Beauty Brands vs Urban Decay Naked Basics Palettes Review, Swatches, & Eye Look + Video!

November 13, 2014 By StephanieLouise 199130 Comments2014-11-13+02%3A15%3A47StephanieLouise

Today I bring you a post I’ve been beyond excited about writing. A tale of dupes…a story of matte…& an eye look I’m in love with. On top of all that I’m talking about a bargain! If you love neutrals & snagging a great deal then you’re in the right spot!

I bought it. Affiliate links.

When it comes to neutral palettes Urban Decay is still likely the most well-known popular brand. From their trio of Naked palettes to the ever popular Naked Basics…Urban Decay is pretty much a no-brainer. I stumbled upon a few palettes at Beauty Brands recently on display & immediately saw some serious similarities. I picked up the Beauty Brands Matte Mini Color Collection & the Beauty Brands Neutral Mini Color Collection. There was also two other palettes which I’ll discuss below! [Read more…]

Smashbox Photo Op Cherry Smoke Eyeshadow Palette Swatches, Review, & Tutorial

November 5, 2014 By StephanieLouise 193446 Comments2014-11-05+06%3A07%3A46StephanieLouise

I bought it. Affiliate links.

Have you ever picked up a palette & immediately thought of a certain season? The Smashbox Cherry Smoke Photo Op Eyeshadow Palette is limited edition for Fall 2014 which is just so fitting- this palette is so stunningly autumn. I wish I had reviewed it earlier since it is sold out at a lot of retailers- but I will list some it is still available at below. This palette is everything & I included my favorite eyeshadow look along with it! Keep reading to see swatches, my thoughts, & a truly easy fall look. [Read more…]

Vampy Halloween Makeup Tutorial with a Touch of Spider

October 23, 2014 By StephanieLouise 183253 Comments2014-10-23+06%3A59%3A25StephanieLouise

Vampy Halloween Makeup with a Touch of Spider featuring the Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette, NYX Lip Products, & More!

I bought it. PR Sample. Affiliate links.

I normally try to do lots of Halloween tutorials…but this year it has been crazy busy. With the new site & lots of life stuff I haven’t gotten to share as much as I’d like. Today, however, I get to show you a tutorial I absolutely fell in love with! I used a variety of products (all broken down below) but it doesn’t have to just be Halloween either. The eyeshadows I used mainly are from the Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette which I’ll be reviewing soon- & this look is just a favorite! Love my purples! Keep reading for the products & application tutorial! [Read more…]

NYX Eyebrow Gel in Blonde Review & Brow Demo

October 21, 2014 By StephanieLouise 17746 Comments2014-10-21+20%3A15%3A40StephanieLouise

I bought it. Affiliate links.

This little baby has been on my brows a lot lately- & with good reason. The NYX Eyebrow Gels are not only the first of their kind from the drugstore…but also a close dupe to the pricier Make Up For Ever options. I’ve actually had this shade for months & it was perfect in the humid months- they really last! I’ve found my favorite way to apply & lots of details which will be below! [Read more…]

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Disk Palette + Envy Gloss Swatches, Review, & Demo

September 17, 2014 By StephanieLouise 48Leave a Comment2014-09-17+17%3A48%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Sample. Affiliate links.

Fall- is it here yet? With all these beautiful fall releases I feel like it must be riiiight over there waiting in the wings. The Tarte Limited Edition Rainforest After Dark Disk Palette definitely has me feeling the fall-ish spirit as I finally get to transition to my gorgeous plummy/taupe looks. I also paired this look with the Tarte Limited Edition Lip Surgence Lip Gloss in Envy which is- well it is amazing to cut myself short. Keep reading to check these beauties out! [Read more…]

LORAC Unzipped Palette Swatches, Review, & Eye Look

August 6, 2014 By StephanieLouise 68Leave a Comment2014-08-06+12%3A35%3A00StephanieLouise

I bought it. Affiliate links.

Ever see reviews of a palette & think “What is the hype there?” Well that’s how I felt about the Lorac Unzipped Palette. I’d seen it in stores & thought it was really pretty but not a must have. Then I started seeing reviews, swatches, & tutorials using Unzipped that got me excited. Maybe it isn’t just another neutral palette? Maybe the shades won’t look as close once on the eye? Maybe this palette could be for me? Well I finally bought it last month- keep reading to see what I think now!

