Product Review -- e.l.f. Contour Palette

These days, pretty much every makeup company has some type of contouring palette on the market.

There are definitely some good ones, but they're usually pretty pricey and include a wide range of shades so you inevitably wind up paying for shades that don't work for your skin tone.

Fortunately, if you've been looking for a budget-friendly alternative, e.l.f. has once again answered the call.

The e.l.f. Contour Palette comes in a black plastic compact that's similar to the Powder Blush, Cream Blush, Illuminating, and Foundation Palettes. There is a nice big mirror inside that stays open by itself so it's ideal for putting your makeup on when you're traveling.

Product Review -- Becca Ombre Rouge Eye Palette

A year or two back, when Becca Cosmetics first came out with their Ombre Nudes Eye Palette, I was really interested in picking it up.

So one afternoon when I found myself browsing in Sephora, I decided to check the palette out.

I was pretty surprised to find it seriously underwhelming -- the shadows were nice enough, but they all swatched as essentially the same color, with little variation among them.

The shades weren't that unique to begin with, but the fact that they were all so similar to one another killed any desire I had to pick up the palette.

Fast forward about a year later when Becca introduced the Ombre Rouge Eye Palette -- I was drawn to the palette once again, this time because of all the warm shades, but I was hesitant to purchase it because of my experience swatching the Ombre Nudes Eye Palette.

So I held off for a long time ... until recently when I was in Sephora once again and decided to swatch the Ombre Rouge Eye Palette.

I walked out of the store with it so it goes without saying that I had a slightly different experience this time around.

Product Review -- Kat Von D Lock It Foundation

I'm a big fan of Kat Von D's products, but I'd always stayed away from one of her better known ones, the Lock It Foundation.

That's mainly because it's a long-wearing matte foundation, and those typically aren't the best fit for my normal to dry skin.

Still, I've always been somewhat tempted because of its large shade range -- 33 in total -- because I suspected the lightest shade would be a good match for my very fair skin.

So recently, I decided to bite the bullet and give the foundation a try.

And the verdict is still kind of out, to be honest.

Product Review -- Estee Lauder Gritty and Glow Magnetic Eye and Face Palettes

During the Sephora VIB sale a month ago, I tried to focus on getting products that I've been wanting to try for a while.

But I'm a makeup palette junkie so I couldn't resist the opportunity to add another to my collection at a discount.

And the Estee Lauder Gritty and Glow Magnetic Eye and Face Palettes seemed the best way to go because you get both eye and face products in two separate compacts.

It'd been quite a while since I'd tried an Estee Lauder product too, so it was the perfect time to try the brand again.

Product Review -- Too Faced Funfetti Eyeshadow Collection (and 5 Piece Collection)

I am a sucker for cute packaging and fun, gimmicky makeup products -- I can admit that.

That's why I've had my eye on the Too Faced Funfetti Eyeshadow Collection since it was hinted at this past summer.

The palette is exclusive to HSN, and can be purchased on its own or part of a 5-piece collection that also includes a Love Flushed Blush in Funfetti, a Funfetti Lip Gloss in Mocha Freeze, a Better Than Sex Mascara, and heart-shaped mini kabuki brush.

I purchased the entire set because... of course I did.  And I mean, really, it's a better value than the palette alone, so that's how I justified the purchase.

Product Review -- Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

As big a fan of Hourglass Cosmetics as I am, I've never had much like with their foundations.

I love the finish and coverage of the Veil Fluid Makeup, but the lightest shade is too dark and yellow for my fair skin.

The Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation offers a good shade match for me, but the formula is mattifying so I can only use it during the summer months.

So when I heard that they were coming out with the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Sticks, I was hopeful that it would finally be the foundation option that would work for me without any qualifications.

In recent years, I've kind of fallen in love with foundation sticks. They're just so quick and easy to use that they're perfect for days when you're in a hurry.

However, I've discovered that not all foundation sticks are created equal.

Product Review -- NYX Sculpt & Highlight Face Duo

During the winter months, I start wearing a lot more cream products.

My skin gets extra dry, so cream blushes and highlighters just seem to look better and more natural.

I've tried my hand at cream contouring too, but the NYX Cream Contour & Highlight Palette was a pretty big disappointment.

Still, I decided to give it another try with the NYX Sculpt & Highlight Face Duo, and fortunately, this go-around went much better.