Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box, $38

I know we have done a few Urban Decay eyeshadow reviews for you all so you really don't need me to tell you how awesome their eyeshadows are, but I still can't help but gush! I got this palette a few weeks back when Urban Decay had a special 30% off promotion. The Deluxe Shadow Box comes with 9 different eyeshadows, two double sided sponge brushes, and a small tube of my beloved eye primer.


I decided on this palette because I really wanted something with some colors that were nothing like I had. I was initially going to go for some single shadows but I realized I'd be spending about the same on 2 shadows that I would be for 9! I picked the Deluxe Shadow Box due to the blue shadow called Peace. I thought that it was sooo pretty and would be wonderful to use as a liner. This palette also doesn't have any of the same colors that Ammo has. The only color I have a single shadow case of is Ransom and this is a beautiful neon purple that makes my eyes pop, so more is fun!


This sleek palette is perfect for me because it includes a variety of neutrals and some daring shadows that will suit whatever mood I am in. I also love the tiny bottle of primer--this will definitely have a place in my bag whenever I go out of town (I tend to always pack heavy so the smaller the better).

Final verdict:
Cost: $38, that is about 4.20 per eyeshadow. Personally I like to buy palettes if I think I will want to use all the colors in them. Obviously some I will like more than the others but it is worth it to me to buy a palette filled with options for around the same price as only 2 shadows. More bang for my buck right?
Are the shadows as pretty as they seem in the box?: Yes! Urban Decay eyeshadow is and always will be one of my go-to shadows for this reason--they look the same on your eyelids as they look in their packaging.
Repeat offender?: I'd like for Urban Decay to put out some new shades of shadows. I wouldn't want to buy another palette if it has repeated eyeshadow shades that other palettes do. But like I said before, I'll keep getting their shadows as long as they keep making them!
-M

Miss Fix-It Palette by Tarte, $22 (on sale from $44)

The Miss Fix-It palette by Tarte is a perfect little bundle of makeup for the warmer seasons. The colors included in this palette were what drew me to buy it in the first place. The bright blue, sparkly mint green, light lavender, and sandy golden shadows were the reason I bought this palette—mostly because I have nothing like the blue or green. I already own two Tarte eyeshadow palettes so I knew I would adore the quality of the shadow and it definitely did not fail to impress me. I wore the green shadow over some primer and it stayed on brightly all day.


The palette also includes two lipglosses and a highlighter cream. The highlighter is a sparkly mix of gold and an almost pearl-like tone. I put some on my upper brow bone for a “highlighting” effect. It can also be used subtly on the cheekbones for the always lovely glow. The lipglosses are both pinkish tones, the one on the left goes on more clear and the one on the right has a more subtle color. The lipgloss goes on smooth and does not feel too sticky on the lips.


The most brilliant part of the palette is that the eyeshadows are separated from the lipglosses and highlighter by a thick cube of plastic that is attached to the palette so it won’t mysteriously disappear and you won’t have a mess of sticky eyeshadow and powdery lipgloss (grossssss). The palette also includes two double sided application brushes for the shadow, lipgloss, and even the highlighter. A little mirror is also embedded underneath the top lid that folds down. This is a super sturdy palette to carry in your purse if you like to have your makeup handy for touchups. It folds up into a neat little cube and stays shut with a magnet in the lid.



Final verdict:
Cost: This palette is originally $44 but this week Sephora has select Tarte products on sale as Tori mentioned in Friday’s Sweet Deals, so it is marked down 50% for $22!
Do the colors go on the eyelids the way they look in the palette?: Yes! You know sometimes we all buy eyeshadows where the color in the case looks way more vibrant than it does when it is applied on your eyelids. This palette’s colors are definitely true to their color on eyelids too.
Repeat offender?: I will always buy Tarte cosmetics so definitely! Obviously I don’t need two of the same palette but I’d buy a different one with different colors.

-M

Urban Decay Hall of Fame, $20

This is by far the coolest, most awesome, best deal gift set ever. Ok maybe not ever, but one of them . . . When the time came that my dear and most trusted beauty product Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion was close to running out I found this awesome deal that includes an XL version of my #1 product/bff for life. One bottle of the XL Eyeshadow Primer Potion costs $23 (this is 60% bigger than the original size) but this set which includes the primer and a bunch of other useful goodies is a mere $20. I don’t even need to re-review the Primer Potion because we bring it up so often anyways and you can read our review here.


