#NatashaDenona – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

April 2020 Beauty Favorites

Hi all! I hope you’re well and staying safe.

Below are my beauty faves for April. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

I had a pretty good mix of skincare and makeup this month. I have been wearing a lot of makeup, because I have been doing a palette a day challenge on Instagram (fortyflirtyfab) where I used a different palette each day. It’s been fun and exhausting! I will be posting my final update soon.

Here’s a close up of the eyeshadow and face palette:

The face palette it the PUR x Trolls World Tour Top of the Charts Face Trio. It’s very fun to use. The blush is my favorite as it really brightens my sad, pale face. LOL!

The Natasha Denona Mini Retro Eyeshadow Palette is fairly new, but I want to include it because it’s amazing! So pretty! I haven’t reviewed it yet, but I’m bringing back my 20 in 2020 palette reviews next month and will be reviewing it soon!

I received the L’Oreal Bambi Eye Mascara and the MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish Highlighter in Double-Gleam in a giveaway from Youtuber Jessica Braun (she’s fantastic). Both of these are amazing. The MAC highlighter is natural and so pretty on and the mascara separates and lengthens my lashes. Love!

I picked up the Tarte Travel Size Timeless Smoothing Primer in my fall Ulta Points Haul. I just started using it, because I finished the pore filling primer I was using. I do love this. It works very well. I might have to pick up the full size eventually.

I received the Cure Natural Aqua Gel to review on Instagram. It’s a peeling gel, so you apply it to your skin, let it sit for a minute, then rub your face. The dry skin balls up and rinses away. It exfoliates it off and leaves skin soft and smooth.

Derma E is one of my favorite skincare brands. The products are affordable and so effective. This is the Skin Restore Advanced Peptides and Collagen Serum. I ran out of my neck cream and have been using this to firm my skin. It’s so lovely. It feels amazing on and does firm my skin.

This is the second bottle (first full size) of the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer I’ve had. I received it in my December Boxycharm. I love using it in the morning under makeup.

I can’t believe it’s almost May. I hope you had a great month at home, and that May is better for us all!

Shop My Stash April 2020 — Palette a Day Challenge April 20-25

Hey all! I hope you are safe and doing well!

I’m continuing my April Shop My Stash challenge. This month I’ve been using a different palette every day. I thought this would be a great way to use more of the palettes in my stash and would get me to wear makeup each day. It makes me feel a little bit better. It has been a bit challenging wearing makeup every day, though! I am also deciding if I want to keep all of these palettes.

April 20 — Bare Minerals Natural Oasis

April 21 — Urban Decay On The Run in Bailout

April 22 — Natasha Denona Mini Retro

April 23 — Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam

April 24 — Too Faced Palm Spring Dreams

April 25 — Urban Decay Born to Run

I swatched all of the shades. I love the shades in this palette. It’s pretty, but I think the tones are very fall. The looks I get out of this are deep and vampy. I’m still deciding if I want to keep it or pass it on.

This is the first time I used this palette, so I swatched all eight shades. It’s a really beautiful neutral one, and like the Bare Minerals one, you can get really vampy looks. I like it, though and am going to play around with it some more.

This is another new palette to me. And it’s stunning! I have a larger Natasha Denona palette, but this is my first little one. I love the quality of this, as you can see it swatched beautifully! I used just the pink shades, but I’m looking forward to playing with the gray ones, too!

Soft Glam is one of my favorite palettes! It’s so gorgeous! Every time I used it, I remember how much I enjoy it. I used the shades Tempera, Orange Soda, Burnt Orange, Glistening and Rustic. It was a simple look (it was my Zoom meeting day), but so, so pretty!!!

I received this in my January Boxycharm. I used it once before, but gave it a go again today. used the pink tones and did a cut crease, which was fun. The shades are used are: Cabana Time, Saucy & Bossy, Swizzle Stick, Rumtiki and Buzz Kill. I really liked the look, so I’m going to keep this around and try it some more!

