Summer In the City: May Favorites

First off, I want to congratulate my awesome, amazing, and way too darn tall baby brother on his 8th Grade Graduation! Not only that, but he won the Technology award for his class! Don't ask me what that means, because I'm a bad sister who has no idea. Still, I'm impressed, and couldn't be prouder.

And yeah, I cried.

Buckets.

I love that kid.

 

Photo Credit: Sally Beauty Supply

 

Okay, now that I've embarrassed the pants off my younger sibling, let's move on to something new! Since it's the end of the month, and I've had the opportunity to play with some new things, I thought I'd put together a little "best of" list. These are the products I've found myself reaching for the most this month. I tried really hard to choose both high-end and drugstore products for each category. Think of it as a mini-review/recommendation list. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, let me know, and I'll try to keep this up. I'm trying to tailor this blog to what you guys want to see, so please, do a girl a favor and tell me what  you want, what you really, really want.

Eyes

Photo Credit: Sephora

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Rehab: Toss this is in your beach bag for one-step, no fuss, boho smoky eyes. Run this bronze-y brown all over the lid and under the lower lashes, smudge it out, then use it to line upper and lower for added definition. No brushes, primer, or neatness required! $20, Sephora.

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base: Surprise! This is the only primer I've ever used that could really cut down on glitter fallout. I adore my UD Midnight Emergency palette, but Midnight Rodeo and Midnight Cowboy (my favorite shades, wouldn't you know) tend to turn into mini Tinkerbell-explosions that no amount of clean-up can fix. On a whim, I used the sample size primer from my Dark Shadows palette, and ended up with only the tiniest bit of fallout on my cheeks, instead of the disco-ball shrapnel I'm used to. Awesome stuff, guys. $6.99, Ulta.

Lips

Photo Credit: Sephora

Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Lip Tint in Enchanted: I picked this up to wear during a voice recital, which is basically an hour straight of singing. Correction: it's basically a solid hour of beating your lips together, interrupted only by brief, yet frequent, periods of chugging water. Anything that goes on your lips has got to have serious staying power, and this definitely did the trick. Not only that, but my lips stayed soft, moisturized, and the prettiest shade of fresh strawberry pink. It's pricey, but given the circumstances, worth it. I do want to compare it to the new lookalike, Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm. $24 (nearly choked!), Sephora.

Photo Credit: Drugstore.com

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Lollipop: Speaking of Revlon, I am absolutely loving their new lip butters. They feel like a balm, look like a sheer lipstick, and come in really pretty, color-coordinated packaging, so no fumbling around looking for the right one in a sea of black containers. (I'm looking at you MAC and E.L.F.!) Lollipop is a super bright fuschia that can be worn sheer for a wash of color, or built up for maximum impact. It's gorgeous for Summer. $5.99, Drugstore.com.

Face

Benefit Boi-ing: I'm just going to say this: I ran out one day (okay, so I accidentally dropped it in my coffee while I was half-asleep and trying to get dressed in a hurry. Grace and dignity, right here), and had to use another concealer I had lying around. I figured that would get me by for a few days, at least, right? Nope. By nightfall, I'd replaced it, and have no intentions of ever being without it again. It's just that good. $19, Sephora.

ELF Mineral Foundation: I use this to set my beauty balm and concealer, and honestly, I like it better than the UD powder I was using. Plus, I feel like I'm doing something good for my skin by using the mineral powder, and it's a heckuva lot cheaper. $5, eyeslipsface.com.

Body

Photo Credit: Sephora

Super by Perricone Supermodel Legs: I won't go out in shorts or a skirt without this, if I can help it. It's leg makeup, pure and simple, but it's so easy to use, and your legs look fabulous. This is a lightly-tinted, weightless moisturizer that you just rub on for a subtle sheen that reflects the light and masks imperfections. I'm not going to say that it does anything other than that, but for this day-glo white chick with cellulite, that's enough. It's on sale right now, and I plan to pick up a few more bottles. $15, Sephora.

Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen with Shimmer: I live in the extreme deep South (any further South, and you'd be swimming). It's hot. It's muggy. It's downright miserable, and while I feel that everyone, regardless of location, should wear sunscreen every day, there's really no way around it down here. You go outside, you fry. End of story. This feels nice, coats well, protects really well, and leaves you with a pretty glow. The smell's a little too sunscreen-y for my taste, but I can live with it for all the other benefits. $9.99, Drugstore.com. (Available in several SPFs. I like 40. 'Cause I'm Casper.)

