Product Review -- LORAC PRO Eye Shadow Palette 4

My apologies for disappearing for a couple of weeks. I was a little under the weather for a bit, and then I started breaking out like crazy (for no apparent reason) and took a little break from makeup for a while. 

The good news is I'm feeling better and my skin has cleared, so it's back to playing with makeup again (and thank God, because I certainly missed it!). 

I am a huge fan of LORAC's eyeshadow formula, so I'm pretty sure that I've bought every single PRO and Mega PRO palette that they've put out.

So it's no surprise that when they announced the PRO Eye Shadow Palette 4, I knew I would be picking it up.

A Few of My Favorite Things -- Jan/Feb 2018

I haven't done a monthly favorites post in a good long while -- there are always so many new makeup products to talk about that sometimes it's easy to lose track of older products that can still seriously get the job done.

I really want to stop doing that -- I won't commit to doing monthly favorites, but I really want to try to mention the things that are really rocking my world whether they're new or not.

So here's what I've been loving in January/February:

Product Review -- LORAC Mega PRO 4 Palette

I already have the first three LORAC Mega PRO Palettes in my collection, so I knew that I was going to pick up the fourth one before I even saw the colors.

I can't help it -- I couldn't fit the need to complete the "set."

When I finally saw a photo of the palette's shade range, though, I was even more convinced.

As much as I love all the warm, natural shadow palettes that have come out over the past couple of years -- and I do love them, deeply -- I was pretty excited to see an option that had plenty of cool tones included, but with some warmer tones to balance things out.

It makes for a really nice change of pace.

Product Review -- LORAC California Dreaming Eye Shadow Palette

I'm a big fan of LORAC's eye shadows, so I've bought pretty much all of the major palettes that they've put out over the past few years.

Recently, they came out with the I Love Brunch Pro Palette, which is full of all sorts of lovely pastel shades, and I gave serious thought to picking it up.

But while it is certainly gorgeous, I know that pastels aren't really my thing so I wouldn't get too much use out of it.

And then when I saw the LORAC California Dreaming Eye Shadow Palette, which was also released recently and is full of shades that are supposedly inspired by Los Angeles in winter, I knew that it was a much better use of my beauty budget for the month.

Product Review -- LORAC Pro Eye Shadow Palette 3

I have both the LORAC Pro Eye Shadow Palette 1 and 2, and I get plenty of use out of both.

I'm also a big fan of LORAC's shadow formula -- they're just so soft and creamy! -- so it seemed like a no brainer to pick up the newly released Pro Eye Shadow Palette 3.

Like the first two palettes, 3 comes in extremely thin, compact cardboard packaging, making it very easy to store. There's a small mirror inside that's really only good for touch-ups, but you do get a mini Behind the Scenes Eye Primer (which is actually one of my favorite eye primers).

Product Review -- LORAC Nude Necessities Eye Shadow Palette

I don't know about you, but it feels like the whole nude/natural eye shadow palette trend has been going on forever.

Not that I'm complaining, really -- those types of palettes tend to get the most use in my collection because they work well for pretty much any situation and I can always come up with a look that flatters my fair skin.

But at the rate we're going, I'm going to have a ton of nude/natural palettes before long -- and I bet other makeup junkies feel the same way.

Of course, I could just stop buying them, but like a true makeup fiend, I have a compulsion to try all the new stuff that there is and since makeup brands keep coming up with nude palettes, I keep trying them.

Enter the LORAC Nude Necessities Eye Shadow Palette.

Product Alert -- LORAC Romantic Eyes Collection

Between the holidays and my birthday, I've had a couple of Ulta gift cards burning a hole in my pocket.

Now, I definitely had a few items in mind as must-haves, but I also spent a little time exploring the Ulta website for hidden gems and stumbled upon the LORAC Romantic Eyes Collection.

I'm not going to do a full review because I've only used the kit a couple of times, but the set is an Ulta exclusive and limited edition so I thought I would give a quick rundown in case anyone might be interested.

