L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray
Pros: price, good spray, works well
Cons: scent, packaging
As you can probably tell, the packaging gets dirty really easily, but that might not bother most people. What's more important is that it sprays in a nice even mist and works as well as the Urban Decay All Nighter. With the exception of scent and packaging, I think they're pretty interchangeable, which is great since this L'Oreal mist is so much cheaper. My favorite setting spray is actually the Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix, which I'll talk about more below, but if you're looking for a budget-friendly option or just want to test out a setting spray to see if it's something you'd like to incorporate into your routine, this would be a good option. The biggest downside to this is the scent. Whereas the Urban Decay and MUFE are basically scentless, this has a perfumey scent that might be a problem for some people.
Repurchase? No, I like the MUFE Mix & Fix better.
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
Pros: Works well, even spray
Cons: Expensive
Like I said, this is very comparable to the L'Oreal setting spray. The trade off here is that it's more expensive, but it's also less likely to bother people with sensitivities to scent. Otherwise, they're nearly the same.
Repurchase? No, I like the MUFE Mix & Fix better.
Julep Nail Polish in Saaya
Pros: Color range, Great for people that like the easy storage of these bottles
Cons: Expensive (I only ever buy these polishes on sale though), inconsistent formula
I like this color, but it got goopy pretty fast.
Repurchase? Brand, yes. Color, no.
Julep Nail Polish in Percy
Pros: Color range, Great for people that like the easy storage of these bottles
Cons: Expensive (I only ever buy these polishes on sale though), inconsistent formula
I tried using this one a bunch of different ways, but it always seemed to give my polish a grey tint. It's meant to be a flaky polish that looks like shards of ice on the nails, but because of the grey tint, it just never looked the way I wanted it to.
Repurchase? No.
Julep Nail Polish in Love
Pros: Color range, Great for people that like the easy storage of these bottles
Cons: Expensive (I only ever buy these polishes on sale though), inconsistent formula
This is one of my all-time favorite nail polishes. It dries quickly, looks beautiful and unique, and applies easily. I wear this all the time, especially when I need to do my nails quickly or when I just need my nails to look nice without having to put too much thought into it.
Repurchase? Hell yes.
NYX Soft Matter Lip Cream in Transylvania
Pros: Price, non-drying
Cons: Doesn't dry down, strong scent
There was a time when I loved the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, but that time has passed. This color in particular is very patchy, but overall my problem with these is that they don't dry down enough for my liking. I prefer the Ofra and Ciate liquid lipsticks, or just a regular bullet lipstick with a matte finish like the Urban Decay Matte Vice lipsticks. The NYX SMLC transfer too easily and don't give me the longevity I'm looking for. I'm probably in the minority here, but I hate the scent of these. They're a sickly sweet vanilla cupcake scent that I'm just not a fan of.
Repurchase? No.
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Prague
Pros: Price, non-drying
Cons: Doesn't dry down, strong scent
I love this color, but I'm just not feeling the SMLC anymore.
Repurchase? No.
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul
Pros: Price, non-drying
Cons: Doesn't dry down, strong scent
This color looks terrible on me, so I'm not sad to see it go. I just wish I had realized this looked terrible on me before I took my ID photo in it.
Repurchase? No.
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen
Pros: Price, non-drying
Cons: Doesn't dry down, strong scent
Same story as Prague: love the color, not the formula.
Repurchase? No.
ColourPop Lippie Stix Primer
Pros: Price, works well
Cons: Breaks easily
I love this lip primer, especially under liquid lipsticks. It's a clear balm that keeps my lips hydrated while also helping my lipstick to last longer. If you use this, just be sure to let it dry for a few second so it becomes tacky, then apply your lipstick. If you apply lipstick before the primer has set, it's basically useless. As much as I loved this, I didn't get to finish it. The stick of balm broke down about half way down and fell out of the tube and onto the floor.
Repurchase? Yes.
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Smoothing Primer
Pros: Good for pore-filling, skin smoothing. Not too slippery.
