Starlooks Cosmetics Review

I was recently asked by Starlooks if I would be interested in reviewing some samples, and I eagerly said yes because I've heard a lot of good things about their Starboxes and cosmetics in general.  I also knew that they were a cruelty-free brand.  I was expecting a few small samples, but to my surprise, they sent me a full Starbox!

I received the May Starbox, which is obviously an old box, but I didn't mind because it had some really great items in it.  The Starlooks Starbox costs $15 a month and contains only Starlooks products, so if you're someone who likes a variety of brands this might not seem like a good fit for you.  I urge you to try it anyway, though, because even though it's all the same brand the variety of cosmetics seems really great!

This box contained thee products, with a bonus mini nail file in a cute zebra print.  When I first opened the box I noticed the crystal, and I thought, "What's this?  A crystal?"  I guess they include one in every box, because my informational card said: "And, as always, you received a crystal.  Add this ultimate symbol of energy and beauty to your brush jar or share your creative use ideas with us..."

Pigment Luster swatch

• Eyebrow Shader Compact (BS443), $21 - This compact is perfect for me because I'm a victim of over-plucking my eyebrows.  I thinned them out to much at the ends, and I'm convinced that they're never going to fully grow back in.  I was using an eyebrow pencil prior to this, but this works really well to shade in the sparse areas and came with the perfect little brush to do so.  I use the dark brown shade, because even though I have black hair the black shade is just too dark.
• Pigment Luster in Cinnamon Toss, $17 - This pigment is gorgeous!  It's the perfect shimmery brown and I absolutely love it.  I'm going to work it into my everyday eye look as a shadow along my crease.
• Cream Blush in Emphasize, $17 - This blush looked too dark for me at first, and the informational card even noted that.  But they promised that, when applied, it would add a natural hue to any skin tone.  They were right, because I found that this blended beautifully and gave me just enough definition.

Bottom Line: I had a really great time trying these Starlooks products and it was a pleasant surprise to receive a Starbox!  My favorite was the Pigment Luster, but all three of them are products that I'll definitely use in my daily routine.  I think the Starbox is a great deal, and Starlooks products are a fantastic cruelty-free option!  One small note, these products do contain parabens.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Starlooks.  All opinions are my own.

Introducing thePinkPanel!

I decided to make my blog a product review blog because I love trying new things, especially beauty products.  When I heard about thePinkPanel through Brand Backer, I knew it would be a perfect fit for my blog!  My participation in this campaign afforded me some product samples, of which I'm reviewing in this post.

But first, if you've never heard of thePinkPanel, they're "a community of beauty-obsessed women who share an undying passion for skincare, makeup, and all things beautiful!"  Currently they do not have a website, but you can join the community at their Facebook page.  All members have the opportunity to voice their opinions on beauty products through testing and reviewing, and compensation opportunities are also available.  Right now they are running a contest where you can win a $250 Sephora gift card just by signing up for thePinkPanel during the month of June--three members will win!  Here are the instructions to enter, straight from thePinkPanel:

1. Head over to our PinkPanel Facebook page: www.pinkpanel.com 
2. Click the “JOIN” icon
3. Tell us a little bit about yourself (don't forget to include which beauty blogger sent you! - Danielle from "See, Shop, Love!")
4. And *BAM*…you have instant eligibility to be one of THREE $250 Sephora gift card winners!

Joining thePinkPanel is super easy and will afford you the opportunity to test new products before they hit the market, earn rewards including Amazon gift cards and deluxe beauty samples, and interact with thousands of women who have a passion for beauty!  Be sure to check them out at pinkpanel.com.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Brand Backer and thePinkPanel.  All opinions are my own.

Cargo Cosmetics The Mediterranean Kit Review and Swatches

I decided to finally use my $10 credit at Rue La La and treat myself to something I really love: new makeup! I had never used Cargo Cosmetics before, so when they had the Mediterranean Kit on sale for only $19 I had to snatch it up, and I'm really glad that I did!

This kit retails for $34, so the price I got it at was a steal.  I like getting kits like this, even though I don't really need them, because I like to try different types of products all at once (especially from a brand that's new to me).  Here's what the kit includes:

• Blush - Mendocino, .31 oz
• Eye Shadow Duo, .12 oz
• Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara, .33 oz
• Swimmables Waterproof Eye Pencil - Teal, .028 oz
• Lip Gloss - Morocco, .105 oz

My favorite item is definitely the Eye Shadow Duo.  The shadows themselves don't have names, but it's a great brown and gold combination inside of the pan.  My everyday makeup for work consists of those colors, which is one of the main reasons why I decided on this kit (Rue La La had a few up for sale).

