Milani Bella Eye Gel Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Bella Eye Gel Powder Eyeshadow - $5.49 US / $6.77 CDN

I hardly ever buy drugstore makeup.  I don't hide that fact and make no apologies either.  The reason why I hardly don't buy drugstore makeup is because you don't always have access to touch and play with the products.  I prefer buying ALL my makeup at Sephora and department stores because there is always a sales associates available to ask questions, touch the product and swatch the colors.  I dislike buying something that I can't feel in regards to texture, nor that I can swatch in order to see how pigmented it is.  What you see in the pan isn't always what you get when applied to your eyes and if this has ever happened to you, then you know how disappointed you feel when you been duped!

I heard about Milani Cosmetics from watching Youtube.  Currently in Canada you are very hard pressed to find Milani products anywhere.  I was informed that I can possibly find them in my local big chain supermarkets.  However after currently having my fourth baby "ain't no one got time for that!" So I decided to order them online from beautyjoint.com because they had the BEST shipping rate over any other company (including Milani) that I saw for Canada.

These eyeshadows claim to be a gel that convert into powder when applied.  While they don't feel like gel when touched, however they are soft like something I have never felt in an eyeshadow.  They are very velvety smooth and almost creamy to a point.  Many people state that they like applying them with their finger.  But I prefer my makeup brushes because for me, nothing gives you a flawless look like quality brushes.

I fell in love with four out of the 30 colors from this collection.  However since I had no choice but to order these online, I decided to buy only two in case I hated them and wasted my money.  I decided to buy Bella Gray because of its beautiful darker tone gray color with a hint and I mean a hint of silver.  I love doing a smokey eye, and nothing looks better then when you hit it with a gray tone color.  My second choice was Bella Navy.  Now I know that color is totally out of my comfort zone. However I recently saw Jaclyn Hill do a blue and bold eye tutorial and I completely fell in love with the dark navy shadow that she used.  I decided to replicate the look with a softer blue and wore it to a colleagues retirement party.  Even up to the guys were complimenting my eyeshadow.  However I still felt that I needed that dark navy blue color.  So when I saw that Milani offered the same color range I was looking for, I totally bought it.  

These arrived to my house in about a weeks time.  I decided to wear them at a dinner party I threw at my home for a dignitary (fancy, I know :) old friend of mine who came to visit.  I used the Bella Navy with my Too Faced Semi Sweet Eyeshadow Palette and it looked amazing.  I used the black and brown colors in the palette as my lid and crease shade and then applied the Bella Navy on top for a rocking look.  They held on all night without flaking, smudging, creasing or moving.

These eyeshadows literally feel like butter.  When you touch them, they feel like a gel-like powder texture that "dries" to a nice normal eyeshadow powder finish.  It has very very little fallout and blended in nicely.  With one swipe of my makeup brush, it grabbed the color with no problem.  They are super pigmented and if you wet the brush, they become a more vibrant hue.  I literally was amazed on how awesome these colors stood out either wet or dry and how smooth they applied and how easy they were to blend.

The packaging is a gold like circle compact.  Its small and basically the same size of the shadow.  You can depot them and put them in you Z-palettes, however google youtube for that info, as you will have a hell of a time doing this.  It would be better if Milani made them easy to pop out. Nonetheless, the compact is small, sturdy and you can throw it in your travel bag for on the go without being to concerned about it shattering.  I find the packaging to look pretty fancy and really makes the eyeshadow look elegant.  It doesn't come with a small mirror inside the case, so keep that in mind if you plan to travel with this.

I would totally pick these up in the shades you like and try them out.  I bought them for under $5.00 a shadow.  They are really worth considering.

So there you have it, my review on Milani's Bella Eye Gel Powder Eyeshadows.

Keep Smiling!

Dayana   

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Julep Long Weekend Eyeshadow Palette

Julep Long Weekend Eyeshadow Palette - $54.00 / $43.20 US

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I love Julep!  I have been a member of their subscription box for a year now.  I love the fact that I can curate my own box every month without paying for products I don't want or need.  For $24.00 a month, I expect to pay for what I get.  Plus picking out my own products makes it all more worth the while and the money!

Last year Julep came out with their Photogenic Sweep Palette during the holidays.  It had 11 shadows with a mixture of matte and shimmer.  They were absolutely stunning shadows which were gorgeous in texture, blendability and color.  I wore that palette throughout the holiday season like if it was going out of style.  It was a limited edition and was discontinued after the holidays were over.  The one thing that I like about Julep's shadows in general is how well formulated they are.  The matte shadows are never chalky and the shimmer shades don't have any fallout when applied.  They are very creamy, blend well and last all day long.  I don't remember ever having to touch up my eyeshadow when I sport these babies.  So when I saw that Julep had come out with another palette; their Long Weekend Eyeshadow Palette for the summer, I literally bounced on it! 

