Sponsored: Beautylish’s Annual Gift Card Event is Here | Temptalia’s Top Picks
2018 Holiday Gift Guide
Best of Beautylish
It’s the last day of Beautylish’s Annual Gift Card Event! Earn a complimentary $20 gift card for every $100 you spend at Beautylish. It ends at 11:59pm PT on November 4, 2018!
I’ve partnered with Beautylish to highlight some of my favorite products to kick off the start of their Annual Gift Card Event. All of the products featured below are ones I’ve featured previously on the blog, so you’ll find swatches and full reviews as applicable. On my own shopping list: Sonia G. Face Two Brush (have one, want another), Wayne Goss Brush 20 (have one, want another), and Farmacy Green Clean.
Makeup Favorites
Natasha Denona Darya
Natasha Denona Darya Diamond & Blush Palette ($89.00 for 1.50 oz.) contains six shades--two cream formulas, four powder formulas--in an assortment of...
Read full review.Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold
Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold Highlighter Palette ($58.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains three, powder highlighters including the brand's original Bar of Gold...
Read full review.Natasha Denona Gold
Natasha Denona Gold 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.20 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features an assortment of gold-inspired shades. ...
Read full review.Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
The formula is supposed to be a "customizable complexion booster" that can be used as a primer, highlighter, or mixed with base products. The line includes seven shades, like a more typical foundation or concealer range, but they have sheerer coverage and fine pearl, so there is some flexibility, though for added luminosity (but not altering color) all-over, one would want to choose a shade closer to their actual skin tone.
It has a jumbo-sized, doe-foot applicator, which I preferred for spot highlighting and priming but isn't as functional for mixing in with base products (compared to a pump). I find that the lighter shades look very similar when mixed with foundation or layered under it (I'm wearing Fair mixed with my foundation here).
Anastasia Sultry
Anastasia Sultry Eyeshadow Palette ($45.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette for the holiday season that contains 14 shades across matte...
Read full review.Natasha Denona Safari
Natasha Denona Safari 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.20 oz.) is a new, limited edition all-matte eyeshadow palette with a mix of neutrals and...
Read full review.Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow
Stila says that it’s supposed to be a “long-wearing, sparkle eye shadow” in a “water-infused texture” that “dries down smoothly” with “minimal fallout.” There’s a lot to be impressed by with the formula, but there was some inconsistency in opacity and overall wateriness between shades so not all shades were equally impressive. When they’re good, they were pigmented, dried down evenly without creasing, and were long-wearing with minimal fallout. When they’re less impressive, they are more watery, semi-sheer to semi-opaque, prone to creasing as they dry down, though the wear is similar across all shades.
I felt like there was less fallout with the less blending done with them, e.g. applying directly to lid and only minimally working along the edges yielded the least fallout compared to diffusing and blending out the color with a brush. If I accidentally rubbed an eye, it seemed to interfere with the integrity of the wear completely–it was like a downhill avalanche of glitter that could not be stopped. They were easiest to use as the last step in a look, patted over eyeshadow with fingertip or swiped on with the sponge applicator for more of a “cut crease” kind of effect, or used along the lash line as eyeliner (I liked using a thin, liquid eyeliner brush to get a thinner line). They removed fairly well, but it was hard to get every last bit of glitter off the skin, though it was never painful or uncomfortable to remove them.
Top Rated Shades
Surratt Beauty Artistique Blush
The Artistique Blush formula is supposed to have a “naturally glowing finish.” The formula is consistent: the blushes have a very soft, almost cream-like powder texture that blends out effortlessly to a luminous sheen with semi-opaque to opaque coverage (but is soft and blendable enough to be applied sheer if preferred). Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
The only downside is that the packaging will feel underwhelming for the price point, as they are sold as refill pans with very thin plastic coverings and are designed to be housed in the brand's freestyle palettes.
Top Rated Shades
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
The Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed formula is described as having an "ultra-reflective shine" with a "creamy" texture that "applies seamlessly." In general, the texture of the highlighters is incredibly smooth, silky, and finely-milled with frosted to metallic finishes and the occasional more sparkly finish. They tend to have a high-shine, more metallic finish and are a stronger highlighter, so they are going to be best suited to someone who likes an obvious highlight over a very subtle one. That being said, with a fan brush and a deft hand, one could certainly achieve a subtler, all-over luminosity as well, but if one takes a typical, tapered highlighting brush, there will be quite a bit of pigment and highlight on the skin. I find that some shades can emphasize the look of pores slightly to moderately, depending on application. They tend to last between eight to nine hours on me.
Top Rated Shades
Tom Ford Beauty Tobacco Vanille
Tobacco Vanille begins with an initial blast of spices, like cardamom, cinnamon, and clove, followed by sweetened vanilla bean, and rum–warm, boozy, and fragrant. There’s an undercurrent of chocolate after about forty-five minutes of wear while, for me, a blend of vanilla and spice continues to be the main event. I felt as if there was a general haziness to the scent, which gave it a darker element, but it didn’t smell smoky or incense-like; more unsmoked pipe tobacco. I very much had the impression that I was breathing in the aromas from a freshly-made vanilla Chai tea latte–there’s a milky creaminess that really made me feel like cozying up by a fire with a good book.
