Thursday, April 10, 2014

Shop My Stash #3

Whenever I reach a point of makeup saturation, I'm always encouraged to have a good rummage through my storage in an attempt to bring back to my attention products I've neglected or have long forgotten about. There's nothing quite like methodically working your way through the contents of each drawer (yes, including those decade-old eyeshadows, barely used palettes and that random blush from ALDI) to confront the reality of one's addiction and excesses. At the same time, I often rediscover items that deserve either a second chance, or the opportunity to shine and be loved once more. Here, I've pulled out seven things I hope to reignite my enthusiasm about and use more frequently in the coming weeks.


Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Dallas
Out of the whole High Flyin' Glosses set, I remember Dallas surprised me the most. Named after the plummy-leaning blush, I didn't think the colour in the tube was anything inspiring. On the lips however, it's a different story. Firstly, there's no sparkle or shimmer, so it's more a tinted lip cream with a thin, glide-on consistency. The shade is a medium rosy nude with just the right mix of red and brown to remain flattering and sophisticated, rather than dated and mature-looking. The sheerness and the soft sheen that it leaves also make it super easy to throw on casually and reapply.

NYX Eye/Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown (903)
I originally bought this thinking it would be an excellent eyebrow pencil. And it very well could be, except I rarely ever fill in my brows. Hence this pencil is almost in a brand new condition despite purchasing it probably a couple of years ago. It seems like such a waste of a perfectly good product, so I've decided to give its other function a whirl and use it to define my lower lash line. It's a bit warmer than my usual brown/taupe picks and slightly red-toned on me, but it'll do the job just fine.

Bourjois Blush in Rose Coup de Foudre (16)
In retrospect, I probably could have stopped at 2-3 of these round pot blushes from Bourjois when I saw them on sale at Target, rather than madly grabbing 5. I find some of them to be virtually indistinguishable from each other when blended onto the cheek. Having said that, I remember getting home after hauling them, trying on each of the shades and feeling Rose Coup de Foudre was the definite standout. I loved the glow that it gave me and how I suddenly looked fresher, healthier, more radiant. Annoyingly, these blushes do seal and I have to comb the surface with a toothpick to release any pigment. I've effectively scratched off the top layer in anticipation of some proper wear very soon.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This French moisturiser has such a cult reputation that I was compelled to fork out $28 for a 75ml tube from Scotty's Makeup at the Spa & Beauty Expo. I found myself preferring to use it as a primer rather than moisturiser, or layering it over other moisturisers in winter, but I ended up abandoning it after a while mostly due to concerns about its mineral oil content. After experimenting with more "natural" products and not being entirely convinced about their superiority, I'm now a lot less bothered by mineral oil in my skin care. I want to give this moisturiser another go, if only to finish the tube since it's fairly old. Plus, the allure of a product purportedly used by models, makeup artists and celebrities can't be denied.

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 in Real Sand
My sole glaring issue with this mineral powder is the shade. Too light for me. Which might not even be that big of an issue for a liquid foundation, but a powder one? That's tricky. I'm determined to make this work though, because it's too good of a product to rarely ever use. Perhaps a light dusting of this all over using a soft stippling brush (Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone Finishing Brush comes to mind) as a final perfecting powder.

Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel Foundation in Soft Beige (200)
I know this is a favourite of Emma's and I can see why. If your skin is cooperating, this provides good coverage, blends easily, feels lightweight and cooling on the skin, sets quickly and dries to an almost matte finish. My main problems with it are the colour match (Soft Beige is a touch too dark for me), the fiddly jar it's contained in (I have to scoop out the product each time with fingers which seems unsanitary, even if they've been freshly washed) and the mostly matte, drier finish which at times looks quite flat on the skin. I also had a particularly bad skin reaction after using this foundation not long after I first bought it which put me off using it again. I did recently give it another go and felt it was a solid performing base. It does have better coverage than most of my other everyday foundations which are sheerer, dewier and more liquid in consistency, so I might also try spot concealing with it using a small brush like the Real Techniques Accent Brush.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit
Ahhh, Birthday Suit. I wanted to love you bad. But it just didn't work out the way I hoped. I'm not ready to give up entirely though. Maybe I can find a way to accept you for who you are and work with it. In a nutshell, Birthday Suit is a light chrome base with gold shimmer. Honestly, not the best on sallow, yellow-toned complexions, especially those with an olive tinge. While it might not be my dream eyeshadow, I think it works well for quick, casual and fuss-free makeup, like on weekend coffee dates with friends. Something similar in function to my beloved Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper, which I rarely wear on weekdays while I'm at the office, but I frequently reach for at all other times (weekends, days off, holidays) for the speediest one-wash look that adds sparkle and definition without ever going overboard.

24 comments:

  1. Have you though about pairing birthday suit with a more warmer shade? Maybe it would stand out and look better? :x
    I have to admit that I never tried Bourjois Powder brushes, but I might go after this one!
    Oh I really like Benefit's lip glosses! I'm not a huge fan of lip glosses in general, but their's are really good :3

    Take care, have a nice day!*

    ReplyDelete
  2. Birthday Suit is a much-raved about cream shadow I've been contemplating on for the longest but never felt compelled to purchase especially after swatching it in counter. I think I've finally figured out why - you're right. They aren't well-suited at all on my complexion.

