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Temptalia's Collection - June 2010

Temptalia’s Collection – June 2010

For my 100th video, YouTube user kanadian00797 asked if I would do a special video — my makeup collection. I asked on Twitter if it was of interest, and by the post title, I think you know what the response was! 🙂 The video is LONG. In previous years, I’ve split up the videos into MAC and non-MAC, but it’s all in one big video this time around. I also talk in more detail about blogging, the size of my stash, and what I do with products I don’t want or why I keep certain products. Since the video is pretty lengthy, I want to recap some of that in this post, too! 🙂

The Why & How:  Video Summary

  • I’ve been collecting makeup for 6 years. My collection wasn’t built overnight!
  • I am a *collector*! I may use what I buy and receive, but I am a collector at heart. Makeup is not purely utility for me, and this is why I consider it a hobby that I am passionate about.
  • I have been blogging for nearly 4 years. Brands and PR do send me product to consider reviewing. I don’t get paid to review products, no one gets to edit or preview my posts, and I’ve never lost a relationship because of a negative review, even the Ds and Fs.
  • I donate products to to local organizations like battered women’s shelters. I’m currently trying to work with a local veterans organization to find a way to send products to service men and women overseas.
  • The bathroom all my makeup is stored in is only used for makeup!  I wish it didn’t have a shower and instead a giant closet…
  • I consider this also an archive of the makeup past — it allows me to go back to previous launches for comparison.

My Storage System

Fun Facts

  • The Boy was the videographer for most of the video!
  • I still have the first brush I ever owned — Benefit’s Eyeshadow Blending Brush, which has long been discontinued.
  • I don’t know how many of each item I have, and it would probably make me cringe even a little if I did.  So don’t count!
  • I keep a lot of products for comparison purposes–e.g. how does X shadow compare to Y shadow from 4 years ago?  My memory is faulty, and though the improvement in my photographing skills over the years help me to photo-document everything, I like having it in real life to compare, too.
  • In looks, I try to keep older limited edition/discontinued products out of them.  I try to use new products (to show how they look applied) or permanent products.
  • I have the Scarlet/Spring/Summer seasons to thank for finally getting some permanent lipsticks in my stash!
  • My dream is to have California Closets come over and design me the ultimate makeup storage system.

See more photos!


The Trinity of Carts


Counter-top with brushes, makeup remover, etc.


Translucent Drawers with Concealers, Mascara, etc. (also jewelry)


MAC Palettes (permanent shades only)


Face/foundation products I use regularly


Lipglasses, Pro Longwears, Cremesheen Glass


Cart 1, Drawer 1: MAC Limited Edition Lipsticks


Cart 1, Drawer 2: MAC Dazzleglass, Superglass, Mattenes/Slimshines, Lip Stain Markers


Cart 1, Drawer 3: MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows, Holiday Palettes, etc.


Cart 1, Drawer 4: MAC Blushes


Cart 1, Drawer 5: MAC Mineralize & Cream Blushes


Cart 1, Drawer 6: MAC Pigments


Cart 1, Drawer 6: MAC Pigments


Cart 1, Drawer 7: More MAC Pigments, Loose Beauty Powders

** Note, Drawer 8 is empty — it is reserved for the newly repackaged MAC pigments

Cart 1, Drawer 9: Misc. High-End Lipgloss, Laura Mercier, Estee Lauder


Cart 1, Drawer 10: False Lashes

Mid to High-end Lipsticks, MAC Permanent Lipsticks & Quads


Cart 2, Drawer 1: MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes, Beauty Powders, Bronzers


Cart 2, Drawer 2: Benefit


Cart 2, Drawer 3: Bobbi Brown


Cart 2, Drawer 4: Lancome


Cart 2, Drawer 5: Make Up For Ever & Sugarpill


Cart 2, Drawer 6: NARS & Illamasqua

** Note, Drawer 7 is empty but slated to fill with Rock & Republic shadows I bought ten billion years ago.

Cart 2, Drawer 8: Stila


Cart 2, Drawer 9: Urban Decay


Cart 2, Drawer 10: Misc. High-end brands (Smashbox, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Shu, etc.)


Designer/luxury lipsticks

** Note, Drawer 1 is empty currently, because it accomodates MAC lipsticks/beauty powders (both of which I’m nearly full-on), so it’s on reserve for more of those!


