I started doing quarterly favourites this year since monthly favourites don’t work for me, as my favourites tend to remain fairly static month over month. But with the changing seasons, I do find a shift in my skincare and makeup, so I’m able to pick some some seasonal favourites to share. My mid-year favourites focus on items I used in the Spring and when I went on my trip to Japan.
Here are my thoughts on each:
Skincare:
• Avene Ystheal Anti-wrinkle Emulsion – I started using this on my under eye area to fight fine lines and I’m really impressed! This contains a very mild form of retinol, in the form of Retinaldehyde. I used to use the Eluage Cream which is much richer so I was concerned about using it under my eyes (milia!) but the Ystheal is perfect.
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar K – I use this as my t-zone moisturizer in the warmer months to help combat blemishes. It doesn’t provide a lot of hydration but when combined with my normal serum, it’s perfect for the summer. My tube has maybe a few more weeks worth of product left and I went to Shoppers Drug Mart to replace it and was informed they stopped carrying this in Canada! It was suggested that I try either the Effaclar Duo (I tried it before, didn’t like it – it’s more of a spot treatment) or the Effaclar Mat or the new serum – I received a sample of them to test out but I’m not holding out hope! 😥
• Mary Kay TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer Normal/Dry Skin – this was a surprise hit. I started using this a earlier this year but set it aside to use the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. The MK one is a great glycerin-based all rounder moisturizer that I like for daytime use.
Nails:
• OPI She Sells Sushi by the Seashore – got this during my epic 4 for $20 OPI haul and was surprised at how much I liked this peachy pink shade with a pearlescent finish. It’s straight out of the 50’s but it just works.
• Teez Melted Copper – this is a stunner on the nails with the scattered holographic shimmer. I’m itching to buy the purple version of this, called Amazing Amethyst.
• Revlon Nail Enamel in Ethereal 008 and Matte Pearl Glaze 785 – I was pleasantly surprised by both of these – I got them from an online discount retailer for $2 each. By themselves they’re pretty (Etheral is a sheer white, and Matte Pearl Glaze is an opalescent sheer topper) but together, they’re gorgeous! Like a light pink coloured opal.
• Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her – review on this coming up shortly! 😉
Body care:
• Biotherm Body Butter – this was in my empties but I had the foresight to take a picture of the tub when I just started using it:
• Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit – this will be featured in the final post of my transition from antiperspirant to deodorants. 🙂
Hair care:
• Kenra Professional Platinum Silkening Mist – this smells soooo good! This provides a light sheen to the hair and doesn’t weigh it down. It’s not an essential part of my hair styling routine but it gives it a nice finishing touch.
• Garnier Whole Blends Green Tea Green Apple Refreshing Shampoo – this smells like crisp green apples! I also love how well it clarifies my hair to remove any product residue.
• Cake Beauty Satin Sugar Dry Shampoo & Body Powder – a long time favourite of mine for 2nd day hair. It’s a loose dry shampoo that’s tinted brown – it doesn’t provide much volume but it does remove greasy feel and it smells like cake! I pour this into a baggie and apply it with an old face brush to the roots of my hair. They now offer this in a brush-on container – super handy!
Makeup:
• Clarins UV PLUS HP SPF 40 Day Screen Tint – this technically is skincare but I can call this makeup too since it acts like a light tinted moisturizer on casual days. I’ll be doing a mini review of this soon.
• Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard – review of this coming soon!
• Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Skin-Transforming Makeup in 25 Nude Beige – review of this coming soon, too! 😛
• CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in Roses – I still love this and reach for it regularly – full review with swatches is here (aren’t you glad I didn’t say “review coming soon?”)
• Tarte Tartelette Tease Palette – just reviewed this recently, it’s a great travel palette and I was happy to have taken it to Japan with me.
• Nars Cinematic eye shadow in Mississippi Mermaid – I received this as a gift and I love this versatile shade! It’s great on the lid, or in the inner corner, or brow bone. The Cinematic formula was only released for a limited edition part of the Guy Bourdin Collection, and I don’t understand why, because it is smooth and buttery, and pigmented.
• The Body Shop Eye Colour in 37 Pink Champagne – this formula is long discontinued but they had some of the best formulas, especially the shimmers. The texture reminds me of a pressed pigment, similar to the L’Oreal Infallibles. Let me know if your’e interested in seeing my collection of these shadows, I own 18 of them! This particular shade is a pinky lavender that I like to wear on my lid with a darker brown on the outer v.
