I've been so bad lately with posting hauls. I always intend to stockpile all my recent purchases, photograph them, swatch them, and post them.. but it just never works out that way. UNTIL NOW! I finally remembered to get a bunch of new purchases together and haul them for you all.
A few of the things I bought were repeat purchases of regular items I just ran out of. But a lot of them are new! Regardless, I included everything just in case any of you were interested in what products a Junicorn buys.
And no, just in case you all of a sudden became horrified at the amount of products mentioned here (22.. lol?), I did NOT buy them all at the same time. I'm not that insane nor that rich. The end.
Swatches of all the products are at the end of the post!!
Without further ado:
1. NYX All Over Balm in "Macadamia Nut Oil" ($6.50)
I seriously could not wait to try this stuff out. The website says this is an "all-purpose body balm infused with natural oils and enticing scents. Just one drop of our nourishing balm revives skin making you feel, and look, radiant. Benefits: Hydrates, revives, fortifies, and soothes skin, lips, and cuticles." It seemed so intriguing I couldn't pass it up!
It has a super natural-smelling scent (if that makes sense) -- very organic and rich smelling. I was worried it was going to be too sickly sweet, sort of like a white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookie. Although those are delicious, I don't want to smell like a baked good all day. So I was pleasantly surprised at the subtle scent of this balm.
After only having used it a handful of times, I can already tell that I love it. The website is pretty accurate -- it's definitely hydrating, and doesn't leave any weird sticky or oily residue on the skin. I used it on my hands, on the dry patches on the (sad, sad, winter) skin on my face, and on my lips. I'm obsessed. NYX also sells this balm in coconut oil and argan oil, and for only $6.50 each, it's tempting to buy them all!
2. NudeStix Lip + Cheek Pencil in "Whisper" ($24)
This is a relatively new cosmetics line on the market, and I had to try it. I clearly love my nude lipsticks, and this brand is entirely devoted to nude-colored products (if you couldn't tell by the name of the brand!). I immediately liked it because of its adorable tin packaging. I'm not really sure if it'll be useful for the future, but I appreciate a brand that cares about its image.
The color "Whisper" on my skintone is a bit too nude, but definitely wearable -- especially with some darker lip liner underneath (think MAC "Whirl"), or a nice coral pink-colored gloss on top. And the brand claims it is also a cheek color, but when I applied it to my cheeks and blended it in, the color literally disappeared into my tanner skin tone. But it's a gorgeous shade, with cool, mauve-y, dusty rose undertones. And for being in a pencil form, the formula is not as drying as I expected. I might pick up another stick in a darker shade to see if it's more suited for every day wear.
3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ($58)
I don't even know where to start with this palette. Life changing. I seriously don't know how I'm going to ever do my makeup again without using these powders. I actually use all three every time I get ready. It's sick.
You're probably wondering.. how in the hell are face powders life changing? Trust me. I don't know how to explain it, especially because I can't really photograph what they look like when they're blended into the skin. The website says the "Ambient Lighting Powder is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on skin. Unlike traditional powders, which merely cloak imperfections, Ambient Lighting Powder utilizes photoluminescent technology to filter out harsh light and refine the appearance of the complexion. The powders deliver a multidimensional luminescence to every skintone, making it appear softer and lit from within."
4. NYX Blotting Powder in "Medium/Dark" ($12)
This blotting powder is just a repeat purchase of a tried and true product. I'm such a huge believer in just about anything NYX. I can't believe how great of a powder this is for only $12! I have everything from Estee Lauder to Dior, and this NYX powder can hang with the best of them. And honestly -- if all you're in need of is a good blotting powder, why spend a ton of money on a high-end brand, when all you're doing is soaking up your oils at 8PM? Nope.
