So, this isn’t at all the post I was expecting it to be. Some of you will remember my birthday beauty haul from last year. I had a great time, I got some new brushes, some new foundations, a couple of repurchases and a few body bits. It was a great time. I was expecting this post to be similar. My birthday is July 20th, and every year, around April/ early May, I put myself on a spending ban. When my birthday rolls around, I open a note on my phone of everything I’ve wanted for the last couple of months and buy it all as a big birthday beauty haul. This year was different.
A few days before my birthday, when those discount emails started rolling in, I opened that note on my phone and I was shocked. I split that note into definitively and maybe, there was one thing under definitely and three under maybe. That was it, a few months of lusting and I had less than a handful of things. This didn’t feel like me at all. I was turning 25, and I was wondering if this is what a quarter life crisis feels like.
As it turns out, since then, a few brands have announced foundation launches that left me so excited, I was having heart palpitations. I wish I was joking, but my first ever post on this blog was my review of the Fenty foundation and the thought of a hydrating version really was/ is an emotional overload. More on that in a future post…
Self assured that I haven’t changed and launches just didn’t work in my favour this birthday, I thought I’d briefly discuss that list; what I bought and skipped and why.
The definitely
Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer
I bought one of these in last year’s beauty haul. And I’ll buy this until the end of time. This is my all time favourite concealer. It’s the only one I’ve ever used that my dry skin can handle, doesn’t crease and comes in a shade light enough for me. As I said, I’ll be buying this forever.
The Maybe
I’m going to start with what I didn’t buy…
Clinique SPF
This would have been a repurchase. I love this SPF as my in-between seasons SPF, I have matte ones for summer, super greasy ones for my bone dry winter face and this one slides in nicely for the transition. I love this SPF and will definitely be buying it again but I held off for now as I want to use another couple up before they expire.
Too Faced Contour Palette
So, I’ve seen the Too Faced contour palette a few times on Instagram. I want it, but I want to use it as a huge panned eyeshadow palette. Right now, my everyday shadow palette is the Too Faced Natural Matte, so it wouldn’t make much sense to buy this now. That being said, the second I hit pan on my eyeshadow palette, I’m buying this one…
What I did Buy
Drunk Elephant Cleanser
So, I’ve been wanting to buy/ try something from Drunk Elephant for a long time now, but I wasn’t sure what. Their hydrating serum was the first thing that caught my eye, then I discovered that coconut alkanes were a high ingredient. Those of you who have followed me for a while will know that anything coconut gives me cystic acne, so that was a no go. Then I found this cleanser, and I was drawn in.
I’ve spoken about my love for the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm a few times now. I’ve also spoken about the painful price. I always buy mine on sale, but the RRP is £55 for 50ml. And it isn’t on sale that often.
Drunk Elephant are known as a pricey brand, so when I saw their cleansing balm was £29 per 110g, I was sucked in. The Omorovicza is 50ml, so this is twice the product for half the cost. I’m going to do a full review in the next couple of weeks (I’ve only used it a few times as I’m writing this, but so far, so good) but if it can match up to the Omorovicza, amazing.
And that’s it, a very mini birthday haul this year. Have you made any exciting purchases recently? I’d love to know what you’ve been loving lately.
Until next time,
Sophie
This was a really interesting post, and I enjoyed reading it! There’s definitely no point in buying products just for the sake of it!
I’m proud that you managed to split that list into need and want – I’ve never been able to do that!! I haven’t been loving anything recently, apart from the Primark x Alex Steinherr collection! Honestly, try the oil to milk cleanser if you get the chance!!
Naomi xo
thisjanuarygirl.com
I always love a beauty haul. And the cleanser looks decent. I do love Omorovicza’s stuff, but like you mentioned it’s hella expensive so if you have found a good dupe then I’ll be so appreciative. Thanks!
I LOVE the idea of a birthday haul! If I had more will power I’d say that I was going to do this but when I see something I really want, I have to have it as soon as humanly possible… I’m still yet to try a full product from Too Faced, I’ve only tried a sample of their glitter glue and to be honest I wasn’t impressed at all. My best friend loves their foundation and I’ve heard great things about the Better Than Sex mascara but I’m not sure why most of their products just haven’t had the wow factor for me. LOVE the sound of the Drunk Elephant balm! I’ll be waiting eagerly for your review, as much as I love my Emma Hardie cleansing balm, boy does it create a sizeable dent in my bank balance…
Alice Xx
http://www.blacktulipbeauty.co.uk
The Omorovicza thermal cleansing balm is my all time favourite, I also only get if its on sale or for my birthday if im lucky. I use it more as a second cleanse. The Drunk Elephant has been on my radar so good that its more product for less price. Still need to try the Toofaced concealer as well. I have definitely been buying less these days and wanting less so I can totally relate! Happy belated birthday xx
Violethollow.com
I do the same when it comes to writing a list on my phone of all the things I want for my birthday, I feel like the older you get the less you want to buy but it ends up being more expensive! I’m intrigued to see your review on the drunk elephant product as I’ve heard a lot of good things about this brand!xx
Very useful post! Thanks for sharing x
Nice haul Sophie!! I’ve always wanted to try something from Drunk Elephant but yeah the price is not something I can do. I can only admire from other people’s hauls! That makeup melting butter looks so nice! Thanks for sharing xx
Geraldine | https://geraldinetalks.com
Belated happy birthday dear.. Thanks for this article.. It is very useful..
http://swarnaz.com/
This is so clever to not spend and make a list of what you did want and get it on your birthday. I always forget this and then my birthday comes round and I cant remember!!
