It Cosmetics It Girl Palette for Holiday 2017

This is probably the palette that grew on me the most this year. I was first entranced by the sparkling packaging, but when I saw the neutral insides I decisively dismissed it.

Yet I couldn't get it out of my head.

Say hello to the It Cosmetics It Girl Palette for Holiday 2017, retailing for $48 at an Ulta near you.

The holo-reflective box and crystal-studded top of the palette would seem naturally to pair with bold, vibrant shades inside, right? At the very least, glitter, right?

Sigh.

Yes, it's anti-climatic, but I've come to love this palette and think it's going to be an at-home workhorse for me.

One quick piece of advice- keep your box to protect that palette top! Those crystals are glued on.

Oh yeah, the glue. This palette reeks when you take it out of the box at first. It's the glue that bonds the crystals to the palette. I highly recommend taking it out of the box for three-to-five days and airing it out before using it. I've left mine out of the box for about three weeks at the time of writing this (six days before it publishes), and the stink is now gone.

Back to the palette- I wouldn't travel with this, but I'm going to store it in the box in my Alex 9 drawers in order to protect the crystals for as long as possible.

Putting aside the inevitable disappointment of this being a neutral palette, let's dissect. It's actually incredible for the everyday makeup user- and for someone who can't wear bold colors to the office. I find myself reaching for this day after day for office-friendly makeup. In that way, it really does have, as it claims, "it's your IT Girl essentials, all in one!". I'm not nearly as perky but I think it's a solid palette that would make a fantastic last-minute gift. Or would be a great Boxing Day usage of Ulta gift cards.

There are two Superhero eye foundations (aka bases)- the two large matte shades above the quads. YES to making these lovely matte shades twice the size of the others. They weigh in at 0.07oz each. I think they're superb.

There are two quads- one more brown neutrals and one rosy neutrals. Each has two shimmer and two matte shades, each weighing in at 0.03oz.

In the middle, you have a gradient blush that I have to be very careful with not to grab too much pigment. Yes, she's pigmented.

Let's look at this. First up, the left (brown) quint.

I'm going to call it right now, I'm likely to pan Beautiful and Lovely. I've worn this quint to work four different times, and they lasted all day. I didn't photograph at that point, and I'm writing this the day after having the allergic reaction so I can't put anything on my eye to recreate it. These are good.

Now, the rosy quint:

These are all really nice and I've tested them once. I found that they performed the same as the other quint- but I'm not into rosy hues this time of year. I'll dip in probably in February if I'm being honest.

Here's what the blush looks like, all mixed up:

It's a beautiful, cool-toned pink.

This isn't the most exciting palette, but I think it's fantastic. I had no idea that It Cosmetics eyeshadows were this silky, lovely, and pigmented. It makes me want to pick up another palette- darn it. I hadn't tried anything from the brand before this year and I've been really pleased with everything in my collection at this point. I'm glad I couldn't get this out of my head- if not for the fragile crystal top, I could totally travel with this and do my entire face. It really works for me as a fair-complected individual.

I'm so glad I gave this a shot after laughing at first. It Cosmetics, I've got my eye on you!

July/August 2017 Favorites

One of the things I missed with the timing of my Mac's demise was posting my July favorites. Grab yourself a snack or a drink because I'm going to make this a two-month post, and cover a lot of territory.

Let's start with makeup. I'd planned to review many of these items already, but that's not going to stop me from sharing them in September. Please note that anything with a hyperlink is a direct shopping link.

Primers:

I discovered my current HG priming routine over the past two months. It's rather complicated, but that's ok. Depending on the weather and my skin, I start with a color-correcting primer for my red areas. I'm actually out of my favorite (Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizing Primer- Redness), and I won't repurchase until I finish up all of the green primers in my collection. I'm almost down to my last one. Next, I either go in with CoverFX Mattifying Primer if it's going to be a humid day or an illuminating primer (I've loved the CoverFX Illuminating Primer and Milani Prime Light Strobing Primer over the past two months). Next, for some pore filling, I reach for the  Milk Makeup Blur Stick. Next, onto my problem areas (11s and smile lines) I smooth the tiniest bit of L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base. I finish by spraying the Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Spray- which I'll be sharing the good news about with you soon. I also was boring in terms of an eye combination- MAC Painterly Paint Pot, set with Sephora Collection Beauty Amplifier Lid & Liner Primer.


