Tag Archives: eye shadow

Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Moroccan Dunes Eye Shadow Palette

Posted on May 23, 2013 | Leave a comment

SK ES 3sk compact

I remember seeing this palette not long after it first launched in Target and thinking, “I really don’t need this.” I didn’t buy it, but then saw a post Karen did at Makeup and Beauty Blog and decided I did need it. It is limited edition (of course), so I was concerned I wasn’t going to find any, but, lo and behold, my Target had one just for me. I snatched it up and I haven’t looked back.

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SO PRETTEH. These shades are some of my favorite colors to wear, and I most certainly love a shiny, metallic eye shadow.

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I swatched these dry, over a primer, and I love the way they look. There is definitely some fallout, and the two bottom shades have glitter, which tends to wander around my face. That doesn’t bother me, but it might bother some. (Clean up any fallout with your foundation brush that still has some residual product on it, and do your under-eye concealer after everything else.)

The deep brown shade is fantabulous (see what I did there?) and is the perfect accent shade to add some drama to the other three colors. The brown is a satin finish, while the other three are obviously highly metallic.

These have easily lasted all day for me without much fading and no creasing until after 10 hours of wear.

The formula of these little gems works well when applied wet, too. Just dampen your brush with some water and be amazed at the saturated awesomeness on your eyelid.

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SO PRETTEH.

You can still find the Moroccan Dunes palette in Target stores and at Target.com for $16.99.  I think it’s ultimately overpriced and there is way too much bulky packaging, but I’m still happy I purchased it. (I’m a glutton for shiny, I know.)

I am really into Sonia Kashuk right now. It’s not a brand I’ve delved into too much, but the more I do, the more I’m impressed!

What do you think about these shadows? Anything you plan to pick up?

-Laura

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Posted in Eye Palettes, Limited Edition

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New CoverGirl Shadow Pots: Yay or Nay?

Posted on May 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

Happy Wednesday!

I spoke a little bit on Monday about how underwhelming I find 95% of CoverGirl’s products. That being said, when they introduced new products recently, I couldn’t NOT try them. Just in case.

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I picked up one of the new Shadow Pots, primarily because I hated the existing singles so much. (So negative on this Hump Day!) I wanted to see if they were any different.

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Apparently these shadows don’t have names, only numbers. The one I picked up is this bronzy-brown, numbered 330.

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I don’t feel like the quality is as suck-y as the existing ones (are they still out there?), but it’s not a dramatic improvement. I intentionally picked a shade that is usually easy to do, regardless of the brand, but CG didn’t nail this one. SO NEGATIVE, NELLY.

I will wear this one, though. I like the easiness of the color, and how it’s incredibly versatile.

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See? Pretty, after a few layers (over primer).

CoverGirl Shadow Pots are available at drugstores, Target, and Ulta stores. I think I paid $4.99? I haven’t found them online yet.

Have you tried any of these? I’m interested in swatching other colors, but I don’t think I’m willing to buy them to do so.

What say you?

-Laura

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Posted in Eye Products, New Products

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Retail Therapy: Sonia Kashuk

Posted on May 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

This week has been nutso and I am so glad it’s over! Between dental appointments that end with “you’re going to need a root canal” and cars that won’t start and 18-hour work days, I am DONE. At one point, I threw my hands up in defeat and went to Target to find something that needed to come home with me. I found several somethings from Sonia Kashuk and I thought I’d share them with you here. :)

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First, I picked up the Arch Alert Brow Kit. I wasn’t crazy about this until I noticed that the product in the pan was cream, not powder. That intrigued me enough to buy it, despite knowing I’ll probably never use the auburn shade in the bottom left. ($9.99)

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Next, I nabbed the limited edition Moroccan Dunes eye shadow palette. I saw this a while back, yearned for it, but decided that I didn’t need it, blah blah blah. Well, I kept thinking about it and wishing I had scooped it up, so when I found it still in my Target, it was fate. ($16.99) (I think this is only sold in stores, FYI.)

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And finally, the reason I really wanted to hit up Target: Undetectable Cream Bronzer. I’ve heard really great things about these babies, and seeing as how I can’t get enough bronzer lately, it was destined to be. The glare is horrible in the photo, but I bought both shades (of course I did), despite them both looking really dark. I’ve worn one of them and ERMAGHERD. LOVE. (I can’t remember how much they cost…$9.99? $12.99?)

