Eye Shadow -2 Grrrls - Dawn Eyes Cosmetics -- Sunlit Coral
hp11989 5/7/2011 9:10:00 AM
Overall rating: Dawn Eyes Cosmetics eyeshadows have amazing sparkle that almost rivals Aromaleigh's extinct Sonic Rocks! line. Sunlit Coral resembles Victimoflove in color and shine. The actual shade, described on the DEC Web site as a "beautiful salmon coral dancing with brilliant golden sparkle," truly lived up to the description. The pink and orange were well balanced; neither one predominated. It's a beautiful warm coral shade.
Applied over UDPP: Applied over Urban Decay Primer Potion, this shade looked sweet and a bit shy, with just enough sassy sparkle to make it a perfect coral. Perfect for work or even church wear. The shade really brings out my hazel green eyes :-)
Applied over Fyrinnae PE: Applied over UDPP and Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, it was a completely different story: Imagine your eyelids decked out in liquid-metal sparkly coral goodness, ready for serious vixen patrol!
Where did I buy this: Dawn Eyes Cosmetics Web site (http://www.dawneyescosmetics.com/)
Price: $1.00 for a generous 1/16-teaspoon sample; $6 for full size (5-g sifter jar [1.2 to 1.5 g net wt])
Packaging: Actually really great: a sturdy, thick, *small* zip-lock sample baggie. I like that it's square, not an annoyingly deep rectangle like Meow samples, a pet peeve of mine when buying samples.
Would I buy again: This is a definite full-size repurchase in for me!
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Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Sassy Minerals Shimmer Eye Candy in Wanton Disregard
hp11989 1/27/2010 6:22:00 PM
Overall rating: I gave this product five lippies because I love pink shades on my eyes and because it isn't your average shimmery pink. It is described on the Sassy Minerals Web site as "warm rose with gold and pink shimmer," and that description is pretty accurate. However, the gold shimmer does not overtake the pink, nor vice versa, as so often happens, and the pink shimmer looks more raspberry to me. The overall look is a more slightly terracotta-based pink that is very shimmery. The texture is smooth and buttery. Applied over Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, it looked like I was wearing a fancily colored mink coat on my eyes! I preferred the more subtle dry application better, but either way, it's gorgeous on my hazel green eyes and fair complexion. I don't usually get compliments on my MU, but I got one yesterday when I was wearing this shadow :-) If you like pinks, try a sample of this. Sassy has a very large collection of shimmery (and other) shadows. Highly recommended. Where did I buy this: Sassy Minerals Web site. Price: $.75 for a 1/6-teaspoon sample (it's more like 1/4 teaspoon). Packaging: Standard screw-top pot; no sifter cap. However, my entire order came wrapped in black fishnet and tied with a silver bow. Nice touch! Would I buy again: Totally!
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Lip Gloss -Bare Escentuals - 100% Natural Lip Gloss - Iced Coffee
hp11989 1/12/2010 7:19:00 PM
Overall rating: I gave this product three lippies because the color wasn't good on me and because it seems like it would be fairly dupeable. It looks like light cafe au lait in the tube but applies very frosty. It is quite neutral, maybe a bit on the warm side, and may be a MLBB shade for someone with the right coloring. I can see how this would be gorgeous on women of color. The texture is very creamy and fairly sticky (not as sticky as a MAC Lipglass, though).
Where did I buy this: BE Web site.
Price: I got this in the Pretty Delicious kit, but retail for a full-size tube is $15.00, which is a bit high for my taste.
Packaging: Standard tube with a nice brush applicator.
Would I buy again: Nope.
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Eyeliner -Bare Escentuals - Liner Shadow - Sugar Plum
hp11989 1/12/2010 7:12:00 PM
Overall rating: I was disappointed in this liner shadow because it is described on the BE Web site as "a metallic lilac shade," but it is completely matte, and it's not lilac; it's more of a deep grape. I wanted to use it as a shadow, but I don't like matte shadows that much. I have to admit that I did not try it foiled, but I doubt that a matte shadow would turn out metallic any way I apply it. However, if you like a smokey eye, or want to use it as a liner, it would be a gorgeous shade.
