Lorac Alter Ego Heartbreaker Palette

 

You can be pretty in pink (and blues) this summer with the Lorac Alter Ego HeartBreaker palette ($24). This is a Ulta exclusive, which I know many of you don't have Ulta's close, but there is one called Dreamgirl on the Lorac site which looks amazing as well. These palettes correspond the the Alter Ego lipsticks and glosses (the latter of which are brand new!). 

Okay, so I will admit, a large factor in why I purchased this palette is because it is neon pink. The casing is a bit rubberized (think NARS packaging) so it will collect fingerprints, but the inside is a chic pink plastic with a mirror and ten gorgeous shadows.

None of the shadows have names, but they are sectioned into 'looks', which I feel are warm (on the left) and cool (on the right), although I think they are fine for any skin tone to wear. The size of the pans are generous, especially for the highlighting shades.

The warm side includes a satin matte medium brown, a satin matte shell pink, a shimmery berry, a shimmery reddish brown, and a true matte cream.

All swatched with Lorac primer. I felt they were creamy and easy to work with. Some fallout with the shell pink, but nothing crazy. They blend very well and are of better quality than I expected for the price. Almost akin to the pro palettes, but maybe a touch less pigmented.

The cool side isn't a completely cool look, especially when you add in the shimmery brown. It includes a shimmery royal blue, a shimmery silver, a satin matte light blue, a nearly metallic golden dark brown, and a shimmery white.

 

This side of the palette was more impressive with pigmentation. These aren't the most unique colors and you may already have dupes in your stash, but I think the size and price make it a great travel palette. I was absolutely drawn to the blue and I am glad it performed well!

Here is a very quick daytime eye look I did with the warm side of the palette. The shell pink and berry are blended on the lid to make a coral and the light brown is in the crease.

Here is a mix of the silver and the baby blue from the cool side of the palette! So easy to blend! I felt like an 80's Barbie and I loved it!

What do you think of this palette? I think it has a good mix of neutrals and pops of color!

Sun Bum Lip Balm in Coconut

Sun Bum seems to be everywhere lately (you might spot it in Nordstrom's or the Roxy store) but I was first introduced to it on my trip to Maui.  If you haven't heard of them, Sun Bum is a smaller brand founded in 2010 and is Skin Cancer Foundation approved, which is awesome. Personally, I love their cool packaging and the smell of all of their products. 

 I decided to try out their SPF 30 balm, and have not been disappointed. This smells amazing---like real, fresh coconut. Nothing artificial here. It has the amazing SPF 30 and cocoa butter which makes it super emollient. It is also PBA free and they do not test on animals! 

 

I also think their monkey logo is adorable! This whole line has a crazy cool vibe that just makes me want to be at the beach. And I love that this markets to the crowd that wouldn't normally take care of their skin... like hey, you can be an awesome surfer and still stay skin-cancer free. Awesome.

 

 

For $3.99 they aren't the absolute cheapest balms, but it is really hard to find an SPF 30 balm, let alone one that smells this good. They have a ton more flavors on their website, so check them out!

 

Panda Approved for summer!

 

Sun Bum Lip Balm in Coconut

Sun Bum seems to be everywhere lately (you might spot it in Nordstrom's or the Roxy store) but I was first introduced to it on my trip to Maui.   If you haven't heard of them, Sun Bum is a smaller brand founded in 2010 and is Skin Cancer Foundation approved, which is awesome. Personally, I love their cool packaging and the smell of all of their products.  

  I decided to try out their SPF 30 balm, and have not been disappointed. This smells amazing---like real, fresh coconut. Nothing artificial here. It has the amazing SPF 30 and cocoa butter which makes it super emollient. It is also PBA free and they do not test on animals!  

 

I also think their monkey logo is adorable! This whole line has a crazy cool vibe that just makes me want to be at the beach. And I love that this markets to the crowd that wouldn't normally take care of their skin... like hey, you can be an awesome surfer and still stay skin-cancer free. Awesome.

 

 

For $3.99 they aren't the absolute cheapest balms, but it is really hard to find an SPF 30 balm, let alone one that smells this good. They have a ton more flavors on their website, so check them out!

 

Panda Approved for summer!

 

A Great Navy Liner for Summer: NYX Retractable Eye Liner in Deep Blue

Summer is almost here and that means days by the beach and the pool as well as fun nights with family and friends. Summer also means tanner skin and lighter makeup, so why not lighten up that black liner in favor of navy?