Cart 3, Drawer 2: Eyeliners


Cart 3, Drawer 3: Cream, Gel, & Liquid Liners; Brow/Mascara


Cart 3, Drawer 4: Chanel


Cart 3, Drawer 5: Dior


Cart 3, Drawer 6: Dolce & Gabbana


Cart 3, Drawer 7: Givenchy


Cart 3, Drawer 8: Guerlain Eye/Face Products


Cart 3, Drawer 9: Guerlain Lipsticks & Lipglosses


Cart 3, Drawer 10: Misc. Luxury/Designer Brands (Le Metier de Beaute, Cle de Peau, YSL, etc.)

Though I am not intentionally endorsing any products in this video, I know that I said, “Love this!” a few times. Some of the products in my collection were provided by PR for original review purposes. If it’s here, I probably reviewed it on the blog. However, there are just as many, if not more, products I have purchased myself over the years also in my collection. Just to be clear!

286 Comments

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Christine Avatar

Hi Joy,

I don’t sell makeup products — I don’t really believe it is ethical for me to do so. I receive some products for free from brands/PR, and it would be in poor taste to try and sell those. I donate any excess product to local organizations like shelters, if and when I can.

Nicole Avatar

Wow….I dare to dream.

You have so much stuff. I can’t imagine how much that cost. I mean I might have maybe 1/5 or 1/6 of what you have and I know how much that cost which was quite a bit. So wow. But I appreciate that you do spend the money, because you help me weed out what I know I will use and love and what I thought I wanted but just wasn’t what I expected. So thankyou.

Jennifer Avatar

if you ever need a home for lonely makeup, there’s plennnty of girls on this site that can’t afford this! i would love to try those higher end lipsticks. maybe one day i’ll buy one :/

the lipglosses you had made my mouth drop lol. teen girls dream right there.

Jazz Avatar

btw I love the fact that you dont keep this for yourself, that you choose to donate it. Have you thought about giving some to the organization Dress for success?

Christine Avatar

I try to do local ones, just because the shipping costs would be astronomical! I’m not sure if Dress for Success is local — I will definitely look into it!

This year, I really want to work with veterans, though, but we will see. We’re trying to find the right project/organization still, because a lot of them prefer or only accept travel-sized products (understandable!).

daphne Avatar

It looks like there are a few Dress for Success locations in CA, though I’m not sure what you’re closest to (San Francisco, San Jose?) – but I’d look into them just because I imagine these are the women who would get the most use out of the cosmetics! They need stuff for job interviews and professional work, for which certain cosmetics can be really essential (in some fields anyway).

Janette Avatar

Hi Christine!

I follow your blog for about a year now and I think that that is a great idea and very generous for you to think of service members and Veterans overseas. I’m a Marine and I know that being deployed has not stopped me from wearing makeup and it actually helps me remember to use sunblock 🙂

Whether its a letter or a care package anyone always appreciates the fact that there are others thinking of them so Good on you and again Thank you! 😀

Jennifer Avatar

yeah that’s nice and i had read that but i was just making a joke because those upper end lipsticks are so pricey! but they look so creamy and pretty that i think i need one 😉

Ann Avatar

That’s just….wow….

I always get down on myself for buying more make-up than I use and I look at your pics with relief/envy haha. This is amazing Christine!

LNU Avatar

This is so makeup porn, I’m glad I have people who understand me! LOL.
Wow you have a great collection! For me, makeup is pretty much a hobby as well, but its not in my budget to be collector, although that’d be awesome! I try to buy things I know I’ll use often! The hardest thing for me to resist is when something I know I don’t need, but would love to have, goes on sale! I’ve acquired much of my recent eyeshadows that way. I think two weeks ago Stila had 20 percent off and free shipping, so I grabbed up three palettes including the Barbie Loves Stila and shortly after, that palette was taken off the site and I was SO glad I got my hands on it, ON SALE, even though I don’t need it! XP

Petra Avatar

Oh I know what You mean!!
I recently saw the Chanel gold highlighting loose powder on sale, from a previous holiday collection… It would’ve been SUCH a bargain, but I’m just not a fan of really glittery shimmer on my faces… I could’ve used it as an eyeshadow, but in the end I talked myself out of it… I still feel a bit bad. 🙂
Christine, amazing collection, and I really admire Your ethics. A lot of people would sell the items, I think. (Not that that would be the worst thing someone could do, but I appreciate that You don’t. :))

Becky Avatar

Oh. My. God. I thought that I liked your blog before, but now I’m obsessed.

