My Burberry Eyeshadow Addiction (and a little bit of Edward Bess!)

Hi everyone...

Its the day after the day after Christmas (LOL), and so before I get too much into makeup, let me just wish you a very Merry Christmas wherever you are. Hope you all had a good day/night with your loved ones... I know I did! The loot this year included some goodies from Peter Alexander, Glasshouse, Kikki K, some candy and a masterchef cookbook! ^.^

Recently, Claire had purchased for me some Burberry beauty goodies (Burberry Beauty is not currently available in Australia) and so far, every single product I have tried/swatched has blown me away.

Today I will be posting on three Burberry eyeshadows that I currently own - Trench (#02), Rosewood (#09) and Midnight Brown (#12) and an Edward Bess eyeshadow in Night.

L-R: EB Night, Midnight Brown, Rosewood, Trench

L-R: Night, Midnight Brown, Rosewood, Trench

I do love all the Burberry eyeshadows, especially Midnight Brown and Trench. For the record, all eyeshadows have excellent texture. The Edward Bess does not apply as evenly as the others but most matte shadows have this problem. My detailed thoughts below:

•  Edward Bess Night - lovely texture, lovely pigmentation, but swatches and applies poorly on eyelids... This one is a pass, I'm afraid. It will work well as a liner, so all is not lost :)
• Burberry Midnight Brown - best eyeshadow texture , sheer pigmentation, smooth and even application. The colour is divine - medium brown with shimmer that gives a luminous effect.
• Burberry Rosewood - in terms of quality, this one is just like Midnight Brown. The colour is interesting... On me, its a pinky, mauvy light brown. 
• Burberry Trench - AMAZING eyeshadow. This one I can not fault. Great for browbone highlight, or as a lid shade for a classic, simple office-appropriate look.

I hope you have enjoyed my review :) Please check back soon for more makeup eye candy! I have been secretly amassing a huge amount of Le Metier de Beaute kaleidoscopes so I must review them in the new year :)

Update - 26/02/2012: I wore Midnight Brown out for the whole day today (7.30 am till 7.30 pm) and I saw little to no creasing and no fading of the eyeshadow at all. WOWZA! Note that I wear all my eyeshadows over Shu Uemura Cream Eyeshadow P Beige as a base/primer.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
xoxo
Cindy

Tutorial - Face of The Day with LMdB Splendid Frost

Can you believe that its only 4 days till Christmas?

Forgive me, I have been really slacking with my blog. Work has really overtaken my life recently. So much so that when I get home, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer and type, even if it is about makeup and other frivolous things that I enjoy immensely.

So... lets carry on! I have been wanting to do a tutorial for a long long time. But who can be my model?? I don't have a fancy camera or a tripod so taking pictures of myself is difficult and I am never happy with the result.

It appears, though, that the angels were listening to my woes and sent my lovely niece, Miccala, over as my personal blank canvas. (Yes, in reality, we did agree to take her in for a few days so she can do her volunteer work at the gift-wrap booth but the angels thing sound so much cooler - at least to me).

Clockwise from left: LMdB Splendid Frost, LMdB Ibiza, BB Lip Brush, Gorgeous Fluffy Eyeshadow Brush, RBR Silk Aether (Atlas Swallowtail), RBR Devotion Ink (Quartz Ink), Illamasqua Rude, Lancome Juicy Tube in Moulin Rose

Clockwise from left: Atlas Swallowtail (sheered out), Atlas Swallowtail, Ibiza layered with Moulin Rose

Here I prepped Miccala's skin with a tinted moisturiser and applied Illamasqua Rude cream blush

Next, I used Atlas Swallowtail on the lids as a creamy base for the eyeshadows

Then, I lightly sweeped Crystal Ball (1st tier from Splendid Frost) all over the lid & up to the crease

I patted on Empire (2nd tier) over Crystal Ball, taking care not to go past the crease

This is my favourite step in this routine. I used Rockette (3rd tier) over Empire. Note: this shade adds a lovely warmth to the overall look.

Initially, I wanted to use my RBR liner for this tutorial. But I changed my mind at the last minute and used LMdB Artemis Liquid Liner instead. It is an electric blue colour that really emphasized Sugar Plum (4th tier), which I have used here on top of Artemis. You can click on the picture to see just how lovely it looks!

Finished!!

The final step is to use a bright pink lipstick like LMdB Ibiza and either a clear gloss, or a complementing pink lipgloss like Moulin Rose to complete the look. Miccala is only 15 so I wanted this look to be radiant and fresh.

This photo was taken with the flash on to show the gorgeous taupe that results from the Couches de Couleur method.

