Miss Jessie's Sample Pots

Curly Pudding, Rapid Recovery Treatment, Curly Meringue

In my search for the best curly hair product of all time, I hauled some sample sizes of Miss Jessie's products. I got two hair styling balms, the Curly Pudding (left) and the Curly Meringue (right). I also purchased a small jar of the Rapid Recovery Treatment (middle). A full size Miss Jessie's product costs about 20 to 30 dollars so I wanted to try out a few before I bought the full size. The little sample jars range from 7 to 9 dollars. Three sample jars costs about the same amount as one full size product. 

Curly Pudding

Rapid Repair Treatment

Curly Meringue

Each of the small sample jars contains 2 oz worth of product. Depending on how much hair you have, the jars worth could last you a few weeks. When I have thoroughly used and tried each of the products I will do a full review of all of them. You can find Miss Jessie's at Ricky's NYC and Target.

Back To School Makeup #2

Eyes

1.  Prime lids with a primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion is my favorite)
2. With a fluffy shader brush apply the creamy vanilla color all over the lid. You can go up on to the crease and brow bone
3. With a crease brush apply the medium brown color to the outer corner and lightly blend into the crease
4. Line the upper lash line with the darkest brown using an angled eyeliner brush
5. Apply Mascara with Covergirl's Clump Crusher

Face

1. Using Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm Stick conceal any redness around the nose and mouth areas. Also apply this under the eyes, and on any blemishes or dark spots. 
2. Set the concealer with Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder. Concentrate on the under eye area to prevent creasing.
3. Rub Maybellines Dream Bouncey Blush in Satin Peach on the apples yours cheeks using your fingers
4. Swipe Maybelline's Color Whisper over your lips in Lust For Blush

Cosmetic Ban September 2013

Over the past month or so I have been buying a lot of cosmetics for back to school season and I need to take a break. So for 1 month I am doing a cosmetic purchase ban. That is right, 30 days, no spending money on cosmetics (unless it is to replace an essential something that I'm out of). So for the whole month of September no more purchasing, which really sucks because drugstores are coming out with fall collections. Hopefully this ban will inspire me to take more face of the day photos, and photographing tutorials.

September goals:

• school bag/purse makeup pouch essentials 
• neutral eye tutorials 
• whats in my shower
• makeup storage
• 5 minuet makeup tutorial  

Those are my goals for September lets see which ones actually happen.

FOTD 8/25/13

 

Eyes

• Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara (brown) 
• NYX The Curve Liner (black)
• Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden
• Mac Paint Pot in Painterly 
• NYC Sparkle Eye Dust in Pink Topaz (881) 

 Face

• Revlon Color Stay Foundation (normal/dry skin) in Buff
• NYX blush in Dusty Rose
• Kiko Compact Mineral Powder in 100
• Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

 

NYX The Curve Liner (review)

I was recently given a gift and it was the NYX The Curve Liner. The Curve Liner is your average liquid liner but, hold on it has a HUGE handle. The thing that sets this liner apart from other liners is the special handle. The Curve liner is designed to make application easier by giving you a steady hand and grip.

 

I Love Bows

Shea Mositure Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo (review)

I usually don't use traditional shampoo to wash my hair, I like to co-wash with conditioner. I wanted to start using and trying out cleansing creams and sulfate free shampoos. With that in mind I went to the drugstore a while back and I purchase Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus shampoo. Shea Moisture is a great brand I love their Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk, so I figured that I would like their shampoo. The shampoo is no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, PABA, synthetic color, DEA, animal testing. Basically this stuff has no bad stuff in it, and is advertised on the packaging to be THE BOMB.

Inspiration Sunday

The Basics and The Twist by emmarosman featuring a hinged bangle

Slurge or Save? Moroccan Argan Hair Oil

Hair oil is really popular/on tend, especially argan moroccan oil. I have always used hair oil, because I have very dry curly hair. I need intense and conditioning hydration so hair oil is a great fix. I like to rotate between argan oil and olive oil because I find that my hair builds up a tolerance when I use just one type of oil for too long. I have been trying out different hair oils and the two that stand out are the Agadir Argan Oil and the Garnier Fructis Moroccan Sleek Oil. I purchased both of these oils at the drugstore, but the Agadir oil is a pretty expensive drugstore product. Agadir Argan Oil retails of 20 dollars while the Garnier oil cost $6.

