Author: Nikki

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

The Monday Edit, April 5, 2021

Published on by Nikki1 Comment

Articles to Read

The Dior Dune collection for Summer 2021 should start showing up at retailers this month. As usual chicprofile.com has a great breakdown of the entire collection. I haven’t been buying as much Dior in the last couple of years, but I’m hoping for some good reviews.

The beauty industry needs to wake up – you can’t be ‘ethical’ if you’re exploiting people of colour – While we should always aim to reduce harm rather than trying to be perfect, this article gives us all something to think about when it comes to ethical purchasing. We should pay attention to ethical labor practices as much as clean and cruelty free concerns.

I am a researcher by nature, so I often find myself doing deep dives into random topics. A little while ago I started looking into the Endowment Effect, which is when we assign more value to an item simply because we own it. I started to notice that I owned products that I don’t think are objectively better, but I still prefer to use them over a comparable better option. That got me thinking about why that might be, and as it turned out, several of them I happened to own longer and have more experience with. As a beauty blogger I spend more time analyzing my makeup products than most “average” consumers, so I get that the “why” of things doesn’t always matter. I just have a curious mind and I tend to enjoy this type of information. The Endowment Effect: Why Ownership Makes You Overvalue Your Things – is a long read, and it gets into a lot of research, but I found it fascinating and wanted to share it.

Videos to Watch

I always find videos from Audrey Coyne helpful, but I thought this video in particular was worth sharing. I thought it was a great example of finding ways to recreate the feeling of an outfit without buying anything new.

I am not at all handy, but I absolutely love watching people restore old homes to their former glory.

Continue reading “The Monday Edit, April 5, 2021” →

bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick (Presence)

Published on by NikkiLeave a comment

Before we get into the review of the bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick, I want to cover some basics.  I love a traditional bullet lipstick with a cream finish.  That is the type of lip product that I default to and enjoy wearing the most.  To give you a frame of reference, my favorite drug store formulas are the Revlon Super Lustrous Cream Finish (swatches of raisin rage and extra spicy) and the Maybelline Color Sensational original line (swatches of brick beat, crazy for coffee, Mauve For Me, Ruby For Me, and Spice For Me).  My favorite formulas on the high-end side would be the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy (discontinued formula swatch of irresistible), Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color (discontinued formula swatches of pink buff, downtown plum, and bahama brown), and the Laura Mercier Rouge Essential Lipstick (swatch of brun naturel).

UPDATES: I had the price of MAC lipstick incorrect, they are $19.00 rather than $18.50. I also forgot to mention that the Maybelline lipsticks have a scent that can be off putting. If you are sensitive to scent, Revlon has no smell.

bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra Smoothing Lipstick - presence swatch on medium dark skin
bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra Smoothing Lipstick – Presence

I didn’t have much to go on when I bought this lipstick at my local base exchange (I’m a military spouse).  All I knew about it were the claims on the box.  It promised a lip color and treatment in one, that it would be free of dryness, and have maximum impact.  I do agree that it is not drying, but I wouldn’t call it moisturizing.  It is lightweight and comfortable to wear and I often forget I have it on.  I tend to prefer thicker lipstick formulas that you can feel, so when something is lightweight it stands out to me.

Continue reading “bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick (Presence)” →

The Wanderlust List #4 (Sonia G Cheek Pro Brush)

Published on by Nikki2 Comments

The wanderlust list is my way of enjoying and using items I already own. I hope to encourage myself and others to use some of the products we have rather than being so quick to buy something new. If this concept interests you, you can check out the other versions of the Wanderlust List below.

I put off writing this post for a while because I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to be strong enough to pass on this purchase. I didn’t want to say I was passing on a purchase and end up buying it anyway. Fortunately for me, I did resist and instead of buying the Sonia G Cheek Pro Brush, I decided to revisit my severely neglected Bobbi Brown blush brush.

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush Natural Hair
Bobbi Brown Blush Brush, $62

I’ve been pushing the Bobbi Brown Blush Brush around my collection for years now. It is a beautiful brush and it works well, I just don’t like using it as much as my other brushes. It is somewhat of a paddle style, but it manages to simultaneously be fluffier and denser than other brushes. I do find it useful for hard to blend blushes, it can somehow really push the pigment around and blend it out without disturbing my foundation. Although that is impressive, I would just rather get rid of hard to blend blushes.

Continue reading “The Wanderlust List #4 (Sonia G Cheek Pro Brush)” →

Limited Edition Love

Published on by Nikki2 Comments
MAC limited edition collections (Selena, Brooke Candy, Mariah Carey, Charlotte Olympia, Sharon Osbourne)

I just want to have a quick chat about removing the apprehension around purchasing products that aren’t permanent.  Don’t shy away from limited-edition releases.  If you’re an “average” makeup consumer (like you have a makeup bag or drawer), then you’re going to love that item and use it up.  By the time it is gone, you’ll either be ready to try something new or there will be a better product on the market. 

On the other hand, if you’re a makeup “enthusiast” or “collector”(you can’t imagine everything fitting into one drawer), then you may not likely finish that product anyway.  And if you do finish it, it’s still true that it will take a long time, and since you’re an enthusiast, you’ll be buying something new anyway.  Or you already have another similar item that can take its place.

Colourpop Disney Villians Dr Facilier Lipstick
Colourpop Sweet Talk collection Lipstick

If you watch beauty videos on YouTube, you have likely heard several people say they can’t keep or use limited-edition products because their audience can no longer purchase them.  Well, that circumstance does not have to apply to you.  You don’t have to adopt that thought process just because someone you like watching thinks that way.  When you find that someone is using a product you want, but can’t purchase, it can be disappointing. I understand that completely.  But the truth is, there is always something similar.  And since we all have different coloring, sometimes a similar item may work even better for you.  For example, if you see someone using a pink blush that was limited edition, you can just use any pink blush that suits your features to get that look.

