Well, this seems lovely and poetic. My final stash of the year being my 20th. I’m so proud of myself for keeping this series going for as long as I have. And this month’s stash is a biggie! We have a few old faves making a comeback just in time for my Year End favourites (coming soon). And some newbies that have recently come across my desk. So, for the last time for 2025, let’s get into this stash!
Kicking us off with primers, I have three for this stash. Overkill? Perhaps. But it’s summertime. And I need all the help I can get when it comes to keeping the makeup on my face. To wit, I have the DANESSA MYRICKS BLURRING BALM POWDER, the NYX COSMETIC THE FACE GLUE PRIMER, and the new GO TO VERY MATTIFYING PRIMER to try out.
Next up, foundation’s. And because I know what my blog line up for the next eight weeks is going to look like, I decided to keep it simple and stick to two. My review of the BENEFIT THE POREFESSIONAL FOUNDATION should go up right before Christmas. And expect my review of the MAKEUP FOREVER SUPER BOOST SKIN TINT in the new year.
Concealer time now. I have three returning faves in the line up. The MAC COSMETICS NATURAL RADIANCE SERUM CONCEALER is still my front runner for my favourite concealer of the year. So, I wanted to give it one last go just to make sure. I also pulled out the RARE BEAUTY LIQUID TOUCH BRIGHTENING CONCEALER and the MAYBELLINE AGE REWIND CONCEALER as my more brightening options.
I was inspired by a few friends to pull out the MAKEUP BY MARIO SURREALSKIN SOFT BLUR SETTING POWDER for this stash. I remember liking it, but I wanted to give it another go now that it’s warmer. And because I wanted a powder that I know works for me, I had to pull out the TOWER 28 GET SET PRESSED POWDER.
Finally for base, the setting sprays. And like the primers, I wish to be prepared. So, I have three. I was sent the BARRY M BEAUTY FRESH FACE SETTING SPRAY (sent in PR) in PR that I’ve wanted to try. If that bombs though, I also grabbed the MAC COSMETICS FIX + STAY OVER SETTING SPRAY. Which I have genuinely loved this year. Lastly, I was influenced to pick up the new THE QUICK FLICK QUICK FACED 2 IN 1 INVISIBLE OIL CONTROL & SETTING POWDER SPRAY. I was intrigued by the idea that it’s a powder in a can and thought it would be good for when I got sweaty and shiny during the day.
Brows, I’m keeping it simple and sticking with gels. I have the AUSTRALIS INCREDIBROW BROW GEL and the KOSAS AIR BROW TREATMENT GEL to keep my brows in place this summer. The Kosas in particular is on it’s last leg. So I’ll be happy to use it up.
It is the festive season. And I wanted to have some shimmer and sparkle close at hand for my makeup looks. I grabbed out my collection of HALF MAGIC SINGLE SHADOWS to use. I’ve picked up a few new shades since the last time I had this palette in my stash. I also recently picked up the HALF MAGIC GLITTERPUCK IN DOPAMINE SPARKLE because how could I not?
Which brings us nicely to mascaras. My final mascara review for 2025 will be the new COVERGIRL LASH BLAST BOND MASCARA (sent in PR). I told you it would be a drugstore one. I’m currently trialing it and expect that review in the next two weeks. During my break, I wanted to retry the iconic TOO FACED BETTER THAN SEX MASCARA. I got this in an advent calendar a year ago with the intention of doing a ‘do I still hate it’ post. This year very much got away from me. I won’t do a review of this per say, but I will mention my thoughts of it at some point. And another little sneak peek for 2026, my first mascara review will be the BARRY M BEAUTY IT’S A WRAP TUBING MASCARA (sent in PR). The more I try to get away from tubing mascara’s, the more they show up.
Bronzer time now. And this is all old favourites. We have the HAUS LABS POWER SCULPT BRONZER in LIGHT 4, the MECCA MAX SUNLIT SKIN BRONZER in LIGHT, the MECCA MAX OFF DUTY CONTOUR STICK in MEDIUM, and the AUSTRALIS DEWY + DARING BRONZER in SUMMER FLING (sent in PR).
And we’ll wrap this stash up with my blushes. Again, overkill, but when Go To brings out makeup, I have to try as much of it as possible! I have two of the GO TO GLOWY BLUSH in ROSY and PEACHY, the GO TO MATTE POP BLUSH in ROSY, the NUDESTIX ALL OVER COLOR in SWEET CHEEKS, the TOWER 28 BEACH PLEASE BLUSH in OFFICE HOURS, the MAC COSMETICS POWDER BLUSH in DESERT ROSE, the MECCA MAX CHEEK CRUSH POWDER BLUSH in COCOA ROSE (sent in PR), and the PAT MCGRATH SKIN FETISH DIVINE BLUSH in NUDE VENUS.
And that is a wrap on a very hearty stash! Not sure if this is the best idea considering how hot and humid it’s been. But I shall persevere. Let me know which products you would love to see me feature. And let me know what products you’re testing out in the comments below.
Cheers and love
Emily xo