Friday Finds & Check-ins, Volume #552
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!
- Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Kosas powder duos, Kosas Helios (to complete all the cream duos), Marc Jacobs Gold Edition palette/eyeliners
- Weekend plans: I want to take some photos/swatches tomorrow – work is a distraction for me, sometimes, as it’s such a huge part of my day-to-day routine. Right now, working is a temporary escape that at least still contributes something. (I also have no hobbies outside of makeup, so this is probably why “work” is nearly relaxing for me sometimes!) The temperatures are a little cooler, so hubby and I will try to take advantage of that by spending some time in the backyard.
- Are there any charitable organizations you support?: ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, & Futures Without Violence are ones I’ve supported for years. I donate unused beauty products to the Sojourner Center in downtown Phoenix.
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This week's doggo photo/video...
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Hi, guy. Squeezes from me and excited barking from Jussi. Patti just growls, but not in a threatening way. She just doesn’t get it. She’s actually pretty friendly with other dogs, unless the bad master is telling her otherwise. I got the CP mauves palette (fine) and the hyaluronic concealer. IDK why I thought it would be highly different than the original. Even with extensive eye cream, it’s dry and patchy, hard to blend. Think it’s just me. At least it’s CP, a small mistake. Rediscovering Nyx greige and mauve l/s, Paula omega, peptide booster, and ceramide, Cosrx low pH night, Purito seawater cream, and Bioderma cica. Occlusives at night for a couple of weeks. Plans: nothing different, except input about how to reopen day job and how to 86 unacceptable folks (no mask, physical disinhibition, arguing, fighting, inebriated, etc.) from night job retail. Podcasts while doing housework. Dog walks dodging the raindrops. Charities: public radio and tv (WCRB is the last classical station in Boston,) ASPCA, MSPCA, NWF, Mass Audubon, Manomet Bird Observatory, a couple of dog rescues and breed oriented rescues (Border Terrier Welfare, Affenpinscher, Dachshund), donations to Goodwill, Wellspring (local.). Some other wildlife and environmental ones, I forget. This is making me realize that I never do colleges (and probably will not) or social service (probably will.)
KJH, here is a petition you might like to see from the American Bird Conservatory that I just got in my email today! As a cat lover, I know that responsible cat ownership is one of the best things we can do for them, but it is one of the best things to do for birds as well! https://abcbirds.org/action/petition-happy-cats-healthy-birds/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=94e8ad7a-5843-414f-b137-5130e188fb30
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: So…I purchased my first Tom Ford quad. Sous le Sable. I know it didn’t rate as high as others and folks experienced disappointment in it, but I’m fairly pale (extremely pale) and I thought the color selection would look nice on me. And it does. I love this palette and I’m glad it’s in my collection. Though…I’m mad because I see at least two more TF quads I would like to own someday and I’m cursing myself for that, good naturedly of course!
Weekend plans: I’m not sure. Times are hard. I think I might just relax.
Are there any charitable organizations you support? Planned Parenthood, NOW, and Trust Women (a women’s health provider from my hometown) are the three organizations closest to my heart. I donate to them fairly regularly. Recently I added NAACP to my non-profit list as well. I can’t physically join in protests for causes that are closest to my heart, so I choose to let my money speak for me instead.
You really reminded me to add some women’s and racial equality issues to giving. Where I grew up, in my town, church, etc., it was all genders and races….but everyone was middle class. It was not until the Boston busing and Metco programs that I began to see the economic injustices. Where I grew up, it was all about social class rather than race. The suburban BIPOC moms did not want their kids to associate with the inner city kids. And then a major basketball star who is now a sports commentator got pulled over for DWB in the neighboring town. Seriously? We have a long way to go, in race, gender, and class issues.
I had never even heard of Trust Women before, but I looked them up and there is a branch here in Oklahoma City. Thank you so much for mentioning this, because I am now a monthly donor!
