I’m thankful that I have a skin tone that’s pretty easy to match to a foundation shade. No tweaking necessary. But tweaking or customizing colors isn’t all bad. Sometimes it can be fun, like the last time you layered two gorgeous lip colors and produced an even more stunning, if that was possible, shade.

That is the sort of mentality I had to take with the NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Calabria ($24 US). It’s a truly beautiful color on it’s own, but it applies to the need for some minor adjustments because of its disappointing formula.

This eggplant plum has such a lovely richness and complexity like the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never that I reviewed recently. Unfortunately Calabria is too creamy to last long and creases on me rather quickly, a few hours.

What this really needs is a lot of smudging and sheerly applied layers with powder eyeshadow on top to make it work. It sounds like a lot, but if the mood for purple eyes strikes this is definitely worth it.

In fact, I had a hard time picking a swatch photo. In some shots and in real life, the color has a smokier tone and in others it’s more jewel-like. That gives it a little bit of versatility in that you can layer anything from a lilac to a violet shadow on top and Calabria will give it some sort of depth.

I had the best results very lightly laying down a hint of color, smoothing that layer with a synthetic shadow brush, then going back in with whatever powder eyeshadow. I suggest black eyeliner to make the eye look pop, but would not recommend using Calabria as an eyeliner as it smudges too readily.

What do you think of Calabria? How would you wear the purple color this Summer?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

One of the trickiest things to master is applying false lashes. For me, the key was frequent practice. Making excuses to apply and wear them whenever I had a spare 15 minutes got me to the point that it takes me less than five minutes.

During my learning trial, I never tried any application tools. I don’t know why, but I only practiced with the lashes and glue. It’s true that’s all I need now, but something like the Andrea Modlash Starter Kit ($6.99 US) definitely could have helped me.

Included in the Modlash Starter Kit are lashes, lash glue, and an applicator. I find it nice that there are many kits, each with different eyelashes inside, so you don’t sacrifice options. I tried 45, a dramatic style that emphasizes length and separation.

The three-step instructions in the kit are pretty clear, so beginners shouldn’t be too confused. Below I’ve followed the directions, which I’ve copied out, and photographed each step, but I also shared my thoughts on the step as well as any relevant tips.

1. “Prepare lashes. Use after applying eye make-up. Hold lash band at both ends and flex it gently a few times. Align lash band with your natural lash line, starting at the outer edge. If the band is too wide, trim the outer end with scissors to fit.”

My take: I think this step is well written. The band of false lashes are usually too long, so trimming them down to size is important. It’s crucial to trim off the outer side of the band and not the inner to make the lashes appear more natural.

2. “Apply adhesive. Place a lash strip in the applicator, exposing the band. While clamping the lashes firmly with the applicator, apply a thin line of adhesive along band. A little drop is all you need (see inset for amount size). Use a toothpick if necessary to spread evenly. Wait until adhesive becomes tack (30 seconds).”

My take: I actually really like the applicator for holding the lashes while applying glue. Usually my fingers get sticky too since I have to hold the lashes, but this prevents that. If you don’t have toothpicks handy, you can try using the handle end of a small eye makeup brush. Do not use a Q-tip though, since the fibers can stick to the glue.

3. “Apply lashes. Looking into a mirror, press band against eyelid as close to your lash roots as possible. Gently press corners with fingers for a few seconds to secure. Adhesive will dry clear in 3-5 minutes.”

My take: I was confused about whether or not to use the applicator to place the lashes, since it’s not clarified. However I assumed you do use it, which didn’t work very well for my small lids. I found it easier to just take the lashes out and apply them myself.

Overall, this is a good one-time investment for false lash beginners. I imagine that the applicator will be much more useful to them or for those with eye shapes that match the curvature of the applicator. Otherwise, the lashes and glue are great too.

How long did it take you to get the hang of falsies? Do you use lash applicators?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

Guess what I finally got around to buying? Yes, the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette! It’s been on my wish list forever, but always got pushed back in favor of limited edition items. Now that it’s in my hands, I realize what I’ve been missing out on.

The amazing value aside, these eye shadows are gorgeous. Urban Decay is probably my favorite brand for eyeshadows, and these are beautifully pigmented and buttery as expected. I can’t wait to play around with the different colors this weekend!

The Sheer Summer Glow Highlighter is beautifully done by Burberry and beautifully worn by Viviana Does Makeup.

The limited edition By Terry lip tint on The London Beauty Review creates on-tred stained neon lips.

Who wouldn’t fall for these beautiful Models Own glitter polishes on Makeup Savvy?

Pearls and Poodles reviews and swatches the Lily Cole for The Body Shop Collection.

Check out Clinique’s newest Chubby Stick colors for the season at Dainty Dollymix.

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I don’t actually bring makeup to the beach, besides maybe an SPF lip balm. That’s because I tend to stay at the beach for a while when I go, and I don’t want my makeup to get fried by the sun. Melted gloss is never in style!

Though my beach makeup bag stays at home, the Hard Candy Shiny When Wet Waterproof Mascara and Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($7 US) and Take It Off Makeup Removing Wipes ($5 US) are two pieces from their Spring Collection that definitely belong inside.

The Shiny When Wet Waterproof Mascara and Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is a really cool item to have. It’s basically a mascara that has a cap with a small brush tip applicator that uses the same product from one tube as an eyeliner.

It looks kind of complicated, but just untwist the bottom cap for the mascara and the top cap for the eyeliner. The brushes are nice for both. The mascara’s is angled and thick for lift and volume. The brush applicator is just the right stiffness and size.

The product has a nice, shiny blackness. The product seems to last longer as a mascara on me, though I wouldn’t call it waterproof. It wears like an average longwearing product, about 6 hours.

Having pre-moistened towelettes at the beach is a lifesaver. They’re can get makeup off (If you decide to wear any, and it smudges!) or wipe away sand. The Take it Off Makeup Removing Wipes run on the thinner side, so they’re not very effective at taking off heavy or waterproof makeup. But at the beach, they do the job perfectly.

Have you tried a dual liquid liner and mascara product before? Do you bring makeup to the beach?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

When I was first starting out with makeup, I remember becoming excited over super exclusive, limited edition products or preview sales. Nowadays there seems to be so much that they kind of blur together.

That being said, the Tarte Miracle of Maracuja Skin Smart Collection ($59.96 US) stands apart from the crowd. Sold today Friday March 16 only for this price, this $200 value set at QVC and qvc.com features the eight full sized products below and will increase in price to $72.50 after today!

-Maracuja Waterproof Creaseless Concealer ($24 US) delivers a luminous finish in five shades.

-Lights, Cameras, Lashes! Mascara ($19 US) is meant to curl, lengthen, and thicken while keeping lashes supple.

-Beauty & the Box Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Quad in Envoke the Smoke ($22 US) is a QVC exclusive with smoky purple, black, and soft pink hues.

-Airbrush Finish Bamboo Blush Brush ($28 US) is also a QVC exclusive that goes perfectly with the blush below for a soft, natural finish.

-Airbrush Maracuja Blush in Amused ($25 US) is infused with Tarte’s signature Maracuja and is meant to apply a shimmery poppy color like a second skin.

-Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Peaceful ($21 US) is a peachy nude gloss in the cutest packaging and a QVC exclusive shade.

-Cashmere Waterproof Gliding Liner in Black ($18 US) promises creamy, pigmented color that will last without fading.

-Pure Maracuja Oil ($46 US) is another trendy beauty oil that is perfect for the face as a moisturizing skin booster.

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