Tag Archives: sonia kashuk

Six Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without

Post inspired by Sam. Read my previous post on six beauty tools I can’t live without here.

Now time for the cosmetics!

1. Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Corrupt: I love this color. I love it more than Zero. It’s a dark brown, so it looks more natural than black. I use it when I want to more subtle look.

2. Mascara: This is just mascara in general. I’m currently using Nuance by Salma Hayek’s Full Effect Ultra-Volumizing. It’s just okay. I love mascara, but I have yet to find one that’s in my price range (i.e. drugstore!) and cruelty-free. I bought Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting mascara a couple days ago, so we’ll see how that goes.

3. Burt’s Bees lip balm: In general I prefer tinted lip balm (which this one isn’t). I do love Burt’s Bees, though. I used to have one of their tinted lip balms in Rose, and I used it all up! I actually like Fresh’s tinted lip balms more, because the formula feels so luxurious, but I can’t bring myself to spend over $20 for a lip balm. Burt’s Bees is a nice, cheaper alternative.

4. Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream: I use this religiously. My cuticles are constantly dry, so I’m always trying to keep them moisturized and happy. I recently bought butter LONDON’s Cuticle Eliminator, so I hope that will help too with my cuticle problem! But in the meantime, pan porn!: burts bees cuticle cream pan Look at that pan! Look at all that love!

5. Benefit Sugarbomb: I love this blush. It’s the perfect everyday blush. It’s a sheer peachy pink that’s almost impossible to overdo and/or goof up. When I’m short on time and need something to make me look alive, I reach for this. I also love that it smells good, and the fill weight is GIGANTIC. It’s 12g! (A MAC blush is 6g, and NARS is 4.8g.) I doubt I’m ever going to see pan on this, even though I use it a lot.

6. Brow gel: Again, this is the product in general that I can’t live without, not this specific brand. This is Sonia Kashuk’s, by the way. My brows are pretty dark, so when I don’t have time to fill them in, I run some gel through it to keep the hairs in place so they don’t get all janky. I apologize for this disgusting looking tube. It picks up the pigment after I’ve filled my brows in with powder, so that’s why it looks dodgy. It’s supposed to be clear.

March 2013 Empties

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Yay, another month of empties! I feel myself getting lighter!

I mentioned before that this was a very productive month in terms of using things up and giving them away. Here’s visual proof!

Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme – This was really thick and a bit greasy. I put on socks after applying and let it absorb. I usually did this before going to bed. It took me a long time to finish this up, and my mom helped too. I’m not sure yet if I’ll repurchase; I’ve been using Shea Terra Organics shea butter for my feet now because it’s too greasy for my hands.

Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask – I’m really bad at remembering to do masks. Therefore, this dried up before I got to finish it. I used up about half. It’s okay, but I like The Body Shop Seaweed Clay Mask better. Right now I have a travel sized Origins clay mask that I have yet to break into, so onwards with the downsizing before buying new things!

Plus White Tartar Control Pre-Whitening Rinse – Well, this is supposed to be used in conjunction with the Plus White 5 Minute Speed Whitening Gel, but you know how you always run out of shampoo before conditioner or vice versa? Yeah, that happened. I actually haven’t used the gel since I finished the “pre-whitening rinse” but I’m pretty sure you don’t really need to use this first. But what the hell do I know?

Sephora by OPI in Dear Diary – I mentioned in my nail polish inventory post that I hate this polish and now I get to throw it away. Be gone!

NYX Long Lip Pencil in Prune – I don’t like it. It’s really waxy and it’s hard to apply. It was only 99 cents, so I don’t feel like I’ve wasted money on it. I’m sure there are better options out there.

Tarte emphasEYES Inner Rim Eye Pencil – This was really dry and hard and I was too scared to try it on my inner rim out of fear that it would hurt like a bitch. It came in the Sephora 500-point perk Tarte set, so at least I didn’t buy it and find out later that it sucks.

Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream (Dior jar) – This came in a squeeze tube, and when I couldn’t squeeze anymore of it out, I cut it open and put the rest in this sample jar. It was okay.