Cons: Price
This is a great smoothing/pore-filling primer (not as dramatic as Porefessional, but still good) for people who hate the slippery, silicone feel of most primers. This one feels much more dry by comparison, but still functions much the same. Unfortunately, at $37 it's pretty pricey. There are smaller, travel-sized versions, but it's still an expensive primer.
Repurchase? Maybe, I prefer the redness canceling version of this primer, so I would choose that over this, but I would consider buying this too.
CoverFX Mattifying Primer
Pros: Plays well with a variety of foundations, lightweight
Cons: Price, not very mattifying
I like this primer, but I don't love it. I was expecting it to do a better job of making my skin look matte, but it's still quite shiny. It has some slip to it, but it doesn't feel as heavy as most silicone primers do. It's a nice primer overall, but if I'm wanting to use a matte primer, I want it to be more matte than this.
Repurchase? No.
L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer
Pros: Price, luminous, hydrating
Cons: leaves a white cast, even on pale skin
This primer is hydrating and gives a nice luminosity to the skin, but it also leaves a noticeable white cast, even on pale skin. This gets compared to MAC Strobe Cream a lot, and while they're a similar texture and level of glow, Strobe Cream has more of a iridescent effect without anything over top of it, whereas this is just a white glow. The upside to the white cast of this product is that it can be used to lighten foundation by a shade or two, which is how I used it most often.
Repurchase? No.
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Pros: Great cream eyeshadow option for people with oily lids
Cons: discontinued
I loved this as an eyeshadow, especially when I was in a hurry. It was great for adding a bit of color and shine without having to do primer + eyeshadow. Urban Decay has discontinued this shade, switching it for a lighter version called Minor Sin. I believe this was done because it was difficult to layer powder eyeshadows over this shade. It seemed like it took a lot of work to completely cover the primer without it peeking through. I haven't tried Minor Sin yet, so I can't compare. As an eyeshadow on its own though, I loved Sin.
Repurchase? Discontinued, but I would if they still made it.
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Pros: Long-lasting, easier to blend eyeshadow over it than Urban Decay Primer Potion
Cons: not as intense as UD PP
I can attest to the fact that this does in fact last for 24 hours since I fell asleep in it once and my eyeshadow was still intact in the morning. This is a bit less intense and easy to blend over than UD PP, so if you
Repurchase? I'm pretty loyal to my Urban Decay primer, but if for whatever reason I couldn't get it or there was a really good deal on Shadow Insurance, yeah, I'd buy it.
Urban Decay Primer Potion Original
Pros: Eyeshadow will survive just about anything
Cons: Tacky texture can make it difficult to blend eyeshadow
I've used UD Primer Potion for about 10 years. I've always had super oily eyelids that eat through pretty much everything, but this primer makes it so that I can wear eyeshadow all day, whereas without it, I'm lucky if my eyeshadow lasts an hour. Only in the past couple of years have I started testing out different eye primers, but so far this is still my favorite. I usually don't have an issue blending eyeshadow over this primer, but I do sometimes put a bit of face powder or an eyeshadow that's close to my skin tone over top of it to make things blend more smoothly.
Repurchase? Yes (currently using the shade Enigma, which I think I like even more!)
Julep Blank Canvas Eye Primer
Pros: Tinted to conceal veins, works pretty well
Cons: Dries up quickly, packaging
I liked this primer since it did a pretty good job of covering up my veins in my eyelids. It did help my eyeshadow to last longer, but nowhere near as long as UD PP or Too Faced Shadow Insurance. However, I seemed to go through it way more quickly than any of my other primers, and the shape of the packaging and length of the wand made it nearly impossible to get to the product on the sides and bottom, meaning a lot of it went to waste. It was a decent primer, but definitely flawed.
Repurchase? No, I like Urban Decay Enigma better.
ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Hanky Panky and Selfie
Pros: Pigmented, long-wearing
Cons: Can be difficult to blend
Photo is just of Hanky Panky because I can't find my photo of Selfie. They both dried up before I could finish them off completely, but I had them for over a year, so not too bad. I really liked both of these shades, and the ColourPop formula in general. They can be a bit of a chore to work with, but they last longer on my skin than any other eyeshadow does without primer. For that reason, I tend to reach for them when I'm in a hurry, and just use one or two colors. I feel like these were both easily dupable shades in formulas that require less work (I just have specific brushes I use with them that make it pretty easy, but still) so I probably wouldn't buy these exact shades again. ColourPop really excels with their metallic shades, so I'll probably stick mostly to those in the future.
Repurchase? Not these shades, but other ColourPop shadows, yes.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded
Pros: Price, performance
Cons: Not long-wearing if you have really oily eyelids
These shadows will probably work better for you if you don't have oily eyelids, but to make them work for me I have to apply them over primer, which is more than I was hoping to have to do with these. I like everything else about these, though. The blend nicely, they're smooth, pigmented, pretty much everything you would want in a cream eyeshadow. They're just not everything I wish they were, so for me these are a pass. (these ones are too dried up to use anymore, btw)
Repurchase? No.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk
Pros: Price, performance
Cons: Not long-wearing if you have really oily eyelids
The color of this one is a little too bruise-like. Otherwise, same as above.
Repurchase? No. I think this shade might be discontinued anyway.
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Gel in Power Ballad
Pros: Super glittery and fun
Cons: Itchy, flaky
I had a love/hate relationship with this. The color is gorgeous and the glitter is super reflective, but it was also itchy and flaked off. The itchiness might just be my sensitive eyes (it's been over a year since I've used this, I don't think it was expired at that point), but it definitely did flake off.
Repurchase? Pretty sure these are discontinued, but even if they weren't, no.
Garnier Roller Ball Dark Circle Concealer
Pros: Lasts forever, doesn't make makeup cakey
Cons: limited shade choices (only 1 or 2), can't tell when you're about to run out
I used this for a really long time, way longer than I thought it would last. It's a peachy color corrector that worked pretty well for my dark circles, but didn't quite cover them. My dark circles are more brown/red than blue (they turn blue when I put concealer over them though), so I think I need to try a different color than the typical peach/apricot/salmon. The formula of this is very thin, but quite pigment, so it's great for layering underneath concealer without making things cakey. Overall, it's a great product and I do recommend it, I just don't think it's the right color for me.
Repurchase? I might go back to it someday, but for now I'd rather experiment with different colors.
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
Pros: Fine brush tip, dark, long-wearing
Cons: Price
I do wish this was a bit cheaper, but other than that I love it. It holds up well (not perfect, but well) against my watery eyes, it's nice and dark, and the brush tip makes it easy to work with. I hate felt tip liners and always go for a brush tip if I have the option because I feel like I have more control and precision. Plus, felt tips tend to bleed and flatten out over time. There's a reason this eyeliner is such a cult favorite.
Repurchase? Yes.
SocialEyes Lash Glue
Pros: Price, latex free, holds lashes on really well
Cons: Brush
The brush on this isn't as fine as I would like it to be, but this holds my lashes on so well I can look past that. I really like this lash glue and the House of Lashes glue. This doesn't have much of scent either, so if you're tired of the gross-smelling Duo glue, give this a try.
Repurchase? Maybe the next time I buy lashes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel
Pros: Great hold, completely clear, doesn't flake
Cons: Price
I love this stuff. It has just the right amount of hold, keeps brow hairs in place without feeling like hair gel. It doesn't have any sort of white cast and it doesn't flake off. I just wish it wasn't so expensive, who wants to spend that much money on brow gel?? Not me!
Repurchase? Yes. I want to try a few other things before I go back to this just to make sure there are no cheaper dupes, but so far this is the only clear brow gel that I truly love.
