Naturally Pretty Palette....Epic Fail or Must buy?

I bought a palette several months ago, and I really do love it, so I wanted to share the lowdown.... it's the Naturally Pretty palette by It Cosmetics.  Right off the bat, I'll warn you...if you're a type A  or OCD type, it might really bug you that the outer packaging is a mauve, sort of felt material that starts looking dirty and ragged nearly INSTANTLY.  Poor packaging....and yep, it does bug me!  It's fabric and can't easily be wiped off, but I've forced myself to look past that into the gorgeous, wearable colors inside.

I'm normally not a fan of matte shadows...generally, I think a bit of shimmer helps shadows blend out better...matte shadows can look chalky and dull.  In this case, nothing to worry about...these colors blend like a dream!  Just like their other palette competitors (Lorac, Urban Decay and others) these shadows are the micro-milled, high-end variety that apply like butter and have terrific color payoff.  Here are some more specifics from the It Cosmetics website about the shadows:

Hydrating Age Reverse and Prevent Complex and infused with Peptides, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Silk, Anti-Oxidants and Drops of Light™ Technology. Paraben-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free, cruelty free. 

Ok...I'm down with all of that, but how does it LOOK?  Overall, this palette is a subdued one...the colors are soft, nothing bright or garish...you might even say a bit boring?  But let me tell you, this palette has become a total go to!  These colors help me craft the most lovely soft smoky eye looks, like the one below:

This palette is especially great for brown-eyed girls...it provides a neutral palette that isn't a boring brown and the colors all go together in a wide variety of combinations.  In the photo above, I used 5 or 6 shades for depth and dimension, with Iconic and Midnight (plum and navy) shadows as the base, blended down with Love, Soulful and All Heart.  Here is what the colors look like individually:

 

I use the lighter shades (Sheer Joy, Love) for base color and highlight, the deeper shades (Midnight, Noir, Iconic, Java) for liner and defining the crease and the mid range tones (Violet, Mocha, All Heart, Sunset, Sunrise, Warmth, Soft Light) to add warm tones and to create a smooth, buffed out look between darker and lighter shades.  The "Java" shade is a particular favorite...a warm coffee color, it just blends in so well and works with a lot of different color combinations, and makes the great base for a smoky eye that isn't too dark.  The hot bridesmaid dress color lately has been a gorgeous blush shade...this palette is perfect for that!  One of last week's weddings had blush dresses....I knew these shades would be perfect for creating sophisticated, yet soft looks that I needed.  Here's one of the bridesmaids:

Her eyes are blue, so I went a little warmer (Java, All Heart, Soulful, Noir)....and it looked great with the blush dresses, but also really made her eyes shine!  So pretty.  I almost forgot to mention...the Naturally Pretty palette comes with a "Transforming Pearl" shadow that you can swipe over the matte shades to give them shimmer.  Meh...not impressed with it and I skip it completely. I have other shimmers in my case that do the same thing much better.  If this was your only palette, that would be a nice feature to get more use out of the colors, so it shouldn't be discounted. I just have a lot of other competing products in my case.  So...all in all, here's the scoop:

 

Pro's - lovely shades, blend like a dream, great color payoff and wearability

Con's - case always looks dirty (it's fabric), shimmer is so-so

 

This has become a kit staple that I use all the time!  For non- pro's, it's a great starter palette for someone building their shadow collection as it works for any skin tone or eye color.  It's a great selection of neutrals with a lot more range (and a lot less glitter!) than Urban Decay Naked palettes too!  So...how much and where can you get it?  It's $42 on the IT Cosmetics website (click HERE), and you can purchase in store at Ulta. I stumbled across IT Cosmetics last year and have added several of their products to my kit (Bye Bye Redness has become a #cantlivewithout product!), so I spotted this palette and gave it a shot...so glad I did!  And if anyone from IT Cosmetics ever reads this, for the LOVE...please don't package eyeshadows with fabric packaging ever again.  Especially not mauve nubby felt.  More women would probably discover how great this palette really is if the packaging were better....#justsayin.

