Free for Haul Friday, Volume #388
Share your recent beauty purchases or rediscovered favorites in your stash (for those on low/no-buys!), chit chat about weekend plans, and learn a little more about each other!
Let's Chat!
Share your own answers in the comments!
- Haul: Nothing’s arrived yet, but KL Polish spring collection, a few of the Kat Von D lip liners, drawer organizations from the Container Store (for makeup, so it counts!)
- Weekend plans: The usual blog stuff, and then Easter brunch at a local restaurant.
- Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: Occasionally, absolutely! I don’t think I’d enjoy it if it was all the time.
This week's mellan photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Haul: Nothing this week!
Weekend plans: The painters finally finished up yesterday and the weather is turning warm… time for SPRING CLEANING!
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: Yes! Although I don’t often, so I always stress about what to wear. But I still enjoy it, and I like getting to do a little “extra” makeup for those occasions as well.
Good luck getting through spring cleaning!!
Hi Mellan! Can I snuggle up with you? 🙂
Haul:
Got a few things this week I’m quite happy with.
MAC Desert Rose Blush . Oldie but goodie. MAC’s description of this as a “soft, reddish burgundy” is so off and off-putting. It’s a lovely, lovely flush. It really lasts all day too. Glad I got it.
Chickuhodo Takumi Series T-6 Large Eye Shadow Brush. Had my eye on this for a while, and Tammy’s good review here tipped the scales. I love it. Just what I wanted. It works beautifully, and feels wonderful. It is a large shadow brush, but it works so well and easily I recommend it.
Chikuhodo GSN-11 Shadow/Liner. I have the Chikuhodo R-SL1 Shadow Liner brush, and that teeny-tiny powerhouse is one of my favorites. The GSN-11 is good, and I like it, but I prefer the other that is a bit stiffer. Both have their place. I would have had to order the R-SL1 from Japan, and I didn’t feel like waiting. The GSN-11 will do just fine.
Marc Jacob’s Re(marc)able Foundation. Gave this a try, and after being burned a few times with other foundations, I was super skeptical. I love it. I like EL Double Wear a ton too, but the shades on my winter skin were just off enough to be annoying. The MJ is a much better match. I use my fingers to apply (my brushes and Beauty Blender just don’t work as well with this product). The finish with my fingers is really, really nice. The coverage is excellent, yet light on the skin. It takes some practice, but once you dial in the application, it’s beautiful. I also like that it’s not tested on animals.
AB Brow Wiz. Picked up two for inventory during the Ulta sale.
Weekend: Swims, finishing taxes, a rally in Boston on Saturday, and Easter dinner with most of my boys and their GFs on Sunday.
Formal Dress: Oh yes, I love to get dressed up. But I will say, if it’s too often it is a drag. I once had a job where formal dress happened a lot for openings and fundraisers. Ugh, it became a chore. But now to get gussied up for something special — very fun!
I think I’ve tried Re(marc)able a dozen or more times and still loathe it every time I apply, LOL! I have yet to find the right application for my skin type.
Christine,
I can totally see that, and I bet the application is tricky for most women. It’s interesting how my EL works so well with brush application, yet this one does not.
Glad you like the T-6. I use it everyday after I have all my colors on the lid to intensity and finish the look. It is so amazingly soft that I went ahead and ordered the T-1 powder brush (along with a few other brushes) at Visage this morning. I just couldn’t resist the 18% off promotion for April.
I bought the R-SL1 based on your recommendation. I’ve used it a couple times now to put eyeshadow close the the lashline. I honestly don’t know what else to do with it. I love Wayne Goss’s 08 for tightlining, but wanted to see if the R-SL1 was better. What all do you use it for, Linda?
Hi Tammy!
That’s essentially what I use the R-SL1 for. Until that one, I’ve never owned a brush that lets me get so close to the lash line with shadows. I like my shadows close, close. I also use it to intensify the outer V when I want to do that. I use it always to connect the outer V on the upper with the outer corner of the lower lash line and deepen that area too. Can’t do a whole eye look with it that’s for sure, but I like it a lot for it’s precision.
Mellan <3
Haul:
Beautylish: Inglot Cosmetics Duraline, Jeffree Star x Manny MUA Skin Frost Eclipse
Fragrance.net (35% off): Hermes Le Jardin de Monsieur Li EDT 3.3 oz. I was going to buy this during the Sephora sale, but it was much much cheaper on this site for double the size!
LORAC (Pre-Order): Pirates of the Caribbean PRO Eye Shadow Palette, Mod Lip Cream Duo (Risk It All), Pirates of the Caribbean Dual Ended Brush (GWP)
MAC (In-store): Wipes (2), Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation (NW20), Extra Dimension Blush (Cheeky Bits)
Origins (In-store): Warm Down™ Warming Lava Scrub to Detox and Smooth, Ginger (Essence Sensuous Skin Scent, Float Cream Bubble Bath, Bar Savory Bath Soap, Burst Savory Body Wash), A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea, Plantscription (Powerful Lifting Concentrate, Powerful Lifting Overnight Mask)
Origins (Free – Rewards Order): Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum, A Perfect World Age-Defense Skin Guardian with White Tea, Cosmetic bag. I really wanted the APW serum since the SA in the store gave me a sample – works wonders on the nails/cuticles!
