The Makeup Cull

Following on from The Skincare Cull here is the makeup that hasn’t quite made the cut. Again, some just don’t work for me anymore and some I just plain don’t like. There was actually a fair few others in this cull, but they were mostly really old lipsticks that just got tossed.

Ok, let’s start with the bases. The original Laura Mercier Silk Crème is just not for me anymore. It used to work alright when my skin was more combo, but as it is quite normal/dry now this just looks a bit cakey on me. Not to mention it smells a bit like house paint. It’s not a bad base for someone with combo skin who desires a pretty full on coverage. I much prefer the reforumalated Moisturising Version (more on that here). Second base to go is the Nars Sheer Glow. Yep, really. I honestly really dislike this one, despite it being a blogger favourite. I find it patchy, cakey and just plain unflattering on me. There’s nothing ‘glowy’ about it. I have tried a multitude of application methods, primers etc etc and I can’t make it work for me. The last base to go is the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream which is a matter of shade rather than dislike, because I actually quite like the formula of this one. Unless I am rocking an über dark spray tan (doesn’t happen) the shade I have is just too dark. I would consider picking up a lighter shade of this in the future, but I am a little inundated with bases right now so I will hold off.

Another blogger favourite that I just can’t get on with is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser. I’ve given this one a good try, but I find it really creasy underneath my eyes and it ages me, rather than makes me look better lols. Also, the foam tip applicator is a bit eeww but I could forgive that if the concealer worked me, but unfortunately this one doesn’t.

The recently (ish) released Nars Audacious Mascara seems to have divided the beauty community. I only (thankfully) have a sample/trial version but I don’t know who could possibly enjoy applying this mascara. The wand is so super stabby I feel like one false move and I’ll blind myself for life. It’s just very unpleasant to use basically. Out it goes!

Ok, I feel like I’m going to be judged really harshly for this one (please don’t!) but the YSL Rouge Volupté lipsticks are just…. very meh. These should, in theory, be totally up my street. Creamy, hydrating, good pigmentation. But I just can’t love them. Dare I say they are too creamy? They seem to apply very patchy on me and just settle into lines or slip around outside my lip line. They are off to find a better home now.

The Burberry Fresh Glow Blush in Pink Peony must be the front runner for ‘Dud Makeup Item of All Time’. It is the least pigmented product I have EVER come across. I’d have swatched it for you, but there was really no point. You’d basically be looking at my bare arm. I’m not even joking. Thinking I had gotten a dud (online) I went in and swatched in store. The same! I’m not sure what the staff at Burberry were smoking when they released this particular product, but it is pitiful. I am a huge Burberry fan, but this one cheek stick did leave a sour taste in my mouth.

Milani Baked Blush in Rose D’Oro is actually very pigmented, no issues there! The shade however doesn’t translate well on me and it is just a bit to sparkly for me personally.

And now I shall hide from all the beauty lovers who will shame me when I say that MAC Soft and Gentle is just not for me at all. I don’t even understand myself sometimes. I swatch on my hand – lovely. I put it on my face and it just looks terrible. There’s a greeney look to it on my face (which I don’t see when I swatch on my hand) it casts a similar shade to my cheekbones that you get when you wear a really cheap fake gold ring on your finger. Honestly, it’s just awful. Luckily I have a Makeup Artist friend who will put this one to good use as this bloody highlighter seems to suit every other person on the planet (slight exaggeration).

As explained in my Skincare Cull post, I will not be just tossing these items in the bin, I have a box for family and friends to dig through with samples etc so fingers crossed all items will find loving homes.

Have you tried any of the above? Let me know how you got on with it!