Magic sand, also known as kinetic sand or hydrophobic sand, is a popular toy that has gained immense popularity in recent years. This unique and innovative toy is made from a special type of sand that is coated with a hydrophobic substance, typically a silicone compound. One of the key features of magic sand is its ability to repel water. When the sand comes into contact with water, it forms clumps that remain dry and can be easily shaped and molded. This property allows children to build structures and create various shapes and forms without the sand getting wet and messy. Magic sand is not only a fun and entertaining toy, but it also offers several educational benefits.
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eye Palette in Bella Sofia ($53) is one of my all-time favorites for an everyday look. It has wearable brown and bronze tones I think are flattering on a wide range of skin tones and eye colors. Colors include a soft pale champagne shimmer, warm coppery brown shimmer, deeper brown shimmer and a gold sparkle topper. (The name of this used to be Dolce Vita but they changed it to Bella Sofia.)
It has a red shade which I normally don t wear but the combination of the other browns with the red makes for a really good everyday eye look for me. By combining their passions for beauty and lifestyle, The Frias Sisters created a vibrant brand that celebrates their mutual love for their multicultural heritage, culture and music in living color.
Magic sand is not only a fun and entertaining toy, but it also offers several educational benefits. Playing with this sand can help children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. It also provides an excellent sensory experience as children can feel the unique texture and consistency of the sand as they shape and mold it.
Eyeshadow
Today I’m rounding up my Top 5 Everyday Eyeshadow Palettes! These are the ones I’ve been reaching for the most this year I feel are best suited for everyday wear. Would love to hear what your favorites are in the comments!
Chanel Candeur Et Experience
Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Candeur Et Experience 268 ($62) is probably one that has surprised me as being super wearable. It has a red shade which I normally don’t wear but the combination of the other browns with the red makes for a really good everyday eye look for me. It’s the one of the top 3 eyeshadow quads that get the most compliments. Pigment is medium but buildable for a soft look. Lasting power is good and stays put all day.
If you want a more neutral-cool or cooler toned option, try Chanel Les 4 Ombres Clair Obscur (all matte cool neutrals) or Tisse Rivoli (neutral-cool shimmers)
Charlotte Tilbury Bella Sofia
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eye Palette in Bella Sofia ($53) is one of my all-time favorites for an everyday look. It has wearable brown and bronze tones I think are flattering on a wide range of skin tones and eye colors. Colors include a soft pale champagne shimmer, warm coppery brown shimmer, deeper brown shimmer and a gold sparkle topper. (The name of this used to be Dolce Vita but they changed it to Bella Sofia.)
If you want no sparkle/glitter try her Super Nudes Easy Eye Palette (soft velvety luminous matte) or The Sophisticate (all matte, neutral-cool tones).
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($48) is one of my newest discoveries and I cannot believe how long it took me to finally try it. It 100% lives up to the hype with soft blendable mattes. All the colors perform well (no chalky finish in any of them). It has a good range of neutrals with different undertones and browns in super flattering colors.
If you like all mattes and neutrals, get this one.
Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette ($68) is neutral bronze champagne perfection. It has everything you need for a complete eye look including 2 cream browns that work really well as a base. The remaining colors include a mix of mattes, shimmers, sparkle toppers. This is the second most complimented palette I own. You can create a lot of looks with this one and I think it’s very wearable even with the sparkle glitters.
Quality wise this one is not the best that I have tried. Other brands like Natasha Denona, Tom Ford and Anastasia Beverly Hills have a better more finely milled quality and texture, but the one from Patrick Ta is still very good and wearable.
Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes
Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes ($48) is another favorite I tried this year and I also think this is lovely! I was worried the metallic shimmers and sparkles would be too trendy for me but they are really wearable when layered on top of the mattes. There is a definitely a noticeable sparkle with the lighter shades but they adhere well and I think they are very wearable. I love this one because it has a great range of colors from light, medium and deep.
A few of you have asked whether I prefer the Patrick Ta or Too Faced and I would say it’s a tough pick. They’re both unique in their own way. I like that the Patrick Ta Palette has 2 creams that are really good in quality and pigment. I also like the color range. The Too Faced has a bit more variety with the pink and rose tones mixed in.
Out of the two I would say the one from Patrick Ta is a bit more conservative on the sparkle side while the Too Faced is a bit more glitzy/trendy. Both have some intense sparkle toppers so your mileage may vary depending on how much sparkle you are comfortable wearing.
There are lots of other great eyeshadow palettes I own and still wear. It was tough to narrow it down to my top 5 but after careful thought I picked the ones I find myself reaching for the most this year. Runner ups I would also consider everyday kind of eyeshadow palettes include:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam (swatches here)
- Natasha Denona Mini Nude (review here)
- Natasha Denona Biba (swatches here)
- Natasha Denona Glam Palette (review here)
- Tom Ford Mink Mirage (swatches here)
- Urban Decay Naked Reloaded (swatches here and here)
What are your favorite everyday palettes?
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ShareIn addition to its educational benefits, magic sand is also a great tool for sensory play therapy. Children with sensory processing disorders often find the texture and feel of magic sand calming and soothing. It can help them relax and focus, and improve their sensory integration skills. Magic sand is available in various colors and can be easily found in toy stores and online. It is non-toxic and safe for children to play with. However, it is important to note that magic sand should not be ingested and should be kept away from young children who might put it in their mouths. Overall, magic sand is a versatile and enjoyable toy that offers both entertainment and educational benefits. Whether used for creative play, sensory therapy, or simply as a fun toy, it provides a unique and engaging play experience for children of all ages..
Reviews for "Magic Sand Toys: A Must-Have for Playdates"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the magic sand toy. The packaging made it look so fun and interactive, but when I actually opened it and tried to play with the sand, it was a messy disaster. The sand wouldn't mold properly and just crumbled into a million pieces every time I tried to shape it. It was also really difficult to clean up afterwards. Overall, not worth the money.
2. Mike - 1/5 - I would not recommend the magic sand toy to anyone. It was such a waste of money. The sand itself was really strange and didn't even feel like real sand. It had this weird texture that just didn't make it enjoyable to play with. Plus, it made such a mess everywhere. It was impossible to contain the sand and it ended up getting all over the floor and even in my clothes. Save your money and avoid this product.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the magic sand toy, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The sand didn't hold its shape well and was quite sticky, making it difficult to mold and create anything. It also had a strange smell that was off-putting. Overall, I was disappointed with the quality of the sand and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mark - 2.5/5 - The magic sand toy was okay, but nothing special. It didn't offer anything unique or exciting compared to other sand toys I have tried. The sand was just average, and I didn't find it particularly magical. It was also a bit messy to clean up, which was a downside. I wouldn't say it's a terrible product, but there are definitely better options out there.