LORAC Unzipped Gold Palette|Review, Demo, & Swatches

Hey ya’ll!! Today I’m going to share my thoughts and opinions on the LORAC Unzipped Gold Palette. I have also done an accompanying video with a demo if you’re interested in seeing this palette in action. To find out more about this palette, and to see pictures and swatches, just keep reading!

The LORAC Unzipped Pro retails for $42 and comes with ten shadows. You get 5 high-shimmer/metallic shadows, four true matte shades, and the last shade is more of a satin finish. I found mine at Ulta, but I believe Kohl’s also carried LORAC. The packaging is a sturdy cardboard, and is nice and slim making it perfect for storing and traveling because it doesn’t take up much space. You also get a decent sized mirror inside the palette.

When this palette was released I knew I had to have it. This is my kind of palette, and my kind of shades. I love shimmery gold shadows, and matter brown shades. They are very pigmented and are easy to blend. I have noticed from swatching these that they perform beautifully with a primer, and not so much without one. Wearing an eyeshadow primer will extend the wear time of your eyeshadow, and specifically with these, really helps with the performance and enhances the pigmentation of these shadows. I’ve been using this palette a ton over the past week, and have had zero issues when applying them, but when I try to swatch them on my hands they aren’t as pigmented and can look a bit patchy. I applied the LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer to the back of my hand and swatched them again, and it made a HUGE difference.

LORAC, in my opinion, makes some of the best eyeshadows on the market. If you like gold, shimmery, and bronzed shadows, I think you would really enjoy this palette. If you prefer more rose toned, pinks, and plum shades, the original Unzipped palette would be perfect for you. This is not a "must-have" palette, but if you are looking for something fun for Spring and Summer, or are looking to add to your collection, I would recommend the Unzipped Gold. The shades a high-shimmer, and the gold tones are going to be the perfect pair for a bronzed glow this summer!

xoxo,
Casey

Beauty Haul|Ulta, MAC, & Drugstore

Hey ya’ll!! As promised, I have a haul to share today! I’ve been to a few different places, so I have a nice variety of beauty items to share. I’ve visited Ulta, Walmart, and a CCO this past weekend where I found a few MAC goodies.

Since February was a No-Buy month for me, I made a list throughout the month of items that I was interested in. Some items made the cut, some are still on my wish-list to possibly purchase at a later date, and some I ended up changing my mind on. I did use up a good amount of items over the last few months, so I did actually need some of the things that I purchased. But let’s get real, most of these things were just to feed my addiction and love of all things beauty!

Lorac Unzipped Gold Palette
I have been lusting over this palette for the past two months, and it was really hard for me to not buy it last month. When I saw the first few reviews and swatches of this palette, I knew I had to have it. I love gold shimmery shadows, as well as deep, rich browns. I plan on doing a review, demo, and swatches of this palette so keep an eye out for that.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
It’s been a good while since I have purchased a high-end mascara, mainly because there are so many amazing ones at the drugstore. I’ve wanted to try this for a long time, and since I used up almost all of mine, including my holy grail Lash Blast Volume from Covergirl, I decided to bite the bullet and try this. I absolutely love the way it makes my lashes look, but there’s a big downfall to this mascara, and that is it transfers to my under eye area. I’ve never had a mascara do that before. I always set my concealer with a powder so I’m not sure how to avoid it transferring. If you know any tips or tricks to prevent mascara transferring to the under eye area, please let me know in the comments down below!

Covergirl Clump Crusher
If you are a regular to my blog, you know I love the Clump Crusher. It’s the perfect topper for any mascara. It removes any and all clumps, lifts, and separates my lashes and it’s a makeup must have in my book. ‘Nuff said!

Maybelline Lash Sensational
I will admit, I did purchase this in February, but ONLY because I had used every single mascara except for one and that is the Loreal Butterfly mascara. The only reason I purchased this during my No-Buy was because I used up all my go-to mascara’s, and really don’t care much for the Butterfly. Well, I hate to say that I really don’t care for this one either. The brush is extremely similar to the Butterfly, but even worse than that, it flakes so bad. I haven’t thrown it away because I figured I could use it for days when I need to run a quick errand and want to throw some mascara on, but I cannot wear this for long periods of time because the flaking ends up irritating my eyes.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair
I decided to pick up this concealer because I recently used up my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind. I have this concealer in another shade already, but it’s way too dark for me right now (I believe I purchased it last summer when I was really tan, but didn’t end up using it much). There are a lot of claims that this concealer is very similar to the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, which I have tried and ended up giving to my sister because it creased on me. Sadly, this one did too. I have a problem with a lot of concealers creasing on me, so it’s really not a huge surprise. I’ve been playing with it and trying to use it in different ways to get it to work. I’m still in the process of that, so if I change my mind about it or figure out a way to get it to not crease, I will let you know.

