I don't understand why everybody's so hung up over the Urban Decay Naked palettes. Sure, UD makes smooth, pigmented eyeshadows and the colors look good, but these qualities are not really unique. There are tons of options out there, if you would only look beyond the "obvious" choice.

One palette that I've really, really been mooning over is the LORAC PRO Palette (P2,400 at Stuff In Style). This is another raved-about palette but it's slightly more low-key compared to Urban Decay.  

The LORAC PRO has 16 shades, half of which are matte while the rest is shimmery. It doesn't just feature daytime neutrals; it also has shades fit for a daring smoky eye. Other than the neutral shades you'll see flashes of bright garnet, dramatic purple, and sleek stony slate. I think these colors make the palette more interesting and opens up more possibilities!

Each color is highly pigmented with an ultra-smooth texture - yes, even the matte, cream-toned ones. They are also color true. You basically get whatever you see on the pan. I also love that I don't need a primer to achieve full opacity!

Okay fine enough rambling. :P Here are the swatches, plus a couple of looks I did with this palette.

I love little white dresses, but they don't love me back. You see white is such an unforgiving color on less proportioned body types like mine. It can highlight bulges that no one even knows existed and make the body look much wider than it actually is. That's why I *try* to avoid white outfits, just to be safe!

Well, knowing all that, I still buy white dresses just because. They are so fresh to look at. There's something about wearing white that speaks elegance, clazz, and how good you are in kung fuing your way out of a ketchup stain. Fine, wine stain.

I don't know what the Japanese put in their eyeshadows, but whatever it is, it's dope. It doesn't even matter if the brand is low or high-end - the eyeshadows are usually smooth and highly pigmented. You'll remember my review of the KATE Blendzone eyeshadow and how impressed I was with it. The new eyeshadow, the KATE Eye Shadow CQ (P960) is no less impressive.

Same as Blendzone, CQ is highly pigmented, creamy, long-lasting, well-milled - everything I'm looking for in a quality eyeshadow. The shades in this palette are all lovely and work great with my skintone.

Some girls don't like wearing eyeshadows because of the extra work involved. They also don't want to give the impression that they're overly made up, especially in professional or formal settings where they need to look clean and almost bare-faced. Hence, the "no makeup makeup" was born.

I think that the Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Country Woods were designed with that look in mind!

This palette has four neutral eyeshadows that are decently pigmented for a drugstore brand. The eyeshadows won't really show up brightly though. That just give the eyes the subtlest hint of glimmer and contour, improving their shape and color, without giving many clues that they're actually there. Pretty neat if you ask me.

What I like about the product

• Nice pigmentation. Won't blow your mind away, but it works.
• Colors really bring out the eyes without looking obvious. They look good on fair to medium skintones. 

Today is going to be a super duper hectic day. I'm trying to get blogging out of the way so I won't have to fidget the rest of the time. Blogging for me has become such an ingrained habit that I'm uncomfortable if I don't blog according to schedule! I can't focus if I don't blog, so here we are. 

I just want to share a quick look I wore last Monday. The lips are a little loud for the office, but I thought I could get away with it with neutral eyes and almost bare cheeks.  It was the first time I took the Colour Collection lipstick in Crimson Pink for a spin and I have to say - I love it! The shade is very flattering on me as it brightens my whole face, plus I find it a nice break from the typical reds. 

Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, MAC Studio Finish concealer, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit (for dark circles), Clinique translucent loose powder, Guerlain Meteorites

Cheeks: Shu Uemura Glow On blush in Amber

Majolica Majorca released two new Jeweling Eyes Palettes (P795) in their Sugary Trap Collection - one in bronzy browns and another in candy pinks! So pretty, I tell you. I've been using Caramelisee (BR631) pretty regularly since it's so flattering on the eyes. Sugar Cookie (PK330) is cute, but I have yet to find an occasion to wear it. I promise I'll take a snap when I do!

Both palettes have warm colors that can work with our tan Asian skin. I like that they show up well even without a base, plus the sponge applicator is actually useful.

Whoever said that neutrals are boring is wrong! Why? Because neutral makeup has different "levels" (for lack of a better word). They can be dramatic, barely there, soft focus - the list goes on. It's not enough to just dump any brown eyeshadow and MLBB lipstick on your face. You have to know the colors that suit you best and have the effect you want in mind. It's easy, true, but it's a challenge when your skin tone changes or when you simply want to come up with something better than you already have.

I was experimenting with my palettes the other week. Was really pleased with what I came up with!

Face: Guerlain L'Or primer, Clinique Supermoisture foundation, Ellana mineral finishing powder in Espresso Con Panna, The Balm Liquid Time Balm concealer

Cheeks: Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Blushing Berry

When I started getting into makeup, I would always ogle at beauty bloggers who use mostly MAC eyeshadows in their FOTDs. It seemed to me that the best eyeshadows in the world are made by MAC. I've always dreamed of owning a full customized palette, but I couldn't afford to start my collection since these eyeshadows aren't cheap at P870 per pan.

Three years down the road, I realized that there are other great eyeshadows that offer more value for money (like Urban Decay). Nonetheless I still want to complete a 15-pan palette someday even if I have to buy one pan of MAC eyeshadow every month or so! Haha. I actually just bought an empty palette after waiting for MONTHS for one to become locally available, but that's for another post. Today I'll just review the eyeshadows I have. Most of them I bought from Duty Free, while two came from a swap.

Predictably, they're all neutral. I want to start my collection with a solid foundation, hence the wearable colors. Later on I'm going to add more adventurous shades! For now I have some of MAC's more famous eyeshadows.

What I love about the product

• Extremely pigmented. I don't even need to use a base to make the colors pop.
• Amazing texture. Each eyeshadow is smooth and blends in without a fuss.

A great neutral, travel-friendly palette is a makeup must-have. Plus points if the palette can be used for day to night! Perhaps the best neutral palette that has come out this year in terms of value and quality is the Urban Decay Naked Palette. However, if you're not willing to shell out P2,000+, pine in the endless waiting list, or stress about payment and shipping form the US, then this palette from Wet n' Wild is a pretty nice n' cheap alternative.

The Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette in Vanity is love at first swatch for me. The colors were pigmented, creamy, and flattered my skin tone (yes, not all neutrals look good on all skin!). It's not perfect of course, but overall this is a solid product that is well worth the P500 you'll be shelling for it.

What I love about this product

• Pigmented
• Creamy, especially the matte chocolate brown and tan colors
• Long lasting. I'd even go so far as to say that these are a bit waterproof. I don't even use a base to make this last all day! I like using the chocolate brown as eyeliner, especially on the waterline since it sticks very well there.