What about discontinued products?

Continue reading “Limited Edition Love” →

Laura Mercier Lipstick and Lip Liner (Swatches)

Published on by NikkiLeave a comment
Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel/Essential lipstick brun naturel and Longwear Lip Liner hazelnut tea swatches on medium dark skin

Laura Mercier Rouge Essential Lipstick in Brun Naturel, $32

Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel/Essential lipstick brun naturel swatch on medium dark skin
Laura Mercier Brun Naturel

The Rouge Essentiel Line is a traditional cream formula that seems to have replaced the Creme Smooth formula. I prefer the old formula, but this one isn’t bad. It doesn’t have as much moisture as the creme smooth line, but it does still provide a comfortable wear that doesn’t dry out my lips. The biggest issue I have with this line is the color selection. I feel like I had such a hard time selecting a shade that would work for me. Shades were either too light or were essentially red, with not much falling in the middle. The shade I have here is brun naturel, a neutral brown. For me, once applied it leans cool and appears darker than it swatches. So I just never fell in love with the color despite really enjoying the formula. If I have another chance to see the shades in person, I may see if there is something warmer toned. In this price range, I’d recommend checking out the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks for a better shade range. I do also prefer the formula of the Estee Lauder, but if you have gluten sensitivities, you should steer clear since it contains wheat germ, wheat bran, and barley.

Continue reading “Laura Mercier Lipstick and Lip Liner (Swatches)” →

MAC Eyeshadow Swatches (brown transition shades)

Published on by Nikki3 Comments

I thought it’d be helpful to swatch some of MAC’s transition shades side by side since it can be hard to see the undertone differences on the website. These are shades I find suitable for my skin tone (Estee Lauder 4W4). The brand does offer both lighter and darker colors than what I have swatched here, so if nothing here suits your skin tone, all is not lost.

MAC eyeshadows cork, saddle, brown script, soft brown, texture, uninterrupted swatches on medium dark skin
L to R: cork, saddle, brown script, soft brown, texture, uninterrupted

Swatches, top row: MAC cork, saddle, brown script, and soft brown

Swatches, bottom row: MAC texture and uninterrupted

MAC eyeshadow swatches - cork, saddle, brown script, soft brown, texture, uninterrupted medium dark skin
Top, L to R: cork, saddle, brown script, soft brown | Bottom, L to R: texture, uninterrupted
MAC eyeshadows brown script, swiss chocolate, bougie babe (LE) swatches on medium dark skin
L to R, Bottom to top: brown script, swiss chocolate, bougie babe (LE)

Swatches: MAC brown script, swiss chocolate, and bougie babe (LE)

MAC eyeshadow swatches brown script, swiss chocolate, bougie babe (LE) medium dark skin
L to R: brown script, swiss chocolate, bougie babe (LE)

I know that Bougie Babe was a limited edition shade, but anyone who does have it may want to know how it compares to some of the permanent shades. All of the shades swatched with the exception of bougie babe are still available in the permanent range. The refill pans like the ones pictured cost $8. The shade brown script can only be purchased as a refill pan. However, if you want other shades in a regular compact, they are $19.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

The Monday Edit, February 22, 2021

Published on by Nikki2 Comments

Some articles to read, videos to watch,

and words to think about for the week ahead.

Articles to Read

If you haven’t heard yet, Hautelook is on its way out. The sales that the Nordstrom owned company typically features will be incorporated into the Nordstrom Rack website. Nordstrom Drops Hautelook from Bloomberg.com

I watch a lot of remodeling, house flipping, and real estate type shows. Considering how often they are featured, you would think that someone would mention that farmhouse sinks are high maintenance. Check out this article to find out the reasons you may not want a farmhouse sink after all.

I’ve been living in my current place for over a year now and I’m still looking for entryway solutions. I’m working with a very small space so most suggestions have been too large. I finally found an article that has some slim options. 9 Tiny Entryways with Seriously Big Organization Ideas from apartmenttherapy.com

Videos to Watch

I’m not a minimalist nor do I have plans to become one, but I still find a lot of value in the videos from Ronald L. Banks.

Continue reading “The Monday Edit, February 22, 2021” →

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Lipstick Swatches

Published on by Nikki1 Comment
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme 122 Chestnut Lipstick Swatches

As long as your lips are in good condition, the Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme lipsticks are what Chanel promises. But fair warning, anyone with dry or chapped lips will have to treat them before even looking in the direction of these lipsticks. The brand claims this “extreme matte lipstick features a non-drying texture that glides smoothly onto lips with intense, long wearing colour.” The glide onto the lips part greatly depends on your lips. The lipstick does have slip, but it will catch and drag if you have dryness or chapping.

These originally stood out to me after trying a sample. I was impressed that such a powdery, matte formula didn’t dry out my lips. To me, this is a comfortable formula. It doesn’t look powdery on the lips, but that’s the feel compared to other matte finishes. For reference, the other mattes I’m familiar with are Maybelline creamy mattes, MAC mattes, and Urban Decay comfort mattes.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Intense Matte Lip Colour, $42.00

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Lipstick Swatches (114 epitome, 116 extreme, 122 chestnut) medium dark skin
L to R: Chanel 114 epitome, 116 extreme, and 122 chestnut
Continue reading “Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Lipstick Swatches” →