Their Long Weekend palette consist of 11 shadows which are all matte.  In case you haven't noticed, but the craze this season is all about the mattes!  Just about every makeup company is putting out an all matte shadow something.  I personally don't mind as I love matte shadows (as well as shimmer and satin ones) as long as they are well formulated.  So of course, since Julep is up in the makeup world game, they followed suit and put out an impressive matte palette.

These shadows come in a lovely cardboard packaging with fun summer colors on the cover. It has a very nice mirror that does not give you the fun house look effect. The palette consist of 11 shadows just like it predecessor, however these are all matte in texture.  The palette contains three nude colors, two greenish colors, three purples and the rest browns. The assortment of colors are really great as it allows you to do just about any type of eye look you want. The names of the shadows are just about any type of word or activity you would do on the long weekend. Its pretty cute to be honest! The palette also comes with its own eyeshadow brush which is actually useful and functionable. You can apply and blend your eyeshadow with one end, and use the pointed end to apply shadow on the outer portion of your eye or as an eyeliner brush. The shadows had very little fall out that its hardly noticeable when swiping on the pan.  However when applied on the eye, everything stays in place with no fallout underneath your lower lashes.

I always use primer when applying eyeshadow because I like the fact that it wears longer and at times can make the colors look more vibrant.  These shadows are rich in color and when applied wet come off even more vibrant with their beautiful hues of greens, purples and browns.   What I love about this palette is that it is not a carbon copy of their Photogenic Sweep palette.  Many times when companies make a second version of their palettes, they tend to mirror closely the original palette which can be frustrating when you are paying all over again for basically the same colors.  In the first palette there were a lot more purples and pinks, while in the new palette they have a bigger assortment of colors.   I would really recommend this palette if you are looking for a nice inexpensive palette.  I bought this for $24.00 when it was available for the monthly box option.  However Julep always has constant sales and worth snatching up when they come out!

However with all being said, something to keep in mind.  Julep sales are only for members.  The non members pay full price.  Nonetheless, if you are interested in trying out their products, you can sign up for your first box and pay $2.99 for shipping and that's it!  In order to try out this amazing deal, simply click on the link here!  After that you can continue with the monthly box subscription, pause your subscription or cancel at anytime with no penalties!  

So there you have it, my Julep Long Weekend Eyeshadow Palette review! Let me know if you have tried this palette or their original and what your thoughts are!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

FTC: While this post does contain a referral link, all opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this piece. 

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It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette - $42.00 US

I love eyehadow palettes. I literally have to stop and control myself from buy all of them because if I don't, I would have a mountain like Sephora store full of them.  Eyeshadow palettes allow you to do an endless amount of looks with one compact!  You can get them with a mix of either matte, shimmer or stain shades as well some palettes that just offer one type of finish.  I own two palettes from It Cosmetics.  Their limited edition (which is no longer available) Celebration palette that was released last year during the holidays and their Naturally Pretty Palette.

I recently bought their Naturally Pretty Palette after The Shopping Channel sent me a free $50 gift card to use.  I of course jumped at the chance to buy this product since I was eyeing it for the longest. It comes in a velour type material packaging.  Only issue I have with this is that it can and will get dirty pretty quickly.  I very much prefer their Celebration palette packaging that comes with a durable awesome cover.  This palette is also talc free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free and cruelty-free. Being talc free allows for many makeup users out there allergic to this ingredient to indulge in this palette with delight.  Moreover the lack of fragrance is great because skincare and makeup should never have fragrance which is very irritating for the skin.

This palette has 15 shadows.  What I love about this palette is how soft, buttery and blendable the shadows are.  They are completely matte with the exception of the transforming shadow.  However they are not chalky and do not have much if any fallout.  The shade range is very cool tone and the colors work well when blending with each other.  This also came with a double ended luxe brush which is dense and allows for the pick up and placement of shadow, plus for blending.  The other side of the brush also allows you to apply some of the shadows as eyeliner.  

I have seen and tried many Youtube makeup tutorials with this palette and have come up with a few of my own.  Since this palette offers a beautiful range of pinks, purples and browns; they all merge together to offer a great shadow combination.  Since they blend pretty well together, its almost hard to mess up a look.  Also, the color payoff on these shadows are amazing.  Since they are not chalky, their pigmentation is very rich and vibrant.  If you decide to use these shadows with a wet brush, the hues are even brighter.  

I would totally recommend this palette if you are interested in trying out an It Cosmetics product but not sure where to start.

So there you have it, my review on the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette.  Let me know if you have tried this palette and what your thoughts are.

Keep Smiling!