 

Rave it and Hate it Curls Unleashed vs. Dr.Miracles

Like all curly haired people, I am always searching for that miracle hair product that tames, and gives me that "perfect curl" look. The amount of products that I have bought, and tried is a never ending list. I am a multiple product kind of girl, one just can never get the job done. I like to use a hair oil, cream/moisturizer and conditioner. I know, I put a lot of junk in my locks. So it is very important to me that the products I use are good and don't break the bank. Because, I go through bottles and bottles of product monthly. I recently tried out two new hair products and have been testing them out for about a month now. One I love and it is a rave the other is well. . . not so good and it is a hate.

Getting Ready In the Morning

In the morning I am usually a little grogy and tired from lack of sleep so I like to listen to music to pump me up for the day. I like to listen to playlist while I'm in the shower, and when I am getting ready. I usually take about an hour to take a shower, do my hair, makeup and get dressed. So I have created a hour long playlist to help me keep track of time and prepare me for the day. I thought I would share it.
(*some of the songs are explicit so be warned*)

1. *You Need Me, I Don't Need You: Ed Sheeran
2. Primadonna girl: Marina and the Diamonds
3. Girl: Beck
4. Junk of the Heart: The Kooks
5. *#Whitegirlproblems: Hoodie Allen
6. Masquerade: Lelia Broussard
7. All Of This: The Naked and Famous
8. Naive: The Kooks
9. My Body: Young The Giant
10. *Song For An Actress: Hoodie Allen
11. Brusies: Chairlift
12. Holy Ground: Taylor Swift
13. Wondering If You Want To: Weezer
14. Rosie: The Kooks
15. Be Like You: Ed Sheeran
16. Daylight: Matt & Kim
17. *Eighteen Cool: Hoodie Allen
18. 22: Taylor Swift

So that is my power playlist that gets me ready for the day. I would suggest getting Spotify on your smart phone, or computer. Spotify is a great way to listen to music for free and discover new music. I hope that you guys like this playlist and discover new music. I made I playlist of Spotify so check it out. All you have to do is search

Getting ready makitallup

EM Cosmetics Michelle Phan

So Michelle Phan the amazing average girl turned youtube beauty guru millionaire just released her new cosmetics company EM. Michelle had released a few videos about the projects that she has been working on like her glam bag service IPSY, and now this. EM is a beauty lovers inspired makeup collection with inspiration taken from Michelle's viewers all over the world. 

EM's website is now open for business, and ready for purchases. I perused the website and I am really interested in getting the Life Palette in Day. I need to keep digging through the site but, overall I'm really excited. I expect great things. What do you guys think, are you going to purchase EM products?

Own Renewing Dual Protecting Day Lotion (rave)

I have been revamping my skin care routine and I purchased a new moisturizer at the beginning of July. I have been using it everyday in the morning for three weeks trying and testing it out. Own Renewing is natural skin care company that is vegan, gluten free, doesn't test on animals, and has no GMO's. The company is a anti-aging skin care line, but really it is just all round good products. They say that you can never start taking care of your skin too early. You can find Own Renewing products in Ulta, DuaneRead, Whole Foods, etc. The company is based out of San Fransisco bay area.

Wet n Wild Juicy Lip Balm Review

I am a huge fan of all lips balms and if they smell good, taste good and are tinted well even better. I am in love with the whole Maybelline Baby Lips, and I love Covergirl Glossy Balms. I was looking through the Wet n Wild section of the drugstore and I spotted something I had never seen before. tinted lip balms or Juicy Lip Balm. The collection had for different colors in Raspberry, Strawberry, Watermelon, and Cherry. Because I have so many lip balms I only bought one, Raspberry 281C.

Back to School Makeup #1

Eyes

1.  Prime eyelids with primer (I like Urban Decays Primer Potion in Eden)
2. Apply Virgin all over the lid with a fluffy shader brush. Stay on the lid and don't go up into the crease area. You want to just get a wash of color on the lid. 
3. Using a fluffy crease brush apply Naked in the crease and thoroughly blend to create smooth edges. 
4. Using Dark Horse and an angled liner brush, line your upper lash line. 
5. Apply Maybelline The Falsies Mascara 

 Face 

1. With Fingers apply Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation all over face and neck
2. Set Foundation with Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder
3. Sweep over cheeks with Milani's Baked Blush in Luminoso  
4. Swipe Covegirls Jumbo Glossy Balm in Blush Twist

GET COLORFUL

I am a neutral eyeshadow lover. I love browns, pinks, champagnes, golds, taupe and everything in between. I am so happy and comfortable wearing brown and champagne eyeshadow for the rest of my life. It is simple, classic and subtle. I want to get out of my comfort zone and start using a little more color but, I'm so scared. I have been really using my BH Cosmetics 88 Matt palette and exploring more colored looks. I have been rocking some burnt orange looks, khaki greens, burgundy, deep purples and blues. I want to get more into the pastels and brights but that will take a while for me to get up the courage. 

