Nov 4, 2010

Urban Decay The Black Palette - SWATCHES and THOUGHTS....

Urban Decay The Black Palette - SWATCHES and THOUGHTS....




From Sephora.com

The Black Palette
A provocative palette of six black-based eyeshadows and one 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. This glittery black compact with mirror features a daring palette of five black-based, glimmering, jewel-toned eyeshadows, and Urban Decay's darkest matte black eyeshadow, Black Dog, for adding dimension like never before. The set comes complete with a travel-size 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero and a mini genie bottle of Eyeshadow Primer Potion, so your color stays deep, dark and alluring all day and night.

This set contains:
- 6 x 0.04 oz Eyeshadows in Black Dog (richest matte black), Barracuda (black with silver sparkly shift), Jet (black with purple sparkly shift), Sabbath (black with blue sparkly shift), Cobra (black with golden sparkly shift), Libertine (black with emerald sparkly shift)

- 0.03 oz Travel-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (black)

- Mini Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden (matte nude)

Price: $36

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My Four P's

Price
This palette costs $36 and contains 6 eyeshadows, a 24/7 eye pencil and a mini primer potion. I usually exclude these bonuses when looking at the price though since Urban Decay always includes eye pencils and primer potions with their sets. Anyhow, simply put this equates to $6 per eyeshadow (0.04 oz) in my little head which is a steal considering that Urban Decay eyeshadows are $17 a pop for 0.05 oz. Definite bargain here.

Packaging
We all know Urban Decay usually gets flack for their bulky palette packaging but this package is sleek and in line with the Naked Palette. The package sports a decent sized mirror (which most of us may never use) and the 6 eyeshadows in circular pans plus a cutout that holds the 24/7 eye pencil. The mini primer potion is separate. The palette closes flat with a metallic clasp that is actually quite strong thankfully.



Product
The eyeshadows are all black as implied by the name of the palette with varying color flashes. The colors are pretty much a blackened matte base with fine micro-glitter similar to the pigments from the MAC A Tartan Tale Collection but the glitter is much more refined and subtle. These are great for smokey looks! They are highly pigmented and take very little to get full on color albeit mostly black. LOL.



Performance
I have heard complaints about the colors coming off as plain black when used on the eye. I think the thing people need to remember with these eyeshadows are that they will act somewhat like a duochrome. The colors will show up darkest (near black) when used over a neutral base/primer. The color flashes (green, blue, purple, etc.) will show up best when used over a similar colored base/primer. I think this palette is great for smokey looks and just for deepening your outer V. I'm trying to branch out into more smokey looks even though I don't really like them on myself so this is a great addition to my stash.

Overall
If you like dark eyeshadows (think near black) and smokey looks then this palette is perfect for you. The price is just right for what you get. Don't expect full on glitter or shimmer from these though since these are more of a blackened base with subtle color flashes.

Black Dog (richest matte black)
This is one bad b!tch. It is a rich dark black indeed with a matte finish.

Barracuda (black with silver sparkly shift)
This is a rich gunmetal silver color.

Jet (black with purple sparkly shift)
This is a nice dark purple shade.

Sabbath (black with blue sparkly shift)
The blue really shows up in this one. It's somewhat of a silvery dark blue.

Cobra (black with golden sparkly shift)
This is a great color. It's a golden sparkly black.

Libertine (black with emerald sparkly shift)
This is my fave. It's a true dark emerald green color.
  
(swatched over original Urban Decay Primer Potion)
Top: Black Dog, Barracuda, Jet 
Bottom: Sabbath, Cobra, Libertine
24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero

Navy Blue Suede SHOES

Navy Blue Suede SHOES

These shoes are regular platform pumps with a kick. They are a great navy blue suede! I also have these in dark brown suede, forest green suede, electric blue suede and black nubuck. These are from Love My Shoes and of course you know I bought them on sale! : )



Nov 3, 2010

Wet 'n' Wild ColorIcon HOLIDAY 2010 Palettes - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Wet 'n' Wild ColorIcon HOLIDAY 2010 Palettes - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...


Wet 'n' Wild has debuted 4 new ColorIcon Palettes for their Holiday 2010 Collection. Each of the palettes come with 6 limited edition eyeshadow shades and a bonus eye pencil.


These palettes were $4.49 at Harmons where I bought mine but I think they retail for $4.99. Don't forget that there are numerous sales at drugstores at any given time so you may be able to get these cheaper in a Buy One Get One Half Off Sale.

Update from the lovely favorisntfair: These are available at Walgreens and they are even having a 50% off sale!

The palettes are similar to the basic Wet 'n' Wild ColorIcon Palettes and come with 6 eyeshadows. The difference in the holiday palettes is that all the shades are either shimmery or glitter packed versus shimmers and mattes as in the originals.

The eyeshadows are all highly pigmented and very true to the color seen in the palette. There are 4 palettes in all: Golden Goddess - golds, bronze and orange tones, Snow Sprite - silvers, greens and blue, Plum Fairy - pinks, purples and plums, Night Elf- silvers, black and red.

These are great palettes are the budget conscious and savvy shopper. These are also best suited for those of us who love shimmer and glitter. These are not subtle satin shades...they are full on shimmery shades for the holiday season. Happy shopping!