I know that you said you’re a collector at heart, but do you ever get overwhelmed by the products you don’t use regularly?

And last, I just wanted to let you know that since I found your blog, I won’t buy a stitch of make-up til I’ve found the swatches/reviews on your site – they really are so helpful! 🙂

Christine Avatar

Hey Becky,

I think I get more overwhelmed with how to organize/store it all! I only do a major re-organization every 4-6 months and keep anything new in storage boxes until then, and I’m like, “If I have to buy one more cart….” and yet I think I will soon, but I have no place to put it!

Thank you so much, Becky! It really means a lot that you find so much use out of the swatches and reviews 🙂

Jazz Avatar

now that is a collection video. Havent watched it yet , but I will. You probably have enough there to pay for a year of law school lol.

Ellery Allison Avatar

I really want to take one of these pictures and put it as the background on my laptop for inspiration.
Your collection makes me drool…

Angela Carreon Avatar

OMG! you have makeup heaven! I bet you have a lot of fun playing in there. You have an AMAZING collection! And very neat, I must say.

elise Avatar

Christine, YOU RULE!! You just made my crummy week better with one video…maybe if all of us petition Cal Closets they’ll come over and do a freebie for you–it’ll be good for advertising! Oh, and it’s zhee-von-shee (Givenchy)–my grandmother was a big fan of anything Givenchy and she made sure I could say it properly, too 🙂

Christine Avatar

Aww! I’m happy to be able to make your week better, Elise! 🙂

LOL! Wouldn’t that be nice! I just want a pretty system that works and everything is the same, haha.

Thanks for the pronunciation help, too! I always look it up and then totally blank when I *need* to say it.

NeenaJ Avatar

Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection!

I love that you said you were a “collector”. I have some products that I never wear out of the house, but I love to look at them. It’s almost like meditation for me. I have a feeling I’m not alone 😉

Almus Avatar

Hey Christine,

I consider myself as a super-newbie in makeup stuff. I have always come to your blog looking for inspiration and fair reviews. You cannot imagine how nice it is for me to discover with this video (as I said I am pretty new so I’ve just been visiting your blog for a few months now) that you love so much makeup and beauty products! I mean, imho just with this kind of “devotion” into sth you can be really good at it.

You are my reference in this field. Thank you very much for this video =D

Nancy Avatar

That was amazing! Do you think you do some posts on your Dolce & Gabbana makeup, especially the lipsticks and lip glosses. They’re so hard to find and you almost have to buy them online!

Dusty Avatar

Fun video!!! I want to finish watching it but I have to go to a massage appointment! LOL! I’ll be back to finish this in an hour or so! I love this! (Maybe this isn’t a surprise but I’m actually more interested in how you’re storing your makeup and less interested in what makeup you actually have! LOL!)

angelicbb Avatar

Thanks for sharing your AMAZING collection 😀
That was seriously breathtakingly gorgeous haha && I’m sure a lot of us are thankful you can try out so many products and review them before we decide to go and splurge 🙂

Just a random question: Do you ever hitpan on anything like eyeshadow or blush since you have so many products? I’m just curious ^^

Lauren Avatar

Your collection is my dream and my boyfriends worst nightmare. Ha. He thinks I’m crazy. “You only have one face!” he says. A girl needs options!!!

Do you ever spend time just looking at your makeup? I do it all the time. I just love colors.

weng Avatar

OMG!!!!OMG!!!!….i thought i already have a huge makeup stash/collection..but after seeing yours, i think im only halfway!!!you are an inspiration Christine….and like you, i also collect because im really passionate about makeup and its really a relaxing hobby for me….

Anitacska Avatar

Wow Christine, what a great video and photos! Really wish I had the space to organise my collection as well as you, unfortunately I don’t have a second bathroom to myself (when you have 3 children it’s not so easy anymore, lol) and our bedroom is full with clothes wardrobes/drawers already. So I’m really envious. 🙂 And of course not just the storage but your collection too. Not that I don’t have plenty of make up myself, but I loved looking through your stash, it’s wonderful! xxx

Anitacska Avatar

If you’re interested, I did a video a while back, it’s here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCVgV3JyXQs

It’s not great though, I don’t have the space, so half of my stuff is tucked away in cupboards and in boxes under cupboards. Not very easy to get at, so I tend to rotate the make up I use every week, and I rotate them by brands, so I pull out all my Clarins, Lancome, etc. Mac, Dior and Guerlain are the most accesible, they are my favourites. 🙂

My other problem is that I’ve now completely run out of space, so I might need to go through my things and think about what I actually really want to keep. 🙁

Christine Avatar

AHH, AHH YES! YES!

