Month in Review | July 2016
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of July, plus a summary of how many products and brands were reviewed and a break out of ratings! 🙂
I think it’d be fun to go through what we used, purchased, resisted, and so forth each month, here are some questions:
- What were your favorites from the last month?
- What didn’t impress you?
- Did you return anything you purchase?
- Or successfully resist temptation?
Lancome Glowing Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme HighlighterLancome Glowing Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with...
Lancome Glowing Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme HighlighterLancome Glowing Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with...
Wayne Goss The Air-Brush ($35.00) is a powder brush designed for sculpting, buffing, and baking. It is made out of blue squirrel hair, which are...
Wayne Goss The Air-Brush ($35.00) is a powder brush designed for sculpting, buffing, and baking. It is made out of blue squirrel hair, which are...
Lancome Rosegold Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme HighlighterLancome Rosegold Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rose...
Lancome Rosegold Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme HighlighterLancome Rosegold Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rose...
Laura Mercier Bronze (04) Matte Radiance Baked PowderLaura Mercier Bronze (04) Matte Radiance Baked Powder ($40.00 for 0.26 oz.) is dark brown with warm, reddish tones...
Laura Mercier Bronze (04) Matte Radiance Baked PowderLaura Mercier Bronze (04) Matte Radiance Baked Powder ($40.00 for 0.26 oz.) is dark brown with warm, reddish tones...
Anastasia Warm Bronze Lip GlossAnastasia Warm Bronze Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark reddish-copper with...
Anastasia Warm Bronze Lip GlossAnastasia Warm Bronze Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark reddish-copper with...
Anastasia Fudge Lip GlossAnastasia Fudge Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a muted, reddish-brown with warm undertones and a cream...
Anastasia Fudge Lip GlossAnastasia Fudge Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a muted, reddish-brown with warm undertones and a cream...
Laura Mercier Bronze (03) Matte Radiance Baked PowderLaura Mercier Bronze (03) Matte Radiance Baked Powder ($40.00 for 0.26 oz.) is medium-dark, reddish brown with...
Laura Mercier Bronze (03) Matte Radiance Baked PowderLaura Mercier Bronze (03) Matte Radiance Baked Powder ($40.00 for 0.26 oz.) is medium-dark, reddish brown with...
08. Night Fever & Hot Stuff (508) Marc Jacobs Beauty
Marc Jacobs Beauty
PPermanent. $42.00/0.282 oz.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Night Fever & Hot Stuff (508) Air BlushMarc Jacobs Beauty Night Fever & Hot Stuff (508) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Night Fever & Hot Stuff (508) Air BlushMarc Jacobs Beauty Night Fever & Hot Stuff (508) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with...
Christian Louboutin Beaute Altressa Loubliaque Lip LacquerChristian Louboutin Beaute Altressa Loubliaque Lip Lacquer ($85.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium red with...
Christian Louboutin Beaute Altressa Loubliaque Lip LacquerChristian Louboutin Beaute Altressa Loubliaque Lip Lacquer ($85.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium red with...
Urban Decay Backtalk Vice LipstickUrban Decay Backtalk Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "mauve nude-pink [with a Comfort Matte...
Urban Decay Backtalk Vice LipstickUrban Decay Backtalk Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "mauve nude-pink [with a Comfort Matte...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) Air BlushMarc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is soft, medium coral with warm,...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) Air BlushMarc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is soft, medium coral with warm,...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Kink & Kisses (504) Air BlushMarc Jacobs Beauty Kink & Kisses (504) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is soft, medium pink-coral with warm...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Kink & Kisses (504) Air BlushMarc Jacobs Beauty Kink & Kisses (504) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is soft, medium pink-coral with warm...
Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Razor Sharp Liquid EyelinerUrban Decay Perversion 24/7 Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliner ($22.0000 for 0.07 fl. oz.) is a deep, dark black with a...
Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Razor Sharp Liquid EyelinerUrban Decay Perversion 24/7 Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliner ($22.0000 for 0.07 fl. oz.) is a deep, dark black with a...
Anastasia Tara Lip GlossAnastasia Tara Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark copper-brown with warm undertones and a...
Anastasia Tara Lip GlossAnastasia Tara Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark copper-brown with warm undertones and a...
NARS Curacao Velvet Liner ($24.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, cyan blue with a matte finish. It had good pigmentation in one pass, and the consistency...
NARS Curacao Velvet Liner ($24.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, cyan blue with a matte finish. It had good pigmentation in one pass, and the consistency...
Make Up For Ever C104 Artist Rouge LipstickMake Up For Ever C104 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium rosy peach with warm...
Make Up For Ever C104 Artist Rouge LipstickMake Up For Ever C104 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium rosy peach with warm...
