Clinique Goodies

Hey friends!

I just wanted to say, thank you for reading and leaving comments. It means a ton to have your support :)

Today I bring to you some Clinique goodies gifted to me in a small palette, but who have sisters that are full-sized and ready to buy.

The top two shadows are from the 'Come Heather' color surge eye shadow trio which retails for $21. They are a dark plum and a shimmery nude.

The blush is called 'New Clover' and retails for $23. It is a soft dusty pink.

This is part of the free promotion that Clinique is doing with Tracy Reese.
If you buy $25 worth of product, you get this baby and a bunch of other fun things. Worth it!

'New Clover' is really sheer on my skin. It serves more as a pinky highlight than a blush for me. It takes over 5 swatches to get any color. Maybe this is just because it is a sample? Who knows.

The eye shadows are much better. The nude is matte with glitter embedded. Interesting combo. It doesn't come off frosty at all. The plum is dark and unique. Very smoky and easy to wear.

Final Thoughts: If you have product to buy at the Clinique counter, pick this up! If not, order the 'Come Heather trio' only :)

Price: NA
Color Wearability: 8/10
Packaging: NA
Staying Power: 10/10
Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 28/30 = A = Pretty Panda.

Do you usually like Clinique products? I find them reliable, but I am sad about this blush. Does anyone have it in full size?

xo PrettyPanda

Real Techniques Brushes

Tools are essential to flawless make-up application, right Pandas?

These are Real Techniques brushes by beauty blogger/make-up artist Samantha Chapman.

Both of these brushes were $7 each. The one on the left is a shading brush, the other is a fine liner brush. Both are soft with sturdy purple handles.

These have Taklon bristles. Taklon is synthetic and is dyed and baked to make it softer. I am glad these don't use reall animal hair.

These are of good quality, especially when compared to higher end brands (Sigma, Japonesque). A great entry into the brush world by a girl who knows her make-up!

Final Thoughts: In the market for brushes? Check these out!

Price: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
Quality/Branding: 10/10

30/30 = A+ = Pandamonium!

What types of brushes do you prefer? Have you tried Real Techniques before?

xo PrettyPanda

Fresh Sugar Lip Duo

If you are addicted to beauty, you probably have a Sephora member card.

And if you have had your birthday this year, you probably jumped for joy because they aren't giving out stupid bath gels.

They are giving out these:

Fresh Sugar mini lip duos including the original formula and the rose tint! YAY.

Yes, these are tiny but not worthless, and considering the full size retails for $22 and this is free, I am sold. The original formula smells nice and is really moisturizing.

The rose tint smells about the same and has a nice pink shimmer to it. Both together make an excellent casual lip.

This is a cult favorite, but it is too expensive for my tastes. Will I buy the full size: probably not. But this is a great little intro. So pick up your birthday gift and see for yourself if you dig the hype!

xo PrettyPanda

Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick by Kate Moss in 14

Nude lips are tricky things, some make you look dead, and others ashy, but I found a nice medium in Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick #14 by Kate Moss.

This little bullet of cuteness is so fun. I love the red signature and sleek black tube.

This is a nice medium based, my lips but better nude. And for $5 that is a steal!

I also have the red one and from my experience these are great quality lipsticks. They last about 4 hours on me and are creamy but never too thick.

The shade is overall a nice 'workhorse' shade that you can wear with anything and take anywhere. Good deal!

Final Thoughts: Looking for a easy nude lip, check these out even if you aren't a fan of Kate.

Price: 10/10

Staying Power: 9/10

Packaging: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Quality/Branding: 10/10

Total: 49/50 = A+ = Pandamonium!

Do you have any fave nude lipsticks you want to share?



xo PrettyPanda

Burt's Bees Cherry Lip Shimmer

I love Burt's Bees. They make products that are 100% natural and have the cruelty-free seal from PETA printed on the labeling. Perfect.

This lip shimmer is just under $5 and is perfect to keep lips healthy during the hot summer months. It also gives a nice red sheen, that looks like you just ate a cherry lollipop. Yum!

These are small and slim and are perfect for tucking into a pocket. They are hearty balms too, and I have noticed they do not melt super easy.

This is a warm orange/red which is flattering on warm tones and will look great with a tan!

I also love that this has a nice mint taste and smell. Perfect for those quick touch-ups!

Final Thoughts: A fan of the brand? Pick up this fun color!

