eyeshadow – Adventures in Polishland

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Disappointing Beauty Products | Fall 2016

Posted on November 21, 2016November 19, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I want to share with you some beauty products that disappointed me this fall. While it’s fun to share my favorite things with you every month, I think it’s also really helpful to share the products that didn’t quite work for me. As always, it’s worth mentioning that while I don’t like these products, that doesn’t mean they won’t work for you! We all have different skin types, hair textures, and product preferences, so I will do my best to point out when I think a product’s qualities will be effective for someone other than myself. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the disappointing beauty products!

HAIR

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter [BUY]

First up is a hair butter I purchased from The Body Shop. My hair type is really strange, and it’s difficult to find products that work for me. My scalp and hair are dry, but my hair also gets oily really easily. I thought the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter would help to keep my hair moisturized, but unfortunately it is way too heavy for my thin hair. I experimented with this product, sometimes leaving it on for two minutes and others leaving it on for the suggested five. No matter what, my hair was always left with a really weird feeling that I didn’t like. Unless you have really, really dry hair, I’m not sure this product is worth the hefty price tag.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

My hunt for the perfect drugstore dry shampoo continues. This one from Not Your Mother’s really baffles me! I used a travel size one during my trip to Los Angeles, and I really enjoyed it, so I bought the full size when I got home. For some reason, it doesn’t work for me at all anymore! Clean Freak is supposed to instantly absorb excess oils, leave no residue, and give fresh volume to the hair. What I do like is that there is no white residue left on my hair when I use this product. Unfortunately, that is the only good thing about it! It doesn’t absorb oils, and instead it weighs down my hair and makes it look worse than it did in the first place. Basically, I feel like this dry shampoo does absolutely nothing for me.

SKINCARE

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY]

Next up is a facial exfoliant that I also feel is quite ineffective. When I buy a face scrub, I want it to clean my pores and remove dead skin cells from my face. At first, I really liked this Seaweed exfoliator. It leaves my face feeling really clean and soft. However, I noticed that it does not remove the dead skin cells on my face at all! I still have a lot of dry patches when I use this product. Plus, it smells really weird. I’ll probably use up this bottle, but I will not be repurchasing it. I do recommend this if you want a really gentle scrub.

MAKEUP

Milani EasyBrow Automatic Pencil [BUY]

I am always on the hunt for my perfect brow product, and unfortunately the Milani EasyBrow is not the one! I was drawn to purchase this because of the spoolie brush on the end (I’m a sucker for any brow product that includes a spoolie). While I do really enjoy the color match and staying power of this pencil, my issue is that I cannot get a precise line with it. The formula is very waxy and the pencil is soft, so getting a nicely shaped brow is difficult for me. My brows are very sparse, and I need to fill them in a lot to get my desired look. Thus, if you only need a bit of added definition, this product may work well for you.

ELF HD Lifting Concealer in Adjusting [BUY]

I’ve had my ups and downs with this color-correcting concealer from ELF. This was my first foray into color-correcting, so at first I thought this product was amazing. However, the more I use this concealer, the more I see its flaws. I purchased it to help cover the redness in my skin, but I find my skin absorbs the green pigmentation and the redness still shows through my final foundation routine. I’m glad I tested out this product, but I’m not happy with the results.

ELF Smudge Pot in Ain’t That Sweet [BUY]

I got this cream eyeshadow as a free gift with my last ELF purchase. I knew this particular shadow wouldn’t be a favorite of mine because it is a pink glittery shade, but I was excited to see what the formula was like. I’m sad to report that the formula is not well done. Not only is the shadow extremely sheer, but it gathers and clumps when I attempt to apply it. The shadow also flakes off and contains some chunky glitter. This is just not a product I can recommend to anyone!

ELF Volumizing & Defining Mascara in Jet Black [BUY]

Last but not least is my biggest disappointment of the bunch. I has such high hopes for this mascara from ELF, but it let me down. This mascara is very thick and heavy, and leaves my lashes really crispy. The worst thing, though, is this mascara gives me the uni-lash! In other words, my lashes all stick together in one bunch. That is just not okay with me. I tried to make it through the three month time period for this mascara, but I can’t do it. I’m happy to toss this now!