I also really enjoy the Swimmables eyeliner.  I've heard a lot of great things about them, so I was excited to finally try one out for myself.  It definitely didn't disappoint - the color glides on incredibly smoothly and is nice and vibrant.  I haven't actually worn it yet, though, so I can't comment on how long it stays on for.

The Mendocino Blush is absolutely gorgeous.  At first I wasn't sure if I would like it since it's darker than what I usually use (The Balm's "Hot Mama,"), but I think it looks really flattering.  I have medium skin with yellow undertones, and the little gold flecks in the blush really make it complimentary to my tone.  I have to apply it with a light hand, though, because it is very pigmented.

As far as the Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara and the Morocco Lip Gloss, I could take them or leave them.  The lip gloss is actually a really beautiful shade and I do enjoy it, I just don't get too excited about lip glosses in general.  This one has a nice formula and doesn't feel sticky at all, which is nice.  The mascara is probably my least favorite item.  I'm picky about my mascaras, and this one doesn't really do much for my lashes.  They're on the short side and tend to stick straight out, thanks to my Korean genes, so I need a mascara that adds more volume and length.

Bottom Line: I am so happy with this kit!  All of the color products are wonderfully pigmented and really great quality.  I would definitely recommend them to everyone.  The cosmetic bag it all came in is an added bonus, and I adore the little dolphin charm on the zipper (you can see it clearly in the first photo of this post).

Check out more photos of the packaging behind the "read more."

Earth's Beauty Eyeshadow Review and Swatches

I received three Earth's Beauty eyeshadow samples in my January Daily Dose of Green box, and I was really excited to try them because I love trying new natural cosmetics.  I didn't get around to swatching them as soon as I originally though I would, but my review is finally here.

The shades I received were, from left to right in the above photo: Moonstone, Lavender Dust, and Pebble. I really wanted to love them because, like I said, I enjoy supporting companies that use natural ingredients.  Earth's Beauty developed their mineral cosmetics for those who have sensitive skin or allergies to traditional cosmetics, and they use ingredients such as arrowroot and iron oxides.  They contain no titanium dioxide or nano particles.

Even though I tried to love these eyeshadows, I have to be honest and say that they were not for me.  I found them to be too loose and difficult to work with, which is due to the arrowroot mentioned above.  I think the loose quality would work well in a face powder, but not so much in these eyeshadows.  It was difficult for me to even swatch them; they didn't have very good color payoff.

Moonstone is a very light yellow, and it's difficult to see in the swatch because it's pretty close to my skin color and undertones.  Lavender Dust reads more as a maroon than a purple, which wasn't what I expected since it looks pretty purple in the jar.  Pebble is a nice gray, which I think would work well in a smokey eye look.

Bottom Line: I wouldn't purchase these eyeshadows, but I would be willing to try other Earth's Beauty products.  I like that when they say they use only natural ingredients, they mean it (and that they are cruelty-free).  I would definitely try their lip glazes and face powders.

New Chick Nail Polish Collection

Chick Nail Polish has just released a new collection!  I received an email about their new colors and I wanted to share them all with you.

From left to right in the photo above, the new colors are Rocker Chick, Biker Chick, Punk Chick, and Hipster Chick.  The collection also includes a new Horsetail Strengthening Base Coat and Tangerine Ginger Cuticle Oil.  Chick Nail Polishes are big-3 free (no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate [DBP], or toluene) as well as being vegan-friendly.  Their formula is long-lasting and chip-resistant and has a high-gloss finish.  The brush applicator contains 398 strands for perfect coverage.

Aside from the fact that I just love nail polish, I love that Chick Nail Polish strives to help their customers find ways to live a healthier, eco-friendly life.  They even pack their orders with large cotton balls that you can reuse to remove your polish.  I think these new colors are so pretty, and I'd most want to check out Rocker Chick and Punk Chick.

What about you?  Which colors from this collection do you want to try?  Be sure to visit Chick Nail Polish and check out their full line of polishes!

September Natural Beauty Box Review

I recently tried an excellent new subscription service, The Natural Beauty Box.  I was really impressed by this box, and I'm definitely going to purchase more of them in the future.

The Natural Beauty Box costs $15 to $20 a month and shipping is included in that charge.  They ship from Canada, so if you're in the U.S. like me it will take about two weeks to get to you.  Mine shipped on the 11th and I received it around the tail end of the month.  I knew there would be a delay in shipping, though, so it didn't bother me.

