This quote pretty much sums up my wishlist this time round. I've been very strict with my beauty purchases for the past two months in anticipation of the annual Sephora 20% off VIB sale and other online retailers' discounts. In the meantime, I've been editing and re-editing my picks, going in circles and chasing my own tail for so long now that I don't know anything anymore. Is this product cool? Do I need it?! More importantly, do I even want it?! I DON'T KNOW.
Let's try to start with the actual necessary purchases, meaning skincare.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($30 for 60 pads): I've reviewed these in my acid toner/ exfoliating pads overview here, and stated these were among my absolute favorite daily chemical exfoliants I've tried thus far, which is why a repurchase is in order. I'm currently finishing up the St. Ives pads and still have the Peter Thomas Wroth Un-Wrinkle backed up in the stash, but prefer the latter for the evenings, or at least to rotate with a milder option like the FAB pads.
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream ($65 for 1.7 oz; wait, wasn't this $55 just a couple months back?!): I'm down to using deluxe samples for my night moisturizer and also detest my current daytime option, so I'm hoping the Goat Milk Cream, which comes highly recommended from Caroline Hirons, will fit somewhere in my routine. I'm kind of balking at the price, but if I don't love it - cheers to Sephora's awesome return policy.
Pixi Glow Tonic Beauty Elixir with Aloe Vera and Ginseng ($29 for 8.5 fl. oz): Another recommendation from Caroline, a relatively clean acid toner with a fantastic price point. The Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid I'm using now in the evenings is on its last legs, so I want to try the Glow Tonic as a replacement. Belly, I hear you're using this now - any thoughts?
Now, for the heart-wrenching wants, meaning make-up.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette ($58 for 3 x 0.11 oz): I've been meaning to pick up one of the Hourglass Ambient blushes and then they released this palette, and I love all three shades. Except, I have this feeling deep down in my gut that as soon as the VIB sale launches online, this is going to be sold out. Maybe I could track it down in store... but maybe I'm too lazy for that. We shall see.
Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium ($22 for 0.10 oz): Yeah yeah, I know that Maybelline has a good dupe for this fiber brow gel - but I've also heard the spoolie is impossible to work with. I guess I prefer to shell out more money and get a product I know I'll love (or do I?). Currently, I have no brow gels in my stash, and I feel that having one would amp up my brow game.
Rouge Bunny Rouge Raw Garden Eyeshadow Palette in Chronos ($59 for 5 x 2g): Spoiler alert, I've already got it :) What can I say, BeautyHabit had a $10 off coupon and I jumped. Review coming next.
Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 ($29 for 6 x 0.05 oz): This is THE product on this wishlist that makes me want to pull my hair out. I would really, really like some good cool neutral matte shadows all in one palette. Naked Basics 2 sounds perfect in that case, I hear you say. Except, the lightest shades are more like medium shades on my skintone, and only half of the palette is really truly cool-toned. So ultimately, I don't think I'll get this one, even though I love the concept. I have a few ideas on how to satisfy my matte craving: a) gather all my neutral mattes in one Z-Palette and use that instead, b) press some of the matte bareMinerals loose shadows I have, c) buy some individual mattes from Inglot and/or KIKO. I may or may not combine all three options *evil laugh*.
Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact ($51 for 0.12 oz): I had this *genius* idea I could finally get one of the Rouge Gs with the $15 off coupon Sephora usually sends out in early December. Except, it now seems that Rouge Gs are online only - and looks like they may be phasing them out entirely?! So, maybe not so genius after all :(
Chikuhodo PS-1 Passion Series Powder Brush ($64): I don't actually own a decent powder brush, and have never owned anything better than a cheap drugstore one. So I think the time has finally come to upgrade, and the price point on the Chikuhodo Passion Series seems not to excessive. I may wait with this purchase until early next year though to space out my spending at least a little bit - or, you know, not have to explain myself too much to the husband.
Now, time for you to spill the beans: what's currently on your beauty wishlist?
My God really??? Do you think they'll be phasing Rouge G's out? I'll be SO distraught! Just grab one when you can, seriously. I have faith in Guerlain, but it'll be SO hard for even them to outdo the Rouge G's!
