March 2025 Departures

Ok folksickles. Departure blogs will contain items that aren't empties but that are going to be given away for one reason or another. I'm working hard to curate my makeup collection and want it to include only the products that I think truly work well, that I reach for often and do what they're supposed to do.

1. L'oreal Paris Pain Au Chocolate Colour Riche Eyeshadow: While this is a pretty neutral taupe eyeshadow, it's a little too cool-toned for my preference. I also think I probably have something similar enough in my larger palettes that I don't find the need to hold onto this one.

Disclaimer: I purchased the eyeshadow myself.

March 2025 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. e.l.f. 16HR Hydrating Camo Concealer in Fair Rose: I'm running low on my current tube and decided that perhaps the Fair Beige shade is a hair too dark, so I'd give this a try. I'm a little wary that it might be too light, but I suppose we'll see. 

2. e.l.f. Suntouchable Whoa Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen in Sunlight: I'm running low on my current primer and wanted to try something else that was also glow-giving so this was a good option. 

3. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Rose Ivory: I'm running low on my current bottle of foundation so I figured I'd replenish. 

4. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: I was on the very verge of running out of this and ordered a replacement right quick. Luckily I got it in wherein as soon as one bottle ended I received the other one so it was a seamless transition. This is an item I really don't want to be without due to the extent that it reduces redness in my skin and helps to smooth my skin's texture.

I received the following two products as samples with my squalane oil purchase:

5. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI: I keep sticking to the same serums lately and while I probably won't be switching, I decided to try something new out.

6. Kerastase Chronologiste Youth Revitalizing Hair Mask: This is a hair brand I've wanted to try for ages now but their products are pricey and I'm a girly that, despite having very fine hair, it gets quite dry so I figured trying out a hair mask would be a good way to go.

7. L'Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Bronzer in 250 Light: I'm running low on my current bronzer and had coupons for L'Oreal so I decided to give this one a try. 

8. wet n wild Rose Addiction Photo Focus 3-in-1 Primer Water: I was running low on my setting spray and since my local CVS stopped carrying Milani (the one I've been getting) and I had all these coupons I just decided to get this old standby. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the sample Sulwhasoo and Kerastase products. 

March 2025 Favorites

Hey folksickles,

Alright, all the goodies I've been enjoying in February :) 

1. Make-Up Designory Pixie Eyeshadow. stila Eyeshadows in wheat and cassis, MAKE UP FOR EVER I-804, ME-734,and I-838 Artist Shadows, MAKE UP FOR EVER D-316, S-314, D-236, D-200, ME-224, and I-112 Artist Shadows: These shadows are so pretty and created such nice looks that I was genuinely sad when it was time to move on to the next palette. They are beautifully pigmented, buttery smooth, blend easily, and generally play nice with one another. Truly a pleasure to use!

2. ORLY Beautifully Bizarre Nail Polish (not pictured): I love this polish because while it's this safe pastel pink that looks nice with everything, the teal pearl in this gives it a little something extra in a fun way! I'm mentioning this again because I did my nails with it again the other day (3/30) and they just look so elegant and pretty!

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer:  I purchased the products mentioned above myself.

March 2025 Empties

 All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Citrus Pure-Castile Soap: I'm sad I've run out of this because buying these big bottles full-price is expensive and I snag them when I see them at Marshall's. This one has a nice citrusy scent and I like using it to wash my brushes as it removes makeup quite well. 

2. The Face Shop Clean Beauty Rice Water Bright Vegan Eye Cream: Unfortunately this eye cream was neither hydrating nor brightening enough for me. It works alright as a basic daily eye cream but I was left unimpressed. 

3. NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner in Via Veneto: This was a mini that I used mainly for doing swatches for the blog. It's too soft and smudgy for my personal tastes as eyeliner on the upper lash line - you all know I love my sharp cat eyes. As for the waterline, I don't like wearing black on it because it closes up my eyes. So overall the main purpose of this wasn't daily wear, although I feel like I ran out of it quite suddenly regardless.

