For my recent 36th birthday, I was lucky enough to receive a Sephora gift card from my parents, so I bought a few things. Separately, but around the same time, I placed a small order at Ulta for National Lipstick Day, so I decided to blog about both!
Jouer Blush Bouquet in Adore ($30): Can we just take a moment to appreciate the packaging? I need a moment to appreciate the packaging. While the packaging doesn’t really matter– sometimes it just enhances the whole EXPERIENCE of a product. And while I didn’t think much about the packaging before I bought this – I really was only concerned with what was on the inside – the packaging really does make it extra special.
Now that we’ve covered that, we can get into the actual product itself. I like this a lot because both blushes are fairly subtle, and can be used for a variety of different looks, which is great for me when I’m getting ready at the gym and don’t have all of my blush options available. I haven’t tried too many products from Jouer, but now that it’s at Sephora, I may try a few more!
Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation in Shade 1 ($29): I’m really into very light coverage foundation these days, as walking around Texas right now is akin to walking around on the surface of Mars. It’s hot, y’all. So my little Wet n Wild cushion foundation ($8) has been perfect for me. However, I saw a few reviews on this Benefit foundation from gals who are a bit oily like me, and they really, really liked it. They really weren’t expecting to like it because they thought that such a light coverage foundation would just slide off their faces after a few hours and they were actually surprised with the staying power. I’ve used this a few times now and I honestly think I am going to take it back. I don’t feel the need to have the “full-coverage” that the big Beauty Gurus all seem to need but I still felt like I needed a LOT of product to cover my face, so I can’t imagine this bottle would even last all that long. I also feel like it collected around my nose in a weird way and clung to some dry patches, so I just don’t know. And more than that, I just haven’t really loved how my skin has looked when I’ve worn it, which is really the bigger issue. It’s not the worst foundation I’ve ever used but when I love my $8 Wet n Wild foundation so much, why pay $29 for just, meh?
(I do want to point out that I think Benefit foundation ranges have historically been extremely shitty, and this one is no different in that respect. Though this one goes a little further because the shades are more sheer and can likely work for more skin tones than a more pigmented matte foundation, but still. Benefit is a huge, world-wide brand. They can do better than 12 measly shades. I mean… come on.)
I have to admit that I bought the Catrice Aqua Fresh Highlighting Eyeshadow ($7.99) from Ulta because of one of Tati’s recent videos. I am trying to convince myself that I don’t need the super expensive Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadows ($29), so I thought this version by Catrice might tide me over a bit. Unfortunately, I am very disappointed by this formula. It is not very smooth, and it applies incredibly patchy, even just swatching it on my hand, so I can’t imagine it going any better on my eyes. It’s kind of a similar formula to the Butter London Glazen Eye Glosses, but like… worse. It does have that same mousse-y texture, but it’s just not really smooth or consistent. I’m considering returning it because I really won’t ever use it. Even though it’s only $8, it’s still $8 I could use towards something else.
I got a couple Lancome Matte Juicy Shakers ($22) on National Lipstick Day, where Ulta was having a buy-one-get-one-free sale. I got “Red-y in 5,” which is pictured, and the color Beige Vintage, which I accidentally left at work. Y’all know I’m sort of over the liquid lipstick thing, but these are actually extremely comfortable. They aren’t totally transfer-proof, but they do last a decent amount of time, plus, they are easy to re-apply. With other liquid lipsticks, you can’t just touch up really easily without taking the whole dang thing off and starting over. But with these, you can just easily re-apply. I had always wanted to try this formula and I was so happy for the 2-for-1 sale that allowed me to get a couple!
I have wanted some of the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter eyeliners ($20) for a long, long time. But they have always been something I have put off since it’s one of those “nice to have” type of products. I got mine in the color Distortion, which does not have a strong color base. Instead. this will really enhance and reflect whatever is underneath. I think this will look downright magical in the inner corner and even on the bottom lashline with blue/purple-y shades. I think it will also look really great when paired with the Norvina Palette ($42), which I was just gifted from my bestie, Melissa! And now that I am going to take back that Benefit foundation, I might get the shade Grind, which is similar to Distortion but has more of a pink vibe than a blue vibe.
Here is a little Insta-Story video I did with the Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Distortion. And here is a little video of some swatches.
After I started editing these pictures, I saw one of my long blonde hairs, wrapped around the Hourglass mascara, and it’s honestly all I can see. I apologize, but I was also too lazy to re-photograph. This is #RealLife.
I have been hearing Influencers talk non-stop about this Hourglass Caution Mascara ($29), so I’ve been interested in trying it out. Its big claim to fame is that it doesn’t smudge, so I thought it would be great as a lower-lash line mascara, if nothing else. The formula is OK. It’s nothing mind-blowing but it works fine. The applicator itself is very difficult to use because the base of the handle essentially runs into the brush. It’s very difficult to use, but I think the full-size version would be fine. However, this isn’t good enough where I think I will invest in the full-size version, because I don’t really have issues with smudging. But I’ll use the rest of the sample.
I have been using a similar deluxe sample of this Becca Velvet Blurring Primer ($38) for a few weeks now and I really love it. I use it on and around my nose to help blur out pores and mattify, and I think it does a great job, without feeling silicone-y or heavy. It dries to a powder-y finish so it wears nicely under other products. This is one where I might consider buying the full-size, or at least The Mini version ($18).
I thought I would give the Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It Fine (H)air Styler ($31) a whirl, as I have fine hair and I’m always looking for products to make it less so. This is supposed to be used to give fine hair a bit of texture, even when air dried. It turns out, this product does nothing. Nothing! My hair had no additional texture and it looked exactly the same as it does when I don’t put any product in it at all. If y’all love this and know how to make it work, please help a girl out. But til then, I think this is worthless.
So, that’s my lil haul. What did you think? Have you bought yourself anything fun lately? I want to know all about it. (Seriously, I do. Please tell me in the comments!)
xo,
Lauren
Purchased; All opinions are my own
Post contains affiliate links