I suddenly had the urge to write about recently acquired makeup before I complete the last blog challenge. I do think I need to take better photos instead of using my iPhone on low light, because these photos don’t do justice to the products at all. Somebody (not me!) inserted the battery into the DSLR the other way around and so it’s stuck and currently unusable. Now I have to look for ways on how to remove it.

I’m quite excited about today’s post because I didn’t buy most of these things, they were given to me! At this point, people who know me well are actually willing to feed my interests so I’m more than happy to oblige. Can’t complain!

Purchases (oldest to newest)

The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Color My Eye Brow – I like the brush but I’m not too sure with how I feel about the formula. I have really bad brow hairs and when I start applying this product it makes my brow hair look like they’re flying away but somehow when it dries it starts to stay in place. I’m still not convinced by the power of eyebrow mascaras though, it may work for some people but I’m not seeing the value of it for my brows yet. That’s why I really want to try Benefit’s Gimme Brow because apparently, it’s the leader of this type. update: I tried MAC’s Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set and I fell in love. I MUST have it. It’s probably the answer to all my apprehensions on brow mascaras.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Smoothing Cherry – I wasn’t going to include this, but for me it’s really one of a kind and surprisingly fell in love. I might have found my HG lip balm which is weird because I am not a lip balm person at all, and have tried NUMEROUS types over the years but not a single one has made me love it until I bought this. Other flavors or the ones with colors don’t even do it for me, just this particular one.

Rimmel Glam’Eyes Quad Eye Shadow in 002 Smokey Brun – To be honest, I’m not a fan of this so I might give it away. First ever Rimmel product to give me disappointment! I don’t have much to say.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen – This color is a rich plum tone that I am a fan of. I’m also transitioning into darker colors (goodbye, pale pinks aka comfort zone!) and seems like a good every day alternative to my Lime Crime Velvetine in Wicked. I think NYX’s soft matte lip creams are great and super affordable products and I have quite a few colors already and Copenhagen was recently added just this year to the myriad of colors from this line. My only qualm is the staying power. Since it’s such a dark color, after less than a few hours once it starts to fade it gets really obvious so you have to reapply all the time. Other than that, love it.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Soft Brown – How could I not get into this recent brow world cult favorite? I bought one of the new colors that came out this year and I thought it was going to be light but it actually still comes out as greyish on my brows. Seriously, what is up. I’m not saying I hate it though, just confused! I don’t know which one I like better, the Dipbrow or the MAC Fluidline Gelcreme that I love so much. The application so far has been really great and the staying power, man. Uhh-mazing. It really stays and doesn’t budge with the oily that is my face. SO yay for that! I can’t totally say much about it yet because it’s barely been a week since I’ve started using it.

Gifts

Dior Skinflash in 002 – A dear friend gave this to me before she left for the US for good because she’s going to have unlimited access to all make up anyway once she’s there. I didn’t think I would like this because I thought it was too light for my skin, but (not) surprisingly it ends up blending really well into my dark circles! I also use it to highlight my nose, top of the cheeks and my T-zone area. It’s kind of like a 2 in 1 highlighter and concealer combination.

Shiseido Eyebrow Styling Compact in GY901 Deep Brown – My last Shiseido HG brow product was bought in Jakarta so during my mom’s recent trip there 2 months ago, I asked her if she could buy me this again since mine is completely panned out and there is literally no product left. That’s how much I love this; so much that once I ran out I went on a crazy spiral withdrawal zone and started hoarding brow products from different brands one by one to see if any of them compare.

Since the last edition of this product the packaging and the colors have changed. Sadly, I think the formula may have changed as well. I don’t know. I told my mom to get me deep brown because it’s the exact same name at the back of my usual HG that comes out as reddish brown. When it arrived, the color turned out to be a muted grey-brown (more grey than brown) so I was a little disappointed. I still use it a lot, but I just pair it with another brow product that’s a lighter brown so it doesn’t look too strong on me. I don’t know how the other colors compare, hopefully one of them still maintains that reddish brown that I love. Even the formula isn’t what I was used to anymore.. pigmentation isn’t as great and there is a bit of fallout. One thing is for sure, application is still topnotch, especially with the brush that comes with it.

I really don’t want to hate this product because I have loved it with all my heart and it is the reason why my brow game even exists! See, you’ve got me rambling about it.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips Full-On Lip Polish in Vanessa – This is one of the many beauty stuff my godmother got me from LA. I wasn’t familiar with the brand prior to receiving it and didn’t do research before my initial use. IT. IS. COLD. The pigmentation is a little bit over the top and it’s quite hard to control sometimes, but I think it just takes getting used to. It literally plumps your lips because it is so cold and minty and some people may not like the sensation but I really really love it!

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara – It does its job well, but I’m not sure if it replaces my mascara HG which is Maybelline’s HyperCurl Mascara, the only mascara that curls my lashes so well.

MAC Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby – This blush was given to me by my friend Jia from the things she bought never used and I gladly accepted it. I am so in love with this blush and I love that I receive things like these, especially when the color is out of my comfort zone. It wouldn’t have been a color I’d buy for myself because I’m always about the light pinks and the pale pinks. I have been using this blush every day for more than a week now and I am absolutely in love.

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This wraps up my edition of talking too much about makeup, til next time!