That wraps up all of my beauty product disappointments for the fall 2016 season. I hope you found this helpful if you were curious about any of these products. As I mentioned at the beginning, just because I don’t like these products doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial for someone else. I still love shopping from all of these brands, but sometimes there are a few duds. Here’s to discovering the next awesome beauty product!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know how they worked for you!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

MAKE Beauty Product Reviews | Face Primer + Molten Shadow in Bronze

Posted on August 19, 2016August 24, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review for you two products from the brand MAKE Beauty. I’ve tried a few products from MAKE in the past, and have really enjoyed them. I find that the beauty products offered are quite unique, but I also enjoy the company’s mission. MAKE is created in New York City, and donates 10% of sales to the We See Beauty Foundation, an organization supporting women-led and worker-owned cooperative businesses in the Americas. MAKE is also a cruelty free brand that offers a selection of vegan options. It’s always great to find a company that creates quality products, but is also focused on doing good in the world! Without further ado, let me share my thoughts on the Face Primer and the Molten Shadow in Bronze.

Face Primer

First up is the Face Primer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This primer is formulated to correct your skin’s imperfections while protecting against the sun. It can be worn alone, or used as a base before applying foundation, and dries to a velvet finish. I really like this primer for its sunscreen benefits. I noticed that the product does have a slight sunscreen scent, but it’s not too strong and I can’t smell it once I’ve completed my makeup. My skin does appear more even after applying the primer, but I do wish it smoothed out my skin a bit more. I have large pores, and typically use a pore-filling primer to smooth out the skin. With the MAKE Face Primer, my pores are still quite visible under my foundation. Thus, while I love using this product as an everyday face sunscreen, I do wish it aided with smoothing out my imperfections a bit more. I recommend this for those of you who are looking more for an SPF than a perfecting primer.

Molten Shadow in Bronze

Next up I have the Molten Shadow in the shade Bronze. This eyeshadow is really unique, because it is a cream gel formula that can be worn in a variety of ways. The Molten Shadow can be worn in a very defined manner, or it can be blended out for a more subtle look. The trick is in choosing the right tool. I find that when I use my finger I get a defined and pigmented application, but an eyeshadow brush helps to smooth out harsh lines and disperse the product a bit more. My biggest tip with the Molten Shadow is to use the tiniest bit, as this eyeshadow really packs a punch! Plus, Bronze is a stunning metallic shade with green, gold, and bronze shimmer. Whether you’re creating a look for day or night, you can make this eyeshadow work for any occasion!

All in all, I am really enjoying these products from MAKE Beauty. MAKE is a boutique brand, so the prices are a bit higher than I typically spend, but I love to support small businesses in the United States whenever I can. You can shop MAKE on the brand’s website HERE. Definitely let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any products from MAKE, or if you plan on doing so in the future.

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

April Favorites | 7 Springtime Loves

Posted on May 3, 2016April 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! May is here, and that means it’s time to share all of the things I loved in April with all of you. I’ve been trying a lot of new products lately, and thankfully many of them turned out to be amazing. I always love discovering new products and sharing them with you. In addition to the products, another favorite of mine has been the warm weather. I’m so glad spring is here! Let me share some of my springtime loves from the month of April!

MAKEUP

L’Oreal Power Volume 24-Hour Mascara in Black – [BUY]

I’ve had really bad luck with mascaras lately, but thankfully this one from L’Oreal is amazing! I typically don’t like thick brush applicators, but this one is fabulous. I can see my lashes grow as I apply this mascara. It gives a really full look to my lashes, and wears all day. I got this during the CVS clearance sale back in December, and am glad I did. L’Oreal has some of my favorite drugstore mascaras for sure!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer – [REVIEW] [BUY]

I can’t believe it, but I’m finally using bronzer! I’ve slowly started adding this bronzer into my daily routine, and I’m really enjoying it. If you have very fair skin, this bronzer is the way to go. It is very light, and perfect for beginners like me, because if you mess up a little you don’t need to redo your entire face of makeup. I’m so glad I finally gave this a try!

MAKE Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve also been loving this eyeshadow from MAKE. Alabaster is perfect for cancelling out all the discoloration in my eyelids, and giving the eye a nice brightening effect without needing a full eyeshadow look. Feel free to read my full review by clicking the link above, where I include swatches as well. This is a high end product, but definitely worth the price!

NAIL CARE

Julep Conditioning Nail Polish Remover [BUY]

I went back to my all-time favorite nail polish remover this month, and that is this acetone free one from Julep. This remover is amazing. Not only does it not have a strong smell, but it removes my nail polish easily and it does condition my nails. It is on the expensive side, so I don’t buy it often. Luckily I’ve received a few as gifts lately! I highly recommend this!

