Forever21 Makeup? Swatches and Review

Last time I was at Forever21 with my sister I picked up a little eyeshadow set to try. I've never tried any beauty products from this store before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, and to be quite honest I didn't have high expectations. The palette cost $6.80 (VERY inexpensive) for 10 shadow colors. Here are some pictures of the colors plus the chic clutch it comes in.

I filmed a haul video for the items I purchased (which will go up tomorrow) and while showing off this set I decided to swatch one of the colors... and realized that it had amazing pigmentation. Here are all the colors swatched on NW20 skin with Urban Decay Primer Potion as a base:

The colors are beautiful! This particular palette is a bit pink heavy but they had other palettes with more neutral colors. I looked online and didn't see this one, so it might be that every store has slightly different ones. This one is from their "Love and Beauty" line and I think it is a great deal for $6.80. The colors are creamy (not super powdery) and have a beautiful shimmer to them. They blend easily and came right off with a MAC wipe. Not only would I completely recommend this palette, but I will be picking up more shadow sets from Forever21 in the future. I think they are incredible quality for a super low cost.

One gripe is the packaging... not the super cute clutch case but the actual plastic packaging the product came in... mine was super beat up and looked like the palette had been thrown around a lot (they all looked like that) but that is hardly a gripe when the product is so great.

Overall thoughts? Worth it!

Product purchased by me.

Elle Fowler

ZPalette Review

For the last few years MAC palettes have been my choice for shadow organization, and in many ways they still are. They are affordable, easy to find (if you live near a MAC), and classic... I love the look of my little black MAC palettes all stacked up. I actually use a DVD holder from the container store to organize them which I find works really well. That being said, I have found another palette company that has been giving my little mac ones some competition. I will quickly insert a picture of a filled up MAC palette vs. a filled up ZPalette:

MAC Palette filled with 15 shadows: (note that you can pop the casing out and fit many more shadows if that interests you... personally I have always been scared to break my palettes). (P.S. I actually feel like saying "awww" when I look at this well loved palette).

Leopard ZPalette filled with 26 shadows:

ZPalette with the lid open (I went picture happy):

The MAC palettes are $14 and the ZPalettes are $20. I like that the ZPalettes have a clear lid so you can see the colors that are in it - I have labeled my mac palettes but sometimes the shadows get switched up and then I can never find what I'm looking for! The entire bottom of the ZPalette is magnetic so you can slap a magnet on the back of any shaped shadow or blush and put it in there. The two palettes are the exact same size, and the Zpalette comes in different colors. I'm loving the leopard print - feels much younger and trendier than solid black. It also comes in a smaller size that holds nine MAC shadows: (MAC also has a palette that holds 4 shadows).

Overall thoughts? I like the ZPalette a lot, and will use it especially when I travel since it fits so much. It is a bit more pricy than the MAC palettes but it feels really sturdy so I think that it would be durable. Another pro is that it won't look as dirty as the black mac palettes - mine get so dusty! I will be using these palettes and might buy a few, but as for completely switching my loyalties? Not yet... we will see :)

ZPalette: http://www.zpalette.com

Mac Palette: http://www.maccosmetics.com

ZPalette received for review consideration.

an eyelash discovery

While applying my very minimal "going on a roadtrip" makeup this morning I made a discovery. My eyelashes are noticeably thicker and longer than normal. Only someone who diligently puts on mascara every day would even notice such a thing. I haven't been dabbling with eyelash growth serums (yet) so my only conclusion is that it must be from the absence of pulling associated with contacts. I have basically left my eyes alone for two weeks now, not rubbing them or pulling on them at all, and I'm wondering if this has something to do with the unexpected lash growth.

Blair and I are driving back to my parents house today, which I am a little nervous about only because I am used to blasting music and singing at the top of my lungs the entire way to pass the time. Blair will most likely sleep the whole way, which means no singing for me.

Here is a breakdown of my minimal but still put together makeup look:


Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - I love this stuff for a quick swipe across your face, but as for everyday foundation, I have moved on to a fuller coverage foundation in her line. I will review that in a seperate post or video once I am sure it doesn't break me out or do anything weird. The tinted moisturizer does exactly what it says - it gives a very faint bit of color and adds a bit of moisture, just make sure to add some powder or bronzer after so you do not look greasy. I just applied with with my fingers.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer - best concealer I have found for under eye circles and other problem zones. Super creamy and easy to blend.

Mac MSF in Medium Deep - way to dark for me as an everyday powder, but this one makes for an excellent bronzer when I am normal colored, and a bronzer/powder when I am spray tanned. It hasn't taken the place of my beloved Nars Laguna bronzer, but it serves as a different purpose. I apply it with my Sigma SS150 brush.

