Makeup setting sprays NYX vs. Urban Decay

I had fallen in love with the Urban Decay Setting sprays in 2010 when I went on a Vegas trip and needed something to make my makeup stay on while partying in hot, humid clubs and walking around in 100 degree weather. I swear, I sweated all night long and passed out with my makeup on and woke up with a perfect face still on me. That was the last time I partied like that but not the last time I used that spray.

If I want my makeup to stay on me I will do a couple sprays and go about my day. There is very little color transfer when I rub my face, and when I get home from work, all that is required is a small touch up around my nose area and go out for the evening. But the one drawback of using this product is the price, at 29 for 4oz. dollars a pop it can get pricey. There is a travel size option for $14 dollars and it is only one ounce.

So I have been on a search for something a little more affordable to stand in and give the old girl a break every once in awhile and I stumbled upon The NYX makeup setting spray and decided to give it a try. I had the choice between the matte finish or the dewy finish and decided that for my skin type I should get the matte formula because my t-zone can get pretty oily. The price for this is $8 for 2oz. and you can easily get the same amount of a full size urban decay for only $16.

I recently used it during an especially hot Saturday night and little did I know I'd be walking a marathon and breaking a sweat, more than anticipated. So I was wiping my forehead, and trying to get rid of any shininess from our impromptu bar crawl because I worked pretty darn hard to get my skin  to look perfect and flawless. Well, by the end of the night my feet were so sore and my consolation prize was *perfect looking makeup*. Well, I was one happy camper but this time I didn't leave my makeup on overnight...NOT! I still have not learned my lesson ladies. That, and I couldn't find my makeup wipes. So I woke up with perfect makeup as well.

I learned two lessons that night, this stuff lasts just like my Urban Decay but for a lot less $$. I plan to use this for day wear at work because I don't waste my good makeup on them, let alone my good setting spray.  If you are looking for something that will make your makeup stay on, this will do the trick but at a cheaper price. If you're looking for something that doesn't make you sweat while you work out then I really don't think you will find anything and you should stop fighting nature. The other lesson of the story is, i should put my makeup remover wipes on the counter so I don't end up sleeping in my makeup ever again.

Hopefully you all enjoyed my review and comparison and I feel for my skin type it is a dupe. You may or may not agree and if you haven't given it a try maybe you should. For half the price of Urban Decay I got something that works just as well. Once I use up this product I will let you all know if i think if it requires a repurchase in a future empties post. Until then, stay beautiful!

Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Jewel of an Eye pallet

 I really can't wait for fall right now, it really hasn't been a hot end of summer to me. Or maybe I'm just crazy and don't realize how hot it is because I am cooped up in an office for most of the day. Or maybe I just cannot wait to wear all the blazers I got from the second hand store. Either way, I crave something with a little more oomph and just something that reminds me of my favorite season. I can't wait to play around with these colors. 

The front. This is my first Sonia Kashuk pallet by the way. 

The back

 These browns are really pretty and are more of a satin sheen than a glitter to me. Not quite a shimmer and I believe these three by themselves would make a lovely daytime date smokey eye.

The middle Burgandy color is something I have been craving to use for awhile now. I can't wait to use this in a new look. I really wouldn't know exactly what to do with it or where I could wear it but just the fact that I get to try something new and out of my comfort zone is exciting for me. 

I have been reeeeeeaaaalllllllyyyyyy wanting to do a kind of green smokey eye and I believe this is the color I have been looking for all summer long. Now all I need to do is find a chubby green eyeshadow stick or regular emerald green eyeliner to achieve the look I want. 

I love purple, it is my favorite color and honestly I am clueless on how to not make it look like I got punched in the face when I wear it. Maybe they are just the wrong purples? Maybe it is because I never had the right tools? Or maybe I just suck at anything other than a traditional smokey eye??? I will see if I can acheive something pretty and not something that screams "domestic abuse". -__-

So hopefully you enjoyed my swatches and comments from the peanut gallery on the new Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow. I really wasn't expecting much because it is still a drugstore brand but a pretty pricey one at that. I got this for $20  bucks but I was reading that other got it for $16. So they might be in a different part of the country or got a  coupon or sale I didn't know about. But I guess prices can be regional and things are more expensive over here compared to other parts of the US but at $20 divided by 12 shadows is about 1.67 per shadow so its not that bad. So now its time to sit and deiced if I should get those limited edition brushes as well....hmmmm.

Recent E.L.F hauls

Yes, you read correct. I have multiple hauls from E.L.F cosmetics and I've accumulated said items via Target and their website. They recently had a buy $20 worth of items and get a mystery bag worth $20 for FREE (my favorite word in the English language) so I got suckered in and ordered away. Then I made a second order the next day. Yes, I'm crazy. No judging though, $20 is a lot of products for this affordable brand and I did have to pay shipping but they don't charge tax so if you get a code for free shipping then you're made in the shade my friend!

So I've got plenty of items to sort through and test then review which will keep me busy for the next few week(s) maybe. Plus I got a few face/hair items from Target as well to review. Needless to say, I got a lot of crap and I need to use it or loose it!

For now I'm just giving you the lowdown on what to expect. So expect tons of elf reviews and maybe some makeup looks with their products if I can get over my shyness and aversion to taking pictures. They will be broken up with reviews on a recent gem I found in the at home microdermabrasion department and face lotions/toners and other gems from the makeup aisle. Expect a large package review from my latest crazy ulta haul where I bought a bunch of NYX products and I just got my ipsy glam bag yesterday so I'll be testing and reviewing to my hearts content. 

So check back in later (tonight? Tomorrow night?) and see what goodies I post about first!