Best, Most, and Worst [2023 Edition]

[makeitup305]

I've been posting this thread for a few years and wanted to bring it back again. I love reading through everyone's responses. 

1) Your favorite purchase of the year- why?

2) A purchase you regret- why?

3) Most expensive purchase- was it worth the money? 

4) Most hyped product you bought- was it worth it?

5) Did you spend less, the same, or more than other years? 

6) Rediscovered loves or underrated/underhyped makeup discoveries

7) A product you missed out on, or haven't bought yet, but really want

8 ) Did your makeup routine change in any way?

9) What makeup trend do you think will be big next year?

10) What was your favorite body product or fragrance?

I'm tagging some BICers but please feel free to participate or tag anyone!

@itsfi @Sunnysmom @tsavorite @Mellmars1185 @ather @Samtian @JoSometimes @curlychiquita @lmaster @CynthieLu @SportyGirly125 @blackkitty2014 @sister13 @Ispend2much6 @haleyvvvv @WinglessOne @danielledanielle @eshoe 

[eshoe]

@itsfi 100% agreed, no need to read through past year's purchases 😆

I just read your experience with the Seoul candle, and it sounds a world of difference than mine with 34. Curious if you use a candle topper or cloche. I have not tried either yet, but it might be something new to explore.  

[itsfi]

@eshoe, I meant I wasn't going to look back at the total amount spent. I'd have to go back to calculate how long it takes me to use up a product, for planning purposes. 

Sorry to hear your Diptyque 34 was disappointing; the scent has a lovely story. Candle toppers and cloches make wonderful candle accessories. Not necessarily must haves but beautiful extras nonetheless.

[makeitup305]

@itsfi great round up! I'm glad you only got a few misses but no duds. Have you smelled the TF perfume yet? His fragrances are usually a little too intense for my taste but this sounds delicious. A travel spray would be perfect. I need to add the 54 Thrones to my loves list. I can always use more moisture!

[itsfi]

@makeitup305, I was able to test TOM FORD Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum Fragrance with Sandalwood & Jasmine in store. Apparently, someone had taken the tester bottle the night before and they only had 2 bottles left. The store manager opened one and made it a tester. I could have gotten them to make me a sample but I felt bad that there was just one full bottle left for purchase. I spritzed it on both wrists. It had some good wear time, pretty much all day on me, but it was very faint by the end of the day. Intensity-wise, I felt like it's softer than most Tom Ford fragrances. It's more intense than Bitter Peach, less so than the fragrances in the cherry collection. I went back a few days later to spritz my wrists again - the other full size had already been purchased (not surprisingly). 

Let me see if I can show you the consistency of the 54 Thrones Moisturizing Butter Cream Body Wash - Non-Stripping with Shea Butter, Ceramides and Niaci... 

Top: how the product looks coming out of the tube

Bottom: that's what it looks like after I've spread it across my hand by going back and forth 10x with the pads of my fingers. It's thinned out but it's not thin. 

This is what it looks like emulsified with water. Not foamy, but a milky, thinned down creamy consistency.

And here's the packaging.

I'm normally pretty gentle but it can take some work to get the product out of the tube. It's not so much that the product is overly thick or unwieldy, but that the packaging is somewhat flimsy. 

[makeitup305]

@itsfi that body wash looks lovely. I'm definitely interested now. Thank you for the pictures! I need to swing by my Sephora and see if they have the TF. Snif just came out today with a vanilla scent that sounds right up alley and that one is calling my name, too (at a much cheaper price tag lol)

[itsfi]

It was easier to convey the consistency of the body wash with a pic @makeitup305. My skin does feel more moisturized / less dry since I've been using it in my routine. Even just coming out of the shower, it feels less dry when I use this body wash.

[JoSometimes]

@itsfi You have an amazing list of favourites. I’ve never had a diptyque candle in the house but whenever I walk by their store, magical scents waft out of it. And yes to the Skinfix cleanser! That one is great for sensitive skin!

[itsfi]

@JoSometimes, thank you. lol, Diptyque does have some wonderfully magical scents. 

[Sunnysmom]

@makeitup305 thanks for the tag! Happy New Year! 🥂

1) Your favorite purchase s (sorry!) of the year- why?

RMS blush/highlighter/bronzer, Yolaine blush , Chanel 31 Rouge lips, fall Hourglass palettes. Lips and layering blush are so important to brighten my complexion so I’ll always seek them out. The new Chanel lip formula is beautiful. I hope they use it going forward ala Dior new lip formula.

2) A purchase you regret- why?

No big regrets , maybe an Rabanne eye quad wasn’t necessary. Or maybe other eyes like the Pat M Bijoux Lunar NIghtshade or Bronze. Any green / grey gets me! Promo made it better at least 🙂 Too many shadows not enough lids! Also didn’t need some bronzers I bought. Not my strength unless more of a hybrid bronzer powder.

3) Most expensive purchase- was it worth the money? 

Chanel 31 Le Rouge lips. Yes!  Ugh it hurt but the formula/shades are incredible . While I don’t usually ever bring the glass case in my handbag I would only do it very occasionally as long as it’s in the protected cover:)

4) Most hyped product you bought- was it worth it?

I love the Hourglass palettes from this fall are of their best ever! Def worth it.

Not sure if this qualifies but I bought the PM Bijoux Lunar mini eye and it’s pretty but I didn’t need it. Any green/grey gets me. It was on a promo tho so that made it ok. Also Rare Beauty Tinted Lip Oil didn’t work the way I’d hoped it did. I didn’t need it. But I know many loved them and the shades were so pretty.

5) Did you spend less, the same, or more than other years? 