4. Ardell Professional Active Lash in Speedy x2: I really like how soft and natural these lashes look, they add a little length and volume without being over the top. That said, similar to many other pairs I have issues with, they really like popping off at the inner corner and it's a bit of a fight to get them to stick on there. I wish they were like a centimeter or so longer because what causes issues is how difficult that inner corner is to grab onto and adjust.

The following two shadows have dried out and become unusable

5. stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in into the blue: 

6. stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in next to notte: 

7. equate Shea Sugar Scrub in Tahitian Vanilla:  As I've noted many times, I love how gritty these shea sugar scrubs are. They really make my skin feel smooth and are invigorating to apply. This one in particular has a pleasantly sweet vanilla scent that's not too over the top.

8. e.l.f. 16HR Hydrating Camo Concealer: I feel like there's a little bit of a learning curve with using this concealer because a tiny bit goes such a long way, it's best applied with a fluffy brush to give nice, thin layers of product so it doesn't go on thick or cakey. That said, once I figured out the application technique, I really fell in love with this product! It gives beautiful coverage, lasts a long time (both because it's long-wearing and because the tube itself lasts a long time), and I really like the way it gives my skin a healthy glow. 

9. e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter in 0.5 Fair: I love how brightening this is, that it gives my skin a beautiful glow when used all over as a primer, has a tacky grip that holds my foundation in place, and seems to provide a little extra coverage. But that said, despite me purchasing the lightest shade this comes in, I feel like the shade itself is a hair too dark and too warm-toned for my skin. I wish they would come out with pinkier, lighter shades of this! 

The following three products have all developed an off-scent

10. Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Creamsicle: 

11. Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Berry Sweet: 

12. Random Franken-lipstick: I melt leftover odds and ends of lipsticks and balms to create franken-lipsticks because it's difficult to get to those bits at the bottom and use them up fully so this gives me a way to do so. That said, this smells very off so I feel like it's safer to just discard it.

13. Green Pharmacy Chamomile and Cotton Proteins Facial Toner: Although I didn't like the way this toner smelled, when I transferred it to a spray bottle, the scent of it was much more pleasant when atomized. That said, it isn't my favorite and I don't think I'd get it again. This felt refreshing going on but that was pretty much it. 

14. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Seal: I purchased this years ago and frankly I don't even remember what my plans for it were. That said, it's gotten really thick and sticky so it's time to part ways.

15. Bath & Body Works Pocketbac in Pink Pineapple Sunrise: This hand sanitizer smells really nice and I guess it gets the job done? Being a germaphobe I always have hand sanitizer on me and I like that these have a nice scent. They don't have that heavy alcohol scent that standard hand sanitizer tends to have. 

16. ColourPop Over the Moon Super Shock Cheek: This was such a pretty highlighter - with pink and violet glitter - that gave me a nice glow - and I'm sad to have used it all up. 

17. Trader Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Soap: As you may know by now if you read this blog frequently, this soap is somewhat of a holy grail for me. It's very hydrating, a bar lasts a month or so, and it doesn't dry my skin out or aggravate my hand eczema even with frequent hand washing. I love it and highly recommend it especially for anyone with inflammatory skin conditions.

18. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: As  always when I run out of this oil, I am sad to have done so. I did purchase a replacement so I wouldn't have to be without but I just adore this oil so much! It's lightweight, it really helps reduce inflammation and redness in my skin, and it also helps to smooth out my skin's texture.

19. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI: The sample size I got was only enough for two uses, so I can't tell you how this functions long-term. But that said, this serum isn't as hydrating as I prefer my serums to be, it felt fairly watery.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the NARS eyeliner which I received for testing, stila next to notte which I received as a gift, and the Sulwhasoo Serum which I received as a sample.  All opinions are my own.

