Too Faced Natural Matte Palette Review and 3 looks

Hi Everyone,

So I have now had a chance to play with the Natural Matte palette and can say that I do love it but it is not a must have for everyone.

The palette is available at ulta.com and toofaced.com for $36

The Review: 

Pros: 
The shadows are excellent quality, they are buttery without being too powdery or kicking up too much product. They also blend beautifully and there is a nice assortment of matte brown shades. If you love mattes, browns and Too Faced, you will love this palette.

Cons: 
While I did find the shadows to be unique and could not find too many repeats in my collection. Some of you might find that you already have these shadows. Also while you can get different looks with this palette, don't expect to ket wildly different looks. They really will look very similar.

Ultimately if have a good collection of matte browns, you don't need this palette. If you don't then I do highly recommend it.

The looks: 

Look 1

I used Heaven on top of a primer

Honey Butter on the crease 

Strapless on the lid

Risqué on the outer corner and into the crease

Look 2 

I used Heaven all over as a base on top of a primer 

Honey Butter and Chocolate Cookie on the crease (in that order)

Strapless on the lid 

A little bit of Sexspresso on the outer corner

Look 3

I used Heaven as a base on top of a primer 

Honey Butter on the lid

Chocolate Cookie on the outer corner on the outer corner and in the crease 

** I purchased everything with my own money, Too Faced has no clue who I am. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my won. There are NO affiliate links. 

Too Faced Natural Matte palette: Swatches and First Impressions

Hi everyone,

Too Faced recently release an all matte palette and while I am still playing with it, I want to show you some swatches. It is an Ulta exclusive and available online only at the moment for $36 ulta.com

The palette: 

The how-to guide is covering a mirror :) 

As you can see the top row is the same as the top row from the Natural Eyes Collection. I don't own that palette but this is something to consider if you are considering getting this one.  

The Swatches: 

Swatches were done without primer on my NC42 skin and all pictures were taken with natural lighting.  

From top to bottom and left to right 

Row 1: Heaven, Cashmere Bunny, Sexpresso

Row 2: Lace Teddy, Strapless, Risqué 

Row 4: Nude, Honey Butter, Chocolate Cookie 

Different angle

First Impressions: 

I've only used the palette a couple of days but I am really enjoying this palette so far. The shadows are excellent quality, they are buttery and the blend like a dream. The only one that does not show up on my skin is Nude, but I've been using it to blend out the edges of other shadows and it has been great for that. 

Most will want to compare this to other all matte palettes. I did not buy the recent Tarte Tertelette palette so I can't tell you how the two compare but I did find similar shades in the Chocolate Bar palette as well as in the A Few of My Favorite Things and Everything Nice Palettes. 

Dupes

Sexpresso is similar to Dark Chocolate (A Few of My Favorite Things)

Strapless is similar to Salted Caramel (Chocolate Bar)

** check back tomorrow for side by side comparisons 

The rest are similar in tone but different enough to justify getting the Natural Matte for me. 

I will have looks with this palette coming this week :) In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions. 

** There are NO affiliate links and I purchased everything with my own money. Ulta and Too Faced have no clue who I am, so no this is not a sponsored post. 

Urban Decay Vice LTD palette: Swatches and First Impressions

Hello all!

I was recently able to pick up the limited edition Urban Decay Vice LTD palette at the Newport Beach flagship store. You can pick it up for $58 at urbandecay.com

The palette: 

I have to say that the packaging is beautiful and much better than the Vice palette this year (just my opinion, sorry). I love the lime green color!

You get 20 eyeshadows and a double-ended brush. I know some people don't like the brushes that come with palettes but I always find a use for them :)

The Swatches: 

All shadows were swatched on my NC42 skin, without a primer. It's a rare cloudy day in Souther California, so a did have a light on but they are showing up true to color. I will name and describe shadows top to bottom. 

Chase: a satin gold 

Provocateur: a shimmery pink 

Crystal: a unique dual chrome light blue with gold

Nameless: a satin golden brown 

Last sin: a shimmery champagne 

Hoodoo: a satin lavender 

Goddess: a satin blue (swatches powdery)

Backdoor: a matte dark brown 

Roadstripe: a satin which with some pale pink in it

Freakshow: a satin purple (it looks like it might also have gold glitter)

Vaporize: a dual chrome, it looks like a taupe on the pan but it has brown and green and I am not sure what else. It reminds me of Girly by Too Faced. 