 

IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette....a MUST BUY!

Five Drugstore Beauty Favorites!

I attended a vendor open house earlier this week at the Orchard, a venue that refers me all the time...thanks guys!  It's a lovely venue out in the country that actually sits on ....you guessed it...a pecan orchard.  When I attend an open house, I like to offer a fun giveaway that brides can sign up for....this time, I decided to create a goodie bag with 5  of my top drugstore beauty favorites!  Five products you can find at any Walgreen's, CVS or Target and run $15 or less (one is only $1!)...all affordable, yet effective.  Great products to mix in with more expensive skin care and cosmetics that you already love.  All the brides were excited to discover a new product that wouldn't break the bank! 

Want the lowdown on the fun stuff I included in this goodie bag?  Here ya go.....maybe you'll discover a new favorite!

 Garnier  The Refreshing Remover Wipes
As the name implies, they smell fresh and clean!  They run about $6 a pack and they remove all of your makeup with one sheet….even mascara and eyeliner...all without leaving any oily residue.  They are oil-free, safe to use with eyelash extensions and leave your skin feeling fresh, clean and soft.  Great to keep in your nightstand for nights when you are too tired to do your whole skin care routine, but still want to go to bed with a clean face!  I keep some in my purse too…they are great for removing any makeup stains on your clothes and in a pinch, can be used to cleanse your hands too. I love them….

ELF concealer brush

These run about $1 a piece…seriously! The low price allows me to buy several that I use for a variety of purposes. It can be used as a tiny concealer brush for undereye circles or to cover blemishes…simply dot on and blend.  It’s a great lip brush, and applies lipstick easily for a clean line.  It can also be used to apply powder eyeshadow as liner (a fave trick of mine) on upper and lower lashlines, or it can be used with gel liner for a precise application.  It has synthetic bristles, so you can wash with soap and water to keep it clean…a little Dawn liquid is also great to remove creamy products like concealer.

Sonia KashukEyeshadow  Medium Shader Brush

These run about $11 each and are one of my eyeshadow staples!  They rival brushes that cost 3 times as much, but since they are affordable, I have 4 or 5 of them to supplement my more expensive blending brushes. This is a medium size shadow brush that has a dense, yet soft head with a rounded top…excellent for applying color and blending.  Clean with brush cleaner daily.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lipbalm/Stain in Honey

Costs about $9 and is a great all around lip color.  Applies easily, like a big crayon….it applies subtle color that isn’t too glossy, and has a stain like pigment, so it lasts.  The Honey color is a soft nude pink that looks very natural and works on nearly everyone.  A great product for moms or any busy woman on the go....lipcolor and balm in one step!

L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara in Carbon Black

 
 

An excellent mascara that rivals brands that cost 3 times as much!  This is around $10…the formula is a glossy, VERY black one that applies smoothly with no clumping.  Doesn’t provide tons of volume, but it does create glossy black lashes that don’t look spidery.  One of my favorite mascaras!

And the lucky winner was.....Nikola H.!  I will be sending her these drugstore goodies next week.  If you follow me here, on Facebook or Instagram, then you know I spend a ton on cosmetics and love prestige brands, but why spend a fortune if you don't have to?  Much like great fashion, a high-low mix suits me well.....and I've already done the product testing so you don't have to!  What are some of YOUR favorite drugstore beauty finds?

Good to the last drop...a fun little makeup gadget review

Isn't it annoying when you've got product left in your container and you can't get it out...so it just goes to waste?  There's a fun little makeup gadget made just to solve this problem....Every Drop makeup spatula:

I got mine from Amazon for around $7 (free shipping with Amazon Prime), they also have it at the Container Store for about $5.  You get a little mini spatula that looks like this:

Using the same principle as a kitchen spatula, the rubberized end allows you to scrape the bottle or jar to indeed use "every last drop" of your product.  This can REALLY come in handy, particularly when you're talking about $100 eye cream, or $50 foundation, but over time, the savings can really add up when you get a couple more uses out of your product before tossing.  Considering I spend thousands and thousands on makeup each year, and go through product VERY quickly, the $5 is more than worth it! 