It is not a scent that I would have thought would appeal to me. I tend to like heavier, amber-rich scents that are often masculine, but I do like the pairing of vanilla and amber, and here, with Tobacco Vanille, I love how well the spices and vanilla that play with the ginger, fruity tartness, and tobacco notes. On me, it’s not a complex perfume, but for all of its simplicity, it is exactly as described: a potent mix of spice, tobacco, and vanilla. It wore close to the skin, and three sprays lasted around fourteen hours. I think if you like rummy, boozy scents, spices like cinnamon and cardamom, and vanilla, this perfume might interest you.
Tom Ford Beauty Cream Color for Eyes
The Cream Color for Eyes formula is supposed to be “ultra-pigmented” and “metallic” with a “creamy formula” that doesn’t “crease or smudge.” The majority of the shades I’ve tried in the range live up to those things–good pigmentation but can be applied sheerly (use less and/or apply with a fluffy brush) or kept opaque (a little goes a long way) with eight to twelve hours of wear (no primer). They’re blendable and dry down fast enough not to crease too easily while you’re working on them but not so quickly that they don’t budge. I did find that a couple of the new shades were more emollient than past shades and did have a longer dry down time and were harder to keep out of creases (in this review, that would be Siren Blue).
Top Rated Shades
Viseart Eyeshadow Palette
Top Rated Shades
Brush Favorites
Smith Cosmetics 205 Angled Liner Brush
Smith Cosmetics 205 Angled Liner Brush ($20.00) is a firm, medium-sized angled eyeliner brush. It is similar in the overall feel, application, and...
Read full review.Wayne Goss Brush 19 Eye Shadow Precision Blending Brush
Wayne Goss Brush 19 Eye Shadow Precision Blending Brush ($23.00) is a smaller, more precise crease brush that I reach for often when I want deeper color in my crease for depth and drama without getting it so diffused that it overwhelms the look. It’s one of those brushes I find so useful that I keep multiples on hand!
Sonia G Sculpt Three
Sonia G. Sculpt Three is a smaller fan brush with a more typical shape, though more domed across the edge. It was incredibly silky and soft, and it was comfortable and easy to use even underneath my eyes to set undereye concealer. It’s marketed to apply a “soft wash of highlighter all over the skin,” and it’s supposed to differ from traditional fan brushes by picking up more product and giving the user more control. I’d agree with the latter; the edge picked up product better and more evenly as the product concentrated on the center rather than a little all over, so I could apply with more precision (and the smaller shaped helped, too).
Smith Cosmetics 214 Spoolie Brush
Smith Cosmetics 214 Spoolie Brush ($16.00) is a large, bent spoolie brush. It's longer (almost double the length) of most spoolie brushes, and the...
Read full review.Wayne Goss Brush 20 Eye Shadow Smudging Brush
Wayne Goss Brush 20 Eye Shadow Smudging Brush ($22.00) is a small, rounded crease brush that gets deep into the crease and lays down intense color and diffuses it gently but never blows out the color that one loses the definition. I love using this brush for detailed placement of color in my crease or when I want to really diffuse color along my lower lash line.
Sonia G Face Two
Sonia G Face Two is a smaller-sized face brush that flares from the base and has a domed edge with very soft, smooth bristles. It was designed for “contouring and sculpting the face” to be used with “blushes, bronzers, and contour powders.” I liked it most for blending and diffusing powder products on my skin, particularly using buffing motions. I find it easiest to work with sheer to medium pigmented products rather than any super intense, opaque red blush, as it can pickup a fair amount of product in one go. Where it’s a bit different than others like it is that it’s both dense enough to apply with precision but the edge of the brush splays enough to allow it to blend and diffuse product, too.
Wayne Goss The Air-Brush
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 some...
Read full review.Sonia G Worker One
Sonia G. Worker One has the shape of a more typical, fluffy eyeshadow blending brush but is much, much denser and a bit softer with less fluffy edges. If you were ever struggling to blend something out, this one tackles it with aplomb. I’d love to see this brush shape offered in smaller sizes–at least two more!–because I find it very versatile and unique (but not strange!) within my collection of brushes. (Worker Two, which is newly released, is the same in shape and size but is undyed). Out of all the brushes in the range, Worker One is the one I’d most recommend and one that I’ve purchased duplicates of.
Hey Christine, I know you most likely won’t review this product but I just wanted to express my interest in hearing your thoughts on it because the colors look so interesting–Jeffree Star Cosmetics’ Alien palette. It comes out next week. Just had to float that out there.
Also thanks for the recs, I’ve been meaning to try the Wayne Goss brushes. He’s a doll. And I was thrilled to find a sample of that Tom Ford fragrance in my perfume drawer the other day, I can’t wait to wear it tonight! xo
Thanks for the suggestion!
So happy to hear that the recs have been useful – how handy that you had a sample of the TF fragrance already!
With this and the Barney’s event, I spent wayyyyyyy too much money today!
Ouch!!
