the Balm NUDE'tude Eye Shadow Palette

Hello Everyone,

I know this isn’t a new palette but it is new to me.  I never purchased the Urban Decay nude eye shadow pallets because I thought they were very expensive and looked a little too shimmery for me.  I like a little shimmer but not a lot.  I’ve wanted to purchase the Balm Nute’tude pallet for quite a while because I thought it was similar to the Urban Decay Naked pallets without as much shimmer... and was more affordable.  When I saw it on Hautelook for half the price of retail, I went for it! 

I am so impressed with this palette and am really enjoying it. It has great shades from soft to dark which can be used to create many looks. They are very pigmented shadows with a soft texture that apply and blend beautifully. 

Top row from left to right:

Sassy is a frosty white; Stubborn is peachy-pink; Selfish is a beautiful, shimmery taupe; Sophisticated is a shimmery bronze-brown; Sexy is a matte burgundy; Serious is a matte black.

Bottom row from left to right:

Snobby is a shimmery yellow. I love this color.  I dab a light layer of this on my eyelid and inner corner; Stand-offish is frosty pinkish color; Sultry is a matte medium tan-brown; Seductive is a gorgeous frosty brown – one of my favorites in the palette; Silly is a glittery red-brown and is my least favorite shadow in the palette; Sleek is a highly pigmented matte dark brown.

I like Stubborn and Stand-offish but they are almost the identical color so I find it odd that both are included in the palette.

My favorite look is Snobby on the lid and inner corner, Stand-offish or Stubborn in the crease and Seductive on the outer V.

Included with the palette is a double ended brush that’s not very good quality and I probably won’t ever use it.

I highly recommend this palette.  It’s retails for $36.00 but I bought it on Hautelook for $18.00.  If you want the palette and don’t want to pay full price, keep an eye on Hautelook (http://www.hautelook.com/) because they have a sale on The Balm products about every six months.

I hope you are having a beautiful day.

Take care,
Kat

Tarte Cosmetics - Call of the Wild Palette

When I saw this Tarte Call of the Wild eye shadow pallet on QVC, I didn’t hesitate to buy it.  I have the Tarte neutralEYES Eye Shadow Palette Volume II ( Tarte neutralEYES Eye Shadow Palette Volume II Review ) and I love it so I wanted a second Tarte palette for my collection.  All eye shadows are formulated without mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, phthalates and sodium lauryl sulfate. 

This pallet is a collectors, limited edition eye shadow pallet, featuring 8 full size shadows. 

They are encased in a spotted animal print patent leather-like packaging and includes a nice sized mirror.  

Colors from left to right: Jungle,(medium brown w/gold shimmer) Meow (gold/copper shimmer), Call (peach matte), Instinct (off white shimmer – lots of shimmer), Wild (Deep red-brown shimmer), Lynx (cool greyish beige matte), Primal (grey shimmer), Roar (blue/grey shimmer).

I think these colors are beautiful and would look nice on any skin tone.  As with all Tarte eye shadows, they are soft and velvety smooth and have good staying power.  My only complaints would be that the three colors on the left, Meow, Jungle and especially Call, aren't very pigmented.  I had to pick up a lot of shadow on my finger to get the colors to show on my skin for this swatch.  My other complaint would be that this kit did not come with a double ended brush like Tarte’s other palettes.  I really like their brushes!!  Overall though, I like the palette and think it would be a great addition to any collection.  I purchased mine at QVC for $36.00.  It is also available at Ulta.

Do you have the Call of the Wild palette?  What are your thought about it?

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Take care,
Kat

GLOSSYBOX US August 2012

Hi Everyone,

I received my August Glossybox on Saturday and wanted you to see what I received.  As always, I'm really excited to try all these products. 

1.  Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment

• This treatment is a versatile serum infused with a Moringa Oil Blend.  This ultimate potion gives instant shine and weightless replenishment to all hair types. 

2.  Ellis Faas Ellis Lips

• The lightweight and long-lasting lip products come in three fabulous textures; creamy lips for a matte finish, milky lips for a gloss finish and glazed lips for a touch of color.  They are paraben-free, loaded with vitamin E and blend into the lips leaving them soft and conditioned.  I couldn't tell what color this is from the box...it's either LIOS or LIO5.