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I’ll definitely do reviews on these products as soon as I’ve tested them, and I can tell you the Moroccan Dunes palette will probably come first, since it’s limited edition. I’ve also realized I don’t give Sonia Kashuk (the brand, not the person) enough credit. I love that they make products most inexpensive brands don’t, and they do it well.

Have you used in Sonia Kashuk products? What do you think?

-Laura

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Posted in Bronzer, Brows, Eye Palettes, Eye Products, Limited Edition

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Only have $20 to spend? Spend it on the Lorac GLOgetter palette. You won’t regret it.

Posted on May 2, 2013 | 1 Comment

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I was talking with someone at work the other day about how so many special edition palettes are so overpriced. Anywhere from $35-55, and quality that doesn’t warrant that high of a price. And we’re not talking about that much product, ya know? Really just grind my gears.

Knowing all of that made the discovery of the Lorac GLOgetter palette that much more glorious.

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Isn’t she pretty? I feel like most skin tones could wear this, although it might lean a little warm, if anything. It feels complete enough to be able to travel and not need anything else. Of course, if you’re like me, you may want more.

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The warm brown shade swatched a little unevenly on my hand, but it applied well with a brush on my eyelid. All of the shades are soft, smooth, and gorgeous. The matte cream shade is almost the EXACT same shade as my skin, which makes it a perfect blending shade for me. If your skin is darker, it will be a great highlight!

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While I like the whole palette, I LOVE these shades. All of them applied smoothly on my hand and on my lid and blended incredibly well. I think the blue, the turquoise gold (OMG I LOVE THIS SHADE), and the plum colors are my favorites. THE PLUM. (This palette calls for a lot of capital letters.) Again, the highlight shade is basically the same as my skin tone, so it’s hard to see. It is a really nice highlight shade, not too shimmery, but shiny enough.
Here’s a look I did yesterday with the aqua, plum, and orange shades. I wanted them to look almost like watercolors, since I was going to work and all, and I think I achieved it:

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The moment when you know it's time to put. the camera. down.

The moment when you know it’s time to put. the camera. down.

This little palette is such a great value. It only costs $20!! I still can’t wrap my head around that… It’s exclusive to Ulta stores and Ulta.com, and if you want one, you’re going to have to jump on it soon!

 

So what do you think? Does it catch your eye?

-Laura

 

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Posted in Eye Products, New Products, Summer, Limited Edition

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A Case For Eyeshadow Primer

Posted on April 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

NYX Shadow UD Sin

A while back, I went a little nuts and purchased quite a few Spring 2013 new releases from NYX, promised to write about them, and then promptly forgot. Classy, right?

Well, better late than never.

They introduced several new palettes, including the Love in Paris sets that include nine eyeshadows. I picked up Merci Beaucoup and, for the most part, really have enjoyed using it. In the picture above, you also see Urban Decay’s Eye Primer Potion in Sin, and I’ll explain why in a minute.

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NYX Merci Beaucoup Eyeshadow Swatches (Without primer)

While I love the colors in this palette, as you can see in the photo above, they really don’t have a lot of payoff. The best shade is the bronze color in the middle on the bottom. If only they all were that nice!

So, in order to make the colors I really like work, I started pairing them with Urban Decay’s Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Here’s a swatch of Sin on its own for reference:

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I am not a huge fan of the original Primer Potion, but Sin works really well for me, not only as a base but as a cream shadow as well.

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NYX Merci Beaucoup Eyeshadows swatched over Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin

Putting the shadows over a primer makes a HUGE difference. Does it make them perfect? No. Does it make them great for every day use? Yes.

I really like the red shade and how it works with the other neutral browns in the palette, which is essentially why I kept it. I think these shadows are great for someone who wants to experiment with more color, without using intensely saturated shades that can be too much for a work environment, etc.

I’m not sure if I’ll be picking up any more of the NYX Love in Paris palettes. Fortunately there are testers in the displays, so I can see if any of them perform better than Merci Beaucoup. If you’re interested in grabbing the palette, you can find it at Ulta stores and Ulta.com for $9.99.

As for Urban Decay’s Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion, I’ve completely enjoyed using this version of their famous primer. I’ve used it both as a base and as a cream shadow on its own. It holds up better on me than the original version ever has, so I’m a fan! You can find it at UrbanDecay.com for $20 (the tube will last a while!).

*****

I hope you’re all doing well. Anything cool going on? Let us know in the comments. :)

-Laura

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Posted in Eye Products

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