the Estee edit {Influenster review}

First off, let me say that I received these items from Influenster in exchange for my fair and honest review. This is not sponsored and all opinions are my own!

 This will be quick!

Metallishadow Crème + Powder - Buy yourself a ColourPop $5 shadow instead. This Estee edit one was hard to work with, messy, and just didn't look that great.

Inside Track Eye Kajal - LOVED this eye liner. I like that the double end complements each other and it is super long lasting. Creamy, but stays put.

Radiance Activator Treat + Prep + Glow - This does exactly what it says it is. It's a serum & glowy primer all rolled into one pump. Can be used night or day, under moisturizer or on top....It smells nice and left my skin feeling pretty. I like this but it's pricey and I doubt I would have spent the money on it myself.

Late Night Eraser Brightening Eye Balm with Pink Peony - I freaking adore this eye balm. It's moisturizing, cooling, and I can easily apply my concealer, corrector, etc., after it's sunk in. The best part is the metal tip. It feels SO good on my always tired under eyes.

All around review: This is a pretty decent line. A little pricey for my liking, but good, high quality ingredients and products. I mainly recommend the eye liner and the eye balm. I'm obsessed with those.

Project Pan/Use It Up Update #1

I am 19 days into my no-buy/project pan/use it up. So far so good. I have purchased brush cleaner (desperately needed) and have been trying to find a foundation. The ones that I have are either too dark, or are not fitting my skins needs as of right now. Today I picked up the new Loreal Infallible Pro-Matte, and I am hoping my hunt is over. First impression is fairly good. The true test will be wearing it to work tomorrow. (My no-buy does not include foundations or nail polishes).

I have two items that I am saying good-bye to for Project Pan. I just can't with them anymore. The first is a sample size Bare Minerals 5 in 1 cream shadow: it is way too dark to use as a base and I found myself missing my Painterly Paint Pot way too much. Since I did not spend any money on the 5 in 1, I am calling it good & trashing it tonight. The second item is Estee Lauder Luminous Primer: it just plain sucks. I have never hated a cosmetic product more in my life. It makes me way too glowy and settles into every single line and pore I did not know I had. Also, I am beginning to think/realize that Estee Lauder products in general dry my skin out, and I can't be having that. I have some samples of other face primers I am going to use, while still be on the hunt for a 'moisturizing' primer. My eye is on the new TooFaced Hangover Rx Primer.

Final photo of the two most hated products in my makeup life. Good-bye! It hasn't been nice knowing you!

I am going to supplement these two items with random samples, skin care, and a Victoria's Secret body spray. Stuff I actually want to use. I have realized that if I do not like something, why bother using it? Just upsets me. Have a wonderful short week everyone!

I cried...

I cried today. I have been on the hunt for the perfect foundation for a long time. Because of the redness in my skin, I get matched for colors too orange, or get matched for someone who is porcelain...My dry spots soak up the foundation leaving creases, or it all rubs away with a light touch. I got a foundation from MAC, but I looked fake and all of the above. I exchanged it for another that rubbed away instantly and showed every single of my pores.

I went to the mall this morning to return a lippie and the first foundation. Walked out with another foundation and didn't like how it oxidized on my skin. I'm one of those customers when I don't like something, I'm returning it. Makeup is $$$. I wandered aimlessly into Macy's found a woman who looked nice and told her my dilemma. Don't you know I started to cry?!? Tears. Big ones. There went the rest of my foundation, leaving patches of red skin and freckles poking through in the most conspicuous spots! She ever so gently guided me to the Estee Lauder counter and wished me luck.

I had heard great things about Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation...come to find out it's numero uno. Out I walk with shade 2N1 Desert Beige. And a free gift! I have only had this on my face for about an hour now, and you are probably wondering what the point of this post is....I'm getting to that.

When the lady I first encountered asked if I was only crying because of foundation, I could honestly say "yes, only because of foundation". Thankfully she was a woman and understood. Sometimes we do cry because of something that seems so trivial and silly later on, but in that exact moment in time, it is the biggest thing in the world. You're probably saying "Buck up Stephanie, it's only makeup". My answer to that: I don't like to look at myself in the mirror with a naked face. And finding the perfect foundation that does its job  helps me to go about my day, easing my low self-confidence so I can go out and do what I need to get done with my head held high.

On a happy note, there was a gift with $35 purchase!!! I completely forgot that Estee Lauder does these gifts and they are AMAZING!!!

 

 

Have a good day everybody! Remember to do what makes you happy and full of confidence. That may be working out, doing your makeup, cleaning, or playing with your children, and if you cry over the "little things" it's okay. Tears eventually dry up and then you can see the good things that are hiding, waiting for their chance to make you smile.