Mini Review| NYX HD Powder Foundation

Packaging: 8/10

    Everything about the packaging is nice except that it's outrageously bulky. It makes them hard to store and to travel with. The closing mechanism is nice and overall the compact is very sturdy. It includes a nice size mirror and comes with a fairly nice sponge in the built-in compartment.

Price: 10/10

    This powder has such a nice high-end feel to it. It's very soft and very easy to work with. This powder is priced at about $10, but I would pay upwards of $20 for the same product!

Product: 10/10

    This powder is titled the "stay matte but not flat" powder foundation and once you try it, it's very easy to tell why. Once it's applied, you can see that it has a sort of luminosity to it. It sets your foundation, adds coverage and keeps you from looking shiny- BUT you won't look completely matte. This keeps your skin from looking cakey and fake. The coverage is amazing- it starts at medium and can be built up to full-coverage. I have very troubled skin but I find that I can get away with just this powder on top of some concealer!

Overall: 10/10
    This powder is worth every penny. It's such high quality for only $10. I only buy them on sale and I can usually get them for about $5-$6 each! I have only seen a very limited color selection (about 6 shades), but if you have a light to medium skin tone you should be able to find your color.

    

 Shades from left to right: Nude, Natural, Warm Beige

Recommend: YES

    This powder is so versatile and I can't say enough good things about it. If I had to guess, this would be a hybrid between the MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural and the Studio Fix Powder. Amazing coverage without looking overly matte, unnatural or cakey. 

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think!

These can be found on various websites and in-stores at Ulta.

Mini-Review| Revealed Palette by Coastal Scents

Packaging: 9/10
    Nice, sleek packaging. Front and back are hard cardboard with a magnetic closure. I like the fact that the palette as a whole is very slim and petite- making it easy for travel. The only thing I am deducting a point for is because the magnetized closure could be a bit stronger.

Some won't like the fact that there is no mirror in the palette, 

but I don't find mirrors in palettes very necessary. 

Price: 9/10
    This palette is normally $20, but I got mine for half-off plus shipping and tax. The total came out to about $13 and it was very well worth it. I don't know if I would pay $20 for it though. If you think about it, you're getting 20 shadows for about $20. I guess we'll just have to see how long these last!


Product: 10/10
    The eyeshadows are very smooth, very pigmented and very easy to blend. They can be a bit powdery at times, but I don't find that they produce much fallout. Only 4/20 eyeshadows are completely matte, but they are basically the only colors you would need. There are 3 matte browns (all in different tones, but all in the medium range) and one matte cream color. The black has some silver flecks in it, but you can't see them one you've applied to shadow to your eyelid.

These are some random swatches. The first and last colors are matte

and the three in the center are shimmery.

Overall: 9/10
    I'm so extremely impressed with this palette. The quality is great. I probably would have liked a few more matte colors thrown into the palette, but it's made a great addition to my collection. I don't want to give this palette a 10 because you can only find it in one place. I wish Coastal Scents was available in stores- I hate paying for shipping!

    

Recommend: YES!

    This is obviously a dupe for the Naked 1 & Naked 2 palettes and to have both for $20 or less is a great deal! If you plan on purchasing this, consider also buying the BR-250 brush form their website- it's a great dupe for the MAC 217 and just a great brush to have.

Keep a look out for posts comparing this palette to the Urban Decay Naked palettes!

Mini-Review| NYX MATTE FINISH SETTING SPRAY

ULTA- $7.99

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5050031

Image from nyxcosmetics.com

Packaging: 6/10

      The spray is not a fine mist. It comes out very heavy. I had to mix it with water to get it to spray evenly.

Price: 10/10

    At about $8, this products comes in at waaaay less than higher end alternatives like Urban Decay or  Model in a Bottle. 

Product: 7/10

    Definitely does not preform like the coveted Urban Decay/Skindinavia setting sprays. However, it does prolong the wear of my foundation by a couple of hours. It especially helps the area of my nose where my glasses sit, from wearing away super quick.

Overall: 7.5/10

    It's not the best setting spray on the market but for only $8 it can definitely give you more wear from your foundation.

Recommend: Yes

     If you don't have trouble with your foundation moving or wearing away on a regular basis, you can probably go without this product. BUT, it's nice to have for a special occasion or maybe a super long work day. Plus, Ulta is always having sales so you can always get it for less than $8, if the price is what's holding you back.