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Free for Haul Friday, Volume #402
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: L’Oreal Blushes, LA Girl Blushes, MUFE Blushes
- Weekend plans: Lots of blush swatching! I can only do so many per day before my cheeks get irritated (a lot less than lipstick/gloss) so I have take photos daily (I normally try to photograph every few days, as it takes most of the day to edit — if I do too much photographing, then I get behind on writing reviews).
- Do you like shopping for clothes?: I like the idea of it more than the actual shopping and trying clothes on!
P.S. — Join us over in the official Temptalia chatroom on Discord! 🙂
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Haul: I don’t think I bought anything beauty-related this week! In fact, I am very proud of myself for resisting the Tarte sale because I had the Metallic Shadow Singles in my cart and ready to go (sale on sale, my favorite!) But I just have so many shades like those already in my stash, it would not have been a smart purchase.
Weekend plans: Maybe a little more planting in my front garden beds. I was hoping to go to a work-related social event on Saturday, but it turns out our contractors want to come in that day to work on the basement. It’s worth it to get the project finished early so I guess I’ll be missing that ?
Do you like shopping for clothes?: I used to more, I think. Now I just get irritated when my size isn’t in store, takes too long to find what I want, etc… I prefer online shopping these days, I tend to just stick with what I like so I can reorder my same size ?
Hahahahaha! I fought the urge to shop the Tarte sale too. It was tough. I also have a $50 off for them. But yes, no point in buying dupes or something you don’t need just bc it’s on sale. I understand the struggle though bc I too had things in my cart.
Hope your basement project goes well!
Haul: I think the only even remotely “makeup” things I got this week were a huge bag of Quo square cotton wipes (a cheaper dupe of the Shiseido ones that I save for my higher end products) and some sunscreen.
Weekend plans: my younger son will be back tonight from a flying visit (literally AND figuratively) from San Diego (another job interview) so we’ll be picking him up at the airport late tonight and then, tomorrow, all going out for Vietnamese food (he loves Korean and Vietnamese food). I want to get to the gym at some point but it’s going to be hot this weekend and even though the gym is air conditioned, it’s just not cool enough, especially when I’m doing my cardio!
Do you like shopping for clothes? – Yes, if it’s for something “non-specific” – just out and able to pick up what I like/what catches my eye and looks good (and if it’s on sale, even better). What I don’t like is having to shop for something specific – a dress to wear to a wedding or more formal dinner or party – that sort of thing is AGONY for me!
Haul: Just a couple tubes of Maybelline mascara (or was that last week?). Really love everything I received last week from MAC and ColourPop!
Weekend plans: Attending my annual Regional Convention in Tucson! In my friend’s car as I type this out, in fact.
Do you like shopping for clothes: Sometimes? Especially for a special occasion or if by chance I spot something I just love incidentally. However, I DESPISE bathing suit, bra, shoes and jeans shopping! With bathing suit and bra being akin to torture for me.
This pic of Mellan is pure GOLD! Furbabies just need to investigate whatever we bring new goodies into the house. ?
I did my last jeans and bra shop with a Nordstrom personal shopper after giving a rundown in my style. So much less painful. Everything was ready in a room with shoes, tops, water, etc. it was perfect – ended up buying the first two pairs I tried – her top rec – and was fit on the bras and brought an array from that. I’m with you on shopping for these items, but I’d do it this way again in a heartbeat.
Completely agree about hating shopping for bras and swimsuits – I have been reduced to tears more than once whilst shopping for these! I now have one brand and one style of both that I buy at regular intervals. Heaven help me if the styles are discontinued!
See, now I love shoe shopping. My foot is still a size 5, has been since about 49th grade, unlike my butt which just gets bigger and bigger…????
That should be 4th grade.
Dang, I with I had cute, smaller size feet! Mine are a 9-10 depending on the brand and *how* it’s cut. ? I’d be happy being a 7 1/2!
I’m a 9.5 size myself but I find show shopping more fun…. At least there options at Payless, Sears and online for a 9.5. lol
HAUL: Reupped my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. I’m trying to wear less face makeup in favor of sunscreen on normal days, and just concealing a tiny bit where I need. I actually bought two colors this time to suit the different parts of my face. I noticed they raised the price since my last tube 🙁 it was over $60 to buy the two, such a racket.
WEEKEND: That time of year is back, where from Monday-Wednesday I’m reeling from the last episode of Game of Thrones, and from Thursday to Sunday I’m increasingly pumped for the next one. Do you watch, Christine?
I love shopping for clothes online, but I have cut down a lot and I’m trying to stop. I’m trying to go back to shopping in-store, which is more of an effort but forces me to be more judicious. My town is supposed to get a Nordstrom next year 🙂
That pup pick is just too cute!
https://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
Haul: 4th of July sales came in!