This color is very dark for me and I would have to sheer it out to wear it.  I swatched this on the inside of my arm and I did have to work and getting it off, so the long-lasting part might be true.  I'll see how long it lasts on my lips!!

3.  Illamasqua Nail Varnish

• Award-winning, extremely hardwearing and chip-resistant, there's an Illamasqua Nail Varnish for every shade of humanity.  Apply two coats for extra intensity.  This is in the color Taint.  I am really excited to try this.

4.  Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

• This high powered vitamin C complex helps smooth out lines and wrinkles, fights environmental aggressors and keeps your skin moisturized, nourished and protected.  Apply mornings and evenings.  There was also a coupon included.

5.  Touch in Sol Feel like Honey Moon Skin Base

• Apply this fantastic primer after your skincare routine and before your makeup.  It's honey texture firms and revitalizes the skin and allaows for a better makeup application.

So, there you have it.  The items from my August 2012 GLOSSYBOX.  I'm looking forward to trying all of them.

Have you tried any of these products?  What was your opinion of them?

I hope you're having a beautiful day!

Take care,
Kat

Beauty Bar Sample Society July 2012

Hello Everyone,

I received my Beauty Bar Sample Society July 2012 box on Thursday.  I really enjoy getting the Sample Society box as I almost always enjoy the products they send.  I am just as happy with this month’s box.

Borghese Tono Body Cream - Borghese is an Italian brand and I’ve used other products of this brand.  The Tono Body Cream ingredients include:  Fennel, Witch Hazel, Matricaria, Horse Chestnut and Ivy Extracts and Rosemary and Lavender Extracts.  The description on the website says “treat the senses to aromatherapy”.  I think this body cream smells like plastic.  I don’t even get the slightest hint of lavender.  I do like how smooth is makes my skin.  I’ve had it on all day and my skin is still soft and smooth.

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Pearl – I received a sample of this product in a Birchbox several months ago.  It was a very tiny sample and this is a much larger sample size.  I love, love, love Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint.  It is SPF 20, oil free, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, water resistant is buildable for a more full coverage.  I have oily skin and this is the only moisture tint that does not make my face look like an oil slick.  I have a full size of this in the color Golden.  It does have some shimmer in it so I top it off with a light matte powder.  I wear it every weekend when I am running errands or just hanging around the house.  LOVE IT!!

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Pearl

Sisley Hydra-Global Hydration Intense Anti-Age – I’ve never heard of this brand before.  I did a little research on it and it is from Paris.  The website says the following:

“Specially developed to provide an all-round solution to the problem of skin dehydration — whether occasional or chronic - Hydra-Global helps reactivate the hydration mechanisms deep-down in the skin, by encouraging the circulation of water as well as its retention.”

I’m looking forward to using it, but I will not be buying it even if I love it.  The full size product costs $250.00 for 1.4 fl. oz.  Sigh….

vbeauté Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Créme – This is another brand I’ve never heard of.  The website says:

“VBeaute Eye Never is an age-defining, line concealing eye cream that immediately smoothes and silkens the delicate skin around the eyes, minimizing the appearance of puffiness, lines and wrinkles. Formulated with the brand's powerful age-defying complexes, this eye cream boosts collagen production while protecting against free radical damage. At the same time, it helps increase moisture and relax muscle contractions to help prevent future signs of aging.”

I’m looking forward to trying this.  I don’t think there is much of the product in my sample though, when I tried to squeeze some onto my finger, the little tube seemed mostly full of air.  That’s disappointing.

Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil in Sangria and White Glimmer – This is a brand from Italy.  The Sangria color is a deep wine color and the White Glimmer is exactly that….white.  I’m not sure what I’m going to do with a white lip liner but the Sangria liner will be nice in the fall and winter.

Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil - Sangria / White Glimmer

Overall, I’m thrilled with this month’s box.  I love being introduced to brands I’ve never heard of or tried before and except for the Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Cream, the sample sizes are very nice.

Stay tuned for product review’s J.

Take care,
Kat