The packaging for the box is so cute!  It's actually a bag shipped inside of a box, and I love the fun zebra print.  The box contains 10-15 deluxe samples, and foil samples may be included as well, but they aren't included in the 10-15 count.  The Natural Beauty Box is a little different than other services because it doesn't auto-renew each month.  If you want a box each month you have to go to their site and order it, i.e. if you pay for September you won't get October's box again if you don't order it.  I like that because I would rather treat myself to a box every few months or so instead of committing to one each month, since I do have quite a bit collection of beauty products already.

September's box contained 13 samples, 14 if you count the fact that two were included from The All Natural Face (the bag with the lime green sheet of paper in it).  It also came with an item list inside of an envelope with my name on a sticker, which I thought was such a nice touch.  I'm not sure if all members get that, or if I got it since I was reviewing the box for the blog.  Here is what was included, listed as best as possible from left to right (clockwise) in the photos:

• Delizioso Skincare Watermelon CoQ10 Face Mask - I really liked using this mask.  It has enough powder for 10 uses, but I have a feeling it'll last me even longer than that.  You can mix it with any base that you'd like; I used water.  I left it on for about 10 minutes for it to completely dry, and when I washed it off it made my skin feel smooth and refreshed.
• Kitty Kosmetics Red Raspberries Hand Soap - This soap is shaped like a heart and has a light scent to it.  I love cats so the brand name and white cat on the packaging made me smile.
• La Mellite Mandarin Espresso Body Scrub - I LOVED this scrub!  It smells so yummy and works really well.  The sample is a really big size, too.  I used it in the shower and the coffee scent was just fantastic.
• Shea Terra Organics Whipped Shea Butter Creme - This is my favorite product in the box because I love body butters, and I love pumpkin-scented products even more!  The scent is "Gingered Pumpkin" and it's just amazing.  I'll probably end up purchasing a full-sized jar of this.
• Dr. Emerald Hair Restoration Spray - This spray can be applied to hair to give it volume and a healthy look.  I sprayed some in while my hair was still damp and then did my usual blow-dry and straighten, and it did give my hair some texture.  My hair is naturally thick to begin with, so I don't know that I would really need this product, but it did work well.
• Dr. Emerald Natural Hand Sanitizer - This is a full-sized product that retails for $5.60 (1 fl oz).  I have to be honest and say I didn't really like this one as much as other sanitizers I've tried.  It's not a very thick liquid, so it poured out of the bottle quickly.  I'm sure it sanitizes well, I just didn't care for the viscosity (or lack thereof).
• Dr. Emerald Natural Anti-Microbial Hand Soap - This soap is scented "Forest Dew" and it was something I did enjoy.  I love collecting soaps and this one had a nice scent and lathered well.
• Petal Organics Glow & Shine Facial Primer - I usually use liquid primers, so I was interested in giving this solid one a shot.  It worked well, but it was difficult for me to apply because it didn't apply very smoothly.  I had to really pull it across my face, which I didn't like because I don't want to pull delicate facial skin any more than I have to!

• Ferro Cosmetics Blush - The shade of this blush was "Desert Rose" and it was much darker than the blush I normally use (I prefer lighter, peach-based blushes).  I was willing to give it a try of course, and it looked nice on my skin, I would just reserve it for a night out or when I wanted a more dramatic look.
• The All Natural Face Cosmetics - I received a Peach Ice eyeshadow and an eyeshadow primer.  I've tried The All Natural Face's eyeshadows before through other subscription services and I absolutely love them.  They have great color payoff and are really inexpensive.  The eyeshadow primer is awesome, and it came at the perfect time because I just ran out of the one I was using before.  I'm definitely going to be purchase a full-sized primer

• Temptation Bath & Body Lime in Da Coconut Body Spritz - This cute little body spritz smells really delicious -- more coconut than lime, but I did pick up just a little hint of lime in there.  This is perfect for summer, so I'll probably save it for when warmer weather comes around again.  I sprayed it on my wrists and the scent lasted for about 2 hours.
• Natural Luxury Rejuvenating & Nourishing Under-Eye Serum - In the photo above this actually got stuck underneath the tea bag (to the right of the Lime in Da Coconut spray), so it's not really visible.  But this is a full-sized product that retails for $32, so with this alone I already received more value in the box than the $21 price tag!  I really like this eye serum because it's a roller ball applicator that goes on very easily.
• Natural Luxury Relax & Relieve Stress Bath Tea - This is really interesting to me because I'd never heard of bath teas prior to this box.  The item list says that the instructions are "Apply on hands," so I'm guessing you just steep it then soak your hands in it.  It sounds like a great little luxury (see what I did there?) and although I haven't tried it, I'm excited to.

