Monday, April 11, 2016

Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Haul #7

By my standards, I haven't bought makeup in a while. My last string of purchases was around the tail end of 2015 and I've been positively restrained since. So when Priceline's biannual 40% off cosmetics sale rolled around last Wednesday and Thursday, I sort of went for it. I was once again excited to get my hands on some new makeup to play around with, plus stock up on a few essentials. And for those curious, you can take a peek at my previous Priceline 40% off makeup hauls in April 2013, March 2014, November 2014, March 2015 and November 2015 (I did also buy up a storm in November 2013, but probably was too ashamed to document my excesses or something, since no post exists though I did make a few passing references to items I purchased).


The damage this time 'round, with after discount prices:

  • L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude in Beige ($17.97)
  • L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude in Rose ($17.97)
  • Essie Grow Stronger Base Coat ($10.77)
  • Essence Quick & Easy Sponge Nail Polish Remover ($3.69)
  • Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Double Ended Shadow + Liner in Kissed by a Rose Gold ($10.17)
  • Essence Studio Nails Nail Polish Corrector Pen ($3.33)
  • Essence Eyeliner Pen Extra Longlasting ($3.06)
  • Models Prefer Brow Highlighter ($5.99)

Total: $72.95

In my mind, it was either this whole bunch of stuff, or the Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette (notwithstanding the fact the Too Faced is $58 at Mecca Maxima and therefore a good $15 cheaper, plus basically impossible to get). I still mentally settled for having more "drugstore" products than one high end item.






Let's start off with the two most exciting additions ... the L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude eyeshadow palettes in Beige and Rose. It was definitely an indulgence to have bought both, but it was more of an all or nothing situation. I didn't need either and while I would have opted for Rose if forced to pick between the two, at 40% off, I thought ... why not. I didn't want to buy one, be happy with it, then become fixated on hunting down the other palette the next day, unsatisfied until I had both.

It actually took me a while to realise these weren't the same palettes released in the US that I've heard many an American YouTuber rave about. The shades are completely different. It's super confusing. Over there, they're known by the same name (Color Riche La Palette Nude), but they're numbered 1 (the more beige option) and 2 (the pinker one). The palettes are made in the US and contain a whopping 17.5 grams of product across 10 pans. The packaging is also different — it's bigger and there's a clear window at the front so you can see the shades. The European version, released in the UK and also in Australia, has vastly streamlined packaging. It's a pretty compact unit. There's only 7 grams of product (but still 10 shades) and the palettes are made in China. I don't have the US version so I can't comment on quality/pigmentation differences, but just from online swatches and reviews, it does seem the eyeshadows in the US version have more colour payoff and vibrancy.

Onto the swatches:

L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude in Beige (first half of palette)

L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude in Beige (second half of palette)

L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude in Rose (first half of palette)

L'Oréal Color Riche La Palette Nude in Rose (second half of palette)

Generally, the pigmentation is decent but not amazing. The Rose one is better than the Beige. Better colour selection, better pigmentation. Seriously, if you had to get just one, go with the Rose — especially if you already have Urban Decay Naked 1 or Maybelline The Nudes. I only really love the shimmery bronze in the Beige (the 8th colour across), but it's so common that I'm sure if I had a proper dig around my collection, I could find 5 dupes (or 50). The first half of the Beige palette is very light and not that pigmented, so I question how much use I'll get out of it. I also actively dislike the pale yellow gold (the fifth shade), as it's so watered down and sheer and unflattering that I can't see myself ever wanting to reach for it. It had so much potential to add something special to the palette if it were darker, more molten and reflective, or ultra sparkly with a warmer base colour.

The defining feature of these palettes are the texture of the eyeshadows and the way they apply. It's a drier texture so there's minimal fall out, which is a good thing, despite the sacrifice in colour payoff. It's not that they're not pigmented, it's that they give a more subtle, softer, hazy effect. They're hard to overdo unless you apply layers and layers and really build up the pigmentation. I suppose on occasion, extremely pigmented eyeshadows can be trickier to deal with since they require more work with blending, and can be a little too loud and OTT for the daytime. These L'Oréal palettes offer an alternative. I especially like the mattes since they're smooth, easy to blend and give an even, seamless wash of colour over the lid.


