Random Rambling

What a whirlwind holiday weekend! It was filled with one family party after another. Imagine doing this scheduling math: mom's side party, dad's side party, in-laws party, and then somehow managing to host a Bulls season opener party with friends in between after-Christmas shopping. I'm tired just thinking about it, but we got through it and get to do it all over again for New Year's weekend. Woo-freaking-hoo.

Anyways after several days of makeup and styling, I rediscovered some very MAJ love for products I have in my beauty arsenal.

Urban Decay NAKED 1 & 2

Talk about instant classic, Urban Decay took the neutral eye look to another level when they debuted the NAKED palette. For years I have been stockpiling Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes (I have 8!), everything from Book of Shadows to the Deluxe Shadow to the Ammo Palette. In each one, the neutral shades are the only ones I hit pan. This is why the fact that all the subtle variations of the shimmery eyeshadows I <3 have been gathered together in the NAKED palette and the NAKED2 blew me away. The possibilities are endless of where your creativity will take you with these palettes. It's like a box of the world's finest chocolates for makeup junkies, you don't know which to try first. So two of the most perfect eyeshadow palettes ever and what am I doing? I am waiting for NAKED3 because let's face it when it comes to makeup...greed is good.

CHI Hair Straightener

The clouds parted and glorious birds began to sing, the first time I used a CHI hair straightener on my frizzy hair. My hair went from its usual poufy self to the glossy shampoo commercial hair I had always dreamt of. There are so many more affordable ceramic plated straighteners on the market now, but my loyalty is with my CHI. Let's keep it real, wearing hijab means that I get to be lazy when it comes to styling my hair more often than not. The husband is forced to look at the messy bun look (the messy is usually not on purpose) day in and day out. But every once in a while, when the planets align and all three of my babies (4 including the hubs) give me ten minutes to myself, I'll CHI myself and then bask in the compliments. "Oh God, is it our anniversary?" "How come you don't have that ball on your head anymore?" "Look I can run my fingers through your hair Momma" "ahhh-cooo" (the newborn). Hmmm, we may have to work on the fine art of complimenting in this household. ;)

Not so NAKED Shady Lady

My latest beauty find that I am so excited about actually happened at TJ Maxx. I popped in there with the hubs to check out some furniture, we are looking for that perfect cozy arm chair to snuggle with our kids and read. We have a bonus room at our place that I keep calling the library even though we have yet to assemble the bookcases.  (Ahem husband, this might be something you can do while watching collegiate football all day Saturday, during Sunday NFL games or Monday night football! Just sayin'...)

Ok where was I? Ah yes, TJ Maxx,  I went to check out their beauty aisle.  While the selection is really sporadic, ever since I stumbled on NARS lipglosses there at a whopping $10 only, I am always hoping to find something equally fab.  At the end of the display, mixed in with all their E.L.F. gift sets were three slim giraffe print cases that caught my eye. It was theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 3 eyeshadow palette.  Woohoo!

I love makeup palettes, I just find that it's the best way to get the biggest bang for your beauty buck. Also, because you get a whole range of colors, it forces you out of your comfort zone to try new colors that you probably wouldn't have bought separately.

I've tested out theBalm eyeshadows at Sephora before and I liked it but not enough to switch over from my beloved Urban Decay. But since TJ Maxx was selling this palette for only $12.99 for 9 shadows and liners, it was the perfect opportunity to try out the brand. (Sephora still has this on sale for $39.50!) These eyeshadows are very versatile, they can be worn dry over primer or applied wet as liner.

They have great color payoff and not a lot of fallout despite being so shimmery. My favorite color is the copper brown color "racy kacy", it actually made my eyes pop when I paired it with a matte brown color in the crease. At this price, it's a total win win win all the way around, so next time your are at one of the designer reseller stores, make sure you check out their beauty section. You never know what you might find there.

Speaking of eyeshadow palettes, has anyone got their hands on Urban Decay's NAKED 2 palette yet?  I have the original NAKED palette which has gone on to become a cult classic. While I probably will be picking up the new NAKED 2 palette as well whenever it comes back in stock at Urban Decay (sign up to stay updated), I really have to hand it to the marketing geniuses over there.  They are creating instant hype for their product by making it so exclusive and only releasing a few batches at a time. It's annoying for us as consumers but of course we all want what we can't have!