Urban Decay Naked vs theBalm Nude'tude: Do You Really Need Both?

Firstly, let me apologize for the delay for this post.  I promised it would be out yesterday, but my internet was going in out all day and I couldn't get it done.  But now I've finally finished my comprehensive comparison of the Urban Decay Naked palette and theBalm Nude'tude palette!  This post is NOT to say which one is better or worse, as I personally love them both and don't think there's a problem, for me anyway, in owning them both.  But I realize some of you may already have one or the other and are weighing whether or not you want or need to shell out the cash for the second.  So hopefully this can help you in your decision.  Just a warning, this post is pretty pic heavy.

Off to the Movies FOTD

This look isn't special or anything, just a plummy/cranberry smoky eye, that I wore to the movies (I saw Hunger Games! Loved it!)  I mostly did it to test a few new products out that you can expect reviews of fairly soon.  List of products to follow!

How about a Quickie with The Balm Nude Tude Palette Review and Swatches

I've been debating on whether or not to do a review on theBalm's Nude'tude palette for about a week now.  I figured most of you have already seen the swatches by now.  What I really want to do is a comprehensive comparison between this palette and Urban Decay's Naked palette.  So I decided to just give you guys a quick personal take on the palette in case some of you would prefer a review first and then tomorrow I'll do the comparison.  I can tell you now that I really like this palette and am glad I bought it.  Check out the swatches and more info after the jump!

Top Non-Makeup Items I Need for my Makeup Station

Yes, this is pretty much how my desk looks all the time!

My makeup station is chaotic, mostly because I have an obvious compulsion to buy new products all the time and have no place for them.  But also because there are a lot of things I use here that one wouldn't necessarily think belongs in an area dedicated to cosmetics.  I'm not talking about q-tips or cotton balls here, although they're there too, more along the lines of thumb tacks or tape.  So today's post will be dedicated to these things  that keep my makeup processes running smoothly, despite they're non-makeup purposes.

Woohoo! New Real Techniques Brushes Coming!

Source

If you've been a reader of my blog for a while now you may be familiar with my love for Sam Chapman's Real Techniques brushes, especially the Stippling Brush (review here).  So when I saw 3 new YouTube videos from the Real Techniques channel featuring new brushes my face just lit up!  Check them out after the jump!

BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer Review

I mentioned a while ago that Hautelook had a sale on the Balm cosmetics, and boy did I partake!  I've been dying to get my hands on several things from the brand for the longest time as they make random appearances at TJ Maxx from time to time, but of course most things are sold before I get there or rummaged through and destroyed.  So I went in on the Hautelook sale and the BalmShelter tinted moisturizer will be the first review I have for you from that haul.  

Go 'Head Girl, with them Sexy Curves! Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara Review

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara is not a new product for me, I've been an avid user of it for about 3 years now.  But I recently had to purchase yet another new tube of it so I figured I'd put a review up of it for you guys since I love it so much.  

Venus Gillette Never Lets Me Down! Venus & Olay Razor Review

My usual M.O. when it comes to any beauty, bath, body, or hair care product is to always experiment.  There are very few, and I mean next to none, products that I've stuck with repeatedly since the day I first use them or that I've repurchased more than 1 or 2 times.  The first product, or should I say brand, that breaks that habit for me is Venus Gillette Razors.  I've used these razors for well over a decade now and have always been happy with them.  So it is with pleasure that I talk about the newest addition to the Venus Gillette Razor family: the Venus & Olay Razor!

What I Got at my CCO's (and what you may be able to score too!)

I don't particularly like doing haul posts, because I don't want to seem all "Look what I bought!".  I try to make my posts as helpful and informative as possible so when I do hauls I figure it's no use to post them since I'll review each product eventually anyway.  But I did want to show you what I was able to snag at the 2 CCO's near me to give you an idea about what may be at your CCO.


For those of you who may not be familiar with CCO's:  CCO stands for Cosmetic Company Outlet which are located in various outlet locations around the country.  They sell Estee Lauder and other brands that they own (MAC, Clinique, Origins, and Bobbi Brown to name just a few) at around 30% off the original price.  The discount is great, but what I really like is that in addition to some current products, they also carry a lot of products that have been discontinued and you can't get anymore at normal stores.  This is really helpful when it comes to MAC since they're constantly coming out with limited edition collections that can sell out quickly.  


