Urban Decay Electric Palette Swatches and Review

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to share Urban Decay's Electric Palette! I've wanted this since it first came out, but it's more money than I usually spend on makeup. So my wonderful husband surprised me with this for our first anniversary! Read on to find out more about this colorful palette...

Claims: "It's a color addict's ultimate fix: a mind-blowing palette filled with 10 of the brightest, most amazing shades you’ve ever laid eyes on—including eight never-before-seen shades you won't find anywhere else."  
There is a warning to be aware of: "(WARNING: Slowburn, Savage, Jilted and Urban contain a colorant that is not approved for the eye area in the US, Canada and Brazil.)" 
This information can be found on Urban Decay's website.

Packaging: There are ten round shadows in this palette with a dual-ended brush in the middle. The inside of the lid includes a large mirror. The palette is rectangular with a magnetic close.
Swatches: 
Let's start with the top row:

Revolt, Gonzo, Slowburn, Savage, Fringe

Revolt is a bright metallic silver shade packed with fine silver glitter. Great for inner corner of the eye.

Gonzo is a matte medium-colored bright blue. There is a bit of micro-fine glitter in the pan but when on the eye and swatched the glitter disappears. 

Slowburn is a matte bright medium orange shade with fine silver/pink glitter. 

Savage is a matte medium hot pink with a blue undertone. This has a Radiant Orchid vibe.

Fringe is medium-to-dark teal shade with a silver-toned satin finish.

Bottom Row:

Chaos, Jilted, Urban, Freak, Thrash

Chaos is a matte royal blue shade with micro-fine light blue glitter. 

Jilted is an iridescent shade showing both dark pink and blue, with micro-fine glitter in a light-purple color. This shows as a fuschia on the eye.

Urban is a deep purple shade with a subtle satin finish. 

Freak is a pale bright green with a satin finish, and soft yellow-gold colored micro-fine glitter.

Thrash is a chartreuse, which is a mix between yellow and green. Subtle satin finish (somewhere between a matte and satin) with bright gold micro-fine glitter. 

Color Pay-off: As you can see in the swatches, these colors are *so* pigmented. It is almost impossible to find bright, matte shades that actually wear bright, aren't chalky, and don't fallout everywhere. All of these shades are smooth and blend well, and the color is so vivid!

Lasting Power: These shades last 7-8 hour without creasing or fading when used with a primer. Almost all of the shades leave a stain on my eyelids at night but usually fade by the morning. The red and orange based shades stain more.

Brush: The brush is a nice addition to this palette. The smaller brush is wonderful as a smudger brush for packing on color in the crease, or smudging out color on the lower lash line. The larger brush works well at packing on color over the eyelid. I also recommend a very fluffy blending brush to use with this palette. 

Wear-ability and Tips: Now, nudes have been the thing for years and years, right?? I love a pretty nude eye look, too, but seriously let's bring back some color! Try using a liner brush to add a thin pop of color above black or brown eyeliner on the top lid (focus the color more on the outer part of the lid). Use the smaller end of the included brush to smudge out some color on the lower lash-line. On the lower lash-line you can try just one color, like Fringe, or use a lighter color like Freak on the inner part and blend into a darker shade like Fringe on the outer part. Also, try mixing in a little Urban next time you do a smokey eye for a bit of purple. I will do some looks with this palette and post them, so come back for some picture inspiration!

Final Thoughts: This palette is one of my favorite, best-performing makeup products I have ever owned. The shades are so pigmented, true-to-color, and long-lasting. The color range is spectacular with plenty of warm, neutral and cool shades to suit every skin tone. At first glance, this palette may seem a little overwhelming, but there are so many ways to add a pop of color in an everyday look. This palette just begs us to be creative and have some fun with color again! I would definitely recommend. 

Has anyone else tried the Urban Decay Electric Palette? Are you having fun putting some color back into your makeup routine, too?! Do you have any wear-ability ideas?  

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment Review

Hi everyone! I used the Maximum Growth treatment everyday this past week, and as promised here is the review! Read on to see if this helped my brittle, short nails...

Claims: From Sally Hansen's website "A growth treatment that fortifies and protects nails so they can grow. Triple-protein and silk formula instantly reinforces soft, bitten and weak nails."
Packaging: This comes in a nail polish bottle, with a rather narrow brush. The brush helps me apply this treatment precisely. The cap is a nice size and easy to grip. 
Formula: First thing to note - this is a bit thinner than most polishes and base/top coats. It applies evenly and isn't goopy. The treatment dries super quick, under five minutes! This is very convenient to use - the polish goes on smoothly and dries so fast. This treatment chips so much on my nails though. The next day or two and I had some huge peeling chips. I can usually go 5-6 days without chipping with a full manicure (base coat, polish and top coat) so I was disappointed with the lasting power.

