amarixe: beauty and lifestyle blog

Dior Shimmer Powder in Amber Diamond: Review + Swatches!

2013-05-22T13:26:00.002-07:00

I've been trying some new Dior products recently, and one of my favorites so far is the oh-so-popular Shimmer Powder in Amber Diamond. I have heard beauty bloggers rave about this powder as a highlighter for years now, so I decided to go ahead and try it myself.

Amber Diamond features five different shimmery colors: an almost-white, light champagne, bronze, rose gold, and peachy gold. You can use these shades individually or mixed together. I like that this powder offers a variety of different colors depending on what you are looking to use it for. I like using this as both a face highlighter and eyeshadow. The bronze/rose gold colors are gorgeous on the eyes, and the almost-white is great on the inner corner and brow bone. All five colors work nicely for a face highlighter.

The formulation of this powder is really great, and the colors are a perfect balance of pigmented and sheer, since you don't exactly want your highlighter to be entirely opaque. The lightest two colors are hard to see in swatches on my fair skin, but they do look just as nice as the others. The bronze and rose gold colors look extremely similar when applied.

Amber Diamond comes in Dior's classic navy blue compact casing.

The Diorskin Shimmer Powders contain 10g/0.35 oz of product and retail for $45. Dior products are expensive, but with 10g of this I know it will take me an eternity to use up. This product is available wherever Dior makeup is sold... I found mine at Nordstrom.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this powder and will be getting a ton of use out of it this summer! What is your favorite face highlighter?

xx, Allison

Nail of the Day: Maybelline Pacific Blues

2013-05-19T14:13:00.002-07:00

Today's Nail of the Day is Pacific Blues, a new limited edition polish from Maybelline's Summer 2013 collection. Pacific Blues is a bright medium blue cream that makes a great statement color on the nails for summer.

natural light, 2 coats

When I saw this in store, it reminded me of Sally Hansen Pacific Blue, one of my favorite blue polishes of all time. I decided to pick up Pacific Blues to see if the two were dupes, and not surprisingly, they are! If I had to note a difference between the two, I would say Maybelline Pacific Blues paints a smidgen darker than Sally Hansen Pacific Blue. Sidenote: I wonder if Maybelline and Sally Hansen are owned by the same company, considering the name and shade similarity seems like it could be a copyright issue otherwise?

Between the two, I prefer the Sally Hansen shade. I found Maybelline Pacific Blues to have a more difficult consistency. It is thick, and doesn't spread easily. The formulation of the Sally Hansen color is much more easy to work with.

Maybelline Color Show polishes retail for $3.99, and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear polishes retail for $2.99. Sally Hansen Pacific Blue can be a tricky one to find, I remember talking about it a couple of years ago and getting a lot of messages about finding it. In case you are striking out, Pacific Blue is available on Ulta's website!

Would you wear it?
xx, Allison

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo in Coral Glow: Swatches + Review!

2013-05-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since a high end collection as caught my eye, but Dior's new Bird of Paradise collection for Summer 2013 had a product I couldn't pass up: the Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo in Coral Glow.

This bronzer/blush duo comes with a mini kabuki brush and features a light and dark shade of each color. I really like this, as it allows you to mix how light or dark you want your bronzer or blush color to be.

The bronzer has some orange in it and I was afraid it may be too orange on me, but with a bit of a tan on my skin, it works! The blush is more of a warm pink than a true coral, and I think the color could work on any complexion. If you want an even warmer blush, you can mix the bronzer and blush together for an orange-pink tone!

The formulation of this powder is exquisite: super smooth, pigmented, and blendable.

Bronzer, Blush, Bronzer and Blush mixed together

The Nude Tan Paradise Duo is encased in shiny silver packaging with a quilted detail on top. I love it!

The mini kabuki brush included is extremely soft, though I don't know how much I will be using it with this powder, as I tend to use less dense brushes for my bronzer and blush.

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duos retail for $56 and are available at Dior counters and online now. As expected for Dior, the price tag is hefty, but if you are looking to splurge on a new face powder, I don't think you will be disappointed with this one!

Are you loving any new products for Spring/Summer?
xx, Allison

Charging My Gadgets On The Go: Mega PowerBank

2013-05-06T12:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone! I've been wanting to do tech reviews once in a while, as I am a bit of a tech nerd and I love talking about gadgets and gizmos ~~galore, you want thingamabobs? I've got 20~~ I've been loving lately!

I'm one of those people who is on their phone a lot. Between calling, texting, tweeting, filtering-three-times-before-instagramming, etc., my phone battery needs a full recharge every single day. However, I'm a little prone to forgetting to charge it, which is where one of my favorite gadgets comes in: the Mega PowerBank 8400 mAh portable charger.

This little box of power can charge two gadgets at a time via its two USB ports. Phones, tablets, cameras, etc. will all work if one end of their cord fits a USB. I find this is especially great for any sort of travel because I can charge things on the airplane or in my purse if I'm not near a power outlet.

The device has a round button on top to power on and off, and numbers around it that light up violet-blue according to how much power is left. The camera didn't want to pick it up, but below you can barely see that the 25, 50, and 75 are all lit up, meaning 75% power left.

A really nifty feature, though I haven't actually ever had to use it, is a flashlight. Double clicking the power button turns on a bright light in between the two USB ports.

The PowerBank comes with two cables that contain a USB plug at one end, and a small, round plug at the other. It then has 4 different adaptors that can attach to the small, round plug: two 30-pin plug in tips (compatible with iPhones and iPads with 30-pin ports), one micro USB plug in tip, and one mini USB plug in tip). But as I said earlier, if any of your devices can charge through a USB plug, you can plug them into this with your own cord.

Last, but not least, this comes with a drawstring bag to keep everything together in.

Overall, I highly recommend this if you like having solid battery security on your devices! Portable chargers in general are great, I didn't start using them until this last year and they really do the trick in a pinch.

As far as I know, this is exclusively available through QVC right now, and is retailing on their website for $65.96. I received this goodie in a gift bag from an event I attended a while back, so I haven't seen this in stores anywhere. If you are looking to purchase something in store, there are a ton of other companies selling devices like this one that work similarly.

