There isn’t much these days that makes me raise an eyebrow and be like YUP I need to review/buy that. Most things I buy now are original/different, or have to really blow my skirt up.
When I saw the pictures posted for the new Sephora Pro palettes on @trendmood1 I was surprised. Not because of anything in the shade range, or my particular distaste for the Sephora eyeshadow formula, but for the price. $85 for a Sephora brand palette? Are you nuts? Apparently I am, because I picked up all three to test and review to see if it was worth the price, and I will be providing reviews and comparisons for all!
I am trying really hard not to only come here to post when I have five minutes to scatter some thoughts out of my brain and into yours, but that doesn’t seem to be working, so at this point we will have to deal with the the time I have.
Recently Urban Decay launched a press release/marketing campaign announcing their collaboration with world renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. For those of you who don’t know who that is, that is completely okay. I didn’t know who he was either, until I watched She’s All That circa 1999, and they referenced his art style in relation to the main character killing herself. (deep, I know). For anyone who is actually interested in some of the history of Basquiat, please feel free to venture down the internet rabbit hole here.
One piece of background I feel like needs to actually be mentioned here, is that he is no longer on this earth. He passed from a heroine overdose in 1988. Here is an example of his art work.
Interesting artwork that is for sure.
So.. here is the collab.
Initial reaction
Omg must buy now, so new original and different! I LOVE IT.
Then I sat on it for a few days, and all I could think was, how I felt it was distasteful for UD to leverage an artist who was considered VERY edgy for his time to market a product they have launched time and time again.
Look at this first palette, does it not look like a mixture of Gwen Stefani collab and Ultimate Naked Basics? You have these colours, why are we buying for packaging? There is nothing revolutionary here.
So then I thought, that second palette, THIS is where it’s at. Then I look closer at the second palette, and check out the swatches posted by trendmood, and it hits me. THIS IS JUST THE SPECTRUM PALETTE REPACKAGED. Why are they doing this to me? The torture is too much, and the reasoning is too high for me not to buy it, and not to promote it.
Is anyone else picking up what I am here? For comparisons sake, here is the full spectrum palette swatches. I can’t in my right mind look at this and think, “yes this is original, if this is not in my collection it will not be complete”. Photo Credit goes to @thefancyface. This is NOT my photo.
All in all, before even seeing the true performance of this collection, there are just too many easy ways to dupe these shades, even from their own line. It’s just not for me.
I realize I have focused on the palettes, but let’s be real here, those are my true jam. Not to mention that blush palette can be easily duped by many of the existing blushes/palettes that you already have, and have been released by UD for years. The liners are in the same boat, Marc Jacobs, Mac, UD, KVD. It’s been done. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP RELEASING THINGS AS LIMITED EDITION THAT ARE ALREADY IN MANY BRANDS REGULAR LINES.
There is nothing in this world like an amazing steal in the makeup world. So rarely do any amazing products go on sale… So while I was doing my daily browse of Sephora.ca/sale I thought it best to bring some of the best options to you!
Urban Decay – Junkie Vice Lipstick Palette
Sale Price $32 (29% off)
I am not a personal fan of lipstick palettes, but if you are wanting to try a variation of colours from the new Vice line, this would be an excellent way to do it and get some serious bang for your buck. How often do us ‘Junkies’ actually make it all the way through a lipstick anyway?
Bobbi Brown – Bobbie to Glow Shimmer Brick Palette
Sale Price $59 (25% off)
In my last order (let’s be real it was about a week ago) I ordered this sweet sweet lovely and I will never regret it again. I have picked up the shimmer bricks and put them down about 42 billion times, shying away because of the price knowing that for about $40 each it just wasn’t worth it, especially since AGAIN we all know the likelihood of me actually finishing a product to the end is very, very slight. Not to mention the either 4987 highlighters taking up camp in my alex drawers.
Formula X – The System
Sale Price $20 (50% off)
The only nail polish set that stays on my nails and doesn’t ruin me and make my talons peel and cry. Unfortunately this was such an amazing deal that it is now out of stock, however stand by because they restock frequently. The best thing about this? The value on this is about $52 (if bought separately), and they give you a bonus polish of your own choice. Amazing.
Happy Saturday everyone! And happy long weekend to everyone who has one! For those of you who have to work this weekend, I feel your pain and you will make it through I promise!