• Lancome Color Design eye shadow in Impress – I’ve had this eye shadow for a while and it keeps getting neglected in favour of other shiny things. The pigmentation of this is out of this world. And it lasts really well on the lids too. I should get more of these singles… I have this theory that eye shadow singles are better quality than those in palettes. Does anyone else think this?
• Maybelline Lash Sensation mascara – I forgot to take a picture of this but it’s in my Trash Stash post here. I received this in the swap I made with Nicola – she told me it was one of her favourite mascaras. I was a little hesitant because I did not had much success with Maybelline mascaras in the past. I was proven wrong! This is amazing for volume and length, plus it holds a curl. The only issue I had was that it smudged slightly on my lower lashes – I remedied this by using my Clarins Double Fix mascara top coat.
TheBalm Instain blush in Swiss Dot – a highly pigmented, long lasting peachy coral blush that provides the perfect flush for a fresh Springtime look. Review and swatches of the other TheBalm Instain blushes here.
• Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Warm – remember when these blushes were all the rage? Physician’s Formula has really got a niche in the market with these iconic product, don’t they? This is a nice highlighting blush – it provides a sheen and a hint of colour. Sometimes I like to layer this over bronzer on my cheeks as my blush. Debatable if it really elevates my mood though… 😛
• Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Honey – I got this during a a Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Points Redemption event and kept forgetting to use it. Well, I suffer from cold sores on my lip from time to time and I can’t use anything harsh on my lips during that period. But this lip oil really saves my lips! (I don’t apply directly to my lips – I use a fresh Q-tip to apply, no worries. 😉 ) It has a thicker texture than other lip oils and lasts reasonably well on the lip (~2 hrs).
• Sephora Collection Oil Infusion Color & Care in 06 Bubbly Grenadine – I got this in January and have been enjoying the bright tint on my lips for the Spring. The lip oil feels smooth on the lips and not sticky or overly slippery – feels more like silicone rather than oil based.
• Buxom Full-on Lipstick in Amsterdam – I got this in a Sephora Black Friday kit years back and just started to really appreciate it. The minty flavour is almost gone but the lipstick doesn’t smell bad. This feels like a balm on the lips and I like the chubby pen format – I get precising and lip coverage all in one. I’m hoping to wear this more regularly so I can finally say I use up a whole lipstick! (it only has 1g of product, that’s not cheating, right?)
• Prestige Lipliner in L02 Shimmer – I’ve been trying to pay more attention to my lip liner collection since I picked up a whole bunch of Prestige ones when Rexall was clearing them out for $1. This shade has been a favourite – it’s a browny nude with a slight sheen to it. I fill in my whole lips with the liner and add a bit of clear gloss on top.
Tools:
• Kevyn Aucoin Super Soft Buff Powder Brush – this was one of those brushes I saw rave reviews on MakeupAlley and I lemmed it for ages, and finally bought it online from an ebay shop a few years back. Then when I received it, I wasn’t sure what to use this for – it has natural bristles but is shaped like a foundation buffing brush. I didn’t love it with liquid foundations because it absorbs product, but I recently I rediscovered it, and it’s great for compact foundations. Lately, I’ve been using it with my Shiseido UV Protective Compact Foundation and it applies really smoothly and makes the powder sink into the skin.
• Smashbox Crease Brush #10 – probably my favourite crease brush at the moment (it alternates between this one and the Sephora Pro, coincidentally also called Crease Brush #10). It just has the perfect shape and the right amount of flex for blending out crease and transitional colours without much effort.
I feel like I’m being a big tease with this favourites list since at least 5 of the items don’t have descriptions except for “reviews coming up”… I’m just backlogged with my posts! 😛 Have you tried any of these items?
stash matters 
gonna go get the covergirl today – really gorgeous – ps i love the lip choices ! You need NO HELP OR NO PLC xxxxx
“Can i touch your hair” …. Lol
have a magical day xxx
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No no I do need help PLC! I want to pick THE best lipstick from a spendy line. Something I’ll wear and cherish. 🙂
Wait for a sale on the CoverGirl palette – I saw them at 25% off one time. But at $14.99 reg price, it’s not bad at all either.
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i may need a break today hey Lol xxx like hey lemme walk to shoppers kinda break ,… You need PLC ? ok .., for you i say YSL or DIOR. i think those are the two biggies i am the best at …. #LikeItsaSkill lol xo
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What are your thoughts on Chanel lippies? I saw on the Nerdy Librarian blog that she ranks Chanel very highly. She did this awesome series on high end lipsticks:
https://nerdylibrariangirl.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/high-end-lipstick-review-series-chantecaille/
See the rankings on the bottom of that post? Chanel Rouge Coco Shine is tops! Followed by YSL and Dior! 😀
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i will read very soon ……. Gonna go to the drugstore … You know …. tech break … I think you would freak out for the formulation of YSL Rouge Volupte – so unique and I can personally GUARANTEE that You would love it – How do i know ? #IJUSTDO …. remind me to read later xxx MUAH
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Jeez how did you get Happy Booster so pigmented, feel like I’d have to sit there for days to build up that much colour! That Garnier shampoo sounds gorgeous – don’t think we get that range here.
