Today I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs (I am SO behind!), and of course I started noticing a trend – everyone was talking about holiday beauty, in some way or another.  It always comes as a shock to me that as soon as November begins, the holidays begin in full-force without a pause – it was especially weird being away from home and seeing decorations going up everywhere in New Zealand ~brain does not compute.~  I find it particular distressing to see all the beautiful holiday makeup collections and sets coming out that are desperately calling my name, because I feel so guilty splurging on myself when it should be spent on others (I sometimes like to employ the ‘one for you, one for me strategy’ in my weaker moments).

Aside from the consumerism-mode that we can get into during the holidays, another aspect is actually putting looks together, whether it be fashion or makeup.  Yesterday I pulled out all my red, gold and silver makeup (just realized I forgot green….must correct that!) to have at the ready so I can be as festive as possible (though I did see a couple of great looks today that didn’t showcase the requisite ‘holiday colors’, which got me thinking outside the box a little bit).  While you don’t need to be as anal organized as I am, it does help to lessen the stress of what makeup to wear if you have a couple go-to products at the ready.  Here’s where Make Up For Ever’s new All Eyes On You set comes in!

The kit contains (click on links for previous reviews): an HD Microfinish Powder; an Aqua Cream Waterproof Cream Color in #16 (a pink-beige shimmer); two of their waterproof, long-wearing Aqua Eyes Eyeliners in 21L (dark metallic grey) and 0L (mat black); and a Smoky Lash Extra Black mascara.

As I already own all the products in this set except for the Aqua Cream shade (of which I own several other shades), I can attest to their awesomeness as I’ve been using them all for some time.  While the Smoky Lash formula isn’t my favorite, looking back at the photos I took of the mascara worn, it really did give my lashes some oomph!  The liners, with their waxy-like finish, wear exceptionally well, and 21L (gifted to me by the lovely Liz of Beauty Reductionista) is one of my favorite liner shades ever – somehow both soft and defining at the same time (see photo of me rocking it out, below).  The HD powder is wonderful at setting makeup and giving a flawless, smooth finish – just be sure to use a light hand (I know some who have concerns about it turning white under the camera’s flash, but I’ve personally never experienced this).

Aqua Eyes Liner in 0L Mat Black on left; 21L Dark Grey on right

Wearing Aqua Eyes 21L on upper lash line.

The Aqua Cream shade, #16, is a metallic beigey-pink that can be applied sparingly to the eyelid for a subtle, eye-opening look, or heavier for a more dazzling look.  You can also wear this on the cheekbone as a highlighter.  On the back of the kit box they have two suggested looks to try, one of which is described as a ‘soft shimmer’ (in which you use the color smudged on the eye); the other is for ‘dramatic glamour,’ where they recommend the product be worn on the both the brow and cheek bones.

Like the festive background in the last shot???  There’s a reason for this…as I don’t own this shade, I guerrilla-swatched it at Sephora at the mall this past weekend.  WHY would I do that, you ask , when I already have the product in my possession!?

You see…in the spirit of the holidays and giving and all that – I thought it might be nice not to mar this pretty collection and share the love with one of my most excellent readers   Seems many of you stuck by me even when I was MIA for almost 6 weeks, and I don’t take that lightly!  It was such an unexpected treat to come home to find that my readership held steady the entire time.  You guys totally and utterly ROCK!!

SO!  Let get this giveaway on the go, shall we?  Contest is open to all residents of North America ages 18 and over, and all you need to do to enter is let me know what’s your favorite thing about the holiday season.  Simple, right?  Of course, you’ll get extra entries if you ‘Like’ Beauty Obsessed on Facebook, if you follow ‘xbeautyobsessed’ on Twitter, and if you tweet about the giveaway!  Contest closes November 30th at 12:01am EST (soo that’s like…1am my time.  Right

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I love this Rafflecopter business, it makes things SO darn easy – except the widget doesn’t like WordPress or something and won’t visually show up in this post.  Never fear, if you click on the link above, it’ll take you to where you need to go   Good luck to all that enter – and an early ‘Happy Holiday wish’ to you!

I am personally wishing you good luck in this photo.

Oh, one more question – is it too early to start drinking rum and eggnog?!