I was meandering around some blogs this morning while drinking my coffee and watching the puppy bears fight over the smallest toy rope that exists in our home (about 6 inches long… seems ridiculous considering, but they love it), and I stumbled across the 7 deadly sins of makeup, and now here we are!
1. Greed- What is your most expensive make-up item?
Marc Jacobs Style EyeCon No 20. SRP $124 Canadian
The most expensive makeup item I have ever purchased is very recent to my collection. It actually just got to my house on Thursday, and is probably the first and only time I would spend this much on a palette. That being said, when I was lusting after this, all I could think in the back of my mind was that I have Marc Jacobs “The Vamp” palette and I didn’t love it. I struggled to use it, and wasn’t overly impressed.
I don’t regret this item in the slightest and so far I have used it almost everyday since I bought it. To call out the most incredible shade… the yellow gold in there is INSANE, barely even touch it and it is the most pigmented beautiful shadow I have seen in a very long time.
2. Wrath- What product do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation Shade 330
I love this foundation. I truly do. It covers like a dream, it blends like a dream, the shade doesn’t oxidize, and it stays put. The effort to put this on and make it look flawless is 100% minimal. So what could there be that makes me hate this? The bases all see to be covered don’t they? Well… it makes me break out like crazy, my skin hates it. The true love hate about this is that it makes me break out like mad, but it also covers so well I can’t even tell I am breaking out until my foundation is removed. Then the next day when I go to use it again it covers the break outs up again, I remember I love the foundation for all of these reasons and then it is truly just a vicious cycle.
3. Gluttony What brand takes up most of your makeup collection?
Naked SeriesRevolution LipsticksThrough the Looking Glass, Ammo, Electric, Fun Palette, Black Palette, Deluxe ShadowGwen Stefani Collab, 24/7 Liners, UD Smoked PaletteAfterglow blushes: Rapture/Bittersweet Afterglow Highlighter:Sin, Gwen Stefani Collab
100% Urban Decay. I could go through and say which brands have more items in each section, but if we have to choose based on total impact on collection it’s definitly UD. I have their products in each category except for base (eg. foundation, concealer, primer). There is obviously a hole in my collection in that sense… perhaps I should rectify that problem… Now looking back at these pictures I can name a few product I missed pulling out of my collection… dang it.
4. Sloth- Which product do you neglect due to laziness?
Liquid/Cream Highlighter collection
These products sit in my collection and look beautiful, but I just don’t do anything with them. I buy them thinking, man I am going to be so beautifully illuminated, only for them to sit in my drawer and be sad because I never take the time to use them. The work I have to put in to these is too much for my brain to handle at 5 am.
5. Pride- Which product gives you the most self confidence?
Black Liquid/Gel Liners
No matter how I feel about myself, or how good or bad of a day I am having, if I have a black wing happening I can take over the world. It is many women’s signatures, and I am absolutely one of those women. Not pictured is my favourite gel liner which is the L’Oreal Infallible gel liner in black. I am trying not to buy everyday products when I have so many dupes that needs to be worked through. My favourite liquid liner is by NYC, which is fantastic because it is only about $3.99 CAD.
6. Lust- What item is at the top of your beauty wish list?
Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palettes
Do you see that price? Because I do… Part of me only wants it so I can say I own a $240 USD palette. That being said I have heard the reviews for Natasha Denona’s products and there are very few that aren’t absolutely RAVING. I want. Right now.
7. Envy-Which make looks great on other people but not on you?
This is a very difficult question for me. I know that this is not going to translate as anything other than “I am the prettiest princess and everything looks great on me” However, I have a face that can handle a lot of makeup. I am comfortable in any makeup, no matter where I am. I will go to work wearing blue lipstick, or black, or bright purple, or dark red. Any eyeshadow colour, style, or liner style can work with my face. I have neutral/olive skin tones, so there isn’t anything that really sticks out for me that doesn’t work with my skin tones… hmmmm. Maybe a consistent smokey eye?
It’s that time of year again, where the leaves start to turn, the nights get cooler, and The International Makeup Artist Tradeshow comes to Toronto. Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center on the weekend of October 1st, it’s bound to be a place where faces are a competition, art is appreciated, and sales are scoured.
This years participants are listed below, and you can click on their names to check out their products! See you there!
To start, if you prefer the video versions of unboxings please CLICK HERE for all of your video delights.