So there you have it, folks--The Natural Beauty Box for September!  I am so incredibly impressed and I can't wait to purchase another one in the future.  If you're interested, check them out using the links below.  Another nice feature they have is that you can earn points that can be used as currency at their online store by reviewing products on their website, writing a blog post, making a video review, etc.  The only thing I was disappointed in with this service is that blog posts earn you 6 points, while YouTube reviews get you 10.  I think that's a little unfair because basically they're saying that even if you're a high-powered blogger (I'm thinking someone like Jen from My Beauty Bunny, who draws tons of pageviews and unique visitors), your review isn't worth as much as a random YouTube user who may have less than 1000 subscribers.  But oh well--I'm still thankful that they allowed me to review their service, because I loved it!

• Learn more about The Natural Beauty Box and browse their online store
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

*Disclaimer: I received this box for free to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

NYX Cosmetics "Lucky Kit" for $13.50 Today!

My intent for this blog was always for it to be a beauty blog, but I know I've strayed off that path in the past.  I'm still going to post all of my subscription service unboxings here, but I want to really focus on bringing you cruelty-free beauty options otherwise.

To start things off, you can get the NYX Cosmetics "Lucky Kit" for only $13.50 today as part of Lucky Magazine's "Deal of the Day" promotion.  NYX is a great and affordable cruelty-free brand who is certified by PETA.  The kit includes a 10-color eyeshadow palette, a  five-color lip gloss palette, and two brushes.  To get this deal, enter code luckydaily1 at checkout.  After 10:59 AM EST tomorrow, August 14th, this deal will be over and if you want the kit it'll cost you the full $27.  So grab yours for 50% off while you can by clicking here!  You can also subscribe to Lucky's daily email list to receive their daily deals in your inbox each day.

July Birchbox Review

So even though I cancelled my Birchbox subscription (for the second time) after my June box, I re-joined shortly after because I found out that they were pairing with Glamour for July's box.  Glamour posted a sneak peek of the brands that would be included, and I really liked the way it sounded.  I'm glad that I reactivated my subscription, because I'm pretty happy with my July box!

The theme for the month was the five senses, which is apparent from the box sleeve.  I loved the green and blue hues, it's my favorite color combo.

The tissue paper inside was also blue and green, which was a fun break from the usual pink.  I do like the pink, but these theme boxes are something nice and different.  My box took way too long to get to me again (8 days!), and I still think it's ridiculous how long it takes to ship from NYC to Rochester.  But oh well, if I want to stay a subscriber I'm just going to have to suck it up.

I received four beauty samples and two lifestyle extras, which is a good quantity of items for $10.  My loot included:

• beautyblender - I've heard a lot of buzz about the beautyblender sponge, so I was interested to try it out for myself.  It definitely applied my makeup nice and smoothly, but at the end of the day it's just a sponge, not something I would spend $26 on (for two of them).  I was also turned off by the company owner's aggressive comments on the official YouTube video.
• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint - I have also heard quite a bit about Jouer products but have never tried them before.  The shade I got was "Bronzed," which was perfect for my skin.  It wasn't the best for coverage of my redness, but the shade blended in really well and was just luminous enough.  It was also really weightless.  I would consider buying a full-sized bottle of this.
• Stila It's Go Time Lip Glaze - The color of this gloss ("Action") is gorgeous!  It's a mauve/pink with flecks of gold in it and I just love it.  It also smells really nice.  I usually hate the twist dispensers because I feel like I twist and twist and nothing comes out, but this one dispensed nicely.
• Harvey Prince Hello - I love Harvey Prince perfumes!  I've tried three (Yogini, Ageless, and Eau Flirt), and Hello is a great addition to my collection.  I usually don't wear citrus-y scents, but this one is fun and perfect for the summer.  And thumbs-up for it being an atomizer!
• Tea Forte minteas - I've had minteas before (through Conscious Box) and they are super yummy.  The flavor I previously had was Ginger Pear, and this time I got Cocoa Mate.  Both are awesome and I was really happy to get another tin of these through Birchbox.
• Birchbox earbuds - Everyone got these in their box this month, and it was supposed to come with a month of premium Spotify.  I haven't checked out the playlist on the info card, so maybe the Spotify link is on that.  But anyway, the color of these is really cute (reminds me of cotton candy), but the sound quality is terrible so I probably won't actually use these.

Bottom Line: My July Birchbox was pretty good!  I cancelled in the past because I felt like I was only getting skincare, but if Birchbox keeps up sending me stuff like this I'll probably hang on to my subscription for a while.  I'm definitely staying on until at least August because I'm only 10 points away from having 300 to spend in the store ($30).

