Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Dior Peacock (434) Eyeshadow Palette
Dior Peacock (434) Eyeshadow Palette

Dior Peacock (434) Eyeshadow Palette ($60.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a mix of warm, summery shades with a muted quality and earthy tones. It is new and limited edition this summer and contains five eyeshadows.

Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #1 is a light-medium green with warm, yellow undertones and a pearly sheen. It had good pigmentation and applied very smoothly. bareMinerals Wicked is slightly more frosted and less warm-toned. Buxom Shih Tzu is a cream eyeshadow and slightly darker. Dior Garden Pastels is darker. MAC Juxt is very comparable in color.

Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #2 is a pale, yellowy beige with a soft micro-shimmer. It is semi-sheer, so it tends to work best on fair skin or as a brow bone highlighter. MAC Dew is more frosted. MAC Dazzlelight is a touch lighter (it’s more pigmented, so it’s hard to tell).

Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #3 is a pale aqua-green that flashes to greenish yellow with a golden sheen. It looks like a minty green in the pan, but it is much yellower swatched. It had good pigmentation and applied smoothly. Dior Blue Lagoon #5 is similar. Too Faced Fantasy Island #2 is slightly darker.

Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #4 is dirty blue with a hint of green/teal and a satiny sheen. It had so-so color payoff but appeared more muted swatched and applied than it did in the pan. Chanel Metamorphose #1 is brighter, lighter. bareMinerals Editor’s Pick is bluer, much darker. Tom Ford Emerald Lust #2 is more teal-hued.

Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #5 is a pale yellow-green with a satin sheen. It had good pigmentation, and while it applied smoothly and evenly, it was somewhat powdery. It can be quick to sheer out if you blend it, so blend around the edges and pat the product on initially to minimize excess powder fall out and diffusing the color too much. Chanel Metamorphose #3 is darker. MAC Juxt is greener. Inglot #364 is matte.

It’s a decent to good palette, but it didn’t wow me.  The beige eyeshadow was rather sheer, while the center shade had more color payoff but wasn’t opaque.   The darkest shade in the palette was just so-so in pigmentation as well.  The remaining two eyeshadows were better.   Unfortunately, the texture of the palette, overall, was powdery, so I did see issues with the colors fading after seven to eight hours in a noticeable capacity.  There is also some fall out during application that makes this a palette better applied prior to base makeup, just so clean up easier.

The Glossover

palette

Peacock (434)

B
It's a decent to good palette, but it didn't wow me. Some of the eyeshadows were lacking in pigmentation, and some were powdery, which led to fading while I wore the palette.

Product

8.5/10

Pigmentation

8.5/10

Texture

8.5/10

Longevity

8.5/10

Application

4.5/5

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Monday, May 6th, 2013

Chanel Metamorphose (44) Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Metamorphose (44) Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Metamorphose (44) Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quad ($59.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a new and limited edition palette exclusive to Chanel.com from their summer collection. It features four shades of eyeshadows in varying finishes that can be “applied dry for subtle shading, or dampened for more intense colour, all with long-wearing results.” Outside of the U.S., this quad and its formula will be very familiar, while those within the U.S. will note that the shape, texture, and feel of the formula is different. This is, essentially, the baked formula, compared with the traditional power eyeshadow that we typically see in the quads here in the U.S.

Metamorphose (44) #1 is a medium-dark, cool-toned green with a hint of blue/teal and a frosted sheen. It had semi-sheer color payoff applied dry, and it was more opaque applied damp, but it could have applied more evenly and smoothly. Tom Ford Emerald Lust is a touch darker. MAC Sweet & Sour is greener. Dior Garden Pastels #5 is very slightly warmer/greener. Tarina Tarantino Violet Storm is cooler-toned.

Metamorphose (44) #2 is a cool-toned, green-tinged, pale gray. It looks more like a mint green in the pan, but it comes off rather grayish when I applied it. The color payoff is very sheer when used dry, and then it is decent to good in opacity when applied damp. Giorgio Armani #10 is more metallic. Dior Cruise is similar. is a bit darker (and a cream product).

Metamorphose (44) #3 is a lightly warmed-over yellowy-green with a frosted sheen. It was sheer to semi-sheer when applied dry, and it was more opaque when applied damp. Too Faced Fantasy Island #2 is more metallic but very close in color. bareMinerals Wicked is more intense, greener. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone #6 is much darker, greener. MAC Juxt is brighter and much warmer. MAC Valiant is very similar.

