Audrey Dao

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows ($52) Open the palette to reveal a pop-up scene of Alice in the mushroom forest. Her “drink me” bottle discarded, she staggers past towering mushrooms, only to cross paths with a very peculiar, hookah-smoking caterpillar. A large mirror rests behind the scene – you feel as if you are transported into the film itself.

Hidden inside a secret drawer are 16 best-selling Eyeshadows, given topsy-turvy names like White Rabbit, Jabberwocky and Oraculum. Alongside them lie travel sizes of Eyeshadow Primer Potion and two 24/7 Eye Pencils. From smoky neutral eyes to flashes of hallucinogenic green and purple, the looks you can create are as endless as the rabbit hole itself. Anyone who loves Urban Decay, Tim Burton, Disney, or Alice in Wonderland absolutely MUST have this palette. Even the Mad Hatter would say this Book of Shadows delivers it all.

My Thoughts:

I own practically all the shades already so there was really no reason for me to purchase the book of shadows, but I couldn’t resist! I told myself no too! The shades are not new. They were just renamed to go with the Alice in Wonderland theme. If you own the any of the previous book of shadows, Ammo palette, and/or the Sustainable palette, you would already own the majority of the colors in this palette. Here is a chart displaying the real names of the shadows and the ones used in the Alice in Wonderland Palette.

As usual, all the shadows are great quality and perform exceptionally well. The majority of the shades are a bit shimmery, glittery. There are not many matte or semi-matte colors. It’s a great value if you don’t own the colors yet or want to try out Urban Decay eyeshadows. I wish they made new shades or limited edition shades instead of re-naming the ones that already existed.

Urban Decay Show Pony Shadow Box ($30) Artsy hipsters and makeup junkies rejoice! Urban Decay chose Kime Buzzelli, darling of the LA art scene, to illustrate this amazing Shadow Box inside and out. Kime’s paintings feature wickedly fashionable women… often with brightly colored makeup running down their cheeks. Inspired by these characters, we’ve filled our palette with 6 shadows… all totally wearable, and 2 exclusive to this set: Snatch (peachy-pink with glitter) and Painkiller (turquoise shimmer).

You’ll love the versatility of this set: pick from bright, fashion-forward shades, or go neutral with “9 to 5”-friendly shadows that still give a ton of personality to your look.

Rounding out the set is a travel-sized 24/7 Eye Pencil in never-fail Zero (black), a mini genie bottle of Eyeshadow Primer Potion (so your makeup won’t run down YOUR cheeks), and a big mirror. This shadow box will make you beautiful AND do wonders for your street cred. Thanks, Kime.

My Thoughts:

I was a bit hesitant to get this palette because the art design on the shadow box scared me. I changed my mind because you can never go wrong with Urban Decay eye shadows. All the shadows perform so well! They’re long-lasting, blendable, and gorgeously smooth. All their shadows are really pigmented. The colors are true to color. What you see is what you get. Do be careful when using Snatch. It is quite glittery. If you’re not used to sparkly glitter, use a light hand. Painkiller (turquoise) and Flash (purple) are very vibrant colors. Mildew (my favorite) is a gorgeous deep green. Toasted (copper) and Smog (dark brown) are great neutrals.   Be sure to check out my reviews for the 24/7 eyeliner and Primer Potion.

MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief 6 Sorceress Eye Shadow Palette ($36) Say “open sesame” and enjoy six bewitching new Eye Shadows: Magnetized, Altered State, White Rabbit, Edge of Dark, Hold My Gaze and Hypnotizing. The sleek, square silvery-pewter compact decorated with a whimsical pattern of coloured dots on the lid, each one representing a shade from the compact’s palette. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

This palette was love at first sight. I mean look at the colors! It’s even more gorgeous in person. Yes, it’s small, but the colors are so pretty! The range of colors are awesome.  The shadows perform just as well as MAC individual shadows: vibrant, pigmented, and lasting. I also love the packaging. Look at it! How cute, right? It’s sleek and a bit heavy, but eye catching. This is my favorite MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief eyeshadow palette.

MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief 6 Smoke and Mirrors Eye Shadow Palette ($36) Create illusion with six new shades of Eye Shadow: Fire in Her Eyes, Black Magique, Spell No. 9, Wide-eyed Wonder, Smoke & Mirrors, and Deception. The sleek, square silvery-pewter compact decorated with a whimsical pattern of coloured dots on the lid, each one representing a shade from the compact’s palette. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

I know. I know. How many smoky eye palettes can you have? Isn’t one enough? The answer? One is never enough! This is perfect to create the perfect warm smoky eye for the holiday season coming up. It won’t be as dramatic as black, but more softer and neutral. I can already tell this will be pretty popular with holiday weddings or weddings in general. The shadows are all pigmented and long lasting. A total must have.

MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief 6 Mystic Cool Eye Shadow Palette ($36) Six mystical new shades of Eye Shadow cast their spell: Cool Incantation, Shhh, Don’t Tell, Blue Enchantment, Rose Potion, Deep Secret and Violet Vow. The sleek, square silvery-pewter compact decorated with a whimsical pattern of coloured dots on the lid, each one representing a shade from the compact’s palette. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

I admit what attracted to me the Mystic Cool Eye Shadow Palette was “Deep Secret” (dark navy/indigo) shadow. It’s gorgeous! Perfect for a smoky eye. Can you tell I’m a tad obsessed with smoky eyes? I’m predicting I will be reaching for this a lot when attending holiday parties. The color will be a lot of pop to your eyes. Again, the shadows are all pigmented and long lasting. Something you can totally depend on.

MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief 6 Devil May Dare Warm Eye Shadow Palette ($36) To reflect the devil in you, six new daring, warm-toned shades: Dare Ya, Devilishly Dark, Oh My Darling, Prankster, Sorcery and Gold Tease. The sleek, square silvery-pewter compact decorated with a whimsical pattern of coloured dots on the lid, each one representing a shade from the compact’s palette. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

I have to admit I was hesitant to get this, because I have quite a number of shadows and palettes that are warm colors. I got it anyways, because I figured I have the others so might as well complete the set or it will nag/bother me. The colors didn’t really jump out at me, but that doesn’t mean the palette isn’t good. It is just as great as the other palettes in the collection. For me, this will be more of a day-at-the-office palette for the fall and winter seasons.

(Photos from Makeup For Life)

Tarte Eye Couture Day To Night Eyeshadow Palette ($44) Glamorize your eyes with this luxe palette that holds everything you need to go from a soft, simple daytime look to smoldering, smoky eyes for night.

A rich purple quilted palette adorned with a gold lock and key houses 10 eyeshadows (5 in the bronze family and 5 in the charcoal family), a double-ended brush with greatness eyeshadow brush and a double-ended brown and charcoal eyeliner.

My Thoughts:

How adorable is this palette?! I admit what caught my eye was the purple quilted pattern and the gold lock and keys. Not only does it come with 10 eyeshadows (5 in the bronze family and 5 in the charcoal family), a double-ended brush with a great eyeshadow brush and a double-ended brown and charcoal eyeliner, it also comes with how-to insturctions! So, if you need a little help with achieving a look, the helpful instructions are there for you. You can achieve so many looks with this palette. Anything from natural and light to sexy and sultry and everything in between. The shadows themselves are wonderful. They go on smooth and are of great quality. I love how this palette didn’t come with your typical sponge brush, but instead, actual shadow brushes with bristles. Let’s not forget the eyeliner that comes with the palette also. The eyeliner is great! It goes on so smooth and easily. No tugging. Even though the palette is $44, it’s a great investment. It comes with everything you need and is great for traveling.

Urban Decay Ammo Shadow Box Plus Primer Set ($39) Urban Decay’s 10 best-selling shades, packed into a case that’s a tactile experience on its own. Covered in touchable, matte black paper, the compact features a mesmerizing assortment of UD elements, gently wafting from a pistol in overlapping textures of violet metallic foil and rich velvety flocking. Inside, 10 best-selling shadows are arranged as five sets of coordinating duos, running the gamut from subtle to sexy. The slim case is complete with a perfectly sized mirror, applicators, and a magnetic closure, so it’s sure to stay closed in your handbag.

And any time you use Eyeshadow, you MUST prep your lids with Eyeshadow Primer Potion – unmatched by any other in the beauty industry! Apply Primer Potion to lids before shadow application for eyeshadow that lasts, more vibrant and lasting color, and absolutely NO creasing. It dries down almost instantly (and invisibly), creating smooth lids that are super-powered eyeshadow magnets.

My Thoughts:

I really love this shadow box. I love it even more, because I was able to find this shadow box with the primer! The Urban Decay Ammo Shadow Box normally costs $36. It was a bit of a no brainer for me to shell out the extra $3 and get the full size Urban Decay Primer Potion (orig. price $17) with the shadow box. If you read my review about the Urban Decay Eyeshadows, you will know how much I love them. So to find 10 of the best selling shades in a shadow box was a dream find for me. I use these shadows for a night out because they contain shimmer. I don’t like to shimmer during the daytime.

