Product Review: a2o Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Kits

I'd heard a lot about the MissA website for a while, and over the past year or so, I've picked up quite a few products from the website's in-house brands.

If you're not familiar, the brand is focused on budget-friendly makeup items. Many of their AOA products are only $1 (and I've tried some, which are really quite good so I'm sure I'll get around to talking about them at some point), though they do have a slightly more expensive line, a2o Labs, which includes a variety of pressed powder eyeshadows, highlighters, and blushes in pans, as well as empty magnetic palettes, so you can put together custom palettes.

(The empty magnetic palettes have become a real favorite of mine, because the largest size, which holds 28 traditional sized eyeshadow pans, is only $7.50. They're made of sturdy cardboard, feature fun designs, and have a large mirror inside. If you don't need a mirror in your palette, though, they're only $6.  You can also opt for small empty palettes that can hold 9 shadow pans for $4 (without a mirror) or $5 (with a mirror).)

But there are also some curated eyeshadow kits that include 9 shadows and an empty mirrored magnetic palette with the kit's name on the front.

All for just $10.

I couldn't resist picking up all 5 of the kits (because I've been obsessed with pan eyeshadows and making my own custom palettes for the past year or so and am determined to try as many different brands as I can) to see just how well the shadows perform.

A Few of My Favorite Things -- 3 Things I'm Loving at the Moment

2018 was such a blur for me that the idea of doing a yearly favorites post is just mind-boggling.

But there are a few products that I've been loving at the moment that I don't see myself doing full reviews of but are still worth sharing.

So here are some of my late 2018 faves:

Product Review -- Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette

I've had my eye on the Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette for quite a while.

But I talked myself out of it for a long time because it's not like the shades in the palette are particularly unique -- though they are stunning, which was what had me so torn.

Well, that and the fact that I saw so many positive reviews for it that made me think I was really missing out.

So I eventually caved during the holiday season when I was shopping for others and decided I should treat myself to a gift too.

Fortunately, I don't regret the purchase in the least.

Product Review -- Urban Decay Naked Cherry and Elements Eyeshadow Palettes

Like many makeup lovers, the news that Urban Decay was retiring the original Naked Palette left me feeling strangely emotional.

I remember how much trouble I went to get that palette, how excited I was to play with it, how it seemed to start the whole natural/neutral palette trend back in the day. I've used it a ton over the years to the point where I'd hit pan on a few of the shades (and yes, I took advantage of all discounted pricing after its retirement was announced to buy a brand spanking new one).

To drown my sorrows over the news, I bought a couple of new Urban Decay palettes -- the Naked Cherry Palette from the Naked line and the Elements Palette.

Product Review -- Strobe Cosmetics Divinity Palette

I love supporting smaller, indie makeup brands, so Strobe Cosmetics has been on my radar for a while now.

In fact, a couple of years back, I purchased their American Horror Story-inspired palettes even though I've never seen a single episode of the show -- and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

The shadows in those palettes are richly pigmented, easy to blend, and just a dream to work with.

I'd been waiting for Strobe Cosmetics to put out other palettes, and while they introduced the Creepy Cute Palette earlier this year, I wound up passing on it because I just didn't think I'd get much use out of the neon-pastel shades in it.

So I was very excited when they came out with the Divinity Palette this fall, which had shades that were much more up my alley.

Product Review -- Makeup Revolution The Emily Edit The Needs and The Wants Palettes

I've bought quite a few makeup products that were collaborations between a brand and a YouTube beauty influenster but in most of those cases, I only bought the items because the specific shades or products appealed to me, not because I had much invested in the influenster in particular.

When I heard that Emily Noel was coming out with some palettes with Makeup Revolution, though, I knew that I'd buy them no matter what they looked like.

I've been watching Emily for 10 (maybe more even) years, and I appreciate pretty much everything about her. Supporting her is a no-brainer.

It doesn't hurt that I've become a big fan of Makeup Revolution over the past few years too -- they put out a lot of really quality products at an affordable price point, so there's plenty to like about the brand.