REVIEW: MUA "Going For Gold" Eyeshadow Palette

i know there are plenty of reviews of the MUA palettes all over the web but i had to do my own since well, i wanted to and this was my very first MUA eyeshadow palette.

i placed my first MUA order when they reached 35,000 likes on Facebook and had a 35% off sale and free shipping. how i did not buy one of everything is still shocking to me (see my haul here).

the "Going for Gold" Eyeshadow Palette (9.6 g) is £4.00 but i paid £2.60 which is roughly $4.11 CAD today (current exchange rate: 1 British Pound = 1.58 Canadian Dollar). $4.11! i had some restraint and only ordered ONE palette. i chose this one in particular because i've been on the hunt for the perfect yellow gold. the name of this palette has the word Gold in it so i was positive that it would be the answer to my search.

"Going for Gold" contains 10 medal-colored shades (gold, silver and bronze) in square pans which sets it apart from the other circle-panned MUA eyeshadow palettes. this palette is also limited edition since it was released in celebration of the 2012 London Olympics (which ended back in August so perhaps they made a few too many of these? ... not that i am complaining!!).

the palette comes in a rectangle plastic case. you can see the colors through the lid and it comes with a double-ended sponge-tip eyeshadow brush. the plastic lid is really easy to open - no breaking your fingernails - and it clicks shut.

this is the eyeshadow palette i've reached for most often these days. the one downside is that i really wish that there were a few darker colors in here. i have a monolid so i need a darker shade to pretty much draw in a crease where it should be. Shades 2 and 10 would be considered the darkest colors in the lot but 2 is still too light and 10 is too shimmery.

i find that the golds are more pigmented than the silvers. the silvers are actually a tad disappointing except for #10.
some special mentions:
#1 and #6 are the softest and least pigmented shades
#3 - antique gold
#4 - white silver that is rather chunky and uneven
#5 - orange gold
#9 - bronze copper; slightly patchy
all 10 are shimmery but # 7, 8, 9 and 10 have a metallic-y finish (#1, 2 and 6 are semi-matte)

my favorites are #7 and #8!

if you haven't tried MUA before, they are praised as being a low-cost, high-quality makeup company. so far, i am really enjoying their products (i've tried this eyeshadow palette and a lipgloss). i experienced hardly any fallout with this palette. they also lasted all day (with primer). there are some colors that are not that great but on the whole, it is worth it for me since i really like the gold shades. . i've checked the MUA website to see if they sold some gold eyeshadow singles but can't seem to find any.

do you own the "Going for Gold" palette? what have you tried from MUA and what would you recommend?

GLOSSYBOX: December 2012

i bet you have heard plenty in regards to the drama with the December Glossybox. you might be sick of it already, but let's recap just in case you haven't heard it.

- 2 items in the box - the Avon and the Revlon product - may have been discontinued/expired products
- some people have said that the Revlon nail polish had dust or Rite Aid clearance stickers on them
- some have also contacted Revlon Canada who said that they were not in partnership with Glossybox
- others said Avon confirmed their product was discontinued (there were a variety of Avon products sent out so i am not sure which one they were talking about)
- Glossybox's first response didn't help the matter either - they were very careful choosing their words. the first sentence angered many people, including myself: "GLOSSIES, we are sorry that some of you were disappointed with your full-size Revlon nail polish."
pretty much, they are emphasizing that the Revlon was full sized (lucky you!) and that they are not apologizing for the product itself but sorry that you are disappointed with it.
- Glossybox said they needed to speak to their European supplier about the Avon products. they later updated us with "We’ve communicated with our supplier in Europe, who has been a reliable GLOSSYBOX provider in the past, and they have reassured us that the product is in date, new and unopened, but we are devastated if our GLOSSIES are upset."
see that last part of the sentence? again, they are not taking responsibility.
- Glossybox said they will keep investigating the matter and will reevaluate their quality control processes for the future.
- this box was partnered with LOULOU Magazine. all they have said about the issue is that they are looking into it.
- some say that Glossybox has been deleting negative comments on their Facebook (i do not have evidence of this myself since i haven't been following that closely)

so personally, i do not have any issues with my Revlon nail polish. i can't find any information on the Avon lip gloss i got on the Canadian website nor the European website. i've seen a few eBay listings but none of them say discontinued...
what bugs me most is how Glossybox is handling the matter. they are not being honest upfront. plus, they claim to offer the "latest in high-end...beauty" and "only sources from the best cosmetics companies". both claims are directly challenged with this box.

everything was silver/gray this month - the box, the ribbon and the tissue since it was specially curated by LOULOU Magazine this month. there was also another Golden Ticket item - 50 people got a Nobia necklace. (by the way, i got the box on December 31).

even the GlossyMag is gray-ish

onto the products itself - this month's box is called the "Bejeweled Box" (i got V2):

1) TRESemme Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo - i actually have a full size version of this which i bought when i was trying dry shampoos for the first time. it didn't do much in terms of removing oil - i thought my hair still looked and felt greasy. near the end of the day, it even made my scalp itchy. the only plus side i could see is that it smells good.

