Naked Smoky | Swatches & First Impression

~Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me...~

Hello, everybody! It was my 22nd birthday on Monday! (August 3rd) My mom got me the Naked Smoky palette as a present. I know I'm a little late to the game and there are loads of reviews and swatches out there, but I wanted to put this out there anyway.

One of the most satisfying thing about the packaging is the magnetic closure. It's a weird quirk I have. It's just satisfying to see and hear. This palette is GORGEOUS! The color range is perfect for versatile smoky eyes rather than the typical, plain black option. There are endless color combos from bronze to grays, taupes, and blackened shades. There are "...nine never-before-seen shades and three exclusives from past palettes." And for the first time in a Naked palette the brush is different! Rather than a blending side and a flat side to the brush, this time it has a tapered blending and a smudging brush. The palette also comes with a diagram with 4 different eye looks, and it tells you how to achieve the looks.

The texture of these eyeshadows are amazing. They're so smooth and buttery, and so pigmented! For me 2 of the 12 eyeshadows are almost like "nothing" shades because I have such fair skin, but those kinds of shades are perfect for blending out the darker, "harsher" shades. So without further ado, here are my swatches. (I fake tanned for my birthday weekend, so my skin isn't as pale as it normally is in these pictures.)

First four shades:

Second four shades:

Last four shades:

Now, as far as recommending this palette...I don't think I would tell beginners to go out and buy this. At least not until they had a little more experience. Smoky eyes aren't easy. They can come out looking like a racoon. But for a person with a bit of experience, and confidence, I would definitely recommend this palette!

I know Naked palettes are known for being expensive, they retail at $54. But if you were to divide 12 shadows into $54 it comes out as $4.50/eyeshadow. They're actually a decent value, and you'll have them around for a while.

Until next time,

Abby

NYX Cosmetics | "Invincible Fullest Coverage Foundation"

With my recent fake tanning experience, I knew I would end up needing new face makeup. All my years of wearing makeup has been geared towards buying the lightest shades of anything and hoping it works. And once I would find a "holy grail" it became a staple. But now with my tan I know nothing about tan makeup and what would work. So I enlisted the help of my best friend and we went shopping, and I found this beauty!
I have sensitive, combination/oily skin, and I love me a matte finish. I also have rosacea, which makes finding a foundation that covers and blends well a little difficult. I typically have to get "full coverage". With my tan, it's a little bit less noticeable though. I got it in the shade #5 Light/Medium.
This stuff is pretty amazing. I applied it twice, two days in a row. The first time I used my fingers, and the second time I used a damp beauty sponge. Both ways were effective, and it blended like a dream!
The second day I applied the foundation, I put it on around 8:30 - 9:00 AM, and went out and about in hot, sunny weather. I even wore this while putting makeup on a client in a hot, stuffy bathroom. I didn't take the foundation off 'til I got home around 7:00 PM that night. It lasted really well throughout the day, and I only touched up once with an oil-blotting sheet. I did use primer and a setting spray that day though.

Some of my "Pro's" are:

* Medium to full coverage. Buildable.
* Easy to apply and blend.
* Doesn't look cakey.
* Semi-matte, natural looking (skinlike) finish.
* Long lasting.
* SUPER lightweight. Feels like your skin!

A couple "Con's":

* The color range isn't the best. 10 shades but they're all too similar.

*Squeeze tube dispenser. Super messy!

* Price vs. Amount you get.

I've had other foundations with better packaging for the same price or less, and you get more out of it.

All in all, it's an awesome foundation and I would recommend it to anyone that has oily skin, would like a full-coverage foundation without it feeling "heavy" on your skin, and last a good amount of time with little to no "melting".

Until next time,

Abby

Better Late than Never

I finally ordered myself the Sleek "Vintage Romance" palette and blush!! And my, oh my - it's SO PRETTY!
As promised, here's my swatchy swatchy :)

So far I haven't used very many of these eye shadows. I've only used Court in Cannes, Lust in L.A., and Love in London. Those three mixed together made a really lovely bronzed smokey look. I was really impressed with it, and I can't wait to use more! I'm especially in love with that cranberry color that is Honeymoon in Hollywood! I was also pleasantly surprised that Forever in Florence was a beautiful purple shade!

This is the blush in the shade "Antique"

My only dislike with this is the glitter. I haven't tried it on my cheeks yet, but it IS a beautiful color. I'm just not too sure about the glitter. We shall see.