Underhyped Products

[All purchased by me]


On the flip side of products that I bought but didn't feel strongly about, I think some of the things I really enjoy aren't really discussed on the big, wide world of Internet beauty blogs.  I guess this comes from just buying and liking a lot of makeup.  Hopefully, some of these things are kind of new to you and finding something interesting! 

NYC Liquid Lip Last, Bareminerals Moxie lipgloss, Maybelline Eyestudio Palettes, Real Techniques base shadow brush. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof eyeliner, Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof, Clinique High Impact Curling 

NYC Liquid Lipshine in Wine n Dine:
A super-opaque, non-sticky borderline liquid lipstick that smells like buttercream and comes in a nice range of non-frosty shades, these have come a long way since the lipglosses NYC offered back in the day.  If you're interested in the Rimmel Apocalips (Show Offs), but think that they're too intimidating or want a wine option for the Fall, this is the one for you.

Bareminerals Moxie Lipgloss in Gutsy
For another highly glossy, non-sticky and pigmented lip option, this is a really nice one to try, especially if you want a minty taste.  It isn't plumping and there's no tingling sensation, which I prefer.  I'm pretty sure Bareminerals and it's sister company Buxom make some of the better lip products available of any high-end brand and I'm excited to try some more out.

Maybelline Eyestudio Color Explosion in Caffeine Rush and Forest Fury
These seriously remind me of Asian drugstore shadows in their creamy texture and shimmery finish.  They include a glitter topcoat like many Asian brands and offer good pigmentation that isn't over the top.  The applicator includes a smaller end that can be used in the crease or as liner and is better quality that any other drugstore sponge applicator I've found.

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
I know Real Techniques brushes get tons of hype but the eye brushes kind of get overlooked and I can understand that since synthetic bristles don't pick up as much product as natural hairs.  However, this is my go-to brush for applying and blending shadows on the eye when I'm not doing an overly smoky look.  This is more pointed than the Mac 217, so it fits in the crease better.

Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof in Flashy Violet
Pigmented purple liners are very hard to find, just like pigmented purple shadows.  This is very creamy, pigmented and long-wearing.  These might have been discontinued but I believe Sephora has replaced them with a different formula and more colors.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof in Moray
I have these in several shades and they are pretty amazing.  They walk the line between super creamy and super long-wearing and are retractable which many of the new "gel" formula liners are not.  I find these easy to use, easy to blend and then set for  the  majority of the day.  If you find these in a set like I did, I think these are a great buy.

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara in Black
This is my holy grail (HG) mascara.  It holds a curl, amplifies volume and exaggerates length like nothing else I have ever tried.  Since the brush is curved, I can coat my lashes with the curve side up then flip over to reach the lashes on the edges.  It is the kind of waterproof formula that removes only with warm water, a feature found usually on Asian mascaras.  If you're someone who prefers to remove all eye makeup in one swipe, this might frustrate you.  However, I find splashing warm water on my eyes is a little less harsh than tugging my eyes with a cotton pad.  

Indirect Light: NYC Wine n Dine, Bareminerals Gutsy, two Maybelline Caffeine Rush shades, two Maybelline Forest Fury swatches, glitter topcoat shade swatched above, Sephora Flashy Violet, Stila Moray

In Direct Sunlight

There you have it!  I can recommend any of these products and I hope something here offers a solution to something you're looking for! 

Five(ish) Lip Products to Finish in 2013

[All purchased by me, or gifts from friends]

As with many avid makeup collections, the things that tends to pile up and become overwhelming before it becomes overwhelmingly gross are lip products.  There's just something about lip products that feels more transient than say, a foundation or an eyeshadow.  Lip products wear off so easily and it's really the only thing that I feel like re-applying throughout the day (cue the beginning of many confessions of laziness).  That is how I justify the build-up of a grouping of lip products that have just got to go. 

Now I'm not saying these products are bad or ones that I want to get rid of.  On the contrary, I enjoy using each and every single one of these.  It's because I know that I like these particular products that I don't see the need to hang on to them and ration them out like the makeup hoarder that I am.  Besides, as previously mentioned, lip products get kind of iffy as time goes on.  If I like something enough, I'll gladly repurchase it later on with no guilt pangs.  

On to the pic(ks).... (get it?) 

As you can see, there are five full-size products with a mini thrown in.  A run-down of these products and mini reviews:

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Raspberry

This little gloss came as a gift with purchase and was surprisingly enjoyable.  It feels like a heavier balm on the lips and has no stickiness, scent or taste.  The finish is glossy but not with an overly mirror-like shine.  I think it's decent at moisturizing my lips and I recently received a full size of this gloss in a different shade from a friend.  

Loreal Color Juice Stick in Island Punch

I'm a little embarrassed to include this because this product is pretty old (and discontinued).  If you've never smelled anything from this line then you're missing out on some pink grapefruit yumminess.  I own a gloss as well and these were really amazing.  

Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Parfait

Why finish a beloved Lip Butter?  This color is just so pretty and flattering I feel like I should wear this on those days where I make excuses for not using any lip products.  The slight grittiness doesn't bother me and the shade is oh so flattering.  

Dior Addict Lipstick in 222 Beige Casual

A friend gave this to me as a birthday gift.  My primary reason for wanting to finish this is so I can buy an Addict lipstick in a different shade (I'm thinking Diorkiss?) hehe.  I have nothing against owning more than one at a time but as I stated before I just feel a bit overwhelmed by my lip collection.  This is super smooth and moisturizing on the lips.  However, the shade is hard to detect on my lips because it is so subtle.  As always, the packaging is very nice.

Essence Stay With Me in Candy Bar

Pretty much the perfect consistency of lip gloss for me.  It's feels light on the lips, lasts a long time, has good pigmentation and smells/tastes like candy.  This is the only shade that really stands out for me, sadly, in the range but I'm ok with that since this is the perfect coral-pink shade. 

Prestige Light Shine in Kauai

Also pretty sure this is discontinued, but it is a heavier balmy gloss that isn't sticky at all.  It has a light, vanilla scent and a brush applicator (my favorite kind).  The sparkles weren't obvious on the lips but enhanced them nonetheless.  Wish these were still readily available.

The ones that had shade names

Hopefully will be able to use up some of these.  Can't guarantee I'll want to hold on to these after they become "empties" but will try to update at the end of the year (or mid-March next year hehe)