I used it this morning on a jar of IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness (yes, you all know this is my current fave product!) This product is super pigmented and you don't need a lot of it to be effective, so using this spatula allows 2-3 more uses!

Something else to think about....you should be using a tool to remove your product from jars and tubes so you're not introducing germs into the jar.  This is super important for makeup artists, but also important if you're the only one using your products.  Makeup artists use metal tools and spatulas for this purpose, and I have those too, but this little scraper is a nice addition...the metal tools I have are great for removing and mixing product from a full jar, but they can't grip the side of the jar like this one does.  It's a handy little thing! 

Germs, oil and bacteria all break down your cosmetics, so you want to keep your beauty goodies as pristine as possible so they apply well, perform well, and don't cause irritation.  (I LOVE products that come in tubes for this very reason, but not everything can come in a tube).  So...overall "Every Drop" Spatula....it's a handy little tool that saves you money and keeps your cosmetics clean...all for less than $10...not bad.
Overall grade for value and creativity: A

And...now for a version of a spatula that's even MORE fun, the kind we all used to lick cake batter off of when we were kids!!!  Yummy.....

Time to get a new Tattoo! (Product Review)

I mentioned these cream eyeshadows yesterday, just wanted to tell you a bit more. I'm deep into a spring product testing phase...prestige against drugstore, new offerings from my favorite companies...new products that are creating buzz in the beauty world.  The verdict is still out on a couple of items, but this product stood out as a definite winner, so I wanted to share!  First of all, I've never been a fan of cream eyeshadow, mainly due to the texture.  Most are either too watery or sticky, too hard to apply/blend and they crease as the day wears on. Meh...all of that is way too much hassle in my book, so I typically stick to high end micro-milled shadows that are really pigmented to get the results I'm looking for.

Lately, I've been hearing a little buzz about Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow and I was intrigued enough to give it a try. The packaging is simple, and pretty much the same to similar high end cream shadows, plus it's easy to find at any drugstore or beauty store that carries Maybelline.  It comes in several colors, including a few that are really bright and intense:

Whoa!  Orange cream eyeshadow?  For runway or photoshoots, sure!  For PTA meetings or work?  Um...no so much. For initial testing, I started by purchasing Bad to the Bronze...

A shimmery, bronze-taupe that is a great color for everyday.  This is similar to Satin Taupe by MAC, which is one of my favorite everyday shades for any eye color.  I also went back and purchased Bold Gold....

A traditional, warm yellow shimmery gold.  Packaging does vary slightly I think the photos above are the newer version.  In short?  This stuff ROCKS!  Seriously!  I was shocked at how much I like it.  I applied with a flat brush (any flat, synthetic shadow or concealer brush would work), it's easy to apply, and easy to blend.  It goes on creamy, but then dries down to a finish that simply WON'T BUDGE.  I'm not kidding.  I tested this on a day when I applied my makeup at 6:30am and took it off at midnight....it was perfectly intact, it didn't fade or crease at all.  I did a photo shoot yesterday that called for a "shimmering golden eye with berry lips", so I KNEW I wanted to use this!  I blended the two shades together to form the perfect soft antique gold, and then added a bit of dark brown shadow in the crease for depth...check it out....

 

 

 

It's lovely, and actually has more shimmer than this picture shows.  I'll  post more pics from this shoot once I get them back, but I think they're going to be awesome!  Bottom line on Maybelline Color Tattoo?  It applies like a dream, looks great, lasts all day and beyond, plus it's AFFORDABLE.  Gotta love that!  Only down side is the color selection....most people can't get away with wearing shimmery turquoise or orange cream eyeshadow on a daily basis. It worries me that women might try!  Stick to the more subtle shades...there's even a white that makes a great shadow base.  There are several prestige brand cream shadows out there at $25 a pop or more, this one beats them all hands down.  Overall score?  A+!  Let me know what you think...enjoy your new "tattoo". I know I am!

