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in Lifestyle · June 20, 2016

Birthday Beauty Buys and Reviews

As you may or may not know if you follow me on Twitter, after my birthday, I went on a Sephora shopping spree. This means that you get a haul post! So here’s what I got and what I think of it now that I’ve had a few weeks to think about it.

Birthday Makeup Reviews

Birthday Makeup Reviews

Lancome Teint Idole Ulta 24H Long Wear foundation – I wish I didn’t love this as much as I do because it is so damn expensive. But it’s perfect – it blends well, covers just as much as I want it to (and if I layer it, it covers more), and is lightweight. It lasts all day and looks great while doing it. I can’t recommend it enough, but, as I said, it’s wicked expensive. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t wear much makeup – maybe just foundation, concealer, mascara, for example – then investing in this makes sense. However, if you’re like me and wears a fair amount and buys a fair amount, it doesn’t make much sense. So – if you know of a non-drugstore foundation that is similar and much less expense, let me know!

Laura Mercier Invisible Loose setting powder – My only issue with this powder is that it’s one that you have to shake a little to get the powder out and I have yet to master this without making a mess. Otherwise, it’s great!

NARS Radiant Creamy concealer – I picked up a mini one in the line at Sephora – you know, the one where they have all these small version of products? Since I was already investing in concealer and powder (among other things), I didn’t want to get a full-size version unless I knew how I like it. I will probably be buying the full-size when this runs out. It’s wonderful. Covers things well (including under my eyes, which are very blue/purple even when I get a lot of sleep) but doesn’t feel like it. It’s great.

Birthday Makeup Reviews

Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner – Oh wow. I love this oh so much! You may remember that I got the Sephora liquid eyeliner last year and I didn’t love it. This, however, is amazing. It’s so easy to maneuver and it really does last all day. I’m talking putting it on at 6:30 AM before leaving for work and it’s in place when I take my makeup off at 9 PM. It also looks amazing and is rather easy to to wings. I can’t advertise it enough!

tarte Tartlette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette – This is great! I wasn’t expecting to like it so much. The colors are  and very pigmented. It’s the perfect combination of neutrals and bold colors, and it’s especially great for this time of year. It’s isn’t the kind of product that I think everyone should buy, but it’s definitely worth a look if you’re into eyeshadow.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfecter Poured highlighter in Pearl – I worship at the temple of this BECCA highlighter. Saying that it’s gorgeous doesn’t do it justice. It’s the perfect pearl shade and has me all heart eyed. I’m all about highlighters right now (I just got the Marc Jacobs illuminator and I’m still testing it before I chat about it) and this makes the top 3.

What are some of the beauty products that you’ve bought recently? What did you think of them?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I will receive a very small profit. For more information, check out my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting the ways that make it possible for me to run Kate the (Almost) Great!
Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.

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Comments

  1. Chelsea Jacobs says

    June 20, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    That’s my favorite liquid liner! It stays all day!

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  2. Allison Gallagher says

    June 20, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    The Laura Mercier powder is the greatest EVER

    http://www.girlnextscore.com

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  3. Feliz Martinez says

    June 21, 2016 at 1:29 am

    I’ve been buying a ridiculous amount of makeup lately. But I think my favorite has been BHCosmetics’ Take Me to Brazil pallette. I also got Colourpops super shock cheek in Stole THE Show. So far it’s the best highlighter I’ve owned, but I have my Carli Bybel palette coming in any day and I know that will be my new favorite!

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  1. Summer Hair And Makeup Tips for the Perfect Look - Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog says:
    June 30, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    […] Summer is a great time to experiment with your hair and makeup. It just allows you to relax a little more with your usual look and try something different. That is maybe doing something special with your hair or reducing the amount of makeup you wear. So I thought now would be a great time to share with you some hair and makeup tips to create the perfect summer look. […]

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Some housekeeping! 1) I am not sponsored. 2) These Some housekeeping! 1) I am not sponsored. 2) These were recommended by my foot surgeon. When you have RA affecting most joints and tarsal coalitions, good sneakers are essential. 

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Video: 3 pairs of HOKA sneakers on wood floor. Kate’s hand picks up one and tosses it out of view. White text reads “My Hoka system” and there are captions in a black box. 

