First Impressions | Makeup and Skincare

Do I have any idea how to describe these products? Nope. Am I going to attempt it anyways? You betcha! I get way too much joy out of trying new products (product junkies, unite!) so I thought I would share with you my first impressions on a few that I've tried recently.

Before I start I just want to clarify that none of these were given to me by these brands. I either purchased them myself or they were given to me by my gorgeous cousin who had too many products and not enough time to try them. I volunteered my face as tribute and that brings us to where we are today. 

 Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick - In the colours Bawse and Stepping Out

I know the norm is to save the best for last but I'm sharing my favourite first. If I'm completely honest, I probably wouldn't have tried these lipsticks if they weren't given to me as a gift. I had tried a few matte lipsticks and I just wasn't a fan so I wasn't planning on purchasing these ones. After applying the colour Bawse for the first time, and really liking it, I tried taking it off so I could go play with Thomas without getting lipstick all over him. I love a bold lip but there is no point in wearing one when I can't kiss my baby or I risk smudging it when he touches my face. That was when I realized that this lipstick wasn't budging. I had to use eye makeup remover to get the lipstick off. 

The realization that I could kiss my baby, eat and drink and the colour wouldn't move brought me an embarrassing amount of happiness. I have worn a red lip to a couple Christmas parties now and it stayed looking nice for hours. I can't believe I didn't try this sooner. 

The one downside is that if your lips are dry it's far more obvious when you're wearing a matte lipstick. I don't notice it as much when I'm wearing Bawse but when I'm wearing Stepping Out my lips do look a little dry.

All it's taught me is that I need to take better care of my lips in the colder months haha. I am really eager to try the colours In Demand and Miss Conduct now.

 Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer

I have really dry skin and the moisturizer I had been using in the summer just wasn't cutting it in the cold Vancouver weather. The texture of this moisturizer is difficult to explain. It's almost like a dense but lightweight whipped texture. You just have to go to Sephora and stick your finger in a sample to know what I'm talking about. After applying it for the first time my face immediately it felt like it had been injected with moisture. I'm rarely so quickly impressed with a moisturizer. 

I thought I should mention that I don't have very sensitive skin so if you do, proceed with your usual caution. I also have only been using this for one week so I can't say if my skin will like this longer term. My last thought is that I can't really say I've noticed any of the hydroblur benefits that the Sephora website speaks of. Assuming my skin is still happy longer term I will definitely purchase another one when I'm done this one.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intense Exfoliator

I can't say that I noticed a more radiant complexion after one use but I did feel like this was really cleaning deep down. Mostly because it was kind of burning so I associate that with deep cleaning. I haven't noticed any major difference in my pores yet but I just read that I should use it in a steamy shower for optimal results so that's what I'll do next.

I obviously don't have a long term opinion but my first impression is that it didn't cause me to break out and it gave my skin that slightly burning-it must be deep cleaning- feeling.

Benefit Gimme Brow

 I literally do nothing to my brows so I was excited to give this a try. I don't get them shaped and I don't fill them in. I have a few eye brow pencils and I've attempted to fill them in before but I just couldn't be bothered to spend the time. That's always something that blows my mind when I watch beauty gurus do their makeup. They spend what feels like 20 minutes on their brows and I'm over here spending 5 minutes on my entire face. I can't say I want bold brows but I do think more defined brows looks nice (especially as I age and my face continues to get saggier).

 I think this Gimme Brow is a really great way to quickly add some definition to my eye brows. I know there are some pretty impressive brow products on the market but they really intimidate me. I kind of feel like this is a good option for beginners... aka, me.

Stila Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Eye and Cheek Palette in Light/Medium

I saw this palette when I was Christmas shopping and fell in love. I loved the colours and when I swatched the shadows they were nice and buttery. I use the three lightest colours the most right now for every day. I am also loving the blush colours. I've been using this palette for two weeks now and I find myself reaching for it over my other palettes. 

 My only caution is that the blushes are dangerously close to the dark brown shadows and if you're not careful your blush brush will pick up the dark brown and you will end up with a brown streak on your cheek bone next to your blush. Not that I've done that. Twice.

 Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

I have been really impressed with the Smashbox concealer and foundation so I was really excited to give this palette a try. I love these colours so much. Aside from the two blue hued shadows these are my ideal colours. My impression when swatching them in the store was positive but when I brought it home and started using it I was left with a big "meh". The colours don't apply nicely to my eye lids. I've tried them with a primer and without one. I've tried using my fingers and brushes. If I use brushes than the shimmer shades don't show up on my eye lids at all.

I am definitely not an expert so it's possible I'm just doing something completely wrong but I've been able to figure out other eye shadows without any issue. Besides, I take issue with any makeup that isn't user friendly, so if my application techniques are the issue than I'll stick with my other shadows.

I really wanted to like this palette but it's just sitting in my drawer. I also realized after putting these photos onto my laptop that I could have wiped the palette down. But to be fair, Thomas woke up from his nap while I was photographing them so I was doing most of this with a 17lb baby in my arms.

So that's it! Those are my first impressions and I'm sticking to them. Let me know if you have tried any of these and what your thoughts are.