When I first saw the ND Glam palette I didn’t think I’d add it to my stash. This is too cool of a color story for me but, a friend and my love for her shadows quickly changed my mind haha.
The biggest difference between this palette and others is that the shades don’t have names, instead they’re labeled by what part of the eye it’s recommended to be used on. I’m not the biggest fan of this but I can see how it would be helpful to someone starting off.
One of the my favorite thing about Natasha Denona is how many tutorials she puts out using her palettes. Between those and the labeling here it’s a great palette for someone starting or for a quick look.
I’m curious what others think of this naming convention. Would you prefer names or do you like this method?
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette is probably my favorite, despite the negative reviews it received.
I wouldn’t say that I have a favorite palette but if I did, I think it would be this one. Anytime I pick up this palette it’s easy to continue to use it day after day.
Here are three looks made using this palette
Look #1: I used Dawn to set my base (MAC pro paint pot in Soft Ochre), then I used Edge in the Crease, darkend the crease and applied to outer V with Mercury and finally Rowdy. I used NYX glitter primer all over the lid and applied Adorn. I used Edge all across the lower lash and Mercury in the outer lower lash.
Look #1
Look #2 : I used Dawn to set my base (MAC pro paint pot in Soft Ochre), then I lightly applied Mercury in the crease, added Destiny to outer V and used Untamed to smoke out the look. I used NYX glitter primer all over the lid and applied Electric. I used Destiny all across the lower lash and Untamed in the outer lower lash.
Look #2
Look #3 : for look #3 I pulled in the Dominique Cosmetics Celestial Thunder palette. This came in a BoxyCharm last November and I haven’t used it much. The color story is very similar to Subculture and it paired nicely.
Again started with Dawn to set the MAC Soft Ochre base, then went in with Edge, Mercury and Zero Gravity. I was hoping Zero Gravity would darken the outer V but it’s didn’t add much to a mercury so I added Storm Dust to add depth to the outer V. I used NYX glitter primer and applied Eternal Light but it wasn’t very pigmented so I layered Cube over it.
I like the variety of looks I was able to come up with and am still loving this palette.
I hadn’t done a matte look in a while and this past week I did three!
I find all matte eye shadow looks to be more intimidating because there’s no shimmer to hide application or product imperfections but, this Colourpop palette demanded I try.
I’m talking about the Lil Ray Of Sunshine palette
This color story is so pretty to me, and maybe it’s because yellow is supposed to bring instant happiness but whatever the case, it makes me want to just use all the colors.
I started by priming my eyelids with a neutral base, close to my natural eye lid color. I added the last shade on top from my crease up to my brow.
Then, to make sure it would have a good base layer (or something) I added the yellow shade all over my lid. To be honest, I was not satisfied with how this color was applying. On one lid, there was a patch in the center of my lid that I could not get the pigment to stick to. So I went in with a pigment primer and tried to add the color on top again. I ended up having to start over on one eyelid because the yellow was showing up as a brown yellow and super patchy.
Once I cleaned up the lid and started over, I was happier with the way the yellow looked. I then used the bottom row to darken up the look by adding it to the outer lid and softly bringing it into the crease.
I finished off the look using CP liner Joy Ride (which applied beautifully!).
Here are my thoughts:
Nice color story but may need accompanying products since it’s all mattes
I rarely do all matte eye looks, but this week I’ve been wanting to use red lispticks and want to keep the focus on the color so I decided to give it a go.
Sydney Grace: Dirt Road, Be The Sunshine Makeup Geek: Cocoa Bear, Dark Roast, Mocha Coloured Raine: Gingerbread Colourpop: She’s in Bold, Liquid Courage, Overtime
I had to really build up Dirt Road on the lid, and go back in after I darkened the look. I think it may just be too light for my skintone but in the end I liked the way it blended out and came through.
If you have any kind of beauty subscription you’ve probably received some variation of the Wander Beauty mascara more than once.
This gold packaged volume and length mascara is the latest one I’ve tried.
I used two coats on top and one on the bottom. Overall I like the way it made my lashes look, it wasn’t too wet when first opened and it gave me good volume. I did notice that in between the two coats, which I applied one eye then second eye, back to first eye then second eye, seemed to dry fast.
The one thing I can’t get down with is the packaging. I’m sure it’s better than a tube, because you can squeeze the last of the product onto the wand, but it’s too unconventional for me. The other thing I noticed, which it didn’t say on the packaging, is that this is waterproof, which I prefer not to use.
I like the mascara and would recommend it if you’re looking for a volumizing waterproof mascara.
It’s officially heater season and with it comes dry skin and a runny nose for me.
Fortunately I’m not having to worry about people seeing my flaky skin but it’s still a concern so I’m doing everything possible to protect my skin.
