TMO: ALL of the Nyx Element Palettes

In the spirit of the anti-haul, we are continuing down the road of bashing things we don't need to buy.

Let me get this straight, though. I love the IDEA of this series. I love THEMED products, there's a story to them that the user can infer from the product. It's cute.

It's also eyeshadow. And just like ones horoscope, it's important that we don't mold ourselves to objects we think represent us, but rather be able to choose on our accord. Or rather, abstain from depending entirely upon objects to define us at all.

I don't know how that applies to these palettes. I'm feeling quite philosophical.

Any fan of Avatar, the Last Airbender, Pokemon, Captain Planet, or anyone who thinks horoscopes are fun, and who also likes makeup are going to like these palettes.

! Let's start. All images were reprinted in Allure magazine, from Nyx's own snapchat. I've put the link to the Allure article here. You can click on the images to get a closer look.

1. The Water Palette:

So these are quite muted blues. I am quite disappointed in the two shadows in the second row, one is slightly bluer than the one to its right. We also have two robins-egg blues, and two cool-toned browns. I do think the color selection is okay, but matte blues may be patchy. I don't see them done well often. And the repeating colors just seems like a waste. Not being a fan of blue eyeshadow myself, I know I would not get any looks from this. Pass. 

2. The Fire Palette

Yes, Please palette, is that you? Hah. Again, a lot of repetition, and I'm not sure why. Two salmons? Three? Two yellows, one slightly yellow-er than the other? I know that duochrome will call to people, but that literally is the duochrome one can find in the Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette. It's very popular nowadays. Pass. 

3. The Metal Palette

Just as much as I hate black and white palettes, I hate all-shimmer palettes. It's overwhelming. Also, I don't appreciate that I need to bring another palette in to use it. I'd like a choice, dammit! But still, unless some of these are duochrome, I can't see the appeal. There is so much repetition among shades- coppery red, two light blues, two lavenders- either the palettes should have been smaller, or they could have really amped it up. 

4. The Air Palette

Are you Tea Mair? Lol. But seriously, pastels died with the Lorac Brunch Palette. No way Nyx is gonna get these chalky shades right. And what is up with all the salmon???

5. The Wind Palette

I love that Allure advertises this palette by saying it's a good alternative to the Naked Smokey, when I just denounced it. Officially. Buh-bye. 

Yeah so anyway, this palette. You could use any of those FIVE greys on the eye and I could not tell you which one it is. Noooooo. 

6. The Earth Palette

So, out of all 6, this is the one I am most drawn to. However, I can't deny that the same issues are here. Repeating colors. Not a whole lot of inspiration. And I am still using the Modern Renaissance, which has lovely reds and deep pinks. So, not needed. 

7. The collection as a whole: These remind me of the Sleek palettes, and like Pokemon, are singular enough to invite more than one purchase. Big trouble.

 I don't know what the price of these will be, but scrolling through Nyx's website, I see that palettes range from $10-$20. Seeing as these are on the smaller side, but with non-standard packaging, these might go for $10-$15. 

So, buying up all of them could cost you. I would heavily caution buying up more than one, or one at all, because additionally, I am not sure what the formula will be like. I have only owned had one experience with Nyx eyeshadow, from their mini collab with Ipsy, and they were okay. I ended up decluttering it, though, because I never used it. 

Overall, I am just seeing a lot of repetition. It's almost like Nyx is taunting you to buy more than one, because if you do get one, you're going to get the same looks over and over. 

It's a trap, I tell you! An oddly salmon-toned trap. 

I think part of the problem is dedicating each palette its own element, which can be quite limiting. Let's compare this collection to an old product, the Sephora + Pantone Elemental Energy palette. I found in image from this review, by Beauty Crazed:

Though I never had a chance to see how this palette works, I think the concept- similar to the Nyx collection, is executed much better. Interesting textures and finises- but still, a lot of useless browns. 

For a collection of all the elements, it still reads quite dull. 

The thing is, when you are marketing a product an encompassing a theme, anything really can be shoehorned into a theme. Jerrod Blandino keeps doing that with the Peach Palette- and how all of the colors represent different parts of a peach. Sure! I wouldn't want a whole palette full of peaches. 

But the elements? Colors and pigments are products of the elements, anyway, so anything would fit, wouldn't it? It's all just dirt, anyway, isn't it?

It's a tricky theme, boiled down by color family, essentially, and is quite limiting in terms of shade selection.

