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. 

Do Vampires Need Illuminating Powder? Dark Shadows-Inspired NYX Palette

***Read my full review here!***

One of the last times I played around in Ulta (because, really, how is that shopping? It's like a grown-up girl playground in there), I ran across this palette from NYX that even made Thomas stop and say, "Oh, that's cool!"

Photo Credit: Musings of a Muse

It's the NYX Crimson Amulet palette, inspired by the upcoming Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movie, Dark Shadows, and it is stunning.

***Please Note: This is not a review. I don't own this, and my entire experience with it was while standing around in a store. This is more of a heads up that this exists, just in case you want to check it out further yourself. ***

Okay, disclaimer's out of the way, so here are my initial thoughts:

The shadow colors I was able to swatch (and not photograph. Sorry) were very soft, creamy, and pigmented. NYX is known for having quality makeup, so I wasn't surprised. There's also a nice variety of hues to choose from.

The packaging is cute, if a little confusing. I'm not keen on the mirror's placement (you can't see it in this picture, but it, along with a "get the look" card, is placed between the shadow side and the blush/lip color side). I can only see it getting very dirty and difficult to use. The cardboard palette does seem sturdy, though. I think it'd be fine in an organized makeup bag.

I love that this comes with a eyelid primer and liner. Really, all you need is some foundation, powder, mascara and concealer, and you are completely set. It's one of the most complete palettes I've seen, and would be great for travel. In fact, if you prefer using shadow for liner, you could pop a deluxe sample size of mascara in the liner section.

All in all, I like it, and would recommend checking it out in person at your local Ulta. It's $24.99, and contains 24 shadows, 5 blushes, 4 glosses, 1 illuminating powder, 1 eyeliner, and 1 HD eyelid primer. I'd say that  has the potential to be a phenomenal deal.

Costume Couture

The Dilemma: You're invited to a Halloween costume party. Being a little bit the fashionista, you would like to look cute and trendy, but possess zero sewing skills. Your choices currently consist of: A) squeezing into a pre-packaged outfit and hoping for the best, B) grabbing jeans and a t-shirt and going as a college kid/un-morphed Power Ranger, or C) feigning sick for the third year in a row, popping in a DVD of Young Frankenstein and eating all of the Halloween candy before the trick or treaters show up (do not judge me).

Well, now you have option D) hie thee to a Hot Topic.

Long the sartorial hangout of the emo crowd (even to the point of giving us the descriptor, "Hot Topic Kid"), Hot Topic is at the epicenter of the Goth fashion trend. So, yes, it makes perfect sense that they would stock Halloween costumes. There's even a costume guide on their website, in case you need a little inspiration. What's new (to me, anyway) is the "Halloween Couture" area of the site.

What is "Halloween Couture"? Well, it's a collection of higher-end (not super expensive, but slightly pricier and better made) individual pieces that can be worn alone or combined for an original, personalized, Halloween look. These are not your typical superhero corsets or fairy wings, either. We're talking satin dresses, floor length tulle-over-pleather skirts, and some surprisingly intricate detailing. For example: the Black Steampunk Jacket ($64) features corset styling with bronze grommets, a flattering keyhole cutaway between the bottom of the high-collar neckline/sleeve section and the top of the corset bodice, a lace-up back, and buckle detailing at the cuffs. A tulle mini skirt ($42.50) showcases lace-up detailing around the waist, with long grommet embellished straps dangling down to the knees. Paired together, you have a punky, Tim Burton-esque creation (think: Female Edward Scissorhands).

Before you balk at the price, let me add that a few dresses and several of the tops in the collection could be repurposed under blazers for office settings, so you're not necessarily just buying a Halloween costume. Shorter skirts could be accessorized with boots and tights for a fun weekend look, as well.

Now, obviously, not everything in the collection is a winner. There are a couple of stretch satin tops that don't even flatter the perfect bodies of their models. Also, there are two stretch cotton halter dresses that, while simply precious, appear ill-fitting in the photos. I'm not sure if it's poor design, or merely a matter of the stylist needing to go up a size. Still and all, it's an impressive collection that can fill both costume and regular wardrobe requirements. If pre-packaged isn't cutting it for you, give this site a go.

Photo Credits (All): Hot Topic