Dayana              

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Maybelline Color Tattoo

Maybelline Color Tattoo - $6.00 / $10.00 CDN

On my blog and Youtube Channel, I hardly ever mention drugstore makeup.  Not because I don't like it; its simply because besides the lipsticks (which is gross) you can't really sample any other products at the drugstore.  When it comes to makeup, I need to feel the texture, feel how it blends and see the pigmentation swatched on my hand.  At Sephora, you can play with all the makeup and beyond to your hearts content.  However, at the drugstore, you are limited to what you can actually touch and play with.  Hence why I normally only shop at Sephora or Holt Renfrew (for the makeup brands I can't find at Sephora) because of their ability to let you touch the fun stuff.

I was watching Youtube a few months back, and noticed that everyone was talking about these Maybelline's Color Tattoo shadows.  Youtube is great because it allows the viewers to get real personal reviews from average folks.  Plus, they swatch the colors, talk about pigmentation and show you the texture in regards to how they apply.   So after seeing a few of the Youtube Guru's mentioning this product and doing makeup tutorials, I decided to give this a shot.

I picked up two at my local Shoppers Drugmart.  I first bought Tough as Taupe because I like the matte greyish brown/purply color and figured I could do a few matte eye looks with this. I then went back and picked up Bad to the Bronze after seeing Makeup by TiffanyD doing an everyday-go-to eyeshadow tutorial.

These Color Tattoo's come in a .14oz glass jar.  You can buy these in three different types of variations.  Either in metal, cream gel or leather textures and colors.   The two colors I have come in the cream gel form.  They are soft to the touch.  However I noticed that the Bad to the Bronze which is a shimmer stain finish is much softer then Tough as Taupe which is a very matte color.  Both swatch well and are easy to apply.  I like to apply these two eyeshadows with my Blank Canvas Cosmetics F17 brush.  Since these are cream and not powder eyeshadows, they apply better with a concealer type brush since the bristles are designed and used to pick up and blend cream products. 

These cream shadows have amazing staying power.  When I swatched both these eyeshadows and went to wipe them off, they didn't move.  I had to wash the back of my hand really hard a couple of times before it came off.  I actually gave in and used makeup remover as it didn't come off completely with soap and water.  It stood all day and didn't move, crease or budge on my eyes.  I was amazed at their staying power and blendability.  They didn't crease throughout the day and really held their pigmentation.   They are very creamy and apply well.  However those that are matte tend be a little less creamier then the shimmer ones.  Nonetheless, applying them to my lid was no big deal.      

The only problem I have with cream eyeshadows is that they tend to dry out very quickly.  So unless you are using them everyday, don't except these to last more then a year.  However for the price, it makes it possible to toss them out and buy new ones year after year.  

I would totally recommend these if you are in the market for new cream eyeshadows.  Maybelline really stands out here with their textures and colors.  There are 20 shades in total in the line, with the exception of the limited edition ones they put out here and there.  Also, something to keep in mind, I have noticed that some of the colors and textures that are sold in the USA are either not sold in Canada or sold in a different color and form. 

So there you have it, my short review on Maybelline's Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows!

Keep Smiling

Dayana          

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March's Spotlight of The Month!

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Tarte Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette - $49.00 CDN

I know, I know Spring is in the air and everyone wants to take out their sunny clothes and bright colored makeup.  Trust me, so do I.  I think I have had enough of Mother Nature and her tantrums this winter!!  However one thing I have to say is that when it comes to makeup, some palettes are worth using year around to brighten up your life! Even if it does happen to currently be 19F in Oakville right now at the end of March!

Last year in the fall, Tarte came out with a limited edition Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette that actually left me wanting it.  The only time I have ever felt this moved for any eyeshadow palette was for my Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette.  Tarte seems to make the most amazing eyeshadow palettes that also encompass blush as well.  However many of these great palettes are only limited edition which really suck.  Cause once they are gone, you can't buy them anymore.   Unless you hit up ebay and pay through the....well you know.  Yet luck be a lady, as a few days ago I received any email stated that this palette was back again as a re-release for a limited time! 

The reason why I just fell for this palette was because of its all in one multi-purpose use.  First this palette design is beautiful!  It comes in a nice sturdy case that almost looks like Brazilian wood!  Next the circular palette disc is as big as the palm of your hand giving you plenty of product.  Yet what is most impressive about this palette is that you can contour, highlight, apply blush and eyeshadow all in one compact.  This palette is great for traveling because of its sturdy case and ability to offer you everything you need for your face in one place.  The mirror is also large which allows you a full view of your face while you apply your makeup.

The eyeshadows are highly pigmented, have little to no fall out and blend amazingly well.  You get three great lovely pink/purplish shades and three gold/nude/brown shades.  I wore this eyeshadow (with primer of course) for almost 15 hours straight without having any creasing or the shadows disappearing.  The blush is a lovely pink shade that is not to dark nor to light either that it can't be worn during the winter.  The pink blush color is midrange so it fits well for all seasons.  The blush was easy to pick up and offered great coverage that lasted all day without needed to be touched up.  This palette had an amazing highlighting shade that I was able to wear on my cheek bones, nose and chin which appeared lovely without looking too disco ball.  I also used it for my eyebrow bone and inner corner of my eye.  The bronzer is a nice grey tone which works lovely for contouring and bronzing.  It applied well and blended in seamless to my face and a little really did go a long away.  It lasted all day and because it has grey undertones and not red or orange, it works well for my yellow/green undertones. 