Another favorite in my collection. I love using this in the summer and usually do bronze looks. I decided instead to use the pinks an purples. The shades I used are Weekender, Riff, Hell Ride, Guilt Trip, Wildheart Punk and Blaze. Very fun and different for me!

In my last update, I used a lot of neutral shades, but I used more color this time. And it was fun! Stay tuned for my last update and thoughts on how the month went. I’m ready for May!

Shop My Stash March 2020 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. I’m back with my February Shop My Stash results! I enjoy dipping into my collection and using products I haven’t used in a long time, or just haven’t given much of a chance.

My rule with this is if I don’t like the item after the month, I will move it out of my collection to make some room and let someone else enjoy it! You can check out my first Shop My Stash post for March.

These are the gorgeous products I used this month. And I did so well in using all of these, even though I was mostly at home and was not going out! I love applying makeup almost everyday. It makes me feel put together and like myself.

Before I go into how my month went, I wanted to say I’m switching it up just for April. Since I’ll be at home all month, I’ve decided to do a different Shop My Stash. I am going to use a different eyeshadow palette every day. I’ll be posting the palettes I’ve used every few days with swatches of the shades I used. I think this will be fun and a great way to use some of my palettes I’ve been neglecting.

So back to March. I used the Steve Laurant liner a few times. I kept forgetting about it, LOL! I do really like it. I did use both the Urban Decay Vice Lip Chemistry shades a lot and enjoy that product. It’s so different. It goes on almost matte and light, then it turns a bit deeper and glossier. I have the two lightest shades.

Here are the palettes I used:

I kind of forgot about this palette, too. I used it a few times, but kept reaching for other blushes and highlighters. I think I’ll keep it through the summer and if I don’t reach for it I’ll pass it on.

You can probably tell from how messy this Sigma Enchanted palette is, that I used it a lot in March! I really like this one, especially the shimmers and metallics. My favorite shimmers are Budding, Moonglade and Plume. The pinks and roses are so gorgeous! I am absolutely keeping this palette!

Here’s another keeper, the bareMinerals Gen Nude Eyeshadow Palette in Neutral. Such a gorgeous everyday palette. I can create a full look with this, either all mattes or with one of the shimmers on the lid.

So I am keeping all of these products for now.

On to my empties:

I had ten empties this month. I’m pretty proud of that. Staying at home, I’ve really been digging into my products. I have been consistent with my skincare, too!

I received the Kate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum in my February Boxycharm. I used it only on my neck and chin in the morning and evening. I really noticed firming in that area. I would purchase this again but it is $98! So…not right now.

I used up two toners — the Pixi Milky Tonic and the Skinfood Peach Sake Toner. I liked both of these. The Skinfood primer was probably my favorite, because it’s so refreshing. The Pixi Milky Tonic is hydrating. I would purchase these again.

I also used two mists. The Derma E UPLIFT Skin Beneficial Mist Mood Enhancing and the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea. I enjoyed both of them and would repurchase.

I used up the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. I like it, but I just started using the Farmacy Green Clean and I like that one more. It’s a smoother texture. I wouldn’t purchase this one again.

My last skincare items were a deluxe sample of the Amazing Grace lotion. Amazing Grace is my signature scent and I love it! And the DHC Urumai Cream is very thick and hydrating. It’s perfect for the winter, but since we are heading into warmer weather, I’ll be using a lighter lotion.

My two makeup items are the Urban Decay Brush Of Loose Powder and my favorite Mascara, the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. I would repurchase both, but I am good on powder and mascara right now. I’m really trying to use up what I have right now.

So, although I was at home most of the month, March was pretty good beauty-wise. I hope you stick around for my fun palette-a-day April (or whatever I decide to name it)!

Shop My Stash — March 2020

Hi all! Happy Sunday and happy March! The weather is so nice in Kansas City today, it’s supposed to be in the 60’s. What’s the weather like where you live?