I also bought a couple of nail things. Another base coat from Essie (I'm almost done with my First Base which I was very happy with, but I wanted to try something different) and a nail polish remover pot from Essence (I was planning to get the Maybelline one again, but I figured the Essence was a third cheaper and couldn't be that much different). Out of sheer curiosity, and because it was so affordable, I purchased the Essence Studio Nails Nail Polish Corrector Pen. I've never used anything like it before, but I'm excited to try it next time I paint my nails since my existing method of cleaning up areas I've overpainted involving a toothpick and hand cream is tedious to say the least and desperately inefficient.


Finally, some more eye products. I completely disregarded everything else in this haul. No base, no cheeks, no lips. Just eyes and nails. I couldn't resist getting another Essence eyeliner (I'm using the waterproof version at the moment as detailed in my current makeup menu and learning to get along with it), because at $3, how could I go wrong. I also bought Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Double Ended Shadow + Liner in Kissed by a Rose Gold. Their ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze is basically one of my favourite products of all time, so I had high confidence in how good it would be. I bought it even without a tester and wasn't disappointed. This shiz is pigmented, man.

Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Double Ended Shadow + Liner in Kissed by a Rose Gold (002)

I mean, just look at it. Absolutely magnificent.

I'm becoming super lazy with my eyeshadow and heavily reliant on eyeshadow crayons/sticks to do the job, so another high performing addition is undoubtedly welcome. Especially when it's double ended with two shades — one for the lid/inner corner, one to add definition and line.

Models Prefer Brow Highlighter

I've been eyeing the Models Prefer Brow Highlighter ever since I started watching Jordan Liberty's videos a few months ago. I noticed he regularly uses Benefit High Brow to highlight the brow bone, bridge of the nose and cupid's bow. Every time he applied it on the model, it looked out-of-this-world ethereal. The Models Prefer seemed like a fairly blatant attempt to dupe High Brow, so I gave it a shot. It looks like the colour of the Models Prefer is darker and more shimmery than High Brow, which is matte and whiter/lighter. Still, I don't think I have anything like it in my whole collection, even if I have something similar colour-wise. I appreciate the ease of use, control and precision of a pencil, and the pearlescent pink gives a girly, angelic touch.

25 comments:

  1. Woah! No one can EVER resist a 40% off! Lets just get past that lol! The L'oreal palettes get a lot of love from bloggers so that looks like a good buy, but considering they are entirely different, umm not sure! These do look pretty so I don't think thats a bad thing right? But the heck would they make it different on a different continent?? Not sure what we have here! I might have to investigate :P

    That Rimmel crayon is so super pigmented wow! I'll hunt these down, hope they dont irritate my eyes though! They have been super sensitive lately.

    TheConscienceFund

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    1. I've never had issues with the Rimmel crayons irritating my eyes, so hope yours are fine as well if you do end up trying them out.

      And yes, it's super confusing with the different palettes in the US and UK/rest of Europe/Australia. I guess for uber makeup junkies, it's incentive to try to get your hands on all 4 versions :p

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  2. Aw man, the palettes we have here are the same. They're also released in Asia. Ugh, the swatches aren't that impressive. The Rose one looks prettier but I agree it's nothing too special. I'm kinda upset that the level of pigment isn't the same as the US ones. :(

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    1. I know! I don't know why they bothered with different versions. Especially when the US has 2.5x more product and is made in the US rather than China - I guess they really cater to American consumers differently to the rest of the world.

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  3. That Rimmel eyeshadow stick looks gorgeous! x
    http://cocoamay.blogspot.co.uk

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  4. I don't think it's possible to not partake when it's 40% off!

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    1. Haha, I guess the day I no longer am tempted by 40% off will be momentous.

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  5. I love that duo stick, the colours are beautiful! May have to go and get that tomorrow...

    http://annabelreid13.blogspot.co.uk

    Annabel ♥

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    1. Definitely the best one I think out of all the colours they released. There was a bronze one but the lid shade was probably too light for me.

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  6. Wow! 4 months is a long time to go without makeup shopping!! Congrats haha! I'm feeling a little bit makeup-ed out recently as well so i only bought about 4-5 things so far (which is still a lot but still...) I didn't realize how great that Rimmel pencil is - it looks as good as the MUFE Aqua Eyes!

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    1. I've never tried the MUFE but I can imagine how the Rimmel stacks up against a higher end competitor. I've always been extremely impressed by their eyeshadow crayons - they're such fantastic quality for the price. Well done for kind of limiting your makeup purchases :p Sometimes it's good to take a break from buying new things to appreciate what you already have!

