Why Not Wednesday: Too Faced Natural Love Palette SWATCHES

*First Impressions*

I  have never ordered a high-end palette on the day of release. I was up late, sick, and surfing Facebook when someone said the Natural Love line was live. I. Ordered. It.

Now, I usually opt for a natural look, so this palette was ideal for me. This palette offers 30 shades in the most adorable names. (Kittens and Bunny Nose are my favorite names!) What I really liked is the amount of matte shades in the palette. I think it's so hard to find a good palette with an even mix of mattes and shimmers.

The packaging is ultra adorable too. The actual words on the front are velvet, which was a nice touch. The inside is very standard with the exception of the super sized mirror. I've seen several people complain that a brush wasn't included, but with this many colors, I don't think a standard dual brush would work. I need like 5 brushes to achieve the looks I want with this palette. 😉

On to the colors...
They are all buttery smooth and rich. The shimmers and dark mattes are highly pigmented. Some of the lighter shades are lacking pigmentation, but I think that's the beauty of the natural palette.You know... to look natural I'm assuming using a shadow primer may increase the intensity of the lights shades. I think this palette is going to be perfect for wedding season. All the swatches below were taken with NO flash.

Final first impressions: You need this. it's versatile, has cute names, and velvet words. What's not to love?! Based on swatches alone, there's probably 4 shades out of the 30 I'm not impressed with. That's pretty darn good odds for a palette! You can find it here Natural Love Palette

I fully expect to dig in and use it tomorrow! Plus, I received my ipsy bag in the mail today, so you'll see that post too! (I ended up with the snail secretion Korean beauty cream.) Also, the ABH Modern Renaissance and Too Faced Chocolate Bar may or may not be on their way.

Promise to provide update once I've had the chance to full use! 

Why not? Wednesday and a Giveaway!!!: Shimmer Eye Shadows and Primers

This Why Not Wednesday has been in the works for a while. Mostly because as you will notice, I've tried a fair share of products to find my favorite one(s).

I am a HUGE fan of cream eye shadows. I know some of you will cringe and think the only thing they do is crease. Well I would be lying if I didn't encounter that same problem. After a lot of trial and error, I found some that I really really like. I am not an eyeshadow primer fan. It always feels a little too heavy for my lids, but I do like using a cream as a base. I think it provides a little more 'adhesive' for my shadow. I will use an eye primer if it is a special event, or I know I will be sweating/outside. Here is a review for 8 total I've tried and definitely listed in order. My favorites... all come from e.l.f. which means they are extremely affordable.

8. e.l.f. Glitter Primer: This is thick, and I really didn't see any glitter flakes. It dries extremely chalky and left a white residue on my lids. There is no evident staying power as indicated in an eyeshadow primer. It was originally bought on a whim since I found it at our local Dollar Tree for $1.00. You can purchase this online for $2.00 on e.l.f.'s website. Eye Glitter Primer

7. Hard Candy Eye's the Limit Shadow Primer: This is creamier and thinner than the primer mentioned above. It was included in a gift set I received for Christmas, so no harm done in trying it out. I couldn't get this to dry. It remained tacky, and my shadow creased like crazy. I tried it with glitter, matter, satin, and any other shadow you could imagine. You can only find this at WalMart for $5.00. Eye's the Limit

6. Maybelline Color Tattoo: This is the only *matte* base I own. I also found this at our local Dollar Tree hence why I have a less than ideal color. I really like this to build my crease. It does an amazing job, but I cannot use it as an all over base. The shadow sticks well and keeps it in place. I can't speak to creasing because I used it as a builder. I think I would enjoy these in a different shade. Color Tattoo

5. Mary Kay Cream Eye Color: These are very creamy and work best be used with a concealer type brush. There is a range of colors. I used the lighters ones as an entire base, but also used the darker colors as eyeshadow. They offer nine different colors are a mix of shimmer and matter. These run about $14.00, but I know Cari, my BFF, runs amazing deals and great parties. Shop with her today! Mary Kay Cream Eye Color

4. e.l.f Facial Whip: For $1.00, you can't beat this buy! It is extremely pigmented and multipurpose. I love the glitter power of this product. It makes for a great base shadow. My con, it is very watery, so it can be hard to manage and placement can be a little messy. It dries somewhat quickly; although, I do have to wait for it to dry before applying the next color. It is available in 3 colors. It can be purchased in your local drugstore or online. e.l.f. Facial Whip

3. Mary Kay Cream Highlighter: MK why do you do this to me?! It is DISCONTINUED!!! I would still be using this as my cream base if it wasn't insanely hard to find. This was actually developed to be a cream highlighter. I used it as an all over eyeshadow base.  It is so creamy, just the right amount of shimmer, stays in place, and doesn't crease!!! I can't find a direct link, but there are some on Ebay for sale.. at an inflated price.