Sephora: Sephora Collection Brush Meets Comb Hair Brush Cleaner, Dior Poison Girl (reward), Dior Hydra Life Micellar Water (reward), Samples of: Wildfox Wildfox EDP, Hermes Le Jardin de Monsieur Li, Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. I really just placed the order so I could get the rewards and samples.
Tarte (10% off): Color Splash Hydrating Lipstick (Popsicle, Escape, Salt Lyfe), Lip Facial Lip Scrub
Ulta (20% off plus $20.50 off in rewards): Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick (Emerald City, Monaco, Versailles), Neutrogena Fast Absorbing Hand Cream (2), Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit (2NNA Pescara Black, 2), Anna Martina Franco Peony Pencils, Brushes & Stuff Cup, Origins (Plantscription Anti-Aging Cleanser, A Perfect World Cleanser), Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss (Moonshine, Mermaid), Butter London Renew Pantone Color of the Year 2017 Collection. Kind of weird – the order shipping from TX for the first time so I won't have it until next Thursday 🙁
Vincent Longo (30% off): Original Trio Eyeshadow (Charm Splendor), Wet Pearl Lipstick (Wet Kitty), Meta Gloss Lip Gloss (Verona)
White Sands Haircare (20% off): ER Fusion, Smudge Texture Cream
Weekend plans: Not sure. May or may not go to Lord & Taylor. I have a pair of shoes I need to return/exchange. It's a bit of a drive so I may wait until my bff is free to ride along.
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: It's been years since I've had to dress up for anything. But yes, I used to. Maybe not so much dressing up but rather the event(s) I would be attending.
Ooh, let me know how the Origins lava scrub is! That sounds really cool 🙂
OMg Christine – It’s amazing! My bff bought it too (it was on our girls weekend) and she called me this morning and said “it is the most amazing thing ever!” It’s a lovely, moisturizing exfoliator but it also warms in contact with water. So any aches/joint issues, it feels amazing on and it also feels amazing using it for a mani/pedi (great for tired feet). If you have an Origins store near you, they are really good about giving samples (and also demonstrating the products on you since they have spa-like sinks).
Thank you so much for the insight, as always, Michele!
Lava Scrub is now on my list!
I’ve always liked Vincent Longo lipsticks. Used to be able to buy them on the floor at Sephora is my recollection. They’ve fallen off my radar. Let us know how you like what you picked up. 🙂
They were some of my first higher end lipsticks. I don’t remember them at Sephora but I bought them at beauty.com I believe 🙂
Linda, the VL items are all very, very good. I’ll be posting the swatches over the next few days. VL typically does 30% off often. If you’re interested, keep an eye out for the codes.
HAUL: Two more NARS Harwired shadows (Earthshine and Outer Limits) to add to my Stud and Pygar. I’m pretty enamored with this formula, I hope they release more! Stud is the best item I’ve bought in a long time. The finish reminds me of the glitter shades in TF or CT quads, but you can actually apply these with a brush and if I use a primer there’s no fallout.
WEEKEND: all you can eat sushi. And brunch! I can taste the mimosa now.
I love dressing up!
The Hardwired formula is very nice! I agree that NARS should release more of them.
You reminded me I have to pull out my Hardwired shadows, Ginny. I bought all but Earthshine during the fall Sephora VIB sale (only because it was out of stock, lol) and I haven’t given them enough love. I bet Earthshine is perfect for spring!
Still available on Nars’ site if you’re interested! I really like it, it’s a very wearable pink for I think absolutely anyone. A bit sheer (behaves just like Outer Limits) but the sparkles make up for it.
How do you wear it, Ginny?
Mostly just on its own! I blend it right up into the crease and then line with MAC Prunella. But any dark liner would do or a sharp liquid wing would be nice too.
Mellan enjoying fun in the sun!
*Haul – ColourPop Pressed shadows – In the News (matte coral peach), and backup of Stay Golden (matte red). I’m really liking many of their mattes, nice quality, unique colors
*Update – I’ve worn 4 shades from the Tarte Make Believe palette, and they are hold up fine with primer, so very pleased.
*Weekend – rest and relax, sort & organize makeup
*Nope, hate dressing up, would rather be comfy and casual
Happy to hear the Tarte palette is working out for you, Katherine!
Haul: Two rather disappointing “Highlighter” products with Hard Candy Sheer Envy Prismatic Highlighter Iridescent Pearl Powder and Essence Strobing Highlighter in 10 Let It Glow last weekend…. I had to review them right away to get them out there as no-gos.
On to better news, I was able to repress my NYX Duo Chromatic powders and they are behaving like their shattered selves.
Weekend plans: Work and sewing! If everything goes right I might have happy news next friday before taking the bus to Costume-Con. lol
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: Sure but not as an everyday thing, too much work. lol
Oh no! Disappointing? Booo 🙁
When you put the word STROBE in the name I’m not expecting a finishing powder that is a satin finish. lol
Haul: I got three of the new Chanel Rouge Coco Glosses in Tendresse, Amous Bouche, and Noce Moscata. They are so pretty and have such a nice feel to them, but unfortunately, every one of them feathered. I tried using the MAC Prep & Prime lip, several anti-feathering liners, Estee’s Doublewear Liner, and even put them as a topper on my multiple lipsticks, including matte formulas, but I could not get them to stay on my lips. I wear gloss everyday and so I’ve found several formulas that work for me. But Chanel’s Rouge Coco did not. So sad.
