Wet n’ Wild’s Poster Child Palette

Recently, I got charmed by one of Wet n’ Wild’s eight shadow palettes from their Color Icon line, called Poster Child. One of my favorite things about Wet n’ Wild is that they tell you where to put their shadows. When I first started buying makeup, I especially appreciated the helpful hints. Now, they’re just pleasant suggestions.

I was inspired by the Poster Child palette to create two different, slightly edgy looks for summer. This post will be part review and part tutorial.

Here is what the palette looks like…

Up close and personal with the Poster Child palette

Up close and personal with the Poster Child palette

Obviously what caught my eye in the store was the bright colors. For some reason I also get annoyed when palettes try to tell me to use the most intriguing colors as a liner (even though I am in control of my makeup application so it’s a weird thing to be annoyed by), so I really liked that Wet n’ Wild used “definer” instead of “liner.”

The shades are extremely buildable and if you use a good primer on your lid, they will hold all day. Initially they go on more sheer and have a soft powder texture, but you can really pack on the color to great effect. The sponge-tip and brush duo applicator is decent for application, so if you’re not into brushes this can be a full service palette.

For the first look, I used the left half of the palette with the pink tones and the black definer.

One step closer to becoming a Pink Lady.

One step closer to becoming a Pink Lady.

For most of these shades I had to dip back into the palette multiple times to get the pigmentation you see here in the swatches, but don’t let that scare you! Of the four, the deep coral color is easily the most pigmented, but the black could easily blend out for a smooth smokey eye.

I’m not going to lie, these shades were what drew me into the palette. I’ve been having a real moment where I am trying to channel my inner Rizzo from Grease. No idea where this impulse came from, but I’m going with it. This look is my homage to the Pink Ladies.

A metal spiked headband adds a bit of biker chic.

A metal spiked headband adds a bit of biker chic.

Pink with a touch of punk.

Pink with a touch of punk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this look, I followed the basic instructions imprinted into the shadows. I did a light wash of the shade that looks like a baby pink, bringing it up into the crease as well. Then I blended the deep coral into my crease. I really like the way the deep coral shade interacts with other colors. On top of the baby pink it looks more like a hot pink, though not as neon as my lip color.

Using the smokey black shade I created a faux tri-lash at the outer corner of my eye. I dusted the pearly pink along my brow bones and inner corners. While the rest of these colors are extremely versatile in regards to where you put them, the pearly shade is undeniably best suited as a brow highlight.

Other Necessities:

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet–such a deeply pigmented black liner. It really makes the look pop.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Unapologetic–a beautiful, borderline neon pink matte shade. And the staying power is amazing. I have several products from this range and love them all.

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For the other look, I drew inspiration from Marvel’s X-Men. I am beyond ready for Days of Future Past  to hit the screens, so to stave off the anxiety of waiting I created a look with the second half of the palette. The blue tones with yellow accent color instantly reminded me of the classic X-Men uniforms.

One of my favorite graphic cut-out tanks.

One of my favorite graphic cut-out tanks.

I believe I got this tank at Papaya last year. It’s such a great item for summer because the cut-out arms give you breezy freedom. I’ve been wearing it a lot recently as the heat picks up here in Southern California.

Beautiful, bright blues with a yellow accent.

Beautiful, bright blues with a yellow accent.

You can really see the connection between the tank and the colors. Of all eight shades, the teal is the most pigmented in the palette. You really have to pack on the yellow to get to this golden sheen, but it’s worth the work. At first I was intimidated by these brights, but after creating this look, I cannot wait to play with them some more.

Epic superhero stare into the distance.

Epic superhero stare into the distance.

Easily the most extreme wing I've ever done.

Easily the most extreme wing I’ve ever done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like with the first look, I started with the second shade from the top, in this case the teal. I brushed the teal color all over my lid, up into the crease in a dome shape, which helped enhance the cartoon-like feel. Using a shader brush I gently blended the royal blue tone into the crease, maintaining the rounded dome. Using the deep blue shade I built a wing the reached mid temple. I had to pack this shade on to get the shape just right. Then I pulled the deep blue into the crease about three-quarters of the way in to the lid. There was a lot of trial and error for this wing, but I like the way it turned out.