Sephora and Forever 21 Haul

I took a journey on the subway to 34th street Herald Square and I popped into Sephora and Forever 21. I purchased a few items that I had been looking at for a while. I kind of splurged but, I have no buyers remorse. . . yet. I made my first Kat Von D. purchase and I am so excited!

Kat Von D. LadyBird, Naked Flushed, Love & Beauty Untamed roller ball, Love & Beauty Nude Lipstick

 

 

 I was really excited to get the roller ball because I had heard that it smells like Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume. I think that it definitely smells close but isn't an exact dupe for it. The lip stick is really cheap because the minute I opened it the product got damaged. The color is really nice, the formula is rich and smells good. I might depot it to make the application easier.

 Naked Flushed $30

I really was intrigued by this little bronzer, highlighter, blush palette. I have an Urban Decay blush called Quickie and it is my favorite blush of all time. I am excited to test this out. The only thing that I am a little disappointed about is the bronzer. It isn't matte, it as a satin golden finish so I wouldn't use it for contouring.

Ladybird $36

This is a really awesome little palette. All of the colors are matte, expect for the black shadow which has a some white and green glitter flecks (they are very very small). I wish that the black was completely matte without sparkle but, whatever. The pallet also came with a mini brown eyeliner. Basically I think that this is going to be my perfect neutral eye palette. I also love the packaging it is so compact, small, and well designed.

I'm really excited to test out and where all of the stuff I bought. I think that I made some really good purchases. I definitely want to do a full review of the Ladybird palette once I get a better feel for it.

Skin Care and My Skin Type

 

Skin Type/Problems:
My Skin is a work in progress, I am trying to create a better day and night routine to reduce my acne and my blackheads. I have combination skin to oily skin mostly around my nose and chin area. I tend to have dry patches on my nose during the winter or when I don't moisturize and exfoliate regularly. I have cystic acne that appears around that time of the month and when I am under stress. I get pimples on my forehead, chin and jaw. I also have blackheads on my nose, chin and forehead.

Day Routine:

• Face Wash: St. Ives Apricot Scrub (used in the shower) 
• Serum: Olay Age Defying 2 in 1 Day Cream + Serum 
• Moisturizer: Garnier Gel-Cream, Aveeno Daily Moisturizer, Own Bioactive Day Moisturizer

 Night Routine: 

• Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover 
• Face Wash: Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
• Acne Med: Epiduo Gel

Right now I am looking for a good night moisturizer, and a good day moisturizer. I want a night moisturizer that is thick but doesn't make my skin feel like a grease ball when I wake up in the morning. I would like a day moisturizer that is good under makeup, and has lots of SPF and doesn't take too long to settle into my skin.  Overall my skin routine is still a work in progress. Anyone have some suggestions? 

Lip Gloss

I love makeup and pretty much I use all types of products but, I really don't use or like lip gloss. I know, I know I'm weird. But, I find it to be sticky and just not worth it. It isn't long lasting and I don't like the look of super shiny or sparkly looking lips. I know they make creme glosses but, I'm just not a fan. What products do you never use or don't like?

Foundations Full, Medium and Light Coverage

1. Covergirl NatureLuxe (1 oz)

• This foundation gives light to medium coverage and has a semi-matt finish. The packaging has a twist of cap and is a squeeze tube. I like this because distributing the product is simple and easy to control, but you can't see how much product you have used in the tube. Covergirl claims this has jojoba extract, cucumber water, SPF 10, and gives flawless coverage with out feeling heavy. This foundation is more of a cream foundation then a liquid and is very rich. It is blend-able and gives a cooling feeling to the skin. I like to apply this with my fingers, because is so thick and a brush or sponge don't move it around effectively. This is a moisturizing product that I would only use in the winter because I have oily skin. If you have dry skin this could be an all year foundation.   

2. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 (1 oz)

•  Covergirl claims that this foundation has lasting power of a primer, coverage of a concealer, and blend-ability of a foundation. It gives full coverage, and is matt when it setts. The consistency is a liquid but more on the cream side, it is not runny at all. This foundation covers basically everything on my face. If you have acne it will conceal the redness, and it also is pretty good under the eyes. I find that this foundation lasts all day on my oily skin, and doesn't break me out. The packaging is a glass bottle with a PUMP! The only down side is sometimes you get too much product (just put it on your jawline, neck or ears). Another great thing is has an SPF of 20 which is pretty good for a drugstore foundation.

