Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Palette Swatches

My boyfriend surprised me with this palette as an early Anniversary gift. He knows me so well..


This new palette from Urban Decay contains 15 new shades. (No Midnight Cowboy, Rides Again or Half Baked in this palette!) I feel like this palette has something for everyone as it contains a nice combination of neutral, brights, and darker hues.

I love everything about Urban Decay including their fun packaging. This palette is no different. The lid has a metallic finish and cut-out filagree edges. On the opposite side of the lid, there is a huge mirror. The eyeshadow pan pops out (not very easily) to reveal a little velvet-lined compartment. However, not much can fit inside, maybe a few notes or a tiny bracelet.

Above from Left to Right: Midnight Rodeo, Midnight 15, Vanilla, Flow, & Chase

 Above from Left to Right: Tainted, Junkshow, Omen, Evidence, & Deep End

Above from Left to Right: Deeper, M.I.A., Ace, Blackout, & Half Truth

Stay tuned. My next post will be comparing swatches between these new eyeshadows with existing UD eyeshadows! 

Where to Buy: UrbanDecay.com, Ulta.com, & Sephora.com*

Cost: $55

*Palette has been quickly selling out at multiple retailers.

Benefit BadGal vs. They're Real

So if you already have Benefit's BadGal mascara you may be wondering if you need or should switch to their new mascara, They're Real. It comes down to what you want your mascara to do. Benefit's BadGal has always given me a soft, natural lash look. As a volumizing mascara, it never really gave my lashes dramatic length like They're Real will. Check out my full review of They're Real here.

♥BadGal Lash                                                          

Nylon Brush

Volume Mascara

Matte Finish

Available in 4 colors (black, brown, plum, blue) & a waterproof formula

Longer, fatter brush

Longer handle

♥They're Real

Plastic-like Brush

Lengthening Mascara

Glossy Finish

Available only in Jet-Black

Brush has Combo Short/Long Bristles

 Brush Comparison
Top: BadGal Lash
Bottom: They're Real

BadGal has a longer brush handle

Where to Buy: www.BenefitCosmetics.com, Sephora, Ulta

Cost: They're Real $22; BadGal $19. Both 8.5 g net wt 0.3 oz.

Hate to Wait?

I love painting my nails, but I hate waiting for them to dry...


A few years ago, I discovered OPI's Drip Dry, which was in a duo nail polish set that was on sale at Ulta. Basically you apply a few drops to each nail after you are finished painting your nails and they are dry within a few minutes! For someone like me who paints her nails up to twice a week, Drip Dry was an *amazing* discovery.


What wasn't so amazing was the price...


Drip Dry costs anywhere in $13-15 dollar range. In my opinion, it is worth the price to not have to sit around and watch paint dry (ha!). However, for one reason or another, I never got around to repurchasing.


I was in Target with my boyfriend recently and decided to stop by the makeup section. Sitting on the shelf was a Drying Drop bottle by Nicole by OPI. I figured if the original OPI Drip Dry was amazing, this formula had to be somewhat similar. Plus, it was nearly half the price ($7.99 for 15 mL). Score!

The directions are the same. Apply 1-2 drops 60 seconds after the final coat. OPI claims in 60 seconds nails are dry to the touch, and in 5 minutes nails are completely dry.


I wanted to try these drying drops one last time without a topcoat. I've been using the drops after using Butter of London's quick drying topcoat, so I didn't want it to skew my results. However, it did not. My nails were dry to the touch within a minute or so (with 3 coats of nail polish!) and after a few minutes they were dry. Of course, I didn't go around trying to smudge them...


Final Thoughts:
Even though I tried the original drip dry a few years ago, Nicole by OPI's drying drops seem to work just as well as I remember the original working. Amazing product, at half the price.


Where to Buy: Target, Ulta
Cost: about $7.99

Review: Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara

I've never really been into "high-end mascaras." I usually stick to drugstore mascaras which in my opinion achieves comparable (in most cases) results for half the price. However, BadGal Lash came in a Benefit set I received last Christmas and when I finally got around to trying it, it changed my mind about high-end mascaras.


Because of my Benefit BadGal Lash love, I've been excited about the "They're Real" mascara launch since I first heard about it weeks ago. A mascara that claims dramatic length and volume, base-to-tip curl, visible lift, and long-wearing results? Yes, please!


This mascara is definitely an amazing lengthening mascara. I wouldn't say it gives you extreme length like some false lashes do, however, it looks like a realistic (They're Real!) version. Although, this also depends on how long your lashes are to begin with.  I did notice volume and curl, however, it wasn't as dramatic. To get curl & separate, Benefits suggests turning the mascara vertically and stroking upwards.


I found that with two coats of this black mascara, my lashes started to clump. However, I always use just one coat of any mascara because I don't like how the mascara looks with two coats. So what might be considered clumpy to me, may not be to you.

One Coat of They're Real Mascara
UD Primer Potion in Eden
Amazing Cosmetics Concealer in Fair

They're Real has a "plastic-like" wand with a combination of short and long bristles. 

The tip of the mascara wand has bristles as well. I found the tip of the wand great to get into the hard-to-reach outer corner of my lashes and my bottom lashes.

(Left) BadGal Lash Brush vs. They're Real Brush (Right)

And just in case you were wondering... Here is quick pic brush comparison between BadGal and They're Real. A detailed comparison post to come soon! here.