Hair

Photo Credit: Sephora

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray: My technique for beach waves: Spray this in towel-dried hair, then roughly blow-dry until just damp. Let air-dry the rest of the way. Do. Not. Brush. Looks like I just spent the day at the Gulf, and it's so fast and easy! $24, Sephora.

Bumble & Bumble Prep: I use this is conjunction with the Surf Spray, actually. That's why I have two high-end products for this category. The day after you Surf Spray your hair, spritz this all over to reactivate the product, then brush through for soft waves that last all day, or use as a base for hot rollers or a curling iron. You can also use this on its own as a style primer, but I love it for reactivating product. It really came in handy a couple of weeks ago during filming. Travel size is only $6 at Sephora.



Photo Credit: Buy.com



It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In: The drugstore pick is as expensive as the high-end! That's madness! I hate, hate, hate, that I got this as a deluxe sample. I used it up, fell head over heels in love with it, and then found out how much it cost! It's completely worth it, though, and a bottle will last months. Spray it in freshly washed hair for detangling and added softness and shine. I don't know how I lived without it. $21.99, Target (I believe Ulta is less, but I can't find it on the site).

Nails 

China Glaze in Watermelon Rind: This is a super fun, unexpected pop of color for your toes. I don't recommend it for fingers, but this bright teal glitter shade looks beyond beautiful peeping through flip-flops. Check it out at the top of this post. $6.49, Sally Beauty Supply.

Zombie Apocalypse...NOW!

I'm on a mission today. I need to find the easiest, least expensive zombie makeup imaginable. I'll probably just end up ordering some greasepaint to replace the green that I used up on The Night Shift, but a palette would be ideal. I don't want to have to keep mixing colors, if I don't have to. I just need a cheap, good palette with a decent number of applications. This isn't it:

Photo Credit: FX Faces

Oh, but I want it so bad it hurts!! It's based on the palette that was custom-ordered for the original Dawn of the Dead, and it's perfect for my needs! ARGH!

Now, this is an alcohol-activated product, which can be tricky (and I have no idea how to use one, myself, for that matter. Not a pro, folks!). Another extraordinarily good option is the--unfortunately, crazy expensive--Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case. If all else fails, some greasepaint and a little baby powder works wonders. 

Photo Credit: Sephora

Turns out, we may not need zombie makeup, since we might be at the very beginnings of the zombie apocalypse! Give this a read and tell me what you think in the comments. Me? I'm watching The Walking Dead for survival tips*.

*Not really. I just like the show. :)

Skin As White As Snow...Check!

Oh, I'm so excited! Tonight, I'm going to the sneak preview of Snow White & the Huntsman, and it looks like it's going to be amazeballs. I have no idea why, but I have been completely stoked to see this movie since I first heard about it. I guess it's because the princess part of me loves a good fairy tale, and the feminist part of me really digs it when the heroine kicks some serious butt. Anyway, I've been all over this one, and even managed to score a cooler-than-usual promotional t-shirt that I'm wearing today. It's a super-soft gray burnout v-neck with silhouettes of birds making up the shape of a tree printed on the hip. Honestly, it just looks like a fashion tee, with the only giveaway that it's a promo being the movie's logo printed on one sleeve. I didn't notice it for quite a while, and I was studying the shirt pretty hard. Anyhoo, it seems that nifty t-shirts weren't the only tie-in for this movie, and there are actually a couple of impressive beauty sets (which makes sense) on the market. 

Photo Credit: Benefit

If you're a Benefit fan, there's the gorgeous Rare Beauty set. It includes a full-sized POREfessional balm, full-sized BADgal mascara, deluxe sample of Benetint cheek and lip stain, and deluxe sample of High Beam highlighter, all housed in an absolutely lovely lavender and pearl train case. The set goes for $45, which seems a little high until you remember that POREfessional runs $29, and BADgal is another $19...so you'll end up saving $3 right off the bat, and that's not even taking into account the deluxe samples or the case. If you use those two products, snap this up. Me? Well, I like POREfessional very much, and use my sample size underneath mineral makeup. Unfortunately, BADgal isn't for me. It's a good mascara--don't get me wrong! It's just not my personal favorite. I'm more into Buxom and Tarte. I do like the High Beam highlighter a lot, but I'm currently in love with a cream highlight from Urban Decay (discontinued, wouldn't you know), and I've found that, pretty as Benetint is, I can't use it. I'm probably the only person on the planet to have a reaction to it, but I'm sort of allergic. Who knew? In other words, it's a wonderful set for somebody, just not me. I do encourage you to check it out, though. 

