NEW Maybelline The Nudes Palette + Swatches

In stores July 2014 - Maybelline The Nudes Palette. 

Please follow me on YouTube for a future Review and Tutorial : )

youtube.com/hollyannaeree

Heavy Swatches. 

One swipe swatches. 

All swatches are done with NO PRIMER.

Initially these shadows did not swatch this strong but after using them this was the result. 

Naturally some are more pigmented than others depending on the finish. There are some shimmers, mattes, metallics and glitter infused shades in this palette. I would only consider a few of them "super pigmented" but honestly I have always hated how that seems to be the way many people classify a good shadow vs. a bad shadow. It really depends on what you are using the colors for and what your taste is. 

So far my two favorite shades in the palette are the bronze on the top row (4th color in) - by far the most pigmented shadow in the palette (this color is right on par with Urban Decay and MAC quality/payoff) - and the black which is the last color in the second row. I am not really one for black eye shadow - I NEVER use it but I tried this one in a look and REALLY liked it. It's a very soft and wearable black that blends easily. I like that it is not overwhelming and that you can build it up vs. a super pigmented black that gets everywhere and takes forever to blend. This color does swatch the worst in my opinion but it's a great shadow - swatches aren't everything since that's generally not the way you will be wearing the colors. (Plus matte black shadows never really swatch that well)

The mattes seem to have very little to no fall out. 

Colors with the most fall out for me have been the gold (3rd in on the second row) and the first color on the first row which is kind of an iridescent white that shines pink with blue glitter specks (see third swatch photo) - but even then it wasn't extreme.

The questions everyone will want to ask me - 

Is this a dupe for the Naked Palette? 

No. The colors are actually quite different and there is a definite difference in texture etc. 

Would I recommend this Palette? 

Depends. I like it. I can see myself using this palette frequently. I can even see myself hitting pan on several of the colors. 

However, if you have a ton of neutral palettes this one isn't really anything different or exciting other than the fact that it is a reasonably priced drugstore palette. If you've always had your heart set on a Naked palette this is NOT going to satisfy that need for you. I know a lot of people will be comparing this to the Naked palettes but honestly I think it's kind of it's own thing. 

Things I would change?

I wish there were a few more light, matte, blending colors. This palette is really lacking that. Even some of the lighter browns look really dark on my skin tone (and I'm pretty tan right now) and all but one of the light colors have some type of glitter or shimmer. Also I'd like a sheer matte white as that is my highlight color of choice : ) the peachy color in the palette actually comes out like a cream though so I guess close enough. 

Ohh it'd also be great if they had a warmer blending/transition color in here too! Although none of the Naked palettes have that either : \ 

I will have a tutorial using this palette on my channel soon so be sure and subscribe there!

youtube.com/hollyannaeree

Hope this was helpful! I actually was only planning on posting the swatches since I want to talk about this in a video but I figured that I would at least cover the bases here for those wondering. This is only my second day with the palette so when I do my video I will have had some more time to play around with it. These are just my initial impressions. Today is my first time wearing a look done with this palette. Be sure to follow my on Instagram to see some sneak peek looks before the video goes up!

instagram.com/hollyannaeree

Thanks for stopping by!

Love,

Holly 

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[Addicted to Amazon]

All photos belong to me and may not be used without my permission.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - Quick Swatches

OBSESSED with this palette. 

By far my favorite from Urban Decay. 

Most used shades:

Strange (1st - Top Row)

Liar (3rd - Second Row)

Love you!

Holly

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[Beauty] Great Value: Fergie for Wet n Wild - Desert Festival Eyeshadow Palette (Review, Swatches + Eye Look)

Fergie for Wet n Wild Photo Op Eyeshadow in Desert Festival

CENTERSTAGE COLLECTION Available at Walgreens 

Retail $4.99

Now this is a post I wasn't planning on doing BUT after trying this out today I just HAD to! 

Truth be told I'm not typically a fan of Wet n' Wild eyeshadow palettes (their blushes and single shadows are awesome though!) so I was a little on the fence about trying this one but I really wanted to get a few things from the Fergie collaboration. 