Product Review -- LORAC Mega Pro Palette 2

With the holiday season upon, there are a ton of new palettes out on the market.

I'm trying to be good and only pick up the ones that really call to me (the rest are going on my Christmas list!), but it's really difficult with so many tempting options out there.

One palette that I was particularly interested in getting was the LORAC Mega Pro Palette 2.

That's because I'm a big fan of LORAC's shadow formula -- they tend to be really creamy and smooth, so what's not to like?

I also purchased the Mega Pro Palette last year (I never reviewed it because it sold out in about 3 seconds. They've done a much better job this year with the stock, it seems.) and I've used it a ton. It's an ideal palette to travel with too, because you get so many shades and both matte and shimmer shadows, so you can create a ton of looks.

Review -- LORAC Unzipped Gold Eye Shadow Palette

I'm a big fan of the LORAC Unzipped Palette.

It's such a lovely collection of rosy-toned shadows, with a mix of shimmer and matte shades that allow for a variety of looks -- I probably use it at least once a week.

Still, when I heard that LORAC was coming out with a second version that contained gold-toned shades, I wasn't particularly excited.

That's because I'm not crazy about the way gold eye shadows look on me (Actually, I don't really like gold at all. All of my jewelry is silver.) and I've actually managed to find a couple of gold-ish shadows that I do like so it didn't seem like I needed any more.

But then I saw a photo of the palette and the shadows didn't appear to be in your face gold -- and there was one shadow in particular with peachy undertones that was just screaming my name so I broke down and bought it.

Review -- LORAC Pro Eye Shadow Palette 2

I'm a makeup fiend -- anyone who reads this blog knows that is the truth.

But my self-control and will power are especially low when it comes to eye shadow palettes.

Which is really silly when you think about it because powdered products last so long and when you've got a ton of shadows, you're not likely to hit pan on very many of them and really how many completely unique shades show up in a single palette.

But still, every time new palettes comes out, I'm practically throwing my money at the company and begging them to take it.

I've been a little better lately -- I've loved the looks of the new Too Faced palettes like the Nashville Nudes and Rock n Roll collections, but I resisted because I know I probably have more than a few dupes for those shadows in my collection already.

When it came to the LORAC Pro Eye Shadow Palette 2, I went back and forth a few times.

Initially, I was certain that I had to have it. Then I thought that maybe it wasn't a necessity. Then I went back to needing it desperately before being certain I could live without it.

Review -- LORAC Alter Ego Lipsticks

Over the past year or so, I feel like so many major makeup brands have come out with a new lipstick formula.

Two of my personal favorites have been the Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks and the Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks.

They feels super smooth and comfortable on the lips and are available in a wide range of colors, so there's plenty to like about them.

When I heard that LORAC had come out with a new line of lipsticks, the Alter Ego Lipsticks, I initially resisted the urge to try them -- I have plenty of lipsticks and don't really need any new ones -- but then I saw a set of 3 of the lipsticks on sale at HSN.com for $24 and free shipping when a single lipstick goes for $16 so I bit the bullet and ordered a set.

Review -- LORAC Unzipped Eye Shadow Palette

This review has been a long time coming.

I actually received the LORAC Unzipped Eye Shadow Palette as a Christmas gift, along with the Urban Decay Naked 3 and Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, and, as with the other two, fell instantly in love.  So I was pretty excited to share what a great product I thought it was.

And I did.

I sat down and wrote an entire review, but when I went to post it, it had disappeared from my computer. I don't know if I forgot to save it, accidentally put it the trash, or my computer just ate it.  Whatever happened, it was gone.

Don't you hate when that happens?

I'm such a baby about that kind of stuff that I just couldn't bring myself to sit down and rewrite the entire thing... for like three months.

But better late than never, right?

Review -- LORAC Lips with Benefits Lip Gloss in Chuck

I've had my eye on the LORAC Lips with Benefits Lip Gloss in Chuck since the line first came out.

