Palettes | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow

Overall, Kevyn Aucoin is a quality line of cosmetics. Pricey, but quality. I purchased a Kevyn Aucoin: The Essential Eyeshadow Set and couldn’t be more pleased. The palette that I picked out (Palette #1) has five neutral shades that are perfect for everyday wear.

Kevyn Aucoin eyeshadow is finely milled, well pigmented, very blendable and very buildable. It is right up there with Dior in terms of absolute favorite shadow for me. It also is right up there with Dior in price. On the good side, there are five shades in decent size pans, so if you look at it that way, the shadows are actually pretty affordable—around $11 per shade. Below are swatches from the Kevyn Aucoin palette:

Kevyn Aucoin makes additional palettes in other shades. Look for them at Beauty.comor Comparison shop for Kevyn Aucoin Makeup.

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Estee Lauder Holiday Collection

Estee Lauder has some nice kits out for Christmas 2009. I especially like the brush kit. Estee Lauder brushes are attractive, and hold up well. The addition of a case with the set is rather nice.

Also rather pretty is the eyeshadow palette. It has an attractive holiday case and nice shades. Estee Lauder eye shadows tend to wear quite well, making the palette a nice holiday gift or simply a useful item for yourself.

Finally, the Holiday Blockbuster set is a $340 value that can be bought for $55 with any fragrance purchase.

Note: If you are reading this in the feed, click the title to veiw the post on the site. Then the shopping boxes will show up.

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MAC Cosmetics Holiday Collection

MAC Cosmetics’ holiday collection this year is very pretty. While last year was bold , with bright red cases, this year focuses on soft shades and pretty silver cases. The MAC Magic, Mirth, & Mischief Collection is particularly nice, with some beautiful new shades of Dazzleglass. Below is the full collection at Nordstrom, including the Nordstrom exclusive MAC Lash Kit. Note that many of the palettes and individual items have multiple shades available. If you click the shopping boxes you will be able to see all of them. If you are reading this in the feed, the shopping links won’t show. Click the title to head to the site to see them there!

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By Lauren Luke My Smokey Classics Palette and Swatches

I ordered the By Lauren Luke My Smokey Classics and My Glossy Lips Complete Makeup Palette on a whim and boy do I love it! This Lauren Luke palette will definitely be on my year end best of 2009 list. The kit is perfect for creating a classic look and is flexible enough for day or evening looks. I found that the eye shadow shades were very pretty, didn’t crease, and lasted all day when the primer was used. The lip shades are also quite pretty and wear well. The blush is rather light, which was fine for my pale skin, but those with darker skin might find it too light. The primers work well, and the eyeliner is nice. Then, there is the lip gloss. It tastes like mango (I think), is super glossy, and not at all sticky. I love, love, love it! It is the best tasting gloss I have had in ages!

The palette includes the following:

- 2 blendable shadow primers – Nude Slip Dark & Nude Slip Light
- 3 flattering eye shadows – Antique Pewter, Twilight Ash & Cashmere Cream
- 1 defining eyeliner – Raven Black
- 1 contouring blush – Peach Glow
- 2 luscious lip shades – Plumberry & Cranberry Stain
- 1 My Glossy Lips lip gloss in Sheer

Below are swatches from the kit. From left to right: 3 shadows, black cream eyeliner, 2 lip shades, blush. As you can see, the shades are well pigmented:

As a bonus, Sephora has how to videos and tutorials for using the palette on their website. By Lauren Luke also makes similar palettes in other shades/themes. Shopping links for them all are below for your browsing pleasure. If you are reading this in the feed, click the title to come to the site to view the shopping links.

There are also versions of the palette without the lip gloss (click any shopping link to browse Sephora and find those), but that gloss is so darn good, that I highly recommend getting the palette(s) that has the gloss included. It is only $4.50 more.

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Nars 15th Anniversary Palettes

Nars has two limited edition makeup palettes out for their 15th anniversary. Both are quite nice and neither will last long.

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Urban Decay Show Pony Shadow Box

The Urban Decay Show Pony Shadow Box has a decorative case with illustrations by LA artist Kime Buzzelli and a mix of six vibrant and neutral eyeshadow shades. Also included is a primer potion and a 24/7 eye pencil.

Urban Decay eyeshadow does not lack for pigment! The shades are quite brilliant and last very well. I was quite impressed when I gave them a try during a recent field trip to Sephora. Below are swatches from the Show Pony palette. This was taken well after I swatched the palette since I was looking for better light for direct photos than in the store. I thought they might wear off from rubbing on my jacket sleeve, but the color stayed on strong.

The Urban Decay Show Pony set is quite versatile. You can get a decent neutral look from it, or a vibrant party look, making it good for many different people and many different occasions. It would also be a good holiday gift. I give it a big thumbs up!

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