ReplyDeleteI am tempted by the Hourglass palette as well, but like you said, I doubt very much I'll stand a chance of getting one. Also, I know that every one of these is different, and I am a little worried I'd get one with more powder than color. Those probably won't show up well on my skin tone.
I don't know what the deal is with Rouge Gs and Sephora: last year I've definitely seen some in store but now their website says they're online only, and that they only have a few left. But I'm pretty sure Guerlain is NOT discontinuing them, maybe they're just pulling this lipstick line from Sephora.
DeleteThat's a very good point about the level of pigmentation in Hourglass baked blushes - you just never know! They would probably still work on my pale skin even if they had more powder swirled through, but it's something to think about when shopping for these.
Oo I love your list! I want to try the Hourglass blushes too but there probably won't be any left by the time I get to the sale :P
ReplyDeleteHmm, didn't know Pixi was at Sephora now.
Yeah, tell me about it - but I'm thinking I might just get a single if the blush palette sells out. And no, Pixi unfortunately isn't at Sephora yet, it's just that the Glow Tonic is on my wishlist and I'm hoping Pixi's own website will have some sort of a discount code :)
DeleteWait, I think I have one of those Sephora card (gathering dust somewhere) so I guess I am not getting anything from the sale (as if I have participated). Anyway, I have gotten a few fall releases by Canmake and I am currently eying on the fall/winter collection by Majolica Majorca and Integrate, those sheer red glosses and cheek colors are totally my thing. I guess at the same price range, I am more gravitated toward Japanese drugstore nowadays.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful wishlist: I've been with Cane & Austin exfoliating pads but the 1st aid seems really interesting. As for Rouge G, somewhat I prefer the pull-up ones from Guerlain. I gotten my 1st Hourglass blush recently and I might have had the wrong colour but I'm not completely in love. The RBR palette is quite the catch, though. Curious for your view upon it
ReplyDeleteI've only tried one of the Cane & Austin pads and found it way too harsh on my skin :( I love Rouge Automatique formula, but have never tried Rouge G, so I'm really curious what the difference is. I'm still working on that RBR review but it'll be up later this week!
DeleteOh man, once you go Chikuhodo, there's no going back. Fair warning. >.<
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can imagine - I got some Hakuhodo and a Wayne Goss brush earlier this year and I love, love them. I'll have the opportunity to see and feel the newly launching Surratt brushes this week, and I already know I'm going to be in some serious TROUBLE.
DeleteI perused Sephora the other day and FAB has some amazing kits for the holidays! The Cheers to Fab Skin kit is an amazing value and I really want to purchase it to try the facial pads you adore :) I swatched the Naked Basics 2 and the lighter shades barely show up on my skin at all.... I would love the Hourglass blush palette as well but I already own the Luminous Flush shade! The blush formula is gorgeous so I would recommend it if you don't have any of these shades yet! I think I'll buy the powder highlight eventually :)
ReplyDeleteI've only looked at some of their kits on Beauty.com but wasn't absolutely convinced I needed them - I'm not super in love with their ultra-moisturizing lotion, I think I still prefer my CeraVe. But I'm probably going to get the Oatmeal mask at some point, I'm curious about that one! I don't have any of the Hourglass blushes so I thought the palette would be an amazing deal.
DeleteI really liked their Oatmeal mask! It was soothing and helped with irritation or major redness days.
DeleteI've been humming and hawing over the Naked Basics 2 for months now. I feel like my e/s collection could use more mattes, but my hoarder tendencies would force me to purchase the Naked Basics 1 as well which is most definitely unnecessary!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - I guess I'm super hesitant because I'm really not sure if I would be using all of the shades in there, and that seems like a waste :( On the other hand, I don't want to get another big neutral palette, like the new LE IT Cosmetics or the Smashbox one!
DeleteI love the Rouge G lipsticks. You should definitely pick them up during the sale, they are on my wishlist too. I didn't know Sephora had Chikuhodo brushes!!? I really need to up my brush game.