This set also comes with a mini 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil. This pencil comes in different colors but in the Hall of Fame you get good old black or as they call it Zero. This pencil is waterproof and goes on super smoothly. I personally am not a fan of pencils that you have to sharpen because I hate sharpening makeup pencils. But this pencil is pretty cool and I would consider getting it in different colors.


The Midnight Cowboy Lipstick in the Hall of Fame not only has a super cool name but it is actually a pretty nice lipstick. It is a beige color with a hint of shimmer, on your lips it looks pretty natural but like I’ve said before about lipstick, it just adds a polishing effect.


One of the beauty products that cracks me up every time I see it is the Pocket Rocket lipgloss. When you purchase a full bottle of the Pocket Rocket it comes adorned with a holographic picture of a clothed dude and when you move the bottle ever so slightly the dude is suddenly in his underwear. Hot. So if dudes can have bikini-clad women on their lighters we can have perfectly muscled men in their underwear on our lipgloss! But seriously it is more funny than it is sexy. The lipgloss however was a really big surprise to me! I am not big on lipgloss but I tried this and it stayed on for a long time! That is pretty amazing because I ate, drank, talked, and still had some gloss on my lips. I might actually consider getting a tube of the full-size Pocket Rocket. Oh and this one is called Timothy, yes, they are named by the guy on them.


I love, love, love to try different mascaras every time I run out. I actually feel like I haven’t bought a full tube of mascara for about a year because I get so many samples. So being that I am somewhat of a mascara connoisseur I am going to give this mascara a 3 out of 5. The mascara goes on fine but it starts to get flakey (if you touch it) by the end of the day and I’m not really cool with that feeling, especially because I wear contacts. I have been using the Skyscraper mascara for a couple weeks now and will continue to until I run out but I probably wouldn’t buy a full bottle of it. I can’t love everything, even though I really want to sometimes!



Final verdict:
Cost: You really can’t beat $20 for this set, its like paying less for a bottle of primer and getting 4 extra treats.
Quality: Urban Decay is one of my top quality brands, I hardly ever find myself disappointed with their products. Also, how cool is the packaging on all of this stuff?
Where to buy it?: You can get it here from Urban Decay's website!
Repeat offender?: If I manage to run out of the XL primer and this set is still available I’d probably buy it again because the deal is pretty sweet.
-M

The Toolbox: Brow Know-How by Tarte, $18

I bought this kit on a whim, it was marked down to $9.00 and I thought it would be fun to try something different in my beauty routine. The Brow Know-How kit comes with brow powder, brow wax, brow gel, brow pencil, three brow stencils, mini tweezers, and an application brush. Everything folds up into a little box that also has a mirror on the lid. The kit comes in three different shades to match your hair color, the one I have is “dark.”


I can’t say I’ve ever tried to fill in my eyebrows or do anything other than tweeze or shape them so this was something very new to me. When I used it what I did was apply some of the brow wax to my eyebrow and then used the application brush to pick up a little of the brow powder. I was a little nervous but what I did was apply a little bit of the powder to any places where my eyebrow looked a little sparse. I dusted the powder on evenly and lightly but you can do heavier for a more dramatic effect. After applying the powder I just used the brow gel (it looks like mini clear mascara) to “seal” the powder in place. What I got out of doing this was a little extra polish to my look. It made my eyebrows look very neat and a little more shaped.


I don’t use this everyday because frankly I don’t have enough time. But every once in a while it is really fun to use this toolbox. The kit also comes with three different brow stencils that are good if you really want to change up the shape of your brows or go for a thick and dramatic look. If you have thin eyebrows and do this on a daily basis this would be a good kit to take with you on the go.