I don't need it, and I'm not going to buy it.

Products I am Trying to Use Up [Update 8/27]

I am by no means a Project Panner. I don't like feeling rushed to use or complete a product, especially because I don't think my collection is necessarily out of control. However, there are a couple of products I have that I like,

 but I really want to use up. So, today I'll go through each of these products, and whether or not I will repurchase them.

As of 8/27, I've made some progress in this pile of products! For the sake of ease, I've included that update throughout my reviews! 

1. Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist.
First, the positives. I do love how this makes my skin look and feel, especially after finishing makeup application. It is refreshing and does, for me, help with oil control. Negatives: The spray has become so annoying to use. I am about 78% finished with the product, but the spray really got worse over time. It's hard to press, and does not create a fine mist.

2. Wet n Wild Setting Spray
 So I had some of this product still in the bottle. But from prior experience, since this was my third time buying this spray, I knew this amount would not be usable. When it gets low, the mist becomes weak and not terribly helpful. So, I dumped the rest of this in the Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist. We'll see what happens. After I use up the Pixi Mist, I probably won't repurchase that or the Wet n' Wild, until I finish the L'Oreal Spray, as well as the Urban Decay one.

Update #1. So, in what I consider to be a pretty smart move, I poured the rest of the Wet n' Wild setting spray into the Pixi Bottle. Having more product in the bottle definitely made the PIXI spray more fine and mist-like, but the amount of product in that bottle didn't really change much, due to the addition of Wet 'n Wild. What I will say is that I like the combination a lot. I've been using it a lot since, and intend to continue using it. 

3. Urban Decay Primer Potion.
This stuff will not run out. Seriously. But I am almost there. I do like this primer, but I will not repurchase. I have found the Milani primer is just as good, and formula wise feels very similar.
Update #2. I will repeat: took forever to use up. But I am finally done. I cannot physically squeeze anymore out of the bottle. If I really cared, I could cut open the bottle and see what I could scrape out, but I am not going to do that. I already have the Milani primer on deck, so there is no need. I 

4. Nyx Away We Glow Highlighter in Crystal Glare.

 I am about 50% done with this product, maybe 60%. It is hard to tell. I like the effect of this highlighter, and I think it is very long lasting, but I just don't like cream products. When all my other face products are powders, using this and then blending it in is just a pain. It is really pretty, though. (With a rather short shelf life, though).
#Update 3: Argh. I have not made much progress with this, because I also have a Milani double sided highlight and contour pen thing, which I don't really like. Additionally, I have not been wearing too much makeup these past few weeks, and I don't enjoy the extra work I have to put in for this.  I decided to move this back to my face-products drawer for now. 

5. Affinitic Snail Cream.
No, I would not repurchase.  I mean, I did not actually purchase this in the first place. It was from an Ipsy bag. But I do like this facial cream. I added it to my list because I found this recently after having lost it, and thought it would be quite easy to use up. I am not sure what I plan to do with the container afterwards, though. Maybe use it for lip balm?
Update #4 All used up! Was a good moisturizer, but I will not repurchase. Nope. Instead I am using the Goat's Milk Nourishing Night Cream by Ziaja. 

Now, I will also add to this recently panned shades from my eye products! In my last eyeshadow files on the Modern Renaissance, I had only panned one shade:: Tempera. Now, I also have a small pan in Vermeer and a pin-sized one in Golden Ochre. I don't know why, but I feel myself trying to use up the lighter shades in this palette. I think it is because they don't "wow" me as much as the darker shades. 

When I first bought the Modern Renaissance was just beginning to use it, I was like "THIS ENTIRE PALETTE IS PERFECTION." Now I know that it's not. The ones I am, surprisingly, hesitant to use up are the rich oranges and reds- who would have thought? And it pisses me off that Raw Sienna and Burnt Orange are so similar that they practically perform the same function on the eye. Bummer. 

In my Z-Palette, I am also trying to use up a depotted KvD shade from the Chrysalis palette. The giant cream-colored matte called "Lifelike." It was repressed as a result of colllateral depotting damage, so it was already very loose. This is a heavily panned shade already, and I will probably be done with it by the end of September. In terms of alternatives, I plan to pan "Berries n Cream," a more pink-toned version of this. 

So that's it, folks! 

K-Beauty: Hits and Misses, vol 1

Bon nuit! Today's post is all about my experience with Korean Beauty products, also known as K-Beauty.

