Fails and Holy Grails of 2014

35 Comments

1. Wow, Fabulous!! I just came upon this (sorry so late!)
   I am honoured that you mentioned my brand, thank you. And especially thank you for the thorough and honest reviews. I know I can always trust what you say. Your reviews are so genuine, and they show the good, the bad and the ugly. Everything that I have followed your advice on has been great for me. I have the UD Vice 3 Palette and I love it!! I am intrigued by all the matte lipsticks I am seeing, but I am hesitant because I have such dry lips all the time, and they are not as young as they used to be haha. I do think I will try out the Color Pop Lippie Stix though! They look great and the price it right! <3

2. Hi Phyrra, just wanted to say your blog is one of my favorites. You give smart, thoughtful reviews of both popular and indie brands and you are more down to earth than some of the other beauty bloggers out there. Love that you are genuine and honest. : )

   1. Thank you so much Andrea!

3. My total faves from 2014 have to be: the Etude Palette, that’s my absolute #1, I am SO glad that you featured it!!! My other two are from COVER FX, the Mineral Powder Foundation and the Mattifying Primer! They are PERFECT for my skin, their shade system has literally helped me so much(I wear N10!)and my skin is looking better even without makeup on! I always used to have a problem with liquid foundation looking streaky, or being too yellow/too pink, clogging my pores etc…. Oh also the NARSissist Smokey Eye Kit, the NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette, UD’s Perversion Mascara(BEST EVER!, still need to try the Primer) Too Faced Melted Lipsticks, and lastly the UD Velvet Liners! I didn’t have too many fails as I didn’t buy that much overall this year but I totally AGREE about the Bareminerals Foundation, I sampled it and it was just terrible, just made my skin look so weird! NONE of their products have worked for me actually, the original foundation looks like nothing on my skin lol! The Chyrsallis, I didn’t get it but it didn’t appeal to me, like the new one much better! I was also disappointed with the Kat Von D Studded Lipsticks, I heard a lot of people were actually!

4. You gotta add the Kat Von D Studded lipsticks to the fail list also. Well, at least some colors.

   1. Yep you’re right!

5. Some of my faves like Cover FX (is that new packaging?) and Colour Pop! I still want the Sauce Box palette, but I think my Viseart one is pretty close, maybe.. I probably still need it though! Lol

   1. I want to Viseart Matte Palette, but do NOT hesitate to get the ETUDE! I learned about it from Phyrra, and for me it’s one of the best makeup purchases I’ve EVER made! Amazing, luxe quality, superior pigmentation, all day wear, super flattering, buttery rich mattes! The shades will work for any skin tone, and you can use it for brows, contouring, and even blush! It was my number one product of 2014! This is one where I say YOU DO NEED IT! Yes, COVER FX has new packaging. I just started using their Mineral Powder foundation and their Mattifying Primer-amazing! Best decision I ever made, @phyrra is the BEST!

6. I need to get some of this Cover FX stuff in my life.

   1. Yeah you do! I found out about COVER FX from @phyrra:disqus and it was literally the best change I’ve ever made in my routine! I use the Mineral Powder Foundation and it’s amazing for my skin(I have combo slightly acne prone skin!)with the Mattifying Primer. I need to try the Cream Concealer, the BB Gel, and the CC Cream! Oh and the Powder Brush! Also, you need the ETUDE palette in your life!

7. I cannot wait to trial Cover FX when it comes to Australia. If it works for you, it is bound to work for me. I have only heard good things about it. Can I ask, what is your favourite primer?
   I hope you and your family had a very happy New Year.

   1. Hi Genevieve! Happy New Year 🙂 I think Cover FX is supposed to be in Australia soon (my friend Kimmi from the Plastic Diaries said so here http://www.theplasticdiaries.com/beauty/sephora-australia-shopping-list ) My go-to primer when I don’t know what to wear is the Too Faced Primed & Poreless. When I want an extra glow, I like the Nyx Angel Veil (and this can be mixed in with another primer). I also love the Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer.

      1. Sephora has opened in Sydney, but I live in Melbourne – about 880 km away. They don’t have the online purchasing set up yet.. Anyway I will have a go at the Nyx Angel Veil primer because I think I can get that easily at Target. Of course I probably need the Cover FX one, but I’ll wait till I can get it. I have only heard great things about the Too Faced ones – their products are generally very good. Thanks for all the info – it is greatly appreciated.

         1. Yes, I really love the Primed and Poreless too, I just discovered COVER FX recently from Phyrra and now I use their Mattifying Primer w/ their Mineral Pressed Foundation and they are perfect, I have combo skin so sometimes I will use both primers! But I’m absolutely sure you will love Cover FX! Hope they ship to Australia soon! 🙂 If you want a great shadow palette get the ETUDE, I LOVE IT! @phyrra:disqus I got a sample of the Anti Aging Primer and I tried it on my mom and she loved it-I’m ordering her some!

            1. Thanks for the tips – I will certainly try the anti-aging primer. I need it.

               1. You’re so welcome! Yes I think you’ll really like it! They also have a new Illuminating Primer. You can’t go wrong with their products, and this foundation is SUPER easy to apply. You can buy their powder brush but it looks great just applying it with the sponge. Does Sephora ship to Australia? They do sell COVER FX at Sephora…they also sell it on the Beautylish website. I would send them a tweet though, they may be able to direct you to a store in your area that carries some/all of their products…I saw them suggesting that for another customer. Next time I chat on twitter with them I’ll ask! 🙂

8. I still have yet to try Cover FX, one of these days!

   1. I think you’ll really like them 🙂

9. I love all things Urban Decay 🙂

   1. Good taste 🙂

10. I love knowing the products that didn’t work. I agree with you pick of Maskcara foundation since that was a bust for me too. I haven’t tried those others and now I won’t.

    1. Happy to help 🙂

11. I like it when people share the good and the not so much. I also adore the UD Vice 3. Can’t stop reaching for it.

    1. UD did a great job with it, even if I feel like there are a whole lotta neutrals in it

12. Thanks for sharing both sides!

    1. You’re welcome Sheila 🙂

       1. Yes, thank you, I also really appreciate that-you always give honest opinions!

13. What a great list! I loved the Melted lippies best, but have to try the Bite Beauty mask asap.

    1. Yes! I think you’ll love it

       1. I need to try it also,it gets really windy here and it’s been extra cold my lips are suffering!

14. Isn’t it great that the list of HGs is waaaaaayyyyy longer than the fails?!

    1. It definitely makes me happy 🙂

15. I really like my Bare Skin foundation from Bare Minerals – strange because I usually don’t like their products. You have so many awesome holy grails!

    1. I know it worked well for a lot of people, but it just did not like me, at all!

       1. me either, but I know a lot of people who love their products!

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