 

I really NYX liners, especially the retractable ones. They are good quality, creamy, long-wearing, and cheap at around $4 a pop. They are also cruelty free and have a lot of depth in the color.

 

Another thing I like about retractable liners in general is that no sharpening is necessary, which means no loss of product! This liner (called Deep Blue) is the color of the sea at night, not a true navy because it has little more brightness and sparkle. It is really gorgeous and will go with all summer looks to brighten up your face.

 

 

Oh, and the best part? These are waterproof!! Pair this shade with matching navy mascara, some bronzer, and a soft pink lip for an easy summer look. I know I will be switching out my black liner for this on the 100 degree California days.

 

Do you love navy/dark blue liner? Do you have a favorite?

 

Panda Approved!

 

 

 

A Great Navy Liner for Summer: NYX Retractable Eye Liner in Deep Blue

Summer is almost here and that means days by the beach and the pool as well as fun nights with family and friends. Summer also means tanner skin and lighter makeup, so why not lighten up that black liner in favor of navy?

 

I really NYX liners, especially the retractable ones. They are good quality, creamy, long-wearing, and cheap at around $4 a pop. They are also cruelty free and have a lot of depth in the color.

 

Another thing I like about retractable liners in general is that no sharpening is necessary, which means no loss of product! This liner (called Deep Blue) is the color of the sea at night, not a true navy because it has little more brightness and sparkle. It is really gorgeous and will go with all summer looks to brighten up your face.

 

 

Oh, and the best part? These are waterproof!! Pair this shade with matching navy mascara, some bronzer, and a soft pink lip for an easy summer look. I know I will be switching out my black liner for this on the 100 degree California days.

 

Do you love navy/dark blue liner? Do you have a favorite?

 

Panda Approved!

 

 

 

Stay Shine Free this Summer

Hello there!

So, it is officially Summer now, according to the calendar. I used to always use those blotting papers, you know the little blue ones? I stopped for some reason. I think mostly because they did nothing for me.

I decided to give blotting papers a try again. Enter NYX matte blotting papers, 50 sheets for $5. That is a little steep for me. It is just paper right? Wrong. Miracle workers in a little slim case.

I like sticking with NYX because I know they are cruelty free amidst all of this Urban Decay/MAC etc nonsense. And they tell me to be sexy. Okay NYX. With your miracle papers I can be.

Seriously though, these sop up oil and leave you totally matte for hours. And unlike other ones, they do not leave a weird residue or interrupt your make up. These are coming to Hawaii with me.

Final Thoughts: Only get if you are extremely oily, or are obsessive with touching up. Otherwise they will be a waste. If you have to put on extra moisturizer in the summer, then these aren't for you. But if you are an oil slick like me by noon -- run, don't walk.

Price: 6/10
Staying Power: N/A
Packaging: 10/10
Color/Wearability: N/A
Quality/Branding: 10/10

Total: 26/30 = B = Panda is Pleased

Do you use blotting sheets? Tried these? I want to know!

xo PrettyPanda

Stay Shine Free this Summer

Hello there!

So, it is officially Summer now, according to the calendar. I used to always use those blotting papers, you know the little blue ones? I stopped for some reason. I think mostly because they did nothing for me.

I decided to give blotting papers a try again. Enter NYX matte blotting papers, 50 sheets for $5. That is a little steep for me. It is just paper right? Wrong. Miracle workers in a little slim case.

I like sticking with NYX because I know they are cruelty free amidst all of this Urban Decay/MAC etc nonsense. And they tell me to be sexy. Okay NYX. With your miracle papers I can be.

Seriously though, these sop up oil and leave you totally matte for hours. And unlike other ones, they do not leave a weird residue or interrupt your make up. These are coming to Hawaii with me.

Final Thoughts: Only get if you are extremely oily, or are obsessive with touching up. Otherwise they will be a waste. If you have to put on extra moisturizer in the summer, then these aren't for you. But if you are an oil slick like me by noon -- run, don't walk.

Price: 6/10
Staying Power: N/A
Packaging: 10/10
Color/Wearability: N/A
Quality/Branding: 10/10

Total: 26/30 = B = Panda is Pleased

Do you use blotting sheets? Tried these? I want to know!

xo PrettyPanda

'Paradise Punch' for Maybelline Summer 2012

Hey Pandas!

Back again with another Maybelline summer eye shadow duo! As you know I was really impressed with 'Oriental Spice', but will I be taken with 'Paradise Punch'? Let's see...

