Product Review -- The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

I don't usually review skin care products on the blog, though that's not because I'm not just as obsessed with them as I am with makeup.

It's mainly because I feel like it's much harder to recommend skin care products than it is with makeup because everyone's skin is so different.

But over the past year, I realize that my skin looks better now than it did 10 years ago, and I figured that even it probably wouldn't hurt to review some of the skin care products I'm trying every now and again.

Now, at this point, 70% of my skin care routine is products from The Ordinary, a line that features really good ingredients and formulas at budget-friendly prices, so I figured it only made sense to start with one of my favorite products from the brand.

I've tried a lot of at-home "peel" products over the years, and I've been disappointed with almost all of them because I never really noticed any results.

I've got dull skin, dark spots, texture issues, fine lines, and some congested pores so I can definitely benefit from an exfoliating product that really does its job.

What attracted me to The Ordinary's AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is that it includes both AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid). AHAs are usually used in these types of exfoliating, but the BHA is a nice addition because it exfoliates inside the pore, which makes it ideal for treating clogged pores or blemishes.

Product 411: ColourPop Element of Surprise and You Had Me At Hello Shadow Palettes

Note: So I've fallen embarrassingly behind on products that I've been meaning to review, and instead of just skipping over them entirely, I thought I might do the occasional round-up where I do mini-reviews for multiple products -- sometimes from the same brand, something from the same product category -- in one post. 

That way, I can still share my thoughts on noteworthy items without needing until next Christmas to get caught up. ;)

At this point, I should probably just admit that I'm a dedicated collector of ColourPop's pressed eyeshadow palettes.

I'm pretty sure that I have everyone they've done at this point.

But I can't really feel guilty about it because the quality is always outstanding and the prices can't be beat.

I mean, 12 shadows for $16 (in most cases anyway) -- how can you beat that?

Like all of the the other ColourPop palettes that I've tried, the two that I'm going to talk about in this post feature a pretty great formula. The shadows are all extremely pigmented -- and they're smooth and creamy too.

Product Review -- The Balm Bonnie-Lou Manizer

Like a lot of people, the Mary-Lou Manizer from The Balm was probably my first really serious highlighting product.

It is a lovely champagne shade that can look super intense on the skin or blended out for a more subtle effect, making it a pretty versatile highlighter -- and to this day, it's one that I come back to again and again.

I also own the Betty-Lou Manizer, which is a bronze-y highlight shade, and Cindy-Lou Manizer, which is a peachy-pink highlight shade, and I like them both quite a bit too, though I don't get quite as much use out of them as I do with Mary-Lou.

So when I heard that The Balm was adding another highlighter to the line, I knew that I had to give it a try.

Product Review -- The Balm Foiled Again... Foil Eyeshadow Palette

I  am a huge fan of The Balm.

That's pretty well documented on this blog at this point.

Whenever they put a new palette out, I buy first, ask questions later.

(The only palette I haven't purchased is the Highlite 'N Con Tour Palette, just because I already have so many contour palettes and the shades don't look like they'd work for me. Though I'll probably cave and buy it if it every turns up on HauteLook or I can get a good deal on it somewhere else.)

Like so many other brands this holiday season, The Balm recently came out with a metallic  eyeshadow palette, the Foiled Again... Foil Eyeshadow Palette, and I was really excited to try this one out because I love me some metallic shadows.

Product Review -- Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation

I have tried a ton of new foundations in 2017 (I've bought so many that I think I'm actually putting myself on a foundation no-buy for the foreseeable future -- I can't buy a new one until I finish up one that I already have or something like that. Though I still have several I haven't even reviewed yet so you may still get some foundation sightings on the blog), and I've really liked most of them.

The bareMinerals Bare Pro Performance Wear Foundation and the Fenty  Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation are probably the standouts, but the Tarte Clay Stick Foundation and The Ordinary Colours Serum Foundation have also been favorites over the year.

I think what's made me most excited about the foundations I've tried recently is that I keep getting better and better color matches. My skin is incredibly fair, and the lightest shade in most brands is usually too dark so I need to add a white mix-in to lighten them up.

Lately, though, I haven't had to do that -- and in the Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation, I may have actually found the first foundation that, if it's not an absolutely perfect match, actually falls on the side of being too light rather than dark.