3. Maybelline Fit Me (1 oz)

• This is a light coverage foundation that claims to give a natural look and feel. It has SPF 18, no waxes, or oils. It comes in a glass bottle with a twist of cap, and you pour the product to distribute. This is a step up from a tinted moisturize, and gives subtle coverage and doesn't give you the fake skin look. It is not a long lasting foundation and it does melt away. It needs to be touched up and set with a powder. The consistency is very liquidy and runny but, easy to blend so I don't mind it. This is an effortless foundation that takes seconds to apply and looks natural.  This is a good skin day foundation.

4. Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder, Oil Control

• This powder is designed to soak up oil on your face so it is perfect to keep in your bag for touch ups. I find that this is the ultimate blotting powder. Has a click closure that should be opened on its side. It has a mirror in the compact and comes with a powder puff. The coverage is light but, buildable. It can get a little cakey if over applied. This can be used on its own to soak up oil on your face and give light coverage.

5. Maybelline Dream Matt Mousse

• This is a mousse makeup that gives matt to semi-matt finish and medium coverage. It comes in a twist off cap tub made of glass. The mousse is very smooth, and airy. When blended into the skin it can give it a slippery feel, not oily but, just very silky. I think that this is best when set with a translucent powder. Though this foundation is very matt it doesn't last all day on my skin because it is so velvety. I would only use this in the winter or when I know I won't need to touch up my face. This foundation has no SPF which is disappointing.

6. Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfecter.

• This BB cream claims to do 5 miracles in 1, evens tone, hydrates, renews, protects, and brightens. These claims are crazy because no tinted moisturizer which is what this is can do all that. The product comes is a squeeze tube, with a flip off cap. It has a thick consistency and gives very light coverage. This product feels nice on the skin but enhances my oily skin. It barely gave any coverage it was basically just a moisturizer. This blends easily mostly because it has no to little pigment. It was ok when it was set with a powder but, it still wasn't good enough for me to like it. Because, it has so little pigment it only comes in two shades light/medium and medium/dark. This could be good for someone who doesn't wear makeup but needs a moisturizer with a little bit of pigment.

7. Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder

• This is pressed powder that barely has any pigment and could be called translucent. It comes in large bulky square plastic packaging. This does absorb oil well, but isn't the best blotting powder. It is good for setting a full coverage foundation when you just want to get a matt look without extra coverage. I like this powder because it never gets cakey not matter how much I apply.

Longchamp mania

I recently acquired a Longchamp bag and I am in LOVE. I have the Le Pilage style bag in a deep forest green. The color isn't on the website probably because it was purchased in a duty free airport. However you can find it in a plethora of other colors. The bag is a great size and is roomy but, not too huge that I have to dig to find things. The leather strap is well constructed, comfortable and sturdy. The bag has a zipper closure and a leather flap that snaps over it. The bag has one small pocket attached to the inside with no closure mechanism. The pocket is roomy enough that I can fit my iPhone 5 with ear-buds, house keys and a lip balm. The bag can rest on your shoulder or can be held in your hand. The material is a nylon fabric that is waterproof. I got caught in the rain and my bag got completely soaked but everything inside stayed totally dry. I can fit everything in this bag, my wallet, keys, phone, sweater, makeup bag, umbrella, jambox speakers, water bottle and I still would have extra room. This is a classic bag, that really never goes out of style because it is so minimalistic.

Tinted Lip Balm

It seems like every brand is coming out with their own version of a tinted lip balm wither it is in the form of a crayon, stick, tube, tub, or pot their everywhere. I think that tinted lips balms are becoming so popular because they are so easy and effortless. You can throw them in your bag or pocket and apply without a mirror; just glide them across your lips, rub and go. From high-end to drugstore tinted lip balms are abundant. Honestly I'm a fan of the drugstore versions because I use them so often that I go through them constantly (I never run out though because I'm a lip balm hoarder). That said splurging on a Sugar lip balm is definitely worth it. Or you can go with the middle ground and pick up a Burt's Bees balm instead. 