I picked this up at Walgreens when I was in Vegas last month and am just getting around to trying it now >_< As far as I know this collection is available only at Walgreens stores (despite the brand being available at a variety of drugstores).

There are 4 eye palettes in this collection but despite the price I only picked up one. I decided to go with what I thought I would get the most use out of as a whole and I am happy to say I am very pleased with my choice.

Desert Festival-

To me this is the most neutral and wearable - I would say suitable for everyday. 

It contains:

 - a skintone taupe-y beige with a slight sheen 

(for me this is way too dark as a highlight shade but looks great as a blending or all over lid color)

- a matte burnt orange 

This was the color that made me want to buy this palette!

(great to add depth to the crease and to layer between other colors in the palette. although pigmented enough to be used boldly it can also be applied lightly in a subtle manner as well. a wonderful and inexpensive way to try a color like this. I promise anyone can make this shade work!)

- a matte dark brown

(this is the color I used to darken the outer section of my eye in the photos below)

- a shimmery dark peach 

(truth be told I don't love the shimmery shades in this palette as much at the matte but these are still a nice addition. would be great as an all over lid color for a fresh spring/summer look.) 

- a shimmery dark brown

(I used this for my lower lash line but this would also be suitable as a crease color or as an all over lid shade for a darker look. this color is extremely pigmented and was difficult to get off my finger after swatching.)

Of course you can create several different looks with these colors but for my first time trying it out I chose to go with a comfortable medium intensity look. (You could always go lighter or darker but since I was doing my makeup for regular life (vs. photos or video) I just went with the style I normally do.)

For me the shadows did last all day without creasing or fading - no primer used. 

(for reference I never use primer and very rarely have creasing or fading but these preformed just as well as any of my MAC eyeshadows)

What truly impressed me the most was how effortlessly I was able to blend even the matte shades. I thought I might have a problem with the orange or the brown since they are pretty pigmented but I was pleasantly surprised that they did not require much attention. 

(I'm not sure how the shimmery brown will blend since it is the darkest of all the colors - I only used it on my lower lash line since I prefer the matte shades for my crease.)

^ Using all shades except the shimmery peach. 

I especially love the matte shadows in this palette! Very smooth application and easy to blend.

This photo was taken AFTER wearing the shadow all day - No primer. 

(I never use eyeshadow primer.)

I would have taken a before photo to show you but I didn't know I was going to like these enough to want to do a post on (plus I was in a hurry).

Lashes are from Lash Royalty - Style Luxe 1 (Available HERE)

^ All swatches done on bare skin with no primer.

Overall I am impressed with this palette and would definitely recommend it.

 At about a dollar per shade you really can't go wrong. These are much better quality in my opinion than the normal Wet n' Wild palettes. (I find the ColorIcon palettes to be very soft and break quite easily. Although they are pigmented I don't feel like they look high quality on my lids - something about the way the shimmer applies - not as smooth?)

 I would say they are more comparable to a lot of my higher end shadows. 

Pros

-Affordable at $4.99

-Easy to Wear 

-Can be used for both day and night looks - Shades are versatile 

-Different than your typical nude palette (incorporation of peach/orange)

-Good Pigmentation

-Easily Blended

-I am fond of the colors included 

-Packaging seems more sturdy than the ColorIcon Palettes 

-Shadows are not as soft/breakable as the ColorIcon Palettes 

-Not chalky and not too powdery (a little with the beige shade but tolerable)

-Good quality -Particularly the burnt orange - that shade is very comparable in both performance and pigmentation to MAC eyeshadows. 

Cons

-No highlight shade for fair/medium skin tones so if you will need a secondary product. 

-Not easily accessible - Available only at Walgreens + Limited Edition?

-Packaging could be a little more secure (but at $4.99 I can't really complain)

This is one of the best eyeshadow palettes I've purchased from the drugstore in a LONG time so if you were contemplating trying it I would say go for it! 

I picked up a few other products from this line as well, none of which I will be doing a blog post review on but they will be featured in my April Hits & Misses video at the end of this month on my YouTube Channel so SUBSCRIBE if you haven't : )

I hope you all have enjoyed this post.
Thank you for reading and for your continued support. 