Do you use any sort of portable power for your gadgets?
xx, Allison

Nail of the Day: Essie In The Cab-ana

2013-05-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back today with another color from Essie's 2013 Resort Collection, a bright turquoise cream called In The Cab-ana. The moment I painted this on my nails, I thought of how much better they would look holding a mimosa on an exotic tropical beach with crystal clear water and white sand...

*pulls up travel website, checks one-way airfare to Fiji... sigh*

But really, this color is the epitome of an exotic tropical beach blue. It is just the right balance of blue and green, and perfectly bright. And as my complexion deepens from "Casper" to "Freckles" this summer, it will continue to look even better.

natural light, 2 coats

The formulation of this was quite a bit thicker than most Essie polishes, and it was slightly hard to work with as a result. Some nails were completely opaque in one coat, but I always do two because I prefer the "gel-ish" appearance of a thicker polish coverage.

The Essie 2013 Resort Collection is available in stores and online at Ulta.com!

Speaking of vacations, anyone have anything fun planned?
xx, Allison

L'Oreal Colour Riche Colour Caresse Lipsticks: Review + Swatches!

2013-05-01T12:50:00.001-07:00

I've been using a bunch of new lip products lately, and today I wanted to share some of my new favorites: the L'Oreal Colour Riche Colour Caresse lipsticks. I picked up a few colors recently and wanted to share my thoughts with all of you.

The three colors I've been using are Pink Cashmere (light, warm pink), Blushing Sequin (hot pink-red), and Pink Vinyl (bright blue-toned pink).

Pink Cashmere, Blushing Sequin, Pink Vinyl

These lipsticks have a sheer consistency and a glossy finish, which I find is perfect for everyday wear because it is a low-maintenance lip! These remind me a little of the Revlon Lip Butters, but the consistency of the L'Oreal lipsticks is noticeably thinner and smoother. The Revlon Lip Butters feel a bit heavier and more waxy on my lips.

Pink Cashmere, Blushing Sequin, Pink Vinyl

Pink Cashmere is a great shade if you are looking for something really subtle and natural. This will go with virtually any occasion and look.

Pink Cashmere

Blushing Sequin is my favorite of the three... I am loving bright pink-red sheer lipsticks right now! This is very similar to the new Revlon Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon, but is a little more pink. Blushing Sequin makes your lips look like you've been relaxing by the pool with a cherry Otter Pop-- how good are those things?! I prefer grape though, I've never been a big fan of cherry.

Blushing Sequin

The blue-pink color of Pink Vinyl makes me think of Barbie, but the sheerness of this lipstick makes it a little less dramatic. This is a fun color when you are going for something a little more "girly". I love the way it looks on!

Pink Vinyl

I really love the shiny gold packaging of these... it may be my favorite drugstore lip packaging to date! I also like that they have a color coded strip so I don't have to check the bottom to find out what color I'm using.

I definitely recommend these if you are looking for some new sheer lip colors. The L'Oreal Colour Riche Colour Caresse lipsticks can be found wherever L'Oreal is sold, including online at Ulta!

What lip products are you loving right now?
xx, Allison

Nail of the Day: Essie First Timer

2013-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Essie never fails to impress me with their annual Resort collections, and this year I have set my heart on First Timer, a bright turquoise tinted green cream. I would describe this polish as a perfect mix between Essie Turquoise & Caicos and a true bright green. There is definitely a turquoise tinge to this one and it isn't quite a true green. I love it!

natural light, 2 coats

The consistency of First Timer is a little thicker than other Essie polishes. I found one coat to be almost entirely opaque. This wore exceptionally well on me too, which I was happy about.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this shade, especially because I have a love/hate relationship with green nail polishes and rarely find ones I like. I tend to prefer greens with a minty, blue tint to them, or dark greens, and avoid bright, grassy greens.

The Essie Resort collection is available now at Ulta in stores and online!

Do you like green nail polish?

xx, Allison

COVERGIRL Penelope Pink Lipstick: Review + Swatches!

2013-04-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

You can never have too many great everyday lipsticks, so when I recently stumbled across COVERGIRL's Penelope Pink lipstick, I couldn't resist. Penelope Pink is a light nude-pink from the Queen collection, and the packaging is the same as the regular line except the casing is bronze instead of grey.

This lipstick is really creamy, which I love. The finish reminds me a lot of the MAC Cremesheen lipsticks, some of my favorites! I wouldn't call this too sheer or too opaque, it is just right.

I love the way this lipstick looks on my lips. The color, finish, everything just works. It has a nude tone to it but doesn't wash me out, and the shade of pink really flatters my complexion.

Penelope Pink is permanent and can be found wherever COVERGIRL cosmetics are sold-- heads up: it is currently 20% off on Drugstore.com! What is your current favorite everyday lip color?

xx, Allison

Nail of the Day: L'Oreal The Palace Life

2013-04-22T12:52:00.001-07:00

Today's nail shade is The Palace Life from L'Oreal's Versailles Romance collection for Spring 2013. This is a warm, pastel pink cream that is really great for an everyday pink.

I've found that the newer polishes have a redesigned brush that isn't in any of my L'Oreal polishes from their permanent collection. The brush is long, flat, and wide, but it has slightly rounded edges, making it perfect for painting next to the cuticles. This is the best brush I have ever used, and no other brand that I've found has one like it. I wish every single one of my polishes could have a brush like this one... easiest painting ever!

The Palace Life has a really nice consistency and only takes 2 coats for full opacity. I initially assumed I had to have something else already like it in my collection, but after searching my inventory realized I didn't! For that reason, I don't know any exact dupes, but there are definitely a thousand other pastel pinks on the market that are similar.

The L'Oreal Versailles Romance collection can be found in drugstores!

What is on your nails today?
xx, Allison

LUSH Happy Happy Joy Joy Hair Conditioner: Review

2013-04-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Last week I did a post on LUSH Blousey shampoo that I've been using recently, and today I'm back to review another product I've been trying, their Happy Happy Joy Joy conditioner. In general, LUSH makes pretty great deep conditioning hair treatments, so I had hopes I would love this daily conditioner as well.

"So good, we named it twice. A light and creamy vegan conditioner for beautifully perfumed hair that turns heads."