Make Up For Ever C105 Artist Rouge LipstickMake Up For Ever C105 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft, light-medium rosy pink with warmer...
Make Up For Ever C105 Artist Rouge LipstickMake Up For Ever C105 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft, light-medium rosy pink with warmer...
Urban Decay Sheer Rapture Vice LipstickUrban Decay Sheer Rapture Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "dusty rose [with a Sheer...
Urban Decay Sheer Rapture Vice LipstickUrban Decay Sheer Rapture Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "dusty rose [with a Sheer...
Guerlain Berry Beret (066) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium, fuchsia pink with...
Guerlain Berry Beret (066) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium, fuchsia pink with...
MAC News Flash! Blush ($16.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a "red orange with pearl [with a Satin finish]." ...
MAC News Flash! Blush ($16.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a "red orange with pearl [with a Satin finish]." ...
Anastasia Sepia Lip GlossAnastasia Sepia Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark reddish-brown with warm undertones and a...
Anastasia Sepia Lip GlossAnastasia Sepia Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark reddish-brown with warm undertones and a...
MAC Glitter Grunge Lipglass ($16.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a "sheer berry with extra fine silver...
MAC Glitter Grunge Lipglass ($16.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a "sheer berry with extra fine silver...
Guerlain Red Bowtie (022) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a bright, medium red with...
Guerlain Red Bowtie (022) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a bright, medium red with...
MAC Bright Response Blush ($16.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a "vibrant clean orange [with a Frost finish]." ...
MAC Bright Response Blush ($16.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a "vibrant clean orange [with a Frost finish]." ...
Makeup Geek Infatuation Blush ($10.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a mostly matte finish. [written_dupes...
Makeup Geek Infatuation Blush ($10.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a mostly matte finish. [written_dupes...
1. What were your favorites from the last month? I’ve really been loving my sample of Benefit Porefessional Primer
2. What didn’t impress you? Almost everything. I have a large makeup stash so it’s had to get that ‘omg I need it’ feeling. Unless it’s Chanel Fall of course.
3. Did you return anything you purchase? No returns this last month
4. Or successfully resist temptation? The UD Smokey pallet sale. Definitely didn’t need it or even want it until it went on sale.
Glad you were able to resist on the Naked Smoky palette 😉
I can’t answer all the questions as I am at work but I do know my favorite purchases of the month included the two new Anastasia Glow Sets, the Anastasia summer lipgloss set (I really, really like this set!), and the Nordstroms exclusive MAC matte
Palette.
Great picks, Tammy! 😀
I’ll definitely say what I literally could NOT resist: I went out and purchased the UD Moondust Palette as soon as I read your review of it and saw those super cool eye looks you did using it! It was a “have to have it” moment for real. ?
I did have to return my UD Pandemonium lipstick due to some truly bizarre reaction. Tried Jawbreaker on, fell in love with how much more velvety and smoothly it applied. Wondering to myself whether UD reformulated the Mega Mattes on the down low? Hmm. Because JB feels and looks so much better than when 1st released.
I think they were technically all reformulated, though by how much, it would be hard to say!
What were your favorites from the last month? Probably the new items from Cle de Peau. I picked up another lip lacquer and have been loving the three I have and the new luminizer in Almond. The two new Sunday Riley (UFO and Martian Toner) have been working well so far, though my husband hates the smell of UFO more than he hates Luna, so that’s not a bonus. The Martian Toner actually smells really nice though.
What didn’t impress you? GlamGlow Superclense is okay, but I’m finding it super messy in the sink and I feel like the packaging is going to be bulky for travel, so I’ll probably switch to something in a typical tube or a sample size. Hubs isn’t digging the smell of this either, though he says “if it works, I’ll live.” Just not convinced it’s the only thing that will work and I don’t love the idea of him hating how I smell at night. I was less than enthusiastic about the reviews and color options on the Louboutin lip lacquers, but I wasn’t dying for them. I hate traveling with the lipsticks – TSA freaks and I have to spend more time explaining than it’s worth. I was also a little put off by the size of the Anastasia Beverly Hills shadow singles. I hadn’t seen them in person before and honestly didn’t look at the size when I ordered, but they’re tiny! Granted they look very pigmented, but needless to say, I was very surprised when I opened them.
Did you return anything you purchase? I actually don’t think I’ve returned anything in quite a bit and I don’t hesitate when it’s a bad call.
Or successfully resist temptation? Yes, on a few things actually. First was easy – the Louboutin lip lacquers. Second, was the CoverFX illumination drops or whatever they’re called. I swatched Celestial and it was just overkill. I personally don’t want people thinking highlighter when they look at me, but honestly – this stuff will magnify even the smallest texture on any skin and I have very good skin. It’s baffling to me how much highlight gets used (especially on YouTube) now and how much it emphasizes every imperfection and bump. People can and should do what they enjoy (no judgement), but that’s not a look I want for myself. Cle de Peau and Armani luminizers are more up my street.