Some of these I've purchased from Amazon (some no longer available), but many actually have come from my local CVS Pharmacy.

I'll review each product, and give a quick review, using a HIT or MISS scoring system. Lessgo!

These first three products are actually empties! 

I. Tony Moly Magic Food Mushroom Cream Pore Pack, 30 mL mask, $12.61. First off, this stuff smells like chocolate pudding. And the packaging is so cute. It does dry down on the face and easy is washed/wiped away with a damp cloth. I believe I purchased this because Lisa Eldridge was talking about it. It is no longer sold by Amazon. Does it do a good job of clarifying the skin? Yes, mostly, but I feel I have used better ones. On the whole, though, I'd say this was a HIT. 

2. TONYMOLY Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack For Pore, $8.12. Bought from Amazon. No longer sold. This mask is a grey-white mask with a mousse-like consistency, and spreads easily on the skin. Towards the end, mine dried out a little. I would say that it does have a tightening sensation on the face, but not unpleasant. I would not repurchase, as I am not really concerned about pores any more. But I would say this was a HIT. 

3. Holika Holika Milky Cow Hand Cream in Yellow Cow (Banana). I bought this a couple of years ago from TJ Maxx for about $5.00. It is a very good lotion, and because of the secure packaging I am not afraid of traveling with it. A definite HIT. 

4. Ariul Cleansing Tissue, bough a 3-pack from CVS for $5.00. This was a MISS for me. Smelled nice and fresh, but greatly irritated my eyes. 

5. Holika Holika Gudetama Jelly Dough Blusher in Grapefruit. Bought from CVS for $12.49. Definitely on the pricier side, but much less compared to the Amazon price of $15.80. Anyway, love the design and packaging of this product. The pigmentation is very sheer, which I do prefer in a blush. I don't like the doctor's office-soap smell of this, but it fades quickly. Overall I'd say it's a HIT.

6.Holika Holika Gudetama Makeup Sponge Blender. $6.00, still available on Amazon. NOPE. Absorbed a little too much product for my liking, and very dense. And I am still upset that the purported "rose fragrance" was washed out when I tried to dampen this. MISS

7. The last product is a trio (the third is in my car currently) of little lotions from Holika Holika. This is the Pudding Hand Cream gift set, sold on Amazon still for $14.12. My favorite is the flan/custard one, which is in my car, but I do like the scent of the other two as well. What I don't like is that the scents disappear very quickly. Though the lotion also absorbs quickly, I feel it does not moisturize enough. But gaaaah cute packaging. In a way I would said that is 1/2HIT, 1/2 MISS.

What I do Want to Buuuuh-uuuy

So, after all my TMOing and antihauling, I do have a couple of things on the docket of items I actually do want to buy. I thought I would share them today!
[12/1/17] In the spirit of being reflective, I thought I would go back now and see if I still feel the same about these products, and if things have changed. 

I should note that I do research makeup, sometimes a bit obsessively. So all the of products listed here below are the result of a modicum of research.

1. City Color Shimmer Eyeshadow. Each single is sold for $4 on the City Color website, and you can also buy them in trios on Amazon for $15-$14. I was thiiiis close to buying a trio in Amazon, thinking for some reason that the products were being discontinued. They're not. And I hate the color combinations they put together for the trios anyway. So yeah. Very close to buying them. And in the future, if I need a shimmer eyeshadow, I'll just buy a single straight from the company site.
Huh. I am not so confident about buying straight from company sites anymore, especially with what happened to Tarte and Lime Crime. I am still very interested in these shadws- not enough to buy them just yet- but I do hope I get one this month in my Ipsy bag. 

Wait, why should I care about eyeshadow from City Color? Well, they hold the distinction of being ridiculously highly rated. On Temptalia- though I don't believe her opinion is the final word etc- they're scored in the A range. Pretty nice. Each single comes with 3.68 g of product which is A LOT. It is so much product I had to double check. In other words, you're paying about $1/g. Not bad.

So good quality, good value, and SHIMMER. What's not to like.