So if you're interested, continue reading for more information and a list of products I bought and/or saw for sale :)

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick Review & Swatches

I've been sitting on these swatches of the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks I picked up a few weeks ago, not sure if I wanted to even post about them.  Talking about products that I don't really like bums me out, so when one comes along I try to pretend like it really doesn't exist, as bizarre as that sounds.  But I also believe it's my duty to share my experiences with all of you, be them good or bad, after all that's what blogging is all about.  So I'm just going to be straight with you, I didn't really like these lipsticks.  I tried really hard to as they seemed right up my alley and I hear a lot of raves about them, but they just didn't suit me.  I did, however, realize something while playing with these that will help me in future lipstick purchases.  Find out what that was, along with swatches, after the jump! (Warning:  Kinda Pic Heavy)

Mascara Mixology: Rimmel Lash Accelerator + Maybelline One by One!

I'm a huge fan of layering different mascaras for a more customized look.  I'd much rather buy different mascaras that specialize in 1 thing (length, volume, definition, etc) and mix them, then get one mascara that claims to do it all and be disappointed.  The only mascara I've found that is able to do that so far for me is Buxom Lash, so for all else I tend to mix with each other.  So I've decided to start a blog series of sorts to kind of document my various mascara "recipes" that have been found by me to be successful.


Today's post is featuring Rimmel Lash Accelerator and Maybelline One by One.  The Rimmel mascara gives AH-mazing length while the Maybelline mascara is one of the few mascaras that I've found to be able to keep a good amount of definition while volumizing.  Together, these 2 are unstoppable!  Take the jump to see my lashes before and after and the official Mascara Mixology Recipe!

Beach Sunset Eye Look

A week or 2 ago I was looking for a reason to use my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Edgy Emerald and this is the look that I ended up with.  It turned out to be something completely different that what I had in mind but I loved it.  It reminds me of dawn at the beach.  Unfortunately I forgot about posting the look and thus forgot what products I used since then lol.  I've figured out the shadows and liners but I have no idea what mascara I used.  Knowing me though, there's a good chance it was Buxom Lash :)
Products (most likely) Used:

• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Edgy Emerald all over the lid but not in the crease
• Urban Decay Shadow in Aquarius patted on top of Edgy Emerald
• Stila E! Live from the Red Carpet Palette in Golden Goddess (Flash only) through the orbital bone and a bit in the outer corner
• Urban Decay Shadow in Ecstasy blended through crease
• Physician's Formula Gel Liner Strip in Glam Blue Eyes (Medium Blue liner only) along top lashline
• Stila Smudgestick Liner in Stingray in tightline  

OMG, LOL @ Maybelline Lots of Lashes Mascara (Review)

Doesn't the packaging of Maybelline's Lots of Lashes Mascara just scream "fun"?  I would've have loved this stuff in high school, it's just so darn cute.  From the iconic & classic pink & green of all Maybelline Great Lash mascaras to the hearts and the LOL reference....I just can't handle it!  But as a beauty blogger I soon had to get over all that to actually review the product which was really hard to do, but I did it.  And I have to say, for me the best use I can get out of this is a nice purse accessory.  It's by far not the worst mascara, but it's definitely not my favorite although I can definitely see some people digging this.  Find out if it might be for you after the jump!

Damone Roberts Brow Tint (Courtesy of Mama Likes)

A couple times a year my mother and godmother like to take a girls day in the Big Apple and be fabulous.  This fabulosity includes a trip to the Damone Roberts salon to get their brows done.  If you don't know who Damone Roberts is, ya betta ask somebody as he's the #1 brow stylist to the stars including Madonna, Megan Fox, and Robert Downey Jr. (random much? lol) among many, many others.  Even better he has salons on both coasts so us average janes and joes can get our brows did and get the star treatment for a change.  Damone also has his own line of products, among them being his Brow Tint.  Today we're going to take a look at the Brow Tint in Latte, which I borrowed from my mother for the purposes of review.

Claw Candy: St. Patrick's Day 2012 Edition

Sinful Colors Happy Ending (with flash)

Whether you're celebrating today by watching a parade or hitting up your local bars, you're gonna need the perfect green for your nails.  For me, this is Sinful Colors polish in Happy Ending (available at drugstores & Cherry Culture for no more than $2).  What makes this color special is surprisingly not it's gorgeous lime green base, but instead its flash of gold when it hits the light.  It's not a duo-chrome effect, it's more of a gold dazzling effect that still lets the green shine through.  I love it!  

Sinful Colors Happy Ending (no flash)

Tip:  As gorgeous as this color is by itself, try adding a matte top coat to it.  It makes the green even more intense!

