Review -- The Balm Balm Voyage! Makeup Palette

 If you've been following the blog for a while, you know that I am a complete and utter fanatic when it comes to The Balm.

In fact, it's probably the one brand that I would actually call myself a "collector" of -- it's pretty much a given that I'm going to buy any and everything that they put out.

That's why I didn't hesitate for a second to order The Balm's new holiday palette, Balm Voyage!

And as usual, I'm certainly not sorry that I did.

Product Alert -- Upcoming Tarte Bow & Go 3-in-1 Gift Collection TSV

My name is Jennifer and I'm a QVC beauty TSV addict.

Seriously, they get me every.single.time.

The values are just too good to pass up.

Particularly at the holidays.

Like last year, Tarte has an excellent holiday TSV coming up on November 18th that is perfect for gift giving.

The Bow & Go 3-in-1 Gift Collection contains 3 different gift boxes of products that you can give as a single gift to one very special person on your list or split up for three different people this holiday season.

Review -- Tarte Kiss and Makeup 5-Piece Amazonian Butter Lipstick Set

 When I said I was a sucker for Tarte's holiday kits, I wasn't kidding.

I'll admit that the pretty packaging is what first caught my eye about the Kiss and Makeup 5-Piece Amazonian Butter Lipstick Set, but the lipsticks aren't too shabby either.

I first tried the Amazonian Butter Lipsticks as part of a Tarte TSV from QVC a few months back. The formula is smooth, creamy and really comfortable on the lips. Because they're moisturizing, they aren't super long lasting but I don't find that they disappear all that quickly either. Like most of Tarte's lip products, they also have a cool minty taste/scent, which I really enjoy.

The lipsticks in this kit all have that same exact formula, so I really like them.

Review -- Tarte Pure Delights 8-Piece LipSurgence Lip Set

These days, nearly every brand puts out special collection for the holidays that offer some pretty fabulous deals whether you're shopping for friends and family or yourself.

But in my mind, Tarte always seems to be ahead of the pack when it comes to holiday bargains. They put out a variety of holiday sets that really allow you to get the ultimate bang for your buck and are particularly ideal for anyone who's been curious about the brand but didn't want to spend $25 for a single blush or $24 for a single lip product.

I am always a sucker for Tarte's holiday kits (as you can probably tell from my most recent post and another one I'll post later this week.) and since I am a big fan of their LipSurgence Lip Tint products, picking up the Tarte Pure Delights 8-Piece LipSurgence Lip Set was kind of a no brainer.

Unlike last years' Lipsurgence kit that features 5 full size products, the Pure Delights sets feature 8 mini lip products (1.75 grams per product).  Personally, I like that change -- the larger lip pencils are difficult to get through, particularly when you've got a large lip product collection, so I'd rather go for a variety of shades with smaller pencils.

Review -- Tarte Leave Her Blushing Set of 3 Amazonian Clay Blushes and Brush

 The Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes are my favorite blushes in the world.

I know that probably sounds rather dramatic, but of all the blushes I've tried -- and I've tried quite a few -- I can't think of any others that are as pigmented, smooth, blendable, and long-lasting as the Tarte blushes.

I probably wear them at least 3 days out of the week, which, if you consider how many different blushes I own, definitely means something.

So I am totally thrilled that Tarte has started including these fabulous blushes in their holiday sets.

Last year, they put out a set of four mini Amazonian Clay Blushes.

This year, the Leaving Her Blushing Set contains 3 mini blushes (1.5 g each) and a full size blush brush.

Review -- Urban Decay Vice Palette 2

 I've been pretty sad lately, so I've been employing a few different strategies for boosting my mood.

There have been quite a few "Charlie's Angels" marathons with my big sister -- the original series, of course. I wasn't around to watch it when it was actually on back in the day, but my sister has always been a big fan and '70s TV is so charmingly bad that it's bound to make you laugh.

I've also tried working out more and getting back into a running routine -- though shin splits and blisters have kind of put a crimp in that. 

So I finally found myself turning to a tried and true coping mechanism -- retail therapy.

I've done quite a bit of makeup shopping in the past two weeks.

I'm still sad, but at least I have pretty new makeup to play with. 

That's how the Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette found its way into my makeup drawer.