Product Review -- The Balm La Balmba Steal the Spotlight Eye Shadow Palettes Vol. 1 & 2

I'm absolutely crazy about The Balm.

I love their products and I love their packaging and considering they're a higher end brand, I think their prices are pretty fair (and you can often find them on HauteLook at a serious discount, which is even better).

I'm actually such a big fan of the brand that I tend to buy new products as soon as they come out without really considering whether I need them or not.

(With other brands, I usually hesitate for at least a few seconds...)

Recently, I saw a couple of new shadow quads on the Kohl's website and I just had to have them.

The La Balmba Steal the Spotlight Eye Shadow Palettes Vol. 1 & 2 are dance-themed quad, featuring The Balm's usual adorable vintage inspired artwork. They come in sturdy cardboard packaging and a small mirror on the inside.

Product Review -- Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation

Lately, there seems to be another new foundation on the market everyday.

Not that I'm complaining -- I love trying new face products so I'm always excited for new options.

Water-based fluid foundations seem to be a pretty big trend in recent years, and I've tried quite a few. They're not always the best match for my normal-to-dry skin, though, so I usually I save them only for warm weather when my skin tends to be more oily.

However, when I saw that Tarte was coming out with a version, I knew I'd have to give it a try because I usually have pretty good luck with Tarte foundations.

The Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation is marketed as a lightweight fluid that "floats over the skin" and delivers full, hydrating coverage. The formula is also rich in antioxidants and contains SPF15, so it offers some skincare benefits as well.

Product Review -- L.A. Girl PRO Conceal High-Definition Concealer

I have several concealers that I really love in my makeup collection, but I'm still always on the hunt for that one holy grail concealer that puts all the rest to shame.

Which is why I'm constantly buying new ones even though I've got a drawer full of them already.

When I can find a concealer that's budget-friendly, I feel a little bit less guilty about buying another -- so I was pretty excited to give the L.A. Girl PRO Conceal High-Definition Concealer a try. 

Because it's only $5. 

And I'd seen plenty of good reviews of it, so it definitely seemed like it was a worth a gamble. 

Product Review -- Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eye Shadow

I'm a pretty big fan of Josie Maran skin care and makeup products.

They're all designed to combine high performance with healthier ingredient,s and for the most part, they're pretty successful.

Of course, there are some duds, but that's to be expected in any brand's lineup.

Many of the Josie Maran products contain argan oil, but recently, the brand's been incorporating coconut water into some formulas as well. In particular, I absolutely love the Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelees, which give such a pretty, natural flushed look to the cheeks.

That's why I was so interested in trying the Coconut Watercolor Eye Shadows.

Product Review -- Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Palette

There are so many gorgeous new palettes coming on these days that it's difficult to choose between them.

I mean, I'm on a budget so as much as I'd like to buy every new palette that comes out, I've got to be a bit more selective.

I was drawn to the Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Palette primarily because of the shade range -- they are a lot of lovely warm tones that are perfect for fall and a good variety of light, mid-tone, and dark shades.

I've had good experience with Lancome shadows in the past too, so I was relatively confident of the quality as well.

Product Review -- Tarte Energy Noir Clay Palette

I need another palette like a I need a hole in the head.

And I need another Tarte palette like I need a second hole in the head.

Which is to say, not at all, not even a little bit.

But I am weak (all the holiday sets and palettes are seriously trying my will power at the moment!) and when I saw the Energy Noir Clay Palette, I caved.

I just love Tarte's palettes and palettes that contain shadows and blush are especially tempting to me, so this hit plenty of my buttons.

Product Review -- YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipsticks

A while back, I treated myself to a couple of YSL lipsticks.

I got one of the Rouge Volupte and one of the Volupte Sheer Candy, and I really like both of them.

The packaging is particularly attractive, and the lipsticks themselves feel quite nice on the lips.

But they're $36 each, and while I like them, I wasn't wowed enough by them to purchase any other YSL lipsticks.

So I was pretty excited when I got the chance to try a couple of the new YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipsticks courtesy of Influenster, I was seriously excited.

As with the other YSL lipsticks that I own, the packaging for the Rouge Pur Coutures is really luxe. They come in gold metallic packaging that has a square shape and features a black, engraved YSL on the front. They are the kind of lipsticks that will make you feel really glamorous when you pull them out of your purse.

Product Review -- It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 2 Romantics Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

Almost two years ago, I bought the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 1 Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette and instantly fell in love.

The palette contains 14 matte shadows that boast a fabulous creamy, smooth, blendable formula and one shimmery "transforming" shade that gives you the option of changing the finish of the matte shadows if the mood strikes.

It is a completely wearable, easy-to-use, fabulous palette.

So when I heard that It Cosmetics was coming out with another palette in the line, I was ready to hand over my money without a second thought.

The Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 2 Romantics Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette follows the same format at the Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 to a tee.