Tis the season for bright and bold colors from fashion to makeup and I’m all in! Ya’ll know how passionate I am when it comes to eyeshadow so I was psyched when I got the chance to review the Shades of Fame Eye Palette from Smashbox.  Since I tried out their Hydrating Primer and eyeshadow trio, I’ve become a fan, even adding their tinted moisturizer to my beauty routine.  Opening up this cute, pink box I found a a nice combo of bold shades and great neutrals, all hand picked by Smashbox studio artists.  Along with the shadows were  two cream liners (in gold and bronze) as well as a mini bottle of their Photo Finish Lid primer.  Armed with their look book, double edged brush, and a little extra time on my hands, your girl had some fun the last few days!

Look 1:  Test Shoot

Out of the three different looks that came with the palette, this one by far was my favorite.  The blue shadow, Pacific, may have had a lot to do with it with a deep pigment that gave great color without using a lot of product.  I even liked how it looked on the lower lashline (which is a major accomplishment for me by the way!)  The light, neutral Bliss shadow gave the look the balance it needed.  To finish the look I went with my favorite summer shade – Tempted from CoverGirl.

Look 2:  Meet the Photographer

With this one, I got a chance to use Sherbert, a yummy coral color that delivered on my lids.  What didn’t work as well as Praline and Nude on my lower lashline, which I wasn’t too crazy about against my complexion.  I also had to improvise a little and add Mocha to the brow bone to give the look a little extra something.  The lip color I used was Downtown Brown from Mary Kay.

Look 3:  Casting Call

Just by looking at the colors I was using I didn’t think this was going to work for me and I kinda proved myself right.  It’s a good day look, the neutral colors used very soft and natural.  However it was kind of boring for me, finding it hard to tell the colors apart.  I kept the look au natural with my Sweet Raisin Lip Gloss from Mary Kay.

Overall, the palette has a great assortment of colors and I’m already imagining the different combinations I can come up with on my own.  The primer worked great at keeping my shadow on all day long (which is a must in the summer!), however I wasn’t crazy about the primer itself.  Instead of going on clear, like the Hydrating Primer for foundation, it goes on as a beige color on my lids leaving them a bit too bright for me.

Are you a fan of Smashbox?  What are your favorite products?

Check out my five beauty essentials on Yahoo! Shine!

First Photo courtesy of: Smashbox

FTC Disclosure:  Palette and primer were received as free samples.

Tommy Bahama Pearl Shirred One Piece Halter w Tummy Control= Zappos

Necklace Print One Piece Swimsuit

Necklace Print One Piece Swimsuit – Newport News

Coco Reef Plus Size Swimsuit, Bra Sized Tie Dye Tankini Top- Macy’s

Pretty pin-dot one-piece – Boston Proper

Pink Floral Swim Suit with Control – Avenue

See anything you like?  Are you swimsuit shopping this season?

Art At The Heart

For many of this week’s submissions, art was the center theme. From DIY projects to festivals, museum exhibits and dramatic runway sets – there are so many ways that art manifests itself in the world of fashion, not just in the clothes we wear. We create it, it moves us, it changes our mood and makes our world a more beautiful and magical place. I loved reading posts about the Costume Institute’s new exhibit, Chanel’s crystal runway set – and even how to make a glitzy pair of Mui Mui-inspired sunnies.

