Technically, this is my first haul this year - and I'm pretty proud of that fact! I really haven't bought too many new beauty products this year, but I happened to go ham in the last month! To be fair, May was my birthday month so I was spoilt and got a few gifts, had some loyalty club bday perks and just plain felt spendy! Let's dive in because there's a fair bit to get through!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit
I've been umming and ahhing over this highlighter palette ever since it was announced. I love the colours but I really didn't need it! That being said, I had a $10 voucher at Sephora for my birthday (perks of being a black member!) and to get my free birthday gift (the little Tarte set) I had to buy something! Aaand this palette just so happened to come back in stock, so the purchase happened! My sisters ended up getting it for me for my birthday so thanks guys! I'm pretty excited to have it in my life - the colours are really pretty and although they look kinda dark in the pan, they are very reflective so they apply a bit lighter. I'm still not 100% on the formula - it's nice but I'm not sure how much I love it. I'll have to play around with them for a bit longer, but these certainly are intensely metallic and blinding!
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Paaarty and Tarteist Lip Paint in Birthday Suit
This is the little birthday gift Sephora is giving to members this year and I'm really happy with it! The blush is really pretty - it's a nude pink shade that is very similar to Exposed but more pink. I was excited to try the Lip Paint formula too - it's quite nice, and the shade is a lovely nudey-brown-pink shade. I ventured to the newly opened Brisbane Sephora to get this (because the email said instore or online!!) but, SURPRISE, surprise...they "didn't have any". Bloody heck. I was actually pretty annoyed because the store is quite far from me and I even tried ringing in advance to check if they had it and they didn't answer... Needless to say I won't be going there again if I don't have to - really not impressed with the Sephora physical stores! Online is much better because they actually have stock, and shipping is pretty fast these days - the orders I've made recently have been shipped about two days after I order, and then arrive the next day.
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Mercy (mini)
I spent 100 points to get this mini lipstick because why not. It's really cute but the lipstick itself is very small, thin and fragile. I feel like when I use it, it's going to snap in half! Mercy is an interesting deep burgundy brown shade with a reddish metallic shimmer to it.
Zoeva Spring Strobe Spectrum Highlighting Palette
I bought this last week during their 20% off sale (If I'd've known they were having the sale I would've waited to get the ABH palette haha). As you guys probably know - those colour-shifting highlighters have been all the rage lately. Initially I wasn't fussed about them but I'll admit, I've become interested! This palette looked like the best cheaper alternative to try out the trend. It's $45 full price but I got it for $36 which I think is a great deal for four shades. Apparently it's very similar to the Kat Von D Alchemist Palette which I wasn't about to pay the big bucks for! I'm really happy with this so far - the colours are so pretty! It has green, blue, pink and yellow highlighters that are fairly subtle (not blindingly metallic) but still give a very pretty glow. The only shade I don't love is the blue because it clashes too much on my yellow skin, but the green is surprisingly wearable!
Sephora Avocado Mask
This was the free sample I chose for that order (it's weird, I don't always get the option to add a free sample...). I was pretty happy with this "sample" since it's not a useless foil packet!
My friends Tam and Yas got me a few Colourpop products for my birthday (per my wishlist hehehehe) - thank you guys!
Colourpop Ultra Blotted Lip in Zuma
I was incredibly intrigued by Colourpop's latest lip formula. It comes in a lipstick version too (like a sheer matte balm type product) but I heard the packaging was really bad so I gave that a miss. The Ultra Blotted Lip is certainly a unique formula - it's sort of like a matte stain. It has a very thin, liquidy consistency but then dries down to a powdery matte finish. It's sheer but applies evenly with no streaks. I really like this shade - it's very much a my lips but better. I'm not sure that I love the product enough to get more shades but it's been cool to try it out!