Mac Blush in Sunbasque (not pictured, somehow it got lost in translation) - another color that is a bit too much on my regular, pale skin, but gorgeous when I have a bit of a summer glow. My last spray tan is still holding on a bit, so this color still looks nice on me. This is the only blush I took to LA and I love it! It is described as a gilded peach with pearl - gorgeous!
Speaking of spray tans, I paid the extra 5 dollars for the "extra stay power stuff" that they offered, which I admit sounded a bit gimmicky but I think it actually worked! I got the spray tan on Sunday afternoon, and it is now Friday, and my tan is still nice and glowy.

Mac Rubenesque paint pot - No shadow today, just this paint pot. You can tell it is well loved from the picture - it is a frosted golden peach with gold and pink pearl (could it sound any prettier?). Normally I pair this with a shimmery lid color like mac all that glitters or honesty, but today I am going for minimal.

Fresh Supernova Mascara - One of the products I am diligently using up for project 10 pan, it is almost at the end of it's lifespan.

Korres Lip Butter Quince - I am trying this one out (it was sent to me), and I like it so far. It gives a soft pink color - not nearly as dramatic as I like, but then again, it's just a lip butter. I think this stuff would be really nice to apply before bed.

If I wasn't on a product ban...

I spent a good part of my day today perusing about on Sephora, which was a bad idea considering that I'm on a product buying ban. I have compiled a wish list of what I would want to purchase if I wasn't on p10p - don't be surprised if you see any of these spouting up in my collection when the project is over! I'm such a sucker for the cute packaged gift sets on Sephora - it's one of my favorite parts of Christmas every year because I get a few from my parents. I particularly like shopping on Sephora because they have a great return policy - you can return items even if they are used if you do not enjoy them.

The first one is the new Sephora LashStash. I have tried two of the previous lashstash's and found some amazing mascaras in them. I like these because you get to try out 10 deluxe sample sized mascaras for $39. That sounds like a lot, but it's not when you think that you could not even purchase 2 of these full sized mascaras with the same amount of money. This is what is included:

• Hourglass Superficial Lash
• Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara
• Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing and Strengthening Mascara
• Benefit A Little Bit BADGal Lash Mascara
• Smashbox Lash DNA
• Laura Mercier Thickening and Building Mascara
• Fresh Supernova
• Sephora Lash Stretcher
• Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain
• Cargo LashActivator

Out of these I have tried the Fresh SuperNova, which I LOVED (it might be one of my p10p completions), and Benefit BadGal, which I also liked. The other ones I have never tried, so this sample set would be great for trying out lots of mascaras to find my new favorite! You know, since I just had eye surgery it would probably be good for me to throw out ALL of my used mascaras and start over, you know... so I don't get any infections :p These sell out so quickly though, I wouldn't be surprised if they were gone before I finish p10p.


The next one had me swooning - I didn't realize this existed? If I could try one new thing right now, this would be it. It's the new NARS Orgasm Illuminator and it looks beautiful! The blurb on Sephora says, "NARS Orgasm Illuminator lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic." I must admit, the name always makes me blush a bit, but I have the blush and I do really love it. It's not famous for no reason, ya know? For anyone who has tried it, please let me know if it is worth it! This will be one of the first items I pick up after p10p, unless I hear it is horrible.


Another brand that is known for it's "cute packaged gifts" is Benefit. I looked through all the ones they have online now and fell in love with the Legally Bronzekit. It comes with a hoola bronzer, which I have used up and loved, a high beam (which is like a highlighter, kinda like the NARS one), a gilded which is a tequila-gold colored eyeshadow pencil (which you can't buy separately it seems, I looked), and a badgal brown mascara. This kit seems like it would give the perfect summer glow :) The best part is that it is only $35! That is NOT bad for 4 full sized products. The only thing missing is a that "gal primer", which I really want to try!


One brand I have never tried but have always wanted to is Philosophy. I have heard great things about this brand from several people, and I love their packaging! Are there any products worth trying? What about their famous Hope in a Jar? Let me know if I am missing out, or if it is worth just skipping :)

Another item, that wouldn't be on my wishlist because I have all the products, but I just wanted to share because this is what I have been using on my face, is the Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit. It comes with a mini foundation primer, a mini tinted moisturizer, an undercover pot, a secret camouflage brush, a camouflage powder brush, a velour puff, and an egg-shaped sponge. This is a bit expensive at $65, but Laura Mercier is expensive in general, and it gives you a chance to try out a ton of her products for the price of one product.


Let me know what your wishlist items are! Or, if you have recently gotten any new beauty products tell me what you think! What is worth it, and what it not?

Elle Fowler