LA Colors 5 Color Palette Review + Giveaway!

Haha, curb your excitement... I've got the review first :)

So I was on vacation in a very out of the way "town", and one night when going into said town, decided to explore the few shops they had on a little strip. Well, more like... shop. It was a Dollar General. Now, where I live, the dollar store isn't a place you find anything worthwhile. This one, however, was quite clean and so I ventured inside (especially because I yet again forgot my eye brushes... all except my brow brush).

Not only did they carry an array of E.L.F. brushes, but they had these cute little LA Colors 5 Color Palettes for $1.50. Oh yes, $1.50. Wendy had found her mecca for that leg of the trip.

I picked up one, hoarded it back to the cabin and played with it...

Ooh... aaah... this was impressive for $1.50. Here it is with swatches:







































None of the colors have names, so I'll label them Color 1-5, left to right:

Color 1: Pale, shimmery yellow
Color 2: Pale, shimmer orange (nearly yellow)
Color 3: Medium frosty pink, slight blue flash
Color 4: Medium raspberry pink
Color 5: Pale, shimmering lilac

The colors are smooth and buttery, and apply evenly with a slight metallic sheen. I did a look with these colors (and some teal glitter liner, ftw) but didn't take classic FOTD photos, so instead you get a British boy and me shot:
















I'm sure you don't mind.

I will explain more about the texture further down, but for now let's continue. I went back to pick up any other interesting colors, and got two more:






































Color 1: Pale shimmery yellow (darker than 1st palette)
Color 2: Medium frosty orange
Color 3: Fuschia pink (darker than 1st palette)
Color 4: Vibrant sky blue
Color 5: Pale spring green

Color 5 is a decent dupe for Mac Aquavert, which I raved about in another post. It's more shimmery but its the same base tone. Aquavert is more pastel. Color 1 in both palettes is a dupe for Goin' Bananas, I'd say the 1st palette one is closer.

I picked up the next palette mostly to test out the neutrals... I'll admit the colors didn't grab me initially but upon swatching, omg. I think this one is called Wine and Roses.





































Color 1: Frosty white, slight purple lean
Color 2: Medium taupe (its not that dark in real life)
Color 3: Red toned, shimmering brown
Color 4: Purple grey
Color 5: Deeper purple grey

Holy cow. Taupe?! In a $1.50 palette? Oh yes. The photo doesn't capture it right, it shows it as way way too red brown. It's quite soft and metallic... and taupey.

In terms of versatility, my honest vote goes to the 3rd palette. All of the colors are easily interchangeable. Maybe I'm still slightly shy of brighter colors, but I feel like looks are more limited with the first two. They are also slightly similar in the two lightest shades.

As for applying them, as I said previously they apply smoothly. It does take a little work to get them even as they are quite soft and blending too harshly will blend them right off of your eyes. I found that using a stickier base helped (NYX jumbo pencil, for example). They lasted well, I was in 85 degree weather for 7-8 hours and they hadn't bled or anything. The pinks also did not stain my lids, surprisingly.

I would compare the texture to a deluxe Urban Decay eyeshadow. I wouldn't say these are anywhere near the quality, but the idea is the same. I have trouble with blending away Deluxe shadows (even UD's regular shadows for that matter). The shimmering white in the 3rd palette is close to UD Virgin from the Naked palette. The LA Colors one is lighter but if you put your finger into them, they are very alike in feel.

I think these would be great for starters to makeup, or even those afraid of bright, bright colors. The brights in these are subtle but noticeable.
Wendy's rating: A-

So, with that, I am giving away identicals of the 3 I have reviewed here. There are some additional items though!
















Items:
- LA Colors "Tease" eye palette
- LA Colors "Wildflowers" eye palette
- LA Colors "Wine and Roses" eyepalette
- China Glaze For Audrey (yesssss!)
- Essie Mint Candy Apple
- LA Colors "Radiation" nail polish
- Maybelline Mineral Power blush "Original Rose II"
- LA Colors Art Deco "Black" polish
- Sample sizes of Clinique's High Impact Mascara and Dramatically Different Moisturizer
- Sample of Clarins Multi Active Serum
- Sample of Phyto Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm

I know the end items may seem odd... I already have full sizes of the Clinique items and I received those while working at Macy's. As for the Clarins item, it has an ingredient I'm allergic to :( Hopefully someone else can use it.

The rules are as follows: (for these, leave separate comments for each entry please)
1) You must be a follower
2) You must leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite thing about Fall.
3) For an additional entry, you can add me to your blog roll (link must be included)
4) For an additional two entries, you can blog about this giveaway. Blogs made solely for giveaways will not count. (link must be included)
5) For an additional entry, you may tweet about this giveaway. You should @CydonianMU as your tweet or you can link me the tweet itself if you know how to do that (I sure don't, lol) Twitters made solely for giveaways will not be given credit.
6) *Special* For an additional five entries, you may post an original makeup look on yourself, inspired by the fall... it can be leaves, trees, or even a Halloween entry. Go for it! Have fun! You can post links to your photos directly on the comment, or you can email me the photos if you're shy ( guitarsoloist07 at yahoo dot com)
**One look per user**

This contest is open internationally. The contest starts when this is posted and ends at midnight EST on Friday, October 1, 2010.

Good luck guys! Can't wait to see the entries.