I admit it is taking a long time to bring to you this part three post, but it is worth the wait! If you are a beauty junky you are really going to like my what I got for Christmas 2016 beauty haul. Be sure to stick around for all the swatches and reviews of these great gifts, and leave yourself a few moments to check out part one and part two if you missed them. Let the fun begin!
Body Fantasies Pink Sweet Pea Fantasy gift set
The first item in my what I got for Christmas 2016 beauty haul is a gift set. Pink Sweet Pea Fantasy is my absolute favorite body spray scent. I have so many bottles of it that I truly have a lifetime supply. While I already have the items in this gift set, you can never go wrong with backups.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is my everyday blending sponge, and I am obsessed with it! I have no desire to spend $20 on the real BeautyBlender, and I feel that I do not have to with this sponge.
Udderly Smooth Hand Cream
I use Udderly Smooth Hand Cream nightly before bed, and I really like it. It is the only cream I will use next to Suave’s Smoothing lotion.
Global Beauty Care Collagen Makeup Cleansing Wipes
Global Beauty Care Collagen Makeup Cleansing Wipes are makeup remover wipes that you get from Dollar Tree, and they come in two varieties. I highly recommend these because not only do you get 30 wipes for $1, but they are actually very moist! Usually cheap wipes from the dollar store are always dry, but these do work. I do use reusable makeup cloths now, but these wipes are great for days when you are pressed for time.
e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner
If you have been a blog reader for some time, then you know that I am obsessed with Daily Brush Cleaner. On a daily basis I spray my brushes with this product to remove excess color in between regular washings, and it works. There are other brush cleaning sprays on the market, but I have not tried them to compare. For $3, you cannot go wrong.
Nyx
Matte Finish Setting Spray
I first got turned on to Nyx’s Matte Finish Setting Spray after watching a video where it was used as a makeup base. I spray it on after applying primer but before foundation, and allow it to dry. Somehow it is now a daily staple in my makeup routine, but it is hard to judge if it is really helping my makeup to last longer.
HD Concealer in 01
Nyx’s HD Concealer is my everyday go-to concealer for under eye highlighting. Based on videos I have watched, this concealer is a dupe for Urban Decay’s Naked Skin concealer (although I have not tried it). I find it hard to get a good drugstore concealer that is lighter than your foundation shade, but this one rocks. I am including a swatch that I am blending out a little bit.
Nyx Set
I really like the quality of this set. The Lip Liner Crayon in Hot Red is smooth and the Soft Matte Lip Cream sets completely matte in a few minutes. Each are a nice shade of red with beautiful pigmentation. Obviously I cannot swatch a lip primer, nor do I know how it behaves until I use it.
Urban Decay
Vice Lipstick Sampler
This Vice Lipstick sampler is a free gift. I am shocked by how many colors are included! I think they are beautiful, especially in the color-coordinated arrangement.
Naked Illuminated Trio
This is a gift that I was really hoping to get. Urban Decay never disappoints, and neither does this set. Each highlighter is beautiful and packed with shimmer. I even like the included brush and plan on using it! It is hard to tell from a picture, but they really shine in the light as you rotate the swatches.
Spinning cosmetic holder
Santa found this awesome clear acrylic makeup holder to give me more storage. It really holds a lot! It also spins for easy access to all items.
wet n wild Count Down Kisses Wheel
I adore wet n wild megalast lipsticks because they are always creamy and pigmented at a great price. All of these colors are new for my collection. The swatches do not disappoint me. I love the variety provided in this gift set. The shade names are below from left to right.
The Color Workshop
Kiss & Tell
My review of this set really applies to all of The Color Workshop lipsticks that I have here. The color varieties are nice, and I think they are alright for beginners. I am not a fan of the formula. The pigmentation is ok. I say save your money on these. I will say the lip liner is very smooth and swatches easily.
Merry Kissmas
I totally hate lipgloss, so I will be passing the tubes off to a friend. Again, I am not impressed by the lipstick formula, but the lip liners are nice and I will use them. The lip crayons are not bad, probably better than the lipsticks. I do like the lip conditioners and lip scrub. I also appreciate having the lip liner pencil sharpener, so that I have a pencil sharpener separate from the one I use for eyeliners. The lip gloss palette does not swatch well. This could be because it is lipgloss. I think the best course of action is to attempt to apply it with a lip brush and see if any color can be packed on. I anticipate I will not like it for the lip gloss factor.
Fashion Palace
I am trying to stay away from poor quality gift sets, but this set looks like a winner. I want Fashion Palace because The Color Workshop is stepping up with their eyeshadow palettes (and you get four!), the nail polishes are rather large, and their blush, contour, and highlighters are good. The nail polish colors complement each other nicely. I will pass the mascaras onto a friend. The eyeliners are pretty basic. I have to say the blushes, bronzer, and highlighter swatch beautifully! The only weird thing is the smaller sections in those palettes- it will be hard to get your brush into the product. The lipsticks, again, do not have the best formula. I bet you did not see those eyeshadow swatches coming out so good! A slight glitter overspray is used for some shades, but they maintain their sparkle pretty well, so I am not mad.
Profusion
Brows set
The last group of products in this what I got for Christmas 2016 beauty haul are from Profusion. I think this is a good brow set. It includes five brow stencils, a basic brow pencil, and a brow palette. The palette has a wax, two brow bone highlighters, and four brow powders. I think they swatch just fine- they look like typical brow powders. Brow powders never swatch the best in general, because they are meant to be packed into the brows and then combed through with a spooley. I do not think this set will disappoint. Profusion makes great products for the face.
Beauty Book
My experience with Profusion in the past is that their face products are great (brows, blush, contour, and highlight), but their eyeshadows leave a lot to be desired in terms of pigmentation. It seems as though they have been stepping their eyeshadow game up lately, so I am giving them another shot. I have to say I am really pleased with this beauty book! This set includes brow powders, cream eyeliners, eyeshadows, a basic eyeliner pencil, a highlighter, a blush, and a bronzer. Below I am swatching a few select shades of eyeshadow, as well as the highlighter, blush, and bronzer. Everything comes out smooth and pigmented. I am honestly shocked by the eyeshadow pigmentation.
Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Case in Natural
After swatching the eyeshadows in the beauty book I am beyond ecstatic to swatch the two eyeshadow tins. The colors in both tins are absolutely to die for. The good news is that they both swatch marvelously! It is going to be so much fun creating looks with everything. I can hardly wait to dive in. The included brushes are not terrible.
Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Case in Smoky
Lip High Pigmented Matte Lipstick in Rose
The last products in my what I got for Christmas 2016 beauty haul are two lipstick palettes from Profusion. Upon first glance of these lip tins I think all of the colors are amazing, and it looks like you get a lot of product. However, they both swatch pretty sheer and never dry matte. I am holding out hope that I can pack on color using a lip brush.
Lip High Pigmented Matte Lipstick in Plum
I am overall pleased with all of the makeup in this what I got for Christmas 2016 beauty haul. Some of these swatches are definitely and I even have some tried and true favorites. I cannot wait to try everything out! Do you plan on buying any of these items, or did you get these as gifts too? I am itching to talk beauty with you in the comments. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