Do the Lip Lacquers dry down to a matte finish or are they a glossy finish (more like YSL Glossy Stains)?
The ABH eyeshadow singles are actually bigger than industry standard for pans like that – almost 0.06 oz. whereas MAC/UD are 0.05 oz.
They don’t dry down matte; its more of a mixture of liquified lipstick and gloss, so it’s got a nice shine, moisturizing and lasts a decent time. I have 112, 123 and now 115. As to ABH shadows, I guess it depends on what you compare it against. My Chantecaille shades are .08 oz, Sephora brand and MUFE are .07, so ABH looks very small next to them at .058. I just wasn’t expecting it.
Ahh, gotcha! Thank you, Lea 🙂
I want to agree with you on the Cover FX drops. I have read a few comments/reviews in which it was said that friends, co-workers and complete strangers were amazed by the intensity of the shine and said so. My first thought was that if someone pointed out my highlighter to me I would rush to the nearest mirror to try to fix it. Of course that is just my preference and to each his or her own. 🙂
I wonder what would happen if you try to go thru TSA with the Louboutin lipsticks that look like weapons, the Louboutin nail polishes with the scary looking pointy tips, and the UD Vice Lipsticks that look like bullet casings 😉
What were your favorites from the last month? Out of what I’ve bought, the ABH Modern Renaissance Palette and UD Moondust Palette. They were the only two high end items I bothered to buy this month.
What didn’t impress you? Kat von D Serpentina Palette
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? I resisted the ABH Moonchild Palette. I just heard Anastasia’s daughter has said it will be permanent, so I might get it for Christmas if I’m still interested. I also resisted the new Tarte nude blushes.
Serpentina was such a bummer! I’m so sad it wasn’t better.
Favourites from the last month: Definitely the Scenic Route duo from bareMinerals. Just love both the colours and the khaki one is beautiful with my colouring.
Not Impressed with: A lot of the Too Faced products seen -average products
Returns: no, it is definitely frowned upon here in Aus.
Resisted Temptation: As I am rotating my eye shadow palette stash, I really don’t need any more. But I was tempted with the Milani sale on Ozsale and bought a couple of lipsticks.
That’s a gorgeous duo from bareMinerals! What eyeliner do you pair with it?
I don’t use eye liner as I have hooded eyes and it gets lost. But I love eye liner on others and wish I could wear it.
1. What were your favorites from the last month?
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder. It’s not new but I finally picked it up and I like it a lot for setting my undereye concealer. Also, the L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Peel Pads and Daytime Moisturizer are both great!
2. What didn’t impress you?
Armani Matte Smoky Eye Tints. So bad, bought all the colors and returned them all. Nude Smoky wasn’t too bad, kind of wish I had kept that one.
3. Did you return anything you purchase?
Armani Matte Smoky Eye Tints. Tony Moly Banana Peeling Cream (didn’t realize the first ingredient was mineral oil – very bad for my acne prone skin) and Sleep Pack. Love the Cleanser, just couldn’t get into these two items. Charlotte Tilbury eye pencil duo (glitter bombs, hurt my eyes)
4. Or successfully resist temptation?
Wish I had resisted the Smoky Eye Tints!
All of the NARS kits at the Nordstrom sale. And I love NARS!
Sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience with the Matte Eye Tints! 🙁 I had some hope that they’d be good, given the previous ones were, but not so much!
My favorites were Cover FX enhancer drops in Celestial and Moonlight.Kat Von D Lock-It Creme Concealer for actual concealing,Too Faced Born This Way Concealer for highlighting.Anastasia Beverly Hills Sweets Glow Kit and Modern Renisance palette.UD Vice Sheer Shimmer lipstick in Walk Of Shame and the matching W.O.S. 24/7 Glide-On lip pencil.Laura Gellar Beauty Easy Illuminating Sticks in Ballerina and Ethereal.Colourpop Sculpting Stick in Yikes for contour. I didn’t like Hourglass Ambient primer in Dim light.I fell like it didn’t do much illuminating or much of anything at all.I also tried Lancome Water proof Effacernes and it creased on me.I thought the Colourpop highlighting sticks would be as good as the contour sticks but the blend into nothing at all and I can’t return them so I can get them to work somewhat by layering them then another highlighting stick like Smashbox’s in their stick contouring set(which are amazing) but that kinda defeats the purpose. I will be returning the Hourglass primer and the Lancome concealer. I want to order some of the MAC Bangin’ Brilliant Frost lipsticks but I’m waiting for your review.So far so good at not purchasing them!
The highlighting drops are gorgeous on the skin! What’s your favorite way to use Celestial?