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  7. Have to agree about the Rimmel magnifeyes - I have that one as well and it is stunning! So creamy and pigmented and lasts really well too. I'm kind of regretting not getting one of those pot nail polish removers - I just bought normal nail polish remover haha :P I didn't even think of those Loreal eyeshadow palettes, I think I've just completely migrated to the world of high end palettes!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. High end palettes is a nice place to migrate to, haha :) I'm waiting for the Too Faced Sweet Peach to reach Mecca Maxima. I see the Bon Bons one everywhere now but it's not tempting me at all. Too cool-toned, I think. The nail polish remover pot is just easy for a lazy person like me, though it gets gross after a while and you have to throw it out, even if there's still product in it. It only works well for plain creme polishes though - wouldn't advise for glitters and it's a lot harder to remove metallic polishes as well.

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  8. You really went all out this time! I got sent the Rimmel MagnifEYES in the bronze and the blue (when I requested the rose gold lol) and they're pretty good! Iffy about rocking a gunmetal and cobalt blue smokey eye but who knows, maybe one day... I had high hopes because I got my sister the Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze on your recommendation and she absolutely loves it!
    I don't think you needed the L'Oreal palettes haha you already own all 3 Naked and 2 Too Faced Chocolate Bars! :p I bought the Smashbox Full Exposure Travel palette and I love the shades but the shimmers are glittery and they have a tendency to produce a lot of fallout when you dip your brush in- I'm kindof over powder eyeshadows... Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour eye paints are where it's at! ;)

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    1. Ahhhh that's a bummer they sent you the wrong shade! Must've been super disappointing. I reckon the one I bought is similar to the Josie Maran rose gold liquid shadow ... forgot the name. Perhaps a bit bronzier rather than so orangey. The Rimmel is more similar to L'Oreal Amber Rush and the like. I've been meaning to try the Josie Maran but it just seems more fiddly than a cream or powder eyeshadow. The pigmentation and staying power and metallic lustre look incredible though. Plus the price isn't too prohibitive for a 'higher end' product.

      I've heard so many mixed reviews about the Smashbox eyeshadow palettes. I can imagine how some of the shades might not be that impressive quality-wise. I don't think you can really get better than Urban Decay when it comes to eyeshadows anyway. I know I have a major eyeshadow problem, haha. But I'm still wanting the Too Faced Sweet Peach when it finally comes to Australia in like, December 2022.

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    2. Also, yay for your sister liking Bad Girl Bronze! :)

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  9. You did well to keep it to just eyes and nails! I wasn't wowed by any of the Rimmel double-ended sticks but those swatches are making me think twice about that... I might have to check them out!

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    1. I wasn't wowed either but I guess I was just bored and wanted to give the most promising one a try since I love their ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks so much!

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  10. Love the look of those Rimmel sticks! And how bizarre that the L'Oreal palettes are different in different countries? That's really confusing x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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    1. It certainly is! Took a while for me to even realise they were different. I thought even if the packaging might be different, the actual eyeshadows would be the same, but nope :p

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  11. I love the Rimmel shadow sticks, so I definitely need to check out the double ended version, I love that you get 2 shades! I use those types of products a lot as bases on the eyes.

    RachelShuchatMakeup

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  12. Thanks for letting us know the reality of Loreal palette, What a shame that it is made in china and different from US version. I wanted to buy it but it was out of stock, I bought Natio palette and it is also made in China, but with lower price tag.
    http://australianbeautyonbudget.blogspot.com.au/

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  13. I own this base from essie and I have to say that I am quite pleased with it! I was using a similar product from Sally Hansen and I wasn't happy with the result. But essie's is something, something!

    I have yet to dig those L'oreal Palettes. I don know...I've been quite cautious about what I get. I really wanted the Blushed Nudes palette from Maybelline but...between that and this version from L'oreal I don't which would be a better option. The nude version is too cool for my taste.

    But...that Rimmel crayon!! Like that Golden shadow is just G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!! I wish we had it here :(

    Take care*

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  14. Oooo lala! I wouldn't mind having the L'oreal palette in Rose thrown my way! Neither of those babies are sold in Singapore yet...and although I don't NEED another nude palette, there's never enough pretty neutrals! I've been hauling bits here and there but nothing fancy. Oh and thanks to your last colourpop haul I've got my brother to help me put in an order so his friend in the US can forward it to us! :)

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