Product Review -- It Cosmetics It Girl Palette

Usually, It Cosmetics puts out some type of eyeshadow palette for the holiday season -- and I buy them just as soon as they come out.

It Cosmetics' shadows may not be as fun, bright, or bold as those from other brands, but they always perform well and work really well for everyday, so it's a no-brainer for me.

This year, though, It Cosmetics took a different route and came out with the It Girl Palette, an eye and cheek palette.

I still picked this one up without hesitation because I also happen to be a pretty big fan of It Cosmetics blushes, and I'm always looking for palettes that are easy to travel with.

The It Girl Palette comes in a plastic compact that features a pretty sparkly rhinestone-like lid. I think the design is perfect for the holidays, but I have noticed that it has a very plasticky smell that I'm not a big fan of.  Though that's mostly worn off at this point, so I only smell it now if I press my nose up to it ... which, honestly, I have no reason to do.

Product Review -- BECCA First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh

I have kind of a hard time with primers.

Not because they irritate my skin or have any adverse effect on my foundation, though.

Instead, it's because I never really notice them doing much of anything.

I usually choose hydrating primers because my skin is dry and I mainly want a formula that's going to moisturize my skin a little bit so my foundation doesn't going on flaky or patchy -- and beyond that, there really isn't all that much to see, I suppose.

Still, I'm always on the hunt for a magical kind of primer that's somehow going to make my foundation look airbrushed and flawless.

Considering the texture issues I have with my skin (tons of enlarged pores on my cheeks from my acne struggles as teenager), that likely isn't ever going to happen.

But I still had high hopes for the BECCA First Light Primer Filter Instant Complexion Refresh.

Product Review -- Too Faced Clover Eye Shadow Palette

One of the few things that I'm more crazy about than makeup is dogs.

I may only have two doggies at home, but I am a full-on crazy dog lady and if I ever win the lottery or Publishers Clearing House shows up on my doorstep with a giant check, I'm totally buying a giant, sprawling ranch and adopting all the rescue pups I can find.

So if you put together two things that I absolutely love -- dogs and makeup -- I am all over it.

Which is how Too Faced had me hook, line, and sinker with the new Clover Eye Shadow Palette.

Not only was the palette designed in honor Clover, the adorable chihuahua that belongs to Too Faced co-founders Jarrod and Jeremy and serves as the brand's mascot, but proceeds from the palette are also going to the Best Friends Animal Society.

I get fun makeup and the chance to help animals? Sign me up!

Product Review -- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation

I've had mostly good luck with IT Cosmetic's face products.

Their Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is one of my favorite foundations, particularly for everyday, I love the Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder for setting foundation, and the Bye Bye Under Eye Eyelift in a Tube is a go-to under eye concealer for me.

So I'm always willing to take a chance on a new product from the brand.

(Even if I occasionally get burned, as I sort of did with the Bye Bye Pores Illumination Pressed Powder.)

The Bye Bye Lines Foundation was especially appealing to me because I like the idea of my face products having skin care ingredients.

Don't get me wrong -- I don't expect a foundation to have the same effects on my skin as a serum or other treatment product (especially considering I switch my foundation up almost daily), but I figure it's always better to have ingredients that are actually good for my skin in it than those that aren't.

Product Review -- Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette

Metallic and shimmery/glittery eyeshadow palettes seem to be all the rage this holiday season.

I'm not really complaining, though I prefer metallic shadows to glittery ones personally.

(I just find that glitter shadows take a little more work to use, but maybe that speaks to my lack of patience more than anything else.)

The Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette was at the top of my must-have list, though, because I loved that it offered both natural tones, which I personally get more use out of, and fun, bright shades, which I like to play with when the mood strikes.

My Two Cents: Boxycharm Subscription Box (October '17)

A couple of years back, I was kind of a beauty subscription box junkie.

I probably had a two to three active at any moment, and I enjoyed them for the most part.

But they sent mainly deluxe sample and sample size products and contained mostly skin, hair, and body products, so they weren't all that exciting for me personally.

I eventually decided that I had enough samples and cancelled all of them.

Since then, I've seen plenty of blog posts and YouTube videos about Boxycharm, but I never really read or watched. I figured Boxycharm was just like all the other subscription boxes, so I wasn't particularly interested.

