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Are You Ready, Kids? SpongeBob SquarePants Makeup is Coming

hipdot x spongebob squarepants eye shadow palette open and closed on a teal background
Photo by HipDot

If you aren’t already on the email list for HipDot’s new upcoming palette release, you need to be. Get ready to celebrate some of the best of the 90’s with this colorful set of shades inspired by everyone’s favorite patty flipper, Spongebob Squarepants.

It isn’t out yet, but reviews of other HipDot products are promising. With their recent palettes really setting social media ablaze with bright pigments and glitter so thick you can see it from the heavens, I have to say, I am PUMPED about this release.

This palette boasts fifteen shades in tropical, watery hues inspired from the ragtag group of characters that live in Bikini Bottom. While the yellow is fairly evident (is anyone else excited for three yellow shades???) I think I can see where they get their inspiration for the rest of the palette. Can you imagine doing a LEWK based on the different characters? The shades are perfect for Gary.

What about everyone’s favorite money-grubbing claw daddy, Mr. Krabs??? (Don’t you even try to tell me that you didn’t want to eat a Krabby Patty.) Clancy Brown, you did a great job in Detroit: Become Human, but you’ll always be Mr. Krabs in my heart.

Of course, our clarinet-honking, ear-murdering, Frasier-watching octopod neighbor should not be left out. Just look at the shades “Bikini Bottom Blue” and “Angry Tentacles!”

Photo by HipDot

The swatch above shows the different pigments, but every single one has a glitter element to it. From looking at the pans, it looks like not every shade has glitter. This swatch must be layered, which brings up some questions: Is the glitter formula the same as some of their other palettes? (I hope so!) Did they make the glitter more sheer with the intent of layering? Or do we get a palette with the flexibility to have every shade glittery or matte based on layering??? Oh, the possibilities!

This palette makes a splash soon on July 17. Is this going to be something on your wishlist? What other characters looks does this palette inspire you to make? I can’t wait to snag it!

"XOXO, Amber" in hand-styled script
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MAC & Disney collab – ALADDIN

So during my vacation, I stumbled upon THIS while at Disney Springs. At the time, it wasn’t open to the public. But on May 15th, guests will have the opportunity to be one of the first to shop the collaborative collection.

On MAC’s website, you can check out the different items available. I am in love with the lipsticks, particularly Friend Like Me, a neutral beige pink with a cool undertone.

The reveal will be next to The Boathouse. The closest parking will either be surface parking in front of Cirque de Soleil, or the Lime Garage. (If you park in the garage – which is free – try to get a spot on level 2. Level 2 has walking access right to Disney Springs!)

I am hoping I get a chance to get some early access and photos of the products for you!

If you were to shop this collection, what is your MUST HAVE item???

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An Indie Palette You’ll go WILD For!

You may not have heard of Menagerie Cosmetics yet, but believe me, you will be seeing more of them! Founded in October 2018, this independent beauty company makes all of their products in house, and proceeds from certain products goes to support the Animal Welfare Institute. This Washington based company is of course cruelty free and vegan, which is why it shows up on the blog!


This 12 color palette includes 9 matte shades and three duo-chromes. The pans are a good size, the top flap hold a large mirror, and the packaging is simply magical.

Just look at this packaging!!! A glorious wolf-lord, adorned with antlers, looks like the King of the Forest. Pretty little fairies flit around and make images of sparkle and magic dance in your mind.

I ordered two palettes from them, this and their Dragon Child palette, which I’ll reviewing later. Both came in great condition. Only the Wolfling shade, second from the top right, was loose and moving about in flakes. It appears to have been jostled too hard, but I did not lose any amount of product to speak of, and it still works fine. The company would have sent me a replacement pan if I asked, but I don’t think it warrants a replacement.

The colors are vibrant and true to pan. I do wish the teal color would be brighter, but I have yet to experiment with all my different priming solutions. Only the colors Ivy and Fenris were blotchy on application, but again, this is a finger swatch and not on face on top of product which drastically changes performance. Below, you can see where I used Ivy and Fenris in the crease, and the pigmentation is even and smooth.

They apply well and blend nicely with very little fallout on the matte. The duo-chromes have considerable fallout, but that is totally normal for that type of formula – and it is SO worth it!

This palette is sumptuous and unpredictable. With its several neutral tones and vibrant pops of color that refused to be missed, it comes across just as wild as nature. The packaging matches the brand’s aesthetic of the fantastic and ethereal, and the colors and performance are a joy. I honestly want to buy more of their stuff based on the packaging alone! Plus, helping animals. Win win!

And yes; I did this look to coordinate with my D&D shirt.

Be sure to go to my instagram to check out my stories with videos of the swatches and palette, plus more to come!

Do you own it? What do you think? Be sure to tag me on your looks. I would love to see them!

"XOXO, Amber" in hand-styled script
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Blend Bible Vol 1 Palette Review

I’ll be doing a YouTube series on the basics of makeup. (Make sure you follow me so you don’t miss it!) It will start with understanding light and shadow, how that applies to shaping your face, dealing with hooded eyes, how to apply foundation, and more! Whether you want to just up your daily game or learn how to get those CRAZY good looks like you see on instagram, these principles are going to be the building blocks you need to get you on the right track.

Now to the review!