Deeper: a vibrant brown w/ gold shimmer 

Anonymous: a matter light peach

Junkshow: a satin pink 

Floss: a deep green with glitter 

Disco: shimmer gold

Laced: A matte light brown (blends into my skin tone)
Blitz: A shimmery yellow gold

Perversion: a matte black/gray

Heat: a shimmery orange/gold 

The Review: 

There are 4 matte colors , the rest are shimmery and satin so that it something to consider. There are a few blending shades and I am not sure how they will work on my skin tone. However, there are some really great unique shades. Only two shades swatched poorly: perversion and goddess. I will wait and see how they perform on the eyes but it's only two shades so it won't ruin the palette. I will play with it and come back with looks and a full review later in the week but over all I am pretty excited to play with this palette.

This one is not as well organized as the Vice palette this year and has more light tones shades. This worries me a bit. However it also has some fun and exciting shades that swatch with more dimension that they appear to have on the pan.

** All items were purchased my me. I have never been paid for a review or been sponsored and there are no affiliate links

xoxo,
~Cynthia

Smashbox On the Rocks: 3 Looks and Review

Hi everyone!

I have been having so much fun playing with the Smashbox On the Rocks palette. My previous post has swatches and shadow descriptions, if you are interested!

The palette is limited edition and available at Ulta for $42 for 28 shadows.

The Review: 

This palette is excellent! The shadows are pigmented and easy to blend. There is a variety of finishes and colors. If you don't have a palette with a nice variety and options. I would definitely get this one. If you have a complete collection this might not add much. I don't see too many unique shades in here but there are some beautiful taupes and lavender/purple shades. They are powdery so if you hate that, this won't be for you. On the other hand, they are not so powdery that it's a turnoff for me. I would actually compare them to the Lorac shadows, though these might not be quite so powdery.

The looks: 

Look 1

I wore this look to work, so I kept it natural looking but made it interesting by using the lavender :) 

What I used: 

Marzipan all other my lid on top of MAC's paint pot in painterly

Totally Nude on my crease

Sable in the outer corner 

Lavender on the lid

Snow as a browbone highlight 

A bit of Moonlight on the inner corner 

Look 2 

This was my fun weekend look and my favorite look with this palette, so far

What I used:

A mix on Marzipan and Totally Nude on my crease

Mink all over my lid 

Cabernet on the outer corner and taken into the crease just a bit

Snow as a browbone highlight  

I love everything about this look, but Cabernet is probably the standout shade :)

Look 3 

This was my colorful look!

What I used: 

Marzipan all over the lid on top of MAC's paint pot in painterly 

A mix of Totally Nude and Sable on my crease

Peacock on the lid 

Navy on the outer corner and taken into the crease a bit 

Snow as a browbone highlight 

Moonlight in the inner corner 

The standout from this look was Navy, which is a beautiful navy blue :) It blended well and I think looks stunning. 

I am very happy with the palette and the looks that I can make with it. Let me know if you would like to see more looks with it. I will also try to answer any questions you might have!

xoxo,
Cynthia

Smashbox On the Rocks palette: Swatches and First Impressions

Hi everyone,

I love the Holiday season! Yes, I love getting together with family and friends, eating good food and having a great time, but the best part is the holiday palettes!

Today I have swatches and first impressions of Smashbox' On the Rocks Palette.

It is limited edition, $42 and available exclusively at Ulta

I did get last year's palette and while I like it, it does get overshadowed (no pun intended) by other palettes. I was not planning on getting this one but then I saw good reviews and decided to take a second look. Then came the Ulta 20% off coupon and I had to place the order.

The palette: 

I love the packaging: it is foamy, and catches the light beautifully though a bit too thick. 

It does not have cutesy names, and the silly plastic is annoying. I would much prefer when they are printed so that I can throw away the plastic. 

 It's so pretty

It comes with a look book!

The swatches: 

I will take them one square at at time from top left to right. 

