Anastasia: Want You To Want Me Palette

Mark my words, if Anastasia of Beverly Hills keeps up with their amazing line of make-up launches, they will start to become a big player in the prestige market. I used to associate Anastasia with only brows- now I think awesome glosses & shadows. Speaking of shadows....

Check out her holiday Want You To Want Me eye offering. The packaging alone makes you feel like royalty! Nestled inside a velvet latched box, lies a 9 pan shadow palette, clear brow gel, liquid liner & dual ended brush.

The shadows consist of soft chocolately browns & regal purples. As a gift, this set looks like a million bucks, but comes in at an affordable $34.

The esthetician in me loves the fact that Anastasia's shadows offer skin care benefits with their Youthful Synergy Complex! Smoother, firmer eye area while sporting sumptuous color? Yes, please! Shades left to right, top to bottom: Platform Wedge, Front Row Center, Ziggy, Members Only, Power Ballad, Jellies, Graphic T's, Brass in Pocket & Iron On. I often use Members Only as brow powder & Iron On wet or dry for liner.  Is this palette going on your wishlist for Santa?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday: Maybelline

With a coupon burning a hole in my pocket, I scooped up this Maybelline Eyestudio compact recently at Ulta. I had high hopes after the girl at checkout said, "Ohhh I love these."

The compact didn't disappoint- high payoff in terms of color vibrancy with the exception being the highlighter (on top) coming in beautifully sheer with specks of gold glitter.

 I applied the darkest to the lightest shadows working from the outside in & then blended for a gradient look. I also used the darkest shade wet as my liner. This compact is a steal of a deal even regularly priced at $10.99. I played it safe with this selection of nudes called Caffeine Rush, but there are tons of funky shades that will be perfect for creating Halloween looks!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Fabulous Finds Friday: Nyx

NYX is a cosmetics line that is slowly, but surely gaining a spot in my heart.  In my neck of the woods, I can only find it in Ulta & they don't even carry the entire line.  However, what I've been able to get my hands on has been prestige quality pigment at a mass price point.

So I did a little happy dance when Movie Girl got me this Nyx collection for my birthday.  The Nude on Nude collection boasts 20 neutral shadows that easily give Urban Decay's Naked Palettes a run for their money. 10 shades of lip cremes round out this extensive collection for $25. Yes, half the cost of the Naked Palettes.

This collection houses an entire wardrobe of color at your fingertips.  One end of the spectrum is covered with neutrals & the other end offers intense smokey options.  The lip cremes are great soft colors to match whatever eye look you come up with. This collection is a fabulous basic to have if you're just starting out building your kit, but it has the power to make a seasoned artist like myself swoon.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M