Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Rescue Beauty Lounge Concrete Jungle Nail Lacquer
Rescue Beauty Lounge Concrete Jungle Nail Lacquer

Rescue Beauty Lounge Concrete Jungle Nail Lacquer

Rescue Beauty Lounge Concrete Jungle Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.4 fl. oz.) is a muted, gray-casted blue. It’s like the color of the sky as storm clouds start rolling in–a little ominous but still blue.

It’s not currently available, and unfortunately, didn’t garner enough votes in Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Bring-It-Back vote, so we won’t see this back in stock any time soon. On a brighter note, however, Diamond Cosmetics’ Concrete Jungle is supposedly a dupe, and from these swatches, they sure look awfully similar. I’m hoping to snag my own bottle for comparison and will keep you posted.

my thoughts on the formula: These are richly pigmented lacquers that have nuances in both the color and finishes. Each color is well-thought out, and I’ve yet to come across a poor performer in the brand’s color range. I used two coats for opaque coverage.

The Glossover

product

Concrete Jungle

A
It's a shade unlike anything I have in my stash, so I have my fingers crossed that the Diamond Cosmetics shade really is a dupe so others can enjoy this color, too!

Product

10/10

Pigmentation

10/10

Texture

10/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4/5

Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm Nail Lacquer
Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm Nail Lacquer

Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm Nail Lacquer

Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.4 fl. oz.) is described as “an opaque navy, the same fathomless blue as the Gulf of Naples at dusk.”  It’s a really rich, deep dark navy blue.  I used two coats in the swatches, but I almost got away with one–it’s such an intensely pigmented formula that not much product is needed at all.

my thoughts on the formula: These are richly pigmented lacquers that have nuances in both the color and finishes. Each color is well-thought out, and I’ve yet to come across a poor performer in the brand’s color range. I needed two coats for opaque coverage.

The Glossover

product

Dead Calm

A
This kind of blue really works with a variety of skin tones, and I love how it looks blue no matter what light!

Product

10/10

Pigmentation

10/10

Texture

10/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4/5

Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter Nail Lacquer
Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter Nail Lacquer

Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter Nail Lacquer

Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.4 fl. oz.) is described as a modern, sexy take on sultry, lush plum.  It’s sold out and not sure if it’ll ever return, but in case it does, this post will be here for all eternity as a reference.  Plus, perhaps together we can find dupes.  This is a really rich, deep dark plummed burgundy cream.  I only needed two coats for complete opaque color, but one was nearly enough.  The closest shade I could think of to dupe this is Essie’s Masquerade Belle, which is slightly less plum.

my thoughts on the formula: These are richly pigmented lacquers that have nuances in both the color and finishes. Each color is well-thought out, and I’ve yet to come across a poor performer in the brand’s color range. I needed two coats for opaque coverage.

The Glossover

product

Drifter

A
I like how it's a very deep, dark shade, but it doesn't look black in low light; it still retains the luxurious burgundy-plum look.

Product

10/10

Pigmentation

10/10

Texture

10/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4/5

Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

theBalm Sexy Stacey Eyeshadow
theBalm Sexy Stacey Eyeshadow

theBalm Sexy Stacey Eyeshadow

theBalm Sexy Stacey Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “shimmering pewter.” It’s a dark gray with silver shimmer and sheen–and the faintest hint of teal micro-shimmer. I wouldn’t call it pewter myself; it’s just too gray to be pewter, which tends to lean more taupe or gold, depending on the base.

my thoughts on the formula: theBalm’s eyeshadows are soft, silky smooth, and packed with pigment. They apply evenly, blend out beautifully, and aren’t powdery at all (sometimes a side effect of really soft eyeshadows). I find they are so easy to use, because they apply without fall out and blend with other shadows effortlessly. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.

The Glossover

product

Sexy Stacey

A
This a nice shade for a gray/silver smoky eye--it reminds me of MAC's Silver Ring but a bit smokier.  It has such a soft, smooth texture coupled with excellent pigmentation that it's a great gray to have on standby.

Product

10/10

Pigmentation

10/10

Texture

10/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4/5

Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

theBalm All About Alex Eyeshadow
theBalm All About Alex Eyeshadow

theBalm Shady Lady Eyeshadow: All About Alex

theBalm All About Alex Eyeshadow ($16.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “golden khaki olive.”  It’s this darkened, golden-toned khaki brown with a faint hint of olive green micro-shimmer.  It’s subtle but it’s there; more noticeable when reflected against light than in a static swatch.  All of theBalm’s single eyeshadows are in simple cardboard packaging with a mirror inside.

my thoughts on the formula: theBalm’s eyeshadows are soft, silky smooth, and packed with pigment. They apply evenly, blend out beautifully, and aren’t powdery at all (sometimes a side effect of really soft eyeshadows). I find they are so easy to use, because they apply without fall out and blend with other shadows effortlessly. Worth noting, too, is individual eyeshadows come with 0.12 oz., which is just over double the average eyeshdaow–and at a rather affordable price tag.

The Glossover

product

theBalm All About Alex Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

A
All About Alex performs incredibly well, and the color itself is flattering on both warmer and cooler skin tones--that subtle olive green shimmer gives it just enough coolness to work.

Product

10/10

Pigmentation

10/10

Texture

10/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4/5

Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

MAC Pink Cult Blush
MAC Pink Cult Blush

MAC Jeanius: Pink Cult

MAC Pink Cult Blush ($19.50 for 0.21 oz.) is described as a “mid-tone neutral pink” with a matte finish. It’s a soft, neutral rose pink with a matte finish–it’s not cool-toned or warm-toned, but beautifully neutral. It has excellent color pay off, despite the lightness of the shade itself. If you like blushes like Blushbaby, I think you’ll enjoy this one. It’s not a dupe, as this is most definitely pink (and Blushbaby is more nude), but they have similar effects–a soft, subtle color that never looks overdone. To me, it is a softer, pinker version of Breath of Plum.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

  • Product: 29/30
  • Value: 8/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: I think this will be a very flattering blush on light to medium skin tones; with it being a little on the pale side for darker skin tones. The neutral undertones make it wearable for both cool and warm skin tones, too.

where to buy: MAC Cosmetics, March 3rd, 2011

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →