box of neglect round 3 - lipstick edition

Remember my Box of Neglect challenge? I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't, it has been over a year since I have done anything with this series. That box contains a lot of tough cookies that made me feel overwhelmed in picking out what to test out next. I apologize and will do better, pinky promise. I'll back up this promise by attacking the lipsticks in my box. I have about two handfuls of lipsticks lying in the dusty box, waiting to be played with so here is the lipstick edition, round one.

NYX ROUND LIPSTICK IN FRAPPUCCINO

Man this lipstick is a throwback. Remember when NYX round lipsticks were all the rage? I bought this in the beginning stages of my obsession with makeup. I don't remember why I picked this particular shade, probably because someone on YouTube I followed at the time recommended it. Anyway, I have never worn this out of the house. I have only applied it on a Saturday and pranced around the apartment all day to get a feel for it. It is one of those mature, browny shades that I find outdated. It isn't exactly unflattering but it also isn't the best shade for me. The NYX round lipsticks are very creamy and slippy so application is easy and hydrating, however, this causes the lasting power to be weak.

SWATCHES

L to R: NYX Frappuccino, NYX Thalia, MAC Blankety, Revlon Mauve it Over

I think Frappuccino would be most flattering on olive skinned or deeper toned ladies as it would look like a natural nude without the corpse look. For us people on the paler side it looks very mature; office appropriate and non offensive. I thought it would be most similar to Revlon Mauve it Over but it is actually darker and more terracotta. NYX Thalia is more mauve and less brown. MAC Blankety is not even similar as it is paler and has no trace of red in it.

It should say something that I completely forgot about this lipstick's existence in my collection. It isn't a horrible shade but it is one that I can't see myself reaching for often or even a shade I would be in the mood to wear. Back in the BOX it goes.

RIMMEL BIRTHDAY SUIT

When I look at this lipstick now I can't help but wonder what the hell I was thinking when I bought it. It is the weirdest and most unflattering shade for me. It looks like the type of shade you would get as a cheap GWP. I remember I distinctly bought this because of Holly Ann Aeree when she was first starting out. She mentioned it was one of her top nude lipsticks. Ahh to be naive and just buy something because it's flattering on a YouTuber that does not have similar skin tones to you. This is my only Rimmel lipstick and probably the last since I dislike the formula very much. It doesn't glide on easily and accentuates dryness, as you can see in the above picture.

SWATCHES

L to R: Rimmel Birthday Suit, Revlon Nude Attitude, Revlon Soft Nude, Dior Incognito

Thankfully I seemed to learn my lesson by not going out and buying anything similar to this shade. It is an almost bronze brown in comparison to the other nudes I have. Another shade I completely forgot I owned. It won't be missed. BOX

MAYBELLINE PINK PLEASE

Maybelline does surprisingly well when it comes to lipsticks. They are creamy without being too messy and feel very comfortable. Pink Please was another Holly Ann Aeree pushed purchase but luckily for me this one works. One of those nice, soft medium pinks that works on almost everyone. I like the satiny finish.

SWATCHES

L to R: Maybelline Pink Please, Maybelline Born With It, MAC Angel, NARS Mayflower

I thought for sure this was going to be almost the same shade as MAC Angel but it isn't as pasel, it is also darker with a richer payoff. Born With It is sheerer and paler. NARS Mayflower is rosier and sheerer. I think I'll keep this one around, it photographs nicely and wears comfortably. I was pleasantly surprised I didn't own a shade similar to it seeing as it is a fairly non-unique shade. DRAWER

TOTALS THIS ROUND:
BOX: 2
DRAWER: 1

TOTAL SO FAR:
BOX:10
DRAWER: 6
TOSS: 1

box of neglect round 2

It is time for the second round of my Box of Neglect Challenge. If you are confused or have no idea what I am talking about, check out THIS post to get briefed and if you missed the first round you can catch up HERE. Which products get a second chance this time? I have to choose a fate for each product: BOX (to be sold/donated), DRAWER (I am keeping), or TOSS (to the garbage it goes).

THE CONTENDERS

L'OREAL TRUE MATCH BLUSH IN TENDER ROSE
This blush has a really great texture for being drugstore. It isn't very pigmented but that isn't bothersome since I feel like the majority who rely on drugstore makeup need a blush that is impossible to overdo. I would definitely recommend this lineup if you are on a budget. Unfortunately this color is not the best choice for me, it is a bit too cool on me. Because of this I know it is not something I will reach for often. Shame since I think overall the blush is lovely. BOX

MILANI BERRY AMORE BAKED BLUSH
This is my favorite shade out of the Milani baked blushes I own. It isn't so frosty that it makes my skin texture look bad and the color is also flattering on me. If you want to see a swatch, you can check out my old post on it HERE. I am also wearing it below (blue hat picture). Happily choosing to keep this. DRAWER

WET N WILD LAGOON
I think I have come to terms with the fact that colored eye shadows and me are just never going to happen often. Neutrals FTW! The only "colors" I realistically use are taupes and olives. Every thing else lays gathering dust. This eyeshadow texture is smooth and nice. The pigmentation is great and the color is gorgeously bright. It is nice to smudge into the lower lash line every now and then but I won't reach for this often. It deserves more love than I can give. BOX

Wearing Milani Berry Amore blush & WnW Lagoon Eyeshadow

MAC BLANKETY LIPSTICK
Yikes. This shade just does not look flattering on me at all. I don't know what it is about it. Perhaps a bit too rosy? Too pale? I am not sure. I just know every time I give it a chance and slap it on (heavily or dabbed on, it doesn't matter) it just does not work on me. BOX

