Mascara Madness: LANCÔME Hypnôse Star Mascara.

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Mascara finishes any great eye look, so how does this LANCÔME mascara measure up?

I love mascara and i often find that I really do need it to finish and top of my lashes. Since i wear glasses I do feel that I need something on my lashes so they "don't get lost" behind my lenses. Now saying all that my favorite mascara to date is the Benefit BadGal Lash Mascara. This gives me length and volume and its just perf...... Anyways back to the LANCÔME Hypnôse Star Mascara. 

I do actually like it... #shocker i know right? But, isnt there always a but in one of my reviews?? I love the effect it gives, but i wont be purchasing it.

There are two pretty big reasons why I wont be taking the plunge on this one and getting a full size.

First off... this has FRAGRANCE. Yes gurl your read that right, it is fragranced! Ive never had a mascara that is fragranced. Have you? No? Yeah me neither. The eye are is such a sensitive area, i cant believe they would basically perfume a mascara. It is strong, a few times while testing this for a month, my eyes actually watered!!! This is not something i want to happen after ive just applied a precise eye makeup!

The next thing is that the wand in this one is interesting, not bad by any means, it is like flat. It is not rounded but it does flare out on the sides and you can use this just as a traditional wand. It has great maneuverability and you can get even the smallest of small lashes covered. I know what your thinking.... ok Dee Dee whats the problem then? The problem is you ABSOLUTELY have to blot the tip of this because (im guessing for the wand shape) it holds a ton of product on the tip of the wand. Its not cute gurl. There is so much product on the end of the wand if you dont blot it you will run the risk of a gluppy mess.

What they say:

This mascara dresses lashes in intense volume, unfolding a new vision of glamour inspired by Betty Boop and top model Daria Werbowy. The formula's "black-diamond effect" imparts a glossy gel-like finish. The dual-action brush has a flat side for optimizing product deposit at the lash line while the rounded side separates, defines, and lengthens.

I will say they are right about the formula! I Love the formula. It gives me a beautiful black inky almost shiny look. It doesnt flake or smudge. I have worn this for 10 hours and i didnt have any problems out of it. One thing that i did like is that it wasnt runny. I have watery eyes and if i can keep my fingers out of my eyes it didnt run, amazing! I never had one mascara black tear at all. 

Why, Lancome, why? Why you gotta do me this way? I love this but i wont buy it, the idea of fragrance in a mascara? Somebody somewhere in this company shoulda been like 'Hold up, whatchu just say? perfume what? NaWh son, we cant do that' ya know cause frangrance is an IRRITANT!

Tell me in the comments what kind of mascara would you like to see a review on?

XoXo

Dee Dee

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Dear MAC, An Open Letter

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Dear Mac,

What happened boo? Has there been a restructuring? Has there been shake up? Have you lost touch with you core standard and beliefs? Have you completely gone of the rails, and lost touch with your consumer in favor of a Get Rich Quick Ponzi Scheme??? Ding Ding Ding. At least one of those statements are true! Behold I give you the promo images for the new Limited Edition (is anyone surprised?) Maleficent Collection. 

What, What, What is going on here? At first when I saw these images leaked online, I thought this was a joke. I'm not kidding here y'all. This looks like a branding officer was just chillaxing in Bora Bora one weekend (like you do, like you do) and it suddenly hit him that the rough draft for this collex had to be turned in soon. So whilst sipping piña coladas and getting a "SpeCiaL" message from a cabana boy named Jacques he cobbled this little jewel together on a 1st generation iPad. Again... I'm not kidding. 

It's just same ol same ol. Like can you even handle this right now? Where is the innovation? Where is the must-have packaging? This is just lackluster at best! The problem with MAC is that they have stumbled upon a business plan that brings in money hand over fist. What's the problem with that?? They've become a joke. The ENDLESS limited editions collections create a frenzy and makes you feel like you need it, only to get it and be horribly dissapointed! Another by product of this frenzy is that there are those people who I kid you not, will buy 9 of the same lipstick color because she knows it won't be available again (maybe in a few years) and then that makes it harder for others to find it. 

