Too Faced Shadow Insurance High Impact Eye Shadow Collection

Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Policy Palette was a palette I bought over a year ago from Sephora for $34. I've talked about the Shadow Insurance Primer but never the Palette.
The palette has 6 full size eyeshadows in Full Frontal, Glamazon, Socialite, Boy Toy, Skinny Dip, & Lucky Charm. All the colors are highly pigmented and shimmery. They glide on smoothly to your lid.
The palette itself is a cardboard container that closes magnetically and the size makes it convenient for travel or to carry around in your purse.
A single eyeshadow from Too Faced is $16 so this is good deal and it comes with the the primer.

Final Verdict

Pro: Full size shadows that are very pigmented

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Urban Decay Palettes

I've had these palettes for a while now (bought then sometime last year) but I've never talked about them. Not because I don't like them, because I do, but just because I forgot.

I bought Urban Decay Wallpaper Palette at Sephora for $36. It has 9 shadows that are either shimmery, glittery, or both. The shadows are Grind, Shotgun, Last Call, Asphyxia, Uzi, Shattered, Smog, Chopper, & Midnight Cowboy. All the shadows are pigmented but they're soft colors. They're more muted then vibrant (except Shattered). This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you were going for a more soft, demure, or natural look this palette would be great. I use this palette for more day to day looks.
The palette is make of cardboard with a light purple and flower design on the outside. Inside there is a mirror and 2 double ended sponge tip applicators and closes magnetically.
I don't think they carry this palette anymore. I haven't seen it around. But the eyeshadows themselves they still have in other palettes or as single shades.

I bought Urban Decay Ammo Palette at Sephora for $36. It comes in a black palette with a purple gun shooting a floral design on the outside. Inside it comes with a mirror, the 10 shadows, and a double ended sponge tip applicator. The palette closes magnetically.
The 10 shadows are:
(top) Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper
(bottom) Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Griffter, Sin
All the colors are very pigmented but half are vibrant ( Smog, Mildew, Shattered, Oil Slick, Last Call) and the rest are soft colors. Like all Urban Decay shadows, these shadows are shimmery, glittery, or both.
I also like this palette and I can use it alone without having to get other shadows. The colors can be used together for a full eye look(Lid, Crease, Highlight).

Final Verdict

Pro: Pigmented

Con: Glitter, I hate glitter in eyeshadows, too much fall out.

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Wallpaper Swatch

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner

Maybelline's Lasting Drama Gel Liner is an oil free formula with a highly concentrated pigment in a gel base. It claims to be smudge proof and water proof. They come in 4 colors; black, grey, brown, and plum. Each little jar is 0.106 oz and has an applicator brush to go with it. You can buy this product in any drugstore for around $9-10. I bought black & plum when it was buy one get one 50% off at Rite Aide.
Using the brush, I applied the gel liner in small strokes across my lash line. I start in the middle going to the outer corner of my eye, then from the middle going towards the inner corner. I do the same thing to my lower lash line but I start from the outer corner moving in.
This was really easy to use. The liner does dry quickly. I wish it didn't dry as quickly but it's really not a bad thing. This lasted a whole day with me (9 hrs) without any flaking, smudging, smearing, or anything. When removing the liner, it won't come off with water but easily comes off with makeup remover. I like gel liners because it has the feel & look of a liquid liner with the control of a pencil liner. I really like this product and I wish Maybelline would expand the number of colors.

Final Verdict

Pro: It is what it claims to be: long lasting, smudge proof, & water proof.

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Maybelline Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow

I recently bought Maybelline's Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow. This eyeshadow quad claims to have a "rich color. smooth feel." You can buy this in any drugstore for around $10. I bought it when it was buy one get one at Walgreens. The colors I bought was in Give me Gold and Taupe Temptress but there are 12 shades all together. The quad comes in a small rectangular case and with a two ended sponge tip applicator. I find the case feels a bit flimsy and that sometime it's a little hard to open. Just looking at the colors, they seem vibrant and has specks of glitter. The shadows are very soft because a brush easily picks up the colors. When it comes to application I find that the 2 lighter shades aren't as vibrant on my skin but the 2 darker colors do show up more. I found that when I tried to blend the colors that it would come off. I had to reapply and pack on the eye shadows in order to get the color consistency I wanted on my lids. There's also some fall out with the glitter.
I had high hopes for this product but it's just okay to me. I don't think it's worth $10 but if I had to buy it I'd wait for a sale.


Application According to Maybelline

SUBTLE CHIC LOOK
Illuminate– sweep lightest shade all over eye using wider side of applicator, from lash line to brow bone.
Blend – apply second shade across full lid; using tapered end of brush, add shade to lower lash line for depth.
Emphasize – sweep third shade from inner corner to middle of lid.
Contour – line darkest shade on upper lash line with tapered end of brush for added intensity.

HIGH IMPACT LOOK
Illuminate – sweep lightest shade all over eye using wider side of applicator, from lash line to brow bone.
Emphasize – blend second shade from inner corner to middle of lid.
Intensify – apply third shade from outer corner to middle of lid; line upper and lower lash for extra pop.
Deepen – add darkest shade in crease and line upper and lower lash line for more impact.


