September 2015 – Adventures in Polishland

Month: September 2015

OZ Naturals Ultra Ageless Eye Créme Review

Posted on September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to review another product from the skincare brand OZ Naturals. I’ve received products to test out from the brand in the past (see my review HERE), and I’ve always enjoyed them. I appreciate that OZ Naturals focuses on using safe and natural ingredients, and that the brand is cruelty free and made in the USA. Plus, the price tag is pretty fabulous and affordable for natural skincare. Without further ado, let me share my thoughts on the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme!

OZ Naturals Ultra Ageless Eye Créme Review

The Ultra Ageless Eye Créme is made of 99% natural ingredients, including coffee seed extract, algae extract, and vitamin E. It is designed to protect and hydrate the skin while preventing wrinkles at the same time. The coffee seed extract in particular helps to reduce puffiness. Plus, because this does not contain harsh chemicals, the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme can be used both day and night, unlike retinols which should only be used at night.

I really love how this eye créme can be used not only under the eyes, but on the entire face as well, including under makeup. It is light, but still provides a lot of moisture. I really like using it as an all-over-face moisturizer. Because eye créme is gentle for the sensitive area under your eyes, it is perfect for those of us who have sensitive skin in general. In terms of scent, there is a very slight ‘lotion’ smell, but I would describe it as an unscented product. I’ve been using this product for about two weeks now, and while I haven’t noticed any huge differences in my skin, I overall enjoy the product and feel moisturized when I use it. I will definitely keep this in my skincare routine!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the opportunity to review another great product from OZ Naturals! If you would like to transition into using natural skincare products, I think OZ Naturals is a great brand to try. I definitely recommend the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme as a starting point, since it can be used as simply an eye créme, or a daily face moisturizer. You can purchase the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme on Amazon HERE for just $19.49!

Do you use natural skincare? Tell me why or why not in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Posted on September 29, 2015September 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Published by Kathy Dawson Books on July 2, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Magical Realism

Format: ARC

Pages: 283

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★★

It’s the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom.

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara’s life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara’s family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items – but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?

REVIEW

Perhaps it’s because Halloween is coming up, but I’ve really been into creepy reads lately. The Accident Season definitely fits that description. This haunting young adult novel follows Cara and her family during the month of October, during which they experience the Accident Season. Every year they experience a series of accidents, sometimes small and sometimes tragic. This year Cara’s best friend Bea predicts that it’s going to be the worst season yet.

What follows is an incredibly written story full of emotion. It started slow, but the pace quickly picked up to the point where I couldn’t put the book down and finished the novel in two days. I loved the mystery of The Accident Season. It is written in a way so that it leads the reader in one direction, but logically builds up to a few exciting twists.

In the same way, I really loved the characters in The Accident Season. I cared deeply for each character and his or her personal struggles, and I also rooted for each character. I am amazed at how the emotions jumped off the page and into me. For example, during one particular scene, I felt frightened and like I was watching a scary movie take place. I’m amazed at how the author seamlessly used her words to create such a feeling in me as a reader.

As always, I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that it was perfect for the magical realism genre. That being said, I feel like this book will not be for everyone because it does deal with some very serious issues that I won’t discuss due to spoilers. I recommend the book for those who enjoyed We Were Liars, as it has a similar vibe with a very different storyline. The Accident Season is also a great choice for book clubs, because it leaves a lot to be discussed and will mean different things to different readers.

In the end, I highly recommend The Accident Season. It’s very difficult to describe just how much I loved this book without giving away the mysterious plot. If you are looking for an eery yet extremely poignant book this fall, I highly recommend The Accident Season. I am really looking forward to the next books from debut author Moïra Fowley-Doyle, as this one is outstanding.

BUY THE BOOK

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When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Top 5 Dark Nail Polishes for Fall | #FallintoPolishland

Posted on September 28, 2015September 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! My fall nail polish series #FallintoPolishland continues today with my top five dark nail polishes. When I first began my blog three and a half years ago, I absolutely avoided dark polishes! I was into brights and neons, but when I first received dark nail polishes for review I was converted. I now absolutely love dark polishes, especially in the colder months. Let me go ahead and share my favorites with you!

LVX – Dahlia [BUY]

First up is Dahlia from the high end brand LVX. This is a deep crimson polish that has a great formula. Dahlia is perfect for those of us who don’t like the traditional red nail. It looks beautiful even on those with the fairest skin tone. LVX is a vegan brand, so I think it’s worth the higher price tag!

Covergirl – Sapphire Flare [BUY]

I, of course, have to include a couple dark blue polishes, as blue is my go-to shade in the fall. Sapphire Flare from Covergirl is a great option from the drugstore. It is a navy polish that is opaque in two coats. While dark, the polish is still very blue in color. Plus, this shade is great for nail art as well!

Milani – Ink Spot [BUY]

Next up is Ink Spot from Milani, an even darker blue polish. Ink Spot has an amazing, high-gloss formula. It is nearly black, but still has a rich blue pigmentation. Ink Spot also has undertones of purple, so take that into consideration when you’re deciding between it and Sapphire Flare!

Julep – Brandt [BUY]

One of my all-time favorite Juleps is Brandt, an off-black polish from the Trina Turk collection. Brandt has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It looks good with any outfit because the color is not a stark black. Brandt looks great layered under glitter, or on its own! It’s been a staple of mine for the past three years.

Michael Marcus – Once You Go Matte [BUY]

Last but not least is Once You Go Matte from Michael Marcus. I really love matte nail polish, and it’s always a bonus when a polish has a matte formula because I don’t have to reach for a separate top coat. Once You Go Matte has an amazing formula that dries quickly. I’ve worn it countless times since I got it!

That wraps up another #FallintoPolishland post! I hope you were inspired to grab some of your dark nail polishes out of the back of your collection to wear this season. If you’ve shied away from darks in the past, now is the perfect time to try them out! Of course, please share your favorite dark nail polishes with me in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Rimmel London Wonder’Lash | Lift Me Up Mascara Review

Posted on September 25, 2015September 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review a brand new mascara from the Rimmel London Wonder’Lash line. The Lift Me Up Mascara has a unique formula with vitamins and cucumber, and is designed to provide lift and volume to the lashes for an eye-awakening look. It comes in a bright green tube with a twisted design, which is sure to stand out in your makeup collection. The Lift Me Up comes in two shades – Black and Extreme Black. Let me share my thoughts on Extreme Black with all of you!

THE FORMULA

First things first, let’s talk about the formula. The Lift Me Up has a wet formula, much like the Covergirl Lashblast Volume and the Benefit They’re Real. I personally prefer dry mascara formulas, because wet formulas weigh my lashes down. That being said, I do find that the Lift Me Up does a great job at separating the lashes, and really pulling them up to give the lashes a fuller look. While I do wish the formula was lighter, if you like wet formulas you will really like this one. Keep in mind that the mascara does have a cucumber scent to it. While I can’t smell it once it is on my eyes, and I haven’t experienced any irritation, the scent is strong during application. Finally, the formula is great in terms of staying power. The mascara does not flake, and only comes off with eye makeup remover. The Lift Me Up is definitely long-wearing!

PRECISION BRUSH

The Lift Me Up also comes with what Rimmel is calling a Precision Brush. The brush is quite thick, and I have a lot of trouble with it. For some reason I end up with mascara all over my eyelids despite a careful application. I can’t even feel the brush hitting my eyelids, but I always have to clean up with cotton swabs afterwards to remove the mess. That being said, I usually like to stick with rubber applicators, as these brushes don’t work well for me. If you like mascaras with this type of applicator, I think you’ll have better luck.

All in all, I think the new Rimmel Lift Me Up mascara is good, but much better suited for someone else. I will not be repurchasing this mascara simply because it doesn’t work well for me, but I do think the wet formula and full brush will suit many of you well. The mascara retails for $8.99, but keep an eye out for sales at your local drugstore or department store. I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this mascara, so please let me know what you think of the Lift Me Up in the comments if you’ve tried it already!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

Posted on September 24, 2015September 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

Published by Crown Archetype on October 14, 2014

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Humor

Format: Paperback

Pages: 291

Source: Blogging for Books

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened?

Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in “aUtobiography”? Then look no further than Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! In this revolutionary, Joycean experiment in light celebrity narrative, actor/personality/carbon-based life-form Neil Patrick Harris lets you, the reader, live his life. You will be born in New Mexico. You will get your big break at an acting camp. You will get into a bizarre confrontation outside a nightclub with actor Scott Caan. Even better, at each critical juncture of your life, you will choose how to proceed. You will decide whether to try out for Doogie Howser, M.D. You will decide whether to spend years struggling with your sexuality. You will decide what kind of caviar you want to eat on board Elton John’s yacht.

Choose correctly and you’ll find fame, fortune, and true love. Choose incorrectly and you’ll find misery, heartbreak, and a hideous death by piranhas. All this, plus magic tricks, cocktail recipes, embarrassing pictures from your time as a child actor, and even a closing song. Yes, if you buy one book this year, congratulations on being above the American average, but make that book Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography!

REVIEW

I’ll admit it – I’m a sucker for the celebrity memoir. I even have a separate space on my bookshelves where I keep celebrity books because it makes me laugh to see my pop culture obsession physically stacked in one place. That being said, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t expect much out of the celebrity memoir in terms of quality writing. I’m excited to share my thoughts on Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography, as NPH proved that not all celebrity books are created equal.

Of course, Choose Your Own Autobiography is written in its classic style, allowing readers to control the story’s order by choosing to which pages they turn at the end of each chapter. This allows the book to be read in a variety of ways, making each reader’s experience different. I chose to read the book chronologically from cover to cover, and while that may be breaking the rules a bit, I found that my reading experience was still logical and enjoyable. Thus, no matter how you choose to live NPH’s life, the book is organized so that your adventure is always a great one.

Similarly, NPH’s writing voice is extremely well done (and I say that recognizing he’s not the only person credited as author). His writing is witty, and I was laughing at his cleverly inserted one-liners throughout the entirety of the book. He mixed fact with fiction so seamlessly that sometimes I couldn’t even differentiate between the two. At the same time, NPH shared a great deal about his life, including many intimate moments. Despite not following his career closely before, I feel like I know him personally after reading his book.

Moreover, I have a few minor critiques. While the experimental writing style works well for the majority of the book, there is one lone chapter that fell flat for me. Choose Your Own Autobiography is written in the second person, placing the reader into the role of NPH. However, one chapter is written in How I Met Your Mother style, with NPH speaking in the first person to his children Gideon and Harper. I can appreciate how he’s using the familiar trope in the book, but I felt like the switch in perspective was unnecessary and detracted from the otherwise uniform writing.

Finally, Choose Your Own Adventure needs more page numbers! The entire premise of this book is allowing the reader to flip to the pages of her choice to continue the story, but each new chapter of the book does not contain a page number. Many chapters are only a couple pages long, so there can be a few pages in a row without a page number. That makes flipping to the correct page number a bit annoying and time-consuming, and takes away from the enjoyment of reading when one has to stop and find the proper page before continuing. If this book is printed again, I highly recommend the publisher include a page number on each and every page.

Those small critiques aside, I truly enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography. It is a fun and thoughtful read, and great whether you’re a huge NPH fan or simply looking to learn a bit more about him. Plus, the book includes recipes, magic tricks, and even a chunk of photos in the middle. It truly has something for everyone.

