What It Is: JAPONESQUE Pixelated Color Eye Shadow Palette ($38 @ ulta.com japonesque.com) - Pixelated Color Eye Shadow is Japonesque Color's most multidimensional formula. Blend these micronized color pigments effortlessly onto outer eye corners for a deep, light-catching, color-shifting gradient. The Pixelated Eye Shadow Palette includes everything you need to conquer the cut crease: three exclusive Pro Basic shades to pair with Pixelated Eye Shadow.

My Take: Since I always use a close-to-my-own-skintone base color on my lids before applying any color, I really like that this has 4 basics inside. And they can be used for contouring if you dab a little of this color and mix it with a little of that!

The Pixelated shades are gor-ge-ous to look at. So how did they perform? Click after the jump to find out!

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After running this feature on Smashbox’s new eye liners and seeing all the makeup sharpeners I owned, it got me thinking. What makes for a good one? As in, what makes for a good makeup pencil sharpener or what makes for a good anything really? After trying and playing with products for the past 12+ years, I think I have a bit of expertise when it comes to specific topics and what makes for a good something.

So I decided to start a new on-going feature called …

and in these features I will discuss what I think makes for a good product or way of doing something beauty-related.

This first one will investigate what I think makes for a good makeup sharpener, so let’s get to it!!

What Makes for a Good Makeup Sharpener?

Like the ones shown in this picture I took of the ones I own, they all fill a purpose. Since there is no set size for any pencil for lips or eyes, you will probably find yourself having to own quite a few different ones.

If you are just going to invest in one or two of them, here is what you should look for in a good one. I like a duo sharpener like this one from Pixi Beauty I recently featured. Also, since I don’t have a trashcan next to my makeup table, a case that surrounds the sharpener to catch the shavings is also convenient. And with all the ones I’ve tried, that small pokey thing to poke color and shavings away from the blade is totally underrated. Believe it or not, only some include this pokey thing.

Here are some good ones that can get you by.

Clockwise:

• URBAN DECAY Grindhouse Double Barrel Sharpener ($10 @ ulta.com)
• JAPONESQUE Dual Sharpener ($10.99 @ amazon.com)
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Dual Antibacterial Sharpener ($4 @ sephora.com)
• ULTA Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($2.50 @ ulta.com) 

But if you really want the best of the best, I’ve tried a bunch and these ones below are the best as they meet the key criteria:

1. Should be able to sharpen two different sizes; so make it a duo, please.
2. Should have a blade-cleaning pick with it. This is so useful!
3. Should be encased to catch the pencil shavings.

Clockwise:

• KEVYN AUCOIN The Precision Pencil Sharpener ($8 @ barneys.com)
• TWEEZERMAN Deluxe Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($4 @ amazon.com)
• MALLY BEAUTY Dual Sharpener ($12.50 @ ulta.com)
• ELF Dual Pencil Sharpener ($1 @ eyeslipsface.com)
• DuWOP Beauty Blade, Antibacterial Dual Eye and Lip Pencil Sharpener ($11 @ dermstore.com)

So do you have a favorite makeup pencil sharpener? Let me know in the comments!

We have a new beauty box subscription company on our hands. So what makes WANTABLE different?

We create unique customer profiles by asking customers a series of product and personality questions. We then use this data to introduce customers to assortments of products perfectly suited to their personal taste.

Each month our in-house and guest curators hand-pick beauty and fashion jewelry products from hundreds of quality boutique, specialty, and premium vendors to find the best on-trend items. Then we use each customer’s unique profile and purchase history to select the perfect set of products just for them. How do we do it? Some say magic, and it certainly seems that way. We say it’s a combination of talented curators and cool technology. Our customers are unique, so no two boxes are ever the same.

So what’s in this box? Click after the jump to see!

Click here to read more

When I’m walking down the street or in the mall and see someone with a pop of color on like a shirt or bag, I always end up saying in my head, “That looks cool. I gotta get me something in that shade.” And I do make an effort but I find myself gravitating back to the blacks and beiges. Why is this? I mean a pop of color always feels so fun and right. One area I seem to be successful in adding a pop of color to is my makeup routine. Lips or eyes or cheeks, why not add one of the colors of the season, coral to your look?

Here are some more picks in the on-going Spring Color Picks feature. Consider picking up any of these.

From L to R clockwise:

JAPONESQUE Eye Majic Instant Eyes in Slate Coral ($6/2 pair @ amazon.com)
MAC Nail Lacquer in Coral Wave ($14 @ maccosmetics.com)
HARD CANDY Painted Lady Lipstick in Hot Shot ($6 @ walmart.com)
LA PRAIRIE Cellular Lip Colour Effects in Breezy Coral ($40 @ nordstrom.com)
BORGHESE Nail Lacquer in Maraschino ($8 @ ulta.com)
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Color Sensational Lipcolor in Coral Crush ($7.49 @ ulta.com)
NP SET by Napoleon Perdis On the Double Pen Black Liquid Eyeliner + Coral Cream Blush ($13 @ target.com)
SOFTLIPS Pure Coral Charm Sheer Lip Tint ($3.99 @ walgreens.com)
THE BODY SHOP Cheek Blush in Golden Coral ($14 @ thebodyshop.com)

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes. Some I bought.

In continuing our coverage of great makeup brushes, we have some more recommendations. Some are brand new and some are not but they all get the thumbs up from us.

• URBAN DECAY’s new Big Buddha Brush ($36 @ ulta.com) is their answer to the kabuki brush. It’s 3” tall and 2” wide and made of the manmade fiber, Taklon.
• Use the tip of TRISH McEVOY #23 Angled Crease Contour ($32 @ saks.com) to get color deep into the crease and then use the flat part to blend the color in.
• JAPONESQUE Travel Angled Foundation ($23 @ dermstore.com) brush is made from Taklon and is pointed to help you get into those corners around the nose.
• DEBRA MACKI Angled Blush Brush ($28 @ debramacki.com) is made with pony hair and the angle helps sculpt the perfect cheek.
• ESSENCE OF BEAUTY Blender Brush ($7.99 @ cvs.com) is made of natural hair and especially for mineral makeup and will blend, blend, blend your bronzer, foundation or blush. Big recommendation.