I also picked up Jouer’s Gardenia, Jasmine and Honey Suckle body cream. I’ve been having a moment with scented body lotions, so this is like one of four I’ve picked up in the last month. It’s nice and spring-like. I also bought the whole line of Bath and Body Work’s Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint: The candle, bar soap, hand soap, body cream, body lotion, and massage oil. A coworker won this in a gift basket, and I have been obsessed ever since. I normally don’t like anything from Bath and Body Works, but seriously, you have to smell this. It doesn’t smell like eucalyptus or spearmint (I dislike both of those). I don’t know what’s in it but I want it smell it everywhere in my house and on my body.
Weekend plans: We are smoking pork roast today and will serve it with brown rice and homemade ranch dressing. We are gearing up for Easter dinner, which will be Chicken Divan, some kind of rice dish, and fresh strawberries with strawberry dip (a mix of cream cheese and Marshmallow Cream). I get to see all my grandchildren, and hold my little Fox, who will be four weeks old on Sunday. I am taking Monday off as well for my own mental health, so I am looking forward to a long weekend.
I love getting dressed up and I equally enjoy putting together casual outfits. I dress nicely for my job, and I swear make up and clothes are half the reason I enjoy getting up everyday!
Enjoy your Easter dinner with family, Tammy! It sounds like you have a great one planned 🙂
Tammy, I can really relate to your last sentence! I teach and often my clothes take a beating. There are days when I wear stuff I know can stand up to it (hauling huge bags of flour from the wholesalers, for example, or covering classes in the art/photography department) but in general, I tend to try to dress well (lots of teachers these days dress pretty casually, bordering on sloppy/not caring, which I can understand in woodworking or auto-shop teachers, etc. but in other areas??? And I always wear makeup….probably my fave part of getting ready in the morning, even if it’s a “no makeup look” makeup day.
So true! I was told by a fellow teacher she makes it a point to not wear her nice things bc she’s afraid of it getting ruined. I get that. I literally had a kiddo take a paint brush and run it across my sweater. Luckily the red paint came out lol. I just feel if I don’t wear my cute things I never will. I dress casual but nice at the same time and makeup every day. Presentable but comfortable. Why buy it if you cannot wear it right?
I agree Mariella, some teachers do wear sloppy clothing even over here. When I was teaching (even Kindergarten) I would always ‘dress up’ and from the comments of kids, they appreciated that I made the effort. Although when it was my yard duty day on the Oval in winter (windswept and freezing) I would dress for comfort and warmth.
When I used to teach in elementary, I made myself a bunch of butcher-style aprons but in very kid friendly prints (bright crayons, cartoon-type kids, seasonal ones for Halloween, Winter, etc.) and I’m put those over my clothes.
Don’t you get Easter Monday off? Here in Aus, we get Good Friday, as well as Easter Monday off too. I would be taking the day off to recover as well Tammy.
Hasn’t the time flown when your littlest bubba is a month old already. I am sure he is a little cutie.
I wish! I work at a hospital, we are open 24 hours a day everyday, and we get very few holidays.
Hi Genevieve, to my knowledge, there is no concept of Easter Monday in the US. Good Friday is an elective day off where I am in the midwest. Canada, where I’m from, has Easter Monday but not everyone gets it off, though many do have the 4 day weekend. (I miss that.) Perhaps it’s a Commonwealth holiday/ Easter tradition.
Yup, in the “Great White North” some folks get it but many do not. Schools have Monday off, as do government employees (when my hubby was with the City, he got it off; now he’s in a private firm and he’s working; I am off today and on my way to the gym, having just got in from the grocery store, where it’s an ordinary work day for those folks)
No, here in the US most places don’t give Good Friday off, nor the following Monday, unfortunately. We don’t even use the term “Easter Monday.”
How awful that you don’t get Good Friday and Easter Monday off! In fact, we use to have an Easter Tuesday as well, until a couple of decades ago when the State Government decided it was a luxury.
Interesting – here, Good Friday is almost as somber as Easter Sunday – almost everything is closed. I think it’s nice that people – almost all people – can look forward to an additional day off, whether it’s for worship, family time or just to recharge their own batteries.
Good Friday is very sombre compared to Easter Sunday. All the shops, supermarkets and even McDonald’s are closed, whereas on Easter Sunday some shops are open after a certain time.
It sure would be nice to have had Monday off when the kids were little. Grownups need a chance to catch up on sleep after staying up late filling Easter baskets.
I hope you had a great Easter holiday! Ours was very low-key, but nice.
I think all the workers of the world need a few extra days to catch up!
We had a great Easter with our grand children and family. It’s quite different when you have really little ones around.
I am glad you had a relaxing time Rachel.
Haul: Shea Moisture Coconut Oil Face Lotion, TheBalm Manizer Sisters palette, Rimmel Indian Pink lip liner
Weekend plans: Easter Sunday!! Church & cooking a nice big family dinner: traditional Easter Korean BBQ lol
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: I think I enjoy it whenever I do if I don’t feel too bad about how I look. Of course makeup is my favorite part ?
Ooh! The Manizer Sisters palette!!
LOL, what goes into a traditional Easter Korean BBQ? 😉 Of all things we miss from California, Korean food is one of them!