Photo Credit: Beauty.com

The other set is the much more affordable, twenty-five dollar Deborah Lippmann Snow White & the Huntsman nail polish duo. It contains two polishes, one each in Prelude To a Kiss (a pale, almost eggshell pink) and Dark Side Of the Moon (dark, blue-based blood red). I have zero experience with these polishes, but the colors look beautiful in the box.

For giggles, I thought I'd try a Snow White-inspired look to wear to the movie. I knew that cheeks and lips would be the main focus, so for the eyes, I did a sugar-sparkle shadow (snow sparkles, right?) in a barely-there shade. Of course, Kristen Stewart is known for her smoky eye, but that wouldn't be appropriate with the strong lips and cheeks, so I tried a toned-down version to keep the look natural and pretty. Other than that, I worked a lot on making the skin look dewy and flawless (ha! I am so broken out, it's ridiculous). What do you guys think?


Products used:

TooFaced Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation in Warm

E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium

NYX HD Eye Primer (works GREAT for glitter shadows!)

Eyes: Urban Decay Stardust in Space Cowboy--All Over

         Satin-Finish Camel from NYX Dark Shadows Palette--Crease

         Matte Charcoal Brown from NYX Dark Shadows Palette--Lower Lash 

         Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero--Upper Lash

         Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Sin--Inner Corner

Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Black--Upper and Lower

NYX Matte Red Blush from the Dark Shadows Palette (I knew I could find a way to wear it!)

MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Moon River as Highlighter (discontinued, but I'm working to find a dupe!)

Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart

Frugal Friday: Window Shopping Challenge!

Happy Friday-Before-A-Three-Day-Weekend!! Major sales happening over the next few days. I won't bore you with those, since they'll all but slap you in the face if you're out and about. Instead, here's the scoop on some extra special savings that you might not know about. Let's get to it!

TooFaced: Free Shipping all weekend with code THANKYOU12. Exp. 5/28.
Sally Beauty Supply: Take an extra 50% off all red tag clearance with code 555100. Exp. 5/28.
Bath and Body Works: $1 Shipping on orders over $25 with code MEMORIAL25. Exp. 5/28.

Question: has anyone here ever paid full price for anything at Aeropostale? That store seems to be in a state of perpetual clearance, and that's just fine and dandy, dandy and fine with me. Today, I looked and about half the store was 70% off. Just for giggles, I hopped on Polyvore and gave myself a challenge: put together a Memorial Day BBQ outfit for under $50, using only Aeropostale items. Here's what I came up with:

$50 Memorial Day BBQ Outfit by adorablenapalm featuring nyx lip gloss

Not bad, if I do say so, myself. Dress, shoes, bag, and two accessories (that ring is precious, and I like the way the curve in the sunglasses mimics the curve in the bodice), and the total came to $44.10. For coming in so far under the imaginary budget, I imaginarily treated myself to an imaginary lip gloss, bringing the final bill to $49.60. Heck, I'm so proud of myself, I may go try this on at the real Aeropostale this weekend. You can't beat twelve bucks for a dress.

I hope you all have a truly wonderful holiday, and please take a moment to remember the reason for the day. See y'all next week! If you're interested in any of the products mentioned, there are links below. Bye!

Nyx lip gloss
$5.50 - nyxcosmetics.com

Floral Halter Dress
$12 - aeropostale.com

Aero Surf Vertical Tote
$10 - aeropostale.com

Jelly Quarter Strap Sandal
$7.35 - aeropostale.com

Vented Shield Sunglasses
$9.75 - aeropostale.com

Sparkly Jelly Ring
$5 - aeropostale.com

50,000 Page Views...And Counting!

I am so excited, y'all! Today, this little blog hit 50,000 page views, and they're still coming! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for reading this. It's been such a fun experience, and I wouldn't be able to continue without you. Seriously, folks, thank you.

In celebration, I thought we might revisit the ten most popular posts. Come with me on a journey down memory lane...

The Ghost Post
Well, we've moved out of the haunted apartment, so that's good. Thankfully, since the move we've not encountered any more paranormal activity, though I did scare myself silly watching a ghost movie the other night. Whoops...