I’m pretty sure I have some generous samples of that La Roche Posay, going to dig them out!
Totally agree about quality of eyeshadows being better as singles, especially when it comes to higher end brands – I think low cost brands tend to do a better job of being consistent!
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The trick with the Happy Booster is to focus on the raised hearts portion and not the background – I use a domed blush brush with it so the shimmery part don’t get swirled in as much.
That’s weird Garnier wouldn’t have that kind in the UK. I also saw that they’re branded differently, instead of Whole Blends, it’s called Ultimate Blends? 😕
I feel that my days of eye shadow palettes may be coming to an end soon, now that I’m re-appreciating my eye shadow singles again.
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Hmm I’ll try that – I normally use a RT blush brush and it’s just so sheer – I normally pair it with something for a more glowy finish but never use it by itself! Yeah we do have Ultimate blends but I’ve never seen a green apple one at all!
Think it depends on the brand for palettes some are unfaultable – but I have had in the past a few YSL palettes which are rubbish but the singles are good!
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Oh also, don’t use synthetic brushes for powders. I’m thinking of doing a post on that topic. The proliferation of synthetic brushes makes people forget that they’re not ideal for powder products, especially products that are packed tightly – natural bristles is the way to go for those. And I use that particular RT Blush Brush for extremely pigmented blushes, nothing else – it can’t pick up powders worth crap. 😛
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Maybe that’s why I tend to like it as I’m heavy handed! I try not to buy real hair brushes any more, but think I might have an old crown one which is, I’ll dig that out and see if it’s any better!
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Great post! I was also thinking about doing a mid-2016 favourites since I haven’t done a favourites post in 2016 yet.
Oh, of course the most expensive of the three deodorants had to end up being your favourite! 😢
You should do a post about your Body Shop eye shadow collection! Love looking at swatches of pretty colours, haha. Mississippi Mermaid does look super versatile!
Still need to try those Instain blushes, they’ve been on my list of lemmings for years. Where did you find theBalm products? London Drugs (might be wrong but I think these might only be in western Canada?) used to sell the brand but I haven’t seen it in a while.
I love polishes with pearlescent finishes like the OPI one. My friend calls them grandma colours – in that case, grandmas have good taste!
So sorry to hear they discontinued the Effaclar K and don’t have a similar product you like just as much! 😥
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Yeah I’ve love to see your favourties! ❤
I know right, why the pricey deodorant has to be my favourite… but it works, and smells good too. I'm going to try that Avon one I got next – that one is cheap.
Ok, I'll do a Body Shop retro eye shadow swatch! I have ideas on soooooo many swatch posts but they take a while to plan and execute. The weather is too nice right now so maybe in the Fall! 😛
Rexall here sells theBalm – do you guys have Rexall there? Otherwise you can order online from http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/categories/the-balm-cosmetics.html
The OPI polish is a TOTAL grandma colour, but I don't care! It'd look good on your skin tone, I think. 🙂
Why they gotta keep discontinuing my favourites? It's a conspiracy, I tell you!
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Oooh, can’t wait to see all of your swatch posts in the fall (although swatches take forever to do, so I feel ya). Swatches are total eye candy!
We do have Rexall here, but they’re not quite as common as, say, Shoppers. I rarely step into one…should probably do that soon! Thanks for the tip!
Yes, it’s a conspiracy…discontinue Stashy’s favourite products so she has an excuse to haul some more!!
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I love those eyeshadows!
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I just love eye shadows in general, lol. ❤
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Brilliant products and Currently, I’m using Garnier ultimate blends which I love it a lot and what a range of skincare and makeup products
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I remember seeing the Garnier Ultimate Blends on your blog and it reminded me to go try this, since I’ve been seeing them on sale for $4. I’m so glad I did!
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Great deal and I’m so pleased with your kind words
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Great faves! I love Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her! One of my favourite ever nail polishes! Also very nice to see you are enjoying the Nars concealer, I desperately need another tube!
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I remember seeing Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her on your list of top essential nail polishes everyone should own! I first heard about it from Doves & Roses – I honestly wouldn’t have paid ANY attention to it if not for seeing it on blogs. I love how we influence each other in our purchases, hehe.