Kat Von D cream eyeshadows in Brass Knuckles and Slayer – These were the cream shadows that came in the Gypsy and Metal Orchestra palette, respectively. They dried out really fast, so I depotted and revived them, but I still didn’t use them. They’ve dried out again and I don’t care to revive them again because I know I won’t use it.

Sonia Kashuk blotting papers – Not much to say about these. I don’t know if I’ve ever tried BAD blotting papers, so.

Not pictured full sized products that I gave away:
Sephora by OPI in Blue Grotto – I gave this to Elizabeth because while the color is nice, I doubt I’ll ever reach for it again.

Sonia Kashuk Twist and Shout Kabuki brush – Also gave this to Elizabeth because I have too many brushes and she mentioned she needed a powder brush.

Revlon Colorstay eyeliner in Navy? – Gave this to my mom.

Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free SPF 15 – What a name. I got 3 samples of foundation from Sephora, and this is the first one I used up. I really like it, and I’ll probably buy it once I run through my Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation sample. I wrote a post on it here.

Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask – This is the second travel sized bottle I’ve finished up. I really like it, but I have made the decision to only buy from cruelty-free companies, and unfortunately Origins isn’t one of them anymore.

Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 moisturizer – Same thoughts as above.

Benefit Fake Up Concealer in Medium – Okay, so Benefit isn’t cruelty-free certified either, but this came in the mail as part of a Macy’s promotion and I just wanted to try it. It’s pretty good, actually.

Narcisco Rodriguez For Her perfume sample – It was okay. I got a compliment once while wearing it, but I don’t think I’ll buy it.

Guess Seductive I’m Yours – Another one that’s just okay. I like perfume samples because I get to switch up my scent all the time without making a commitment. Ha.

L’Oreal Mythic Oil – This is a hair oil. Albert picked this up in a Tube station or something? I don’t remember. He gave it to me and it sat in my bathroom for months before I decided to use it up and get rid of it. It’s really slick on the hands, unlike dry oil or argan oil. It was okay, but I like using pure argan oil by Shea Terra Organics in my hair instead.

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Lust – I didn’t actually use this up. One day, I clumsily knocked over all of my travel sized liners, and the tip broke off. I sharpened it, and the tip broke off again. Then, I couldn’t sharpen it anymore because it got too small. Woe is me!

Make Up For Ever HD primer – I liked this primer better than Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer and the Urban Decay one I’m currently using. It’s not as thick and silicone-y feeling. It came in gift set.

Victoria’s Secret Love Spell hand sanitizer – I’ve been trying to use this up since FOREVER.

Not pictured travel/mini sizes:
Origins VitaZing SPF 15 tinted moisturizer – Gave this to my sister because I had an extra one.

Kat Von D mini lipstick in Cathedral – Gave it to my mom because she likes nude colors.

March’s count:
Full size: 13
Travel size: 7
Sample: 5

Year-to-date:
Full size: 28
Travel size: 15
Sample: 12

Slooowly gettin’ there!

Inventory #11 – Nail Polish

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My love affair with nail polish has been on and off since I was about 11. Things kind of got out of hand once I decided I had enough eyeshadow and moved onto nail polish. :S

I have more than the average person, but I still think it’s a small-ish stash. Still, I know there are some that I don’t really care for anymore, and if I gave them away, I wouldn’t miss them.

I broke the pictures up into groups, because there was no way I could fit them all in one shot. Also, the shots lack consistency because I was trying to figure out the best way to frame them and get the best light. So, compositionally, they’re all over the place. Whoops. One of these days, I’ll build a lightbox…

nail-polish-inventory

Mini Deborah Lippmann trio (Happy Birthday, Across the Universe, Bad Romance) – I like Across the Universe and Bad Romance, but I don’t understand Happy Birthday. I even wrote a post about it way back when. It’s supposedly their best-selling color, but I don’t get it. Am I missing something?
Verdict: Keep/Give Away Happy Birthday

Zoya Pinterest Trio – I got this during one of Zoya’s awesome promotions. Pictures and swatches here. The only color I don’t really care for is Zuza. It doesn’t flatter my skintone.
Verdict: Keep/Give Away Zuza