Top 3

• Maybelline Baby Lips: EVERY COLOR
• Sugar: Honey, Berry
• Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balm: Rose Twist

NARS brand overview (starter kit) $400

1. Sheer Glow Foundation: $46
2. Radiant Creamy Concealer: $28
3. The "Multiple Stick": $39
4. Laguna Bronzing Powder: $40
5. Orgasm Blush: $33
6. Orgasm and Laguna duo: $41
7. Eyeshadow Duo in Bellisima: $34
8. Eyeshadow Duo in Alhambra: $34
9. Larger Than Life Eyeliner In Via Veneto: $24
10. Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base: $24
11. Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight: $25

LIp scrubs. . . Worth it?

TREND LIP SCRUBS… Worth it?
So Lately a product that it is really popular with beauty lovers and gurus on youtube and blogs are lip scrubs. If you don’t know what I lip scrub is it is the same as a body scrub but comes in a smaller pot and is for the sole purpose of getting the flaky skin off of your lips. By using a lip scrub it prevents having peely (sorry for the spelling) lips and also helps chapped lips repair. A lot of brands have lip scrubs that are sugar based, that are made of honey, olive oil and other oils that condition your lips but has large pieces or sugar to exfoliate your lips. The lip polish on the right from Fresh is 17g or .6 oz and retails for 22 dollars while the lush bubble gum lip scrub is 9.95 (unknown amount). I have used and tried both scrubs from either friends having it and purchasing it. I can honestly say that I don’t really like this trend. Mostly because they are so expensive. If I had to repurchase one it would be the lush scrub because it is cheaper. But honestly you can DIY lip scrubs so easily and for about zero dollars. All you have to do is save one of your old toothbrushes get it a little wet put some vasiline, oilve oil, or honey on it and scrub away. This does just as good as a job and barely costs anything. I don’t see the point in buying a little jar of lip scrub when I can easily make it myself.

DIY LIP SCRUB

1. Buy a jar or save a small jar from a travel kit, or old lip balm
2. Buy some sugar that comes in a large crystalline form I suggest the brand Sugar In The Raw
3. Lay out some wax paper as a working space
4. Pour some sugar into the little jar to see how much you will need
5. Take the sugar that is in your jar and pour on to the wax paper
6. Drop a few drops of honey or olive oli into the sugar and sort of mix it into a thick paste.
7. scoop/plop the paste in to the jar, close the lid
8. take a small label sticker and with a pen write Lip scrub (optional but so cute)

what is most important with this DIY is that there is more sugar than honey or olive oil. Because, otherwise the sugar will dissolve over time into the liquid. Hope that this DIY was helpful and will save you some money.

Coastal Scents Hot Pots (rave)

So I have heard a lot about coastal scents and I finally bought some stuff. Coastal Scents individual eye shadows Hot Pots were on SALE! Usually hot pots are 1.95$ but they were on sale for 95 cents. can you say MAJOR STEAL, because I had heard through the web-sphere that they are so pigmented and amazing so this was just too hard to pass up.

I bought a total of 8 shadows because I didn’t want to buy too many find out that they weren’t that good and be stuck with them. But guess what THEY’RE AMAZING so. . . As always I got neutrals because I’m always looking for the best neutral eye combos and products. I got 4 shimmer and 4 matt to really try out most of what Coastal Scents has to offer. I also purchased a magnetic palette that holds 12 eye-shadows, and fits mac shadows.

General information:

Coastal Scents shadows are the same size of MAC shadows but they have a little less product.  They also don’t test on animals and are totally cruelty free. The shadows come in a basic metal pan, with a sticker on the back saying the name of the shadow. I don’t think the pans are magnetized but they will stick to a magnetized palette really well because they are metal. The Costal Scents hot pots come in about a million colors and in three textures shimmer, satin and matt.

Shimmer Shadows (light to dark)

·      Vanilla sky 

• White shadow with golden shimmer (very, very small glitter flecks). Almost has a champagne tone to it but it is definitely white. This is a good highlight color for the inner corner, and the brow bone. It is super blend-able and very pigmented.

·      Caramel Ice

• Light golden pink color. I love to use this all over the lid and blend it with a bronze or a matt brown in the crease. This is perfect for a really laid back simple eye look

·   Light bronze

•   Light bronze is the most multidimensional color that I purchased. It is a bronze gold color but in the light can have a green undertone. This is a great color to use in the outer corner to intensify a look but not make it look too dramatic. It blends so well, that even though it is richly pigmented; it can be very sheer if you want it.

·      Amber bronze

•   This is a more red toned bronze color, with golden undertones. Like light bronze it is very multidimensional and can be used by it self. I like this color because it is intense but, not too dark that I couldn’t wear it during the day if I wanted to. This is a great color to set brown eyeliner with if you want a little extra pop.