Top tip: For a smokey eye look, you can blend Sugar Plum very close to the lashline prior to applying eyeliner.

Top three product recommendations: LMdB Splendid Frost (initial review here), LMdB Artemis Liquid Liner, Illamasqua Rude

Lastly, I have a few people to thank who have made this tutorial possible:
- Miccala - thanks for letting me use your face :) Lets do it again tomorrow!
- Ivka - thanks for the Lancome set darling! They are the bomb :)
- Claire - the doll who sent this lovely LMdB set my way. You are amazing and I love you!

Till next time,

xoxo
Cindy

BLOG SALE: Part 2!

A new year is coming and Cindy came out with a great idea... a BLOG SALE!
-All products have been swatched but not more than a couple of times (with the exception of the Tortoise Shell Palette which has been used a few times)

-Please pay using PayPal.
- Please leave a comment letting me know what items you are interested in and your paypal account so I can invoice you. I moderate all comments so your details are confidential. 

- Please pay within 24 hours or I will have to release the item so someone else can have a chance

- I ship worldwide, shipping cost is a flat rate of $11 CAD international, and $6 within Canada

- Discounts for bulk purchases and free shipping over 75 dollars
-Sorry, no returns/refunds
Thanks!

Chanel Vitalumiere- 40 Beige $30

Bobbi Brown- Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette $40

Bobbi Brown Bronzer- 2 Medium $20

Theirry Mugler Face Sculpt Blush & Lumiere- Pink $30

Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita- Mineral Makeup- Intensity 3.0 $20
Madara Tinting Fluid- Moonflower $20

Clinique Blush- Mocha Pink $10

Mii Flawless Face Base $20 is also available (sorry, no pic)

Blog Sale!!

Welcome to my blog sale!

Rules and all that jazz:
- Please leave a comment letting me know what items you are interested in and your paypal account so I can invoice you. I moderate all comments so your details are confidential. Alternatively, you can email me at cindygenit@hotmail.com.
- Please pay within 24 hours or I will have to release the item so someone else can have a chance
- I ship worldwide, shipping cost is a flat rate of 11 AUD international, and 6 dollars within Australia
- Discounts for bulk purchases and free shipping over 75 dollars, please enquire about the items you are interested in and I can make you a deal ;)
- Have fun!

*ALL ITEMS ARE EITHER BRAND NEW OR LIGHTLY USED*

Estee Lauder Blush - Pink Kiss - BNIB - $30 - $20

Laura Mercier Secret Finish - BNIB - $15 - $10

Bobbi Brown Holiday Glamour Set Palette (Like new) - $60 - $45

Ed Pinaud Ombres Quatour #05 used twice- $20 - $15

Bobbi Brown Foundation LNIB (pumped 3 times)- $20 - $15

Guerlain Ecrin Rue de Rivoli BNIB (wear on clasp) - $70 - $60

Shu Uemura Glow On M Brick 65 - 2x - $15

Rock & Republic Contrived Blush in Shameless - 3x - $40 (Rare)

Laura Mercier Eye Basics - Wheat BNIB - $15

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 (85% left) - 4W1 - Shell Beige - $20 - $10

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited PK-316 - used a few times - $10

TheBalm All ABout Alex Eyeshadow - Used 2x - $15

Lips LOT 1 ($60)
- Hourglass Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss in Pulse (2x - never directly on lips)
- Hourglass Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss in Hypnotic (2x - never directly on lips)
- Giorgio Armani Gloss # 103 beige (2x - never directly on lips)
- Giorgio Armani Gloss #504 pink (2x - never directly on lips)

Lips LOT 2 ($30)
- Lancome GWP (BN)
- KA Liquifuschia (75 - 80% left)
- KA Pravella (95% left)
- Ultima Sexxy Sienna (usage shown in picture)

Blushes LOT ($70)
- Maybelline Mineral Powder Blush
- Chantecaille Joy (70% left)
- Shu Uemura Wine Gold (used one time, has nick on the surface)
- Hard Candy Living Doll blush (Used 2x)
- Dior Pink Lace Highlighter (Used 2x looks perfect)

Le Metier de Beaute Modernist Merlot (Asking $75, negotiable)
- 1st tier is chipped - 85% left
- 95% left on 2nd, third, and fourth tiers

Le Metier de Beaute Aurora Lip Kaleidoscope - $85
- Used twice with clean lip brush

 Palettes LOT ($25)
- Becca Vintage Jewel Anniversary Palette (Swatched 1x)
- Various Wet n Wild Palettes

-*HAPPY SHOPPING!*

Bobbi Brown Holiday 2011 Collection - Cool Party Eye Palette Review and Swatches

I was gifted the new Bobbi Brown Cool Party Eye Palette by my lovely friend Wei :) She was so lucky to have traveled to the US and Canada and during her holiday she bought this nifty little palette for me in New York!

