Tag: neutral

Chantecaille ‘The Diamonds’ Eyeshadow Palette

I guess this could make a great holiday gift. But to be perfectly honest (if you are anything like me), once I got my paws on this, no one could pry this out of my hands. Chantecaille ‘The Diamonds’ Eyeshadow Palette marries luxury, festivity, quality and function all so very well. I realize I am gushing over a trio of eyeshadows but it really is that good.

Neutral Soft and Feminine Makeup

While I can appreciate bold and artistic shades, I will always gravitate towards natural, nude and soft colors. I’ve amassed quite a collection of products to achieve this look, but I certainly have some favorites. Here is a round up of my all-stars:

Tom Ford Lip Color in Casablanca – the perfect nude adds just a hint of pink and looks like your lips, but better.
By Terry Light-Expert Perfecting Foundation Brush in Vanilla Light – this brush/foundation combo has a luminous sheer finish.
Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée – this jelly textured blush can be applied with fingers for a sheer wash of color.
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Nobody’s Baby – I tap this super hydrating color onto my lips for a barely there look.
Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow in Impressionist – this handy palette contains a primer and has luxury-like soft powders that are so wearable.

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MAC Paint Pot

Much like my obsession with MAC ‘Mineralize Volcanic Ash’ Exfoliator, I just can’t live without the MAC Paint Pot. I’d seen it on blogs, heard makeup artists rave about it and even tried it out at counters. But I never pulled the trigger until a gift card landed in my lap. Painterly was the shade of choice, although I am quite certain I would take every single shade.

I apply using my fingers. While the formula looks like a paste, it is creamy and slightly slippery. The opaque, highly pigmented color in Painterly makes for a great “blank canvas” and primer for other looks. I also just like it alone for a neutral, natural eye. For a while, I tried to embrace my darker lids, but I will always prefer neutralizing the purplish undertones, even if I am not wearing shadows on top.

The formula blends evenly without any tugging to a creaseless, seemless layer. And lasts all day long. I’ve been mixing the Paint Pot successfully with powder shadows, cream shadows and liners from just about any line. Rubenesque, Blackground and Bare Study are at the top of the list to add to my collection. Add another “can’t live without” to the books!

Matte Eyeshadow Palettes: Urban Decay BASICS and Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage

I must have a thing for matte shadows lately. Somehow these similar palettes have snuck onto my vanity and I can’t stop reaching for them. Both have their pros and both have their cons. But each is such a universal and wearable set, that they are both winners in my book. Here is the rundown:

Total amount of product: Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage ($75) .35 ounces vs Urban Decay BASICS ($27) .30 ounces
Range of shades: both cover a spectrum but Urban Decay BASICS has more options
Blendability: Tom Ford takes the cake here – the shadows go on with even color and blend beautifully
Formula: I prefer the slightly creamer powder of the Urban Decay BASICS and both have outstanding staying powder with no fall out
Packaging: Tom Ford comes with applicators but I find those worthless anyway – Tom Ford still wins with a beautifully made palette
Exclusivity and “Cool Factor”: Tie – Tom Ford gets credit for being an iconic brand and Urban Decay wins for being such an iconic product (and probably brand in my humble option too)
Travel: Both are slim and nimble for lots of looks, but the Urban Decay BASICS has Crave (black at far right) which can be used as an eyeliner and W.O.S. (third from left) which can be used to set concealer

Hope you guys enjoyed this face off. Bottom line, Urban Decay BASICS wins. The smooth, satin formula, range of shades and price point make it a a classic. But frankly, I love having them both.

I purchased both of these products: Tom Ford from Neiman Marcus and Urban Decay from Sephora.