Sonia Kashuk A Powerful Punch – I love all of these. Even the brown one, which I didn’t know what to do with, but ended up looking nice on me.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Rocker Chic minis – My favorite of these is Already Famous. I’m kinda meh about Go My Own Way. But I’ll keep it for now.
Verdict: Keep

OPI Spiderman minis – I like all of these. Especially because they’re mini bottles. So cute! And I don’t feel as guilty for having more colors. :P Swatches here.
Verdict: Keep

Essie Over the Edge – I bought this because the Pearlridge Longs was having an in-store special. Plus, I saw a tutorial on galaxy nails that used this as a base color and I wanted to try it. It’s a nice color.
Verdict: Keep

Essie Imported Bubbly – “essie imported bubbly” brings in the most hits to my blog from Google search. I’m not sure why. I will do an updated swatch of this, just for you Imported Bubbly seekers. ;)
Verdict: Keep

Essie Blanc – I bought this for nail art. I spilled it once. It looks like I’ve used a lot, but really, I’m just clumsy.
Verdict: Keep

Essie Bikini So Teeny – I love this color. It’s perfect for summer and it brightens my skin tone. Swatches.
Verdict: Keep

Essie Mirror Metallics – Some time in the beginning of this year, I bought As Good As Gold and Penny Talk to finish off the Mirror Metallics collection. I’m really glad I did, even though I thought I was being irrational at the time. As Good As Gold is a nice gold to have for nail art, and Penny Talk looks good on me. Swatches of No Place Like Chrome, Blue Rhapsody and Nothing Else Metals here.
Verdict: Keep

butter LONDON The Big Smoke, Thames, Dodgy Barnett – butter LONDON’s formula is by far my favorite, and I love these three colors.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Mermaid to Order – I think this was my very first Sephora by OPI purchase. I love this color. It’s gorgeous and it makes me want to go to the beach.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Blue Grotto – This was part of the same summer release as Mermaid to Order. However, it’s not a color I would reach for now. I was planning on giving it away when I took this picture, and since then I’ve given it to Elizabeth. :)
Verdict: Give Away

Sephora by OPI Teal We Meet Again – This one is my favorite out of all of these. It’s a beautiful summer color, but it’s darker tones make it great for fall too.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Absinthe Makes the Heart – I bought this after seeing it on my friend Allie (she hasn’t updated for awhile… I wish she would. D:) It looks like baby poo in the bottle, but it’s a moody, edgy dark green on the nails. I like it.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI I Don’t Bite – I love this. It’s sparkly lavender. So pretty.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Mash Up – This was part of the Glee collection. Crappy swatch here. I wish it didn’t have random glitter pieces in it. I feel that it doesn’t really add anything. Wet N Wild’s Gray’s Anatomy is a good dupe, sans glitter. I want to pick it up, but I can’t justify it because they’re too similar.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Sample Sale – This is the perfect holiday red. I’ve used it several times in a holiday mani.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora by OPI Dear Diary, I’m With Brad, Personal Shopper – This was a Sephora Beauty Insider 500-point perk a few years ago. I really hate Dear Diary. I can’t get it to work for me. It’s sheer and streaky and it’s started to get goopy, so I’m going to toss it. The other two I’ll keep around.
Verdict: Toss Dear Diary/Keep the other two

NYX Girls Spot Light – I bought this to use as a glitter top coat. I don’t think I’ve actually used this yet, though. Oops. Still, keeping it.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Prismatic Gold – This one I’ve used a lot. Yay, glitter.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Sparkles – Haven’t used this one yet, either. But silver glitter is going to come in handy one day, I know it!
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Gilded Glitter – I used this for the first time today, haha. I like that they’re gold flakes instead of the holographic hexagonal glitter pieces in Prismatic Gold. Gives me a reason to keep it around.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Frizzy Spots – First off, what the hell is up with this name? Frizzy Spots? I don’t know. I like it, though.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Dorothy – This one is really pretty over Sample Sale. It hasn’t gotten much use beyond that, but I’m going to keep it for now.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Milano – This color is flippin’ gorgeous. I bought and returned Sephora by OPI’s Queen of Everything because it was too close to this (and this was way cheaper). The only complaint I have is that it chips really easily, but it was 99 cents when I bought it, so whatever.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Moonwalk – I’ve only used this maybe twice. I thought it was close to Sephora by OPI’s I Don’t Bite, but this is more metallic, and I Don’t Bite is darker.
Verdict: Keep

