Always excited to see what Natasha Denona launches! From day one I’ve loved the unique and personal touch she’s added to all of her palettes. Today I have a look at her Retro Eyeshadow Palette ($65, available at Sephora). The color scheme has a mix of pinks, purples, silvers and sparkles for a burgundy mauve eye look.
The Retro Eyeshadow Palette has 15 shades. There is a mix of velvety mattes, duochrome sparkles, shimmers, and sparkle toppers. Color payoff and performance is true to her usual style – great pigment, smooth texture, easy to blend and layer colors. I think this one has a really nice range and variation of light, medium and deep shades.
I’ve always been a neutral eye person or one who likes golden bronze tones. Purple isn’t really me, I don’t think I can pull it off well like many of my other beauty friends. I think there are plenty of non-purple tones in this palette to create a more neutral look but I did create a purple mauve look just for fun.
Colors in this palette:
Glitz is a sparkling pink gold
Andy is a soft light mauve
Jude shimmery taupe silver
Mod pale off white pink matte
Vivenne pale medium dusty pink
Groove deep plum
Opart bark brown
Psychedelic sparkling glitter pink
Go-Go medium warm pink matte
Patty pretty warm shimmer copper pink
Swing shimmery plum
Nude Mauve greyed-mauve matte
Rebellion deep plum red
Helio sparkling taupe
Amara matte plum brown
My favorite shades in this palette are Glitz and Helio for ones I think are the most unique and prettiest!
Mothership IX Eyeshadow Palette Huetopian Dream ($125) is probably my favorite palette launch to date from Pat McGrath and if you don’t mind wearing glitter sparkle toppers I think you’ll love it too. It has a mix of smooth shimmers, mattes, duo chrome shimmers, intense shimmers and sparkle glitter toppers.
The shimmers and mattes apply smoothly on the skin while the sparkle toppers are more chunky with the glitter flecks. Colors include:
Another new launch is the IntensifEYES Artistry Wand ($32) also available in a Duo Set ($52). This is a multi-purpose product which is quite interesting and I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it. You can apply it to the lids to prime for eyeshadow (in particular the glitters or sparkles to make them adhere better). Or you can also apply on top of shadow and it transforms it into an almost liquid formula. I think it’s quite unique but for me not essential as it’s an extra step I don’t think is necessary.
FetishEYES Mascara
For the eyes the FetishEYES Mascara ($30) has been a repromoted which I think is a good basic everyday mascara, but I actually prefer the Dark Star Mascara formula for better volume and length.
I did a look on my Instagram Reels wearing the palette, also wearing:
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation in LM14 (review here)
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer in LM 13 (review + swatches here)
Pat McGrath Huetopian Dream Eyeshadow Palette
Victoria Beckham Eyeliner in Cocoa
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Divine Blush in Divine Rose
Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Divinyl in Divine Rose 2 (review here)
Pat McGrath LUST Gloss in Aphrodisiac (swatches here)
I think the colors in the palette are gorgeous. The texture, pigment and lasting power are all excellent. There is some fall out with the glitters when I apply but once product is on the lids (I pat on with fingers) they pretty much stay put. As much as I love it though I wonder how many of you are glitter/sparkle wearers. I think she does such a great job on her palettes for that extra glam vibe – I wonder if she will ever launch an all matte palette or one without glitters.
I have heard that some think this one is similar to other palettes. Based on what I have Huetopian Dream seems different enough to me to justify owning, although I do not have the Mothership VIII Divine Rose II which looks like it could be similar in some of the tones. In case you want to see swatches of other palettes/quads I’ve reviewed, I’ve linked them below:
Dior just revamped their classic Addict Lip Glow and I hauled a number of colors! The formula is now reformulated to be 97% natural. These are color reviving balms so the color will adjust slightly to give the lips a custom glow. Brightness varies depending on lip chemistry. I know some of you have mentioned the classic Original Pink turns into a bright fuchsia pink, while for others it’s more of a softer flushed pink. These are currently available at Dior and Sephora.
To me these seem pretty much identical to the original formula – hydrating, smooth, slightly minty in scent and a subtle glossy sheen. I did an IGTV featuring a natural glowing makeup look featuring the new Rosewood 012 which you can view via @BEAUTYLOOKBOOK.
I also hauled a few of the other shades and have them swatched below. The colors on the lips mimic what you see in the tube with a flush of color as they transform on the lips.
Colors I have in the new formula:
000 Universal Clear
001 Pink
004 Coral
008 Ultra Pink
011 Rosegold
012 Rosewood
015 Cherry
020 Mahogany
Swatches below. These will look different on everyone as they’re transforming balms and the flush that will appear is going to vary depending on your lips. Even on me the flush doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes the flush and brightness is bolder, other times the color looks more true to tube.