2. Dose of Colours Mini Palettes. Can't give much details because the brand just released word of this, as well as a "sneak peak" image of one of the 4 palettes. Like I said before- I love mini-palettes, and I could definitely see myself buying one. Unfortunately, I can also see these selling out. Fast. I would NOT, though, get the "Rust Palette," which is the one they used in their sneak peak:

Here's a little sneak peek of what's to come soon! "Beauty Rust" 6 pan mini eyeshadow palette. Five mattes and one shimmer. Perfect for the fall 🍁. For this project we really wanted to focus on matte textures with a dash of shimmer. These will be #ColouredRaine exclusives. • • There will be a total of 4 minis. Two cool and two warm toned. All are cruelty free. One palette in particular is vegan. • • Full details and launch information will be posted at a later date 💛❤️💚 • • 📷 by @mweststudio

A post shared by Coloured Raine Cosmetics® (@colouredraine) on Aug 24, 2017 at 5:04pm PDT

Ell oh ell. The excitement I had for these was real, so the beginnings of an entire series of TMO's and anti-hauls began. And it looks like my predictions were correct- the mattes were reported to be problematic. And once I saw the price, and the lack of variety in each palette, I knew these were not for me. 


3. Coastal Scents Fall Festival Palette, $13.00 from Amazon. $10 from the CS website (not with shipping)
Okay, so this is the palette:

Ugh, it's pretty. And no, not useful because it contains like one matte, Chamois Nude, that I actually owned before and decluttered because it was not as awesome as everyone said it was. BUT this is a really pretty palette. The color selection makes me think of when I used to go to an Orchard as a kid and it's harvesty and bright. And I wound't wear that blue. Whatever.

To me, this palette is also reminiscent of that Kat von D cathedral palette that is supposed to be coming out. Perhaps a more affordable alternative?

Speaking of the KvD Saint and Sinner palette, I am no longer going to buy from KvD. I just don't think her product suit me well. In terms of this palette, I know I would not wear the blue (maybe on my lower lashline though? Who knows), but I still think this palette is super pretty. I've bought tons of orangey shades these past few months, though, so I know I don't necessarily need this palette. 


BONUS: DO NOT BUY!!!
Because it has gone on sale AGAIN, I strongly encourage anyone reading this (lul) to avoid purchasing the Naked Smoky. Not only is that always on sale, it is often decluttered, and it is just not a useful palette. I think the concept itself was a failure. Anything can be "smoky." What they ended up with was a nearly monochromatic palette, which just freak me out.

Another example of this kind of distressing palette I found from Beauddiction, who purchased a series of palettes from the Academy of Colour, sold at Kohl's. Just look at it. Spooky.

from Beauddiction 

Anti-Haul/TMO: BIG Palettes

Ciao!

Today we are going to anti-haul two very hyped releases. One is an eyeshadow palette, the other a blush palette, both BIG!  Lul. Images courtesy of Trendmood, for commentary and critique. Lessgo!

1. Saint and Sinner Palette, by KvD

First #Swatch 😍🙀 #Holidays2017 !!! 🙌🏼💃🏼✨❄️ #SneakPeeks 👀👀 @katvondbeauty #SaintAndSinner New #EyeshadowPalette you can definitely can create a lot of looks with this one. #ComingSoon @sephora *will keep u updated For more sneak peeks please check ❄️✨ #trendmoodholidays2017 When it comes to @thekatvond there is always an inspiration and a story behind every product she creates. Thoughts ??? 🖤 XO #Trendmood #sephora Pic: @beautbyt THANK U for this beautiful!! Update: @makeupcrayz 😘 . #makeup #beauty #bbloggers #beautyblogger #makeupoftheday #motd #makeupoftheday #mua #ilovemakeup #makeup #makeupaddict #makeuplover #makeupblogger #makeuponpoint #onpoint #makeuplook #makeuplove #makeuptalk #makeuptutorial #makeuplover #makeupaddict #makeupaddiction #makeupdolls

A post shared by TRENDMOOD (@trendmood1) on Aug 23, 2017 at 11:10am

Thanks, trendmood. Now, we don't know the price yet, but another similar holiday palette by the brand, the My Vida Loca palette retailed for $59, so I am going to guess it will be in that range.

I personally felt the sudden urge to do the whole pre-order stay up late rigmarole when I saw the beautiful packaging for this palette. But then I was like, no. I have a job. And a lot of eyeshadow already.

You will notice the color selection of this palette is a problem. Many are saying already that the organization of the colors are a turn-off, too. I just don't think it is inspiring. And by the looks of this line, the collection is supposed to represent a moral duality- the Saint and Sinner. This palette does not look like the colors are organized into two sides- unless "good" is boring dusty neutrals  with  THREE whites, and "bad" is boring dusty mattes. Stained glass is not composed of warm neutrals and then pops of color. It is a kaleidoscope of rich and saturated hues:

If stained glass be bright, then why must this palette be dun?