Where to Buy: www.BenefitCosmetics.com, Sephora, Ulta
Cost: $22
Cheaper (Lengthening) Alternative: Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

Leopard & Pink Polka Dots

I wanted to share a custom brush belt order I recently finished up for a customer in my Etsy shop. I love working with customers because they come up with amazing ideas and fabric combinations, like the leopard and pink polka dot combination below. So much more fun than the boring black makeup artist belts out there, huh? ♥

Where to Buy: My Etsy Shop, PinkGlitterBoutique
Cost: $42

Put a Ring On It

Put a ring on... a ring holder!

These glass heart ring holders are the perfect way to store rings! They look so pretty displayed on a dresser or side table (where I keep one of mine) with a bunch of colorful rings stacked on them.

They come in many pretty colors. I have two in different shades of blue. I have one to store my "costume" rings on (I don't store good rings on them for an extended period of time because the rings tarnish easier). I also keep one by the sink so I don't loose my ring down the drain while washing my hands, dishes, etc..

Where to Buy: They are handmade by Etsy seller, ProvidenceArtGlass.

Cost: $32-36

Urban Decay Fall 2011 Collection

Here are some pictures & swatches for some of the things I picked up from Urban Decay's Fall collection. I only picked up a few things to start with due to the fact I just purchased a few things from their Friends & Family Sale.

I have my eye on their 15 Anniversary Palette (15 new e/s colors), which is currently out of stock (UD says it will be back) on UrbanDecay.com. I also want to check out their new brow tint, but I'm waiting until I see them in person. With my light eyebrows, it can be hard to find a color that matches well. Most blonde shades are too dark for me.

♥24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion 

♥Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Crush (hot pink) 

& Punch Drunk (bright orange cream)

Note: These new lip colors are exclusive to Sephora.

Left: Punch Drunk
Right: Crush

Where to Buy: UrbanDecay.com & Sephora (lipsticks found here)

Some Bling on Your Ring (Finger)

I love this nail polish trend. What it involves is painting your nails one color and then painting a single finger, usually your ring finger, with a coordinating glitter polish.

Left: It Bouquet with Me by Sephora by OPI
Right: Got a Date to Knight by OPI 

Personally, I love this trend. (Plus, it's so much easier removing two glitter-polished nails than ten!) When I first tried this a few months ago, my boyfriend was confused and asked me why I had only two glittered nails. ツ So what do you think?

Review: Benefit Bella Bamba

I've had this blush for quite a while now but never got around to reviewing it. Bella Bamba is described as a "3D brightening pink face powder." It claims to brighten, sculpt & define.

Bella Bamba is a pretty pink color with great pigmentation. It can be built up in intensity or blended out for a softer, pretty pink glow. (Tip: A little goes a long way!)

In the box, Bella Bamba appears to be somewhat of a coral pink. At first glance, it even appears to be quite similar to NARS Orgasm blush. However, when taken out of the box and swatched, Bella Bamba is actually a watermelon (medium) pink with a subtle golden sheen versus a coral pink. Orgasm also has a more intense golden sheen over Bella Bamba.

For the most part, I'm in love with Benefit's packaging (so fun!). However, their previous box o' powder lids (except Dandelion) were removable and could easily came off in your purse, makeup bag, etc. So I was happy when Bella Bamba was introduced with a new lid. The lid flips open and has a magnet that seems to do a good job of keeping the box top shut. Bella Bamba also includes a convenient mirror for touch-ups.

The brush that comes with Bella Bamba is soft and overall pretty decent for a brush that is included with a product. It is quite an improvement over previous brushes that have been included in other Benefit products like Benefit's Hoola and the Hello! Flawless powder in terms of usability.

Brushes from Right to Left:
Bella Bamba, Hoola, & Hello! Flawless Powder

The only potential downside I see to this blush is the scent. Bella Bamba has a sweet watermelon scent to it, which may bother some. Personally, it has grown on me.

Cost: $28 for 8.0 Net wt. 0.28 oz.
Where to buy: Benefitcosmetics.com, Sephora, & Ulta

Urban Decay F&F Haul

Urban Decay recently had their Friends & Family 25% off sale. Urban Decay is my favorite brand. If fact, the majority of my makeup collection is Urban Decay. Glad I only bought a few things because their Fall Collection (next blog post) came out two days later which I also had to sample.

Here's what I picked up during the sale...

♥Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden: $19
This primer is described as a matte tawny shade. Although original primer potion dries clear, their other primers have color to them. Eden is great to brighten the eye and I noticed it really helps evens out any discoloration on & around the eyelid area.

Shown not blended to show color difference 

 ♥Eyeshadow Primer Potion Professional Size: $29
I have been religiously using UDPP for over four years now. It not only helps my makeup stay put longer but eyeshadow is so much easier to apply due to its smooth, creamy texture. I was so happy when Urban Decay finally changed the packaging to a squeeze tube because I could never get the last bit of product out. So when I saw UDPP not only in a squeeze tube but in a "professional size" (150% more product!), I knew I had to pick it up.

♥Lipstick in 5150 $22
Although I dislike the packaging of UD lipsticks (those little swords are dangerous!), I did fall in love with this coral red color. It is semi-sheer but the color is buildable. This lipstick also has glitter but it is tiny. I love this color for summer- it reminds me of how your lips look after eating a cherry popsicle! The only downside to this lipstick is the chemical taste, which after purchasing and doing some research, found out others have complained about this as well.

Where to Buy: UrbanDecay.com, Sephora & Ulta