Must Have: Tarte's CC Matte beMATTEnificent Amazonian Clay palette

I remember saying after I got the Naked 3 palette that I'd never need another palette again.

I was wrong.

I've actually had Tarte's CC Matte beMATTEnificent Amazonian clay palette for a while but I haven't blogged about it yet because I'm so in love with it I don't know what to say. It's definitely on my must-have list. I take it with me when I travel, I recommend it to everyone, I use it more often than anything else (alright, about 50/50 with the Naked 3 - I still love that thing too). I love it. I love love love it.

First off, the packaging is epic. The cut-away gemstone pattern is an enchanting intro to the colours inside, and the case is nice and heavy, but slim enough that I can carry it easily in my purse. It also comes with a sheet of paper with two looks - one for day and one for night - mapped out and with instructions so it can be easily re-created.

The pallette itself is 8 matte eye colours and a blusher in gorgeous purple, pink & taupe tones. It's extremely versatile, and the brush that comes with has both defining and blending ends for a multitude of looks. I've swatched them below for you:

From top left: Sand Out From the Crowd, Peach for the Stars, Two Plums Up, Don't Stand Black, Pink Outside the Box, Rose to the Occasion, View from the Taupe, Dream in Chocolate

The lightest colour is a bit hard to see on my skin tone but the matte texture makes for a really lovely natural look. I am not a person who likes a lot of shimmer so it really is great to have an all-matte palette. Plus, purples and pinks look great with brown eyes (or any eyes, really, I love me some purple) and the blusher is a really subtle, rosey pink. Actually, a lot of these colours work well with the Naked 3 palette if you're looking to combine mattes and shimmers. The black and brown colours (Dream in Chocolate & Don't Stand Black) are great for both lining and creating a more smokey look, but I personally like the darkest purple (Two Plums Up) for a bit of a twist on a smokey eye.

Overall, I've found it to be really versatile and easy to apply and blend. Pair it with Tarte's Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara for a high-def look!

Evil Queen Beauty's Favourites of 2013 Part 2: Friends with Benefits

On my first Sephora haul, I picked up a sampler box of Benefit products called "Goodtime Gals", and it contained the absolute gem that is Girl Meets Pearl. It's sort of a liquid highlighter with a really good sheen that gives you that dewy, radiant look without being too overpowering. What I've been doing is putting a little on the apples of my cheeks and my cheekbones to get that highlight, but you could really use it just about anywhere you needed a little bit of a light reflector.

Watt's Up has a similar highlighting effect but much more subtle. It's a cream stick instead of a liquid and is a little less powerful than the Girl Meets Pearl. I've been using it when I want just a little bit of glow on my cheeks and also under my eyebrows. I have Watt's Up in a travel size too, so it can go in my purse and I just swipe some  on when I need it for that little lift. They're maybe not every day products, but they work really well. Definitely going to buy the full size when it comes time to do so.

A lot of bloggers have been raving about the They're Real Mascara, and I kind of have to join in a little bit. I used to use Benefit's Bad Gal but found that it flaked a little too much. Since then I've been using Buxom Lash for my everyday, which is great but doesn't give me as much drama as the Bad Gal did. They're Real is all up on the drama. You get thick, long lashes and it's a great effect for going out. I had a little trouble with clumping but not so much with flaking, which is great. It's still a great product from Benefit and definitely worth a buy.

Now the Benefit Skincare Kit is definitely something I want to rave about. I'm always looking for great moisturizers and exfoliators, and Benefit is one of my favourite brands so I was looking forward to trying out their skincare line. The Total Moisture Facial Cream is fucking perfect. It's thick, creamy, lasts all day, smells nice, soaks perfectly into my skin, and is definitely a fullsize purchase. I've been using it at night and my Fresh Moisturizer during the day, but you could also use it during the day. Definitely loving it.

Out of the skincare kit I also really love the It's Potent Eye Cream which is so smooth and great for my tired morning eyes. It helps  moisturize that area (which I need, from scrubbing off all that winged eyeliner) and brightens any darkness that's there. I've also just started using the Moisture Prep Toning Lotion after reading Into The Gloss' "What Is Toner" and I'm liking it so far. It gives me a nice base before my moisturizer in the morning, and is cooling and creamy.

I really like that you can get a sample pack, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a new skincare line to try, and the packaging is very old-timey apothecary looking which I love. They remind me of Harry Potter potion bottles! They have other products like the Remove It Makeup Remover and the Ultra Radiance Facial Re-Hydrating Mist that I'm interested in trying too.

Over all, loving what Benefit is doing right now.