Eyes

Make These Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Palettes “Part of Your World!”

March 29th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 32 Comments

Whenever I think of constantly craving gorgeous makeup products…I always picture that meme of Ariel singing about adding cosmetics to her collection instead of “whoozits and whatzits.”

It’s even more on my mind when I look at the totally gorgeous palettes Tarte released with their new Rainforest of the Sea collection. Each one has its own style and comes with a mirror. They’re marine chic done eau, so right.

Along with the three Rainforest of the Sea palettes — a color-correcting complexion perfector, a classic nude shadow palette and a gorgeous highlighting palette — Tarte also released a waterproof eyeliner (because of course it has to be waterproof in this collection).

Diving into the first luxurious golden palette, Tarte’s limited edition Wipeout Color Correcting Palette ($45) contains six pans of color corrector and concealer. The hues in Wipeout approach color correcting differently than Becca’s Color Correctors. Tarte’s take on the trend is yellow and green based, which seems more approachable for a wider array of skin tones.

I love that Tarte thought ahead and included a handy how-to guide (showm below) with suggestions on where to place each shade. Orange shade #1 is intended to counteract the darkest places on the face, while green shade #2 neutralizes redness, deep shade #3 defines and sculpts, #5 conceals, and the yellow shade in the center brightens.

The consistency of these concealers is similar to Laura Mercier’s much-beloved Secret Camouflage formula (a favorite of mine that I’ve repurchased time and time again). They’re waxy but emollient and easy to blend, and I love the mix and match capabilities that this palette provides.

Unfortunately, though, the lone concealer shade is intended to be “one size fits all,” and it may not suit all skin tones equally.

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The Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 28 in Purple Blue: The Guiltiest Pleasure!

March 28th, 2016 by Anna Oh 25 Comments

alexa chung illustration anna oh ao beauty — Illustration of Alexa Chung and her signature smokey eye, by Anna Oh

Yes.

That’s right.

I’ll give you a minute…

If your body is ready now, this is THE Natasha Denona 28 Eyeshadow Palette in Purple Blue ($239), and it’s about to sell out on Beautylish as we speak!

The hype around this product is very real for many reasons, the first one being the price (!), the second being the colors, and the third being the formula.

First…

The price

For $239, this single item is one of the most expensive eyeshadow palettes on the market. The pans work out to roughly $8.50, and you’re getting 28 of them. If you only collect Natasha Denona eyeshadows, this is a great value.

But if you’re like me and collect eyeshadows from almost every brand, this is a question mark (?) for sure. Buying 28 Makeup Geek or MAC eyeshadows (like the $6 refill pans) would actually save you money!

These are presented as “pro-quality” and “ultra-pigmented,” and they’re packaged in a VERY smartly designed, sleek, and surprisingly small palette. I really appreciate the wide variety of different colors and finishes.

The colors

The colors speak for themselves. Beautiful and subtle, but loud and incredibly nuanced at the same time. As the “Purple-Blue” palette, you get an incredible range with some added pinks, silvers, and taupes. I would say that I’m a neutral lover with an appreciation for color, and I find that this palette is very wearable, save for three or four of the colors. I think the range of colors rounds out the palette for color lovers and neutral lovers alike.

natasha denona 28 eye palette purple blue swatches — Swatches: all 28 eyeshadows of the Natasha Denona Purple Blue Palette

The Purple Blue palette contains:
28V electric violet, 82V nina’s orchid, 51M rosewood, 80M piggy, 40M lavender gray, 11M metallic steel blue, 11V steel blue, 38M gray-brown, 24V aubergine, 22M maroon, 60M golden rose, 63M oxide, 84V powder blue, 09M quick silver, 32P deep slate gray, 75P satin skin, 52M golden beige, 70P cool plum, 92M petroleum blue, 89V koh tao, 03V deep pacific, 12M glaze, 23P smoky plum, 49M vintage, 05M calypso blue, 65V smoke, 04M chromatic, 01V navy

Paraben-free.

70 g / 2.5 oz.

natasha denona 28 eye palette purple blue — My favorite row in the palette!