When I eventually found out that Boxycharm sends full-size items that are mostly makeup focused, I started to do a little research. I check out the posts and videos about past boxes, I read a ton of reviews, and checked out all the FAQs on the Boxycharm website.

I figured that for $21 a month, which is the monthly fee if you opt for a month to month subscription, it was worth giving it a try.

Product Review -- Tarte Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette

I'm usually a fan of Tarte's eyeshadow palettes, but the Tartelette and Tartelette in Bloom (along the the Tartetist Pro Palette) are probably two of the best that they've ever come out with.

The Tartelette in Bloom has particularly become one of my favorite everyday shadow palettes.  

That's why I was so excited to hear that they were adding another palette to the range.

The Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette  features the same design and layout as the other two Tartelette Palettes, but like the Tartelette in Bloom Palette, it has a mix of matte and shimmery shades -- though all of them lean toward the warm end of the spectrum.

Product Review -- NYX Slip Tease Full Color Lip Oil

In my experience, NYX pretty much kills it when it comes to lip products.

I can't even count how many lip pencils, lipsticks, glosses, and liquid sticks that I have from the brand in my collection ... because it's a whole hell of a lot. 

So I'm always willing to give one of their new lip products a try.

The new Slip Tease Full Color Lip Oil was particularly appealing to me, though.

With the cooler weather hitting (or at least, it should be. It's only just starting to stop feeling like summer here on Long Island), I know that my lips are going to be dry and chapped pretty soon -- and a full color lip oil sounds like just the thing to keep them looking great.

Product Review -- Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Metal Moon

When I was picking up the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, I just had to try one of the Killawat Freestyle Highlighters.

I can't help myself when it comes to glowy highlighters.

The Killawat Freestyle Highlighter is best known for its Trophy Wife shade, which is a hyper metallic gold that looks absolutely stunning on deep skin tones but I knew wouldn't be a good fit for my super pale skin at all.

The highlighter actually comes in 6 shades all together, but 4 of the shades are actually split pan compact that feature two different colors. That's a pretty cool concept if you ask me, but still I went with the one other full pan shade, Metal Moon.

Product Review -- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

Celebrity makeup lines are always a bit of gamble.

Some lines feel like nothing but a money grab -- you know, throwing a well-known person's name on some lackluster products just to make a profit.

But there are those that actually contribute some really high-quality products and fill a need or niche in the makeup world that isn't presently being fit.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line -- I mean, I wanted to love it because she is absolutely fabulous (and gorgeous and stylish to boot), but I try so many makeup products that sometimes I feel like it's harder to wow me.

One of the first products I decided to try from Fenty Beauty was the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation because that seems to be the real standout of the line.

I mean, how many other makeup brands offer up 40 shades of foundation?

Product Review -- Anastasia Beverly Hills Prism Eye Shadow Palette

After the "controversy" surrounding the Subculture Eye Shadow Palette, I wondered if it might be a little while before Anastasia Beverly Hills put out another eye shadow palette.

Despite the fact that the Subculture Palette isn't one of my all-time faves, I was really hoping that wouldn't be the case, though.

So I was pretty excited when photos of the Prism Eye Shadow Palette started showing up on Instagram.

Like the Subculture Palette, the shades in this collection are more unique and contain both warm and cool tones, and while I may struggle a bit to put together looks with these types of palettes, I really do enjoy the challenge.

Product Review -- Tarte Tartelette Flirt Eyeshadow Palette

About two years ago, Tarte introduced the Tarte Tartlette Tease Palette, which was a mini palette that delivered some seriously good shadows.

And with its small, thin design, it's small enough to toss in your purse or any bag to take with your on the go, which makes touching up or turning a daytime eye into an evening eye super easy even if you're at work or school.

So I was pretty excited to hear that Tarte was adding another mini palette to the Tarlette line.

The Tartelette Flirt Palette is similar in size and quality to the the Tease Palette, so I think it's a terrific option for anyone who wants an eye shadow collection that's perfect for taking on the road.

