The fantastic and fabulous Kim from Lola Cosmetics sent Megsmakeup out a whole lotta make-up! They were super generous to us and the first product we're going to start reviewing is their mascara.

Lola should be generous to me, in fact, if I were Victoria Jackson I'd send me whatever tickled my fancy. I think I gave Victoria Jackson her seed money to start Lola.

Well, not me. I actually never gave Victoria Jackson anything. I'm talking about my mother. The woman was obsessed with beauty products, she had drawers and drawers full of stuff that I would borrow from time to time. I'm really fortunate their was no internet shopping back then because I probably would have ended up homeless.

The simply wonderful Karen from her aptly named line sent us out some of her crushed mineral eye colors to try. It's a whole new eyeshadow trend out there! I can't ever remember buying an eyeshadow in a loose powder format. I always bought eyeshadows in the standard flip-top compact. Until this past year, I can't even think of a time that I had the option to buy a capped loose powdered eyeshadow. With the onslaught of the mineral trend, the loose eyeshadow is all I seem to get sent out to try.

Beautyzilla has warned me so many times and I always want to remember her tip. It's just old habits are hard to break but I swear I am trying to change the way I apply my make-up. I used to (and sometimes forget and still do) apply my foundation before my eyeshadow. When it came in pressed format it wasn't that big a deal when I got the few stray shadow sprinkles on my face. I could usually just grab my trusty Kabuki brush and sweep it away without too much of a leftover smudge.

That technique has had to go out the door with the introduction off all these crushed powder mineral eyeshadows. Now, if I put my foundation on first and then try to apply my shadow, I'm looking at a holy mess. No Kabuki brush is going to be able to brush aside all of the extra powder that's going to end up on my face. So here's the rule, eyeshadow goes on first with your make-up application!

Simply Karen sent us out all different shades to try. Here's what Simply Karen says about their crushed, mineral eye colors "Our long-lasting, natural crushed mineral eye shadow offers elegant beauty. It's soft, subtle color blends easily for quick application. It can be applied dry for a more natural look, or applied wet you achieve a bolder eye or use as an eye liner. You can also mix with your favorite clear lip gloss for a custom lip color all your own!"

Ladies when you post please tell us the color you tested!

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Whenever you pop open an Allure Magazine or an Instyle for top celebrity make-up artists "must haves" there always seems to be a recommendation in there for a BECCA product.

Meg's Makeup was sent not one product but all different ones to try. The fabulous Nicole from BECCA only had a few samples available so you'll be seeing all different reviews.

When we opened the box of goodies all of us "oohed" and "aahed", BECCA's packaging is really cool looking! Everything looked so gorgeous I couldn't decide what I wanted. A perfect little clear acrylic square called out to me. Inside it was the most gorgeous, shimmering eye shadow. I guess it has to shimmer when the name of the product is jewel dust! The color I took was "Erzulie". A stunning purple/lilac at other angles blue. It's hard to explain but it also has a pink shimmer highlight to it.

All of us make-up maven passed the wine and the BECCA box. Each lucky lady grabbing whatever product they had to try. Cream blushes, liner's, eye shadows and powders all made their way around the table. I absolutely love and recommend the jewel dust, could all of BECCA's products be equally as good?

Ladies, since we all got different things to try please tell us all about your product and the shade you got it in.

Sometimes too much choice is overwhelming. Yes, I love my little shadow pot but hmmm that cream blush looked amazing too...

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BECCA Cosmetics

The sultry Kristan from Afterglow Cosmetics sent Meg's Makeup some beautiful Multi-Tasking Loose Mineral Eye Shadow out to try in an array of fabulous colors!

Have you ever noticed when you go shopping you always stare at a new item for your wardrobe, you stop and feel it and then you hold it up to yourself and picture it on. I do that. Then I turn to my girlfriend BeBe and gush "Oh, I loove this". Nine times out of ten, BeBe will look at me and say, "Meg, you own 4 other pieces exactly the same in your closet". Upon closer inspection, I will admit that I do and keep looking. Before we leave the store, I run back to it and buy it.