size: 56 g
retail value: $5.99 (161 g)

2) Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 - i have been using my Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer (also from Glossybox) since April last year! it was a huge bottle and now i have two more Aveeno moisturizers to go through. i think i am set, Glossybox - in terms of moisturizers and in terms of Aveeno.
i do like that it has SPF 30, but i don't have dry skin nor the redness that comes from dry skin.

size: 73 mL (full size!)
retail value: $22.99

3) Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (Fair to Light) SPF 30 - like what i said in 2)... so many full sized moisturizers from Aveeno... when will i ever try something different?
this one is tinted though and it is in my skin tone so that's neat. SPF 30 is a plus so i will definitely use this... after i finish the Aveeno i am currently using. i will do a swatch then!

size: 75 mL (full size!)
retail value: $22.99

4) Avon Glazewear Extreme Lip Gloss in "Pale Pink Shine" - ahh.. here we are. we've reached one of the products that have caused a flare up in the discussion on the Facebook page. there are plenty of variations of "Glazewear" lip glosses on the Canadian and European Avon website but no "Glazewear Extreme".
either way, i am unsure exactly what to do with this. i have way too many lip glosses opened as it is so i would prefer to give it away or something but i don't think anyone would want it now. i read that someone else used this and it was fine and surprisingly pigmented.

size: 6 mL (full size!)
retail value: N/A

5) Revlon Nail Enamel in "168 Temptress" - i was initially turned off by the color and the packaging since the Revlon label does make it look like a really old polish... but i changed my mind!

the color "Temptress" is actually from the 2010 Limited Edition Fire and Ice Collection. the collection was inspired by Revlon's first lipstick EVER - "Fire and Ice" from 1952. back then, they released a collection featuring matching lips and nail polish. in 2010, they relaunched it with new shades (but kept the Fire and Ice lipstick, of course). my info sources came from Nouveau Cheap and IAMBRIGITTE.

so now i understand why the Revlon label looks so vintage. i also appreciate the color since i've seen some swatches where the pink is actually brighter than it appears in the bottle (shimmery peachy pink). plus, nail polish doesn't go bad so this product is fine with me. i did some research about nail polish and expiry dates when i wrote my Forever 21 Hello Kitty nail polish set (scroll to the bottom).

it's not quite as pink in real life...

size: 14.7 mL (full size!)
retail value: $5.99

6) Glossybox Lashes with Adhesive - i see how holidays = false eyelashes for everyone in the beauty subscription world. 3 of my December boxes contained lashes... and these Glossybox lashes are the er.. worst looking ones. the lashes are so long and dramatic and too shiny! the whole thing, including the box and adhesive, looks cheap.

size: 1 pair (full size!)
retail value: $12.50 (are you kidding??)

7) *bonus* TRESemme Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner - my hair reaches the middle of my back so i can tell you that aside from lack of volume, i suffer from split ends. when i am bored, i even like to pick at them. i won't be able to see the "80%" reduction in split ends since i don't see how i will get 3 uses out of this sachet.

size: 9 mL each x 2
retail value: $5.99 (700 mL) each

8) *bonus* Nobia X-Cessories Tiny Mint Earrings - at first, i thought this was the Golden Ticket item since these earrings were not listed on the card. i did not think that these were all that special but it turns out that everyone got it as a bonus item anyway. check out Petite Pear Style's blog to see what her Golden Ticket item was!
according to the Nobia website, these are $14.99! honestly, i would not pay that much for these "aquamarine" earrings. i don't mind the blue jewel but i don't like the rim (correct term here please?) around it.

size: 1 pair (full size!)
retail value: $14.99 ... according to nobia.ca

- - - - -

so drama aside, the box is decent but you gotta admit, it's pretty boring - just like every past Glossybox. they contain products i'll (most likely) use but they are pretty much all drugstore. it's hard to pick a favorite since i am not really excited about any of them but i'll have to say the Aveeno tinted moisturizer, though i haven't tried it yet...
i really hope Glossybox addresses the problems soon because people want some answers!

what are your feelings about Glossybox at the moment? did you have a discontinued or expired product in your box?

SPOTLIGHT: Cyber Monday Haul - MUA, Sea Lore, Fanchromatic Nails, Miss KL

since i am always curious about a company's shipping times and how they pack their shipments, i decided to do a Cyber Monday Shopping Part II to inform others. see the original post here.

MUA (MAKEUP ACADEMY)

date ordered: November 23

delivery estimate: in the email, it says it may take them up to 3 days to pack (website says they aim for 48 hours - business days). a package is deemed "Lost" only if it has been missing 25 or 35 days (for Canada). this is confusing because i found two different links to the shipping information page - one says 25 and the other says 35.

date delivered: December 17 or 18 (sorry i didn't check my mailbox on the 17th so i can't confirm the exact date).

