Dior '5 Couleurs Iridescent' Eyeshadow Palette in Tropical Lights

$58.00 for 0.21oz/6g

Dior eyeshadows are some of the best I have ever come across in my life, but the point stands that they are pretty darn expensive. As always I am not a shimmer- or glitter-lover on an everyday (or occasional) basis; however, on holidays, such as last X-mas vacation to my mom's house, I felt very inclined to "shine" in holiday spirit--which is easy to do around good company. This is the only eyeshadow I brought with me on my trip down south--Dior "5 Couleurs Iridescent" Eyeshadow Palette in 409 Tropical Lights--because contrary to the name it makes me feel a little more like going to a New Year's party than wearing this to a beach. Personally, I would go more for the sun-kissed, golden glow at the beach rather than shimmery eyelids; that just seems overdone to me.

Counter clockwise then center of Dior Tropical Lights with flash

A lot of the holiday collections from last year and this year have heavier gold tones which is a lovely thought but on someone as light/pale as me is just really fake looking. The frosty taupe and the shimmering brown in Tropical lights makes for a really flattering and gently smoky effect at night and the pale pink and green make nice color accents on their own or with the others, plus the frosty, pure white brightens the inner corner of eyes and the brow bone flawlessly. Do you think this has a winter or a summer holiday feel? I just can't tell whether I have a good or bad gage of this!

Kirkland Signature by Borghese Mineral Loose Eyeshadow & Mineral Eyeshadow Base

$17.99 for 0.53oz/15g & 2 brushes

At Costco, magic happens; there is really no denying that. You get to fulfill those long-suppressed fantasies of binge-shopping and have next to none of the guilt. In fact right now all I feel guilty about is not getting the anti-aging wrinkle defense serum in conjunction with my night cream, oh and I really want Fango--not a real reason, but it sounds like a do-it-yourself spa day in a jar.

But COSTCO, my love, this is a lovely birthday present for me! You shouldn't have! Count 'em: 4 full size eyeshadows (0.07oz/2g each), a full size/larger base (0.25oz/7g), AND TWO FULL SIZE BRUSHES. And honey, I've paid more for a single brush that's done less for me and my beauty than even just one of this seven piece kit!!! Lordy, my personal heaven has arrived, and it's a warehouse.....?.....

without eyeshadow or primer, only concealer

Setting aside my personal love for everything Costco, first, the two included brushes a perfect for use with these eyeshadows and every other eyeshadow you own. That's versatility for ya. One is a liner brush with medium firm bristles that will not scratch the lash line and have a dual fibered look (coloring, not composition). The other is a tapered slightly fluffy blending brush for both all-over and crease application, again with dual coloration, and both are fantastic at what they do.

Mood Boost: Dior '5 Couleurs' Eyeshadow Palette in Incongnito

$58.00 for 0.21oz/6g

There is really nothing like an *amazing* designer palette to put even the most frustrated makeup junkie in a good mood. Seriously, there is something about Incognito that just speaks to the simple beauty we crave and the bombshell within! As this palette shows, however, it will end up being a bit out of the range for darker skin, i.e. the colors are light enough to be super natural only on--you guessed it!--lighter skin. That may be a look you particularly enjoy; it may not.

Dior Incognito is my ultimate "goof-proof" palette because all of the colors blend together so smoothly, flawlessly, and just flat-out naturally no matter which combination of shape I put them down in. All five, even the warm, medium brown on the bottom left, brighten up my eyes and lighten my face, so I feel rested and as if I look relaxed (even when I'm not).

Shadows from left to right: (pan position)Bottom right, bottom left, center, top left, top right

The warm beige, light pink, and brown really flatter the natural color of most light to medium skinned eyelids, making this a versatile combination. There is also a special place in my heart for the cooler combo of shimmering white and an utterly drool-worthy grey (almost taupey) purple. I almost want to call it a lavender color, but I would rather describe it as a muted purple because I think of a brighter pop of color when I think of lavender.

What's Sour with Sonia Kashuk Sweet Nothings Eye Palette?

$14.99 for 0.31 oz or 8.8g (includes 6 powder shadows, 1 cream base, and a double-ended applicator)

I'm actually blown away by the cream base in this palette. My shadow lasts about 12 hours with ne'er  a crease in sight...of course after that it's pretty quickly downhill, but that's expected with oily lids. This palette won't give you any show-stopping looks because it lacks significant--okay okay, mediocre pigmentation--but you will be able to but a nice shine and hint of hue on your lids in quite a few shades.

Sweet Nothings 16 Eye Palette

The quality of the shadows themselves, minus pigmentation, is really good. They aren't creamy, butter-like powders, but there really isn't any fallout that I've been able to find. These don't crumble or start dusting the whole palette when you take a brush to them (like some, if not most, e.l.f. eyeshadows do), so the extra price is a definite leap from super-cheap quality, too.