Happy Happy Joy Joy is definitely lightweight, much more than I expected. In fact, it may be the most lightweight conditioner I have ever tried. Unfortunately, I prefer more moisture in my conditioners, so I quickly found that this wasn't a great fit for my hair. I found myself gobbing large amounts of it onto my strands to try to add more moisture.

The fragrance is very interesting for this one as well. It's hard to smell much of a fragrance just in the bottle, but once I get this on my hair, it smells like grass. Summer grass. I don't mind the scent, but it was definitely a surprise the first time I used this.

Overall, Happy Happy Joy Joy and I just aren't a great fit. It just isn't moisturizing enough for what my hair needs. If you like lightweight conditioner, or have really short hair, this may be just what you are looking for! If you have dry or long hair that needs a good amount of moisture, this may not be the conditioner for you.

Happy Happy Joy Joy retails in a variety of sizes and prices, and can be found in LUSH stores or on the LUSH website!

What conditioner are you using right now?
xx, Allison

Maybelline Vivids Lipsticks: Review + Swatches!

2013-04-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've been eyeing the new Maybelline Vivids lipsticks for a while now, and I've finally cracked and grabbed a couple. The Vivids line features 10 super bright, pigmented colors that are perfect for spring and summer.

The two colors I purchased are Shocking Coral and Vivid Rose. Shocking Coral is a hot pink-red, and I had to get it because it reminded me so much of MAC Party Parrot, one of my all time favorite lipsticks. More on that later. The other color I picked up is Vivid Rose, a deep vibrant pink.

These lipsticks are extremely pigmented. One swipe achieves solid color, and I love how vibrant they are. They have a creamy finish, which I like too because they keep my lips from looking dry. I find that these wear well too.

I love Shocking Coral. You don't find this sort of shade often, and it is the perfect accessory to a great outfit on a night out. As you can see below, the coverage is solid and the finish is creamy... love!

Vivid Rose is another winner for me as well. This is definitely darker than a hot pink, so I think it will also transition nicely into fall for a fun night time lip.

As I mentioned earlier, I was really curious to see how Shocking Coral compared to MAC Party Parrot. Party Parrot was released in early 2012 with the Iris Apfel collection and sold out instantly. I've received countless messages since asking if I knew of any dupes. As you can see below, the colors are very similar.

Shocking Coral is slightly lighter than Party Parrot, and has a cream finish (Party Parrot is matte). You can definitely see a difference between the two swatches below, but to be honest, they look practically the same on the lips. I wouldn't say they are exact dupes, but if you've been pining for Party Parrot, Shocking Coral is definitely a great substitute.

The Maybelline Vivids lipsticks are available wherever Maybelline is sold, and the best price I've found is on Target's website for $5.54!

I'm so pleased with these two shades that I'm tempted to go back and get a few more... any recommendations? :)
xx, Allison

LUSH Blousey Shampoo: Review + Photos

2013-04-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't tried many hair products from LUSH, but recently I have started using their Blousey shampoo. This is a gentle moisturizing shampoo that is meant for a variety of hair types.

"A gentle, non-stripping shampoo for bottle blonds, afro queens, natural hair, damaged and all that's in between. Preservative-free and chock-full of moisturizing bananas and butters."

When it comes to shampoo (and hair products in general), I love anything super moisturizing. I have smooth ends and overall pretty healthy hair, and I owe it to moisturizing products and skipping hot styling tools most of the time. I wasn't sure what to expect with this shampoo because I haven't used a lot of products with this sort of ingredient list. Like a lot of LUSH products, Blousey is made up a natural ingredients (like bananas).

The smell of this shampoo is also very interesting. It's definitely unique, and a little strong. The LUSH website describes it as "blackcurrant and juniper berry". At first, I wasn't quite sure if I liked the scent, but after using it I warmed up to it. You may want to smell this one before trying!

Blousey comes in a jar type container that allows you to scoop out product with your fingers. This is the first open-jar shampoo I've ever used, and I've found it has its pros and cons. I like that when I get to the bottom, I won't be shaking a bottle furiously to get extra product out. However, with such a wide opening, I'm always afraid that I'll either A) drop it all over my shower, or B) accidentally soak it with water.

The final verdict? Blousey passes the test! I'm really picky about products being moisturizing and this one definitely leaves my hair hydrated and super soft. One drawback I've found is that I find myself using a larger amount of product with this shampoo to achieve the level of lather I like. A single "serving" of this shampoo for me is about 1.5 times a "serving" from a normal shampoo.

Retailing at $25.95 for 8.4 oz, this is an expensive shampoo. Especially considering that I find myself needing more product "per serving" than with other shampoos. That being said, I am very happy with the way it cleanses and moisturizes my hair. This will just be one of those shampoos I buy when I've been extra good and deserve a treat. :)

Blousey is available in LUSH stores and on the LUSH website!

What shampoo are you using right now?
xx, Allison

NEW Maybelline Color Tattoos for Summer 2013: Review + Swatches!

2013-04-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Summer collections are starting to hit drugstores, and among them are some new Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadows. The majority of the new shades are beautiful, unique duochromes, which leads me to believe that this line will be a huge hit.

I snagged four of the six new shades. The two I didn't get were an icy mint and purple, which I passed on because they didn't really stand out to me (and didn't appear to be as duochrome).

Of the four I did purchase, two are blue based, one is yellow based, and one is white based. However, the camera doesn't even begin to do them justice, so I will do my best to describe them to the fullest.

Cool Crush, Waves of White

Seashore Frosts, Shady Shores

Cool Crush is an icy blue/purple/silver duochrome. If you like blues/purples, you'll probably love this.

Seashore Frosts is a blue/green/golden tan duochrome, and I am IN LOVE with it. I haven't been so excited about a new product in a long time. More on this one in a minute.

Shady Shores is a warm yellow/gold/green duochrome. It does pull mostly yellow, but you can definitely see a variation as it moves.

Waves of White is a white/pink/purple/blue/green duochrome. It was the most surprising to me, as it looks quite plain white in the jar. This is truly iridescent. Amazing.

Cool Crush, Seashore Frosts, Shady Shores, Waves of White

The swatches above are about two light coats. These are nicely pigmented, but like most cream shadows, if you want a truly opaque coverage you'll want to build them up a little bit.

