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Monday, December 30, 2013

Beautifully Disney: Spell Breaker Lip Gloss

Hey everyone!

I hope your holiday was fantastic! I am so excited to show you one of the presents I received.

Being a long-time Disney fan and a annual pass holder means that I frequently run into things in the park that I want. This lip gloss was no exception.

Beautifully Disney is a line of 'luxe' makeup that Disney released about  year ago, and their collection is growing!


Spell Breaker ($14.95 but frequently 3 for $30) is a gorgeous light pink opaque gloss representative of Rapunzel from the movie Tangled.


Rapunzel is one of my favorite Princesses! And this color represents her well, opaque pink that leans slightly lilac.


The packaging is gorgeous and was a draw for me when I purchased my first BD lipgloss (Snow White) last year. Rapunzel is drawn in black with some accents of gold on a sturdy tube with a black handle.


Coverage is good with one swipe but I layered it twice on my lips for a more opaque look. The glosses have a small doe foot applicator and no scent. Spell Breaker is really easy to wear, and feels good on my drier lips. 


This gloss is not sticky at all which I love! Wear time varies from 2-3 hours for me, which is about what I get with most glosses (a girl needs to eat!) and I really enjoy wearing this formula.


I honestly love the Beautifully Disney line, and not just because I am a Disney fan. It seems they really put time into making sure the formula was decent before selling this stuff, which surprised me. I received a few more things from this line, so we will have to see how those compare!

What do you think of Spell Breaker?

Who is your favorite Disney Princess?


 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Beautifully Disney: Spell Breaker Lip Gloss

Hey everyone!

I hope your holiday was fantastic! I am so excited to show you one of the presents I received.

Being a long-time Disney fan and a annual pass holder means that I frequently run into things in the park that I want. This lip gloss was no exception.

Beautifully Disney is a line of 'luxe' makeup that Disney released about  year ago, and their collection is growing!


Spell Breaker ($14.95 but frequently 3 for $30) is a gorgeous light pink opaque gloss representative of Rapunzel from the movie Tangled.


Rapunzel is one of my favorite Princesses! And this color represents her well, opaque pink that leans slightly lilac.


The packaging is gorgeous and was a draw for me when I purchased my first BD lipgloss (Snow White) last year. Rapunzel is drawn in black with some accents of gold on a sturdy tube with a black handle.


Coverage is good with one swipe but I layered it twice on my lips for a more opaque look. The glosses have a small doe foot applicator and no scent. Spell Breaker is really easy to wear, and feels good on my drier lips. 


This gloss is not sticky at all which I love! Wear time varies from 2-3 hours for me, which is about what I get with most glosses (a girl needs to eat!) and I really enjoy wearing this formula.


I honestly love the Beautifully Disney line, and not just because I am a Disney fan. It seems they really put time into making sure the formula was decent before selling this stuff, which surprised me. I received a few more things from this line, so we will have to see how those compare!

What do you think of Spell Breaker?

Who is your favorite Disney Princess?


 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Sunday, December 22, 2013

NYX Matte Lipstick in Alabama: The Perfect Red for Christmas!

Hey Pandas!

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate-- I hope you make tons of memories with family and friends!

If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably noticed I've been out merry-making myself and not so subtly ignoring my blog....

I just recently finished yet another semester of grad school (when will it end?!?) and I had to celebrate the new freedom...and now that things have calmed down, expect a lot more from PrettyPanda. Looks, Reviews, other quirky things---I have it all planned out.

Before I ramble too much more, I just wanted to say I missed you all, and here is a new find (and a cheap one) if you are looking for that last-minute holiday party red!


NYX Matte Lipstick in Alabama ($5.99---and Ulta is doing a buy one product get the other 50% off!) is something I have been eyeing for some time. I like their matte formula and this is a smidge darker than the normal cherry red. I love the name too--anything named after the South, I am into. Anyone here from Alabama? This is totally TOTALLY a must, haha.


The packaging is not my favorite. It is a black tube that is clear in the middle, which allows you to see the color, but looks rather cheap. Luckily I am not here for the packaging with NYX. Here for this pretty color alone!


This is a pretty forgiving matte formula. I just popped on a bit of chapstick and swiped this over (yes, it defeats some of the matte purpose, but its more comfortable). When worn alone, I find it almost has the texture of those coveted Lime Crime Velveteens, and this is a pretty close dupe shade for Red Velvet. 

I like the slightly darker tone, and you can layer it to bring out the slight hint of brown in the coloring. Lasts about 3-4 hours---not amazing---but just enough to get you through that party.

Cheap price, okay formula (comfy matte but not terribly long lasting), but a stunning color. My bargain pick for red lips for the rest of this season!)

Thanks for reading, welcome back, and can't wait to chat!

 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

NYX Matte Lipstick in Alabama: The Perfect Red for Christmas!

Hey Pandas!