Fugly BeautyĀ was good enough to send me this palette to review for you all, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! The palette aims to contain shades to aid in blending. This palette is the only one I know of with the goal of just being full of transition shades. So what does the palette look like?

Here are the nine shades inside of the palette. As you can see, everything was manufactured well and shipped securely so as not to break or become damaged.

You can see the texture of the makeup in the pans in this shot. The surface has a bit of a grain to it that helps it get loaded onto the brush.

The packaging is very bold and colorful. The palette is small enough to fit into my travel bag for an easy weekend look, and if you choose to keep the sleeve (I suggest you do) it will ensure it stays closed so no makeup accidents during travel!

The inside of the palette has a large mirror. The durable sleeve is pictured to the right.

As a standalone palette, this has a lot of potential. The colors are all warm based neutrals. As you can see from the finger swatches above, I have a light skin tone. There is not a shade in the palette that is either as light as my skin or lighter, which I would have liked. Being able to tap into a neutral light shade to tone done or blend other shades is a great way to blend. That being said, what it lacks in my preference of lighter shades it makes up for in many ways.

The formula does exactly what you expect: blend nicely! It’s buttery smooth. It performs as smoothly as professional brands I’ve used, and if you’ve seen my instagram, that’s a lot! It’s not quite as velvety as Jeffree Star’s line, but I prefer the Fugly Beauty palette to Anastasia of Beverly Hills palettes, whose formula tends to be too soft and leaves a lot of fallout.

As for transition shades, there are only a few I would not use as often. Shade #9, the deep mulberry wine color, is quite dark to be a transition. However, it makes a LOVELY crease shade. With its hint of color, it also ads interest and depth to a neutral smokey eye. Try using it to blend in with your deeper shadows on your next smokey look for extra oomph!

Overall impressions of the Blend Bible Vol I are positive! This is definitely something I would take with me while traveling. It has the potential to create an everyday look as well as an evening smokey eye all in one palette. With the absolutely MASSIVE mirror, it means that even when faced with crummy hotel mirrors, I can take this baby next to a window and have a great mirror to complete my look. This is a versatile palette that will help you up your blending game while also being a good standalone palette for many different looks.

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Here is the look I created using @fuglybeauty 's #blendbiblevol1 ! Look at the gorgeous transitions! I used @menageriecosmetics Dragon Child palette for the pops of color. Highly recommend! Details below: * * * * Lips: Pretty by @milanicosmetics Face: @toofaced foundation @tartecosmetics blush @nyxcosmetics highlight Brows: @anastasiabeverlyhills dip brow Lashes: @hudabeauty in Samantha * * * * #ad #hudalashes #hudalashessamantha #fuglybeauty #indiemakeupandmore #indiemakeup #indiecosmetics #menageriecosmetics #undiscoveredmuas #milanicosmetics #anastasiabeverlyhills #ohiomua #militaryspouse #beautyofthegeek #militarymua #makeupinfluencer #makeupreview #palettereview

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So what do you think of the palette? Have you tried it?

Be sure to follow me on instagram for regular palette and beauty reviews!

Until next time!

"XOXO, Amber" in hand-styled script
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January BoxyCharm Review

Have you been considering a beauty subscription to BoxyCharm? Take a peek at what I received and how I used it!

The January box contained five full-sized products as well as two Tatcha masks. And with the look I created, I used all of them! (Except the masks.)

This look is perfect for glasses and glam! I used my regular Anastasia of Beverly Hills dip brow pomade and Maybelline concealer to do my brows.

In the crease of my eyelid, I used Malibu, the dark hazelnut shade. On my lid, I used Heat Wave, the pinkish shade to the right of Malibu. And in my inner corner, I pressed a good amount of Treasure to really make sure it popped behind my lenses. Then with a liner brush, I smudged more Malibu into my lash line on both my upper and lower lashes, focusing on the outside corner. It darkened it up just enough to bring attention to my eyes without closing them in. (When it comes to wearing glasses, a lot of times, less is more!) Then, to finish it off, I put on mascara.

The real focus of this look is the GORGEOUS lipstick by Ofra! This beautiful shade, Havana Nights, not only is perfect for the winter, but it also feelsĀ amazing.Ā 

This is my second month of getting BoxyCharm, and I am in love! I have done beauty subscription boxes before. I have even done Ipsy. But because of the full size products, premier brands, and better curated content, the value in BoxyCharm is SO worth the additional ten dollars! Still not sold? Consider this: the Tarte palette aloneĀ retailsĀ for $36! That’s incredible! And on the rare chance I get something I’m sure I won’t use (haha) or something I already own, I know it will be quality products that will make amazing gifts to my girlfriends throughout the year. Win win!

Are you ready to check out more? Then go to BoxyCharm‘s website. I’m not an affiliate or anything like that. But if you do sign up with my link, we both get a little extra lovin’ from BoxyCharm as a thank you! So go check them out!

Until next time,

"XOXO, Amber" in hand-styled script
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Natural Brow Formula – Quick and Easy!

Have you wanted to sculpt a brow that is right for your face? If you are just starting into brow territory, it can be an intimidating task. But do not fear! Amber the makeup geek is here to save the day with a handy-dandy video tutorial that is fool proof to getting brows that perfectly suit your unique features.

Watch this video and ask me any questions! I would be happy to help.