Okay, back to Seashore Frosts. I cannot even convey how much I love this color. Because it has a neutral element to its duochrome, it can be wearable. At the right angle, this will just look like a beautiful bronzed tan. At another, it looks like mermaid magic. Yes, mermaid magic. (Can I start naming these products?) If you see this one in store and are on the fence about getting it, I wouldn't wait. I think this shade will sell out everywhere and possible be one of those that makeup lovers are searching for on Makeup Alley and eBay. And sadly, these are all limited edition!

Seashore Frosts ~~(aka Mermaid Magic)~~

I took a photo of these with the flash to try and get a better shot of the duochrome. Below you can see the complexity of these a little better. Seashore Frosts... it's going to be a popular one.

Cool Crush, Waves of White

Seashore Frosts, Shady Shores

I found these for only $4.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond... I had no idea their prices were so great! As far as I've heard, Bed Bath & Beyond is the only place these have been spotted so far... and I had to go to two different stores to even find a fully stocked display. Hopefully they will start popping up in other locations within the next month.

What do you think of this collection? Do you like duochrome colors?
xx, Allison

New Revlon Lip Butters for Spring 2013: Review + Swatches!

2013-04-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Revlon released four new shades in their Lip Butter collection this Spring, and while they have been tricky to track down, I found that Target is now carrying them in their permanent display along with the rest of the line. I snagged three of the new shades and wanted to share them with you!

The three colors I purchased are Juicy Papaya, Sorbet, and Wild Watermelon. I passed on the lightest color, Pink Lemonade, because these are quite sheer to begin with and I didn't think it would do much for my lips. I was really excited to see Sorbet and Wild Watermelon especially... I am loving how bright they are!

The new colors have the same formulation and pigmentation as the rest of the line: moisturizing, a bit sheer, and fairly decent wear time. I am a huge fan of the Revlon Lip Butters as everyday lip products because they are as easy to apply as a balm, look like a sheer lipstick, and are moisturizing.

Juicy Papaya, Sorbet, Wild Watermelon

Juicy Papaya is very "girl next door in cutoff jean shorts on a hot summer day." It's effortless. It gives the lips a subtle coral tint, makes them extra juicy, all while not being an obvious lip product. I'll be wearing this in the summer when I'm going for that "no makeup" makeup look.

Juicy Papaya

Sorbet is a bright, slightly deep pink. It's a nice staple color that I think anyone could wear. Not too bright, not too dark, not too warm, not too cool.

Sorbet

Wild Watermelon is a pink-toned red, and probably my favorite of the three. I like that it is pigmented but a little sheer at the same time. It makes your lips look like you just ate a cherry popsicle. Perfect color for the 4th of July or a barbecue at the lake!

Wild Watermelon

Like the rest of the Revlon Lip Butters, these come in color-coordinated plastic packaging with a quilted detail.

Overall, I give these two thumbs up! The formulation is great and the colors are perfect for spring. I found these at Target for $6.49 each, and good news, they are available online too!

What lip products have you been loving this Spring?
xx, Allison

NEW! Sigma Brow Powders: Review + Swatches!

2013-04-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

One of the many product launches from Sigma Beauty this season are their new Brow Powders. Available in four colors, each powder features two shades and comes in a black plastic compact. I'm happy to see these released, because until now Sigma only offered their Brow Kit, which contained more colors than I could need (or wear).

First up: Light and Auburn. I'm glad Sigma included an Auburn duo in this collection because I feel red-tones are often excluded from brow product lines. The light duo works on me perfectly, and the lighter shade is very similar to MAC Omega eyeshadow (the product I've been using for years). I was a little skeptical of the darker color in the duo, but it has come in really handy because I will mix it with the lighter shade for a bolder brow.

Light, Auburn

The color payoff of these is moderate... nothing to get excited over. However, I was surprised to find that I don't have a problem with this, because I can't get "carried away" as easily and overdo my brows. I use a MAC 266 angled brush and have no problem building up the color to where I want it.

Light, Auburn

The two darker colors are Medium and Dark. The big difference I see between these is Medium is cool-toned and Dark is warm-toned.

Medium, Dark

These duos are more pigmented than the lighter ones. The darker shade of the Medium duo is just as deep as the Dark duo, so I think dark brows could probably go with either duo, depending on if they wanted to go warm or cool.

Medium, Dark

These brow powders retail for $14 and can be purchased in Sigma stores and on their website.

Overall, I like using my Brow Powder in Light. I've really enjoyed mixing the colors depending on how light or dark I want my brows that day. However, if you are looking for really pigmented color (especially in the lighter shades), I would skip it!

What do you like to use on your brows?

xx, Allison

P.S. Sigma is offering 10% off all orders this month with the code AAM2013

--------------------

Products shown in this post have been provided by PR representatives for potential review. For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.

Nail of the Day: OPI You're Such A Budapest

2013-04-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm sharing one of my favorite nail polishes for this Spring, OPI You're Such A Budapest. This light periwinkle cream was released in their recent Euro Centrale collection, and I'm in love!

The formulation of this is great: really easy to work with and full coverage in two coats. As for dupes, the closest I have in my collection is Essie Bikini So Teeny, which is a little more blue.

Did you hear that OPI is now being sold online through Ulta? Until this last month, OPI has never had an official online retailer. This is pretty exciting because sometimes you just can't track down a color in stores!

What are some of your favorite polishes for Spring?
xx, Allison

My Makeup Box: April 1st, 2013

2013-04-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone! Thank you for all of the positive feedback on my first "My Makeup Box" post! I'm glad you guys liked it, and I'm back today to share another overview because I've switched up my products quite a bit. New month = new routine!

For foundation I am alternating between my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and the COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation. I've just started using the COVERGIRL one, and am liking it much more than I originally thought I would. I'm also using my Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch for my eyeshadow primer... I am almost entirely finished with the champagne side, so I figured I would try to use it up this month.

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, Sigma Brow Powder in Light, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer, Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch, Sigma Brow Gel

I've pulled out a few MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes that I haven't used in a while: Semi-Precious Crystal Pink and Star Wonder (both limited edition). I've also pulled a couple of cream blushes from Revlon.