ReplyDeleteNo no, they don't - I said in the post I was including other online beauty retailers in the wishlist, in this case Beautylish. I wish Sephora carried them as well! :) I'm now contemplating between Georgia and Girly...
DeleteOh sad.. I must not be making VIB list this year (will this ever expire of you don't spend a certain amount of money per year??? I'm confused) b/c I don't get the news.
ReplyDeleteAnyhooo... nice choices on the skin care: I didn't know Sephora carries Pixi Glowtonic now. I'd even throw in Ren Clay cleanser in there as well! Makeup-wise.. hmm, the ones that are available at Sephora? I'd probably be hovering over Dior or maybe the new NARS lipsticks (just to see what's the fuss all about). And Josie Maran Cheek gelee, which is my fave all year round now. Hmm, maybe a bit of nail polish (the X system is it?) or Ciate, maybe some mini perfumes. And MUFE brush cleanser spray (which is a current HG).
Yes, the VIB status expires if you don't spend a certain amount a year, I think. But the VIB sale hasn't started yet, they haven't sent out any codes for now - but just from past years' experience, I think we can expect it some time in November, so I'm already planning my shopping list :) No no, Sephora doesn't carry Pixi - sorry if that was confusing, I was including other online retailers in my wishlist as well. I still haven't tried the new NARS Audacious lipsticks either! I didn't even know MUFE had a brush cleaning spray, I'll have to look into that!
DeleteI've been looking at Chikuhodo, their new line of Takumi series! But I saw this Passion series as well, and the Passion set actually consists of all very useful brushes. I have a few of their Z series, and they are TO DIE FOR! I hope you'll get it, Monika!
ReplyDeleteWelp, time to load up on the Rouge G's. :( this makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteI think making a little foray into nice brushes will be a great treat, Monika. Maybe a SURRATT this week? *wink* *wink*
I really love the Pixi Glow Tonic! I'm almost at the end of my first bottle and it's something I use every AM. It's the supposed dupe of the original P50 from Biologique Recherche and much less expensive. The glycolic acid seems like a pretty effective exfoliator on my skin and has been a great way to keep my skin nice & smooth all summer long! Now that it's cooler, I'm thinking about cutting this back to every other day to make sure I'm not overexfoliating my skin.
Hahah, Surratt would be great - we shall see :) So, I gather if you're using your Glow Tonic in the mornings that it's not greasy and doesn't leave a residue - something I hate about the Paula's Choice BHA liquid. I'm definitely going to order a bottle to try, thanks for your input!
DeleteI really liked the FAB pads too! At the moment I'm using the Environ AHA gel which is lasting me absolutely forever, but I'll probably look at getting the FAB pads again or the Pixi tonic when that runs out. I, too, am sighing over the Hourglass and RBR palettes. They're just too beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm also waffling over the Naked Basics 2. But I swatched it in person and I think that swayed me - I couldn't believe how smooth the shadows were. Have you been able to see/swatch it in person? It's really nice.
ReplyDeleteAmong these products that you have shown, I really want that Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette. I super like the shades. I usually prefer those kinds of shades for they bring out natural beauty. Its light and not too dark. Its just perfect for my skin.
ReplyDeleteI just bought the Gimme Brow, but I also bought Light/Medium, and it does suit. I do prefer my brows a hair lighter (my hair isn't quite black and after summer it's lightened and reddish, as well), and Light/Medium works well. I would suggest going to a counter to try it out first!
ReplyDeleteI just made a purchase with an FF code and I feel relieved. I got my VIB card today, but I don't know if I'll use it now. We'll see. I bought the Nude Advanced Repair serum, an MJ palette (I love the color stories for the MJ palettes!), and two Dior polishes. Pretty tame, right? Hahaha!
OMG i completely forgot about that $ coupon promo sephora does in December. GEEZ. Anyway, i like Rouge Gs. I have two. And along with everything else i just about use them never. Seriously, i think i bought the second one during last year's winter vib sale and i haven't even used it yet. UGH.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to go through moisturizer samples but I'm meh about everything so far. grr. just have to keep going through them i guess haha. and YES the goat cream totally was $55 when i looked at it last. UGH!