NP Set Jet Set Palette Review

Palettes can easily be expensive (especially the really good quality - near orgasmic - ones). Being a self-diagnosed make up snob by default nature, I was walking around Target one day and found this palette from NP Set. I swatched it just for the sake of it, expecting it to be chalky and laughable like the snob that I am (hey, at least I'm honest about it okay?). So imagine my surprise when it was good. And I mean, it was rrreeaaalllly good. Just a bit of background information about NP Set. Unlike Napoleon Perdis which can only be sold at Napoleon Perdis Stores, NP Set is a cheaper drugstore brand. Similar to Marc vs. Marc Jacobs.

Therefore, this drugstore palette - which retails for $39 AUD (I bought it on promotion and got a free NP lipstick) - is of amazing quality! I'm not even kidding, this relatively inexpensive palette is incredibly pigmented, the colours are smooth and easy to apply, and the shadows are creaseless. This palette has eyeshadows that are in the same league as my Urban Decay Naked Palettes and my TheBalm Palettes (Nude'Tude in particular)! And at a fraction of the price!

Jet Set Palette (Inside)

It features 18 highly pigmented non-chalky eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 1 highlighter and 1 bronzer. Underneath the NP Set flap there's a mini mirror, 4 lip glosses and some applicators. The applicators, lip glosses and blushes do not appeal to me greatly and they were to the mediocre standards that I've come to expect from most drugstore palettes but the majority of the 18 eyeshadows were a-maz-ing! *Emphasis on every syllable is required*

The palette is small enough to fit into your bag easily, not so much if you only use a purse though.

Swatches of all the colours, apologies for the mess - I was meant to be cleaning!

This image unfortunately does not do the shadows any justice. They are incredibly shimmery and there are a few matte shades as well included in the palette. The lighting the day I took this image was terrible (a lot of glare).

Anyways in conclusion, if you're looking for an inexpensive alternative for expensive high-end eyeshadow palettes, appreciate/need/want a neutral palette, or want a palette with plenty of colours and textures to play around with that wont break your bank; this palette is for you.

This palette made me realise that there are some real gems in drugstore brands. It doesn't have to be high-end to be good!

Stay Beautiful! xx

TheBalm Meet Matte Eyeshadow Palette Review

There are certain brands out there that I consider to be my holy grail of make up. Literally almost everything from these brands seem to suit me perfectly. They're affordable (or at least worth the money/time/effort), work well, last long, and are incredibly pigmented whilst being versatile. TheBalm is one of these brands.

I am a massive TheBalm fan, everything that I have from the brand has been an massive success. That being said, there are still plenty of things from TheBalm which I haven't tried yet.

UPDATE: I have just discovered that TheBalm official website now ships internationally! International shipping is a flat rate of $40AUD which is pricey considering the large wishlist I have! My suggestion is to wait for the next Cyber Monday sale since they're often at 40% off RRP. I've already gotten everything I really wanted from the brand, I'm now just shopping for the sake of it. ;)

Anyways, onto my review, presenting the good-looking Matte ($38.40 AUD):

A small purse-friendly palette.

Inside.

The eyeshadows have the most quirkiest names! Matt Ramirez is a good neutral toned brow powder.

The Back.

The applicator that comes with it, I never use these since I prefer full-sized brushes.

The shadows are - obviously - all matte textures, highly pigmented, easily blendable and very versatile with a variety of different looks. It's perfect for if you want a matte contouring of the eyes or a matte base for highlighting of the brow bone. I haven't found one bad thing about this palette, I'm sold! It's reassuring to have a palette that's full of matte shades considering there are mainly shimmers in most palettes now.

I bought most of my TheBalm products from Bath&Unwind. CLICK HERE to visit the Meet Matte palette which I bought in a new window. The website has free (and extremely quick) shipping to Australia for orders over $108 AUD.

My first ever order from Bath&Unwind of products from TheBalm <3

Stay Beautiful! xx

DuWop Rotating Map Palette Review

I would like to think there are people other than myself who are obsessed with eyeshadow palettes. Despite having plenty to last me quite a few years even if used daily, if anyone dangles a palette in front of me (especially if it's pretty), I will probably buy it. :(

Que: The DuWop Rotating Map Palette ($48.08 AUD).

Previous to this palette, I had only heard of the DuWop brand from their semi-famous lip venom vials which are supposedly meant to have extreme lip plumpling results. I have yet to try these as I have tried waaayy too many lip plumps already with minimal results (possibly placebo results..)

Anyhow, the DuWop palette really appealed to me for many reasons. I didn't own anything from the brand and wanted to try it out, it is an official collaboration with the Pirates of the Carribean movie, and it was a rotating palette (how quirky is that?).

However after using the shadows I've found many pros and far too many cons for the price that they were selling it at. I'll explain a bit further down.

Front

The photo does not do this packaging justice, it is the most amazing holographic cover I have ever seen. Also the palette is huge. I'm not kidding, it's wider than and A4 page and about 3/4 the height, definitely not pocket sized. This palette was meant to be displayed! It is that pretty.

Inside : separated with a clear sheet, the lip glosses are covered with resealable plastic to prevent drying, however the liners are left exposed (go figure).

Upon opening, you find the following map. It's the same map which is used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie which I love. The shadows are very appropriately named, e.g. 'the black pearl', which really follows the theme! The palette does rotate but it will actually require some serious pushing, there's no chance it will accidentally go spinning around which is brilliant since I don't like my eyeshadows flying away from my brush when I go to dip it in.

Back

The back cover is so pretty, there are spindly patterns branching out in shiny gold ink with a glossy finish. 

Loved the movie <3

Okay so packaging wise, this gets a A+. This palette is always sitting on my vanity table for display purposes due to it's prettiness. It's amazingly perfect to look at and would make the most beautiful gift for someone! If that person isn't used to amazing eyeshadows...

Some of the eyeshadows close up!

In the pan the eyeshadows look like the most amazing colours. All colours are satin or shimmer texture (no mattes) and very unique colours I rarely see around which is amazing. However..

Swatches of most of the colours, I had to dip my fingers in a few times. :(

When swatched the shadows are incredibly - not exaggerating - sheer. Even with a primer and a base colour, you may have to work to make some shadows show up. On the other hand, a few shadows of the palette are more pigmented but not incredibly amazing like TheBalm Nude'tude palette or the famous UD Naked Palettes. The gel liners in the palettes dry quickly, smudge on application, and are also not very pigmented.

The pros are the shadows do not crease (even if you don't use a primer), and they make good over-shadows for a sheer wash of colour. They are unique colours but require a bit of time and patience during application. Surprisingly, the lip glosses are amazing. If you knew me, you'd know that I intentionally try to avoid palettes which include lip glosses since they are prone to drying and are usually pretty bad quality to start off with. However, the lip glosses in this palette look amazing, have good staying power and don't look like something you can get from a 12 year old Barbie play set - if that makes sense.

Swatches of the three included lip glosses!

Okay so that's my personal opinion of this palette. What it lacks in product pigmentation, it makes up in packaging. The eyeshadows being sheer are my only issue along with the gel liners. The lip glosses were a surprising success. Altogether I was expecting something more impressive for the price but it is a decent product.

If you want to try it out, I bought mine (with my own money) from BeautyBay. You can click the link HERE which will open in a new window.

Stay Beautiful! xx