No new favorites.
I was impressed by the gal in Sephora, I live in a town that is just big enough to have some decent shopping which means most of the woman at our makeup counters are full of themselves. I usually buy on online or wait for a trip to Seattle but I am in the market for a new foundation and want to try some before I buy. Sephora was awesome about letting me walk out the door with samples even though I wasn’t purchasing (that day, I will be back!)
I returned both items I bought this month, a Stila color corrector (bought on a rec from the sales gal) and a DS bronzer, PF butter bronzer (for the record, loved the product but the shade was to light for me)
I resisted the Nordstorm sale and the UD Moondust palette.
Happy to hear a good experience at Sephora! What samples did you get? Anything that will turn into a purchase?
1. What were your favorites from the last month? Probably my Tom Ford Matte Lip Colour in Pink Tease. I broke my pattern of always buying beigy-nude or peachy-pink lipstick and went for this warm, bright pink, and I’m loving it!
2. What didn’t impress you? Hmm, nothing that I can think of.
3.Did you return anything you purchased? Nope.
4.Or successfully resist temptation? I resisted the new Marc Jacobs blushes. Yes, they are very pretty to look at and they did get good reviews, but when I swatched them, they all looked like colours I already have.
Nice work breaking the pattern! Great color for summer 🙂
What were your favorites from the last month? I have been LOVING a ton of things lately! MAC Full of Joy is such a great light cool-toned pinky purple on me and I’ve been pairing it a lot with purple lipsticks like MAC Rebel, KVD L.U.V, NARS Dominique and LC Beet It. I get so excited when I get to wear it.
I also discovered UD Naked Skin foundation this month after being unhappy with the state of my skin and how my base products looked on it. My skin is naturally pretty dry, with a propensity to get sweaty in our high heat and humidity here. I was confusing my sweatiness with oiliness, so my mattifying foundation/bb cream products didn’t suit my skin at all. UD Naked Skin has been perfect on me – the liquidy consistency goes great on my dry skin, covers enlarged pores decently and doesn’t sweat off after 6 hours. I get at least 12 hours of wear with a few drops of the foundation.
Non-makeup, but I finally got my Ouai Hair Treatment Masque and Hair Oil! They’ve been soooooo good on my frizzy and coloured, thick hair. Makes it really light and silky.
What didn’t impress you? IT Cosmetics CC Cream. I heard so many good things about it but it just did not play well with my skin, was a smidge too light for me, and wasn’t better than my UD O&D. Sigh, a regretful purchase.
Did you return anything you purchase? We can’t return used things here ):
Or successfully resist temptation? I’ve been resisting
Whoops, accidentally submitted the post!
I’ve resisted a few things. The Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick in Pink because I don’t think it’ll last on my oily lids. Mauve lipsticks in general, because I’ve kinda accepted that everything just looks pink on me. ABH Modern Renaissance, though the jury’s still out on this; I may get it for christmas via my aunt, when she heads to NYC. We don’t have ABH here yet. I know I have quite a number of the shades in different palettes but Buon Fresco is just gorgeous, and the whole palette just seems so versatile.
So glad you found a good foundation for your skin right now! A go-to foundation can be a lifesaver!
What were your favorites from the last month? Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Alpha, Becca Ombre Rouge palette and Becca Luminous Blush in Camellia.
What didn’t impress you?
I didn’t really buy much last month so I focused on stuff I knew I would like. So no duds!
Did you return anything you purchased?
Nope, I rarely do because I always want to hang on to things ‘just in case’!
Or successfully resist temptation?
Nothing makeup related but I did resist a pair of gorgeous sandals because they were just so expensive. Woe is me. ?
Camellia is so pretty with the way it shimmers!
1. What were your favorites from the last month? Tarte Lip Sculptor in Voltage, Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Setting Powder, Del Rio Lipstick from MAC, MAC eye shadows in Rule and Red Brick, May Coop Raw Sauce, and drowning myself in Fix Plus! Lol
2. What didn’t impress you? Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum
3. Did you return anything you purchase? nope
4 .Or successfully resist temptation? I resisted purchasing anything from the MAC Trolls collection and the newest lippies from Colour Pop.
I always see mentions of the Buttercup powder and have thought about trying it! Might have to now!
I bought some new Tarte products this month, both via a Facebook group because I did not want to be disappointed had I paid full price. These were Tarte Exposed blush and Tarte full coverage foundation. Impressed by both and will repurchase. Have had a couple of mascara wands that have really disappointed me this month : no7 Dramatic Lift and Loreal telescopic. Both smudged on me. I live in the UK and we have a no returns policy so will try to pass the Loreal one to my daughter.
Smuged mascara is no good! I have tried Telescopic much recently, but I remember liking it a lot in the past. I hope it works better for your daughter!