Final Verdict

Pro: A brush can pick up the color easily and some of the colors do look nice.

Con: There is glitter fallout & the colors blend of easily that you have to pack on the color.

Buy Again: Maybe

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥

Neutogena Acne Stress Control

I have been using Neutrogena's Oil Free Acne Stress Control for several months now. I have the Foam Wash, Toner, 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment, and Exfoliating Scrub. There are other products that are part of the line but this is what I've been using. I bought them at Walmart for $6.97 each. The Power-Foam Wash is a 6 fl oz bottle, the Triple Action Toner is an 8 fl oz bottle, the Power-Clean Scrub is a 4.2 fl oz squeeze tube, and the 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment is a 2 fl oz tube. It's a good deal for the amount you get.All the products are oil free and contain varied amounts of salicylic acid depending on which product you us. This line of claims to treat acne even before it emerges.
I really like these products. For as long I've used them I haven't had any major breakouts. If I see a pimple starting to come out during the day, I clean my face at night and it will be gone by the next morning. I especially like that it doesn't dry out my skin. Other products I've used would over dry my skin or it would sting my skin because it was harsh. These products have my vote.

Final Verdict
FYI: I have combination skin with mild acne.

Pro: Gentle on skin, Hydrating, Works Against Acne

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Makeup Dupe

I ran into this website that tells you dupes for department store products... Inexpensive Solutions from the Makeup Board

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base is part of their Studio Secrets Professional Line. They cost $12.99 at Walgreen but I bought it on sale for 50% off. It is oil free and fragrance free and comes in a small 0.5 fl. oz jar. The base itself is light pink and looks like thick mousse. Even though it's pink, it blends to your natural skin tone. According to L'Oreal "The unique, creamy formula smoothes on easily to disguise fine lines, wrinkles and pores, while a combination of soft, light powders gives skin a matte look and silky finish".
I like using a face primer/base before applying my makeup and the ones I've use were the department store kind. I wanted to find a drugstore version that was as equally as good. This is that product. It does what it claims to do; disguise fine lines, wrinkles, and pores while giving your skin a smooth matte finish. Even though it comes in a small jar, it does not take a lot of product to apply on your face.


Final Verdict

Pro: Disguise wrinkles, fine lines, and pore with a smooth, matte finish

Con: Small amount

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss

Smashbox claims that it's Lip Enhancing Gloss will keep your lips soft, smooth, and plump for hours. It comes in 3 colors: sheer, true color, and full color with over a dozen shade all together. I got mine in sheer at Sephora for $18. The gloss comes in a 0.2 oz tube with a wand applicator. The sheer colors come with a brush wand while the true and full color comes with a felt tip/ velour wand. The tube is long and thin so it's great for traveling around. I'm always a big fan of lip gloss and I was excited to try this product but it wasn't excited for me. I loved the texture, it wasn't sticky, and had a lot of shine but something in the ingredients irritated my lips. I tried it at different occasion, just to make sure it was the gloss and not something else and unfortunately for me it was the gloss. Other then that I would love this product. As far as plumping your lips, I didn't see any changes. It's probably the plumping ingredient that's irritating to my lips. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Review

Pro: Not sticky and high shine.

Con: Did not plump and irritated my lips.

Buy Again: No

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥

Smashbox Photo Op

Smashbox Photo Op is an undereye brightener that gives the user a more awake look. It comes in a small 0.24 oz tube with a brush wand applicator. Photo Op is suppose to work as a base for concealer and help hydrate the area under the eye. The actual product is a sheer, nude creamy liquid with some shimmer. I bought this at Sephora for $18.
To apply I pat the wand under my eyes then blend with my finger. After blending and giving a second to let it dry, I apply my concealer.
My eyes do look brighter but I'm not sure if its from the Photo Op. Of course when I applied concealer my eyes would look brighter but did Photo Op really help? I think because it has the shimmer quality to it, Smashbox Photo Op gives the illusion of a brighter undereye because of it's reflective property. My undereye area does feel hydrated but as far as hiding darking circles, this product by itself really doesn't do it. I was disappointed because I really wanted to find a good undereye product to help reduce/ hide my dark circles.

Review

Pro: Hyrdating, Illuminating for Eyes

Con: Doesn't do anything for dark circles

Buy Again: No

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥

Cargo Lash Activator

Cargo Lash Activator is a mascara that claims to boost the appearance of lashes in 30 days. It contains marine alge extract and other ingredients to help nurish lashes and prevent lash lost. I haven't used it for the full 30 days yet but it does seem to make my lashes look fuller and curled ( without the use of a eyelash curler). The mascara comes in a sleek black 0.37 fl. oz. tube and cost $36. It comes with a rubber applicator with alternating thick and thin bristles. It doesn't have a citrus scent to it which i think is one of the ingredients. One draw back that I find with it is that it doesn't dry as quickly as some other mascaras. This can be good & bad. Good, because it allows you to add layers of the mascara without clumping. Bad, because it can smudge before it drys. However, once it drys it doesn't flake and doesn't feel like it's drying out your lashes.


Review

Pro: Appears to give you fuller lashes.

Con: Does not dry quickly and can smudge.

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