 Golden Goddess - golds, bronze and orange tones

 Snow Sprite - silvers, greens and blues
 

 Plum Fairy - pinks, purples and plums

 Night Elf- silvers, black and red


'Amber Seas' Look

'Amber Seas' Look

After swatching all those MUFE Eyeshadows I decided to actually play with them a bit too. I lust say I love MUFE! It's my favorite brand along with MAC. Happy hump day!
Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (matte beige) all over my lid and on my brow bone as my primary base.

COLOR:
On my inner lid and tearduct area I applied MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow (matte ivory).
Next on the middle of the I applied MUFE #22 Pure Pigment (matte mustard yellow).
On the outer lid I applied MUFE #159 Eyeshadow (matte blue).
For the outer V and crease I used MUFE #60 Eyeshadow (matte navy blue).
On browbone area and for highlight I used Bare Escentuals Clear Radiance All Over Face Color (shimmery light pink). For my lower lashline I used MAC Chromagraphic Pencil in Landscape Green.

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown).

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Gel Eyeliner in Black.
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black.
I used MAC Opulash Mascara in Black for my lashes and added Beautee Senses Annie False Eyelashes for effect.

Lips: 
POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Faux Lipstick (muted mauve-pink ) topped with MAC Frankly Fresh Lipglass (nude peach).

Face: 
FINISH:
I prepped my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion. I used MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45 for my face set my t-zone with MAC Blot Powder in Dark. I used MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35 and NC45 under my eyes set with Benefit Powderflage Set.
I used MAC Springsheen Blush (peach w/ pearl) for my cheeks and MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour and highlight.


Our Community has grown to 700+!

Thank You!!!!!!! Thank You!!!!!!! Thank You!!!!!!!

HEY GUYS!!!! Our little community has grown to 700+!!! Yipppeeee! That's exciting news for me (and I hope for you guys too).

I wanted to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for all the great support and feedback I have received over the past few months. I really appreciate it! It's like my own little slice of the makeup world and I am so happy you guys are a part of it. Thanks so much again! It's greatly appreciated!!!


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Nov 2, 2010

'Play It Cool' Look

'Play It Cool' Look

This look is using the 6 Beauties Play It Cool Eyeshadow Palette from the MAC A Tartan Tale Collection. The colors turned out to be pretty dark all around so I suppose it's a cool smokey purple palette. Hmmmm.....I guess I'm OK with it...LOL!

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (matte beige) all over my lid and on my brow bone as my primary base.

COLOR:
On my inner lid and tearduct I applied MAC Silverwear Eyeshadow (frosted metallic lavender).  
Next on the middle of the I applied MAC Hold My Gaze Eyeshadow (frosty medium grey).
On the crease I applied MAC To the Ball Eyeshadow (satin dusty lavender ).
For the outer lid crease I used MAC Altered State Eyeshadow (shimmery purple grape).
To deepen the outer V I used MAC Heather Belles Eyeshadow (shimmery charcoal/carbon).
On browbone area and for blending I used Smashbox Nude Eyeshadow (matte nude).
For my lower lashline I used MAC Magic Moor Eyeshadow (shimmery blackened plum) - OUTER and MAC Silverwear Eyeshadow (frosted metallic lavender) - INNER.

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown).

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Gel Eyeliner in Black.
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black.
I used MAC Opulash Mascara in Black for my lashes and added Beautee Senses Annie False Eyelashes for effect.

Lips:


POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Snob Lipstick (bubblegum pink) topped with MAC English Accents Lipglass (creamy pink).

Face:


FINISH:
I prepped my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion. I used MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45 for my face set my t-zone with MAC Blot Powder in Dark. I used MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35 and NC45 under my eyes set with Benefit Powderflage Set.
I used MAC Plum Foolery Blush (shimmery dusty plum)  for my cheeks and MAC Oh So Fair Beauty Powder (light pink) for highlight.



Nov 1, 2010

'The Golden Family Crest' Look

'The Golden Family Crest' Look


For this look I used two of the new pigments from the MAC A Tartan Tale Collection. I look these pigments but I still need to get a feel for true smokey looks. I forgot my lip stuff at home and had to go bare lipped for the day. Not as bad as I thought but I felt a tad naked. :) 

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (matte beige) all over my lid and on my brow bone as my primary base.

COLOR:
On my inner lid I applied MUFE #102 Eyeshadow (matte light lemon).
Next on the middle of the I applied MAC Gold Dusk Pigment (shimmery light yellow gold).
On the outer lid and crease I applied MAC The Family Crest Pigment (blackened bronze w/ pearl).
On browbone area and for blending I used Smashbox Nude Eyeshadow (matte nude).
For highlight I used Bare Escentuals Clear Radiance All Over Face Color (shimmery light pink).
For my lower lashline I used MAC Moonlight Night Pigment (blackened teal w/ pearl).

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown).

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Gel Eyeliner in Black.
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black.
I used MAC Opulash Mascara in Black for my lashes and added Ardell #110 False Eyelashes for effect.

Lips:

Nothing but Blistex (forgot my lips stuff at home on the couch...LOL).


Face:  

FINISH:
I prepped my skin with Stila One Step Correct Primer. I used MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45 for my face set my t-zone with MAC Blot Powder in Dark. I used MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35 and NC45 under my eyes set with Benefit Powderflage Set.
I used MAC Melba Blush (matte coral peach) for my cheeks and MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour and highlight.

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