Benefit Gimme Brow
Pros: Good color, right amount of color, adds fibers to make brows look thicker, brush
Cons: Price
The color of this is perfect for cool-toned blonds and light brown hair, most "blonde" eyebrow products are way too warm. It adds just enough color and fibers to make brows look darker and fuller without much effort. The brush is a good size, not so big it's difficult to use on thinner brows, but not so thin that it would be tedious on thicker brows. It's a good product, but it's been duped by Essence, so no need to spend the $20 on a full size of this, yay!
Repurchase? Nope. I use Essence Make Me Brow, which is a $3 dupe.
Vasanti Blush in Himalayas
Pros: Good color, buildable, blendable
Cons: hardpan
This isn't empty (obviously), but it's got hardpan so it's gotta go. It was a great neutral pink, buildable and blendable. I really liked it while it lasted, but I prefer bronzer over blush, so I probably won't repurchase this.
Repurchase? No.
E.L.F. Color Correcting Face Powder
Pros: Sets foundation and concealer nicely without looking cakey
Cons: Doesn't color correct anything
I liked this as a setting powder, but it didn't do much of anything for color correction. In general, I think most of the time powders just aren't a good option for color correction. It did do a nice job of setting my foundation and concealer, but I have other powders (Laura Mercier, Rimmel, Too Faced) I like better.
Repurchase? No.
Benefit The Porefessional
Pros: Fills in pores
Cons: Can get a little greasy, especially on the nose, Price
I think pretty much everyone has tried this at this point, so I don't need to say much. It does a great job of filling in pores, but has a tendency to make my foundation look weird on my nose. To counteract this, I apply Porefessional, a very light layer of powder on my nose, then my foundation. Solves the problem perfectly!
Repurchase? No need to, these things are inescapable in subscription boxes and gifts with purchase. If (when) I end up with another one, I'll use it, but I won't go out of my way to get more.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW15
Pros: Longwearing, hold up well in humidity
Cons: Packaging
The packaging of this product is super frustrating because it's impossible to get everything out, the pump is stupid hard to control, and it's glass, so if you drop it, you're pretty much screwed. Despite this, I still love this concealer, especially in the summer. It can be a little dry for my liking in the winter, but in the summer, I often use it as foundation because it holds up so well to heat and humidity. NW15 is actually too pink for me, but I can make it work. NC20 is straight up orange on me, so when I repurchase this, I think I'll try NC15 and see how that works.
Repurchase? Yes
Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix
Pros: Helps makeup last longer, takes away some of the powdery look, makes highlight pop
Cons: Price
This is my new favorite setting spray. I feel like it makes my makeup last a little bit longer than Urban Decay or L'Oreal, plus it helps to take away some of the powdery look if I go a bit overboard, and it makes my highlight pop in a way that the other two setting sprays don't. I'm 'bout that life.
Repurchase? Yes even though I'm totally gonna be wincing when I repurchase it. Why the hell is this so expensive MUFE?
SocialEyes Lashes Butterfly
Pros: Price, excellent style for smaller eyes or a more natural look
Cons: Have to order online
These are my all-time favorite lashes! They fit my eyes perfectly without having to trim them at all, and they look natural in a "I was born looking like a Disney princess" sort of way. They're only $5.95, and SocialEyes has 20% off sales throughout the year making them even cheaper, so they're a great value. The only downside is having to order them online, I always feel like I have to order in batches to make the shipping worth it (or get free shipping).
Repurchase? Yes
Jouer Liquid Eye Liner in Stone Fox
Pros: Unique color
Cons: Brush gets messy, matte(ish) finish
The color is this is gorgeous and not something I've seen other brands do. It's a deep smokey navy, somewhere between gray and blue that makes it an awesome color, especially for blue eyes. I personally don't like my liquid eyeliners to dry matte, I like a satin or glossy finish, but if you like a matte finish with some glitter, you'll like this. I also have issues with the brush, the way the wand is shaped leads to me getting liner on the tips of my lashes. I wish they'd put this in a pen-type packaging or even a gel format with this color.
Repurchase? Not unless they change the packaging, but they have some other colors I want to try, so I might cave and pick up 1 or 2 of those.
Thanks for reading!
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