Friday Finds & Check-ins, Volume #648

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: Sephora haul, which I don’t know when I’ll get to with respect to swatch wise, but: Kaja Lip/Eye Mousses, Rose Inc. Lipsticks, Fenty Beauty Bronzer/Eye palette, Patrick Ta Major Dimension II palette, and then Necessaire body wash and deodorant gel and Topicals High Roller.

Weekend plans:

Friday/Saturday have become my photo/swatch days, so that’s my big to-do!

What’s your favorite board game? Scrabble!

P.S. — Want to chat with readers on the regular? Check out Temptalia’s Discord where you can chat about beauty, makeup, and more! 🙂

P.P.S. — Check our hubby’s new site for video gaming guides — good if you (or someone you know or your kids!) is into gaming, including crosswords and Wordle. Plus, I worked with hubby to develop our own game, Concludle.

This week's doggo photo/video...

Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!

51 Comments

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Joyce Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Ofra Glitch 2000 palette, Ofra Rodeo Drive lip gloss, ColourPop Pretty Fresh setting mist, Vichy Thermal Water mist, Wet n Wild Impossible primer, Revlon Dewy Peach shine lipstick, Peter Thomas Roth SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud moisturizer, Elf concealer sponge

Weekend plans: Our patio furniture should be arriving today. I’m excited to have something to sit on in our enclosed porch! My husband’s also installing a wall mount TV (smallish one) in our bedroom this weekend. We’re not TV-in-the-bedroom people but we’re in an incredibly busy season of life and only get like 30 minutes before bedtime to spend together so hopefully it serves us well.

What’s your favorite board game? Hmm… probably Scrabble but I’m more of an easy card game person— games like Phase10, Skip-Bo, Uno.

Genevieve Avatar

I hope your patio furniture arrives and it should be wonderful to use during the spring and summer months. I know that with three small children in your household you wouldn’t get much time to yourselves, so enjoying a little TV time together will feel like a luxury.

Joyce Avatar

Hi Genevieve! Would you believe now that we have our patio furniture my body decides a moment outside with pollen is too much? Lol goodness gracious. My allergies are SO bad rn. Mississippi pollen does not agree with me!

Genevieve Avatar

Oh Joyce, how annoying! I bet you are sneezing, eyes watering etc.
I have to use antihistamines from early Septembe to late April for that very reason! I am sure the kids love the new furniture though.

Celesta Avatar

Recent Purchases: nothing this week! Makeup no buy is going well so far.

Rediscoveries: Nothing in particular. Just enjoying what I have.

Weekend plans: Unsure at the moment. My brother and mom were supposed to come down to visit, but I may just be heading up to help the same brother move out of his apartment and away from his toxic boyfriend….

What’s your favorite board game? Right now, Scene It Disney Edition. I love spotting the little details on the board and its fun to play with my son.

Sarah Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Purchases are PMG lipstick in Infatuation which I LOVE, NARS light reflecting foundation in OSLO which is the best foundation ever, a replacement mascara, and melt cosmetics cream blushlight in LYNX. I also got a sample of NARS bronzer in LAGUNA and it goes well over LYNX!

Rediscoveries are Lorac Pro Palette Noir and Colourpop Going Coconuts Palette.

Weekend Plans: resisting the Sephora sale and reading Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel.

My favorite board game is that I loathe board games. I do like card games though. Uno is my favorite!

Genevieve Avatar

Isn’t Lorac Noir so beautiful? The only thing I wish was that the Lust shade was more firmly pressed in the pan – mine disintegrated soon after I got it. But the rest of the palette was fine.
Uno is a big, big favourite in our household too. We use to play it with our neighbours in our old house and have taught our children and grandchildren to play it as well.
Best wishes on resisting the Sephora sale…..

Sarah Avatar

This is my 2nd purchase of the Noir palette. My last palette expired. Some of the colors are trickier than others to work with but I actually managed a smokey eye with this palette!

I managed to only reup my moisturizer, buy the blushlight in Lynx and get a small bottle of cleanser for double cleansing from the Sephora sale! Ulta, otoh, lured me in by actually having the foundation I wanted in my shade after MONTHS. I couldn’t resist that!

Lisa Avatar

Recent Purchases: I just bought the Patrick Ta Multi Dimensional 1 eyeshadow pallet. (it was out of stock on Sephora, bought it direct from PT). It is beautiful, but I was having trouble making it work for me. Every time I try a smokey eye with brushes, I look like I have been punched. But I got a more subtle look to work for me (I think! ). I will keep playing until I get it. Got a haul from Sephora, will arrive tomorrow.

