Ulta: NYX Cosmetics Haul/ Review *Part I*

Side Note: Before I start, I wanted to say thank you again to all those who have been joining my giveaway! :) There's still plenty of time to join! I'm actually quite shocked people are still joining everyday considering I haven't had the chance to spread the word around. So, THANK YOU to those have been posting on your sidebars and blog posts! I really, really appreciate it! I have, however, noticed some cheaters. BECAUSE of that, I won't be recording everyone's entries UNTIL THE END of the giveaway. I know most people don't do this until the end in the first place, but I was trying to keep track of everyone's entries at the end of each day so it doesn't get to crazy for me. But since I've noticed some cheaters already, I guess I will have to wait until the end to make sure everyone is keeping their giveaway entries honest. Thanks, guys!!! I can't wait to see who wins! :) I'm quite excited to pack it up nice and pretty and send the goodies to it's lovely new home. <3

Now, the long overdue NYX post.. FINALLY, right?! I know I USED to update like crazy, but lately I've been overwhelmed with a few personal things and haven't had much time to update. It's been a while since I did a REAL makeup-related post, so here it is! :D These are all my honest opinions and I think I've been using these products long enough to have a good, strong opinion on them at this point. These are still all my own opinions on how these products work for me. Anyone else's experiences or opinions could be very different.

So, everyone has a favorite eye primer or base. My favorite is the ever so popular, Urban Decay Primer Potion. But I like finding things that work just as well as the higher end products, with lower end prices. I think I've found it in NYX eye shadow bases!!! :D SCORE for me! If you haven't tried these, you definitely must. I think sometimes it works even TOO well.

There are two different kinds I decided to try (and love both!). I like the jars better than wand applicators, but the HD was pricier and I wanted to see just how different it was to the regular skin tone base.

HD High Definition Eye Shadow Base

• Has a wand applicator.
• Creamy liquid texture.
• Amazing for bright color eye shadows! Makes colors really POP!
• Eye shadow lasts ALL day and night. The 24-hours later, the color was STILL just as vibrant. It won't even smudge in the slightest when I try to rub it off really hard.
• Great for if you know you're going to be sweating or partying hard!
• I would definitely say this is well up there with the Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Skin Tone Eye Shadow Base (ESB03)

• Comes in a little jar (my personal preference).
• Thick creamy texture.
• Matches my skin tone, so it works great as a concealer with awesome coverage!
• This base is my favorite for an everyday neutral makeup.
• This eye shadow doesn't last as long as the HD base, but the colors are still much more intense than no base at all and it will last throughout the whole day.

So next, I picked out this neutral shimmery trio eye shadow palette (TS15). The first two colors look so different in the palette, but look VERY similar in the palette (which I did NOT like at all).

• Soft, satin texture. Goes on very smoothly.
• Colors won't stand out or last without a primer or base.

• Love that the "True Taupe" is more of a matte color with just the slightest, almost unnoticeable shimmer.

(An everyday natural eye look I created using these eye shadows.)

I've been on the longest journey trying to find the perfect eyebrow pencil/ shadow! My absolute favorite was the Philosophy retractable (can't remember the exact name!) one, but that was discontinued..

OMG! Don't you hate it when your all-time favorite whatever gets discontinued?! I'm thinking.. WHY?!!! It's a great product and people love! Why in the world would you end it's glory?!

Anyways, back to what I was saying.. I guess the Anastasia "Perfect Brow Pencil" works pretty well too.. But the thing is, I don't want to spend $22 on something just for your brows! I know I probably spent so much more in buying all these different things to compare, but I NEED to find a more affordable go-to eyebrow pencil. I like using both pencil AND shadow typically, but I used only used each of these one at a time to show you how they looked on me. (I still think the Anastasia gives a much more natural look than these NYX eyebrow products.) Don't be disgusted with my thin no-brows!!! LOL, I made the mistake of going tweezer happy when I was younger and the hairs never fully came back.. *sad bear*..

• Eyebrow Cake Powder - I like that it doesn't look as sharp. It looks slightly more natural and I can go as thick as I want. The powder grabs onto the little bits of hair that I do have quite nicely, but it looks funny on the areas lacking hair..
• Push-Up Bra for Eyebrows - I love the highlighter end of the stick, it really does make your brow bones much more prominent and it's awesome as a base too! The pencil gives it more of a defined brow look, but I don't like it's texture. It can glide on a bit cakey/ chunky.. Definitely have to make sure to sweep it with a brow brush a couple time to smooth it out.

• Love how versatile these jumbo eye pencils can be! Can be used as a thick liner, base, or highlighter.
• Once again, lasts longer with a base underneath.
• I don't like how they smudge easily.

NYX Rouge Cream Blush

• Creamy and bright enough to be used on the lips too!
• Don't like how easily it stains your cheeks before you get to rub it around. I'd use a brush, slightly tap some color onto it, and with your brush, tap your cheek areas before rubbing it around with your fingers.
• Don't like how overwhelming this color can get! It doesn't spread that easily..

NYX Round Case Lipsticks

• Love how moisturizing these lipsticks feel!
• Colors are bright and very pigmented.
• Lighter colors NEVER look good on dry lips.. LOL, the cracks on your lips will be very disgustingly noticeable! (I definitely had to Carmax it up before I applied the Narcissus & S. Milk!)

NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil (724 Chaos)

• Just as pigmented and moisturizing as the lipsticks!!! Not drying at ALL like most lip pencils.
• Because it's in pencil form, it's easier to shape and define your lips.
• Works amazing as a lip stain! Apply and blot with a tissue for a more matte finish.
• This specific color is my favorite!! Now, THAT'S what I call a Barbie pink shade! I've had so many people ask me what color and brand it is. Well, here it is! :D

A final look! (DAMN! My forehead looks BIGGG!)

Using these NYX products!

Haha, I know you can't really tell much of a difference.

^______^ Well, that's the end of this post! I have many more to come, hopefully I can make some time to post those up soon. I went a little crazy on CherryCulture.com (Spend $40 and it's free shipping!! US residents only though..) and will show you my newest NYX goodies as soon as those arrive! Thanks everyone for making me motivated to come on here! You girls absolutely make my days. XOXO <3