Beauty Product Reviews

Bejeweled Beauty Box!

Urban Decay has always been a brand i over look because everybody purchases it and does the same youtube looks on it over, and over, and over again (and that ok!).. I have held out on not purchasing ANY Volume palettes which was hard, and until this palette i was only a Original "Naked" Palette owner. So you can say ive been saving for a good one i guess. Now with that said i Purchased My The Vice Palette at my Local Ulta for $49.00 ( i had a 20% off Platinum member coupon) Normally this is 59.00. so that did push me a little to buy it as well.. Here are my Thoughts.

-Gorgeous Jeweled raised UD on the cover which makes you just want to touch and open it!

-HUGE Mirror inside!! No small itty bitty thing like normal!

- Soft, rubbery coating palette. so it does hide scratches better but glitter and shadows stick to it like glue! Make up remover wipes work just fine to clean it though.

- a cute button you "push" to watch the palette open slowly itself, which is quite clever and give it an "expensive" edge.

-Buildable & Blendable Shades all around. A great Variety for many looks!

-20 GORGEOUS matte to shimmer eyeshadows. Now they do say these are never before seen colors and that is true BUT there are some that are ALMOST just like some original or limited edition colors they previously had. Ive seen other companies do this as well, so it doesn't surprise me, but it still has the BEST variety of colors in one box.

-Now i would agree with others that some of these shades are a bit on the Chalky side, but fall out will always be inevitable and it does feel like im wasting alot of product because of the consistency of these few shades.. BUT the color pay off isn't compromised so i personally DO NOT mind this.

- Comes with a duo eyeshadow and blender brush which is a bonus cause ive always gotten a palette with an eyeliner or primer so i like the change up. Plus the brushes are fabulous, easy to clean, on the softer side as well. -Located Online, Sephora and Ulta for $59.00

-Price wise it does seem like alot of money, but if you think about it.. your getting 20 shadows for 60 instead of 5 MAC eyeshadows. So Its a HUGE Bargain.

-Not really travel or makeup bag friendly but if packed correctly you could take this on vacation with you instead of a bunch of shades or palettes.

Overall i am extremely happy i held out on all the volume palettes to buy this bejeweled baby! It just makes me happy looking at it, plus the complements i get on my eyeshadow lately is a nice confidence boost as well! I personally do recommend this palette and paired with my Naked palette i will have endless Neutral, smokey & Colorful Fun looks. Also i know i could use this on clients and because it has the UD name, it generally puts a smile on anyone's face!

Hope this helps! Happy Makeup Searching <3

Best Asset in a Woman's Makeup Cabinet!

What a great New butt "naked" palette! I jumped on this the minute ulta was setting it out, because i happened to be there when they did (LOL!) I actually didnt see it had blushes/bronzer or highlights till i got home. I purchased mine at ulta for $24.00 and used my points to knock it down even lower!

-Sleek Palette with a large Mirror inside. Includes 2 sponge applicators. A slide out bottom compartment that you can detach if needed. -Compact but a bit on the larger side, Medium or Large makeup bag safe for travel or touch ups. -15 Neutral Eyeshadows. Browns, purples, silvers, black & pinks. -4 blushes all Pink/peach shades.1 bronzer (medium tone) 2 illuminators aka Highlighters (1 yellow tone, 1 pink tone). -Does have fall out due to some shadows being more "chalky" than others. wipes away easily. -Highly Pigmented Matte & Shimmery shades. -Blendable & buildable coverage on all 15 shades & Blush! Best under a Eye Shadow Base. -Blushes are Very versatile and did i mention Gorgeous!! -Affordable & located online, ulta or anywhere nyx is sold.

