Rocking Out With theBalm's Balm Jovi Rockstar Face Palette!

I missed out on theBalm's The Balm and the Beautiful Palette a couple years ago (the one that was the same as the Muppet's palette) so I promised myself that wouldn't happen again.  So enters last holiday's Balm Jovi Palette that's absolutely adorable....in a totally kick ass rockstar kind of way, of course.

Sephora Story Look Palette Vol 1: Cinderella Swatches

Seeing this palette on Christmas morning, despite the fact that I was well aware my mother had bought it for me, almost brought me to tears.  There is something about Disney Princesses that makes me feel so nostalgic!  So you can imagine that Sephora mixing Disney and makeup together was exactly my kind of product!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Call of the Wild Review

I saw a bunch of swatches for this Tarte Call of the Wild palette and I was instantly drooling.  I'm not sure why, but the colors just screamed to me.  So when Tarte had a Friends & Family sale while I was on vacation at Virginia Beach, I momentarily left the oceanside to place an order.  

L'Oreal Color Riche Eyeshadow Quad in So Over It Review

I'm slowly beginning to realize that, for the most part, drugstore eyeshadows are not for me.  I'm by far not a makeup snob and whenever I can get a quality product for cheaper I'm all for it.  But aside from NYX and Wet n' Wild, drugstore shadows always seem to disappoint me.  So is the case with L'Oreal's new Color Riche Eyeshadow Quad in So Over It.  The name of this quad is quite fitting though, because that's exactly how I'd describe my feeling right now.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Swatches & My New Favorite Crease Shade!

I debated on posting about Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette because I'm aware that I'm quite late to the party.  But there's one shade in this thing that is approaching HG status for me and so I had to rave about it!

Urban Decay Vice Palette Review & Swatches!

The Vice Palette from Urban Decay is the first thing I've bought from the brand since that whole China animal testing debacle.  Not only was I still a little testy about the whole thing even though they apologized and changed their minds, I wasn't really interested in the new products they were pushing out.  But I just couldn't resist the 2 selling points of Vice:  1) 20 shadows and 2) all completely new shades!

I Got To Try Out Mia Mariu Products!

It's times like these when I'm glad I write a blog instead of filming YouTube videos, because I have no I idea how to pronounce the name of the brand I'm telling you about today :)  About a month ago, I was given the chance to play with some of products of my choice from Mia Mariu, a company I had never heard of until now.  Needless to say, I had no idea what to expect but I've finally had the time to really use them so take the jump to take a peek :)

Bare Minerals Ready 4.0 Ready Eyeshadows in The Rare Find

No, Amber Likes Beauty is not becoming Amber Likes Bare Minerals.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I do like them, but don't think that this is all you're going to see on here anymore.  Between Sephora's Friends & Family Sale, Black Friday, and going to the outlets I've just been getting a whole lotta Bare Minerals lately.  Today features The Rare Find Quad.  Check out the swatches!

Just Enjoy the Show!: Bare Minerals Light Show Palette

The Bare Minerals Light Show palette is probably the best set I've seen from the company if you're looking to sample several Bare Mineral Ready products at the same time.  They've gone past just the pressed shadows and have also expanded into blushes, bronzers, foundations, highlighters yada yada yada.  The Light Show Palette includes several of these products, plus some other goodies.  Check it out!

A Study in Practicality with Sonia Kashuk's Instructional Eye Palette in Eye on Neutral

There are some things in life that we all just, well, need.  They're not exactly exciting or awe-inspiring, but life moves a lot easier with them.  Sonia Kashuk's Instructional Eye Palette in Eye on Neutral is one of those things.  It's an all-matte palette with nothing but neutral colors.  Every color you truly need is included here.  Maybe they aren't "OOOOHHH and AAAAHHH" types of shades, but you'd be hard pressed to go your entire beauty-obsessed life without them.  Check it out!

Maybelline Quad in Seashore Frosts: What A Let Down!

When I first laid my eyes on the Maybelline Quad in Seashore Frosts, I instantly had to have it!  I just thought the color combination was so gorgeous and unusual for the drugstore.  Imagine my disappointment when I realize this sucked hard!

I've Been Going Naked A Lot Lately!

As it eventually goes with most of the products in my arsenal, my UD Naked palette has been collecting some dust lately.  However, as I've been in a rush to get out of the house this past month, I've found myself grabbing for it's neutral versatility.  I don't have time to try to figure out what shadow will best complement my outfit for the day so Naked has been a good friend lately.