To finish the look, I brushed the yellow/gold shade along the inner curve between my brow bone and the bridge of the nose. I also packed on the color under the lower lashes as a liner. I highly recommend using a liquid liner on your top lash line since liquid liners are so dramatic. I took the black liner to the tip of the wing to emphasize the length.

Other Necessities:

L’Oreal Telescopic Precision Waterproof Liner–this is the only liquid liner I own and it’s staying that way.

Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Blackest Black–at first I was skeptical about the promises of this product, but I’m now a believer.

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple–a lovely, moisturizing, semi-sheer blue red balm.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this palette. These two looks are just skimming the surface of what you could create with these eight shades. At just $4.99 from your local drugstore, the Poster Child palette from Wet n’ Wild is a must have for summer.

April Beauty Favorites

April has flown by, which is a shame because it is such a lovely month. The weather is gorgeous: warm and breezy without being overpowering. In a way, that’s also my makeup philosophy for spring. I want my face to feel light, fresh, and colorful without being too loud. Here are my favorite beauty products that help me achieve that April freshness.

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1. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Plus Keratin : You know how luxurious and shiny your hair feels when you leave the salon? This product absolutely extends that feeling. After I shower, I pop my hair into a Turbie-Twist and go about my business for a bit. Then before I bed down for the night or leave the house for the day, I spray the Miracle Leave-In product lightly over my hair and brush it through. After three weeks of doing this, my hair is healthier, shiner, and softer. And it smells lovely. My boyfriend has even commented on how nice my hair smells. Can’t beat that. This little 4 oz. bottle can retail upwards from $18.99 depending on where you buy it, but I’d say this product is worth it.

2. Voluminous Power Volume 24H Mascara: According to its description, this mascara is infused with collagen. The goal there being fuller, plumper looking lashes. I’m not a scientist, but goal achieved. It’s also just fine for sensitive eyes. I use the color Black Smoke and love how full my lashes look. The volume is definitely there too. Maybe not the most natural look out there, but I favor this mascara for nights out. For $7.95, I’ll take it over false lashes every time.

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3. Clinique Quick Corrector in Light: THEY NO LONGER MAKE THIS PRODUCT. Talk about trauma. People are selling this for over $25.00 on eBay when it originally retailed for around $15. I have been hoarding this little tube in my drawer for a while now. And, yes, I know makeup can expire. But the Quick Corrector still gets the job done. I use it more now for highlighting than for straight concealing. The creamy consistency and full coverage are perfection. The light tone is also an ideal brightner. If anyone has found a dupe for this one, please let me know!

4.Wet N Wild Take on the Day Eye Shadow Primer: This little nugget is part of Fergie’s Center Stage collection and is titled For My Primas. I know there are some lovely eye primers from brands like Urban Decay (I have a sample pot next to my bathroom sink), but for those budget conscious beauties, this Wet N Wild primer is an ideal substitute. It has a light color that creates a lovely base for shimmer and matte shades alike. A tiny dot covers my lid and I don’t see creased color in the mirror hours later. It’s a must have for $4.99.

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5. Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink: I’ve already raved about this product in my ipsy bag review, but I have been using this lip balm several times a week since the bag arrived. The color is exactly the shade of pink that I love. It’s more of a lush peony shade than apple. The little lip brush adds a precision element to application and the matte formula also moisturizes your lips. Some mattes look cakey, but this one just settles on to look natural. Grab yours for $19.00 here.

6. NYX’s Eyebrow Push-Up Bra: Go ahead, take a second to giggle at the name. I certainly did when I saw it in stores last month. The brown half of the pencil is a universally flattering shade to fill in your brows, and the pink side highlights underneath your brow and inner eye corners. My Mom once told me that one day I would care about the illusion of fuller brows, and that day has come. This pencil is easy to use with instant results. It fills in my brows and looks utterly natural, and the highlighter portion gives the brows a natural lift. For $10.00, it’s a must for a fresh face.

