Product Review -- Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer (and Quickie Blending Sponge)

Whenever I see a lot of hype surrounding a product before I buy it, I become pretty sure that it's never going to live up to my expectations.

It isn't fair, really, but all of the rave reviews and gushing praise for the product just make me set the bar so high in my own mind that it would be virtually impossible for the item to be as good as the hype.

That's exactly the experience that I was expecting with the Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer.

I've seen everyone and their mother rave about this concealer and it's been sold out everywhere for so long that it seemed like the entire world was desperate to get their hands on it (many shades are again sold out everywhere at the time that I'm writing this review, so you may need to be patient if you want to pick it up).

Product Review -- Kat Von D MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette

Over the past few years, I've tried plenty of eyeshadow palettes (and single shadows too) from Kat Von D, and much to my surprise, I've yet to be really disappointed.

In fact, in most cases, I've been seriously impressed.

If pressed to pick a favorite, I would probably say the Monarch Eyeshadow Palette from a couple of years back, though I really love my Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette too.

I really didn't think anything could top those two.

But the MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette that's come out recently as part of the Kat Von D holiday collection may actually outclass them (even if only by a hair...).

Product Review -- Tarte Tarteist Paint Palette Collector's Set

Tarte always puts out a ton of holiday kits, and it's always tempting to want to pick up all of them.

But large holiday palettes are often disappointing -- and how much more makeup do I really need? -- so I limit myself to one.

I've seen some pretty lackluster reviews for the Sephora exclusive kit, so I decided to pick up the Tarte Tarteist Paint Palette Collector's Set, which is an Ulta exclusive.

Product Review -- The Balm Appetit Eyeshadow Palette

I am a huge fan of The Balm.

I love their products and I love their packaging, so I always pick up their new palettes and products pretty much as soon as they're available.

Which is why I had to pick up their new holiday palette, The Balm Appetite.

It's designed to look like a menu, with all of the shade names being food puns, and features the usual adorable retro artwork that The Balm uses for all of its products.