I was originally going to do something else this week, but I realized I had so many products sitting in my declutter drawer that I just don’t really want in my collection anymore. Most of these products are perfectly fine (and you might love them) but they got replaced by something that works much better for my skin and preferences. I never end up reaching for them, and they would be much better off with a friend. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Instead of the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick in 1.5N, I’m keeping the Rare Beauty Soft Matte Foundation in 10 – The Dior stick foundation formula is totally fine, but the shade is just a bit too warm and orange on me. I can get away with a complexion product that’s a little too warm if the formula is nice enough, but this one doesn’t play super well with any of my blue color correctors, which is normally what I do if something is too orange. The Rare Beauty Soft Matte Foundation is what I’ve been reaching for instead. Since it’s a liquid foundation, it’s not technically a one-to-one replacement for a stick foundation, but it fills the same role for me when I want that more matte satin, perfected skin kind of base. I have only had it for a little while (I got it in my Sephora sale order) and have only worn it a couple times, so this isn’t a long term review. The shade match is so much better, and it blends in without needing any color corrector. I also just like the formula better. This is one of my favorite matte foundation finishes I’ve tried in a long time because while it is matte and blurring, it’s not too drying. It really looks nice all day. I even tried it without primer or anything hydrating underneath just to see what it would do, and even on my very dry skin, it only broke up a tiny bit. I also really like the packaging, which is a pump that locks. This makes it really easy to travel with or throw in a bag. I could not get the swatches to show up true to color no matter what lighting (indoor, outdoor, any room) I tried but I can confirm that my husband literally couldn’t even tell the Rare beauty swatch was on my arm.
Instead of the Bubble Secret Agent Color Correcting Balm Redness Fix, I’m keeping The Saem Cover Perfection Pen Concealer in Green Beige – The Bubble corrector is one I might not recommend for anyone, but if you love it, let me know in the comments. It has this weird watery texture, and when I blend it out it turns into this beigey orange that’s also green, it doesn’t do a good job of cancelling redness. I end up with a weird orangey red blotchy situation that is not what I’m looking for at all. The Saem one is so much better. It’s a perfect beigey green that actually neutralizes redness while still blending into my skin instead of sitting on top looking obvious. I also like the texture so much more. It just makes a lot more sense on my skin, and I would never use the Bubble over the Saem.
Instead of the ColourPop So Juicy Plumping Glossy Lip Oil, I’m keeping the NYX Jelly Job Lip Gloss in Jelly Frost – I know the ColourPop gloss/oil is supposed to be plumping, but for me, it’s just really uncomfortable without doing any plumping. If a lip product is going to sting, it needs to also look good enough for me to work through the pain. This one doesn’t make my lips look better or nourish them, and it hurts. It doesn’t last especially well (probably because it’s more on the oil side than gloss or balm), so overall it’s just not a product I enjoy using. The NYX Jelly Job gloss is such a better drugstore option for me. It feels nourishing, lasts well for a gloss, and I really like shade Jelly Frost specifically because it has a slight blue tone to it. It’s not a pH adjusting gloss that turns bright pink, and that tiny bit of coolness is really helpful since I can use this on top of lip products that lean too warm for me.
Instead of the Milani Cheek Kiss Blush Stick in Luminouso, I’m keeping the Lisa Eldridge Blush Balm in Cinnamon Bun – This one is an easy declutter for me. Obviously the shade is not right for me, but honestly the texture is just as much of a problem. It looks patchy and splotchy on my skin and never really in the way I want it to. The Lisa Eldridge Blush Balm in Cinnamon Bun is so much better on me. Caveat that I understand this is much more expensive but it’s so worth it to me. Cinnamon Bun is this perfect sunburned rusty reddish brown that looks so natural and so at home on me. It gives me that healthy, warm, I’ve been in the sun look without going Cheeto. I also love the formula. It goes on so quickly and easily and blends seamlessly with my skin. You can hopefully see how much smoother it is than the Milani. I actually love the formula so much that I now have four of the Lisa Eldridge blush balms, and I’ve been using them almost daily.
Instead of the One/Size Cheek Clapper 3D Blush Trio in Rich Betch, I’m keeping the Morphe Cheek Thrills Multi-Finish Face Trio in Honeymoon Suite – Since I bought the Morphe blush trio, I haven’t reached for the One/Size one once. Both of these are trios with a cream blush, a matte powder blush, and a sparkly blush, and the packaging is basically the same. There is nothing really wrong with the One/Size one, but the Morphe one definitely kicked it out of my rotation. The Morphe formula works better for me, is easier to apply and blend, and feels less high stakes. The color story of the Honeymoon Suite trio is a set of cool toned mauve blushes, which looks very at home on my skin. I think the One/Size one might be better in the summer since I do tend to like a red/brown blush (like Cinamon Bun!), but it just always looks a little off on me. The Morphe trio also happens to be half the price, so you could get a warmer and a cooler version if you wanted the option and have spent the same amount of money.
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog and some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
Makeup and Skincare Reviews 