We all know how ladies get when it comes to chocolate. But when it comes to chocolate AND make up, things can get a little bit crazy. Too Faced has recently launched their new "Semi-Sweet" Chocolate Bar [Their second chocolate bar eyeshadow palette] and this past Christmas I was fortunate enough to receive this from Colton [Thanks bae!] First impression, the box packaging is too adorable.  It's Too Faced, their packaging are always too cute so pass on! The palette is a metal container just like the first chocolate palette but because it's "Semi Sweet" its packaged as a milk chocolate brown rather than a dark chocolate brown like the first one is [That was clever]. And of course, just like the first one the aroma of this palette is... Hmmm... Let's just say... Delicious because of the hydrating antioxidant-rich cocoa powder the shadows are made with. Can we talk about the names??? Talk about candy for your eyes! Now, before purchasing an eyeshadow palette I always like to swatch the pigments because we all know how expensive these palettes can get and we want to make sure we get our money's worth [Right? RIGHT!] When I first swatched a couple of these pigments I'll be honest, they were a bit disappointing because of how dull and lifeless they were [ I'm talking about the nude browns and pinks].  But maybe I thought that's why it's a "Semi Sweet" [Way to be clever again, Too Faced]. But what wasn't disappointing were the darker browns and golds! They are gorgeous for the crease and even for the lids.  Perfect for those New Year's parties coming up.  Below I swatched my absolute favorite eye shadows with a flash camera. This palette always comes with two highlights.  One is matte and the other is shimmer. The matte [Coconut Creme] I had a hard time liking because it took me multiple swatches to get a rich pigment and the shimmer [Butter Pecan... Again the names!] is three times pigmented than Coconut Creme and it's actually pretty gorgeous.

Price: $49
Pros: THE NAMES! | Shimmers > | Good for literally NUDE looks... Trust me
Cons: 75% of palette is not pigmented rich | Not worth the price | Packaging could be sturdier
Repurchase: Most Likely Not

Rum Raisin | Caramel | Bon Bon | Peanut Butter | Hot Fudge | Cocoa Chili

Also on Cyber Monday, I had a lash bash and totally took advantage of House of Lashes sales [20% off + Free shipping].  Of course my lashes that I've been always wanting [Heartbreaker + Temptress Wispy] were sold out and STILL IS sold out [HOW?] I still got a really good deal on 4 sets of stunning lashes for only $70!  Each set of 3 pairs ranges to about $18-$30 depending what styles you get, but for this sale I seriously got each set for about $17.50 [without tax] and that's pretty amazing especially if you're looking for quality lashes.  Now, I'm all about lashes with thick bands [Iconic, Pixie Luxe, Starlet].  But what I didn't know is that the lashes in the cute, blue and pink packages are NOT [Which I didn't know... but now I frickin do] and I didn't know how I felt because I'm not use to putting lashes on with clear and flexible bands.  But they do give a really pretty, natural pop to your eyes [Let me emphasize NATURAL... no joke] and if you ladies are into that natural and effortless look [I picked up Bambie, Bohemian Princess, and Bombshell]. Of course Bohemian Princess and Bombshell are a tea bit denser than Bambie, they still look natural [Not too long, not too short, and still very natural].  What I love about Bambie though, is the clear band and how every other cluster of lash is long which allows your natural lashes to poke through and ugh, it is absolutely adorable.  I did also pick up a set of lashes with the thick bands that I love wearing.  They're called Noir Fairy in the pink packaging.  Very similar to the Iconic's [My absolute go to!] except there are a tiny bit more and longer hair towards the center of the band which I love, whereas the Iconic is just a perfect gradient of short to longer lashes toward the ends.  Overall,  I love the both and they're perfect for cat eyes, smokey eyes, or even just an oomph on the eyes. You guys, they are also out with three  pink, blue, and lavender] premium / limited edition lash gift sets perfect for duh, gifts! They are $65-$70 for seven of their lashes [Original retails $80-90], utterly amazing deal, and the packaging on the website looks too cute to pass up! Check them out on the link below and can I get a hell yeah to lashaholics?!

http://houseoflashes.com/

Cyber Monday sales surely did kick off this holiday season! Since I was in SoCal that weekend, I decided to skip the crazy crowds and endless lines & finally take part of Cyber Monday sales instead. Who would pass up Sedona Lace's 50% everything and anything sale?!?! I had my eyes on their Vortex Professional Make up brushes for the longest time and my wait for them to come in the mail was agonizing! They originally retail for $99.95 and I got them for half the price before they were sold out the next few hours! The new year calls for new brushes and I am too stoked to try these suckers out especially with new techniques with the new shapes and densities the brushes entail. I also checked out their 12 Concealer palettes as well for about $7 [Talk about a steal right?] What I absolutely love about the concealer is the green [on the far left bottom corner].  I have to almost always use a green concealer to cover up my port wine stain on my right cheek and I'm also stoked to finally try a new cover up. Reviews?

http://www.sedonalace.com/Cosmetic-Brushes/53/Vortex-Professional-Makeup-Brushes-without-Belt.aspx
 
http://www.sedonalace.com/Cosmetics/247/12-Color-Camouflage-Concealer-Palette.aspx

 

I'm not sure the reason, but it's always around the holiday season that I get more crazed and obsessed with make up and beauty products.  This past Thanksgiving weekend, I was in SoCal and although this wasn't the best shopping trip ever, I'm still happy and excited with the pick ups I got from Lush, Sephora, and MAC [Thank you boyfriend!].  My lippie game has been lifeless for the past several months and so I dedicated my whole MAC/Sephora trip to some new lip liners, lipsticks [If you don't know MAC products, they are absolutely rich in application and longevity] and I also collected the TooFaced Lip Injection Extreme. I'll be sure to do a review on the long term results with the lip plumper, but already trying it for one night has been an experience. Now when looking for a new conturing palette, my urge to Smashbox's was killing me but I just went with my gut and picked up  Nars' contour blush. Overall, the conturing is effortless and natural looking. Not forget to mention the highlight that it comes with is absolutely gorgeous! Can't wait to try new looks and I can't wait even longer for my cyber monday packages to come in the mail!

I've always been a huge fan of Lush's bath bombs and bubble bars [Who isn't?] But when I heard the hype about their hair products, I knew I had to get up on that hype. I picked up a shampoo, conditioner, hair treatment/mask, and also a body/face mask. Swatching them in store, they smell absolute fresh and organic [Because they are!] and I guarentee that they won't leave my locks disappointed. Review coming soon!