The In-store Swatching and Testing Thread

[greeneyedgirl107]

Going in-store is SO much fun.  And a lot of that fun has to do with testing and swatching products.  I thought it would great for us to have a place to chat about what products we explored in-store.  Are there products that you want to test-run some more in store before making a purchase?  Are there products that you knew instantly weren't for you?  Were there products that presented differently in-store than online?

[greeneyedgirl107]

@CynthieLu Thanks!

[greeneyedgirl107]

I went to Ulta today and did a bunch of swatching.  I swatched CLINIQUE Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm and found they were just as sheer and lacking in emollients as the gift set I got in 2017.  I also tried the CLINIQUE Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm 01 Curviest Caramel in a number of shades but the pinks, berries and reds were too rich and I wasn't interested in the nudes. 

I tried on two CLINIQUE Pop Plush™ Creamy Lip Gloss Rosewater Pop (apple and velour as those were in stock) and while nice, they were so wet/shiny and lacking nuance.

I took a closer look at Benefit lip balms and none of the shades spoke to me.  I wondered where all the pinks and mauve were in the line.  I swatched because tubrs can be deceiving but no luck.

I think I found the shade of the bareMinerals gloss I liked at Kohl's + Sephora: Love.  It didn't have the same effect, and I suspect the previous time was a fluke.  I tried another shade and while nice, it was a little more berry toned than I wanted.

I finally found out where the shade names were on the tarte maracuja juicy lip hydrating balm gloss (on the bottom - I kept looking on the sides).  Again, they didn't do anything for me.  Maybe if they weren't such a gloppy mess at every store.

I swatched some Stila but they were very sheer...it was some kind of a gloss that Sephora doesn't carry.

I wanted to swatch IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Solid Serum Lip Gloss but the testers were virtually empty.  I feel like it's been that way for months.

Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick in the sheer shades were nowhere to be found.

[greeneyedgirl107]

I was at a Kohl's + Sephora this week to pick up some unicorn BOPIS for a friend.  It was my first time actually browsing in that location.  It was so quiet and clean, and I was able to get a lot of swatching done.

I tried Kaja Wink Stamp Original Waterproof Wing Eyeliner Stamp & Pen Original Ink Black .  I was super excited for the opportunity.  I thought the stamp was a little stubby, so I think another trip will have to be made.

I tried Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain and was surprised by how pigmented the colors were.  SO, all of them looked too dark/bright for me.  I wanted to try Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm Nearly Mauve but couldn't get the doe foot tester to get enough product.  I think the product may just to too sheer from first impressions...and maybe second - I know I explored this during the sale.

I tried bareMinerals Mineralist Lip Gloss Balm and thought the color was too sheer.  But when I was in my car and at home, the color seemed like a pretty pale petal pink/baby pink.  NOW, I have to check what shade it was.

I also swatched a lot of tarte maracuja juicy lip hydrating balm gloss and tarte maracuja juicy lip crème .  It looked like the store was missing shades, and I couldn't tell the names of the colors.  None jumped out.

I finally got a decent tester for IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Solid Serum Lip Gloss .  The color 11:11 was too bright.  I was surprised by pigmented it was.  There's another color I want to try, but like all other testers I've seen of this product, it was too worn down.

I swatched a TON of SEPHORA COLLECTION Satin Hydrating Lipstick and none of the colors translated in person as they did online.  I also swatched a ton of SEPHORA COLLECTION Rouge Lacquer Long-Lasting Lipstick and it was the same deal.

I was impressed with how many MUFE lipsticks there were (more than at my local Sephora), but of course the shade I wanted wasn't there.

fresh Sugar Lip Balm Hydrating Treatment had some new shades from the last gift set I got in 2017.  But, the problem of them being so sheer still remains.  Plus, shades I wanted weren't at Kohl's nor my local Sephora.  It's frustrating when shades you want to try just aren't available.

I probably tried a lot of other things, but just can't remember.

When I was in-store during the sale I tried on Bobbi Brown Luxe Hydrating Lipstick in Pink Cloud.  I'll have to try it on again before I make a decision.

I also tried ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil in Linger and Maybe Violet.  They're maybes.

Laura Mercier Lip Glacé Lip Gloss  in Rose Syrup was all right, too.  I feel like I could probably find a cheaper dupe, tho - in theory.

I passed on Glossier Monochromes Essential Eyeshadow Trio Palette in the taupe shades b/c they were SO sheer.  It's a shame, b/c that idea had potential.

Swatching on the to-do list is A LOT of Dior...although I find many overpriced.  And more Clinique.  Of course I put that off, and this weekend there was a 30% off sale.

[JoSometimes]

What a great idea @greeneyedgirl107 for a thread! I’m curious about that stamper. I think @CynthieLu has a bit of experience them.

[CynthieLu]

@JoSometimes My stamper is an Amazon one my little sister got me. It was like 10$ or something at the time and it's pretty darn handy. There is a definite learning curve thou but I really like it for a cute and easy little black wings.

I've debated the Kaja Wink Stamp Original Waterproof Wing Eyeliner Stamp & Pen Original Ink Black Kaja Wink Stamp Long Waterproof Wing Eyeliner Stamp & Pen pens allot thou. It's just the price tag that has kept me from trying them. But I like the idea of having various sizes pens for different wings 🪽 😉

What did you think of the Kaja stamper in store @greeneyedgirl107 ?

[greeneyedgirl107]

@CynthieLu the original was stubby at the base.  I think I'll need to try it again when u have more time.  The long one was indeed long...I only stamped it on my wrist.  One issue with wings I've been having is that my right eye tends to get hooded.  Like around my time of the month or with sleep aids or if I'm just tired.  I'm delving into caffeine eye products now.   I'll probably end up buying the kaja but the 30 day return window frustrates me.  Your Flick Stick is still very appealing to me.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@JoSometimes thanks!  I swatched some more today by happenstance and posted above.   I'm sure I sound very picky, but lately I'm at a loss with Lip products.   I've mentioned that I don't care for nudes and mattes, which is much of what's out there.  The leftovers always seem too sheer or too rich.  And while many I could find acceptable, I gave a hard time spending $20 at minimum for something I'm lukewarm on.

[JoSometimes]

No need to worry about it @greeneyedgirl107! You know what you like, why spend money something you don’t?

[greeneyedgirl107]

@JoSometimes @thanks!!!   💜 💖 💗 💘 ❤️ 💙 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@CynthieLu thanks!!!  ♥️ 💜 💙 🧡 💕 

[CynthieLu]

@JoSometimes I totally agree.

It's your money, @greeneyedgirl107 You definitely have the right to spend it on what you want. And it's worth it to wiegh your options to try and find a product to love out there 😄