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Tuesday 2 July 2013

Drugstore Love! (Haul featuring Hard Candy, Wet N' Wild, NYX, Real Techniques, and more!)

Hi, everyone! I've been on a bit of a makeup-buying spree lately (surprise, surprise), however the bulk of my new-found goodies have been snagged at the drugstore for quite reasonable prices. Yay for being frugal! As much as I swoon over high-end treats, I also get a self-indulgent sense of satisfaction from knowing that I've picked up 10 goodies for the price of one single Sephora item. Can't go wrong with that!

The lovely products below are the result of a few separate shopping trips to Wal-Mart here in Toronto and CVS and Ulta (my first-ever Ulta experience!) while visiting a friend in Michigan last week. Here are the spoils:

(L-R, Top to Bottom): Real Techniques Blush Brush, Real Techniques Stippling Brush, NYX Wonder Pencil in Light, Hard Candy All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain in Mauveous, Wet N' Wild Megalast Lip Colour in Purty Persimmon, Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya, Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia, NYX Love in Florence Gelato for Two Palette, Wet N' Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Colour in Back to the Fuchsia, Hard Candy Top Ten Eye Shadow Collection Naturally Gorgeous Palette

And some closer-up shots:

Real Techniques Blush Brush, Real Techniques Stippling Brush, NYX Wonder Pencil in Light

All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain in Mauveous, Wet N' Wild Megalast Lip Colour in Purty Persimmon, Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya, Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia, NYX Love in Florence Gelato for Two Palette, Wet N' Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Colour in Back to the Fuchsia, Hard Candy Top Ten Eye Shadow Collection Naturally Gorgeous Palette

I won't provide full reviews here (as I haven't taken them all for a spin yet; more reviews to come!), but I'll do my best to provide a brief description of each below!


Wet N' Wild Megalast Lip Colour in Purty Persimmon is a striking orange-red long-wearing lipstick. I've seen it featured on a couple other blogs and I knew I had to have it, especially for only $3!

Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia is a richly pigmented, shimmery blue-based fuchsia. Bold, but totally wearable. Have sported this a few times since I purchased it and I'm definitely smitten :)

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya is a new summertime shade in the Lip Butter range. Like Purty Persimmon above, I saw this featured by a few lovely bloggers and was swayed to give it a go. It really is a lovely, soft peachy coral for the warmer months!


Wet N' Wild MegaLast Liquid Lip Colour in Back to the Fuchsia definitely wins in the cheeky shade name category- one of the reasons I couldn't pass it up (in addition to the amazing price)! It's a deep, cool-toned fuchsia that dries down uber-matte (without parching lips) and truly lasts!

Hard Candy All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain in Mauveous reminded me of my beloved Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey, so at only $4, I was tempted to make the comparison. Haven't given this pinky-mauve shade a go yet, but am looking forward to it!


Hard Candy Top Ten Eyeshadow Collection Naturally Gorgeous Palette has made me glad that I never caved and bought the Urban Decay Nakeds. Though I love Urban Decay deeply, I've resisted their ever-popular palettes because I couldn't justify the $60 price tag given that I own a plethora of neutral shadows already. But at only $5, I couldn't resist this Hard Candy offering! Can't wait to test this out; I have high hopes!

NYX Love in Florence Gelato for Two Palette is another eye shadow palette that I couldn't pass up. It features a selection of both shimmery and matte pink and purple-toned shades that are right up my alley. And the Italian-inspired name is super appealing!


Real Techniques Stippling Brush is one that I've heard raves about again and again. Ulta had all RT brushes at Buy 1, Get 1 50% off and I couldn't resist. I have a feeling this brush will make me want to use cream blush every day!

Real Techniques Blush Brush is currently in a friend's daily rotation; when I did her makeup I used this for setting powder and bronzer and was instantly impressed. So soft and fluffy! Will be using this with my MAC Blot Powder from now on!

NYX Wonder Pencil in Light was featured on my giant wishlist  a couple months ago, so I was ecstatic when I spotted it at Ulta. This pencil is incredibly versatile, but I'm planning to use it primarily on my waterline to brighten up my eyes. It's a lovely, natural-looking alternative to a stark-white shade!


And one final jumbo-sized shot of all the goodies:


Adding things up, the total for all 10 of these items came to about $60, which, when put in perspective, equals one Urban Decay Naked Palette or one higher-end face brush. So no complaints here!