BUY THE BOOK

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NYC New York Color City Proof 24Hr Waterproof Eyeshadow | Review + Swatches

Posted on September 23, 2015September 11, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today am excited to share with you four of the brand new City Proof 24Hr Waterproof Eyeshadow sticks from the brand NYC New York Color. These fabulous and affordable eyeshadow sticks are designed to glide on smooth and stay crease-proof all day. Each has a rich pigmentation and stunning shimmer that can be worn as eyeliner or a cream shadow. Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on these shadows with you!

Before I jump into individual reviews, I wanted to mention a few things that apply to all four shades I tried. I absolutely love the packaging on these shadow sticks. They are retractable, so you don’t have to worry about sharpening them. Plus, the cap snaps back on tightly so it doesn’t get lost. As for the formula, they all glide on really smoothly, but I do recommend wearing an eyeshadow primer to get the best pigmentation and crease-free look. I used the Manna Kadar Prime Time, which worked really well. Finally, these eyeshadows are truly long-wearing. While they do blend out well upon application, once they set you need an eye makeup remover to even budge them! I found the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes worked just fine.

Rockefeller Center Snowflakes

Rockefeller Center Snowflakes is a gorgeous white shadow with iridescent shimmer. I really love this shadow, but the formula is a bit patchy upon application so make sure your eyes are primed. Rockefeller Center Snowflakes can be used as a lid color, or even a brow bone highlight when blended out well.

Empire State Building

If you love a smoky eye, you need Empire State Building! This is a gorgeous graphite shade with green and purple shimmer. Empire State Building is a great eyeliner shade, but can definitely be blended on the lid for a night look. The shimmer in this shadow is not as noticeable, so I find Empire State Building one of the more wearable shades of the bunch.

East River Romance

Next up is East River Romance, a vibrant blue shadow with blue and silver shimmer. This eyeshadow has almost a metallic finish, and is definitely the most shimmery of the bunch. I think it is beautiful smudged under the eye for a pop of color. I’m definitely intimidated by this bright shade, but it’s undeniable that the formula is great!

Madison Square Park

Last but not least is Madison Square Park, a deep emerald green with green and gold shimmer. Madison Square Park is my favorite of the bunch! This pigmented shadow is so smooth and creamy, and the color is really beautiful. I like that the shimmer is more subdued in this shade, too.

All in all, I’m really impressed with the NYC New York Color City Proof 24Hr Waterproof Eyeshadows. The formulas are really great, and I’m amazed with the great pigmentation. The four shadows I shared with you today are part of a much larger collection of ten shades. You can find them at your local drugstore or department store for just $2.99 each. As always, NYC New York Color continues to amaze me with its quality products at such affordable products!

Will you be picking up any of these shadows?! Let me know in the comments!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Fall Fashion featuring Beautiful-Scarves.com | Dressy Casual Day Outfit

Posted on September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Fall officially beings tomorrow on September 23, so I thought today would be a good time to share one of my go-to fall outfits with all of you. I really enjoy wearing casual clothing, but I still like to look polished (pun intended). Plus, fall is the perfect opportunity to start breaking out the jackets and scarves! I received a new scarf from Beautiful-Scarves.com to review for all of you, so I figured I would share my entire fashion look. Let me show you the dressy casual fall outfit I styled!

Outfit: Beautiful-Scarves.com Black & White Patterned Scarf, Jones New York Blazer, Express Portofino Blouse, Mossimo Jeggings, Sole Society Wren Sneakers, H&M The Shopper Handbag, Firmoo Glasses.

Beautiful-Scarves.com

The scarf you see in this blog post was sent to me for review from Beautiful-Scarves.com. It is an on-trend black, grey, and white checkered pattern, and is made out of a super soft material. I love how the scarf feels, and it is very warm as well. I wish the scarf were longer, because I really love oversize scarves. However, I can wear it as shown in the pictures, or by tying the ends together and looping it in an infinity design. Plus, this scarf can be worn with practically any outfit, and is unisex. I also love the $11.99 price tag! I was really impressed when the scarf arrived carefully packaged in this gift box, too.

