First Time DIY: Depotting Disaster!

So, for anyone who follows me on YouTube and saw my "Perfect Palette" tag video, you know that I have been wanting to depot all of my Avon True Color eyeshadow quads and actually make a palette out of the colors from that tag video to use for a pan that palette challenge next year. I've watched a lot of videos on depotting methods and one common theme throughout was that you need a lot of time and patience to depot more than a small handful of shadows...and I am in short supply of both time AND patience. Then I came across an old video from Wayne Goss where he just popped his shadows in the oven and when they came out he was quickly and easily able to pop the pans out of their packaging with a paring knife. So that's the method I decided to go with for my depotting adventure.

In his video, Wayne said he set his oven to 100 degrees centigrade. That's roughly 212 degrees here in the States, and since I can't set my oven to 212 degrees I decided I would go with 210 to be on the safe side. The video also stated to put the shadows in the oven for 2-5 minutes.

Round 1: 2 minutes at 210 degrees. Results: nothing. I couldn't pry up a single pan. Not one. Not even a little.

So back into the oven the shadows went for 5 more minutes.

And...well...I got the shadows out. Even with the extra 5 minutes in the oven the glue was still really strong under the pans. So strong that I broke the tip off the end of my paring knife(and never found it). So I thought, you know, maybe the oven's not hot enough.

So I put my next batch in at 215 degrees for 10 minutes.

And things went a little smoother...but not as smooth as I would've liked.

The shadows definitely came out easier this time, but I still struggled with them. I was happy that none of them had completely broke apart like with the first batch. Since it seemed like the temperature was hot enough, I did one more batch but left them in for 5 minutes longer(so 15 minutes at 215 degrees) in the hopes the glue would loosen enough that I could pry them out easily.

This time the shadows did come out much easier. Some I still had issues with, but overall they popped out without too much hassle and seemed(seemed being the key word here) to be intact and in good condition.

I wanted to do the project cheaply, so I stuck the shadows to the inside of an old CD case with double-sided permanent tape. Now I can easily see what shadows I'm grabbing for, and I didn't have to drop a pretty penny on a magnetic case.

Now, here's the kicker, those shadows with arrows next to them are the same shadows from the previous picture(where they look like they are still in pretty good condition). Since I have made this palette, the plum shade completely crumbled and I've had to repeatedly press it back together, the deep brown shadow broke and fell out on the floor when I opened the case, and one time when I closed the case that shimmery beige cracked all around the corner.

I now have to keep this palette laying flat, treat it with kid gloves, and use the lightest hand humanly possible with the shadows so that they don't fall apart anymore.

Needless to say, I won't be using the oven method to depot my shadows anymore!

New Avon True Color 8-in-1 Palettes! Swatch & Review

Avon recently launched 3 new 8-in-1 palettes in their True Color range. I picked up 2 of them, the neutral and the purpley palettes:-) All of the swatches below are over the Avon eyeshadow primer in Light beige.

This first one is the Not So Neutral palette:

Top Row: The first shadow is a matte vanilla. This one is a little powdery, but the pigmentation is pretty good. This will make a good base color all over the lid, and brow bone highlight shade. The second shade is a matte beige. Great pigmentation! This will make a good all over lid color, or crease/transition color. The third shade is a dove grey with a satin finish. There is a slight hint of warm golden-champagne sheen to this shadow that looks so much prettier on the lid than it does in the pan. The pigmentation of this is pretty good as well. The last color in the top row is a metallic light taupe. Again, pretty good pigmentation. This will make a really pretty all over the lid color as well. Bottom Row: The first color is a shimmery gold. I feel like the pigmentation of this shadow is just okay, and the application is a little patchy. It really has to be built up to get solid, even gold. The second shadow is a metallic bronze. This shadow has pretty good pigmentation and application. The third shadow is a matte plum-burgundy. This shadow has good pigmentation, and blends well. I was very happy to see this color in here instead of a dark brown. It keeps this palette from being your typical neutral palette! The last color in the palette is a matte black. When I initially swatched this without primer it was a soft black and not too intense. As soon as I put it over primer though, It was BLACK! A little goes a long way:-)

And here is the Plum Essentials palette:

