Spring Fling: BH Cosmetics 3PC Giveaway and 5th Edition 120 Palette Review~ 5/21

Momma Told Me: Blue eye-shadow went out of style in the 60's.

I love color. There's something about seeing a palette full of shimmering colors that screams 'play with me'! Whether you're a little girl foraging through mom's cosmetics drawer, a teenager getting gussied up for prom, or a hard working mother in search of a romantic date with dad. Color expresses emotions, entices desire, and encourages creativity, no matter the age- or era. Makeup, there for, is not meant to make the girl pretty, but to enhance the beauty that is already there. My favorite thing about Spring and Summer is, of course, the So Cal styles and vibrant colors. It's the only time of year a gal can match her eyeshadow with her Pink Flamingo Flip Flops and get away with it!

Every woman should know their key colors. The palette of hues which bring out the color of their eyes and play off the shade of their hair. For me, with my hazel eyes and auburn hair it's often shades of purple or emerald. But I don't let my features determine what makeup I can wear. From time to time I love a good red sweater or robin's blue blouse, and purple simply isn't practical. And on especially experimental and innovative days I search out warm colors that remind me of the sweet California sun. This, and my love for color, has led me to accumulate quite the collection of cosmetics throughout the years. While I have my favorites, many shades only come out once or so a year. Believe me, my cosmetics case (and it's quite the elaborate, professional style, case) is chocked full with designer brands and high end mineral cosmetics. However, even with my sensitive skin, I trust one brand to be my go-to for a pop of color to match any occasion.

When I first discovered BH Cosmetics I was immediately drawn to it's professional appearance, with bold and colorful palettes for the lips, eyes, and face. The quantity and variety previously only coveted by cosmetic professionals, without the high prices. Their tag line, 'Discover Your New Look Everyday' really made me feel like they knew me. I have a collection of nail polish to put any manicurist to shame, and will often spend time recreating by playing with various colors and styles. I'm certainly not one to wear the same makeup every day. I love coordinating with outfits and moods, or just playing around for a dramatic, yet smokey and sexy look. If I don't like it, I can always wash it off!

Several years back, now, I had the opportunity to select an item for review, and I instantly knew I had to select one of the 120 Color Eye Palettes. (I've since acquired the entire collection from Edition 1-5). After much debate, I selected BH Cosmetics' top selling collection, Edition #1, and eagerly awaited it's arrival. In the mean time I enjoyed playing with my own collection through use of their wonderfully comprehensive instructional videos on the brand's website. There are tips and styles for beginners and professionals, as well as dramatically bold or simply demure looks. Even the least experienced at home 'cosmetologist' can easily create a dramatic smokey eye for their big date!

My 120 Color Eye Palette arrived in a smooth black box simply marked with the BH Cosmetics label. Inside, bubble wrapped, was a slender plastic case that looked sleek, yet collected my fingerprints. The case and palette combined was heavier than I anticipated, and at first glance I was thrilled with the quantity of product inside. With two interlocking, overlapping, palettes of 60 vibrant colors, each individual shadow pot was substantial. Measuring 9"x6", the color pots were about the diameter of a quarter, and slightly bowed. I'd like to note each pot easily removes for inclusion in custom (magnetic) palette cases, such as my beauty product crush, the UNII. No applicators were included in the 120 Palette, as this is mainly intended for serious make-up artists and professionals. Of course I had a fresh set of brushes and applicators on hand!

The plethora of colors ranged pleasingly like a rainbow, sprawled out for my taking. I appreciated the inclusion of shimmer and matte shades, with some unique multi-blends such as my favorite yellow speckled tangerine, and teal speckled fuchsia. The color grouping makes it a breeze for even intermediate users to create wild and professional finishes. When it came time for my first use I found myself longing for additional eyes, yearning to play with new and classic color combination and finishes. The shadow itself consisted of a fine solid powder that spread easily at application, blended flawlessly, and wore perfectly all day! There was no heavy buildup from layering, and no messy streaks where my lids creased. It was easy to create a sensational and flawless eye popping look within minutes, with absolutely no irritation. I fell in love with BH Cosmetics then and there, resolving to integrate the wide range of hues into my existing favorites.

I've since used the satiny shadows every day to create wonderful, long lasting, looks that catch compliments everywhere I go. I'm constantly asked, 'What shade are you wearing?' and I happily explain it's not a shade, it's a rainbow! My eye palette even doubles as eye liner; I simply dip my brush in a little bit of water, and viola! A flawless liner in every shade, the perfect compliment to complete my look. I've since acquired the collection of palettes. The 88 Cool Shimmer Palette features a compact mirror and 2 applicators with a smaller footprint that is also great for traveling, or to grab just before a night out. The Cool Shimmer palette doesn't pop as much as the 120 Collection 1, because it features more elegant colors for a complete, yet still dramatic look. You'll find several metallic tones, such as copper and silver, with shades of gray and black for that popping smokey eye. The colors are less graduated, as well, which is great for more advanced looks with 3-4 colors and shadowing. Use the deep browns or dark gray for a liner, and underlight with mellow mauve or turquoise.

Newest to the BH Cosmetics Palette Line is the 120 Eyeshadow Palette 5th Edition, retailing for $34.95, on sale for just $19.95 online. This dual layered palette features the brand's usual violet pull tag, for easy lifting and switching of layers. Edition 5 is defined as having a scintillating workplace to night on the town collection of Warm and Natural Hues. You're sure to find dozens of shades along one color, and many tones of smokey finishes and demure shimmer. The inclusion of bolder copper and gold hues with softer, feminine, pinks and purples compliment a wide range of skin tones and eye colors. I've begun using this as a great base to blend more romantic and even sexy looks, like the Fall style I featured, above. Remember, you can always consult the brand's online directory of easy to follow videos and How-To tips, to create everything from a simple sweep to an elaborate layer. While the 5th Edition is not as visually stunning as the Tropical Collections, it is easily the biggest must have for any beauty fan looking to build a base of regularly used hues and shadow staples.

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What Daughter Says: I may still want to bust the blue eyeshadow out every now and then, but with BH Cosmetics, I can supplement my favorite beauty products with brilliant colors!

One Momma Told Me follower will win a Beauty Prize Bundle from BH Cosmetics including their 88 Color Shimmer Palette, BH Liquid Eyeliner, and BH Lip Gloss in Classy Gal! (The 88 Color Palette is what I used to create this much talked about look, from above!)

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.