Author: Nikki

Trying to focus on what I can and will do, instead of what I can't and won't do.
Beauty

2021 Favorites

by Nikki3 Comments on 2021 Favorites
Sigma Warm Neutrals, Laura Mercier Rose Glow, Sephora Captivate, Coloured Raine Cinna Bae, Sonia G Builder Pro, Covergirl Sweet Seduction, Sonia Kashuk Medium Powder, Huda Beauty Money Maker, Pat McGrath Paradise Venus

As we say goodbye to another year, I wanted to share my favorites from 2021. I know this post may seem premature, but as Black Friday sales start to roll in and supply chains continue to be stressed, I figured it would be ok.

I had trouble trying to narrow down my list, so I decided to limit myself to products that I purchased in 2021. I have already posted reviews for all of these products, so the original reviews and swatches will be linked. Let’s get into it, my friends.

Sigma Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette

I love a buildable matte and I typically apply lid colors with my fingers, so the Sigma formula really works well for me. The warm neutrals palette is my favorite in terms of color selection, but the ambiance palette is a close runner-up.

Laura Mercier Rose Glow Highlighter

While I do have to be careful with this, I still love it.  If I apply too much it can start to look icy, but it never accentuates texture on me. As of November 12, 2021, this is still available for purchase at Saks Fifth Avenue. You can also purchase it from Bergdorf Goodman, but it is on backorder.

Sephora Microsmooth Multi-Tasking Baked Face Palette (Captivate)

This palette is a little dark for me, but it blends so easily that I can work with it. The powders melt into the skin as promised. Check this one out for sure. I hope it sells well enough that they can expand the shade range, although there is also a lighter version.

It is currently sold out online likely because it is 30% off during the VIB sale that ends on November 15th. But you may be able to find it in your local Sephora if you’re interested.

Coloured Raine Bronzer (Cinna-Bae)

This bronzer really impressed me. Cinna-bae is very pigmented, but the ease of blending means I don’t have to be careful with it. This is a bit darker than it appears in the image below. It can be hard to color balance a group shot correctly for each product. I love Coloured Raine and hope they continue to release products as great as this one. I’m still hoping for single blushes since their highlighter formula is too much for my taste.

Sigma Warm Neutrals, Laura Mercier Rose Glow, Sephora Captivate, Coloured Raine Cinna Bae, Sonia G Builder Pro, Covergirl Sweet Seduction, Sonia Kashuk Medium Powder, Huda Beauty Money Maker, Pat McGrath Paradise Venus
Continue reading “2021 Favorites” →
Commentary

New Here?  Things You May Have Missed.

by NikkiLeave a Comment on New Here?  Things You May Have Missed.

I’ve gotten a lot of new followers recently, so I wanted to welcome you and introduce you to my content.  I’m proud of the work that I do on my blog, so I thought I’d share some older posts that you may have missed.

Estee Lauder Doublewear 4W4, MAC Studio Fix Fluid C8, Nars Natural Radiant Moorea
Does matchmymakeup.com Really Work? (Foundation Shade Matching Website)

Discussions/Advice/Commentary

I like to be helpful, but I also find it incredibly valuable to get insight from other people.  The following posts are a mixture of those two goals.

  1. A discussion on Product Variety in Reviews: By product variety I mean being able to visit different blogs and YouTube videos and see a variety of featured products. We very often see the same products reviewed by everyone. How can we get to a place where that is the exception rather than the rule?
  2. Wanderlust List (vol 1, 2, 3, 4, 5): Featuring new products that caught my eye and sharing what I’m going to use instead of buying them.
  3. Limited Edition Love:  Encouragement to buy, use, and enjoy limited edition and discontinued products.
  4. Makeup Low Buys and Decluttering: My perspective on decluttering and some tips for being on a low buy.
  5. Beauty Sales: Let’s talk about where you can save money and why there is no rush
  6. Does matchmymakeup.com Really Work?  My experience with the scientific foundation shade matching website.
  7. When Dupes Aren’t Dupes for You: A discussion on dupes and what you can do when a dupe suggestion doesn’t work for you.
Juvia's Place Eyeshadow Palettes Warrior, Warrior 2 (II), Nubian 3 Coral
Juvia’s Place

Swatches and Reviews

I often find myself interested in products that no one is talking about.  Or I can’t find someone with my skin tone talking about them.  So, the following posts are some of the swatches and reviews that I’ve posted that I think are harder to find.

  1. Laura Mercier Highlighters (swatches of indiscretion, devotion, and addiction)
  2. Juvia’s Place Nubian 3 Coral Palette (swatches and color combination suggestions)
  3. L’oreal Age Perfect Blush (425 Amber swatch and review)
  4. Top 3 Drugstore Blushes under $10 (e.l.f. Always Rosy, Wet n Wild Mellow wine, and Colourpop Super Shock Yes She Did)
  5. Underrated Eyeshadow Palettes (Swatches and reviews of e.l.f. Nude Rose Gold Palette, Juvia’s Place Warrior Palette, MAC Art Library Flame-Boyant Palette)
  6. Palette: The Beauty Bible for Women of Colour: A book review and a showcase of some of the products from the book that I have used. The products featured are Bobbi Brown Blushes, Estee Lauder Doublewear 5W2 (swatch), NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Tahoe (swatch), MAC Blushes, Nars Eyeshadow, and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.
  7. What’s Old at Sephora (Swatches and reviews on Shiseido Visionary Gel Lipstick 212 Woodblock, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Bronze, Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat, and Sephora Lip Stories 10 Yum Yum)

Since I’m a huge fan of MAC, I made the assumption that most people following me know about my MAC content. If that assumption was wrong, I do have an index page (click here) and you can find all my MAC products (among everything I’ve posted of course) listed there with links.

Thank you for being here!

 **Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  This site participates in the WordAds program, receiving a minimal commission from displayed ads.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Beauty

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach

by Nikki3 Comments on Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach
Bobbi Brown Corrector

I’ve briefly mentioned the cult classic, Bobbi Brown Corrector here on my blog as a reference when talking about another product I use under my eyes. So many people love this corrector and swear by it that I thought for sure it would be foolproof. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get this product to work for me.

Continue reading “Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach” →
Beauty

Product Update: NARS Mini Voyageur Quartz palette (Sephora exclusive)

by Nikki4 Comments on Product Update: NARS Mini Voyageur Quartz palette (Sephora exclusive)

This little palette has turned out to be more versatile than I expected. NARS designed these mini voyageur palettes ($32) to be small and convenient for travel. There are other versions but at least for the quartz color variation, the convenience also applies to some of the shades.

NARS Mini Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette Quartz Swatches on Medium Dark Skin Review Update
NARS Mini Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette in Quartz

The names seem wrong, and it does seem that gold souk should be the bottom middle shade. But this is the order that is listed on the back of my palette. 🤔

  • Deira (top left)
  • Jordan (top middle)
  • Alserkal (top right)
  • Gold Souk (bottom left)
  • Fontainebleau (bottom middle)
  • Mulberry (bottom right)
Continue reading “Product Update: NARS Mini Voyageur Quartz palette (Sephora exclusive)” →