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.
Eyes
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
Breakups To Makeup Bag – I love it! It fits everything, it’s incredibly cute, and it’s great for traveling.
Meet Rachel!
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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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.
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!
Aren’t they both the best? The felt tip pen is amazing.
The Nars blush has been my go-to for years now! x
It’s so great!
LOVE your reviews! The breakdown and your opinions are so helpful! (also that bag is ah-mazing <3)
xo, Ingrid
Thank you! I’m so glad they help and you love them!
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.
It is amazing, especially for us pale girls! I completely and totally advise it.
I got that Benefit mascara as well. It’s ok, but definitely nothing special. I’ll have to try that highlighter!
It’s great! I’m a big fan.
The Naked Basics pallet is one of my absolute faves! I love using it in combination with my other pallets!
Me too! There are so many more matte shades in it that in the other Naked palettes, which actually makes for great combinations.
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!
It’s amazing! And I especially recommend it to people with fair skin.
How do you wear the multipurpose stick? As a blush still, or do you use it for other things, too?
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.
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
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.
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!
Thanks! I really love makeup – it’s such a fun and pretty form of self-expression!