Loreal True Match Lumi Foundation is W3 Nude Beige
I used up my NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in February, and ended up purchasing the Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless foundation. I did a review and demo on it if you are interested in checking it out, just click here. Even though that foundation is nice, my skin is still pretty dry right now because of the weather, so I did need a more luminous, dry-skin friendly foundation, and decided to try this one since I really haven’t tried many drugstore foundations. I absolutely love this stuff! The color matches perfect, and the finish it gives it like that of a high end foundation. Surprisingly too, it wears for a long time. I had it on for 8+ hours, and it still looked great at the end of the day.

Milani Lipsticks in Sweet Nectar & Nude Creme
I love Milani lipsticks and they are my favorite lipsticks from the drugstore. I actually prefer them to many high-end lipsticks which says a lot! I only had dark, vampy colors from the brand, so it was time that I purchased a few more shades. I decided on Nude Creme because it’s a great, every day nude shade. Sweet Nectar is a hot orange shade that is going to be prefect for summer. I’ve really wanted a color like Sweet Nectar. I don’t like to wear a lot of heavy makeup in the summer, so I think a tinted moisturizer, full lashes, bronzed cheeks, and this hot orange lipstick is going to be the PERFECT summer look.

Loreal Infallible Creme Shadow in Bronzed Taupe
I grabbed another one of the Loreal Infallible shadows because I just adore them. Bronzed Taupe is highly pigmented, and has a very shimmery and metallic finish. This is another one of those perfect shades for when you need to get ready in a pinch. Throw this on the lids, put a little bronzer in your crease, add some mascara and you are good to go!

MAC Blush in Eternal Sun
Kevin and the kids took me to the outlet mall this past weekend to pick out a few birthday presents, and I stopped in a CCO while we were there. I had heard of CCO’s, but had never actually been to one, so it was definitely a must to check it out. CCO’s don’t have every single shadow, blush, lipstick, etc. It’s kind of like a TJ MAXX, where they have some current stuff, some limited edition, and what they have on display is all they have available. I came across this blush while browsing and decided that it had to come home with me. It’s that perfect warm, bronzed terra-cotta color that I just gravitate towards. Problem is that when I got home, I realized I already had a blush pretty identical to this one. Makeup Geek’s blush in Infatuation is almost an EXACT dupe for this. If you want me to get technical, Eternal Sun may be just a smidge darker and more brown, while Infatuation is maybe a tad more orange. Needless to say, you do not need both. But being the makeup lover and collector that I am, I love Eternal Sun, will still use it, and have no intentions of parting with it.

MAC Lipstick in Sushi Kiss & Flamingo
Both of these lipsticks were on my wish list that I made during my No-Buy, so when I saw them sitting on display at the CCO, I was SO excited! Both of these colors are perfect for Spring and Summer. Sushi Kiss is a bright orangey-coral shade. Flamingo is also a coral, but is definitely on the pink side. Sushi Kiss is a Satin finish and is more opaque, and Flamingo is a Luster finish so it is a little on the sheer side. Either way, I am so thrilled with these two colors and can’t wait to put them to use.

That is everything I have picked up over the last two weeks, and it is safe to say that I am pretty set for Spring in the makeup department! Don’t forget to check out my video for more on each of these products, and subscribe to my channel. I would love to know what products you are lusting over this Spring season, or what your holy grail, must have, Spring beauty essentials are in the comments down below!

xoxo,
Casey

Product Empties & Would I Repurchase?!

Hey ya’ll!! I have a ton of Empties to share with you today. I have been collecting my trash since January, plus February was a No-Buy month for me, so I’ve racked up quite the stash. I have grouped the products together and listed them by name for you. If you’d like to know my personal thoughts on each of these products, and whether or not I would repurchase any of them, please check out my video down below!

