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in Lifestyle · February 4, 2016

Recent Sephora Buys and Reviews

While I’m nowhere near a professional or even a highly skilled amateur, I really love makeup. When I don’t feel well, I either watch Netflix or makeup tutorials. I love learning how to do makeup well and I love doing my own and pretending that I don’t have to fight for even the small successes of my day. Back in November, when my last infusion started to kick in after 5 weeks of hell, I treated myself to a bit of a Sephora splurge. Since then, I’ve accumulated more products from Christmas and the odd Sephora trip, and it has been long enough since this makeup accumulation began that I have tested and developed opinions on the products I bought. So today is all about makeup reviews, as well as brush reviews. I’ve broken the products into three categories: eyes, cheeks, and brushes. At the end of each, I tell you if you should definitely buy something, if it depends on your personal makeup preferences, or if you shouldn’t waste your money on it. But don’t forget to leave me your opinions of these products in the comments since I’m definitely not an expert and would love to hear your opinions on these, too.

Makeup Reviews

Eyes

Makeup Reviews: Sephora Wink-It Felt Eye Liner

Sephora Colorful Wink-It Felt Linter – I’m really not a fan. I’m definitely not a pro at liquid eye liner, but I’m not awful at it, and this was hard to use. I think it might not be as bad for someone who is better at liquid eye liner than I am, but going forward I will probably still to L’Oreal’s Linear Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner. That being said, if you have another not-incredibly-expensive liquid eyeliner that you adore, let me know!

Makeup Reviews: Sephora Sunbleached Filter Palette

Sephora Sunbeached Filter eye palette – I think this a lot! I picked it up because it has a lot of shades that I don’t already have, and so far I’m a fan. Some of them aren’t as pigmented as I would like, but overall I enjoy it. It’s not a must-buy, but if you like the shades in it, I would get it. Like it says in the description, it’s soft and sun inspired, and I’m not really one for wild eye makeup.

Urban Decay Naked Basics eye palette – I. Adore. This. As I said, I’m more of a soft and neutral kind of girl when it comes to makeup, and this is perfect for me.

Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara – I got this as a reward from my Sephora points because I wanted to try it but didn’t want to spend the money on it, and I’m glad I didn’t. It basically just made my eyelashes darker and I was very underwhelmed; no lengthening or volumizing. I’m sticking with my Mabelline Lash Sensational Mascara from now on.

Definitely Buy: Naked Basics
Depends on Your Preferences: Sephora liquid eye liner, Sephora Sunbeached Filter palette
Don’t Waste Your Money: Benefit They’re Real

Cheeks

NARS The Multiple in Orgasm – This is a beautiful creamy multipurpose makeup stick, and I love it. However, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, especially since it’s nearly $40.

Makeup Reviews: Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter

Benefit Watt’s Up Cream-to-Powder Highlighter – I use this every day, even on days when I only wear concealer and mascara, I add this highlighter. It’s easy to blend and the perfect color if you have fair (or frighteningly pale) skin.

Definitely Buy: Benefit Watt’s Up
Depends on Your Preferences: NARS The Multiple in Orgasm

Brushes

Makeup Reviews: Angled Brow Brush

Sephora Classic Brow Filler Brush – While this is for your eyebrows, I actually use this for eyeliner. I wet it, tap to get the extra water off, and dip it in eye shadow to make my own eye liner. This is great because while I love and regularly use probably 2/3 of the shades of my Naked 2 palette, there are still a bunch that I don’t love or use, mostly because I don’t do smokey eye or darker makeup looks in general. But using this brush opens up so many more possibilities. This was an incredibly great investment for me because of that, but obviously this is a personal choice.

Makeup Reviews: Sephora Multipurpose Powder Brush

Sephora Classic Multitasker Powder Brush – I love this brush so much! It feels great and works wonderfully. I’m currently using it with my powder blushes (from a palette that I love but was apparently only available for the holiday season) and it is amazing.

Definitely Buy: Multitasker
Depends on Your Preferences: Brow Filler

And, of course, the makeup bag!

Makeup Reviews

Breakups To Makeup Bag – I love it! It fits everything, it’s incredibly cute, and it’s great for traveling.

Meet Rachel!

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Hey there! My name is Rachel and I am currently in my freshman year of university where I am majoring in psychology. I am a 100% Canadian girl and wouldn’t change a thing about it (except that I absolutely despise the cold). VintagePress was created on a whim one January afternoon because I decided maybe I could pass on some of the “motherly” wisdom that my friends tell me I am full of! My posts range from fashion and beauty tips to recipes to college advice.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on the links and buy something, I will receive a small profit. For more information, check out my disclosure policy. Thanks for supporting 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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meghan Farrell says

    February 4, 2016 at 8:07 am

    I use the L’Oreal Linear felt tip pen and I love it! It makes eyeliner wings so much easier. Also I have the Naked Basics 2 palette and I use it almost every day!

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 4, 2016 at 10:41 am

      Aren’t they both the best? The felt tip pen is amazing.

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  2. Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons says

    February 4, 2016 at 9:53 am

    The Nars blush has been my go-to for years now! x

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 4, 2016 at 10:41 am

      It’s so great!

