Review & Swatches: Kat Von D Eye Palettes
Posted by Heather | Filed under Brands, Eyeshadow, Kat Von D, Reviews, Swatches
When these first came out, I thought it was kinda gimicky and I don’t usually go out and get stuff from brands I don’t know and trust. After hearing about it by roaming throught the beauty blog world, I caved…and my expectations were low, so WOW did I get blown away!
I’ve actually been putting off this review for a long time because when I think about how much I love these, the words escape me, and I’m not sure how to explain myself. Seriously though, these are fantastic shadows. The colors are rich and pigmented. The texture is soft and powdery (in a good way). The color range is really good too, and I really like how Kat Von D has put thought into them. I only got three (or is that all there is?): Beethoven, Ludwig, and Gypsy. Everything from the artwork on the boxes to the beautiful packaging to the names of the colors reflects her perfectly. She paid attention to detail, and I appreciate that. I don’t think she’s one to sit on the sideline and let others come up with stuff for her to just “approve” (though I don’t know this for certain). The names are recognizable – especially if you watch LA Ink, which I do. I’ve watched her since she was on Miami Ink actually. I’m secretly fascinated by tatoos. I don’t have any, and will most likely (never say never) never get one. Part of it is the artistry – I can blend colors, but I can’t draw worth a darn! I admire the talent of tatoo artists!
There were only two things I didn’t like: one was that one cream Brass Knuckles shadow – the texture sucks on that one; and two: Lucifer is the same color in all 3 palettes, but hey with only one bad color in the 3 palette bunch, I’m still happy. :-) I highly recommend these palettes for eyeshadow lovers.
See product photos and swatches!! Read the rest of this entry »
Swatches: Chanel Lumier Celeste Collection Glossimers
Posted by Heather | Filed under Chanel, Lips, Swatches
Lip swatches! Of course I fell in love with all of them! These pictures didn’t capture the glitteriness of them either which bummed me out. Maybe if I wear them with looks or with some lipstick underneath they’ll come out more. Several are very pigmented. Jupiter looks very similar to Red Shine that came out before the holidays. I swatched all of them at once, so some of them are not very perfect at all! Wiping off each one then reapplying made my lips say owie! :-) Hopefully it’s worth it! Enjoy!
Top: Mirage, Nebula, Silex, Venus
Bottom: Cosmos, Jupiter, Meteore, Mica
See all 8 colors as swatches on my lips!!! (Names are underneath the two swatch pictures.) Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Chanel, Glossimer, Lip Swatches, Lipgloss, Lumier Celeste
Review/Swatches: Bobbi Brown Pastel Palette
Posted by Heather | Filed under Bobbi Brown, Eyeshadow, My Collection, Product Info, Reviews, Swatches
While doing some online shopping at Neimen Marcus, I had to reach a certain amount for a free gift, so I browsed their exclusives. What a little beauty this was!
The colors are all really pastel, and I haven’t used them yet except for the teal one (second from the left) and I was quite impressed. It has a descent texture and the color came out nice. The palette itself is kinda small, and you only get a little strip of each color, but there are a lot of colors! Seriously, when’s the last time you saw so many colors in one little palette?? At first I didn’t like how they were all packed in there, but I think I actually appreciate that they didn’t waste space on dividers. I can use the 239 brush or my trusty 213 and get only that specific color very easily. I’m not planning on mixing any of the colors together before they’re on my eyelid :-)
See swatches and color names! Read the rest of this entry »
Review & Swatches: New Spring ‘09 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyepencils
Posted by Heather | Filed under Reviews, Swatches, Urban Decay
The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyepencils have a massive following with their original 16 or so colors. They’re known for their long-wear, true bright colors, ultra smooth and soft texture, and overall great wear. I can vouch…I think I have almost every color, and they measure up for me in everything they’re known for. Now, new for Spring, they have 4 new colors on the up and out!
Underground is a shiny medium brown color. It’s not too dark, but would work great with a neutral look.
