Tag: palette

Urban Decay Naked Vault Volume IV

Just this last week, I was talking to a co-worker about the wonder of Naked palettes by Urban Decay. The original arrived on shelves years ago, but it still is a best-seller. And Urban Decay continues to introduce variations of it that sell like crazy. So if you have a serious makeup aficionado on your holiday, shopping list, allow me to suggest the Naked Vault Volume IV.

You couldn’t ask for a more comprehensive and wearable collection of eye shadows and lipsticks. The three neutral palettes (Naked, Naked2 and Naked3) has rich and velvety shadows and a pro-quality brush. Each palette has three coordinating Vice Lipsticks. These are seriously long wearing, packed with pigment.

Available at Nordstrom.

NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette

I remember reading somewhere that this was like an Instagram filter in palette version. I wish I could remember where I read that because it is absolutely the perfect description of this beautiful cheek collection. The NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette is a well-curated set of four blushes, the iconic Laguna Bronzing Powder, and Paloma Contour Blush.

Top row from left to right: Contour Blush in Paloma I (pink beige), Paloma II (deep rose), Laguna Bronzing Powder (diffused brown powder with golden shimmer). Bottom row from right to left: Icy Lilac, Sausalito Sunset, Shimmering Rose Peach, Fleshy Pink.

While this palette basically allows you to do pretty much anything, I will share how I’ve been using it. I brought it to Napa with me last weekend and it served as my setting powder, blush, bronzer and eyeshadow. I have long adored Laguna for a sweep of sun-kissed on the temples and cheek bones. Paloma II then went down the sides of my nose and maybe a little extra under the apples of my cheek. I would blend Icy Lilac and Sunset Sausalito (two left blushes) for some glow on my cheeks. Last, Paloma I would go down my nose, under my eyes on on my lids.

The effect is soft-focus dimension and a glow. I like the natural, slightly matte finish. I find the powder wears just like my other favorite NARS blushes and bronzers, melting into my skin rather than drying out my complexion.

My goal for this weekend is to brave the bold and beautiful Fleshy Pink!

Available at Sephora.

NARSissist L’amour Toujours Eyeshadow Palette

While I haven’t splurged on much new makeup this holiday season, looks like things might turn around for spring. Because I’ve been taking a sneak peek at the new NARS Spring and the seasonal shades are just perfect. First up is an epic palette full of shadows that are delectable. Just to tell you how much I love it, I have moved all other palettes out of my makeup drawer to make space for this all-in-one beauty.

I have been a long-time fan of NARS eyeshadows (the Kalahari duo is my all time favorite). This palette has equally must-have shades for a wide variety of looks. While technically these are a mix of matte and shimmer, I find them balanced making them wearable. My favorites – not surprisingly – are the larger sized neutrals.

Along the top row:

I – Cream Bisque
II – Shimmering Pink Sand
III – Amethyst Ash
IV – Black Truffle (great as a liner)

And the smaller pots:

V – Golden Starlight (made me realize how wearable gold shades are!)
VI – Sunburst Copper
VII – Café Au Lait (beautiful coffee shimmer neutral)
VIII – Pistol Grey
IX – Industrial Steel
X – Regal Blue
XI – Shimmering Taupe Cashmere (a slightly darker neutral crease)
XII – Shimmering Liquorice (an evening liner option)

NARSissist L’Amour Toujours L’Amour Eyeshadow Palette is available on NARSCosmetic.com and at NARS boutiques today and at specialty stores on February 1st, 2016. Also keep an eye out for the NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette available exclusively at Sephora on February 1st, 2016 (review to come next month).

Lancôme AUDA[CITY] in PARIS

It is another Friday so time for another palette. And this one is hot off the presses. I haven’t covered a Lancôme product in a while, but I’ve always had respect for this subtle and Parisian line. The latest release is making quite the splash. Likely because it is the most comprehensive and fun-to-use eyeshadow palette for almost any kind of look.

One of my favorite beauty bloggers had her hands in the design of this beauty. Lisa Eldridge serves as Lancôme Global Makeup Creative Director and was inspired by vignettes of Parisian life. The sturdy but still elegant case houses 16 ultra-soft shades from neutral to deep

Unlike some of the Urban Decay palettes, this collection ranges from cool to warm. The delicate champagne on the delicate end morphs into a rich and daring matte and shimmer finishes. The sixteen shades a grouped based on an inspiring time of day in Paris.

Good Morning Paris:

Filigree (Light Gold Shimmer)
Choquette (Peach Matte)
Parfait (Light Pink Matte)
Kitten Heel (Gold Copper Shimmer)

Ride & Promenade

Joie (Golden-Bronze Shimmer)
Voyage (Muted Purple Matte)
Sante (Brown Matte)
Éclair (Purple Metallic)

Unexpected Rendez-vous

Exhibition (Orchid Shimmer)
Zip Me Up (Deep Purple Shimmer)
Volcano (Silvery Gray Shimmer)
Clock Strikes 12 (Gray Metallic)

Nuit Parisienne

Audacious (Smokey Brown Shimmer)
Couture (Dark Brown Matte)
It List (Black Matte)
Nuit (Black Metallic)

No shock that I am drawn to the “Good Morning Paris” subset because of the wearable and sheer shades. The width of each pan is just large enough to use the included dual-ended brush. But I secretly confess to loving these applied with the finger for a wash of color. Available at Lancome-usa.com, Nordstrom, Saks.com and Sephora.

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

Urban Decay NAKED Smoky

NAKED Smokey has been on shelves for a while now, but I would be remiss not to note this addition to the NAKED collection from Urban Decay. These palettes have been legendary. And I admit to owning all but the newest one. For some reason, this iteration hasn’t tempted me. But now after learning what I am about to share with you, I might just have to pick one up.

One reason I wasn’t initially drawn to Smokey is that I generally prefer lighter shades of eyeshadows. But this palette contains such rich bronzes, greys and taupes that it might add to a collection. Plus, the blacks would make wonderful eyeliners – how I use the darker shades in other NAKED palettes. The shades:

Also included are high-quality Urban Decay brushes. The double-ended brush has a Tapered Crease Brush to lay down shadow and Smoky Smudger Brush, perfect for tight-lining.

Available at Sephora.

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

Buxom Customizable Eyeshadow Bar Palette

I haven’t be able to resist tinkering with my new Buxom Customizable Eyeshadow Bar Palette since it arrived earlier this week. It was just too good to delay on posting on second longer. This palette isn’t like others (they seem ubiquitous lately, right?). This one is refillable, so no more lonely, unattended shadows while other hit pan in a hot second. This palette holds a collection of single eyeshadows you get to curate yourself.

There are 40 shades to chose from – no shocker that I went with the nudes. But these primer-infused shades range from tame to sassy. The formula is seriously pigmented and a light hand gives me the wash of color I usually wear to work. What I love most is that the shadow lasts all day long. The powder-to-silk feel doesn’t wear off like other creamy powders I have tried.

The process is simple on Sephora – just add the palette to your basket and customize it. The discount is applied at checkout for a total of $40 – a steal considering the value is $85. I literally took all my other palettes out of my everyday makeup drawer and stored them in the beauty closet because I just know this is the one I will be reaching for on the regular.

palette image here

single eyeshadow image here

Belle Belle Beauty

Tag: palette

Urban Decay Naked Vault Volume IV

NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette

NARSissist L’amour Toujours Eyeshadow Palette

Lancôme AUDA[CITY] in PARIS

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

Urban Decay NAKED Smoky

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

Buxom Customizable Eyeshadow Bar Palette

pr samples and affiliate links may be included in the above post