Before: My nails tend to peel towards the tip. They are rather thin and the peeling makes it hard for my nails to grow.

After: This is my typical nail growth/length after a week. The Maximum Growth treatment did not result in faster growth. 

Results: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment did not work as a growth treatment for me. This really adds an extra layer to the nail, which may *help* growth because it could prevent peeling. However, this chips so quickly that my natural nail was almost always exposed. In the picture, you can see the layers of treatment and then my own thinner nail tip.
Final Thoughts: I don't dislike this product. It does add a layer of hardness to the nail which helps prevent peeling. However, it chips so quickly and leaves my thin nail tips exposed, you would probably have to re-apply up to two times a day. I like to wear color on my nails, so maybe I'll try this as base coat..  I would recommend this if you like to wear clear polish and need some help with peeling nails. Just be prepared for some chipping. 

Has anyone tried this Sally Hansen Nail Growth Treatment? Did it work for your nails? How do you think it compares to other growth treatments? 

Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo and Conditioner Review

Hi everyone! Before we get started, I have to tell you I'm not usually a big fan of Garnier's shampoos and conditioners. I find them heavy and waxy, and they weigh down my hair. Plus the smell is usually citrus-y and pungent. However, I chose this set because it smelt better and Rite Aid had a BOGO sale. Well, after a few weeks of using this, I am pleasantly surprised! If you've had bad luck with Garnier in the past, you may find this set works for you too!  Keep reading for details...

Packaging: The shampoo and conditioner come in red bottles, 13 fl oz each. The bottles are rather flat and very comfortable to hold. The flip-top works well also. The packaging is not flimsy.

Claims: The bottles read "Seals & protects shine, softness & color vibrancy for up to 8 weeks" The bottle says the formulas contain Camellia Oil, Acai Berry Antioxidants, UVA & UVB Filters.

Formula and Scent: The shampoo is a translucent white color and a medium thickness. It suds very nicely and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped. I love my hair products, and use a leave-in conditioner, gel, mousse and hairspray daily, so being able to wash those products out is very important. This shampoo does just that! It leaves my hair clean but not too squeaky-clean. The shampoo is a perfect everyday shampoo - not necessarily clarifying, but suds away oil and products in a gentle way. The conditioner is an opaque white with a light pink ting. This conditioner is not runny, but not too thick either. It spreads very well over my hair. Unlike most Garnier conditioners, it does not have a heavy, waxy feel. It coats my strands well and rinses clean. After conditioning, my hair is completely de-tangled! Both formulas smell the same - mainly apple with hints of strawberry and fresh floral. It is a clean scent and lasts for about an hour after a shower. It is not overly strong and doesn't interfere with body lotion or perfume.

Final Thoughts: I absolutely love this set! My hair is light-to-medium thickness and slightly wavy. I lighten my hair, so it is a bit damaged. I have a lot of layers, too. The shampoo and conditioner are very gentle and light-weight, and enhance my hair's natural texture. I love how my hair feels and looks clean and lightly conditioned. My hair is sensitive to heavy conditioners, and I'm not a fan of super thick, heavy conditioners for everyday use (those formulas should be for a once-a-week deep conditioner, right?!) I am so impressed that this removes all of the *many* products I use, while still keeping my hair feeling hydrated and smooth. As for the actual anti-color fade claim, I can't say with certainty because I lighten my hair so it doesn't really fade. However, my hair looks vibrant and shiny. I definitely recommend the set!


Has anyone tried the Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo and Conditioner? How did it work for you? 

Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket Washable Mascara Blackest Black Review

Hi everyone! The Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket mascara was the first Maybelline mascara I've used in years and years, so I was pretty excited to try it. Maybelline claims "Explosive Volume In Rocket Time! 8X Bigger, Smoother. Now, the most explosive, beautiful lashes ever!"   Yes please, count me in!  I love huge, thick lashes with volume... I'm not a natural lash type of gal... The bigger the better!

Here is a picture of my natural lashes. They're short-to-average in length and average thickness. They're blonde at the tips so the length sort of disappears without dark mascara, but it is there! My lashes are curled. The only product I have on here is concealer. 
So did this give me "explosive" lashes?  Keep reading to find out!