Where did I buy this: BE Web site.
Price: I got it as part of the Pretty Delicious kit, but regular retail for a full-size pot is only $13.00.
Packaging: Best you can get for a loose powder cosmetic product: screw-top sample pot with sifter cap.
Would I buy again: Nope, unless they reformulate it to match the description.
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Eye Shadow -Alima - Amarena (LE)
hp11989 1/11/2010 7:44:00 PM
Overall rating: I gave this product only three stars because it can be easily duped. It's a warm pink-peach with light gold shimmer. I must have a million versions of this color, and the texture of those are much better than this. It's OK, but it certainly doesn't merit the LE label.
Where did I buy this: I swapped for it, and it's no longer available to buy.
Price: I think this came as part of a set, but Alima's shadows retail for a mere $6 to $8.
Packaging: Best you can get for a loose powder cosmetic product: large screw-top pot with sifter cap.
Would I buy again: Nope.
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Eye Shadow -Pure Luxe Cosmetics - Cashmere
hp11989 1/11/2010 6:55:00 PM
Overall rating: This product is described on the PL Web site as "medium mocha brown with a lighter beige pearl highlight," and the description is extremely accurate description! It's a gorgeous shimmery neutral medium to chocolate brown. Applies very buttery and has great pigmentation. I can definitely see this becoming a staple neutral for my hazel green eyes! Where did I buy this: Pure Luxe Web site. Price: Only $1.00 for a 1/4-teaspoon sample. Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap. Would I buy again: Yep!
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Eye Shadow -Pure Luxe Cosmetics - Fantasy
hp11989 1/11/2010 6:52:00 PM
Overall rating: This is described on the PL site as "clay/taupe with pink interference with light shimmer," and that is an extremely accurate description! I find it to be an unusual brow bone highlighter, neutral and pearly. A definite keeper!
Where did I buy this: Pure Luxe Web site.
Price: Only $1.00 for 1/4-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap.
Would I buy again: Yessiree!
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Eye Shadow -Pure Luxe Cosmetics - Heather Mist
hp11989 12/29/2009 2:34:00 PM
Overall rating: Another yawner from Pure Luxe, who describes this on the Web site as "soft heather purple with a grey undertone." It also has a tiny bit of dark blue undertone to it also, but maybe that's the just the gray I'm seeing. It's extremely sheer, even applied over a base, and application over Fyrinnae Pixy Epoxy pumped it up a little bit, but not much. Very poor lasting power also. One of the few eyeshadows I've tried that wore off after just a few hours! I spilled the entire pot on the bathroom floor this morning (after applying it) and didn't feel an ounce of regret.
Where did I buy this: Pure Luxe Web site.
Price: $1.00 for a 1/4-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap.
Would I buy again: Nope.
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Eye Shadow -Pure Luxe Cosmetics - Serenity
hp11989 12/29/2009 2:24:00 PM
Overall rating: Yawn. If this product has a sound, it would be a drone. Described on the Pure Luxe Web site as "delicate ivory with a pearl finish," this shadow is an entirely dupeable beige-cream shimmery brow bone highlighter. Think MAC Shroom eyeshadow or Your Ladyship pigment. Application wasn't smooth, either; sort of blotchy "skippy," IYKWIM.
Where did I buy this: Pure Luxe Web site.
Price: $1.00 for a generous 1/4-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot.
Would I buy again: Nope. Not even worth the energy to click the "order" button on the Web site. You definitely have something just like this in your stash (and I can say that without even knowing you; that's how common this shade is!).
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Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Sassy Minerals Shimmer Eye Candy in Twist
hp11989 12/21/2009 7:39:00 PM
Overall rating: Yowser, is this a gorgeous color! I've thought periodically throughout today on how to describe it: I think either "yellow lab" or light "golden retriever" sums it up best. It's definitely a gold, but one with a light tan base, nothing yellowy or metallic or orangey. Not gaudy at all. Perfectly wearable for day (over primer) or over primer plus Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy (pumped up version). This really lit up my hazel green eyes to full advantage.
Where did I buy this: Sassy Minerals Web site.
