Tag: drugstore makeup

Beauty

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick – 440 Irresistible

by Nikki3 Comments on Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick – 440 Irresistible

If you’ve been around a while, you have likely heard me reference this line of lipsticks as my all time favorite formula. I stopped using them a few years back after finding out I have a wheat allergy (the formula contains wheat bran extract). Well about a year ago, I got it into my head that since the wheat ingredient was far down on the list I shouldn’t have an allergic reaction. So I repurchased what used to be my most used shade.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick 440 Irresistible Swatch Medium Dark Olive Skin
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in 440 Irresistible

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick – 440 Irresistible, $33.00**

Estee Lauder describes 440 Irresistible as a dusty mauve with a cool undertone.

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Beauty

NYX HD Finishing Powder – Banana

by Nikki6 Comments on NYX HD Finishing Powder – Banana

NYX Cosmetics makes some bold claims about the HD finishing powder**. I decided to give this powder a try while browsing in the store, so I didn’t have any idea of what the claims were before testing it out. I think that ended up being a good thing because it allowed me to form an opinion without expecting anything specific.

The brand says this powder has a non-cakey matte finish that will soften the appearance of lines and pores. The HD finishing powder does come in 3 different shades.** I purchased the banana shade which is supposed to camouflage dark spots and dark circles. There is also a translucent shade and a mint green shade. The mint green shade claims to help with discoloration and redness.

So I can’t tell you anything about the translucent or mint green shades, but the banana shade only delivers on a couple of those claims.

NYX HD Finishing Powder, $10.00**

NYX HD Finishing Powder Banana Review and Swatch on Medium Dark Skin
NYX HD Finishing Powder – Banana
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Beauty

Drugstore Gems: Quick and Easy Products

by Nikki2 Comments on Drugstore Gems: Quick and Easy Products

These are some items I wanted to give a shout-out to because they are easy to use and affordable. Sometimes you are just looking for something that is simple and does the job. These are some products that come to mind when I’m in a rush and want to use products that I can’t mess up.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Desert Escape**

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick rum raisin, raisin rage, desert escape swatches medium dark skin
L to R: Revlon rum raisin, raisin rage, and desert escape

I’ve done a full review on these lipsticks (click here to see it) and I reference them often, so I won’t say too much here. For me, the shade desert escape in particular works as an everyday color. I can always count on it and it seems to work with every look. I know that won’t necessarily be true for everyone trying this shade, but they have such a good shade range I thought it was worth mentioning anyway.

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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. There are some included affiliate links (marked with **), in those instances, there is a separate link designated for the actual review post. Let’s get into it, my friends.

Sigma Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette** – Click here for my full review

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 (back ordered)** – Click here for my full review

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)** – Click here for my full review

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
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