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Beautiful Day [BUY]

I got this shower gel for free last spring thanks to a coupon, but am just opening it up this year. I love to have seasonal scents going in the shower, and Beautiful Day is fruity and fresh. I absolutely love it! Plus, my bathroom smells great for a while after I get out of the shower. I do wish this product had more natural ingredients, but I still love Bath & Body Works.

TELEVISION

Dancing with the Stars

I am really loving this season of DWTS! I thought I would be rooting for Jodie Sweetin, since I am such a huge Full House fan, but I’m also loving Wanyá and Nyle DiMarco! I’m excited to see how the competition continues, and I am really glad Len is back as a judge this season.

FOOD & DRINK

Dunkin’ Donuts Cookie Dough Iced Coffee

My last favorite this month is Cookie Dough iced coffee! I typically drink my coffee black every morning, but in the warmer months I love a nice, sweet iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. I’ve been treating myself to the Cookie Dough flavor recently, and I’m obsessed with it. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, I definitely recommend it!

That wraps up my monthly favorites for April! I hope you enjoyed learning more about my springtime loves. Definitely share your favorites with me in the comments, or use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can find your posts! If you’re watching DWTS, definitely let me know who you think will win the mirrorball trophy this season, too.

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

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | ‘Skin Tone’

Posted on April 18, 2016March 21, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the NYX Eye Shadow Base in the shade Skin Tone to share with you. During my most recent makeup declutter, I tossed the two bases I owned because they were expired. I was going to splurge on a MAC Paint Pot, but while at Target I saw that NYX had an affordable option. I purchased the shade Skin Tone to try. Before I jump into the review, I did want to note that I am quite unhappy with the shade name as Skin Tone. Not everyone has the same skin tone, of course, and it’s quite disappointing that a brand would use a name that is so excluding. I hope that in the future NYX will use other descriptors for skin toned products. Nonetheless, let me share my thoughts on the actual product with you.

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | 'Skin Tone'

The NYX Eye Shadow Base comes in a pot, and I really liked that it was wrapped in clear plastic on the outside and had a safety seal on the inside so I know the product wasn’t opened or tested by another customer. This base is formulated to keep your eyeshadow in place, and maximize the color as well. I like to wear a base like this to cover the veins in my eyelids even if I’m not wearing eyeshadow. It just creates a cleaner and brighter look for me.

Here is a swatch of Skin Tone. It is a bit darker than I would have liked, but on the eyes it does a great job of evening out the discoloration while still looking very natural. The formula is good, and very creamy. I like to use a concealer brush to apply it so I’m not constantly dipping my fingers into the pot. I did notice some creasing on the lids at the end of the day, and this product does wear off throughout the day, too. My eyelids do tend to be on the oily side, so I think this product would work much better for someone who doesn’t have oily lids. I think this is a good product for the price, but I will be trying out another base next time around.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about the NYX Eye Shadow Base. I love the formula and that it is cruelty free, but I am still aggravated with the name choice and the fact that it creases with my eyelids. I will continue to use this base until I find a better option for me, and will be sure to check in with you when than happens! If you have a favorite eye base, please share with me in the comments!

Simple Glam Makeup Look featuring Rimmel London | All Drugstore Products

Posted on February 19, 2016February 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a makeup look to share with you featuring products from the drugstore brand Rimmel London. I was recently sent a package from Rimmel filled with products to create a glam makeup look. I couldn’t wait to test out all of the goodies and share them with you! In this post I’ll first be sharing each product individually and my first impressions of the product. Then I’ll share my completed makeup look at the end! Let’s go ahead and get started with this simple glam makeup look using all drugstore products!

THE PRODUCTS

Lasting Finishing Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation – $7.99

I was really intrigued with this foundation. It claims to be a long-wearing, 25-hour formula, and it also is formulated to be full coverage. I received the shade Classic Ivory, which is a bit too dark for me right now. The formula is definitely a medium coverage, and I recommend it for those with combination or oily skin, because it does stick to dry patches. That being said, it dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish. I love the feel of it on the skin, and it wears nicely throughout the day. I think this is a good pick for a drugstore foundation!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer Natural Bronzer – $5.99

I was a bit hesitant to try out this bronzer, but if you’re going for a glam look you might as well go all out! I’m really impressed with this bronzer. It applies so smoothly and blends out beautifully. It truly is a natural bronzer, and I highly recommend it for bronzer newbies like me. I received the shade Sun Bronze, which worked well with my fair complexion. I’m excited to continue using this product!

