I finally got my hands on the NUDE'tude palette thanks to theBalm. Now when I first saw it online I obviously thought okay this is going to be a similar palette to the Urban Decay Naked Palette. Which in a sense it is but I like the options in this palette BETTER than the Urban Decay one.

     Description: "These amazing palettes consist of 12 beautiful shades that make wearing nudes fun! These satiny smooth colors can be applied naturally ‘i.e. let me slip into something more comfortable” or beautifully layered. The wide range of naked neutrals gives you light highlighters as well as brazen bold shades that work to add definition and emphasis. Nude’Tude allows you to dramatically dress up your eyes (if nothing else)!" 

     When ordering you can pick the Naught or Nice design as well. I love the personality this brand has! The naughty one is pretty funny and you should definitely take a quick glance at it. The Nice one is the one that I have which is like a living room scene in the background. (they contain the same colors)

     I adore this palette. The colors range from light to dark, shimmery to matte and are all highly pigmented! I prefer this one over the Urban Decay (and you all know how much I love UD!) The packaging is slim and sleek and has all the colors you'd need for any outfit. I'm so happy with this and recommend it! Plus it's cheaper than the UD Naked Palette!

This palette is only $36 and VERY useful!
Check out theBalm on FACEBOOK

LA Splash is an affordable California based (hence the LA) company. They are known for their large selection or vibrant colors and fun products.They make a large range of colors both "everyday" and "out of this world". They practically have every color in the rainbow and every shade in between.

LASplash was kind enough to let us pick out some goodies to play with. Prior to this, I had only owned their Base and one Glitter (both of which I love and use often). I decided to pick out something fun, something that would stand out. 

As I clicked my way through their huge selection of products, I thought to myself... "Why is the standard eye BLACK liner and BLACK mascara?" So I decided to pick the brightest matching  liner and mascara I could find. 

Both the liner and mascara are a gorgeous "metallic" yellow gold. The metallic does not look foily, but rather has a nice semi-metallic sheen.  Both are smudge proof and water resistant.

They have an opaque bold color that lasts 6-7 hrs looking like you just applied it. 

The formula is a little thicker than I am used to for both, but posed no problems for applying. 

It is also easy to remove with basic makeup remover and will not pull on your lids. 

What I love is their clear packaging. Not only does it make it easy to find a color in a sea of other liners, but it shows you the actual product, so in stores you can see what your buying. The  colors are very accurate from the bottle as to what they look on your eyelids. 

What is in it?
Water, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Diazolidinyl Urea, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simethicone, PEG 75 Lanolin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethyl Citrate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, V/P Eicosene Copolymer, Shellac. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides (Yellow 77492, Red 77491, Black 77499, Brown 77499), Carmine 75470, Manganese Violet 77742, Ultramarine Blue 7700, Chromium Hydroxide Green 77289, Polyethylene Terephthalate.

What is in it?
Water, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simethicone, Hydrolized Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer, PEG-75 Lanolin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Quanternium-90 Bentonite, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Steric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Beeswax, Ozokerite, V/P Eicosene Copolymer, Shellac, Nylon-66, Titamium Dioxide. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides (Yellow 77492, Red 77491, Black 77499, Brown 77499), Carmine 75470, Manganese Violet 77742, Ultramarine Blue 7700, Chromium Hydroxide Green 77289, Polyethylene Terephthalate.

LASplash is in general  great brand. It is very budget friendly, has a huge range of colors and products, and great quality.

Anyone who enjoys the fun, and color of Urban Decay, but is sick of the price tag should really check out LASplash. I like LASplash better than my Urban Decay Liquid  Liners now.

I definitely recommend this line, especially the liners and diamond dusts to anyone who likes a pop of something unexpected, or who likes to just have fun with their makeup. 

    I'm always on the hunt for new pigments that have bright bold colors and look just as pretty as they do on my eye as it does in the container. So I chose to try out the color "Story of Euphoria". It is described as "euphoric glow of light gold with iridescent shimmer" and I would say that they were pretty accurate. According to the photo on their site, the color was pretty close, but in person I'd say it was just a little more golden color than on their site.

    All of their pigments don't have any of that filler or chemicals in their ingredients which is what makes me love them even more! The more 'pure' the better! As soon as I opened mine up I smiled with excitement because I knew this color was going to be gorgeous on the skin and very easy to match with other colors.
    You can use these pigments just by applying with a brush onto the lid and blending with other colors or use water to wet a brush and use it as an eyeliner or wet shadow for a more metallic look. When I was playing around with this color I loved the way it almost melted into the skin and looked so smooth and easy to blend out or even blend other colors into.