Makeup Monsters Cosmetics:
Matte Liquid Lipsticks in Sedona, Jealousy, BrickHaus, Surg.
Mini Lip Bundle in Sandtrap, Spell & Bloom.
I also got a free mini Sandtrap as well… which is nice that they are giving out free mini’s but I order the shade Sandtrap already in the kit. lol
Coloured Raine Cosmetics:
Matte Lips in Pink Panther, Sorbet, Snob, Red Dragon, Blue Dragon, & Jade.
The Mini Experience in Mars, Cerry Blossom, Kotton Kandy, Roulette, & Sugar.
Focal Point GlowLighters in Fashion Show.
Sephora:
L’Occitane DREAM MOSITURIZING DUO L’OCCITANE DREAM MOISTURIZING DUO – Shea Butter Hand Cream: 0.34 oz/ 10 mL Almond Shower Oil: 1.2 oz/ 35 mL / 250 Points.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Face Color deluxe sample in B302 – 0.04 oz/ 1.5 g
Bésame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick Merlot 1933
Also picked up the new Rimmel and Maybeline colour corrector palettes and pens.
Weekend plans: trying to get through all the correctror products posts.
Do you like shopping for clothes?: Not really… I can spend all day and find nothing in my size or everything baggy/loose and unflattering, (I like fitted cloeathes and not look like a sack of popatos). The issue of being a size 16. My options are shitty or non existaint in stores.
Mellan must have enjoyed all the people over the stuff more. but this photo is so cute! He’s probably loving the smell of the bag as well. 😉
I love makeup monsters and have clued so many friends in on their awesomeness!
Haul: Jeffree Star abused, drug lord and celebrity skin, MAC brush cleaner, some health supplements from iHerb, and one single brush from the new ELF brush line (the one with the clear handles). Finally found them in store!
Weekend plans: not sure what the plan for tonight is, might see a band play at a local dive or go out to dinner with the in laws. My friend is throwing a party tomorrow and Sunday is hopefully a relaxation day lol
Do you like shopping for clothes? absolutely not lol between the prices, taking clothes on and off a million times, trying to find anything I’m interested in, and forget about online shopping, I get all the sizes wrong and never return them
Haul: From the Nordstrom Anniversary sale I got both Charlotte Tilbury lip kits (Hot Lips Nude and Perfect Pink), the Hourglass Ambient Diffused Light Palette, Dior Addicted to Pink Lip Set, Jo Malone London Cologne Collection, and the Simple Human Mirror.
Weekend: The dentist and endodontist were unable to get my abscess under control and the tooth was pulled Monday. I now have a dry socket infection (I blew the blood clot in the tooth cavity yesterday) and they packed the socket today. Still in quite a bit of pain. Everyone has been so sweet and supportive, please don’t feel the need to comment. Really, you have all been lovely with your wonderful comments. Just wanted to update everyone and move on.
I love shopping for clothes almost as much as I love shopping for make up! If I could make a career out of shopping for beauty and fashion, I would probably never want to end my workday.
Nice picks on the haul! Also, not commenting but thinking it for you!
Still thinking of you and I love beautiful clothes as well.
Haul: nothing beauty-related this week. Have been looking at swatches of ABH’s Subculture palette and looking forward to its release.
Plans: usual Friday night date out with hubby, plus watch lots of baseball on TV.
Clothes shopping: used to love it, now hate it. Everything seems to be for rail-thin teenagers or dowdy 80-year-olds, really hard to find anything in between. Sometimes I’ll shop online at Christopher & Banks since they have some nice things and the prices are do-able if they’re on sale.
Haul: I have to get my car unexpectedly repaired :/
Weekend plans: Wine Festival date. I know the festival is going to be great…hopefully the company will be as well. We’ll see.
Do you like shopping for clothes?: I don’t think I’ve ever really liked it that much.
Haul: this one’s a big one this week!!
– Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion 125ml – my favourite night and day moisturizer for my sensitive, acne prone, dehydrated oily skin!
– Versace bright crystal – my FAVOURITE perfume! I was talking about it in the temptalia.com discord, and it’s my first grown up perfume 😉
– Two Cover FX sets. One has a 15ml mattifying primer, 3gs of their setting powder, and 1oz of their matte setting spray. The other has 15ml of their illuminating primer, 1oz of their illuminating setting spray, and 2ml of their custom inhancer drops.
– Two Clinique sets. One with 15ml moisture surge intense moisturizer, 1oz of their moisturizing mask, and a mini chubby stick. The other has 1oz of their moisture surge face spray, and their new moisture sure concentrate, and a different chubby stick.
– UD Basquiat cheek pallet.
– Two BITE lipsticks in Pepper and Gazpacho. And two lip pencils in 016, and 078.