What I don't like is the fact that this is the second-darkest shade in the line. They have one called "Dark".. but let's be real. This powder is so pale, it's almost a joke to call it "Medium/Dark." Once it's applied in a thin layer on your skin, it does almost turn into a translucent shade. But unfortunately, I can see this laying strangely ashy on anyone darker-toned than me. Either way, it is a great blotting powder, and really gets the job done. My makeup looks freshly applied, even after hours and hours of wear, once I dust this baby all over my face.
Again.. just a repeat purchase of my holy grail mascara. If you're interested in it, I'll link my blog post about it here. I love the fibers in the formula, and the gel formula in general. You can add a ton of volume without being terribly clumpy. And it holds a curl all day! It's my all time favorite mascara.
Unfortunately, UD doesn't sell a Cannonball in a non-waterproof formula -- obviously, since it's called Cannonball for a reason -- but UD does sell other great mascaras (like Perversion) if you want something easier to take off at the end of the day!
6. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in "Dark Brown" ($20)
Another tried and true product for me. Stila's black liner is basically the liner I use every day, so I decided to grab the same one in dark brown for more natural "day-time" makeup when I don't want my eyes to look as harsh. You can see in the swatch below that the color is still pretty dark, but when I wear it I definitely notice how much softer the liner looks when applied.
Stila Stay All Day is the best product if you want a completely budge-free line. Sometimes I even have to scrub my eyes with coconut oil to completely remove it! I know that's probably off putting to some of you, but if you're like me and absolutely do not want your makeup to move throughout the day (no matter how much you sweat, how watery your eyes are, or how oily your lids can get) -- THIS is the liquid liner for you. And the felt tip applicator is SO easy to use to create the thinnest to the thickest lines!
7. MakeUp ForEver Artist Liner in "M-60 Matte Dark Brown" ($19)
Another pretty basic purchase, for the same purpose as the one above. I like using brown liners during the day for a softer, more subtle eye look. And MakeUp ForEver products cannot go wrong. The Artist Liner formula is so creamy and rich, and the color is so pigmented yet easy to blend out. Nothing more to say about this one, really!
I love using this liner on my waterline and tightline -- even though it's not "waterproof," it really stays put! It defines your eyes and makes your lashes look extra thick, yet the brown color doesn't come off too harsh or raccoon-like.
8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in "Soft Brown" ($21)
I've been recently getting into using only the Brow Wiz to do my brows for daytime makeup. If you know my brow routines, you know they can include upwards of 4 of 5 products per brow. But I've been loving the more natural look that the Brow Wiz gives for some reason.
This brow was done using only the Brow Wiz and Anastasia's Tinted Brow Gel. It's been my go-to brow as of late, and I needed to stock up on some Brow Wiz's! I've never used such an amazing brow pencil. It's kind of hard to imagine how brow pencils could be so drastically different, but they definitely are. This pencil is so waxy yet so soft.. it's hard to explain, but so worth the buy.
9. House of Lashes False Bottom Lashes in "Precious" ($7)
I probably won't use these a ton, but I thought it would be fun to pick up a pair of bottom lash false lashes! If you're thinking, "holy shit, I didn't even know false lashes were made for the bottom lashes what the hell that is so unbelievably unnecessary," you're probably right. But they're great if you want a super dramatic eye look for a special occasion (think wedding, formal dance, halloween, etc.), so I thought they'd be good to have on hand.
10. Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover (100 Point Sephora Reward)
I picked this travel sized makeup remover with 100 of my Sephora points, and I'm so glad I did! I normally use my Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil to scrub all my makeup off, then go in with a cotton ball and my MakeUp ForEver SensEyes Eye Cleanser to really clean my eyes of any left over residue. But after using this, I really like how thoroughly all my makeup came off! I'm not sure if it'll replace my daily routine, but it's definitely a product I'll consider when I have to repurchase.