PRODUCTS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Pads, Tarte Brazilliance Self Tanner, Nivea Touch of Cashmere Body Wash, Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel, Philosophy Purity Face Wash, Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Cream, Victoria’s Secret Love My Body Body Mist in White Tea & Sage, Clinique Youth Surge Night Cream, Murad Refreshing Cleanser, Degree Motion Sense in Sexy Intrigue, Garner Nourishing Cleansing Oil

 PRODUCTS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, Garnier Sleek & Shine Hairspray, Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original & Paisley

PRODUCTS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Becca Shadow & Light Bronze Contour Perfector, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Dark Spot Corrector, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, Laura Mercier Invisible Pressed Setting Powder

PRODUCTS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, Glam Glow Power Mud Mask, YSL Babydoll Mascara, Covergirl Lash Blast Volume, Covergirl Clump Crusher, Nivea Lip Balm Olive Oil & Lemon

I hope ya’ll enjoyed today’s post! I will have an Ulta Haul with both high-end and drugstore products to share with you. If you have any video or blog requests, please leave them in the comments below for me. Love ya’ll!

xoxo,
Casey

February Favorites!

Hey ya’ll!! Wow it feels like ages since I’ve done a beauty related post, a little over two weeks to be exact. February was a no buy month for me, so I haven't really felt inspired to do any videos, or had new products to share, so I figured I would wait it out. Because of my No-Buy, I spent this past month using up products I already owned, and shopping my own collection for gems that I’d forgot about. My favorites this month are definitely re-discoveries and old flames of mine.

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Peach Beach - I absolutely adore this blush, but hadn’t been showing it much love until this past month, mainly because it’s more of a Spring and Summer shade. It’s a gorgeous, golden-peachy bronze that is perfect on it’s own, or layered on top of another blush. There’s two other blushes in the Sweethearts collection, but this one was the only one that caught my eye. If you are looking for the perfect rose gold blush for Spring and Summer, I highly recommend this one!

Kat Von D Shade & Light Palette - This is a fairly new product of mine that I purchased in January. I didn’t put it in my January Favorites because I got it more towards the middle of the month, and I did a bit of traveling so I didn’t get many chances to wear it. I’ve been using it quite a bit this past month and have really been enjoying it. If you want more information on it, I did a whole Review & Demo that you can check out HERE!

Make Up For Ever Lab Shine Lip Glosses in D14 & D16- I meant to talk about these in my January Favorites, but didn’t realize I forgot to mention them until after I filmed my video. I purchased these little babies during the Sephora Black Friday Sale this past Christmas for only $10, and they are full size! I have never heard anyone talk about the Make Up For Ever glosses, so when I saw them in a set during the sale I decided to pick them up. I’m really happy I did because there are really awesome. They are both high shimmer and high shine, but without the thick, goopy, and sticky consistency of other glosses. I wear them both on their own, or topped over other lip products. 

 Rimmel Lip Liner is 030 Natural & YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in #1 - This has been my favorite lip combo this past month. I have had this lipstick for a while now, but have had a love hate relationship with it ever since. It’s extremely soft and creamy, so it’s not the easiest lipstick to wear. It’s so soft that it isn’t quite opaque, and can be a little patchy. But when I wear it over a lip liner, it’s really great! I line and fill in my lips with the liner, and then apply the lipstick over top. It then goes on super opaque and even. If you have that same patchy issue with your YSL Rouge Volupte’s, try topping them over a lip liner. The liner really helps the formula of the lipstick to adhere to the lips.

Loreal Infallible Cream Shadow in Amber Rush - I hauled this product a few months ago, and have been absolutely loving it! I have worn it almost every time I’ve done my make up this month. It’s a beautiful, shimmery rose gold shade. It is super soft, super opaque, long lasting, and doesn’t budge or crease once applied. My favorite way to apply it is with my fingertips. I use my ring finger to pack it on the center of my lids, and then use my pinky to get in the inner and outer corners.

Lorac Pro Palette - I have had this palette for a good while, and it has been getting some major love from me recently. It’s definitely a must have palette. It has the perfect combination of matte and shimmer shades. Lorac has some of the best shadows on the market. They are soft, buttery, pigmented, and blend together seamlessly. I have particularly been using the shades Nude, Taupe, Sable, and Gold.

Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black & White - I have been obsessed with these two fragrances! I received both as gifts for Christmas and they are so amazing. I tend to wear the Black at night because it’s the more sultry, musky scent. The White is more floral so I prefer to wear that in the day time. They also are perfect when paired together. When paired together the scent is appropriate for both day and night. I love that I have both and am able to combine them to make a third fragrance.

Those are all the goodies that I have been loving this past month and I hope you all enjoyed! Later this week I will be posting a new Product Empties. I have been using up a lot of stuff lately, so I have a ton of goodies to share with you.

xoxo,
Casey