I held back from buying it because it is a pretty expensive gloss, I have plenty of other glosses in my collection, and I thought the product might be a little gimmicky.

I mean, the whole swirl of three color stripes definitely look cool in the tub, but in the end, they're all just going to blend together into a single shade like any other gloss, right?

Still, every time I saw Chuck mentioned in a blog post or a YouTube video, every fiber of my being told me that I had to have it.

It just looked like the perfect nude gloss -- and nice and opaque to boot.

Eventually, I gave in -- though I would like to point out that I waited until Beauty.com was having a 20 percent off sale to buy it so I didn't have to pay full price. That counts for something, right?

Product Alert -- LORAC Dazzling Dozen Limited Edition Eye Shadow Collection

 If you haven't popped into your local Ulta or browsed the website lately, you may be missing out on a serious eye shadow steal.

The LORAC Dazzling Dozen Limited Edition Eye Shadow Collection contains 12 full-size single LORAC shadows for a ridiculous $35.

My math skills are pretty rusty, but I believe that comes out to less than $3 a shadow.

Isn't that nuts?

I'm not doing a full out review on the collection simply because I haven't had time to play with all of the shadows yet and I wanted to spread the news about it before it disappeared into the limited edition beauty products graveyard.

However, the shadows that I have tried are all excellent -- nicely pigmented, smooth, blendable, and easy to apply.

Shopping Bag -- LORAC, e.lf. & bareMinerals

When I was cleaning up my makeup area this morning, I realized that I had gathered up enough products to do another "Shopping Bag" post (if you're not sure what these posts are about, there's an explanation here.) and figured today was as good a day as any -- especially since I want to put these items away so things look a little neater.

I'm not a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination, but when it comes to my makeup, I like everything to be organized and in its proper place.

So onto the goodies in question...

Best New Products of 2012 (and One Big Disappointment)

If I sat down and tried to write a post about my favorite products of this past year, it would be a novel.

Seriously.

There are tons of products that I loved in 2012, but some of them I've loved for years now and I've already mentioned them more than enough times on this blog anyway.

Instead, I thought I'd focus on new products that I found this year that really knocked my socks off.  Now, I've probably blogged about some of them plenty of times but this will be my last word on them, I swear.

The LORAC Pro Palette

LORAC Pro Palette

This review has been a long time coming.

I've had the LORAC Pro Palette ($42) since about mid-October, have used it countless times, and intended to write this post at least a half dozen times.

But between being without power for a couple of weeks, wanting to get up reviews of limited edition products, and other holiday related nonsense, it's taken nearly two months to actually do this.

Craziness.

LORAC on HauteLook Today

LORAC goodies at HauteLook

Starting today at 11am EST, LORAC is on HauteLook.

There seem to be quite a few interesting looking palettes available - I'd be seriously tempted to pick one (or more) up if I hadn't already done so much beauty-related shopping this month.  (Including the LORAC Pro Palette, which I am anxiously awaiting in the mail!)

If you aren't a member of HauteLook yet, you can sign up here. You have to be a member to shop, but membership is totally free.

If you pick up anything from the sale, share below.

Happy shopping!

LORAC Femme Fatale Palette Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone entered the LORAC Femme Fatale Palette giveaway.

I am happy to announce that the winner is Lori!

If you didn't win or didn't get a chance to enter - don't worry.  I already have the next giveaway planned for sometime in October and just a little hint - it's for another fabulous eye shadow palette that I may have mentioned on this blog a time or two...

As always, thank you to everyone who reads the blog, leaves comments and sends emails. I love sharing my makeup obsession with the world, but you all make it even more fun. 

Giveaway Time! LORAC Femme Fatale Palette (CLOSED)

I apologize for being MIA lately - between a stubborn cold and dog sitting for a friend, I've been behind the eight ball all week.

To make up for it, how about a giveaway?

Today, I received the LORAC Femme Fatale Palette from Haute Look.