Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 Archives

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5

Sephora Beauty Insider Spring Bonus 2019 Wishlist + Recs

May 2, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

The Sephora Beauty Insider Event is still ongoing and I would like to share my wishlist and recommendations for this Spring 2019 sale. For those who are Rouge Members, you’ll get 20% OFF which already started last April 26 and will last ’till May 6th. VIB Members will get 15% OFF starting today May 2nd until May 6th. BI Members will also get 10%OFF today until the 6th of May. The sale is valid both in-store and online purchases with the code HEYROUGE (Rouge Members), HEY VIB (VIB), or HEYINSIDER (Insider Members).

For this season’s sale, I couldn’t make up my mind completely as to which products I’m interested in. I know I have a folder for my beauty and skincare wishlist but honestly, I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been quite ready for this sale. Also, I feel like I still need some time to decide which products I really want. Anyhow, I eventually picked up some items from my wishlist folder and I’m sharing them with you guys today. I’m also recommending you some products that I love and have been loving lately in my recs list below. If any product/products will come to my mind before this sale is over, I will update this list and will keep you guys posted.

Here now are some of the items on my wishlist.

1. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation (1 oz: $47) – I know I’ve used this foundation before and really loved it, but I kinda got distracted with my other foundations lately that I’ve forgotten how good this product is. So, when I got a sample of this a few weeks ago, I then realized that this is such an amazing foundation to have. However, I still don’t quite know which shade of this truly matches my skintone, so I will have to try this in-store.

2. Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser (2 oz: $10, 8 oz: $36, 16 oz: $54) – I already tried a sample of this lately and I really loved it. It’s got a nice fresh, light, earthy scent and it doesn’t irritate the skin because it’s made of clean ingredients. It also foams and cleanses well.

3. Ouai Treatment Masque (3.4 oz: $32) – I’ve been obsessed with Ouai haircare lately (read the review HERE) and have been curious about this product, as well as the Finishing Creme ever since loving the Ouai Air Dry Foam which really made my hair soft. I heard good things about this product which also makes the hair smooth and easy to manage. Will definitely be trying this.

4. Tocca Capri Candle (10 oz: $42) – I smelled this at my local Sephora and its light grapefruit melon scent registered to me. It also has a nice Mediterranean scent vibe to it which is really interesting.

5. Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette ($44) – I was planning to skip this palette as I’ve been feeling like most Urban Decay palettes haven’t been that pigmented lately. After already trying some other eyeshadow palettes, I felt like there were eyeshadow options out there that could give a nice color payoff to the lids compared to this UD one, especially if you invest in high-end products like the Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction eyeshadow (reviewed HERE), or the Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 (swatched HERE). Yet after seeing this particular palette in-store, I thought the color scheme is really beautiful and perfect for this Spring and Summer season. And since I’m a sucker for beautiful neutral eyeshadows, I caved in. Let’s see whether I’ll like this or not. Will keep you posted.

6. Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray (1.6 oz: $11, 5.4 oz: $28) – I have a serious obsession with texturizing hair sprays lately and I’ve heard good things about this product, especially its amazing scent. So we’ll see.

7. Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm (0.12 oz: $10) – This is the next best thing (if not the same) to the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm which I absolutely love but it’s too costly for its size. I love this a lot and it lasts a long time compared to the DE one. It’s also very moisturizing while being lightweight and non-sticky at the same time, and it doesn’t cost as much as the DE Lippe Balm. I just purchased several of this to stock in my vanity.

8. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo (2 oz: $13, 5.4 oz: $28) – I’ve been looking for an alternative to my Pantene Charcoal Haircare (reviewed HERE) and this caught my eye. I’ve been wondering if this is better than the Pantene ones or not. It’s always a good practice to rid your hair of product buildup at least once a week, so a clarifying shampoo like this would definitely be a good help. I will let you guys know whether this will work for me or not.

9. Milk Make Hydro Grip Primer (0.33 oz: $15, 1.52 oz: $30) – This product got my curiosity, although I’m still not quite sure whether I should change my primer now or not. I do know that I am considering trying a more lightweight primer and I’m wondering if this fits the bill. We shall see.

The products I’m recommending below are some of the items I’ve been loving lately, although, I will be publishing a separate post soon featuring the makeup and skincare products I’ve been loving and using as of the moment, so stay tuned for that. Here now are the ones I recommend to you guys.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Lips Liquid Lipstick (0.24 oz: $34) – If you want your lips to look full and your lip lines filled, then you’ve got to try this mattifying liquid lipstick (some swatches HERE). I love this product a lot even nowadays and I’m planning to get another shade soon called “Too Bad I’m Bad”. So this is not just a rec item, it’s also part of my wishlist.

2. Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 (5 x 0.08 oz: $48) – Love this for the lasting pigment and the versatility of the shades. Try the #2 palette for an everyday warm rosy neutral look. Some other shades were reviewed and swatched HERE

3. SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner (5.4 oz: $76) – Summer’s almost here and there’s a trend to look lit-from-within. This always gives a nice natural radiant glow, and it’s very gentle and very nourishing to the skin. The effect of this toner might take a while, but once it does, you’ll definitely love the skin you’re in.

4. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder (2.8 oz: $15, 7.3 oz: $29) – Love this for that mega volume effect on the hair. It works for just about any hair type, and it definitely works for my fine hair. I don’t know what else is in this product but it works wonders and it adds customizable drama to the hair, you just have to twist the nozzle accordingly to your volume preference.

5. Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Fusion Powder (0.12 oz: $58) – This is an absolutely wonderful radiant setting powder, and it sets any type of foundation especially the matte ones so they won’t look so cakey and dry. This gives a nice subtle glow to the skin and can be worn alone or as a setting powder. Read the detailed review HERE.

6. Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara (0.27 oz: $28) – This literally gave me a love at first application experience. It truly lengthens and volumizes every lash strand even if you don’t have a lot of lashes to begin with. It gives your eye makeup some drama, definition, and it won’t smudge. This will be featured in my loving right now products soon. So, stay tuned for it.

7. Ouai Air Dry Foam (4 oz: $28) – I raved about this in my previous Ouai Haircare review, seen HERE. This is my most beloved Ouai Haircare product so far, and I love how this softens my hair whenever I air dry it. The scent is light and it really conditions and manages my hair beautifully.

8. Viktor&Rolf Magic Liquid Diamonds (0.30 oz: $34, 2.5 oz: $145) – I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get over the wonderful dreamy scent of this. Some folks say this smells like Clean Fresh Laundry, but I think this is way better than Clean Fresh Laundry, and if this smells like fresh laundry, then this is the best fresh laundry scent I’ve ever sniffed and tried. This has several fresh floral notes that take its scent to a whole different level. Read more about this fragrance HERE.

9. Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion (1.7 oz: $42) – This is still my go-to for acne treatment and prevention, especially when my pimples threaten to wreak havoc on my skin. This has 5% Benzoyl Peroxide which really works to prevent and treat zits, and it doesn’t dry the skin, unlike some other Benzoyl Peroxide creams I’ve tried before. Also, this sets onto the skin immediately and it leaves no sticky residue.

Are you shopping the Sephora Spring Bonus Beauty Insider Event? What’s on your list? Any products you want to recommend?

Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V Bronze Seduction Eyeshadow Review + Swatches

March 13, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hello guys, Happy Almost Spring! I can’t believe Winter’s almost over, however, it’s still cold from where I’m at and I’m still rocking my dark outfits along with my smokey eyeshadows. Speaking of eyeshadows, there’s one I’ve been playing with lately and it’s the Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V Bronze Seduction Eyeshadow (10 shades: $125). For a long time, I’ve been wanting to have at least one PMG eyeshadow because the shades are just so unique and so stunning to look at, not to mention the glowing reviews. PMG Labs seem to be equated with high-quality makeup along with outstanding ingredients and superb pigments. Out of all the PMG eye palettes, I had my eyes set on the Bronze Seduction eyeshadow because, for me, the colors in this palette seem to be the most cohesive. However, I keep skipping it because it’s really pricey.

When this Bronze Seduction eyeshadow kept getting sold out for quite some time, I decided, it’s time to pull the trigger and find out how will this eye palette perform on me and does it really live up to the hype? or at least, are the Pat McGrath eyeshadows really worth it?

The PMG Mothership V Bronze Seduction Eyeshadow has 10 ultra-pigmented shades which are composed of 3 finishes: matte (3), shimmer (3), and glitter (4). At first glance, it gives you the impression that it’s mostly full of bronzey and coppery shades. Upon closer look and initial swatch test, it’s actually full of a pretty versatile group of colors because it can create a neutral daytime look and it can also take you to a date night ultra-glam occasion.

Skin Show Divine Glow – shimmery golden champagne

Entrapment – mid-terracotta matte

Blaze Bronze – glittery golden bronze

Rose Gold 005 – glittery rose gold

VR Fire Opal – glittery color shifting chartreuse

Xtreme Aubergine – darkened matte violet

Gilty Pleasure – shimmery bronze-taupe

Disobedient – matte mahogany

Blitz Flame – shimmery metallic crimson

Astral Luna Gold – glittery white gold

Let’s take a moment to admire the packaging of this eyeshadow palette. It is SO beautiful! and so well-thought-out. This probably has the most beautiful presentation for an eye makeup palette that I’ve ever seen. But we all know that PMG cosmetics, in general, puts emphasis on the aesthetics of their packaging.

I find the matte shades to be buttery soft and very easy to blend. They’re so pigmented that I have to be really light-handed when applying them and I have to use a very soft blending brush like the ones from Ulta (seen HERE) in order not to overdo my eye makeup game.

