Sunday, December 6, 2015

Superfluous Seven

So ... more haulage. Evidently, I've been shopping too much. In my defence (not that there's any), Priceline was having another one of their 40% off cosmetics sales, and I did buy less than last time. I also did write down a list beforehand of products to get and largely stuck to the list, with a couple of exceptions. If anything, I also wrote down a few other products I didn't buy (Rimmel Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner in East End Snob, Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Copper, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong, Essence lip liners), so really, it could've been worse. (Or so I tell myself.)



But seriously, I should stop buying more makeup. I did recently reorganise my stash and threw out/donated some stuff (including finally binning both my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundations in 52 and 53 which I'd stored in the bottom drawer of my Keji office organisers for more than a year, not using as I was acutely aware they were expired, but not wanting to throw away just in case they were still usable), and surprisingly didn't feel like my makeup collection was out of hand. Despite having a lot of makeup, I know what's there. And I'm happy with the majority of it. The part I'm not overly thrilled with, I'm comfortable keeping because I still see the merits in not getting rid of it. When said merits no longer justify keeping the product, it goes. I'm a lot more active in periodically editing my makeup than any other aspect of my life, despite the volume of items. I do feel lipstick is probably one area that I should exercise more ruthlessness over (Liz's Lipstick Survivor is the standard), but for now, I'm not overly concerned with having about 35 more pink lipsticks, all largely unused, than what's good for me.

Back to the Priceline haul. Here's what I purchased this time, with the discounted prices:
  • Savvy by DB Soft Glide Eyeliner in Shimmering Slate ($4.79)
  • Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara ($3.45)
  • Models Prefer Customised Eye Shadow Quad in Hook Me Up ($6.59)
  • Models Prefer Professional Airbrush Concealer Brush ($7.79)
  • L'Oréal Brow Artist Plumper in Medium/Dark ($11.39)
  • Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry ($10.77)
  • Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Millionaire ($6.57)

Total: $51.35


Unlike the last Priceline 40% off cosmetics sale, I actually purchased some eyeshadows. I saw Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Millionaire featured in this Pixiwoo video, and instantly it shot up my "to buy" list. The Models Prefer Customised Eye Shadow Quad in Hook Me Up was regularly featured on Oz Product Junkie's Instagram and I finally caved. I'd swatched the quad a long time ago and found it awfully tempting, but resisted because I had so many similar shades already. At $6.59 for 4 shades though, I was prepared to risk duplication in case it exceeded my expectations.


The L'Oréal Brow Artist Plumper in Medium/Dark was a total impulse buy, along with the Models Prefer Professional Airbrush Concealer Brush. If you've noticed, I rarely (if ever) feature brow products on the blog. Just like the hair on my head, I don't do the hair on my face (well, except plucking). I have relatively full brows already and can't be bothered putting any product in them on a daily basis. I did try the Light/Medium tester in the store and found it fascinating how it completely transformed the colour of my brows, and the effect that change had on my face and the way my makeup looked. It was an entirely wrong match for the natural colour of my brows (being a relatively warm, lightened yellow brown), so I opted for Medium/Dark instead, hoping it wouldn't be too severe. I can't put the product all over my brows since it makes them look too caterpillar-like, but just a light touch over select sparser areas (especially the tail end) works nicely to achieve a more consistent, polished and fuller brow. I'm guessing Brow Artist Plumper is the "drugstore" version of something like Benefit Gimme Brow, with its microfibres, small brush head, and almost hairspray-like finish. It's a little uncomfortable adjusting to the feeling of product through my brows since I'm not used to it, but after a while, it's not an issue.

I was mainly drawn to the Models Prefer brush due to its similarity in appearance to the Sephora Collection Pro brushes, namely the Airbrush Concealer Brush #57. The latter is $29 in Australia, so $7.79 for a close alternative seemed a good deal. I don't have anything quite like this brush, though the Zoeva Concealer Buffer from the Rose Golden Luxury Set is probably the most similar. The Models Prefer option is not as dense and flares out more than the Zoeva, which is significantly smaller and more a hard nub. I've tried the brush to blend out concealer under the eyes, around the nose, corners of the mouth and over blemishes, as well as for powder highlighter, and it worked brilliantly for both.


The Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara was another Oz Product Junkie-enabled purchase. I've never tried any Essence mascaras, but they're so cheap that I didn't think twice in buying one to test out. I need to finish one of my existing mascaras first before I crack open this one though. The Savvy by DB Soft Glide Eyeliner in Shimmering Slate was a repurchase of an absolute favourite pencil eyeliner. The Soft Glide liners look to be repackaged/renamed Luxury Liners, though they retained the original shade name. I truly haven't come across a better pencil liner from any brand. It's so black, so smooth, so pigmented, soft but not too melty, long lasting and doesn't move. I reach for it when I can't be bothered with the precision of liquid liner, which is literally almost every weekend and every holiday.