Price: 8/10
Staying Power: 8/10
Packaging: 9/10
Color/Wearability: 9/10
Quality/Branding: 10/10

Total: 44/50 = B+ = Pleased Panda

xo PrettyPanda

Fragrance Friday: Beer N' Butter

Happy Friday!!

Fragrance Friday is here and I am so excited to show you Sarawen's 'Beer N' Butter' which is Harry Potter Inspired.

I am a Potter-Head. Okay, don't judge.

I was so curious about how this would smell. If you are too, click here.

source

These are actual butter beers at Harry Potter World in Florida. I want to go so badly! Has anyone been?

According to Sarawen, Beer N' Butter smells like: A delicious and foamy elixir! Creamy butterscotch, dreamy vanilla, and a dash of pumpkin layered with a drop of coffee as you sit relaxing by the pub's roaring fire.

On me, Beer N' Butter smells like: caramel instantly and then pumpkin spice shortly after. I love it, it is so decadent and yummy. Once again, I love food smells, can you tell?

This is a fall fragrance, it reminds me of trick-or-treating when I was young, cold nights, watching Hocus Pocus on the Disney Channel, you get the drift.

It is one of those smells that pleasantly brings you back to a simpler time. Check it out!

xox PrettyPanda

Fifty Shades of Grey Nails

Hi guys!

Since I finished the rather dull FSOG series over my vacay, I decided to do nails inspired by the title of the book.

Mostly so I could use grey in the summertime! :)

On my pinkie, I am wearing Sally Hansen "White Out" with Lush Lacquer Salt N Peppa on top.

My ring finger has a no name silver glitter with O.P.I black shatter on top.

My middle finger is wearing Essie 'Mochachino' and is lined with a silver striper.

My index has Revlon Silver Screen with a french tip of Essence Date With the Night

Both of my thumbs are ORLY Androgynie

This had is pretty much the same, but the dark grey rimmed nail is Revlon "Steel-her Heart".

I really liked how these turned out, they were fun but classy at the same time, and I got to play with a color I normally don't wear!

What do you think? Could your rock a "Fifty" inspired mani?

xo PrettyPanda

Matte + Enchanted Fairy

Hey loves!

I have been searching high and low for a matte top coat. I stumbled upon the last NYC one at Target a few days ago and thanked the nail polish goddesses. I decided to try it out over one of my new Essence polishes.

Here is my little guinea pig polish - Essence 'Enchanted Fairy' which is a pale lilac with silver shimmer. It retails at Ulta for $.99.

Here it is right before the matte topcoat. Pretty huh? I like that is goes with the cool tones of my skin.

And here I am holding NYC 'Matte Me Crazy' topcoat which retails for $1.99. Doesn't this polish look so cool and classy all matte? It was fun to watch it change right before my eyes.

I love it! I guess I am hopping on the matte-train a little late, but better than never!

You already know that I love Essence polishes to death, so I will only be reviewing the matte coat here.

Final Thoughts: A cheap way to get into the matte trend. I love that the bottle is small enough for travel.

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 9/10
Packaging: 8/10
Color/Wearability: N/A
Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 36/40 = A- = Pleased Panda!

Tell me what polishes you love to matte!!

xo PrettyPanda

My Pick for Falsies

Summer time may not be associated with false eyelashes, but I think falsies can go anywhere nowadays. They can be simple or dramatic, and I love wearing them for a night out. Boys usually think they look like spiders, but I do not care. And you should not either!

I love NYX false lashes and Katy Perry's new line for Eyelure. Both come with glue. Both were $7.

My choice from NYX is for dramatic eyes. These are great for a date, a night out, a concert, a club, drinks, anything! They are glam and dark. This set is called 'Nirvana' and they are great quality. You can easily get 10 uses out of these with proper care.

These are my more natural choice for lashes. These are called 'Oh Honey!' and are thin, wispy, and flirty. You can wear these daily to give your lashes a boost, and they do not look overdone.

Some helpful falsie tips:

* Make sure to let your glue set at least 30 seconds before trying to apply.
* Trim to fit your eyes. If you take time to do this, application will be easier!
* Put falsies on after eye make up is done. There is nothing worse than trying to line your eyes over eye glue.
* Always use DUO glue, they make it in black and clear :)

Happy lashing!

xo PrettyPanda

Holy Grail Chapsticks!

I love finding Holy Grail products, products that are my go-to everyday. I can usually tell they are winners because I go through them like hot-cakes.

So today I would love to introduce you to my two HG chap sticks, the babies that save my lips and grace them on a daily basis.

