hourglass At Night Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark, brick red with soft, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly...
Hourglass At Night Confession Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark, brick red with soft, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly...
Hourglass If Only Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a cream finish. ...
Hourglass If Only Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a cream finish. ...
I broke down and got a Pat McGrath trio. Love the formula and the artistic packaging.
I got a 3 Coulored Rainer lipsticks and shadows. Love the shadows, but you’ve got to try hard to mess up a shimmer. I really like the red lipstixk, but the pink and taupe-brown didn’t work for me. My natural color is dark and ashy, which I hate. It tends to really conflict with mid-tone pigmented lipsticks.
Gosh, some pretty ones here:).
Eyeing those Hourglass ones…and Hawt Fiya:)
Faves: CP greens and oranges. Nars fall lips, esp Aya and Louise, and blush. Didn’t impress: the mufe starlits in the colors I liked did not do well. Cannot justify most hourglass stuff at present. Returns: nothing. Temptations resisted: bite liquids, thus far.
What were your favorites from the last month? a bunch of random stuff – Chanel Tisse Rivoli, MAC Red Necessity Huggable Lipstick (I wish they’d bring it BACK), IT Cosmetics powder foundation, MAC Rosy Cheeks blush
What didn’t impress you? Marc Jacobs Edgitorial eyeshadow palette
Did you return anything you purchase? I’m really on the verge of returning Edigtorial
Or successfully resist temptation? I’m wanting both Becca’s new loose powder (the pink one) and the KvD glittery Shade+Light palette but I’m trying to resist both.
What were your favorites from the last month?
Revlon ColorStay Combo/Oily Foundation.
Dior Airflash Spray Foundation.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer and Girl Lip Stylo.
ColourPop Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Singles
What didn’t impress you?
Morphe Jacklyn Hill Palette. I love JH and had high hope for this one. My eyelids didn’t get along with Morphe eye shadows. I’ve only worn it on two separate days. Every time I wore it, my lids felt so dry, tight, and irritated. I had to take break from wearing eye shadows for a few days afterwards. It’s my first Morphe purchase and my last.
Loves: Bite beauty purée. Am trying to resist the shade expansions though, at least until the fall sale.
Resisted: The desixkaty collection! Hot fire looks lovely, and I was sorely tempted by Harpoon but (for once) didn’t want to get a whole palette for one shade.
1. What were your favorites from the last month? The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%; LORAC Santa Monica Palette; H&M True Matte Finishing Powder; Caudalie Rose de Vigne Hand Cream
2. What didn’t impress you? Rosebud Co. Ambrosia Lip Balm. Smells yummy but has a thin, greasy feel and isn’t all that hydrating. Probably won’t return it though as I bought it when I was in Hawaii so the scent reminds me of my trip.
3. Did you return anything you purchase? Didn’t return anything.
4. Or successfully resist temptation? Resisted buying the new LM Fusion Foundation. It has amazing coverage, but the finish is just a tad too matte.
What were your favorites from the last month?
The combination of Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer and Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. See next question for details…
What didn’t impress you?
Smashbox concealers. Concealers always congeal on me after a couple of hours. I’ve tried so many, both drugstore and high end, including the cult favorite Tarte Shape Tape. I’ve tried them with different primers. Still, they always congeal. I recently went to a special Smashbox event at Ulta to get an opinion from one of their MUAs. She tried a different concealer under each eye. A couple hours later they both congealed. Of course they did. Thankfully, I didn’t buy either of them, but she had talked me into buying the Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer. After the concealers failed, I thought about returning the primer, but the story has a happy ending. Although the Smashbox concealers were a bust, the Smashbox primer was a hit when paired with Tarte Shape Tape!
Did you return anything you purchase?
Yes, I allowed myself to be talked into buying a KvD lip liner at Sephora. I brought it home, looked it up on Temptalia, and saw that it had a dismal D rating, and returned it without even opening it. (Why do I buy things without checking the reviews first?)
Or successfully resist temptation?
I resisted the temptation to buy another Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick (Pepper, in case you’re wondering). I somehow managed to convince myself that I already have too many similar colors (which is true, but I seem to forget this fact every time I’m in a store face-to-face with a new gorgeous dusty mauve shade).
Tarte shape tape seems amazingly opaque! I only swatched it, but I really want it for my undereyes
In tutorials, they usually put gobs of concealer under their eyes and blend it out. But with the thickness and opaqueness of Shape Tape, I find that just a few small dots are all I need to get full coverage that looks natural, not cakey.
What were your favorites from the last month?
UD Vice in the new Backseat color. It may be my favorite lipstick EVER. Really like Hideaway too. All the Lorac LA palettes but especially Santa Monica and Malibu. Ulta lip primer. UD Shapeshifter (super late on that one I know!). Redeem Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame. L’Oreal Serie Expert Color 10 in 1.
What didn’t impress you?