Eyeshadow:

I think the number of palettes I've been through should be an indication that I wouldn't have many shadow favorites. That's true. I purchased the original LORAC Mega Pro palette when it went up on the brand's website. I'm in love. Same with the LORAC Mega Pro 2, which was my July obsession. Although a recent purchase, I keep reaching for lid shades from the MAC Power Hungry Palette.

In terms of items I've been loving that aren't available, it's the Tom Ford Unabashed Palette and Marc Jacobs The Lolita (which I got from the brand as part of a mystery bag). I've also been loving my MAC Double Custom Palette, which I pulled from my hundreds of shades. It lives in my drawer, whereas the Mega Pros live on my vanity. I've also pulled a mini Smashbox CoverShot Trio in Screenshot.


Eyeliner and Mascara:


I've been so basic the past two months. I've been keeping it basic, with the Wet 'n Wild Skinny Tip Eyeliner coming back into my rotation (review coming in September), while still loving Anastasia Beverly Hills Darkside Liner, and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liners. I told you I was boring! Again, another place where I've been pretty boring is mascara. I adore using my Urban Decay Subversion Primer, and have been loving a trio of mascaras: It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara, Urban Decay Perversion Mascara, and L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.


Now, onto the face. Let's talk Concealers and Correctors:

As always, I'm in love with Tarte Shape Tape, but I've also been loving Cle de Peau The Concealer for face concealing when self-tanned. In terms of correctors, I've been trying a few but the only one I've really been loving is my staple Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector.

Foundations and Powders:

I've been keeping it pretty simple these days. On the foundation front, I'm still loving Lancome Teint Idole, La Mer The Foundation (when not self-tanned), Givenchy Teint Couture Balm, and MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour on the weekend. When self-tanned, I also loved the CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream. I've also fallen for It Cosmetics CC Cream and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Complexion Balm this summer.

Four powders have lived in my drawer for the past two months: MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, RCMA No Color Powder, and Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder.

Bronzer:

It must be summer if I'm obsessed with more bronzers than anything else! L'Oreal Glam Bronze is so good and so similar to one of my other favorites- Marc Jacobs Tan-Tastic. Algenist's Color Correcting Bronzer also found its way back into rotation, as well as Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer. My favorite new bronzer is Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Capri Coast.




Contour:

Two contour kits stole my heart these past two months. I've been loving the sadly-discontinued Fiona Stiles Sheer Contour Kit in Light/Medium and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit in Light/Medium.


Blush:

I wish I could admit to being more adventurous than I have been. I've been using my Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes the most frequently.

My custom MAC blush quad and Natasha Denona Blush Duo #15 make occasional guest appearances.

In terms of single blushes, there have only been three in rotation. Too Faced Love Flush blushes in Justify My Love and Baby Love (something I adore from last 21 Days of Beauty) and Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso.


Highlighter:

I've also been pretty boring in terms of highlighter. Laura Geller French Vanilla lives in my drawer, along with Essence Be My Highlight these days. When I was self-tanned, I finally discovered the beauty of Becca Opal. I also loved Dose of Colors Highlighter in Milk 'n Honey.

Lipliner:

I kept it simple in terms of lipliner. The most frequently used was Bobbi Brown Lipliner in Beige, combined with Lancome Le Lipstique in Clair.

Lipstick:

I kept things so basic these last couple of months.  MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl (special packaging), Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Ultra Beige (from that Nordstrom set), Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Peacemaker (100pt perk size), Marc Jacobs Sheer Gel Lipstick in Have We Met? , and MAC Lipstick in Love at First Bite.


Liquid Lipstick:

I really only used two most of the summer- bareMinerals Statement Matte Lip Color in Juicy and bareMinerals GenNude Liquid Lipstick in Slay.