Product 411 -- ColourPop I Think I Love You Pressed Powder Shadow Palette

A couple of months ago, I did one of these Product 411 posts about ColourPop's first pressed powder shadow palettes, Yes, Please! and She, because there was really no point in doing a full review, considering that the shadow formula in the palettes was pretty much identical to ColourPop's single Pressed Powder Shadows.

Which is pretty cool since so many brands seem to fill palettes with inferior quality shadows.

ColourPop keeps their formula consistent, and while the pans are smaller in the palettes than for the singles, you're still getting a great value with 12 shades for just $16.

So when ColourPop released the I Think I Love You Pressed Powder Shadow Palette , I picked it up without hesitation.

And the good news is the quality is just as good with this one -- if not even a little better, actually -- and the colors are just perfect for fall and a wide variety of skin tones, so it's a palette that I imagine a lot of people will be interested in.

Product Review -- It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Illumination Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder

The Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder was one of the first products that I ever tried from It Cosmetics.

It does a pretty good job of living up to its name -- it really does make the enlarged pores on my cheeks so much less visible -- but it doesn't really offer the finish that I'm looking for.

It has a pretty noticeable matte finish, and with my normal to dry skin, that usually only works in warmer weather when my skin gets a little more oily.

I've never tried the pressed version of Bye Bye Pores because I figured the effect would be the same.

That's why I was really excited to see It Cosmetics add the Bye Bye Pores Illumination Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder to the line.

A poreless, glowy finish?

That sounds pretty much like heaven to me.

Product Review -- LORAC Mega PRO 4 Palette

I already have the first three LORAC Mega PRO Palettes in my collection, so I knew that I was going to pick up the fourth one before I even saw the colors.

I can't help it -- I couldn't fit the need to complete the "set."

When I finally saw a photo of the palette's shade range, though, I was even more convinced.

As much as I love all the warm, natural shadow palettes that have come out over the past couple of years -- and I do love them, deeply -- I was pretty excited to see an option that had plenty of cool tones included, but with some warmer tones to balance things out.

It makes for a really nice change of pace.

Product Review -- Beauty Bakerie Neapolitan Eyes Cream Palette

When I went to the Beauty Bakerie website recently to pick up the Flour Setting Powder, I couldn't resist checking out some of their other products.

And naturally, my eyes were immediately drawn to their one eyeshadow palette, the Neapolitan Eyes Cream Palette.

Because I can't resist most eyeshadow palettes, but I especially can't resist them if they're ice cream-themed.

Product Review -- The Balm Girls' Getaway Trio

It's pretty well established on this blog that I'm a huge fan of The Balm.

I don't think I've tried a single product from the brand that I didn't like, and the artwork on their packaging is always too cute.

That's why I usually buy their new products as soon as they come out -- I don't wait for reviews or even swatch photos.

I give them my money and just trust that I'm going to like whatever it is.

Over the past year or so, though, I've fallen a little behind on their new releases (new products are coming out fast and furious these days... I just can't keep up!).

That means I've been meaning to try to Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush pretty much since it came out and just haven't gotten around to it.

So when I saw that it was featured in their new face palette, The Girls' Getaway Trio, I figured that it was finally time to try it.

Product Review -- Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder

I've mentioned before how I can have a difficult time finding a good setting powder.

My skin has gotten drier as I've gotten older, so instead of the major oil slick that it used to be back in the day, it leans more normal to dry these days -- and yet, it still can't seem to hold onto foundation all day unless I set it with something.

But most powder accentuate dryness and wind up looking cakey, which isn't cute at all.

It's kind of a catch-22.

I had a lot of hope, though, when I purchased the Flour Setting Powder from Beauty Bakerie.

That's because I'd seen a bunch of YouTube and blog reviews that were almost universally positive, so I figured it was worth a shot.

Product Review -- Karity Just Peachy Palette

About a year ago, I bought a bunch of single eye shadows from Karity, a brand that wasn't particularly well known to me at the time.

I saw a couple of YouTube videos about them, though, and read a few blog posts, and decided that it would be worth the gamble to give them a try because the shadows are only $5 each and it's usually easy to find a coupon code for Karity.

I've been meaning to do a review of those shadows ever since, but my attention span can be fairly short when it comes to makeup and there have been so many new products that have come on the market between then and now, so I just haven't gotten around to it.

(I still plan to, though. Hopefully sooner rather than later.)