Price: A mere $.75 for a 1/16-teaspoon sample, but it was a generous one.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap.
Would I buy again: Yup!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - About Face Taurus Collection in Hard Headed
hp11989 12/21/2009 7:31:00 PM
Overall rating: Ugh. Just another super-duper shimmery brow bone highlighter from About Face, who seems to specialize in them. It's described on the AF Web site as "baby pink pearl with golden crystal twinkle and hints of iridescent gold," but I don't see any iridescence or gold, just glaring, super-frosty white. I am going to give up now on their pale shades and stick with the mid to deep tones, which they seem to do best.
Where did I buy this: About Face Web site.
Price: About $1.00 for a 1/16-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Annoyingly deep zip-lock sample baggie.
Would I buy again: No way!
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Eye Primer -Fyrinnae - Pixie Epoxy
hp11989 12/19/2009 6:13:00 PM
Overall rating: At first I was excited to read about this new product. Then I tried it and though, "meh," because I was pretty satisfied with the shimmer payout of most of my shimmer-formula shadows. Then I bought a massive amount of shadow samples form indie manufacturers, who often add "interferences" or "overlays," and now I use Pixie Epoxy (PE) to make these subtle and often sophisticated additions actually show up on my lids! The trick to using this is to PAT the shadow on over it. This best preserves colors with complex sparkles! So, I don't use this product every day, but if a so-so color seems good enough use PE with to bring out its shyness, it really does the trick! It has saved a lot of "borderline" shadows for me.
Where did I buy this: Fyrinnae Web site.
Price: Only $5.00 for about the same size as an Ardell tube. You only need a little, so this will last a very long time (if it doesn't dry up on me first).
Packaging: Standard mascara-type tube with doe-foot applicator.
Would I buy again: Yuppers! I can't imagine being without it.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Everyday Minerals - Rock Anthem
hp11989 12/19/2009 5:55:00 PM
Overall rating: This product is described on the Everyday Minerals Web site as a "pearl-finish hot pink fuchsia," and that's an accurate description. It's a very cool, blue-based shade, which don't usually work on me very well. Also, the "pearl" effect is not strong, so it shows up matte on my lids. Using Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy didn't help in bringing out this effect. Color-wise, it's very similar to MAC Stars and Rockets. On the whole, I don't like this color on me. It can be had only as part of the EDM New Wave set. I would have preferred the pale pink from this set, but I won it in an EDM Facebook contest.
Where did I buy this: I won Rock Anthem in an EDM Facebook contest.
Price: IIRC, the full-sized jars are $8 each.
Packaging: Best you can get for any powder cosmetic product: screw-top pot with sifter cap.
Would I buy again: No, but I might decant a little bit before swapping out the remainder.
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
hp11989 12/19/2009 5:38:00 PM
Overall rating: Worst. mascara. I. have. ever. used (based on the deluxe sample I received in a Sephora order). Dry as a bug's a**, clumpy, all the things MUAers hate in a bad mascara.
Where did I buy this: I got it as a deluxe sample from Sephora. I'm glad I didn't have to waste my BI points on this.
Price: Not sure, but it must be pricey if it's YSL.
Packaging: Standard tube with the same sucky spoolie applicator I've seen in Revlon mascaras.
Would I buy again: I'd rather wake up with my head stapled to the carpet than buy this product. I'm throwing it out right now.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - About Face Taurus Collection in That's Love Baby
hp11989 12/19/2009 5:31:00 PM
Overall rating: The About Face Web site describes this product as a "sheer twinkling baby pink with flecks of clear crystal." It's not so sheer; it's very frosty, and "frost" is it's own color (usually whitish). AF's eyeshadows are extremely shimmery/glittery, especially the light pinks I buy for brow bone use, and this one was way too OTT for that purpose. I like to wear shimmery colors on my lids, so I often compensate by using a more subtle formulation on my brow bone. In addition, this color is very generic and entirely dupable. I don't think I will try any other very light shades from AB but will stick with their mid to deep shades, which they seem to do best.
Where did I buy this: About Face Web site.
Price: About $1 or so for a 1/16-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Annoying, deep zip-lock sample baggie.
Would I buy again: No.
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