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Spring into Action with Josie Maran’s Natural Wonder Powder Palette

January 20th, 2010 by Karen 31 Comments

DANG that Josie Maran! Whoever handles the packaging of this eco-friendly line deserves a Prius, a wheatgrass shot and a pat on the back.

A quick glance today at the Monarch flutterbyes on her new Natural Wonder Powder Palette ($35) was all it took to put a spring in my step.

Talk about practical, environmentally conscious design (also friendly and feminine) that *hella* works!

It gets even better when you open the palette. 🙂 BOOM! It holds five eyeshadows, two blushes and a bronzer in a mix of neutrals and brights. I’ve seen a few spring makeup releases so far, and this one’s been one of the most exciting to me so far.

The eyeshadows, blushes and bronzer in the Natural Wonder palette are infused with Argan oil, an antioxidant-rich oil from Morocco known to calm and soothe troubled skin. And, like all Josie Maran makeup, the palette’s free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and phthalates.

First, there’s the variety. The shades feel fresh and youthful, and I can easily see myself doing looks with them from subtle/sweet to bold/bright.

Then, there’s the shadows, about which I noted a few things (DROOL!)…

  • Brights: I LOVE the brights in this palette! Both Hope (the blueish purple) and Desire (the greenish teal) are downright iridescent — like alive, with colors that are multi-dimensional without looking too frosty or shimmery. I think it makes them pretty easy to wear (even for daytime looks to work). SIDE NOTE: Over the past week several friends — normally die-hard neutral makeup girls — have confessed a desire to experiment with colorful eyeshadows. PERFECT! I think this puppy right here would be a great place to start.
  • Texture: Hope, Desire and Think (the shimmery bronze) feel rose petal smooth to the touch and apply like velvet. Daydream (the shimmery pink) and Trance (the shimmery gold) are maybe a little on the gritty side … but they’re still quite wearable.
  • Pigmentation: A mix of semi-transparent shades and pigment-rich colors. Hope, Desire and Think deposit intense color, while Daydream and Trance are delightfully sheer.

As for the blushes, yeah, Illusion (the matte rosey red) and Fiction (a matte peachy pink) look bright in the pan, but DO NOT BE AFRAID! 🙂 They look natural on cheeks. For a soft flush, try applying either shade with your trusty skunk brush and a light (careful) hand.

If you have light-to-medium skin, Natural Wonder might even be worth it for the bronzing powder alone. I see the glow from Beach #1 — the sheer, shimmery golden bronze — really flattering lighter skin, and if you’re tan like me or even darker, no problemo. It makes a great highlighter, too.

For $35, with all this flexibility and the overall quality of the products you get, Natural Wonders is a flat-out good deal. Through Feb. 1, orders for it through JosieMaranCosmetics.com also direct 50% of the proceeds to the American Red Cross for Haiti — a very thoughtful and cool thing to do. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Josie Maran Natural Wonder / Originally published January 20th, 2010

There are 31 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: josie maran

Previous Post: What Are You Wearing on Your Lips Today?
Next Post: Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Summer Staff says

    January 20th, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Wow, those are such gorgeous colors! I want that bronzer, it looks delicious on the swatch. I’m so pale though, bronzers usually make me look like I feel like I tripped into some mud. I would just LOVE a few tutorials, reccomendations or something for us ghosts out here! Blush and bronzer, preferably.

    I love your blog, Karen! It makes my day just that much happier just getting my daily post and checking it. It’s like a little piece of chocolate 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 4:02 pm

      Hmm, that’s a good idea. Let me see what I can brainstorm…

      🙂 Glad to hear the blog gives you a little bit o’ happiness during your day!

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    January 20th, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    awesome! great review Karen, thanks…..too bad I already used my sephora g/c card yesterday. 🙂 Maybe I’ll still be able to get this, especially with the haiti incentive.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 4:01 pm

      Shucks! I was hoping to get this to you before you busted into your GC. What did you end up getting?

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        January 21st, 2010 at 7:57 am

        aw! no problem 🙂 like I said I may still pick it up (I actually had it in my cart and changed my mind at the last minute….)

        I got nars easy lover gloss, tarte eyeliner in green, and the new living proof “full” styling lotion.

        I actually think I have shadow very similar to these…I may get the bronzer on it’s own, which was what I was *least* interested in until your swatches and review. go figure!

