Written Reviews

Rapture was my first purchase of the new UD blush formula. I was torn between this and NARS Sin, which I've craved for years but which never really looked "right" on me. Rapture seems very similar in colour but it just looks better once applied and seems to have a better texture. This may have been my first purchase but it sure won't be my last.

Years ago, when I was first getting into MAC eyeshadows in a big way, I tried Cork because I knew it was a very highly regarded product. I HATED it! It looked so orange-y and dull on my cool skin and brown eyes - just did absolutely nothing for me. I bought it again last week mainly because of the lowered price of MAC's Pro-Pan shadows. I guess I've come a long way in my makeup techniques because I now understand how to use Cork so that it really works for me (subtle crease colour or for blending out darker, more intense crease colours and for giving more contour to a very basic, "no makeup" eye look. This is also good for my brows, which are dark and cool but which I sometimes want to intensify only slightly. Even though Cork is lighter and warmer than my actual brow hairs, it works really well.

I had been wanting GR707/Patina for the longest time. Finding it where I live in Ontario was the challenge. It's never been shown on the Canadian website which led me to believe that for some crazy reason, it was never released here. But one lone Shoppers Drug Mart seemed to have it. I say "seemed" because they did have a counter tester but when I went to purchase it, they didn't have any to sell. They took my name and said they'd call me but the call never came. I checked back whenever I was passing and the last time, the cosmetics clerk told me all the Shiseido cream shadows are being discontinued. I was really disappointed but THEN....she told me I could HAVE the counter sample, which seems to be basically brand new. I was so delighted - not just because she gave it to me but because I could finally have this shadow. It's a lovely murky khaki green and it's the sort of colour I always fall in love with. I really like the Shiseido cream shadows generally. I find they apply very easily with a finger or a synthetic brush, they last well, blend beautifully without setting too quickly. They work as coloured bases or on their own as shadows. There is glitter in this but it's subdued. I am so happy finally to have this in my collection as it's just that little bit different from all the other green toned cream shadows I own.

I have been loving the Buxom eyeshadows I\'ve purchased via their Customizable Eyeshadow Palettes. By checking reviews, I\'ve been able to ensure that my purchases are either first rate in terms of all the qualities you want in an eyeshadow or, when they\'re not, at least I know what I\'m getting and understand that I may be sacrificing quality for a unique colour. Haute Couture is one of the really good quality shadows I\'ve purchased. It\'s a beautiful, rich brown with a sheen so it doesn\'t look too dark or flat and dry. And it\'s so wonderful to be able to put together the colours you want into palettes of your own choosing. I\'ve put Haute Couture in a palette with Satin Seduction, Big Spender, Style Icon, Gimme Gorgeous and Jetsetter, but I move it and the other shadows around and swap with some from a 2nd Buxom palette, depending on my mood or, if I\'m travelling, where it is that I\'m travelling to and for what purpose. Buxom has made these perfect for travel since you can easily move shadows around but they are held securely in the palettes. And how great to get such a good value - buy 6 shadows and the (free) empty palette and you save a bundle over purchasing them individually.

I was in an absolute frenzy to get this after seeing it here. I'd been "stalking" it at my local Sephora (where it still hasn't arrived) and finally broke down and got it at The Bay (where, to be honest, the service at the Dior counter is so much better). This is absolutely gorgeous as a highlighter or even as a finishing powder to brighten my whole face as the shine is very subtle if you use a softer brush. My biggest complaint about the product is that it's not refillable. The compact is really heavy and substantial (and beautifully decorated, though it is shiny, so if you are OCD about fingerprints, good luck - though it does come with a little pouch) and it comes with a small kabuki brush but once you finish the product, there is no use at all for this lovely compact. I think that's a shame and a waste. I thought this would be a lot like my Guerlain Cruel Gardenia from a few years back, this this is actually much lighter and cooler, which surprised me.

I initially got the Mariposa palette because I really, really wanted Mushroom but Wreckage has actually been the shade I've used the most in that palette (together with Skimp and Spotlight). It's a really wearable bronzy brown that isn't too dark and even though it has a lot of shimmer, it's not glittery and it applies really nicely. I'm not sure if UD has released this as a single since way back when it came out in Mariposa, but they really ought to, as it is such a flattering colour and not too red for folks like me who don't look great in really red-toned brown shadows.

