I don't know what it is about the past few weeks, but I've been on a roll with the hauls. I've picked up so many new beauty bits and bobs, unfortunately for my wallet, but it's all in the name of the blog, people! Trying out new products and finding new favorites is one of my favorite and most satisfying things, so it's a little hard to not get carried away with the spending sometimes! Don't worry though, after my latest splurge I'm going to be a lot more careful about spending money. Sorry for such a disclaimer-y intro - it's my hard-earned money used on stuff that makes me happy, so I guess I don't need to make excuses.
I'll start off with a couple new skincare additions - two masks, to be exact. I've actually used sample sizes of each of these and fell in love, so I just had to get the full size of each. The first is the Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask - it's perfect for me because traditional purifying clay masks really dry my skin out, but this one has more hydrating elements so it doesn't leave my skin uncomfortably tight. The other is the Fresh Rose Face Mask, which I just had to pick up when I saw the new limited edition packaging - how beautiful is it, seriously? This one really helps soothe my skin after a long day and feels excellent in the hot weather.
I've also picked up a few affordable makeup bits too. I've been wanting to start trying to wear gel liner more often, so I pulled out the Maybelline one I had lying around to use a couple weeks ago. It completely smudged all over my eyes - it was under my eyes, it was in the crease, it was not a good look. It immediately went in the trash when I got home that day (it was close to expiring anyway). I remembered hearing about a lot of people preferring the L'Oreal version (called their Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner), so I decided to try it out. So far, it's been great, and I actually really like the brush it comes with. I got evenly-shaped (tiny) wings on my first try yesterday! My other drugstore purchase was the Maybelline Full 'n Soft Waterproof Mascara. I really didn't have a need for this - I've got three other drugstore mascaras I rotate through, but I just loved the sound of this one. It really does make your lashes full & soft - very fluttery and perfect for everyday.
You may have seen that last weekend I went to Providence with my boyfriend for our anniversary (I wrote about what beauty bits I packed here), and there was a huge mall near our hotel. While waiting to be able to check into our hotel we decided to pop in and look around (I wanted to see if the Macy's inside stocked the Anastasia Liquid Lipsticks because the one at home doesn't - and this one didn't either). We stumbled upon a Kiko store, so I just had to go in. I came out with three Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows (only two are pictured because I gifted one, shade 36, to my sister). I kept shades 05, a purple-y taupe-y bronze (which looks identical to By Terry's Misty Rock once on the eyes) and 37, a sheeny burgundy color that will be great for fall. I've been wearing 05 nonstop so far, and as long as I use primer underneath it it won't crease throughout the day. I also picked up the Unlimited Stylo Lipstick in shade 13 - it's one of those brown/pink neutral colors that I just can't get enough of. When I was looking at this shade one of the women working told me it was what she was wearing, and it looked awesome on her so I had to get it. It's really creamy and comfortable on the lips but seems to have good longevity as well. And it smells like a MAC lipstick.
My last three purchases are evidence that I should probably stop just wandering around Sephora when I don't really need anything. I picked up two products from Sephora's own line - the Formula X Nail Polish in Thrilling, and the Cream Lip Stain in Marvelous Mauve. I was fully enabled by Jasmine's review on her Formula X Nail Polish and felt like I needed to get one myself. Thrilling is such a pretty color - a bit hard to describe, but it's like a pale dusty rosy lilac color. I posted a picture of it on my nails on my instagram here. And you may remember my review of the Sephora Cream Lip Stains (here), but it's one of my favorite liquid lipstick formulas. I've wanted to get my hands on Marvelous Mauve for ages, but it's always been sold out. I finally caught it in stock, and it's just a perfect mauve-y neutral that feels really comfortable on the lips and isn't overly drying. My last unnecessary Sephora purchase was the Marc Jacobs New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel in Role Play. I don't know why I thought I needed this, but it's an impulse purchase I have no regrets over. I love the packaging and think it looks beautiful in photos (expect to see this one popping up in many blog and instagram photos), and it's such a lovely formula. It really is a "gel" consistency, rather than something creamy, but it's still incredibly comfortable on the lips. The color is a lovely darker pinky nude and it actually goes perfectly with the Marc Jacobs (P)Outliner in Prim(rose).
Have you picked up any new bits lately?