Sephora

I didn’t have many makeup days this month, but these are the things I’ve most enjoyed using: "But the PMG palette is mostly repeats!" So was Mothership 7 but did that stop y'all from buying it? No it did not. 😄Notes: SpoilerPAT McGRATH LABS Mega Mothership: Celestial Divinity Eyeshadow Palette - this has been so fun to play with, I’m considering buying a backup during the holiday sale—if I can convince myself to visit a local Sephora store. 😄 I can see myself quickly panning some of these shades, especially Dragonfly and Fuchsia Shock. Wayne Goss Weightless Veil Blush Palette, Vivid Azalea - the blush shade (Shocking) is gorgeous and very pigmented, but easy to sheer out with the right brush. The highlighter shade (Pearl) layered over Shocking creates a beautiful combo that’s not too shimmery but definitely not dull. I have another variety of this blush palette coming soon. Chikuhodo KZ-02 Cheek Brush (Homare series) - my usual blush brush, the Chikuhodo Z-4, picks up too much of that Wayne Goss blush. This KZ-02 is bigger, fluffier, and has more splay, making it perfect for boldly pigmented powder blushes. It picks up a bit less blush and diffuses it during application. I gave this brush the NARS Exhibit A test and it passed with flying—but softly diffused—color. By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder - I’ve said many times that the original translucent loose version of this powder is my all-time favorite setting powder. This pressed version is also a rockstar. I didn’t get to test it on a very hot day, but it kept things locked in place on the days I did test it. I can't really say if I prefer the loose or pressed version until I've given the pressed a fair test in high heat. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner 07 Lagoon (and other shades) - I hope MUFE releases more shades because these are a big improvement over the old AquaXL pencils. After application, I get a few seconds to smudge or blend the liner out if I want. Then it sets and doesn’t budge on my hooded eyes. I sometimes dust a tiny bit of By Terry setting powder over it as extra insurance, out of habit, but I don’t think this pencil’s gel formula needs it. These perform better for me than the PMG gel eye pencils. - this has been so fun to play with, I’m considering buying a backup during the holiday sale—if I can convince myself to visit a local Sephora store. I can see myself quickly panning some of these shades, especially Dragonfly and Fuchsia Shock. Wayne Goss Weightless Veil Blush Palette, Vivid Azalea - the blush shade (Shocking) is gorgeous and very pigmented, but easy to sheer out with the right brush. The highlighter shade (Pearl) layered over Shocking creates a beautiful combo that’s not too shimmery but definitely not dull. I have another variety of this blush palette coming soon. Chikuhodo KZ-02 Cheek Brush (Homare series) - my usual blush brush, the Chikuhodo Z-4, picks up too much of that Wayne Goss blush. This KZ-02 is bigger, fluffier, and has more splay, making it perfect for boldly pigmented powder blushes. It picks up a bit less blush and diffuses it during application. I gave this brush the NARS Exhibit A test and it passed with flying—but softly diffused—color. By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder - I’ve said many times that the original translucent loose version of this powder is my all-time favorite setting powder. This pressed version is also a rockstar. I didn’t get to test it on a very hot day, but it kept things locked in place on the days I did test it. I can't really say if I prefer the loose or pressed version until I've given the pressed a fair test in high heat. (and other shades) - I hope MUFE releases more shades because these are a big improvement over the old AquaXL pencils. After application, I get a few seconds to smudge or blend the liner out if I want. Then it sets and doesn’t budge on my hooded eyes. I sometimes dust a tiny bit of By Terry setting powder over it as extra insurance, out of habit, but I don’t think this pencil’s gel formula needs it. These perform better for me than the PMG gel eye pencils. And let’s talk about skincare: 3 of these are repeat monthly favorites. 😄Not just for bodies; also good for irritated/inflamed faces.Notes:SpoilerI had a full-face inflammatory reaction + barrier break this month, complete with a rash on my whole face, severe redness, intense burning everywhere, scaly skin, and lots of itchiness. These skincare heroes are helping my skin barrier heal. The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm - I’ve used this nearly every night. I gently rub it on my face, let it sit for 5-10 minutes as a soothing oat mask, then very gently rub a cleanser over it and rinse everything off. I’ve also used this balm as my morning face wash. Without this balm, I’d never be able to wash my face at all this month. Herbivore Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil - I’ve listed this as a favorite several times, but it’s months like this when it really shows its calming worth. I’ve applied one drop of this to my entire face after washing my face at night, and another drop to my neck. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - this is my usual body lotion. This month isn’t the first time I’ve also used it on my face, but I’ve been especially appreciative of it lately. I apply this after Herbivore Emerald CBD Oil. Then I layer retinol over it (I’ve reduced retinol usage to 5-6 nights a week). This creates a nice soothing layer between my angry skin and retinol. CeraVe Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Ointment - whenever my skin barrier’s broken, I use a balm to protect the skin in question while it heals. Usually it’s Aquaphor, which contains lanolin—something my skin normally has no issue with. But man, my undereyes were so ridiculously painful and sensitive for most of this month, even Aquaphor made them sting and burn. So I’ve been using CeraVe Healing Ointment there instead, as well as on my oily zone. The rest of my face gets Aquaphor. I layer both balms over retinol at night. I also apply these balms after my morning wash. And of course, Aquaphor continues to be my moisturizing lip balm of choice. (For my lips, CeraVe Healing Ointment isn’t nearly as effective.) I had a full-face inflammatory reaction + barrier break this month, complete with a rash on my whole face, severe redness, intense burning everywhere, scaly skin, and lots of itchiness. These skincare heroes are helping my skin barrier heal. - I’ve used this nearly every night. I gently rub it on my face, let it sit for 5-10 minutes as a soothing oat mask, then very gently rub a cleanser over it and rinse everything off. I’ve also used this balm as my morning face wash. Without this balm, I’d never be able to wash my face at all this month. - I’ve listed this as a favorite several times, but it’s months like this when it really shows its calming worth. I’ve applied one drop of this to my entire face after washing my face at night, and another drop to my neck. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - this is my usual body lotion. This month isn’t the first time I’ve also used it on my face, but I’ve been especially appreciative of it lately. I apply this after Herbivore Emerald CBD Oil. Then I layer retinol over it (I’ve reduced retinol usage to 5-6 nights a week). This creates a nice soothing layer between my angry skin and retinol. CeraVe Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Ointment - whenever my skin barrier’s broken, I use a balm to protect the skin in question while it heals. Usually it’s Aquaphor, which contains lanolin—something my skin normally has no issue with. But man, my undereyes were so ridiculously painful and sensitive for most of this month, even Aquaphor made them sting and burn. So I’ve been using CeraVe Healing Ointment there instead, as well as on my oily zone. The rest of my face gets Aquaphor. I layer both balms over retinol at night. I also apply these balms after my morning wash. And of course, Aquaphor continues to be my moisturizing lip balm of choice. (For my lips, CeraVe Healing Ointment isn’t nearly as effective.)