NYX Girls Beige on Caffeine – Okay, a couple days ago, Krystal and I went to Sephora and swatched things, like we do. One of the polishes I swatched was Spa Ritual’s Sun Salutations. It’s beautiful. I came home and swatched Beige on Caffeine to compare, and while they’re not dupes, they’re close enough that I can’t justify buying Sun Salutations. It’s really pretty anyway.
Verdict: Keep

China Glaze Ruby Pumps, Fairy Dust, and Draped in Velvet – These aren’t actually completely mine. My aunty gave these to my sister and I for Christmas. It came in a set of 3 with a Seche Vite top coat and an Ala Moana cosmetics bag. :P I haven’t even tried these yet.

China Glaze Crackle Black Mesh – Bought this when crackle polishes were becoming all the rage. My bottle started to dry out, but after putting some nail polish thinner, it’s okay again. I haven’t used it recently because quite frankly, I’m tired of the crackle polish trend. However, I’ll still keep this for nail art.
Verdict: Keep

China Glaze Luxe and Lush – From The Hunger Games collection. It’s beautiful.
Verdict: Keep

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Celeb City – Krystal gave this to me because she already had something similar. I like it for nail art stuff. Swatches here.
Verdict: Keep

Milani High Speed Fast Dry Yellow Whiz – Again, the name! It makes me think of pee. Anyway, I bought it for my Pikachu manicure. It bubbles, but I’m stubborn and I want to try Pikachu again.
Verdict: Keep

Sinful Colors Slate – During the fall months, I was on the hunt for a gray polish. I picked this up at Walgreens. I really like it. It looks pretty cool with a matte top coat, too.
Verdict: Keep

Zoya Dove – Another gray I picked up around the same time. This one is obviously much lighter, but I really like it.
Verdict: Keep

OPI Vampsterdam – I bought it because I thought it was pretty. Now I’m not sure why I thought that. I mean, it’s not ugly. It’s just underwhelming.
Verdict: Give Away

L’Oreal VIP Status – This is really pretty and perfect for fall.
Verdict: Keep

Wet N Wild Megalast I Need a Refresh-Mint – Seriously, the perfect Tiffany’s blue.
Verdict: Keep

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Black Satin – I have this mainly for nail art.
Verdict: Keep

Rimmel Play Fast Camouflage – Used it today! I forgot what a gorgeous green this is.
Verdict: Keep

Hard Candy Beetle – I was going to give this away because it’s not very flattering on my skin tone, but it’s such a unique color, and it’s good for nail art (like peacock feathers!).
Verdict: Keep

Hard Candy Envy – Beautiful dark almost black green. You have to see it in the right light.
Verdict: Keep

Hard Candy Mr. Right – Similar to Envy, but dark blue.
Verdict: Keep

Zoya Anchor and Armor – I really like these. Not much else to say about them beyond that, though.
Verdict: Keep

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat – Only recently started using this. Nothing to rave about, though. No matter what I’ve tried, everything chips within days.
Verdict: Keep

NYC Matte Me Crazy – My one and only top coat. I’ve used it a few times.
Verdict: Keep

Whew! Just a few more inventory posts!

Inventory #10 – Brushes

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Okay! Almost done with these tedious inventory posts! Just a few more to go, you can do it, Jen!

ecoTools Six Piece Everyday Collection with bonus lash and brow groomer – Jackie bought this for me for Christmas. It’s newly designed with bronze colored ferrules, which I find really pretty. This came with an extra brush, the brow and lash groomer, but honestly I could do without it. I prefer metal lash combs, and nothing beats my Sephora lash and brow groomer. I’ll give that specific brush away.
Verdict: Keep/Give Away lash and brow groomer

ecoTools Six Piece Eye Brush Set – Jackie also bought this for me. I love that it comes in a little carrying pouch with a mirror. This stays in my on-the-go makeup bag.
Verdict: Keep

ecoTools Domed Bronzer brush – Another redesigned brush. This has gotten mad love in the beauty blogger world, and I can see why. This brush is ridiculously soft and dense.
Verdict: Keep