Haul: Estée Lauder was having a gift-with-purchase promotion, so I took advantage and bought a back-up of Double Wear Makeup—not realizing I already have a backup, so now I’m set for a long, long time—and got a gift makeup bag containing Resilience Multi-Effect Night Cream, Resilience Multi-Effect Eye Cream, Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment, Take It Away Makeup Remover, Sumptuous Extreme Mascara, and a Pure Color Envy eyeshadow palette with four very pretty neutral shades.
Rediscoveries: I’ve been loving my MAC singles lately. My favorites are Haux, Quarry, Satin Taupe, and Shale.
Weekend plans: Weekly Zoom happy hour with friends, reading, watching TV and Netflix, household chores, and getting Chinese takeout (really looking forward to this!).
Are there any charitable organizations that you support? I sponsor a child through Compassion. I also do monthly volunteer work serving lunch at a homeless shelter, and twice a year I help collect donated supplies for a charity that helps people who have been rescued from human trafficking. Also, I donate money every December to an animal charity (not always the same one), a local LGBTQ charity, Planned Parenthood, and whatever else is on my mind at the time.
Oops, typed in “Haul” instead of “Recent Purchases.” Old habits die hard! ? I also want to say that I like when you post videos of Mellan. I love seeing him in motion!
I love Haux and Satin Taupe too.
I like the new title. I think it really represents how many of us have been treating the Friday conversation certainly since the virus cane to be among us.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: The only thing I have been buying with any regularity is root touch up spray. Two days ago I received a mini from Style Edit, a brand I had never heard of, and I am awaiting a delivery from Beautylish of the one from R+ Co. I have rediscovered the Perfect Lighting clock pen from ITCosmetics. It is a much kinder way to highlight the skin around my eyes and helps with the shadow created by my glasses.
Weekend plans: Nothing scheduled. I always go to a farmers market on Sunday.
Are there any charitable organizations you support?: I regularly support organizations that work for reproductive freedom, our local food bank, meal delivery services, and City Harvest, which collects unused food and redistributes it, and also a few animal rescue organizations. This past year I started to give to Donors Choose, where teachers seek funds for projects for their individual classrooms. In the past few months it’s been to groups seeking to feed front line workers through local restaurants and to bail funds. Almost never to diseases though.
I recently heard someone say that she’s been using root touch up spray like “hair spray on Easter Sunday” and had to laugh.
Mellan’s joy and zest for life is infectious! In a good way, of course!
Recent purchases/rediscoveries: MAC Would Rather Lounge Lipglass and Sand Tropez Foiled Eyeshadow, 2 bottles of The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane, and Marc Jacobs Enamored gloss in Forbidden Fruit
my beauty purchases. Also had to buy a couple pairs of new Bermuda shorts through Macy’s due to my expanding girth. #quarantineeating
Weekend plans: Going to finish up my monthly food/household shopping either today or tomorrow. Listen in to my meeting tomorrow morning via Zoom. Hopefully, I’ll remember to, anyway. It being on Saturday morning instead of Sunday afternoon has really thrown me for a loop! Hopefully, I’ll also get an hour down at our apartment complex pool, too.
Are there any charitable organization’s you support? Other than several times where I’ve contributed to an especially worthy GoFundMe account, not much, really. I would also rather purchase an item where either all or most of the purchase price goes towards a charity, such as MAC Viva Glam or a Domestic Violence Awareness t-shirt, as these bring more awareness to a cause as a side benefit. Due to my politically neutral stand, I am cautious that I am not taking sides with/supporting any political party.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: We are buying a house soon, so purchases have been as necessary only. I did buy a new tube of Essence Lash Princess mascara and their peach lash primer to try out together. I loved the heck out of the pink Lash Princess for a long time, but I got mascara wanderlust (as one does!) I did order two more of the Touch in Sol Metallist shadows from Sephora a long time ago and they came this week, but I haven’t gotten to play with them yet.
