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I actually have had this review sitting on the back burner a long time. Like 2013 photo album long time. I don’t really know what to say other than it got lost in the shuffle! Prestige Cosmetics don’t get a lot of hype so hopefully after reading this you might want to check out some more of their eyeshadows (I have!) because these shades are beautiful. Today I’ll be showing you the Prestige Cosmetics Total Intensity Bold Trio Eyeshadow in Smoke & Mirrors!

So this trio isn’t your normal smoky look- it is actually pretty unique.Instead of white, gray, & black (which I have seen about a million times) this trio has a soft whitened gold, metallic taupe, & satin matte black.

These swatches are over the ELF $1 primer. These shades can also be applied foiled which is really striking as well although a bit more difficult to work with. I found they didn’t layer quite as well wet. Aren’t the colors lovely?

Here’s a look I put together over a year ago, did I have less wrinkles? I had bad eyebrows though. Yeah. Please don’t pay attention to those. In fact, don’t compare wrinkle depth either.

I love the taupe shade because it is taupe & that’s my jam but surprisingly I love this white gold shade as well! I don’t think I’d use it as a highlight under my browbone but I love it in my inner corner! Have you tried any Prestige products recently? Thoughts? I think I want to pick up at least one more trio & maybe some singles! I haven’t tried anything but eyeshadows yet but maybe I should!

A few years ago I saw Eve Pearl speak at the IMATS in LA. Both my mother & I were entranced by her- so much professionalism & an absolute wealth of knowledge. We watched her completely transform people’s faces with her methods & were pleasantly surprised when she wouldn’t take volunteers that didn’t have anything to fix. She wanted people with noticeable redness or acne or even aging. She was so inspiring that we both immediately went to her booth afterwards to check out her products. To our disappointment, however, it was swamped & many of the shades we were interested in were long gone. Bummer.

A few months later I scoped out her site again & made a list of things I’d like to eventually pick up. I do this sometimes with brands I’m not super familiar with- it reminds me to keep an eye out for reviews & deals. The Eve Pearl Diva Eyes Eyeshadow Palette was on the list because it looked like the perfect little fall-esque palette. After playing with it awhile longer, I still think it is more fall-toned for me but the shades are beautiful year round. Keep reading to see what I think!

The packaging on this very compact 6-pan palette is sleek & simple. It comes with a small velvet pouch to store it in & the palette itself is sturdy.  The back of the packaging gives some basics along with the shade names which I’ve also outlined below.

These shades all feel & look like semi-mattes with shimmer. Although not all of the palettes are this way this palette in particular doesn’t contain any mattes. This palette (for me personally) isn’t the only one I’d use on my eyes. I’d need a matte shade or two along with some kind of highlight/blender. I use this with one of my matte, neutral palettes to create a full eye look or else I think it looks like a bit much.

Top row left to right: Sugar Plum, Cinnamon, & Desert Rose. Bottom row left to right: Black Frost, Midnight Blue, & Emerald Green. Swatches are done over a basic primer.

These shades are very striking & although I don’t feel like this palette itself is everything I need to travel with it is something I quite enjoy reaching for. I’d definitely be interested in picking up some more eyeshadows & maybe pairing this with a palette from Eve Pearl that is a bit more wearable- I have my eye on the Pretty in Pink & Au Natural Eyes Palettes. Each shade has a lovely texture & nice, layerable pigmentation.

What do you think of these shades? Are there any Eve Pearl products I need to get my hands on? Who have you seen speak that really inspires you?

I’ve been waiting a very long time to get my hands on some It Cosmetics eyeshadows! I’m proud to say I now have some & I seriously couldn’t wait to get this review underway for you guys! Normally this is a teaser space- did I like it? Will you want it? But I’m doing something a bit different. I’m declaring the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Eyeshadow Palette a necessary palette, as in you need it, keep reading to find out why!

From It Cosmetics- Apply your choice luxe high-performance anti-aging eye shadows for a beautiful, naturally pretty look! These anti-aging ultra luxe eye shadows can be worn wet or dry, as shadows or liners. Colors can be worn alone, or mixed together. To transform any matte shadow shade into a gorgeous shimmery pearl shade, just dip your brush first into your choice of matte shade, then tap your brush into the transforming pearl shadow, then apply.