I've hit pan on my MAC Prep + Prime Transparent powder, which didn't really take that long. I am still convinced that I will never hit pan on my Sleek Face Contour Kit Bronzer, as I have used it for the better part of two years now and there is no pan to be found. I am almost serious when I say I'm ready to take a knife to it, just to see if there really is a pan down there.

Clockwise-ish from 10 o'clock: Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light, MAC msf in Star Wonder, MAC msf in Semi-Precious Crystal Pink, MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Powder, Revlon Coral Reef Cream Blush, Revlon Flushed Cream Blush

I'm on a lip liner kick these days, and I'm currently using two pink shades from NYX. I've also dug out a few MAC eyeshadows that I often overlook because they are jumbo sized (and not in my palettes).

Here is a closer look at this drawer. I've brought out my NARS Dolce Vita lipstick for the first time in a while and I have to say this is one of my all time favorite lip products. It is a "my lips but better" natural color with the most amazing, hydrating, lovely formulation and finish you could desire in an everyday lipstick.

Clockwise-ish from 9 o'clock: COVERGIRL Liquiline Blast in Black Fire, COVERGIRL Jumbo Gloss Balm in Watermelon Twist, Revlon Colorstay Lipstick in Candy Pink, MAC Hold That Pose mineralize eyeshadow, MAC Style Packed lip glass, NARS Dolce Vita lipstick, MAC Mega Metal Eyeshadow in Unflappable, L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Brown, NYX Retractable Lip Liners in Grape Fruit and Peony, MAC Snow Season mineralize eyeshadow, COVERGIRL Clump Crusher mascara

Next to my box I'm keeping my Sleek "Oh So Special" Eyeshadow Palette. I'm obsessing over the 2nd shade on the bottom row, it is a lilac/pink/rose gold duochrome that is absolutely gorgeous. I can't think of anything else like it. Photo doesn't do it justice.

And my bathroom candle of the moment? Frosted Cupcake. :)

Have a great week everyone!
xx, Allison

Pretty Little Liars Season 3 Finale: Predictions!

2013-03-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! If you follow me on my AllisonVlogs YouTube channel, you know I do Pretty Little Liars recap/theorizing videos from time to time. The Season 3 finale is tonight on ABC Family, and while I will probably do a video afterward to share my thoughts, I wanted to do a blog post beforehand to share my predictions!

******WARNING: If you aren't all caught up on the show so far, there are spoilers ahead!******

1.) Alison is alive, but the girls never knew her. They knew her twin.
I've been feeling this theory for a while now, and in the last few weeks I've come to feel certain about it. I haven't read the books, but have heard that in the books there is a twin storyline that comes into play (which is where I get the twin idea from). I think that there was a parent-trap-swap type scenario long ago where Alison and her twin switched places and assumed each other's identities. The girls grew up thinking they knew Alison, but in fact it was really her twin living Alison's life.

I feel absolutely certain of this theory now because of a line from the last episode: Spencer is walking around Radley late at night and sees Alison, assuming she is a dream. During their conversation, Alison says, "Oh honey, you didn't know me when you knew me." BAM. The girls knew the twin, NOT Alison!

Another reason I think Alison is alive is because the girls have seen her in what they believe is a dream state. I think it will be revealed that they were not dreaming, and Alison really was visiting them. Big clue: when Aria was being drugged by Meredith, Alison came into Aria's room, spoke to her, grabbed a doll and set it by the door. Aria thought she was dreaming, but when she woke up, the doll was by the door exactly where Alison had placed it.

2.) Alison is the girl in the red coat.
Building on my first point, I think Alison is the girl in the red coat, running everything. However, I cannot quite figure out what her motive to torture the girls is. Does she think they had something to do with her twin's death? Does she resent them for something they did to her twin?

The only thing I can come up with (and this is a bit of a stretch), is that maybe the girls knew Alison when they were kids, and when Alison and her twin made the swap, no one noticed. Maybe she blames the girls for why she and her twin switched places (whatever that may be), or maybe something happened between her and the girls while she knew them. I can't quite figure it out yet.

3.) Spencer is joining the A Team to get answers.
At the end of the last episode, we discover that Spencer has told Mona she will join the A Team. I think she is following Toby's footsteps (who I think is alive and well-- more on that later), because she's realizing if she can't beat the A Team through opposition, she'll have to beat them by infiltrating and breaking them from within. I think the show is going to try to keep us guessing if Spencer is really bad or not (like they have been with Toby), but we all know Spencer is too clever to not have a plan for this. Also, I think she is faking crazy to stay in Radley and get answers.

4.) Toby is alive, and good.
I haven't been fooled for a second into believing that Toby's involvement in the A Team is malicious in nature. I think he joined because Spencer always shut him out of everything that was happening, and it was his only way to get answers and ensure her safety.

Obviously, Toby isn't dead. It's easy to get caught up in the storyline of this show, but at the end of the day, this is a television show. It wants ratings. It wants viewers. It would not write its biggest character relationship and dilemma (Toby & Spencer) out of the show. Financially, it makes absolutely no sense.

Furthermore, Marlene King stated that Toby's intentions were "not good." I think this fooled a lot of people into misreading that statement as saying Toby is bad. We have to put on our lawyer hats, people! Toby doesn't have good intentions. Toward what? The girls? The A Team? Not eating carbs after lunch? It is extremely vague, and this show is notorious for releasing very vague statements that infer things to throw off the audience.

5.) "Alison" will be revealed in the red coat, but we won't find out if she is Alison or her twin until next season.
I think this will be the cliffhanger of the finale. In the last few seconds, Spencer meets up with Red Coat and she turns around, revealing an Alison looking girl. Cut. We'll have to wait until next season to hear any explanation of who she is.

What are your thoughts and predictions? I would love to hear them!!
xx, Allison

My Makeup Box: March 18th, 2013

2013-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I was doing a little organizing in my bathroom today and had a new idea for a weekly blog post. If you have seen my Makeup Collection and Vanity Tour on my YouTube channel, you know that I have a makeup vanity and storage setup in my bedroom. However, I've started applying my makeup in my bathroom, because I like crawling up onto the counter like a 5-year-old and sitting cross legged in front of the big mirror.