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Clinique Lid Pop Long-Wearing Eyeshadow: Clinique’s Latest “Pop” Sensation

March 25th, 2016 by Anna Oh 16 Comments

clinique spring 2016 lid pops — The Clinique Lid Pop long-wearing eyeshadows for spring 2016 ($17 each, available now)

Hi everyone!

Clinique is back for spring with eyeshadows based on their uber-popular long-wearing, buildable Cheek Pop line.

Also known as “the prettiest eyeshadows ever!” the new Clinique Lid Pops ($17 each) come in eight satiny and shimmery shades, and here’s a look at four of them.

This powder gelee formula is downright PRETTY on the skin. Petal Pop and Cream Pop reflect nicely on the lids, and the matte color — Cocoa Pop — has a beautiful satin sheen.

Unfortunately, Surf Pop doesn’t fare so well in swatches or on the lids. Blue is an unforgiving color to start with, and this one needs better pigmentation to prevent patchy application.

I wonder what Clinique plans to release next into their “Pop” product line!

The Clinique Lid Pops

Vanilla Pop
Cream Pop
Petal Pop
Grape Pop
Surf Pop
Aqua Pop
Willow Pop (I really want to get this one!)
Cocoa Pop

Clinique Lid Pops (L-R) Petal Pop, Surf Pop, Cocoa Pop, Cream Pop

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A Face of the Day With the New LORAC Spring 2016 Releases

March 23rd, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 10 Comments

LORAC Color Source Blush and Alter Ego Lipstick, LORAC Soft to Smokey Eye Collection — LORAC spring 2016

What is it about spring that makes me want to bust out different products and start experimenting?

Could it be that spring cleaning is in full swing; the windows are finally wide open to let in a sweet smelling breeze; it stays light out well into the evening and (at least where I live) after a long white, dull winter, the whole world seems to be colorful again?

It’s finally sunny on a regular basis where I’m from! — a land I will lovingly refer to as “the arctic tundra.” (We’re not that far north. I’m just being dramatic.) Of course, for me, this means that I need to start bringing out my BRIGHTEST clothing, like my yellow cardigan and purple silk blouse. You name it — if it’s bright, I’m gonna wear it to celebrate the season.

For that reason, I like to keep my spring makeup a bit more understated, and LORAC has a wealth of new spring 2016 products to help.

LORAC released some truly fabulous blushes and lipsticks, two of which I’m wearing above. The Color Source Buildable Blushes ($22 each) are pigmented little pops of color in a beautiful array of hues from neutral to electric purple.

They’re 100% matte and smooth as butter, given their lack of shimmer. My worst nightmare in a matte blush is a product that deposits color on the cheeks but then blends poorly due to a stiff texture, and I’m happy to report that LORAC Color Source Buildable Blush blends like a dream! The pigmentation is intense, and these blushes blend incredibly well, allowing for layering to varying degrees of intensity.

I paired the bright pops of color on my cheeks with a nude lip, the new LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in Exhibitionist ($17, exclusive to Kohl’s). When I think of a classic lipstick formula, these Alter Ego Lipsticks have it. Thick but smooth and easy to apply, they’re highly pigmented and, although not marketed as long-lasting, stick around on my lips for several hours.

LORAC Color Source Blush and Alter Ego Lipstick — LORAC Color Source Blush in Chroma and Technicolor and Alter Ego Lipstick in Exhibitionist (Kohl’s Exclusive)

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Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define Eyeshadow Sticks | Review & Swatches

March 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 17 Comments

Cream eyeshadow sticks are among my favorite makeup products of all. I love how easy they are to use, and I’m always on the market for a new good shadow stick.

I did a roundup of my Top 5 Eyeshadow Sticks last year, and now I wonder if these Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define eyeshadow sticks will make the cut.

The four shades here — Glistening Ray, Pink Pearl, Cool Mink and Velvet Truffle — are all smooth, creamy and extremely long-wearing.

After swatching them on my arm, I went to a cycling class, then showered, and the colors were still intact!

With the exception of Velvet Truffle, they’re all very sparkly, which I love.