The same rings true for my eye shadow basket. Yes, I wrote basket. I have a specific basket in my powder room for each product. When I look into my eye shadow basket it's a bit pathetic. Like, yup, really thought that color was working for me so I ran with it. Do I ever run with it! Chocolate brown, sable brown, mocha, golden caramel, java, sienna, cocoa (O.K. so I use a lot of brown).

I went to lunch with a girlfriend and she said, "you're so daring and love color. I picked this eyeliner up for you". She then handed me an eyeliner from Too Faced Cosmetics in...Turquoise Tinsel. I graciously went insane for it on the outside. On this inside? I was freaking out. Turquoise? What was I going to do with Turquoise?

I was heading out to BeBe's house (yes, we spend a lot of time together). It was just an errand day and I wasn't expecting any paparazzi shots (O.K., a girl can dream, Stars! They’re just like us). I grabbed the Turquoise liner and paired it with, believe it or not, brown eye shadow. When I got to BeBe's she looked at me and said "You're eye make-up looks really good. What is that?

Yup, we had a winner with the Turquoise. What have I been missing my whole life by my commitment to brown? What has brown ever done for me? Don't it make my brown eyes blue. I am exciting! I am daring! A new woman if you will!

When BeBe called me to tell me the eye shadow color choices Afterglow sent (yes, I do have other friends, she just stars a lot in this story) I yelled to her, "SAVE ME THE EMERALD GREEN! or TURQUOISE!! Did they send Turquoise? I look fab in Turquoise. No? O.K. SAVE me the EMERALD PLEASE"!!

As a new adventurous woman, I wanted the sparkly Emerald. It was the holidays! Nothing says "I'm a good, festive girl" like Emerald paired with ruby lips.
I wore my new emerald shadow out to a tree-trimming soiree and "yes"! I was complimented up the ying-yang!

So score 2 for trying new colors! I learned a lot from that little unscientific experience. Experiment. Color look garish in tube? Well, give it a shot on before you walk away! That dress would make you look like a heifer? Maybe or maybe like a voluptuous Goddess! Try it on! Getting out of our comfort zone is a good thing. What's the worst that could happen? Neon purple with gold flecks? Bring it!

Here is what Afterglow Cosmetics has to say about their Multi-Tasking Mineral Eye shadow..."Brighten up your eyes with our collection of sophisticated 100% natural mineral eye colors. Our unique blends of micro-pulverized minerals and pigments apply easily, blend incredibly well and have amazing staying power. Our eye shadows can be used wet or dry to create amazing effects that last all day or night. Our 100% natural eye colors pigments are so pure that they will not irritate even the most sensitive eyes and contain no dyes, preservatives or talc".

Ladies please post if Afterglow gave you one with their eye shadow!

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Afterglow Multi-Tasking Loose Mineral Eye Shadow

The always mod Nina sent along Smashbox Mini Lip and Eye Palette, it came in the same shipment as the Totally Fab Lip Gloss Collection. Opening both of these holiday special Mod Chic Limited Edition Kits brought tons of "oohs" and "aahs". The packaging is just sexy. Multifunctional, dazzling colors in the sleekest holders ever. The Lip Gloss collection was already reviewed and was a win. Will this palette also be a "must have"?

The palette reminds me of an ultra-glam little black book. It's the perfect to-go item. You know what else is a perfect to-go item? The glosses, Cat Cosmetics Open Sesameow brushes, Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes Mascara, Jelly Pong-Pong's Bronzer, Besame's dual action eye and lipliners, Boscia's Blotting tissues and Bourjois's cellphone gloss to go.

Yup, all this travel size enjoyment is making my cosmetic case bulge at the seams! My make-up mess use to be just contained to my vanity sink. Now it has been following me like a shadow (shadow as in the groundhog kind-not as in shimmery powder).