Sole Society

I also wanted to feature the sneakers that I’m wearing in this post. I made my first purchase from Sole Society this month, and I am beyond impressed. I was nervous to buy shoes online, because I wasn’t sure how they were going to fit. Because Sole Society offers free returns, I figured I would go for it and order the Wren Slip-On Sneaker. I was super excited when my order arrived and the shoes fit perfectly! Plus, they are really comfortable. I love the faux leather detailing, and the textured fabric is perfect for fall. I am definitely going to be purchasing from Sole Society again in the future! If you would like to save 20% off your first order, please use my referral link HERE.

I hope you enjoyed taking a look at what a typical outfit is for me! I never want to sacrifice my comfort, so I always choose pieces that look a notch dressier than they really are. Plus, a blazer is perfect for the slightly cooler temps of fall, especially when layered with a scarf. I’ll be living in this look all fall long! Be sure to let me know in the comments what you are excited for in terms of fall fashion. Will you be rocking any trends?!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Top 5 Metallic Nail Polishes for Fall | #FallintoPolishland

Posted on September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! My fall nail polish series called #FallintoPolishland continues this week with my top five metallic nail polishes. I’m usually not a big fan of metallic nail polishes, but there is something about the fall season that makes me want to wear them! I usually associate fall with nature, so I guess it makes sense that I go for polishes styled after elements. I reached into my nail polish collection to find my favorite metallics that are still available for purchase. Let me go ahead and share them with you!

Julep – Isla [BUY]

First up is Julep Isla, a white metallic polish. Isla has a good formula that is opaque in three coats. I’ve used this polish a ton over the years! It’s great on its own, but I’ve used it under a lot of glitter top coats. The metallic finish adds a lot of shine, and is the perfect base. Isla is also a good transitional polish to take you from fall into winter.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear – Celeb City [BUY]

Next up is Celeb City from Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear. Celeb City is the perfect silver polish, and is the only polish in my entire nail polish collection for which I keep a back-up bottle. The formula is perfection, and is opaque in two coats. I highly recommend Celeb City!

Zoya – Brooklyn [BUY]

While I have tried a lot of gold polishes over the years, Zoya Brooklyn is the best metallic gold for sure. The formula is good, and is opaque in two coats. Brooklyn does show a lot of brush strokes, and while that is normal for metallic formulas, I recommend being precise in your application for a cleaner look. Brooklyn also has a stunning holographic shimmer, which adds a lot of dimension.

Milani Color Statement – Bronze [BUY]

Next up is Bronze from Milani, which is a pink-based bronze polish. Bronze has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I really love the liquid metal effect in Bronze. Plus, the pink undertones give the polish an almost rose gold look. Bronze can be paired with any outfit this fall as well.

Zoya – Claudine [BUY]

Last but not least is Claudine from Zoya, a graphite metallic polish. Claudine is absolutely stunning, and has an awesome formula. I love how glossy Claudine is without top coat, too. Claudine is perfect to pair with leather jackets and cozy sweaters. I think this is a must have in your collection!

That wraps up today’s #FallintoPolishland post! Make sure to let me know in the comments what your favorite metallic nail polishes are, and stay tuned for another installment of #FallintoPolishland post next week!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains some affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (The Illuminae Files #1)

Posted on September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 20, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 608

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

REVIEW

I knew Illumiae would be a unique reading experience ever since I picked it up at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May. This brick of a book is 600 pages, yet flies by due to its experimental writing style. Illuminae is told through a series of hacked documents and presented to the reader as one large case file. From email logs, to video surveillance summaries, to government documents and more, Illuminae is experimental writing done right.

The story chronicles Kady Grant and Ezra Mason, a young couple who breaks up on the same day their colony is attacked by a giant corporation. Kady and Ezra escape on spaceships, with Kady being on the Hypatia and Ezra on the Alexander. Illuminae chronicles this duo as they discover the reasons behind the attack and the fate that is in store for their community. What follows is a terrifying tale featuring a petrifying virus taking over the population and a human-like artificial intelligence program called AIDAN, which is controlling the fate of everyone aboard the spaceships.