Yes I am quite excited about The Manizer Sisters palette. I had full-size Mary & Betty a million years ago when they were available at TJ Maxx for nearly half price, but I gave them away because that’s when I knew none things and thought highlighter was pointless. In fact, I think an ancient comment I’ve left on Temptalia said that exact thing! Ha! I’m glad to have them back in my collection.
LOL well Christine a super traditional Easter Korean BBQ consists of bulgogi (sweet marinaded thinly sliced beef), dwaejibulgogi (sweet & spicy marinaded thinly sliced pork), kimchi bucheengae (spicy cabbage pancakes), mandoo (Korean dumplings), and a plethora of random sidedishes.
I’m so glad you like Korean food! No good Korean places in AZ?
Haha! 😉 I’m a huge fan of bulgogi and my husband like bibimbap. I think there are a few places in Phoenix and surrounding areas, but they’re 30+ minutes away from us – it seems quite underrepresented here, though!
My partner just tried the Trader Joe’s frozen bibimbap and approved… although he said it is snack-size, the flavors were good! If you have Trader Joe’s there…
Thank you for the heads up! We do have Trader Joe’s 🙂
Haul: nothing
Weekend Plans: dressing up as Moana for a kid’s birthday party tomorrow and Easter church activities on sunday
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: I love dressing up but I work in the tech industry so it’s jeans for me M-F so I try to wear dresses on the weekends and putting in more effort 🙂
Ooh, how fun it will be to dress up as Moana! What a great movie 🙂
Haul: 2x trios from Kiko; haven’t tried them yet but I am impressed at the packaging for its price point. It doesn’t have the cheap easily cracked plastic of US drugstore makeup items nor does it have the cardboard packaging of mid-range US brands. It’s an Italian brand but I notice that my Korean eye shadows are packaged well too even though their price point is lower than US brands–I wonder if it’s because European/Asian brands put more effort into their packaging in general.
Weekend plans: dinner with a friend I haven’t seen in awhile at a 4 diamond restaurant in Virginia Beach.
I love getting dressed up! I get dressed up for dinner all the time, even if the restaurant isn’t fancy.
I forgot to add for this weekend, I’ll be playing with my tarte Make Believe in Yourself palette some more!
Kiko has some great products from what I’ve tried (admittedly, not much)!
Haul: Glamour Dolls x Lisa Frank blush brush.
Also getting ready for the Sephora spring sale so I can order right away to make sure it arrives before we move (2 weeks!!!), right now on my possible to-buy list are a couple KvD lip liners, Herbivore blue tansy mask, Korres “Greek goddess to glow” travel set, Korres sleeping facial cream (I haven’t decided between the greek yoghurt and the wild rose yet), Klorane desert date hair mask, and Tarte rainforest of the sea foundation.
Weekend Plans: Work on the kitchen. Clean the windows and make note of any chipped/cracked window panes so I can order glass on Monday – our original 1970’s windows have REAL muntins, so every window is 8-12 small panes of glass, and the glass needs to be custom ordered.
Do you like getting formally dressed up? Yes I love it! Honestly if it wasn’t prohibitively expensive I’d wear custom Edwardian style dresses every day (with a few Victorian dresses for extra formal occasions).
So close to moving day, Alice! I am excited for you 🙂
Haul: two eyeshadow crayons – Bad Girl Bronze from Rimmel and She’s Got the Mauve from Essence (I couldn’t believe that such an inexpensive product could be THIS good) and another Smashbox Legendary Be Legendary lipstick (I love this shade so much)
Plans: much depends on if my younger son is able to make it home at all this weekend. Sunday, the family (those who are in town) will be going up to my mother in law’s for dessert (I’m making a gluten free strawberry crumble and a Citron Tarte). I want to try getting to the garden centre tomorrow.
Dressing up: now so much nowadays. Since my knee surgery, heels are more and more out of the question (I applauded the “return of the kitten heel” that never actually seemed to happen!) but once in a while, I do enjoy it though I have to say, I prefer more casual functions and wearing more comfortable clothing.
I got rid of almost all of my stilettos and other sky-high heels because I would never wear them. I prefer kitten heels, flats, or shorter wedges myself.
Essence makes some great products!
Haul: Nothing grand, just a few Mac lip Glosses. The NYC Makeup Show is coming up so I try and stock up then!
Weekend: Getting ready for Easter brunch and egg hunt at our house on Sunday. So lots of cleaning, cooking, baking and chasing after our 3 yr old. Oh, trying to find something to wear on Easter!
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally: I have a love hate relationship with it. If the event is on a day where I’m having a feeling confident day than I love it! It also normally means that the hubby and I actually get to go out alone so that’s a plus. If I’m not having a feeling confident day then I feel like I end up putting so much unnecessary effort to make myself “look better” that I end up feeling rushed and not enjoying the fun of getting glammed up.
Which MAC glosses, Jennifer?
Have fun at the egg hunt!!
Thank you!! Cultured 2 of them and C-thru all on sale!
I just returned to the U.S. to a glorious haul of highlighters, eyeshadows, lip products, and skincare, and thought “WHOA, TIGER, YOU BETTER STOP, DROP, AND ROLL BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING ELSE!”
Then I ordered TWO Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip and Liner sets at the $30 sale price…one to give, and one to keep some/gift some. I was scared it would sell out before the upcoming 15% VIB sale, so I had to act now! I also started thinking about possible acquisitions during that sale…
Sigh.
