8.11.2008

After my bi-weekly trip to the MAC store where I back-to-MAC'd 18 empties for three starflash shadows, I still didn't feel like I got my make-up fix for the day. So what did I do? I dragged my poor boyfriend to Sephora. I've always liked Sephora, but I felt un-impressed by it for the past couple of years. I'm not quite sure why, and its not just because I am a MAC addict. I just didn't see the innovation I was looking for. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, I was like a kid in a candy store running from display to display this time around. All the brands seemed to be stepping it up with their new collections! Everything felt fresh and of great quality. Even the packaging was so well thought out by the different brands, and I am a SUCKER for cute packaging. Here are a few standouts, some new, and some classic that I definitely recommend you check out!

1.Make-up Forever Eyeshadow
$18 www.sephora.com

These eyeshadows are too DIE for! The pigmentation is absolutely amazing, especially on the bright matte colors. I find that with a lot of matte eyeshadows, you run the risk of looking chalky, but these are almost creamy. I tried the purples (including cult-fave 92), the hot pinks, and some more brights and I could not believe how pigmented they were and how even the finish was! These are super blendable, and a must for any beauty junkie or make-up artist. Too bad they are too big to fit in my MAC pallettes!

2.Stila Backstage Beauty Eyeshadow Pallette: The Red Carpet Look
$40 www.sephora.com

I am not going to lie, I was very skeptical on this trio. I am not sure why, but I have never been the biggest fan of Stila (please don't throw stones.) They just never seemed original to me at all. To be honest, when I glanced at this pallette in Sephora I was still underwhelmed. That is until I swatched it on my hand just to make sure. It was GORGEOUS! The darkened gunmetal shade is buttery smooth and has such a beautiful multi-toned irredecence. I was completely shocked. The other colors although not as much of standouts are still absolutely beautiful. And there you have it, I was actually wrong! Haha!

3. Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow pallette: Beethoven and Ludwig
$34 www.sephora.com

I know I already raved about the travel brush set in all its cuteness, but both of the pallettes are simply amazing! I really didn't think the quality would be there because as much as I love my L.A. Ink and my Kat Von D, I thought of the whole idea as a bit gimmicky (still cool though). I finally decided to check out the eyeshadows for myself and they were surprisingly smooth, easy to blend, and the colors were stunning. Another reason I like these pallettes is that they really are versatile for you can definitely get just as many soft pretty looks as you can dark sexy looks.

4. Napolean Perdis Loose Eye Dust
$5!!! On SALE! www.sephora.com

Get your hands on these! I literally had to ask my boyfriend to remove me from this display. I was ready to pay full price, and then I saw the most glorious thing ever, the SALE sign! These are phenomonal! They are kind of like MAC pigments, and they are just so beautiful I can't stand it. And $5 a pop?Heaven. You can get so many colors for that price! I can't believe these don't sell well, they are definitely underrated. Pick up a few and see what I'm talking about!

5. Hourglass Dusk Color Link Pallette
$75 www.sephora.com

I love the pretty packaging of this pallette, but I also love the product itself! I never really have heard of this brand as I am so loyal to MAC and make-up forever, but it is definitely really great! The standout shade is the black eyeshadow with glitter. Its like their version of MAC's black tied, but DARE I say so much better! I find that with black tied, you can't really get the glitter to show up well. This version looks on your skin the exact way it looks in its pan! I really can't rave enough!

6.NARS The Multiple: Orgasm
$37 www.sephora.com

So, I know, it's not like this is a new product that I am introducing or anything, but it really is an excellent addition to your make-up bag! This is so multi-purpose that it's worth the the price tag. It gave my fair-medium toned skin such a beautiful glowy flush that I instantly felt prettier. I would definitely use this as a cream eye-shadow as well because the color is so gorgeous! NARs really does never get it wrong...

7. Urban DecayLipstick
$22 www.sephora.com

The packaging on this lipstick is so hot that I pretty much wanted it even if I didn't like the colors. It has a little sword on the end stuck into it! SO CUTE. I'd probably break mine, but whatever. I took a look at the colors, and they are all very pretty! The only drawback is that most of them are sheer. Some people like sheer lipstick, but I prefer one with a satin finish. Oh well! I still found about 3 colors that were just so pretty (even though they were sheer) that I would make them work for me! So definitely check these out!