Final verdict:
Cost: $18
Is it worth it?:For $9 I thought it was worth trying, but I’m not sure I’d pay full price for it. Though if you think about it, something like this can last you a long time and the mini tweezers would definitely come in handy!
Repeat offender: I don’t think I will ever use this product up! But I love Tarte brand products so I know I’ll be trying different/new things by them.
-M

Be Good To Your Mother (Earth) 3 Full Size 24.7 Lip Sheers, $35

Tarte has truly become one of my favorite makeup brands in the last year. It started with me buying an eyeshadow palette by them without knowing much about the quality of the product. What I’ve gained from trying several of their products is that they are genuinely a high quality and environmentally friendly brand. I have been dying to get this awesome set of 24.7 Lip Sheers (found here and here) by Tarte forever, but I always thought the price was a little high. About two weeks ago one of my favorite online sample sale sites Ruelala.com (hit me up if you want an invite) had a sale on this exact set I’ve had my eye on all along and I went ahead and splurged.


I was so excited to try this set because like I said earlier, I’ve been trying to experiment with lip colors. In this set you get 3 full-sized tubes of Tarte’s 24.7 lip sheers and a really lovely deep purple reusable tote bag that zips up so you can always have it on hand (DC people I know you have that new bag tax so this is perfect because it fits in your purse or car without taking up a lot of space). In authentic Tarte style, the packaging the lip sheers come in are made with recycled aluminum and are adorned with the names Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The lip sheers come in 3 colors, the first being Reduce which is a muted wine color; Reuse, a hot pink that can go on subtly or give you a sexy bright lip color; and finally Recycle, a nude to dry rose color. These sheers are seriously the perfect lip product for the spring and summer because they all have SPF 15 and they go on so lightly, it is almost like a colored chapstick. Unlike lipstick, the lip sheers don’t really get on your teeth, they act almost like a creamy lip stain.

Final verdict:
Cost: The price seems a little high for some lip sheers but these tubes are pretty big and you get three of them. Individually, 24.7 lip sheers cost $16 dollars each so you are getting a pretty good deal. And don’t forget you also get a tote bag and it seems like we can’t have enough of these.
Quality: Tarte’s products live up to their promises. They are high quality and guilt-free because the company is dedicated to making environmentally friendly products.
Versatility: These lip sheers can be worn everyday as a casual addition to your beauty routine or you could use them when getting decked out for a special event.
Repeat offender: If I manage to use all 3 of the lip sheers or find another shade that appeals to me I would definitely invest in another tube of this awesome stuff.
-M

EcoTools Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set, $13

I've bought a few makeup brush kits in my life, and have had my share of disappointment--the bristles fall out, the metal part comes off, or they're just not that soft. I started to think, "Are there brushes out there that are high quality, soft, not too expensive, and maybe even earth-friendly? Is this too much to ask for?" Then, Mirna showed me this brush set from EcoTools.

For $13, the EcoTools Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set comes with a blush brush (pictured here), eyeshadow brush, angled brush, eyelash brush, and concealer brush--the 6th piece is the holder that keeps everything organized and protected. It even comes in a resealable plastic pouch (I put the brushes in it when I'm traveling).

These brushes are soft. I mean, really soft. And they're made really well--I haven't had any problems with bristles falling out or anything like that. They're cut evenly, which then distributes color evenly, and the handle is light and durable. Quite possibly the most exciting part is that they're earth-friendly: the handle is made from bamboo (low-impact resource), the aluminum on the handle is recycled, the roll is made from cotton and hemp, the pouch it comes in is totally reusable, and the bristles are synthetic and completely cruelty free. Awesome.

My cat approves.


Final verdict
Cost: Probably the best brushes you can find for such a low price. The cost of one Sephora brush gets you the whole kit! Totally worth it. Plus, it's available at a ton of places like Target and Walmart.
Quality: No one would believe you paid less than $20 for these. They are soft, work well, and are easy to use.
Guilt-free: Cruelty-free, natural and recycled materials, how can you go wrong?
Repeat offender?: If I somehow break one I'll definitely buy more in the future, but they've lasted me a long time! The holder really keeps them neat and clean, and after a year or so I haven't run into any problems. Makes a great gift!


-T

Benefit To Go Beauty Bestsellers, $10

For Christmas I got this little 4 pack of samples from Benefit in my stocking. It includes 4 of their all-star skin and cheek products in small sizes. Benefit often includes these small sizes of skin products in their gift sets so I thought I would provide a small review of each product even though this particular 4 pack is out of stock at the moment through Sephora.