I've created a little makeup setup on the counter to store products I'm using at the moment, and I thought it would be a fun post idea to show you each week (or every other week) which products are currently in my "makeup box"!

Acrylic cube: The Container Store

On top of my makeup box I have a small flower pot in which I keep my essential brushes. This was formerly an orchid's home but as it turns out my thumbs are very brown, so it has been converted to a brush holder. I like to keep 1-2 of everything so I usually have a clean choice!

DRAWER ONE: Face/Prep Products
Right now I'm alternating between the Burberry Velvet Foundation/Burberry Fresh Glow combination and my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation... I love them both! I am also using a little sample sized Laura Mercier Eye Basics primer in Wheat for the first time, and am loving it so far!

In this drawer: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Burberry Fresh Glow, Burberry Velvet Foundation, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Bikini-tini, Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Inked in Pink, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, Laura Mercier Eye Basics primer in Wheat, Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer, Sigma Brow Gel

DRAWER TWO: Face Powders
I've pulled out and rediscovered Benefit's Bella Bamba blush the last couple of weeks, and had forgotten how beautiful it is! I'm also still clinging tight to my Sleek Face Contour Kit... and I cannot believe I still haven't hit pan on the bronzer. I swear it is bottomless.

In this drawer: Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder, Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light, MAC Prep + Prime Translucent Powder, MAC Omega Eyeshadow, Benefit Bella Bamba Boxed Powder, MAC Soft + Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish

DRAWER 3: Eye + Lip Products
I'm loving pink lips right now, so this week I've pulled aside a pink lipstick, pink glossy balm (I'm obsessing over the COVERGIRL Jumbo Gloss balm in Watermelon Twist), and some pink glosses. For eyes I've pulled out a black pencil, brown liquid liner, my beloved NARS Coconut Grove eyeshadow, and of course, my mascara and eyelash curler!

In this drawer: MAC Pink Pearl Pop lipstick, COVERGIRL Jumbo Gloss Balm in Watermelon Twist, NARS Easy Lover lip gloss, NARS Turkish Delight lip gloss, COVERGIRL Liquiline Blast eyeliner in Blackfire, NARS Coconut Grove eyeshadow, Chanel Eyelash Curler, COVERGIRL Clump Crusher mascara, L'Oreal Lineur Intense eyeliner in Brown, MAC Pencil Sharpener

For powder eyeshadows, I have three palettes on and around my counter. I pulled my MAC light neutrals palette and browns palette, as well as my Urban Decay Naked palette. I'm dying to switch my MAC palettes over to the new fancy clear lid ones, but as my current ones are in perfectly good shape, I have absolutely no rational reason to. *sigh*

And last, but not least, I have my Bath & Body Works Lemon Mint Leaf candle burning to make everything smell minty fresh!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Would you like to see these weekly? The products may not change drastically from week to week (foundation/brows/liners/mascara won't circulate as often) so maybe I could do this monthly? Or just whenever I feel I have a fresh makeup box to share?

Happy Monday!
xx, Allison

OCC Loose Colour Concentrate in Platonic: Review + Swatch!

2013-03-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

They say you can't help falling in love. You may have a type, or a list of specifications you are looking for, but when you find "the one", all of your requirements fly out the window.

I don't like loose powder shadows-- scratch that-- I don't like loose powder products in general. They're messy. They fall out all over my face while I apply them, and I have mastered the art of knocking jars off tables, resulting in serious cleaning time. (The latest victim: my patio rug... MAC Teal pigment doesn't exactly match my color scheme.)

But none of that matters when it comes to the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Loose Colour Concentrates... I LOVE them. Today I wanted to share the latest addition to my OCC collection, Platonic.

To ~~simply~~ describe it, Platonic is like if Glinda the Good Witch sprinkled fairy dust over a unicorn, and that unicorn kissed your eyelids. And that is an understatement! It is a duo-chrome icy silver-pink that is gorgeous in the inner corner of the eyes, or even all over the lid for a princess-esque look.

I love the OCC Loose Colour Concentrates because they have the most beautiful finishes out of any loose shadows I've tried. Many of the shades are duo-chrome and have a lovely sheen to them. If I want my eyeshadow to pop, I reach for one of these.

Loose Colour Concentrates come in plastic jars with sifters. While they are just as messy as other loose products, the result is good enough that I don't mind!

You can find OCC products in some Sephora stores, as well as on the OCC website. I have purchased all of my OCC products through IMATS shows. The company is always there and the products are always on a great discount!

What do you think of loose powder products?
xx, Allison

NEW! Sigma Beauty Eye Shadow Bases: Review + Swatches!

2013-03-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. Today I'm sharing the new Sigma Beauty Eyeshadow Bases. As you guys know, I prefer to use cream shadows to prime my eyelids, so I was really curious to see how these performed!

The new Sigma Beauty Eye Shadow Bases come in 9 different colors and are available both individually and in sets of three. The shades were formulated to compliment their Bare, Dare, and Flare eyeshadow palettes. To roughly sum it up, the color selection features 3 light neutrals, 3 dark neutrals, and 3 purple toned colors.

The 3 light neutrals include two matte nude colors and a shimmery gold. I like that Sigma included a matte nude in two different shades, because these are the sorts of colors I use most and it's nice that people have an option depending on their complexion. The shimmery gold shade is nice too, I like that it isn't overbearingly gold or frosty, so it is actually wearable.

Persuade, Provoke, Unveil

As you can see, these colors are nicely pigmented. These bases are very creamy and have a thicker consistency than most cream eyeshadows I've used. The consistency is thicker than Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows, Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows, and MUFE Aqua Creams. I find that these feel very similar to MAC Paint Pots.

Persuade, Provoke, Unveil

The 3 darker neutrals included all have shimmery finishes. The color that really caught my eye out of this group is Spy: a gorgeous duo-chrome green/maroon that is a cream shadow dupe of MAC Club eyeshadow. I've seen Club replicated in powder shadows before, but have never come across a cream shadow of the shade. It's absolutely gorgeous.