– I also bought a burgundy cold shoulder dress, a burnt red crochet tan top, and an olive t shirt for work. AND I bought a pair of black wedges for work also!!
Weekend plans: I’m going to be working outdoors at my grandmother’s house! I’m riding tue tractor!!
Do I like shopping for clothes: I HATE IT. I am a tall, (5’9!) Plus sized women. So clothes shopping is HELL!
Versace Bright Crystal is a nice floral. I’ve had the original and now I have the absolue.
It will be interesting for you to compare Cover FX mattifying vs illuminating products. I have an oily t-zone but some illuminating products work on me while others just turn me into a greasy mess. I’m interested to read your thoughts on these products after you’ve had a chance to test them.
There is an Australian store, My Size, which specialises in plus size clothing for tall women.
It also ships internationally at a modest rate. I often shop there myself, being a plus sized person, but as I am short, many of their current clothes are really for tall women. This may help you. Their clothes are of excellent quality, and whilst they aren’t inexpensive, they last for a long time.
Haul: Beauty Bakerie “The Grape Life” metallic lip whip. They have free US shipping right now and I had a 10% off coupon so I thought I’d finally give them a try, I’d been eyeing that metallic purple for a while now!
Weekend plans: Today I’m going to vacuum and re-arrange a few things to make it easier to move in the last of our furniture. Saturday we’re moving the last of our furniture & what’s left in the garage out of the old house. Sunday we’ll get all the furniture arranged and start figuring out what we need for storage (we went from 8 large closets to 4 small ones, and 4 large built in bookshelves and a built in entertainment center to 1 stand alone bookshelf for book/movie storage).
Do you like clothes shopping: Not really.
Oooh let us know what you think about the lip whip! I bought the other purple (the light one Petty Cakes) and it was a surprise love! If you like Beauty Bakerie, keep in mind they’re now at Forever 21 too and that retailer often has % off!
Not instore where I live. Went in today to look for bb. Never before. I am so not target market there.
Oh that’s too bad it wasn’t in store. Still worth looking out for the store promos though.
Did an Ulta order and forgot the most important thing. Duh. Sign me up for the dementia eval. Did finally throw in the two heat pencils…not getting the palette, and not switching it to avoid temptation. Cosrx rice sleeping mask. Nooni cotton for DYI masking. Nothing overtly exciting. Plans, well, since my house failed the annual inspection, and things have to get fixed (nothing I want fixed, mind you) and the people never showed in the three days I stayed home last week…probably waiting around for the electrician or someone like him. (Going to have to look up that reference…). Missed an invitation to the Cape, but REFUSE to miss the appt with the new doc next week. SSDW. Since I’m semi retired and my pro job has zero dress code, I’m loaded up with sportswear I seldom wear. Current buys seem to be all men’s, as I’m fattish. CafePress tees with favorite artists, ll bean trunks/sports shorts. Don’t quite know if the mesh ‘packaging’ is what I need…. Did get a fresh produce starfish print beach dress with terry lined sweatshirt. It’s longer and very realistic, compared to most of their stuff. Black on textured white, which is also not very fresh produce. Their stuff is usually very Bobbi brown aqua shadow-ish, and on the whimsical side. Aside from that dress on a day trip, don’t remember the last time I was in a clothing store/boutique. Online, and if it doesn’t work, return to store. Do lots of makeup that way, too. Congratulations to Julia on the big resist!
Haul:
Today is payday and I celebrated by placing a Colourpop order!!! I ordered five Ultra Satin Lipsticks (Prim, Mess Around, Panda, Barracuda, and Echo Park) and earned two free lipsticks (Bad Habit and Femme)…and free shipping. I’m not sure I’ll like Mess Around, but at $6, it’s worth trying out.
Weekend plans:
Getting together with friends, going to an art gallery show, doing general chores, and watching Twin Peaks (and speaking of TP, I don’t know if there are any other fans of the show on this site, but the character Diane’s multicolored fingernails are very cool!)
Do you like shopping for clothes?
Yes and no. If I need something, then it can be stressful. If I’m just shopping for fun, then I like it more. It also depends on my weight. If I’m up a few pounds, then clothes shopping is frustrating and depressing.
I love Twin Peaks! When they revealed Diane as Laura Dern I almost died of happiness. A nerd’s dream lol.
I am so loving the show!!! Diane’s nails…did you see them? From what I can I can tell, I think her pinky and thumb are black, her index finger is crimson, her ring finger is sort of dark mauve, and her middle finger is lavender. It’s awesome!
Haul: I hauled some jewelry from Canadian trip but mostly walked a lot and ate a lot. My Sephora Play for July came in!