In the end i am MORE than happy with this palette, Its a great Alternative to the Urban Decay or Thebalm palettes. Plus this has blushes/bronzer/illuminators, Can someone say a steal!! You can create endless smokey eyes, Neutral looks, Pin-up recreations and more. The only down fall which i shortly mentioned earlier is that some of the eye shadows are a bit "chalky" but still extremely pigmented. Nyx did us ladies on a budget a huge favor when this hit the market, no more over buying for neutral shades or having 5 small neutral palettes to travel with. If you do travel with this just be cautious like any other palette :)

Happy Neutral trials all!

Perfect for Breakouts too!

Ive been using Benefit lemon aid since late 2005 and i have repurchased it (well in kits) and always have used it. I love the yellow color correcting formula it works not only on the eye lids but on red break outs which is AWESOME! but it does have its down falls. I have my recent lemon aid in my Confessions of a concealaholic which i purchased at my local ulta; I have almost hit complete pan too!

-Plastic round compact with mirror inside. -Smooth creamy formula, easy for blending -Buildable coverage for medium to full coverage for all over face (not just eye area) -Great for removing redness but only have a few hour lasting capacity. -Makes your eye area look awake & less red! (especially if your eyes are red) -Creases on the eyes after awhile, even if there's a base under. I normally where this when i don't want eyeshadow s i have to blend the lines out but the redness is still concealed. -No harsh smell or staining. -purchase at any local benefit bars/stores, sephora, ulta, or online.

The only down fall is it creases after a few hours which stinks.but i do love popping this under my concealer when i have a breakout on my face; Or Ive had toughs lazy mornings before work where i use this by itself just to make my eyes look awake! I still use this and will continue to do so unless i find something better which i haven't yet so i am not worried.

LOOK OUT NYX, YOUR PENCILS MIGHT RANK 2ND SOON!

I Honestly didn't think these were going to be any good. The skeptic in me was totally screaming DON'T DO IT! BUT, i watched Leesha (xsparkage) new tutorial using fierce & tangy and was blow away!! I ran to my local walgreens & purchased 3 that they had then to my local target for the only 2 they had! These average for $6.00 which is a killer steal one you realize what the quality & how better off they are compared to NYX Jumbo eyeshadow pencils & MACS Paint pots. Here's why:

-Cute & Sassy Names, Glass screw top jars with logo one both sides, easy for makeup bag or traveling -No smell, VERY Creamy product! Which a little goes a long way here -Very bendable & Buildable color for all day wearing eyeshadow or eyeshadow base. I haven't worn mine for 24 hours but they lasted the 12 hours i had at work just fine! -Amazing pigmentation, these are high shine color packed shadows with one swipe! -Lasts LONGER than NYX jumbo eyeshadow pencils & DO NOT Crease on you -I personally always throw on a eyeshadow base under EVERYTHING, so i recommend you do this with these too because they are a cream base product. -These are a great dupe for MAC Paint Pots as well especially when they come out with matte ones (because we all know that's next!) -Located at all drugstores or anywhere maybelline is sold & online

Seriously love these and i cannot believe i doubted these so hardcore at first. I actually prefer these over the NYX Jumbo eyeshadow pencils (although they have more colors) But i know this will not be our only selection ladies! I own Fierce & tangy, Bad to the Bronze, Pomegranate Punk (not pink), Too cool & Audacious Asphalt. I adore all of them and will be purchasing more once they become in stock again! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU RUN (NOT WALK) TO YOUR LOCAL STORE AND PICK THESE BABIES UP! They are worth every penny & will be the next "Guru" Hot ticket item for all youtube videos, I guarantee it!

Great for special effects, missed a note with me for everyday wear.

This was another color i picked up during my first purchase with Concrete minerals, I had high hopes after every other color i had swiped. I was already blown away by the company since they were so new and so professional already! I purchased this for $6.99 on there website online, but i also have a 15% off coupon for being a returning customer. Here's the low down.

