With all the travelling we’ve been doing lately I’ve had plenty of opportunities to put a lot of new makeup to the test. All-day wear tests, hot days, and long flights. So these are really more like second impressions, but that’s not a very good blog post title…There are a lot of misses in this roundup and very few hits, so settle in and get your “do not buy” list ready.

The Urban Decay Elements Eyeshadow Palette* is downright gorgeous, but honestly not terribly practical for everyday use. The brown tones are gorgeous and of course UD quality, but the rest of the shades are more for special occasions rather than any ol’ Tuesday. It’s such a fun palette, but you’ll be able to find a lot of the shades in other, more travel-friendly palettes. Save your pennies on this one unless you’re in it for the wow factor of the palette itself.

I picked up the DevaCurl Wave Maker after I chopped my hair off again hoping it would help add curl and style to my new hairdo. It did absolutely nothing for my hair. I used barely any of the product the first few times to no avail, so I bumped up how much I was using. It left my hair feeling greasy and flat. Avoid this one for sure.
I’m obsessed with the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream so when they released the Oil Free Matte* version my interest peaked. I usually avoid matte bases like the plague as my skin is already a dry desert, but this cream didn’t leave my skin looking dry or patchy. I do still prefer the original formula, but this is a great option if I ever step away from the dewy skin vibes. It’s long lasting and can be built up for more coverage. 

I scooped up the Lancome Monsieur Big from a recommendation from The Anna Edit and I must say I’m not overly impressed. It lengthened my lashes, but I’m always on the hunt for bold, voluminous lashes over length. I’ve been pairing it with the IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara for to add some volume, but I won’t be repurchasing this in the future.
IT Cosmetics recently reformulated their Full Coverage Waterproof Concealer* and I’m loving it. It’s thick. Like very thick. And the shade range is MASSIVE so finding the right shade takes a lot of time and guesswork. But it seriously works at covering dark under eye circles. I definitely recommend setting it with a light powder to keep it in place and mattifying it a little bit, but if you struggle with looking like a dead zombie, this one’s for you.

Even though the weather is getting colder in Michigan, with all the travel to warmer areas I’ve still needed a good facial sunscreen. The Derma E Sun Defense Mineral Oil-Free Sunscreen* has been fantastic at feeling light-weight on my face while giving me some extra protection. It also sinks into the skin quickly which is a definite must for me in the mornings as I run around constantly late.
Have you tried any new beauty bits lately? What have been your favorites?