Weekend plans: We are looking at a few houses tomorrow, and there are a couple that I am very excited/hopeful about. We got lucky with selling our house in CA right before lockdown started, and we are super lucky that we are even in a position to buy a house here, and I am very grateful in spite of the anxiety I feel. Buying a house is a big decision! Our dog, Ellie, who is lab/shepherd/pit bull mix, misses having a yard so much, so no one will be as excited as she is to get out of this tiny apartment. We’re hoping that there will be lots of trees and squirrels to keep her busy. I gotta get on Discord to share pet pics, huh?
Are there any charitable organizations you support?: We make a yearly donation during the winter as the pets’ holiday “gift” to an animal charity, which has been the rescue group in the Bay Area that we got Ellie from since we adopted her. We also do a monthly donation to the DSA, and we give to whatever charities we see come up in our radar that are asking for funds whenever we can. Lately my donations have been related to covid relief (especially for Native American communities), bail funds, and BLM, but since it is Pride month I am going to pivot a little bit of future support to a LGBTQ+ charity that’s local as well.
The thing about charity is that every little bit does help! $5 can go toward TNR (trap-neuter-release) for feral cat colonies or a meal for a child who is food insecure while schools are closed. Even if you cannot give financially, there are lots of ways to be active and help others, including signing petitions and sending letters to representatives. We are seeing an unprecedented outpouring of support like this from people who likely don’t even have jobs right now, and it warms my hearts to see the hearts and wallets of fellow people so open!
Best wishes Stephanie for your house hunting. I hope you find a place that you both like, can afford and it will make your dog happy.
Mellan is such a cutie! I love his excitement as he springs into action.
Recent purchases/rediscoveries: Nothing. What is makeup even?
Weekend plans: Our dog Daisy has been in the hospital since Sunday night so our life pretty much revolves around hoping for her recovery right now. We’ll stick close to home, go visit her at the hospital as allowed, and that’s about it. We’ve been watching a lot of GBBO and that will probably continue!
Favorite charities: Doctors Without Borders is our usual go-to and then we tend to donate to other charities that are addressing specific current events. A lot of our charitable giving takes the form of contributing to GoFundMes or other fundraisers, too.
AJ, I truly hope Daisy has a quick and complete recovery.
I really hope AJ that Daisy pulls through her recovery as good as new. So stressful and worrying when your beloved pet is ill.
I’m sorry about Daisy. i hope she recovers quickly.
Sorry to hear that Daisy is in the hospital. I hope she gets well soon!
I love the new name!
Finds and check ins – nothing new but the warm weather has made my rms beauty buriti bronzer much softer/easier to work with (almost too soft – it’s more like the oil is leaching out).
Weekend plans: a google duo chat with our son in the (Canadian, thank goodness) military tonight; Facetime training with my trainer tomorrow and the weather is cooling down so I want to take a decent walk and also plant some hellebores (Lenten roses) and delphiniums I bought the other day. And I want to make meatloaf and then reheat the leftovers on the bbq!
Charities: we’ve had a foster child in Nepal (always a girl, because girls in the developing world are so undervalued) ever since my daughter was born – that was my first Mothers Day present!!! In 1984; the Canadian Cancer Society, two local hospitals – McMaster Children’s Hospital and The Hamilton General which saved the lives of my mother in law, my brother in law and my husband (among many others).
McMaster Children’s hospital is wonderful! My daughter was there for 3 weeks 10 years ago and I cannot praise them enough. Been supporting and donating to them ever since!
I didn’t know that! I had all 3 of my babies there – what a great experience that was. And my daughter was treated there when she was 3 and cut her head open in a fall into the corner of a marble coffee table! She was 3; she’s now in her 30’s but I remember it like it was yesterday.
Kudos for the new wording!
Recent Purchases:
*Sephora (sale page) — Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Midnight Wasabi, Turks & Caicos, Ya Dig?!, Clapback, Violet Fury, One of the Boyz, Candy Venom, F’N Black, Pumpkin Rose, Tiger Tini, Freckle Fiesta, Saw-C, and I Quit.
* Moira Cosmetics — Sweet Paradise Eye & Face Palette and Sandcastles in the Sky Eye Palette.