I got this with my Optimum Points from Shopper's Drug Mart so, essentially, this was "free" but I'm trying not to let that colour my feelings. I actually got TWO of these (the last 2 in the store) so I can give one to my daughter for Christmas but, impatient makeup addict that I am, I opened this as soon as I got home and I've been wearing it regularly for the last 3 or so weeks. I absolutely love every single shadow in this set. There is an excellent variety of shades and finishes and the set contains both neutral and more colourful shades as well as lights, darks, mattes and shimmers, warmer and cooler tones. The lip gloss isn't a great colour for me but it's still a nice product. I've only tried the mascara once and I'm glad to report it wasn't a disaster (I'd read some less than favourable reviews, so I was worried), though I doubt I'd buy it and I'd have preferred getting one of Stila's great pencil liners instead, but I won't quibble too much. I've rated this "travel friendly" as it would be a nice palette to take away but I'm a bit hesitant since I know Stila's shadows are infamous for shattering easily so I think I might only take this on car trips and not when I'm flying, unless I can take it in carry-on (who can figure out THOSE rules?)

Beautiful brown with subtle shimmer. Not too red and SO much nicer than Chanel Ebloui. It applies with more pigmentation and also builds better than Ebloui and generally has a nicer texture and costs a fair bit less. Leather works really well all on its own or as a base for other shadows and looks so interesting with MAC Tempting or Trax (both of which need a bit of help) applied over top. Lasts all day on me, too.

While this brush is overpriced, especially in Canada, you are getting a "2 for 1", which is both a benefit and a pain, since storing double-sided brushes can be a hassle if, like me, you store your brushes in a jar or similar container. It's also a fairly "specialized" brush and it's not the only one you'll need, even with the Shade+Light eyeshadow palette. One end is a dense and very effective crease brush that works well also for blending/diffusing colour. The other side is a very pointed pencil-type brush but smaller and finer than MAC's 219, for example. This makes it really great for getting a light/brightening shade right into my inner corner and also for apply and blending colour under my lower lashes. But you will still need something 239-ish for applying colour to your lids. I got this during the 20% off VIB sale at Sephora, otherwise, I think I'd have found it too pricey for how limited it is, especially when there are such good brushes out there for a lot less. And they could lower the price by ditching the rather silly "coffin" container.

I know this has had some pretty mixed reviews but I really like Naked Smoky and, from the first time I saw it, I thought I would. I don't find the fallout to be nearly as bad as I thought it would be (and there's nothing in here that's as troublesome as Sidecar from the first Naked palette - I fell in love with that shadow but could not use it because of the dreadful fallout, no matter how I applied it). I do love the lighter and brighter shades in this and it's nice to have a few mattes to pair with the more shimmery shades. I missed Armor in the first Vice palette so I'm really happy to have it. Combust is a great transition/subtle crease/blending out colour and I simply LOVE Password - that shadowy taupe-grey shade is so versatile. I like the solid, substantial packaging of this. It's similar to that used on Naked on the Run and it looks elegant and sophisticated with a bit of edginess thrown in.

In the same week, I purchased both Chanel's Tisse d'automne quad and then this beauty from MAC. I can honestly say that Posh Pedigree is one of the most "fulfilling" purchases I've made lately (I'm sure others know that feeling - however fleeting it may be - of "wow, I feel I now have all the eyeshadow [or blush or highlighter or lipstick] I will ever want". That's how I feel about Posh Pedigree. I think I might actually prefer it to the Chanel quad! The packaging is a bit larger than it needs to be and the shadows themselves look kinda puny but this is such a beautiful assortment for fall - a glowing slightly warm white shade and 3 lovely neutrals that whisper (rather than shout) "autumn".

As soon as I saw Christine's photos of this, what little willpower I possess just evaporated. This is a perfect autumn quad with a golden bronzey brown, an olive green, a darker almost black green laced with old gold and a pretty peachy nude. All have the lovely finish typical of these quads from Chanel - a flattering and elegant satiny sheen. It sort of goes without saying that at this price, a little more product would have been welcome and now that I've learned to save the little plastic insert that protects these shadows, I can also say they are travel friendly-ish (but I'd still keep my fingers crossed and keep them well protected!)