So what happens is there is such a limited supply that it does feel special. But that's not the case. The fact is Mac could produce more quantity but then the lack of quality would be more of an issue.   Why MAC, why??? Your breaking my heart you know that? I'm taking all my $$ to sephora, ohKay. The (un)limited releases are just endless, repetitive, disappointing and not necessary. I would really like to see MAC overhaul their whole vision when it comes to limited releases. I think 12 well edited, perfectly put together collections would be ideal! They could actually spend quality time on research and development of amazing new products! Why is this not happening? Why do they release 80 collections a year? 

This is turning into a bad breakup adu. 

 

MAC I'm begging you ... Get your shit together. 

XoXo

Dee Dee

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DrugStore Gems: Maybelline Color Elixir Lip Color

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Maybe its Maybelline, and maybe it doesn’t suck!!!!

Shocker, Surprise, Hell  just might be experiencing a frost. I like them!! I orginally only picked up one (as you should always do when trying out new formulas from any brand at any price range). I got Vision inViolet 040 (obvs there really wasnt any other option). And I really do like it. 

The formula is smooth but thick. When im researching products to buy I often turn to the the all knowing internet, and I saw one review say that these where water thin..... What was she trying ‘cause these babies is THICK. Thick but not sticky, kind of cushy similar to Fresh Sugar Lip Balm if it was a liquid, which its so soft it almost is.... #tangent Sorry.

The thickness is understandable considering how these are marketed as a lipcolor balm, with concentrated pigment. I also found these deceptively moisturizing, yah know what I mean?? Yes, no, Maybe?? What I mean is that they feel great on, very comfortable but after they wear away there is not true lasting moisturizing feeling. 

The texture on these babies does lend itself to a downside.... Or 3. The thickness can (hmmm how could you describe it....) thin out once it warms up so there is a tendency to bleed, and pool in the corners of your mouth #seXXXy. As moisturizing as they feel, they don't last long 30-45 mins MAX. Like also did I mention that they is THICK..... theres no way you can forget that you have these little babies on, There is obviously something on your lips.

So I went back and got 2 more. This time I picked up Rose Redefined 090, and Raspberry Rhapsody 030. I might pick up Dashing Orchid 035, but im not to sure I have a lot of lip products. 

What Maybelline Says:

Fall under the spell of the elixir effect
Hyper-saturated color, ultra cushiony feel
The new hypnotic lip sensation

Why You'll Love It

A trio of concentrates delivers the color of a lipstick, the cushiony care of a balm, and the glass shine of a gloss

Our exclusive smoothing angora brush delivers a polished , even application and smoothing sensation to lips

For Best Results

Apply lipcolor with applicator wand starting in the center of your upper lip. Work from the center to the outer edges of your lip, following the contours of your mouth. Then glide across the entire bottom lip.

If your looking for a drugstore option of a true to color moisturizing lipgloss give these a try I actually (and I cant believe im going to say this....) really do enjoy them, they are just lovely.

XOXO

Dee Dee

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Chanel is killing me!!!

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Chanel why would you release such pretties when Mama got no monies?? 

Oh so Sultry...

Leave it to Chanel to release 15 lipsticks, 3 glossimers, 3 long wear liquid lipsticks, and 9 (you saw that right yes 9) lipliners in one massive collection.

I'll take one of each, please...

That moment when you look at a new collection and realize you wont be paying your cell phone bill this month...

Rouge Coco 62 Irresistible, rosewood with silver shimmers. (#MaMaWantRealBad)
Rouge Coco Shine 90 Mutine, soft iridescent pink with silver shimmer.
Rouge Coco Shine 92 Émotion, rosy plum + intense shine. (#MaMaWant)
Rouge Allure 145 Rayonnante, deep fuchsia with mauve shimmer. (#MaMaISDying)
Rouge Allure Velevet 47 L’Amoureuse, an intense rosewood. (#OneOfErrTHANG)
Glossimer 182 Tocade, plum gloss. (#MustHave)
Rouge Double Intensite 46 Deep Rose*, deep pink plum (permanent).
Le Crayon Levres 26 Pretty Pink, violet-plum pink silver shimmer. (#illTake2)
Le Crayon Levres 58 Rubellite, deep pink. (#FUChanel4DoingTHis)
Aqua Crayon 21 Plum*, plum.
*only available in certain markets

Mama Like pIIIIIInK...