But I picked one of Karity's premade palettes recently, and I couldn't wait to review it because it features one of my favorite things in the makeup world: peach eyeshadow.

The Karity Just Peachy Palette contains a range of peachy and orange-y shadows in a variety of finishes, including matte, metallic, and satin.

Product Review -- Laura Geller Filter Finish Setting Powder

I have a love/hate relationship with setting powders.

I know I need them if I want my makeup to stay in place, because even though my skin is more normal to dry these days, it can still eat up foundation like nobody's business.

But because my skin leans more toward dry, I don't love a matte finish my makeup -- I prefer a glow or dewy look, which isn't always compatible with powder.

For years, I've been a big fan of the Laura Geller Balance and Brighten, which is a baked powder foundation -- it doesn't really provide that glowy look that I'm after, but my skin never looks cakey and the porcelain shade is perfect for my pale skin.

So I was intrigued by another powder from the Laura Geller line -- I've had my eye on the Filter Finish Setting Powder for a while now, and when I finished my last Balance and Brighten (which is one of the few makeup products that I've gone through multiple times), I decided to give it a try.

Product Review -- Too Faced Just Peachy Mattes Velvet Matte Eyeshadow Palette

I've been a big fan of Too Faced's matte eyeshadow formula for years -- all the way back to their original matte shadow palette in the little square box that I believe has long since been discontinued.

The Natural Matte Eye Shadow Collection, which is still available, is another favorite of mine, though, so I'm pretty much always willing to give a Too Faced matte palette a try.

Especially when it's part of the Sweet Peach collection.

I am such as sucker for peach makeup products.

So I knew that I had to have the Too Faced Just Peachy Mattes Velvet Matte Eyeshadow Palette from the first moment I saw a photo of it on Instagram.

Product Review -- bareMinerals Bare Pro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation

bareMinerals Original Loose Mineral Foundation was one of the first "high end" foundations that I ever bought for myself.

I was in college, and after seeing a few too many presentations of it on QVC, I ordered it, and for a few years, I wore it pretty much exclusively.

So a few years ago when they came out with their first liquid foundation, Bare Skin Serum Foundation, I couldn't wait to try -- and it's a pretty good foundation. I still wear it quite a bit, though the coverage is more natural to light, so there are times when it isn't quite enough.

Which is why I was super excited to hear that they were coming out with another liquid foundation, the bareMinerals Bare Pro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation.

Product Review -- Maybelline The City Mini Palettes

These days, it seems like Maybelline is putting out new products all the time.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

While Maybelline has hits and misses like any brand, I'm always willing to at least give their stuff a try because I feel like there's a good chance I'll enjoy it.

I was excited to see that they'd come out with the new City Mini Palettes a couple of months back because eye shadow is one area where I feel like the brand falters quite a bit. 

I haven't had much luck with their single shadows, their quads have been very hit or miss, and the larger Nudes palettes have all been something of a disappointment.

The only shadow product I've consistently enjoyed from them are the Eye Studio Color Plush Quads, which have decent pigmentation and a nice smooth, creamy texture. 

In a lot of ways, the City Mini Palettes remind me of the Color Plush Quads.

Product Review -- The Ordinary Colours Serum Foundation and Coverage Foundation

Since I first tried The Ordinary's products about a year ago, I've pretty much fallen in love with their brand.

My skincare routine is pretty much 85% products from the line at this point, and my skin is probably in the best condition that it's ever been in since I was a kid and had a baby-smooth complexion.

So when I heard that The Ordinary was coming out with foundations, I was beyond excited.

And lots of other people were too apparently, because I missed the foundations when they first hit the site and had to wait almost two months before they were back in stock.

(Not that I was obsessively checking the website everyday to see if there were in stock or anything.)

Finally, though, I was able to get my greedy little hands on The Ordinary Colours Serum Foundation and Coverage Foundation.

Product Review -- Dose of Colors Eyes Cream Palette

I fell in love with the Dose of Colors Eyes Cream Palette pretty much the first moment that I saw a photo of it on Instagram.

At the time, I'd never tried anything from Dose of Colors, and I thought of them primarily as a brand that made lip products. 