A mini of F-Bomb got me hooked on this formula, which is rich, long-wearing but not drying. Manic is my "every day" shade - a rich plummy berry shade. I find that in general, these lipsticks wear really well and when they do shade, they leave behind a stain that is even and flattering looking, even if you don't get a chance to re-apply.

It's a rare day indeed when I disagree with Christine about a product but this is one of those rare times. I loved the original "In the..." Stila palettes and was sad not only that they were discontinued but that they were replaced with new palettes that were both far more pricey AND which seemed of really lousy quality. Because Stila is sold at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, I was able to purchase both of the new palettes I own using my "points", so that made these a bit safer to try. I am even more pleased with this palette than I am with Spirit (which was my first purchase). I find all the colours apply beautifully and deliver enough pigmentation for me, but then I tend to go for less intense looks most of the time. "Heart" is such a great subtle crease or blending shade. "Substance" is a beautiful silvery taupe - what more can I say? The only tricky one for me is Character, which has some chunky glitter but all the others in this palette are just great. My only concern is that all of these shadows (like many other Stila shadows) are prone to breaking, based on quite a few reviews I've read. I'd love to travel with this palette but I'm a bit leery if they are that fragile. I've kept some thin packing "foam" to cut to size for these palettes in hopes of protecting them and I might just give it a try the next time we're going away....

Money is such a gorgeous shade of icy green. It's cool and sort of "watery" looking, if that makes any sense and it is a terrific colour for hot summer days or night because the cool, silvery green-ness is looks so fresh and easy. I have this in 2 separate LE palettes and I'm glad it is now available as a single shadow as well.

I've yet to be disappointed by a single "Ready" eyeshadow (and I have a LOT of them). Flicker was one of the shadows that was always on my list of "I'll pick it up one day" shades and when I saw that Sephora was phasing out a lot of the duos and quads, I grabbed the last one of these at my local store. As Christine says in her review, this is such a handy duo because it's one you can reach for every day and use all on its own for a really nice looks or two. Presto is a fleshy/peach shade with a silky sheen. It works perfectly all over the lid, right up to the brow bone. It's not too shiny or frost and is pretty much close to my skin tone. Flicker is the sort of colour I can't get enough of - a slightly lighter version of Inglot 419, MAC Sumptuous Olive or Fiction, etc. - a bronzed olive brown that pairs nicely with Presto and which is just type of shadow I love to wear all year round, though it's a totally perfect autumn shade. The texture of both of these shadows is unbeatable.

I am SO in love with this palette, I cannot tell you! First of all, it is so refreshing to see names that actually mean something - Light Brown, Silver, Plum, Navy - rather than nebulous names like Lahore, Ego, Karma....names that tell you nothing about the colours! I was unsure at first whether to get the original or #2 but as soon as I saw them side by side, the choice was easy. The quality of the shadows is overwhelmingly excellent. They're highly pigmented and apply smoothly and blend beautifully. Having 8 matte and 8 shimmer shadows in such wearable colours all in one palette is fabulous.

I absolutely ADORE this shadow from the Pro Palette 2. It is unbelievably smooth and creamy and so very pigmented that I need to remind myself that even when I'm using the softest of my brushes, I only need to touch the surface lightly (I often forget and end up with more than enough product for both eyes, and this is the case with most of the shadows in the palette). I just love how bright and wide-awake this makes my eyes look. I'm not sure if this shadow is available on its own but if it is, I will certainly buy a single pan of it the next time I'm in the US.

This is such a wonderful, easy to use palette. For days when being confronted by 20 shadows in a palette is just too much to process, this compact and well co-ordinated little beauty is just perfect - everything you need for a great neutral, professional eye look and nothing you don't need. Makes getting ready in the mornings a snap and it is so great for work-related travel as well. Also a great palette for those new to makeup as it offers great quality, basic shades that are easy to use and hard to make a mistake with. The original Naked Basics was too warm for me and had too many shades that looked almost the same once applied to the skin (and I do NOT need another matte black shadow) but Naked2Basics is just perfection for me.

I got this as a freebie from Sephora in a gift bag they gave for some VIB Event (which is really nice). I love the product itself - this was my first exposure to anything from Buxom, which is a line I simply never take much notice of. The colour is just too pale and sheer but the product itself is lovely. I don't know how beneficial the minty cool tingle is but I'd certainly purchase this product in a more pigmented shade. As a gloss though or for a "no makeup" look if I'm going out for a power walk or to the gym, it is very nice.