Wet N Wild Limited Edition Spring Forward 8 Pan Palettes - Review & Swatches

There's nothing I hate more than driving all over town looking for limited edition products. Fortunately, I found an almost full display of these Wet N Wild shadows at the first CVS I went to. Score! Okay, well, maybe there's one thing I hate more and that is when retailers price above MSRP, especially when the MSRP is written all over the display. CVS had these priced at $5.49 each, although the display said $4.99. Not cool CVS.

I've just recently discovered the cheap and cheerful joys of Wet N Wild eyeshadows, so when I heard there was a neutral palette, I knew I had to pick it up. Nude Awakening contains 8 neutral, nude shadows ranging from ecru and taupe to gunmetal and a near black. The brown crease shade on the left is matte, while the others have more of a satin or glittery finish. This palette was a no brainer for me and something I'm sure to get a lot of use out of.

Going in the Wild however, was an impulse purchase and one that I'm glad I made. First off, can I just say the name "Going in the Wild" sounds weird and almost grammatically incorrect and makes me think of peeing outside. Now that I got that off my chest, I really surprised myself with how much I'm enjoying these pastel colors. I love the violet crease shade and I'm obsessed with mint anything right now.

As with other Wet N Wild shadows, these all have a buttery soft texture and are easy to blend. I appreciate that these shades aren't as super glittery as some of their other shadows though. My favorite thing about these palettes though has to be the packaging - I love the white and the little flowers on the front - how very spring time!

The Importance of Being Bronzed

L to R: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, Wet n Wild ColorIcon, Benefit Hoola, Milani Bronzer, Too Faced Aqua Bunny

Up until about a year ago, I owned zero bronzers. I mean, as a medium/tan complexioned individual, I really didn't see the point - I'm already naturally tan! But I was completely wrong. Bronzer adds so much warmth and dimension to your face no matter what your skin color is. I've realized that the point of bronzer isn't really to look tan, but just healthy and glowing. Matte bronzer also makes a great contour, giving the impression of a more sculpted and slimmer cheeks, nose and chin. I still consider myself a bronzer newb, but here is my collection.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beach - This was my very first bronzer purchase and since it's quite shimmery and pinky, it probably makes a better highlight or blush than a true bronzer. The swatch above is just all of the stripes blended together, but you could definitely use a small brush or your fingers to pick up each individual shade. 

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Bronzer in Shell-A-Brate Good Times - This was an impulse purchase, but I had heard great things about Wet n Wild bronzers. The powder is very soft and kicks up quite a bit. There is some shimmer and you can use the lighter part on it's own as a highlight. 

Benefit Hoola - Whenever I see this color it just reminds me of milk chocolate! Hoola is a cool toned matte brown that works best on light/medium skin tones. The effect is pretty subtle on me and I could see that it might look too muddy on others. Because Hoola is matte, I like this one as a contour.

Milani Bronzer in #01 Light - Another fairly matte bronzer (perhaps more satin?). This one is quite a bit darker than Hoola and also leans a tiny bit more orange. Great as a contour and for all over bronzing.

Too Faced Aqua Bunny Cream to Powder Bronzer - This is probably the most orange of the bunch, but it doesn't really translate that way to my skin. I've been using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply this and love the effect. I find the enclosed brush too thin and flimsy and I'm not sure how you're supposed to use it. This is also waterproof if that appeals to you.

What bronzers do you recommend? I know everyone raves about Nars Laguna and that is definitely on my list. 

Shopping the Stash #1

So I've been buying entirely too much makeup recently and only have one face to put it on. I think I'll have to put myself on a makeup buying ban for the next 3 months or so. The one possible exception might be a foundation because for someone my age, I have very few foundations and only one without SPF (that I don't like).

I put all my stuff in this clear-ish Benefit bag thinking I might be more likely to use it if I see it. Yup I treated myself to this Benefit Legally Bronze kit using the $15 Sephora coupon. This kit is actually an amazing deal because it's only $38 for four FULL SIZE products including a Hoola bronzer and High Beam. Anyway, back to the stash...

Shu Uemura Atelier Made Eyebrow Manicure - A tinted eyebrow mascara that I picked up the last time I was in Japan. I need to use this up before it dries up.

Sonia Kashuk Brow Definer - This is a pretty soft eyebrow pencil that I can use to do my brows quickly.

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder - I mix the two shades together and sometimes add a little bit of clear wax on top. The mini tools are surprisingly useful!

Blinc Tubing Mascara - This was a Birchbox sample and I actually quite like it. I'm going to do a full review soon.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof - The Colossal is one of my favorite mascaras. This is my first time using the waterproof version (of any mascara, actually!), so we'll see how I like it.

Stila Prime Pot in Taffy - I think this was a 100 point perk from Sephora a long time ago. It's a flesh tone primer, probably similar to MAC Painterly.

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush - I like this eyeshadow because it has serious staying power, even without primer. Amber Rush is a coppery color that I was unsure of how to wear for a long time, but I think it will look good with smudgey brown liner.

Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Espresso - This was part of last year's holiday set, but I have to say this year's set is a lot better because it's no where near as glittery (although I don't believe there is a brown color). Espresso is more shimmery than glittery and lasts a long time.

Stila Smudge Crayon in Smoke - I guess this is kind of similar to the Tarte smolderEYES - a liner/shadow hybrid thing. I like this shimmery light taupe color for lining my lower lash line without looking like a Panda. Another sample, from Sample Society, I think.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Singles in Brulee and Nutty - Dude, these were on sale for only $1 at CVS. People make a big deal about Brulee, but it's just a matte cream color. Nutty is a nice taupe.

Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in Black Ebony - This liner is just okay for me and not worth any big bucks. I don't remember how much it cost, but I know I got it with my employee discount when I used to work for L'Oreal. This pencil is really huge though!

Garnier Skin Renew Anti Dark Circle Roller - I don't think I really have bad dark circles, so this sheer tint is just fine for me. The tint though is just bordering on too light for my skin tone.

Wow that's a lot of eye products, but I guess if you think about it, you have eyebrows, liner, mascara, shadow, so you have a lot of stuff to use on your eye area!

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer - I like this so much I just bought the full size!

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil - A creamy pencil concealer that I mostly use for the occasional spot.

NYX Blush in Taupe - I'm using this as a contour and I think it's a great winter contour color because you don't end up looking too bronzey or tanned. However, this shade barely registers on my medium skin tone. Oh well, at least I can go crazy with it and not end up looking beat up.

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Betray - Such a beautiful berry color, perfect for fall/winter! Just use the teeny tiniest amount though because it is super pigmented

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Rose Petal - This one is a soft rosy pink which will work well with  bolder lip colors.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - A nice wine-y, berry color. Darker than what I usually go for, but hey, I'm trying to branch out a little.

Urban Decay LipLove in Stung - This is a very sheery dark purple, wine colored gloss. It has a pretty strong honey smell which takes some getting used to.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Peony - I have three of these and Peony is the most pigmented by far. It's a red leaning pink, kind of like Revlon Cherries in the Snow.

That's all! I really hope I use up some products soon, but as you can see, all of these products barely have a dent in them! Le Sigh.