I have always wanted to see your stash, just because we have such similar tastes and I know you are a high-end gal 😉 Plus, I am always curious to see how others store large collections!

I am running out of space, too. I want a whole bedroom, so I can really keep things organized and pretty. Oh well, that’s what dreams are for!

I don’t envy you having to figure out whatto keep and what not to!

Anitacska Avatar

Unfortunately my video doesn’t actually show my most prized possessions (Guerlain Meteorites, eyeshadows, Chantecaille LE palettes and powders, Dior eyeshadows, etc.) in detail, as most of them are stored away all over the place in my bedroom, but if you’re interested, I would be honoured if you checked out my blog, esp these posts for details on my collection:

http://pleasureflush.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-expensive-hobby.html (Guerlain Meteorites)
http://pleasureflush.blogspot.com/2010/04/christian-dior-5-colour-eyeshadow.html (Guerlain Voyage Powders)
http://pleasureflush.blogspot.com/2010/06/guerlain-ombre-eclat-eyeshadows-409.html (Guerlain eyeshadows)
http://pleasureflush.blogspot.com/2010/04/christian-dior-5-colour-eyeshadow.html (Dior eyeshadows)

Ha! A whole bedroom for my stuff, now that would be nice! 🙂 We live in a 4 bedroom house, but there’s 5 of us, so I will never get one (unless I get rid of the husband, but then I would have no money to buy make up, so maybe not a good idea, plus he is pretty nice, lol).

serene Avatar

Thank you for this! I’ve got the translucent drawers. For people reading from Singapore or UK, they can be found at Muji. I’ve just bought a bunch of stuff and am quite vexed as how to keep them neatly. Your video is very timely.

traci Avatar

OMG this is so disgusting to look at lol I realize now that I don’t have makeup lolol 🙂 but if you have Chanel Hydrabase in Sirene please donate it to me ;)!!!

Hendrix Avatar

Ohmygosh, you must have a million dollars in that bathroom. That is NUTS. And AWESOME.

Also, don’t tell me I’m the only one who always thought it was pronounced “Temp–TAY–lia”?

Laurz Avatar

That was really fun..thank you. My collection is nowhere near yours, but it is constantly growing out of its home so I like the ideas!!

Melissa (divinem) Avatar

Where did you get those plastic trays that fit your MAC blushes, shadows & skin finishes? My collection is a cluster #*@& because the spacial relations place in my head is fried (or never existed).

Melissa (divinem) Avatar

At the rate I’m going (started collecting less than a year ago), I’ll surpass your collection in six months. I feel like a crazed lunatic. At least much of your product is given for review purposes!

Kayla Avatar

Wow, this is an impressive collection. I can’t even imagine how much you have spent on all of that (including what you use for storage) over the last 6 years. It’s probably a lot, haha. 🙂

One thing that I was curious about though: aren’t a lot of your products probably expired, or smelling funky, or not good anymore? Wouldn’t you likely have to throw a lot of that away if you went through ALL of your stuff? Or do you regularly give a lot of the old stuff away? That just came to mind when you said you’ve been collecting for 6 years, especially if you still have some of the things that you first bought.

Besides that, great collection, and I love how it’s set up, so organized!

Christine Avatar

Hey Kayla,

Most of the really old stuff is just eyeshadows/pigments, actually. I didn’t get into lipstick/gloss for a couple of years! If I come across something that smells off or looks different, I toss/recycle it (depends what it is). I don’t give anything that seems expired away, though, lol! But a lot of the older lipglosses, since I don’t use them (trying to only use recent LEs or permanents), I keep mostly for color comparisons later on down the road.

Mirna Avatar

I think one day this is going to lead to a makeup museum. I am in awe of your collection. I can’t wait to organize mine to your calibur.
I have a question for you Christine:
How do you rationalize not becoming a makeup artist? I mean, I see this is your passion and yet you have chosen a career path that is awesome as well. I ask this because I am in a sort-of dilema on whether I want to pursue cosmetology or continue my career choice in health information. I feel like if I pursue my passion for makeup, I might get burnt out and come to the point where I dislike makeup because it will end up being just a job. I see this dilema in my own boyfriend (funny you mentioned fixing up cars in this video) because he has a collection of muscle/old cars that he fixes up. Once he went to work as a mechanic, I saw the passion to work on his own cars slowly dying. That’s the predicament I am afraid that I will find myself in. Please let me know what your take is on this.
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Devout Fan

Christine Avatar

I think being a makeup artist and doing what I do–beauty blogging–are two very different things. What I love is interacting with all of you on a daily basis. I love being able to talk shop – whether it’s beauty tips, what we last bought, or showing you a new product. To me, my passion is in helping readers in that way, not so much applying makeup to others. This is really why I couldn’t pursue being a makeup artist (although some terrorizing brides made me want to crawl into a hole and never come out, LOL).

