MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Shadow – M822, M846, ME 302

Hello again readers!

I've definitely been distant lately due to the fact that I dropped off my laptop to get repaired, and over a week later it hasn't been fixed at all! They didn't do a darn thing about it, so it's still unable to close, and I just got it back on Wednesday. I've missed it so much and trying to do anything but gaming on my desktop isn't going to help me much at all. I'm really happy to jump right back into blogging, and what better way to do so than to start with this Make Up For Ever trio?

With the MUFE artist shadows, you have options (which is always good to  have for beauty addicts!). You can buy just the pans and put them into a magnetic palette, or you have the option to buy the pans and also buy the plastic containers for them.

It goes a little something like this: 

A single compact and a shadow  – $22

A duo compact and two shadows – $35

A trio compact and three shadows – $44

If you're looking to expand your collection, the trio is the way to go. It's like buying two eyeshadows and getting one free!

The compact is made of good quality plastic that has weight to it. It doesn't feel cheap, and it feels incredibly sturdy. The base is black, and the lid is clear which is very beneficial to look through compacts quickly to find the shadows you want.

The palette has magnets to hold onto the shadows, and I'm incredibly pleased that the magnets hold strong and I don't feel like the pan of the eyeshadow will fly out if I were to drop it (which, if I'm being honest is an event that will eventually happen in the future because of my hands) so I have a little less stress about shattering one of these (expensive) eyeshadows.

The slots also have a small hole that you poke through to take the pans out, if you want to re-organize your palettes. I was really concerned at first before noticing the small holes, that once you put a pan into one of the slots, they were there forever (unless you used a method like the INGLOT freedom system where you use magnets to pull the shadows out). This is far easier and more efficient if you gather a large collection.

The downside, is you have to buy a compact, or have a Z Palette to hold the shadows in. They come individually packed in flimsy plastic. The lid doesn't fit snugly over the base, and they are NOT fit for travel, or even proper storage. Since I bought three I didn't have this issue, but if you wanted four, you'd be better buying a trio and then another single compact to hold them all.

M822 – Plum: 
Matte violet plum eyeshadow. One of the most popular shades in the Artist Shadow range. It's not too neutral of a violet but it's not too warm either. It's incredibly flattering on the eye.

M846 – Morello Cherry:
A true cherry red matte. The shade I just couldn't live without. I'm a sucker for red eyeshadows and love how I look in them, and this shadow did not disappoint. It's a tad streaky, so I have to watch how I apply it but the shade is such a nice deep red that it looks incredible on my eyes. I really can't get enough of how easy this shadow is to wear.

ME302 – Peacock:
Duochrome brick red with teal shift. I was really impressed with the pigmentation of this shadow, and I was even more impressed with how well it applied. It doesn't go on streaky, and it works just like my MAC Blue Brown pigment but this is far easier to travel with!

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Really, the shadows are incredible. The texture of them are smooth to the touch and applying them (aside from Morello Cherry, which was the hardest out of the three) is a dream.

At $21 a shadow, it's a rather large pill to swallow, but I do see these as being worth the money, especially if you find one of these shades that aren't as common in other stores (with the exception of Peacock, which is now a VERY common shade).

It was worth it for me to get this trio, but I don't see myself buying more than maybe three other shades from the range, since they don't have many shades that I'm lusting after as hard as these three.

Thanks for reading!

2015 Empties #4

Hello again readers!

These were the last items I used up in 2015! I was really impressed with how much I used up in the past year, and I can't wait to see what I use up in the next year. Even though this is the first empties post for 2016, I'm including it in the system from last year. Hope you enjoy!

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser – Empty*:

I really enjoy this. It's really great for controlling acne and clearing up the face. It's not a miracle product by any means, as I'll still get acne, but I do notice a difference when I use this product compared to when I don't.

Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil – Empty:

I'm not sure if I'll be buying this again or not, since I want to try out other brands. This got my makeup off so well, and so fast, and was a real MVP when I was working at the Haunt. It's dependable, and works like magic. The biggest downside I have is that the bottle leaks over a long period of use, which is why I have to have it in this plastic bag and why the label is rolling off. It leaks all over the counter and the medicine cabinet too so it's not the easiest to store.

Oil-Free Acne Wash – Empty:

Just an acne wash I got from the Dollar Tree. Nothing special. It's just a basic face wash, and did the job okay. If it didn't smell like grapefruit, I'd buy it again, but I cannot stand the smell of this product.

