Want It Wednesday – Makeup Edition

While I was pregnant, my ever-expanding waistline pretty much precluded any exciting new outfits. And no way was I going to spend a small fortune on maternity clothes to look good for a few months and then pack it all away in a box. Ain’t nobody got time (or money) for that. But a lady still wants to feel pretty, even when she is wearing the same leggings for the third time this week and the same damn denim shirt (unbuttoned) again. So I focused my attention elsewhere: makeup. I was a late bloomer, makeup-wise, and didn’t start wearing it regularly until about age 25. I’d like to think I’ve made up for it in sheer effort and interest, and at no time was that more acute than in the last 6-8 weeks of my pregnancy. Of course, I wasn’t able to buy ALL THE THINGS so I’ve still got a pretty healthy wishlist, powered in part by subreddit r/makeupaddiction (hellooo). So what better way to get back into the swing of things than gushing over five makeup-related things on a Want It Wednesday? Hurray! Huzzah!

Anastasia Beverly Hills – Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette ($42.00)

My first thought when I saw this palette was “Holy crap, that’s a lot of pink and red.” And it is, for me. But the more looks I’ve seen that are created this palette, the more I think I’d enjoy it. I love the more orangey and peachy tones and I’d like to figure out what all of the fuss is about. This palette has nearly a five-star review (of over 2,000) on Sephora and lots of loyal followers on Reddit. There’s a solid 50% chance I might just be falling for hype here, but it has to have some potential. I actually purchased this with my Sephora VIB coupon ($20 off $50) on Monday and am expecting it on Thursday. Yay!

Urban Decay – All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Spray ($31.00)

Who doesn’t want their makeup to actually stay where they put it by the end of the day? I know dewy is all the rage right now, but I do matte for a reason. I’ve got some major shine by the end of the day and I don’t necessarily like watching my makeup slide off all night when I’m at a wedding or dancing my ass off at Slippery Slope either. I’ve never used a setting spray, but this is said to be a good one.

 

Nars – Travel Size Blush/Bronzer Duo ($24.00)

I normally don’t go for a whole lot of travel size items, but this is a similar approach to the Naked Basics palette, plus it takes me a good long time to get through blush and bronzer on a regular basis. This palette is a duo of Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer, two of the HG products that everyone seems to love. When I looked at them at Sephora, both seemed a little glittery to me, but I’ve heard that they don’t actually make your face look bedazzled. I’m willing to give it a go and see what all the hubbub is about.

Mac – 217 Blending Brush ($25.00)

Brushes are expensive, y’all! I’m not a brush manufacturer so I couldn’t tell you why, but for some reason, a set of good makeup brushes costs a friggin’ arm and a leg. I bought a set of Coastal Scents brushes years ago on Amazon which have served me well thus far, but with my recent foray into the world of eyeshadow (and purchase of some decent palettes), I’m in need of a great blending brush to bring everything together. This bad boy is said to be the mother of them all (well, the ones that I can afford, anyway). Honestly, like the Modern Renaissance palette, I purchased this because I got a great coupon. Mac isn’t carried at Sephora, but I used Macy’s $10 off $50 beauty coupon (code: FRIEND thru 12/8, so get your beauty on today) plus Ebates 10% back on Macy’s online purchases to bring this brush down to about $18, similar to a cheaper alternative (IT Cosmetics or Sigma). I also picked up a Mac 239 brush for the same price. I’m just waiting for them to arrive!

Sephora Collection – Color Switch by Vera Mona Brush Cleaner ($18.00)

I don’t know about you, but I hate cleaning my brushes. Maybe you’re one of those ladies (or gentlemen) who gleefully scrub their brushes each evening and carefully set them out to dry. I’m sorry, and this might be gross, but I don’t. I clean my brushes when needed and when I can, but I’m guilty of going too long. I recently ordered some solid brush cleaner from Sephora that I hope will speed up the process when I do clean them fully, but between cleanings, this color switch brush cleaner might just do the trick. It’s actually just some sort of sponge that knocks all the powder off of your brushes between colors, but that sounds pretty damn good to me.

 

Do you have any of these? Do you want them? Are you in the process of actually waiting for some of them right now (like me)? Should I be looking at something else entirely? What are your thoughts on the Naked palettes? Leave comments and suggestions below!