Pose, Spy, Sculpt

These shades are also nicely pigmented. It is hard to capture the duo-chrome nature of Spy on camera, but you can see a bit of green reflects in the swatch. It's a very interesting color!

Pose, Spy, Sculpt

The 3 purple toned eyeshadows include a shimmery burgundy, shimmery purple, and matte plum. I think it's interesting that this release was so purple heavy (wasn't I just saying the same thing about Benefit's new powder shadows?). I would have expected the few "non-neutral" colors to include a purple, blue, and green or some variety assortment of the like. However, these shades were created to compliment their existing palettes and perhaps these were the better fit.

Strike, Pursue, Dash

As with the rest of this line, these shades are also very pigmented. Strike reminds me a lot of Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk, and Pursue reminds me of Maybelline's Color Tattoo eyeshadow in Fuchsia Fusion. Neither are exact dupes, but are very similar colors.

Strike, Pursue, Dash

I found that these wore all day on me without creasing, with and without powder eyeshadow layered on top. As far as formulation goes, these pass the test!

My biggest criticism of these bases is the packaging. As I've stated in other posts, I am not a fan of "excess" packaging. I don't like unnecessary plastic bulking up a product, and these eyeshadow bases are pretty bulky.

For starters, the opening of the jar is quite small, and is surrounded by a large amount of plastic. As someone who uses their fingers to apply this sort of product, I prefer to have a large area to work my finger around in. I especially love the packaging of Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows and MUFE Aqua Creams because they have very wide openings.

Bulky products take up more room in my makeup drawer, makeup bag, and anywhere else I want to keep them. Below is a photo comparison of one of these bases next to a MAC Paint Pot. Both contain an equal amount of product: 5g. The Sigma Eyeshadow Base is significantly larger than the MAC Paint Pot because of excess packaging. You can see how small the actual area containing product is on the Sigma Eyeshadow Base, followed by nearly twice as much empty plastic on the sides. Smaller jar opening, larger overall package-- not extremely functional for what I am looking for.

One feature of the packaging that I do like is the plastic air-tight topper that comes in each jar. This helps prevent drying out, so the shadow will last longer. I haven't seen any other cream shadows come with something like this (and this may be why Sigma chose a smaller mouth for the jar overall).

As I mentioned earlier, these cream shadows are sold both individually or in pre-packaged sets of three that include a brush. The individual shadows retail for $13 each, and the sets are $36 each. Considering the sets also come with an "Eye Shadow Base" brush, the set is a better deal if you want all three colors that come in it. The sets and their colors are the following:

I think these are priced pretty decently, considering they contain a good amount of product and the quality is similar to more expensive competitors.

Overall: the formulation of the Sigma Beauty Eye Shadow Bases is great: these shadows are pigmented, long-wearing, and crease-free. The packaging, however, is too bulky for my taste. The color selection isn't anything new, except for Spy, which is a rare shade to come across.

If you are looking for some quality eyeshadow bases and don't mind bulky packaging, these are worth a shot! These are available on Sigma Beauty's website, and you can currently get 10% off of your purchase with the code SAVE2013 !

Do you care about a product being bulky/having excess packaging?

xx, Allison

--------------------

Products shown in this post have been provided by PR representatives for potential review. For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Inked in Pink: Review + Swatch

2013-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

As I've stated in previous posts, I am a huge fan of the Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadows, and I love that they seem to always be releasing new colors. Today I want to share one of my favorite colors lately, Inked in Pink. This was released a few months ago and is a light, icy salmon pink color.

I've been using this both by itself and as an eyeshadow base for a while now, and absolutely love it. The slight salmon tone really brightens up my eyes without making me look like I'm wearing pink eyeshadow. This is one of those colors that may not look super exciting in the jar, but once you get it on the skin it transforms into something beautiful. I think this would suit all complexions really nicely.

The Color Tattoo eyeshadows wear all day on me without budging or creasing, even when worn alone. I highly recommend them if you are looking for an affordable cream eyeshadow!

I have heard that this release of colors is going to be permanent, but they were almost impossible for me to track down in stores. I later found that Ulta has this release on its website, if you are having trouble finding it!

What is your favorite cream eyeshadow formulation?

xx, Allison

NEW! Color... by Benefit Collection: Creaseless Cream Shadows

2013-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

I'm back today to share more products from the new Benefit Cosmetics Color... by Benefit Collection! This collection released on their website last week and features 10 Creaseless Cream Shadows in fun new packaging and 7 new shades! I've used the Creaseless Cream Shadows for years and they are some of my favorite products to use as eyeshadow primers, so I was super excited for this launch.

This release features 8 neutral colors, which I love because when it comes to eyeshadow bases, I prefer neutrals. Of the four lighters shades, two are new (Bikini-Tini and No Pressure!) and two are previously permanent colors redone in the new packaging (R.S.V.P. and Birthday Suit). I love Bikini-Tini, partially because the name is adorable, and also because it is a great light shimmery neutral.

Bikini-Tini, R.S.V.P., Birthday Suit, No Pressure!

All of these have frosty finishes and good pigmentation. The formulation of Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadows tends to be thinner in consistency than other cream shadows in its class. These are thinner than MAC Paint Pots and Maybelline Color Tattoos. I find the feel of them to be very similar to the Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams. This doesn't seem to affect their pigmentation though.

Bikini-Tini, R.S.V.P., Birthday Suit, No Pressure!

The four darker neutrals include one previously permanent shade (Skinny Jeans... one of my favorites!), and three new shades: My Two Cents, Bronze Have More Fun, and Holy Smokes!

My Two Cents, Bronze Have More Fun, Holy Smokes!, Skinny Jeans

Of this group, Holy Smokes! stood out to me the most: it is the ultimate rocker-chic smoky eye color. I'll be wearing this out sometime with a leather jacket and killer heels!

My Two Cents, Bronze Have More Fun, Holy Smokes!, Skinny Jeans

The two non-neutrals of this release are both new shades. Blue My Mind is a light icy blue that turns a little silver on the skin. Always A Bridesmaid is a light purple.

Blue My Mind, Always A Bridesmaid

Both of these have frosty finishes and are nice "Easter egg" colors for spring. Blue My Mind is almost so light and silvery that it probably isn't the best choice for a blue base unless you are looking for something very light and silvery. Always a Bridesmaid is great for a base, but is so pretty it can just be worn along on the lower lash line for a springy pop of color! Love it!