Some Kind-a Gorgeous is a self-proclaimed “foundation faker.” It is a light, silky, nude to sheer colored cream that dries on as a powder. It is a very airy cream that is used to take the place of a foundation or concealer by adding a smooth finish to your face. The full size product is $28 and comes with an application sponge and mirror in a fun compact that looks like a record. I’d suggest this for people who don’t like foundation or concealers (like myself) but sometimes want a nice even creamy finish on your face.


“That Gal” is a light pink toned brightening face primer. This cream can be used all over your face, just around the eyes for some added brightness, or on the cheeks for a little added glow. This is a pretty versatile product because of its many uses. The full size product is $28 and comes in a tube that looks almost like a glue stick. It has little holes on the top where it disperses a little, or a lot of the face primer. I think this is a great skin product because it has a very subtle and fresh smell that leaves your face feeling literally “refreshed.”


High Beam is described as a “luminescent complexion enhancer,” otherwise known as a product that can make you look awake when you are exhausted and just want to crawl under your desk and nap. High Beam is so wonderful because it really gives that oh-so-desired glow that we always want to have. I like to wear it right under my eyes and up to the top of my cheekbones because it makes you look instantly awake. The full size bottle is $24 and will last you a long time! This product can be used lightly in the day time or a little heavier for a dramatic evening look.


Posietint is a “poppy pink tinted lip and check stain.” I have used the Benefit Benetint rose-tinted stain (review for that coming up soon!) for years and really wanted to try the Posietint. For me it is a little light because I have slightly olive-toned skin. The Posietint does add a little color and for $28 you get a big bottle that lasts for a long time. The pink looks bubblegum colored in the bottle but on the skin it goes on pretty subtly. I’d suggest this for girls who have a lighter skin tone because the stain will act as a nice everyday blush.

Final verdict:
Cost: Benefit’s full size products seem to average about $20-$30. I would suggest buying a gift set that includes different products because for the same price you are getting multiple products. Since Benefits products seem to go by the whole “a little bit goes a long way” the smaller size bottles are plenty.
Quality: I think that their skin products are definitely high quality but very low fuss. These are all great products for women who aren’t into heavy products but want something light for everyday.
Repeat offender: I would definitely try different Benefit products in the future because everything I’ve come across has been very positive.
-M

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows, $52

I can't tell you how I excited I am about Urban Decay's Book of Shadows, inspired by Tim Burton's new rendition of the classic Alice in Wonderland story. The limited edition palette includes 16 eyeshadows, 2 eyeliners, and a small (0.13 fl oz.) bottle of primer, hidden underneath a dreamy pop-up scene from the story. The result is a playful, exciting, and whimsical addition to any Urban Decay or Alice in Wonderland fan's collection.


Urban decided to take 16 of their best-sellers, change their names around, and put them in a brand new palette. It includes shades for everyone and every mood: dark, sweet, crazy, trippy, warm, exciting, and playful. What's not to love?

(left to right: Alice, Midnight Tea Party, and Muchness)
As we've written before, Urban's eyeshadows are highly pigmented, blendable, full of texture and depth, and stay put all day. (PS - 7 of these are included in the Ammo palette.) The eyeliners (black and electric blue) are soft, also highly pigmented, and last a long time, especially over the primer. Having them altogether here is not only convenient and fun, but is also a really great value.

Did I mention the amazing pop-up scene?


I'm in love.



Final verdict:
Cost: For around $50, you get a lot of eyeshadow, 2 eyeliners, a primer, and an awesome case to hold it all. The only problem: I haven't been able to find it anywhere! Well, you can find it on ebay, though you might pay a little more!
Variety: The palette includes a great variety of shades for any occasion.
Quality: We already knew the quality of Urban Decay eyeshadows--this just cements it. This is the first time I've tried their eyeliner, though, and I'm just as happy with it as I've been with all of their products. Urban for life!
Repeat offender?: Unfortunately this particular one is a limited-edition special for the movie. However, I will definitely buy their eyeshadows, eyeliners, and primers again!