    I am so in love with this color payoff and how finely milled this pigment is that I wish I could try out every single color they have! They have such a great selection and I highly suggest you check them out. You're bound to find a color for you.
    Also while you are there, browse around their cute website and find a bunch of other gorgeous products such as lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeliner, cheek tints and more!

Save 10% just by being their Facebook Fan! Also by being a fan you will get updates when they are doing giveaways for FREE products!

$16 a jar

    Alima Pure is another great product that Saffron Rouge carries on their website. Before I go into the actual eyeshadows, I invite you to check out the review of the company and other product that came in this adorable package by clicking here!

    Below are two photos of Alima Pure loose eyeshadows in "Pink Coral" and "Obsidian".  I have done a previous review on Alima Pure before and would love to have you take a look at it to read my thoughts on how I used and and what I thought of them.
    These two shadows sent by Saffron Rouge are from a Holiday Makeup Collection that they have on their website for $45.99. This kit comes with a Nourishing Tinted Lip Balm, Luminous Shimmer Blush, deluxe samples of these two shadows and a shadow brush! It's an already packaged gift waiting to be given to someone!

Let's take a closer look at the shadows:

    You almost don't even need a swatch photo to see how beautiful and pigmented these two colors are. I love that they give you these two colors in the kit, because they are extreme opposites of each other but also work so well together and just as good when used by themselves.
    I found them to be buildable so if you like more intense color you can do just that by adding more or wearing a sheer amount on your lid to give a pretty sparkle without going overboard. Below are a couple swatches in different lighting.h

    These photos were also taken without a primer! Even without an eye primer being used, I did a 'blow test' on the shadow to see if it would blow away and it didn't move. So imagine using this with a primer, you will get long wear and bold colors! I love all of Alima's eyeshadows I have tried and they are very consistent with their formula, texture and quality.
    You can also visit Saffron Rouge and buy individual containers of any color on their website for $10.95 a jar (2.5 grams)    

Now you can have your MAC and eat it too! (okay bad cake joke... don't eat your makeup)

But if you love MAC and dont feel like remortgaging your house for a pigment.... I have a solution.

I recently found and placed an order from a company who sells legitimate samples of MAC makeup for a great price. 

When I receive my order, I will update this post and let you guys know all about it.  

d.j.v. beautenizer integrates beauty with Japanese technology. 

"Through research, an opportunity was recognized that women were still disappointed with many mascaras claiming lengthening, no-smudging, no-clumping and easy removal. To satisfy these needs, the development of the film-coating formula was successfully created."

The box claims:
Beyond Mascara. It's Brush-On Fiber Extensions.
Dramatically lengthens, separates & conditions lashes.
Brush-On Fiber Extensions is a false lash formula applied like mascara that encapsulates lashes within a fiber-rich film.
-Dramatically long lashes
-Conditioning oils for lashes
-Smudge-proof
-Easy removal w/. warm water

If your looking for length, here you go! 

This mascara is a fiber filled tubing mascara. Sounds kinda creepy....

The wand is slightly spoon shaped .

It has a typical mascara smell, and is not noticable unless you sniff your brush. (ok, i get it... i am weird)

Upon applying, the mascara formula is thin and wet. I found that instead of really building up my lashes (in thickness and volume) I really only noticed it painting my lashes a shiny black. In order to get a noticable look, I had to apply multiple coats. This can take around 3-5 minutes per eye. Even after a few coats, I did not notice much volume.

Another thing i noticed, was sideways fiber pieces on my lashes. The horizontal fibers made my lashes stick to each other. =(

As for being a tubing mascara it was great. Wore very well, no flaking or smudging. When it was time for removal I was happy to see it slide right off with warm water. Many people have voiced having trouble removing, but I am a tubing mascara kinda girl... maybe i have it down to a science. 

I would be very curious to try this over a volumizing mascara to see how they look together. If I do, I will update with pictures.

Overall- I like this mascara and will continue to use it. I just really really wish it was more volumizing. 


http://www.djv-beautenizer.com/usa/index.html#fiberwig

Price: $24 from Sephora.com and Sephora stores

Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Acrylates/Va Copolymer, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Propylene Glycol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Cera Carnauba), Nylon-6, Nylon-66, Pvp, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Ethyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hectorite, Beheneth-30, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Petrolatum, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Butylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, D&C Black No.2 (Ci 77266), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).


Some information and graphics have been used from the djv website to properly display the product.

