LOTD: "Peggy"

I am still in the "use it or toss it" phase, so I'm working on palettes now.  This look is from a Kat von D palette that I don't remember using much.  The main lid shade I used is called Peggy.

I also used all the other shades except the two end ones.  

I'm still on the fence about this palette; I do like it and the last shade on the right is definitely unique, but I am not sure the colours suit me quite right.  So keep or toss???  

Edited to Add: 

Well I decided to retire this one.  Besides the one brown at the end I think there are other shades that fit me better.  I swatched it before tossing it though: 

Rimmel Apocalips "Stellar"

Liquid lipstick has hit the drugstores here, yay!!  This is a new product for me, so I wasn't sure what shade to buy but I got Stellar, which is a gorgeous poppy red.

Oh, and have I mentioned how I hate that they tape things up?  I understand they don't want people opening all the tubes but it's a bit redundant since there is a person standing there guarding the display, to hand you the product.  And it leaves this gross mess: 

I've tried alcohol but it won't work, but anyway, on to the swatches! 

I don't even like lipstick, but I absolutely love this!!!  It's shiny but then it turns into a stain, and it is absolutely non drying, which is just superb.  It is extremely pigmented in just one swipe.  It does have a tendancy to feather, so I'll have to find a matching lip liner, and it only lasts 2-3 hours max, but other than that I am very happy with it and hope to buy more shades.  

Interesting: Givenchy Jelly Blush

I've just. Recently seen this product, but I thought it was out a couple of years ago. So I'm wondering, have they relaunched it or is it really, really old stock??? Either way, I am pretty sure I prefer powder blushes.

Maybelline BB Cream Fail

This product defines the reason they need testers for stuff! And of course, you can't return it or even exchange it once its opened. I really have no idea why on earth they would make something this shade, so undeniably orange!  Not only that, but it doesn't even "glow", on my arm anyway it's totally matte.  Besides, it's really watery and smells like pickle juice, so I don't think I'll be trying any other of their shades at all.

Rimmel Max Bold Curves Mascara

I remember buying this almost a month ago, but I just got around to trying it this past week.

I do not like the brush at all, it is really small, and I feel like it doesn't pick up hardly any product at all.  I wasn't able to cover all my lashes because of this, and I really don't think it was a good purchase for me since my natural lashes are not totally straight.  It is totally false that it states "extreme volume & lift" cause it definitely didn't do either.  

Bare Lashes: 

With this:  

I'm not even on the fence about this, I totally hate it.  To make it even worse, it started running off about three hours in.  Total fail from me on this one.  

Destashing: Lipsticks!

After a lot of work (and a lot left!) over the past couple of months, I am proud to be the owner of only  25 lipsticks!! Yay!!!

And this:

An empty Helmer drawer!! Yay!! 

These are the lipsticks that didn't make it: 

Covergirl Hot, Enchantress; Rimmel Matte 102,111; Dior Pink Lust

Cool Australian Stamping Plates!

I discovered this site via Facebook, Messy Mansion, messymansion.com.au and was immediately impressed with the MM plates.  The designs are just incredible, especially the new ones.  I 'need' a few of these images in a couple months, but it's a New Years plate.  I ordered it now since I figured it'll probably be sold out around that time.  I bought from their site directly but looks like they also sell on other platforms.  I got it from Australia in about ten days, and I really like their Facebook page too.

Very nice.  I want a couple more from them, especially the coffee one.  Has anybody else got any plates from them?  What's your fave?  

Essence Eye Makeup Remover

Happy Earth Day and Happy Monday!  I hate to see all these horrible events so I'm taking a break from the news for a while, I only wish things would get better in reality cause I am sure I am not the only one tired of it.  Anyway, thankfully I am better now, but I actually had to go in for a couple of antibiotic iv's.  That was much better for me because within 24 hours, I was 99% back to normal.  I had a few things I planned to review before I got sick so I am doing a bit of catch up.

Despite not liking them at first, there are a few Essence products that are really staples for me now.  I bought this, actually because there was a minimum spend to use my debit card lol.

This is the non-waterproof makeup version, there is another one.  I don't use waterproof mascara and powder eyeshadows aren't supposed to be waterproof either, but I could not get this product to work for me at all.  It has a cool, refreshing, light feeling but basically it doesn't do anything more than water, which is disappointing. 

Maybelline Colossal Kajal Eyeliner

It was almost as though I couldn't not buy this, the displays are just everywhere.

Swatch: 

On eyes: 

I do like this eyeliner, but I can't use it on my waterline, although this is typical for me- I can only use a waterproof standard type pencil.  I've been wearing this daily for almost a week and on me, it lasts the whole day- it only starts to wear off around 8 hours, but at that point it's subtle, like the black is just a tad less black, and the line isn't as defined by 9 hours or so.  

Here is after almost twelve hours- I was wearing brown eyeshadow and it had basically disappeared: 

I do love the matte finish, it really is like a black charcoal, and I love the texture- it's softer than a lot of twist-ups I've tried, so it's easy to get it really close to the lash line.  If you've seen some of my other posts, you can tell I have a hard time getting my liner really close so it always looks weird having a gap- but I swear I can't notice it in the mirror, I only notice in the picture!!! 

The colour is really black, no doubt about it, but that's almost standard these days.  It doesn't go on completely dry, so there is time to smudge it if I want, which I can't do with gel or liquid liners.  I actually think this is an advantage over the gel liners, so I think I'll continue to use it until it runs out.   

Pajama Time...

I caught a horrible strep throat and this is actually my second day on antibiotics.  It makes it so much harder that my son doesn't really understand and so it's really impossible for me to get any rest.  So please understand I wont be able to post until this is over. I'm in my pajamas all day, I tried to get dressed this morning but that just wasn't happening.  These ones are pretty!  I don't really wear button-up pajamas anymore though lol.