So Many Lipsticks, So Little Time.....

Rouge Coco 54 Le Baiser, intense pink golden shimmer (permanent). (#IwantErrThang)
Rouge Coco Shine 91 Boheme, fresh radiant red. (Im Looking for a good red)
Rouge Coco Shine 87 Rendez-Vous, intense bluish pink (permanent).
Rouge Allure 138 Fougeuse, lively uncompromising pink (permanent).
Rouge Allure Velvet 46 La Malicieuse, brilliant velvet red. (#Never2ManyLipsticks)
Glossimer 179 Murmure, soft candy pink (permanent)
Rouge Double Intensite 54 Strawberry Red*, soft red.
Le Crayon Levers 48 Bois de Rose, classic for all tones
Le Crayon Levres 88 Rose Clair, timeless soft pink.
*only available in certain markets

Zero Fucks will be give to orange.

Not getting a one of these! Orange does nothing for me.....

Rouge Coco 61 Cheri, delicate peach.
Rouge Coco Shine 69 Flirt, apricot coral (permanent).
Rouge Coco Shine 89 Satisfaction, intense sophisticated beige.
Rouge Allure 144 Conquise, satiny apricot.
Rouge Allure Velvet 43 La Favorite, intense, matte luminous coral (permanent).
Glossimer 181 Bliss, peach with golden shimmer.
Rouge Double Intensite 53 Coral Peach*,  easy-to-wear coral peach.
Le Crayon Levres 34 Natural, deep beige.
Le Crayon Levres 89 Beige Satin, powdery pink beige.
*only available in certain markets


Ok so by my calculations there are 12 items i wanna pick up from this "little" collection..... Aye Dios Mio, why you doing this to me Chanel??? My favorite is definately the berry part of the collection, which is understandable these are my favorite type of lipstick colors on me. I just think they suit my skin tone the best, and lip shape and size. So are you going to be picking anything up from this collection? I just love Chanel but dang, they are hitting my wallet hard.

For some more info check out Im A Beauty Geek.


XOXO
Dee Dee

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Oh, Urban Decay your getting A Touch Ratchet.

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Do You Cry GLITTER??

Oh Urban Decay... What happened boo. We used to be BFF's. We used to ride or die. We used to be tight. We used to be close. USED to be being the operative word in all those statements.

Oh UD you had me with all teh pretties. The sparkles. The purples. The shiny new packaging. Like Urban Decay had me at hello. So you can imagine how excited i was when i peeped the Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Intergalactic. I was jazzed like a baby beauty queen on go go juice.

But when this launched it got some interesting reviews mainly from Temptalia. Which was a little less than favorable, but Liana really loved them. So figuured why not just go ahead and give it a try..... I thought wrong.

What i was looking for was a purple-y dark greyish color to be used as a single shadow on the lid. I wanted something super reflective and metallic. BUT what i got was FALLOUT like a #Beast. Glitter streaks resembling tears (When you havent actually been crying), and worst of all the dreaded glitter migration (It has to find a better home obvi). I mean even when you swatch this the glitter gets err- where and you will randomly find it in obscure places on you body hours later. Its kind of like fast acting Herpes.

Its just I cant its so I cant there are no words to describe the immense feelings of dread and hatred at the epic fail of this shadow.... No, there are words apparently.

The greatest glitter related tragedy since Mariah Carey made her motion picture debute in a "critically acclaimed" moving picture in hi-def technicolor. 

Not recommended for really anyone, im not a fan, just dont do it. Trust in Temptalia (at least one this one) and skippity skip boo.

