Today’s market is saturated with cosmetics: from lipsticks to brows, it takes a lot at this point to impress and shock the beauty world. But a couple things in the summer of 2019 have really become standouts — whether that’s good or bad is the real question. Now, I’m not an expert on makeup, but I have been basically hoarding everything I find and testing it to my hearts content for about eight years. So, I can tell the good products from the bad, and I can tell good quality from bad quality.
I went to Ulta and I played with the products to determine if they can really bring it. So here are eight coveted new makeup products on the market since Summer 2019, and a broke college student’s opinion of whether or not we should be willing to splurge on these products.
Nyx’s Fill and Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil
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$11
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❤️❤️❤️
It has been a while since the beauty world has seen a shocking new brow product, but Nyx brought it. On one side of the pencil, we have a relatively cheap feeling product with not a lot of staying power, but, on the other side, Nyx hits us with a crazy, toothbrush-looking brow brush that brings this product to three out of five hearts because it worked at smoothing the rough lines. This product will give a soft, full, fluffy brow, but it lacked the staying power and the drama that I want for my brows.
Urban Decay Cosmetics’ Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette
$49
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❤️❤️❤️❤️
My first experience with a Naked palette was probably in fifth grade. When I saw yet another Naked palette was coming out, I’m going to be honest, I rolled my eyes. But as soon as the shade “Honey” hit my lid, oh, sister, I was a goner. The formula is very pigmented and it feels like silk going on the eye. The mattes are solid and the metallics are blinding. The only thing stopping me from giving five out of five hearts is the predictability of the palette. I know, I know, it’s a Naked palette and should be neutrals, but the only really new shade was “Honey.”
Benefit Cosmetics’ Lovetint Lip & Cheek Stain
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$18
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❤️❤️
Now, I love me some Benefit Cosmetics. Hoola Bronzer has a special place in my heart. But this Lip & Cheek Stain…the only reason I gave it two hearts is because of how pretty it looked on my model with a darker complexion (because on me, it was a broken heart). I will say, as good as she looked, there were splotches of deeper red from where the product had first been applied. It stains FAST. But the biggest reason I gave it a broken heart for lighter skin tones, is because if you apply more than a drop and you have sensitive skin… it burns a little.
Juvia’s Place’s Warrior III
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$20
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❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
When I say I adore Juvia’s Place, I’m not kidding. They are always so consistent with their eyeshadows that I am in awe. The bright colors and hardcore pigments for a relatively cheap palette is seriously witchcraft at its finest. The shadows are buttery and beautiful, and I’m pretty sure they are some of the best I’ve ever worn. The colors are very blendable. I’ve even managed to get a blue shadow and a yellow shadow to turn green. Life hack right there. So, what makes Warrior III so special? The colors! My model put on the light blue, matte shadow “Gola” and my life has changed for the better just knowing that that shadow exists in all its pigmented glory. While the product quality stays the same, the colors are constantly changing and you get a ton of product in those huge circle pans. Five out of five.
Morphe’s The Jeffree Star Artistry Palette
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$35
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❤️❤️❤️
Jeffree Star fans, don’t come for me, okay? I’m as big of a Jeffree Star fan as anyone, but this palette did not do it for me. A lot of people rave about Morphe eyeshadows, but the shadows never really perform as good as some other brands. Compared to the usual Morphe formula, the Jeffree Star palette was 10% better quality, but for the name, “Jeffree Star,” I expected a lot more. The mattes were chalky and the metallics were chunky. While the metallic shade “Millions” was beautiful on my model’s inner corner, it was honestly the only good shade. Sorry, Jeffree Star, I love you.
PÜR x Barbie’s Dream Glow Highlighter Palette
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$25
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?
Okay. Let’s talk Barbie. When I think, “Barbie,” I think bright, artsy, and blonde. Now, let’s talk highlighter. When I think of highlighters, I think of blinding, colorful, and a little sheer. But this product was like if Barbie and dirt had a baby. I put this highlight on very lightly because I could see the darker pigments, and it looked like desert clay was smacked onto my cheekbones. It was chalky and thick. It’s very misleading to call this product “highlighter” because it’s bronzer and dark blush put together. I imagine on a darker complexion, it would look a bit more natural, but it’s still not a highlighter. The packaging though? I could put it in a display case and look at it all day… I’m just not going to put it on my face again. The brown on my cheeks? Not a shadow.
Uoma’s Black Magic Metallic Shine Lipstick
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$26
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❤️❤️❤️
The name itself caught my attention. “Black Magic Metallic Shine?” Yes, ma’am. But for the price point of almost $30? I don’t see it. A name can only take a product so far. My model and I tried the shade “Allure,” which was pretty, but the glitter was a little gritty and the pigment was not strong until we had applied several layers of the product. The price of the product was not reflected by its quality.
Stila’s Hide & Chic Fluid Foundation
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$39
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❤️❤️
A good foundation can make or break a look. Stila’s Hide & Chic Fluid Foundation broke mine. At first, it transformed my red-ish complexion into a soft pink color, which actually gave a newly-blushed look. It is labelled as a medium coverage foundation that is buildable, but it was actually very sheer. I am a full-coverage queen, but I wore the foundation for the entire two hours I was in Ulta. I wore two layers, and it disappeared from my forehead and the apples of my cheeks. I was indoors, and I’ll be honest, I sweat easily, but for anyone in a warm location, especially in the summer… it won’t hold. And when you’re a college student in Texas walking everywhere but indoors, it’s not worth it. So, unless you want to walk around looking like a half-melted candle, I don’t recommend this product.
Out of the eight products I found and played with, the only one I would for sure recommend is Juvia’s Place’s Warrior III. If you have any of these products and you love them or you hate them, and I said the opposite, I’m glad we differ. That’s my favorite thing about makeup: every person is different and every product that works for me may not work for you and vice versa. It’s a versatile industry and there are so many options to choose from. Joie de beauty!