Looks with the Dior Addict Lip Glow colors I hauled on my lips (all except Rosegold 12 which is similar to Pink 01 on me except for a veil of shimmer), also wearing:
A look at a couple more items below. The 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palettes are the newest formula from Dior and I think the texture is a significant improvement from past palettes. Nude Dress is a nice everyday neutral with a mix of shimmers and mattes. Mitzah reminds me of a less shimmery version of Tom Ford Honeymoon (I prefer the Tom Ford for colors and formula). They’re beautiful and nice for everyday with soft blendable textures and long lasting pigment.
I also hauled the new Backstage Face and Body Powder-No-Powders. They looked like they ran dark online so I ordered 3 Neutral (what I thought my shade would be) and 2 Neutral (one shade lighter). They do run darker from what I expected and 2 Neutral is the perfect color for my medium tan skin. It has a soft sheen with a blurring effect. Texture is lightweight and finish is sheer. I didn’t swatch these because they blend into the skin and you can’t really see them in an arm swatch, but they do melt into the skin with a super lightweight finish.
Today is the last day for the Sephora Spring Savings Event! Use code OMGSPRING at checkout to save online and in store at Sephora:
The Sephora Spring Sale starts today 4/9 for Rouge Members with 20% off! I’ve put together a comprehensive list of my top makeup picks for every category for complexion, eyes, lips and more. Use code OMGSPRING at checkout. In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out myHAIR CARE ROUNDUP (with a giveaway).
The event is available to Rouge Members first for early access online and in store starting today. The dates and savings by tier listed below. Some exclusions and limits apply. Use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem offer:
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine love this for hydration, color and shine, favorite colors are #9, #44 and #123 (review of new colors here, also IGTV video here)
Dior Lip Glow classic balm tint that revives the natural lip color (new revamped formula is a tiny bit glossier but just as hydrating, now 97% natural in ingredients)
As always I know this is a very long list! Please don’t feel pressured to shop everything you see reviewed here (or elsewhere). As a beauty blogger I’m so fortunate to be able to test products as my job. I hope this serves as a good resource by category to help you narrow down your picks whether you’re looking for a new eyeliner or lipstick.
If I had to pick my Top 10 Favorites right now from what’s available at Sephora, here is my edited spring list:
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff 3N1
Dior BACKSTAGE Powder Shade 2N
NARS Soft Matte Tinted Lip Balms in Intimate
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Shade 9
Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo in Reflects Gilt
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Petal
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk
Gucci Lip Pencil in Nude
Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette in Bella Sofia
To recap the Sephora Spring Savings Event dates and savings by tier, use code OMGSPRING at checkout to redeem savings offer:
The YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm is one of my favorite lip formulas of all time and I am beyond thrilled they added more colors, available at Sephora. There are eight new shades in their Burning Chilis collection and I hauled a handful immediately. I have a closer look at six of them along with a roundup of a few other YSL Beauty staples I have in rotation right now.
Touche Eclat
YSL has some of the most elegant complexion products and concealers to create a beautiful glow. The items in their Touche Eclat lineup are my favorites. I love the Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow Foundation for a fresh natural glow with good lasting power. I use the shade B40 Sand (neutral undertone) and like that it also has SPF in it. It makes the skin look fresh and dewy.
For concealer the Touche Eclat All Over Brightening Concealer Pen is a classic I think everyone should try. I love this under the eyes to brighten dark circles or tired looking eyes. A little goes a long way in the click-brush applicator. It’s 100% worth the splurge. I use Shade 3 Luminous Peach or 4.5 Luminous Sand. It’s easy to blend with fingers or a sponge and does not crease.
I also adore the All Over Glow Powder. It comes in one versatile shade and for my skintone I can use it as a blurring finishing powder with a hint of glow.
New Rouge Volupte Shine
For the new shades of Rouge Volupte Shine there is a good mix of neutrals and modern bolds. The formula melts into the lips flawlessly with a lightweight veil of hydration. Color is sheer-medium but buildable with the prettiest shine. They make the lips glow! You can create a day or night look with the colors:
Colors I hauled:
121 Beige Satin is a medium brown beige
122 Burnt Zellige is a brown red
123 Nude Transparent is a golden beige with a hint of shimmer
124 Rose Loulou is a fresh rosy pink
127 Rouge Studio is a bold pink red
130 Burnt Suede is a pretty rosewood
All the colors are beautiful it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I love 123 and 124! You can find them available now at Sephora. I highly recommend picking up at least one new shade, or saving them to your wishlist for the upcoming Sephora Spring Savings Event coming soon!
I’m back with a Sephora haul roundup! I’ve been trying a few new things over the past several weeks and have a comprehensive roundup on some new makeup, skincare and hair care tries. This is more of a combination of several hauls in one post. I feel like my testing process can take a while on some of the things!
