It's the era of YouTube collaborations, MakeupGeek x MannyMUA, Colourpop x Kathleen Lights, Becca x Jaclyn Hill, and last but not least BH Cosmetics x Carli Bybel. Though it was a struggle to receive my order in one piece, BH was supaaah nice and send in a replacement for my lost package.

When I opened the package, I was blinded by the light, the palette reflected. I have to let you see for yourself, wear your shades people....presenting before you, the bloody awesome Carli Bybel Palette.

Cost

$12.50

Packaging

• Sleek-travel friendly cardboard packaging with a magnetic closure.
• An all-white/silver cushion and pearl print on the top. The all-white/silver theme is a stark contrast to the rich warm tones inside.
• On the backside, you will find a small write-up on Carly in English and French and the ingredient list.
• On the cardboard spine, you can see a cutesy pink penguin. 

• Open up and inside you will find a good sized mirror and the quote "Aspire to inspire" printed below the mirror.

Ingredients

• Vegan
• Paraben Free
• Non-Irritating
• Allergy Tested
• Clinically Tested
• Cruelty Free Product

Contents

• Contains 10 eyeshadow shades ( 5 mattes and 5 shimmery shades) and 4 highlighters.
• The matte eyeshadows are plummy~neutral shades and shimmery ones are rich warm earth tones making it a universally flattering palette.

Swatches

Top Row

1. Matte Cream
2. Pink
3. Brown Cool (Crease) 
4. Cool Matte Plum
5. Warm Matte Plum 

Middle Row

1. Golden-Pink
2. Golden
3. Warm Brown Bronze
4. Copper-Bronze
5. Satin Black Brown

Bottom Row (Highlighters)

1. Pink
2. Golden-Pink
3. Golden
4. Bronze

Performance

• The palette does kick up some dust (matte shades) and is slightly chalky.
• The powder doesn't sit well on synthetic brushes. Tap the excess off, and you will be left with little or no product on the brush.
• The shimmery shades are a dream to blend and apply.
• Some shades do look similar. For example, 1 Middle Row and 2 Bottom Row or 2 Middle Row and 3 Bottom Row.
• Highlighters are very fine and buttery to apply.
• Average wear time is 6 hours without primer, after which the shades start to fade.
• Strong scent can be an issue for people who are sensitive to certain smell.

Application

A simple eye look with the palette

I applied the highlighter under my foundation for a subtle glow

Verdict

It's a super affordable palette and a dream for neutral lovers.

Most Used Face Brushes

If you ask my brush babies, they would tell you the kind of bad mother I am. I mean, I do prefer some of my brushes more than others. I go through phases where I am obsessed with a certain something, candles, foundations, palettes, and I used to be weirdly obsessed about brushes during the earlier half of 2015.

If I have to pick and choose five face brushes that I absolutely can't live without, these would be my pick:

1.      MakeupGeek Flat Kabuki Brush: I was so obsessed about the brush, that I had to buy a backup. The brush bristles have the perfect density to apply foundation and are soft on the face. The finish is super flawless. I had a major issue with the length of the handle (was a little long, making it hard for me to have a close look in the mirror), but the newer version has the problem sorted. Bristles are synthetic and there is no shedding or bleeding while cleaning :).

2.       Vega Blush Brush: I know, I know, you might be wondering what this ratchet looking black pocky brush is doing in my top brushes list, especially when I have a soft RT blush brush! I just can't get rid of my first blush brush. It picks up the right amount of color, and it is small enough for my face. Also, as the bristles are black which helps me to see the amount of product that I pick up. The brush might not be the softest one in the market but it does tick all the right boxes in the perfect blush brush checklist.

3.       Colorbar Flat Eyeshadow Brush: To be frank, I've never used this brush for its intended purpose, ie, on the eyes, instead, I use this brush to set the under-eye concealer. I gently pack on the brush with my Chambor loose powder and pat it over my concealer. This brush has not given me any troubles and the bristles are synthetic.

4.       Elf Concealer Brush: I was going through this concealer only phase and this brush has served me well. It made it to the 2015 favorites list. You can read about it here.

 5.       RT Angled Contour Brush: Finding the right contour brush and the journey itself is worth a whole post. After my tryst with the disappointing Sigma contour brush, I ordered this brush on a whim from Amazon. The bristles are firm enough for a super, blended contour, but also soft enough to be loved by my face. The angle makes it easier to chisel out that non-existent cheek bone.

So these are my most used, dessert island brushes.  What are yours?

PS: I do intend to do a similar post for eye brushes.                                         

Disaster!

The month February has been officially re-named as the disaster month. I had my fair share of back to back makeup heart breaks in February.

A Broken Glow: TheBalm Betty-Lou Manizer is my favourite highlighter of all time, it survived a fall on the floor once, but didn't the second time around. I lost my grip, and the poor thing was on the floor before I could process the fall in my brain. I shouldn't be complaining as the palette is not in unusable condition, just that it has heavy fall out. There is no palette or heart, rubbing "alcohol" can't fix, I am yet to attempt fixing the broken palette.

Evaporated Into Thin Air: I usually carry my makeup and perfume in my handbag while travelling, *go ahead, call me crazy makeup obsessed*. As I own only Ninna Ricci Elixir in the 30 ml bottle, I carry it around when I travel. On the flight to Bali, I realised the perfume was leaking. I tried keeping it upright to save whatever was left, but in spite of my efforts, the entire perfume just leaked and evaporated. Imagine me carrying the handbag around, with a trail of sweet Apple like-scent. I smelled like a man whole through the trip * Thank You Lacoste Men (husband's perfume)* 😖.

Missing Palette: I ordered Carli Bybel palette from BH Cosmetics along with a brush. The package did arrive in 20 days, but it was empty. It didn't have anything inside. I suspect that the palette must have slipped off in transit as one side of the package was in open condition. 

Update: BH Cosmetics emailed me and they promised to send me a replacement.

That's it, folks! hoping this month turns out into a disaster-free month.