Tag: palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

I’m pretty sure Hourglass Ambient Powders hit the beauty blogger / beauty editor world with an epic splash (don’t miss the review here). A little beauty blogger meet-up this last September in New York City (hi, Maree!) actually consisted of about 15 minutes of love for this revolutionary face powder / highlighter / bronzer / blush. I think we all issued a collective gasp when hourglass announced they were releasing a limited edition palette with two shades of their ambient powder along with a new limited edition Incandescent Light.

NARS Palettes For One Stop Shop Beauty

While it is painfully clear how much I love all things NARS, I had never had one of their palettes in my possession. Sure, I can stock a Sephora with my eye shadows and blushes, but a one-stop shop palette? That wasn’t on my vanity. Until now…

LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette

I snagged this little gem in a gift bag at NYFW and never could imagine how much I would come to cherish my LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette! While I had my eye on the LORAC Pro Palette for months, I actually am more thrilled with this travel friendly and nimble version.

Not only does it have everything you need for loads of looks. The LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek does it well. Powders are finely milled, blendable, natural-looking and long-lasting. Plus the packaging is well made. The sturdy exterior solidly closes via magnet. The included brushes, one small eyeshadow and one eyeliner/brow, are high quality albeit a little short.

On the eye side, there are two rows of three shadows – one matte and one shimmer. The base shades are generously sized. A matte black works perfectly as a liner. And the darker brown works well on my brows. On the cheek side, three wearable shades are nicely spaced with large wells of pigment. The coral has a little bit of shimmer. Pink is decidedly cooler and on the matte side. And the bronzer is perfect for contouring with its matte finish and rich pigment.

Specifically designed by Lorac Creator Carol Shaw to keep celebrity clients looking fabulous, I love this for regular folks just like us. It is an amazing value at $38. Available at Sephora.

New From NARS – Blush Palettes and A Swoonworthy Gift Set

For Fall, NARS is launching some pretty iconic blush palettes and a gift set in honor of one of my favorite cities, Los Angeles. First up, these blush palettes are perfect for makeup artists and budding makeup artists alike. Multiple shades can add depth and dimension and these four iconic and top-selling shades in both palettes are sure to be crowd pleasers.

Adult Content (above) has the following shades (clockwise from top left):

Zen: Natural Beige
Miss Liberty: Soft, shimmering peach
Deep Throat: Flirty, sheer peach
Desire: Cotton candy pink

Killing Me Softly (above) has the following shades (clockwise from top left):

Gilda: Perfect coral with a hint of red
Albatross: Luminous glow
Orgasm: Peachy pink with golden shimmer
Outlaw: Soft rose tone with golden shimmer

Available beginning September 1, 2013 at Nordstrom and narscosmetics.com for $49.

I still am lusting over NARS’ last gift set, NARS Hearts NYC so this might be one that I just cannot pass up. Especially since there are a handful of shades and products included that I already know and love. Based on the city’s top-selling shades, this set evokes the glamour of LA. Includes:

Eye and Cheek Palette:

Deep Throat Blush: Flirty, sheer peach
Abyssinia Eyeshadow: Delicate pearl sheen
Étrusque Eyeshadow: Antique
Outremer Eyeshadow: Bright true blue
Bali Eyeshadow: Neutral brown
Laguna Bronzing Powder: Brown with golden shimmer

Nail Polish in Trouville (Seashell pink)

Lip gloss in Turkish Delight (Pink sherbet)

Available September 1, 2013 at Barney’s Beverly Hills, Nordstrom (Topanga, Glendale, Westside, Farmers Market, Santa Anita, Santa Monica) and Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills for $75.

Chantecaille Limited-Edition Save The Sharks Palette

Time after time, Chantecaille stuns with their palettes benefiting wildlife. They honor their cause while still being beautiful and wearable. This season’s is no different. The Save the Sharks Palette is graphic and fresh that translates into either a neutral or bold look but both very feminine.

I’ve been wearing the palette out and about for a couple weeks. First, I love that the artwork of the palette is not disturbed by use (this isn’t always the case). The dual shades of each pot blend beautifully, and with a smaller brush you can use the individual shades.

Great White – a creamy, iridescent beige inspired by the apex of our oceans’ ecosystems, the Great White shark. I use this on the brow bone and in the corner of my eyes for a highlight.
Gray Reef- a true, shimmering taupe with a touch of grey inspired by the Indian and Pacific Oceans’ Grey Reefs sharks. I swipe this on on my lids, just to the crease. This is perfect for a quick everyday look.
Black Tip – a deep ocean blue in the pan, this shade is closer to navy/black and inspired by the inky fin of Black tip sharks. While I reach for this only occasionally, I like using an eyeliner brush to apply right at the lash line. I think setting a liquid liner with a powder like this improves staying power.
Sea Anemone – a iridescent and sheer pink shade inspired by the underwater gardens of the tropical seas. This makes for a great highlighting blush, but don’t be afraid to use it on your lids too. Pastels on the lids are a thing this spring, ya know.

I love a look good, feel good product. For each purchase of this palette, a portion of all proceeds will be donated to BLOOM Association. BLOOM works towards banning shark fining. Several shark species have been decimated by 95% largely because of Asia’s growing and unregulated shark fin trade. The fins are used in a soup and the practice of harvesting is done in barbaric ways. The decimation of the shark population also hurts our ecosystems.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Matte Eyeshadow Palettes: Urban Decay BASICS and Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage

I must have a thing for matte shadows lately. Somehow these similar palettes have snuck onto my vanity and I can’t stop reaching for them. Both have their pros and both have their cons. But each is such a universal and wearable set, that they are both winners in my book. Here is the rundown:

Total amount of product: Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage ($75) .35 ounces vs Urban Decay BASICS ($27) .30 ounces
Range of shades: both cover a spectrum but Urban Decay BASICS has more options
Blendability: Tom Ford takes the cake here – the shadows go on with even color and blend beautifully
Formula: I prefer the slightly creamer powder of the Urban Decay BASICS and both have outstanding staying powder with no fall out
Packaging: Tom Ford comes with applicators but I find those worthless anyway – Tom Ford still wins with a beautifully made palette
Exclusivity and “Cool Factor”: Tie – Tom Ford gets credit for being an iconic brand and Urban Decay wins for being such an iconic product (and probably brand in my humble option too)
Travel: Both are slim and nimble for lots of looks, but the Urban Decay BASICS has Crave (black at far right) which can be used as an eyeliner and W.O.S. (third from left) which can be used to set concealer

Hope you guys enjoyed this face off. Bottom line, Urban Decay BASICS wins. The smooth, satin formula, range of shades and price point make it a a classic. But frankly, I love having them both.

I purchased both of these products: Tom Ford from Neiman Marcus and Urban Decay from Sephora.