The only complaint I had with this palette, is while the colors are beautiful, the quality is amazing and the price afforded for all it offers, this palette doesn't work well with all skin tones.  I found by reading many reviews that some of these colors did not show up on darker skin tones.  It mostly flatter and appeared on those with light to medium skin tones.  So its something worth considering if you fall out of these two skin tone ranges.  I really wish makeup companies would try to be more universal with their color selections.  However Tarte does have other palettes that work for dark skin tones so its worth looking through their collection if one palette can't offer you what you are looking for.  Tarte does make amazing products which are worth exploring and do offer many different color selections for skin tones of all types.  

So there you have it! My Spotlight of the Month on the re-released limited edition Tarte Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette.  Let me know if you have tried this palette and what your thoughts are!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

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Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette

Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette - $49.00 US

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I love just about anything Too Faced. I have the original Chocolate bar palette and literally reach for it almost all the time. (Click here for that review). The original chocolate bar not only smells like chocolate but looks like a candy bar as well from the outside.  So when the Semi Sweet palette came out, I was happy to see that it had the same design and lovely chocolate smell to it!

When Too Faced came out with their Semi sweet chocolate bar palette I thought it was for sure going to be better than the first.  However upon examining the colors online, I was hesitant at first because of the cool and warm tone shades found all over the palette.  As you can see from the pictures below, the palette seems to have some identity crisis going on where it can't decide if it wants to be either cool or warm tone!  The palette contains 16 shades with eight being shimmery and the rest being matte.  The palette also contains a black shade called Licorice which the original Too Faced Chocolate palette lacked.  Moreover, a lot of the brown colors almost seem identical to each other and other colors just didn't seem to fit.

Especially that blueberry swirl color which seemed to stand out in the middle of the palette like a sore thumb. I literally could not get over it and really had no idea why it was there amongst the other more warm tone colors.  However, after watching a few Youtube videos on this palette, I was determined to give it a try.  So after about two weeks of thinking it over, I finally ordered it online.  I was pretty scared after I hit the order button to be honest as I had no idea what to except nor how I was going to be able to make a cool/warm tone palette work together!  However not to sound like Yoda, "but determined I was!"

When it arrived to my house, I unpacked it right away and went to work to create a blue eyeshadow look that didn't look like circa 1970's Studio 54.  My greatest concern was that  my eyeshadow would warp me back in time with that blue color.  However I played with the color wheel and planned the look out. I use Rum Raisin on the crease of the eye, Peanut Butter on top of the crease, Licorice on the lid of the eye as a base for the blue color,  Blueberry Swirl on the lid for the main color and Hot Fudge on the outer corner of the eye. I used Pink Sugar for the inner part of the eye and Coconut Creme to highlight my brow bone.

The color range of these shadows are awesome as it gives you the ability to work with many different colors and create many warm or cool tone looks which can be found in one palette. The shadows blended well on the eye with a bit of fallout which wasn't the end of the world. However the pigmentation needs help and I mean serious help. While it does appear on the eye, its nothing compared to the original palette.  I noticed when I wet my brush the colors come out more vibrant. Yet when I don't wet my brush, I have to pack on more color then normal to simply get it to show up to a point where I am comfortable with it.  the Blueberry Swirl color; I first wore it on one of my eye's without the black base color and it barely popped.  It looked dull.  I had to wet my brush to get it to appear and shine.  However when I wore it with the black base underneath on my second eye (so I could compare) it appeared nicely but still dull and a wet brush was also needed.  Moreover some colors like Pink Sugar; while its a beautiful beautiful color, works better as a highlighter in the corner of the eye and not as an overall shadow as it will not appear no matter if you wet your brush or not.  I also noticed other youtubers having to wear a base color underneath in order to get the blue color to pop.  Some used a color pencil (blue) on their lid and then layered the shadow in order to help the color appear more vibrant.

I would recommend that Too Faced work on the pigmentation of this palette in order to bring it up to par with their original Chocolate Bar Palette.  While not all the colors need help, but a vast majority due.  So if you don't have an issue with having to wet your brush on some colors, then this palette will truly make you happy.  If you do, then stick with the original chocolate bar palette or wet your brush.  Outside that, not much more you can ask for when pigmentation is in need of help. 

Yet with all that being said, I would still recommend this palette due it its ability to make many different looks that can be truly stunning and worthwhile as long as you are willing to put the time in to making them work!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

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