The shimmery ones are also quite pigmented but they do have a nice soft shimmery effect, but it’s not like they don’t go unnoticed. They’re softly dramatic and they complement the matte shades very well, especially if you don’t wanna go all shining, shimmering, splendid during the day. When it comes to the glittery colors, I find them to be very unique, especially the VR Fire Opal and the Astral Luna Gold. These two shades are kinda out of this world and they shine bright like a diamond, LOL. I love how they transform the lid into this all-out dramatic look-at-me type of eye makeup. These glittery shades are definitely commanding yet they feel soft and not scratchy on the lids. I did see a few subtle fallouts but it’s nothing serious. I love that I could layer the glitter from just a hint of it to a super blinding one if I want to.

Dupe-wise, I could think of Urban Decay Naked Heat (reviewed HERE), Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 in #4 (swatched HERE), and some shades of the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk (HERE) and Rose Gold Palette. Although, I think quality-wise, this PMG Bronze Seduction eye palette feels a bit of a step up among all those palettes mentioned. As for the quality of its glittery shades, they definitely reminded me of the glittery ones from Tom Ford Cream + Powder Eye Color (seen HERE).

Overall, I highly recommend this Pat McGrath Mothership V Bronze Seduction Eyeshadow Palette. I think out of all the PMG eye palettes out there, this is probably the best one in terms of color coherence and each shade is truly beautiful and universally wearable, apart from looking very unique. My eye makeup looks stunning whenever I wear this and this lasts the whole day without smudging. However, I still recommend that you use a lid primer when using this palette so as to make sure that your eye makeup stays put no matter what the situation calls for. If you’re going to have just one Pat McGrath eyeshadow in your life, this has got to be the one since this will bring out the best in your eyes.

The Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V Bronze Seduction Eyeshadow is currently available at Sephora and Bergdorf Goodman

What’s your favorite PMG Eyeshadow palette?

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 & Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

January 18, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Happy Friday Everyone! Lately, I’ve been playing with a few Natasha Denona eyeshadow palettes and today I’d like to finally review her famous eyeshadows and tell you guys what I think about them. For some time, I’ve seen and swatched the Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 on my arms and even the Minis in-store but I’ve never really actually applied the shades on my lids. I did like the way the colors feel on my fingers because they seemed so soft and so buttery, but I was a bit put off at first because I think the price is a bit too much per eyeshadow. Anyhow, eventually I got tempted and decided to try three of the Eyeshadow Palette 5 and also the latest Mini Nude Eyeshadow. I picked the shades based on how universally wearable they are and how they’d complement my skin tone.

Eyeshadow Palette 5 (5 x 0.08 oz: $48) – This palette features five creamy buttery eye shades that are well-paired together to create a coherent and beautiful eye makeup look. All shades are really pigmented and very long-lasting and they blend very easily. Each palette has a combination of matte and shimmer finish and you can create a soft daytime eye makeup down to a date night glam look. The formula of these palettes is said to be water-resistant and is infused with real crushed pearls. While that is really something, all I know is that I’ve worn these eyeshadows in the snow and my eye makeup is still intact and on point. I haven’t experienced any fallouts with the shimmery shades from these palettes but I did notice that some of them tend to have a soft shimmery finish when applied with a brush, so if you want to enhance your lid with more shimmers, you may need to apply the shimmery colors with your finger. Other than that, I really love the soft buttery feel of these eyeshadows which kinda reminds me of the texture of my favorite Anastasia Norvina Eyeshadow Palette (swatched HERE) and the Lorac Pro Eyeshadow Palette (seen HERE).

#02 – This eyeshadow palette gives me that plum vibe. Think Urban Decay’s Naked Cherry (swatched HERE) for a slight resemblance. I feel like some of the shades in this palette may be a little too similar to each other but this palette has one of the most wearable color schemes out of all the Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5.

#04 – The color scheme of this eyeshadow palette gives me that rust vibe. Kinda like Urban Decay’s Naked Heat (seen HERE) but not quite like it exactly. This palette also has the most wearable shades out of all the ND eyeshadow palettes I’ve seen.

Camel – This palette has four varying shades of matte browns and one shimmery copper, which reminds me a bit of Chanel Clair Obscur (reviewed HERE), but I prefer the Chanel one better because one of the matte brown shades here called Safari pulled on yellowish on me as if I had jaundice, but it’s still very wearable and so are the rest of the shades.

Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette ($25) – This travel-size palette has a very similar color scheme to the Camel palette above but this one has three shimmery shades and two matte ones.

Out of all the palettes reviewed here, my most favorite is actually #04 because it seems to complement my skin tone very well and next would be the Mini Nude Eyeshadow. I do find that names of each eyeshadow don’t seem to correspond to their true colors, and their shades tend to differ a lot when photographed on a natural light versus in a shade.

Overall, I love these eyeshadows a lot. On a scale of 1 to 10, one being “very poor”, and ten being “very impressive”, I’d give these palettes a score of 8 to 8.5. I love these for the long-lasting pigment and coherent color scheme, on top of that, they’re great for oily lids since they don’t settle into the crease.

Have you tried these palettes before? What do you think? Are you a fan of Natasha Denona Eyeshadows?

The Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 & Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette are currently available at Sephora and natashadenona.com

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