Weekend: Last weekend was packed wall to wall and this weekend is just about as bad. I’ve got a family day at my sisters outpatient rehab, food shopping, a mountain of laundry, people coming over on Saturday night, an open house to go to, and a whole lot of cleaning. I really feel like a need a vacation even though I just had a two day one. It was for a wedding so between wedding activities and the like I got about 1 hour of relaxation before bed one night!
Clothes Shopping: I like looking at them and knowing what is in, I guess. I gained a lot of weight when my thyroid crapped out on me that I haven’t been able to shake so it’s hard. I’m sorta in between plus and straight sizing, I’m hourglass shaped and short… it’s a hard body shape to dress without a lot of money for tailoring. I often get discouraged when I shop. I’ve mostly come to terms with my size and shape but not shopping for it! I’m a big fan of wearing whatever the fook I want and not what society says I need to wear.
If you’re a certain shape and height, it’s really hard to find clothes that suit and work for you. Not everyone is a size 8. tall and thin.
Shopping Mellan is awesome!
Haul: Small week for me as I haven’t been too excited about the releases and the sales and cash back deals haven’t been all that fantastic.
Beautylish: Sugarpill Cosmetics Liquid Lip Color (Trinket), Inglot Cosmetics Aquastic Cream Eye Shadow (19) – hasn’t shipped
BECCA (20% off): Lush Lip Colour Balm (Black Violet, Cherry Ganache) – arrives Monday
Pat McGrath: LUST: MatteTrance Single (Antidote) – arrives tomorrow
Sephora: Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick (I’ve Kissed)
Weekend plans: Spent today in the hospital with my daughter since she had a spinal tap (which is why my post here is late). Everything went fine. Tomorrow I have to go with her to a 2 hour appointment for her cat. It’s the pre-check before he goes in August for his radioactive iodine treatment for his thyroid. I had hoped to get out and look for some jeans but not sure if that’s going to happen.
Do you like shopping for clothes?: Sometimes. It depends on my mood but usually not. I’d rather order everything online (and I pretty much usually do down to even things like toilet paper!)
Wow, an impressively small haul, Michele!
I’ve been so underwhelmed! Add to that a lot of new releases are way too warm for me. I’ll most likely go for the Subversive palette but things like the Charlotte Tilbury collection and the Fall Dior collection are just not wearable for me. Actually the new Tilbury is a bit meh to me as well. The upcoming Too Faced collection, other than maybe the Planner, is also something I’ll be skipping. Their consistency is so erratic it’s just not worth the risk to me. I had hoped to get the D&G Summer Dance collection but Saks, the only retailer that would have carried it here, hasn’t got it in stock. If it ever arrives I’ll most likely buy the entire collection; I find the eyeshadow quad interesting. There are some things I want to buy different shades of like the new Nyx releases…not sure if I posted my swatches yet but the lip oil and the Cliquey matte were pretty good…and the new Essence Metallic lipstick which is absurdly cheap floored me with it’s pigmentation and application but I was trying to wait until there was a good deal. I may go ahead and pick some up this week.
I hope your daughter is recovering well from her spinal tap. It’s a painful procedure.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry your daughter had to have a spinal tap. Invasive and very scary, perhaps worse than the pain. And on top of worrying about her cat. Bet she wasn’t even able to go to the appt. Grossly underwhelmed at present as well.
Yes, thanks. She did go to the appt but got a spinal headache and got pretty sick about halfway through. She’s been resting it out.
Haul: UD Grindhouse sharpener (replacing my old one). Notoriously Morbid Vanishing Cabinet: three shadows and a blush.
Also a bunch of Cow Cow dresses from Amazon. I think I’m addicted. So many cute patterns!
Weekend plans: Move my son’s pets and their items into his new apartment. Grocery shop.
Do you like shopping for clothes? Yes and no. I love shopping and looking, and buying when I can. However, being plus-sized, my options are limited, my size sells out quickly (if it’s even carried), clothing is usully quite expensive, and often it’s frumpy or basic. I shop online a lot.
OMG Rachel those dresses are freaking adorable! How does their sizing run? I feel like I need to hop on that train!
The sizing runs pretty true. I went a size up because I’m big busted, but still didn’t find the stomach or hips too awfully big. The little bit of spandex in the knit helps plus the cut of the dresses make them pretty accommodating to a wide variety of body types.
I’ve seen the cow cow dresses, too but I’m hesitant to order. I’m afraid they will be a weird material (like that clingy, almost swimsuit like polyester), and won’t launder well. Would love to know your impression of them.
Ginny, the fabric is really nice quality, even though it’s a polyesther/spandex mix. Not clingy at all, and it breathes really nicely, even in hot weather.
Thanks so much Rachel. I just ordered one (only $10!) to try out.
