ProductWhores

Stila Festival of Color!

Stila's new Summer 2013 collection is so pretty and shockingly wearable!  When I first saw it I thought it was so bright that I wouldn't be able to wear it without looking like a freak, but I was so wrong.  The color Pigments are my absolute fave of the collection.  Each Countless Color Pigment compact features multiple shadows all swirled together like a beautiful watercolor painting (actually, they look a lot like stuff my kid has made me for me).  The shades are vibrant, work perfectly together and have the staying power of Stila eye shadows.  I love, love Light Show (turquoise, bright green, bright yellow) and Melody (awesome shades of bright plums), but since there are 10 compacts to choose from it's kind of hard to be able to just pick a few, honestly.  The rest of the new collection features After Glow Lipcolor (super bright pencil lipcolor that's not drying!); Smudge Stick in Turquoise (sooooo pretty and my favorite go-to eyeliner formula); Liquid Eyeliner also in turquoise and Color Balm Lipsticks (freakin' amazing, my new obsession).  Stila's Color Balm Lipsticks are super hydrating, have such beautiful shades and are peppermint-y.  I am crazy for all the shades, honestly, and own a few.  I think if you made me pick the one I'm using most right now, I'd pick Gemma - a purple-y pink that's vibrant and so pretty for Spring.  Oh, Stila, I love you so very much!!

Note:  Samples of the above products were sent to me by a PR representative working with Stila.

Technicolor Dreams

I wear a lot of neutral eyeshadows, especially during the day to work, so it's nice to bust out of the neutral barrel once in awhile and put on some brighter shades.  MAKE UP FOR EVER's Technicolor Palette has eight shades in it and is a nice mix of colors that will make your eyes really pop, plus some neutrals to tone down the brightness.  It's a nice palette to experiment with because you can do the brights, but also give yourself a softer look with the two shadows on the right.  I do admit that I can't figure out how on earth to use the yellow shade without looking like I have jaundice, but I've been playing around with it and I'm determined to use it in some way... sometime.  Even if it's at Halloween!  I do love the lime green and the bright blue - they're fun to use as accent shades - and the lilac looks really good with my green eyes.  Lots of fun shades in this one.  Well worth picking up! 

Note:  A sample of the product was sent by a PR representative working with MAKE UP FOR EVER

Buy Yourself A Lilac Rose

You guyyyyyssss - why must Bobbi Brown palettes be so expensive?  Because I am hard core coveting the new Lilac Rose Eye Palette, but I just cannot justify throwing down $60 for more eye shadows when I have about a thousand already.  (Seriously.  It's ridiculous how many palettes I've come across lately that I didn't even remember I had.  I could be a drag queen with all the smoky eye shades I've discovered in the last month.  I'd just have to come up with a catchy name and I'd be all set!)

So really, unless someone magically deposits some money in my bank account expressly marked "For eye shadow only," I'm not going to own the Lilac Rose palette anytime soon, but can we at least all agree that it's ridiculously pretty?  I love all eight shades and the fact that you can use it for both neutral daytime looks and nighttime glamour?  I'm such a fan of palettes that do double duty like that because I overpack enough, if two palettes can do the job of one, they're twice as fabulous.  Plus, the shadows have different finishes to them - everything from Shimmer Wash to Metallic - so you get a variety of those to play around with too.  (The Black Chocolate shade can even double as an eyeliner if you want it to).  I neeeeddddd this palette!    

New Pantone Universe

Sephora has released their new collection of Pantone Universe (you'll remember last year's was Tangerine).  This year is a stunning Emerald collection and I am crazy for the new Color Theory Shadow Block in Bionic.  First of all the packaging is ridiculously cool - you slide apart the two sides of the box (I know you're supposed to throw it away but it is just too pretty to trash) and then the little well that houses the shadow palette actually slides out like a drawer.  Then, once you're over the amazing-ness of the packaging you can actually get to the real highlight the shadow block!  The box itself has a sliding top with magnetic corners so it swings open (um, awesome) and the bottom has a separate mirror which swings out, as well (um, double awesome).  The colors are super wearable and fun and unlike anything I already own - matte emerald, shimmery metallic white and a deep navy.  They look stunning on and are such a unique combo you'll get a ton of compliments which isn't such a bad way to start the day, now is it?

Note:  A sample of the product was sent by a PR representative working with Sephora.

Love Me

You guys, I have a ridiculous amount of eye shadow palettes.  Like, the drawer I'm storing my favorites in keeps getting stuck shut because one of them gets wedged up and blocks it from opening.  You'd think me having to force open a drawer four times or so a week would convince me to store some of them elsewhere, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  What if I want to use one in the morning and it's downstairs?  That would just be tragic.  So instead, I rearrange them constantly, hoping that'll prevent the blockage, and hold my breath every time I go to open the drawer.  It's kind of sad.  But the real point is, I have a lot of eye shadow, so when I see a palette that makes look twice, it's kind of exciting.  Which is how I feel about Smashbox's new Love Me Eye Shadow Palettes.  How adorable is the one above, with its Love Me message?  So cute!  (And for those of you wondering, the overlay with the words lifts up and out of the way so you can use the shadows easily - you don't have to try and work around it, which is much better than I originally thought).  The Admire Me palette above is a great neutral palette and since it's not big, it's a lot easier to pack for a trip than a lot of my other favorite (but bulkier) nude palettes.  The other palette in the collection, Entice Me, is more colorful, with a mix of pinks, purples and blues, so they're both equally useful, but for different looks. I'm kind of obsessed with them right now.  How can anyone not adore a palette with the word "Love" IN IT?  Someone with a heart of stone, that's who!