Love It Or Leave It; Review 2.0: Make-Up Designory Pixie Eyeshadow, stila Eye Shadows in wheat and cassis, MAKE UP FOR EVER I-804, ME-734,I-838, D-316, S-314, D-236, D-200, ME-224, and I-112 Artist Shadows

Hello folksickles. As a makeup junkie and blogger you may have realized that I review a LOAD of eyeshadow palettes and I like to think of myself as being largely an eyeshadow junkie. In order to declutter a bit I've decided to pick out a palette or series of eyeshadows for the month and have that be my monthly selection for those instances where I'm not doing a tutorial for the blog. Every month I'll do a recap on the eyeshadows - how I feel about them and whether I'll be keeping them or giving them away (and why :P). 

Make-Up Designory Pixie Eyeshadow. stila Eyeshadows in wheat and cassis, MAKE UP FOR EVER I-804, ME-734,and I-838 Artist Shadows, MAKE UP FOR EVER D-316, S-314, D-236, D-200, ME-224, and I-112 Artist Shadows

You can find a look I did with the Make-Up Designory shadow here. These are the looks I created this month

So as you can see I created all sorts of colorful looks with these shadows. I personally have found that these shadows are easy to blend, even the ones that look like they'd be chunky, and the pigmentation on them is fantastic. All of them work really great in my experience and I really enjoyed using them! They are all keepers this time. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased all the eyeshadows mentioned myself with the exception of the Make-Up Designory eyeshadow, which was provided for testing. All opinions are my own.

Bronzer Review: L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Bronzer

  I introduce to you the L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Bronzer in 250 Light.

Availability: This retails at  around $12.50 - $18 for 9 g (.31 oz) and is available at lorealparisusa.com as well as at drugstores that carry L'Oreal.

Would I buy this again?: Possibly.

Notes: Color-wise, to me this is a soft, warm-toned light tan shade with a satiny finish. This glides on beautifully and provides me with a very subtle sunkissed appearance. I was afraid this shade might be a little too light, it swatches light too, but it actually looks really great on my skin-tone when applied to my face so I'm glad I didn't go any darker. Despite its satiny finish, it does look natural on the skin as a contour product, especially if you generally tend to go for a "natural" matte (as in, not entirely powdery and flat) or dewy look. Even though it appears to be a bit sparkly in the pan, I find that it looks matte on my skin. It's super silky and easy to blend but I also wish that these bronzers came a bit more cool-toned so that fair folk could use them for a more contoured look, as this shade is a bit too warm to look like a realistic shadow on me. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. 

Disclaimer: I bought this myself.

Love It Or Leave It; Review 2.0: Lancome Color Design Infinite in 500 Enduring Vert, L'oreal Paris Pain Au Chocolate Colour Riche Eyeshadow, L'oreal Paris Liquid Diamond Infallible Eyeshadow, L'oreal Golden Emerald Infallible Eyeshadow, andMAC Graphic Garden Palette

Hello folksickles. As a makeup junkie and blogger you may have realized that I review a LOAD of eyeshadow palettes and I like to think of myself as being largely an eyeshadow junkie. In order to declutter a bit I've decided to pick out a palette or series of eyeshadows for the month and have that be my monthly selection for those instances where I'm not doing a tutorial for the blog. Every month I'll do a recap on the eyeshadows - how I feel about them and whether I'll be keeping them or giving them away (and why :P). 

Lancome Color Design Infinite in 500 Enduring Vert. L'oreal Paris Pain Au Chocolate Colour Riche Eyeshadow, L'oreal Paris Liquid Diamond Infallible Eyeshadow, L'oreal Golden Emerald Infallible Eyeshadow, and MAC Graphic Garden Palette

These are the looks I created this month:

So as you can see I created all sorts of colorful looks with these shadows. I personally have found that these shadows are easy to blend and the pigmentation on them is fantastic. All of them work really great in my experience. I feel like this was a perfect pairing of colors to usher in the upcoming spring season! That said, I will be passing the L'oreal Paris Pain Au Chocolate Colour Riche Eyeshadow along, as it's  a bit too cool-toned and smoky for my liking and I don't see myself reaching for it.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased all the eyeshadows mentioned myself with the exception of the Lancome eyeshadow, which was provided for testing. All opinions are my own.