The Second Annual Obligatory Twilight Post
I don't have the Alice palette mentioned, but I did do a mini-review of the Rosalie palette just recently. Also, if you've not subscribed to the Pixiwoo YouTube channel, you're really doing yourself a disservice. It's one of the best sites for tutorials around.

Goth Kitteh Can Has Hot Topic?
Wowzers! The Manic Panic people have really added to this line! I am absolutely loving the single pan eyeshadow refills that pop right back into the palettes. First, they're 100% cruelty free. Then, they're Vegan. Now, they're going sustainable. If I ever get my hands on one of these, I may just be in love. Has anyone here tried any of this makeup? How does the quality stand up? Enquiring minds need to know. I've yet to see any of these products in my area.

Um...The Dog Ate My Blog Post?
I have to say, it has ceased to amaze me that this post made it into the top ten, much less the top five, considering it was just a, "got busy, see you later" post. Thank you, guys, for taking an interest in my movie. Since that post went up, we received distribution and are now on shelves and available online. Adding to the excitement, the soundtrack was just released on CD and MP3 a few weeks ago. Thank you, again, for supporting me, Thomas, and all of the gang at Fighting Owl Films. I love you guys!

The 100th Post!!
Would you believe I'm still using that sample of Miss Dior Cherie? I absolutely love it, and the tester has lasted for ages. Soap & Glory is now at Sephora, but the price has gone up tremendously, so I still haven't replaced my empties. Oh well, I've had fun trying out new shaving creams every few weeks, but I still haven't found one to compare.

Where's the Simplicity Pattern For That?!
Sadly, I've seen nothing to top this awesomeness. If you have, please leave a link in the comments. I'd LOVE to see it.

Worth No Sleep and Crazy Crowds: Stila Glitz and Glam Palette

Well, this post took off like gangbusters! It also taught me the importance of swatching, so thank you to the commenter who asked about that. I'm still learning, and appreciate any and all helpful hints. As for the palette, I don't know how readily available this one still is, but Stila is constantly churning out new ones, and from what I've seen, they're all great quality and a real steal. Just keep your eyes peeled.

You Are Not Saving the World Wearing That, Young Lady!
This post proved to be moot, as the Wonder Woman reboot never happened, but it was fun to see your comments on the outfit and on the role of female superheroes, in general. For the record, I'm a fan of the Black Widow costume from The Avengers. I thought it was functional and attractive without being overly sexualized. So, there.

There! Art Thou Happy?: UNII Palette Review Part II

The UNII was redesigned, and while I don't hate it, it doesn't fill my needs as well as the original version. In the interest of full disclosure, when I realized I needed a new palette for Fighting Owl Films, I went with a Z Palette. It hasn't come in, yet, so I don't know if it'll be any better, but if I can't have air-tight, either way, then I'm going for more bang for my buck with the bigger size.

We Are Marshall (and Lily)

Lastly, my favorite of the group. It's really touched me that you guys liked this post enough to keep it in the top ten, since it is so personal. I guess, in keeping with the comparisons, we're still very much like Marshall and Lily. We moved out of our apartment and into the house I grew up in, which means that my family has had the fun of pointing out all of the house's idiosyncracies (though, in a, thankfully, much less annoying way than Lily's Dad). Thomas is working for a non-profit, saving the world. Of course, we did skip out on that whole baby thing. We got a puppy, instead.

So, that's it! The top ten posts of all time, revisited. I hope you've enjoyed it. Here's to 50,000 page views, and to 50,000 more!

Hair Of the Dog--Er, Ghost

Author's Note: Before we go any further, please bear in mind that Thomas and I have made two films that were outright ghost stories. Together, we have lived in a haunted apartment, and before we were married, I lived in a haunted house. I have been chased by a shadow, watched objects fly across rooms, and seen the unexplainable. In other words: I am not a wuss.

I am not a wuss. That was the mantra I chanted continuously last night, as I lay awake in bed, thankful for the soft glow of the muted television. I am not a wuss, I firmly stated as I turned on every light in the bedroom so I could make my way to the bathroom. I am not a wuss, I defiantly screamed in my head as I curled up even closer to my sweet, loving, and now sleep deprived Thomas. I AM NOT A WUSS!!!

I am, clearly, a wuss.

I adore a good ghost story, so last night, Thomas and I rented The Woman In Black, starring Harry Potter, himself, Daniel Radcliffe. We'd seen the trailers and read the reviews, and both of us were under the impression that it was atmospheric and creepy, but not overly scary. It's PG-13, for crying out loud. How scary could it be?