You’re welcome. I hope it works out for you. Let me know. 🙂
Haul: It Cosmetics fluffy crease blush, Essence Matt Bronzer in Natural, MAC Flusterrose and Pinkarat and Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Blush in Sensuous Rose
Weekend plans: meeting a friend for lunch and some outlet shopping
Shopping for clothes : I like shopping for clothes but there isn’t always a lot of places for me to go that isn’t so old lady, boring or junior. I shop mostly at consignment stores specially higher end clothing, the GAP and H&M
I love Sensuous Rose!
If I had a store, Mellan could come in any time. xoxo
Haul:
A free sample, that’s it! Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Lip Gloss (SPF 15) in Sexy Nude. It’s quite a hefty tube, which is good because I really like it — a lot. Color, feel, wear. Very nice.
Weekend:
We had part of our house painted, so we have to put back this and that. Swims, pups, and chilling out. All our boys are away this weekend, so no company.
Clothes Shopping:
It’s OK. I used to love it, now I do it if in the mood. Heaven knows, I have enough stuff. Like Mariella, buying for an occasion = dislike, and that is just what I have had to do for an upcoming annual meeting. Every two years this company meeting happens and the dress code is decked. I had to buy two short cocktail dresses, and a long dress. The “gown” kills me, as I’ll never wear it again. The Armani outlet was kind to me ( i.e. affordable) for one of the cocktail dresses, and the other one came from Ann Taylor truth be told. I had to buy real high heels — like 3-inchers, ugh. Nordstrom sale made that palatable.
Tangent — I have TERRIBLE feet (bunions, thanks mom and dad). Shoe shopping for me is torture. I have wanted some cute heeled, wedge-y espadrilles for some time and it’s been nothing but disappointment. Then I found Toni Pons at Nordies and I’m in heaven. It has a heel, the suede is lovely and soft, they look really nice, and I forget I’m wearing them. Score!
What shade of cocktail dresses did you end up with? I can completely understand how difficult this whole shopping experience was for you and it’s so lucky that you found the shoes you could wear.
Hi Genevieve!
I ended up with two colors that I like and look best of me. One is a cobalt blue in a unique yet classic design. I’ve never owned anything like it. It will stand the test of time. That’s the fancier one. The second is a black lace sheath. Again, something I like wearing.
The shoes — oh the shoes. They are Sam Edelman’s with a thin ankle strap and 3″ heels. It’s amazing they fit and are tolerable. Not comfortable — no shoe like that is — but I’ll make it through the two evenings I need to wear them. I think. I hope. 🙂
I love Cobalt blue and black for evening wear – I think you have chosen really well and can wear these outfits to many other occasions. They will suit your colouring too. The designs sound quite classic. Just perfect.
The shoes sound divine too – I can’t wear heels like that anymore either, but hopefully if you can sit down during the evening it will be better.
Haul – all of my Nordstrom items are now in. The dress I picked up is going back; it does nothing for me, up the Zella gym top and bottoms I like a lot and it’s not obnoxious across a 34G bust which is an extra bonus in gym-wear. Beauty buys included (sale) Dr Dennis Gross set, Deborah Lippmann set and Tom Ford set, (non sale) CdP loose powder, dual ended liquid liner, cream blush in cranberry, Armani Prima Soft Peel Lotion, Chantecaille Starfish mermaid shadow, Chanel Eros liner, and two Tom Ford cream shadows in spice and platinum.
Clé de Peau – new lipsticks in Bamboo (1) and Water Lily (502) LE and eye shadow mono in 211.
Weekend Plans – surviving the heat and humidity! So probably staying inside as much as possible.
Shopping – I love to go shopping. I have some things I dread shopping for, but that usually comes with the pressure of needing something specific and not finding what I’m looking for. You know how it goes, you always find things you like when you need them least! At least now I know a brand/style of jeans I like now, so next time I have a starting point – but to beat the horse – Nordstrom’s (free) personal shopper was totally with the advance planning of booking the appointment and filling out the questionnaire. I highly recommend it!
Haul: jouer skinny dip palette, colourpop belle of the ball and she palettes. Hopefully, these will satisfy my pinky reddish plummy desires! Allergic to ABH shadows (so missed out on Modern Renaissance) and missed the queen of hearts pallete so fingers crossed these work well!
Weekend: Spiderman and work. Also Sunday cleaning all day! Need to prep for my BFF visit!
Do you like shopping for clothes? Nope. I love OWNING and WEARING nice clothes but going through the process of acquiring is painful. If I had the kind of money, I would have a stylist and/or personal shopper.
Coloured Raine is making the Queen of Hearts palette permanent, will be re-stocked in late August, but they are taking pre-orders now 🙂
Oh wow! Thanks for the tip! I had no idea! What a great move on their part! I feel like it’s rare that makeup companies are sensible enough to bring back products that do well!