*Disclaimer: I purchased this Birchbox with my own money and was not asked to review it.  I was not compensated for this review in any way and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Stila In The Know Palette Review

I recently won a giveaway for a Sephora gift card, and I had it in my mind to treat myself to a Stila palette since I had never tried their eyeshadows before.  When it came time to spend it, though, I talked myself out of the palette because I thought, "I don't need another palette."  But then I realized that I don't actually need any makeup, so I went ahead and got what I wanted!

I have heard great things about Stila before, and I really wanted to get their "Stylish In Seoul" palette because that's where I was born, but it was out of stock online and my gift card was an e-gift code.  My second choice was the "In The Moment" palette because I love purples, but I ultimately chose the In The Know palette because it's new to their collection and is made up of all mattes.  I usually gravitate toward shimmers, but I wanted to try something different.  The shades are also really gorgeous.

The palette retails for $39 and comes with 10 shadows and a full-sized Smudge Stick.  I was drawn to the shades because they're all "Earth-inspired," and I have an affinity for neutrals.  So I guess this is the third neutral palette I've acquired, but they make me happy!

Another aspect of this palette that I really liked was that it came with a little booklet that contained tutorials for six looks.  These shades can definitely be worn to work and played up for night.  For work I used Air, Clay, and Earth.  I think Clay is my favorite color in the palette because it's so pretty; it's slightly peachier than my skin tone so I just love the way it looks all over my lid.  The shadows apply decently with a brush, but when I swatched them I noticed that they didn't feel as soft as I had envisioned them to be.  By "soft" I mean that I was expecting a really smooth application, and in reality their color payoff wasn't as solid as I was hoping for (Fire is definitely the most pigmented).  I have yet to try the Smudge Stick (shade: Halfmoon), but I did swatch it on my hand out of curiosity and it applies super smoothly!

Bottom Line: I think this is my second-favorite neutral palette that I have in my collection.  The colors go together very well and I like that it comes with a full-sized Smudge Stick, too.  I would recommend this for someone who wants a great set of eyeshadows but might not want to pay as much as some other palettes cost.

Check out my swatches after the cut!

theBalm Nude 'Tude Palette Review and Swatches

I bought theBalm's Nude 'Tude palette from HauteLook and it finally arrived today!  This is the second palette I bought from HauteLook, the first being the Urban Decay BOS IV.  I like getting them on flash sale sites because they're deeply discounted, but it does take a few weeks for them to ship.  I'd say it was worth the wait, though!

The palette's outer packaging

I've always liked neutral eyeshadows best (I never could pull of the vibrant eye look), and only recently did I realize that there are entire palettes of neutral shades.  I know, I'm a late bloomer.  But with a full time paycheck came lots more spending money than I was ever used to, so I am now indulging my cosmetics-obsessed side with lots and lots of eyeshadow!  This palette retails for $36 on theBalm's website.  It has 12 shades and comes with a shadow/liner brush.  After taxes and shipping, mine from HauteLook cost me $31, so I still saved $5.

As you can see, the palette is rectangular in 2-D terms and has a mirror on the top flap.  It secures shut with a magnet, and it's pretty strong so I'm not worried about this ever flying open unexpectedly.  The shadows themselves have cute names, and the pans cover the racier bits of the nude women on the palette.  This is the "Feeling Naughty" version, due to the nude women, but I don't think there's anything overly-racy about the design.  The "Feeling Nice" version has a background of a bedroom and no women, but that one is currently out of stock on theBalm's site.

One thing I noticed right away was that one of the names of the shadows is different than versions I have seen before.  My palette has a shade named "Seductive," which was "Schitzo" in previous versions.  It may seem like a minor detail, but I think it's nice that theBalm changed the name because I felt that "Schitzo" was a little, well, rude, considering that mental health issues really aren't something to joke about.

I am really pleased with the quality of these shadows.  There is a nice mix of mattes and shimmers, so you can play around with different textures.  What I liked the most is that they feel so silky on application--I really noticed this when I swatched them using my finger.  They're incredibly smooth and apply well.  The color payoff on all of them was exceptional, except for maybe "Sassy."  But then again, that one is white, so maybe it isn't supposed to be as strong.

Bottom Line: For $31, I'm glad I picked up this palette!  It would even be worth it for the full price, especially compared to some other palettes out there.  The quality is great, the color selection is nice and varied, and so is the texture selection.  Overall, I think this is a good option for someone who wants to play around with neutrals without having to spend a ton of money.

Check out my swatches and close-up photos behind the cut.

Balmbini Vol. 2 Review and Swatches

I was lucky to win a giveaway that included theBalm's Balmbini Vol. 2 recently, and I was really happy because I've fallen in love with theBalm.  Of the products I've used, I feel that they're very high-quality and underrated.

