UNII Cosmetics Palette Review

I’ve been looking at the UNII Cosmetics Palettes for a little while now (the link is in my favorites!). I wanted to give them a try for many different reasons and uses. First, I wanted to see how they’d work at storing/transporting my various nail art paraphernalia. Second, I thought they’d be great for traveling; as I could store a blush, some eye shadows, and other pressed makeup in the palette without worrying about it popping open or leaking if a shadow happened to break. The third reason, you may wonder was simply pure curiosity.

While browsing the website one day I happened onto the page which has some depotting tutorials. I immediately went through to see which ones were posted and they were pretty much all ones that I had seen before. I emailed UNII with a link to my depotting tutorial just as a suggestion, since it is much different than the ones which were posted already. I received an email back a few days later and now, you can view my depotting tutorial on the UNII site as well. (I was sooo excited about this!)

Anyways, onto the review:

The UNII Palette is a more personalized way to store your depotted shadows, blushes, highlighters, etc. The palettes come in five different colors including Pomegranate, Snow, Twilight, Lemongrass, and Eggplant. The colors are bright and vibrant and reflect the creative side of makeup. Each palette has a rubberized seal and lock which prevent leaks and protects your makeup. Each palette also has a thumb grip which can be moved around to fit your hand size and shape and make holding the palette easier, not to mention, each palette comes with a sheet of magnets for your depotted shadows!

UNII palettes also each have a large mirror, the mirror accounts for much of the weight of the palette. This palette is also thicker than a MAC palette and feels sturdier as the top and bottom have little give when it comes to bending and maneuvering them. I must say that I want to get one of each color! The only downside to these palettes is the price ($29) however, in my opinion they are totally worth it. When looking at the cost think of how expensive it would be to replace the eye shadows in another palette if it spilled open; or think of how long a MAC palette lasts (for me, it’s only a few months before a hinge or the locking mechanism breaks). The UNII palette is basically the cost of 2 MAC palettes which is how many you will most likely go through in the lifetime of 1 UNII palette; not to mention that this palette also has the added benefit of a mirror and fun color choices. If packaging matters to you, why not choose something that reflects your personality?

I’ve taken some pictures which demonstrate the storing capabilities of these palettes.

Pomegranate (Front)

Lemongrass (Back)

Rhinestone Wheel, dotting tool and thumb grip

Thumb Grip

Six Dotting Tools and Thumb Grip (to keep them from rolling)

Ten MAC eye shadows, One MAC blush and, Thumb Grip

14 MAC Shadows and the Thumb Grip

Locking Mechanism

Rubberized Seal to prevent leaks

3 MAC blushes

7 MUFE (Make Up For Ever) Shadows and the Thumb Grip

Size Comparison MAC Palette to UNII Palette

Thickness Comparison MAC (left) UNII (right)

These palettes were sent to me by UNII. I decided to review them after using them and falling in love with them. My opinions are my own. If you have any questions feel free to comment or email me!

Kat Von D Rock n Roll Palette- A Sephora Beauty Insider 500 Point Perk

A few weeks ago I did a little bit of Sephora shopping. I don't go to the stores all too often because I am generally annoyed by being asked 10 times if I need help. Like a true introvert I prefer to shop online the only problem coming when I want to smell something so off to the store I went.  What I came away with was the Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin 3-in-1, the MUFE Shadow that I gave away here, Juice Beauty Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream, and a Smashbox HD Concealor. As my 500 point Beauty Insider Perk I received the Kat Von D Rock n Roll Palette which contained four colors and a small double ended brush in a mirrored compact. This is so far my favorite 500-point perk. I also have the Sephora Deluxe Palette from a few months ago but I never opened it. Anyways onto the review:

So here is what the box and palette look like:

The case is rubberized similarly to her full sized palettes and NARS compacts. The shades are listed on the back. The compact also has a mirror on the inside which is makes the compact quite heavy. It measures about 3 1/2" long by 2" wide.

From Left to Right: Believer, Confessional, Groupie, Motorhead

Believer and Motorhead both contain glitter. Nothing all too annoying but just so you know. Beside those two shades being glittery all the shades are also frosty/shimmery. They are good traveling colors. Easy to wear for daytime (using the first three shades) and you can switch to a nighttime look by incorporating the black. Overall I am happy to finally have a better quality Beauty Insider Perk.

Here are the swatches:

Left to Right: Motorhead, Groupie, Confessional, Believer

Notice how hardly noticable the glitter is!

My MAC Blush Swatches

If you don't know this about me already then here it is: I am a blush addict! So I figured I'd share some swatches from my MAC Blush Palettes.