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Bulletproof Beige Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige – $4.59

I went for this shimmery gold eyeshadow stick for my entire eye look. I applied this cream shadow over the lid and into the crease. It’s a beautiful color, and because it’s shimmery it can stand on its own. I like that this is a no fuss product! Plus, because I was wearing a bold lip, I knew I could go lighter on the eyes.

Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara – $6.99

I’ve had mixed luck with Rimmel mascaras in the past, but I have to say I am really impressed with this one! The brush has the rubbery texture that I like, and it definitely gives me both volume and length. The formula is a bit on the wet side, but I’m sure once it dries out a bit I will love it even more. I got the shade Black, and I highly recommend this one!

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick Moisture Renew Lipstick – $7.99

Last but not least is the Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert. While this shade is outside of my comfort zone, I am loving the formula! It definitely feels very moisturizing on the lips, and it applies very smoothly. I often feel weird when wearing lipstick, but I found this one very comfortable to wear. The red color is a bit staining, but I used a makeup remover wipe and that worked well. I will be checking out the other shades in this line for sure!

THE MAKEUP LOOK

Here is my final look! I used all drugstore products in this look, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I would wear this for a special occasion or a night out, or I would wear a lighter lip color for a day look. All of the products I used will be listed for your convenience.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation in Classic Ivory http://amzn.to/23ZBxvN
Rimmel London Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze http://amzn.to/1V6Q7LO
NYC New York Color Blush in Riverside Rose http://amzn.to/23ZCnbY
L’Oreal True Match Lumi in Rose http://amzn.to/23ZBNL9
Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde http://amzn.to/1Q9Z4jc
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige http://amzn.to/1V6QVQZ
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara in Black http://amzn.to/1Kei2cq
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent http://amzn.to/1V6Rieg
Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert http://amzn.to/23ZD6d8

All in all, I’m so glad I received these products from Rimmel to test out for all of you. I’m quite impressed with the great quality, especially with the mascara and lipstick. Rimmel is often on sale at the drugstore, and coupons can sometimes be found in the Sunday newspaper. I highly recommend trying out these products! Also, please let me know if you’ll be recreating this simple glam look!

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

Makeup I (Almost) Never Use!

Posted on February 17, 2016February 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I thought it would be fun if I shared with all of you the makeup products that I almost never use. I review all sorts of beauty products here at Adventures in Polishland, and I really love trying new things. However, the reality of the situation is that in my regular routine I tend to reach for the same products all the time! I’m comfortable with my daily makeup routine, and it’s rare that I step outside the box. Let me share with you the five makeup products that I almost never use!

5. Lipstick

This might sound crazy because I love buying and trying new lip colors, but I rarely wear lipstick! If I’m wearing a lip product I will reach for a tinted lip balm nine times out of ten. I feel really comfortable with a sheer wash of color, but when it comes to lipsticks I shy away. Lipstick is more high maintenance to apply and touch up throughout the day, and I just feel so aware of lipstick when I’m wearing it. There are a few shades that I use regularly, but the rest of my stash sits unused!

4. Eyeshadow

Despite my efforts to wear eyeshadow more often, my palettes still sit unused most days. I’d say I wear eyeshadow perhaps 1-2 days per month, and even that might be a stretch! Part of my problem is that I’m still not good at application, which can only be improved with more practice. I need to go through my stash and get rid of the shadows I never use for sure!

3. Eyeliner

You can tell I keep the eye area pretty basic, because I never wear eyeliner either! I recently paired down my eyeliner collection to one liquid and one (unopened) pencil. I probably wear eyeliner 1-2 times per year – if that! I just feel that it looks so harsh and overdone with my fair complexion. I’ve tried other shades besides black, but it’s just not my cup of tea. I basically keep them for the odd occasion where I reach for the eyeliner!

2. Bronzer

Next up is bronzer, a product that I’ve only tried to use a few times. I just don’t get it! I’ve watched countless YouTube tutorials, but I can’t get the hang of bronzer. Plus, I don’t mind my nice pale skin. I embrace it!