Seriously, though, I have hundreds of shadows, several foundation formulations, tons of lip products, etc., and these things have expiration dates!
I did refrigerate my lipsticks and foundations back in The Netherlands in case it gets too hot in the house while I’m gone (people typically don’t have AC there, and it can get balmy at times!). If anyone has good tips for prolonging the lifespan of makeup, please let me know!
Anyway, the stuff I got all looks GORGEOUS. The Makeup Geek highlighters in Daybreak and Glitz made me gasp upon swatching! The UD Smoked palette produced super-pigmented swatches with just one light sweep of the shadow. The UD Electric Palette got me excited to explore some spring looks! Meanwhile, the eight Makeup Geek eyeshadows are going to add so much versatility to my neutral eye looks.
NOTE: If you ever see a damaged item on Makeup Geek’s sale page, don’t hesitate to pick it up! I barely saw anything wrong with mine, besides maybe a very slight smudge, and I grabbed a highlighter for $9 (reg $20) and the eyeshadows for $3 each (reg $6). Check the sale page regularly for them!
I can’t wait to give Bite lip products another try (my lips are in better shape now thanks in part to the agave lip mask, so I expect better results with the lipsticks than I had the first time around). The two UD Revolution lipsticks are great for sheer nude looks, and Shadowheart gloss is more stunning than I anticipated. I’m hoping the RCMA No-color Powder will do the trick as a setting powder, and that the UD Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in pink will work nicely with my Sephora Color Corrector in peach for the under eye. I expect I’ll love my skincare products from The Ordinary, and I’m curious to try Hylamide Photography Foundation on a day when I expect pictures will be taken with friends.
I don’t even know if I covered it all…but let’s just say, it was A LOT!
Refrigerating your creams/liquids can extend the life of them!
I love the Makeup Geek highlighters – one of the best formulas!
I’m so impressed with them! I didn’t want to mess up the beautiful pattern, but once I saw them in all their shimmering, luminous glory, I couldn’t wait to use them!!
Thanks for the heads-up on the Give Me Some Bold Lip sets. I wanted to buy one at full price so half off made it even better. I grabbed two on the website yesterday.
So glad it helped! I had also looked at it when it was $60, so seeing it for $30 felt like a good buy! I don’t think I’ll use all of it, but I can always gift some items. So many products to try out for the price, and while I’m not crazy about the color selection (I feel like there could have been a bit of a wider range), it’s a great chance to try different formulas.
What a sweet photo!
Weekend plans staying home husband is working on Easter.
My Haul: Just received a chickuhodo Z 1 brush from a Japanese site for $31.00 less than it sells for at Beautylish with free shipping. I have my third Suqqu Cheek brush coming unfortunately I had to order it from Ichibankao because Selfridges is always out of stock & it ends up being more expensive through Ichibankao. I purchased By Terry Sun Designer Palette 2 Light & Tan Vibes I wanted to wait till it went on sale but Beautylish is the only site that still sells the #2 palette so I thought I better get it while I can. I received Sun Designer Palette 4 Savannah Love from a friend who received two in error so she gave me one but I have yet to try it out. I also purchased Burberry’s Fresh Glow Highlighter in #4 Rose Gold.
Do I like Getting Dressed up Formally: I use to “On Occasion” usually a beautiful dress with heels but now that I am older I really would not look forward to it even though I still love shopping for beautiful boots, shoes and clothes it is more for dress up casual wear not Formal wear.
Nice price on the Chikuhodo Z1 brush, Maria! How often do you wash/clean your SUQQU Cheek brush?
Probably too much. I like to use clean brushes. So the most I will use any brush is two to three times. That’s why even though I have a lot of natural hair brushes I use the synthetic ones more often because I tend to over wash. I do hang them upside down after washing.
I’m the same way, Maria! I wash mine very regularly as I really prefer them clean than just wiped off :/
Mellan, you’re living the life, as you should be! Pampered pooch, you! ❤?❤
Haul: Estee Lauder Naked Truth! Looks beautiful WITHOUT store lighting. Also exchanged that tube of Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation for Lancôme Teint Idole Foundation in N360. What an incredible difference! No more pooling into pores or deeper expression lines.
Weekend plans: We have a 1 day Assembly in Casa Grande on Saturday. So I gotta do my hair today, I suppose. On Sunday, REST!
Do you like getting dressed up? Sometimes! I was quite dolled up when I attended a very special event this past Tuesday. I wore a floor length deep teal-green dress with gunmetal bead detailing on the neckline. Did a smokey teal duochrome eye with Buxom Twilight Trust and Room Service, some MAC Haux to blend out the upper edges, and EL Naked Truth on my lips. Felt pretty!
YAYYYY for non-store lighting proving the greatness that is Naked Truth 😉
Ikr?!? Nordstrom’s and NM have the absolute worst lighting of dept. stores! Plus, forgot to mention, EL had a major GWP that they gave me. It has a full-size tube of Irresistible in it!
Wait…Naked Truth doesn’t look good in store lighting? I couldn’t wait to try this and when I did, it didn’t show up at all. Maybe I need to see it outside?
Tammy, it looked completely different outdoors! Whereas, inside Nordstrom’s, it looked like nothingness on my lips. I will say, it does appear lighter on me than on Christine, however the gorgeous golden shimmer infused peachy-pink shows up beautifully! I have a feeling you may love it if you get to see it on yourself outside of the store!