Metamorphose (44) #4 is a deep navy blue with cool undertones and a satiny finish. It had decent pigmentation when applied dry, but it was much more intense when applied damp. Urban Decay Evidence is a more pearled sheen. MAC Naval Blue is more frosted. MAC Lunar is darker. bareMinerals Climax is more pearled. Guerlain Les Ombres de Nuit #3 is darker–more blackened. Make Up For Ever #81 is darker.

Generally, the baked eyeshadow quads are less intense and pigmented than the regular powder eyeshadow quads. To an extent, I would agree. These really have to used damp to see decent color payoff, as when they are applied dry, they are subtle and on the powdery side. From my own experiences, I tend to prefer the powder eyeshadows over baked ones as well for both blending, wear, and color payoff. Metamorphose had faded noticeably when I checked at the eight-hour mark.  The texture was always on the drier, powdery side, and when applied damp, it didn’t blend out as easily as Chane’s best eyeshadows do.

P.S. — 0.04 oz.? Ouchhh! I know that baked eyeshadows tend to weigh less, but whoa does that seem crazy small. They look like a normal-sized eyeshadow, all domed and the like, but the weight is (somewhat) concerning.

The Glossover

palette

Metamorphose (44)

B-
From my own experiences, I tend to prefer the powder eyeshadows over baked ones as well for both blending, wear, and color payoff. Metamorphose doesn't make a strong case for the baked formula.

Product

8/10

Pigmentation

8.5/10

Texture

8.5/10

Longevity

7/10

Application

4/5

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Sunday, May 5th, 2013

Le Metier de Beaute Femme Fatale Kaleidoscope
Le Metier de Beaute Femme Fatale Kaleidoscope

Le Metier de Beaute Femme Fatale Kaleidoscope ($95.00 for 0.56 oz.) includes four shades: Oyster (satin shimmer dust), Sapphire (midnight blue with jewel tones), Autumn Rust (deep and rustic topaz), and Matte Plum (bodacious, bright purple).

Per readers’ requests, I’m posting this quick post that features photos and swatches of the Kaleidoscope, but I’m not writing a full review unless it is re-released and becomes available again :) I will say it is up to par with Le Metier de Beaute’s eyeshadow quality and what I’ve experienced in the past, so you can read previous reviews here. All of the swatches have been put into the Swatch Gallery, so you can compare and look for similar shades based on what interests you!

  • Oyster is a cool-toned, almost pewter-gray with a hint of beige-champagne shimmer. ISuper complex; looks different all the time. Compare here in the Swatch Gallery.
  • Sapphire is a copper and violet-shimmered navy blue with purplish edging. Another complex shade. Best applied wet–a little drier than other shades I’ve tried. Compare here in the Swatch Gallery.
  • Autumn Rust is a medium-dark golden brown with a frosted finish. Compare here in the Swatch Gallery.
  • Matte Plum is a medium-dark red-toned purple with a satiny finish (doesn’t look matte to me). Compare here in the Swatch Gallery.

Also, since we’re on the subject of Le Metier de Beaute… They’ll be doing online auctions starting tonight on their website featuring last-of-a-kind in their Kaleidoscopes for the next six days that are paired with gifts from partners (like Oscar de la Renta, GlossyBox, etc.) to benefit ALS Awareness Month and the ALS Association. 100% (!!) of the proceeds earned from the auctions will go the ALS Association, and Le Metier de Beaute will be donating 10% to the ALS Association for every sale made on their website between 5/5 and 5/12. And then, anyone who donates $100+ through the ALSA.org Le Metier de Beaute Tribute Fund Page, Le Metier de Beaute will send a thank you package of beauty goodies.

What is ALS? The Facts

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.
  • Upon diagnosis, the life expectancy of an ALS patient ranges from 2 to 5 years.
  • Only 10% will survive more than 10 years
  • For the vast majority, their mind and thoughts are not impaired and remain sharp despite the progressive degenerating condition of the body.
  • ALS can strike anyone. There is currently no cure.

The Glossover

palette

Femme Fatale

A
The palette was up-to-par with Le Metier de Beaute's eyeshadow range except for Sapphire, which was a little dry in texture and needed to be applied wet to achieve really smooth, intense color.

Product

9.5/10

Pigmentation

9.5/10

Texture

9.5/10

Longevity

9.5/10

Application

5/5

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Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

MAC Temperature Rising Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Temperature Rising Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Temperature Rising Eyeshadow Quad ($44.00 for 0.19 oz.) includes these shades: Performance Art (frosted gold mauve, Veluxe Pearl)), Temperature Rising (light warm tanned peach, Lustre), Swelter (mid-tone grey violet, Frost), and Beautymarked (charcoal black with red pearl, Velvet). Beautymarked is part of the permanent range. The quad will be available online on May 16th and in-stores May 23rd (of course, it usually is online earlier than the stated date). It is packaged in a matte bronze with a rubbery texture–if you’re familiar with NARS’ packaging, it’s very much like that, only bronze in color.