XOXO
Dee Dee

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My Most Used Powder Brushes

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Real Techniques, Sephora IT, Rite Aid Renewal, Real Techniques

I love me some makeup brushes y'all. Call me what you will:

Makeup Artist

Esthetician

Beauty Blogger

Makeup Addict

Hoarder 

Yah know whatevs.. 

As many brushes as I do own, there are several that I continually reach for, and you might be surprised to find out which ones are my most used. I have all kinds of brushes ranging in price from $3 to $100.

My most used personal brushes doesnt necessarily mean most expensive or most luxurious. My most used brushes comes down to ease of use and most importantly how easy are they to clean.

The Real Techniques Blush Brush is $8.99 at Ulta. This one is marketed as a blush brush, and i can see why, it is tapered  to a point with a larger belly/body for blending. All of those thing make it good for blush, it just doesn fit into my preferred blush style. I like this one for applying translucent powder because I pick up the product with the point and blend with the rest of the brush. This is a synthetic hair brush.

The Sephora IT Precise Natural Powder Brush #121 this one is discontinued, but can still be found on eBay. This one is a flat paddle style brush with an almost sharp (relative term) point. This one would be excellent for bronzer and contour because of that point but i love it for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder, in ethereal light. I can apply it where I want it (basically all over setting powder.... hey #yolo) and really work it into the high points of the face, and blend blend blend. This is a natural hair brush.

The Rite Aid Renewal Face Brush is $7-9 (depending on where you are and what kind of sale is going on). This was definitely a 2013 beauty discovery. This brush is AMAZING!! and as a general rule i automatically hate cheap cosmetics and brushes. These things w0w. It is very dense and most importantly washes very easy. It is one of the densest brushes i have. The bristles are made out of taklon which is also what the Real Techniques brushes are made of. This is also about the same quality of the Real Techniques. I use this for foundation powder and finishing powder. This is a synthetic hair brush.

The Real Techniques Large Powder Duo Fiber Brush is $19.99 and comes in a set with 2 other brushes. This IS limited edition yall so get on dis quick!!! I love this one and use it for all of the above, This does give a lighter application so if you prefer the no makeup makeup look, this one is for you. The bristles are very loosely packed and it feels great on the skin. This is a synthetic hair brush.

Finally what i look for in my own makeup application is something that never lets me down, can me easily be cleaned, BUT mostly im looking for something if I loose or destroy I wont be heartbroken and bankrupt.

Tell me in the comments, tweet me, instagram me,  or whatevs, what is your most used, most beloved powder brushes?? Which ones do i need to check out.?

PRO TIPS: People dont like to pay top dollar for cheap tools. If your a makeup artist save all the pennies, pick up a part time job, just whatever you need to. Brides do not really want a makeup artist for the look, they want a makeup artist for the experience, for the luxury, and the memory of their special day.

XOXO
Dee Dee

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Buxom Serial Kisser

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You better WERK. 

How much effort are you willing to put into your lipstick? Will it change your mind if I told you it was amazing lipstick? The Buxom Serial Kisser Set is a set of 5 mini size of Buxom's Full Bodied Lipstick. Can I just say w0w! I had never tried this formula before so I had no problem jumping in feet first as they say, and i'm glad I did....... but

These are some of the softest lipsticks i've ever tried. So creamy in fact that they have a hard time keeping their shape in the bullet. Its more akin to smearing room temperature butter on your lips than a lipstick. I guess we can go ahead and call it what it is, an extremely pigmented lip butter. The difference comes in with the lasting power. These little babies (by themselves) have an above average lasting power, which is around 3-4 hours for me. Where they shine is with the help of a lip pencil, with the lip pencil they will last forEVEr. I would recommend completely filling in your lips with either a nude color or one similar to the lipstick in shade, tone, etc. BUT these lipsticks will slide right off you face in the heat.

Highly pigmented?  Check
Long Lasting?         Check
Color Options?        Check

Creamy Texture?     Amen!

The darker color especially but even the lightest color DID stain my lips. Which is something I actually like, it wears away in a way that is not obvious or distracting. It does not wear away patchy, clingy, or gross (obligatory -y ending averted, your welcome).