Weekend plans: I had a migraine yesterday, so I am going to rest this weekend!

I would say my favorite board game is Scrabble, too. I did play backgammon a while back and loved it.

Genevieve Avatar

It’s a shame that you are having so much trouble getting the Patrick Ta palette to work for you. Are the colours or is it the formula that is giving you problems?
I hope your migraine has subsided – they are so debilitating and afterwards you feel so washed out. Enjoy a good rest this weekend Lisa.

Nancy T Avatar

What a very happy, smiley doggie Winnie has turned into! Such an expressive little face 🐶

Purchases/rediscoveries: Just placed an order with Sephora yesterday for Nars Unrated Eyeshadow Palette as well as Nars Afterglow Cheek Palette, and also yet another bottle of The Ordinary Buffet serums…boy, I sure do go through tons of that great stuff! Need to go out this afternoon to take care of some things. Will be looking at my stash versus my loose, comfy clothes to see about any rediscoveries.

Weekend plans: Other than resting up, I’m so not sure? Need to make a trip to Walmart for a few things to make life easier as I heal further. I will DEFINITELY be using the scooter, though! 😉

What’s your favorite board game? Since I have no one to play with, I have no current favorites. But, when I did, I used to love Scrabble and anything that involved strategy, except for chess.

Nancy T Avatar

Thankfully, almost ALL my shopping is online, except for yesterday when I went food shopping. But I knew from the first time I saw swatches of Nars Unrated Eyeshadow Palette that it would be absolutely perfect for easier, simpler eye looks for summer and also because it has to be until I’m fully recovered. Nars Afterglow Cheek Palette has sat on my WL for months, but I knew it was for me from when I first saw it, too. Hard to sit up for too long. Mostly, I have been ordering loose drawstring pants (3 pairs), tanks to go with them and one long black dress with a smocked waist and tie neckline that I can adjust. Oh, and you can bet that I will be using those store scooters until I can get it all done just using a shopping cart!

Genevieve Avatar

You must be on the mend Nancy if you are placing orders with Sephora…… I love The Ordinary’s products too. At what stage during your nighttime skincare regime do you use the Buffet serum?
Going out, even if it is in a scooter, will get you out of the apartment and into the fresh air. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Have a good rest Nancy and it’s great to hear that you are up and about.

Nancy T Avatar

Hi Genevieve, I use the Buffet at night as part of my nighttime skincare routine, around 10-20 minutes after using my retinol products.
I do wish that I had my own personal scooter, but the ones I’ve been using belong to the stores. I am going to try to go for walks around the apartment complex property while our weather isn’t too terribly hot. But, it is a little scary going around without someone with me because sometimes I get light-headed. So much easier to get walking time in at the skilled nursing facility, which I signed myself out of against their advise. They wanted me to wait for at least 3-4 more days, and I just wanted to be home with my kitties! Probably NOT my wisest decision. Oh, and I found out that Percocet may give one a sense of euphoria and cause excessive online shopping! Oops! 😳

Nancy T Avatar

So am I, Sarah! Even though I know that I may be going about it a little too fast, according to my medical professionals, anyway, it just feels good mentally. I have ADHD and am on the Autism Spectrum (high functioning), so sitting still and relaxing isn’t an easy option for me, as I can get very antsy if I try to just chill out and relax all day. So, yes, I do tend to rush things.

Ana Maria Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Nothing new.

Weekend plans: I should get my eyebrows threaded, but after my oral surgery I a little bit afraid of someone touching my face. 😅 I hope to enjoy the warmer weather in nature and rest.

What’s your favorite board game? I haven’t played a board game in ages… I used to like Cards Against Humanity and Activity.

Ana Maria Avatar

Still mostly soft foods. I can chew, but not too much… I tried last weekend too many hard foods and it didn’t went too well. But otherwise I think things are better, thank you for your interest,

Lesley Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries. Two from ILNP. A bright coral cream called Summer and a coral shimmer holo called Riley.

Weekend plans: brunch at a friend’s house and the usual food shopping

Favorite board game: I’d say Scrabble but I have not played a board game in decades.

Rachel R. Avatar

Winnie is getting so big! For a second, I thought that was a throwback pic of Mellan.

RECENT PURCHASES:
*MACY’S (sale): MAC Glowplay Blush in Flowerescenct, Peaches ‘n’ Dreams, and HD Wild Cherry; Love Me Lipstick in Wild Cherry, Cheery Cherry, and Sakura SZN; and Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Petallic Metallic.

*Unearthly Cosmetics — Sleepover Collection blush, and the Highlighter and lipgloss ended up going to my son’s GF, but I ordered myself new ones. Lol.