Have you tried simply freelancing on the side? Many makeup artists were never formally trained and have amazing careers nonetheless. Perhaps you can continue to pursue your career in health information (assuming you at least enjoy it — wouldn’t want to push you into something you hated!) and see how you like the atmosphere and pace of being a makeup artist.

Does your husband own his own shop/work for himself? Sometimes being independent comes along with a lot of other not-so-fun tasks.

Samantha Avatar

Christine, I just watched the video for your collection and like always, I’m so inspired! I love how you’re a true collector at heart and you don’t take make-up/beauty too seriously. I think when people start to take things too seriously, it becomes less fun! Thank you for always blogging and sharing!! Your opinions do influence what I try out and what I buy!

LH Avatar

Thank you for your Blog thank you for all of your knowledge and thanks for sharing your passion with us. It is always nice to see someone who is so passionate and excited about what they do. I hope you eventually get that walk in makeup room of your dreams and I hope you continue to do what you love. I only recently discovered your blog but know as long as you keep doing it, my laptop keeps working and my kids give me five minutes I will continue to consult and view it.

Jessica Avatar

Thank you for sharing your collection! I must admit just a little jealous 😛 I love your comment about your dream makeup storage design.

Erin Avatar

Can I just borrow the pigment drawers? Please? 😉

As an Army Wife, I love that you’re looking in to donating to our troops! I hope you’re able to make headway with that endeavor!

Mia Avatar

omg i can’t wait to watch the video! i LOVE makeup collections!
question(s):
do you go through your makeup fast? like finish lipglosses, lipsticks, etc.
also do you Back 2 MAC often?

Christine Avatar

No, not at all, LOL. Let’s be real! I am in no way trying to delude myself into thinking that I don’t have enough makeup, that I will use it all, etc. which is why I’m a hobbyist/collector 🙂

I Back 2 MAC for depotted empties and makeup remover wipes! I think I have about 80 empties right now.

Cherokee Avatar

I LOVE YOUR COLLECTION. I love watching collection videos because in some way it is very relaxing for me. I was just looking at my collection thinking I have way too much. Especially since I don’t wear makeup daily. But your collection makes me look as if I don’t own any makeup. I have those translucent draws from Container Store. I love them.

Kharina Avatar

Dude!!!! I’m surprised Mellan doesn’t have his own makeup stash too!!! But seriously, how do you manage to keep peace with your boyfriend about all the makeup you have? I suppose its different once married…and reason I ask is b/c I’m married & addicted as well…and I have to hide the evidence in my car’s trunk or else he’ll be dissapointed at me (again) since we’re saving for a car…(SIGH). He tells me “every dollar counts” and while its true…I can’t help it. (LOL…I mean *SOBBING*)

Christine Avatar

Well, my boyfriend does all of the behind-the-scenes technical support for Temptalia, so he knows what goes into the making thereof, so he has no problems with it 🙂

But I can understand if you’re saving up for something why you’d have to be a little more conscious of your buys!

Cynthia Avatar

wow! i was just thinking. i know it’s a long shot but i work for a non-profit and have been trying to get a Looking Good, Feeling Good group started for my client who used to do makeup. do you donate any makeup?

Jools Avatar

Waiting for the vid to load (My BB is so slow this week)and was wondering if you have all the items catalogued? I have got a file for each company on the laptop and lists of everything I own so when I go shopping online I don’t get duplicates as i have a poor memory (Fibrofog) and shop online all the time as I am housebound. At first I thought it was a bit anal now I am glad I have done it as it saves me making mistakes lol :0) xxxJoolsxxx

Karina Avatar

wow.. how exciting just to look at.. but doesn’t some of thiese item expire.. and what if they expire before u get to use them up.. damnn you expiration dates.. 😉

Nicole Avatar

This is so glorious, Christine!! It’s like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, but with MAKEUP!! LOL. And I’m just talking about the pictures. I haven’t even watched the video yet!