The first is the cult fave LipSmackers in Dr. Pepper. It smells lovely, gives a subtle red tint to lips, and is moisturizing. Plus it has the cute factor. This guy has never let me down and I have been using this for years. Since high school.

I love the sheen, and the little bit of color. This retails for $3 at drugstores, I get mine at Target.

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I was kinda obsessed with Maybelline Baby lips ($3) for a long time. I still am....but I have chosen a favorite. Peppermint.

The purple and green tube is my lifesaver. I use it all day, everyday. I also use it as a night-treatment, and when my lips are so chapped they hurt. The peppermint oil in it calms me down and feels soothing. I love this thing.

I love it so much, here is a picture of it at the end of its's rope. I bought a new one, but I am peeved because the recent Baby Lips have a sticker on the cap instead of the clear tube with letters. Fail.

But I still love them both. And there you go, my HG chap sticks!

What are your HG chap sticks? I would love to hear!

xo PrettyPanda

Nude Doesn't Have to Mean Boring

I have been on the hunt for a good nude shadow for a while. If you remember, there were many duds in the 'Dark Shadows Crimson Amulet NYX Palette'. I gave my beloved NYX another chance with their single matte shadows.

This is a nude beige. It is completley matte and called 'Lap Dance' which I just love. Their entire collection of mattes are named funny/dirty things like that. I love a good name.

For $4, these are affordable as a staple. They have a ton of other colors (20 ish in total) but I wanted something as a soft base and highlight color.

You can see it is matte, for sure. A little on the less pigmented side, but still workable. What I liked was that this wasn't powdery and actually gives some color.

You can see the color here a little bit better. Sure, it isn't the craziest color, but it is a great staple from a reliable brand and it performs decently.

Matte is lovely.

Final Thoughts: Nice basic, tounge-in-cheek name. Good price.

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 9/10
Packaging: 7/10
Color/Wearability: 10/10
Quality/Branding: 9/10

Total: 45/50 = A- = Pleased Panda

Have any other suggestions for matte shadows? I would love to hear them!

xo PrettyPanda

Purple Eye liner. For All Those Prince Concerts, or Whatever.

I am not sure why you need this, or I need this. But I have it, and I am showing it to you. Sometimes wearing purple as an eye liner can be fun! Green eyes look great with it!

I usually love NYX's studio liquid liners. For $4, this colorful liner is a fun addition to your stash. They even have crazy colors like baby blue. This one is called 'Extreme Purple'. It is basically just your average royal purple.

I love that the brush is short and very thin. You can get a precise line and it is less likely to fray.

The color is pretty if layered (the straight swatch) if applied in one coat it is a little watery (the smiley face) and that isn't good. It dries quickly, but to layer eye liner is an extra step some may not want to hassle with.

The upside to this liner is that it isn't chock-full of glitter. Just color, which is hard to find in a colored liquid liner. It is also vibrant, true purple -- not plum.

Final Thoughts: Unique but not flawless.

Price: 10/10
Staying Power: 8/10
Packaging: 9/10
Color/Wearability: 10/10
Quality/Branding: 7/10

Total: 44/50 = B+ = Panda is Happy :)

Do you know of a better quality dupe for an eye liner in this color? Let us know!

xox PrettyPanda

Pump it Up Lindsay

Do I want to look like Lindsay Lohan? Not really. Do you? Didn't think so.

I get what NYX is trying to do here, I really do. And you know me, I love NYX. But this product was a fail for me. Let me explain why...

This is NYX's pump it up lip plumper in Lindsay for $6. I am normally a fan of lip plumpers. I like the tingle, this color was pretty, and the name made me laugh. I thought they were making fun of Lindsay...but you really do look like her when you wear this...

The second I swatched this, I was like ooh. And not in a good way. Super frosty.

But still, that could have been my poor color choice. But oh no. Read on pandas.

I know this is the most unflattering picture ever, but it was because my lips HURT. This BURNS like crazy. Not the nice tingle, a crazy crazy burn that made me want to rip my lips off. It did make them swell, but I would be surprised if it didn't. The color is frosty and I just looked like a Hollywood has-been.

Final Thoughts: Please pass on this. I burned my lips so you don't have to, okay?

Price: 8/10
Staying Power: Don't know. Scrubbed it right off.
Packaging: 10/10
Color/Wearability: 0/10
Quality/Branding: 5/10

Total: 23/40 = F = Panda Hates This...Sadly :(

Have you tried this and had the same problem? I really wanted to love this because I love NYX, but it was unbearable.

xo PrettyPanda