I think it's been awhile since I have reviewed an eyeshadow palette and I am very excited to be sharing this one with all of you today. The Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette has been a product that I have always admired, ever since it came out last summer, while walking past the beauty counters in the shops. I wouldn't say that I absolutely love palettes in general because they're way too big for me to ever use up, but I think this will be the first palette I have and will use up until I'm scraping the shadows from the pan.
I wrote briefly about this palette in my Christmas post as it was one of the gifts I received this past year. I think what really drew me to this palette was the entire aesthetic of it. It comes in a beautiful blush, velvet packaging that is very cute and is probably the first thing I noticed. Obviously, I was drawn to the incredibly beautiful shades. The rich golds, vibrant oranges, and deep red shades really stood out to me.
I like to buy palettes when I know I have room and the need for new eye shadows. I was holding off for awhile before Christmas to get a palette because I knew I wanted this one--and this one only. This palette is priced at around $45 and really isn't that bad for a 14 color palette (compared to an Urban Decay palette). I was so eager to try out the red shades because you would never think red would be a shade to put around your eyes. I wanted to try something new with my eye makeup and I have really loved the contrast it gives when you pop the color in the crease or on the outer lid. I recently did an eye look on my blue eyed sister, and it looks so classy and elegant. The overall theme of the palette was really well thought out. I love the renaissance inspired colors and the names are really unique to that period. I honestly feel like an artist when I use it.
I have swatched the palette a couple times in Sephora to see how the color payoff is and I was so impressed. SO IMPRESSED by Anastasia Beverly Hills. I know she has amazing products already and this palette takes the cake. Each shade is so buttery smooth. There is minor fall out here and there depending on the amount you use, but other than that, the powders are all amazingly opaque and vibrant like any paint would be.
For the sake of saving time and not having to swatch and touch every shade with my finger, I swatched two shades that I really love using. This one above is Primavera and is the perfect inner corner, champagne shade. It has just the right amount of shimmer to it and makes any eye look pop. It also is great to use on top of the lid to add a bit more definition.
I also wanted to swatch Red Ochre for you guys so you all can see the pigmentation of the deeper shades. It just looks so yummy! I think this would be a great touch to any eye look to add some color especially during the summer or fall. I guess you could also use it in the winter, but ohhh do I love this shade of red.
Each color blends really nicely and some of the deeper shades like the reds and oranges are actually better when applied with a finger to ensure all of the color to appear on the lid. Otherwise, using a brush works just as well.
Another shade I fell in love with was Buon Fresco, which is a very rich taupe (in the center above Red Ochre). I think this shade is great used all over the lid and nothing else. I have heard every blogger rave and express their love for this palette and I thought I could add to the mix for any of you looking for a new palette to try out. I think palettes can be hard to find or just hard to own because they can be expensive, too big, or maybe they just aren't the right shades you like or are comfortable with. Everybody has their own preferences and that's what I love about the variety of palettes out there. Have you tried this palette yet?
If you've ever strolled past the Nordstrom cosmetic counters, then you have definitely ooed and awed at the endless amounts of makeup and perfumes. Specifically the Jo Malone counter, or at least I have. I'm going to be honest, the blogging world (and Katelavie, thanks Kate) made me get this perfume and I couldn't be happier about it.
I have had many different types of perfumes in my life and I don't think this one is similar to any of them at all. I've never had anything from Jo Malone and I never knew how much I would love all of their perfumes. To speak very candidly, this stuff ain't cheap. I asked for this perfume as a Christmas gift this year and it was truly generous of my parents to get it for me. Prior to asking for this perfume, I did go into Nordstrom (the only place close to me that sells it) and try out all of the other perfumes to make sure I knew which one I loved the most. I'm not very picky with scents, so one can imagine how hard it was for me to decide.
On Jo Malone's website, I wanted to do some research as well as trying the scents out in store, they have many scents and many other products to choose from. They have colognes/perfumes, candles, lotions, room sprays, diffusers, soaps, body washes, and really nice gift sets for the holidays. They have pretty much every scent for anyone's taste, men and women: citrus, fruity, floral, spicy, woody, and light floral. I was very stuck between this one, the Peony and Blush Suede, and the Lime Basil and Mandarin scent. I'm all about sweet smells and really enjoyed these two. I honestly would have been pleased with any of the scents, though.