Top Left: 

(from bottom to top)

Marzipan: a matte skin color 

Totally Nude: a matte brown with mauve tones 

Sumatra: a matte deep brown 

Ambient: a shimmer golden bronze  

Fizz: a shimmer champagne 

Top middle: 

(from bottom to top)

Sable: a matte mid-tone brown  

Cream: a shimmery crem color  

Midas: a shimmery/satin taupe  

Roast: a glittery brown, the glitter is gold and fine (not chunky) 

Zoom: a shimmery lime green with gold glitter   

Top Right: 

(from bottom to top)

Juniper: a satin brown taupe 

Peacock: a complex satin blue-green (though this description doesn't do it justice) 

Lavender: a satin lavender  

Sapphires: a satin vibrant blue  

Purple Mist: a satin purple taupe  

Bottom Left: 

(from bottom to top)

Navy: a matte dark blue 

Pastel: a mate light mauve 

Lilac: a satin purple 

Babycakes: a pink with silver glitter  

Royal: a dark burgundy that swatches matte but might have micro glitter 

Bottom Middle: 

(from bottom to top)

Mink: a shimmer lavender/gray taupe  

Moonlight: a glittery silver   

Snow: a matte white  

Framboise: a satin fuschia 

Asteroid: a deep shimmer gray  

Bottom Right: 

(from bottom to top)

Cabernet: a satin burgundy  

Smoke: a deep matte gray  

Gypsy: a shimmery green/gray   

First Impressions: 

I have not yet tried every single shadow but  so far I have really been loving these shadows! They are easy to blend and while a bit powdery not overly. There is a good variety of matte, satin, and glittery shades and there is a large variety of looks possible. 

I do have to say that I'm not 100% satisfied with the crease shades. Marxipan, Pastel, and Totally Nude work with certain looks but I might have to mix Totally Nude and Sable to for my perfect shade. For reference I am NC 42 in Mac shadows and usually Tan in Tarte and It Cosmetics. If you are either lighter or darker I don't think you will have a problem finding a good crease shade. So far my favorite color is Cabernet but I am excited to play with the blues and golds. 

I definitely think that this palette is worth it! Is it better than the other holiday palettes... this is in my top three. The top three being: Too Faced Everything Nice, Tarte's Away Oui Go and Smathbox On the Rocks. On the Rocks has more variety than Away Oui Go, and the shadows are more buttery than the Everything Nice. However, the butteriness also means that they are more powdery. The powderiness, I would say is comparable to Lorac shadows. 

I hope this helps as you decide, what palette to get! My next post will be looks I have done with this palette. So far I have loved every look.

Have a great weekend!
xoxo Cynthia

Tarte Away Oui Go Palette 4 looks and Review

Howdy all,

Ever since the Away Oui Go palette arrived I have not been able to put it down. Before this I had only bough one Tarte palette so I don't really have a lot of experience with Tarte shadows. So, let me tell you that I am SO impressed with these shadows. At first look they did not look all that interesting to me but then I swatched them and fell in love. Then I used them on my eyes and I am officially obsessed.

The looks: 

First off, the palette is divided into 4 sub-palettes that are easy to travel with in an included travel case, so I tried to do a look with each of these sub-palettes. They do come with 4 shadows and one blush. Not all of them have a highlight shade so I did dip into a second palette at times for that. Otherwise I stuck with the palette and used the blush.

Look 1

The shadows: 

Macarons for you: Used as a crease color 

Champagne & Chocolat : used on the inner third of the lid

Kisses Under the Arc: used in the center of the lid

Art in Montmartre: used in the outre corner 

Blush: Envisioned

I also dipped into Private Chateau for a brow-bone highlight

This palette creates a beautiful, natural look with some sheen to it. The blush itself is very light and barely shows up on my skin. For skin darker than mine, it will be a highlighter. For all the pale beauties out there, this will be beautiful on you. 

 Look 2

The shadows: 

Champs-Élysées Shopping: used in the crease 

Stargazing on the Seine: in the inner conerner

Eiffel Tower Engagement: in the outer corner and pulled into the crease 

Secret Soiree: all over the lid

Blush: Limitless-a gorgeous blush with brown and peach tones, it comes off very natural on my tan skin tone 

I layered Champs-Élysées Shopping and Private Chateau as a brow-bone highlight 

From this palette, the standout shade is Secret Soiree. It is a gorgeous purple with silver glitter. The glitter is super fine and had only minimal fallout. My only complaint about it is the missing accent on the name... yeah it's the French teacher in me :)

Look 3

The Shadows: 

Private Chateau (yes it's missing the ˆ accent): used all over the lid on top on Mac's painterly paint pot

Café for Crème Brûlée: used as on the crease

Tea for Two: used all over the lid

Marvel at the Mona Lisa: used on the outer corner and pulled a bit into the crease

Blush: Irresistible-light pink very pigmented color, I was so impressed that it showed up on my skin