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These are my ultimate faves for creating a fresh look this April, but they’re great products that will carry me through other seasons as well. Hope you enjoyed my April Beauty Favorites!

$20 and Under: My Top 5 Spring Beauty Buys

My Top 5 Beauty Buys for Spring 2014

My Top 5 Beauty Buys for Spring 2014

Little known fact about me: I’m a makeup addict. More specifically, I’m a drugstore makeup addict. Not that the big name brands aren’t fabulous (big fan on Clinique) but when you’re a student, rewarding yourself with some lipstick or nail polish that’s less than $10 is much more justifiable. When I was working on my B.A. in Ohio, I used small makeup purchases as rewards for good grades. Whatever motivates you, I suppose.

So instead of being secretive about my makeup habit, I’ve decided to share what my favorite beauty buys are for spring. I won’t pretend to be some kind of expert on application or trend predicting, but this is what has drawn me in this season.

1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup 

My skin is super sensitive and rather pale, so finding a foundation that is gentle enough but that also matches my skin tone can be tricky. Most foundations clog up my pores, but Neutrogena is always a safe bet for me. The healthy skin line has antioxidants and 20 spf, plus it blends well. When I take my makeup off at night, my skin feels soft and clean. I use the shade classic ivory, and it retails for $12.49.

2. L’Oreal’s Extraordinaire by Colour Riche 

When I was at this year’s Sundance, they had a L’Oreal vending machine that gave you a free lip gloss every time you tweeted about the product. That was some kind of wonderful. I tweeted a lot. I came home from that trip with about seven shades of this stuff, and they’re all amazing. The gloss is silken and very pigmented, which translates to a stain when the gloss gradually wears off. The swatch below is of the color Blushing Harmony 103 and retails for $9.99.

3. Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner

It’s a mouthful of a title for one little liner, but I adore this product. Personally, I prefer cream based liners over pencils or liquids. They tend to apply smooth and are more subtle. A liquid or pencil is a bold statement on the eye and I prefer for my actual eye shadow to be the statement piece. I have three on these particular eyeliners, but for spring I think the nude shade will be more on trend. Apply it on your waterline to have the same effect as a white liner–wider, whiter looking eyes. The nude color is also great for a natural look. I also swatched the silver and deep blue liners so you could see the nude color better. Each eyeliner retails for $4.49.

Product swatches for Neutrogena, L'Oreal, and Rimmel.

Product swatches for Neutrogena, L’Oreal, and Rimmel.

4. Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer

I’ve always been intimidated by bronzer. My past adventures with the stuff have yielded an Oompa Loompa look that is just not cute on anyone. But I took a chance with this Wet N Wild brand in Reserve Your Cabana, and I’m glad I gave it a shot. This powder bronzer is well suited for fairer skin and leaves nothing but a healthy glow behind.  It comes in two other colors (Ticket to Brazil and Bikini Contest), so all skin tones can get their glow on before summer begins. Sorry I don’t have a swatch for this, but it’s rather subtle. Retails for $3.99.

5. Julep Nail Color

Julep is a fun website/product for those that love nail color. You can become a Julep Maven and get a customized box of nail color or product for $20 a month, but what is great about this system is that you don’t have to fully commit to buying every box. If the colors of the month don’t move you, you can pass on the box and save your money. My favorite find lately has been the creme finish Libby, which is a delightful teal shade. It’s a vibrant shade that will still go perfectly with your Easter dress. Fun tidbit: Julep names all of its nail polishes after women. Retail is $14.00 or $11.20 for a Maven.

So those are my favorite beauty buys for under $20 each. The Julep nail color is the only one you won’t find in a drugstore, but I couldn’t resist adding it. If my favorites are anything to go off of, I think glowing natural tones with pops of vibrant color is going to be “in” for spring.

What do you think will be “in” for spring at your beauty counter?