-California indie makeup company, VERY professional & Amazing Photos to display products -HUGE screw top jars of pigments (twice the size of glamour doll eyeshadows) -Great prize for the amount of eyeshadow you will be receiving for endless looks -High Shine & Pigmentation, Very buildable color and looks great wet or foiled -I always use with a base and they last ALL day for me, Arsenic is alot harder to blend though over all a weird color. -Arsenic is a red brown that really just looks like a dirty color. There are no undertones either that really stand out. -Loose mineral eyeshadow so fallout will occur -Purchase online on Concrete minerals website

I wasnt amazed by this color like i was with all the other ones. It like i said was a Dirty looking color; BUT i have used it for zombie looks and it worked great! Most likey will try it as a liner next since i personally dont like my lids this dark. The quality is amazing just like all the others, i just prefer Mad Hatter over this color. Side note: This color is VERY similar to Arsenic, so i would purchase both unless you are getting the whole collection. They only have a very slight difference but MAD HATTER IS BETTER!

CAME OUT MAD ABOUT THIS HATTER!

I came across Concrete Minerals on Facebook which i was blown away by there professionalism for such a new indie company. I ordered Mad Hatter along with others because it looked to die for online & for the amount & price why not! I purchased mine for $4.99 but had a 15% coupon for being a returning customer on there website. This company picks a color of the week and puts it on sale for $2.00 off, Normal eyeshadows are $6.99) Here's the low down.

-California indie makeup company, VERY professional & Amazing Photos to display products -HUGE screw top jars of pigments (twice the size of glamour doll eyeshadows) -Great prize for the amount of eyeshadow you will be receiving for endless looks -High Shine & Pigmentation, Very buildable color and looks great wet or foiled -I always use with a base and they last ALL day for me, Mad Hatter is GREAT for a smokey look or for a peacock inspired look! -Mad Hatter is an amazing dark Reddish purple color it says there's a green undertone but i don't ever really see it. -Loose mineral eyeshadow so fallout will occur -Purchase online on Concrete minerals website

For a 10g jar i will not be running out anytime soon!! These colors pack a punch that is what our makeup community needs! This color i wear alone by itself literally! I foil it on my lid let it dry and then blend the color dry over my crease it gives it the allusion of 2 similar but different colors. Add some liner & mascara and done! I loveeeeee this cooolorr!! It makes my blue eyes scream and pop like no other!

Side note: This color is VERY similar to Arsenic, so i would purchase both unless you are getting the whole collection. They only have a very slight difference but MAD HATTER IS BETTER!

ENJOY!

Dont let the name fool you, Its Gorgeous!

I came across Concrete Minerals on Facebook while we were all pushing to get them to 2000 followers which was an amazing time! I ordered swamped because i am recently getting back into greens & since i enjoyed all the other dark, smokey colors why not! I purchased mine for $6.99 but had a 15% coupon for being a returning customer on there website.

-California indie makeup company, VERY professional & Amazing Photos to display products -HUGE screw top jars of pigments (twice the size of glamour doll eyeshadows) -Great prize for the amount of eyeshadow you will be receiving for endless looks -High Shine & Pigmentation, Very buildable color and looks great wet or foiled -I always use with a base and they last ALL day for me, Swamped is GREAT for a smokey look or for a peacock inspired look! -Swamped is a gorgeous darker green with Gold hue undertones that pair with other golds/oranges perfectly. -Loose mineral eyeshadow so fallout will occur -Purchase online on Concrete minerals website

For a 10g jar i will not be running out anytime soon!! These colors pack a punch that is what our makeup community needs! I even have these in my professional kit. I use a base & foil my often, then set with the eyeshadow. Although i dont always have time to foil it really makes a difference and i always get compliments when i wear this green! It works very well with my blue eyes!

For the Nudest in all of us!