Sonia Kashuk Medium Angled Multipurpose Powder brush – I like using this as a contour brush. It’s nice and dense. It actually broke at one point, though. :( The glue was old or something, so the ferrule fell apart from the handle. I glued it back on using the E-6000 adhesive. That stuff does not mess around.
Verdict: Keep

Sonia Kashuk Blusher brush – This is a nice fluffy brush. It applies blush sheerly, which is good for layering.
Verdict: Keep

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose brush – I bought this after reading Karen’s review. I’ve used it for cream blushes, but lately I’ve been using it clean to diffuse bronzer or highlighting powder.
Verdict: Keep

Sonia Kashuk Twist and Shout Kabuki brush – Bought this after reading this review, also by Karen. However, I’m not the biggest fan of this brush. I like that it’s big and fluffy, but it also sheds a lot, and it’s not as soft as I’d like it to be. I used to to apply my Diorshow Airflash foundation, but since I’ve run out of that, I’m going to give this away.
Verdict: Give Away

Sonia Kashuk Bent Eye Liner brush – I really like this one for gel liners. However, mine is getting a bit frayed. Maybe I should nip the stray bristles?
Verdict: Keep

Sonia Kashuk Large Crease brush – Okay. So, I’m Asian. And I have small eyes. Therefore, most “crease” brushes on the market are way too big to fit in my crease. Including this one. However, this one is nice and dense, so I like to use it to blend out my crease color. I just can’t fit it in my crease to deposit color accurately. :P
Verdict: Keep

Sephora Professionnel Platinum brow comb – I used to use plastic lash combs, but after I tried this metal one, there’s no going back.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora Professionnel Platinum medium shadow brush – This is my favorite eyeshadow brush, ever. I think it’s comparable to the MAC 217, but I don’t own that, so I wouldn’t know. It’s the perfect size for my lid, and it’s the ideal mix of dense and fluffy so it deposits color well, but it’s still soft enough to blend it out evenly.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora Professionnel Platinum lip brush – I bought this when Sephora was having a promotion where you buy something and get a free brush. I like this. It gets the job done.
Verdict: Keep

Sephora Professionnel Platinum foundation brush – I actually don’t use foundation or foundation brushes very often. Inexplicably, I have 3. This is the best one, so I’m keeping this.
Verdict: Keep

Smashbox concealer brush – I use this brush almost every day. I like that it’s small and has a tapered end for reaching around my nose and tiny spot blemishes.
Verdict: Keep

Smashbox blending brush – This is nice and fluffy. I use it to apply my browbone color and to blend out my shadows.
Verdict: Keep

Smashbox crease blush – I know you can’t see it in the picture very well, but this crease brush is HUGE. It covers almost my entire lid space. It’s also super fluffy so it applies very sheerly. I don’t like it.
Verdict: Give Away

Crown Brush set – I bought this off Hautelook. I actually think it’s really overrated. There are a few brushes that I like, like the blending fluff, oval shadow (I think? I’m not sure which one this corresponds to :S), angled liner (I use it for my brows), and mini smudger, but I’m going to give the rest away. I’ve already given the crease brush to Krystal, and the most of the face brushes to my mom. I use the “lash fan” to brush out dust and lint from between my keyboard keys, ha!
Verdict: Give Away (Keep a few)

Urban Decay Good Karma brushes – These were my first brushes, but I don’t like them as much as I’d want to. I only like the “wonder” brush because it’s good for lips and smudging eyeliner. I used to use the crease brush a lot because it’s the perfect size, but it doesn’t pick up or deposit color very well.
Verdict: Keep the wonder brush, Give Away the rest

Urban Decay Big Buddha brush – I don’t even use this brush, but I love it. It’s so soft and pretty. I like to pet it. I’m impractical. I use it once in awhile if I ever put bronzer on other than my face, or sparkle powder.
Verdict: Keep