Maggie, The Jouer Skinny Dip Palette is probably going to end up being my favorite purchase of summer. I love it. I just do my crease and transition colors in mattes from other palettes, and then pop one of those gorgeous metallic shades on the lid (I use MAC Fix+ to wet the shadow, makes it more intense and prevents fallout).
I purchased Huda’s Rose Gold palette at the beginning of the month (I haven’t talked about it yet because I really want to spend some time with it before sharing my thoughts), and I actually like it slightly better than the Modern Renaissance. I know this is a dangerous opinion to voice, as Modern Renaissance is considered one of the best. I love the mattes in the rose gold palette, for me they lay down and blend very well. I have seen many negative reviews and I have to wonder if we are even talking about the same palette, as the shadows in mine perform just as well as many of my best shadows. (Sometimes I think performance might be related to brushes and technique, not only the quality of the product itself. With my Hakuhodo and MAC brushes, these shadows apply very well.) The two pinks in the Rose Gold Palette, shy and Flamingo, are so pretty! I love to deepen Flamingo with Maneater. For me, by comparison, the Rose Gold palette is brighter, which calls to me in spring and summer, whereas Modern Renaissance is more muted and fall-like. Maybe you could check out the Huda Rose Gold palette sometime, if you’re still in the market for a red/pink palette.
Tammy, another big Skinny Dip fan here! Great for summer, and also for the holidays. If you can’t get enough of those warm MR colors, I can recommend the Kylie Burgundy palette, which I actually like more because it’s got more pigment, more punch to it, but not sure you need both kits. I also got the Huda Rose Gold, but most of the mattes in there are only so-so or terrible, think there’s a QC issue. I kept it because I got it at discount, and the metallic textured shadows are so stunning patted on top of other shadows. What MAC and Hakuhodo brushes are you using with the mattes? Any application tips for them would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Katherine, When I put on eye shadow I start with a base (lately it’s primarily been Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray), and then I use the Hakuhodo G5522 to sweep a setting powder or skin tone eye shadow over the entire lid, from lashes to brow, to set the base. I will then use the J5523 (simply one of the best brushes I’ve ever used, it’s unbelievable, right up there with MAC 239 in terms of must-have) to put on my first transition shade, which is usually the lightest transition shade. I will then deepen the crease, usually with the B142 or G5522 or G5528 (or all three). It’s pretty common for me to use three shades in the transition crease area, when I’m done I blend out any harsh edges with the G5522.
I then apply my lid color with the MAC 239, or if I’m using one of the sparkly shades from the rose gold palette, I apply with my finger. I use the Hakuhodo G5528 to apply the really dark shades to the outer V, and also to apply and smoke out shadow under the lower lash line.
A word about the G5528: I didn’t use this brush until over a year after I purchased it. I sincerely did not know what to do with it. Over that time I bought four pencil brushes and hated them all because they had a more pointed tip, which tends to apply too much product at the tip and hurts when I try to blend out the shadows after application. Then one day in frustration I grabbed the G5528, which has a rounded tip and is wonderfully soft, and used it for my outer V and under my eyes. Suddenly I knew what this brush could do and I’ve used it everyday since! Now when I look it up online others comparing the brush to pencil brushes. Wish I would have known from the beginning, I wouldn’t have wasted my money on all those other pencil brushes.
Katherine, there has got to be a quality control issue with these palettes if yours is that bad. I certainly would not go buying new brushes just to see if the shadows perform better. I wish you could trade your palette in for another one, and see if that fixes the problem. It’s so surprising to me to see the reviews on Sephora, because there are so many horrible reviews mixed in the with glowing reviews, and there has got to be a reason.
Tammy, thanks for the tips on the brushes and application technique! Yes, I feel like the Huda palette does have QC issues, don’t want to buy any expensive brushes to make it work, but I can use your recs next time I’m looking for new brushes. Thanks again for the recs!
Thank you Tammy and Katherine for mentioning your like for the skinny dip palette, other palettes, and tips. Really appreciate it–especially the unexpected brush tips! Skinny Dip palette hasn’t arrived yet so I keep going back and forth about whether I really need more metallic neutrals but you both have reassured me that this is a must-have so I’m looking forward to it. Also thinking about the skinny dip highlighter.
Haul: the only thing I bought this week was the new L’Oreal Infaillible metallic powder eyeshadow in Caged. I also received orders containing the new Lancome powder highlighter and Becca Opal flashes Jade highlighter.
Weekend plans: leaving for our summer vacation in France!
Do you like shopping for clothes? It really depends on the circumstances. If I’m looking for something specific I usually get frustrated quickly if I don’t find anything that fits or flatters me. If I’m just browsing and trying on random pieces that I like then yes, I find it fun.
Enjoy your trip!
How do you like the L’oreal shadow? Thinking of picking up the pinky one for myself to try.