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Hahaha yes! I know we are all such bad influences on each other! It is such a beautiful colour though, not too in your face but much more than a simple neutral! I think I will actually put it on my nails since they are looking pretty bare!
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It’s also a season-less colour!
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Indeed! One of my favourite things about it!
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Nice post!! I’m loving TheBalm brand as a whole right now…glad they made it to your favs. Physicians Formula never gets enough play. They have cute packaging and nice blushes/highlighters/bronzes. A few months ago I switched from antiperspirant to deodorant and guess what? Lavanilla in Lavendar Vanilla was my ultimate favorite. Now I have to try Grapefruit!!
~Kristy
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theBlam has been on my radar for ages and I’ve slowly started to dabble in it. I really want to get the newest all matte palette from them, the Meet Matt(e) Trimony palette – it looks so good!
The vanilla grapefruit smell is so unexpected, but really nice! I was so skeptical about the antiperspirant to deodorant switch at first, but I’m glad I did it! 🙂 I just wish there were more drugstore deodorant options – I’m going to investigate that next.
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I know!! I want that palette too!
There is literally no natural deodorants at my local drugstore. I had to go to Sephora & Ulta. I also like Dr. Hauschka sage mint deodorant it’s refreshing but it’s a roller and very wet. If you can stand the wetness for a minute or 2, the scent really stays all day.
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I couldn’t stop thinking about that theBalm palette after mentioning it yesterday… I’m SO tempted to get it for myself as a birthday present. 😛
Thanks for the Dr. Hauschka rec – I’ll look into it!
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Hahah. Go for it…..it’s your bday!!! Then review and let me know 😜. Happy Birthday 🎊🎈🎉
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Hehe, I see, it’s a self serving interest! 😛
My actual birthday is next Monday but I like to extend it for the whole month of July. 😆
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Lol got you back for that comment on my lip swatches. 😜. I celebrate the whole month of September so I’m with ya sistah!!
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I just got the Teez nail polish in the same shade. Looks gorgeous x
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It’s mesmerizing! And it apples really easily on the nails. I hope you’ll like it!
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Thanks. I’ve never seen it in the UK, so I had to pick it up when I saw it x
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Curious about your thoughts on the deodorant. I had switched to a natural one for a while, but it made my sweaty situation worse. Hopefully I can catch a 2nd wind soon.
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How long did you switch to deodorant for? I gave up after a week or two at first. I was so damn sweaty and felt gross. But then I waited until colder months to attempt the switch and that helped ease the transition. I had some stinky sweaty days but my body started to adjust after a couple of months.
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Between 2-3 weeks. I also tried to do an underarm detox (posted about that a while back) at the same time. I felt like I sweated a lot more than usual, and the deodorant I chose didn’t do a great job with covering up odor (gross).
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Awesome post and pretty wicked products!
Definitely looking forward to your Lavanila review since I to only use deodorant! I wonder if Cake Beauty’s Dry Shampoo would hold up well in the armpits, I’d be very curious since it is a body powder too.
The Physicians Formula Blush is just too cute and I’ve heard a lot of great things about it too.
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I’ll have the Lavanila deodorant post up this Friday! I’ve not tried my particular Cake Beauty powder on my skin since mine is tinted. But yes, I’ve heard the untinted version makes a nice body powder.
Physicians Formula stuff always get me with their cute packaging, especially their bronzers and blushes! They seem to release new ones every season.
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I look forward to your post! I have one from soft and silk now and I think it’s just OK…then again it’s really hot today so it could just be that I’m extra sweaty (and stinky..lol). I still really like my roll-on deodorant from Yves Rocher best – but if Lavanila made it into your favourites then I may check it out!
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Can’t wait to see the review on the NARS concealer and the Maybelline better skin~~
Maybelline – I can’t believe that you’re a nude beige for this one. The nude beige in UK looks WAY darker and more pink too. lol. Such big difference from region to region.
For the NARS, please do a review on both under eyes coverage and spot coverage? Thanks xox.
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Oh spoiler alert, that Maybelline shade is too dark for me. I can pull it off right now for the summer and I bring it down to my neck. But I definitely should have stuck with my original shade, #20 Classic Ivory. Ah well.
Hmm I haven’t tried the Nars much for spots because I never get spots – LMAO I lie. No, I just didn’t consider it a spot concealer since it says “radiant” in the name. In my view, anything radiant is meant for under eyes? I don’t want to be bringing any radiance to my spots, thank you very much! (but, I shall try tomorrow, for research)
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O, I am soooo sorry on the spoiler. I didn’t mean to. I thought maybe the shade is different in Canada.