I have since down scaled! Thanks to The Smashbox Mini Lip and Eye Palette, I have been able to retire most of the above items back to my powder room! With four stunning neutral eyeshadows, one dark enough to line the lids and two fantastic gloss colors all in one easy book that can fit into a pocket it wasn't too hard a sacrifice. As if that wasn't complete enough, Smashbox even thought to include a great double ended tool. One end is a handy lip brush the other side is a practical smolder tip for the shadows. The price for this beauty is $25.00! It would make a fantastic secret Santa gift or a lovely present for any make-up lover with-out breaking the bank.

Here is what Smashbox has to say..."It’s just so Quadrophenia. This super-sleek palette gives you an ultra mod look in a flash. Perfectly portable for quick touch ups day or night, this case contains four velvety smooth powder shadows, two sheer lip glosses, and a mini double-ended brush for eye shadow application and smudging. Shades include: EYE SHADOWS in mink, bronze, pearly white, charcoal. LIP GLOSSES in sheer honey and pinky brown".

Ladies, please post if Smashbox's palette is an all-in-one? Can I save my Gucci cosmetics case or am I going to have to keep lugging tons of makeup around and resort to a Ziploc baggie ? I now shudder at the thought.

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Smashbox Mini Lip and Eye Pallette

The always fantabulous Lindsey from Benefit sent along "High Brow" a highlighting pencil for your brows.

Benefit has its devout followers, no matter what we send out to Meg's Make-Up tester Lippie, she still can't stop going to the Benefit counter for their products. Chichi gave me Benefit's "Georgia Peach" as a gift and I used that stuff down to the bare bones. They mix cutesy-can you really take this product seriously? names with these amazingly serious cosmetics. The cult following Benefit has is no joke.

Benefit's "High Brow" claims ..." an instant brow lift in a stick. Want eyes that appear 10 years younger? Give yourself a 'lift' with high brow...a brow lifting "...

Ladies please post if "High Brow" took ten years off your eyes (or at least got rid of that tired-groggy morning look).

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Benefit High Brow

Tarte's own sassy Candace sent us some of their Indelible Liner and Shadow in Black. Liquid liner is the hardest beauty task to undertake. So many times, with lesser brands then Tarte, I have attempted liquid eyeliner. God forbid if you make a mistake. It's impossible to correct with-out having to start all over. So many times my intention was to look like Louise Brooks, instead I end up looking like the lovechild of Cleopatra and Beetlejuice.

Also, I'm no make-up novice but I am a contact lens wearer (soft daily lens). I love that (while trying to draw a straight line) having that damn applicator brush slip and paint my contact lens black leaving me temporarily blind. Fun Stuff.

I was terrified of this product. Then I took a closer look. On the end, looks like an eraser/blender smudge, can it really be? If I want a less severe line can I actually blend this stuff into submission? Can I actually control where the line goes?

Tarte was kind enough to post clear directions for use on their website. I think that means there are a bunch of ladies that find liquid liner tough. If you're reading this and thinking to yourself "What is she talking about? Liquid liner is a walk in the park". Then you are a delusional fibber from planet denial.

Here's what Tarte says...
"Our liquid liner & shadow set is sure to make you feel like a vixen. Maybe you’ll play it safe with a sleek, budgeproof line or go a little edgy with a smudged, sexified look".

Line ‘em and leave ‘em in 5 seconds flat!

How the get that indelible wink (and keep ‘em coming back for more):

1. Starting at the inner corner of the eye, line your upper lid with the liquid liner—keeping the liner tip as close to the lashline as possible.

2. Using the powder liner tip, gently retrace over the liquid liner—this will smooth, set and blend the line.

Ladies please post if I can now get over my fear of liquid liner and concentrate on conquering my other fears. Fears like dying of thirst. Now that is a real fear!
Where did I put my pinot?