The Body Shop Nature’s Minerals Foundation brush – I love this brush so much, I bought two. I bought the first one at full price, and when I went back to The Body Shop a few months later and they were discontinuing this brush! So I bought the second one for $5. They were “revamping” the kabuki brush, but in my (and the sales associate’s) opinion, they were the exact same brush with a different name stamped on the handle. I like having two of these because when I wash one, it takes forever to dry because it’s so dense. So while one is drying, I use the other one.
Verdict: Keep

The Body Shop eyeshadow blender brush – I don’t use this much, but I like it.
Verdict: Keep

The Body Shop eyeshadow brush – This was one of my first eyeshadow brushes (along with their angled brush which disappeared). I still like it, I just don’t use it often. The lettering wore off, wow!
Verdict: Keep

L’Oreal mini brush – This came with the L’Oreal HiP pigment. It’s actually a really nice brush. I keep it in my on-the-go bag.
Verdict: Keep

e.l.f. small smudge brush – I really like this brush because it’s so tiny and it smudges liner like a champ. And it was $1.
Verdict: Keep

e.l.f. fan brush – I bought this to use as a powder highlighter, but it’s really flimsy and/or I’m not very good at using it. I gave it to my mom and she uses it to clean her keyboard too. LOL.
Verdict: Give Away

Too Faced Flatbuki brush – This is the cutest brush. It’s very soft and it works well for applying bronzers in a pinch. It came with the Bronzed & Beautiful set (which I depotted, so now this no longer has a home). I took it with me to Europe, but other than that it doesn’t get much use. It’s a good travel brush.
Verdict: Keep

MAC 266 brush – My one and only MAC brush. I know most people use it as a brow brush, and I sometimes use it for that too, but I bought it for gel liners. Then I bought the Sonia Kashuk one and this hasn’t gotten much use since. I use the Crown brow brush instead because it’s a bit stiffer.
Verdict: Keep

Urban Decay Ink For Eyes brush – This came with the Ink For Eyes cream liner. I keep it in my on-the-go bag for my brows. The smudge end is useful, too.
Verdict: Keep

QVS double ended eyeshadow brush – I bought this to keep in my makeup bag, but they’re not that good. Since I have the ecoTools ones now, I don’t really know what to do with this. I like that they’re retractable.
Verdict: Maybe

QVS double ended lip brush – I like this. The cap on one end (or maybe it’s on the shadow brushes) is loose, but other than that, it does the job well. I load up the brush with the lip color I’m wearing for the night and toss it in my evening clutch. The fact that it’s double ended means I have more precision.
Verdict: Keep

Sigma Travel brush set – Krystal got me this for Christmas one year. I love it. I especially like the angled blush brush and the blending brush (the silver handle one because it wasn’t part of the set). I always take it with me when I’m traveling because it has its own mini brush roll.
Verdict: Keep

*not pictured because I forgot about them:

ecoTools retractable kabuki brush – I love this for traveling. It’s so soft and dense and awesome. It actually broke, so that’s probably why it wasn’t in the picture. I had to fix it with E-6000.
Verdict: Keep

Make Up For Ever HD kabuki brush – I bought this to use with their HD powder. It comes in its own little pouch, which I think is so cute. I probably didn’t need to buy a specific brush for the powder, though. I’ll start using it more when I get to the powder. Still working on the Maybelline Fit Me.
Verdict: Keep

I know this was a really long post with lots of words and only one measly picture. I don’t really expect anyone to read this. It’s more for my own personal reference.