    These are photos only of the Plum Dazzlesphere! Below this post is a more in depth review of the same product just in a different color set. Click HERE to be taken to original review.Enjoy!

    A futuristic ornament packed with four limited edition, mini-sized, stackable Crush Metals in a passionately perfect array of sultry, sweet and sophisticated plums. A dazzling gift for all. Limited edition.

   Each Sphere containing 4 (6 g.) pigments is $32.50
To me this is a lot of pigment for a decent price compared to how much MAC's single pigments cost at $20 each!

"Silver Sleet, White as Snow, Winter Sky and Dark Moon - 4 cool and smoky Crush Metal shades to shake up those holiday - and spring - looks! Tucked inside our couture-future ornament, ready to gift. Limited edition."

    So excited when MAC put out their Holiday Collection. I'm a hugeee MAC junkie and want everything (as do most other girls haha) I finally had a chance to get this Dazzlesphere! It's a little round packaging to look like an ornament and inside are 4 pigments that are SO gorgeous. Check out the cute matching bag they put it in too!

    These colors that come in this sphere are so perfect for the holidays, especially the silver! The silver comes out just like tinfoil color! Oh speaking of the holidays, how cute would this be to give to someone for a gift?! I know I'd be pretty pumped for it!
    With that being said, another thing I like most about this Dazzlesphere is the fact that they come in stackable clear jars. Makes it easier for storing them and seeing the colors from afar.

    As you can see, the colors are really pigmented and bright. But just as any other pigment, these can get quite messy. The jars do not have a filter on them so if you spill a jar, most likely it's all coming out and going everywhere! I'd be one very sad girl if that happened.   
    They are easy to use but the top two colors were a little more hard to work with, I believe it was because of the glitter in them, but after working with them a little they looked awesome on the lid.
    There are two other sets of Dazzlespheres in this Holiday Collection as well, they are: Plum and Berry!

Each Sphere containing 4 (6 g.) pigments is $32.50
To me this is a lot of pigment for a decent price compared to how much MAC's single pigments cost at $20 each!

This review was requested by a friend of mine, Tiffany. Tiffany was drawn to this product after seeing a tv commercial, and was honestly very skeptical.... and what can I say? SO WAS I!

In general, I find that drugstore mascaras are just as good, if not better than most high end mascara. 

My personal eyelashes are long, however they are stick straight, and uneven. As with any review, how a product works on me, may work very different for you, based on your features. This is just my opinion and I bought this product myself. 

The price is great at around $7. The packaging is a cute purple tube, nothing fancy.The scent is artificial, but not strong enough enough to bother me. I didn't know what "black drama" meant when I was buying this, but i like drama and black is key for me when applyinh mascara. I wear black liner and mascara practically every day...Soooo I just bought blackest black. After redearching, i found that black drama has more of a matte finish compared to the original falsies.

"It's not a mascara, it's false lash glam in a tube, instantly! Patented spoon brush and pro-keratin fiber formula instantly build 8x more volume without clumping. Unique flexible wand helps lift and separate, to provide the look of 3x more lashes. You will find lashes you didn't even know you had.

3x more visible lashes
8x more volume without clumping
Unique spoon shaped brush with flexible wand
False lash effect"

Their directions to apply are - "Hold brush with spoon side upwards against lashes and sweep from root to tip. Repeat until desired look is achieved. Do not let dry between coats. Removes easily with soap and water or Expert Eyes® 100% Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover."

What pisses me off the most, is that in the advertisements, print and video, the models are wearing false lashes, and they are digitally enhanced. I'm not attacking maybelline here, because most companies do it, but its just a pain in the bum. Why?

For me, this product is something that i would continue to buy. It goes on smooth, without pulling my lashes. It gives me nice hold to keep long lashes curled, slighly lengthening on me, and good volume. It does take aminute or two to dry completely, but that gives me time to make sure all my lashes are where i want them. But I found that is you like applying more than one coat of mascara, do it while your lashes are still wet. Once dry, layering turns into a mess, and looks horrible.  

Wearing this mascara ,I've gotten many compliments on my eyelashes. I have used this on clients before, and they too have loved the look.
 
Be forewarned, it can look a little spidery if not applied correctly. And if you are a "natural look" kind of girl, you wont like this because it's obvious you're wearing mascara (which is kind of the point with this one ... hahah)

Wears well, no flaking or smudges, and washes off easily with makeup remover, and even facial cleanser for the days im too lazy to take my makeup off before showering. 


~Alyx

Left is with mascara, and right is without. 
There are a few pics with both eyes done.