I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) color cosmetics that I either haven’t used in a while or haven’t used much at all! My goal is to get more use out of the products I have and to see if they are something I want to keep.

This month I have chosen products that I have only used a few times, but I am excited to see how I really feel about them. I’ve picked out two palettes, a blush and a highlighter palette and two really interesting lip products. Since spring is on it’s way, I went with softer tones:

Such gorgeous products! I’m excited to play with these!

Here are close ups of each product:

Sigma Enchanted palette — This palette screams spring to me. I think enchanted is the perfect name for it. It’s almost like a fairy palette, lol! Plus there are greens and a gold for my St. Patrick’s Day look (I always wear green and gold on that day. My dad was part Irish). I’m very excited to play with this more.

bareMinerals Gen Nude Eyeshadow Palette in Neutral — I chose this so I would have a neutral palette as well as my fun one for March. I love the formula on this and the shades are perfect for every day.

Natasha Denona Bloom Blush and Glow Palette — I received this in a Boxycharm Premium last fall. I haven’t used it a lot, so I want to give it some love. I think it looks perfect for spring.

Vice Lip Chemistry Lasting Glassy Tint in Pink Slip and Low Key — high-gloss lip tint that reacts to your pH and creates a custom shade unique to your tone. Its lightweight, balm-like texture gives your lips a hit of hydration, so they feel moisturized. The lasting glassy tint adjusts to you; the color fully develops and reveals itself after just a few minutes and lasts up to 5 hours.

Steve Laurent Lip Liner in Chic — this is a nice nude pencil. I forgot I had it and just found it. I love nude liners because they work under any lip color.

Swatches:

The lip pencil in Chic and the Lip Chemistry’s in Low Key and Pink Slip

I am very excited for these products this month. I have used the eye shadow palettes a few times each, but not the other products. I am looking forward to trying them out!

Do you do a Shop My Stash? What products are you focusing on this month?

BoxyCharm Premium Review – January 2020

Hi all! I’ve just received my January BoxyCharm Premium! This is a fairly new subscription from BoxyCharm. It’s a little more products than the regular and a little less than the BoxyLuxe. Here’s the details:

It’s $35 a month
6-7 beauty items a box
$175+ Value
You get to pick one of the items
The items will be different from BoxyCharm/BoxyLuxe – you can subscribe to both with no product overlap.

The products I received are:

Billion Dollar Brows & Beauty Best Sellers Kit — $42
TULA Keep It Clear Acne Foam Cleanser — $34
FARSÁLI Liquid Glass Radiance Serum — $54
Natasha Denona Duo Chrome Top Coat in Lavender with Gold & Silver — $28
Too Faced Palm Springs Dreams Eye Shadow Palette — $45
Bliss Pore Patrol Deep Detox Four Clay Souffle Mask — $18

The total this month is $221 — good for a $35 box!

This is such a gorgeous palette in person. This is what I chose this month, and I’m so glad I did. The packaging is stunning, and so are the shades! I am going to try to review this sometime this month and I’ll do swatches when I do.

I was very surprised to see this in the box! I heard that a single Kat Von D shadow would be included, so I was very excited to see the Natasha Denona top coat shadow in my box! I love anything purple, too, so that made it even better!

This is a close up of the shadow and a swatch. It’s just a wash of shimmer, but it looks gorgeous over shadows! Since it has gold and silver in it, it can be used in both cool and warm toned looks. I’ve used it with a purple look, but I’m going to keep playing with it. Stunning!

I’m always on the lookout for new brow products. I think 2019 is the year that I started getting my brows together and I hope to perfect them in 2020! The brow pencil in this kit is more of a medium brown, and I have dark brown hair. But, I might keep this in my stash and try it when I finish a pencil or two. I think the concealer/highlighter stick looks pretty nice.