Inventory #6 – Face stuff

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“Face stuff” is a rather vague term, isn’t it? Anyway, these are things like primers, setting sprays, powders, foundations (of which there are none), tinted moisturizers, concealers, etc.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz – This is actually more like a bronzer. I opened it to check the color, but I probably shouldn’t have because now it might go bad before I get to it. :P But I need to try it first to see if it even works on my skin tone.
Verdict: Keep

Smashbox Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing Primer in Bare Canvas – This was part of 2009 Spring Collection. I think I’ve used it less than 10 times. I opened it a few days ago to give it a go again, and it smells FUNKY. I’m tossing it. It’s a shame because there’s a lot of product left, but I’m not putting it on my face.
Verdict: Toss

Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion – I bought this when I actually needed a primer. Then all of a sudden I had a million of them and I didn’t use this. It’s next up after I finish the MUFE one.
Verdict: Keep

Becca Resurfacing Primer – I haven’t opened this yet, but I’m looking forward to trying it.
Verdict: Keep

Tarte ReCreate primer – This one stays in my on-the-go makeup bag because it’s tiny. I tried it once. I like that it’s silicone free.
Verdict: Keep

Make Up For Ever HD primer – I’m almost done with this! There’s probably about a week’s worth left in it. Hooray!
Verdict: Keep

Make Up For Ever HD powder – There’s so much of this. I would get rid of it, but I really love the way it makes my skin feel. Once I finish the Maybelline one, I’ll work on this one.
Verdict: Keep

Tarte Smooth Operator finishing powder – Maybe I should throw this in my on-the-go bag, too. Why do I have so many face powders?
Verdict: Keep

Urban Decay primer potion in Eden – You know, I should give this one away. I don’t even use it, and the times I have, it would crease on me.
Verdict: Give Away

Urban Decay primer potion in Greed – Pretty sure I’ve never used this. Maybe I’ll give it a try today. And then probably give it away, depending on if it rocks my world or not.
Verdict: Give Away

Urban Decay primer potion – Keeping this. Duh.
Verdict: Keep

Urban Decay primer potion in Sin – This is pretty, but I wish it didn’t crease on me. Sigh. There’s still so much left in it, and I don’t use it.
Verdict: Maybe

LA Splash Splash Proof Sealer – I don’t use this much, but it’s really good for glittery shadows and loose shadows.
Verdict: Keep

Urban Decay primer potion (depotted) – This is from one of my many (but it’s the last!) mini genie bottle. If you’ve ever cracked one open, you’ll know that there’s SO MUCH PRODUCT left. It’s insane. The little bent applicator does absolutely jack shit in getting everything out. Anyway, this has started to dry out, so I’m tossing it.
Verdict: Toss

Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray – I just finished this a couple days ago! Whoo!
Verdict: Toss

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder – This is the only brow powder I have, so I’m keeping this.
Verdict: Keep

Sonia Kashuk brow gel – Same here. I think I’ll go for an even cheaper one when this runs out, maybe e.l.f.?
Verdict: Keep

Maybelline Fit Me pressed powder – I bought this because I thought it would make the Fit Me liquid foundation set better. Not so much. I’ve tossed the foundation a long time ago, but now I’m working on this powder. I don’t really feel one way or another about it.
Verdict: Keep

NARS concealer duo in Custard/Ginger – Love this stuff. I’ll be sad when it runs out, because they’ve not only discontinued the duo pan, I also bought it for really cheap ($10!).
Verdict: Keep

Lancome Rénergie Eye Multiple Action Step 2 Veil – I don’t even know what to call this. It came with a mini eye cream. It was a sample. I only started using it because I brought it on my trip. It works well with the eye cream, but it’s drying on its own. BUT, there’s way more of this concealer thing than there is eye cream. And there’s a lot of this. I’ve been using this instead of the NARS to finish it up before it dries out.
Verdict: Keep

Dior Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer – I really like this concealer, but a little goes a long way, so it’s taking me forever to get through this.
Verdict: Keep

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear tinted moisturizer – I’m almost done with this. Also don’t feel strongly about this one way or another. It has a strong herbal scent, though. Very light coverage. It’s enough for me on any given day. I still need a foundation for nights, though. I went to Sephora the other day and got three samples, so we’ll see how that goes.
Verdict: Keep

Origins VitaZing Energy-boosting moisturizer – The last time I turned in a bunch of empties to the Origins counter for recycling, the SA gave me two of these tinted moisturizer things. I’m about half done with one. They’re good for traveling.
Verdict: Keep

Conclusion: I don’t have that much face stuff, with the exception of eye primers. Hell, I don’t even have a foundation. This group should be fairly easy to downsize.