The colognes come in two ratherly small sizes: 30 ML (1 oz) or 100 ML (about 3 oz). It seems like a very small amount, but it's not like you need a huge spray bottle to get anything from it. One spritz goes a very long way and I would most likely use this on special occasion. Most perfumes these days come in very small sizes, too so that's another thing you have to consider.
I decided on the peony scent because I loved the freshness it had to it. The lime and mandarin one was just a tad too strong for me and I think this floral one is perfect for any time of the year because the other one seemed like a very summery scent. If you know me and my love for Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush, then you know why I was drawn to this lime scented perfume! It's very youthful and lasts all day without leaving that icky, old person smell that's not really pleasant at all on your clothes. If I had to buy another perfume, I would probably stick with the florals and might try out the spicier scents, too. I think the smaller size is the way to go if you are wanting to try out more of their colognes.
As for the packaging, I absolutely adore it. It's minimal and very elegant. It comes in a really pretty box (that I want to display in my room cuzz why the heck not) and a really nice bag as well. I'm not too keen on the overly decorated perfume bottles, I think it just gets in the way sometimes and distracts from the actual product like they're trying to hide something. Less is more, people!
I've had a really nice experience with this product and intend on purchasing more from Jo Malone in the future. So far, I haven't noticed anything bad at all with this product. Obviously, if it was priced lower I would love it even more. I guess I am a victim of the blogger bandwagons, but is it that bad? Isn't that what we are for anyway? To review products and open up about our opinions on them. Sounds pretty valid to me :) What's your guys' must have perfume?
During the winter I really try to focus more on taking extra care of my skin. Recently, I have noticed more dryness and breakouts, probably due to different products and the very quick drop in temperature. It's been in the negatives for about two weeks here in Chicago. I've especially been trying to not over use products and make sure I am moisturizing while also treating my acne without drying it out even more.
There have been a lot of products that I noticed that have made a huge difference this season in my skin. I'm all about pamperment and I think it's an important thing to do for yourself every once and a while.
I was wandering around my Target during winter break and literally stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed this on the "new in beauty" shelf. Next to all of the Neutrogena wipes and Burt's Bees holiday gift sets, were these Zoella Beauty Ginger Fizzers. I have no idea where they came from because they were the only products from Zoella's range there. They are not as exciting as the Lush Bath Bombs, but they leave a very warm and spicy scent to any bath. I just love putting things in my baths anyway, so this was a really surprising treat to find at Target since they don't sell her line anywhere.
I really got into all of the facial sprays this winter and have really loved rosewater and everything rose scented. The Mario Badescu Facial Spray is perfectly refreshing and hydrating when I have dry patches on my face. It's also a really nice makeup setting spray, too.
I know I have mentioned the Lush Yoga Bomb before and I had to go repurchase it because it is just a really great, relaxing bath bomb to have. I love coming home from a hot yoga class and soaking into a bath and plopping this bath bomb in.
When I take showers and baths, I like to use my First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser to fully clean out my pores and help reduce some of the oil that naturally builds up. I find this cleanser to be really helpful and is very great with my sensitive skin. It has a fresh scent to it and a little goes a very long way because it lathers nicely on my skin.
I have also been using many different lotions lately (because I'm obsessed and receive them as gifts all the time). Firstly, the Body Shop Mango Treats Gift Set was one gift I received this year and it comes with a loofa, mini lotion, and mini shower gel. I love the mango scented line from the Body Shop and this cute lotion is perfect to take with me to travel with during the holidays. I also pop the Burt's Bees Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion into my purse for travel and to help keep my hands from drying out from the cold.
A nice way to finish off the winter pampering is with a facial mask. I love Lush's masks (and we all know that), but there have been some drugstore masks that I quite enjoy as well. If you are looking for easy and inexpensive facial masks to do, the Que Bella masks are really nice to use. Especially the Deep Cleansing mask and the Pore Minimizing masks are great hydrating and oil preventing masks. These are really fun to do with friends because everybody's skin type is different and you can pick and choose the one best for you. I have a lot more and I think I want to review all of them for you guys, so let me know!
I am a skincare freak and love trying new things. It's cold and unfortunately, the warm months are still far from arriving. My skin is on a roller coaster ride right now and can't decide how to react to this oppressively cold winter. Hopefully it'll get better. What's been in your holy grail winter skincare routine?
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