Naked Heat. Shades are just too similar to each other. Too Faced Hangover 3 in 1 Spray (but I love the Hangover cream).
Did you return anything you purchase?
Naked Heat. I would have kept it even though I wanted more contrast between the shades but I had a horrible eye reaction to something in it.
Or successfully resist temptation?
No, I bought ALL THE THINGS in August. The birthday month and platinum day combination was bad. So so bad.
*Redken* Frizz Dismiss…
What were your favorites from the last month?
I went to Marshall’s and happened to find an amazing sale. My favorite from that haul was Bite Beauty “Tannin” for $7! It’s such a classic red, and I think Bite is the best lipstick company on your website, so I’m sure you understand how cool that was! I also got Tarte’s Twinkle 2 palette for half off. I had only owned a couple highlighters, but I think that palette has it all and looks really natural. It also smells great, like coconut! But there are so many good sales for the end of summer that I’m low on cash, haha.
Surprisingly, I also got some Maybelline mono eyeshadows from Target for $1.50, and they’re really creamy and pigmented. They remind me of Urban Decay, which is saying a lot, because I love UD.
Lastly, I got a Golden Rose highlighter stick that’s great. That company really impresses me. It’s made in Turkey and mostly found in Europe.
What didn’t impress you?
I noticed that Maybelline came out with the Matte Metallics collection. After the great Loaded Bolds collection, I thought they’d be just as good. Sadly, a lot of them had a C rating on your site.
I also went to Ulta to try out Makeup Revolution highlighters. A lot of them didn’t impress me. In fact, I swatched several of their eyeshadow palettes as well, and they were powdery and unpigmented. Namely “Mermaids are Real.”
Did you return anything you purchase?
No, I try to avoid duds by swatching beforehand.
Or successfully resist temptation?
I resisted a lot of temptation! I only bought one lipstick in August, haha. (But I’ve got boxfuls…)
What were your favorites from the last month? That I bought: NARS Blissful; ABH Matte Lipsticks (Smoke, Griffin, Resin), ColouredRaine Queen of Hearts Palette, and Wet n Wild Midnight Mermaid Collection Box (especially the highlighter).
What didn’t impress you? MAC Personality Palettes; New Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? ColourPop palettes; BH Cosmetics Take Me Back to Brazil and Solar Flare Palettes
How are the Wet n Wild metallic eyeshadows from the mermaid bo? Are they good? What about the metallic catsuit lipsticks?
I really like the metallic eyeshadows. they are bit sheer, but I use two layers if I want them more opaque. I just use them on the mobile lid. They dry down quickly and last really well. I haven’t had any issues with creasing or flaking.
The Catsuit lipsticks are fantastic! Very opaque and metallic. Comfortable to wear and notdry at all. They dry down with very little transfer. (Note: I hear the Halloween LE ones are not the same formula and not as opaque.)
1. Pat McGrath bright lip stick trio impressed me the most this month.
2.DesiXKaty Hot Fire and More Creamer Please lip sticks disappointed me. The liquid lipstick didn’t last more than a couple hours and it wore off unevenly. The color of the nude lip stick looked horrible on me. I tried lining my lips, adding other colors too it but alas I couldn’t make it work.
3. Returned the Kat Von D Glitter palette. Too much fallout and the colors didn’t wow me
4. I was close to buying the Hourglass blush palette but resisted until I read some reviews on it first. Especially after you mentioned it’s small for the money. But Hourglass blushes are one of my favorites. Had been looking forward to the holiday palette .
Favorites: ABH Subculture Palette. Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadows in Wattles, Weenie and Sailor. Wet n Wild Mermaid Highlighting Bar in Midnight Moon. ABH Pink Champagne Eyeshadow. Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Translucent Pressed Powder. Smashbox Bronze Lights Bronzer in Suntan Matte. Lancome Blush Subtil in Miel Glace. Lancome Juicy Shaker Bi-phase Lip Oil in Top Gum. Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Nude. Bare Minerals Matte Foundation.
What Didn’t Impress : Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. Meh. I had to search for a better setting powder and I’m so happy to have found the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Translucent Pressed Powder. Like is much better! Also Marc Jacobs Blacquer Gel Highliner Eyeliner for tightlining the upper waterline. Just have to layer and layer and tug and tug to get any to stay on. Transfers a bit too. Not a fan:(
Return Anything : I don’t usually return things. I may exchange if I got the wrong color but I cannot think of anything I didn’t like so much I returned it. Usually I find products just meh over truly terrible and usually like what I buy. I have drive an hour to return things if they are from more than Walgreens and Walmart so I tend to really ponder what I buy since I’m not driving that far to return a lipstick!
Resist Temptation : I haven’t resisted too much but there hasn’t been too much I’ve been interested in actually. Glad I’m not aware of most of what is hocked online and Sephora/Ulta in store has been pretty underwhelming!