THE. I repeat, the best eyelash adhesive out there. I used to be a Duo glue abuser, until I discovered there were better things out there than what CVS puts next to their Ardell lashes. The first great part about this glue is the brush. Instead of glopping way too much Duo glue onto your lashes -- hopefully without spilling it everywhere and ruining it -- this brush lets you effortlessly glide on a thin strip of glue without any mess.
The best part though is the tackiness. It dries within seconds (instead of waiting for other glues to dry for upwards of 2 minutes!), and instantly bonds to your lid, without slipping and sliding around. The downside to the instant sick is the fact that you have to really make sure you're placing the lash band in the correct spot on the first try. It can be intimidating, and takes a lot of practice, but it's worth it in the end.
[I wouldn't recommend this adhesive to any falsie beginners out there. When I say it's tacky, IT'S TACKY. If you get this in your eye, or on your real lashes, it might not be pretty. And if you mess up the placement and have to start over, it could pull any eye makeup completely off your eye, causing you to have to start all over. Start with Duo, then graduate to this!]
12. NYX Simply Nude Lip Cream in "Exposed" ($6.50)
I wrote about this lippie in a previous NYX haul: "this shade is almost identical to the natural color of my lips. "Cream" is the perfect description of this lip stick -- super creamy, and even though it's a pretty matte finish, it's definitely not drying. This paired on top of Peek-a-Boo is the perfect shade for that lighter neutral "Kylie" lip that she has been wearing lately (as opposed to the darker mauve shade).. if you care about those types of thing. If not, it's just a gorgeous fall-appropriate nude lip."
It's honestly the closest color lip stick I have ever found to my natural lip color, and I've been stocking up on them in case NYX decides to pull this shade.
13. + 14. + 15. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in "Damsel" "Midnight Blue" and "Black Amethyst" ($60 - $20 each)
One of the best pencil eye liners ever. Seriously. I've probably written about this so many times. I don't think I can ever stop using this liner. It is soft and smudgeable long enough to blend it out (if you want) but sets in place and doesn't budge. The color is SO bold and super pigmented. It's probably the best retractable liner I've used!
These three colors are so versatile but can create such fun looks. Dark brown, dark blue, and dark purple? Yes please. They're still fun "colors" but are dark enough to pull off being neutral.
I have naturally very dark brown eyes, and wear hazel contacts, so I cannot wait to use the purple "Black Amethyst" shade! Purple is a beautiful color to wear to really make brown, hazel, and green eyes pop. Be on the look out for some fun makeup tutorials in the coming months :]
16. MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in "Half n Half" ($16)
This lipstick is absolutely gorgeous. I mean.. yes.. it's just another nude lipstick for me. But I can't get enough of them. It's darker than Velvet Teddy, but lighter than Spirit (see below). It's almost identical to my natural lip color, but just slightly cooler-toned.
It's an Amplified Cream, which for MAC basically means creamy and opaque, with a subtle shine. It's not terribly long wearing, but definitely lasts a few hours until you need to reapply. I love this so much I added it to my jacket pocket -- aka, the lipsticks I take out with me wherever I go, in case I need a touch up.
17. MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in "Spirit" ($16)
Another gorgeous MAC shade. It's kind of like a cinnamon color.. but a little pinker? Spirit is a Satin finish, which is super opaque and a little on the matte side. It's definitely longer wearing than the Amplified Cream formula, but a little more drying on the lips. Personally, I like the matte lipstick look, but this could totally be paired with a clear gloss to give it a little shine.
18. Too Faced Amazing Face Powder Foundation in "Warm Honey" ($32)
I've been in love with powder foundations for the past few months. I don't wear face makeup often, and when I do, I love a nice powder finish. I'm not saying I don't like BB creams and liquid foundations per se, but they can get a little shiny and greasy looking on my super oily t-zone.
If you have naturally dry skin, powder foundation isn't a route that is particularly suited for you. It might tend to look cakey, flakey, and ashy. But if you're like me and have a naturally dewy finish, try a powder foundation if you notice your skin getting wet-looking throughout the day. I've noticed that I have to touch up, blot, and powder far less often after switching to a powder!