1. Contour

Finally, a makeup product that I never wear is contour! I don’t even own a contour powder to show you, so I grabbed a stock photo of this Anastasia palette. I definitely think contouring is really cool, and I love seeing how makeup artists use it to transform the face. I think one day I will give it a try, but it’s not in the near future for me.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what makeup products I almost never use! Believe it or not, but I am still very new to makeup. Besides wearing it for dance performances my entire life, I didn’t use makeup regularly until my early twenties. I’m still leaning the ins and outs of beauty products every day, and I think it’s a lot of fun! Please share with me in the comments if there are any makeup products that you rarely use! I would love to know!

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

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Sticks in Paranoid Purple & Bulletproof Beige | Swatches & Review

Posted on February 10, 2016February 9, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I recently received a bunch of new products from Rimmel, and wanted to jump right in with some reviews for all of you. First up I have two shades of Scandaleyes, Rimmel’s eyeshadow sticks. The Scandaleyes line is designed to provide a 24-hour wear and is formulated to be waterproof. I will be sharing Paranoid Purple and Bulletproof Beige with you today. Let’s jump right into the shadows!

I want to begin with my thoughts on the Scandaleyes in general. Both of these eyeshadow sticks have a really nice formula that provides an opaque look. While they do smudge out a bit, they are not very blendable, which is a drawback for me. I also wish these were twist-up sticks instead of sticks that need to be sharpened. Otherwise, I think the packaging is sturdy and sleek. These shadows also remove easily with eye makeup remover, which I really appreciate!

Paranoid Purple

Paranoid Purple is a deep purple cream shadow with purple shimmer. I am really impressed with how pigmented this shadow is. It would make a beautiful eyeliner, but also a great pop of color. Paranoid Purple would work well in a smokey eye if you are looking for an alternative to black and grey. It’s outside of my comfort zone, but is definitely a beautiful shadow.

Bulletproof Beige

Bulletproof Beige is a gorgeous yellow gold shade with bronze and green shimmer. Just as with Paranoid Purple, Bulletproof Beige has a pigmented formula with an opaque finish. I really like that this is a neutral shade that is very wearable. It can act as a cream base, or can be applied over another eyeshadow look to add a pop of shimmer. If you are looking to try out the Scandaleyes line, I think Bulletproof Beige is a great place to start.

All in all, I think the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Sticks are great drugstore products. They are not comparable to high end cream shadows in terms of blendability, but they are long wearing and apply smoothly. You can purchase Scandaleyes at your local drugstore or department store for $4.49 each, or online HERE. Be sure to let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any Scandaleyes, or if you plan on picking some up in your next beauty haul!

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

Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette | Review & Swatches

Posted on January 20, 2016January 13, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a full review of the Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette that I recently purchased from Sephora (see my haul HERE). Even though I don’t wear eyeshadow often, I’ve been trying to branch out more. I thought this palette would be perfect, because I’ve heard great things about Smashbox, but also because it’s small enough that I can take it with me whenever I travel. I’ve tested out all of the shades now, so let me go ahead and share swatches and my review with you!

Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette | Review & Swatches

Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette | Review & Swatches The Full Exposure Travel Palette is a very compact palette. It comes in sleek black packaging that is about the size of a credit card, just a bit thicker. There are eight shadows inside this palette, and a good size mirror. Four of the shadows are shimmers, and four are mattes. I love that you can do so many different eyeshadow looks with just this one palette!

Here are swatches of the four shimmer shades, from left to right: Chocolate Brown, Soft Gold, Light Tan, and Mid-Tone Slate. I’m not loving the formulas on these shimmer shadows, except for Light Tan which is beautiful. I find the others to be a bit on the chalky side, but I’m hoping once I get below the surface of the shadow they will be more blendable. I’m not too mad about this, though, because I am a huge fan of matte shadows!
Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette | Review & Swatches Here are the matte shades, from left to right: Matte Warm Chocolate Brown, Soft Matte Mid-Tone Tan, Creamy Matte Beige, and Ashy Dark Brown. I am loving each of these shades! They are so pigmented and blend out really nicely. I recently did an eyeshadow look for the daytime using Creamy Matte Beige and Matte Warm Chocolate Brown and it came out really nice. I can’t wait to use these more!

All in all, I’m glad I invested in the Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette. It’s a great little palette to have if you’re starting to get into the eyeshadow world, or if you’re looking to simplify your collection. You can purchase this palette on Sephora’s website HERE for $24.00. Be sure to let me know in the comments if you own or plan on purchasing this palette!

This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

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.

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.