NARS also call their demi-matt foundation ‘Sheer Glow’. So I thought maybe it another demi-matt item worth researching 😛 Ja, bring radiance to your spot is soooo ‘hot’ wahahha
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I’m making the shade work for me during the summer but it’s definitely too orange / dark for me (refer to swatch above).
Yes, I’ve heard that Nars Sheer Glow is a misnomer – it’s neither sheer, nor is it glowy! I’m testing it on my redness / spots today just for YOU! I’ll discuss my finding in my product review coming next week!
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😍😍😍yey!!! Thank you so much for testing it out 😘🤗
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The Body Shop blush is beautiful and I need to purchase the Tease soon, been on my list since that came out but I kept reaching for something else instead.
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The Body Shop thing is actually an eye shadow! It’s a pinky shade that’s really nice for Spring. 😛
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oh I was actually thinking about the TheBalm Instain blush while writing coz the blush is just so pretty and yes! that eyeshadow from Body Shop is gorgeous.. I don’t think I have a shade like that in my collection.
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Guessing you like that Maybelline Better Skin foundation. I personally don’t like it. I love the coverage and finish, but that sucker will not dry/set for me for some reason (even when I set it with powder). It always has a sticky/tacky feel and it transfers on me too. Was so bummed because I wanted to love it. But I am using my bottle up (I wear the same shade as you actually) so I can transfer the pump to my Fit Me foundation.
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I remember you saying that you found that Maybelline foundation to transfer and not set. I haven’t had that issue myself, thank goodness. Actually, the shade I have it too dark for me. I originally picked up #20 Classic Ivory but got worried it was too light so I exchanged it for this – should have stuck with my original pick.
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I have one of the Buxom Full On Lipsticks and I LOVE it – I need to get more of those.
Very interested to read your review of the LaVanilla deodorant! 🙂
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Buxom was never really on radar as a brand to try but I always hear great things about their lip products. Glad the hype is warranted!
I’m working on the deodorant post… should be up on Friday! 🙂
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The Cake dry shampoo sounds like something I’d use. Especially the scent. I’m so happy to see lip oils on here. I’ve actually been looking at the Clarins one and now I have an excuse to buy. Then there’s the Sephora one. *sigh* I’m super addicted to the Lancome one and want to try more of them. great stuff Stash. 🙂
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I’m really liking lip oils in general! I’d say in terms of nourishment, the Clarins one is the best one to pamper your lips. The Sephora one is the best for colour – it stains the lips a bit too. 🙂
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As you know by now, I bought the Clarins one so I’m testing it out!
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I’ve added the Avene eye cream to my wishlist. So far I haven’t found an eye cream that has impressed me. I have a few that are passably good but nothing impressive.
Now I need the Revlon Ethereal nail polish. I want my nails to look like opals all of the time! Do you leave them with a matte finish or use a top coat? I always like day 1 of matte nail polish but then it chips and starts losing the matte-ness. It’s maddening.
I think you’ve recommended the Cake dry shampoo to me before but I’m adding it to my list too. I basically want everything to smell like cake all of the time 🙂 Also, I’ve decided that I just don’t like aerosol dry shampoo. Powder is definitely the way to go!
I think that your theory about singles being better quality is especially true with the high end makeup brands. Mid range and drug store it seems to vary a lot but the high end palettes always seem so disappointing. That being said, I have a couple of Lancome single shadows that I have been neglecting which is a shame because they’re really nice! That Impress shade looks sooo pretty! I’m a sucker for warm brown eyeshadows.
I love your favorites posts! I might as well really just bookmark them all for future reference 🙂
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I’ll probably do a mani post to show Revlon Ethereal! I use a shiny top coat on it. I can’t stand matte top coats because of the chipping! The look is nice for about 10 minutes…
That Cake dry shampoo smells like cocoa cake! I love it. The only spray dry shampoo I’ve liked so far is the COLAB one – have you heard of it?
Lancome in general is a brand I don’t pay much attention to – but I did do a haul recently and I got that palette designed by Lisa Eldridge!
I still haven’t opened it yet… um
You should do a favourites post too – every quarter!
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Cocoa cake?! Definitely going on my list!
I’ve only heard of COLAB just now when I read a post about you hauling it lol. It’s not a brand I’ve heard of otherwise.
I almost bought that palette too, just because I love Lisa Eldridge. But it goes back to my mistrust of high end palettes and their dodgy quality 🙂
I’ll definitely think about doing favorites! I definitely don’t have enough variety in my routine to do a monthly favorites but quarterly might be manageable!
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