This is a terrific event. At least in other years, the cards could be used for up to a year. Right now, we’re drowning in discounts, while still looking at BF and CM. But think how using these in March will feel! The products are pretty top tier, and the C S is marvelous. Go for it.
These are good through end of 2019!
When do the gift cards expire?
Gift cards expire on December 31, 2019.
I didn’t read it all…got too excited, and was sneaking a peek at work. But having a GC for a non-promo month, when s.t. new, like Smith brushes, joins the line up is just fab.
Appreciate these suggestions!
My pleasure!
I was waiting your post to place my order and use your link 😁. Got myself three Sonia G brushes. 🎉 I would have gotten more if they had been in stock but that is a lovely debut!
Thank you, Marie-Estelle! <3
wow that’s dedication! those sonia brushes went so fast. some of them were out of stock by 8:05am! there were some very speedy vip shoppers
I noticed that too! I placed my order a few hours after the start of the sale (because… Life, omw back home after work, taking care of my kid and the house, etc.). At least, I could get the 3 ones I really wanted to buy for sure. I will wait a bit for the others (builder two and worker two) , I am not without brushes 😆.
Is it a physical gift card, shipped with the items?
I don’t remember!
It was last year! The card had a code you could use online.
I have shopped this event every year and it is wonderful since I can get makeup for my daughter and myself and then have the gift cards to use in her advent calendar. My cart is stocked and ready to go but have to check out anything new before I hit the button, LOL!
Can’t wait to see what you get!
I got my Anastasia Sultry from Beautylish and it was well packed and the retailer has great customer service.
Nice! Beautylish packs their orders SO well!
Genevieve, you GOT IT!!!!! YAY! – I am so glad to read this! I think (and hope) you will love it as much as I do!
Great suggestions! The Tom Ford fragrance sounds divine.
Hi Christine, I want a suggestion from you regarding the Wayne Goss eye brushes (the eye set). Should I get the full eye set with five brushes that retails for $130 or is it better to purchase only the #19 & #20 brush? I’m definitely going to get Sonia G worker one since you like it so much and I always trust your reviews! 🙂
Hey Noora!
Would you use all five brushes often? I believe you don’t actually save money buying them together!
I’m currently trying to up my eye brushes game and I’m interested in high quality brushes to invest in. I’m currently eyeing the eye set by WG and I could see myself using the whole set but at the same time I don’t know if I need every single brush in the set… Since I’m buying the Sonia G worker one brush and it seems like a multi-task brush, do you think I should just get it with the WG #19 & #20 and skip the rest of the eye set brushes (16, 17, and 18) since they seem like the do quite similar job when it come to blending?
I would! Even if you end up buying the other eye set brushes… you won’t have saved/spent more money but you could double-check by adding up the individual brush prices against the set!
I’ve never purchased from Beautylish. I suppose now would be the time, but I’ve never looked at the website, and taking inventory now to see what they might have to interest me sounds exhausting (and rushed). If they do this regularly, I’ll have to make a point of getitng familiar so I can maybe check it out next time.
Your description of the Tom Ford perfume is intriguing, but I’m sooooo picky with perfumes; I’ve been disappointed too many times by perfumes that sounded perfect for me then ended up being powdery or worse (vanilla — as much as I love the smell — is usually a good indicator that the scent will be too powdery, cloying, or sweet for me). I tend to go more masculine and citrus-y, without a ton of muskiness. Ah well, not a serious consideration, though I do enjoy reading the notes and imagining it might be really nice. :-/
Beautylish does this once a year to my memory, but maybe next year when you’re more prepared 🙂
Tobacco Vanille is a pretty popular scent, so it wouldn’t surprise me if, upon more careful research, you may be able to get a better sense of whether it would work for you without smelling it – but places like The Perfumed Court are great ways to try samples on demand!
Ooh… good tip! I was unaware that shops like The Perfumed Court even existed. Aaaaaaand down the rabbit hole it is — see you next month! 🙂
Haha! Yes, it is a great way to get decent samples or even just… larger samples of scents you like but don’t LOVE enough to drop $100s on in full-size!
Because of its hefty price tag, I was so hoping to try TF Tobacco Vanille yesterday in Sephora! But, dratz, they didn’t have a tester at the Fashion Square location. Could’ve walked over to Nordstrom, but was just too worn out after yesterday’s ordeal. (the good news? My Doc’s nurse screwed up my order, so I only received the usual 5mg dose!)
But, yeah, I was seriously considering that perfume.
Really good suggestions Christine for everyone. I got my Sultry palette from Beautylish and it’s great place.
Wayne Goss 20 is incredible! His brushes are the best I have ever used. In a push, I can use just two WG brushes (16 and 20) and churn out a really well blended eye without muddying. #20 is my go-to for deeper/darker crease shade and my absolute must have for lower lash line. It smokes out colour perfectly. Cannot rave enough and typing this makes me want to buy backup(s)
It’s so good! I’ve been loving smaller crease brushes like it and others like it for layering!
I love Wayne Goss brushes! The eye set is lovely! And I use the eyebrow ones that I got in the Beautylish lucky bag all the time! (So excited for the new bag…got the Viseart Cashmere in my first but was disappointed in last year’s – I got two makeup primers. lol)