I will talk to you all very soon!

Love,
Holly

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[Beauty] Tryst Lacquers : Liaison in London : Fresh Paint and New Polishes

3 Coats of Tryst Lacquers - Liaison in London

So this is a very special Fresh Paint Post.

The polish I am using today is from Tryst Lacquers which is a new/up and coming brand hand done and created by Kimberly Maranan. 

Okay story time: 

So I actually found Kimberly when she commented on one of my nail posts via Instagram.

 I was intrigued by her thumbnail and was like 'hmm I wonder if those are her nails or if it's something she grabbed off the internet' - *proceed to clicking user account*

Oh Em Gee - They're hers!

BEST

NAILS

EVER. 

*scrolls*

*follows*

*Goes back to my pic - replies back.*

*Continues to obsess over nail pictures for months.*

- Present Day -

photo from hollyannaeree's Instagram 

The color I used today is called Liaison in London -

medium dusty red jelly-creme base filled with tiny black and white hex glitter.

3 thin coats to full opacity, but can be used layered over various other polishes to create different and exciting new looks.

3-free and hand-blended

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I actually saw this on my friend Sam (Saaammage) and loved it on her!

In these photos I used 3 coats of the polish but you could easily just use two. It was my first time trying these so I was testing it out.

Finished off with a fast drying top coat, Seche Vite.

If you follow me on Instagram or are a regular reader of my blog you have probably seen me mention her in the past. Her and I talk back and forth and she very sweetly sent me some of the polishes she makes (MAKES...blows my mind!) - as well as a ridiculously good coffee flavored chocolate bar(?) thing that I've never seen/had before.

(I don't think it's sold here in the US (She's from Canada))

They are all beautiful and I can't wait to try them all out!

Be sure to keep an eye out for them in future 'Fresh Paint' Posts! 

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Tryst Lacquers are available through Kimberly's Site or Etsy Shop if you are interested. 

www.trystlacquers.bigcartel.com 

($7.50 - $10 It's cheaper to buy from here - her permanent site)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/trystlacquers 

($10)

Which color would you want to see next? 

Leave a comment down below! 

(all colors are shown in the same order throughout photos)

Thank you again x100000000 to Kimberly for a.) being awesome and talented 

b.) for being so sweet to me as well as sending me these great polishes to try out!

Be sure and check her out on Instagram for various polish swatches as well as nail art & designs : ) 

Buy Tryst Lacquers HERE

Retail: 15ml Bottles are $7.50 - $10 

P.S. Kimberly OceanFront View looks AWESOME! So glad to see a turquoise added to the mix! 

Thank you all for reading! 

I hope you've enjoyed this post : ) 

A litte me update for those interested:

Sorry I haven't had a video up yet - I fell off the wagon with my sleep schedule again and am really trying to fix it >_< I am also working hard to do a little spring cleaning in my apt AND my little brother is coming back again for a visit - TODAY! ^_^ I'm so excited and happy! (my family lives in Connecticut if you didn't know) 

Lastly - I was eating pretty much a vegetarian diet the last week and a half which included a lot of soy products to supplement (normally I don't have soy products because I use to be allergic to it - now I can have soy sauce etc. but I was still not having it in large quantities (which is fine I heard too much isn't good for you anyway) but I am definitely having a reaction to it and just was not feeling great not to mention it messed with my skin. (I mean not bad enough where it will show on camera but I've been trying to take it easy, not wear makeup etc.) 

For those wondering I'm not currently trying to go vegetarian (I've tried in the past and it has not worked out for me. Not liking vegetables and being allergic to soy really puts a damper on it lol) BUT I have been wanting to try to eat a bit healthier so I can feel (and look) better. Unfortunately a lot of the foods I had picked out happen to be soy based : \

boo. 

If any of you have great tasting, not horrible for you, vegetarian recipes (that do not include beans) please share! It would be MUCH appreciated! (I know I can google to find recipes but I want something that is tried and true...by YOU!) 