Kiss Nail Dress Review: Awesome Nail Art Opportunity for the Artistically Challenged

Nail art isn't something that comes easily for me.  My idea of a great quality at-home manicure is one in which I don't get nail polish all over my cuticles.  I just don't have the creativity or steady hands needed.  So when I received my Love VoxBox from Influenster and saw that Kiss Nail Dress was included, I was ecstatic to try it out.  I've always been a fan of Sally Hansen Polish Strips but the Nail Dress line from Kiss includes, in my opinion, more fun and bedazzled designs.  I must say that at first I wasn't too keen on the results I got but once I realized the product's full potential I was very impressed.  Full story after the jump!

Soft Yet Festive St. Patrick's Day Eyes

My look for this year's St. Patrick's Day is quite similar to the Grinch look I did for the Holidays 2011, but I thought that look translated well for this.  However I receded the green a bit more and went sheerer with the lighter, golden colors.  This look would work best for those of you who might not yet be totally comfortable with bright colors on your eyes but still want to dress up for the day.  It could also work for a more professionally-appropriate look for any daytime festivities you might be taking part in at work or school.  The dots placed in the upper-inner corner were smudged in a way that from a distance I think they could be mistaken  for shamrocks (especially if you've had a bit of that green beer) so this a very simple way to do a design on your lids if you aren't artistically inclined (like me). List of products used after the jump!

My Non-Concealer Use of Revlon's Photoready Concealer in Light

I tried out the Revlon Photoready Concealer in Medium (review here) a while ago.  Although I liked it for the most part, I was a bit bummed that it contained the Photoready Line's signature shimmer.  You know where I don't like shimmer? On places I'm trying to conceal.  But this thought led me to another question - where do I want shimmer?  On places I'm trying to highlight!  So I picked up the concealer in the shade Light and tried it out as a highlighter and I loved it so much better.  Take the jump for more details and photos!

Cherry Blossom FOTD

I've finally stopped walking on eggshells around whether or not Winter is going to make a last minute comeback and officially welcomed Spring.  Spring makeup for me all about a fresh face and bright yet soft colors, so what better way to kick the season off than a Cherry Blossom theme.  I was surprised at how much I liked this look once I was done and this will definitely be revisited again and again this in the next coming months.  This is also a great kind of look for those of you neutral-lovers who want to venture out into a more colorful territory as it's very easy to pull off during the daytime.  Additionally this is a good introduction to the pinks in the Sleek Oh So Special palette that I will be reviewing soon.  Full list of products used and more photos after the jump!

You Look Familiar! Almay Smart Shade Perfect & Correct Primer Review

I'm not one to usually finish up products as I buy so much new stuff that I don't really give myself the chance to.  One product though that I'm slowly coming up on the finish line with is Stila's One Step Correct Primer.  I love it, and as soon as I get a new bottle I'll give a formal review on it.  It really does help to color correct my face in that it corrects any redness, dull skin, or hyperpigmentation I may have while hydrating my skin beautifully, so much so that I would wear it sans foundation most of the time.  Only problem with it is that it costs $36 a pop!  I can't afford that, so when Almay came out with a new primer that looked suspiciously similar to Stila's I was praying that it would be a decent dupe.  Find out how Almay's Smart Shade Perfect & Correct Primer measures up after the jump!

Summer Fore-shadow Look w/ Maybelline Color Tattoo & L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow

I couldn't wait to use my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Fierce & Tangy (review here and swatches here) after swatching it last week so I slapped together this super quick and easy look in collaboration with my L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Eternal Sunshine (swatch here).  These 2 colors were made for each other and I will definitely be rocking this look all the time come summer.  Full list of products used and more pics after the jump!

Three More Maybelline Color Tattoo Swatches!

I was at Walmart the other day and couldn't help grabbing the Maybelline Color Tattoos (review here) in Fierce & Tangy, Pomegranate Punk, and Bold Gold, so here's some quick swatches for you after the jump!

My First Tango with Sleek Part 1: Me, Myself & Eye

(Firstly, this is my 100th post!  YAY!!  I can't believe I only started this blog just this past November, it feels like I've been doing this a lot longer!  I just want to take a moment to thank all of my readers for sticking with me.  Writing this blog and being apart of the beauty community has been the greatest treat.  I love you all <3)

As a huge fan of the Pixowoo sisters, I've been dying to get my hands on some Sleek palettes for well over a year now as Sam & Nic are always using them.  I couldn't believe a drugstore brand existed where such excellently pigmented shadows were available at such reasonable prices.  The problem:  Sleek Cosmetics is a UK brand that at the time wasn't available in the US :(  Problem #2:  When they finally did offer their products for sale internationally online shipping was a little steep for me to afford :(  Well, after some successfully stalking of their site I caught them on a day where they were having 50% off their shipping so I took advantage of it and scored some swag.  I'm going to introduce the products individually so this first post will feature Sleek's Me, Myself & Eye palette!  So take the jump for the review and swatches!