Is this how you wear blue eyeshadow? Lotus Deluxe Eye Shadow Palette

When I woke up this morning my hair looked like this--

So I went on over to the Aveda Institute for men's cut model day, and now my hair looks like this--

Wearing Lotus Deluxe Palette, e.l.f. Midnight liner, Chanel mascara, Bobbi Brown blush, e.l.f. Blossom Gloss, Dior Brow Styler, and LORAC foundation

--which is a bit of a leap, I'm sure, but it just felt right. Because my cat thinks so, too, obviously...

Sparky, clearly in total approval of my new do...yes?

 So HAPPY PIXI CUT DAY! And on to beauty endeavors!

Part Five for Build*A*Look #1: Backlit Beauty

Lotus Bio-Mineral Pressed Eyeshadow in Deluxe Palette ($20.00 for 0.28 oz/8g)

I've heard over and over again that you shouldn't wear blue eyeshadow, that it's tacky, that it's just a no-go area, but that has always struck me as a bit weird considering how many many shades of blue you can actually get at the drugstore and at high-high end retailers. To me, it's creativity, and you don't put color limits on creativity--that's the clear no-go area.

In any case, there is a very intriguing shade of blue in this palette which I have put on before now and it didn't look right, plain and simple. I thought this proved the adage, but I was on a rebellious streak with my hair today and gave it another go. I'm really impressed with the result (above in the new hair shot). I love the color itself but really wanted that deep color payoff that's just like the pan.

Lotus Deluxe Eye Shadow Palette with flash

In short, you don't get that payoff; you just really don't even when you put a cream base on and stick it in there heavily. A sad sad truth indeed though it's not the end of this palette. The four colors are a golden, shimmery beige great for all over or a brow bone highlight, a bronze-copper shimmering brown that just radiates light, a teal-blue with fantastic shimmer, and a medium matte grey. I am actually most excited about the grey because I love me some mattes!

A Wash of Bright Champagne -Pixi Fairy Solo No 2 Champagne Glow

$14.00 for 0.08 oz.

This post in particular has been a long time coming, but it is worth it in many ways. Sometimes we makeup junkies wake up not giving a flying rat's fart in space about putting on our "face" for the day. Well, this little baby makes those days a little easier for me. Some Pixi products are just ok instead of great for me, but I still use them. Each serves their purpose, like the Endless Silky Liner and the Lip & Line Pen, and it's the same with Champagne Glow.

Fairy Solos are single eyeshadows that have more than the average amount of product in a little, clear-topped compact that has no mirror or applicator. Because of this, I don't find it ever leaving my vanity for a spin out and about, but in some sense there is no need to take it with you. With a good primer/base, as I must have for my oily lids, this shimmery neutral lasts all day. I like to put a matte brown on top to dim the shimmer at the crease but keep the light on the lid.

Pixi Fairy Solo Eyeshadow in No 2 Champagne Glow

Brilliant Bronze for Cheeks & Eyes - Estée Lauder Signature Bronze Shimmer Palette

$36.00 for 0.35 oz.

With e.l.f. Week over, I'm really trying to stay on top of the reviews; I can barely decide what to review each day, plus I'm going to need to stick with drugstore brands for a while (budget and all). Yet, I still have a few gems to show you, like this multi-tasker extraordinaire! Estée Lauder Signature Bronze Shimmer Palette is a huge win for me, not perfect, but going to last and be used for many things. I use this for blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow, and the five shades are very neutral, not cool or warm so it's good for all. Seriously consider this if you'd like bang for your buck and space in your makeup drawer!

From top left corner to bottom right:

-light pink with gold sheen

-rosy pink with bronze sheen

-bronze with frost sheen

-plum-rose with bronze sheen

-blackened-bronze plum with bronze sheen

e.l.f. Eye Encyclopedia - Everyday Eye Edition

Everyday, that's how often you should be able to wear these colors if the name is legit. And it is. You've got your smokey eye colors, your bronzed colors, your khaki casuals, you natural neutrals, everyday eyes is the correct label for these! I can image many of these colors have hundreds of dupes or substitutes, but it is nice to have them all right here in one cheap package. (As an aside, can someone comment on this one just so I know these reviews are going ok? If you're not getting the info you need about something, let me know immediately. I will work hard to answer questions thoroughly.)

e.l.f. Everyday Eye Edition Eye Encyclopedia

I don't think you could carry this around with you for touch ups. The cover has warped a bit on mine, so the magnetic close isn't as sealed as tightly. To ensure as little transfer as possible, there is a plastic sheet that covers the shadows, and there is a tutorial printed on the back of the cover. While the powders do sorta "shed," I don't notice cross-contamination between shades. These can be mixed and matched in tons different ways, but it's most likely that the looks were intended across rows. In the first column you've got highlighters, for sure, and lots of these could just be washes over the lid, several also crease colors. There is just a great variety in this palette.

e.l.f. Studio Matte Eyeshadows

e.l.f. Studio Matte Eyeshadow clockwise from top left: Muted Mauve, Nude, Charcoal, and Burnt Brown

I am not a shimmer queen; I don't do glitter 90% of my life, so when there is a matte product to be had, I'm on that like me on a cupcake (believe me, I replace "the fat kid" in cupcake, cake, and/or pie scenarios always). Eyeslipsface Studio Matte Eyeshadows are loose powders, not my favorite way to go but fine, that come mainly is frequently used/seen shades that thus are particularly useful. Remember Wild Sable? I'd have taken it back to Macy's in a heartbeat had Burnt Brown landed on my doorstep sooner!

e.l.f. Matte Eyeshadow in Burnt Brown, Muted Mauve, Nude, and Charcoal

My Opinion is Swirling Around the e.l.f. Cream Eyeshadow Duo in Mocha Swirl

e.l.f. Duo Eye Shadow Cream in Mocha Swirl

If you read my review of Dawn Studio Cream Eyeshadow, you'll remember how impressed I was with the texture. Good thing I've had this duo longer and wasn't disappointed. These are much creamier and as such seem to crease faster for me.

