I recently bought the Coastal Scents 56 Shadow Blush Palette, which I wasn't completely happy with.
My first problem was deciding which shadow colors to use together. It was a bit daunting for a beginner putting together a look with so many color choices. I'd say they blend alright, not great. There is quite a bit of fallout. The blush colors don't seem like they will work real well for a natural look, in my opinion. The shadows irritated my eyes.
I went to Ulta yesterday looking for a little higher quality eye shadow palette. I planned on buying Urban Decay's Naked Palette because of all the rave reviews online, but I thought the colors in it looked a bit bland.
Then I saw the Tarte Puttin' on the Glitz Limited - Edition Color Collection & Clutch for holiday 2011, priced at $48. I liked the colors in it, plus it comes with a silver clutch that holds one of the Tarte palettes of your choice. I was about to put this in my shopping bag when a sales lady approached me. I told her I was trying to choose between the Naked Palette & this Tarte color collection. She told me how great Urban Decay shadows are. She did a demonstration for me to compare Tarte & Urban Decay shadows. She put UD Primer Potion on her hand, then swatched one Tarte shadow & one UD shadow. Right then I knew which one to buy. I was going with the Naked Palette. The UD shadow went on so smooth & was true to color, while the Tarte shadow was a goopy mess.
So I got home & tried a look with the Naked Palette. OH MY GOSH, it is AWESOME! It goes on SO smoothly, doesn't flake, not a lot of fallout, didn't ittitate my eyes, & BLENDED sooo well. I was TOTALLY amazed at how different eye shadow formulations can be. I am totally sold on UD. I like the colors a lot.
My next thing to learn: are UD shadows much better than MAC's? I know MAC's are less expensive, and some say, less consistent in quality. Maybe I'll get some MAC for Christmas, as I don't yet own any. :D