I was immediately captivated with the story, though I did find it a bit difficult to understand everything that was going on at first because of the book’s set-up. While the world-building could have been stronger, the characters were instantaneously likable, and I was rooting for Kady and Ezra from page one. I was amazed with how connected I felt with the characters in Illuminae. Kady, in particular, is an impeccable heroine.

The breakthrough star of Illuminae, though, is AIDAN, the artificial intelligence on board the Alexander. While AIDIN may be just a machine, his words and feelings are so human that it was easy to forget he was created through computer code. AIDAN’s character is creepy and intriguing. His ability to know and see everything around him is disturbing, and his ability wipe out the entire community with one command is terrifying. AIDAN’s role in Illuminae stirs up a dialogue about what it means to be human, and the dangers of technology if we continue to let it dominate our lives.

Moreover, Illuminae’s design is done extremely well. As the story continues, page design plays a big role in the reading experience. The color of the pages, font, and word placement help to build anticipation, and I’m very impressed with the careful attention to detail. Some pages in the book are truly works of art, and it does not go unappreciated.

Finally, the ending of Illuminae is very well done. While it was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it nonetheless. The story is completed while still setting up for book two. I can’t wait until the next installment in this trilogy comes out, though I’ll have to do so – it won’t be released until sometime in 2016. Until then, I highly recommend you pre-order Illuminae so you can experience this adventure as soon as the book hits shelves in October. Don’t be intimidated by the page count – you’ll fly through Illuminae with ease.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Affordable Eye Makeup Starter Kit | Measurable Difference Desert Nights Eyeshadow Giveaway!

Posted on September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you how to put together an eye makeup starter kit that is fabulous and affordable! This kit is great if you are just starting to wear makeup, but can also be a gift for the makeup lover in your life. Everything featured in this post is under $10 each, so you can be sure to find some awesome products without breaking the bank. Make sure to stay tuned until the end of this post to find out how you can win a Measurable Difference Desert Nights Eyeshadow palette!

BASE / CREAM EYESHADOW

Maybelline Color Tattoo [BUY]

I like to start off any eyeshadow look with an eye base using a cream eyeshadow. The Maybelline Color Tattoo products are excellent quality, and can be purchased on Amazon for just $4.99! I recommend the shade Barely Branded, which is a light tan shade with just a hint of shimmer. You can wear it alone or layer under other eyeshadows. Plus, it’s easy to apply with your fingers!

EYESHADOWMeasurable Difference Eyeshadow Palette – Desert Nights [BUY]

I always recommend a neutral eyeshadow palette for beginners. Neutrals are easy to wear during the day and at night, and look good on anyone! The Desert Nights palette from Measurable Difference contains five different shades from light to dark that can create a variety of eye looks. This palette retails for only $6.99 as well, so you can try a good amount of shades for an affordable price tag!

EYELINER

Covergirl Intensify Me! Eyeliner Covergirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner [BUY]

If you have trouble applying eyeliner, I strongly recommend the new Covergirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner. The tip of the liner is sturdy, and has both a flat side and a skinny side so you can get a really precise line. I love that the liner on this product is a really dark black, and I never experience skipping during application. There is no reason to fear liquid liner with this product!

MASCARA

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes [BUY]

Last but not least, my favorite eye product is mascara. The L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes is one of my all-time favorite mascaras, and I recently repurchased it for the first time in a couple years. It gives a really full look to the lashes, and truly lives up to the voluminous name. I highly recommend it!

GIVEAWAY

Chrislie.com is giving away the Measurable Difference Desert Nights Eyeshadow Palette! I am sharing this giveaway with all of you, but please know the giveaway is being run by the brand. All information can be found in the giveaway widget. Good luck!

I hope you found this post helpful whether you are a makeup newbie or are simply looking for some new products to try. Be sure to let me know your favorite eye makeup products in the comments!

The giveaway in this post is being hosted by Chrislie. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.