But the Eyes Cream Palette had such a fun theme and was full of such pretty and unusual colors that I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I didn't buy it right away, though, because I didn't think that I had enough creativity and skill to really pull off looks with the shades in the palette -- and then by the time that I decided it would be fun to play around and challenge myself with, the palette was sold out and I thought I'd lost my chance.

Because the Eyes Cream Palette is actually limited edition, and I figured that it had been taken out of rotation.

Recently, though, it turned back up on the Dose of Colors website, and I jumped at the chance to pick it up.

Product Review -- ColourPop Pressed Powder Highlighter and Bronzer

Ever since ColourPop came out with their pressed powder eye shadows a while back, they've been expanding more and more into that realm.

They've had several small palettes on the market over the past few months with pressed blushes, highlighters, and bronzers, but I hadn't picked any of them up because there was always one or two shades that wouldn't work with my skin tone and I've been trying to get better about not buying makeup items that I won't really get a lot of use out of.

So I was pretty excited when ColourPop released individual pressed powder highlighters and bronzers.  I wanted a bunch, but I was good and just picked up a couple of the highlighters and one of the bronzers. 

You can purchase both the highlighters and bronzers in compacts, which are $8, or just the pans, which are $7 and can be placed in any magnetic palette.

Product 411: ColourPop Yes, Please! and She Pressed Powder Shadow Palettes

I've already expressed my affection for the ColourPop Pressed Powder Shadows so I was pretty excited when they came out with larger shadow palettes that contained 12 shadows.

There's not much point in a doing a full blown review of these palettes, though, because the shadow formula is essentially the same as the single shadows, but I did think it might help folks who are on the fence about them to do a quick little rundown with some swatches.

At the moment, both the Yes, Please! and She Palettes are out of stock, but ColourPop has been restocking them pretty regularly, so if you're interested, keep an eye out.

Product Review -- ColourPop No Filter Concealer

From the moment that I first tried ColourPop's Super Shock Shadows a couple of years back, I've been a pretty big fan of nearly all of their products.

There are a couple that I haven't gotten around to trying -- I haven't tried any of the brow products, for example, mainly because I just don't get very excited about brow stuff in general and I'd rather spend my money on other things -- but I am pretty much always waiting with bated breath to see what they're coming out with next.

So I was pretty giddy when I heard that the brand was finally venturing into complexion products with a line of concealers. The No Filter Concealer is described as a lightweight, creamy concealer with soft blurring pigments -- um, okay, sign me the hell up!

The concealers are available in 16 shades, and because I'm pale as a ghost, I purchased it in the two lightest shades, Fair 5 and Fair Neutral 10.

Product Review -- Sephora PRO Cool Palette

I don't have a ton of experience with makeup from Sephora's own line, but I've usually had good luck with their eyeshadow palettes.

I absolutely love the Sephora + Pantone Universe Palette I got a few years back when Marsala was the color of the year and am still using the Ariel Storybook Palette from the Sephora Disney Collection that came out even before that.

More recently, I've really enjoyed the Mixology Eyeshadow Palette I purchased this spring (and is still available at the moment).

So when I saw the PRO Palettes that were coming out in the Sephora Collection line last month (maybe two at this point? I'm not sure), I was definitely intrigued.

When they were released, there were three options: Warm, Cool, and Editorial.

The Warm was totally calling my name, but I've purchased so many warm eye shadow palettes and shades lately that I decided the Cool would be a better fit for my collection.

Product Review -- BECCA X Christy Teigen Glow Face Palette

I am a big fan of Christy Teigen.

I follow her on all social media, bought her cookbook when it came out, and generally just think she's pretty cool.

So I was pretty excited when I heard that she was coming out with a palette with BECCA.

But then I heard it was going to be a face palette and I was a little bummed.

Because my skin tone is pretty different from Christy's so I figured that shades that would work well for her probably wouldn't be the best for me.

Which is why I told myself I shouldn't buy the palette -- and I held strong for about two months.

And then I decided the shades were just too pretty to overlook and I would just find a way to make them work somehow.

Product Review -- Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Eye Shadow Palette

I've been debating whether or not I should write this review because God knows this is one makeup product that's been dissected in every way imaginable, so what could another review possibly add to all the noise?

But I felt like maybe I could offer a another point of view that might have some value in it, so I figured why not?

