Happy New Year! To kick off 2024, I thought it would be fun to give you any updated thoughts I have on the products from my top 10 most-viewed blog posts of 2023. Let’s get into it!
1.Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks (rum raisin, raisin rage, desert escape) – Posted on April 28, 2021
Not only is this post my number 1 most viewed for 2023 but it is also my most popular post of all time. If you are in search of a fragrance-free traditional bullet lipstick that feels comfortable and moisturizing but still has decent pigment, you might want to check these out. The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick line comes in several different finishes (cream, pearl, and a separate matte line), and comes in tons of colors. I also have swatches of Make Me Blush and Extra Spicy if you want to check those linked posts out.
2. MAC Studio Fix Foundation Swatches (liquid and powder) – Posted on September 10, 2020
I do love the formula of the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation and it has so many shades in the range but I just can’t find one that I love on me. C8 has a good undertone but is too dark, C6 is passable in the winter but too peach, C7 is too red on me, and NC45 is the most workable but there is still something off about it. As far as the formula is concerned, I am still amazed at how nice it looks on my dry skin. It is more matte than I prefer these days, but somehow it never looks too dry. It does feel tight the entire time I wear it, but that is the nature of the powder’s oil control.
The MAC Studio Fix Fluid is still a very nice matte option that works decently for my dry skin type. It has a skin-like look which is impressive to me for a matte foundation. It does get a little tight around the 3-hour mark, but I consider that pretty good for a person with dry skin wearing an oil-controlling formula. When thinking about my top foundations, Studio Fix Fluid is not as flattering as NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in terms of radiance and it is not as smoothing and blurring as Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation. So the formula falls in between my two favorites and it can’t outdo either. My biggest issues with it are how much it transfers and like the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, the shade selection. C8 in the liquid Studio Fix is also too dark but it is my favorite shade option from MAC. NC45 is too dark and orange and NC44 makes me look washed out no matter what bronzer or blush I apply to bring life back to my face. You can see me wearing both C8 and NC45 by clicking here.
3. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick – 440 Irresistible (in the discontinued formula) – Posted on February 16, 2022
In the spring of 2023, Estee Lauder released a reformulation now being called the Pure Color Creme Lipstick. The new line does still have this shade available but, unfortunately, I can’t tell you if the shades have remained the same. What I can tell you is that I do not like the reformulation nearly as much as the old formula and I’m sad that they’ve changed it. I have a full review of the new formula in the shade 818 Covetable that you can read by clicking here.
4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Matte Powder Foundation Gets A Makeover – Posted on March 22, 2022
I moved from Missouri to Massachusetts (got here in January 2023) and the Estee Lauder Double Wear Matte Powder Foundation did not make it through my moving declutter. My original review was posted on January 22, 2022, and while I did think it was a decent setting powder, I didn’t like it as a powder foundation. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is a better formula and better value for the price.
5. So, Dior Reformulated My Go-To Concealer (Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer 4WO New Formula Review and Swatch) – Posted on March 4, 2023
As I mentioned recently in my 2023 Year in Review, I still enjoy the Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer and haven’t had any adverse reaction to the added fragrance that the reformulation has. This is definitely a top concealer formula for me, but since I prefer fragrance-free products I do hope to replace it in the coming year rather than repurchase it.
6. MAC Eyeshadow Swatches (brown transition shades) – Posted on February 24, 2021
MAC eyeshadows have been a favorite of mine for a long time. They are easy to blend, generally don’t have a lot of kick-up in the pan (though some shades do), and they are buildable giving me a lot of control over intensity. My favorites from MAC are their extra dimension finish (which I wish they would expand) and the matte finish. I do think there are better formulas on the market that I’d likely recommend over these in some instances but I do still enjoy using them.
7. Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush Comparisons (Nude Venus vs Divine Rose vs Paradise Venus) – Posted on September 29, 2021
I do like the demi-matte Divine Blush formula from Pat McGrath because I find it to be smoothing. When I am having texture issues from a breakout or eczema flare this formula minimizes the look of that texture. Divine Rose is too cool-toned and a little light and takes a lot of building for me. Nude Venus was also a little too light or possibly too close to my skin tone depth to give me a flush. If I had swatched these colors in-store, I don’t think I would have purchased them. That is the downside of ordering online. Paradise Venus is dustier and kicks up powder when I dip my brush in the pan compared to the other shades I’ve tried. I’m also feeling like it is harder to blend than other shades and I think that it being a little too dark for me may be part of the issue. When I try to add product to smooth out the blend, there ends up being too much color saturation on my face. In my original review of Paradise Venus (here), I did note that this formula does take more time to blend than other formulas especially when I’m using a synthetic brush. My original compact was past the 18M shelf life, so I did repurchase a fresh one to see if it was just an expiration issue, but I’m having the same problems. I do think this formula blends more easily over a matte base. I don’t wear matte finish foundations as much as I once did, so that could also be why I’m finding it harder to blend these days.
8. L’oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation Review (W7, Reformulated 2023 Version) – Posted on March 25, 2023
I do still have the L’oreal True Match foundation, but I haven’t used it since I got done testing it for review. Other foundations I have are more forgiving to my smile lines and pores or are a better shade match so I never end up using it. I don’t think you can see those issues from a normal viewing distance but since I have other options that work better, I just end up using something else. Update November 2024: Pairing this with setting powder does prevent it from sinking into lines and pores for longer, but considering the formula already feels dry, I don’t like to use powder with it. If that isn’t a typical problem for you, however, this is a beautiful natural-looking medium coverage foundation.
9. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Dreams Luxury Palette – Posted on June 29, 2022
I enjoy the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette formula so much that I recently bought another quad called Queen of Glow. The formula is easy to use, pigmented, and the metallics have a beautiful shine without accentuating eyelid texture.
10. Sleeper Hits, Vol 3: NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed (Crystal Translucent) – Posted on January 16, 2022
Since I started using the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder in the now discontinued Sunstone shade, I have purchased this powder a few times. I’m still very impressed by what this powder does but at times it is more mattifying than what my dry skin needs. Without the benefit of a tint (Crystal Translucent shade), it ends up looking too dry on me, so I made the switch to one of the newer shades called Shore. If I hadn’t tried the color shore, I don’t think I would’ve realized the Crystal Translucent shade was making my dryness look worse (especially in winter). Shore is a little peach for me, but it usually still works out fine. This is the setting powder I use when I can’t afford to take chances and need my makeup to look good and last.
Thanks for reading! Whether you are one of my newest readers or have been around a while, hopefully, this round-up gave you some product updates you were interested in.
Have questions? Please leave them below in the comments or you can always email me at editor.nikkifromhr@gmail.com.
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Disclaimer: I purchased all products featured with my own money. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
Nikki From HR 