Product Alert -- The Balm In theBalm of Your Hand Greatest Hits Vol. 1 Palette and the Manizer Sisters AKA The Luminizers Palette

Since I tried my first Shady Lady Palette more than five years ago, I've been in love with The Balm.

Not only is their packaging adorable, their products are almost always fantastic, so an obsession was borne.

That means whenever the brand comes out with a new palette, I buy it, no questions asked. Their holiday palettes, in particular, are my weakness.

This year, though, I was prepared to skip them -- not because they didn't look great, but because they were "greatest hits" type palettes and I already had all of the products in them. 

I have a modicum of self-control and common sense.

But then, The Balm had a 50% off sale on Black Friday, and for half price, I couldn't resist completing my palette collection so I bought In theBalm of Your Hand Greatest Hits Vol. 1 Palette and The Manizer Sisters AKA The Luminizers Palette.

I'm only human, after all.

Product Review -- Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette

Makeup companies must see me coming a million miles away -- because I'm such a sucker whenever they add a new palette to a certain line for the brand.

That's why I always buy the Urban Decay Naked Palettes as soon as they come out, for example.

If I like one, I'm always ready to like a new one.

So when I heard about the new Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette, I knew that I'd have to have it. I love both the original Chocolate Bar and the Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palettes -- both because the shadows are pretty great and also because of the scent. It's amazing! -- so I was definitely willing to take a chance on the new one.

Product Review -- Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette

When you're a makeup junkie, it's pretty difficult to find a palette that's really unique when compared to the rest of your collection.

That's why the Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette stood out to me -- it's really unlike anything else I own.

Because while it features some neutral or natural type shades (like so many of the palettes that I own), it also features bolder or more dramatic shades -- and yet everything shadow in the palette is wearable, even for someone like me who has very fair skin and doesn't do well with brighter shades.

Review -- Tarte Tartelette 2 In Bloom Palette

I absolutely love the original Tarte Tartelette Palette.

It's an all-matte collection that features a pretty outstanding formula, so it's extremely easy to use. The shade range is somewhat cool too, which makes for a nice change because I feel like many matte palettes veer toward the warmer end of the spectrum.

All in all, I think it's a great addition to anyone's collection.

So I was really excited to hear that Tarte was coming out with another palette in the Tarlette line.

The Tartelette 2 In Bloom Palette is probably even more versatile than the original, though, because in addition to its outstanding matte formula, it features three luster shades so you can add a touch of shimmer to your look.

Review -- Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

(My apologies for disappearing for the past week or so. I've gotten caught up in holiday-related craziness. 

To make up for my absence, I'm going to try to have reviews up everyday this week for some of the more exciting palettes that are available at the moment  -- so if you've got some last minute holiday shopping to do or you're putting the finishing touches on your own wishlist, hopefully you get some ideas.)

Right off the bat, I have to confess that I've always been a pretty big No Doubt fan.

Back in the day, I had all of their albums and could recite pretty much all of their lyrics from memory. Even today, I have "Just a Girl" and "Spiderwebs" on one of my favorite playlists for running.

And while Gwen Stefani's style is not really something that would ever really work for me, I've always admired it.

So when I heard that she was working on a palette with Urban Decay, I knew I was going to buy it.

It didn't even matter what it looked it -- it was going to be mine.

And I've got to say, I'm totally in love with the UD Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette. I've used it almost exclusively from the day I got it.

Product Alert -- Buxom Pout Out Loud and Tarte Deluxe Amazonian Butter Lipstick Set

When it comes to choosing makeup gift sets for friends and family at the holidays, I always feel like lip product collections are often the best option.

That's because even the people I know who aren't as into makeup as I am usually use a lipstick or lip gloss at least occasionally and enjoy having several shades to choose from.

I picked up a couple of fun lip kits from Sephora and Ulta recently that I think would make great gifts or stocking stuffers for family and friends -- or provide a good chance to try out some interesting lipsticks and glosses.

Best of all, both are under $25.