Sophistication Sundays – Latest Product Raves & Reviews

Sophistication Sundays – Latest Product Raves & Reviews

My Sophistication Muse, Audrey Hepburn
Sophistication Sunday revolves around my favorite beauty finds, techniques, fashion trends and anything else “pretty” that catches my eye. I look forward to sharing these ideas with you and hope to hear your suggestions and feedback as well! I am no expert at beauty or fashion by any means but perhaps that will make my thoughts more relatable. Simply put, I’m just a girly-girl navigating my way through the fabulous finds I come across.
I decided that after my absence in Sophistication Sunday posts that I should spend a little time talking about my new favorite products. Just when it seems I’ve completed my beauty arsenal there are a few more things I add to the mix!
First up, I have to review my new favorite eye shadow palette. I am SERIOUSLY in love with this thing! No, it’s not new to the blogger world (as I have been reading about it for months) but it took me a long time to break down and buy it.

The Urban Decay Naked Palette:

(Photo Source)

*Angels Singing*

As I said, I had heard great things about this in the internet world but because of the price tag hadn’t tried it myself. When my girlfriends and I recently took a trip to NYC one of them (a makeup fanatic like myself!) had the palette and I just had to try it out. I was quickly sold on the quality of the shadow and since I had saved spending money for NYC I figured I could justify the purchase.

Unfortunately, every Sephora we went to was sold out!… NOOOO!!!!


(Photo Source)

Okay I didn’t quite react like that but I was disappointed. *sad face*

Luckily when I returned to South Dakota – there it was! Waiting in stock just for me, at Sephora. Yippee!!!! And the rest is history.
Seriously though, this stuff is AMAZING!
I am usually changing eyeshadows all the time and searching for the perfect neutral.
This palette is packed with 12 beautiful neutrals that go on like a dream! If you’d like to see them “swatched” here is a great post from Beauty Deviant.
A lot of the shadows I’ve used are powdery and lack pigment when I actually apply them. In other words they look great in the pan but don’t really show up when I try them out.
This quality Urban Decay shadow is the perfect balance. It shows the color and amazingly enough looks great on everybody! Those Urban Decay people are GENIUS, I tell ya.
You can find this in stores (or online) at Sephora for $48. As I said before, I couldn’t imagine paying the price initially but I honestly haven’t used any other eye shadow since I purchased this. It is well worth the money and will last a very long time. Love it!

Another new beauty product on rotation is:

Physicians Formula Mineral Correcting Primer


Some of you may remember my initial post about foundation primer here. Since that post I’ve still been on the hunt to find my favorite primer. I decided that if I could make my own it would lack the odd smell of E.L.F.’s primer, have the color/coverage of Rimmel’s and the lightness & fast-absorption of Smashbox’s. BUT until I’m able to make my own line of foundation primer (ha!) Physician’s Formula will have to do.
I purchased this in “nude” for some coverage but it also comes as a pink highlighter or green corrector. It doesn’t provide the coverage I like but it is better than the completely clear primers. My biggest problem with the product is the container. I’m not a huge fan of the brush application and usually just twist it up, wipe the brush on my fingers, and then apply the primer. So it’s not great but it works and retails for around $10 and so far lasts much longer than Rimmel’s.
All in all I give it a B-

Last but not least I thought I would end on a hair product high note.
And surprise, surprise it’s another find from the Organix brand.
and this newest addition is just as amazing.

Organix Shimmering Keratin Oil

Organix Every Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shimmering Keratin Oil

When I saw this on their website I was anxious to try it! Unfortunately I couldn’t find it in any of the normal stores. I decided to order a few things from Ulta that I couldn’t get in town and added this to the mix.
The first morning I tried it I overdid it a little bit! I didn’t think it would be so potent and quickly learned a little goes a long way with this product. In other words, don’t spray too much or it makes your hair greasy! Just a couple sprays up the shine factor and provide smooth results. My favorite way to use the product is to spray it in my hand and rub it on the ends of my hair after I’ve finished styling it. It cuts down on frizz and helps leave strands smooth and shiny. Best of all, like the other Brazilian Keratin products, it smells heavenly.
It retails for around $6 and I am happy to report that I spied it on the shelf of one of the big box retailers today. If it made it out to the Midwest it should be at a store near you 🙂
Have you tried any of these products or any new ones worth trying? Let me know in the comment section below!
~Christi