Soooooo in closing, I DO love'em and I think they are great, I'm glad I picked them up and i'm going to use them, but I dont think I will ever pick up another one, hey it gets #HotInTennesseeYall. 

BUT I will be depoting these babies into another container, idk maybe a palette of some kind. They are just so soft they dont have the fortitude to withstand application direct from the tube. 

XOXO

Dee Dee

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Lorac UnZipped: Unpopular Opinion Time

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Sometimes I just cant, with the hype yall.

 "nice"

The Lorac Unzipped palette is available by itself and is also featured in several of Lorac's Holiday sets. I've had this palette for quite a while now, so I wanted to throw my 2 cents into the mix. Needless to say it's Not Hot. At least in my opinion anyway. The problem is that its not bad, but its just not good either.?? IDK what is going on here people, be one or the other. Be loved or be hated but why be indifferent??? Whats up with that. Oh and on the realZ really interesting and unique names Lorac, home run.... (nope that doesnt start with a 'Un') oh im sorry unimpressed. 

The texture of these shadows is rather interesting. In a sarcastic way that is. They are prone to fallout, so avoid your trusty MAC 217 (and those similar) when applying these babies. I'm familiar with fallout, she has been my constant companion while working with this palette. The matte's are hard and have far less than great color payoff. The metallic's are beautiful but  many are "see-thru" or "delicate" aka mediocre and average. Oh and...... did i mention

Fallout like a #BEAST

Undercover, Unbelievable

Unattainable, Unconditional

Unbridled, Undiscovered

Unreal, Uncensored (Ooops I lost the swatchy swatchy pics!)

Unspoken, Untamed 

The funny thing is, is that if I was not a sophisticated makeup maven (or as my mom says: "obsessed, addicted, delusional, hoarder") I would have loved these shadows. It is solely for the fact that I have tried out so many different brands and textures that I can firmly say that these are just adequate, average, ok, and The Kiss of Death in the makeup world..... nice. Funny enough a lot of the shadows remind me of MAC and those textures.

I mean a real testament about this palette is that i've had it since its original release in 2012 and i've only used it 10-12 times and that includes 10 times trying to work with it for review purposes.

Some RAW thoughts on the colors:

Undercover- perfect pale girl brow bone matte highlighter. Stiff and dry feeling ok color payoff. Similar to MAC Brule but a little brighter and a little more pigmented.

Unbelievable- Looks can be deceiving.... In the pan it looks like a mid-toned bronze but swatches and applies like a bronzed pink and I mean shimmery  piiiiiink. I would say its metallic pink. Blends ok

Unattainable- Hello fallout my name is “Unattainable” darker than “Unbelievable” this is her older more expireced sister. A Pink-y bronzed taupe (I just cant with color descriptors yall im sorry). Probably best as a lid color, I wouldnt venture into the crease with this one.

Unconditional- kinda resembles MAC Quarry but not really (70% dupe). Another stiff and dry matte, im not getting chills here girls. Best for crease and blending out.

Unbridled- uggh with this matte texture. Stiff dry on repeat on da reg. Why why why. Kind of like a dark chocolate. 

Undiscovered- BFF’s with fallout. Friends & Fallout?? Good all over lid color, but you will need something in the crease, very one dimensional. Close to a perfect dupe of MAC All that Glitters, if thats your thang....

Unreal- perfect dupe for MAC Grand Entrance and similar in texture and color payoff.

Uncensored- Taupe-y ok pigment with some but not as much fallout as some of the other colors in the palette. Similar to Inglot #402 but bronzier and a smidge bit more red. (also not as awesome)

Unspoken- Finally!!! The texture is tight and right. Great matte color great color payoff, wow omg was it that hard LORAC?? Similar in finger swatches to MAC Charcoal Brown, but where Charcoal Brown is lacking in pigmentation this one is not, EXCELLENT pigmentation. Hey 1 out of 10 aint bad right?

Untamed- Fallout, TN yall. This is a beautiful color its a dark reddened chocolate metallic brown. I thought I had close dupes, but I dont they all needed to be mixed with something else, so im not even going to mention them, I mean come-on aint nobody got time for that. 

