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Did They Live Up to the Wishlist?
Pulling this post out of the archives is such a fun reality check. When I originally wrote this, I was on a strict spending ban. And my beauty wish list was growing out of control. Looking back at the specific items I was lusting over from these trending makeup brands gives us the perfect opportunity to see which ones actually earned a permanent spot on my vanity, and which ones weren’t worth the FOMO.
Let’s face it: we have all been there. You are trying your hardest to stick to a spending ban, but the beauty community keeps churning out gorgeous new launches that make online shopping look incredibly tempting.
When I first sat down to write about the brands I desperately wanted to explore, I was relying mostly on pretty Instagram pictures and rave reviews.
Did they live up to the massive internet hype? From cult-classic bronzers to satisfying skincare steps, here is my ultimate retrospective review of these trending makeup brands.
Charlotte Tilbury
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What was on the wish list: The Airbrush Bronzer, Eyes to Mesmerise cream shadows, and practically everything else. At the time, I only owned a few of her iconic lip products.
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The Reality Check: Charlotte Tilbury has completely dominated the beauty space, and I’ve since tried the legendary Hollywood Flawless Filter and one of her signature face palettes. I had such a love/ hate relationship with the flawless filter. It provided such a stunning glowy base, but it felt like it didn’t really do too much for me.
Fenty Beauty
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What was on the wishlist: The slip-shine lipsticks and hydrating lip balms. I was already completely obsessed with the Gloss Bomb in the shade Fu$$y and wore it daily.
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The Reality Check: Rihanna simply doesn’t miss. Fenty has consistently remained one of the most exciting makeup brands because their formulas are designed to be ultra comfortable. The glosses remain an elite formula in my collection. Giving that perfect, high-shine, non-sticky plumpness that works wonderfully for everyday wear.
NARS
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What was on the wish list: The iconic Laguna Bronzer (though I was terrified it would be too dark for my pale skin), the cult-classic Orgasm Blush, and their tinted lip balms.
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The Reality Check: I actually never ended up getting around to trying the Laguna bronzer or the Orgasm blush. Instead, my true love story with the brand remained entirely in their complexion category. Their Sheer Glow Foundation became an absolute holy grail for my dry skin. It offers the most beautiful, luminous, buildable coverage that evens out my redness perfectly without ever clinging to dry patches or looking heavy.
Pixi Beauty
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What was on the wishlist: The Milky skincare range to soothe my dry skin, and their powder highlighters. I already knew the famous Glow Tonic was a brilliant exfoliating toner.
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The Reality Check: Despite having a wish list full of their pretty pastel packaging, I actually never got around to trying anything new from Pixi’s makeup or alternative skincare lines. My spending ban held strong, and my collection stayed minimalist on this front. However, my deep love for the famous Pixi Glow Tonic has never wavered. It remains a total powerhouse in my routine for a reason. it’s a brilliant, dependable glycolic acid toner that keeps my skin looking bright, smooth, and fresh without causing any irritation.
Fresh
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What was on the wish list: The Rose Deep Hydration Toner (thanks to its promise of minimising hyaluronic acid), after Jake originally treated me to the Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash.
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The Reality Check: As it turns out, my spending ban won this round! Despite staring at their beautiful, ingredient focused bottles online for months, I never actually got around to purchasing or trying anything else from Fresh. While my skincare routine moved in different directions, it is a great reminder that just because a brand looks incredibly aesthetic on social media doesn’t mean you have to run out and buy it.
The Final Verdict
Looking back at this archive list is the ultimate proof that you don’t need to buy every single launch. While I never got around to trying the cheek staples from NARS, the hydrating ranges from Pixi, or anything at all from Fresh, staying disciplined during my spending ban was 100% the right move.
Let’s chat in the comments!
Which of these brands is your absolute favourite to shop from? Did you ever buy a cult-classic product like NARS Orgasm or Charlotte Tilbury cream shadows because of the online hype?
Thank you for reading!
omg great list I hope you get to try more 😀
JadieeGosh
Thank you xx
I agree on all of these!! I only own a couple of lipsticks from Nars and I am absolutely dying to try more. I was the same with Charlotte Tilbury until I recently tried their eyeshadow – I feel like it is more difficult to build up a collection of these brands because they are so expensive, but they are just so good! x
Erin
I am so glad you agree! Everything Nars does sounds lovely. Her eyeshadows look so beautiful, but so expensive for a little quad. That is so true, it definitely takes a lot of time… and money haha xx
The Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise eyeshadows are amazing. They’re so easy to wear and apply, and I find my one to be very long-lasting too. I fully agree with you that everything from Fenty Beauty seems to be amazing! x
I need to try them, they sound incredible. It’s good that they’re long lasting too. Everything Fenty releases is so dreamy xx
Charlotte Tilbury and Nars are my two favourite brands and I couldn’t recommend them more!
Danielle xx
They’re both such lovely brands and I’m glad to hear that you like them too xx
Ahhh you have me wanting everything too haha! Reading your blog, I always come away with about ten things I am desperate to try haha 😀 I’m longing to try some things from Nars and Charlotte Tilbury, I recently saved up for the Magic Star highlighter, it’s so nice and I love it but even though I used my Morphe powder brush with it, I ended up with shimmer particles on my hands from my face and it triggered dyshidrotic eczema on my hands, I’m so sad! I can’t return it but it is only lightly swatched so don’t know whether I should sell it or keep it and try not to get it on my hands haha xD xx
elizabeth ♡
No way! Hahaha sorry for being a bad influence! They both have so many beautiful products. I am so sorry to hear that, these things need to be more public so people with allergies can be sure; especially when the product is expensive. I hope you’re able to make it work xx
I absolutely love everything I’ve ever tried from Fresh! I feel like they have high quality products, beautiful packaging, and my skin loves all of it! I hope you get to try all of these brands soon! Great post Han xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
They have so many beautiful looking products and that is so true! I’m glad to hear that you like the brand too. Thank you so much xx
I always want more CT, Fenty and NARS too hehe, 100% recommend their Laguna bronzer! Just used the CT airbrush bronzer for the first time yesterday and first impressions are very good of it too! xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
They’re all such lovely brands aren’t they?! Oooh I’ll have to add it to my wishlist for sure and the CT one too xx
Charlotte Tilbury and Fenty are definitely on my wish list of brands to try, I’ve heard such great things!x
emjbarker.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for sharing, I would like to try more cruelty free brands 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
OOoooh. Charlotte Tilbury is quite up there in the price department, but you’re totally right when you say everything Pixi releases is pretty. I haven’t tried any of their products yet but it’s on the list. I’ve also been dying to try Fresh! The packaging is on point and everything looks so appealing. Thanks for sharing your list with us! This makes me want to make a Target run and browse the beauty aisles lol.
Have a great Halloween!
I love all of these brands! I definitely want to try more from Fenty and Charlotte Tilbury xx
Ah yes I am with you I so want to try more of CT and Fenty. I have tried a few things by CT and have never been disappointed. Have never tried Fenty but I soooooooo want to! And is that the Going Coconuts palette from Colourpop I so want to get that.
Allie
I definitely want to try more from Fenty as well! I’ve only tried their Match Stix and a few highlighters, and I’ve got two of the small eyeshadow palettes that click together. but would love to get my hands on the powder bronzer. They are killing it right now!
Charlotte Tilbury used to give me a much more exclusive vibe, but ever since they were bought out, I feel like they are pumping out releases and not all of them look that great… It’s still bloody expensive though so I would appreciate brands like this to take it easy on the releases :’)
Love, Charline | Charline Has a Blog