REVIEW: NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows

I received this NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows from my Influenster Beauty Bloggers Vox Box 2012.  This was my first time trying a palette from NYC, which is:

"Straight from the city that never sleeps, NYC New York Color offers products with uptown style at down-to-earth prices, from $.99 - $4.99. The energy, style, and color of New York City shines through the wide range of shades, textures and innovative products. NYC always delivers the most on-trend products & shades hot off the runway!"

The colors were very pigmented when swatched, both with the primer and without.  It applied to the eye well and was easy to blend, with little to no fall out.  I used it with the primer in the palette and didn't get any creasing, but then again, I don't have oily eyelids and usually don't experience creasing with use of a primer.  I did experience fading after a few hours though.

I thought the primer was creamy and had a nice consistency.  Same with the illuminator, but I only swatched the illuminator.  I didn't actually use it on my eye because it's basically the same color as the lightest eyeshadow in this palette, but in cream form, so I just opted to use the shadow for my inner corner.  I wish they had included a matte highlight color instead of the lighter shade, since it already comes with that cream illuminator.

Overall, I am quite happy with this palette.  It makes a nice smoky eye and is great for nights out!  But you can also make subtle day looks, if you use just the lighter grays.  It's quite versatile, which surprised me, because when I first saw it, all I thought was SMOKY EYE.  But I actually was able to make a "day" look.  And at $4.99, I think it's a great deal!  Also, it is widely available, since most drugstores, Target, and Wal-Mart carry NYC.  I will definitely be on the lookout for other palettes to try!

DISCLAIMER: I received this mini candle to test and review courtesy of Influenster's Vox Box program.

REVIEW + SWATCHES: Physicians Formula Universal Looks Shimmer Strips Eyeshadow Palette in Nude

I first posted this on my last Wishlist Wednesday, wondering when it would be out.  Well, it's out~!  At the time, my local CVS.  Instead, I found it at another one that I happened to stop at this past week (although I have been to my local CVS again, and they do have it now).  Of course, I had to pick it up.  It was the last one too!

My first impression was that the packaging was super cute!  I love lace, and the black and pink look really pretty together.  Plus it has that cute little bow.  Unfortunately, the little bow fell off of my palette as I took it out of the packaging.  So, be careful when you take it out of the box!  That bow is truly dainty/fragile...

next to the wet n wild vanity palette for size comparison

My next thought was that it was smaller than I was expecting.  This is my first Physicians Formula shimmer strips palette, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  Actually, it's my first time using a Physicians Formula product ever!  I hardly buy Physicians Formula products because they are quite pricey, compared to the other drugstore brands.  I usually hold off until a good sale before purchasing!  (Unfortunately, this sale was only Buy One, Get One 50% off, and I don't think that's a very good sale...)  That's not to say I don't own any other Physicians Formula products.  I do have other Physicians Formula products, like the Happy Booster Blush that I hauled earlier, but I haven't used it yet, lol.  Anyway, enough rambling about that!  The size of each color is pretty small, and it may be a bit hard to get your brush in without picking up some of another color.

w/ a q-tip for comparison...the shadows are very thin/tiny!

These didn't have the greatest color payoff when I swatched them on my arm.  It took me several swipes to get what's in the picture:

swatches on nc-25 skin (I think, since haven't been color-matched in a while)

However, even though they come off as sheer, the colors are buildable, as you can see.  Also, it applies much better on the eyelid (with a brush), more pigmented.  All shades are shimmer shades (since they are shimmer strips) except the black, which is kind of matte.  It does still have a bit of shimmer in it in the pan, but the shimmer doesn't transfer when applied to the eye. 

And here's a look I did, using the 3 colors at the left-most side of the palette + the other PF item I got, the Nude eyeliners from this collection (I used the Pewter shade and will review it next!) :

Would I recommend this?  If you asked me this right after I swatched it, I would straight up say no because at $10.99, it's at the higher end of the drugstore spectrum and I would expect it to have better color payoff.  However, after using it on my eyes several times, I do find that I really like it.  It applies much better when applying to the eye, especially if you are using primer.  If you're a nude lover, I think you'd like this, especially if you love taupe-y colors.  This palette has some really nice looking taupe shades!  But if you're looking for a good, cheap first-time nude palette, I don't think this is it. (Again, the price!)  Try the Wet N Wild Vanity palette instead.  You get 6 shades for half of the price of this one (which has 9 shades).  If you want a palette with a black shadow, you could get the Wet N Wild Greed palette, which has a matte black.  Both of the Wet N Wild palettes are $4.99, so it'll still be cheaper to get both the WnW than just this one!  And actually, they're on sale at CVS for 50% off right now!  If it's a taupe-based nude palette you're looking for, try Maybelline's Natural Smokes quad, which is around $5.  And if you're wondering if this is a good cheaper alternative to the Naked palette...?  I don't think so.

Availability: CVS

Limited Edition? not sure if it's limited edition or not

Price: $10.99

Have you spotted this palette at your drugstore?  What do you think?