So I know your thinking, "Ok who IS this good for?" I would recommend this for the obsessed makeup lover, who might not have 673 brown eyeshadows. People that travel. Makeup Newbies who do not have a lot of palettes or might have issues making color pairing and combos. Hoarders that just NEED it (ya feel me?). Also this would be good for those few persons (possibly in the witness protection program) that have not tried the Lorac Pro palette because there are to many sultry shades in it.

Dont get me wrong its nice, its just not life altering (or good for that matter).  To me its not worth $40 alone or as a focal point for a larger Christmas set. AND thats the bottom line 'cause Dee Dee said so.....

XOXO

Dee Dee

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Laura Mercier Holiday 2013 ~ Artist Eye Palette

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Laura Makes me happy happy happy.

all teh pretties

Laura's offering this year is very exciting! I know, its a shocker that I am excited about new a new makeup release right? I missed out of last years holiday palette, and I still find myself thinking......... what if? Why did I wait so long? Well this year I did not go for a repeat makeup failure. I snatched it up quick from Sephora when I had a F&F code. Oh gurl, i'm glad i got it for sure.

Finger Swatches are sometimes a necessary demon....

12 colors that can produce a litany of looks from the lightest of wearable corporate appropriate day ware  all the way down (or up depending on how you look at it) to a sultry smokey eye. The colors include 6 matte shades 3 shimmer shades and 3 satin shades.

Sparkling Dew,  Guava,  African Violet 

Plum Smoke,  Kir Royal, Violet Ink

Vanilla Nuts,  Primrose,  Fresco

Bamboo,  Truffle,  Espresso

My only little thing which might or might not be an issue for some is that some of the shadows are so easily blendable that they can be over blended, and blended out to almost non-existant.

Here are some RAW thoughts on the colors in this baby.

Sparkling Dew- soft beige with a hint of shimmer but not really, maybe a sateen texture. Lovely inner corner, or base color. Close to MAC Orb

Guava- Shimmer-ish light pink. This does not give me chills its just nice.

African Violet- Typical shimmer texture and feel. A burgundy - brown mix. Pulls brown or purple depending on colored base. Similar in color tone (if that makes sense) to bamboo except that one is brown, so either a purple look or a brown look.

Plum Smoke- Matte. Mix of colors grey, purple, medium brown. Da BOMB for crease and blending out a sultry look. Plum Smoke + African Violet = love at first sight (think 6th grade when possibilities abounded)

Kir Royal- Texture of a shimmer without the shimmer. Satin? Applies like BUTTAH wow lovely color. Burberry Mulberry seems like a close dupe. Im thinking I have an Inglot color ???? Very close if not dead on.

Violet Ink- Matte dark purple....‘nough said. Along the lines of MAC Fig 1.

Vanilla Nuts- Matte my skin tone in a pan THE brow bone highlight for me. Thanks to Laura I will not need to use another shadow with any look I do.

Primrose- Pink shimmer much better color than Guava. Blends like buttah. 

Fresco- Matte. 2nd warmest in palette. Blends good, with almost a ruddy undertone.

Bamboo- Golden shimmery neutral. AKA brown yall. To base color is a bronze-y brown but the micro-micro shimmers in it are golden and flash with a hint of red, so it leans a little warm. When I look at it I think Inglot 402.

Truffle- Matte. Warmest color in the palette. IMO the best matte in the bunch. You would think that a matte chocolate brown would be easy to dupe but you would be wrong, I cant think of one off the top of my head.

Espresso Bean- Dark Matte Ashy brown pulls like a dark slate grey on me. LOTS of grey in this one. Best bet for outer corner or liner. Blendable not dry.

Swatchy, Swatchy

If you can get your hands on this, dont let it slip through your fingers. While it does lead a little warmer on my skin than I prefer, its still a winner. I am so glad I was able to get my hands on this one this year. This one is an all encompassing perfect travel palette for all skin tones, thanks to the depth of color choices. AH-maz-IN.

Highly recommended!


XOXO
Dee Dee

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