MAC Chilled On Ice Paint Pot

For me, like any other brand, MAC is definitely hit or miss, but it can also vary from person to person, and how you use it.  I bought this because it was just soooo pretty in the pan.

Applied on bare lids, it was very patchy for me and even with three coats I couldnt get decent coverage.  

But I usually use paint pots as bases, so this wasn't too disappointing.  

I tried it over Darkhorse here: 

Just beautiful!  I was hoping it would be as good on my lids.  I didn't cover my entire lid here because I wanted to test the wear.  

After 11 1/2 hours, it was still completely intact, just a little bit of fallout.

I didn't get any creasing the entire time, and I didn't use any primer.  I did try it with primer and it still didn't look right by itself, so it's a base for me.  Although this was a bit of a splurge and something I wouldn't normally buy, I still think it's a good performer, and pretty.  I'm going to try it under pinks and greys, and I think coral would be really nice.  

Holika Holika Essential Petit BB Cream

This brand has a few different BB Creams, but this one said it's formulated for smooth, elastic, brighter skin.

One thing to note is that there isn't any shade choice, this is it.  I don't think it would work for anyone with a darker skin tone, unfortunately.  I'll get to that more in a minute.  

Swatches: 

It's really smooth and creamy.  It has the most coverage of any I've tried, it does cover red spots and it even covered some of my freckles: 

'

But it goes on so, so pale, almost white, it is so horrible.  I've been using it off an on for a couple weeks and it always does this.  I've deliberately not applied it on my forehead and taken these in bad light to show how white it is: 

So I waited a few minutes to see if it would warm up.  It finally does, but after 30 minutes to an hour, that's been my experience.  

Here is the result on the same day after about 40 minutes: 

So I don't have any issue with application, texture, or coverage, but I can't speak if it would be ok for anyone darker, and I'm pretty light as you can see, so if it doesn't, I'd say that's a big limitation.  But to be fair, it does state specifically it is for skin brightening.  I don't like using this one as much as the others I've tried though.  

Colors... Suggestions??

So, despite having used brighter shades extensively in the past, I honestly don't think it suits me much.  I lean towards neutrals and earthy tones.  For some reason I simply cannot tolerate purples on me anymore.  Being fair in skintone, blonde hair and blue eyes, when I go for something green or even blue, I get comments like "man you are wearing a lot of makeup!" and not in a positive way.

This is not the best pose lol, I'm squinting because of the sun, but its the best way I could get a picture of my hair colour.  Anyone have tips on how to incorporate some color (or if I even should) ??  I was thinking maybe a light green or blue on the center lid, then darker neutral in the crease or something.

On another note, I decided to get almond scrub as a facial cleanser (after trying the apricot one and not liking it), and I really love it.  I think using that and continuing with the BB Cream, avoiding foundation, I think my skin looks fairly good and I haven't had any adverse affects so that's always a good thing.

Illamasqua Polish Purchase

Is anyone entering the Illamasqua makeup contest?? The entries are always so creative!

I feel so angry at myself- I threw out like 60 items, I never intended to buy anything else, least of all polish!!  But seeing this in person really changed my mind, and for once buying in-store was actually less expensive and more convenient than buying online.  I've seen tons of swatches for the speckled polish and thought I loved it, but when I got to the window, I decided, I really don't.

Can you guess what this one is??

It's Raindrops!! 

It's really nice- I haven't painted my nails with it yet but I plan to do that today.  I'm a bit glad I didn't buy the pink one though!  

MAC Dirty Blonde Brow Fluidline.... Finally!!!

I had just given up on ever trying to find this, I mean it seems like I was stopping by MAC every few days for months, but they just never got these.  Then one day I was going somewhere else and ever so casually spotted "Stylish Brow" .... and after soooo much hype, I knew I couldn't pass it up.

I immediately saw that it is much more reddish tinted than I originally thought.... in my opinion, it certainly isn't taupe, or ash blonde.  But no way was "Redhead" going to work for me, so I basically had no other choice.  

I swatched these against the MUFE Aqua Brows, because right away I thought it was a good match to #15... and it is.  They are almost identical in colour.  I still think #10 matches me better, but the others look fine.  

As far as application, these are everything that anyone could ever want in a brow product...and totally worth the hype.  Smooth, pigmented, long lasting, it is just gorgeous to work with.  It's very creamy, so it's much easier to apply, and there is enough time before it dries to make it the way you want it.  

This is freshly applied (I use a spoolie on mine so cause I don't usually go for the crisper looks, but you totally can if you want to): 

And after 12 hours: 

I absolutely love, love, love this.  I don't think I'll buy another one even though it's limited edition just because I am not sure about the colour (it still looks on the reddish side to me), and even a little bit is almost too much, so I know it will last a long time- I've never finished any of these MAC pots before they've dried out, so hopefully by the time I finish this one, they'll have these permanent.... and in more shades.  

On a similar note, has anyone tried Tarte Brow Mousse?  I've heard it's also amazing, but that brand is definitely not available here, so I might order it online.  

EDIT:  I caved- went and bought another one!!! 

UOUO Magic Seamless Concealer

I got this in shade 01, light.  It is a huge container- 16 grams of product.

Swatches- the left you can barely see because it blends so well, the right is a normal swatch, it's very thick and creamy.  

I feel really bad about this, but I have been trying for a few days to get a good photo of it on my face, and I just can't.  But it is simply amazing, it is the best concealer I've tried in a while.  It has great coverage, and doesn't look or feel cakey or dry, and it blends just right into my skin, doesn't look moist like the salmon one I tried.  I love the texture, it is creamy and blendable, and it actually feels a bit balmy.  By far one of the best purchases I've made!!