Colourpop Ultra Satin Lips in Strut, Strip and Dopey
I really like the Ultra Satin formula so I made sure to ask for some more shades this time! They also happened to be doing a special where you got a free mini every time you spent x amount of money which was handy! I got Strut in the full size which is a slightly darker, quite cool-toned nude. Dopey is a mauvey-purple shade that's very wearable. It looked more cool-toned and unique online, but regardless it's really nice! Strip is a warm-toned brownish nude that looks very wearable and flattering.
Colourpop Pressed Powder Eyeshadows in Labyrinth, Wait For It, Save it for Later and Play by Play
I also really wanted to try their powder eyeshadows since they've been getting some hype. Initially I wasn't so fussed by them but they've released a lot of new shades since then and they actually look interesting. From swatching, these seem very pigmented and quite soft so they seem promising! Labyrinth is a matte, pinky-mauve shade, Wait for It is a vibrant pinky-coral matte, Save it for Later is a pretty rose-goldy shade and Play by Play is a unique gold-champagne with an intense green duochrome shift!
I also received this as a birthday gift (thank you Lucy and Jacinta!), and I've already done a full review so I'll let that post do the talking.
Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Bronzed Bell
I finally got my hands on one of these! Omg, only took me like two months... These have been sold out since the day they launched basically! I managed to grab it when they came in stock online and (thankfully) had free shipping. I used a gift voucher I got for Christmas so technically didn't outlay any moolah on it (yay!). So far I'm really loving it though and am very tempted to pick up another shade...Kitten Karma maybe?! Bronzed Bell is such a pretty warm bronze shade though!
Essence My Must Have Eyeshadows in Stay in Coral Bay, All I Need and Need a Mint?
I'm not exactly sure when these came out but it must have been recently! The stand was raided though and only a few shades were still in stock. I absolutely LOVE that Essence came out with individual eyeshadows and little palettes. I really think they're the first at the drugstore to do the whole customisable thing? And it's so cool since they are SO cheap! Both the shadows and the empty palettes are something like $3 a piece which is crazy! I had a $5 birthday voucher at Priceline so I paid a measly $7 for the four items! Super chuffed, and the quality isn't bad either. It's really quite good! Can't wait for the other shades to come back in stock to fill up my last spot.
I was also sent a few items that I thought I'd share :)
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 53*
I've already featured this in my favourites so you know I'm a fan! This is the newly reformulated version and it's lovely - natural, satin finish and a light-medium coverage. Such a great everyday foundation.
Rimmel Volume Shaker Mascara*
This is Rimmel's latest mascara release which is a "shaker". You shake the tube to...agitate the product I guess and to ensure it lasts longer by not drying out as quickly? Seems a bit gimmicky to me but eh. The tube is actually crazy heavy too which is an odd sensation. I've tried it once and wasn't overly impressed - Rimmel mascaras don't tend to do much for my nonexistent lashes.
Rimmel Brow Shaker in Black Brown*
They also released a brow powder in tube form. Also supposedly a shaker but funnily the shaker sound comes from the lid (applicator thingy), so tell me how that shakes up the product? :P Anyways, it has a little paddle applicator which isn't super precise but it fills in the brows well enough. You get more of a hazy look with this rather than carved out Instagram brows.
L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Discovery Collection
A lovely gift from my gal pals Sarah and Amy. This little set comes with a mini eau de toilette, soap and hand cream. L'Occitane hand creams are absolutely divine and I love this sweet, floral scent.
Guess 1981*
I was also sent this perfume recently and it's gorgeous! I love the minimalism of the bottle, it's a such a pretty, subtle and sophisticated floral scent.
LuLuLun Sheet Masks
Another birthday gift from my friend Daphne (thanks gal!) was this little pack of sheet masks. I've never tried this brand but apparently it's super popular, so I'm excited to use them! I've been getting back into sheet masks lately, using them fortnightly-ish. I want to make sure my skin is as moisturised and nourished as possible, especially as the weather is getting colder!
So that's the big ol' Birthday and feeling spendy haul! Thank you to my lovely friends and sisters for the gifts, reviews to come soon!
*Products gifted for consideration.
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