*Coastal Scents (sale) — Three empty Freedom palettes. Blush Hot Pots in Cupid, Dragon Fruit, Tart Purple, Teaberry, Rejuvenate, Flamingo Pink, Gracious, and Exuberant.
*Profusion (sale) — No Budge Eyeshadow Primer, Brush & Go Set, and Blending Sponge. Eye palettes in Yellow Fusion, Upbeat Orange, Violets, Neon, and Gold Rush. GWP Mystery Box that I haven’t opened yet.
*Urban Decay (half off) — All Nighter Setting Spray.
*Macy’s ($20 reward) — Buxom Blush Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blush in Ibiza and MAC Mini MAC Prep + Prime Fix+.
Weekend plans: My makeup room is mine again, so I’ll be starting to put it back together. I’m hoping my son will be done repainting my roll top desk/vanity this weekend.
My younger son went from being furloughed to laid off. The hotel wants to hire him back as soon as they can, but there’s no telling when that will be. I’m in contact with his Developmental Disabilities case manager. He’s thinking about taking a computer programming class, but he might work with his program to find another job, too.
Are there any charitable organizations you support?: A local cat adoption agency, the local small animal shelter, the Humane Society, and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (who were amazing when my son broke both his arms).
Congratulations on getting your makeup room back Rachel – what a joy to be organising that special room to yourself again.
I hope that your son is able to get his old job back – he was so good at too. A computer programming class will build his skills and knowledge in that area and it would never be out of date. This would be be another ‘string in his bow’ kind of thing.
Thank you; you’re always so kind. He and his artist friend have been writing a comic book series together, and they’ve been learning to make and gaming videos. They might want to design their own games some day, so he really wants to learn programming, but he needs a classroom. He’s tried learning online by himself, but his Asperger’s makes it kind of difficult for him sometimes.
So sorry to hear that your son was laid off. Sounds like he may have options in the near-term given his interests and hobbies.
Thank you, Tracey. He’ll be OK. He lives with us and he has good case managers and programs.
This is the first week since quarantine that I have not worn a stitch of makeup other than doing my brows, so no “finds” for me this time.
Weekend plans: After a rough work week and battling headaches from eye strain and air pressure changes in weather I’m looking forward to getting out for long walks with my husband and our fur baby.
Charities we support are: Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, and McMaster Children’s Hospital
I hope you are feeling better now Heather – could the eye strain be from looking at a computer all day long? Or is it from needing glasses?
I hope the weather is kind enough for you to get out into the fresh air for a long walk.
Recent purchases:
Sydney Grace Enduring Love and Autumn’s Reign (gave first one to niece so bought amother) palettes
Various nail polishes
Divine Rose II – hasn’t come in yet but I’m excited to play with it, especially that vibrant pink color as a blush of some sort.
Rediscoveries:
MAC lipsticks Marque and Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson
MAC Aladdin x 9 eyeshadow palette
Weekend plans: Friends coming over tonight for dinner and a movie. Farmers Market on Saturday (if open), laundry and some cleaning, then maybe a walk. The usual manicure and facial on Sunday.
Charities: A few local animal shelters and sanctuaries and various GoFundMes.
What a happy, healthy looking doggie he is!
Haul: Clinique’s Melon Pop and The Balm’s Hot Mama blushes. I have just used the Melon Pop and it is beautiful.
Weekend Plans: It is a long weekend here in Aus and restrictions are easing as restaurants, cafes and hotels are open to cater for only 20 people at a time, which is quite tricky to work out.
Friday – I spent the day baking slices and cakes, which I haven’t done before. My family put in all kinds of requests as to their preferences: my husband only likes raisins and sultanas in his; my eldest son wants chocolate (no nuts, dates etc); my youngest son wanted berries in his and my daughter in law likes a ‘healthy’ slice containing nuts, dates, figs etc. The kids are not fussy and will eat anything. So I have made four different slices to keep them all happy…
Saturday – shopping, housework and the family coming over for a winter bbq and fish dinner
Sunday – out for a drive and hopefully a meal out.
Monday – an extended drive out into the countryside.