I do need to purchase a new concealer so will definitely bare your purchase in mind – i have very sensitive skin so it can be difficult to find the right product.
Thanks for sharing. Emma from ECBC x
This is really interesting! My list can get pretty long, but when I go through it again I just notice how much of it I don´t actually need!
Jasmin
Happy belated birthday! That’s such a good idea to write a list of all the products that you want, I need to start this as my birthday next month! I need to get my hands on the too faced Concealer, it sounds amazing. I’ve also been wanted to try something from Drunk elephant for a while, that cleanser sounds amazing! X
Beautiful writing! It was easy and a pleasure to read, even for me, with my ignorance of skin-care products. I love that you explored the reasons for the change in your birthday list and were able to identify why and why not you bought and did not buy the things on your list. It is always good to have a year of change.
You big birthday haul list sounds like something I want to try when I can. On that note, it is not quantity that matters in a haul but the knowledge you will enjoy what you did buy and the Drunk Elephant Cleanser sounds delicious!
Happy Birthday! Clinique is one of my favourite brands. Hope you had a good day! Keep writing x
I’ve started getting into the habit of not buying things just for the sake of it, it’s just a waste of money when you could be spending it on things you really need! xx
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This was such an interesting read. It’s amazing how a year can change, especially with our spending habits. Definitely not a quarter century crisis but maybe just making smarter choices, hehe. I love that you separated it into two lists – very smart move!
As for exciting purchases, I am in the process of buying a new hiking backpack/daypack but have yet decided what to get!
Eena ☼ cabin twenty-four
This is such a lovely post Hun, nice picks!! x
Grace Louise
Super, that cleanser looks interesting, I like the ingredients. I would try that out!! I hope you have a great start to the week 🙂 x
Very mini indeed! I don’t buy myself stuff like, ever. And I’m always throwing stuff away, decluttering and trying to own only what I really need and/or want. So this makes me happy! Drunk Elephant is a brand I’m really keen to try. My birthday is in a month and there’s literally nothing I want!
This is such a good idea, I usually just buy stuff when I see it and then never have much on my birthday list! I’ve heard a lot about Drunk Elephant but never actually bought any products. I hope they work well for you!
‘This didn’t feel like me at all. I was turning 25, and I was wondering if this is what a quarter life crisis feels like.’ girl you are not alone – I had a hard time turning 25 haha – it was filled of thoughts of omg I havent achieved what am I supposed to at this age (society expectations). Anyway, I created a shift in that I was going to do the things I have always wanted but never seem to get around to. This made me feel really happy and excited for life. I now understand what I enjoy and what brings me happiness, even if the things I can’t control don’t work in my favour I will focus on what I can!
Lovely products -I really want to try drunk elephant!
If you ever need a chat about all things existential crisis haha – just reach out 🙂
Hayley | hayleyxmartin
Happy belated bday!!! I hope you had a great one! I make lists too, I find it so helpful! Love the products you bought.
xx- Nina
I purchase less and less makeup nowadays. This cleanser looks nice.
http://www.ninakobi.com
Happy belated birthday! Such a nice haul. I haven’t tried the born this way concealer before but if it’s good for your dry skin & doesn’t crease I’m tempted!! Thanks for sharing xx
Drunk Elephant sounds funny for a beauty brand, but reading from your post, I would actually give their product a try someday. And the kiwi-strawberry seed blend must have smelled nice? xx Ain
That drunk elephant cleanser sounds so interesting! I love their products so I gotta try this out!
http://www.sundaydahlias.com
This is such an interesting concept! I love treating myself around my birthday but there’s definitely no point in wasting money if you’re not 100% sure. I really try to think about my beauty purchases now as I only want products I’ll actually use xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Thanks for sharing! I have heard great things about the Clinique SPF and have been considering purchasing it… Always on the search for trustworthy products
Happy belated birthday! I’m hoping too faced expands their foundation shade range in the future because I love the formula, but the shade isn’t right without mixing (their undertones are perfect though). Your birthday haul list is pretty cool though and with my own birthday coming up I know I need to start making my own hahah.
xx Avalon
I love Drunk Elephant’s products! I hope you like the cleanser. 🙂
Imogen’s Typewriter. <3
This was such a fun and interesting post to read! I love the way you divided your list into things you definitely wanted and things you were still thinking about buying. That’s such a smart way to shop! Thanks for sharing! I hope you had a great birthday! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
I love this drunk elephant cleanser. I’m currently using it and am almost out of it!
http://www.fashionradi.com
I love the way you’ve done this! I read your birthday haul last year, but this anti-haul is really cool, and also given me some products (that you actually did buy) to check out. I may invest in that drunk elephant balm!
Jas xx
You got me curious about Ssaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser. I love melting butters. I have a melting butter hand cream and would like to ad the meling butter cleanser to my collection.
A birthday haul is such a good idea, I might actually have to copy you and do the same! It makes your birthday all the more exciting when it rolls around. I very rarely treat myself to higher end stuff so it would be nice to have that option. I love the sound of the elephant balm and I can’t wait to read your full review of it.
Alice x
Happy belated birthday x
What an amazing idea for a blog post, your haul looks amazing! I’ve heard quite a few mixed things about this too faced product, thanks for sharing x
Kayleigh Zara http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Ooo! This is a fun blog post idea! I’ve never read an anti-haul and might have to borrow this idea for my blog! c; (I’ll credit of course!). I too have wanted to try something from Drunk Elephant so will be adding this to my own little list.
Great post!!
That cleanser sounds great. I use a similar one from The Body Shop.