I had to remind myself to breathe, that's how scary. Then, I looked over at Thomas, and all I could see was the top of his head and two little eyes peering out from beneath a blanket. Heck, even the puppy was completely invested. He only hopped out of my lap once during the movie, and that was only long enough to grab one of his stuffed animals. After that, he was right back on top of me, snuggling with Dinosaur, eyes wide as saucers as he stared intently at the screen. That, folks, is the very definition of "riveting".

Neither one of us slept last night. The puppy slept like a freaking log, but Thomas and I were both wide-eyed. Today, I have been determined to learn as much as possible about the movie, as well as the many other incarnations of the original story. To me, it seemed like taking another shot to fend off a hangover. Did you know that the original story was not a folktale, as I'd been told, but was actually written in 1983? Or, that there was a television movie made in 1989, starring the actor who played James Potter, in the same role as Daniel Radcliffe? There's even a West End stage play that's been running continuously since 1989! And you know what? They're all creepy as heck!! All I've done is scare myself more! Awesome...*sigh*

Maybe not all of my research is for naught, though? If you're into cosplay and have a spare $102.99, then have I got a kickin' costume for you. Just think of all the people you could freak out during panels!

Photo Credit: Milanoo

Challenge!: $20 Makeup Look

The other day, one of my favorite vloggers, DivaMakeupQueen, posted a video on the $20 Makeup Challenge Tag. At the end, she tagged everyone who viewed the video. Now, I'm not a vlogger, and even if I were, I doubt she'd ever know if I'd welched on the dare, but I'm too honest for my own good. So, without further ado, I give you:

The $20 Makeup Challenge!!!

(BTDubs, this is a heckuvalot harder than it sounds.)

The Rules: Pretend you have a $20 bill. Using only products and tools that you could purchase with that bill, put together a full face of makeup from start to finish. I will warn you, the end result is not the best. I mean, I could have lived with it for the day, if I'd needed to, but it's not my best look.
Okay, first, let's just get this picture over with...

GAH!!!! SHE'S A WITCH! BURN HER!!
This is after getting soaked in a flash storm, so please bear with me.

So...yeah...it looked a lot better in person. Let's start with products used and the grand total:

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation in Warm applied with included Mini Kubuki Brush: $5

E.L.F. Essentials Eyeshadow Primer as primer and concealer (better than nothing): $1

Profusion Spotlight Eyeshadow and Lipgloss Palette, applied with included applicator: $4

E.L.F. Studio Blush in Pink Passion, applied with Mini Kubuki Brush: $3

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Mascara: $6

Total: $19

If I'd had a $1 black eyeliner, that would have helped tremendously. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Now, let's talk about what went right with this look. Right off the bat, I'd say the color was great. You can see from the photo just how pretty and bright that blush is, and how soft, shiny, and pigmented that lipgloss is (which was applied with my finger, by the way). The shadows went on smoothly and blended well, even with a dinky little sponge-tipped applicator, and the foundation covered well and looks nice and glowy. Plus, believe it or not, the mini kubuki brush didn't suck. It's not my first choice, but it didn't create any problems. I truly believe that having a good, inexpensive palette that took care of more than one area of the face helped salvage this challenge.

Alrighty, now for the wrong. If nothing else, I needed a moisturizer in the worst way. Going one better, I really needed a primer. I was born with expression lines in my forehead, and you'd be hard pressed to catch me on a day when I didn't have on some form of a primer (today, it's part of my beauty balm). I also hate the lack of eyeliner. I tried using an eyeshadow, but without a decent brush to apply it, it really didn't work.

Other thoughts: A real concealer would have been helpful in brightening up the undereye area. My brows are actually in decent shape, so I'm okay with leaving them as is.

Wheel Of Morality, turn, turn, turn! Tell us the lesson that we should learn!: High quality color doesn't have to come with a high price tag, and there's no substitute for a good moisturizer and primer. If you're going to invest in something, invest in those.

So, who do I tag? ALL OF YOU!!! Leave your responses in the comments!

See You Tomorrow!

Hey guys!

This weekend has been ridiculous, but I promise to be back tomorrow, and with a really fun post. In fact, I'm taking today to work on it. The only hint I'm giving is that it's on the cheap. :)

Have a lovely Monday, and I'll see you tomorrow.