Packaging and Brush: The mascara tube seems on the large and bulky side, but I was able to grip it. I would prefer a thinner, more streamlined top so I can wrap my hand around it better. Thumbs down to the clunky packaging.

The brush tapers a bit and is thinner at the end. Also, you can see in the photo that the bristles closest to the handle are the longest, and the end of the brush has very short/almost non-existent bristles. When I first saw the brush, I was excited about the amount of bristles on the brush. I envisioned the bristles combing through each lash, dividing and separating them. Now... I know this is a volume mascara so I was expecting a dense look... but I was also expecting definition because usually these tapered-end brushes offer so much control. You should be able to coat every hard-to-reach eyelash to perfection because of the precision of that narrow end. This brush works best on my bottom lashes, it really grabs each little lash and I can apply it without making a mess. I do think the brush is excellent. Now, on to the formula...
Formula: This was the disappointing factor for me. First thing I notice when applying is how wet and sticky this mascara is. It takes forever to dry! Sometimes I actually find it annoying because I have wet, sticky lashes for about five minutes. When it finally dries, my lashes are pretty crispy. I personally don't mind a crispy lash, but if you prefer flexible lashes stay far, far away. My main issue is how the formula clumps mutiple lashes together and makes it look like I only have ten, weirdly thick eyelashes. *sigh* Where is the dense volume?? Where is the gorgeous definition? Unfortunately, my lashes look so sparse I'm not really seeing any volume. However, the formula and the brush work well on my bottom lashes, so I will use this up. I won't be repurchasing though.

Lasting Power: The mascara lasts all day without smudging or flaking. I was definitely impressed with the lasting power! 
*One thing to note: This mascara is the most difficult to remove mascara I've ever used! Including waterproof mascaras. It just sticks to my lashes. I use my fingers (rather than a cotton ball/makeup remover pad) to gently rub eye makeup remover on my lashes. I have to massage it in for a minute or so, then very gently wipe off the makeup. Be careful not to tug with this formula, it's like cement and (trust me...) will take your eyelashes off with it!
Final Thoughts: This did not work for me, and I wouldn't recommend it. I really don't like how this sticks my lashes together. Plus, it's so not worth the trouble it takes to remove. Sorry, Maybelline, no "explosive" lashes here!



What do you think of this mascara? How does it compare to other Maybelline mascaras? 



Thanks for stopping by :)  Cass

Ipsy August 2014 Review

Ipsy is a monthly subscription service which focuses on beauty products. Each month, Ipsy mails you a Glam Bag full of 4-5 beauty items. Bags are usually a mix of full sized products and samples. You can take an online quiz to help Ipsy tailor the products for you. It costs $10 a month (includes shipping!). This is my first bag, and I'm really excited about the products I received!

Ipsy sent me five products stuffed into this cute vinyl-feeling polka dot bag. I find cosmetic bags handy. They're great for storing random samples, cotton balls, and even cell phone and computer chargers. Okay on to the products!
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk: This dry shampoo is supposed to gently clean and add volume to dry hair. I love dry shampoo and use it often. I try to only shampoo every other day to keep my hair from drying out. I'm picky with dry shampoo because my hair looks so oily second day...not so pretty... Currently, I'm using Dove Refresh & Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo. After I test out Klorane Dry Shampoo I'll compare the two, so check back soon.  The full size of Khlorane Dry Shampoo is 3.2 oz, and this sample is 1.06 oz which is a decent sample size.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara: Wow this is one hyped up mascara and I'm super excited to try it! UD claims "Bigger. Blacker. Badder."  I'll be trying this sample out and complete a review, so check it out once it's finished! The sample size is 1 fluid ounce, a good amount of product.

Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Lip Conditioner: This lip balm ROCKS! The ingredients are wonderful - all natural and organic. Mongongo oil is such a great ingredient because it offers UV protection.The balm feels slippery and adds a bit of gloss when applied to the lip. It smells faintly of fruit and beeswax. This lasts a long time on my lips, about an hour! It's very moisturizing. When I want real hydration, I reach for a product like this because it's full of natural, real goodness. The product size is .15 ounce which is full size - yes!