My first palette is more coral/miscellaneous shades:

Top Row: The Perfect Cheek, Cantaloupe (PRO), Blunt (contour)
Bottom Row: Milani Luminous, Spaced Out (neo sci-fi), Style

Here are the swatches:

Left to Right: The Perfect Cheek, Cantaloupe, Blunt, Milani Luminous, Spaced Out, Style

• The Perfect Cheek is actually an amazing blush. It looks nothing like the swatch when you apply it. It is hard to describe but it just lifts your complexion.
• Cantaloupe is PRO color. It is a creamy peachy/coral shade that just seems to melt onto/into your skin.
• Blunt is my contour color. Applied gently with a light hand is works very well with me skintone although I can't honestly imagine ever running out.
• Milani Luminous--I know this isn't a MAC blush but it fits in the palette so I depotted it. (Note: it is slightly smaller then the palette well). It works well to lighten a darker blush or as a highlighter.
• Spaced Out was a limited edition shade. I don't know of anyone that this shade doesn't look good on.
• Style is an orangey coral frost. I don't wear it often but when I do I buff it out to get rid of most of the shimmer.

My second palette is pink shades:

Top Row: Pink Swoon, Tippy BPB (Hello Kitty) Feeling (BPB)

Bottom Row: Azalea (PRO), Serenely (BPB)

Note: BPB means Beauty Powder Blush

Swatches:

Left to Right: Pink Swoon, Tippy, Feeling, Azalea, Serenely

• Pink Swoon is a bright soft pink if that makes sense. Looks great alone or works well to calm down a brighter color.
• Tippy was a BPB that I depotted from Hello Kitty. It is insanely pigmented and cool toned. Applying this one can be tricky but a stippling brush and a light hand can work wonders.
• Feeling is a toned down reddish brown. I don't wear it often but applied lightly it is a great fall cheek.
• Azalea is another pro blush. While in the pan it doesn't look similar, in the swatch you can see that Tippy and Azalea could be sisters. The only difference is that Azalea has a bit of duochrome goodness to it (shifts purple). It doesn't translate well onto the cheek but it looks great in the pan.
• Serenely is similar to Feeling but more red than brown. I wear it silimarly to Feeling too!

Do you have any must-have MAC blushes? Let me know in the comments--I am always looking for a new blush to love!

My favorite Red Lip Combination

We all know how "in" red lips are for fall and winter but I figured that I would share with you my favorite red lip combination. I have quite a few reds and berries that I have accumulated and while each has a purpose and a place this one is my all time, makes me feel confident, red lip.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick, and Gash 24/7 Lip Liner:

Swatches:

Revolution (Left) and Gash (Right)

This combination is what I am wearing in the tutorial below:

Urban Decay and Secret Swap Goodies!

In addition to nails, nail polish, nail care and nail art I am a total makeup addict. The two sort of go hand in hand naturally but with me I can't seem to have one without the other. Usually when I get in a nail funk, I get in a makeup funk and vice versa. You all should be happy to know I am happy in both realms currently. So onto the goodies--starting with the Urban Decay!

 I should preface by saying that I do no own any UD palettes or eye shadows...until now. I caved and purchase the UD Book of Shadows Vol. 2. It has many of the shades that I've wanted to try as well as some specific to this palette--I am VERY excited to used this! The palette also comes with  mini Zero (black) and Bourbon (brown) 24/7 Glide on pencils both of which I own in full size and have mini's of so basically, I will never run out! There is also a mini Primer Potion which will be great to travel with (dog show coming up). Aside from the palette I also ordered Deviant 24/7 Pencil which is a few notches down from a royal blue. It is a color that I do not own already and it looks wonderful as I love blue shadows. Next, I purchased a two pack of the UD Big Fatty Mascara. A single mascara is $19 and the two pack is $29 so that was just a good deal :). The final thing is a 24/7 Lip Pencil in Wallflower. It is a great nude. I already own Gash and Envious and they definitely live up to their name, I'd give these 5 stars! They also threw in a sample of Gash Lipstick which I already have several samples of...time to switch out the free sample Urban Decay!

Here's a view of the palette open minus the mirror. The inside opens to reveal a Look Book which is full of fun looks that can be recreated with the palette!

Here's an up close look at the shadows!

Today was also the day that my Secret Swap came in. Now honestly I wasn't expecting this package until closer to the end of the month but I couldn't be happier to have it now! A big thanks to CourtinHawaii (Court) for organizing this swap! I've had a lot of fun shopping for my person and receiving something that you don't expect is alway fun!

Here's what my secret swapper Vicky sent me:

Included was a Laura Mercier Cosmetic Bag, Duwop Venom Gloss in Tulip, Hard Candy Gloss, mini Juicy tube in Beach Plum, mini UD XXX Shine Gloss in Quickie, Smashbox Soft Lights in Highlight, Smashbox Blush in Publish, and Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Guru.

Everything is wonderful and I am excited to try a few new things. As a funny little side story--Publish was the first blush I ever owned and I still love it (kinda of nice that I now have a backup) at the time I didn't know about purchasing backups. Oh, to be a newbie again!

Welcome to my blog!!!

Since this is my first entry I feel like I need to make a few points as to what this blog will be about (although, over time it could evolve).
This blog will include posts about:
-makeup (highend and drugstore)
-reviews of beauty products including skincare, bath, mani/pedi, highend and drugstore alike (I do not discriminate--if a products is good than it's good)
-tutorials/how to's (I love watching and making these)
- and any other suggestions that you all might have.

Basically, I just wanted to say hello! Feel free to introduce yourself to me through the comments!