Mini Nail Lacquers from OPI inspired by Alice in Wonderland, $10

When I think of Alice in Wonderland I'm immediately transported back to my childhood: the innocence of Alice, the mystery of the hookah smoking caterpillar, and of course the eerie amusement of the Mad Hatter. I was more than thrilled to hear about Tim Burton directing an Alice remake, and then equally (if not more) ecstatic that OPI was releasing a special collection of Alice in Wonderland polishes inspired by Burton’s Disney remake. These polishes immediately made my inner "I need to own this thing NOW" list and last weekend I stumbled upon the mini collection pictured here at Trade Secret.

(front of the box)
The collection includes 4 colors--2 glitters (you know my feelings on sparkle polish!) and then 2 solid colors. Since the entire collection consists of just 4 colors, the mini set is appealing because it allows you to own a small bottle of each color. The 4 mini polishes come in a little box that is decorated with a whimsical mushroom and forest scene. The back of the box has equally whimsical descriptions of the colors.

(Absolutely Alice, Thanks So Muchness!, Off with Her Red!, Mad as a Hatter)
“Absolutely Alice” is obviously inspired by Alice’s signature blue dress. However, the polish does not compare to a plain blue dress. “Absolutely Alice” is made of small blue and silver sparkles that is more reminiscent of Cinderella’s ball gown than Alice’s blue frock. This polish looks great with 2 to 3 coats.

“Thanks So Muchness!” is one of two red shades that are included in this collection. This red makes me think of a very luxurious candy apple that has been dipped in a shiny red candy over and over again. “Thanks so Muchness!” is more than just red, it is a ruby red with some very tiny red sparkles mixed in. This would look really wonderful paired with a little black dress.

My favorite of the collection is “Off with Her Red!” This is the second red shade in the collection. “Off with Her Red!” has the coolest name for a red polish ever! This is a very genuine solid colored polish that does not have any added sparkles. The polish’s hint of orange reminds me of the color of blood oranges. I am considering buying the full size of “Off with Her Red!” since it is the perfect bright shade of red.

The fourth polish in the bunch is “Mad as a Hatter.” This polish is the second glitter polish in the collection. “Mad as a Hatter” is a bottle of confetti made with tiny multicolored sparkles, the majority being silver, purple, and blue. This also requires 2 to 3 coats and probably a top coat. A friend of mine who also owns this polish let me know that the sparkles tend to flake of fairly easily. I would suggest an extra top coat to try to make sure the sparkles stay put.

(We're all mad here. . .)
Final Verdict:
Cost: $10.00 for the set of 4 mini polishes.
Collection as a whole: A nice fun range of polishes for the end of winter months.
Repeat offender?: I’d probably just buy Off with Her Red! in a full-sized bottle, but probably not the whole set of mini polishes (unless they are on sale in a few months!)

-M

Urban Decay’s Urban Ammo Eye Palette, $36

(Urban Decay’s Urban Ammo Eye Palette)
This palette includes 10 classic eyeshadow shades by Urban Decay which are all very versatile and easy to blend. The colors are all very rich and can be worn separately, lightly, heavily, blended, or even just dusted on the eyelids. The colors look best when worn with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer because it seems that the primer just makes the colors a few layers deeper and it just pops on your eyes. The palette is packaged in a compact and light case with very cool velvety details on the cover and a good-sized mirror inside. The palette definitely screams rocker from the outside, with an image of a purple gun blazing out skulls, butterflies, flowers, and hearts (Urban Decay really knows how to decorate a palette). Inside the palette is a double-sided eyeshadow applying brush that is very useful. Sometimes palettes come with brushes that don’t seem to help with eyeshadow application, but this small tool is definitely going to come in handy. This is a good set to take with you wherever you go because it is small and lightweight but still has 10 options to choose from.


One of my favorite shades in this palette is the shade Last Call. This shadow is not purple and it is not pink, but it’s somewhere in between the two. I usually just wear it piled on heavily on my lids with some black eyeliner and black mascara. It makes your eyes stand out without giving you that sick look you can often have when wearing a pink or reddish shade of eyeshadow. Another winner in this palette is the black glittery shadow called Oil Slick. I love using Oil Slick with almost all of the other colors in this palette. If you use one of the other shades and then blend a small bit of Oil Slick you have an instant colorful but still smokey eye. When going out at night, I do like to wear Oil Slick by itself (with the primer of course) for a look that Tori and I like to call “Rock of Love.” You know what I’m talking about, those chicks on Rock of Love may be trashy but sometimes their makeup just looks really badass! With the primer the black does not crease at all and goes on evenly. Overall this is a really great palette with shades that can work for pretty much anyone and it can also be a great gift to give.