I’m very excited for this. I’ve already used it a couple of times and love it! I’ve been using it as a primer. It sits nicely over my sunscreen and makes a gorgeous base for makeup. I also layer a pore filling primer in my t-zone over this serum and my makeup looks amazing with it. I have just started trying out Farsali products and have been loving them so far. I received the Farsali Rose Gold Skin Mist in my November BoxyCharm and I purchased the Farsali Skin Goals – Blur, Prime, Hydrate & Soothe Set for myself and have been trying those serums and primers.

I was so excited to see Tula in the box until I realized that it’s an acne cleanser. I haven’t had acne for years, so I’m wondering if BoxyCharm uses our beauty quizzes at all! It’s the only type of skincare I can’t use. I will have to pass it on to someone else.

I do think I’ll keep and try the bliss mask. My pores are large and look congested, even though I don’t have oily skin. So, I’ll test it out and if it’s too harsh for me, I’ll pass it on.

I’m pretty happy with my box this month. I love the Farsali serum, the eye shadow palette and the Natasha Denona eye shadow topper. I won’t use the Tula cleanser and I might try the mask and brow kit.

I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about this box. It’s $10 more than the regular BoxyCharm. In the last few months, I have loved about half of the box and felt meh about the other half. So is it worth it? Maybe? I’m going to keep getting it at least for a few more months.

Do you get this box? What do you think?

Shop My Stash October 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! I’m back with my October Shop My Stash results! I enjoy dipping into my collection and using products I haven’t used in a long time, or just haven’t given much of a chance.

Unfortunately, I was sick for the last two weeks or so, so I didn’t wear makeup all month,

My most used products were the eyeshadow palettes and the essence highlighter. I used each palette a few times, the same with the highlighter.

The essence highlighter is so gorgeous! It can be worn sheer for a soft glow or built up to really shine!

I already let go of the Laura Geller blush. It was too dark for my skin tone, and it’s too old. And I have to say that I’m not really a fan of the Colourpop lipsticks, especially the Blur formula. It is pretty drying on my lips and the Creme formula isn’t much better.

Here’s photos with the eye shadow palettes open:

I really do love this Natasha Denona palette. I created a pretty pumpkin spice look with the orange and yellow shades a few times and also really love the red and purple shades. I am definitely keeping this beauty!

I love this Huda Beauty Smoky Obsessions palette, too! I create really pretty everyday looks with the brown mattes and the lighter shimmers. And the black and silver made a fun Halloween smoky eye! I love the quality of these shades and will be keeping it!

I think this is the first month this year that I’m getting rid of more than one item! I guess that’s good because my collection has really grown this year!

Now on to my empties:

As usual, my empties are mostly skincare, but I do have two makeup items. I’ve had my Tarte Shape Tape for over a year, and it’s finally empty. I might purchase it again in the future. It’s a nice concealer, but I have a few I’m using now and probably won’t need to purchase a new concealer well into next year! The Flower Beauty Seal the Deal matte spray is okay, but smells like perfume, so I won’t purchase it again.

I used up two cleansers. Skin & Co Whipped Cleansing Cream and Dr. Brandt Yogurt Cleanser. The Skin & Co cleanser is amazing at removing makeup and it so hydrating. I would purchase it again. The Dr. Brandt one was okay. I got it in a BoxyCharm. It’s expensive so I wouldn’t purchase again.

For the rest of the skin care, The Skin & Co Truffle Toner is amazing — so cleansing and hydrating. I would purchase again (and if you want to purchase from https://skinandcoroma.com/ and use code LORENA20, you’ll get 20% off your order!).

The StriVectin Neck Cream is lovely and so is the Mamonde eye cream!

October was quite a month. Since I was sick for over half of the month, I’m glad it’s over and I’m looking forward to November. Bring it on!

Shop My Stash — October 2019

Hi all! It’s time for my October Shop My Stash! I am looking forward to cooler weather and Halloween!

This month I have chosen products that will scream fall to me! The eye shadows I chose are dramatic and smokey and are perfect for this time of year. I think the rest of the products will compliment them well.

Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette — I purchased this as a birthday gift for myself in June. I think this will be so pretty for fall (and Halloween)! The shimmers in this are stunning and the mattes are s pigmented! I haven’t used it a lot, so I’m looking forward to playing with it!

I purchased this Huda Beauty Smokey Obsessions palette s an add on in my March 2019 Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I’ve swatched it, but I haven’t used it yet. I am going to try it out this month. It’s so pretty that I think I’ll love it!

I’ve had both of these products in my collection for a couple of years and haven’t used them for a bit. They are the Laura Geller Baked Blush and Brighten in Cherry Truffle and the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter. I am going to test these out to see if I still like them (and if they’re still good and not too old)!

These are the only two Colourpop bullet lipsticks I own. The left one is Hey Mr. DJ (soft petal pink), a Blur Lux Lipstick and Appy (warm pinky beige), a Creme Lux Lipstick. I’ve only worn them each a few times and I want to test them out more to see if I like the formula.

I’m excited to gets some use out of these products this month. Do you do a Shop your Stash? What are you including this month?

June 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi All! June is almost over — we are halfway through 2019! That’s so crazy! 2019 is zipping by.

Here are my beauty faves for June. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

I don’t have a lot of color cosmetic favorites. I’ve been really into making my skin look flawless! Plus, four of the products are from my June BoxyLuxe — The Farmacy serum, the Skin&Co spray, Touch in Sol primer and the Dominique Cosmetics gloss. It was such a great box this month!

These products have helped my skin glow this month! The Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Serum has made my skin look smoother. I use it a few times a week at night for resurfacing.

I use the the L&I Apothecary Rose Facial Toner in the morning and evening after I wash my face. It hydrates and makes my skin glow!

I love setting my makeup with the Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Radiant Dew Mist. It gives a soft glow to the face and some extra skincare benefits while setting my makeup!

I wasn’t sure about the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Prime Essence, but I really love it. I apply it all over and let it set for a few minutes. It helps my skin look smooth and it leaves it a bit tacky, which helps grip the foundation and make it last!

The Moroccanoil Treatment Original was in my June Allure Beauty Box. I haven’t tried it in years. I forgot how nice it is. It smooths my hair without making it greasy and it smells amazing!

I hadn’t tried anything form Dominique Cosmetics, and was excited to try the Dominique Cosmetics Lemonade Lip Gloss. It’s so good! It’s a really gorgeous peachy shade that I have been wearing all the time! It’s so summery. And the formula is hydrating, not sticky.

Last but not least is this gorgeous eyeshadow palette! It’s the Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette. I’ve only had it for a couple of weeks. It was a birthday gift to myself!

I had to put it in this roundup, because it’s been the palette I have been wanting to use! The quality is so wonderful — it really is a luxe palette!

So that is my June favorites round ups! What did you love in June?

Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette Review

Hi all! I hope you are having a great weekend! I am, it’s storming right now in Kansas City, but I have a pretty new palette to play with, so that’s okay!

I bought myself a birthday gift — the Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette ($65 USD). I’ve been wanting to try a Natasha Denona palette, but the normal sized ones are $129, and I can justify spending that much on eyeshadow. $65 is still a lot, but it is half the price. I have heard that the quality of these shadows are amazing, so I was excited to try it out!

Isn’t she gorgeous?! The shades are:

Poppy (crimson bronze metallic)
Citrine (warm yellow matte)
Phlox (burnt warm crimson metallic)
Awakening (lavender nude duo-chrome)
Laurel (peachy champagne metallic)
Aster (violet mauve duo-chrome)
Glory (fuchsia matte)
Azalea (pink copper duo-chrome)
Morgan (pastel coral creamy matte)
Agate (champagne apricot metallic)
Clove (dark maroon creamy-matte)
Carnelian (burnt light orange creamy-matte)
Jasper (bright terracotta creamy-matte)
Morning (light apricot creamy-matte)
Day Spring (nude bronze metallic)

Here’s a close up of each side of the palette:

And here are the swatches:

Top Row left to right — Poppy, Citrine, Phlox, Awakening and Laurel

All of these shimmers and metallics are gorgeous and so buttery! I had to swatch Citrine twice. It does blend out nicely, I just wanted a very bright swatch so you could see the color. My favorite shade of this row is Awakening. It’s a stunning duo chrome that is described as lavender nude. It looks amazing all over the lid.