There is nothing more perfect than a Retro Vanity or in this case a Retro style "Naughty" Or "Nice" Palette! TheBalm has done it again with this perfection mix of shimmers & matte eyeshadow palette that's worth every penny! I purchased the "Naughty" Palette with the nude pinups for $36 on TheBalm website! I'm seriously obsessed with it now, Here's why:

-ADORABLE super thin palette with great size mirror on the inside, duo shadow/liner brush included which is an ok brush -Choice of 2 inside designs, A Retro Naughty or Nice theme. all shadows are the same regardless of which printed palette you get -All shadow names start with S, Clever i think!! -Double Thick Cardboard Palette, with a Sleeve. I'm not sure why i kept the sleeve, its a pain but i always put it back on haha! -12 square pan eyeshadows. 8-Glitter/shimmer colors 4-Matte colors -The 4 matte colors are Medium brown(sultry), Reddish brown(sexy), Deep Brown(sleek), & Jet Black(serious) which i LOVE! I'm so glad the mattes are everyday basics! -Compact, easy to thrown in a medium size makeup bag for touch ups, traveling or over night stays. -High pigmentation, Very blendable & buildable shadows. Can all be used wet or dry. The more shimmery shadows tend to be a tad bit Chalky & have more fallout during application but that's ok with me! Just wipe away! -Long-lasting coverage, but i always use with a base! Sassy or Stand-offish are perfect as Highlighters for the face as well! -Located Online on Thebalm website with super fast shipping & samples!

This is a great alternative to The Naked Palettes by Urban Decay (not comparable as fair as colors/textures), I was quite disappointed by the new Naked 2 since it was way to similar to the original palette so i wont purchase it (maybe one day.. eh.) This palette has a light pink(stubborn) & Light true gold(snobby) which i thought was odd at first but grew to realize its perfect with the other hues & make this palette itself stand out even more!

I probably should hide this palette i love it so much and haven't put it down yet!! I for sure will hit pan on these shadows! I really wish TheBalm got more exposure because its such an amazing company & product! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Checking them out especially if your a vintage gal like me! You wont regret this purchase!

Great try me box for medium skin tones, not fair.

The week (few years ago) this cute mini launched i ran to sephora and picked it up, With my high hopes i wanted to love this like every other benefit product. I was let down... I was very happy i got to try this out and the products in it since i was new to benefit. I purchased mine at my local sephora for i believe around $20 Here’s my thoughts:

-Cute Packaging, small travel size minis perfect for on the go -Lemon aid was amazing & made my lids primed and awake. i purchased a full size after i hit pan on this palette actually! -Concealer was 2 shades to dark for my fair skin so it dried up and was never used, but i did like the consistency of the product -Lip plump never stayed and i stopped using due to i felt like i was preapply my lip products more with it under, it was weird. -High Beam- LOVE IT always have, so i was happy to get a travel size -ooh la lift i was super excited about trying and since it was a mini hey! travel size! It worked well but i did end up using it more as a luminizer or brow highlight

In the end i was happy with most of the products, some just missed the mark with me due to the fact that i couldn’t use the concealer & the lip plump wasn’t my thing. BUT i do HIGHLY recommend picking up Confessons of a Concealaholic Diary box by benefit!! its basically this box but better done and only a few more bucks! Benefit always seems to get it right.

BALM-Voyage!

Baby Soft Lips, well that sounds like heaven to me and any man i know! I didn't purchase these for awhile and waited to see how people would react to the product, and since no huge negative rejection went on.. I caved in and purchased a few. I purchased Cherry, Baby Pink & Peppermint at my local walgreens for about $2.00. Here's my thoughts:

-Cute bright packaging anyone could see across the room -Just perfect for makeup bag or traveling -The smell is nice and a great touch -Smooth & glides on like butter onto lips without ease -8 hour wear.. NO but it last a few hours. Reapplication for any lip product is a must -Very moisturizing & makes my lips feel soft -Glossy effect like a lipgloss & a slight color tint to add an awake and quenched look to anyone's look -located at all drugstores & cosmetic stores (for me at-least)

I wasn't a huge fan of eos lip balm, burts bee's, or soft lips at all. They were weak sauce compared to "chapstick" the regular go to cherry kind; But i did love this and it came close to comparison for me just alot softer. For the price its worth picking up and trying, its chapstick so you know you will eventually need it!