June's Makeup Haul
I recently engaged in a massive makeup haul (the kind that makes you want to vomit), and wanted to share all the goodies with you! I’ve tried and selected items from luxury to drugstore brands and the results were surprising!
High end:
La mer
The Lifting Eye Serum £195 -
Seal of approval? No.
This was recommended by a friend who swears by it, as it diminished her dark circles. I feel like the higher the price tag, the higher the expectation. The formulation is quite cooling when first applied and has a gel-like consistency. I used the little tool that comes with it, to massage the serum in. It dries quite quickly and leaves a tacky base but somehow, it doesn’t feel like it properly sinks in.
I will be able to give a better verdict on results, once I’ve finished the bottle but currently, I’m not that impressed. I’m not blown away by any of it but let’s see… For £195 (15ml) I am of course, going to continue to use it until the last drop. One good point is that you only need a small amount and therefore, it should last around 2 months, if not more (depends how much you need!) and at least I get to keep the cool tool. I still prefer the Chantecaille Rose de Mai Eye Lift (8ml) which at £85 is not cheap either, but half the product too.
https://www.johnlewis.com/la-mer-the-lifting-eye-serum-15ml/p2463184
The Lip Volumiser £65 -
Seal of approval? No.
An over-glorified hybrid of lip balm and lip gloss. Don’t get me wrong, there are some La Mer products I love such as the Micellar Water (£72) and The Concentrate (£155) but there are some products in this collection that I detest. This lip volumizer is one of them, where I feel you’re paying more for the brand name and packaging, rather than the effects, or long-term benefits. It’s minty and fresh but in summary, it’s an expensive minty lip product that makes your lips shiny. It reminds me of the La Mer lip balm (£52), so disappointing!
https://www.johnlewis.com/la-mer-the-lip-volumiser-7ml/p4131355?searchTerm=la+mer+lip+volumizer
Dior
J’adore Roller Pearl perfume £41
Seal of approval? Yes.
If you’re a fan of classic fragrances like I am and love travelling, this is the one for you. Dior have condensed their much loved and famous J’adore fragrance into a travel friendly (20ml) size. It’s perfect as a gift also, and is much more pocket friendly than their full sizes. Because it’s a roller ball rather than spray, I feel like you waste less product and you can discreetly apply when out and about. Would I carry it in my handbag? No. Though the size is perfect, it’s quite heavy due to the glass bottle but it’s perfect for holidays, a paperweight and weapon. Will it make me smell like Charlize Theron? Yes. Will it make me look like her? I wish.
https://www.johnlewis.com/dior-j'adore-eau-de-parfum-roller-pearl-20ml/p4041490
Couture Colour Nail Lacquer ‘Grège’ £22
Seal of approval? Yes.
This is literally the perfect nude and isn’t too pale for my skin tone. I sometimes struggle to find the perfect nude because either it’s too white/ grey in tone, or it’s more pinky, peachy or mauvey to be an exact nude. It doesn’t chip easily and comes in an array of beautiful shades. I was actually impressed by the nail polish selection, it’s just a shame they didn’t have much in stock.
https://www.johnlewis.com/dior-vernis-nail-polish-the-icons/grege-413/p1351175
Hourglass
Caution Extreme Lash Mascara £25
Seal of approval? No.
I’ve been wanting to try this mascara for some time now, especially because so many people rave on about it. I believe it was last year when Selfridges named it their mascara of the year or something. It’s a really nice everyday mascara but I feel like the name is extremely deceptive. I think it should be renamed “Caution: this mascara does nothing for your lashes”. It’s nice for the bottom lashes but who wants a huge and heavy mascara just to coat the lower lashes? Not me. Like I said, it is nice for an everyday mascara but there are so many better and cheaper mascaras on the market that can achieve the same effect. One positive is that the packaging looks and feels luxurious but I believe performance is more important than packaging - unless it’s limited edition packaging!
https://www.johnlewis.com/hourglass-caution-extreme-lash-mascara-black/p3649391
Lip Treatment Oil ‘No. 28’ £45
Seal of approval? Yes.