(Now, if you'll excuse me, I have A LOT of coffee to drink. Looooong weekend...)

Frugal Friday: No Fakes Allowed!

Ages ago, I posted about a couple of discount clothing and makeup sites that made Recession-Era retail therapy a whole lot easier. Well, add one more to the list: allcosmeticswholesale.com. I've ordered from them before, and I can tell you, without reservation, that they are the real deal. This is not a knock-off, fake, or whatever you want to call it kind of shady site. If you order a MAC eyeshadow, you're going to get a MAC eyeshadow. You're just going to pay a heckuva lot less for it.

Give it a look-see and tell me what you think. In the meantime, I'm taking the rest of the day off. I've got a performance tonight, and I'm trying to stay as relaxed and rested as humanly possible. In other words, I'm only very strung-out instead of incredibly strung-out.

Have a great weekend, and happy bargain hunting!

Sitting Pretty In Express Check-In

Summer Vacation! Sign me up! Right now, all I want to do is put on a swimsuit (and a cover up! Dear God!), slather on some sunscreen, grab a margarita and listen to crashing waves. Honestly, I can't think of anything in the world I'd rather do than just that. Lucky for me, I live 45 minutes from a gorgeous beach, so all I have to do is toss a cooler and towel in the trunk of my car and drive off into the sunshine. However, I know that's not the case for everyone. Some of you might even have to *gasp* brave air travel to get your beach on. Since Memorial Day is around the corner, and no one wants to have to check a bag if they can avoid it, here are my top purse-sized makeup palette choices to get you through the long weekend with no muss, no fuss, and hopefully, no strip searches*.

Okay, I picked five palettes that will not only take care of all of your color needs, but will also fit neatly inside your purse or beach bag for touch-ups. The only other things you might want to toss in your quart-sized Ziploc are a Garnier BB Cream (super-cheap and works great!), a waterproof mascara (, and maybe a liner (I like Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Rehab for a natural, beachy look. Milani also has a drugstore dupe that's almost spot on). I don't even think I'd bother with powder, considering the humidity. Seriously, what would even be the point? But, of course, that's up to you. To keep your money handy for souveniers and mai tais, these are all under $30.
 

Photo Credit: Twilight Beauty



The teeniest of the bunch is the itty-bitty Luna Twilight (yes, that Twilight) Color Palette in Rosalie. It's, literally, the size of a credit card. Ultra-thin and lightweight, you'd never guess that it has two shadows (peachy champagne and a soft almost-tangerine), a peach lipstick, apricot gloss, and a good-sized blusher that rivals Benefit Coralista. I haven't reviewed this palette, for some odd reason, but I've played with it for a little while now, and think it makes one of the most beautiful, natural-looking makeups I've ever worn. The colors melt into your skin, making it seem as if you just naturally look this gorgeous. I'll be 32 in about three weeks, and, I swear, this makes me look more like I'll be 22. Can't say enough good about it. My only complaint: I wish you could buy the colors in larger sizes, as well. $28, and other characters are available. If that's a little steep for you, click this link to go to a discount site. It's only $12.99 there, and not a knock-off or anything shady like that. 

Photo Credit: Kaboodle



The next one is also $12.99, but that's its regular price. NYX Natural Look Kit in Nude On Nude contains nine neutral shadows and two pink-toned glosses, which could also double for cheek color (that's me talking, not NYX). I have not had the opportunity to test the kit out, but from my experience and research, this is a great deal on some quality products. There are several variations of this kit out there, but this bronzey-brown kit is my pick to look like a golden goddess over Memorial weekend.

Photo Credit: Musings of a Muse

Stila puts out some fantastic travel kits, and they're all very reasonably priced. Not So Nude may be the best-looking one they've had, to date. I say best-looking because I (again) haven't gotten to personally play with it, but if it's anything like their other kits, it's a winner. For only $20, you get six shadows (and I adore Stila shadows. They're like shimmery butter), an all-over highlight in cult-fave Kitten, and a convertible color for cheeks and lips in Lily. Again, it's perfect for a natural, carefree look.

Photo Credit: Sephora

This Sephora Collection Mini-Bag Makeup Palette is too adorable for words! I have seen this little $15 wonder up-close, and it's just darling. You get nine high-quality shadows in a range similar to the original UD Naked palette, four pretty glosses that range from nude to deep berry, and a lovely blush that reminds me of Avon Classic Aura (one of my favorites). When closed, the kit resembles a Sephora shopping bag, complete with logo and a little red handle.