NYX ESPRESSO BLUSH
I pulled this out, wore it for a few days, and declared myself a fool. Why did I throw this in the box?!? NYX makes really great blushes. This color is really awesome. Think of a versatile peachy neutral and that is exactly what Espresso is. I bought this way back when all because of Laura since she once expressed her love for it. Definitely a keeper. DRAWER

PHYSICIAN'S FORMULA VEGAS STRIP SHIMMER STRIPS
This is really nice. I seem to have picked the cream of the crop when it comes to my drugstore choices. Granted PF is on the "higher end" on a drugstore scale, but the quality of this product is very nice. It isn't too frosty, the texture isn't too chunky, and the finish is really pretty. It has the ability to be subtle but you can also build it up. I usually apply this to the tops of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid's bow. I have so many highlighters though! It would be more practical for me to give this up. The only downside to this is the packaging. I always have trouble opening it. Again, if you are on a budget this is a great choice. I just have too many highlighters to warrant keeping this. BOX

REVLON REALLY RED LIPSTICK
I spontaneously wore this one day and surprisingly didn't hate it. I am not a red lipstick wearer, but this lipstick makes me want to be! I am going to keep this. It is fun to wear and I think it will help me emerge out into the bold lipstick world. DRAWER

Wearing Revlon Really Red and Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips heavily.

I posted the above picture on my Instagram, but I think the angle of this picture showcases the products better. I am wearing Revlon Really Red, Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips, and NYX Espresso.

That is the end of round two. How did I do this time?

ROUND TWO
BOX: 4
DRAWER: 3

TOTAL SO FAR
BOX: 8
DRAWER: 5
TOSS: 1

Not bad. Glad to see so far I am getting rid of more items rather than hoarding them. Hope you enjoyed this round. Until next time...

box of neglect: round one

Here is the first round of my Box of Neglect Challenge. If you are confused or have no idea what I am talking about, check out my post HERE. Which products get a second chance? I have to choose a fate for each product: BOX (to be sold/donated), DRAWER (I am keeping), or TOSS (to the garbage it goes)!

CONTENDERS

MAYBELLINE DREAM MOUSSE CONCEALER
I don't care for this. This is discontinued but from what I gathered from the beauty community, it was popular. It doesn't match me very well and it doesn't do a great job at covering anything. There isn't much product left in this so I have decided to either use this up myself or toss it. I don't want to burden anyone with it. DRAWER/TOSS!

WET n WILD E/S PALETTE in VANITY
I completely forgot I had this palette. It is really nice for drugstore. The colors aren't unique but staples. I like this but I have so many other shades from higher end brands that work much better on me. The matte beige color is too stark on me and doesn't blend into my skin tone. This is a good product but I have other choices similar to it that suit me better. BOX!

MILANI BAKED BLUSH IN DOLCE PINK
I actually really like Milani's baked blush line. But I have to face reality. When it comes to my skin texture (scarred and large pores), these aren't my friends. Dolce Pink is very frosty. I love the shade of pink on me, but the frost and sparkle factor really emphasizes my skin texture. This would be lovely on smooth skinned ladies. This is a sad verdict, and I might even give this a third chance, but...BOX(for now)

STILA SUN BRONZING POWDER SHADE 2
Another item I completely forgot about. It don't mind this. I have been so exasperated by the poor performance Benefit Hoola gave me so it is nice to use a product that I like. It is matte, pigmented, and blends into my skin nicely. The texture isn't the best and the color could be potentially orange on pale ladies, but on me it turns out ok. I will use it up since I don't like any of the other bronzers I have right now. DRAWER

STILA ILLUMINATING FINISHING POWDER in ROSE GOLD
Every time I use this, it just does not want to show up on me. Perhaps that is the point? To be subtle? I just don't see any effect with this at all. I have tried using it all over and just on the tops of my cheekbones. Sorry, I like my highlighters to be noticeable. BOX

MILANI BAKED BLUSH in ROSE D'ORO
This color looks dirty on me. And has high frost just like Dolce Pink. It is so pretty in the pan, but I think frosty corals just don't suit me. Remember how I felt about MAC Stereo Rose? Wish it looked better on me...BOX

IN ACTION
In the above picture, I am wearing the Wet and Wild Vanity palette, Stila Bronzer, Milani Rose D'Oro blush. So what is the tally this first round?

BOX: 4
DRAWER: 2 (kinda)
TOSS: 1 (kinda)

That is it for this round in the challenge. Until next time. I am determined to give all my Milani baked blushes a chance even though they pretty much all have the same frosty finish...

the challenge: box of neglect

So I have this box. I call it the "put an item in it and if you forget about it after time you don't need it" box, or the Box of Neglect for short. A few lucky souls make it out alive when its memory lingers back to my mind. As for the rest? Forgotten and unused. The poor items in this box. They are the abandoned and rejected. Not that they are bad products. Mostly it is because I just didn't like them enough. They weren't impressionable and they were very much replaceable.

Since I do tentatively plan to try and attempt a blog sale this year, these are the products that would be put into it. But before I make the final decision and salute them off to new homes, I had an idea. I believe in second chances, so I will give this box of orphaned items just that. This will be my Box of Neglect Challenge for myself. I will do a series of posts on my progress for you all to go along with me to see my final decision for each product: to the box or drawer? Only time will tell...

I plan to use more than one item at a time (do you see the sheer amount of things I have in this?!) as I think it is the best tactic of choice. Let the challenge begin!

BTW, I don't plan to use the very rare Muppets palette by theBalm. I am definitely selling that. Or giving it away? I haven't decided. But I know for sure I am not using it myself. It is untouched!