Edited by Taylor Davies

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: MAY 17TH

• A Casa da Va: 10 Ways to Achieve Bohemian Bliss
• Beauty x Pose: Colorblock Your Shoes
• Bleu06: Sh*t Guys Should Know About Fashion #7
• Bugwear: Royal Mail issues Great British Fashion stamps collection
• Crystal Eyes: White Out
• Dress Code: High Fashion:
• Fashionista’s Diary: Crazy for Crystals
• Finely Made: DIY Glitter Mui Mui Catwalk Noir Sunglasses
• Fly Songbird: Orange Lips Love
• Fierce: The Freedom In Loving Your Body
• Meredith & Gwyneth, the new yorkie: DIY No Sew Feather Dress
• Pink Pineapple: Internship Essentials
• Pret-a-Porter Palm Beach: festival fashions
• Real Girl Glam: How To Wear A Denim Jacket
• Spy Girl: Blog Essentials: Designing a Memorable Business Card
• The Curatorial: Duchamp, Pop Art & The Rodnik Band – Art As Fashion
• This is a Yes: Frieze Art Fair New York
• Toronto Shopaholic Blog: 3 Fun Uses For A Multi-Tasking Barette
• Tse Parfait: Anthropologie Summer ’12 Fashin Show
• Votre Garcon: Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations

SPONSOR:

Skirt Sale at Shopbop: DKNY, A.Wang Skirts, Helmut Lang, Minis, Jean skirts, Splendid, Jenni Kayne, AG Skirts, Tibi, Cacharel, ALC, Pencil & Hervé Skirts

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

My skin has been acting crazy this year and since my normal products are off the table, I have to look to safer alternatives to treat my skin on the three days a week it wants to break out.  So this review came at a perfect time!  For the past few weeks I had the opportunity to review the Deep Cleansing Brush from ProActiv.  This handy tool sweeps away the dull surface layers of skin, getting into those pores to get rid of the dirt, grime, makeup, and sweat that accumulates everyday.  All you need is two AA batteries (that aren’t included), your favorite cleanser and your good to go!

I’ve been using this brush with my Clean and Clear cleanser and I have to say that it has taken my cleansing routing to another level! Using it is really easy – just apply your cleanser, click the switch, and let it go to work as you move the brush in an upward motion.  The soft bristles really get in there, working away at my trouble spots without being too aggressive on my sensitive skin.  The vibration of the brush is gentle, like a good massage and when I rinse the cleanser away, my skin feels super clean.  Does it totally zap away my acne?  Of course not (can’t expect miracles!) but it does keep them under control.  It’s also a great little treat at the end of my morning shower!

Have you used the Deep Cleansing Brush?  What did you think?  If you haven’t, would you give it a try?

Photo Courtesy of: ProActiv

FTC Disclosure:  The product mentioned in this review was received as a free sample.

After a week of feeling super lazy when it came to my makeup looks I took this past Sunday to not only get a little dolled up but to treat myself a little bit.  I headed over to Ulta in search of a new makeup pallette that had some great neutral shadows that could spruce up my daily look without too much effort.  Though I originally had my eye on the Naked Palette, by Urban Decay.  I couldn’t splurge that much (had to leave room for my bi-weekly pedi!).  Instead I went with a brand that I’ve used before – TooFaced.  A long time ago I was a big fan of their brown eyeshadow called Full Frontal and used it all the time.  So when I saw their Natural Eye Collection I just had to take it home and so far I am not disappointed!  Just like their Smokey Eye Collection (which I also have at home and love!), it comes in the cutest package with handy how to cards to pull off each combo.  For Mommy’s day, I rocked the Classic look which had a trio of shimmery shadows that were perfect for the occasion!  I loved how the different shades of brown blended together for a look that could easily translate from day to night.  And who can resist those cool shadow names??  (I’m a sucker for those!)

Eyes:

• Silk Teddy from the crease to the brow bone
• Push Up pressed on the lids
• Erotica on the crease and outer corners (you can also blend this color into your lower lash line)
• Buxom eye liner in Chocolate
• Colossal Volume Mascara from Maybelline

Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss in Crimson

Keeping up with the lazy theme, I’ve gone back to my regular wash and go’s with my hair.  After washing and conditioning it, I put in my leave in conditioner, Curling Smoothie, Olive Oil, and hair gel and let my hair do it’s thing!  After three days my curls are still holding up!  My headband is actually the belt from a dress I saved when it didn’t fit me anymore.  Gotta love re-purposing!

Bought yourself any new beauty goodies lately?