Second row left to right — Aster, Glory, Azalea, Morgan and Agate

My favorite shades in the row are Aster and Morgan. Morgan is gorgeous in the crease as a transition shade with any of the other shadows in the palette. It’s so versatile. And Aster is just purpley goodness!

Third row left to right — Clove, Carnelian, Jasper, Morning and Day Spring

Such pretty warm shades! Clove was the hardest shade to blend. It’s a bit patchy. but it is a nice color to deepen a look. Day Spring is a beautiful bronze and is perfect for topping the oranges and yellows.

This palette was quite a splurge, but I’m so glad I got it. The quality of the shadows are so luxe and blend very well. I’m having fun creating bright looks for the summer. I also think that this will work well in the fall, too!

Have you picked up the Sunrise palette or do you have a Natasha Denona palette?

Allure Beauty Box April (and March) 2019

Hi all! I recently resubscribed to Allure Beauty Box. I was subscribed a couple of years ago and decided to give it another go. They were advertising an amazing collaboration box with You Tuber Carli Bybel. Plus $5 off the first box and a free La Mer gift. So they got me!

The Allure Beauty Box is $15 a month. And you receive deluxe and some full size products. Not bad!

I actually received the March box a couple of weeks ago, and thought that’s what they sent instead of the April box. But I just got the April box, too and thought I’d share both.

I didn’t get all of the spoilers that were advertised, but I think it’s a pretty great box.

Here’s the April box:

Juvia’s Place Nubian Mini Limited Edition

Vita Liberata Phenomenal Tan Infused Towels (2 pack)

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme

LA Splash Cosmetics ART-KI-TEKT Slim Eyeliner Pen — Full Size

LUXIE 205 Tapered Blending Brush Rose Gold –Full Size

Natasha Denona Eye Shadow in Bronzage

I have tried Vita Liberata mousses before, but never the cloths. I will try these out and see how I like them.

I haven’t tried this Briogeo product before, but will definitely give it a go. I love heat protection products.

The Luxie Brush is very pretty and soft. I will use that. My daughters usually steal any liquid liners I get, but I might try this out before they find it. I don’t use a lot of liner, but I would like to see how this works.

The first shadow swatch is the Natasha Denona Bronzage, there is also a closer swatch of that below. I think it’s fun how well it goes with the Juvia’s Place palette.

This is my first time trying Juvia’s Place. It’s a cute, mini palette and will be really good for travel. I have tried it and make a complete look with it. It was very nice quality and blended out well.

Here’s a close up of the Natasha Denona Bronzeage. It’s sooooo pretty! I’ve tried it with some of my favorite neutral mattes in the crease and outer corner, and it looks so pretty all over the lid. I think this will be a go to for summer. It’s really soft and buttery, too. I want to buy a larger Natasha Denona palette, but they are very expensive. Maybe in the future…

Here is my March box. I’m not going to show close ups of all of the products, but here’s a group shot:

This is my March box with my La Mer free gift. I received:

Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in OG or Bestie – FULL SIZE! Retail Value $20

The BrowGal Instant Brow Gel

Wander Beauty Mascara – FULL SIZE (Retail Value $24)

Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Oil

Mamonde Rose Water Toner

ModelCo Metallic Eyeshadow Trio in Mykonos

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask

I think this is a very good box. Even though I wasn’t expecting it, I’m glad I got it. I’ll use everything except for maybe the ModelCo palette and the brow gel is not in my color. I’ll try everything else.

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Do you get Allure? What was in your April box?