This was my absolute favorite look! It's a natural brown smokey eye for daytime. I could have definitely smoked it out but I was teaching that day so I kept it toned down. I LOVE this look so much though, there is just nothing else to say about it

 Look 4

The shadows: 

Snow Angels in the Park: used as a brow-bone highlight

Navigating the Metro: all over the lid

Midnight Stroll: on the outer third on the eyelid and into the crease

Liaison at the Louvre: used to deepen up the outer corner

Blush: Intrigue- this sis a gorgeous super pigmented pink blush with some mauve in it. Do be careful, I definitely went overboard with it at first application :/

This palette has my favorite blush and the one that I think will work best for those of us with darker skin tones. The shadows are pigmented and easy to work with. I liked this look but I seriously want to go back to the browns, lol. 

Other thoughts: 

As you can see I primarily stayed within a sub-palette but you don't have to! Next look I do with these I will grab shadows from the different sub-palettes. I was so impressed with each shadow and blush. There was no individual shadow that I felt was a dud and there was something I likes from each blush. Though the standouts for me were Irresistible and Intrigue. 

Let me know if you are planning on getting this palette. It is exclusive to Ulta and limited edition for the Holiday 2014 season. I absolutely recommend it but let me know if you have any questions!

* I purchased this palette and all opinion and thought expressed here are my own.  

3 looks with the Everything Nice Holiday2014 palette by Too Faced

Howdy everyone,

I've been playing withe the Everything Nice Pallet and want to share 3 looks I did with it.

If you are interested in the palette it is $56 and exclusive to sephora.com *not an affiliate link

The looks: 

Look 1: 

This look is probably replicable from other palettes but I really liked how it turned out and how easy it was to create. 

I used: 

 Fawned of You in my crease and Dram On right above it. 

Honey Pot all ove the lid 

Don't Settle in the outer corner and into the crease

Knockout stamped in the outer corner to deepen the look 

Heaven as a brow-bone highlight 

On my face: 

Sweet Pink on my cheeks

Inner Light as a highlight and

Chocolate Soleil to contour and warm up my face

 Look 2:

This was a bright but very wearable look. 

I used: 

Fawned of You on my crease and Dream on right above it

Live it Up on the lid

Head Over Heels on the outer corner 

After Hours on the center of the lip for a pop

Heaven as a brow-bone highlight 

Be You on the lower lashline

On my face: 

Papa Don't Peach on my cheeks 

Chocolate Soleil to contour and warm up my face

Look 3:

This is a look I want to do again! 

I used: 

Fawned of You on my crease and Dream on right above it

Be You on my lid

Mauvelous int he inner corner and on the center of the lid

Secret Lovers on the lower lashline 

Heaven on my brow-bone 

On my face: 

Papa Don't Peach on my cheeks

Chocolate Soleil to contour and warm my face

Inner Light as a highlight 

The Review: 

Now that I have had a chance to play with it, I can say that I love it! The shadows are beautiful and I like the looks that come out of them. They are also easy to work with and blend, though there is fallout on the glittery shades. 

On the face products: I am really into Chocolate Soleil at the moment, on my brown/tan skin it looks nice, not too harsh but is buildable. Inner Light is a very pretty highlight and does not make my face a glitter bomb, something I was worried about. The blushes on the other hand I don't think work on me. Papa Don't Peach is a bit too light and shinny for me. Sweet Pink is cute but not my favorite pink and does require building up to show up on my skin. 

I have not tried the brushes yet but I already know that I love the mascara :) 

Let me know if you have any questions!

Parting Thoughts: 

-It is still hot in Southern California, why?!

-I hope everyone is having a great week. Only a few more work days until the weekend! 

**I paid for all products used with my own money and all opinions and thoughts are my own. 

xoxo Cynthia 

Give Me More Lip: Swatches and First Impression

Howdy all, 

Earlier this week Sephora released the Give me more lip set for the holiday season. Right now it is only available to VIB rouges but I am sure that it will soon be available to everyone and in stores so I wanted to show you some swatches and give you my thoughts on the set. 

It is $59 and if you are Rouge at Sephora sephora.com

The set: 

This set includes 17 delux size lip samplers in red, pink, nude, and berry categories.  