 Clean and Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer – Empty*:

I've been avoiding moisturizers for ages because a lot of them leave a film on my face, that just fuels the oil production, making my face look drenched by the end of the day. Switching to gel moisturizers has been the beset decision I have ever made because I get that hydration that I desperately need and it doesn't make my face feel greasy. It absorbs into the skin within just about two minutes or so and hydrates it just enough without being too greasy. The perfect moisturizer to put on the face before makeup.

Equate Oil-Free Makeup Remover – Empty*:

Still my favorite makeup remover. I haven't found one that I've liked better than this. It gets the job done, doesn't hydrate the eye area, and helps keep my skin in good condition.

SkinNutritions Clarifying Lotion – Empty*:

I've been trying out the SkinNutritions line, and while I hate all of the other steps (the cleanser is too drying, and the moisturizer is FAR to much for my oily skin) but this one is rather nice. I still prefer witch hazel, but this is a nice little vacation, especially when my skin needs a bit of a pick-me-up right after a super hot shower. It's really hydrating, removes any traces of makeup or soap, and leaves my skin feeling so soft!

Benefit The Porefessional – Empty:

I wasn't really a fan of this. It's okay, but it wasn't my favorite. To me it's not really worth the price since I didn't notice phenomenal results.

NYX HD Concealer 01 – Porcelain – Empty:

This had a super light base, so I only used this under my eyes. It definitely made me look awake, but I found it to be a bit too heavy for under the eye coverage.

Stargazer White Foundation – Empty:

Finally used up the rest of the foundation while working at the haunt. This foundation is good to mix in with other foundations that would otherwise be too dark, or even just on it's own to white my face out. It's about the same price as the Manic Panic Dream Tone white foundation, so I'm going to continue to buy the Manic Panic foundation over this one since I prefer it.

Revlon Colorstay Ivory – Empty*:

One of my favorite foundations of all time, even if it's a little more pink than I prefer. It's super light, doesn't oxidize much on me, and applies like a dream. It keeps my skin looking good and doesn't make me look oily through the day. What a great foundation, I have three backups!

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray – Empty*:

I haven't been into setting sprays as much as I probably should so this is the only one that I really do love. It doesn't add anything else to my face, and helps control oil, and soaks up any excess powder. It's a step that I sometimes forget and I definitely notice a better makeup day if I use it.

NYX Eyeshadow Single – Nude – Empty:

I wasn't using this as an eyeshadow, but rather as a really nice highlight. It was a little darker than my skin tone, but it looked fine layered nicely over a blush. It didn't have shimmer but it had a nice sheen to it that looked really natural.

Essence Gel Eyeliner – Midnight in Paris – Old:

I've had this eyeliner for what seems like forever. It's pigmented and it lasts a really long time. I forgot how much I enjoyed it until I started wearing it every day for work! The only reason I'm getting rid of it now is because after the haunt season, it started drying up. Plus it had baby powder in it too making it clump together. Wasn't going to be using it after that ...

H&M Angled and Crease Dual-Ended Brush – Broken*:

I love these brushes so much, just for the angled brush side. They're perfect for applying product to the eyebrows with great control. I get them for about a dollar or so when they go on sale, so when I find them, I stock up!

NYX Micro Brow Pencil – Ash Brown – Empty*:

I didn't get brow pencil hype, until I tried this. This is now my favorite product for filling in my brows. I can go stylized, or I can go natural, depending on the on the pressure or how much product I use.

Maybelline Master Shape Eyebrow Pencil – Soft Brown – Broken:

This was another brow pencil that I really liked, but after a while when I'd go to sharpen it (I tried three different sharpeners!) the wood would splinter and after one painful experience, I stopped using it. I think it was just this particular pencil, because some wood just isn't that great all the way through, so I might pick up another one in the future. I haven't decided yet. I did like how natural my brows looked when I used this though.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance – Old:

This product is okay, not a favorite of mine by a long shot. It kept separating and started being too much of a hassle, so I'm just pitching it so I can use other primers that I actually enjoy.

Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Single – Sellout – Old:

Sellout is so pretty (dupe of the more recently released Cheeky). Since I have cheeky, I couldn't keep this. I shattered it ages ago, and re-pressed it, but it's too lose and just has so much fallout now that it gets everywhere. It's not practical.

Softlips Vanilla Lip Balm – Empty*:

I've been using these up like crazy. Downside of having a love for ultra matte liquid lipsticks. What can I say, I love the staying power, not so much the dryness afterwards. These little sticks have a lot of product in them, they moisturize my lips quickly and add a little plump to them.

Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner – Everlast – Empty*:

Still my favorite liquid liner ever. I wish it didn't gum up as quickly as it does, because after you use it for a few months, it starts getting really thick and goopy, making it take longer to dry and just so much more messy! Aside from that problem I still love it and can't wait to go out and get a new tube!

Revlon Precision Clear Lash Adhesive – Old:

I. Hate. This. Stuff. I used it when I worked at the Haunt, and while it did apply the lashes quickly and efficiently, the container is just shitty. No matter what I did, no matter how many times I wiped it clean, there would be product that would get in the tracks of the cap, and would glue the cap together. You can even see all the disgusting glue that got pushed out! I liked it enough to use it through the season, but I won't be repurchasing. Plus, it isn't waterproof so those two nights where I had tears in my eyes from pain/sickness my lashes fell right off.

ELF Makeup Remover Pen – Empty*:

I don't know what I did with myself before I started keeping one of these pens in my collection at all times. It's so easy to clean up little makeup messes, like messed up eyeliner or to really clean up eyebrows before going in with some concealer. It's just so nifty and can take an okay makeup day and make it a great makeup day.

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Waterproof – Empty*:

My favorite mascara. I have no hope of having huge, fluffy lashes because I just don't have the lashes for that without the help of falsies. However, this mascara makes what little lashes I have stand out, and that's more than good enough for me. Plus, the water resistant formula (I don't consider it waterproof because I have had myself a good few cries and it WILL come off. Also quite a few encounters with rain!) lasts me all day which is great so I don't have to worry about touch-ups.

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 *Asterisks are items I have backups of, or I plan to repurchase.

Thanks for reading!

December Top 10

Hello again readers!

Was it just me, or did December go by really fast? It just went by like a blur! With all of the holidays and events, I couldn't really take a breather. Now it's 2016, and I'm excited to take on this new year. Hoping that it's going to be better than that awful last year of 2015.

Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Matte Eyeshadow Palette:

I needed this palette far more often this year. I did a lot of looks which needed a neutral shadow in the crease, and I just reached for this since it has so many different shadows with different undertones. No matter the look, this palette has a shadow that will work for it.

Milani Luminoso Baked Blush:

I get the hype of this blush, and I always forget that I enjoy it. It's the same blush I used for my friend on her wedding. It gives quite the natural flush, which is odd for me, but I couldn't resist. I looked really put-together and healthy with just a few products, and this gave  me both a flush AND a glow. A double-duty product.

Notoriously Morbid Pigment – Hallelujah:

I really hate bringing this up, since you can't get it anymore, but I love it. Great for smoking out as an all-over-lid shade, and has just the right amount of blue sheen to add just a little touch of something extra. I was scared of using it, but what the hell, I gotta live a little!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Nude Eyes – Black Eyeliner:

I've been into tight-lining my eyes for this month, making them look a bit smaller but really intense. I still haven't found the perfect liner, but I couldn't stop myself from reaching for this one. It goes on nicely and blends out almost too well. I'm still on the search, but this is good to have for the time being.

MakeUp ForEver Trio – M822 Plum , M846 Morello Cherry, ME302 Peacock:

I sort of cheated with this one, since technically these are three singles but I don't much care. I have been so impressed with these shadows this month and have reached for them often. I used Morello Cherry and Peacock for when I went out with my coworkers for our Christmas Party, and I was so impressed with how well they blended and applied. I have fallen in love!

L'Oreal Infallible Foundation – 101 Classic Ivory:

The only reason this is in  my favorites, is because out of all of my foundations, I've been reaching for this most. Which is a little ridiculous, because this shade doesn't match me at all! It goes on great, but I finally noticed (where I was still in the honeymoon "it's perfect!" stage last month) that it oxidizes too pink, and too dark. Damn, I really wanted this to work for me, but it doesn't. Oh well.

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes – Trespassing Taupe:

I've been really invested in simple, one shadow for the entire eye looks. This one is fantastic. It's a matte, warm taupe and I can apply it all over for a sunken-in, tired look. Which, though it sounds unappealing, I really enjoy the look.

NYX Liquid Suede – Stone Fox:

This is such a beautiful shade, and I put it on and couldn't keep my eyes off my mouth! It's a really great grey shade, without being too dark.

Nivea for Men Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin:

The return of this as a primer! I've been still so happy with this. It goes on SO easy and SO fast. Makes my routine go by faster.

Milani Matte Naked Lipstick:

This lipstick was my go-to this month for natural looking lips. It's comfortable, smells like cake, and goes on so smoothly.

Thanks for reading!