At the theBalm website, the Balmbini palettes (there are two volumes) are described as "The Babies of theBalm."  I'm not really sure why they call them that, but I think it sounds cute nonetheless.  Volume 1 is currently sold out on the site, so you'll have to look elsewhere if you're interested in purchasing it.  These palettes retail for $28, which I think is a very fair price considering what's included.

The products in the Vol. 2 palette are:

• Promiscuous Pearl Highlighter/Shadow
• Jinxy Jasmyne Shadow/Liner
• Manic Maribel, Open to Offers Olwen, and Lavish Latoya Shadow/Liners
• Strawberry Lip/Cheek Cream
• Nude Lip Gloss

My favorite is Manic Maribel because I love gold, shimmery shadows.  Lavish Latoya is also a really fun shade.  I don't think I'll use Open to Offers Olwen, but it's still a beautiful and vibrant shade.

I think that the pigmentation and color payoff on these shadows is very nice.  Olwen and Latoya were a bit less pigmented than Maribel.  All of these shadows are shimmers, so if you're looking for different textures you won't find them with this palette.

I have to get a good eyeliner brush before I can use Jinxy Jasmine, but I definitely love it!  I take back my statement in the above paragraph--this is a matte shadow, but it's jet black, so I personally wouldn't use it on my eyes other than as a liner.  But I know a lot of people like to play around with black shadows so I think they'd be happy with the payoff on this one.  I'm on the fence about the two lip colors.  The Nude shade doesn't look good on me at all, it's too light.  Strawberry, however, gives a nice wash of color, but if you want a bright pop of pink you'll have to layer quite a lot on.

Bottom Line: For $28, I think the Balmbini Vol. 2 palette is a really good value.  There is a good mixture of shades, but a majority of them are shimmers so if you want texture you might want to look elsewhere.  The two lip colors are nice, but nothing fantastic.  Overall, if you're looking for a fun and affordable palette, theBalm's Balmbini is a great place to start!

Urban Decay Naked Palette Review

Just when I thought I had all the Urban Decay eyeshadow I'd need for a while (see my BOS IV review here), my boyfriend surprised me with the Naked palette!  He gifted it to me this past weekend and I was, of course, very excited and thankful.  He knew I had been lusting after it because I'd always drag him into Sephora while we were at the mall so I could drool over it.  I chose Naked over Naked 2 because I just like the shade selection better.

Yes, you can tell in these photos that I used the shadows.  You really didn't expect me to wait to use it, did you?  You also may be thinking, "Why bother?  Everyone has seen the Naked palette already."  Very true, but I just wanted to be able to write about it because I'm so excited to have it!

The palette came with a Good Karma Shadow Brush and a mini Eyeshadow Primer Potion (the old packaging).  I LOVE THIS BRUSH.  The bristles are extremely soft.  I haven't yet invested in a good set of brushes (I know, I know, I really should), but now I'm definitely swayed toward purchasing some from the Good Karma line.  My only complaint about the brush is that sometimes the less-pigmented shadows don't have as much payoff; for those I prefer to use my finger to just smudge it onto my lids.

I haven't swatched the individual shadows yet, but I plan to.  The palette comes with: Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked, Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, and Gunmetal.  My hands-down favorite shade is Half Baked because I love gold and glittery.  I'm also loving Gunmetal and Creep, both of which I wasn't quite sure I would like to begin with.

Bottom Line: If you love neutrals like me, I would recommend investing in this palette.  It's a bit pricey ($50), but worth the splurge if you can afford it.  The shades, as a whole, have good color payoff, so you won't need to use a lot.  The brush and primer potion are added bonuses, which I think helps to add to the value.  There is also a decent mix of shimmers and mattes, so you can play with texture as well as color.

I have up-close photos of the palette and swatches behind the cut.

theBalm Eyeshadow Swatches

Yesterday I posted a giveaway for a Hot Ticket nail polish and Balm Shelter lip gloss that were a part of my Black Tie Kit that I recently bought, and today I bring you swatches of the other items.

• Shady Lady Eyeshadow in Caught in the Act Courtney and Shameless Shana
• Overshadow Shimmery Mineral Shadow in No Money, No Honey
• Hot Mama! Shadow and Blush

I've been wearing all of these for the past few days and I love them all.  I've only used Hot Mama! as a blush, but it's a gorgeous pink/peach color that would look great on the eyes as well.  Just a light dusting along my cheekbones is enough; the color payoff is quite nice.

I'm really loving the Overshadow Mineral Shadow because it's so glittery and gorgeous.  It's definitely a "fun" shade, a light gold. I like to use it along my brow bone and in the inner corners of my eyes.  It's in one of those jars that has the three small holes inside, though, which I think are messy and kind of annoying.  I'd prefer the pressed format, but I guess most mineral products aren't packaged that way.