[Read more…]

Too Faced A la Mode & Bonjour Soleil Palettes Swatches, Review, & Eye Look!

July 11, 2014 By StephanieLouise 79Leave a Comment2014-07-11+11%3A50%3A00StephanieLouise

I bought it. Affiliate links.

Too Faced came out with these beautiful palettes a long time ago…& I’ve just been sitting around on them. I know- shame on me. I have had these for a really long time because my husband gifted them to me as a surprise…but I haven’t got an excuse for why they haven’t made it onto the blog yet! Both palettes are beautifully packaged, have nice pigmentation, & are oh-so-summery! Keep reading to check out the Too Faced A La Mode Palette & the Bonjour Soleil Palette! [Read more…]

My Drugstore Brow Routine for Light + Sparse Brows

July 2, 2014 By StephanieLouise 87Leave a Comment2014-07-02+15%3A18%3A00StephanieLouise

My Milani Drugstore Brow Routine for Lighter Colored Eyebrows + Routine

PR Sample. I bought it. Affiliate links.

I have been having a semi-public battle with my brows long before blogging. I really fight to find that perfect brow balance…& with my personal eyebrows it tends to be tough. How much plucking is too much? Why are my brows so thin there? Geez- is that really the right color? I’ve been using the Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light for years now- & here are two more products to add to my arsenal. Keep reading to see how these Milani products have helped to shape my difficult brows! [Read more…]

Orange is the New Black Nicky Inspired Makeup Tutorial

June 30, 2014 By StephanieLouise 89Leave a Comment2014-06-30+21%3A37%3A00StephanieLouise

PR Sample. I bought it. Affiliate links.

Orange is the New Black is one of my favorite shows currently…so we quickly flew through the 2nd season. I’ll make sure not to reveal any major spoilers but this season was intense (which was expected) but also full of awesome twists. One of my favorite characters on the series (which is on Netflix for those who haven’t indulged yet!) is Nicky aka Nichols who is just a seriously awesome character. She’s rough one minute & understanding the next but always speaks her mind. In collaboration a few other vloggers & bloggers (linked below!) we sought to cover some of our favorite characters- keep reading to check out my look! [Read more…]

Urban Decay Electric Palette- Bright Tropical Eye Tutorial + Collab

June 25, 2014 By StephanieLouise 92Leave a Comment2014-06-25+23%3A57%3A00StephanieLouise

I bought it. PR Sample. Affiliate links.

Have you noticed I’ve been absent? Bleck. Home stuff. I apologize. I am also late late late on this collab with the lovely Laura of My Newest Addiction who had her video up promptly yesterday. Check out her beautiful bright look here! I immediately knew I wanted to use the Urban Decay Electric Palette because I’ve had it just sitting there looking all gorgeous…staring at me. Judging. So here it goes & I hope you dig it!

So here’s my video tutorial which I actually enjoyed filming. I hope you’re subscribed to my channel on youtube so you never miss one! I have another video tutorial coming up tomorrow as well- see I’m making up for lost time! Here’s Laura’s video here!

This look didn’t photograph as true to color as I had hoped but I think it is pretty easy to see on camera! I used the Jordana12 Hour Made to Last Eye Pencil in Eternal White as my base. This really helps these shadows both cling & pop on the eye. I use it the most often- so much better than NYX Milk by the way! No creasing & it really lasts! The Urban Decay Electric Palette really does need a base though- you don’t want staining & without it the colors aren’t nearly as vibrant. Please note that not all of the shades in this palette have been okayed for use around the eye area so use them at your own digression.

I used the shades Thrash, Jilted, & Urban in that order with the brush that comes in the palette as well as the Real Techniques Essential Crease Brush. I then used the powder & the blush in the ItCosmetics CC+ Radiance Palette ( I reviewed this palette + an It Cosmetics set here!) along with the Real Techniques Multi Task Brush. I love these brushes- I make no apologies for it! My lip color is the OCC Stained Glass Lip Tar in New Wave…I really liked it about 5-7 minutes after application but in the video it doesn’t look as good I don’t think.

So there you have it! I hope you dig my tropical look using the Urban Decay Electric Palette. What shades do you want to see from this palette next? Any favorite combos?