Matt Shadows (light to dark)

·      Kokomo café

•   Kokomo café is a light grey brown color that reminds of Naked (from the naked 1 palette). This is a great light crease color if you want subtle definition. Blend-able, creamy, just a good shadow.

·      Barista

•   Medium brown tan color. This is great for a transition color in the outer V area. Isn’t to tan/red toned that it couldn’t be used in the crease . 

 

·      New Terrain

•    True medium brown color, this is a complete step up from Kokomo Café. Really just the perfect crease color for a more dramatic look. It also can be blended for a more natural finish.

·      Deep Roast

•   Dark milk chocolaty brown color. Doesn’t really need any further explanation. It is the color of a coffee bean so the name is perfect 

To sum everything up, I am very excited to fill my entire coastal scents palette up with hot pots and explore their amazing color range. These shadows are a steal for the price. They are smooth, and so pigmented and blend like a charm. I give these shadows 5 stars!

NYX Natural 6 Shadow Palette

I was shopping my makeup stash when I came across this little NYX palette. In NYC there aren't a ton of places to buy NYX cosmetics. For a long time the only place that I ever found it was at Rickey's. Some what recently Urban Outfitters started selling a ton of NYX products which is awesome. Urban Outfitters locations are all over the city, and there is one right near my house in Brooklyn. Now for the first time NYX products are available and easily obtainable. I was in line to pay for my items and I got trapped by the little boxes of products and trinkets that surround the check out area. As I was waiting and searching through the bins of products I came across this small eyeshadow palette called Natural. Since I am a sucker for neutral eyeshadow shades of course I bought it.

The NYX Natural palette comes with six shadows and there is also an alternative version called smokey. The palette retails of 7 dollars so you are paying about a 1.15$ per eyeshadow, not a bad deal if I say so my self. The shadows contain mineral oil and talc which is kind of disappointing but, the palette is cruelty free so I guess I can get mad over the ingredients.

Colors (they don't have names on the packaging :-( so I made them up)

1. light creamy vanilla color in a matt finish
2. golden champage with gold glitter
3. mid toned salmon in a matt finish
4. light tan bronze with a satin finish
5. medium taupe brown with small flecks of silver glitter in a satin finish
6. dark grey brown in a matt finish 

All together you get three matt shadows (a highlight, all over lid color and a contour), 2 satin finish bronze colors, and one shimmery glitter color.

Pigmentation

1.  The vanilla color is very sheer but, smooth and buttery 
2.  gold glitter color is utterly useless, the gillter goes everywhere and the shadow has no pigmentation this is my least favorite color in the palette 
3. the salmon color like the Vanilla is very sheer but, can be built up for more pigmentation 
4. tan bronze color has a little more pigmination than the others but it is still sheer
5. the taupe brown is nicely pigmented, but definitely could be more intense. This is my favorite from the palette
6. the grey brown is the most pigmented shadow in the palette but takes time to blend out nicely

Packaging
I would give NYX an A+ for the packaging. The case is easy to open but stays closed. The lid is thick, sturdy clear plastic that doesn't have any give. You could definitely throw this in your purse and not worry about the shadows cracking. The palette comes with a double sided sponge applicator, standard and useless.

These shadows give a very natural minimal look, they aren't anywhere near the amaze-ball-ness of the Naked Palettes. Now matter what, with these shadows you are going get a sheer look. You can build things up, and try to intensify them with the matt brown but otherwise that is it. I can't really complain because it was only seven dollars so I didn't break the bank for them. If you want to have a fuller look with this palette you need to use a colored base. I would suggest Mac's Paint Pot in Painterly, Color Tattoo Barely Branded, or Color Tattoo Bad to the Bronze.

Eyeshadow Collection

NYX; Natural 

L'oreal: Iced Latte

Urban Decay: Naked 1 

Elf: back to school neutral palette

Nars: India song duo

Costal Scents: Hot pot magnetic palette 

Wet and Wild: walking on egg shells trio

BH cosmetics 28 neutral palette

The Balm: Nude 'Tude palette

July Favorites

• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush: Hot Tamale
• Covergirl Outlast stay fabulous 3 in 1 foudation: Classic Ivory
• Covergirl Clump Crusher: Brown
• Urban Decay primer potion
• Maybelline color tattoo: Barely Branded
• Jordana Fabuliner:  Black
• Wet and Wild color icon trio: Walking on Egg Shells
• Maybelline Color Whisper: Coral Ambition