They are doing well. Muse reviewed them. Check it out.
Just picked one up! Thanks!
I bet Mellon is hoping there are some treats in the bag for him….
Haul: nothing much this week, just some beauty essentials: Dermaveen Oat Milk body wash and moisturiser for the shower and the Clarins Lip balm. I saw your recommendation Christine, and as I love Clarins’s products, I thought I would give it a go as I had finished my other balm. It is beautiful.
Weekend plans: It has been a most hectic week. My daughter in law, Anika, had a bladder infection and was prescribed some anitbiotics. Unfortunately, the lab culture revealed that the medication given to her was resistant to her type of infection. So at 3 am on Wednesday night she was rushed to hospital because the infection had spread to her kidneys. She was admitted to hospital, placed on a drip and we had the children for a couple of days. She is now out of hospital, feeling better and her parents are coming to help take care of her and the children. So we are in recovery mode ourselves (and our house). The children were great, but missed their mum and as it is winter here, they had colds themselves. You never know what is around the corner.
Shopping for clothes: It’s a love/hate thing. I like browsing for clothes, but it’s hard when you have a function in mind eg Tammy for her daughter’s wedding, and you can’t find what you’re after then it’s frustrating.
I hate it when the fashion of the moment or the colours don’t seem to suit me. But I certainly love it when they do and everything I buy is on sale.
Genevieve, I hope your daughter-in-law is feeling better. That’s a very serious infection.
Yes, she is feeling much better now that all the right kinds of antibiotics are kicking in, but still pretty tired. Thank you for your kind thoughts. It is a very serious infection that can become septic quite easily.
Glad your daughter-in-law’s doing better. What a terrible scare!
Yes, it was – especially for the kids when they woke up early Thursday morning to find my husband and I there and not their mum. But they handled it really well.
It could have easily become much worse. Luckily when Anika went to the hospital there was no one waiting in the emergency dept. so all their attention was on her. The staff were really great.
Yikes! That is terrifying. The infection is bad enough, but resistance to antibiotics is truly frightening. What a week! Glad all is turning a corner for the better. You must be EX-hausted!
On Thursday night, after the kids went to bed, I wandered around like a lost soul for half an hour and then gave in and slept like a log. Fortunately Olivia decided not to wake up at her usual 6 am and slept in till 8 am – a blessing.
Anika is much, much better – the drip and antibiotics are doing the trick and she is taking some pro biotics so as not to have any tummy or thrush problems.
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
I thought they knew that $#!+ when they did a UA C & S! Thank god the outcome was eventually good, but she was clearly borderline septic. Bad news, for s.t. that initially seems so innocuous. Glad all are recovering.
The lab culture took a couple of days to grow, apparently, and her type of infection was resistant to the initial antibiotics given to her. I still think they should have kept her in hospital earlier on in the week to make sure things were ok before sending her home. And she was borerline septic too with her shivering, a temperature and pain. She look awful when we first got to their place at 3 am.
But at least now, she is recovering well. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
Haul:
KB Shimmer nail polishes – last batch for a while (probably)
pIcture pOlishes – bought all of the retiring shades from the website
4 nail polish organizers
Nail vinyls, stamper from Twinkled T and WhatsUpNails – I’ve been having a lot of fun doing my nails with all of my new colors and toys.
Weekend plans: Low key, getting ready for a few more family visits.
Do you like shopping for clothes?: Not really
Haul – A By Terry Ombre Blacskstar eyeshadow pencil in a gray colour. Haven’t tried an eyeshadow pencil before and hopefully this will look gray on. It is hard to find darker grey eye makeup that doesn’t just look black when I put it on.
Weekend Plans – have just been up ended as we are experiencing severe rain and consequently flooding here in the south Island of New Zealand. Roads are closed and a State of Emergency has been declared. My house if fine, but the Police are advising no-one to go out unless it is an emergency and it’s horrible out anyway. So I’m just staying put by the fire with a book!
Clothes shopping – I don’t enjoy it overall. I think for the same reasons many others have said here – it is so hard to find things for curvy figures that aren’t of an average height. I HATE shopping for bras, always have. I can’t wear under wires so the choice is minuscule if you arent flat chested and none of them pretty! This has reduced me to tears on more than one occasion. One lovely shop assistant did tell that this is not uncommon but underwear manufacturers just ignore this group. I don’t know if this is true; perhaps she was just being kind and trying to stop me dissolving into tears in the middle of the underwear department!
I feel you on the bras! I dislike underwire so don’t wear it. The options are so limited if you want something cute! And then of course if you find something cute, it’s usually so much more expensive than “standard size bras”.
Awww, who wouldn’t fawn over Mellan?? He’s such a cutie pie!