Haul: I spent the last week in America, and I went a LITTLE overboard for me. So EEEEP!
I got:
Sephora Sun Safety kit – LOVE. I’m adoring this so far!!
Wet n Wild – Precious Petals Highlighting powder, Photo Focus Concealer, Velvet Matte Lip Colour, Foundation Buffing Brush, Eye Shadow Blending Brush.
Ardelle – I got some Demi Whispies!
Ulta – Tarte Shape Tape (Which I am in LOVE with!!!!) and Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette (Which I’v been DYING for since it came out. And it’s totally as good as I pictured!!)
Weekend Plans: I’m spending Saturday with my Mum’s family for Easter, and we’re going to a TON of food and I’ll get to see my cousin!!! So I’m very excited and happy!!
Do I like getting dressed up: Yep!! Im a public speaker/activist. And I’m relatively young for my job, so I dress up in a blouse, dress pants/pencil skirt and a blazer for most of my shows. I feel more confident, which will show to others. And It stops competitors from telling me I’m a little kid!
Hope you enjoyed your visit to America, Shannon! 🙂 The Sun Safety Kit is such a cool thing Sephora does!
Awwww Mellan: you steal my heart every time.
Haul = jack (holding off for sale)
Plans = work (what else is new)
Formal = used to, but now I hate it and I find it more stressful than joyful. I’m usually dressed quite well to go out anywhere. I’m a denim girl at heart. It’s my favourite to dress up or down.
I’m all about a good pair of jeans, too 😉
This week I took advantage of Ulta’s five point bonus on Urban Decay and a Platinum 20% off coupon and got eyeshadows in mushroom and fireball, 24/7 liner in mushroom and 2 Vice lipsticks in Rush and Sancho. I’m in my late 50s and rediscovering makeup but my main focus has been on skincare so it’s really fun to get some new color cosmetics. I also picked up a set of RT eyeshadow brushes and those holographic toothbrush shaped m/u brushes from Walmart. My weekend plans include a big get together with lots of friends old and new at a fun venue in another state. It’s kind of dressy so I’m looking forward to dressing up and playing with makeup 🙂 have a good weekend everyone
I love Mushroom as an eyeliner, as it goes with so many things! 🙂 Enjoy your new goodies, Rosarita!
Oh Mellan, the pampered pet! I have to admit that I have become a little addicted to two live feeds on You Tube that were doing “baby” watches. One is a giraffe named April and the others were two feral cats that this woman has brought into her home to assist them until they have their kittens and then she will have them spayed and will try and socialize them but if they won’t then she will release back to their feral colony. Anyway, really addicting. Both momma kitties had their babies but the giraffe is still pacing.
Haul: Cle de Peau Fluid Foundation in B10, concealer in Ivory, cream blushes in 2 Pale Fig and 3 Persimmon, 2 of the Luminizing Face Enhancer in Pastel and Pink and a ton of skin care testers that they SA through in for me to try. Nordstrom’s has a gift with purchase of greater than $350 dollars next week ending on Wednesday so I am trying several of the testers to see if I want to purchase anything during the give away. The SA must have used $150 dollars worth of the eye cream on my face before color matching me for the foundation. He had given me testers of the foundation two weeks ago in Ivory10 but after seeing me again he changed it to B10 saying I was more cool toned than he thought! I was so thankful that I told him that I thought he was wrong and the Ivory shade was too neutral for me. I would have been unhappy with it had I gone with his first assessment.
Stila cream blush in Rosewater. Freeman masks in the Brightening formula, Tatcha Camellia Oil first cleanse which is a repurchase for me. I also picked up the Becca loose setting powder but returned it right away as it was way too orange for me.
Weekend Plans: Easter with family. My 88 year old aunt is cooking for all of us at her house. Looking forward to seeing family I haven’t seen in a while.
Dressing Up: I love dressing up. I don’t have much reason to anymore but that still enjoy the process of special makeup, hair, picking an outfit, etc.
I have heard about April the giraffe! I feel like I’ve been hearing about her for awhile, LOL! Can’t rush baby 😉
I watch live feeds for guide dog litters whenever I need a pick-me-up!
Mellon looks so cute! I want to give him a pat on the head,lol
Haul: MAC Extra Dimension blushes in Cheeky Bits and Sweets For My Sweet, Clinique Peach Cheek Pop, ABH Brow Wiz in Ebony- half price from Ulta
Weekend Plans: My mom is visiting for a week so we’ll do the Florida tourist stuff-beach, Disney, shopping and stuff.
Do You Like Getting Dressed up Formally? I tend to spend a long time picking out every little detail so it’s a little stressful. But I love looking pretty and strutting my stuff. Rarely get a chance to really dress up, Floridians wear mostly casual attire.
Yay for new blushes! Which one are you going to wear first (or did you wear first)?
Have fun with your mom 🙂
Thanks Christine !Hope you enjoy the Easter holiday I brought and tried Cheeky Bits first.
Haul: A couple of Matte Me Up liquid lipsticks by Barry M and a super bright nail varnish for the Spring/Summer.
Weekend plans: It’s my partners nannys birthday so we’re having a family gathering which should be nice!
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: I love getting dressed up formally! As long as I have plenty of time ha!