Photo Credit: TooFaced

Lastly, and my favorite of the group, the TooFaced Glamour To Go Palette. This $22 pack of awesomeness comes with eight creamy shadows, a good-sized bronzer and blush duo, and a lovely transluscent pink gloss. The kit is also just as cute as can be, and closes down to about the size of a smartphone, give or take. Out of the five, this would be my pick, if only because of the included bronzer. You can do a lot with a good bronzer, and TooFaced makes some of the best, in my opinion.

Happy Trails, and bring me back a daiquiri!

*Please check all TSA Rules before packing any liquids or gels in your carry-on. Rules can change, and I don't want anyone to get in trouble. Thanks!

Unsolicited Advice: Enroll in YouTube Beauty School!

I am not a makeup artist, and I don't even play one on tv. I am simply a makeup enthusiast who also happens to be a performer, and because of that, I sometimes have to come up with looks for stage or screen. Now, to me, stage is easy. I sponge on my Ben Nye stage foundation, then pretty much just pile color on top of that until I'm confused for a hooker. If no one's asked how much you charge, yet, keep going till they do. Sure, there's a little more nuance to it than that, but that's the basic idea.

Screen keeps me totally bumfuzzled. You have to keep the makeup looking natural, but also have enough on to show up on camera and also avoid being washed out by lights. There's a very fine line. I'm getting better at walking it, though, thanks to a workshop given by a lovely makeup artist friend...and good ol' YouTube.

I kid you not, YouTube has been an absolute Godsend, but you have to be careful which "gurus" you go to. Not everyone who hosts a beauty channel actually knows what they're doing (I know! People posting useless videos on the Internet?! Color me shocked!), so I'll add a list at the end of some that I've grown to love. When you find talented people who communicate well, you can take inspiration from their videos, and also educate yourself on products and techniques. After all, what good is expensive makeup or fancy brushes if you don't know how to use them?

Anyhoo, back to screen makeup! This weekend, Fighting Owl Films is shooting a short, and I'm playing one of the lead characters: a stuck-up, snobby, gold digger (yes, my husband wrote it for me. Why do you ask?). The film's a silent, so the visuals are super-important--even more so than usual. To up the degree of difficulty, this will also be our first film shot in HD.

Last night, I conducted a practice run on makeup only (so forgive the hair and outfit), based upon and using a few techniques picked up from two YouTube tutorials. The final look is not a step-by-step result of either video. I don't even think I used a single recommended product. Rather, it's an amalgamation of ideas from these tutorials, mixed with tricks I've figured out on my own, and blended with character ideas from the director. I'm posting this simply to show how you can use Internet tutorials to your advantage, and I hope at least some of you have found this helpful.

Snobby enough? Oh, and check out the mini-duckface!
Shot with my cruddy cell phone, in my bathroom with the worst lighting in the world. Enjoy!

Products used:

• Tarte Clean Slate primer
• MAC Studio Sculpt in NW15, applied with Real Techniques buffing brush
• Benefit Boi-ing concealer in Light, applied with Real Techniques deluxe crease brush
• Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Transparent, applied with Real Techniques buffing brush
• Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden
• E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium
• Urban Decay eyeshadows in Foxy, Bootycall, and Tease (Naked 2), applied with Real Techniques shadow brush
• Urban Decay eyeshadow in Blackout (Naked 2), applied as liner with Real Techniques accent brush
• Benefit Hoola bronzer, applied with Real Techniques contour brush
• Stila blush (Floral Palette, hot pink shade), applied with Real Techniques blush brush
• E.L.F. HD Powder, applied with Real Techniques powder brush
• Urban Decay False Lash mascara
• Ardell individual false lashes, Medium
• Duo lash glue
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm
• MAC Lip Pencil in Dervish
• Urban Decay Urbanglow Cream Highlight in Moonshine

Trusted YouTube "Gurus" (alphabetical order):
DivaMakeupQueen
emilynoel83
FleurDeForce
GlowMyWay
gossmakeupartist
pixiwoo

NYX Crimson Amulet/Dark Shadows Part II: In-Depth Review and Look

Sit back, relax, maybe go get a snack, 'cause this is a long one, folks! A few weeks ago, Ulta gave away little $5 off coupons that would be good this week. I used mine yesterday to purchase the NYX Crimson Amulet Palette, inspired by the movie Dark Shadows. Let me tell you, I am so excited I could spit. Here is an in-depth look at the palette, along with my review and a look (told you this would be long). Spoiler Alert: I like the palette. A lot. You should run and get one. Now. Like, yesterday. Go.