The palette itself comes housed in a velour-type outer packaging (this faint pink as seen above!) that feels sturdy. The closure is magnetic & much like beloved Cargo palettes you can see here the closure lays flat against the palette which definitely helps when traveling to stay closed. Although I like the overall construction I’m not a fan of this type of fabric outside packaging (a bit like the Urban Decay original Naked Palette) because over time my letters start to fade off & I find other forms easier to sanitize. Personal preference of course.

Inside you have a nice sized mirror, 14 eyeshadows, one transforming eyeshadow, & some seriously flashy fabulous gold background. I dig this, seriously, I get a bit more happy every time I open it. Each shade name is labeled below the eyeshadow, something I crazy appreciate after a few brands stopped doing that this year. I love that I can look down & know by name which shades to tell you guys I have on without rigorous research. I actually like that this palette doesn’t come with a brush (although some It Cosmetics deals for this palette do) because it makes the palette that much more compact & travel friendly. Let’s be real- I’m using more that one brush when I do my eyeshadow…always. I’m high-maintenance even when I’m in a hurry apparently.

Top row left to right- Sheer Joy, Soft Light, Warmth, Soulful, Mocha, Violet, Midnight, Noir.
Bottom row left to right- Love, Sunrise, Sunset, All Heart, Java, Iconic, Transforming Pearl.

The texture on this palette overall is exactly what I’d expect from It Cosmetics- it is exceptional. I feel like these shadows are almost creamy but not difficult to blend at all. In fact, if you’ve had issues with blending matte shadows in the past, you will love these shades. The blendability is out of this world.

Here are my swatches over primer done with a clean, dry fingertip.

Left to right: Sheer Joy, Soft Light, Warmth, Soulful, Love, Sunrise, Sunset, All Heart.

Left to right: Mocha, Violet, Midnight, Noir, Java, Iconic, Transforming Pearl.

Here is a better shot of the Transforming Pearl so you can see the sheen & dimension a bit better.

Here are Love, Sunrise, Sunset, & All Heart topped with the Transforming Pearl. Although I like the addition of the Transforming Pearl for highlighting & center of my lid I don’t find myself using it very much for actual transforming. I find it dampens these oh-so-pigmented shades a bit more than I’d like so I stick to highlighting my matte looks with it. Obviously this is just personal preference.

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Palette Breakdown:

– Can create an all matte look or add in a subtle pearl finish where wanted.

– Colors range from warm to cool for big variety.

– Shades actually become more exciting as you use them & find color combinations.

-Nearly zero fallout for me.

– Paraben-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free, & cruelty free.

– Great for aging skin with Hydrating Age Reverse and Prevent Complex and infused with Peptides, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Silk, Anti-Oxidants and Drops of Light™ Technology.

– Flattering shades that will take you from day to night.

– Can use them wet or dry, as eyeshadows or liners. 

– Helps diffuse the look of wrinkles & lines on the lid.

– Blends like a dream.

-Palette is sturdy & stays closed while traveling.

Overall…I’m thrilled with this palette & am kicking myself for not having more It Cosmetics eyeshadows already in my stash. Since this is labeled as “Vol. 1” I am crossing my fingers for many more to come…because I need them in my life.  This is one of those strange brands that works well for everyone- aging skin, young skin, dry skin, oily skin…they honestly cater to everyone somehow. I have some It Cosmetics holy grail items in my stash (Check out my review of their CC Cream & my favorite highlighter possibly ever both from It Cosmetics!) & I’m more than happy to continue to add to my collection. 

You can purchase the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Eyeshadow Palette for $42.00 from the It Cosmetics website & also at ULTA. That’s significantly less than many other palettes of this size & honestly, most aren’t anywhere near this quality. 

I’m beyond thrilled & have been having significant issues using anything else since this palette arrived. Even when I do use another palette I find myself using this as a companion to make just the right look that isn’t too metallic or shimmery. What shades appeal to you most in this palette? I definitely want to do some eyeshadow tutorials using it, anything in particular you want to see?