Have a lovely family gathering 😀
Neiman Marcus: Picked up the Armani Prima Oil in Gel Serum, two of the shadow singles in #16 and #5; a shimmery plum and matte plum.
Sephora: Tatcha Eye and Face sheet masks and Tom Ford lips and boys in Mitchell.
Nordstrom: Cle de Peau lip treatment, Armani Prima Soft Peeling Lotion, Armani Eyes to Kill Intense shadow in #2 Lust Red.
Marc Jacobs: Lip Gloss in Make Me, but they sent me the wrong color. They’re taking care of it quickly enough, but I’m disappointed that I don’t have it to wear this weekend.
Weekend Plans: Nothing much planned this weekend. Husband is working tomorrow, so I’ll probably do some mini spa things at home and do some mundanities like food shop.
Do I like getting dressed up formally? I don’t mind it, but it’s not something that I go out of my way to find events to go black tie for. I wear dresses and heels every day to work, so that type of dressing up I like.
Lust Red is such an intense shade. How do you think you’ll use it first?
Probably very sheered out to begin with and then maybe built up in a few places if I want a smokies look. I may need to mix it with other Eyes to Kill or the cream shadows. I’ve been looking at it for years and decided to finally bite the bullet.
Ha, I bought Lust Red last week and just received it! I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks so gorgeous in its little jar.
Glad Mellan loves his bed on a bed. ☺️
Haul: Backup order of The Ordinary skincare arrived. Well.ca had a 15% off sale but they were sold out of many products, so they extended the discount to me when they restocked. Will pick up on next trip ‘home’.
Weekend plans: Low key. Probably eating too many jellybeans.
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: Yes, though there seem to be fewer occasions to do so.
How nice of them to extend the discount even on the restock! 🙂
Yes, that made a good first impression! The customer service rep even thanked me for remembering her offer, made just a week earlier! ☺️
Haul: A new cleanser, 3 NYX matte lip creams and some serums from The Ordinary. I also got the high adherence silicone primer and I was VERY impressed!
Weekend plans: 4 day weekend, woo hoo! Terrible weather predicted (a cyclone!) so we are just staying home. I did stock up on wine before the shops shut though!
Getting dressed up: Yes! I dress for comfort/safety at work so putting on a nice frock and heels occasionally is a nice change.
I have only been hearing good things about The Ordinary!
Haul : some $1 elf brushes and a blue loreal infallible eyeshadow on clearance so far
Weekend Plans: dinner with family on Saturday. Easter brunch on Sun
Dressed up: I like having a place to go and getting dressed up every now and then. Not every day!
Forgot I stopped by the CCO and picked up MAC Strobe lotion and lucky green eyeshadow. Plus Bobbi Brown Pastel Pink blush
I love the L’Oreal Infallible eyeshadows!
Haul: Nyx Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Seduction, Teddy, and Silk Indulgent.
Weekend plans: I’m supposed to visit a friend tomorrow. I have no idea what we’ll do for Easter. I’ve been ill the last couple of days, and combined with the wind storms earlier in the week, I have gotten nothing done. Hubby is no help in that area. I’ll figure out something last minute. lol
At some point, I’ll help hubby remove our Asian pear tree. The big windstorm pulled it out of the ground. It figures, since it was our favorite fruit tree. (The half-dead crabapple tree survived. >( .)
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: I love it, though living in Oregon I have rare opportunities to dress even semi-formally.
I hope you feel better soon, Rachel! 🙂
Poor pear tree!!
I’m feeling much better, thank you. The pear tree was growing in two halves, and it looks like one half stayed in the ground. I’m praying it will still bear fruit and keep growing.
Hubby took out the dead half and that crabapple tree.
I was so lucky to get off work early 10.5 hrs instead of 14 today!
Haul: just got my Viseart Theory palettes in amethyst and the pink one forget the name. Surprised how small they are but they sent me a petite pro for free as shipment was delayed. Amethyst has 3 matte and 3 sparkly so that sounds interesting as I haven’t used mattes. They are stunning.
This weekend run and cycle tomorrow mow and clean do laundry. Sunday it’s gonna rain I’m gonna volunteer at the dog shelter
Cook some food and smoke salmon.
Love to dress up but never happens. Last time 2 yrs ago for a wedding.
Hugs to Mellan on the double decker!?
Ooh, glad your day ended a bit earlier, Janine!
Thanks Christine! I’ve been working wasy too much! 60-70 hr weeks since feb.
Janine, I also ordered the Viseart Theory in Amethyst and Nuance, but mine won’t be coming until next week. Have you swatched on your arms or tried on your eyes yet? In your opinion, is the quality there?
Yes Katherine i swatched it and they are both gorgeous! The only Viseart palette I have is the Paris nudes one and I would say they are both similar to that but both are slightly warmer.
I prefer the amethyst because of the matte colors as it is alittle different.
I couldn’t resist the sale but in retrospect something totally different would of been better for me although I love the Paris nudes and use it a lot. These palettes are tiny good for traveling/gym.
Excellent quality from the swatches.
Thanks Janine, appreciate your feedback!
Haul: I was going to be good and wait until the Sephora sale started (already have my items picked out in my cart) but I had to get my hands on the Lancome Matte Shaker! I ended up going with two shades- 272 Energy in Peach, and 186 Magic Orange.
Weekend plans: Chill as per usual
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: If it’s from time to time I love the pomp and circumstance but if it were constant I’d hate it.