This look is complement of just 3 shades from the palette:

• Half Baked all over the lid and in the inner corner
• Smog on the outer half of the lid and along the bottom lash line
• Darkhorse in the outer V

Easiet look in the world and it goes with everything!  I'm sure a lot of you have done this look before as well.  It's my favorite no-brainer, go-to shadow look :)

Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow 4.0 in The Happy Place Swatches

It's pretty much decided that I love Bare Minerals' Ready Shadows.  When I first reviewed The Dream Sequence I wasn't extremely impressed.  I guess they've been warming up to me though!  Their texture is so creamy and the colors are just gorgeous.  They're blendability (I know that's not a real word - but just go with it) is amazing too.  So check out these swatches from The Happy Place!

Tarina Tarantino Emerald Pretty Eyeshadow Palette Swatches!

There are 2 things you are probably aware of right now:  1) Tarina Tarantino products are 40% off at Sephora right now, and 2) Sephora is currently holding their Friends and Family Sale for VIBs and BIs.  If you didn't know that before, well, you do now.  I'm telling you all this because I recently purchased Tarina Tarantino's Emerald Pretty Palette and it's AH-MAZZZZING!  So I wanted to throw these swatches out at you ASAP since I think the the Sephora F&F sale is going to be dunzo tomorrow.

MUA Every Lash Mascara Review

It's safe to say I'm totally obsessed with UK drugstore (or I guess I should say "high street") brands.  I'm in love with Sleek and now MUA and I just can't stop!  So let's talk about this Every Lash Mascara, shall we?

A Blast from Summer's Past: Smashbox Shades of Fame Palette Swatches

I've had Smashbox's Shades of Fame Palette for so freaking long, yet have done nothing with it.  So instead of me waiting until I have enough playtime with it so I can properly review it, I figured I ought to go ahead and at least show you the swatches.  Especially since, being that this is a summer palette, it's going to have little relevance to many you now that we're approaching winter...

Almay One Coat Get Up and Grow Waterproof Mascara Review

I've been on the hunt for a truly amazing non-fiber lengthening mascara for months now. I feel like I have a ton of pretty good volumizing mascaras, but so far I've only found 2 great ones in the lengthening category, those being Maybelline Lash Stiletto and Rimmel Lash Accelerator.  So when I began hearing awesome things about Almay's One Coat Get Up & Grow Mascara I couldn't wait to try it.  Check it out!

Sample Sunday!: Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

Source

Once upon a couple months ago I bought Smashbox's Shades of Fame Palette but neglected to both use it or show you guys.  But I have been using the included deluxe sample of their Photo Finish Lid Primer lately.

When it comes to eye primer, I rarely see any significant difference between one or the next.  With the exception of Benefit's Stay Don't Stray, eye primers don't really excite me.  For the most part, this is still the case with Photo Finish.

I do like it, as much as I'm capable of liking a lid primer.  When using eye primers, I'm not looking for increased longevity as my lids are so dry there are no oils to crease or breakdown my shadows.  Rather, I'm looking for something that will grab hold of shadows and enhance their vibrancy.  Photo Finish accomplishes this to a degree.When you finish applying it, it doesn't completely dry down, instead leaving the slightest tackiness to better hold shadows.  I also like that it gives me some coverage on my lids.  Any redness or veins  are covered up with this easily, yet it's not opaque enough to look ashy on my tan skin.

Would I be interested in purchasing a full size, based on the sample?  Maybe (but probably not)

I really don't see myself being interested in many eye primers enough to put down a good chunk of change for them, but if I were into them, I think Smashbox would tempt me a bit more.  For now though, if I absolutely must have a primer, I'll just stick to the e.l.f. one for $1.

You can find more information about this primer at Smashbox's website.  It retails at Sephora for $20.

Treasure Hunt with NYX Jumbo Pencils in Cherry and Orange!

I cannot begin to explain how freaking hard it was to find NYX's Jumbo Pencils in Orange and Cherry.  Along with Yellow and Hot Pink, I believe they're discontinued which sucks hard.  It's so difficult to find a good, matte cream shadow.  They make amazing bases for shadows but companies seem intent on ignoring that fact.  Yellow is the one I wanted most, but I'm thinking that's a feat I'll never succeed at.  But I do have swatches of Cherry and Orange for ya!

That Awkward Moment When You Think You've Blogged Something That You Really Didnt...NYX Jumbo Pencils Review

I would've put money on the fact that I've already reviewed NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencils.  In fact, I'm still not completely convinced I didn't.  But when I was writing a post on more Jumbo Pencil swatches and tried to link back to the review, it was nowhere to be found so I'm reviewing it now.  Apologies if I have, indeed, posted this before.