Product Reviews

The Urban Decay Summer 2016 Beached Bronzers and Highlighters Are All That and a Bag of Banana Chips

April 4th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 19 Comments

urban-decay-summer-2016-beached-bronzer-face — Wearing Urban Decay Sun-Kissed Beached Bronzer on my face (and on my eyes in the crease), Urban Decay 8-Hour Afterglow Highlighter in Sin on my cheekbones (and in the inner corners of my eyes) and Urban Decay 8-Hour Afterglow Highlighter in Fireball as a blush

When the fab, fashionable seven-year-old in my life (who recently made an editorial appearance in this important discussion about unicorns) saw the packaging for the Urban Decay Summer 2016 Beached Bronzer and Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter, she announced, “It reminds me of the Barbie clothes!”

And you know what?

She was totally right!

Urban Decay has an awesome early ’90s 90210/Baywatch vibe going on with these that makes me think of the hours and hours I spent playing with those oh, so early ’90s Barbie clothes — the same ones that my little lady now enjoys (although she says they’re “retro,” *cringe*).

I have such happy memories of my summers from that time that I’m all about this packaging, but as exciting as it is…the powders inside these terrifically tropical compacts are all that and a bag of banana chips!

Urban Decay Beached Bronzers and Afterglow Highlighters — Urban Decay Beached Bronzers and 8-Hour Afterglow Highlighters

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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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The Paul & Joe Spring 2016 Collection: Sometimes Versatility Comes in Small, Lovely Packaging

March 24th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 11 Comments

My makeup looks tend to be simple. As I don’t often wear a full face of makeup, I opt for what I know, and what I find suits my lifestyle, as I’m sure most of us do.

What I’m talking about, I guess, is convenience, and convenience is just one of the many things that makes these few products from the Paul & Joe Spring 2016 Collection special.

Launched as a cosmetics line in 2002, and named after owner Sophie Mechaly’s two sons, feline-fabulous brand Paul & Joe has been a French staple since 1995, when it began as a menswear company before expanding into womenswear and children’s fashion.

Now available in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, the line has expanded significantly since its start.

Their philosophy says it all:

“Thoroughly enjoying life, valuing every moment- that is the philosophy of Parisians and Sophie Melachy herself. PAUL & JOE BEAUTE projects a lifestyle that brims over with a sense of happiness and well-being.”

Happiness is a present element when it comes to the packaging of these gorgeous spring products. This week I got my hands on the beautiful #11 compact, as well the #101 face and eye color combo, the #2 cream blush, and the #7 powder blush.

The compact itself is sold separately, and the products, such as the blushes, are designed to be interchangeable with the compact. This packaging is incredibly convenient for touchups throughout the day.

The Face and Eye Color Palette, the largest of the four products shown here, is also my favorite.

It’s stunning! And although I’m really not a fan of perfumed cosmetics, I can’t help myself. I like it here (it’s faintly citrusy with a hint of lily).

Paul & Joe Spring 2016 Face and Eye Color Palette — One of the few French words I can actually remember is the word for butterfly (*papillon*)

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The Benefit Dandelion Collection for Spring 2016: Pretty in Pink

March 24th, 2016 by Anna Oh 27 Comments

Hi, everyone!

As one of the prettiest (in my opinion) collections of spring 2016, the Benefit Dandelion Collection is an expansion of Benefit’s bestselling Dandelion Brightening Finishing Powder ($29), with the new Dandelion Shy Beam Liquid Highlighter ($26) and Dandelion Dew Liquid Blush ($28).

This is a small and concise collection with every product layering on top of each other to create a beautiful and brightening flush.

benefit dandelion collection shy beam dandelion dew — Benefit Spring 2016 Dandelion Collection

benefit dandelion collection dandelion box powder — Benefit Dandelion Powder

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Burt’s Bees Radiance Lotion Will Have You Channeling Your Inner Queen Bee

March 23rd, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 13 Comments

burts bees, radiance lotion, body lotion — Holding court in my lotion kingdom…

So, here’s a bit of a confession, and I only call it a confession because you, dear readers, don’t know me that well, and my boyfriend is probably the only other one who knows this, but…I can be a grizzly beast in the winter.

Bodily speaking, I mean. Body hair, specifically. Body hair has become less and less taboo as the years have passed, and I find myself caring less and less in the winter.

I’m a habitual bikini waxer, but other than that, in the wintertime, it just makes things worse. I shave my legs, and my skin just dries out more. Who needs that?

Well, despite my biggest excuses, I can’t resist trying a new body lotion, and if I’m going to try a new lotion, I want to feel like a baby dolphin when I do it. 🙂

Burt’s Bees Radiance Body Lotion is part of the brand’s Radiance family of products, which consists of an entire line of skin care. formulated with royal jelly, as well as sunflower oil and aloe, which contribute to the amazing scent.

After a very long shower and the death of one very strong, very brave razor, my legs were once again hairless, and my body was ready to begin the testing. What I wasn’t ready for was how much I was going to sparkle! Radiance Body Lotion contains mica (a light reflecting mineral), and baby, does it reflect.

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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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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 2: Neve Cosmetics

March 22nd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

Neve Cosmetics Elegantissimi Eyeshadow Palette Italian Makeup — My mug shot with the Neve Cosmetics Elegantissimi Palette. I was arrested for possession of too much makeup!

Neve Cosmetics, eh?

Neve is the Italian word for snow, and while any other day I’d start by telling you all about the beautiful reason behind this name, today I can’t associate anything positive to any form of water falling from the sky.

This is because it’s been raining for two awful weeks, and my meteoropathic self can’t take it anymore.

If you follow my blog, then you’ll know that it all started with me evoking an ancient curse and triggering the wrath of the gods, so I shouldn’t really complain, since this horrible weather is all my fault (*goes to cry in the corner*).

Instead of moaning, I should focus on the flowers in my metaphorical garden, just as Karen taught me. 🙂

Neve Cosmetics Blush Garden Tuesday Rose cream blush — Neve Cosmetics Tuesday Rose from the Blush Garden

Neve Cosmetics definitely adds many flowers to my garden, including this adorable rose blush and the inspiring philosophy behind the brand… They think that, just like snowflakes, all people are different and beautiful in their own unique way, and I personally share the same view. I believe that makeup should enhance your natural beauty, rather than mask it.

The Turin-based company also adds flowers to the lives of many by supporting nonprofits that help humans and animals alike, and all of their products are cruelty-free and free of silicones, parabens and petroleum products.

Neve Cosmetics Italian Makeup — Neve Cosmetics products are all made in Italy with high quality ingredients

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