Performance Art is is a pinky mauve with a dusting of very fine gold shimmer. It had good color payoff and applied smooth overall, though it was a smidgen dry. MAC Smoky Mauve is purpler and darker. Jasmine Carpet is darker and purpler. Tarte Frozen Hot Chocolate is slightly darker. NARS 413 BLKR #1 appears cooler-toned. Wet ‘n’ Wild We’re Blasting Off #3 is cooler-toned.

Temperature Rising is copper-shimmered peach with a soft, frosted sheen. It was very stiff to work with, and it really needed to be layered and packed on to get visible, even color both swatched and on the eye. Estee Lauder Pink Zinc is lighter (and a cream product). Chanel Complice is lighter. MAC Seaside is more coppery. Chanel Emerveille is a cream product and is less coppery. MAC Expensive Pink is pinker, darker.

Swelter is a muted, medium-dark purple with subtle red undertones and a satiny sheen. It had decent to good color payoff, but it was a little stiff to work with. When I jabbed at it with a stiffer brush, I was able to get better color payoff. MAC Smoky Mauve is more frosted. Jasmine Carpet is very similar. NARS 413 BLKR #1 is grayer, cooler-toned. MAC Circa Plum is extremely similar.

Beautymarked is a blackened brown with burgundy and copper micro-shimmer. It was dry, somewhat chalky, and generally stiff and difficult to blend. Applied, it looks mostly like a matte black, but if you mix it or blend it with Swelter, you can bring out more of the shimmer in Beautymarked. Giorgio Armani #2 is similar in concept but has a much more pronounced shimmer/sparkle. L’Oreal Smoldering Plum is purpler. MAC Young Punk has more purple shimmer.

The real miss here was Beautymarked, which had a rather undesirable texture that made it a problematic shade to use. It’s also the kind of shade that looks incredibly complex in the pan but when used, it can be difficult to pull out those nuances and see the complexities. Performance Art was the best eyeshadow in this quad, because it had good pigmentation and a softer, smoother texture and application. Temperature Rising needs to be packed on for a smooth, even application. I wish it performed better overall, because the color combination works well together and would flatter a variety of skin tones. The eyeshadows did wear for eight hours with no creasing and only very minor fading with minor fading occurring after nine hours.

The Glossover

palette

Temperature Rising

B
I wish it performed better overall, because the color combination works well together and would flatter a variety of skin tones.

Product

8/10

Pigmentation

8.5/10

Texture

8/10

Longevity

9/10

Application

4/5

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Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

MAC Bare My Soul Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Bare My Soul Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Bare My Soul Eyeshadow Quad ($44.00 for 0.19 oz.) includes these shades: Romantico (light taupe bronze, Veluxe Pearl), Bare My Soul (frosted gold, Lustre), Friendly (deep bronze chocolate, Veluxe Pearl), and When in Rio (deep green with copper pearl, Frost). The quad will be available online on May 16th and in-stores May 23rd (of course, it usually is online earlier than the stated date). It is packaged in a matte bronze with a rubbery texture–if you’re familiar with NARS’ packaging, it’s very much like that, only bronze in color.

Romantico is a soft, medium-dark bown with a frosted finish and subtly warm, reddish undertones. It had nice color payoff and applied smoothly. Giorgio Armani Summer 2013 Eyeshadow #3 is warmer. Too Faced Hot Cocoa is lighter. NARS Flowers 3 is warmer. Milani Caramel Brown has a more metallic finish. MAC Buckwheat is darker. MAC Lie Low is more orange. MAC Sable is darker.

Bare My Soul is a gold-shimmered coppery brown with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had good color payoff and applied smoothly when I used it on the lid. Wet ‘n’ Wild Sparkle ‘Til Morning #2 is very similar. Guerlain Calligraphy Eye & Lip #2 is slightly darker. Urban Decay Penny Lane is darker. Le Metier de Beaute Goldstone is more golden, brighter. bareMinerals Golden Iris has more of a satiny sheen.

Friendly is a rich, chocolatly brown with subtly warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had fantastic color payoff, and it applied incredibly smoothly, too. Inglot #421 is slightly more coppery. Laura Mercier Cedar is more matte. MAC Make Your Mark is not quite as intense. MAC Mulch is redder.