Secondly- if you have yet to enter my 1K Giveaway for the Nikki tutorials “Power of Makeup” palette, please do so HERE. It has many ways to enter and is very easy to do so! Not to mention your chances are pretty good because I am a pretty small youtuber. 🙂
That being said here are the items I received in this months Boxycharm. They are also improving their shipping times to Canada, and I received my box well before the end of the beginning of the next month.
Makeup Eraser AmpliMascara
SRP- $23
My thoughts- After first use I am really not even 100% sure what this is supposed to do. It states it is a serum that will build up your lash to a full and thick natural look. When I applied it this morning it was like putting a clear coat on my lashes. However when I used it and then used another mascara on top I noticed the second mascara applied significantly better and definitely worked better than without the Amplimascara. Will have to continue use an report back!
2. Aloette Time Repair Serum
SRP- $48
My thoughts- I really love receiving some really expensive skincare. You may think that reason is based on wanting to get stuff for cheap, but it truly isn’t. I am always curious to see if the expensive items are as good/better/not good compared to something for a fraction of the price. My skin is having some adult acne challenges recently, while still combating fine lines and frown lines. I am interested to see what this can do for me.
It is said to refine fine lines and wrinkles and is best to be use
d morning and evening. Once I have used up the rest of my Skin Inc from Toronto Gen Beauty I will have to give this a go.
3. Beauty For Real Shadow Stx
SRP- $19
My thoughts- No joke people, I am, as a rule, not a fan of shadow sticks. The only one I ever can ever make work and not crease like a silk shirt, is the Nyx milk pencil. Which really just goes under other shadows. This however… I LOVE. It is a beautiful shade, a bronze taupe, comes with a sharpener on the bottom, and is send with a precise tip instead of just some dull bowling ball looking applicator. If you have never tried applying make up with a bowling ball, I assure you. It’s not easy. I fell asleep with the swatch I had done during the video on my hand. I slept all night with that little swatch, and he was dedicated. It wasn’t a one night stand. Not even a smear. Stayed put. I wore it today with a little bit of dark brown in the crease from the trusty old Naked Basics palette and wow…what an easy look. Huge win, recommend 10/10.
4. Dirty Little Secret Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick
SRP- $10
My thoughts- I have been loving any kind of long wearing red lip the last few weeks. This swatch also went to bed with me, and had to be removed with makeup removing oil this morning. I am VERY about anything that needs to be pried off. I run around all day at work and don’t have a mirror handy. Who wants to be worried that there will be a big red smear all over your face? This isn’t war ladies, it’s just an office job. The formula dried quickly on the hand, however I have not had a chance to try it out on the lips yet. I didn’t think it would be a fair go considering I had basically the same shade with a similar formula on yesterday. That price point though… what lipstick is $10 anymore?
5. Coastal Scents Blush + Bronzer Mini Palette
SRP- $13.95+ $6
My thoughts- Full disclosure I did not use this yet. The swatches were pigmented and I do appreciate the shade range available. The brush is soft and felt nice to the touch. I needed a travel contour brush so I am happy with that. I am not sure I would use any of these bronzers to contour as they are all fairly sparkly, but for travel and something you aren’t too worried about I would definitely take it away with me for a few different options in an easy compact place. I also l really liked that the shades are SIGNIFICANTLY different. So help me god, if I got another contour kit that the bronzers are essentially the same on the skin I might have flown off the handle.
All in all this was an EXCELLENT box and I am very happy with my subscription with Boxycharm thus far. We will have to wait and see how Ipsy fairs this month. I have traded in my points, because I have decided if this bag is a let down that I will be discontinuing my relationship with them. Its been a good run, but sometimes it is just time!
If you are interested in subscribing to Boxycharm please hit the link HERE and it will take you right on over to their website. The subscription is about $35 a month 🙂
As a quick sidebar, I have to say I have ALSO been loving Just Fab… I hate it when I like gimmicky stuff, I feel so sucked in! If you are interested in checking them out here is my referral link. YES it helps me, NO I am not a corporate shill for them I just think they are an excellent service and for the price their products are excellent.
up what I am here? For comparisons sake, here is the full spectrum palette swatches. I can’t in my right mind look at this and think, “yes this is original, if this is not in my collection it will not be complete”. Photo Credit goes to @thefancyface. This is NOT my photo. 
Urban Decay – Junkie Vice Lipstick Palette
a X – The System
Makeup Eraser AmpliMascara
3. Beauty For Real Shadow Stx
4. Dirty Little Secret Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick
5. Coastal Scents Blush + Bronzer Mini Palette
