Two VIP #1

Two VIP #1 is described as a "dazzling violet." It's a cool-toned, medium violet purple with lilac and violet sparkle and shimmer. It has an almost wet-look when applied, as it glimmers. The texture was somewhat stiff, and when I was working with it on the lid, it wasn't very blendable. I had trouble getting it to layer over the matte shade as well. Beyond that, there was a noticeable grittiness to it that wasn't just sparkle but almost like clumps of powder (but more like speck-size, not giant, clumps), but it was like the texture was balling up and flaking away in part. The color payoff was definitely sheer and was in keeping with the "luminous veil" concept. Though hard to work with in general, there was only minor fall out (and less fall out than anticipated with a shade as sparkly as this one) after eight hours. theBalm A2 (LE, $16.00) is less sparkly. Urban Decay Betrayal (LE, $18.00) is lighter. Illamasqua Trance (LE) is less sparkly, cream. Urban Decay Omen (P, $18.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Butterfly Party (LE, $32.50) is warmer, darker. See comparison swatches.