Here are some swatches:

boots no 7 stay perfect shade and define — L to R: Glistening Ray, Pink Pearl, Cool Mink and Velvet Truffle

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Dream Big (Like, Unicorn Big!) With Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7-in-1 Mascara

March 21st, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 23 Comments

My seven-year-old is pretty adamant that unicorns exist…somewhere. They’re rare, and we don’t have them where we live, but they’re real because, “You don’t know. You just don’t know that they aren’t out there somewhere… People don’t know for sure!”

* Insert insistent head shaking and hand gestures to go along with this exclamation. *

Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7-in-1 Mascara ($14) is as rare as a unicorn.

To begin with, the packaging is to. die. for. It’s got a Disney Fantasia vibe that I love, and as a makeup lover I’m all about the adjustable “magic wand” that allows you to select either volume or length (or both).

But what makes this mascara so exciting for me is that it contains natural plant fibers to take lashes to great heights. In my experience, it’s not easy to find a natural lash product that can make as big of an impact as this one — so when I find a plant- and mineral-based mascara this good, I’m convinced that there must be unicorns out there, somewhere.

Armed with an adjustable brush, Pacifica Dream Big mascara is “flexible.” I’ve been favoring applying the first layer (or two…) with the wand extended for length, and then twisting the cap to shorten the wand and adding a few coats for volume. There are no rules to makeup, though, so if you favor one or the other, there’s no need to change the wand. But I have to tell you that it’s fun!

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An Easy, Beautiful Golden Bronze Eye Makeup Look Using the $5.49 Essence All About Bronze Eyeshadow Palette

March 21st, 2016 by Jen Clark 28 Comments

Is the weather starting to warm up where you live? I’m looking out the window at a gloomy night that is chucking it down with SNOW. Waahh! I just went on (what I thought was) a spring walk the other day, and now I have to bring out my winter coat again! If any of you are familiar with Utah weather, you know that, unfortunately, this isn’t that weird.

I’ll probably have to scrape off my car in the morning, but I’m choosing to be more optimistic with my makeup choices. I’m channeling sunshine with this springtime golden/bronze eyeshadow look.

This look is so flattering on every single eye color, and it’s so easy to do. AND the palette I’m using is only $5.49! It’s the Essence All About Bronze Eyeshadow Palette.

You guys, every single one of you needs to go out and buy one of these palettes. If bronze-y shades aren’t your thing, they’ve got a bunch of different options. Nudes, Roses, Greys, and more! They blend out like a dream and are so pigmented. Love, love, LOVE.

I started out with a matte transition shade in the crease to help the gold blend better with my skin. That’s the thing about this palette — the one con. There are no matte shades.

But, no worries. If you have one, just use a different shade from your stash. I actually used my contour powder today as my transition shade.

IMG_6499_edited-1 — I’m using the three “starred” shades in this look!

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Feelin’ Fly With the MAC Future Forward Collection

March 15th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 21 Comments

What do you get when you mix exciting, emerging female musicians, a whole lot of creativity and makeup?

Here’s what: you get the MAC Future Forward collection (coming as a series of mini collections starting March 17th, exclusively online)!

Four future forward musicians partnered with the eponymous brand to release a unique collection that will launch in four parts and, you guys, it’s really great! (MAC has been bringing it!)

While all part of one cohesive collection, each of the musician sub-collections will launch as standalone capsules on separate dates.

This is important to note: if one of these unique products appeals to you (or if you’re a huge fan of the recording artist), then be sure to mark your calendar to snag your prize, because these pieces will not be launching simultaneously like in a traditional MAC collection.

R&B and Pop artist Tinashe will release Eyeshadow x 9 Tinashe ($38 each) on March 17th.
Pop musician Halsey brings us a lipstick in Halsey ($17 each) on March 31st.
Rapper extraordinaire Dej Loaf will release Dej Loaf Lipglass ($15 each) on April 14th.
And last, but certainly not least, modern funk artist Lion Babe will release Liquidlast Liner in Lion Babe ($21 each) on April 28th.

I love that each product brings the spirit of its associated artist, while all of the items come together and look quite “spring” while doing so. (At least spring where I live in Wisconsin, which is often grey and punctuated with rich pops of beautifully unexpected color.)

And while some may not seem approachable for day-to-day wear (I’m lookin’ at you, Halsey lipstick), I’ve been loving just how versatile a non-neutral shadow palette and a gold liner can be.

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