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate-- I hope you make tons of memories with family and friends!

If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably noticed I've been out merry-making myself and not so subtly ignoring my blog....

I just recently finished yet another semester of grad school (when will it end?!?) and I had to celebrate the new freedom...and now that things have calmed down, expect a lot more from PrettyPanda. Looks, Reviews, other quirky things---I have it all planned out.

Before I ramble too much more, I just wanted to say I missed you all, and here is a new find (and a cheap one) if you are looking for that last-minute holiday party red!


NYX Matte Lipstick in Alabama ($5.99---and Ulta is doing a buy one product get the other 50% off!) is something I have been eyeing for some time. I like their matte formula and this is a smidge darker than the normal cherry red. I love the name too--anything named after the South, I am into. Anyone here from Alabama? This is totally TOTALLY a must, haha.


The packaging is not my favorite. It is a black tube that is clear in the middle, which allows you to see the color, but looks rather cheap. Luckily I am not here for the packaging with NYX. Here for this pretty color alone!


This is a pretty forgiving matte formula. I just popped on a bit of chapstick and swiped this over (yes, it defeats some of the matte purpose, but its more comfortable). When worn alone, I find it almost has the texture of those coveted Lime Crime Velveteens, and this is a pretty close dupe shade for Red Velvet. 

I like the slightly darker tone, and you can layer it to bring out the slight hint of brown in the coloring. Lasts about 3-4 hours---not amazing---but just enough to get you through that party.

Cheap price, okay formula (comfy matte but not terribly long lasting), but a stunning color. My bargain pick for red lips for the rest of this season!)

Thanks for reading, welcome back, and can't wait to chat!

 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Friday, November 29, 2013

Studio Gear Holiday Palette Swatches, Review, and Look


*Sponsored Post: Powered by Studio Gear and Brandbacker*
Hey everyone! Can you believe we are right on the cusp of December? With the holiday season looming before us with all of its festivities, parties, and good eats in store, your makeup has to be ready to match the glam of the winter season.
I was given the opportunity to test the new Studio Gear Holiday Palette ($25), which includes 4 eye shadows in the perfect holiday colors and one blush (which in my opinion is worth the price of the whole palette).
The palette comes in a slim, small cardboard container with a step by step-how to on the fold out of how to create a holiday smokey eye. The shadows and blush do not have names, but clockwise from top left, I will give you descriptions:
A frosty cream white, a little patchy, performs much better on the eye
A dark, sparkly black. Perfect crease color
A beige gold which can also be used as a highlighter
A shimmery medium grey, perfect all over lid color
Blush: Bright pink with gold shimmer

The outside sleeve of the palette is festive and looks like holiday lights. Pretty! Got me in the mood to decorate instantly!


This is my first experience with Studio Gear. I like the sturdiness of the packaging and the clean layout of the products. You get a lot of product here and everything coordinates well. There isn't that one color that is 'off'.


The texture of the shadows is buttery and smooth, but they don't swatch well on hands...luckily they perform much better on the eyes, which is where they are meant to be anyway. This gives you an idea of the colors. All are sparkly or shimmery, so if you like mattes, this is not the palette for you. But hey, its the season to be glimmery! 


The blush was my favorite part. Smooth, easy to blend, and this brilliant pinky-orange with a hint of gold. Gorgeous! A great compliment to the smokey eye look that this palette creates. Careful though, a little goes a long way. This is super pigmented!


I created a very simple look with this palette in under five minutes to show you that holiday glamour can be as easy as can be! I took the silver shade and applied it all over the lid, blended the black into the crease very lightly, added the cream on my brow bone, and lit the inner corner with the gold highlighter. You can see a hint of the blush on my cheeks here too!


Here is an up close. Sorry my lashes are so wonky (I took a nap before I did this look and they are a little smushed). A smokey eye doesn't have to be intense and black, and you can use the shades in this palette to create looks ranging from day to night easily!

Get the palette here: HERE

And because Studio Gear is so awesome, they have given my readers 10% off any purchase!

Use discount code: SGHOLIDAY

Do you love studio gear? Have you tried this palette? They are having good Black Friday deals too so go and shop your little heart out!



 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Studio Gear Holiday Palette Swatches, Review, and Look


*Sponsored Post: Powered by Studio Gear and Brandbacker*
Hey everyone! Can you believe we are right on the cusp of December? With the holiday season looming before us with all of its festivities, parties, and good eats in store, your makeup has to be ready to match the glam of the winter season.
I was given the opportunity to test the new Studio Gear Holiday Palette ($25), which includes 4 eye shadows in the perfect holiday colors and one blush (which in my opinion is worth the price of the whole palette).
The palette comes in a slim, small cardboard container with a step by step-how to on the fold out of how to create a holiday smokey eye. The shadows and blush do not have names, but clockwise from top left, I will give you descriptions:
A frosty cream white, a little patchy, performs much better on the eye
A dark, sparkly black. Perfect crease color
A beige gold which can also be used as a highlighter
A shimmery medium grey, perfect all over lid color
Blush: Bright pink with gold shimmer

The outside sleeve of the palette is festive and looks like holiday lights. Pretty! Got me in the mood to decorate instantly!