Outer packaging (Not terribly important, but here it is)

Closed palette. Looks kind of like a fancy DVD case with a snap button closure. It's heavy cardboard, and can definitely stand up to travel and some wear and tear.

Inside, you have 24 shadows and a large mirror. I've not tried using the mirror, and am not entirely sure how to best hold the palette to do so, but it sure beats nothing.

Here's a close up of the shadows. There's a nice variety of satin, shimmer, glitter, and matte finishes. The top twelve are colors, and the bottom are neutrals. Just go ahead and toss the applicators.

Flipping over the mirror, here's the other side. The inspiration looks aren't super helpful. I'd rather have had another mirror, or even just a cool graphic. Here you see an HD shadow primer, black eyeliner, five blushes (some matte, some shimmer), a highlighter, and four glosses.

Close-up of the products.

Top twelve shadows.

  

Top Row



Middle Row



Bottom Row

Bottom twelve shadows.

Top Row

Middle Row

Bottom Row

Reminder of blush/gloss side.

Highlighter and Blushes

Glosses

Primer and Liner

I love this palette. Love, love, love it. It's one of--no, it's the most complete palette I've ever seen. Honestly, all you need is a little foundation, powder, and mascara and you're good to go. You could fancy it up with bronzer and a brow kit, but they're not necessary. On top of that, everything's good. There's not a clunker product in the bunch. The shadows are all creamy and well-pigmented. Sure, the mattes are a little dry at first, but once you get through the top layer, they're lovely (mattes can be like that sometimes). The blushes are varied and gorgeous, and I'm dying to figure out how to wear that unbelievable red. The primer has held my glittery eyeshadow in place with no fallout, and the liner is a surprisingly easy to work with jet black. I say surprisingly easy because I suck at liquid liner. Absolutely suck at it. I blink, my hand shakes...it's not pretty. I still can't get a straight line, but I was able to get it straighter than usual, then finished cleaning it up with a little black shadow. The glosses are a little stiff at first, but once you get in there, they're opaque and have plenty of color payoff. The one thing that other reviewers have complained the most about is the highlighter, and I have to say, I don't get that. I mean, it's not the most remarkable highlighter I've ever used, but it's more than serviceable. It actually reminds me a lot of one that came in a Sephora palette I took on the road with me for Beauty & the Beast, only I like this one better. Go figure.

I needed another palette like a hole in the head. I have an entire bathroom drawer full of them, and those are only the ones I use regularly. However, I do, on occasion, find myself doing someone else's makeup. I'm not a professional makeup artist, and don't pretend to be, but sometimes my Mom will have something fancy to go to and wants a little help. Maybe a friend's getting married and needs someone to help a younger bridesmaid with her makeup. Those sorts of things come up from time to time, and this is a terrific almost-all-in-one palette to grab.*

So, here's the look I came up with. I did this running out the door this morning, so please bear that in mind. You can do cool stuff very quickly with this palette because it's all there. You don't even have to think. I love that. I'm not very good at thinking in the mornings.

Poorly photographed look. I really need to get someone else to take these pictures. A cameraphone aimed by looking in the mirror really isn't cutting it. I'll list all the products used below.

Primer: Included HD Eyeshadow Primer. Lid/All Over Color: Champagne found on top row, second over. Blending Color: Lavender on second row, first shade. Crease and Lower Lash Line: Royal Blue Glitter on second row, last shade. Liner: Included black liner, cleaned up with Black found on top row, first shade. Blush is the largest blush in the palette, with Highlighter dusted over the tops of cheekbones.

I just can't take a picture when my brows are cleaned up, can I?
Other Products Used:
Too Faced Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow
E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light
Urban Decay Razor Sharp HD Powder
Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Mascara (I really don't care for this. See the flakes?)
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
  

Seriously, that's it. That's a heckuva lot easier to toss into a travel bag than my usual stash. I hope this has been helpful, and I can't recommend this enough.

Final Verdict: 10 out of 10. It's just plain awesomesauce, and a steal at under $25.

*Obviously, if you're doing someone else's makeup, you'll need to use a different eyeliner (one that's never been used, or one belonging to the person who's makeup you're doing). You'll also want to make sure that you've never double-dipped into the lipgloss. Safety first, guys.