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  3. Ingrid says

    February 4, 2016 at 10:59 am

    LOVE your reviews! The breakdown and your opinions are so helpful! (also that bag is ah-mazing <3)
    xo, Ingrid

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 4, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Thank you! I’m so glad they help and you love them!

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  4. Marina Mendez says

    February 4, 2016 at 11:57 am

    I’ll have to try Benefit’s highlighter. I’ve been looking for one to try and people seem to like this one. (I’m also pretty pale right now too, so..) My favorite liquid eyeliner is Maybelline’s Line Stiletto! It goes on really easily and stays all day.

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 4, 2016 at 1:19 pm

      It is amazing, especially for us pale girls! I completely and totally advise it.

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  5. Cherie Jamison says

    February 4, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    I got that Benefit mascara as well. It’s ok, but definitely nothing special. I’ll have to try that highlighter!

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 7, 2016 at 10:35 am

      It’s great! I’m a big fan.

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  6. Darrian Duckworth says

    February 4, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    The Naked Basics pallet is one of my absolute faves! I love using it in combination with my other pallets!

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 7, 2016 at 10:36 am

      Me too! There are so many more matte shades in it that in the other Naked palettes, which actually makes for great combinations.

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  7. Kathryn Wesson says

    February 5, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    I’ve been wanting to try that Benefit highlighter for a while now. Good to know that you like it and it works on fair skin!

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 7, 2016 at 10:36 am

      It’s amazing! And I especially recommend it to people with fair skin.

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  8. Chelsea Jacobs says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    How do you wear the multipurpose stick? As a blush still, or do you use it for other things, too?

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 7, 2016 at 10:37 am

      Just a blush right now. I’m not 100% sure if it actually works well for other things or if it’s the kind of product that technically works for other things but doesn’t actually work for anything other than a blush.

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  9. Jasmine Eclipse says

    February 6, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    I love Naked basics palette! I’m also a person who only wears neutral shades, so it’s perfect for me! This made me want to go on a Sephora shopping spree (Currently resisting temptation… Or at least trying to… haha)

    Jasmine / http://www.jasminekeclipse.com

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 7, 2016 at 10:37 am

      Ha I feel you! It is a very good thing that I moved a little farther away from Sephora, or else I would be there all the time.

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  10. Miranda Pollitt says

    February 7, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Awesome post! I love hearing other peoples thoughts on makeup. I just picked up some things from Sephora that I can’t wait to try!

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    • Kate Mitchell says

      February 23, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      Thanks! I really love makeup – it’s such a fun and pretty form of self-expression!

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  1. Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog - Gift Guide: Beauty Gifts - Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog says:
    March 9, 2018 at 9:11 am

    […] All gift guides, My Favorite Face Masks, Drugstore vs. High-End Mascara: Which Is Really Better?, Recent Sephora Buys & Reviews […]

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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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ID: Kate sits at a desk with her head in her hand. On her desk are notebooks and pens. She is a brunette white woman wearing an olive dress, gray stone necklace, and round tortoiseshell glasses. ⁣
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#AlmostGreatHealth #RheumatoidArthritis #arthritis #SpoonieLife #healthblogger #autoimmune #autoimmunedisease #chronicallyill #healthblog #chronicallyill #disability #disabled #invisibleillness #DisabledAndCute #spoonielife #RheumatoidDisease
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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1️⃣ Cut up vegetables in a clear glass container⁣
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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#AlmostGreatHealth #AlmostGreatLife #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness #RheumatoidArthritis #RheumatoidDisease #Rheum #Arthritis #ArthritisAwareness #AutoimmuneDisease #Autoimmune #SpoonieLife
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“Didn’t you hear? The new pope said that was heresy.” (Ideal if you’re not Catholic)

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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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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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1️⃣ A glass jar on a desk with a lot of multi-color post-its inside⁣
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4️⃣ 3 open pill cases on a yellow bedspread ⁣
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What I Bring To the Doctor _______ Video: a pa What I Bring To the Doctor 

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Video: a pan of an exam room. White text reads “What I Bring To the Doctor ” and the “1. Planner/notebook
2. List of current medications 
3. Notes on my biggest concerns and questions 
4. My kindle for wait time” 
The intro to Maroon 5’s Priceless plays. 

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💃🏼 Week 17 of #2025Weekly 💃🏼⁣
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1️⃣ She’s married!! ⁣
2️⃣ She married the best person in the world for her!!!!!⁣
3️⃣ I got dressed up! ⁣
4️⃣ The reality of doing fun things with chronic illness and pain is that then you have to recover from the fun things. It took … a while. One million percent worth it, but this is why I don’t do big events on a regular basis. ⁣
5️⃣ And then I had to be a person again for an appointment!⁣
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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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IDs: ⁣
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. ⁣
5️⃣ Kate takes a mirror selfie. She's wearing black shorts, a gray shirt, a jean jacket, a blue mask, and black aviator sunglasses. She has a bag over her shoulder and holds a cane.⁣
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#AlmostGreatHealth #AlmostGreatLife #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness #SpoonieLife #RheumatoidArthritis #RheumatoidDisease #Autoimmune #ButYouDontLookSick #AutoimmuneDisease #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #DisabledAndCute
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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