Hoarders, Buried Alive: Sephora Beauty Insider Points Edition

Source

Just a question for you guys...Does anyone else seriously hoard their Sephora Beauty Insider Points?  I'm staring at my beauty bank right now and it currently stands at 662 and has been around that amount for a few years now.  I do use them on a little 100-point perk every now and then, which is why it's not a lot higher, but I just can't bring myself to take the 500-point dive for the big one.  They just had a pretty decent 500-point perk available from Tarte but I easily talked myself out that every time I thought about going for it.  But, as things go, I waited too long and now there is a Bare Escentuals kit up for grabs that I have absolutely no interest in.  Oh well....what's another few years of point hoarding gonna hurt?  So what about you?  Are you good at using up those Sephora points or are you hoarding them that one special perk that never seems to come?

Buzzkill: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Season to Season Bronzer Review

I've been dragging major ass on this review.  As you may or may not recall, I was hella excited for the release of the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Season to Season Bronzer!  I thought it looked like a possible alternative to the out-of-this-world expensive Guerlain 4 Seasons Bronzing Powder.  I have to say though, whether or not it is comparable to Guerlain, I had to take this sad puppy back to the pound (the pound in this case being Rite Aid).  After experiencing what is the awesomeness of their regular Bronze Booster (review here) this was the complete opposite.  Get the full tale after the jump!

Just Got my 1st Influenster Box! The Love VoxBox!

I'm beyond excited to find out what I got in my first Influenster Box!  I signed up for the Influenster program a few months ago and was really happy to see I'd been chosen for the Love VoxBox promotion.  However, I was a little worried there wouldn't be much in there that I'd have a lot of use for since I'm currently single and it seemed to be geared towards Valentine's Day stuff...but boy was I wrong!  Here's what I got:

• Gillette Venus & Olay Razor
• Kiss Nail Dress - Fashion That Sticks
• Stash Tea Herbal Tea Sampler
• Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion Bar
• Truvia Natural Sweetener

I can't wait to try all these things, especially the Kiss Nail Dress and the Truvia Sweetener.  I've been a longtime love affair with all Gilette Razors so I already know that one's gonna be awesome!  As always, I'll keep you posted on how these products turn out and expect reviews soon!

And for those of you unfamiliar with Influenster, more information about the program and how you can join can be found here. 

Revlon Lip Butters Swatches: Round 3

Fig (L) & Creme Brulee (R)

Not much need for introductions here, Fig & Creme Brulee are the third set of additions to my ever growing Lip Butter collection (review here and 2nd set of swatches here).  Check out the swatches after the jump!

Site Update + theBalm Sale on Hautelook Today!!!

As you may be able to tell already, I gave Amber Likes Beauty a bit of a facelift this weekend.  I'm done with the major changes now so PLEASE do not hesitate to tell me what you like and don't like.  And please let me know if you notice something wrong :)  


Second, and (let's be honest) most importantly, Hautelook has theBalm products on sale today so head over there as soon as possible!  As of right now, 11:26 am EST, nothing has been sold out yet so you still have a pretty good change of grabbing something.  You can grab the Nude Tude palette for just $18!!!!  Get your fanny moving to Hautelook!  And if you haven't already, you can join the site here.


Love ya <3

Amber Likes Beauty UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

I'm in one of those annoying moods where I want to change everything so please bear with me as I reorganize/redesign/pray that I don't ruin my blog :)  Thanks everyone!

E.L.F. Studio Matte Eyeshadow Swatches!

Muted Mauve (L) & Burnt Brown (R)

A few posts ago I swatched some e.l.f. pigments for you, so I figured I throw out some Studio Matte Eyeshadow swatches too.  Same story with these as with the pigments:  they've been neglected for over a year so I can't give a review since I haven't used them yet.  

Muted Mauve (L) & Burnt Brown (R)

Muted Mauve seems to be a very light pink while Burnt Brown is an ashy taupe, reminiscent to me of Maybelline's Color Tattoo in the Tough as Taupe shade (review/swatch here).  These kind of came off a bit chalky and I'm thinking it would be helpful to use these over a good primer or creamy base.  Maybe even a mixing medium...we'll see...

FOTD: Pacific Pop

I'm always looking for new ways to get that fun pop of color without looking like a rainbow so this is what I came up with today.  It's a nice sea-bright teal shining through the crease over top an ivory peach lid.  When I have my eyes open I have a gorgeous halo of what reminded me of the pacific ocean.   List of products after the jump!