Lip Gloss:

I kept it simple here too! I blame this on hot days and playing with lots of different colors. MAC Vamplify Lipgloss in Spanking Haute, MAC Creamsheen Glass in ChaChaCha, Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipglosses in Amber, Caramel, and Saint Tropez.


PHEW!

Now, let's talk Skincare.

I've been loving this combo- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, Avene Gentle Toning Lotion, Enlite When it Rains, It Pores Serum, Enlite Face Cardio (I'm so angry that CVS discontinued these), First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, The Ordinary Caffeine Eye Serum, Avene Mattifying Fluid.

You probably know I'm really into sheet masks. I've been loving two main active ingredients this summer- Tea Tree and my beloved Red Wine. Pictured are the TonyMoly I'm Real Tea Tree Mask , 7 Days Tea Tree Mask, and TonyMoly I'm Real Red Wine Pore Care Mask. All of these can either be found at the pharmacy, at TJMaxx, or in multi-packs from the brand around the $2-2.50 range each.

I raved about this earlier in the week, but I'm obsessed with Simple's new Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water.

Other:

I know that it's not exactly fair to include an item I only purchased on the 26th, but I knew immediately that I knew this product. If you're in the market for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, I recommend the AmazonBasics Wireless Speaker ($29.99 for the black version I purchased). One of my huge complaints about my new laptop was the horrible audio. This has saved the day for me so nicely. It's not the world's best speaker, but it's an affordable speaker if you're looking to boost your laptop.

Non-makeup, but a total fun lifesaver: MyTagalongs Stargazer Charger & Cord Case ($18, Nordstrom). I've tucked my Michael Kors travel charger, two pairs of headphones (one for my work computer and one for my iPhone), and a couple of other daily necessities into here. I also bought the Headphones case ($10) once I realized how lovely these were.

What have you been loving the second half of summer?

June 2017 Favorites

I'd originally planned to do a May 2017 favorites, but it just didn't happen. So, welcome to my first monthly favorites back! I'm going to try to streamline things a bit. If there's a hyperlink, I'm referring back to a previous review. Believe it or not, I'm calling back into the archives pretty deeply with this favorites.


Skincare:

I loved my safe sun the first half of the month, and went back to naturally pale the second half. I'm loving two products from Clarins, both of which I featured all the way back in May 2014! I repurchased the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for face  because I'd been bronzing my body but not my face. I also pulled the Clarins Shimmer Oil out of the cabinet (I'm still working on that initial bottle, but this stuff doesn't go bad.) and applied it with the Real Techniques body sponge for a gorgeous look. Sadly, I think it's discontinued but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

I'm toying around with posting my morning/evening skincare routines because I'm really honing in on what works for my skin. For the first time in years, I didn't even get hormonal acne this past month and I credit my skincare routine for that. Fingers crossed, I've introduced a serum that scares me within the past week at night to try to perfect my tone.

I will give a special shout-out to The Ordinary Caffeine Serum 5% with EGCG. I love Chanel's Le Lift Concentre Yeux, but not its $115 price tag. The Ordinary's serum isn't nearly as hydrating but it gives me a similar effect for $108.30 less! I'm also loving a lower-priced alternative in Enlite Skin Cardio Serum. I find that it's quite similar in effect to a serum I've tried from Clarins in the past. I've also continued to love Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and attribute my skin clarity to it. I'm testing some other Drunk Elephant items and plan to write a full write-up once I have thoughts.

In terms of cleansers, I reach for Enlite Foam Away Daily Clarifying Foaming Cleanser almost every morning and Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse nightly.

I was trying to explain my favorite SPF items but it turned preachy so I'm not going to touch it here.


Makeup:

This was a month where I feel like I pulled it back to basics a bit. I rediscovered some old favorites.

• Primer: I really discovered CoverFX Mattifying Primer with anti-Aging Treatment last month, but I used up a travel size. After I use the backup I previously purchased, I'll get the full size. Given the number of primers I own, this says a lot. I also fell in love with the Milk Makeup Blur Stick after initially dismissing it as too trendy. Nope, it works.
• Base: I alternated between two combinations primarily: the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, which was my jam in May as well, and I finally caved and bought Lancome Teint Idole at the end of the month after playing with samples for the entire month.
• Concealer: I'm still obsessed with my Tarte Shape Tape and actually picked up a third shade to work when I'm self-tanned.
• Powder: I guess I knew a great thing almost 2 decades ago- MAC Studio Fix remains my favorite.