Top Row: The first shadow is a vanilla with a satin finish. There are some really pretty lavender colored micro-fine shimmers throughout this shadow, but you really have to build the shadow up to get the full effect of them. The pigmentation of this shadow is just okay. The second shadow is a pale icy lavender with a shimmer finish. The pigmentation of this shadow is pretty light, but buildable. The third shadow is a soft golden-taupe with a metallic finish. Again, the pigmentation is a little lackluster. I can work with it, but it really needs a primer/base and needs to be built up. The last shadow in this row has the best pigmentation, but is the weirdest color? In the pan looks like a shimmery moss green. On the skin it is a deep muddy brown, with very fine brassy colored shimmer. Bottom Row: The first shadow is a matte pale pink. The pigmentation of this shadow is pretty good. The color is so light though that it hardly shows up on my skin. The second shade is a shimmery silver. The pigmentation is a lot like the gold from the Not so Neutral palette. A little patchy and needs to be built up. The third shadow is a matte rosey-taupe. This color was my favorite in the pan, unfortunately the pigmentation is so weak that I REALLY had to pack it on to get a ho-hum swatch. The last shadow is a pretty vibrant purple. In the right light you can see a hint of micro-fine blue-violet shimmers in this shadow, but they don't show up at all on the skin so I'm going to consider this a matte shadow. The pigmentation of this color is pretty good!

Overall, I definitely prefer the Not So Neutrals to the Plum Essentials palette. The pigmentation is pretty good across the board and there is a good mix of light, mid-tone, and dark shades, as well as mattes and shimmers. The Plum Essentials palette is really hit and miss. Some colors are good, while others require a lot of building and blending. There also isn't a great range of tones, all of the colors are either really pale or really dark. This one definitely lacks in mid-tones.

If you are wanting to try one of these palettes, I would say go with the Not So Neutral. You won't be disappointed!

FOTD: Simple Sparkling Mauves

Products Used(all from Avon):
On the face:
Ideal Flawless tinted moisturizer in Light
Ideal Flawless CC color correcting pencils in Light and Light/Medium
Ideal Flawless loose powder in Translucent
Glow bronzer in Warm Glow

On the eyes:
Extra Lasting eyeshadow pencil in Amethyst
True Color eyeshadow quad in Barely There(shade #3)
True Color eyeshadow quad in Romantic Mauves(shades 1, 3, and 4)
Eye Dimensions eyeshadow in Sweetheart Plum(the middle shade)
Ultra Luxury eyeliner in Dark Brown
Super Shock Max mascara in Black

On the cheeks:
Glow bronzer in Warm Glow
Smooth Minerals blush in Copper Glow

On the lips:
Glimmersticks lip liner in Simply Spice
Ultra Color lipstick in Apricot Spice
Ultra Glazewear lip gloss in Crystal Lilac

Swatch and Review: New Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quads

Recently, Avon launched four new True Color eyeshadow quads. All four quads are neutral and beautiful, and designed to be the perfect nude palettes for various skin tones. I will say right off the top that I am loving all of these new quads, and I really love that Avon has incorporated some color in with the neutrals as well!

The first quad is Naked Truth. This is the palest of the new quads and designed for light skin tones. Color #1 is Shimmering Beige and is a shimmering cream color with really good pigmentation. This color makes a really brow bone and inner corner color. Color #2 is Peach Sparkle, which is a pale peach with a satin finish and not much sparkle. This color is the least pigmented of the quad, but it's still pretty decent. Depending on the look you're going for it could make a good lid color or a blending/transition color for the crease. Color #3 is Glimmering Sand. This shade is a warm shimmering beige with a tiny hint of micro-fine champagne glitters in it. I like to use this color all over the lid if I'm doing a quick neutral look, and in the crease as a transition color for smokey eyes. Color #4 is Coffee, and is a gorgeous medium neutral shimmering brown.

The next quad is Barely There. This one was designed for light/medium skin tones. Color #1 is Soft Vanilla, and is a matte vanilla shadow with really good pigmentation. This one makes is a nice brow bone highlight color. Color #2 is Rose. This a matte, neutral pink shade. I love this color in the crease as a transitional color. Color #3 is Satin Taupe, which is a neutral taupe with some shimmer to it. This is a great all over lid color. Color #4 is Cool Coccoa, and is a dark neutral brown with a satin finish. The pigmentation of all four shades in this palette is really good.

The next quad is Go Natural, and is designed for medium skin tones. Color #1 is Shimmering Beige. This is the same color as the lightest shadow in the Naked Truth quad. Color #2 is Shimmering Stone. This shadow is a warm shimmering brown with golden undertones to it. I feel like this shadow is the least pigmented in this quad, but it's easily built up. Color #3 is Radiant Orange. This is a vibrant reddish-orange with a hint of shimmer to it. Very pigmented! This is one of my favorite colors from all of these new quads. Color #4 is Burnt Brown, and is a matte deep brown with plum undertones.