Color problems aside, I can comment on quality of KvD shadows, though this can be chalked up to personal preference. I don't think her shadows are infallible at all. When I did have two of her palettes, I really liked some of the mattes, which were very soft, powdery, and pigmented- but not overly so. But I did end up decluttering the palettes because other mattes were super dry and patchy. And I hate her "glimmer" formula. It's too slippery for me, and I don't feel they come off with intensity and sheen.

Other bloggers have brought up the bulkiness of the packaging, and that it would be cute if she released "minis" of this- I have to agree. I LOVE mini-palettes, and it would not be as boring and overwhelming as this.

So, you don't need this palette just because it's new. Or has cool packaging. Or by an "infallible" makeup brand.  The fall of Subculture taught us this. It was like the fall of Lucifer, and all the people wept. Or something.

2. The Tarte Blush Wheel, $60

Available Now!!! LINK ➡️ BIO Online @tartecosmetics 💗💜👀 Our yearly favorite The #BigBlushBook3 ! Continuing the tradition With a new printed packaging (which is the inspiration for part of their #Holiday2017 Collection ) includes 8 Full size shades, 7 #blushes and 1 #highlighter $60: Heated, Lavish, Poised, Mindful, Peachy, Rad, Kindred. Did u get yours? XO #Trendmood #tartecosmetics THANK U for sharing these pictures @bianca.faccio and for the update: @beautybudgetcollection @stacyg1981 @kini_kini_ @bat.quinn 💜😘 U Rock!. . . . #makeup #beauty #bbloggers #beautyblogger #makeupoftheday #motd #makeupoftheday #mua #ilovemakeup #makeup #makeupaddict #makeuplover #makeupblogger #makeuponpoint #onpoint #makeuplook #makeuplove #makeuptalk #makeuptutorial #makeuplover #makeupaddict #makeupaddiction #makeupdolls

A post shared by TRENDMOOD (@trendmood1) on Aug 23, 2017 at 6:54am PDT

I have never purchased these Blush Books. I did buy a blush palette once, but ended up depotting it. I am including this in my anti-haul because one beauty blogger wrote she was "disappointed" and surprised it did not sell out. I can't imagine why. It is a sign of the times. People, especially who bought the first two, don't need this. Actually, if you have more than one individual blush already, you don't need this.

Why?

Look at the palette. The colors are not that distinct. The center is a highlighter, and I can assure you that any beauty lover will have highlighter.

Additionally, companies do not replicate the formula of their individual shadows in these palettes. They are weaker and cheaper. Benefit is guilty of this, as well as Tarte.

You are not going to use all of these. You will have one or two favorites, and it is worth your money to actually just buy the few you will actually use.

Between you and me, blush is one of those products that I rely on the drugstore for. There are some quite good drugstore blushes out there, and for what the product is- a wash of a shade of red on your face- you absolutely do not need to splurge. Period.

3. 🚨BONUS 🚨 The Moschino Teddy Bear Palette, $48.

It's out of stock already, but I am including it for the people who did not get their hands on it and are bummed.

from hellogiggles.com

I have to laugh at the hype of this. Over Sephora-brand eyeshadows. I am not trying to come off as a brand snob, but still. Their formulation of eyeshadows are not known for being particularly groundbreaking. Especially with their more recent collaborations with Pantone- the last few releases of those were terrible.

And the rush to get this was not because of a brand loyalty to Moschino. Please. It's because it's a teddy bear shaped palette. You know it.

And all the people who lambaste Too Faced for being "cutesy" went for this palette.

If you didn't get it, it's not that you didn't get these colors. You have these colors. This is the Jaclyn Hill palette from Morphe (just announced another restock in September). Or maybe you have most of these colors, but don't have the blues. So get blue singles from a company that has single-blue shadows that have been reviewed! No, it's not about the eyeshadow. It's about a bear. A teddy bear. A golden teddy bear that cannot fit in a drawer with other palettes, but will be propped up on a vanity for display and never be used, and if there are children in the house they will want to play with the bear, but nope, they can't! Because this is a $50 eyeshadow bear, kids. Ughhhhh.

Look. I am not against fun in makeup. Makeup should be, primarily, about fun. But if the golden teddy bear/ bougie childhood revamp aesthetic is what is missing in your life, there are alternatives.

------

Hope you enjoyed my anti-haul! I am sure we can expect more in the near future- this holiday season is going to be a wild ride. 😉