When in Rio is a deep, red-brown base with a greenish-teal sheen. It had good color payoff when layered, but it was a little on the drier side and slightly stiff when I tried blending it out on the lid. It’s workable, but it’s not as nice as Romantico or Friendly. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone #8 has a much redder base. bareMinerals Mirage is browner. MAC Double Feature #5 #2 is similar in design but much redder in practice. Tarte Exquisite Emerlad is similar though not as intense. MAC Woodsmoke is bluer. Inglot #414 is greener. MAC Club would also be similar, though I think the duochrome is not quite as obvious (and also Blue Brown pigment).

Initially, it reminded me of the Burmese Beauty quad from a few years ago, but they’re definitely not one-for-one. Burmese Beauty had a more golden, rather than copper-toned, shade, but it did have a similarly duochrome blue-brown shade (Burmese Beauty). The other two eyeshadows are not similar to the other two found in this quad.

I liked the quad overall, but at this price point, I really wish When in Rio was softer, more pigmented, and more blendable.  In the world of MAC eyeshadow quads, this is certainly one of the better ones in the past few years.  I wore all four eyeshadows together yesterday, and I didn’t have any issues with creasing or fading after nine hours of wear (no primer).

The Glossover

palette

Bare My Soul

A-

I liked the quad overall, but at this price point, I really wish When in Rio was softer, more pigmented, and more blendable. In the world of MAC eyeshadow quads, this is certainly one of the better ones in the past few years.

Product

9/10

Pigmentation

9/10

Texture

9/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4.5/5

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Saturday, April 27th, 2013

Dior Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow Palette
Dior Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow Palette

Dior Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow Palette ($60.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a mix of summery shades that certainly bring to mind the colors of a lagoon as it is filled with blue, green, and teal. It contains five eyeshadows housed within a plastic compact with two dual-end sponge-tip applicators and a full-size mirror inside.

Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #1 is a light-medium, pastel sky blue with a satin finish. It had so-so color payoff, and because of its pastel nature, it looked almost chalky against my skin tone–when paired with the deeper tones in the palette, it worked better. Giorgio Armani Swimming Pool Turquoise is darker. Dior Swimming Pool #3 is a touch darker but similar. NYX Cool Blue is darker. MAC Styledriven is extremely similar in color but slightly more satiny. bareMinerals Illusion is lighter.

Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #2 is a pale, iridescent pastel sea foam green. It’s really rather translucent and sheer; it seemed more like something you’d apply over another shade to add iridescence. Giorgio Armani #10 seemed similar but much more intense/opaque.

Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #3 is a depened, smoky blue with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had good pigmentation, and it applied smoothly. theBalm Bossy Bobbi is a touch darker. MAC Bold Babe is very comparable. MAC Parisian Skies is bluer. MAC Pre-packaged is deeper, richer. Giorgio Armani Ecailles Black Pearl #1 is darker. Urban Decay Unhinged is lighter.

Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #4 is a gold-shimmered, dusty blue with a hint of aqua/green and a frost finish. It had good color payoff, and the texture was incredibly soft and silky. L’Oreal Endless Sea is a bit darker but similar. MAC Sky is very comparable. Urban Decay Aquarius is more frosted.

Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #5 is a pale, pastel yellow-green with a frosted finish. It looks like a mint green in the pan, but swatched and applied, it is much lighter and more like a yellow-green tinted white. It had good pigmentation, and it applied very smoothly. Fyrinnae Jade Ghost and MAC Zestful are both similar but more intense. Lancome Fashion Forward is a bit greener.

You know me, I’m a total glutton for all things teal and tropically-inspired, so when I first saw this quad, I was like, “Oh yeah!” It yielded a much softer look when used than it looked in the pan.  It didn’t look like it was going to be neon brights, but everything was more muted applied.  Two of the eyeshadows (#2 and #5) applied significantly more white-based than they looked in the pan, so they lost some of their differentiation and actual color.

The worst performer was the first eyeshadow (light blue), because it was a little powdery, didn’t apply evenly, and didn’t have great color payoff.  The best performer was #3 (dark blue) in the center, as it had good color payoff and blended out evenly.  I also liked #4 (dusty aqua/teal), but it was a little powdery. Though all of the eyeshadows had soft, silky textures, the palette on the whole was somewhat powdery and missed on the pigmentation.  I had some slight fading after eight hours of wear. For someone who doesn’t like the idea of bright blues, this might be a nice option, but for someone who really wanted the colors as seen in the pan, I think you’ll be disappointed.

The Glossover

palette

Blue Lagoon (374)

C+
For someone who doesn't like the idea of bright blues, this might be a nice option, but for someone who really wanted the colors as seen in the pan, I think you'll be disappointed.

Product

7/10

Pigmentation

8/10

Texture

8.5/10

Longevity

7.5/10

Application

4/5

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