Nomad Cosmetics: Whistler Snow Lodge Palette

WEEKEND PLANS: My husband, our younger son, and our son’s GF are flying to NOLA for a few days to pick up the rest of her stuff and ship it here. So this evening I’ll be helping my son pack.

A cold front and low snow levels are coming into our area after a few days of sunshine and temps in the upper 70s F, so today I’m having migraines and bad vertigo that’s making it hard to walk. So I can’t plan anything in case that continues. I’ll be OK, though. My brother and older son will be here.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Scrabble for me, too.

Genevieve Avatar

Does the weather affect your migraines Rachel? Another reader here has experienced them too in the past day or so. I hope the vertigo subsides too – is that an inner ear problem? I hope you get to have some rest over the weekend, especially once half the family has flown to your son’s girlfriend’s place. Where is NOLA?

Rachel R. Avatar

Sorry, I didn’t think of our overseas readers. NOLA is New Orleans, Louisiana. They’re flight got delayed, and then delayed again to the point they’d miss their connection, so they had to rebook the flight for tomorrow, and adjust car and hotel reservations.

Yes, the barometric pressure changes changes from weather shifts are my biggest migraine triggers. I rarely get vertigo from them, but this change was so big and rapid this time, I did. It’s quite a bit better today, though. It is an inner ear issue, related to the air pressure changes.

Mariella Avatar

Recent purchases – nothing more exciting than some CAKE Beauty Heavy Hand Cream – because of all the hand washing I am still doing – and their cream shower wash stuff (I can’t remember the name). Rediscoveries: UD’s Mariposa and 15th Anniversary palettes (I’m wearing shadows from both of them today). I was also really delighted to find that one of the shades in the 15th Anniversary palette is a dead ringer for Too Faced Cloves (from their 2nd Smokey eyeshadow palette) – a beautiful golden-y brown that I’ve hoped to dupe since forever!

Weekend plans: Seeing “the baby” – our youngest child – off to Japan for FIVE YEARS (though he will be home at Xmas, he hopes, and we’re hoping we can visit in the fall if Covid co-operates) That’s the big event and I don’t know if I’m more excited for him than I am for myself or more sad for him and worried…it’s both, really…

Favourite Board Game: Sorry, which we’ve played with my kids since they were little and which a childless friend of mine still delights in playing with the family when she visits. But even more – Trivial Pursuit. We had one of the original 1,000 test run games (hubs worked at the firm where one of the originators of the game also worked and Ed was flogging them ’round the firm). The game was so wildly popular but not available and for one summer, we were incredibly popular – invited to bbq’s, pool parties, dinner parties, picnics – and all with the add on of “oh, and could you bring that new trivia game you guys have….”

Genevieve Avatar

It’s going to be a bittersweet moment when your son flies off this weekend. Five years is quite a long time, but I am sure you will be able to go and visit him in the nearby future. International travel is going to open up more and more – so that will be something to aim for.
I would have a real mixture of emotions myself if one of mine moved to Japan – especially when it’s ‘your baby’.
The Mariposa and 15th Anniversary palettes were both created when UD was at its zenith and it’s sad to see how much it has fallen since then.

Alison Avatar

Recent purchases:
Well, I’m always complaining about needing more cool toned palettes. So I was mulling on the Denona Pastel Palette, reading reviews, and it seems like every third review, the person hates the formula, saying it barely shows up even with eye primer. Yet pastels really work for me, much better than the classic smokey eve. So I began looking at the Sephora sale and revisiting the Viseart Bridal Satin which is in process of being retired and looks a trifled data, but heck, so do I.

Long story short, the top four shades could serve as the foundation for dozens of eye looks adding in selections of all the other cool toned shades I have. Purchased.

Weekend plans– We go shopping and to the acupuncturist on Saturdays.

Games: We’re both word people and can slay anyone on scrabble, but not interested because reading the news is enough tension for me. And I believe in paying attention.

Deborah S. Avatar

I have the Viseart Bridal palette and I like it. In general, Viseart did shadow really well. I haven’t checked out anything by them for years but the palettes I do have, I really like. I am not a huge pastel palette person but this one is nice. Hope you like it.

Alison Avatar

I actually recycled some of my Viseart’s — just wasn’t using them. And all there recent ones just have too few colors I would use. IMHO– their best palette was Coy.

Genevieve Avatar

It is hard to find some genuine cool toned palettes – especially in the pastel line. CP has quite a few little quad numbers using pastel and cool toned shades if you are interested.
But the Viseart Bridal Satin is a really top notch palette – one half is warmer, the other half cooler. And apart from that peachy orange shade, even the warmer tones can work well with plenty of cool tones around them.
I can’t do a classic smokey eye either – I ending up looking like Panda’s mother!