The last quad is Grin and Bare It. This one is designed for deeper skin tones. Color #1 is Bronzed. This shade is a golden bronze with a metallic finish. REALLY pretty all over lid color! Color #2 is Burnished Copper. This is a medium reddish brown with a satin finish. Color #3 is Patina, which is kind of an antique brass with greenish undertones and golden shimmer to it. Color #4 is Sahara Sunset, a deep cool brown with a satin finish and fine golden glitters here and there. This color is the least pigmented from this palette. I feel like this palette as a whole is a tiny bit less pigmented than the other quads, but all of the colors are easy to build up and blend.

Overall, I'm really impressed with the new additions to the True Color quad range. Though they were designed with certain skin tones in mind I think that most people would be able to use all of the colors in some way. Definitely give these new shadows from Avon a try if you are looking for some new neutrals!

FOTD: Simple Blue Shadow Look

I really loved this blue shadow worn on the Marc Jacobs Spring '14 runway, and every time I see the new Marc by Marc Jacobs ads(with the same makeup) I get an overwhelming urge to put a bunch of blue shadow on :-)

I decided to do my own version today, a little toned down and not quite as bright as the catwalk version!

This is definitely one of the easier eye looks that I've ever done. I just used my Avon Extra Lasting eyeshadow pencil in Sapphire as a base all over the lid, topped it with the periwinkle blue shade from the True Color 8-in-1 palette in The Blues, and finished with one coat of the new Avon Aerovolume mascara.

The rest of the face was kept pretty bare with just a little Ideal Luminous blush in Coral Radiance and some Totally Kissable lipstick in Natural Glow patted on the lips.

I think that the mark. i-mark shadow in Electro would be a really good option for doing the brighter version of this look:-)

FOTD: Taylor Momsen Inspired Glossy Red Lip

Today's look was inspired by a pic I saw of Taylor Momsen back during New York fashion week. She had this bright red glossy lip going that I instantly loved for two reasons: 1. It's a little bit of a throwback to the makeup of the late 70's/early 80's(pretty much my favorite time period as far as makeup goes), and 2. It was a nice departure from the typical super black, super smokey eye/nude lip combo that Taylor is usually seen wearing.

Remember when she used to look like this?

Who else is going to be watching 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' this year?

Anywho, I meant to do this post a long time ago but forgot all about it until I read about Taylor and her band, The Pretty Reckless, releasing a new album recently...so here's the look!

everything I used is from Avon/mark.
on the face:
Ideal Flawless foundation in Light Ivory
Ideal Flawless concealer in Light/Medium on blemishes
Extra Lasting concealer in Fair under the eyes and as a highlighter
Ideal Flawless translucent loose powder

One the eyes:
True Color eyeshadow quad in Mocha Latte
Kohl eye liner in Intense Brown
Super Shock Max mascara in Black

On the cheeks:
mark. Bronze Pro in Bronze to lightly contour
Ideal Luminous blush in Coral Radiance, just a little on the cheek bones

On the lips:
mark. Make It Rich lip color crayon in Hot Sauce
Ultra Glazewear lip gloss in Fiery Red

If you want to hear the new single from The Pretty Reckless, here it is:

FOTD: Bluish-Purple Smokey Eye

I decided to do a look today inspired by the beautiful blue-purple look done for the Jason Wu A/W 2013 runway:-)



On the face: I used Avon Extra Lasting foundation in Light Nude, Extra lasting concealer in Fair, Ideal Flawless concealer in Light/Medium, and Ideal Flawless loose powder in Translucent

On the eyes: I used Avon Extra Lasting eyeshadow pencil in Sapphire, True Color eyeshadow quad in Purple Pop, Kohl eye liner in Deep Violet, Perfect Eyebrow kit in Deep Brown, and Super Shock Max mascara in Black

On the cheeks: I used mark. Bronze Pro in Bronzed, and Just Blushing in Afterglow

On the lips: I used Avon Ultra Glazewear lip gloss in Pale Peach

FOTD: Plum Monochrome

I decided to do a soft plum look today inspired by the changing of the season, all makeup is by Avon:-)



On the face: Ideal Flawless foundation in Light Nude, Extra Lasting concealer in Fair, Ideal Flawless concealer in Light/Medium, Ideal Flawless loose powder in Translucent

