Hidden Gems - CQ Eyeshadow in Frosted Bronze

There's just something about finding something obscure, something that you just can't wait to tell EVERYONE about- that makes me feel so giddy. Yes, giddy.

This is how I feel about a little brand called CQ. More specifically, this is how I feel about an eyeshadow from CQ, Frosted Bronze.

Woah.
Woah.
WOAH.

I picked this up today at Wal Mart. CQ is a brand that, according to their website, is only available at Wal Mart (and mainly nail products at Rite Aid). They have a pretty extensive product range including lip, eye, and nail products (I have yet to see any face products). Anyways, I was browsing through the display and this little beauty jumped out at me. In the store it looked like a beautiful blend of gold, brown, and olive.

I was pleasantly surprised when I finally cracked open the compact in the car (don't act like you've never done that before!!) and swatched....

Again...
Woah.
Woah.
WOAH.

I was absolutely blown away!! The texture of these shadows are out of this world, totally on par with something more high-end. Very silky, very pigmented, and when I tested it out on my eye, applied very easily. The swatch is the closest I was able to get to show it true to life- but the flash makes it pull a little more warmer than what it actually is. I don't know how to explain this one, it definitely has elements of brown, gold, and olive. It's a really unique color, I really don't have anything like it.

Oh...but wait....did I happen to mention the best part?

I only paid around $1.25.

Yes...you read that right.
$1.25 (actually, it might have been around $1.30-40, but I can't find my receipt)

I highly, highly suggest if you access to this brand- take a gander at it. I think you might be pleasantly surprised!

+++++++++++++++

Alright. I'm sure you've noticed that I've been a little MIA over the past few days. Well, there's a reason for that. And, you won't be surprised at all.

Basically, on Friday I was kidnapped by one of my best friends. Kidnapped to where?
An American Idol Concert.
See. Told you- no surprise!!!

The two of us and another friend traveled down to Southern California to Ontario (south of LA) to bake in the sun and have a grand time. Long story short: the concert was really amazing. We had front row seats and, really, it's the only way to experience a show ;) I was fortunate enough to meet all of the Idols once again this year- but it wasn't without some work......

The sun was high and hot and the temperature was easily over 100 degrees. We waited (along with a bunch of other fans) in the afternoon when the buses got to the venue. I don't even remember how long we waited, but it was long enough to get kind of light-headed and nicely burned on my neck and arms.

I got autographs from all the Idols (except for Scott and Lil), but only got photos with three:

With Matt!!! He was my favorite all year and I was so happy to meet him!! Super sweet guy- and, yes, cute to boot!!

With Micheal. Okay, he wasn't my favorite but I do have to give the guy credit for being super super nice to the fans. And the guy has a sense of humor. One of the gals that we met up with accidentally called him "Matt" (oops!!!). He teased her about it but laughed it off.

I took a picture with Megan after the show- but I look like a BEAST (it was probably close to Midnight and at that point my face was red, my makeup was half off my face, and my hair...well, we won't go there). So, that one will remain unseen ;)

Being in the front row, I took a TON of photos (Um...255?) of the show, but, here's one of my favorites of Adam and Allison singing a duet together:

Whew!! I think that's enough of playing catch-up. I hope everyone had a great weekend and has the start of a great week!!