Alison Avatar

Thanks for the info, Genevieve. I tried CP for a while but didn’t care for the “feel” of their products– not sure why. With my fair neutral skin tone, I can pretty much wear ANY color of lipstick or blush, although TF Wild Ginger’s my HG. But on the eyes, apart from brow and liner, I can’t wear any brown. The taupey color in Bridal Satin layered with the silvery-shade might work. A few of the Chanel Blurry palettes are pretty cool, but they are also mid-toned. I’m thinking the pale blue in Bridal Satin all over the lid with a few accents of other midtoned shades like Blurry Blue could work. (I too get the Panda effect but on me, it’s more like the person in the painting The Scream– so it’s all about lightening and a bit of brightening.)

Genevieve Avatar

A beautiful, happy looking doggie enjoying the sunshine!

Recent Purchases: A replacement lipstick – Maybelline’s Mauve for Me and that’s about it.
Rediscoveries: Stila In the Garden – for the lovely cool toned taupe and sage shade.

Weekend Plans: It’s the start of the Autumn school holidays here and the Grand Prix weekend – which means my husband and eldest son are going to be glued to the TV.
No particular plans – some housework, laundry and a date with the ironing board.
The Environment Dept. is doing some burning off in the nearby hills, so it’s quite smoky/hazy out there and I’ll wait to do my daily walk when it all clears up.

Favourite Board Game: I don’t really have one but I do play UNO with my grandchildren and family members.

Deborah S. Avatar

A couple of years ago, when we had a particularly bad fire season, as soon as our first snowfall in September, the forestry service decided to do a controlled burn and since we had just managed to settle the smoke and I was beginning to think I might be able to breath again, their controlled burn got away from them and ended up burning a few thousand acres. I am not a forestry know it all but even I could discern that it wasn’t the right time to do a burn! Hope it clears up for you, Genevieve.

Genevieve Avatar

Yep – we’ve had that experience too Deborah – controlled burns that have gotten away from the Forestry/Environment folks and it has nearly burnt through small towns and thousands of hectares. I think it’s when they make a date to do the burn and nothing, not even the weather forecast, will make them change their minds.
We live in what is called the ‘outer East’ of Melbourne, right close to the Dandenong ranges and there were half a dozen planned burns for small bushland areas in and around the Ranges. They are all considered ‘safe’ now and the smoke haze is still around, but not too bad. We’ve certainly had worse!

Deborah S. Avatar

Genevieve, did you get my message about contacting me via my email? I left my email for you in a post. If you didn’t get it no worries. I just had a favor to ask you. If you didn’t get it my email address is
dsorenson001@att.net or if you have IG you could message me on Instagram. I know you have looked at my IG before but the name is
@debkaysor

Thank you.

Deborah S. Avatar

Haul: Well, I think it was last week that I ordered the ColourPop and the Chanel? Not sure. Anyway, this week from the Sephora sale I picked up the Bridgerton e/s palette, Diamond of the First Water and the blush/highlighter trio. I wanted to buy a lipstick but they were all sold out on Sephora and I didn’t want to order from her website. I will have to check back to Sephora and see if they are back i stock but since they are LE I doubt they will restock.

Weekend plans: More of the same. I am slowly making my way through boxes and deciding what I want to keep and what to get rid of. I am headed to Seattle the first week in May to pick up my grandbaby, Sophie, the cat. She is coming home with me for a vet visit and also so that my daughter can leave directly from work over the Memorial Day weekend. She is coming to see her Grandma and also to go through the house with me to tell me what she wants to keep. Then I will get the outside painted and likely not do much more in terms of getting the place ready to sell. I will likely knock something off the asking price and essentially sell it “as is”. Due to my health issues, keeping up with some of the repairs just hasn’t happened.

Favorite board game: I don’t really play board games as I live alone but when I was growing up we played Monopoly a lot, as a family. My brother and my Dad always cheated so us girls never won! If I am going to play a game I prefer games like Boggle or Trivial Pursuit.

Genevieve Avatar

I have ordered a few times from PMG Deborah and have never experienced a hassle, so you may not either. I can see those beauty products working well on you and you will enjoy them now that your spring is starting(?) to happen.
Sometimes it’s just easier to sell your place as is – beside whoever buys it can do the the internal work the way that they like it and with the colours and finishes they prefer. If you knock off a bit from the asking price that will give the new homeowners some extra cash to do what they want. All that fuss and worry about tradespeople coming (and if they are reliable, do good quality work, give you a reasonable price for their services etc) will not be your problem.
It’s hard work ahead of you deciding on what to keep, what to donate and what to throw out. This time last year we were doing it so our son, daughter in law and their three children could move in…..so, so glad that they found a place. I just can’t get over the peace and serenity of our own home back. Mind you – we still have to do another hard rubbish collection as they have left a lot behind…..

