The 7 Day Makeup Challenge Round-Up (Second Edition)
See what happens when I try a new makeup product everyday for a week (the second time around)!
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Hint: You definitely want to read on, trust me.
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DAY #1: PAULA'S CHOICE BROW-DEFINING CREAM DUO + FANTASTIC LASH MASCARA
After falling head-over-heels for the Paula's Choice The Nude Mattes Eyeshadow Palette, I had high hopes for the Brow-Defining Cream Duo and FANtastic Lash Mascara. On this fine and sunny Monday morning, I was not disappointed in the least. Usually, a brow palette has both a gel and powder options, but this one comes with a light and dark gel, which I actually prefer. I feel like powder can make your brows look unnatural, unless used with a skilled hand, so I always find myself scraping the pan for gel while the powder remains almost untouched. Both shades are silky smooth, apply effortlessly, look natural and wear very well. I liked it so much that I've been wearing it everyday since, which is always a good sign.
The Paula's Choice Mascara was much the same story. Its short, rubber bristles work miracles on my short, thin lashes, coating each without clumping or flaking, even when layered (lots and lots - that's how I roll). Oh yes, this is another one I'll be using a lot in times to come.
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DAY #2: L'OREAL TRUE MATCH FOUNDATION & LUMI MAGIQUE HIGHLIGHTING PEN
It's hard to find a good foundation. While one is nothing less than perfect for one person, it could seriously suck for another. I've heard mixed reports about the infamous L'Oreal True Match Foundation; some swear by it and some don't understand the hype. Me though? I loved it from the moment I started applying the liquid substance with my BeautyBlender. A few moments later, I realised that when they say 'True Match', they mean it, because the shade was perfect for my pale skin, like it was apart of my skin as opposed to just on it. Brilliant.
After running out of my Estée Lauder Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter I was excited to see if the new L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighting Pen would become an affordable replacement. Unfortunately, I can't say I truly loved this product, as much as I really wanted to. It has quite a strange scent, but the problem was that it creased under my eyes, even though I set it. I'll be honest though, I'll probably continue to use it until I get around to replacing my Estée Lauder pen because it does look good and add a beautiful, natural glow.
Two days in and I've already discovered three new products that I'd happily use everyday. Not bad, eh?
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DAY #3: MAC LIPSTICK IN EVENING RENDEZVOUS & COLOURDRENCHED PIGMENTS IN ASCENT OF GLAMOUR
Both sold out and both from the incredible limited edition MAC Magic of the Night collection, how I hadn't tried them before is beyond me. First up, I used the Colourdrenched Pigment Eyeshadow in Ascent of Glamour, a saturated cobalt purple hue that is easily pressed onto the eyelid with my finger (the best way to apply a shimmering eyeshadow). My goodness, it is a beautiful shade that is perfect for a night out.
The MAC Lipstick in Evening Rendezvous is equally as eye-catching, and while the Eye Shadow is strictly for the night (a magical one at that), I would wear the stunning deep berry shade in the daytime as well with a neutral eye.
DAY #3: MAC LIPSTICK IN EVENING RENDEZVOUS & COLOURDRENCHED PIGMENTS IN ASCENT OF GLAMOUR
Both sold out and both from the incredible limited edition MAC Magic of the Night collection, how I hadn't tried them before is beyond me. First up, I used the Colourdrenched Pigment Eyeshadow in Ascent of Glamour, a saturated cobalt purple hue that is easily pressed onto the eyelid with my finger (the best way to apply a shimmering eyeshadow). My goodness, it is a beautiful shade that is perfect for a night out.
The MAC Lipstick in Evening Rendezvous is equally as eye-catching, and while the Eye Shadow is strictly for the night (a magical one at that), I would wear the stunning deep berry shade in the daytime as well with a neutral eye.
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DAY #4: 3 CONCEPT EYES FACE BLUSH IN MY MUSE AND SEPHORA GLOSSY LIP PENCIL IN GLOSSY BEIGE
There's nothing like a good peachy hued cheek and nude lip to get you through to the end of the week, and that is exactly how it went for the 3 Concept Eyes Face Blush in My Muse from Sephora, a richly pigmented powder that manages to add life into my face, even after a long and busy week. The Sephora Collection Glossy Lip Pencil was the perfect effortless companion to this peachy look, with its natural nude shade and balm-like feel. To be honest, these are two very easy products to wear on the days that you don't really feel like wearing anything at all, which makes me a big fan.
DAY #4: 3 CONCEPT EYES FACE BLUSH IN MY MUSE AND SEPHORA GLOSSY LIP PENCIL IN GLOSSY BEIGE
There's nothing like a good peachy hued cheek and nude lip to get you through to the end of the week, and that is exactly how it went for the 3 Concept Eyes Face Blush in My Muse from Sephora, a richly pigmented powder that manages to add life into my face, even after a long and busy week. The Sephora Collection Glossy Lip Pencil was the perfect effortless companion to this peachy look, with its natural nude shade and balm-like feel. To be honest, these are two very easy products to wear on the days that you don't really feel like wearing anything at all, which makes me a big fan.