Finally, we have Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry. I saw it on Daphne and kind of had it get it based on how good it looked on her. I've purchased 4 Matte Balms, but overlooked Sultry initially. These kinds of shades seem to be gaining popularity recently, so I thought I'd permit myself to purchase it (despite my informal lip product ban) since it at least wasn't pink or peach. On me, Sultry appears like a brightened brick red. It's not too purple or brown on me, but more a deep, vintage-looking, dusty rose. Think Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Soft Rose. I wish it were more distinctly purple-tinged on me, but it does lean more conventionally reddish pink. I see Sultry being paired with golden/bronzy eyeshadows and a nude blush for a striking (albeit typical) autumnal look. The Matte Balms have an excellent formula and aren't at all drying on the lips.

l-r: Revlon Sultry, Models Prefer Hook Me Up (Crease, Corner, Lid, Base), Rimmel Millionaire

Bottom to top: Revlon Sultry, Models Prefer Hook Me Up (Crease, Corner, Lid, Base), Rimmel Millionaire

Overall, at just over $50 for 7 products, I'm fairly happy with my new additions. It's hard to isolate my favourite purchases of the haul since they're all so superfluous and unnecessary, but if forced to pick, I'd say the Models Prefer brush and quad are the standouts in terms of value for money. Having said that, I'm sure I could easily find dupes of all the eyeshadows (including Rimmel Millionaire) in my existing collection (e.g. the Lid shade of the Hook Me Up quad is totally Makeup Geek Glamorous/Clinique At Dusk/Too Faced Caramel). Ditto Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry, which is just a slightly darker, more berry, less glossy Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Soft Rose. At least I restocked on the best pencil liner I know, tried out a tinted microfibre brow gel, and scored a mascara for less than the price of a coffee that I'm excited to try.

16 comments:

  1. Yay for another haul! xD
    40% off is a good deal, I don't think I would be able to resist that good of a deal either ^^
    The eye shadow quad looks really nice! The color selection reminds me of Guerlain Turandot. The Essence mascara is one of the best seller mascaras here in Germany. That particular one you bought is constantly sold out in the drugstores here :D

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    1. Haha I will tell myself that it's a cheaper version of Turandot! I know how much Temptalia loves that one!

      I'm excited to try the mascara - hoping it lives up to the hype. If so, I'm comfortable shelling out full price for it anyway (so long as it is in stock!).

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  2. I live vicariously through your hauls - I feel like I should also apologise to your bank account because of this. I'm still stunned at how you bought Sultry after seeing it in my post - call it starstrucked! Haha! It's just weird when people tell you that they bought a product because of you?????
    Anyway, I'm still itching to open that Essence mascara I also have but I probably need to finish up at least two of the half dozen I have open. I'm rarely strongly attracted to brushes anymore, but that Models Prefer brush has my heart beating! I wonder if this is an Australia limited brand??? The quad as well, just - be still my beating heart!

    I guess it's a good thing that I probably can't get those two products here as I own way too much makeup already! :P xxxxx

    Daphne | subgenre of a dream | bloglovin

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    1. You definitely modelled Sultry to convincing effect ;)

      I need to cool down with the purchases ... at the very least avoid duplication where possible. It's so easy to indulge, especially when the price is relatively affordable, but not fully consider the makeup I already have or whether I really need this new addition. I guess it's just human nature though, to always be drawn to the new and shiny, and be not as enthused with what's already there. It's a constant struggle to keep a good balance between old and loved products, and exciting, new products that you want to reach for and experiment with.

      I do think Models Prefer is a budget Australian brand. As far as I am aware they are only stocked at Priceline (kind of like Australia's answer to Boots/Superdrug). The name had me so confused with Models Own when they first launched, and Model Co.!

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  3. This quad looks amazing great qualtiy, the shades are also so pretty looking !! Great for all year around, looks like something any one can use over all skin types. These are some pretty good shares ! I want to get my hands on the Loreal brow-plumper, that has been something I've always wanted to try !!

    Katie | http://ktmcgworld102.blogspot.ca

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    1. I was intrigued by the L'Oreal brow product as I've never tried anything like it - and Benefit Gimme Brow is a little steep for my budget. I do like pretty much all the colours in the eyeshadow quad - typical bronze/coppery/gold shades that I'm always drawn to!

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  4. I havent tried any of these, although i have a couple of the Revlon matte balms and I really love the formula of them! Must try more from Essence since it's so inexpensive here. I really like their liquid liner. That quad is gorgeous, lovely shades!

    Emma x

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    1. Which Essence liquid liner are you using? I haven't explored any of their eyeliner options (except pencil eyeliner in Teddy). The Revlon matte lip crayons do have a really nice formula!

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  5. Oh God, I love that quad, the shades are just amazing! The brush also looks really nice
    And I know how you feel, I've been thinking about not buying certain items, like palettes for example , because I know that it's too much already :(

    Take care*

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    1. Maybe you can treat yourself to a palette for Christmas! Which ones are you eyeing? I'm pretty happy with both the brush and the quad - I'm using the Corner shade of the quad all over my lid today, and the Crease shade in the corner, haha. Plus the base shade in my inner corner!

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  6. Ooohh the shadows look good! How are Model's Prefer shadows in general?


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    1. Really nice! They're very pigmented (though the Base shade of the quad is not as pigmented as the other shades) and don't have that much fall out. They're almost a spongier texture, but not wet at all. For the price, can't really complain.

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  7. Pigmentation in those looks insane!
    Charlotte // charlottespicks.blogspot.com

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  8. I think 40% discounts justify a bit of extra spending! Don't worry, I think we've all been there, and you did come under your entire list ;-)

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  9. that Model’s Prefer palette looks lovely and I’m a huge fan of Essence mascara’s. I like the one in the black tube, not sure what it is, but it’s very voluminsing. Great post x

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