        Reply
  3. Karen B says

    January 20th, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Such a gorgeous palette. I like all the colours and would love those blushes. Do you by any chance know if they ship to Europe?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

      Unfortch they don’t ship internationally right now from the company website. 🙁

      Reply
      • Karen B says

        January 21st, 2010 at 12:07 am

        Awww. Ah well, more money for me to spend on UDecay’s Alice palette? 😉

        Reply
  4. YadiQ says

    January 20th, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    i am totally getting this esp to help with the haiti cause

    i just lost my SIL who was visiting during the earthquake and i have been telling everyone i know to donate to haiti in some way or form

    BB couture has a beautiful polish collection dedicated to haiti in which they make a donation as well from the proceeds

    this earthquake has been very devastating especially to me because it hit so close to home in affecting my family directly. She is my other half’s twin sister and i love her very dearly

    PLEASE EVERYONE donate in one way or form to help this country!!!!!

    (karen i hope you dont mind me posting like this in your comments i am just so passionate abt this !!)

    hugs K

    Reply
    • veronica says

      January 20th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

      I’m so sorry for your loss.

      Everyone, check out Google’s Crisis Response page and learn how you can donate!

      http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

      Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

      I’m so very sorry for your family’s loss, Yadi. Sending you a big hug from both me and Tabs from across the country…

      (also just sent you an email, too)

      Reply
  5. Ashley says

    January 20th, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    I’m still on the shopping ban but… if 50% of the proceeds goes to Haiti, I’m down!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 3:58 pm

      Yup, isn’t that really great? You have to purchase it from the online store though…

      Reply
  6. Trisha says

    January 20th, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Wow! I like it! Okay, now I just need to scrounge up $35.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 3:56 pm

      It’s a good palette. 🙂 Hope you’re having a good day!

      Reply
  7. Catherine says

    January 20th, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Oooh, this looks so gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 20th, 2010 at 3:57 pm

      It’s even more beautiful in person!

      Reply
  8. Kate says

    January 20th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    This is so pretty! Just curious, is that a sticker on the top of the palette?

    Reply
  9. Rebecca says

    January 20th, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    I had never heard of Josie Maran, but I will definitely be checking it out! The packaging is so lovely, and all the colors look rich and gorgeous as well. And I’ve been trying to get into more natural makeup lately; I think all my dad’s conspiracy theories about makeup chemicals’ realationship to cancer are starting to get to my head!

    Reply
  10. Rebecca says

    January 20th, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    I had never heard of Josie Maran, but I will definitely be checking it out! The packaging is so lovely, and all the colors look rich and gorgeous as well. And I’ve been trying to get into more natural makeup lately; I think all my dad’s conspiracy theories about makeup chemicals’ relationship to cancer are starting to get to my head!

    Reply
  11. Rebecca says

    January 20th, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    PS Sorry for the double (and now triple!) post >.<

    Reply
  12. Maggie says

    January 20th, 2010 at 6:53 pm

    Definitely getting this! It’s so pretty!

    Reply
  13. Suji says

    January 20th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    Butterflies = LOVE!!!

    I just spent a pretty dollar on the UD Alice palette, but I am definitely adding this to my to-buy list. I love the shades and I think it’s just perfect for spring/summer 🙂 Not to mention half of the proceeds going to a good cause? I’m sold.

    Reply
  14. marisol says

    January 20th, 2010 at 7:07 pm

    How pretty! I love the packaging and seems that they have an awesome color payoff.

    Reply
  15. Steph B says

    January 20th, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    This is a lovely palette. Is it refillable given the whole eco-friendly marketing?

    Reply
  16. amy says

    January 20th, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    I love the butterfly packaging, it is very cute and I like that the palette is metal and not plastic or card box. The colours are very vibrant and fun too.

    Reply
  17. diane says

    January 21st, 2010 at 1:29 am

    Love the butterflies on the box 😀

    kiss

    Reply
  18. Jess says

    January 21st, 2010 at 6:42 am

    I just bought this! My first purchase based on your review here, Karen =) I’m so excited! I second the request for a bronzer tip roundup for us super-fair folks – can’t wait to try this out!

    Reply
  19. Tami says

    January 21st, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    This is such a gorgeous palette and also a worthwhile purchase since some of the proceeds go to help those in Haiti:)

    Reply
  20. Vonvon says

    January 23rd, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    All the 5 eyeshadow colors are gorgeous! Esp like Hope and Desire!

    The Packaging is very pretty with butterflies!! I can hear my little girl squealing if she sees it. 😉

    And yes, the inside…..love how the colors are so bright and cheerful…one look at it, and it spells FUN!!!!!!
    .-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Let’s Celebrate Vonvon’s Interests Turning 1 With A Giveaway From Skin MD Natural! =-.

    Reply

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About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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