Thank you as always for being so open and real! The internet seems to be a greedy, crazy place sometimes. Your website is the best makeup resource out there, not only because it’s thorough and amazingly organized, but because of how genuine you are! 😀

Nikki Avatar

I wondered if you could get a little more indepth! I wish you could do a video on your eyeshadow palettes! I’d like to hear what you think about the shadows, which ones you like best. Awesome collection!!

meowshirl Avatar

How wished that I could have your whole makeup collection in my own room!!

But then, my poor mother would be screaming at me!!!

hahahaha

xMissxAndristx Avatar

OMG Twinsies! lol. i’ll be 24 in sept too! on the 21st. are you a virgo too? if so, that’s why you’re able to stay so organized, haha. i’m addicted to organizational things.

Ludwig Avatar

Hey Christine!! I just wanted to let you know that I check your site daily and your reviews/recommendations are so helpful, especially to someone like myself who is a student with a limited makeup budget. Anyways, I have a couple of questions: Which method do you use to depot your eyeshadows (candle, pliers, etc)? Also, in your MAC compact drawer, I noticed some teal/blue coloured compacts. Which collection is that from? Thanks so much!!

rashmi Avatar

wow christine ur house is like heaven for us … i mean for all of us makeup junkie …
loved the post n m just all head over heels now to see all this …
hats of to u christine for all ur passion for makeup …

u know my comments are not being updated pls tell me the reason n m sorry if i hurt u in any way i always says this but pls i do check time n again for the replies… :(:(:(

SiaM Avatar

Yes!!!Temptalia’s (Christine’s) makeup archives are so awesome!!!! You are great organizing your makeup, everything looks so pretty, colorful and shiny! Because of your wonderful collection I am always informed and learn new eyeshadow combinations, your stash really deserves even more makeup!!! I can’t wait to see it updated with all the MAC collections coming out this year!!!!

BTW: The blue look really suits you, looks great =)

claudia Avatar

C, I really enjoyed watching this video thanks for sharing with us 🙂 it was so cute when you said “no actually I don’t have eyebrows in there” lol!

I also wanted to thank you for mentioning at the end us girls that like to mod their cars, you wouldn’t believe how many people at shows come up to my bf and compliment him on my car because it’s hard for them to phantom that a girl would choose non-aesthetics mods and even harder for them to believe I work on my car.

Lately, much to the bf’s disappointment, I’ve been moving my hobby interest from car pieces to make-up pieces LOOOOL! He sometimes says “why don’t you come on the scion forum anymore? stop looking at temptalia!” cos he knows I visit your site daily.

And thanks also to your bf for the camera work!

Hannah Avatar

Wow, you’re so organized but I guess one must be to keep track of that huge collection

…also, sorry if I’m enabling (lol! but I do think it’s nice that you take reader comments into consideration when you update your stash and look for products to test), have you gotten a hold on any of the Tom Ford lipsticks? I’d love to see swatches and reviews of those!

Azaza Avatar

Wow what an amazing collection. I dont think I would be able to build up my collection to that much ^_^

Ah I just love watching collection videos

Taunya Avatar

I was pretty calm and collected until the Nars and MUFE drawer, then I perked up. But when you got to the luxury cart, I started to drool and cry! (In a good way). Funny how we all have our own triggers. I wish I could get into the less expensive brands, but the packaging is just not pretty enough for me. I like the shinies 🙂

amelia Avatar

because this is best beauty blog for review purposes and new mac launches EVER, the more makup u have christine the better! i only go to Temptalia whenever i want to read a review on a amc product or launch, so its definitely ESSENTIAL that you have this much makeup, IMO.

amelia Avatar

oh, and while everyone is saying which of this collection they want, i want all the dazzleglasses, dazzleglass cremes and the chanel drawer 😉

JayJay Avatar

Wow! I love this! My friends call me crazy, because I have 400+ eyeshadows, and 120+ lipsticks/glosses. I should show them this! Like you, I am also a collector, and makeup is my main hobby. I should point out to my friends how much they spend on their hobbies, eh 😉

Christine Avatar

So many of us have our hobbies or loves and many of us invest in those. I see makeup the same way. But I also believe that everyone is entitled to buy what they want with their money! Not my business. If you’re able to afford it, power to you and enjoy it 🙂 I’m a firm believer in not having or carrying credit card debt (except in limited circumstances, e.g. shelter, rent, food, etc.), and I actually only have two or three department store cards myself which I always pay off as soon as I use them, LOL! Training courtesy of my parents, I suppose.