This is a good old tried and tested product that is what it says on the box. It’s a lip oil that contains essential and plant oils, and vitamins to hydrate and condition the lips in both the short and long-term. The product is dispensed through it’s 24KT gold plated and antibacterial tip which helps to apply product smoothly. It’s quite a thick oil and a little goes a long way and for that reason, I don’t like applying this during the day. However, it’s my ‘go-to’ lip oil/ treatment at night time as it gives enough time to sink in and work it’s magic. It’s not cheap at £40 therefore I’d only say it’s worth it for those who care about lip treatments and suffer particularly with dry skin/ lips.
https://www.johnlewis.com/hourglass-no-28-lip-treatment-oil/p699343
ByTerry
Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder £42
Seal of approval? Yes.
This was another recommended product and I can understand why! It’s an extremely finely milled powder, that takes away shine without making the skin look textured or dry. The hyaluronic spheres (sounds scary) also makes the skin feel smoother and therefore acts like a blurring agent too. There is only one ‘tone’ as its translucent powder but as of yet, I don’t know how it would translate on deeper skin tones. Since it is a white powder, I am also unsure how it would look in pictures and whether it would cause those dreaded flashback faux pas’ in photographs.
https://www.johnlewis.com/by-terry-hyaluronic-hydra-powder-10g/p3779463
Chanel
Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Jumbo Longwear Lip Crayon £31
Seal of approval? Yes.
Yes, if you want a lip product with a sheen. No, if you prefer matte. I asked the Chanel salesperson for a matte finish and asked if this was matte, and they said yes sigh. It’s a very hydrating and creamy formula but not what I asked for. Colour wise, I went for Warm Rosewood which is a colour that would suit everyone! They have 15 colours in total, from nudes to deeper and darker tones. My only concern is that for £31, and a shiny lip product, the product will need to be sharpened a lot so (a) they could have included a sharpener (b) you will run out quickly and (c) god forbid you sharpen with the wrong sharpener and it ruins your £31 Chanel pencil facepalm.
Rouge Allure Liquid Powder Liquid Matte Lip Colour Blurred Effect £31
Seal of approval? Yes.
I’m really impressed by this product. It’s a strange hybrid of what starts as a liquid, that forms into powder. You’d think it would be drying but it’s not and whilst matte, the lips remain soft. Sometimes matte liquid lips can really dry out the lips and leave it feeling ‘heavy’ but this product feels light and weightless. The powder aspect of it means you can easily achieve the stained effect look, which is uber pretty, or build it up for a more intense colour and finish. I purchased Vintage Pink (dusky pink - every day pink) and Cranberry Red (beautiful winey burgundy colour). There are 11 shades in total and I would love to try the deeper shades for autumn/ winter time.
Middle ground:
Fenty
Face and Body Kabuki Brush £26
Seal of approval? Yes.
Though this brush is entirely synthetic, it is super super soft and perfect for either liquid or powder application. I like to use this brush for body glow/ highlighting products as the large flat surface area makes it perfect for buffing!
https://www.harveynichols.com/brand/fenty-beauty/739674-face-and-body-kabuki-brush/p3456690/
Glossier
Cloud Paint ‘Beam’ £15
Seal of approval? Yes.
‘Beam’ is such a pretty peachy colour which I feel would suit everyone. It gives that ‘I just jogged down the road’ flush and has great longevity for a creamy product too. There are 6 colours in total in case you don’t like peachy tones and they are super easy to apply with your fingers and/ or a brush! Puff (pinky) and Dusk (browny-nude) are going to be added to my collection.
https://www.glossier.com/products/cloud-paint?search=cloud%20paint
Balm Dotcom ‘Mango’ £10
Seal of approval? Yes.