This Too Faced Amazing Skin is definitely a decent option. I prefer my MakeUp ForEver Duo Mat, but this is a great runner up. The coverage is light to medium, but can be built up to a medium/full. I don't mess around with those weird sponge applicators that come in the package (I usually throw them away, to be honest). I like applying powder foundations with a flat top foundation brush -- my all-time favorite is the Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki brush. It blends anything out flawlessly, and leaves the skin looking blended and blemish-free.
AGAIN, an issue I have with this powder (like I did with the NYX blotting powder) is the fact that THIS is the darkest shade Too Faced makes. This. I'll leave it at that.
19. theBalm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer ($24)
The Balm Cosmetics is always hyped up on YouTube by so many beauty gurus. You'll be hard pressed to find a makeup channel that doesn't have a tutorial using a highlighter from theBalm. I found Mary-Lou and Betty-Lou on HauteLook (my holy grail flash sale website) for only $12 each!! So naturally, I had to get them. How can you pass up a 50% off sale of some cult favorite products? You can't. If you're me.
I'm seriously already obsessed with this highlighter. It's much more shimmery than glittery, and doesn't have too chunky of sparkles. From the pan it looks like it might come off as too intense on the skin, but if you blend it out it's so subtle and glowy. The color is like a pale champagne/gold, but it's not too warm toned where you couldn't wear it with a cool-toned makeup look. All in all, it's definitely worth the hype so far.
20. theBalm Cosmetics Betty-Lou Manizer ($24)
Betty-Lou is definitely more of a shimmery bronzer than a highlight, if you're a light-to-tan skin tone. If you're tanner or have naturally dark skin, this would be a beaaaautiful cheek highlighter! Like the Mary-Lou, it looks like it's going to be more glittery than it really appears once applied to the face. But this shade, because it is a bronzer, is a bit more warm-toned. It comes off as a coppery-orangey bronzer, so be aware of that if you have a reddish undertone to your complexion (because it might emphasize that a little). But once blended out, it just looks like a subtle shimmer! I would apply this only to the apples of my cheeks for an extra glowing-from-within look.
21. + 22. Flutter Lashes Mink False Lashes in "Charlie" and "Kelsey" ($30 and $35, respectively)
If you've never used mink eyelashes before, you're seriously missing out. I know it seems absolutely crazy to spend $35 on a single pair of falsies.. but I can't tell you how worth it it is. Don't get me wrong, I still love my House of Lashes (human hair) and Ardell (synthetic hair) lashes, but there's just something about mink lashes that is so glamorous and fluttery.
You can wear each pair up to 25 times, but I've definitely gotten away with wearing some more times than that, as long as you take good care of them.
The style "Charlie" is super natural (as natural as a false eyelash can be) and very daytime appropriate. I have some lashes that are strictly night-out lashes, some that can be dressed up or down, and some that are perfect for that "no makeup makeup" thing. These falsies fit into that last category perfectly. They're not too long, or too full, so they end up looking like you were just born with amazing natural lashes. I'd even wear a style like this to work -- and I'm pretty strict on not wearing false lashes to the office (it can just be a little too over-the-top and come across as being inappropriate). I love wearing lashes like this with no eyeliner, to create a pretty wide-eyed effect without being dramatic at all.
And this style "Kelsey" is definitely wearable for nighttime looks, yet can still be toned down a bit (with neutral, matte shadows and a pale lip, for example). They're obviously much longer, curlier, and fuller than the "Charlie" ones above, but still not too extreme that I couldn't pull them out and wear them during the day.
SWATCHES:
If you have any questions about any of the products mentioned here, or want any more information -- ask me and I'll answer!
3 Studies PROVE Why Coconut Oil Kills Belly Fat.
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These 3 studies from big medicinal journals are sure to turn the conventional nutrition world upside down!