But anyway, all that is to say, as long as you’re not going into debt for it and it makes you happy, go for it 😀

karen Avatar

Wow! I want to come over and play!

I’d love storage like that, but I’ve got no room. Plus I have just a Sterilite container and several (haha, like 5) makeup bags filled with all the stuff I own.

Kate & Zena Avatar

I’m not going to lie–I was itching to get in that room and throw about half of it out. At the same time, I was itching to get my little paws and steal some away from you. I’m torn between which I should settle on. I, unfortunately, can’t have a collection that large; I get panic attacks because it’s seriously chaotic to see that much of one thing to me (Autism, it stinks). I love having options but that is WAY too much.

I was an Army kid (wait, I still am, just not active), so if you’re looking to donate products, you need to find your local VA (Veteran’s Affair) branch and ask what they need more of; the VA sends military care packages about once a month or twice if there’s a major holiday like Christmas (my dad is Commander of his VA branch). They probably will tell you they need suncare products the most. A lot of companies donate their products for the soldiers (particularly toothbrush/toothpaste companies) so the VA generally doesn’t need toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant or hair products. It’s sunscreen and foot powder. A lot of people never think of sunscreen for soldiers. My dad had a lot of suspicious moles taken off his back and most were probably caused by lack of suncare products when he was deployed to Kuwait. They’re always grateful for help.

Don’t donate to the other places; I can honestly tell you that 99% of those places that collect materials overseas to soldiers are doing it so you feel better about yourself and never send those products overseas. It’s the same thing with becoming a penpal with a soldier. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. Why don’t they send them? Everything sent to soldiers overseas has to pass military inspection and shipping isn’t cheap.

Okay, I have to get off my soapbox now. I’m very passionate about supporting troops and veterans; three generations of my mom’s side and two on my dad’s side have served the US armed forces.

Christine Avatar

Hey!

Is the American Legion Post not a good organization? I’ve been working with the Commander there, because my Grandma works with hers where she lives (my grandfather was also a serviceman when he was alive), so I’ve been working with my local post. The Commander is actually looking into how/where I can donate for me right now.

Kate & Zena Avatar

Yes. I actually mixed the two up; I should never post comments at 12:31 in the morning. Veteran’s Affairs provide medical care and federal benefits and the American Legion is made up of veterans that help deployed soldiers, hospitalized veterans and veterans. My dad is Commander of his American Legion post.

Have you tried looking at legion.org/posts? It’ll give you a rundown of posts near you within 10, 20 or 50 miles. Some will have e-mail addresses but most have telephone numbers. Not all posts do care packages, so you might want to do some sleuthing of your own while you wait for the Commander to call you back.

What branch was your grandfather, if you don’t mind my asking?

Christine Avatar

Yep – I’m in email contact with the Commander at my local American Legion post! We’re trying to work something out. He said he would poke around (I assume the post doesn’t have anything at the moment). I was trying to use the American Legion website, but I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to. But no rush, I have everything ready to go in boxes and am happy to wait for a good cause!

I’m completely blanking on what branch he was – I know that he trained soldiers here in the U.S. to fight in Vietnam. My other grandfather was a senator in Vietnam who fled the country during the Vietnam war and was president of the Vietnamese Veteran’s Legion. Those two sentences almost seem contradictory. I know both of them had gun salutes when they were put to rest. So, since my answer was very vague, I gotta send off emails to my parents so I can get details, because I feel pretty terrible that I can’t remember!

Kate & Zena Avatar

One of my grandfathers was a Squid (Navy) and the other is an Army vet. I have two cousins that are Jarheads (Marines), I think I have another is Army and an uncle that is Air Force. No Coast Guards yet.

Don’t feel too bad! I had to ask my mom what branch her father was and which war he fought in (WWII) three seconds ago. I always forget which branch he was in and I mix up whether my biological paternal grandfather served in Vietnam or Korea. My mom sighs every time I ask because I should know by now it’s Korea.

Amina Avatar

I absolutely LOVE Love love love your collection.Thank you for sharing it with us especially since usually some people tend to post nasty comments and personal questions about finances. I just love the variety of brands and the colors! Wow!
beautiful!