# of days in between date ordered and delivered: 24 or 25

shipping method: Royal Mail

shipped from: Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England

packaging: large yellow bubble-wrapped mailer envelope. eyeshadow, pressed powder and nail polishes were bubble-wrapped. the eyeliner, cover stick, lipgloss and lipsticks were not. marked as "Commercial sample".

this was the first order i've ever made and i was a little scared that it wouldn't make it over here. the lack of tracking info as well as numerous people on their FB saying that it has been X amount of days and asking MUA where there package is also scared me a bit. so i was glad when i finally got my hands on it - three weeks later. before you submit your order, make sure you are prepared to be patient. i was surprised that nothing arrived broken since it seemed like the products were just tossed into an over-sized bag (i can't say for sure about the lipsticks yet actually). but look at all these goodies! 

cover up stick, lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner, nail polishes, pressed powder, lipsticks

there's so much more on my MUA shopping list i was saving for the 50% off sale and free shipping MUA was going to have when they reach 50,000 likes on FB. but they have taken this picture down and it looks like they are changing their offers so this might not be the case anymore.

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SEA LORE

date ordered: November 26

delivery estimate: none stated

date shipped: November 29 - received email notification and date stamped on envelope

date delivered: December 6

# of days in between date ordered and delivered: 10

shipping method: USPS (United States Postal Service) - can i just say that i've been shopping online for years and this was the first time i made the connection?? this face is necessary: -.-;;

shipped from: Ontario, Canada

packaging: yellow bubble-wrapped mailer envelope. everything was individually bubble-wrapped with some tissue (with stickers and glitter), candy and foam peanuts (haha! i had to google this to find out the proper term).  marked as "Gift".

the polishes look amazing!! i am very excited to use these (Ariel was a gift to my sister - she's her favorite Disney princess). i was surprised to get this rather quickly. i like the extra touch Jamie put into the packaging... who doesn't like candy?? 

when ordering on the website, you are given a shipping estimate - mine was $3.90 and i can see the seller paid $3.75 so that is pretty accurate.

Attina (7.5 mL), Ariel (15 mL), Beluga Blizzard (7.5 mL)

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FANCHROMATIC NAILS

date ordered: November 26

delivery estimate: 3-7 business days before ship

date shipped: December 6 - according to date stamped on box

date delivered: December 19

# of days in between date ordered and delivered: 23

shipping method: USPS

shipped from: San Francisco, California, United States

packaging: small cardboard box packed full of pink foam peanuts. polishes were individually bubble-wrapped. labelled as "Gift". 

ahh so excited to use these polishes! i was especially excited because 3 of these are from Lynae's Take My Sky Collection (inspired by Firefly) or Seven Kingdoms Collection (Game of Thrones). lastly, i bought Wowsville just because it looked pretty (Quality Cafe Collection; Ghost World).

Layer Cake (15 mL), Blue Sun (5 mL), Dire Wolf (5 mL), Wowsville (5 mL)

i was charged $4.75 for shipping and the seller paid $3.90 - so yes, there is a discrepancy but it is less than a $1. 

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MISS KL

date ordered: November 26

delivery estimate: all it says on the website is "5-8 days"

dates shipped: November 29 - as per tracking info

date delivered: December 11

# of days in between date ordered and delivered: 15

shipping method: DHL - eep! i was scared when i found out about this but it worked out in the end. no extra costs (probably because the order only came up to $11.26. i got a tracking number too. you'd think it'd be here faster than 15 days with DHL.

shipped from: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States

packaging: large white plastic bag

the plastic bag it arrived in was so much bigger than the product itself. upon opening the package, i find that the bodysuit i ordered is from "Leg Avenue". so if it says "Intimates Boutique" on Miss KL (or Karmaloop), know that it could mean various brands. 

so on the picture of the package, the bodysuit looks like a 70s or 80s leotard - the one that cuts really high near your hips. looks really scary - i hope the above picture doesn't offend anybody! but i tried it on and it doesn't sit that high at all. phew! i am planning to wear this with skirts since i'd like to keep my shirt tucked in.

a couple of issues i have with this bodysuit though is that it is opaque until you put it on and the fabric stretches. it's still not bad but you can definitely see the seams and any bra other than a nude-colored one. also, it is rather tight - very form-fitting. i must wear high-waisted skirts with this one :)

outside of the shoulder area; turned inside out to show you the seams

ahhh the metal snap buttons are so difficult!! it's hard to press them together and to take them apart! i have to insert my nail right in between to peel them apart because any other way and the fabric just stretches and looks like it will tear.

beware that when Miss KL offers "free shipping" that it means just that - you will have to pay for handling. you can also always do a search for promo codes and rep codes online. 

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so i hope that this gives you an idea of the shipping and whatnot if you choose to order from any of the companies i mentioned above. i will be posting separate reviews for MUA, Sea Lore and Fanchromatic Nails so stay tuned!

also i'm 25 and very late into the vampire game, but i'm going to admit to you that i've watched about 11 episodes of Vampire Diaries with my sister in the last 3 days. i've never watched Twilight or True Blood, but i must say that i am ... hooked. anyone else? :)