Monday, September 19, 2016

I Got Some New Stuff


I used to do hauls several times a month when I was on YouTube. Part of that was because hauls are so popular (which makes sense--window shopping without the spending!), and part of it was because I was buying new stuff at an insane rate. I slowed down on full-fledged hauls when I moved to a mostly text-and-photo blog, and when I made the decision to maintain a more moderate collection, I just stopped doing them. My last haul post is over a year old. That's fine.

But I noticed that I managed to obtain a lot of new stuff over the past few weeks. A good bit of it came in the form of samples, gifts, or point perks, but yeah, I definitely purchased more than usual in September. So I figured, heeeey! Let's do a haul!

First up, the samples! I've been enjoying my Sephora Play! subscription (they should be accepting new members right now, by the way), and this month, I got some great stuff. Namely, I got another tube of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (holy grail!), a Living Proof styling cream, and a mini Sephora lipstick. I also got a Kat Von D liquid liner in both my September Play! box and in a sample bag.

Next, I've been testing out the Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation for the past week or so. I was so damn excited for this launch that maybe I got a little too hyped up--thus far, the product hasn't lived up to its claims or my expectations. I'm going to fiddle with it a bit more and should have a full review available in a week or so.


Glossier announced that they were releasing serums and I started getting emails. Not a ton, mind you, but far more than I usually get when a product is about to be launched. So even though I wasn't bowled over by the ingredients list, I decided to get two full sets: one for my dry, dehydrated, and reactive skin and one for my friend with super-tough combination skin. I've asked him to take notes as he tests so I can complete a comparative review. Thank you again to everyone who has used my Glossier affiliate link; your support gave me the store credit that'll make this dual review possible.

Just a quick recommendation for anybody else who will be using these serums, because this wasn't mentioned on the Glossier website when I bought them: do not use Super Glow and Super Pure at the same time. Niacinamide and Vitamin C can cause some wonky reactions if they collide.

There are also two new NARS Audacious lipsticks in my collection! I bought Apoline, a rosy pink, from the fall collection as soon as it went live, and I finally caved and bought the lightest peachy nude in the range, Raquel, at a local Sephora just yesterday.

Last, but not least, there are some new-to-me drugstore products I'm testing out! I decided to try the Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous concealer when I saw how fair the lightest shade was. I'm trying to document the product, but frankly, I always find concealer reviews a little tough. I've also been using the L'oreal mascara primer and hope to eventually compare it to the DiorShow primer in another post.

That should be me about done for the time being. The aforementioned Sephora trip did reawaken my desire for the CoverFX Custom Enhancer Drops in Celestial, but I can hold off on those until the fall VIB sale. Beyond that, I think I'm tapped out!

16 comments:

  1. Hey Renee,
    Thanks for your blogs and reviews - they are great! I just got BBIA Blush in 01 and it is beautiful and so soft for my fair, dry skin that gets pissed off at me a lot. Do you have any initial thoughts on the Cover Girl Concealer? I have used NARS Chantilly for a long time, but, my skin under my eyes is very unhappy lately. If you don't have a full review yet that's fine or if you want to send me an email that's also fine. Thanks, Vicky

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    1. You know, it's hard to say--like I mentioned, photographing and writing about concealer is always tough for me. Right now, I'd say it's light coverage, decently easy to blend, maybe not the best for super dry skin but certainly workable.

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  2. I've been lusting after those CoverFX drops too, but do I really need a bottle of shimmery pigment? Probably not. And yet.

    Looking forward to the Glossier serum reviews!

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  3. I decided to not get the Glossier serums due to silicones. I'm going to be trying (hopefully) the majority of the new range The Ordinary. The prices are super low, lower than drugstore and the ingredients are solid. I plan on acquiring pretty much the entire range. Also if you haven't smelled the new Tom Ford's for fall, you absolutely must. I'm completely smitten. Vert D'Encens is probably bottle worthy for me. I highly suggest putting it on after breakfast though, it's strong and it needs time to mellow before a meal.

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    1. I'm a little wary of buying new Tom Fords, to be honest, because his advertising has started to put me off. :/ Maybe I'll break down or things will improve, who knows? Tuscan Leather and Tobacco Vanille really are beauties.

      The Ordinary definitely looks great, but just as some people are sensitive to silicone, some break out horribly from castor oil (which is in almost every Ordinary formulation). I'm interested in trying them, but it'll take me a while to work through these.

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  4. I'm pretty skeptical about the Glossier serums. I'm not exactly sure why... maybe all the critiques of Glossier being more image than substance have gotten to me. Very interested in your review!

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    1. I try to go in to everything feel skeptical. I'm not perfect and I don't always manage, but when I do it, I get to be pleasantly surprised if a product is great or less upset if it sucks.

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    2. I think I actually found your blog by Googling for Glossier reviews, lol.

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  5. Hi Renee! I just received my Sephora Play! box today and am also quite pleased at the selection of samples. As a note, it looks like Glossier's Super Glow Serum uses aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate as the vitamin C. As far as I'm aware, the concern with niacinamide and vitamin C is specific to the L-AA form of vitamin C. I can't find a whole lot on AAP though, so I'm not sure of the differences between it and L-AA. This is a great post detailing the niacinamide-vitamin C reaction though:

    http://kindofstephen.com/can-you-use-niacinamide-and-vitamin-c-ascorbic/

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  6. I'm new to reading your blog and LOVE your reviews. I'm also very pale and dry, so it's super helpful for me. I also recently ordered Glossier's serums—they arrive tomorrow! I'm interested to read your review on them. I'm cautiously optimistic about them. I was sort of a sucker for the packaging, if I'm honest.

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    1. Thanks! I'm so glad it's helpful. I wish you luck with your serums. :)

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  7. Clamoring for that Glossier Supers review over here. When the new Gen G formula + packaging out I knew you'd be into it!

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    1. Yo! That should be coming up soon--my friend and I are just trying to give all three a fair shot. I can tell you that so far my impressions are "eh," and his are *slightly* more favorable.

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