Katharine Avatar

OMG!!! I’ve never seen anything like this. I knew you had a lot of stuff, but..WOW! With all those products to choose from, how do you ever decide what to wear each day?! If I had that many lipsticks, I would be lost in all the possibilities! Looks amazing though 😉 If makeup wasn’t so expensive down here, I would probably have a collection to rival yours!

Mara Avatar

You said in a comment reply that you don’t think it’s ethical to sell products that have been sent to you for review & that most charities don’t accept used products no matter how slightly used.

Well, here’s an idea: How about you conduct a blog sale for slightly used and/or PR products and THEN donate the proceeds to charity? That way you get some makeup geeks happy, get rid of products you don’t use or want AND donate to a good cause at the same time? Just a thought.

Christine Avatar

Hi Mara,

I personally don’t agree with it. I think it is better to simply donate the products to organizations who can give them to people in need. Around prom time, for instance, a lot of high schools have girls who can’t afford makeup, and so those girls are really happy to receive some. If you look into it hard enough, you can always find ways to donate products to others, used or unused–that’s why I said most but not all.

I’m not sure why there is any issue/problem with what I do now, I guess? I always thought what I was doing was a good thing!

Mara Avatar

[Note: I posted a similar but shorter reply — due to character limits — over at YouTube.]

Hi Christine,

Thanks for replying. Not only is just straight donating to others a good thing, it’s a commendable thing! I agree that bloggers selling PR samples on Ebay, etc. for profit is a blight on the community and a cause for concern, but that’s not what I’mīģŋ suggesting here. I’m simply suggesting another way to dispose of slightly used products that charities won’t accept. Of course, if you can find other ways to donate slightly used products without doing a sale, that’s great, too.

Anyway, I totally understand your position. Needless to say, you have the prerogative to deal with your collection the way you see fit, and if the idea of a blog sale is personally uncomfortable for any reason, that’s more than enough justification not to do it.

Lastly, I appreciate you sharing your collection with us, not to mention the wealth of information on beauty products that you post on this blog. Because of you, I’ve become a more informed and discerning make up geek!

Christine Avatar

Hey Mara,

I totally understand where you’re coming from and what you meant 🙂 I appreciate you understanding my position, too! I try to hold giveaways often (with products I buy specifically for giveaways or arrange for product with brands for giveaways) as a way to give back to readers in lieu of blog sales or the like, too.

Thank you!

christy Avatar

I noticed that you had some Guerlain Orchidee Imperial products and was wondering if you’ve tried it so far and how you’re liking it. I’ve been trying to determine if i wanted their eye cream or go with chanel sublimage’s or stick with my natura bisse diamond extreme eye. Eye creams usually last me almost a year so I haven’t been able to decide cause i’ll be stuck with it for a year, haha

Christine Avatar

Hey Christy,

I really liked them when I tried them, but my biggest issue was I saw a subtle difference in my fine lines around my eyes, but I don’t know if the results would have been more dramatic if I had more signs of aging elsewhere, too. I have heard some really good things about Sublimage, though I haven’t tried it – as in being the one eye cream that really does deliver on results – from other beauty bloggers I trust (just asking them personally for recs and the like).

shuz4ever Avatar

Love, love, love your make-up collection Christine. Esp the neat organization…i’m just the same… tho my collection is teeny-tiny compared to u’rs and consists mostly of MAC. Kudos to u for juggling so many avatars…law/biz student; make-up guru; blogger amongst others…thank you for sharing your passion with us. BTW missing Mellan updates:)

Amanda Avatar

Wow!!!! I am in makeup heaven after seeing all those. How do you decide what to leave the house in, I struggle to decide with my tiny make up collection every morning!!!

Hend Avatar

That’s what I call : HEAVEEEEN !
your collection is amazing :D,
I think I have to live twice to consume half of it lol
nice way of organizing 😉
thanks for sharing

Kristina Avatar

Holy mother of mercy, that is an awesome collection! Please tell me you have it insured!! I am just in awe. Another thought on donating, by the way, is Look Good….Feel Better. It’s through the American Cancer Society, and they help give cancer patients makeovers to help them feel better. Here’s a link:

http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/

Great collection!

baby in a corner Avatar

i totally agree with not throwing stuff out just cause you’ve had it for 2 years and it says 2 years expiry date on the product. i am careful about cream products but most of my eyeshadows i only apply with clean brushes so i’m not going to throw them out just after 2 years. I mean a bag of flour which you’ll eat has a expiry date of about 3 years!

Christine Avatar