Mocha Swirl has what looks like a mauve champagne color attached to a muted bronze, but they swatch a little differently and come out semi-sheer. I've had absolutely no luck layer these bad boys on the lid (and if I had, there would be creasing to contend with bigtime).

e.l.f. Duo Eye Shadow Cream in Mocha Swirl with flash

Dawn A New Fresh Face Today with e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeshadow

e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn

 The very first thing I want to mention about this shadow is that the texture feels like my Dior EyeShow: like cream and powder whipped together in a heavenly froth. The second thing to mention is holy moly there is much more product in this than in the Dior EyeShow container! Just $3 gets you what I would comfortable call twice as much product. Dior's cream eyeshadow retails for $32 and can be really hard to find, especially when searching for a specific shade.

e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn

Right now, Studio Cream Eyeshadow is only available in four colors: Candlelight, Dawn, Eggplant, and Bronzed; I can see this product expanding rapidly though, since I will soon acquire all the colors :). To be clear, I still have to use an eyelid primer with this (as I do with all the e.l.f. cream shadows), and this may be because these never dry dry onto the lid on their own or because I have oily lids. I have yet to find a light-feeling cream shadow that doesn't crease. MAC Paint Pots are not light-feeling to me, btw.

Can You Handle This Madness? e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadow in Mocha Madness

e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadow in Mocha Madness

Alas on this fine Monday Morning I shall tell you a disappointing tale of cosmetics: how sometimes you just don't get what you're looking for. So far you've seen how in love I am with brushes and tools by this budget-friendly brand that, in general, has done nothing but wow me; even if I don't like one thing, another seems vastly more valuable than the skinny-minny price tag. This Liquid Eyeshadow is not one of those things.

I originally purchased this with the intent of making an e.l.f. version of Chanel's Holiday Collection for 2010, and in that collection was a dark brown, fluid eyeshadow called Splash, which immediately made me think of a mermaid movie *wink* and purchasing this little Mocha Madness ($1) from eyeslipsface.

e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadow in Mocha Madness

For starters, as you'll see in the topmost picture, the tube wasn't exactly full of product and is utterly tiny. My first thought on that was "at least I'm not planning on using that much," but then I tried to pull out the doefoot and dried chunks came out of the tube. It wasn't all dry (making me think this isn't the standard way the product appears or is sent out), so I tested it out.

MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre: A Yellow Toned Eye Base

$16.50 for 0.17 oz

This was not quite what I expected fro what I've heard of MACs Paint Pot. As a kid who really liked art and art class, I would have loved to play with this stuff for hours of wicked unwearable makeup. As an adult....I secretly still wish to do that, but never want to leave the house that way. In truth, I have no outlet. *Sigh*

Oh Thursday, why do thou tease me with your proximity to Friday?

Estée Lauder Pure Color EyeShadows in Honey Drop and Copper Penny

Single shadows are $20.00

Remember the reviews of EL products so far? Well, most of those were from the same purchase/gift with purchase and this is no exception (see also the High Gloss review, coming soon). I'm glad that I didn't just the Wild Sable line by it's cover--and by that I mean, I'm glad I didn't realize both were the same type of shadow because it may have tainted my decision to get the good brown of the matte Wild Sable. These two shadow from the sample palette, 47 Honey Drop and 54 Copper Penny, are another story all together.

Estée Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Wild Sable

Estée Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow in 04 Wild Sable ($20 for 0.07 fl oz.)

I've had an up and down love-hate-disappointed-pleasantly surprised relationship with Estée Lauder over the past year or so. I was so sold on certain things, and it was the first counter I stopped by in my blossoming search for foundation six months ago. Alas, the very nice SA who recommended I try a full coverage before a sheer, lighter formula foundation not only didn't give me what I came in asking for but gave me the absolutely wrong color for my skin. I returned the foundation, the brush I got to go with it, and everything else I bought at the time of that purchase because I was so frustrated she hadn't listened to me at all (or given me the right color eyeliner I had asked for). From then on, I don't ask for a makeup touch-up when I go in because I really think the SAs WAY over-do the product, but I am very hesitant to buy a single thing, even when I like it.

This eyeshadow, however, I do not regret. It's a matte taupe, and it's literally perfect. The powder is very fine, well-pigmented, smooth and blends very well. I am simply sold on this. I will say that this light-medium brown will most likely not show up on darker skin tones as a depth color, but may just be the overall color you're looking for on your lid (for a base or a no-makeup look).