Probably same ish , I don’t officially track tho I should! 🥹

6) Rediscovered loves or underrated/underhyped makeup discoveries-

So many good lips/blush/ eye shadows that reminds me to always shop my stash. Always. I have to think about this one.

7) A product you missed out on, or haven't bought yet, but really want-

I did pass on some holiday or LE stuff and don’t miss them yet so I’m really not sure what’s on my wishlist as the newness is also just hitting. I guess I’d like to eventually try #Augustinus Bader The Refillable Serum with TFC8® or SkinMedica serum and the new Chanel Nuit eye shadow quad. I debated the NATASHA DENONA I Need a Nude Eyeshadow Palette  and never bought it . I do love the new NATASHA DENONA My Mini Dream Eyeshadow Palette tho. I’d also love to try a new LED device. I have an older Nuface etc . Wish I used them more 🥹! 

8 ) Did your makeup routine change in any way?

Not really, less is more for this face lol. If I do too much it’s not a good thing. I’m very much a creature of habit just varying the products within the same categories. However eye brow pomade gel is a daily must. Not sure I used it consistently before. MERIT Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Pomade Gel Black Brown 

9) What makeup trend do you think will be big next year?

I think glowy, fresh faced, ethereal kind of a thing . Blush plus used as multi-purpose for eyes and lips. Seems like lots of pretty pinks still going strong along with red and bold lips (yay!) , fanciful bright eyes and mascara in colors and silvers be according to trend reports I’ve read. 90s still appear to be a thing too with lots of brown lips and blush.

10) What was your favorite body product or fragrance s lol?

Necessaire Body lotion/ Cream, Sagely lotion, Maison F Kurkdjian Amyris femme and Pluriel, Perfums de Marly Valaya, various Hermès. 

[eshoe]

 Ooooh the 90's you say, @Sunnysmom? I like your prediction!

The PMG Bijoux Lunar eye sounds pretty. That Chanel = yikes! I would hate to misplace that one 😳

[Sunnysmom]

Seems like a plethora of fun choices from the decades eh @eshoe ?! Oh yes, that little rascal seldom to never leaves my house! 😭 

[makeitup305]

@Sunnysmom I feel you on the “too many eyeshadows, not enough lids” lol.  I looked at the Rabanne quads and duos but none really spoke to me so I skipped them. Maybe in the future if they come out with some different color stories. What do you think of the quality? I saw some mixed reviews. I need to pick up my RMS blushes again, it’s been a while. They’re great, though. Did you try the powder highlighter?

[Sunnysmom]

Lol @makeitup305 . Yup I know you get it! 😆 You have so many gorgeous eye palettes! The quality of the Rabanne is nice - smooth. . Not super long lasting. Not sure why I don’t wear it more. Maybe it’s too shimmery and sparkley for me which would mean you would adore them! 😂 I agree. More color stories would make them more interesting to me as well. I almost did a duo but again the other quad colors more suited me I guess.  I do have the luminizer which feels exactly like the blush and is very glowy and flattering. No glitter bits what so ever vs just illumination. It is a bit more gold than I had hoped for. Not quite as neutral as the pics show. Maybe she’ll put out another cooler version some day which I would love. 💞

[makeitup305]

@Sunnysmom the shade of the luminizer is what made me hesitate from picking it up. A neutral shade would be awesome.

[Sunnysmom]

Did you see it @makeitup305 ? I can find a pic too. 

[makeitup305]

@Sunnysmom I’ve seen swatches and it just didn’t look like what I was hoping for. I was thinking it was going to be their Magic Luminizer in powder form.

[Sunnysmom]

Yes @makeitup305 ! That’s what I would love as well! Paws crossed!🤞 

[Lila12345678]

1) Your favorite purchase of the year- why?

Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Frizz Reduction & Heat Protection Hair Oil 1 fl. oz./30 mL 

It’s the best hair oil I’ve ever used. It’s lightweight and it makes my hair so shiny! 

2) A purchase you regret- why?

Not a big regret, but Palmer’s cleansing oil (I hated it). I wanted a cheaper alternative to my Abeille Royale cleansing oil by Guerlain.

3) Most expensive purchase- was it worth the money? 

I changed my whole haircare routine for Davines products (Love/Curl line). It’s worth 100% the money. My wavy hair have never been so happy.

4) Most hyped product you bought- was it worth it?

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze® Strong-Hold Laminated-Look Sculpting Wax Clear 

I don’t think it was worth it. I don’t like the feeling on my eyebrows.

5) Did you spend less, the same, or more than other years? 

I did spend more on make up and haircare. But about the same for skincare.

6) Rediscovered loves or underrated/underhyped makeup discoveries

I rediscovered MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Illuminating and Hydrating Silky Gel Primer For All Skin... 

I used MAC for a long time (15 years ago) but I stopped to try other brands.

7) A product you missed out on, or haven't bought yet, but really want

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask – Intense Hydration Lip Treatment with Vitamin C 
I need to finish my ELF lip mask first! 

8 ) Did your makeup routine change in any way?

It’s the same since few years! The products have changed because i’m not loyal except for GUERLAIN Meteorites Setting & Finishing Illuminating Powder Pearls which I use since 10+ years

9) What makeup trend do you think will be big next year?

I’m hoping something minimalist & glowy/dewy skin

10) What was your favorite body product or fragrance?

L'Occitane Nourishing and Protective Shea Butter Hand Cream 5.2 oz/ 150 mL 

I just love the baby powder scent! (Also the product itself is very efficient!)

[eshoe]

The Davines products have such a lovely scent, @Lila12345678. So very soothing! 

[Lila12345678]

@eshoe it does! 😍

[JoSometimes]

What a great list @Lila12345678! L’occitane’s products always seem to have pleasant scents.