This is 'Paradise Punch' which retails about $3.29, just under four bucks. Pretty good deal for two good sized shadows.

I love the punchy bubblegum pink and lime green duo. It is so refreshing looking and what drew me in first. I was a little skeptical, because I know pigmentation on these colors can lack a bit.

And I was right to be wary...this is swatched four times EACH. Not okay. The pink is workable, but the lime is kind of a waste of space at this point.

I have a lot of other indie shadows that perform better in these colors, so I will stick with those. I am sad that 'Paradise Punch' just didn't do it for me, because I was totally digging the tropical vibe!

Final Thoughts:

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 10/10
Color/Wearability: 4/10
Packaging: 8/10
Quality/Branding: 6/10

Total: 38/50 = C = Totally Un-Thrilled Panda

Any suggestions for a better lime green shadow?

xoxo PrettyPanda

'Paradise Punch' for Maybelline Summer 2012

Hey Pandas!

Back again with another Maybelline summer eye shadow duo! As you know I was really impressed with 'Oriental Spice', but will I be taken with 'Paradise Punch'? Let's see...

This is 'Paradise Punch' which retails about $3.29, just under four bucks. Pretty good deal for two good sized shadows.

I love the punchy bubblegum pink and lime green duo. It is so refreshing looking and what drew me in first. I was a little skeptical, because I know pigmentation on these colors can lack a bit.

And I was right to be wary...this is swatched four times EACH. Not okay. The pink is workable, but the lime is kind of a waste of space at this point.

I have a lot of other indie shadows that perform better in these colors, so I will stick with those. I am sad that 'Paradise Punch' just didn't do it for me, because I was totally digging the tropical vibe!

Final Thoughts:

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 10/10
Color/Wearability: 4/10
Packaging: 8/10
Quality/Branding: 6/10

Total: 38/50 = C = Totally Un-Thrilled Panda

Any suggestions for a better lime green shadow?

xoxo PrettyPanda

Maybelline 'Oriental Spice' Eye Shadow Duo for Summer '12

Hey my summery pandas!

I am just obsessed with how nice it has been here in So. Cal the last few days, how is the weather out by you? I hope just as perfect!

Today I bring you a product that Maybelline released in a collection for Summer 2012. It is limited edition so try and snatch it up as soon as you can if you like it!

This is 'Oriental Spice' and retails for just under $4. You can find it at Ulta, or CVS, or Target. It is a wonderful summertime duo that reminds me of sand and a sunset!

The colors are not named, but there is a slightly dusty orange and pretty dark brown/bronze color. It reminds me of those tanning oils!

The pigmentation is just okay on these. The orange needed two passes to get this color, the bronze needed a little bit more than one. Overall very pretty though and they look so nice together.

Here you can really see how vibrant they are if you take the extra time to layer. Over a primer these really last! I had to almost fight with them at the end of the day, which for me is a great sign. I really like this duo, and plan on taking it to Hawaii with me in a few weeks for a quick, easy eye look.

Final Thoughts:

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 10/10
Color/Wearability: 8/10 (for less pigmentation than I expected)
Packaging: 8/10
Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 45/50 = A = Pandamonium!

What do you think? What do these shades remind you of, and will you give them a try?

xoxo PrettyPanda

Maybelline 'Oriental Spice' Eye Shadow Duo for Summer '12

Hey my summery pandas!

I am just obsessed with how nice it has been here in So. Cal the last few days, how is the weather out by you? I hope just as perfect!

Today I bring you a product that Maybelline released in a collection for Summer 2012. It is limited edition so try and snatch it up as soon as you can if you like it!

This is 'Oriental Spice' and retails for just under $4. You can find it at Ulta, or CVS, or Target. It is a wonderful summertime duo that reminds me of sand and a sunset!

The colors are not named, but there is a slightly dusty orange and pretty dark brown/bronze color. It reminds me of those tanning oils!

The pigmentation is just okay on these. The orange needed two passes to get this color, the bronze needed a little bit more than one. Overall very pretty though and they look so nice together.

Here you can really see how vibrant they are if you take the extra time to layer. Over a primer these really last! I had to almost fight with them at the end of the day, which for me is a great sign. I really like this duo, and plan on taking it to Hawaii with me in a few weeks for a quick, easy eye look.

Final Thoughts:

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 10/10
Color/Wearability: 8/10 (for less pigmentation than I expected)
Packaging: 8/10
Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 45/50 = A = Pandamonium!

What do you think? What do these shades remind you of, and will you give them a try?

xoxo PrettyPanda