I previously received a gift of the Balm Dotcom in Rose and though it’s lovely, I prefer the scent of mango, hence this purchase. This universal salve is what it says on the tin, and you can literally apply it anywhere that is dry including lips, cuticles, elbows, hands (if you’ve forgotten your hand cream) - wherever you like! It is described as giving a slight tint to the lips but it doesn’t and is clear regardless of the scent. It comes in 5 scents, along with one unscented and one with a subtle shimmer finish. I’m not normally a fan of scents in cosmetic products but this is not overwhelming and is what I like to describe as a ‘grown-up’ scent. The coconut scent is next on my hit list!
https://www.glossier.com/products/balm-dotcom?search=dotcom
Brow Flick ‘Brown’ £15
Boy Brow ‘Brown’ £14
Seal of approval? Yes.
The Boy Brow is a cult product at Glossier and because I was so impressed by the one in clear, I decided to give the ‘brown’ colour a try. It gives a good amount of colour whilst keeping brows in place all day. It doesn’t get crispy or weird, and still has flexibility to be reshaped or brushed through if necessary. The Boy Brow in clear can be used for baby/ stray hairs as well, therefore it’s multi-functional. The only downside is the colour range with 3 shades in blonde, brown and black. The brown is fine for someone like me with dark hair but I do believe they need an in between shade between blonde and brown. Maybe blonde-brown? Original I know!
The Brow Flick is their new product which in summary, is a liquid liner for the brows. It’s not as strong as the boy brows but it’s certainly buildable. At first it can appear as if hardly any colour is transferring to the skin but it does! That’s why it’s always important to step back and look at the whole face when applying makeup. The thin tip helps to draw brow-like hair in thin strokes. Once the ink dries (quite quickly), it stays put so make sure you do one brow at a time and quickly correct any errors at time of application.
https://www.glossier.com/products/brow-flick?search=brow%20flick
https://www.glossier.com/products/boy-brow?search=boy%20brow
Marc Jacobs
Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter ‘Dew You?’ £32
Seal of approval? Yes.
This is a good liquid highlighter that is a safe bet for anyone who wants a creamy highlighter without being too “look at me!”. I purchased it with the intention to apply on my body, rather than face. I like to use it with the Fenty brush (see above) and apply it to my legs and décolletage (love that word!) Generally, I’m not a big fan of creamy highlighters as I feel they often mess the base such as foundation but it could be used underneath foundations if you really want to glow like JLo!
Estée Lauder
Envy Lip Volumizer £25
Seal of approval? Yes.
I will be controversial and compare this to the Nars Orgasm lip balm and tinted lip oil in one. It gives a nice natural pinky tint to the lips, and doesn’t go as bright pink as the Nars ones can. It’s hydrating and leaves a nice shiny finish without feeling too sticky. It’s applied with a flat tip which makes application easier. It has a subtle sweet scent to it (nothing that bothers me) and leaves a slight tingling sensation that feels like it’s doing something to your lips - but it doesn’t hurt, unlike the Too Faced extreme lip plumping gloss - that shit hurts!! You know I like a product when it ends up in my makeup bag that I travel around with. This has certainly found a home!
Space NK
Travel Cosmetic Bag £24
Seal of approval? Yes.
I love these bags as they’re classic, durable, fashionable (available in different shades) and travel friendly. Space NK started by selling one in black and when they witnessed the popularity (££££) they created them in different shades. I want them all but I decided to get the orange one for now. It’s such a summery vibrant shade and instantly brightens your makeup collection. I included some random makeup items (and a lemon, as you do) in the picture so that you can get an idea of size. I use my black one for my shower/ bath toiletries for holiday. They come in 6 different colours, but next on my hit list are St. Tropez (minty blue) and Festival (hologram-y).
https://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/accessories/bag/bags/space-nk-travel-bag-UK200021539.html
Drug store:
L’Oreal
Shake & Glow Luminous Setting Spray £9.99
Seal of approval? Yes.