    Bourjois blushes are always a good choice! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so sad birthday suit doesn't work on you!! I suppose you can use it as a base though for other eyeshadows and warm it up/work with it that way? Or line your eyes with a warm brown or something to contrast its coolness? Either way I think I need to shop my stash sometime soon… I have a hankering to buy new things but I KNOW I don't need anything; wish me luck haha!

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm surprised you don't like Birthday Suit! It's one of my all-time favourites, and I like that it seems pale and goldy with a light layer but deepen to a complex taupey olivey shade with extra application. Our skin tones seem similar too, although I think you're paler than I am. Maybe it'll work better as a base to other shadows to enhance colours.

    I also hated the dinky potted form of theBalm's Time Balm Foundation and it's a lot more expensive than Rimmel. Never ended up using it and had to toss it as it slowly dried up. -__-

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely picks! I've definitely been trying to decide what base product from buy from LM but seriously am considering a setting powder of some sort as they have been quite raved about. That cream foundation from rimmel is something I've come across many times on asos but I wasn't sure how it performed as my only other few foundations from them didn't work well for me! Thanks for sharing these bits from your stash!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really want to try the benefit birthday suit eyeshadow even though you're not its biggest fan! I used to use the rimmel foundation when I was younger but I bought a colour waaay too dark for my skin and just looked like an oompa pumpa!

    Kate xo // www.beautybabbles.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Birthday Suit didn't really work for me either! It appeared a tad 'greeny' on my lids and I didn't like it.. The formula is nice though!
    btw, do you have ALDI in Australia? is it a supermarket? because we have ALDI here everywhere in Germany but 2 different 'concept' xD
    I think I should give my Bourjois round pot blushes more love , since I've been neglecting them lately...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha yes, ALDI is a supermarket here. But it sells feminine products too, like makeup and skin care. It's quite basic. Sometimes they sell super random things, like blazers, homewares, coffee machines, milk frothers :p (I have the last two if you couldn't tell, lol.)

      Delete
  8. I have been contemplating on getting the Embryolisse for at least a month now. My current pot of moisturizer is running out and I have been thinking of getting the Embryolisse as a replacement. I hope it will work well on me like it does on you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love Dallas to be honest i love all of the lipsglosses they do because they are so gel like and not sticky at all!

    www.andrewjamesblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I never touch those Bourjois blushes either! Something about the baked formula just isn't worth the extra trouble when pressed blushes are SO much easier to use. The Lait Creme-Concentre can't be too bad for you, especially if natural products haven't been working spectacularly for your skin. I'm also dubious of Antipodes awesomeness and will probably revert to brands like La Roche-Posay after the natural/organic skincare stint. I love the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder to pieces- in the shade Natural Beige; everyday foundation fo sho.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do like the Antipodes vanilla pod cream, despite being very heavy. It doesn't pair the best with certain types of foundation because it's so hydrating. I'm still iffy about the Juliet cleanser but it's okay, not terrible. Still a bit drying on my skin though. The pear night cream is so-so (dislike the smell, has more of a sorbet consistency than the vanilla pod day cream which might just be my batch?), the serum is nondescript to me (indistinguishable from my other face oils and the funky smell deters me from using it), the lip balm is pretty good but nothing spectacular, the honey mask is nice but doesn't do anything for blemishes, the facial exfoliator is pleasant and gentle but definitely very overpriced for what it is. Haha, it's crazy how many Antipodes products I've tried from blogger hype!

      Delete
  11. I have a couple of the Bourjois blushes as well and haven't worn them in foreverrrr, sometimes I find them to be even too shimmery, the smell off putting and the sealing off pretty dang annoying. I might dig them out after this post though and give them another chance!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been doing far too much shopping and then stashing the evidence lately! This post may have given me the kick in the pants that was needed. I also own a few bourjois blushes that haven't seen daylight in a while and a handful of Benefit's lip glosses that rarely, if ever get picked out from my collection. I must go and have a dig around my stash and see if there are any hidden gems in there!
    wow.luluisloving.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really like Birthday Suit, Pas de copper wasn't my favorite xD Haha maybe because I have a very fair skintone.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love these posts, I should definitely be doing this more often!

    www.walking-in-heels.blogspot.com

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOL at the decade old shadow comment, I should probably shop my stash too. Once again you have inspired me. I love you and your blog so much, I don't care if you think I'm creepy. Hahahaha ok I'll leave now

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh I wish that the foundation hadn't been discontinued! I found the jar a little annoying too but the end result is too good! xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really need to try one of the Benefit creaseless cream shadows as I'm Cream shadow obsessed right now, I love how easy they are to apply :) xx
    www.missmakeupmagpie.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love that Rimmel foundation so much that the jar factor stopped bothering me a long time ago - yes, that much love! I still have sealed pots in my back up stash, damn Rimmel for breaking my heart like that

    ReplyDelete
  19. You've just reminded me of my forgotten tub of LM Mineral Powder in my drawers. I use to love this stuff, but gradually moved onto liquid foundations because it's so much less of a hassle (I'm not great with loose powders). I think I need to go shop my stash too! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I bought the Embryolisse moisturiser in Paris last year and I did like it plus I got it at a really good price, but I didn't really get the hype, maybe I'm missing something! I do love the Bourjois blushes, although I totally agree they are all quite similar!

    I should have a go at shopping my stash too, there are so many products I just forget to use!

    Emma x

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...