LUXSHADE Shades:SpoilerValuesArmani: $11.73Dior: $4

@itsleemarie That depends on what kind of brow you deem perfect (high arch, medium arch, straight, thick, thinned out...) and what your face shape is, but there are some general rules regarding where your brow should start and stop on your face so it’s proportioned to your features.  

@itsfi Ugh there’s some common grounds I wish we didn’t have. I’ve been having a hard time going to sleep in general and am waking up around 5am. I’ve been trying turkey at night, yoga, warm baths... it’s helping a little. The yoga most of all. I may have to cut out drinking tea altogether though that’s a last resort. I like my tea. 😕 Are you experiencing more stress than usual? It could be that we’re getting less exercise being home all the time? so many variables to explore.

I’d recommend #Tatcha for sensitive skin. They have a great cleanser called Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser 5.1 oz/ 150 mL . Also, Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil - Coconut Oil Makeup Remover is great for dry and sensitive skin.

@quspork Ahh that skull candle is so cool, I need to get my hands on one of those, as well as the pink pepper hand cream! The card is just too cute. My mouth was totally watering looking at those treats, especially the caramel popcorn haha. And @sprocketta, can you wrap all my future gifts? Everything looks impeccable! 😄

With black eyeshadow it helps to lay down a lighter shade first (maybe a tan, taupe ot terracotta)and blend that out slightly beyond where you’d like the black to end so there isn’t such a stark contrast between the black and your skin. always test the amount of eyeshadow on the back of your hand before going directly to your eye so you have an idea of how much you’ve picked up. It’s better to add less than you need and keep blending it out adding bit by bit until you have the amount you need, than it is to throw it all on at once. A makeup wipe folded around a Q-tip or end of a makeup brush is your friend when (not if) you want to redo a section. You have to be patient and wait til your skin dries to start again. When you’re fixing an area, take note of how blended the shade is in the area you’re fixing and blend the shade you need on your arm with your brush first. Then take the brush without adding more product and take the blending to your eye. 😉  

@danielledanielle You've got a great stash of masks😀

@ZombieMetroAnt Thanks for the update. I may have to try this out!