I love this product. It’s a glow in a bottle and instantly gives a gorgeous golden-y sheen to the skin. There is no overbearing scent and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. It’s for the face but I love it for the body! It is perfect for the summer and holidays - I’m imagining the beaches! I got mine from Boots and though it’s priced at £9.99, they have that ‘buy 1, get the 2nd half price’ offer - who doesn’t love a bargain!
https://www.boots.com/beauty/new-in-beauty-skincare/loreal-paris-wult-glow-setting-spray-10264190
Life’s A Peach Skin Awakening Blush £8.99
Seal of approval? No.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the colour BUT the formula is not that great. This is the difference between a high end blush and a high street blush. Yes, there may be a big price difference but blushers (powders) last a very long time anyway and with better quality blushers, it’s less hassle and easier to blend. This goes on a bit blotchy and is harder to blend than other brands I love for blush such as Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass, Surratt etc. It’s a shame as the colour is super pretty!
https://www.boots.com/loreal-paris-glow-awakening-blusher-peach-10246540
Glow Mon Amour Highlighting Drops £9.99
Seal of approval? Yes.
The high street and affordable version of a good quality liquid highlight. This can again be used on the face or body and I think it’s serious value for the good quality. I wouldn’t necessarily mix this in with foundation but I think it’s great applied to the top of cheekbones and on the body where you want that ‘glow from within’ look.
https://www.boots.com/loreal-paris-liquid-highlight-glow-drops-10246573
Infaillible Waterproof Eyeliner ‘Browny Crush’ £4.99
Seal of approval? Yes.
This is a staple! I go through eyeliners like there’s no tomorrow and this is the perfect pencil to line my waterline. It’s waterproof and doesn’t bug or smudge, even though I have particularly smudgey eyes. It’s a matte dark brown and can be used in the waterline or as your regular liner. It’s only £4.99 which is a steal compared to other more reputable brands where pencils go for a minimum of £18-£20 these days! This is highly recommended and comes in 5 shades!
Maybelline
Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer £8.99
Seal of approval? Yes.
This liquid concealer comes with a sponge tip applicator which makes it easy to apply, especially on the go. My only concern with the sponge is the potential for bacteria to build up, but apparently it’s protected with an “anti-microbial system”. Hmmmm, either way, it’s one of those concealers I would recommend to use and throw away. Don’t keep it in your makeup bag for longer than 8-9 months. If you can get past this, it’s a great concealer with light-medium coverage. It comes in 11 shades which is disappointing but I think they do have a good selection of colours. For the under eye area, it’s always nicer to go a shade lighter to highlight and brighten, rather than trying to find an exact match. This is great for top ups and in your handbag as you don't need a brush to apply.
https://www.boots.com/maybelline-eraser-eye-concealer
Sephora
Bubble Mask €4.99
Cucumber Mask
Seal of approval? Yes.
Sephora masks are great and I always love picking up a bunch when I’m travelling, as there are still no Sephoras in the bloody UK! I recently read somewhere that Sephora still has no plans to open in the UK, how sad! Anyway, the masks are great (though not cheap) and they have everything from masks for the face, under-eyes, to hands and feet. Sephora also break it down into different categories for different skin types or outcomes you want from the mask. Here I purchased the cooling eye mask, love these in the morning and the bubble mask. To be honest, the bubble mask is fun to apply and I love watching it bubble up, as my face turns into a human shaped candy floss.
Can only be purchased at Sephoras
Collection Colorful Waterproof Eyeliner €12.99
Seal of approval? No.
These liners are quite naff. I got two shades to start with and planned on grabbing more if they were any good but sadly, not. I got the ‘Midnight Madness’ (shimmery black mauve tone) which is quite patchy when applied, and ‘Morning Mocha’ in a matte brown. Weirdly, they both stung my eyes a little when first applied even though my eyes aren’t known to be sensitive. I prefer the matte but the shimmery one, was a complete miss for me and I doubt I’ll repurchase any more!
Can only be purchased at Sephoras
Until next month! Xo
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All pictures on this post are my own