Note:  A sample was sent to me by a PR representative working with Smashbox  

Sexiest Nudes Ever

I just saw this new palette from Benefit at Sephora last weekend and I'm dying to get my hands on it now.  How cute is it?  It's part of their World Famous Neutrals release, which includes three different palettes, but this one is by far my favorite.  It's called Sexiest Nudes Ever and has a really pretty combo of silver and pinky/purple shades, plus it's a great mix of their powder and cream shadows.  I would totally wear these shades all the time.  I do wish the packaging was a tiny bit less bulky because it seems a little unwieldy to travel with, but I can live with that if I have to. (I mean, let's be honest.  How many trips do I really go on?) I wish they'd had this at ULTA when I used my 20% off coupon because I would totally have bought it, but it seems like the palettes are all exclusive to Sephora.  Well played, Sephora.  Well played. 

Who Wouldn't Want To Go To Oz?

Oh my God, I am so obsessed with Urban Decay's two new palettes inspired by the new Disney movie “Oz the Great and Powerful.”  Obsessed, you guys!  The one above is the Theodora Palette, which is supposed to represent the bad witch and has shades that'll let you create a more dramatic, edgier look.  There are eight new, exclusive eye shadows, a 24/7 liner and a Super-Saturated High Gloss Color in Theodora, a bright red cream that I am coveting HARD.  I'm not sure I could pull it off, but I'm definitely going to need to try. 

The Glinda Palette represents the good witch and has the same combo of products, just in lighter shades for a more ethereal, angelic look.  When I first saw the two palettes, I definitely thought I liked Theodora more, but now I really can't decide.  The shades in Glinda are super pretty too and the Super-Saturated High Gloss Color (also called Glinda) is a really nice sheer nude that I also can't wait to try.  (I love nude lips colors and am constantly on the hunt for the perfect one.  I have several contenders right now, but more are always welcome).  Both palettes are $49 and I saw them at ULTA last night, so they're definitely already in stores.  (I don't think I can even tell you how hard it was to walk away without buying either of them, but I'm on a strict makeup budget at the moment, so they'll have to wait a few weeks).

The other cool thing about the palettes is that they both feature UD's Build Your Own Palette format.  So when you're done with the shades (or if you get bored and just want to switch some out) you can pop them out and put any other UD shadows into the tin.  Cool, right?  I've also been wanting to buy one of those empty palettes to fill with shades, so buying one (or both!) of these would take care of that too.  Stupid budget!

Prisma Chrome

I love metallic shadows - whether day or night they always make eyes look gorgeous!  At night you look sexy and alluring and during the day metallics make you look fresh and awake.  Sephora's new Prisma Chrome collection of eye shadows are downright spectacular and an absolute must-have.  I was bummed when Sephora discontinued their last collection of metallics so I was happy to see they came to their senses and released these stunners! Collection includes Pearly Golden, Golden Peach, Golden Taupe, Purple, Taupe, Taupe Silver, Black and Lilac.  These fantastic shadows, however, are limited edition so better make the trip to Sephora soon...

Get Smoked!

Oooooh, the Smoked Palette from Urban Decay is so amazing I went out and bought a few for friends for Christmas!  First of all, it's unlike other "smokey eye" palettes as it doesn't just focus on the black/brown look but has a deep green, blue and violet, as well.  I love all the combinations - super sexy and incredibly easy to apply.  The shadows are uber-smooth and blend with little effort which means no lid-tugging.  Comes with 10 shades perfect for day or evening looks.  And if that shadows weren't fabulous enough, the palette comes with the 24/7 liner (hands-down my fave liner because it's so easy to line with and smudge) in Perversion and the lid primer.  Case is especially great for travel because it zips up so no unhinging in your suitcase leaking sparkly shadow on all your clothing.  Definitely worth every penny and should be on everyone's holiday gift list!

My other recent obsession and an especially fantastic gift is the Smoked 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set.  I could go on for days about why this is my favorite liner and how many I've bought as gifts for my friends because I need to share my love with everyone else, but I won't bore you.  I will tell you that if you don't already own one of these pencils, you're missing out... and your eyes are disappointed in you for failing them...

Note:  A sample of the above was sent to me by a PR representative working with Urban Decay.

Smoked Out

Did I need Urban Decay's Smoked Eye Shadow Palette?  Nope, not at all!  I have so many eye shadows, I could conceivably have enough to last me for years without ever buying any new ones.  But I've been coveting it since it came out and I had a 20% off one item coupon at ULTA that included Urban Decay (which rarely happens) so I figured it was God's way of letting me know that I should buy it.  (You know, when he's not busy dealing with Hurricane Sandy and all that...!)  Also, I kind of justified it by promising myself that now I will ONLY pack this palette to take back to the east coast at Christmas instead of 47 different items to create the perfect smoky eye.  So, in theory, it'll save me precious packing space in my suitcase.  So worth it!

Anyway, the palette itself is as awesome as I wanted it to be.  I'm obsessed with the Mushroom shade - it's a warm pale grey shimmer and so, so pretty.  And the rest of the colors give you pretty much free rein to create any sort of smoky eye that you want - the standard black/grey, green, blue, purple...  Go nuts, kids!  The shadows are all the new Urban Decay formula, which is fantastic - buttery soft and so pigmented - plus it also comes with a full-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion (dark black) and travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion.  The only other thing you need is mascara and you can create a smoky eye worthy of Studio 54 in its heyday!  Definitely a must-have if you're looking for a great smoky eye palette or you just want to add to your shadow wardrobe.  Now, who can think of a good reason for me to buy the Ocho Loco eyeliner set?  Because that should really be mine too...