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November 2014 Favorites

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November 2014 FavoritesNovember 2014 Favorites
1. Innisfree Hand Cream, $? / 2. bareMinerals Concealer Brush, $20* /
3. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter, $5 / 4. Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Moisturizing Lotion, $10 /
5. Too Faced Everything Nice Palette, $56

Blah blah, November went sooooo fast, etc. You know the drill. November 2014 Favorites!

But before the jump, have you entered the EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Giveaway? Open until December 16!

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Clarisonic Mia 2: A Year of Use

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clarisonic

Clarisonic Mia 2: A Year of Use

A post on a Thursday? This must be special, right?. I alluded in my Weekend Trip Skincare and October Favorites posts, I own a Clarisonic Mia 2. At long last, I am so damn pleased to share this with you. I have used my Clarisonic Mia 2 to cleanse my skin daily for over a year just so I could get out of the device’s, “OMIGAW I LOVE THIS THING!!!” It was very important to me to deliver an assessment that isn’t penned with rose-colored lenses in the way; I feel that happens all too often when we make investment or luxury purchases.

You can check out my extensive assessment: Clarisonic Mia 2: A Year of Use skincare device here. (Originally shared as a guest post on a now-defunct blog that went down for shady reasons; I removed the references to it as the content was my own.)

I address:

  • the product’s performance in comparison with its claims (as always)
  • its pros and cons
  • brush and battery-charge lifespan
  • whether or not I think it is a good value
  • and if I would repurchase the Clarisonic Mia 2, if I had to do it over again

…among other things.

Glambot Procedure Inquiry

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Glambot Procedure Inquiry

In June, I published a three part series on my experience with used cosmetic retailer, Glambot.

Overall, I was satisfied with the items I received. They are genuine, undamaged, and accurately depicted for the most part (and always accurately described). I was impressed by the level of care taken to package the items.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

I hop on every now and then mostly to see if I can snag a good deal on a tub of MAC pigment (Rushmetal has me hooked), but have not made any additional purchases – either they haven’t listed one I’m interested in, or they had a listing but it was sold out, or the timing just wasn’t right for me.

In Monday’s makeup destashing post, I mentioned I was destashing a MAC lipstick (to Back2MAC) that I had purchased from them as a part of that haul — Cosmo, to be specific. Since I last used it, it has gone from MAC’s signature pleasant vaguely-vanilla scent to smelling like old, cheap crayons. It bums me out because I really dig the color (don’t let my infrequent use fool you – I don’t wear lipcolor daily). I didn’t think much of it – after all, Glambot procedures surely will not include carbon-dating a lipstick, and most packaging doesn’t have a date-stamp (though that would be really helpful, manufacturers!).

A reader pointed out that batch numbers of products certainly could (and perhaps should) be cross-referenced as part of Glambot procedures to ensure that a seemingly-good product wouldn’t be on the brink of expiration. I have reached out to Glambot to confirm their procedure for certifying such products before accepting/reselling them.

Once I hear back and have a solid answer regarding my Glambot procedure inquiry, I will be sure to post an update so you can have a better idea of the length to which Glambot goes to verify product age before resale. All of my other products from my Glambot haul are fine (including the other lipstick, which still smells of vanilla and happiness).

 

EDIT: I have gotten a response. Check this post for details.

Worth it? EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Set

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Unless you are a beauty minimalist, I feel like makeup brushes, particularly eye brushes, are one thing you can never have too many of. I added four more brushes to my collection–the EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo–in anticipation of the trip I recently took. I wanted to pack light; the fewer brushes, the better. Retailing at only $5.99 in mass retailers like Wal-Mart and Target, drugstores, Amazon, etc (with coupons readily available – I got mine for $4.99!). it was worth a gamble; even if the EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo did not blow me away $1.25 per brush is an easy sacrifice for science.

EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo SetEcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Set

As drugstore brushes go, there are scads of no-names we’ve all never heard of (though surprisingly one of those no-name brands, “Essential Tools,” at Wal-Mart has a couple hidden gems) and there are Real Techniques and EcoTools, both of whom have great reviews. Prior to the EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo set, I had experience with only one EcoTools brush –  a gigantic fan brush that I use to apply pressed powder with. I’m happy with it, and was eager to see how these worked out.

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Naked2 Basics from Urban Decay

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Urban Decay Naked2 Basics comes out August 19!Naked2 Basics from Urban Decay

I’ve been wondering if they were going to pull this for a long time, and they have – Urban Decay is coming out with a second, “basics,” palette – Naked2 Basics!

Because they like to repeat themselves (consistency isn’t a bad thing) Naked and Naked Basics were “warm,” neutral palettes, so Naked2 and the newly-minted Naked2 Basics are, “cool.” Rather than being all-matte, one shade (Skimp) features a slight satin finish, allegedly to help with highlighting.

Although I had zero interest in getting Naked Basics (despite my love of warm neutrals), I am actually somewhat interested in Naked2 basics – I don’t have as many cooler neutrals, and I can actually do more with a taupe-neutral than I can a tan one…on my skin, anyway. I also love that the palette doesn’t come with yet another freaking black. I have enough black eyeshadow to last ten years. Dark brown, however, I don’t have many of, and could use the heck out of.

I won’t be buying as soon as it drops, but it is definitely on my wishlist – hopefully I will obtain it by the holidays. I wonder if they will come out with a rose-hued matte, Naked3 Basics..?

How about you? Are you another Urban Decay / Naked loyalist, eager to leap on the opportunity? Are you a neutral-hoarder? (It’s okay, this is a safe place.) Or are you over the neutrals? If so, what do you want instead?

Naked2 Basics will be available directly from UrbanDecay.com starting August 19 (just under a week!) for $29.

Worth it? Mally Volumizing Mascara

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Mally Volumizing Mascara
Mally Volumizing Mascara

On any given day, if I could only wear one type of cosmetic, it would be mascara.  A while back, I had gotten one of the gift bag things with an Ulta purchase that was full of all sorts of goodies. One such item was a full-sized Mally Volumizing Mascara. I hadn’t used any Mally products before (though I am interested in trying the Poreless Face Defender), so I went into this as a clean slate – no preexisting opinions or notions.

Here’s what Ulta’s site says about the Mally Volumizing Mascara I received:

This Volumizing Mascara has a unique formula that helps create the look of gorgeous, full, luxurious lashes. The combination of natural waxes and carefully chosen powders gives lashes an instant boost. The plush brush works with the powders in the formula to help thicken lashes without clumping, giving you gorgeous volume that lasts and lasts. Apply 2 coats to the top lashes and 1 to the bottom to get instant volume that lasts.

Okay, cool! I know Benefit Gimme Brow has fibers in it for a similar effect for your brows. That should work great.

Pristine, first-use mascara wands are a beautiful thing, right? I was excited to open it, but found that it didn’t have that pristine quality newly-opened tubes have. It had surely not been opened, but the formula looked very wet and clung to the wand. The bristles are the more traditional plush variety, which I find slightly more difficult to work with (less precise) than the shorter synthetic ones.

My first application was just okay. Initial consistency can be weird on plenty of products. I like to give mascara a few weeks before calling in a verdict, as you’ll find it sometimes differs between its initial use and several uses in. I often find I like my favorite ones best after about the 4th use.

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