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Tarte Indelible Wink Liquid Liner and Shadow in Black

The Hard Candy rocking reps sent us their "Eye Shadow Quartet in SUEDE" to review.

God, I am really starting to get old. I remember how hot I was sporting Chanel's Vamp at eighteen. In Los Angeles, I really went for it. Maybe I couldn't pay my electric bill but God knows I was at the nail salon every Thursday. I remember being so confident and trend-setting that I brought MY OWN Hard Candy Sky Blue nailpolish because the salon didn't even have it yet.

That's how I remember Hard Candy, cutting-edge and trend-setting.

One of our tester's wrote to me that this was the same palette she used on her wedding day (over twenty years ago).

What's up Hard Candy ? Are you over re-inventing? Brown and blue has been around forever. It worked then, does it work now?

Does this combo work on both Brown and Blue peepers? Is this the combo every girl needs? Has Hard Candy perfected the brown/blue theme to our modern times? Ladies please POST if this classic has been fine-tuned into trendy and on the pulse?

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Hard Candy Eye Shadow Quartet - Suede Suede

The glamorous vixen that is Miss Fergus sent us some Besame Masterliner Pencils. We'll start by reviewing the eye pencils.

Before we start, I want each of you to go to www.besamecosmetics.com WOW! What a beautiful site. It is so up my alley. Beautiful women that represent all different looks and times. I love pearls, I love steamer trunk luggage with far away places stuck to it, I love finger curls, flapper dresses and sepia tones. Chanel floats my boat, classic is key!

What's the deal? Classic is king. No one ever looks back at photos five years later and embarrassingly sighs " God, I just look so CLASSIC" and throws the photo album across the room.

It's a never-ending battle. I know I am going to look back at my puffy tube dress with my Paris Hilton- esque wide belt and want to die a death by paper cuts. Yet, I wear it anyway because it's so "now".

Everything about Besame's packaging is both "classic" and "now". They walk the line and pull it off. Old-fashioned without feeling old. I guess the word is, oh yes, that's it, CLASSIC!!
Here is the Besame Masterliner Eye Pencil claims "these water resistant formulas deliver powerful, vibrant color that glides on velvety smooth and can be smudged for a smoky-eye look. Each pencil has two tips, one at each end, containing a different complementing shade of color".

Ladies, please post if I should continue to carry my Chanel Caviar bag or if I should trash it for this seasons Louis.

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Besame Masterliner Eye Pencil

The absolutely stunning creator of Hot Pants Cosmetics, Brooke Boles sent us some gorgeous tubs of her Op Art
colors from silky, loose reflective pigments. They came in cute, pink, drawstring packages with a shadow and a separate, complimentary eye base color.

The directions are to completely cover the eye-lid with the creamy base. No skin tone should show through. Next, apply the loose pigment color over the base, on the lid in a dabbing motion. This should produce intense, matte color.

Usually, I don't have the best luck with eye shadow. Even when I do the old trick of dipping my brush in a little water, then slathering the shadow on it seems to evaporate. It always perplexes me. Where did it go? Does it evaporate? Does it get sucked into my eye-lid like watering a dry plant? Hellooo? I remember coating my eye completely and then. Nothing! Where the eye shadow particles vanish to is my 8th Wonder of the World.

Is Hot Pants the cure for real staying power and color brilliance? Here's what the product claims to do..

"Created by Brooke Boles, Hot Pants Cosmetics' Op Art Collection for eyes draws inspiration from the 1960s art movement where the artist created images that pulsate and shimmer causing optical illusions. Two Eye Bases, Five Chromatic Pigments, and Five Colorless Pigments transform into various multi-dimensional hues that intensify as the base darkens. You, the artist, combine pigment and base to concoct endless color combinations. Go from light to dark, shimmer to matte, and prevent creasing for long lasting
coverage".

Ladies please post if Op Art made your eye's Pop or if I need to continue my detective work and find out where my eye shadow is going!