• Blush: I really used two blushes this month: NARS Orgasm (in the Foreplay palette here) and Natasha Denona Blush Duo #19
• Bronzer: I really loved two bronzers this month: last year's iteration of L'Oreal GlamBronze in 01 (I've spotted this year's in stores already) and Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer in Tantasic (which smells like coconut).
• Highlighter: I rely upon Laura Geller Baked Highlighter in French Vanilla on a daily basis for eye-area highlight because it's so subtle, and I also fell in love with Pixi x Aspy Novard Glow-y Powder in London Lustre.
• Eyeshadow: Of course, I adore the Natasha Denona Sunset Palette (I will be reviewing this because it's now been made permanent), and have been loving the Viseart Neutral Matte & Warm Matte palettes amongst others.

• Lipstick: This has only been a favorite the past week or so, but I rediscovered Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Peyote to pair with my UD Heat palette. I also love MAC Shy Girl (in the LE packaging)
• Lip Gloss: This was really a month for gloss for me. Some of my favorites were Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses in Caramel and Metallic Rose. I also loved MAC Creamsheen Glass in Cha-Cha-Cha (especially with Shy Girl), Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in Bourgeoisie, and bareMinerals Gloss in Sugar (mini pictured because my full size ran off somewhere)

What were your favorites this month?

QBB Hauls: Ultamate Fun at Ulta

Some of you are mad at me for the funny title, I know. Today I have another QBB Hauls for you. I promise not all of the posts this week will be hauls, but I've got a ton of them to get through. I'm starting to test these items but I require more than 1-2 times to form a real opinion.

Ulta has been killing it as of late. I think they have the absolute best rewards program out there, and I continue to enjoy being a Platinum rewards member. I truly prefer shopping at Ulta these days, and luckily I live near one. My only complaint is that I wish they had faster shipping.

I have a flurry of online orders that should be getting here this week; I'll combine those into one haul as well. These were all purchases that I made this past weekend. If there's something you'd like to see a review on, please let me know. I really only see one item that I may review.

OK, let's break this down.

• Yet another Tarte Tartiest Pro Empty Palette in Wild Animal. I can't rave about these palettes any more. They're sturdy and have a built-in mirror. At $17 each they're far superior to other empty palettes. I've been converting my collection little by little.
• Two items from Anastasia Beverly Hills- Eyeshadow in Gold Rush and the Liquid Lipstick in Rio. Gold Rush is one of the shadows that's on sale; I picked up a number of the others online. This was the only one my store had left. Funny story about the Liquid Lipstick- I thought I was purchasing the gloss, which was on sale. I thought the total was a bit high at checkout but shrugged it off. I brought it home and noticed it was a liquid lipstick. I was going to return it, but I've been wanting to try it out. Rio's not the color I'd normally reach for, but that's a perfect way to try it out.
• Two self-tanning essentials- Ulta Beauty Sunless Tan Applicator Mitt is similar to the St. Tropez one (which I've used). I also picked up the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face, which I've also used and loved in the past. I've been going hard with self-tanner, so I need to even my face a bit.
• Two goodies under the It Cosmetics banner. A travel size of the Your Skin But Better CC+ in Light is a shade darker than I normally wear. I've been in love with the CC cream as of late, but with all of this self-tanning, I need to go darker. The It Brushes for Ulta Essential Bronzer Brush was on sale for $18.10, so why not? I really like the brushes I have from this line.
• One total impulse purchase- the Revolution Makeup Unicorn Hearts Highlighter. I didn't even know that this was being released, so I couldn't resist. I know nothing about this.
• I always pick up any of the J.Cat Beauty Triple Baked Shadows that I spot since the brand's online only for me. This is Triple Crown, a lovely berry trio.
• I also picked up the Real Techniques Miracle Face & Body Sponge for self-tanner reasons.

Have you been shopping much at Ulta recently? What are your favorite finds?