Grafitti is a grass-green color; a lot lighter than the other green liner they have. It would definitely brighten up the lower lashline.
Flipside is a bright aqua blue, not quite what I would call turquoise because it’s closer to a light blue…like what my husband would just call ‘blue’….oh but it’s so much better than that!
Ransom is almost indescribable because it’s so beautiful. A bright true purple…not sure what else to say. It’s deep but bright…did I say bright? It would make any eye POP!
See swatches! Read the rest of this entry »
Review & Swatches: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Posted by Heather | Filed under Reviews, Swatches, Urban Decay
I am no stranger to the long-time cult favorite Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP). I hadn’t discovered it until I started reading beauty blogs, and once I did, there was no turning back. I use it pretty exclusively with a MAC Paint Pot on top. When used alone, I found that it still creased a little by the end of the day, but NEVER when layered with a PP. It’s my HG (holy grail) of eyeshadow primer+base.
And now Urban Decay has released a new version of the ever popular Primer Potion in a shade called Sin. It’s a champagne beige color and very shiny/shimmery. The original is flesh colored and doesn’t look like anything is even on your lid once blended in. Sin adds a great shimmery sheen and could easily just be worn alone for a simple eye. I’m loving the deeper color. My shadows cling to it like glue and it brings out the shimmer that’s already in non-matte or satin shadows. I don’t generally wear many matte looks anyway, so Sin will be what I use most often from now on I’m sure. Another thing I noticed is that Sin seems to be a little thinner and more liquidy, but I’ll have to observe if that’s still the case once I saw that universally-hated bottle open to scoop out the contents and store them in other containers.
Overall Coloruza Rating: 5/5 – At it’s base, it’s a stellar product, yet with an even better twist than the original. It works, it’s pretty, it’s got shimmer, and it stands on its own (the product, not the bottle…though the bottle does too…nevermind). Only drawback: packaging (but you can get around that).
I got this from Sephora.com because I’m a Beauty Insider (anyone can be one – just sign up). Otherwise, it’s slated to launch for Spring.
See hand and eye swatches! Read the rest of this entry »
Review & Swatches: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara
Posted by Heather | Filed under Bare Escentuals, Chanel, MAC, Reviews, Swatches
I’m not a HUGE connoisseur of mascaras in general, though I have tried a few in my day. In the past I’ve used (and completely finished) Clinique, Dior, YSL, Chanel, and MAC mascaras (different types and such). Generally I stay away from all drugstore brand makeup (though I like some creams and face wash, etc.), and opt for the higher end stuff – not because I’m stuck up about it or whatever, but it’s just what I prefer.
Anyway, as a Beauty Insider at Sephora, every time you buy you get points, and then those points are redeemable for sample products. So the last time I went to Sephora with my lovely mother-in-law, I got a sample of Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara. Since I was at the end of my other two favorites, I figured I’d ACTUALLY try one of my samples (I know, what a concept!).
What I like about it most is the applicator wand. It’s shaped somewhat hourglass-like which makes it easier than normal to get to my inner and outermost lashes and made of plastic bristles. The best part though, is that it doesn’t get mascara on my eyelid! It seems that no matter how careful I am with other mascaras, I always seem to get some of it on my lid while I’m swiping (very inconvenient). So this one wins me over in the application department.
The staying power is pretty darn good, IMO. It doesn’t flake or smudge on me at all. My lashes still feel soft and movable, as opposed to stiff and brittle. The color is dark black, and it does elongate my lashes well, but it doesn’t look overdone. It’s a good mascara for everyday, but might not be quite thick enough for a night out when you want your lashes to almost look fake :-)
Would I buy it again? Yeah, I would buy it because I like the applicator brush so much. But it definitely falls second to my Chanel Exceptionnel. Have you used Buxom Lash? What do you think?
See pictures and compare for yourself! My “naked” :-O lashes vs. Buxom vs. Exceptionnel vs. MAC’s Plushlash. Read the rest of this entry »
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