(If you're tired of all the Subculture drama, I totally get it and you can feel free to  move onto my reviews of other products.)

So right off the bat, let me say that I probably know more about makeup than the average person who walks into Sephora to pick up the Urban Decay Naked Palette or wanders into CVS to choose a new Revlon lipstick. If you read this blog, you know that I am obsessed with makeup, play with it pretty much daily, and know precisely when every new product is coming out.

With all that said, I am not a professional by any stretch of the imagination. My makeup skills are probably pretty good for an average person, but that's only because I've been putting the stuff on for years and I practice, practice, practice. I don't really have an innate talent  -- or imagination, really -- for it. My usual looks aren't the most creative in the world.

I also have extremely fair skin, pale eyes, and red hair, so I don't like the way that I look in a lot of brighter or darker colors. That's simply a matter of personal preference, but I'm just not comfortable working with those types of shades and my blending game with them is probably pretty poor, if I'm being honest.

So that's the background and experience I approach the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Palette with.

Product Review -- Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer and Ethereal Setting Powder

Since I bought the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, it's gone into my rotation of go-to foundations.

Meaning, it's one of those foundations that I can easily throw on and I know it'll always look good -- never cakey or greasy or patchy.

So I was interested in trying the Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer as soon as it came out -- I figured the formula would be good and I'm on board for anything that's described as radiant.

When it  first came out, though, the reviews I read made it clear that the lightest shade at the time was pretty dark so I knew it wouldn't be a good match for my super fair skin.

Fortunately, Too Faced recently added some new shades to the line, along with the Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder, so I figured it was the perfect time to try the other products in the Born This Way line.

Product Review -- Kat Von D Shade + Light Glimmer Eye Contour Palette

I am a huge fan of the original Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette.

It's all matte palette that still allows for a variety of looks -- and they're pretty much no-brainer so you can always put together an easy but polished eye.

But as much as I love the palette, I have to admit that matte shadows are never going to excite me the way that shimmery shadows do.

Which is why I was pretty excited to try the Kat Von D Shade + Light Glimmer Eye Contour Palette.

It is pretty much a redo of the original palette but with all shimmery and glittery shadows.

Product Review -- Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Radiance Drops

When it comes to makeup products, all they have to do is promise me radiant skin and I am sold.

So it's probably not a surprise that I was hooked by the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Radiance Drops.

These multipurpose drops are meant to add a pretty radiance to the skin -- to both your face and anywhere else on your body that you might like, such as your shoulders or collarbones.

They come in a heavy 1 ounce bottle with pretty purple and gold packaging. It features a medicine dropper dispenser, which is perfect for allowing you to get just the right amount of the product.

Product Review -- NYX HD Photogenic Concealer

I'm beginning to get a little low on my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, which is one of my favorite concealers of all-time.

While I've been debating whether or not to buy another tube -- if you're thinking "Why would you ever debate that when you love it so much?" it's just that it's a pretty pricey concealer ($30) and it's not that I object to spending that much on makeup, but there are always so many new products that I want to try that sometimes I'd rather budget my makeup funds toward something new rather something tried and true. Probably silly, but that's just me -- I have been on the hunt for a more budget-friendly concealer that could fill in for the Radiant Creamy Concealer.

Enter the NYX HD Photogenic Concealer.

Product Review -- Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter

I am a certified sucker for two things: cute packaging and highlighters.

(Well, dogs, pizza, and margaritas too, but that's kind of off topic...)

So I could only resist the Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighters for so long.

Because not only do these highlighters promise unparalleled radiance, they come in adorable heart-shaped compacts with a shiny metallic that corresponds to the shade of the highlighter. For example, I bought the highlighter in Blinded By The Light, which is a champagne shade, and the compact is a silver color.

Product Review -- Makeup Revolution Unicorn Love Eyeshadow Palette

Last week, I talked about the Makeup Revolution Death by Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette and mentioned that I picked up another palette from the line during a BOGO-1/2 off sale.

The Makeup Revolution Unicorn Love Eyeshadow Palette is the same style as the Death By Chocolate in that it comes in the same long rectangular packaging and contains 16 eyeshadows in a layout that's very reminiscent of the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palettes.