Too Faced Smoky Eye Palette ($34) From superstar celebrity clients to soccer moms and sorority girls, it seems like everyone wants smoky eyes and yet no one knows how to create them! So, Too Faced (Jerrod) has come to the rescue with this professional quality, smoky eye kit that contains everything you need to create sexy, sizzling lids for any occasion and for any age. Included are three, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction cards that allow you to smoke it up for looks to take you from the office or school, straight to the red carpet or runway in a flash. Not to mention the fact that it’s super, duper fun!

My Thoughts:

What a great palette! It comes with 3 easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction cards that make creating the perfect smoky eye quick and simple. The one thing I didn’t like about this palette is that the shadows are not labeled. You don’t know the name of each shadow. The eyeshadows have great pigment to them. I don’t use the green and blue. I’m a little scared of color. It’s not as good as the Too Faced Natural Eye Kit, but it’s still good.

Too Faced Natural Eye Kit ($34) The Natural Eye Kit contains everything you need to create the pretty, soft, and slightly sexy “natural eyes” you’ve seen on super models and celebrities and have always wanted to perfect for yourself. The three easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction cards lead you through every fun step to insure a professional looking application every time!

My Thoughts:

I have been bugging the 2 Sephora stores by my house for the past couple of months about when they would receive the Too Faced Natural Eye Kit in stores. Finally, I have been able to get my hands on this palette! Was it worth the wait? Oh, yes! I love the colors! Perfect for the day and nighttime. There are both matte and shimmery shadows. What I love about these shadows is the shimmery shadows don’t contain glitter. They actually shimmer. I don’t use the sponge tip brush that comes with it. I find it useless. When I used these shadows with an eyeshadow primer, it lasted all day and night. Even through these past several humid, summer days. The collection also comes with 3 step-by-step cards that help you create different looks with the shadows! This is now my new everyday-go-to shadows.

Warning: just because this is a natural eyeshadow pallete it doesn’t mean the colors go on light and natural. It’s actually quite pigmented.

Sephora Brand Smokey Eyes Palette ($38)

Smoky Eyes Palette ($50 Value)
What it is:
An all-in-one kit to create sultry, smoldering eyes.

What it does:
The Sephora Brand Smoky Eyes Palette gives you the tools and instructions you need to achieve the classic smoky eye in six easy steps. It’s the ultimate sexy look made beautifully mistake proof!

What else you need to know:
- Four 0.07 oz eyeshadow shades
- Black eyeliner pencil
- 0.1 oz Gradual Volume Black Mascara
- Double-sided brush/sponge-tip applicator
- All in a smart, handy palette equipped with explanatory pictures and a mirror. Take the makings of a stunning look wherever you go with this essential ensemble you simply can’t miss.

My Thoughts:

This palette is perfect for learning and perfecting smoky eyes. Each of the eye shadows has a number imprinted into the shadows to help you know the order of application. It also comes with step-by-step instructions to help you through the process.  Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right away. Remember: practice makes perfect and always use a light-hand when applying shadows. It’s easier to add more than remove. The shadows are really pigmented, especially the black. You can’t buy the eye shadows separately and are long lasting.

Urban Decay Get Baked Eyeshadow Palette ($28) Blaze it up with a hit of our most gorgeous bronzy shades, rolled up into a super slim palette. Our universally flattering collection delivers three neutral favorites from our best-selling “Baked” collection (Baked, Half Baked, and Twice Baked), an electric shade of teal (Flipside), and a travel-sized 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon.

It’s the first time we’ve offered our long-lasting 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils or Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion as part of a palette! Sin is a shimmery, champagne version of our classic Primer – try it alone or under a shadow. All Urban Decay Eyeshadows contain very few binders for effortless blending and true color.

The super-slim palette features a brown Pucci-inspired exterior and “Get Baked” in electric blue foil. Blue and white flora create a contrasting backdrop to the neutral Eyeshadows inside. The case is complete with a handy mirror and a magnetic closure.

My Thoughts:

I recently picked this up at South Coast Plaza’s Macy’s, and I LOVE it. It’s perfect for summer! Not only that, but this palette is such a steal for me. I love Urban’s  24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon and also Baked, Half Baked, and Twice Baked eye shadows. So, getting this palette was a no brainer for me. You can read my review of 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil to see my opinion. The eye shadows are really great. They are long lasting, pigmented, and blendable. Definitely one of the best eye shadows out there. Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion works just as great as the original with a bit of shimmer. I just can’t get over how much I love this palette!