Bobbi Brown Cool Party Eye Palette

The packaging for this year's holiday collection features a silver border and writing as opposed to last year's gold theme. In my opinion, the packaging needs a lot of improvement. My palettes from last year doesn't look quite so nice anymore because the gold trim and writing wears away so easily!

2011 Holiday Packaging

Anyway, lets talk eyeshadows! The cool party eye palette consists of:

• One eyeshadow - White, a sheer but buildable basic white, the texture is soft and smooth. Well done, BB!
• Two metallic eyeshadows - Iced Blue, a frosty baby blue ; and Rockstar, a basic grey with silver shimmer.
• Two shimmer eyeshadows - Sterling, a light blue with medium level shimmer; and Gunmetal, which is a gunmetal grey with low level shimmer.
• One sparkle eyeshadow- Onyx, a black colour with silver glitter

Bobbi Brown Cool Party Eye Palette

I was very happy with the quality of this palette. With the exception of Onyx, all of the eyeshadows have good pigmentation and texture and can be used for an effortless, office-appropriate day time look (using Onyx as eyeliner ;)).

L-R: White, Iced Blue, Rockstar, Sterling, Gunmetal, Onyx

I honestly do not understand why Bobbi Brown bothers with Sparkle Eyeshadows. I have never found one that performs well. Most of the time, you just get end up with glitter particles all over of your face due to fallout. As you can see, in my photo of the actual palette, Onyx is a glitter bomb! But the glitter does not actually end up on my swatch... its everywhere else (mainly on my finger).

The dual-ended brush that came with the palette is great! Even though I don't usually use the brushes/sponge tip applicators that come with a palette, Bobbi always include good quality brushes and I do love her for it!

Overall, this palette is a winner from Bobbi!! If you get a chance to visit a Bobbi Brown counter, you must give this palette a go. I guarantee you will fall in love.

xoxo
Cindy

Shu Uemura Face Products Review

Shu Uemura has always impressed me, especially with their eyeshadows and blushes. I think that compared to their similarly priced competitors (e.g. Mac), Shu Uemura has much better quality products.

Today I will continue to spread the Shu love and review three face products that I purchased some months ago while I was holidaying in Indonesia ^.^

L-R: UV Under Base Mousse, Instant-Glow Immediate Radiance Skin Perfecting Cream,
Face Architect Illuminating Moisture Fluid Foundation

First up I will be reviewing Shu Uemura UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30. One pump will give you just enough product to spread over your whole face and neck. 

Shu Uemura UV Under Base Mousse

The mousse seems to have a beige colour but when spread, it does leave a white cast on my skin (which is probably due to the sunscreen).

Shu Uemura Illuminating Moisture Fluid Foundation

I will be testing the performance of the under base mousse using Shu's Illuminating Moisture Fluid Foundation in 754 (medium beige).

L-R: Unprimed, Primed with UV Under Base Mousse

L-R: Unprimed Foundation, Foundation Application with UV Under Base Mousse

As you can see, the foundation applies more smoothly and evenly when using the UV Under Base Mousse. Surprisingly, the "ïlluminating" foundation is not at all shimmery or glowy when used on its own or over the mousse base. Huh.

Shu's foundation is very spreadable and blendable. I used approximately half a pump to do the above swatch, and that was way too much! A little goes a long way, which is good in this case because Shu Uemura's products are not cheap.

Next up is the Instant-Glow Immediate Radiance Skin Perfecting Cream. The liquid that comes out of the tube is an off white colour which transforms into a glowy champagne coloured cream on my skin. How weird and so very cool!! If your skin was flawless, I would think that you can wear this on days when you want to look dewy. The radiance that you get from applying Instant-Glow Immediate Radiance Skin Perfecting Cream is sooo subtle and pretty!

L-R: Unprimed Skin, Instant-Glow

 

L-R: Unprimed Foundation Application, Foundation over Instant Glow

Oooooohhh I am swooning at my own swatch of the foundation with Instant-Glow!! Eventhough I have oily skin, i do gravitate towards foundations that leaves a semi matte or dewy finish. I think it makes you look fresh and healthy :)

Recommendation: Out of the three Shu Uemura face products I tried, I think that the Instant-Glow Immediate Radiance Skin Perfecting Cream is a must buy. Its is lovely on its own, under/over foundation, or even mixed with a little tinted moisturiser for a natural weekend look.

xoxo
Cindy