This is my first experience with Studio Gear. I like the sturdiness of the packaging and the clean layout of the products. You get a lot of product here and everything coordinates well. There isn't that one color that is 'off'.


The texture of the shadows is buttery and smooth, but they don't swatch well on hands...luckily they perform much better on the eyes, which is where they are meant to be anyway. This gives you an idea of the colors. All are sparkly or shimmery, so if you like mattes, this is not the palette for you. But hey, its the season to be glimmery! 


The blush was my favorite part. Smooth, easy to blend, and this brilliant pinky-orange with a hint of gold. Gorgeous! A great compliment to the smokey eye look that this palette creates. Careful though, a little goes a long way. This is super pigmented!


I created a very simple look with this palette in under five minutes to show you that holiday glamour can be as easy as can be! I took the silver shade and applied it all over the lid, blended the black into the crease very lightly, added the cream on my brow bone, and lit the inner corner with the gold highlighter. You can see a hint of the blush on my cheeks here too!


Here is an up close. Sorry my lashes are so wonky (I took a nap before I did this look and they are a little smushed). A smokey eye doesn't have to be intense and black, and you can use the shades in this palette to create looks ranging from day to night easily!

Get the palette here: HERE

And because Studio Gear is so awesome, they have given my readers 10% off any purchase!

Use discount code: SGHOLIDAY

Do you love studio gear? Have you tried this palette? They are having good Black Friday deals too so go and shop your little heart out!



 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Essence Match2Cover! Cream Concealer Swatches and Review

Who doesn't love cheap thrills?
Essence's Match2Color! Cream Concealer ($3) caught my eye the other day, as I am in a market for a new one and hey...you never know where you might find your HG!

This comes with a slightly darker (but still very fair) shade and a pinky, brightener shade. These are creamy, but need a little warming up, are on the drier side of formulation, and are buildable but sheer if you only apply one layer.


I like the idea of mixing and matching to create a custom concealer and this formula did not irritate my eyes or settle in any fine lines.



The texture is very natural, and blends into skin easily. However, this will not make my HG concealer list. It just doesn't cover all of my dark circles. This would be a great concealer/brightener for someone with very little under eye tiredness or circles, but unfortunately I have those problems in spades.

I really love the formula, and I might use this for concealing small blemishes, as it looks very natural, but this won't be for under eye (granted, it wasn't marketed for under eye...but I think most concealers should be able to work there).

Have you tried?
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Essence Match2Cover! Cream Concealer Swatches and Review

Who doesn't love cheap thrills?
Essence's Match2Color! Cream Concealer ($3) caught my eye the other day, as I am in a market for a new one and hey...you never know where you might find your HG!

This comes with a slightly darker (but still very fair) shade and a pinky, brightener shade. These are creamy, but need a little warming up, are on the drier side of formulation, and are buildable but sheer if you only apply one layer.


I like the idea of mixing and matching to create a custom concealer and this formula did not irritate my eyes or settle in any fine lines.



The texture is very natural, and blends into skin easily. However, this will not make my HG concealer list. It just doesn't cover all of my dark circles. This would be a great concealer/brightener for someone with very little under eye tiredness or circles, but unfortunately I have those problems in spades.

I really love the formula, and I might use this for concealing small blemishes, as it looks very natural, but this won't be for under eye (granted, it wasn't marketed for under eye...but I think most concealers should be able to work there).

Have you tried?
 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Revlon Lacquer Balm in Enticing

Okay, despite the mixed reviews of this product from fellow blogging friends...I caved and bought the new Revlon Lacquer Balm in Enticing ($7).
What? It was red...and shiny...and reminded me of Christmas. Guilty as charged.
I just couldn't resist the pretty display, and I chose Enticing, which I thought would look like the outside packaging.
But in fact, it is much more subdued.

I like the way this smells/tastes. Kinda minty (think the Tarte lip crayons) and it feels nice going on the lips.


The red, however, is not very lacquer-ish or shiny. This is a plain ol' lip balm crayon in a subdued red. I am very sad the shimmer didn't translate well to the lip and I was hoping for a wow-finish (against my better sense, of course).

Oh Enticing, how you look so pretty and yet, very different from my expectations. 

But this isn't necessarily a bad thing!
I am thinking this would be a good base for a lip gloss of a similar color...or maybe I can try it as a cheek stain? It slips around a little bit on my lips (making the wear 2 hours or less), but I do like the moisturizing feel.
I recommend Enticing if you do not have something similar in your stash! Anyone else love/hate these?

 photo panda-sig_zps4a356226.jpg