2.  e.l.f. Shimmer Palette: This small palette offers four different colors- an icy silver, two pinkish peaches, and a taupe/sand color. These are weightless and smooth. This is another multipurpose makeup product. I mostly use it as an all over eye base, but occasionally as an inner eye corner and nose highlighter. I also really like this if I am going for a somewhat natural look. It's the right amount of sheen. I've not seen this in store, but you can purchase it online. e.l.f. Shimmer Palette

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

1. e.l.f. Smudge Pot: I  LOVE THESE THINGS!!! They are almost identical to the texture of the MK Cream Highlighter mentioned above. These things also DO NOT come off. There is no movement, no creasing,  no smudging (despite the name). There is an assortment of colors and great for a smoky eye- a total of 11. The names are super cute. My favorite color is Ain't that Sweet? It is a pink base, but the glitter flakes are multicolored. When in the sun, it has a holographic, iridescent effect. Gorgeous!! These are $3.00 a pod, which I think is great! Only con- I don't like how these are applied with a brush, and I wish the mouth of the pod was a little wider for accessibility. Local drug stores sell some colors, but for the full range check out online. e.l.f. Smudge Pots

Below are swatches of all the products except #7 and #8.

 

Do you want to add some of these to your collection?! Yes, that's right I am doing a small giveaway!

 

 1. Ain't that Sweet? e.l.f. Smudge Pot

2. Lilac Petal e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip

2. Pink Petal Mary Kay Eye Shadow (sample- LOVE this color!)

3. Beach Bronze Mary Kay Nourishine Gloss (sample- PERFECT for Summer!)

5. Orange Polka Dot Mini Composition Book- Why you ask? This thing is my best friend. I write down all my thoughts, blog ideas, and prayers. Basically anything that pops into my mind. You need to try it! It will make you feel better. 

Though the giveaway small, she is fierce. And FREE!

How to enter? 

Answer the following question- What is your favorite summer product? Comments can be posted on Facebook or Instagram (as the blog link/info will be posted on each site). Please ensure you tag me, so I can validate your entry.

How to win?

The winner will be selected from a random number generator online and notified to obtain mailing information. 

The giveaway will begin tonight Wednesday August 5 2015 and will last through Friday, August 14 2015 at 11:59 PM

No purchase is necessary. Odds of winning are based on number of entries. One valid entry per person. Prize totals around $6.00. Giveaway is open to US residents ONLY.

Happy entering and best of luck! 

Oh yeah, and if you want to share my post... I would appreciate it. Maybe your friends want to enter too!

June *Drugstore* Wishlist

I have incredibly sensitive skin, so when it comes to purchasing new products I am VERY selective. I do a ton of research- reviewing ingredient lists to see if this would even come close to being compatible with my skin. Which usually leads to a wishlist, and this one is drugstore affordable!

1. Maybelline- The Smokes palette: 12 shadows in the palette- most in the dark smokey range. There's a few colors that absolutely caught my eye, so I am on the search for this. It was release some time ago, and now near impossible to find. I've bid on a few through Ebay, but no success yet. Now, I *did* but The Blushed Nudes and only mildly satisfied (pigmentation issues). So why buy this one?? Well, I do NOT wear dark colors, so if this has the same formula and pigmentation issues... This could be potentially useful for me. Price (average): $12-18 on Ebay

2. Garnier Fructis- Root Amp: I am a sucker for root pumpers. I have a short, asymmetrical, stacked hair cut, and root pump is a MUST. Currently, I use a high end brand and not a fan of the cost. I've always had good results with Garnier and totally excited for this new volume line. Price: $4.29 Fancy details here.

3. Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout: The color caught my eye first. It is a soft pink and adorable. It is Matte- which is an even bigger plus. I've read a few blogs that claims it is also a Mac dupe, so we shall see. Price: $7.99 Fancy details here.

4. Yes to Cucumbers- Facial Cleansing Wipes: When I was younger I had no issues ruining countless wash cloths because I knew my mom could *always* get the makeup stains out. In adulthood... I don't have time for that, so facial cleanings cloths are my new best friend. I've read REALLY great things about all their products, but I have never tried them. Plus, I am always searching for a facial wipe. I've not yet found one I am in love with. Price: $5.99 Fancy details here.

5. Wet'n'Wild- Nude Awakening palette: I present to you another palette that is not available in store, and I cannot find on Ebay. I have a similar palette in Comfort Zone, and it is awesome. Pigmentation and wear-ability on point. I fell in love with this because of one color- Right hand Column, Crease color. It's like a slate, metallic-y gray-blue. I need this!! No details for Nude Awakening, but here is information for Comfort Zone. Price: $4.68

6. Maybelline- Eye Studio Master Graphic: Confession: I cannot do a winged liner. Why? One side is impeccably better than the other. I try to even out, and it smudges. I try to fix it again, and I look like a mix between Harley Quinn and a Panda. (Not that I am complaining about HQ, but work might frown upon it). I thought with this angled tip pen, there might be a little more hope for me. Price: $7.99 Fancy details here.

What is on your June Wishlist? Do you have any drugstore products you think I would love?

Also I'll just leave this here...

Oooh- Update. I found frame one for my back-up craft project. I immediately regret not buying the 2nd frame, so I might be venturing out to grab the second one.