Lastly, the Shady Lady shadows.  Caught in the Act Courtney (top) is a deep, warm brown with flecks of gold glitter, and Shameless Shana (bottom) is a rust-brown/gold shimmer.  I like both of them because they're appropriate enough for work, but they're still really fun to wear.  Since they came in a set that was meant to be used all together, they obviously layer perfectly over each other.

Bottom Line: I'm so glad I was able to snag this kit for only $13 (at Marshalls), because I think theBalm products are excellent.  I'm happy with the color payoff on the shadows, and they have pretty good staying power -- although I've only worn them with eyeshadow primer, so I'm not sure how long they last without.

TheBalm Giveaway! [CLOSED]

I bought a Black Tie Kit by TheBalm at Marshalls the other day because I wanted the blush and eyeshadows that were included, but two things I definitely don't need more of are lip gloss and red nail polish.  Therefore, I'm giving them away to one lucky reader!

If you've never heard of TheBalm, they're an awesome cruelty-free company.  I really like every product I've ever tried by them; I feel that they're very high-quality.  The two prizes pictured above are Balm Shelter Lip Gloss in "Pin-Up Girl" and Hot Ticket Nail Polish in "Better Off Red."

Entering is simple, just use the Rafflecopter form.  There are no mandatory entries, but the more you do the better your chances of winning.  This giveaway is open to US residents aged 18+ and will end on Thursday, May 31st.  Winners will be contacted via email.

Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV Review and Swatches

My BOS IV is here!  There probably isn't a soul in the world (who is interested in makeup, that is) that hasn't already seen a million swatches of the Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV, but I can at least give my opinion and insight on the palette.

I snagged the palette for only $24 ($31 after tax and shipping) from Hautelook, which made me really happy because it retailed for $63 when it was first released.  The Hautelook sale is long over, but you can find these in the sale section of UrbanDecay.com for only $29 right now.

I read a few reviews before deciding to get the BOS IV, and they were pretty mixed.  Some loved it, some felt that it didn't live up to previous palettes.  My opinion lies somewhere in between -- I've never owned any Urban Decay shadows before, so I like it a little better than some others may simply because it's my first experience with the brand and I'm excited about it.  I really like Urban Decay because they're cruelty-free.  But I can see where some others who have more experience with the brand might feel that it was less-than-stellar, because the color payoff on some of the shadows isn't as nice as I was hoping for.

Here are all of the shades.  As you can see, my "Midnight Cowgirl" shade is chipped; the palette arrived damaged like that.  I could have returned it for a refund, but I don't think I could have gotten an exchange so I figured I would just keep it.  What I liked most about this palette is the variety of colors.  There are some gorgeous neutrals, as well as some fun and bright shades.  For only $30, I couldn't pass it up.  The palette also comes with travel-sized Supercurl Curling Mascara and Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and a full-sized 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.  Oh and it came with a mini-speaker and a card with QR codes on it that had tutorials.  I don't have a smartphone (I know, I'm practically prehistoric!), so I can't access the tutorials, and the speaker is nothing special (sound quality kind of sucks).

Check out my swatches and more info behind the read more.

The All Natural Face Mineral Eyeshadow Review and Swatches

My favorite item from my March Eco-Emi box was hands-down the two vegan mineral eyeshadows from The All Natural Face!  The samples were tiny, but they have excellent color payoff so a little went a long way.

The shadows I received are swatched above.  On the left is Rose Gold and on the right is Peach Ice.  I feel like I really lucked out with the random selection I received because they go beautifully together!  Rose Gold has a bit more of a purple-ish tint than the photo shows, but the swatch of Peach Ice is pretty much spot-on.  I applied Peach Ice all over my lid up to my browbone, and then used Rose Gold to define in my crease and eyelid.

I love these eyeshadows!  The Eco-Emi box also came with a 15% off coupon, which is awesome because I will definitely be buying more shadows once my samples run out.  A 5 gram jar (approx 2 g. of powder) costs $3.50 and 10 gram jar (approx 5 g. of powder) will cost you $6.50.  Can't really argue with those prices, even without a discount!  They are available in a variety of shades, both shimmery and matte.  The two I tried are both in the shimmer collection.  The All Natural Face has a multitude of cosmetics to choose from, ranging from lip gloss to mascara, and they even have a line of body care products.

• Browse the entire line of products by The All Natural Face

Bottom Line: The All Natural Face has found a new fan in me.  Based on these two samples, I highly recommend these eyeshadows to anyone and everyone.  The quality is superb, as are the prices.  Best yet, they're vegan and cruelty free!