The reds: 

Hourglass liquid lipstick in Icon

Laura Mercier lip coolor in Red Amour 

Kat von D ever lasting liquid lipstick in Outlaw

Sephora Rouge Infusion in 10 Red Essence 

The berries: 

Occ lip tar/matate in Black Dahlia 

Tarte lipSurgence lip tink in Moody 

Fresh Sugar in Berry

Buxom lipstick in Menace

The pinks: 

Tarte lipSurgence power pigment in Flush 

Too Faced melted liquified long wear lipstick in Melted Fuchsia

Benefit Posie Balm 

Bite Beauty luminous creme lipstick in Palomino 

The Nudes: 

Makeup Forever Aqua lip crayon in Neutral beige 

Too Faced la creme lipstick in Naked Dolly 

Bare Minerals marvelous moxie lipstick in Speak your mind 

Laura Mercier lip glace in Blush 

Stila stay all day vinyl lip gloss in Nude

The swatches: 

Lip swatches and First Impressions:

First I would like to say that I know that these are not perfect lip swatches but they will give you an idea of what these lipsticks and glosses look like on lips. I do have pigmented lips so keep that in mind. If your lips are not as pigmented then each lipstick might look slightly different on you. However, for those of you with pigmented lips, this will give you a more accurate look :) 

All pictures were taken in natural lighting. 

My bare lips for reference. 

Makeup Forever lip liner in 3C neutral beige: 

it is very much my lips but better and I think I have finally found a nude lipliner I actually like 

Too Faced la creme lipstick in Naked Dolly

Not my favorite nude but I do love this formula, I have a couple of the full size lipsticks in it and it is super comfortable though not long wearing. 

Bare Minerals marvelous moxie lipstick in Speak Your Mind: 

Really nice nude, it has enough pink in it to make me feel comfortable wearing it

Laura Mercier lip glacé in Blush: 

I am not a lipgloss person but this one is very comfortable and pretty

Stila stay all day vinyl lip gloss in Nude: 

This is a more rubbery formula, one that I am not used to so this is not my favorite. However it does look very nice

Bite Beauty luminous creme lipstick in Palomino: 

I love the bite lipsticks, they are super comfortable and wear nicely throughout the day. I already had Palomino (it is available in a duo at Sephora) so I know I love it!

Benefit Posie Balm: 

I have to say that this one was a huge disappointment. I tried clicking it up and would not go back down again then the inside just fell off... The actual balm in very nice, sheer but it's a balm so very comfortable.    

Too Faced Melted liquified long wear lipstick in Melted Fuchsia: 

Llovely formula and it's a resent release so if you have not tried any of these, this set is a good way to try it. It is a matte formula, the color is wonderful and it is long wearing. 

Tarte LipSurgence power pigment in Flush: 

Super comfortable formula and a pretty color

Buxom lipstick in Menace: 

this one came in last years set and it is a lovely vampy color, the formula is comfortable and easy to apply. 

Fresh Sugar Berry: 

Super nourishing formula though it's very sheer so you don't grab this one for the color, it's all about the formula. 

Tarte LipSurgence lip tink in Moody: 

Moisturizing formula that applies very nicely but color is sheer. This is actually a nice berry especially if berries scare you a bit. 

OCC Lip Tar/Matt lin Black Dahlia: 

This is a formula that if sheered out is not scary at all, though it can go much darker and dramatic :) I chose an in between application, so know that it can go on a bit lighter and darker. The only thing that I don't like about the lip tars is that you need a brush and you need to be careful with applications so they are a bit high maintenance for me but great for a special occasion. For this reason I love that this is not a full size, last year there was a full size and I rarely pick it up. 

Sephora rouge infusion in 10 Red Essence: 

This is a nice red, the formula is actually comfortable and I am really liking the color on me. 

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw: 

This was the hardest one to remove so I am sure that it is long lasting. The color is vibrant and gorgeous.  

Laura Mercier lip colour in Red Amour: 

This is an easier application than any of the other reds. It is not as vibrant as the Kat Von D but it is still gorgeous. 

Hourglass liquid lipstick in Icon: 

This one was also in las-year's set and it is a really gorgeous color on me. It is also available for individual purchase ($10) at Sephora. 

Overall: 

This set is worth while. I did notice that we got less full-sizes than last year so that might annoy people. I never go through these so I am happy with the sizes and selection. There is a good variety of excellent brands and colors. 

Parting Thoughts: 

-Let me know if you have any questions and if you are planning on picking it up! 

-The holidays are still far away but holiday sets are here, so my wallet is going to be in some pain :/