With all the skincare I have, I probably overdo my routine but I do have some staples I stick to:
Saturday Skin 10% Glycolic Acid + Pore Control Compkex (gifted) : helps refine and smooth skin’s appearance. I use this 4-5 times a week
Peach & Lily The Good Acids Pore Toner : an exfoliating toner that’s gentle enough for daily use. It’s designed to wipe away dead skin cells and has ingredients to keep your complexion clear, which is perfect for mask enduced acne.
Innisfree My Lip Balm : this is a mousse texture balm that instantly hydrates your lips. I apply this right after toner and leave on while I finish my skincare routine and makeup.
Fresh Beauty Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence (gifted) : this is for smooth, luminous skin and makes my skin feel instantly hydrated.
Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream with Avocado (gifted) : helps with dryness, dark circles and puffiness. This adds instant hydration to my undereye area.
Tatcha Serum Stick: a concentrated treatment and touch up balm. I use this on my chin, my eye socket area and between my brows. These are my driest and most wrinkled areas so I figure they require the high intensity stuff
Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence (gifted) : help with dryness, dullness, uneven texture and oiliness. This is described as “an essence that drenches the skin in esencial moisture” and that’s exactly what it does.
Saturday Skin Pretty Pop Probiotic Power Whipped Cream (gifted) : helps with dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. This is a great moisturizer that doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily and is lightweight.
Are any of these part of your morning routine? What are your must haves?
Happy Black Friday if you’ve gotten up, or will get up, in hopes of finding all the good deals.
I’m a little sad to say there isn’t really anything that has captured my attention this year. It could be because I still have so much unpacking to do that adding more boxes seems like too much, lol.
For today’s look I used the Melt Cosmetics Rust palette. These gorgeous colors are perfect for fall looks and the quality is superb.
The colors I used were (in order): Erode/ Rust/ Mar/ Rott along upper and lower lash line
The shimmers are all beautiful, even though I much prefer the mattes in the palette, but I wanted to use something brighter.
For the lid I used Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Campfire; part of the collaboration with RawBeautyKristi.
I was able to use Rott on a flat definer brush as eyeliner and I loved the effect it had.
For my highlight I used the Jaclyn Cosmetics highlighter quad. I used the Colourpop lippie stix Beeper and CP CA Love lux lipstick.
How was your week? Are you doing any shopping this Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
I was gifted various skincare products from Dr Denese Skincare for review.
I love a brand that offers a full range of skincare products, I think it’s the easiest way for someone to establish a routine. These products contain a range of ingredients including: Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Ceramides and Retinol to name a few.
I’ve been using some of these for a few weeks now, slowly integrating them into my existing routine, and I love the results I’ve seen so far.
One of my biggest concerns is a very oily t-zone, the face serum helps mattify this area without drying out the rest of my face and gives me a blurring effect.
The hydrating dream cream is hydrating without making me oily and the spf offers a lightly tinted matte finish that really smoothes out my skin, tones down my redness and doesn’t make me oily.
Of all the products, the sunblock is the one product that I was most blown away by. With this, I’m able to go without foundation and just set my face with powder and have an almost flawless complexion.
I enjoy using the eye masks before applying my makeup and I feel like it helps hydrate and absorb creams in this area. My favorite part of this are the little plastic tweezers that come on the inside of the lid to help grab the eye masks.
Overall I would recommend this product to anyone starting a skincare routine and also to any skincare junkie.
I intended to have this up Friday but, I forgot >.<.
My plan is to post at least every Mondays and Fridays and sometimes Wednesdays. Check back Monday to see if that happens! Lol
For this look I used the Morphe 18B, Making Bank, palette
This is an 18 pan palette that comes in a cardboard palette and has a mirror. It’s no longer available but it was an $18 palette that I probably purchased on sale.
Overall, I enjoy Morphe eyeshadows. They are a bit on the dry side, you can see how dusty the upper left olive color is, but I find them easy to work with.
Colors used
I love the way the crease colors blended together with the yellow and olive to lighten up the look but the star is the bottom right color. I applied the color over NYX glitter primer on the inner 2/3rds of my eyelid. It doesn’t look like much in the pan but it has a duochrome finish that shifts color depending on how the light hits it. This look reminded me why I love Morphe shadows so much.
Face makeup used
I used my standard Essence Lash Princess mascara and this face trio by Pop Beauty that I got in a Boxycharm pop-up sale. The bronzer and blush look shimmery in the pans but when you apply them they have a nice finish, not shimmery or glittery and it doesn’t emphasize texture.
Morphe 18B shades: Check Please/ Cash or Card/ Jackpot/ C-Note/ Make It Rain/ Bazillionaire/ Rake It In/ Deposits
My Life in Makeup 