Charity: We regularly donate to The Smith Family that supports low income families with goods, clothes etc. Another is the Salvation Army who support the homeless and those fleeing domestic violence.
You picked out two very nice blushes! I think they’ll look lovely on you. The cake slices sound yummy.
Genevieve, your slices sound delicious! You’re very generous to make all the different variations. Hope you enjoy the long weekend!
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Sunday Riley Luna retinol oil — I’ve just started using it. My friend said using it weekly was a game-changer!
Weekend plans: My boyfriend is visiting me for my birthday weekend – the first time we’ve been together in three months 🙂 I’m overjoyed. Tomorrow I will join a protest with some friends in town. Other than that, we’ll stay indoors and hang out. Almost all stores in my city are boarded up at the moment, and our city’s 6 PM curfew was just moved to 8 PM.
Are there any charitable organizations you support?: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Turtle Conservancy, Tree Sisters, NDN Collective (they have a fund for covid relief for Native American communities), my colleges, and then several legal organizations like the NRDC, ACLU, Child Advocates, and the Innocence Project. Lately, a lot of support for food banks, local restaurants that recently went under because of coronavirus, and mutual aid in support of BLM (such as to local black-owned businesses that have been damaged, bail funds, and some other collectives).
My only purchase has been mascara for my sister-in-law. I haven’t been wearing makeup recently.
Only plans for the weekend are grocery shopping and house cleaning. If the rain holds off maybe I’ll get to some of my flower beds.
Charities that I support are American Cancer Society thru the Relay for Life program. Vet Ranch, which is an organization in Boerne, TX that treats homeless animals and Samaritans Purse.
Discoveries: I actually got a sample of Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in my order and it’s a game-changer! I’ve stopped buying iconic expensive lip balms years ago bc it NEVER worked on me and I was just going to deal with persistently dry lips and using healing ointments. This is the only one with slight flavor that I’ve used in ages where I wake up with soft lips. This is going to a new staple! Also looking forward to the new FAB spf sample I got. The actual order was PMG luxetrance lipsticks in Tropicalia, Sorry Not Sorry, and Beautiful Creature. I also ordered NARS Janet lipstick but received Anita instead. 🙁
Weekend Plans: temperature will drop a bit and we’re supposed to get showers, so I’ll probably stay in, do some chores, bake something, watch some movies (apparently, I missed out on a lot) and if it’s not a downpour, a walk in the rain.
Are there any charitable organizations you support?: local food banks and homeless shelters. Sometimes, I’ll donate in response to a disaster.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Nothing right now, but if things work out and nothing too urgent comes up, I might get a few lip glosses-Clinique Pop Splash Fireberry and Marc Jacobs Enamored Rio and Cherry Moon-from Sephora sometime this month.
Weekend plans: We’re doing laundry right now. Also, we have to make another grocery order and I’ll have to grab a few things in-store that don’t travel well in online orders. Other than that, it’s basically the usual marathons: NCIS: LA tonight, SVU tomorrow, NCIS: LA/Chicago PD mix Sunday.
Are there any charitable organizations you support?: I’m still researching charities to decide which ones I might financially support after the pandemic has calmed down more, but I frequently sign online petitions that promote feminism, reproductive rights, racial equality, and LGBTQ rights. It’s what I’m most able to do right now.
Recent purchases/Rediscoveries: Selfridges – Smith brush 230, Guerlain Terracotta Nude Glow Powder, and Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer in Medium. My skintone is light with pink undertones and the CT bronzer shade Medium barely shows up on me. I’ve been experimenting with different foundations and brushes, and using it as a setting powder. It may be better suited for me in the winter when my skin is pale. The formula is fabulous.
Weekend Plans: The weather looks picture perfect, so being outside and getting some exercise is the plan. Will also, be making a chicken Thai dish that that we enjoy eating when temps are hot and catching up on correspondence.
Charitable Organizations: I support charitable organizations that focus on social justice, hunger and food availability, animal welfare, and medical treatment/research among others that are local to the communities we live in/are from.