#AlmostGreatLife #TarsalCoalition #RheumatoidDisease #RheumatoidArthritis
In July 2025, it will have been 15 years since my In July 2025, it will have been 15 years since my RA diagnosis. Here's how I've changed since then!⁣
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(And I'm not talking about how my health has changed!)⁣
▪ I trust myself and my instincts a LOT more⁣
▪ I understand my body's limitations AND the best ways o get around them to have the life I want⁣
▪ I love using mobility aids as they make my life a lot better⁣
▪ I cook and bake a lot more⁣
▪ Work-life balance is not an option for me: it's a requirement⁣
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How have you changed since your diagnosis?⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 7+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Week 18 of #2025Weekly ⁣ ⁣ This week was prima Week 18 of #2025Weekly ⁣
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This week was primarily about getting things set and wrapped up before a heavy appointment week, including my infusion, next week. ⁣
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1️⃣ Meal prepping (the finished product of this salad has a lot more ingredients, including protein, but it doesn’t looks as aesthetically pleasing once they’re in there) ⁣
2️⃣ Started the week at the doctor and with a cortisone shot in my knee. He was very impressed with me and I had to point out that when you start your cortisone shots with some in your ankle area - which has a lot more stuff in it and requires being done under x-ray) your knee is truly nothing.⁣
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2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor's office. She's a brunette white woman wearing a green t-shirt, blue mask, round tortoiseshell glasses, and silver Claddagh necklace.⁣
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Drop your suggestions in the comments _______ Drop your suggestions in the comments 

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Video: the view of a sun setting over a lake as seen through the trees. Upbeat music plays. Top text reads “How To Deal with Unsolicited Advice”. Then a series of messages pop up. The are: 
“Sorry, my mom said I can’t do that”

“Didn’t you hear? The new pope said that was heresy.” (Ideal if you’re not Catholic)

“I have to wait until mercury isn’t in retrograde, and it’s always in retrograde”

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Having decades-long health problems sometimes mean Having decades-long health problems sometimes means coming across something in your health history that you completely forgot about⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate. Follow me for more content for chronic illness patients and their loved ones!⁣
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Here are some ways I practice self care, aka talki Here are some ways I practice self care, aka talking care of myself AND who I am as a person separate from illness⁣
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This is my Wonderful Things jar. Every day, I write down something wonderful or good that happened that day. ⁣
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I know it looks like I'm forcing Harley to sit like this, but he was making this face before I put my arm around him. Dog snuggle time is the best!⁣
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I got a Kindle this year and it has been amazing. It's so much easier on my body than lugging around books and it makes borrowing from the library a lot easier.⁣
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Yes, I share this all the time, but filling my pill boxes every 3 weeks make it so I stick with all of my medications. But the self-care part of this is that I don't have to take the time to refill a box every single week.⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 7+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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What I Bring To the Doctor _______ Video: a pa What I Bring To the Doctor 

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💃🏼 Week 17 of #2025Weekly 💃🏼⁣
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1️⃣ She’s married!! ⁣
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3️⃣ I got dressed up! ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 7+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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1️⃣ Kate stands hugging Emmie. They're both white woman. Emmie is in a wedding dress and Kate is in a red dress and wearing round tortiseshell glasses.⁣
2️⃣ Kate and Emmie stand next to Matt, Emmie's husband. He is a white man.⁣
3️⃣ Kate takes a mirror selfie. she's in the same red dress but now also wears a jean jacket and holds a cane and mask.⁣
4️⃣ Kate takes a selfie while giving a thumbs up. She looks tired. She's now wearing a pink flowery dress. ⁣
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On the one hand, you should always believe what pe On the one hand, you should always believe what people tell you about their bodies.⁣
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On the other hand, I’ve had so much ridiculous and unconnected health things happen that I do understand why people might not believe me.⁣
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⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate. Follow me for more content for chronic illness patients and their loved ones!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ID: Screenshots of a thread posts written by Kate Mitchell | Kate the (Almost) Great with the username katethealmostgreat. ⁣⁣The background is dark teal. All text is what’s above the first black square.⁣⁣
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