Erica Avatar

Recent purchase: Natasha Denona Pastel palette

Rediscovered: Too Faced Sweet Peach palette

Weekend plans: Doing my taxes. I can put off no longer!

Favorite Board Game: Scrabble or Monopoly. I love card games like Rummy and Crazy Eights

Seraphine Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Last week I raved about finding my perfect “nude” lipstick. Well, I was wrong. I just discovered Huda Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Anniversary, my REALLY perfect “nude” shade!

Weekend Plans: Resting after spending a week of walking 20,000+ steps per day at Disney World.

Favorite Board Game: Trivial Pursuit

Pearl Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries:
Sephora Haul:
LYS blushes in Classy, Humble
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes in Encourage, Believe, Lucky, Grateful, Grace, Joy, Happy, Hope, Peace, Bliss (bought the trio and giving to my niece, ordered full sizes where possible for myself)
Rare Beauty Luminizer in Mesmerize x2
Rare Beauty Glossy Lip Balms in Nearly Mauve, Apricot, Rose, Neutral and Berry (love the feel of these) x 2, some for me, some for gifting
Herbivore Prism serum x2
Cinema Secrets brush cleaner x2
Lancome Bi-Facil x3
MUFE Aqua Seal
Natasha Denona Pastel Palette – I like using the barely there toppers for a glint on my mobile lid and a soft brown crease. SGivenchy Prisme Loose Powder in Mousseline Acidulee x3
Marc Jacobs Lip Glosses in Raspberry Beret, Make Me and Supa Dupa Fly
Youth To The People Yerba Mate Exfoliating mask
Artist Couture Mini Supreme Nudes, Supreme Nudes (backup), Supreme Mauves eyeshadow palettes
Patrick Ta Double Take Blush in Do We Know Her?
Tower 28 Dream Team Blush + Lip Gloss in Magic Hour, Pistachio
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Palette, Eye Primer x2
Gucci Bronzer (Medium) x2

Sheglam:
Color Bloom Liquid Blush Box (8 liquid blushes – some for me, some for gifting)

Blend Bunny (from Nov. ’21 to present):
Blends and Dollhouse eyeshadow palettes

MOIRA Cosmetics (from Nov. ’21 to present):
Signature Ombre blushes in Tender Rose, Ruby Flush, Morning Sunshine, Soft Berry, Bella Pink, Sweet Peach and Mellow Pink
Diamond Daze Liquid Shadows in Stardust, Regal, Eye Contact, Goodness, Afterglow, Treasure Trove, In Pursuit, Airglow and Stardom
Lasting Priming Cream Shadows in Beige, Rose Sand, Peach Nude, Mocha Brown
Loveheat Cream Blushes in I Respect You and I Adore You
Lucent Cream Shadows in Venus, Comet, Infinity and Phoebe
Loose Control Pigments in Unlimited, Lightspeed, Now or Never and Smitten
Loose Control Glitters in Move On, Psst, Impulsive and Unstoppable

Weekend plans: Bird watching, grilling salmon and veggies tonight and movie/show catch up. Morning service on Sunday, maybe brunch and then batch cooking/food prepping followed by at home facial and mani. No matter how leisurely or productive, Sundays always make me a little bit sad. Baffles me.

What’s your favorite board game? Years ago they were Risk and Scrabble.

Zia Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I picked up the $2 Copacetics Cosmetics shadows for this month. Couldn’t resist!
Weekend plans: My brother is coming to visit and making us a big brunch!
What’s your favorite board game? Dixit! Amazing game!

Nikki Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries:
My Sephora haul came in on time on Friday-it ended up being GXVE Line It Up Bathwater eyeliner and Anaheim Shine Original Recipe lipstick, Natasha Denona Pastel palette, Sephora #Lipstories Popsicle Lips and Autumn Blaze lipsticks, and Ellis Brooklyn Raven fragrance (no travel size) and Versace Bright Crystal Absolu travel-size fragrance.
Weekend plans:
Split the grocery run over Friday night and Sunday night, worked all day Saturday, helped my mom pick out a new recliner on Sunday (our contractor neighbor will pick it up Tuesday and bring it in Wednesday).
What’s your favorite board game?
I’m really not a board game person.

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