The Unicorn Love Palette doesn't have a chocolate theme -- well, at least in theory.  It comes in a pink compact that has a fuzzy texture and a large crystal-like heart in the center.

Product Review -- Makeup Revolution Death by Chocolate Palette

I've had pretty good luck with most of the Makeup Revolution products that I've tried.

They make some of my all-time favorite highlighters, the Blushing Hearts Triple Baked Highlighter and the Vivid Baked Highlighter Powder, and I absolutely adore the New-Trals vs. Neutrals Professional Eyeshadow Palette, so I'm always willing to give their new stuff a try.

Recently (it's probably been several months actually... is it just me or is 2017 seriously flying by), they came out with a bunch of eyeshadow palettes that are clearly inspired by the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palettes, right down to the packaging, and I was definitely curious.

There are 5 or 6 of them in total, but I decided to purchase the Death by Chocolate Palette, which is supposed to feature rich, warm neutrals and cool, smokey plums -- because I definitely don't have enough of those kinds of palettes in my collection (that's sarcasm, for sure).

The palette comes in a rectangular brown plastic compact. It is designed to look like a chocolate bar, just like the Too Faced Palettes, but this one is melting a bit, which is kind of cute. Inside, there is a good size mirror, which stays open by itself so you can easily use it to do your makeup if you're on the go.

Makeup Revolution Death By Chocolate Palette

The palette contains 16 shadows. The shades include: White Light, a matte vanilla; Don't Let Go, a shimmery light bronze; Break Me Up, a matte light taupe; Consume Me, a mid-tone brown with a satin finish; All Is Lost, a mid-tone gray with a satin finish; Lick Me, a matte light pink; Fool's Gold, a shimmery gold; One More Bar, a matte mid-tone brown; Devour Me, a matte black brown; Tear the Wrapper, a shimmery copper bronze; Love You to Death, a shimmery plum; Pray for Me, a shimmery golden taupe; Dipped, a shimmery bronze taupe; Tease Me, a shimmery silver taupe; Set Me Free, a shimmery light taupe; and Bring Down Angels, a shimmery golden ivory.

Makeup Revolution Death By Chocolate Palette

As is the case with the other Makeup Revolution shadow palettes, the formula isn't perfect. The shimmery and satin shades are nicely pigmented, creamy, and smooth, so they're easy to work with.

The mattes can be a little sheer and dry, though they do build easily so I don't have any real issue using them.

And considering the palette is only $15 so you're paying less than $1 per shadow, I would say that they're really pretty nice shadows.

From l. to r.: White Light, Don't Let Go, Break Me Up, Consume Me, All Is Lost

From l. to r.: Lick Me, Fool's Gold, One More Bar, Devour Me, Tear the Wrapper, Love You To Death

From l. to r.: Pray For Me, Dipped, Tease Me, Set Me Free, Bring Down Angels

Of course, I love the shades -- they're mainly warm bronze-y and taupe shades that are always a favorite of mine. Don't Let Go, Tear the Wrapper, Dipped, and Tease Me are probably my most used shades in the palette, but they all work pretty well -- and it lends itself to both daytime and evening looks so it's pretty versatile too.

I don't think I'm going to buy any other palettes in the line (I already purchased another, though, because the palettes were BOGO-1/2 off, which I plan to review) but that's because the rest seem to contain shades that I already have a lot of in my collection.

However, if Makeup Revolution comes out with other palettes in the line with shades I don't have so many of, I wouldn't hesitate to buy them.

As I said, the palette retails for $15 and you can purchase them at Ulta.

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Death By Chocolate Palette? Which shades are your favorite?

Product Review -- NYX Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder

As far as I'm concerned, there can never be enough highlighters in my collection.

I would glow to the high heavens all day, every day if possible so it helps to have plenty of options in my arsenal. 

Over the past year, I've become especially obsessed with duo-chrome highlighters. You know, the ones that look like a simple white, ivory, or beige in the pan but actually flash a cool color like lilac, pink, blue, or green in the light. 

I know they're not for everybody -- not everyone wants to rocks a highlighter that flashes green -- but I absolutely love them. I feel like it takes a simple everyday makeup look and makes it a little more exciting. 

So I was really excited to try the NYX Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powders, which contain light-catching pearls that look different from every angle.