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DAY #5: GILDED CAGE UNLEASHED LIPSTICK
As the new beauty brand on the block, I was
very intrigued by the
Gilded Cage Unleashed Lipsticks, and not just for the luxe packaging (matte almost-black grey and foiled gold, eat your heart out). I was very excited to get my hands on the
shades 105 and their signature, the
Singular Red, that I
had to have them in the 7 Day Makeup Challenge. Both highly pigmented lipsticks apply silky smooth and feel comfortably creamy on the lips, while also having decent staying powder (I like to drink lots of coffee, so thank you Gilded Cage!).
Truth be told, the combination of these two shades represent the very best of day-to-night Friday beauty looks; the nude for a flattering daytime look and the red to amp up the volume for Friday night drinks. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to trying more shades soon.
DAY #5: GILDED CAGE UNLEASHED LIPSTICK
Truth be told, the combination of these two shades represent the very best of day-to-night Friday beauty looks; the nude for a flattering daytime look and the red to amp up the volume for Friday night drinks. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to trying more shades soon.
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DAY #6: MAYBELLINE COLOR MOLTEN EYE SHADOW
When it comes to reading and writing beauty reviews, I try not to let others opinion affect my experience. I had actually heard that the new Maybelline Color Molten Eye Shadows were disappointing, but I'm glad that didn't stop me, because my impression was substantially different.
I hadn't done any research before I tried the Sapphire Mist duo, so when I dipped my brush into them I was surprised to see that they had a cream-like consistency. When I found I wasn't getting the colour pay off I wanted with a brush, I swapped to my finger and I was instantly gushing over how silky smooth the cream was. The light blue shade was magnificent and made me wish I had aimed to create icey eyeshadow look. It melted effortlessly into the darker, richer blue, making the application process a pleasurable experience.
DAY #6: MAYBELLINE COLOR MOLTEN EYE SHADOW
When it comes to reading and writing beauty reviews, I try not to let others opinion affect my experience. I had actually heard that the new Maybelline Color Molten Eye Shadows were disappointing, but I'm glad that didn't stop me, because my impression was substantially different.
I hadn't done any research before I tried the Sapphire Mist duo, so when I dipped my brush into them I was surprised to see that they had a cream-like consistency. When I found I wasn't getting the colour pay off I wanted with a brush, I swapped to my finger and I was instantly gushing over how silky smooth the cream was. The light blue shade was magnificent and made me wish I had aimed to create icey eyeshadow look. It melted effortlessly into the darker, richer blue, making the application process a pleasurable experience.
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DAY #7: MUSQ GREEN CORRECTOR & CREME FOUNDATION
The final product that I really wanted to try was the MUSQ Créme Foundation, which is purely based on the fact that their branding design is on-point. What can I say? I appreciate seriously good typographic design. Before applying the foundation, I decided to dip my BeautyBlender into the MUSQ Green Corrector and blend it into my t-zone, which tends to have a little redness. I loved the way this cream felt and instantly took any uneven redness away. In fact, it probably has to be my favourite Green Corrector product I've tried, ever.
Now, I have never worn a cream foundation before, so I'm used to a coverage that feels far lighter, like a liquid foundation or even powder foundation. The MUSQ Créme Foundation felt my heavier and thicker on the skin as soon it is was applied. Once blended, it did feel lighter, but still somewhat 'heavy', if you get my meaning. I loved the way it was easily blendable to create the coverage you desired and had a dewy finish (great for dry skin types), but I think I'll be sticking to my go-to liquid foundations. Even with a translucent powder over the top, it didn't have the best staying powder on one of our hot days (it kind of went blotchy), but I'm very interested in popping this one away until the wintertime. Maybe it is a seasonal foundation? We'll see.
DAY #7: MUSQ GREEN CORRECTOR & CREME FOUNDATION
The final product that I really wanted to try was the MUSQ Créme Foundation, which is purely based on the fact that their branding design is on-point. What can I say? I appreciate seriously good typographic design. Before applying the foundation, I decided to dip my BeautyBlender into the MUSQ Green Corrector and blend it into my t-zone, which tends to have a little redness. I loved the way this cream felt and instantly took any uneven redness away. In fact, it probably has to be my favourite Green Corrector product I've tried, ever.
Now, I have never worn a cream foundation before, so I'm used to a coverage that feels far lighter, like a liquid foundation or even powder foundation. The MUSQ Créme Foundation felt my heavier and thicker on the skin as soon it is was applied. Once blended, it did feel lighter, but still somewhat 'heavy', if you get my meaning. I loved the way it was easily blendable to create the coverage you desired and had a dewy finish (great for dry skin types), but I think I'll be sticking to my go-to liquid foundations. Even with a translucent powder over the top, it didn't have the best staying powder on one of our hot days (it kind of went blotchy), but I'm very interested in popping this one away until the wintertime. Maybe it is a seasonal foundation? We'll see.
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And, with that said, it seems we have come to the end of another #7DayMakeupChallenge. I hope you all enjoyed this one as much as the last, and if you have any requests for the next one, or even just for content in general, please let us know below. I'd be delighted to hear them!