The Blow Dry Primer is a heat protectant and helps protect hair from breakage. The Serum from what I’m told is a heat protectant and also repairs damage and can also be used on the scalp. To me they both perform the same – I alternate between the two. By now my highlighted ends are almost all the way grown out and I feel like it’s a lot healthier now. I don’t get as much breakage and these two products definitely help on the ends.
I also picked up a mini of the Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum as a finishing product to add shine. I think it’s a good one, but still prefer my Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Oil. Also Kerastase oils and serums are heavily fragranced, and I think it’s hit or miss depending on your preferences.
The IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Anti-Frizz Smoothing Spray was a mini from a beauty insider bonus. I also had this a few years ago but go through so much product to try and test out I don’t often repurchase the smoothing or styling products. This is a nice smoothing spray that is supposed to mimic the results of a keratin treatment (which I’ve never had). You mist over damp hair evenly and then blow dry in sections to seal in the product with the heat. I’m still undecided about this. I like it but it’s not 100% love. It looks like they recently added two other items the Good Behavior Smoothing Balm and Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray which look interesting.
I also ordered the T3 Clip Kit and extra Slip Scrunchies. I’m always losing my hair ties and hair clips as I am forever leaving them in random places around the house. The clips are similar to the ones from the Drybar Hold Me Hair Clips. I use these to hold up hair in sections while I dry out portions. I like them! They’re easy to use, sturdy and functional.
Makeup Haul Picks
For makeup I hauled a bunch of lip products from Fenty including Fenty Lil Gloss Bombs Mini Lip Duo + Keychain Holder. Pink Dragonfly is a shimmery rose gold color I hope they make in a full size version. It also comes with Fenty Glow which is one of my favorite colors.
I picked up 3 of the Fenty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream in Fenty Glow (pretty soft pink), Mauve Wives (light purple), and Fruit Snackz (berry). They are all creams with a high shine. Pigment is medium to full and finish is semi thick but not sticky. I like Fenty Glow the best. I am forever hoping I can find a lilac purple lip I can pull off but have yet to find one. I think it’s just not my color. Swatches of the newer ones next to a few others I have:
Dior added a new shade of the Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss in Ultra Pink. It’s a pretty fresh pink with a hint of shimmer. I may purchase a backup of this one because it’s limited edition and I like how fresh and pretty it looks on the lips.
The new Lancome Lash Idole Mascara was a total miss for me. Based on a poll I did on Instagram, 75% of you also did not like it. For me it didn’t really do much for my lashes. It didn’t hold the curl, it flaked, didn’t add a lot of volume.
The Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette is a new favorite. A lot of you wanted swatches so I’ve added them below. I like that it has a good mix of warms and neutrals. The colors for me are perfect everyday kind of shades. The shimmery colors are best as a topper for me to wear on top of the mattes to add a glimmer to the lids. I like to dab the lighter colors on the lids with fingers, the medium and deeper shimmers apply well with fingers or a brush. I think pigment and texture is pretty good! It’s one I can see myself wearing the rest of the year if I had to stick with 1 palette for an entire year, this would be it.
A number of you had asked for my thoughts on Rare Beauty. When it launched I had zero interest in the line, but my bestie convinced me to try some things. I had high hopes for the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balms but found them so sheer they barely show up on my lips. Formula is nice and smooth and if you need just a hint of color they’re nice. I can see these being better suited for those who don’t wear a lot of makeup or people just getting into makeup. If you like to wear lip liners and then add a bit of gloss on top these are nice to add shine and hydration.
The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blushes exceeded my expectations. I tried two in Nearly Rose and Nearly Apricot. In general I am not a fan of cream products for my normal/combination skin. They rarely last and get greasy looking within an hour or so. These have a nice dry down so when they’re blended they almost have a matte finish. Colors are easy to wear and naturally flattering. Lasting power is pretty good as we have mild climate right now. However since they are creams I don’t really expect them to have good lasting power once the weather warms up here in Florida.
I think my favorite from the Rare Beauty line is the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight. These come with a sponge tip applicator you can dab onto the cheekbones or anywhere you want a highlight. I like that the finish blends out to a very thin finish and nice dry down so it’s not emollient. Transcend is a pretty rose pink and Flaunt is a soft copper gold. They’re glowy in a very nice way!
For bases I have been playing around with the Urban Decay Hydromaniac Glowy Tinted Hydrator Foundation in Shade 50 for a few weeks now. It’s a creamy medium coverage base best suited for normal to dry skin. I love the color and finish! It looks very natural and gives the skin a healthy kind of glow. Unfortunately it’s a bit too heavy and dewy for my skin type. If you have dry skin I think you will love this. For me I prefer the Chanel CC Cream for a similar finish/coverage (I wear Shade 40 in the Chanel). The Chanel has a similar texture in the sense it feels semi thick on the skin, but for me the Chanel lasts a lot longer.