(Oil Slick on my finger)
Final verdict:
Cost: I’ve seen it priced differently but it is always between $36 and $40. For ten shades of shadow in a compact case, with a mirror and a brush, it seems fair.
How long does the product last?: I have had my palette for well over a year, some of the shadows I use more than others but it is nowhere near being close to finished. The shadows look small but their intensity makes a little shadow go a long way.
Repeat Offender?: I’d say yes but the stuff never runs out! In terms of Urban Decay brand eyeshadows—definitely.

-M

OPI Spain Collection Senoritas Mini Nail Lacquer Set, $10

Suzi Skis (deep blue grey)
No Spain No Gain (berry)
Pink Flamenco (creamy hot pink)
RapiDry Top Coat (MUST HAVE!)

Hi, my name is Mirna, and I am an OPI addict. I don’t know if it’s the rich colors, the catchy names, or the always changing collections, but there is just a little something special about OPI that I cannot resist. The polish is always vibrant and luxe, and seems to be the best bet when it comes to durability. If I don’t paint my nails, I don’t feel “put together” (it's this and having a clean room, if I have bad nails and a messy room—my life feels like it's in shambles, weird—I know). I paint my nails once a week, and I primarily use OPI polishes, I have a few Essie polishes but haven’t gotten around to trying them yet (expect a review soon). When Sephora started carrying their own combination line with OPI I was more than thrilled, OPI polish was the only thing really missing from Sephora!


Pink Flamenco

I got this collection of mini polishes from Trade Secret. The color on my nails now is Pink Flamenco. It is very, very pink without actually being a hot pink. I usually have dark polishes on, but every once in a while I like to add a little color to my nails, especially because they can look so good colorful while you are wearing an all black outfit. The mini polishes are a great deal because you get 3 colors and a RapiDry TopCoat for the price of one full sized bottle of polish. I usually go for full sized bottles but the colors in the collection were all intriguing to me so I thought I would give it a shot. Not to mention, the RapiDry TopCoat is amazing and I always use it along with the Sephora by OPI Nail Colour Drying Drops.

Final Verdict:
Is the mini set worth it?: Yes, if you like variety it's nice to spend almost the same amount for one large bottle of polish and get 3 colors and a top coat.
Repeat offender?: OPI is always a repeat offender.

-M

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $17

Available in Original (nude) and Sin (shimmery)


(Urban Decay potion in Sin)

If there is one makeup product that we could never give up it would be this. The years before we discovered this primer were full of creased eyelids, smeared shadow, and colors not living up to their potential. Not only does it work with great eyeshadows, it will actually improve the color and staying power of lower quality eyeshadows. The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer comes in two different shades, Original and Sin. The Original is pretty much a sheer nude base without any particular color so once blended in it’s invisible. The Sin shade is a shimmery mix of pink and gold tones while still remaining a pretty neutral base color that will coordinate with any eyeshadow just as well as the Original. It’s packaged to resemble a genie bottle, with a sponge-tipped angled wand as an applicator. It’s easy to use, lasts a long time, and is definitely worth its price. No lie, this stuff will last through a humid day, an evening of partying, and even a full night’s sleep without budging.



To use, first unscrew the applicator, take it out, and wipe the excess on the rim. Apply a good amount over your entire eyelid (and even under your eyelid, if desired). Using your finger, blend the primer until even. Wait a few seconds for it to dry, and then pile on the eyeshadow and eyeliner like crazy. Wait a few hours, check the mirror, and check the freshness.

Final verdict:
Cost: $17 (for regular bottle)
Does it keep its promise?: YES.
How long the actual product lasts: If used on a daily basis one of the original sized bottles lasts at least 6 months.
Repeat Offender?: We will never wear eyeshadow without it. Tell all your friends.

Ulta and Sephora have some great deals on the larger sizes.

-M & T