On the eyes: Extra Lasting eyeshadow pencil in Shimmering Sand(used as a shadow base), True Color eyeshadow duo in Burgundy Berry, True Color eyeshadow single in Plum Burgundy, kohl eye liner in Intense Brown, Super Shock Max mascara in Black

On the cheeks: mark. Bronze Pro in Bronze, Ideal Luminous blush in Soft Plum

On the lips: Ultra Color lipstick in Rich Plum

How To Use the New True Color Eyeshadow Quads

Swatches: Avon True Color Eyeshadow Duos

Warm Cashmere is a perfect duo for everyday wear, with a little liner smudged into the upper lash line and a couple coats of mascara it looks great with any lip color! The lighter shade is called Peach and is a sheer shimmery light golden peach shade. It can be built up easily for a more opaque finish and blends easily. The darker color is Iced Coffee, this shade is a shimmery warm beige and is a bit more pigmented than the Peach shade. Blends very well.

Burgundy Berry is a nice shimmery muted plum duo. The lighter shade is Nude, this color is hard to describe- sort of a shimmery pale mauve beige. The pigmentation and blending of this shade is excellent. The darker shade is Silver Plum and is perfectly named because it is a gorgeous shimmering silvery plum color. Again great pigmentation and blends nicely. I love this duo on my hazel eyes, it really brings out the green!

Swatches: New Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quads

In campaign 19 Avon is relaunching their True Color eyeshadow line with new eyeshadow quads, duos, and singles. In general, I am really impressed with the new formula! Most of the colors I've tried have been really well pigmented, and blended well. I am going to post swatches of the eyeshadow quads that I have tried so far below. I'm also going to list the color names for each quad since some of these shades are also available as singles as well.

Purple Pop is the brightest and trendiest of the purple quads that Avon offers. All of the colors in this quad have a shimmery finish. Here are the colors for this quad:
1. Lavender is a pale shimmery lavender. Great pigmentation and blends well.
2. Pink Berry is a medium shimmery pink. This one had the lightest pigmentation, but built up easily.
3. Purple Flip is a lavender with a pinkish sheen to it. Good pigmentation and blending.
4. Vibrant Violet is a shimmery deep violet. This one is a little patchy but blends out well.

Metal Eyes has 4 neutral metallic and glittery shades. Pigmentation and blending are great with all of these shades.
1. Snowglobe is shimmery white.
2. Gold is a shimmery deep yellow gold.
3. Bronze Luster is a shimmery deep brown with fine bronze glitter throughout.
4. Night Star is a shimmery warm charcoal grey with lots of fine silver and gold glitter.

Emerald Cut is a warm/neutral green palette. All four colors have a shimmery to glittery finish.
1. Shimmering Beige is a shimmery warm ivory. Great pigmentation and blendability.
2. Softened Peach is a warm shimmery peach with fine golden glitter. this one goes on a little sheer but builds up easily.
3. Green Metal is a shimmery khaki green with a slight golden sheen. Good pigmentation and blends very well.
4. Blackened Emerald is a deep shimmery green. The pigmentation is a little patchy with this one, but it builds up very easily and blends out very well.

Chocolate Sensation is one of the new neutral quads. This one is great for doing a brown smokey eye.
1. Shimmering Beige is a shimmery warm ivory. Great pigmentation and blendability.
2. Milk Chocolate is a shimmery neutral brown. Great pigmentation and blendability.
3. Truffle is a shimmery warm brown. Great pigmentation and blendability.
4. Black Brown is a matte deep brown. This one had the least pigmentation but it builds up easily and blends well.

FOTD: Bronze and Plum Smokey Eye + Orange Lip

ON THE EYES: I used Avon Extra Lasting eyeshadow pencil in Topaz Shimmer as a base from the lash line to the crease, and along the lower lash line. Then I used the darker shade from the True Color shadow duo in Warm Cashmere over the same area. I used the lighter color from the duo on my brow bones and inner corner of the eyes. Next I used color #3 from the True Color quad in Chocolate Sensation and smudged it into the outer corners of the upper and lower lash lines. Then I took the True Color single in Plum Burgundy and blended that into the outer corner and up into the crease. I lined the outer corner of both upper and lower lash lines with Super Shock gel liner, and used kohl liner in Deep Violet on my water line. I finished with a coat of Mega Effects mascara in Black.

ON THE CHEEKS: I used mark. Bronze Pro in Bronze, with just a little Fiji Paradise all over face powder in Tropical Sunrise.

ON THE LIPS: I used Ultra Color lipstick in Tangerine Tango.