Last thing for makeup is the Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder. This comes in a pretty decent range of colors. I have four to show you below. Two were sent as press samples and I thought they might be too light so I ordered the next two darker shades. The finish is sheer and very lightweight. I do think it’s best for normal combination skin – if you have super dry skin it may be too matte for you unless you use a very dewy base underneath. My best match is either Feathery or Comfy. It sets foundation in a very lightweight and natural way with a sheer finish. I still prefer the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush or MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder better for a pressed setting powder but this new Kosas formula is still very good.
Skin + Fragrance
To wrap up my haul I have a couple skincare items I wanted to talk about. Fresh launched their Kombucha 2-in-1 No-Rinse Cleanser & Prebiotic Treatment and I really like this as a cleansing water. I’ll use this as a first step to remove face makeup before I workout and then follow with a regular cleanser. I also use this after I cleanse (almost like a toner) to make sure all my makeup is removed. Even with regular cleansing sometimes the long-wear makeup is still left on the skin. This is why I always double cleanse if I’m wearing sunscreen or makeup. I really like this one – it’s soothing and hydrating without leaving a film on the skin.
Farmacy launched their new Whipped Greens Oil-free Foaming Cleanser a few months ago and as a huge fan of the Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser and Green Clean Balm, I had to try this one. It’s a nice foaming cleanser but I found it a little too drying for my skin right now. We are still in the dry season here and it’s a little too stripping for my face. I have used up quite a bit of this though – I’ll use it after a sweaty workout to clean out my pores. In general I think it’s a good one – but one that will probably be better for my skin once the humidity and heat returns to Florida. For winter it’s a bit too strong.
Last we have a look at two fragrances. I love a few of the REPLICA perfumes and when Bubble Bath launched I was super curious and ordered the travel size. Perfume is so personal so I hope you won’t be offended if you love this one when I say that it’s not for me. I found it too powdery and very soapy and it did not mix well with my skin. For a fresh scent I prefer their Lazy Sunday Morning or their Beach Walk for a summery scent. For me this was a miss although based on the online reviews it seems to be very popular.
One I do really love is the new Atelier Cologne Lemon Island. I have a number of their scents that I like to keep in my purse with me. I don’t consider myself a lemon lover when it comes to perfumes but this one has a really interesting mix of lemon, jasmin and vanilla with a salty feel. I think it’s a really nice scent to wear for warm weather and since I live in Florida I think it’s perfect!
That wraps up my Sephora haul. Hope you enjoyed reading! If you’ve hauled anything new or restocked on anything fun let me know in the comments!
Shop the Post:
Press samples include the Fresh Kombucha No-Rinse Cleanser, Kosas Cloud Set in Breezy + Feathery, Atelier Cologne Lemon Island.
I have a mini Sephora Haul to share – I ordered some things online for their Sephorathon promo that ends today 12/9. I restocked on a couple things and also bought some items I had my eye on. Use code SAVE2020 online at Sephora to save depending on tier. You can also use the code in store (ends today) – it’s a one-time use promo:
Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser – one of my favorites to help prevent acne. I’ve raved about this one so many ties, it’s REALLY the best one to help with acne-prone skin. I ran out (even though I had recently restocked), stopped using it and started getting a wave of breakouts. It could have been from a number of things (hormones, stress, extra sweat) but when I use this I feel like it truly helps keep my breakouts under control, especially with the mask wearing.
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Sol de Janeiro Hand Sanitizer Spray is back in stock at Sephora. It doesn’t leave a sticky film and I love how it smells just like their body cream/shower gel. I ordered a couple more because I’m obsessed. The current version has a clear bottle (original one had a tinted bottle). Makeup bag below is from The Daily Edited (large size), also reviewed here.
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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils have been on my radar as I used to use and love Peyote and Naked2 a lot. These have a smooth texture with a lot of great neutrals. I ordered 1993 (90’s-ish brown), Rush (rose pink), and Naked2 (nude pink). I swatched it next to Liar (deeper rose) and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk.
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Lawless The Little One Eyeshadow Palette was on my radar and I have mixed feelings about this one. I haven’t had a chance to try it on my eyes yet since it just arrived but upon swatching it I feel like the powders have a LOT of powdery kick up. Also the colors look a little dry/chalky on the skin with my arm/hand swatches. The Anastasia Beverly Hills or Natasha Denona Palettes seem to have a much better texture and color payoff. I will keep you posted once I get a chance to try it on my face.
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Last I ordered the Too Faced Hangover Rx Pillow Talk Balm. I had this one a while ago but gifted it away (brand new) to a friend and decided to buy one for myself again. It has a cushiony feel, glides on nicely, smells almost like a minty pina colada with a cooling sensation. Tingle is minimal. So far I really like it!
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Did you haul anything during the Sephorathon promo? Or did you already shop a lot during Black Friday/Cyber Week?