*Haul-nothing this week, but should have stuff coming next week
*Weekend–we got free tickets to a baseball game, then going out for Japanese food/sushi for family birthday dinner
*Shopping for Clothes -not really, I’m petite, and it’s hard to find clothes that fit, look stylish, and are affordable
Haul: I haven’t done one of these in a while, so prepare for a longer list (from over the course of the last month). Anyway, Ulta had a 5X point event going on for Urban Decay so I’ve made several visits in the last two weeks. I got Mushroom, Smoke, Loaded, and Alkaline eye pencils, Morning After, Bang, Peyote, and Fuel lipsticks, White Lie special effects top coat, and Spike eyeshadow (this one is a birthday gift for a friend). I also received my first Nabla Cosmetics order, I got one blush, one contour powder, and two eyeshadows (HIGHLY recommend). A while ago I picked up KVD Lolita lipstick (bullet, not liquid lip). I also attempted to dupe that Mac Chroma eye palette with cruelty free singles, so I got UD Evidence, and Makeup Geek Corrupt, Poppy, Galaxy, and Poolside, and I already had Insomnia from the MannyMUA palette. Poolside is the only one that isn’t spot on, but I actually prefer it to the cooler blue in the palette.
Weekend Plans: Work work work, and hopefully go to a Greek festival on Sunday!
Do I like shopping for clothes?: I’m like you, Christine. I like it in theory, but in practice I find trying clothes on (in stores) really exhausting, and online shopping is tricky unless you already know how something is going to fit you.
Haul: Nothing yet, actually! I’ve been pretty good about no-buying lately, but I’m planning on going to Bed Bath and Beyond tomorrow, armed with coupons, and grabbing the new L’Oreal MATTE-sterpiece lipstick (I smelled it last weekend and it seems like that horrific scent is less obvious than it used to be, and the color is too lovely to resist for the price, so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed about the smell) and I’m going to check out the NYX Lid Lingerie eyeshadow palette (which I don’t need, I probably have dupes, but it looks so pretty)!
Weekend plans: A trip to Bed Bath and Beyond a trip for groceries. Other than that, I have a first draft due on Tuesday for the fiction writing class I’m taking. I’ve never written fiction before! I’ll probably stop by Sephora to drool over the UD Torch eyeliner some more as well.
Do you like shopping for clothes?: That’s a hard question. I love fashion and I can pick out great outfits – for other people. For some reason, when it comes to dressing myself, all idea of looking daring or exciting or fashionable goes out the window and I stick to plain jeans and dresses. I have PCOS and that’s caused a ton of weight fluctuation over the years. I love clothes but I get really frustrated dressing myself, so I’ll have to say no, I don’t like shopping for clothes.
Haul:
– Chanel Ombre Premiere Powder Eyeshadows in Desert Rose & Flesh (loving!) and Rouge Coco Stylo in Fiction (all 20% off at Shoppers using my mom’s discount, also cashed in some Optimum points), and
– Tom Ford’s Eye and Lip set from Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale (ETA: Tues)
Weekend Plans: Enjoying the company of family and friends before returning to the US. Time has passed way too quickly on this visit. ?
Do you like shopping for clothes: I do, though I often ask for help, especially when putting together an outfit for special occasions and/or circumstances. I’m known for buying ‘by mannequin ‘.
Haul–nothing this week. Sounds like everyone did well with the Nordstrom sale. There isn’t a Nordstrom within 200 miles of me. Wish there was.
Plans–Tomorrow I have a board meeting with an association that I belong to. This is my last year on the board after 9 years. Then visiting my sister and her husband with my husband. On Sunday we have a baby shower for my niece who just had her first little one…a girl that she named Aliviana. ??
Shopping–Anytime, anywhere, for anything. Unless, it’s Home Depot. My sister-in-law is my
shopping partner and we always have a great
time. ???????????
I went mistakenly to the local, and they didn’t have a counter for anything I wanted. Ooops! So I went home and ordered online with regular plastic, now that AS is open to noncardholders. I was good and did not get the Jo Malone men’s mini collection…thought it might pop up at S by xmas. And no Creed.
Haul- I received alkaline and heat, the eyeliners from the naked heat collection. And Project Chimps, Woolf and Hawkwind from KVD. Since Wednesday I have just been been getting hyped for Subculture!
Weekend- Last night I watched possibly the weirdest/worst movie in existence, The Room. And tonight there is going to be a girls night. Other than that a lot of food planning and cleaning!
I like the idea of clothes shopping… like I go with my friends when they need to and help them pick stuff out for them, there for the honesty and run to grab a different size when they need it- we are very comfortable with b each other. But I myself prefer to online shop as I kind of have a “uniform” of what looks good. Plus I need to go thru my clothes a donate again before I can even consider another clothing purchase…?