They're Real....and they're SPECTACULAR!

A SUPER common question clients ask is "what's the best mascara?  I've tried everything and still can't find one I like..."

I'm a big believer that mascara doesn't have to be expensive to be effective.  Most mascara formulations are chemically similar...the biggest differences are in packaging, and of course, marketing.  Here's what I look for in a great mascara:  glossy, very black, non-clumping, and no awful smell (I'm very sensitive to products that smell really strong!).  I like formulas that are moisturizing and don't smudge, but also don't take an act of God to remove at night.  Tall order?  Maybe, but I've been lucky and found several I like!  Here are two in different price points to handle any budget.  First, the drugstore fave:

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black

 

This stuff is pretty great, especially at around $9 a tube at any drugstore!  It's glossy, VERY black, non-clumping, easy to apply and lasts all day without flaking.  It has a small, comb like brush that coats lashes individually with zero clumping. If you need volume for sparse lashes, this is just meh...this is better for just giving lashes you've already got a nice, black glossy finish....all at a reasonable price.  Considering you should switch out your mascara every 3-6 months for safety and cleanliness reasons, this is pretty appealing!  Overall grade: A-

 

Here's my second current fave:

 

                                              Benefit's "They're REAL!" Mascara in Black

 

This is more of a prestige brand, and at $23 a tube, more of a prestige price.  I am LOVING this mascara!  Again, glossy, very black, lasts all day, etc.  But this one has more VOLUME and really adds fullness to your lashes.  The brush coats each lash and the little ball on the end helps with tiny bottom lashes.  Definitely my choice for a night out when I want more of a dramatic look.  Does it really look like false lashes...no, but it creates pretty nice real lashes!  At Ulta, Sephora and other beauty retailers that sell Benefit cosmetics.  I am a bit of a sucker for clever marketing too!  Overall Grade: A

Bottom line?  If you have a prestige mascara that you love and works for you, by all means...buy it!  The various brushes work better on different eye types, so when you find one that works, it's the Holy Grail.  Having said that, don't think that mascara is a category where you absolutely have to pony up bucks.....drugstore brands are very, very similar and can produce great results at an affordable price.  Which one will you choose?  What's your favorite?  Let's all LASH OUT!
PS....anyone get my Seinfeld reference in the title?!?!  I'll give you a hint, it has nothing to do with lashes......
Have a great day....see you soon!  J

I'm a sucker for a great drugstore find....and a catchy name!

I've got TONS of new photos to share, but my computer is being difficult and won't upload, so I'll throw in a quick product review...check back for more before/afters!



Ever heard of Hard Candy?  They used to be part of Urban Decay....the packaging is similar, catchy product names, bold color cosmetics.  The big difference?  Hard Candy is sold at Wal-Mart, that's right WAL-MART.  That means it's CHEAP, people.  Aha, so I've got your attention?  I can't say it enough...I am more than willing to pay big bucks for the right product that delivers the results I want for my clients, but a great product is a great product,  I'm not too snobby to work in some drugstore finds.



I tested a few Hard Candy items recently....including the cleverly titled "Eye'm Tired"....serum to de-puff and brighten your underye area.  Price?  $5.00....so why not?

 It comes in a tube with three little metal roller balls.....you massage the product in and let it dry.  I tried it after cleansing and after eye cream on a morning when my allergies were kicking up.  It felt GREAT....very cool, very refreshing...would be fab in the fridge! (Note for the upcoming Texas summer.....)

I really saw a reduction in puffiness....it was noticeable!  This is now my go to after late nights and allergy mornings...it makes my eyes feel more awake.  I just wait about 10 minutes and then start my makeup routine....easy.

 

What makes it work is a combo of the rollers and the light serum that contains vitamin B5, caffeine, cassava and algae extract. This isn't taking the place of anything in my skin care routine, just an addition for puffy eye days.  Again, for the price, it was worth the risk....great product with a catchy, clever name that makes me like it even more. Bring on the weepy chick flicks, I'm ready!