I've always been an Urban Decay girl when it comes to eyeshadow. I thought there was no way anything would ever compare.

However, one of my students (I'm a high school English teacher) always has eyeshadow that is just on point. She told me about Morphe palettes and because her eyeshadow was just rocking it, I decided to give it a try.

I was amazed that this huge palette was only $23! Way cheaper than the $55 I drop for a much smaller Urban palette. Still, I was super skeptical. Could it really hold up?

I love the sleek design of this palette. It is so thin and could easily slide into any bag. Plus one from the beginning.

I also love that the shades are so varied yet also so close. There are many nuances of the same shades, allowing for perfect blending and layering. It's easy for even a beginner to create those beautiful, smooth looking gradients using this eyeshadow thanks to the colors included.

I went with the Fall Into Frost palette after a lot of deliberation (There are soooo many color options, another plus!). I'm a shimmer girl, and I've been pleased with the frosty look. It's a modern frost, unlike some of the 1980's shades of nightmares.

Like Urban (and perhaps even more), these shadows are super pigmented, so a little goes a long way. They go on with a high density but are also easy to blend.

Overall, I'm in love with this brand. Will I still use my Urban shades? Yes. They are the first shadows that made me feel confident in my shadow skills. Plus, some of my favorite colors are in there.

Still, I'm so happy to have found another shadow I love with fun colors and so many options to mix it up.

​Have you tried Morphe shadows yet? what's your favorite palette? Let me know in the comments!

I am completely addicted to Urban Decay shadows. Seriously.

I used to think the palettes were outrageous. Why would I pay so much for eyeshadow? And then I bought one...and now I'm an Urban Decay believers. There is seriously no other eyeshadow like Urban Decay. 

Did I say seriously? Because seriously. I have oodles of eyeshadows filling my drawers. I don't even use them anymore.

So when I went into Ulta the other day and found the Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Palette on sale for $25 I did a bit of a happy dance. When I got to use a 20% off coupon on top of that, I skipped to the register and made the palette mine.

Apparently, the palette is discontinued on Ulta now. But, GOOD NEWS: It is on sale on Sephora for only $25. 

And let me tell you... I think it's so worth it.

It comes with a nice variety of shades. There are some matte nudes, some sparkly lights, and a few darks that can be used for the crease and for lining. There are also some pretty pinks and tans that are perfect alone or layered.

I also found this awesome video that shows you one look you can do with the palette.

Do yourself a favor and grab this before it's gone. 

Are you an Urban Decay fan? Let me know what palettes and especially what Youtube videos have helped you make the most of your palette.

Happy eyeshadowing :) 

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I’m no beauty queen or beauty Youtube vixen. I’ve never been mistaken for a supermodel. I don’t think I’ve mastered the smoky eye.

But I’m still trying.

I’m a shameless beauty product addict. I rack up more points at Ulta and Sepohra than potentially healthy in a constant search for the life-changing, game-changing product. I adore watching videos about beauty tips, reading magazines about new trends, and trying to master new makeup looks.

It started in sixth grade when my mom bought me my first makeup kit. Eyeshadows, blushes, lipsticks… there was an array of colors, an array of possibilities. I was hooked on the opportunity to experiment, to play with color, to put on a slightly new face very single day.

Over the years--and probably thousands of dollars I don’t want to calculate--I’ve definitely gained some beauty knowledge. Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite beauty tricks I’ve learned over the years. Feel free to add yours below.

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Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion is truly MAGIC. There are so many different types now, but I prefer the original or the Eden variety. They really do help your eyeshadow from being feathery or from smudging. Truly worth the money, especially if you're going for a dramatic eye. ($20 at Ulta)

I bought a L'orac Contour Palette last summer.  I cringed when I forked over the $45, thinking I'd end up looking ruddy or like something from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is, I'll admit a bit of a process to learn the steps. There's definitely a window of time until you gain confidence, too. I had to have a few friends swear to tell me if I looked weird. But once you get it, contouring truly does give you the Kardashian feel with your makeup. No cheekbones, no problem. Fake it! I personally don't like how wide my nose is... the contour palette helps fix this just by drawing a line and blending on the side of my nose and a dot on the tip. If you're willing to do some practice, this is definitely worth it. 

I read this tip in like seventh grade. Jennifer Lopez was quoted saying a dab of toothpaste on a zit before bed will make it go away. It definitely does work. It sort of dries up a zit overnight...as long as you can stand sleeping with some toothpaste on your face. 

I used to slather on eyeshadow with one, single swipe using  a flat eyeshadow brush. Then I watched videos on how to actually apply eyeshadow, and I realized everyone on Youtube was using blending brushes. I bought the It Cosmetics Blending Brush, ($14) and my eyeshadow was never the same! I never was one to invest in cosmetic brushes (dollar store ones are the same, right?). Now, I know a good brush can mean everything. this brush seriously allows you to master that eyeshadow with depth and perfection. Buy it now, seriously!

I used to be a black eyeliner only girl...and then during junior prom, a makeup artist used turquoise eyeliner on me. I was hooked. Plum, turqoise, and navy blue are great ways to give a pop to your eyes without changing the shadow. I love Smashbox and Bare Minerals, but I've also had good luck with NYX.

Check out my March Petit Vour Box!

There's a base coat, a shampoo, a face mist, and a facial mask. I tried the shampoo tonight and already love it! I'm going to try the face mask tonight as well. 

Order your own Petit Vour Box for only $15 a month with shipping. I love Petit Vour because it is cruelty free and all natural. 

Check out the February Petit Vour box!

I love Petit Vour because it is Vegan AND (more importantly for me) Cruelty Free. All products are from companies who do not test on animals. Each box is $15 shipped and includes four products, sometimes full-sized.

Here's what I got this month:

1. JUICE Beauty Stem Cellular Booster Serum
2. HAN Skin Care Cosmetics Eyeshadow
3. CHRISTY ORGANICS  "Trance" Perfume
4. GRAYDON Hair Smoothie