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Hope you guys don't mind the bit of personal chat - sometimes I don't know when to throw it in. I don't want to do a separate post only on personal stuff because that's probably really boring haha but I do like to update you all and my blog definitely has a more intimate crowd. 

Thank you all for sticking with me. 

Reading, following, commenting on my blog as well as watching, subscribing and supporting me on YouTube. 

It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. 

Talk to you all very soon.

Love,

Holly 

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[Beauty] Milani Texture Cream Nail Polishes - Limited Edition - Review and Swatches

So excited about these NEW Limited Edition TEXTURE Polishes from Milani! 

Described as a Bright, vibrant crème nail lacquer with a textured, matte finish.

(It says top coat optional but I think it looks better without and lasts just as long as my regular polishes.)

Comes in SIX Colors:

901- Tainted in Red - and Orange Red Matte 

902 - Spoiled in Fuchsia - Fuchsia Matte

903 - Aqua Splash 

904 Yellow Mark

905 - Purple Streak - Dark Purple Matte

906 -Shady Gray - Deep Gray Matte 

So far Tainted in Red is my FAVORITE! (Shown Below)

I always find these Bright Red/Orange colors to be flattering on my skin tone and just beautiful for Spring/Summer. 

Fresh and Retro at the same time! 

I surprisingly really like the "textured" look - I didn't think I would but the granules are fine enough to keep the look crisp and neat while still adding a hip twist to a matte finish. 

(I would NOT like this polish if it did not have a matte finish.) 

It's also super easy to apply! It goes on a bit watery/thin which allows you to get a great, even coat. (I would suggest doing two coats) This also makes the polish fairly fast drying plus with no need for a top coat it's a very quick and easy manicure. 

Upon initial application it doesn't look much different than a regular polish, it's not until it starts to dry down where you will see all of the texture happen.

One of my favorite parts - The finish makes touch ups SUPER easy! Since it's not a glossy finish if you make a mistake or get a chip it's easy enough to just apply a little more polish, let it dry and your touch up will be seamless! 

It let's me keep my manicure even longer!

Overall the polish did pretty well for me - 4 days before I got any type of chips (and I think that was just because I was doing a lot housework) which I think is really good especially considering I didn't use a top coat. 

Removal was surprisingly easy. Requires a little more time than a normal polish (which is to be expected) but less difficult to remove than a glitter polish. 

I definitely plan on making these fun polishes a staple this Spring/Summer! 

Retail $4.99 

Can be purchased on milanicosmetics.com 

Thanks so much for reading! Hope you've enjoyed : )

Talk to you all very soon! 

-Holly 

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Nicole by OPI - Selena (Selena Gomez Collection) Fresh Paint Quickie.

Nicole by OPI - Selena from the Selena Gomez Collection - photo by hollyannaeree

It's that time again....

Fresh manicure!

This time I just went for one color, a new one I had picked up at CVS.

Nicole by OPI, as well as OPI, frequently do celebrity collaborations and this is one of their latest which features Selena Gomez :)

Originally I had only picked up glitter polishes from the line but CVS was running a sale (I believe it was buy 2 Nicole by OPI get $5 Extra Bucks) so I couldn't resist!

The color I chose is called 'Selena' which is a really pretty peachy coral color with some subtle sparkle. Surprisingly I have nothing in my collection that is this color. The ones I own are either more orange or just overall darker so it was a nice addition.

Unfortunately this was not the easiest polish to work with - kind of on the thick side yet took 4 COATS to achieve an even and opaque look. Also none of the little glitters show up, which isn't a big deal for me since I prefer cream polishes but heck if it's in there it'd be nice if it made an appearance!

Overall I think it still looks nice and if you are just dying over the color go ahead and scoop it up but I really wasn't impressed with the way it applied nor do I like to have to apply soooo many coats. (It's not even like you can really wear this polish sheer - it's not thin, just applies unevenly until you build it up)

I'd probably give this polish a 3 out of 5. 

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I am wearing this polish in my latest YouTube video if you are interested in seeing what the color looks like on me. 

Thanks so much for reading! Hope you've enjoyed : )

See you back here (hopefully) tomorrow! 

-Holly

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