Product Review -- Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation

I have tried a ton of new foundations in 2017 (I've bought so many that I think I'm actually putting myself on a foundation no-buy for the foreseeable future -- I can't buy a new one until I finish up one that I already have or something like that. Though I still have several I haven't even reviewed yet so you may still get some foundation sightings on the blog), and I've really liked most of them.

The bareMinerals Bare Pro Performance Wear Foundation and the Fenty  Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation are probably the standouts, but the Tarte Clay Stick Foundation and The Ordinary Colours Serum Foundation have also been favorites over the year.

I think what's made me most excited about the foundations I've tried recently is that I keep getting better and better color matches. My skin is incredibly fair, and the lightest shade in most brands is usually too dark so I need to add a white mix-in to lighten them up.

Lately, though, I haven't had to do that -- and in the Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation, I may have actually found the first foundation that, if it's not an absolutely perfect match, actually falls on the side of being too light rather than dark.

Product Review -- It Cosmetics It Girl Palette

Usually, It Cosmetics puts out some type of eyeshadow palette for the holiday season -- and I buy them just as soon as they come out.

It Cosmetics' shadows may not be as fun, bright, or bold as those from other brands, but they always perform well and work really well for everyday, so it's a no-brainer for me.

This year, though, It Cosmetics took a different route and came out with the It Girl Palette, an eye and cheek palette.

I still picked this one up without hesitation because I also happen to be a pretty big fan of It Cosmetics blushes, and I'm always looking for palettes that are easy to travel with.

The It Girl Palette comes in a plastic compact that features a pretty sparkly rhinestone-like lid. I think the design is perfect for the holidays, but I have noticed that it has a very plasticky smell that I'm not a big fan of.  Though that's mostly worn off at this point, so I only smell it now if I press my nose up to it ... which, honestly, I have no reason to do.

Product Review -- BECCA First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh

I have kind of a hard time with primers.

Not because they irritate my skin or have any adverse effect on my foundation, though.

Instead, it's because I never really notice them doing much of anything.

I usually choose hydrating primers because my skin is dry and I mainly want a formula that's going to moisturize my skin a little bit so my foundation doesn't going on flaky or patchy -- and beyond that, there really isn't all that much to see, I suppose.

Still, I'm always on the hunt for a magical kind of primer that's somehow going to make my foundation look airbrushed and flawless.

Considering the texture issues I have with my skin (tons of enlarged pores on my cheeks from my acne struggles as teenager), that likely isn't ever going to happen.

But I still had high hopes for the BECCA First Light Primer Filter Instant Complexion Refresh.

Product Review -- Too Faced Clover Eye Shadow Palette

One of the few things that I'm more crazy about than makeup is dogs.

I may only have two doggies at home, but I am a full-on crazy dog lady and if I ever win the lottery or Publishers Clearing House shows up on my doorstep with a giant check, I'm totally buying a giant, sprawling ranch and adopting all the rescue pups I can find.

So if you put together two things that I absolutely love -- dogs and makeup -- I am all over it.

Which is how Too Faced had me hook, line, and sinker with the new Clover Eye Shadow Palette.

Not only was the palette designed in honor Clover, the adorable chihuahua that belongs to Too Faced co-founders Jarrod and Jeremy and serves as the brand's mascot, but proceeds from the palette are also going to the Best Friends Animal Society.

I get fun makeup and the chance to help animals? Sign me up!

Product Review -- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation

I've had mostly good luck with IT Cosmetic's face products.

Their Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is one of my favorite foundations, particularly for everyday, I love the Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder for setting foundation, and the Bye Bye Under Eye Eyelift in a Tube is a go-to under eye concealer for me.

So I'm always willing to take a chance on a new product from the brand.

(Even if I occasionally get burned, as I sort of did with the Bye Bye Pores Illumination Pressed Powder.)

The Bye Bye Lines Foundation was especially appealing to me because I like the idea of my face products having skin care ingredients.

Don't get me wrong -- I don't expect a foundation to have the same effects on my skin as a serum or other treatment product (especially considering I switch my foundation up almost daily), but I figure it's always better to have ingredients that are actually good for my skin in it than those that aren't.

Product Review -- Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette

Metallic and shimmery/glittery eyeshadow palettes seem to be all the rage this holiday season.

I'm not really complaining, though I prefer metallic shadows to glittery ones personally.

(I just find that glitter shadows take a little more work to use, but maybe that speaks to my lack of patience more than anything else.)

The Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette was at the top of my must-have list, though, because I loved that it offered both natural tones, which I personally get more use out of, and fun, bright shades, which I like to play with when the mood strikes.

My Two Cents: Boxycharm Subscription Box (October '17)

A couple of years back, I was kind of a beauty subscription box junkie.

I probably had a two to three active at any moment, and I enjoyed them for the most part.

But they sent mainly deluxe sample and sample size products and contained mostly skin, hair, and body products, so they weren't all that exciting for me personally.

I eventually decided that I had enough samples and cancelled all of them.

Since then, I've seen plenty of blog posts and YouTube videos about Boxycharm, but I never really read or watched. I figured Boxycharm was just like all the other subscription boxes, so I wasn't particularly interested.

When I eventually found out that Boxycharm sends full-size items that are mostly makeup focused, I started to do a little research. I check out the posts and videos about past boxes, I read a ton of reviews, and checked out all the FAQs on the Boxycharm website.

I figured that for $21 a month, which is the monthly fee if you opt for a month to month subscription, it was worth giving it a try.

Product Review -- Tarte Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette

I'm usually a fan of Tarte's eyeshadow palettes, but the Tartelette and Tartelette in Bloom (along the the Tartetist Pro Palette) are probably two of the best that they've ever come out with.

The Tartelette in Bloom has particularly become one of my favorite everyday shadow palettes.  

That's why I was so excited to hear that they were adding another palette to the range.

The Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette  features the same design and layout as the other two Tartelette Palettes, but like the Tartelette in Bloom Palette, it has a mix of matte and shimmery shades -- though all of them lean toward the warm end of the spectrum.

Product Review -- NYX Slip Tease Full Color Lip Oil

In my experience, NYX pretty much kills it when it comes to lip products.

I can't even count how many lip pencils, lipsticks, glosses, and liquid sticks that I have from the brand in my collection ... because it's a whole hell of a lot. 

So I'm always willing to give one of their new lip products a try.

The new Slip Tease Full Color Lip Oil was particularly appealing to me, though.

With the cooler weather hitting (or at least, it should be. It's only just starting to stop feeling like summer here on Long Island), I know that my lips are going to be dry and chapped pretty soon -- and a full color lip oil sounds like just the thing to keep them looking great.