NOTD – Half moon

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Sorry I didn’t post yesterday!… or technically, yesterday and the day before. I’ve been busy lately, juggling two jobs. :S On Friday, I got called in to work at the bar on First Friday, so I could see how busy it can get. I had already worked a full shift at Macy’s, so when I got home, instead of working on a post, I decided to take a nap instead.

Anyway, this is an old mani I did back in May. Very pretty, very summery.

With my phone. Obviously I have a thing for this color family.

Different lighting. I really liked this mani. Maybe I’ll do a fall version of it next.

Silver – Sally Hansen Celeb City
Blue-green/turquoise/teal – Sonia Kashuk Making Waves (I love this color so much.)

Swatches: Sonia Kashuk A Powerful Punch (and butter LONDON Slapper)

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Sonia Kashuk A Powerful Punch, $9.99

I debated whether or not to post these swatches, as I first saw them on Karen’s blog ages ago. It’s limited edition, and I wasn’t sure if you’d still be able to find it. However, I found them on Target’s website! It says not sold in stores, but I found mine at the Target in Kapolei a few months ago (the Salt Lake one didn’t have it the last time I was there last week). I want to say they might have already pulled this from the shelves to make room for fall collections (I know, I’m sorry!), but it’s still online. :)?

Ingredient list, if you’re interested.

I already used these by the time I got around to swatching them. :P As you can see, Making Waves is my favorite!

After swatching a lot of nail polishes in a short amount of time a couple weeks ago (I still have to post a number of Essie polishes), my cuticles were shredded and my nails weren’t faring much better. So, instead of full nail swatches, I just did one on each finger.

Khaki Shorts. Described as a “sandy brown” on Target’s website. I was surprised at how flattering it came out. I didn’t think I’d wear this, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Krystal suggested nail art. Puppy nail art. :P I was a bit skeptical of a brown polish for summer, but I imagine it’d look really nice with a tan! Not that I have one.

Making Waves. ”A clean turquoise.” As I’ve already mentioned, this is my favorite. It’s so pretty and summery. (Side note: I apologize for my lame adjectives, it’s getting late and I’m tired.)

Ooh La La. ”A vibrant fuchsia.” This is my second favorite. Also, anyone else have a really hard time spelling the word fuchsia?? I always spell it wrong. I want to spell it “fuschia.”

Tutti Frutti. ”A juicy coral.” This one is nice and on trend for summer (which is almost over, Jen), but I’m kinda meh towards it. I like it, it’s pretty, but I wouldn’t have picked up a full sized color of this.

Lastly, if you can’t grab the set, I have a color dupe for Making Waves! It’s butter LONDON’s Slapper. I know, it’s not a cheaper option, but in the off chance that Making Waves is also your favorite of this bunch and you couldn’t get it, or if you do have it and you *gasp!* finish the bottle (I hear it happens sometimes, to some people. Not to me, though.), then you could pick up a full size color dupe. I’m pretty sure Slapper is part of bL’s permanent line, too.

I also have swatches!

Quick story: I actually bought Slapper first. I ordered it online from macys.com during an employee appreciation weekend. Before it came in, however, I found Sonia Kashuk’s set at the Kapolei Target and picked it up. So, I swatched Making Waves on one finger, then went to work the next day, and swatched the tester bottle of bL’s Slapper. I also swatched Thames, which is the one I was considering exchanging it for (and I eventually did, after seeing the swatches). When my order came in, I took pictures of the two bottles, then exchanged Slapper for Thames. That way, I wouldn’t return a bottle of used polish (though I’m sure people do it all the time, and they’re well within their consumer rights to. I personally would have preferred to return an unopened bottle).

As you can see, Making Waves is a tiny bit brighter, if that makes sense, and Slapper is a little blue-r. On my skin tone, I like Making Waves better, but the difference between them is very subtle. If I run out of Making Waves (which may actually happen, the bottle is quite tiny!), I’ll consider buying Slapper.

L to R: SK Making Waves, bL Slapper, bL Thames.

Okay, enough of me and my overuse of parentheses. What say you?

barely organized chaos

because life is funner that way.