*Disclaimer: I received these two eyeshadow samples in my March Eco-Emi box, which I paid for with my own money.  I was not asked to review these shadows by The All Natural Face and was not compensated in any way.  The honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Pretty Girl Makeup Review

Every now and then I like to indulge in simple pleasures, which usually involves me buying some sort of makeup. It's a cost-effective way to help me feel a little spoiled.  I love trying new makeup, which is one of the main reasons why I started this blog, so when I saw a listing for Pretty Girl Makeup on Bloggerdise, I reached out to owner Christina to see if I could review her products.

I received a Soul Mates lipgloss and Yummy Mummy Cream to try.  Christina let me know that the gloss is a favorite of Miley Cyrus.  I tried to swatch the gloss, but it really wasn't worth posting because the gloss is not colored.  It's a very pretty shimmer, and it reminds me of the glosses I used to buy when I was younger.  You're never too old for a cute lipgloss, though!  The only thing I disliked just a bit was that the formula is very thick; I ended up applying too much when I first used it.  But the upside of that is a little goes a long way.

I love the branding for Pretty Girl Makeup.  You can see their logo on this photo of the gloss, it's so cute!  The gloss comes in three other colors: Oh Honey! - a nice gold shimmer, Love Of My Life! - bronze with a hint of mauve, and You're a Doll! - a frosty pale pink.  They retail for $18.

The Yummy Mummy cream is an Aloe Vera Shea Butter Cream, and was created for mothers to help with stretch marks, swollen feet, and dry skin.  It has a delicious vanilla sugar scent, and the texture is smooth and creamy.  It moisturizes really well, but I can't comment on whether or not it helps with stretch marks because I don't currently have any.  You can get an 8 ounce supply for $27.

• Christina was kind enough to provide a coupon for 25% off any product with the code "pretty"
• Learn more about Pretty Girl Makeup and see their full product line at their website
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: I have really enjoyed using the Yummy Mummy cream.  The scent is perfectly soothing and just sweet enough, and the texture is perfectly creamy.  The lip gloss has a pretty color and has a good moisture factor, but is a bit too thick for me.  Overall, I think Pretty Girl Makeup is a great company!

*Disclaimer: I received a Soul Mates lip gloss and sample of Yummy Mummy cream from Pretty Girl Makeup for free to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Nail Polish!

Some of my newest additions: Veruschka, Ibiza, and Holly by Zoya

I've made a home for my new-found obsession with nail polish.  Instead of clogging up the blog with individual posts each time I swatch a new polish, I made a page for them.  You can view what I have so far by clicking here, or by clicking the link that says "Nail Polish Swatches" under the header of the blog.  I'll be adding more and more each time I change the color of my nails!

NYC New York Color Liquid Lip Shine Review

This is the last VoxBox review I'll post for a little while, but I saved one of the best for last!  I received a NYC New York Color Liquid Lip Shine in the shade "Nude York City" in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox and I absolutely adore it.  I'm a lip product junkie, so I'm always up for testing different glosses and balms.

I was familiar with the NYC New York Color brand before testing the product through Influenster, but I had never tried the Liquid Lipshine before.  The brand offers "products with uptown style at down-to-earth prices, from $.99 to $4.99."  I shop at drugstores for cosmetics a lot, so I have no problem with buying a lip gloss that costs less than $5; the listed price is $2.49 for one tube.  These glosses come in a broad range of shades (10 total, some of which are pictured above).  The Liquid Lipshine contains pure pigments that create a 3-D gloss effect on your lips.  Vitamin E provides shine and a moisturizing feel, and the formula is non-sticky, shiny, and soft.  They are available at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, etc.

Each Holiday VoxBox contained the same shade: Nude York City.  I really liked testing this out because I had been thinking about purchasing a nude lip color, and this gave me the perfect opportunity!  The first thing I noticed about the gloss is that it smells really good; the scent reminded me of a vanilla cupcake.  The shade matches the color of my skin pretty closely, so it basically looks like a sheer gloss on my lips.  It really is the perfect "nude" shade for me.  I also appreciate that the gloss lives up to the "non-sticky" claim on its label.  It feels like it really moisturizes my lips and absorbs into them, as opposed to just sitting on top of them and feeling gooey.

• Learn more about NYC New York Color at their website
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: The NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine gets a thumbs up from me.  They are super affordable, easily accessible, and work well.  Anyone looking for a quality gloss that won't break the bank will really enjoy these.  I want to get a red shade next.

*Disclaimer: I received the NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine for free as a part of Influenster's VoxBox program in exchange for writing a review and promoting the product through social media.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions are entirely my own.