Let us know how the Matte Shakers work, Anne! I’ll be curious how matte they are.
I hope the Matte Shakers won’t be sold out by the time the sale starts for VIBs, I have them in my wish list!
That’s exactly why I bought them now!
Haul – Sephora Australia doesn’t have those Stellar Moon lipsticks yet, but I did pick up the Urban Decay pencil in Mushroom – my favourite shade from Mecca Maxima.
Weekend plans: After hosting my daughter in laws 30th birthday last Tuesday (which went very well – she loved it), I am now hosting Easter Sunday lunch. I made a very yummy Roast Vegetable lasagne yesterday, so the layers will set; having 4 salads, Roast pork and roast vegies too. I think I will need a long rest after this!
Formal Occasions: Yes I do, but like you Christine – only very occasionally. I love the process of choosing the dress, makeup and perfume.
Aww, great to hear that your daughter enjoyed her party! 🙂
Haul: Cult Beauty had 15% off plus free shipping for Jouer orders so I took advantage and bought the Springtime in Paris eye palette. Are you reviewing this, Christine? It’s got a lovely ‘shifty’ pink in it. It’s got a mix of matt and shimmer shades which i didn’t realise until I got it but I like it a lot.
I got a MAC Nutcracker Sweet Vision magic dust powder from someone in the Fb beauty group I’m in, really pleased because I really wanted to buy it at Xmas but decided to spend my money on the Sweet Copper face duo instead. It was £11.50 cheaper than at Xmas as I already mentioned elsewhere. I also got a Toni & Guy shampoo and conditioner duo off another member in the group.
Plans for weekend: Celebrating Easter Sunday in church, doing a Cadbury Easter Bunny hunt with our little girl at a country house grounds?.
Do I like getting dressed up? Yes I do when I go out in the evening which isn’t very often with a 3 year old!
Haul: just one liquid eyeshadow from the new Lancome summer collection.
Weekend plans: dinner with friends, possibly a hike, and I’ll try to fit either a yoga class or a fitness session.
Do you like to dress up: I do, but like you Christine I prefer when it’s occasional! I’ve been living in jeans, Van’s and hoodies in the winter and shorts and flip flops since I moved to San Diego, so I do enjoy to dress up when we go out.
Hi, Mellan! I just want to hug him and kiss that face. What a sweet boy.
Haul:
MAC
* Strobe Cream in Peachlite
* Next To Nothing Foundation – I like it. It’s like a sheerer and more lightweight version of their BB and it’s more matte. It uses the same naming system as MAC’s BB cream (Light, Light Plus, etc.) I’ve worn it alone and I also have been using it as a primer of sorts and put on Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation afterwards.
* Brushes 140 (brush they recommend for the NTN foundation) and 141 (for NTN Powder but I’ve been using it with Mineralize Skin Finish) – I really like the foundation brush. It doesn’t seem like it absorbs any of the foundation, so that’s more product for your skin. I’m getting used to the powder brush – I like it, I’m just used to applying powder by push-patting it with a dense brush and the 141 is almost . . . floppy and like a longer, thicker fan brush. It’s not built for the push-pat, more like pat-swiping and laying down a layer of powder.
* Koi Coral Lipstick
* Extra Dimension Skinfinishes Beaming Blush, Oh Darling (dupe for Whisper of Gilt – so happy!) and Double Gleam
* Extra Dimension Blushes in Hushed Tones, Just a Pinch and Hard To Get. I have Faux Sure!, Cheeky Bits and Sweets for My Sweet on order/saved for when I go in and again on the 23rd. I’ll be taking a class and am saving those because I need something to buy for the class fee. Love the finishes – they aren’t shimmery or overly shiny like I thought they would be and I love the pigmentation.
* Pro Longwear Eyeliner in Rich Experience
* Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Sticks in LIlacked and Creme-Filled
* Eyeshadows in Worthy, Glowing Gold, Malibu Bronze and Smoke and Diamonds (found this on eBay and snatched it up!)
Weekend plans: Visiting with my parents and some family on Saturday, in-laws on Sunday. I have Monday off, thank goodness, to de-stress and recover.
Do you like getting dressed up (like formally)?: Not really but I have and do when the situation calls for it. I do like putting on my face for it, though!
I was excited for the KVD lip liners.. picked up Lolita (of course) and I’m going to return it. It has a thick, tacky texture that wants to cling or go on “chunky”.. and it’s quite drying. I’m a girl that does long wear lip products almost daily and will wear many liners alone.. and it was not only bugging me but my lips were flaky about half way through the day. I had to put on a balm because they looked so bad none of my usual lip favorites were sitting nice after. They do last really well though, I had swatched a bunch of them in store and had to scrub with makeup remover to get them off.. and it was still going strong after several hours when I removed it from my lips.
After a lengthy no-buy I went all out and ordered several Devorah Lippmann nail polishes I found on sale. I had a few minis of hers and hated them until I read somewhere that 5-free formulas require a special top coat. Now they hold much better!
After several months of waiting out I caved and prdered Nars Thessalonique and Bumpy Ride! They seem like my kind of colors! I also wanted to order some Audacious lipsticks but I wait till I can try them in person. Ashamed to admit that I only wanted those in my and my daughter’s names! But they do seem lile good shades for me (maybe they will even end up bring my perfect nudes?)