Wanderlust is a universal feeling that is a longing for something. We see new products that we like the look or concept of, but we know they aren’t for us, and still, we consider them anyway. Sometimes we go so far as to buy them, despite having something similar or knowing we won’t use them.
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. Opting out of new releases can be challenging for a blogger. I mentioned previously that the analytics tell me new releases are what people want. I could continue to cater to that crowd, but I’m personally burned out from new purchases and want to get back to using my favorites.
Disclaimer: As a beauty blogger, I have more makeup than a “regular” consumer. That does mean that I have more options to choose from when I’m opting out of a new purchase, but hopefully, the thought process can still help.
In a time when inclusivity in the beauty industry is front and center, I am often surprised that some products that have been on the market for years never make it into the conversation. The analytics prove time and time again that new releases are going to get the most attention. I think it would serve everyone better if we also took some time to shine some light on previously released products.
Trust me, I understand feeling left out of what everyone is talking about, but we also need to learn to do what is best for us regardless of the hype. We can not change who we are or how we look to suit a new release, but we can seek out products that already meet our needs. That is what I mean by variety, moving toward a time when you can visit different blogs or YouTube videos and see various featured products.
There used to be a time in the “beauty community” of blogs and YouTube when everyone discussing the same products was the exception, not the rule. Regularly seeing a better variety of products helped people discover new items. This variety also offers a view of different product uses since needs and preferences vary. Of course, you can still find out about new products and techniques. My point is that if a product is not part of a PR blitz, you will be hard-pressed to find information about it.
Setting powders can be tricky for those of us with dry skin. Here are three powders that set my foundation for longevity without accentuating dryness or creating dryness where there was none.
DISCONTINUED– Best for Luminosity: Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (shades 4 and 5)
I like to pair the Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder with one of my favorite foundations, the Clinique Beyond Perfecting 2-in-1 Foundation. Because the Clinique foundation has a satin finish that feels tacky on the skin, I like to set it without taking away the satin finish. So by using this as a setting powder, I get the longevity and dried down feeling, but the glow of the powder keeps my skin from looking dry or looking matte.
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder Shades 4 and 5
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder Shades 4 and 5
This powder is designed to catch the light, so keep that in mind when you are considering the shades. Shade 4 is the best shade for my skin tone (Estee Lauder 4W4/5W1, MAC C8, NARS Tahoe) and shade 5 is a little dark for me. I mainly use shade 5 when I have a foundation that is a little too light for me. I do know that shade 5 works for people who can wear NARS Macao, MAC NW43, MAC NC47, Lancome 460, Fenty 385, and Fenty 390. This isn’t to say it won’t work for any other deeper or lighter skin tones, this will just hopefully give a reference point.
Overall, this is my preferred setting powder but it can also be used as a finishing powder. If a foundation accentuates my texture, I find that layering this powder on top improves the way it looks. Laura Mercier claims that this powder has a “diffused, soft-focus finish” and I guess that is the benefit that helps with the look of texture.
The Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder retails for $39.00 on the Laura Mercier website.
Update, January 21, 2022: Unfortunately, it seems that the brand has discontinued shades 2, 4, and 6 in this line. Shade 5 is still carried and is in stock. While shades 1 and 3 are currently out of stock they will be restocked at some point. When I contacted the brand in November 2021, they confirmed that shade 4 has been discontinued. So that leads me to believe at least for the time being that the whole line has not been discontinued.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (C7) and Studio Fix Fluid (C8)
Right now at MAC, you can purchase either the Studio Fix Fluid or Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation for $25 until 3:00 am EST on 9/21/2020. Studio Fix Fluid comes in 63 shades and Studio Fix Powder comes in 53 shades, making it one of the best shade ranges on the market. I wanted to share some swatches for anyone who might want to take advantage of this deal.
Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, $35
UPDATE JUNE 12, 2024: This information is based on a discontinued formula. MAC released a reformulated version of Studio Fix Fluid in 2024. If you are looking for reviews, you can spot the difference because the new formula now comes with a pump built into the packaging.
Being underrated is obviously very subjective. Amanda from Makeup.Just.For.Fun on YouTube got me thinking about this topic when she posted a recent video on her underrated neutral palettes under $30. For me, an underrated product is one that no one ever talks about, or they used to talk about it, but now you don’t see it mentioned. Let’s dive into my opinions about some underrated palettes.
e.l.f Nude Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette, $11 (reformulated and now falls under the Perfect 10 Eyeshadow Palettes. The new formula is different than the one I reviewed.)
elf Nude Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette
Update September 27, 2025: The e.l.f Nude Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette featured here has been reformulated and now falls under the Perfect 10 Eyeshadow Palettes. The new formula is different than the one I reviewed. I have seen this palette available on Target’s website, but I’m not sure if they’d send the new formula in its place if you tried to order it.
This one is underrated to me because you used to hear a lot about these 10-pan palette options from e.l.f., but now people are really focused on either their bite-sized Eyeshadow quads or the 18-pan eyeshadow palettes.
I was trying to branch out and get a different color story than I usually pick out, so I opted for this version of e.l.f.’s 10-pan palettes instead of the warmer Rose Gold Sunset Palette. As I indeed could have predicted, I mostly only like the warmer shades (6 and 8). I found that I could only get use out of shades 5-10, as 1 and 4 were too light, and shades 2 and 3 were too light and sheer in application. Shade 5 was a bit sheer and took more building, and I wasn’t crazy about the shade on the eyes.
I decided to go ahead and publish this review early because Mac Cosmetics just started a great sale. You can get 30% off of blushes, highlighters, bronzers, and skincare through July 23, 2020, using the promo code “macjuly30” on their website. Today I’ll be talking about the Glow Play Blushes, the brand’s newest formula.
Mac claims that this “bouncy-blush” has sheer to medium, buildable coverage and gives a radiant look. Because of this unique texture, I want to start off by talking about the application method. The brand recommends applying these with either fingers or a tightly packed synthetic brush. The recommended brushes are the 159S (duo-fiber short bristles rounded shape), 128S (short dense 50-50 split fibre), and 109S (short dense dome shape). The brush I used (Smashbox cream cheek) is short like the 128S but shaped more like the 109S. The fact that this blush has a soft texture but isn’t a cream formula makes application a little different for those who aren’t familiar with this texture.
MAC Glow Play Blush in Heat Index (bottom) and Groovy (top)
Although I wouldn’t say these dry down to a powder finish, they do set. They do not feel tacky after application. Groovy doesn’t work as easily as heat index. It is stiffer in texture so it doesn’t pick up on the brush or blend as easily.
Every time I turn around I swear there is another new bronzer being released. Out of the new bronzer releases that have caught my eye I have purchased one limited edition and one permanent release. I already did a full swatch post of my purchases from the limited edition Mac 2020 Summer Bronzing Collection if you want to check that out. But in this post, you will get to see how the shade Totally Taupeless from that release compares to some others.
I also purchased the newly released NARS Bronzing Powder in the shade Punta Cana, if you have been wondering how that shade compares to other bronzers on the market.
Mac Cosmetics recently did a restock of their Selena Collection across several different retailers. Whether you missed out on the initial release or you are late to the game you are now getting another chance to check it out.
MAC x Selena Extra Dimension Highlight in La Leyenda
For comparisons to Whisper of Gilt and Soul Glow (Holiday 2018 Palette), click to continue reading.
Nikki From HR 