J.Cat Flying Solo Eyeshadow in Half Naked: This is a champagne color with a rose gold tint. The swatch is without primer using the included sponge-tip applicator. This is a wonderful transition color for fall because the rose tone offers a warm, rich look. This product is actually fabulous as a cheekbone highlighter! Anyone else bored of the stark white highlight shades?? I find myself reaching for the warm, soft look of this product. The product blends well and isn't chalky. Use a fan brush to lightly dust this on top of your cheekbones - so pretty! The sample size is 2.5 grams.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner: This is another product many people adore. I'm really excited about trying this because I do have larger pores and some foundations like to "sit" in them. The color is a peach tone, but it blends out clear. The pore refiner has an herbal scent - it's a bit strong at first but eventually fades. I will review this soon! Currently, I'm using Ulta Matte Prime under my foundation, so I'm curious to see how this compares. The sample size is .25 oz, which is 1/4 the size of the full size pore refiner - impressive sample size.
I'm very pleased with this month's products. I prefer to use beauty products for a week or so before reviewing, so come back soon to find out how these products perform!

Ulta Fall 2014 Exfoilating Butter Scrub with Dead Sea Salt Review

Ulta has a great limited edition fall line out right now! Lotions, body butter, body wash and body scrubs. Check out my review on two of the lotions here. On to the review!

Sweet Spice Exfoliating Butter Scrub with Dead Sea Salt

Scent: If you love gourmand (foody) scents, you'll love this scrub! Like the lotion, I smell chai spice - cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger and licorice. However, the licorice in the body scrub is much stronger than in the lotion. I like it. The scrub scent has a creamy, latte-ish quality about it, too. It's such a yummy scrub!

Scrub Quality: Well, this performs just average. The picture really shows you just how buttery and creamy this scrub is. It's not an oily feeling scrub. The hydration level seems okay. My main problem is the actual lack of scrub. *sigh* There just aren't enough sea salt granules. 

I like my scrubs loaded with scrubby goodness. **Like scented lotions, I use these scrubs just for fun. For real exfoliation, I make my own tried-and-true scrubs. Come back soon to check out my DIY Sugar Scrub and DIY Salt Scrub recipes. 

Packaging: The lid unscrews well and there's plenty of room to scoop out product. 

Final Thoughts: If you don't like oily feeling scrubs, then you'll love the texture of this scrub. If you love gourmand scents, give this a try! If not, check out the Amber Sparkle scrub. All in all, this is just a fun product. I would recommend.

Ulta Fall 2014 Limited Edition Lotion Review

Mmm fall in New England is perfect and my absolute favorite time of year. I love everything about fall... the changing leaves, cool fresh air, apple picking, and the scents! So when I saw Ulta released new fall fragrances I had to get a few!

Amber Sparkle is described as Citrus & Amber.

Scent: It has a soft, warm citrus scent mixed with amber and a touch of vanilla. When I first apply this, I smell fruity citrus with a subtle hint of vanilla. After about an hour, I can really smell the amber. The amber is a little powder-y but in a good, warm way. The scent lasts a long time, about 4 hours on my skin and sometimes it lingers on my clothes. This lotion has a perfume-like quality which I love!

Lotion Quality: The lotion itself absorbs quickly and hydrates okay. I really like how non-greasy this lotion is. ** I don't expect much hydration from these scented lotions, they're mostly for fun! If you would like some intense hydration, come back and check out my DIY Body Butter Tutorial, coming soon!

Packaging: The bottle is a good size and easy to squeeze. The top is nice and firm. 

Final Thoughts: I would definitely recommend! I love this scent and I think it will appeal to many people. It has a touch of fruit, vanilla and amber. 

Sweet Spice is described as Chai & Spice. 

Scent: This is totally a gourmand (food-based) scent. When I first apply this, I smell classic chai spice - cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger and a bit of licorice. This spice isn't sharp though because there's a creamy quality to this, almost like a creamy chai latte. After about thirty minutes, the creaminess goes away and I'm left with just spice. I love how real the spice smells with this lotion - it's not fake or chemically at all. Yum! This scent doesn't last nearly as long, only about two hours. 

Lotion Quality: The lotion performs the same as Amber Sparkle. Absorbs quickly, non-greasy and no film.

Packaging: Same as Amber Sparkle. Great sized bottle and nice firm cap.

Final Thoughts: I would buy this only if you like gourmand scents. And if you're okay with a rather short-lived scent. 

Coming Soon... Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Review

Updated: Check out my full review here!

Coming soon! A review on Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment.

My nails are in pretty rough shape and do not want to grow, so let's see if this really works. Here is a picture of my nails with no product:

Yeah,  that's bad! A lot of peeling and thin nail. The instructions say "Apply 1 coat to bare nails daily. Use alone or under nail color." I'm going to just use this product for one week, and let's hope it helps my sad nails. Check back in a week for the finished review!