Blue My Mind, Always A Bridesmaid

Overall, I'm very happy with this release and think these new shades will continue to sell as well as the old line did. My favorites are Bikini-Tini, R.S.V.P., Birthday Suit, My Two Cents, Holy Smokes!, Skinny Jeans, and Always A Bridesmaid... you guys know I love my cream shadows!

These shadows wear all day on me without creasing or budging, with or without powder on top!

These retail for $20 and contain4.5g/0.16 oz of product. These can be purchased online right now and will be hitting stores soon!

What do you think of these? Are you a cream shadow addict like me? ;)

xx, Allison

NEW! Color... By Benefit Longwear Powder Eyeshadows

2013-02-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Benefit Cosmetics launched a brand new color collection last week, among which are 12 new longwear powder eyeshadows in a variety of colors and finishes. I've been testing these out for about 6 weeks now and wanted to share some photos, swatches, and thoughts!

The new packaging is inspired by the Art Deco design of the Golden Gate Bridge (as Benefit Cosmetics is based in San Francisco). The cream and clear plastic packaging features ridges and scallops for added design. I really like the look of it all: the flip top lid is functional and allows you to see what color is inside.

Fun fact: Benefit switched to cream colors in their packaging (as opposed to black) because black can distort the way the eye perceives the product colors. I had no idea, but Benefit demonstrated this during my visit last month and it is totally true!

Now to be honest, I was really skeptical about the launch of these new eyeshadows. I've never really heard much about Benefit's powder shadows in the beauty community, so I assumed they probably aren't something to rave about. We hear about the creaseless cream shadows and boxed powders constantly, so I assumed that if their powder shadow lines were good, I would have heard more about them. However, this new release is a re-formulation, it's hard to judge it based on the previous line.

Of the twelve new colors, 8 are neutral/earth tones. The color options tend to lean warm, and the finishes include matte, satin, and sheen. My favorite of the lighter four neutrals is Nude Swings (love the name!). It is a peachy golden bronze and is a perfect lid color. I've been wearing it all month!

Milk It!, Call My Bluff, Nude Swings, It's Complicated

The formulation of these eyeshadows ranges from good to excellent. All of these are really smooth... they don't crumble at all when I use them. I found that matte and satin finishes were decently pigmented, but could use a little building. The "sheen" finish was my favorite, as it packed the most pigmentation (which is part of why I love Nude Swings so much!).

Milk It!, Call My Bluff, Nude Swings, It's Complicated

The four darker colors of this collection are gorgeous and all nicely pigmented. I've been wearing Thanks A Latte in my crease and love it.

Gilt-y Pleasure, Thanks A Latte, Kiss Me I'm Tipsy, Quick Look Busy

The pigmentation of these four were all good. Quick, Look Busy was slightly less pigmented than the rest, which I expected with its matte finish. All had very smooth formulations.

Gilt-y Pleasure, Thanks A Latte, Kiss Me I'm Tipsy, Quick Look Busy

Of the four non-neutral colors in this release, there are three pink/purple colors and a silver. I was a little surprised they chose to go so pink/purple heavy in a 12 color launch. In looking to choose four non-neutral colors for a collection, I would have expected them to do one purple, one green, one blue, and then the silver. But then again, it is hard to wear those colors all together and they were probably trying to stick with a range that can be used in combination.

Pinky Swear, Pause For Applause, Raincheck?, Blingo!

I'm not crazy about the pinks and purples of this release. The shades are beautiful and if I wore these colors more I may feel differently, but the pigmentation was sheer so they didn't spark my interest as much. However, these could make really pretty accent eyeshadows for spring. I'll probably try popping Pause For Applause on my mid-lid or lower lash line for a floral-inspired touch to the eyes.

As I'm sure you've noticed by now, the silver on the right is an entirely different story. Wowza! The first time I swatched this I was giddy. Blingo! is a super pigmented, super metallic, awesome blinged out silver. The formulation is fantastic and if you are looking for a great metallic silver to add your collection, this is one to look at.

Pinky Swear, Pause For Applause, Raincheck?, Blingo!

Overall, there are definitely a few gems in this collection that are worth checking out. My recommendations are Nude Swings, Gilt-y Pleasure, Thanks A Latte, and Blingo!

These eyeshadows retail for $20 and contain 3g/0.11 oz of product. To give you perspective on how that relates to similar brands, MAC eyeshadows cost $15 and contain 1.5g of product (half as much!). So while these are on the pricier side, you are getting more in them as well.

These can be purchased online now and in stores soon, wherever Benefit Cosmetics are sold!

What do you think of these eyeshadows? Do you like the packaging? The color selection?
xx, Allison

NEW Color... By Benefit Collection Traincase: Sneak Peek!

2013-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday everyone! As I mentioned in a few posts back, I had the chance to spend a weekend with Benefit Cosmetics last month (along with some other vloggers), during which I got to be one of the first people to preview their new color collection for spring. In addition to being one of the first to preview the collection, Benefit also sent us home with a train case containing the entire line! I've been waiting to do posts on it until after it has released to the general public, and as of last week it finally has!

I got a lot of requests to do some posts on this, so today I'm going to give you a general sneak peek into the train case, and then follow up with individual product swatches/reviews later this week!

The train case itself is super cute: pink and stamped with some fun pictures. It opens up and expands to three tiers on each side, as well as an open "bucket" middle.

The packaging for the new collection is completely redone and really fun. Each product comes packaged in a brightly colored cardboard box.

The new release features 12 new longwear powder eyeshadows, 10 creaseless cream shadows (mostly new shades, a few from the old line), and 6 new ultra plush lip glosses.

Here's a closer look at the outside packaging! The neat thing about these is they are made from really sturdy cardboard, so instead of tossing them, they make a perfect little container for earrings, rings, or any other small items you may want to organize.

And here is a quick look at the new packaging! The design was inspired by the Art Deco design of the Golden Gate Bridge and features cream and clear plastic.

I will be doing in-depth photo/review/swatch posts of the the entire collection in the coming days, so stay tuned!

xx, Allison