I plan on reviewing some of these products separately, but would love your input on which reviews you'd like to see! Let me know which of these is catching your eye or making you curious!

What have you bought from the drugstore lately? Favourite new budget finds?

Thanks for reading! xo

39 comments:

  1. I really want to try the NYX light wonder pencil but I might have to order it online because I haven't seen it locally and sadly there's no Ulta where I live :(

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    1. Ah, sorry it's hard to find! Didn't spot it in Toronto, so I had to grab it while in the U.S.! I'm really liking it so far!

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  2. So many goodies! I think I'm going to pick up some Real Technique brushes as well, but I'm scared if they don't live up to the hype haha! And you got so many pretty lipsticks!! Can never have too many reds!

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    1. I've tried several so far and they definitely live up to the hype for me! And I agree- can't go wrong with adding another red lipstick to your collection :)

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  3. Such great stuff! Those lip colors look awesome!

    -Maddy @ www.BeautyBanterBlog.com

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    1. Thanks, Maddy! I'm really loving the lip colours so far :)

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  4. I'm very curious about the Real Techniques brushes! I want to try them so bad, very nice picks xx

    www.lam-style.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! I've found that the brushes are so worth the hype! :)

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  5. Woah babe, great buys! I need that stippling brush in my life (as well as all the RT brushes out there) :). And those lipsticks.. Va-va-vooom! :)

    xx
    http://gita-oddsandends.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks, Gita! The Stiplling Brush is super lovely and I've been loving the lipsticks so far :)

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  6. Replies
    1. Aren't they great?! Thanks for stopping by, Jordy! xo

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  7. Loving the eye shadow pallette! great colors xx

    http://scattergirll.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! Planning a review and swatches of the palette soon! :)

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  8. Really want to get some more Real Techniques brushes! I've only got the core collection.

    -Emily

    http://emgeorgias.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I have the Core Collection as well and was super excited to pick these up as well! Thanks for stopping by, Emily :)

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  9. I love those RT brushes, I actually use them very often (they are in my mu bag ATM). Have you tried the expert face brush??? that's a great one!!!

    http://jaguayanflawer.blogspot.mx/

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    1. Glad you're loving the RT brushes too! I haven't snagged the Expert Face Brush yet (have been finding it harder to track down) but it's near the top of my list! xo

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  10. Wow, f you got all of this for the price you've mentioned, then you really were frugal! I usually go crazy when I buy make-up because everything looks so cute.:) I love all of the lipsticks, those would definitely end up in my shopping bag too.:D

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    1. Yeah, I was pretty proud of the reasonable price tags of all of these! I've been really loving the lipsticks- can't go wrong with bright shades like that :)

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  11. nice blog.

    follow you!!

    www.beautyandfashion-makeup.blogspot.com

    follow me pls?:33

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and for following! :)

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  12. great haul. im jelous of your RT purchases

    Brigitte // BlogLovin' | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
    xoXo

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    1. Aww, thanks Brigitte! I've only been buying the RT brushes of late and I've been super happy with them :)

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  13. Isn't Ulta amazing!!!? Purty Persimmon is one of my all time favourite lipsticks; it's gonna look great on you :).

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    1. Yeah, I was totally impressed with Ulta! Glad you're loving Purty Persimmon too. It's so stunning! xo

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  14. Great picks!! Why can't I live in Ulta?...sigh...

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    1. Thanks! I so wish we had an Ulta here in Toronto! We have Sephora and lots of good drugstores, but it's nice having everything together :)

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  15. Great haul! I love both those real techniques brushes!
    Jennifer
    Nature With Nurture
    http://naturewithnurture.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer! I'm really happy with the brushes I picked up :)

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  16. Great buys dear! :) The neutral palette is making me curious!!!

    xx, Sandra @ Blasfemmes

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! I have a post about the neutral palette in the works! xo

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  17. Great picks and products, we are really curious about the real techniques brushes....
    Hope you're having a great summer!!!

    xx
    5th&6th

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    1. Thanks, ladies! The RT brushes are so worth it! xo

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All of your lovely comments make my day! Thanks for taking the time to share your musings, ideas, and opinions. Feel free to leave a link to your blog- I'd be happy to check it out :)