Archives for September 2007

Bobbi Brown Metallics Trio eyeshadows – what I think

Paris B 2 Comments

bbmetallic

Acting on a tipoff from Cass (who has given her own take on what she thinks) I went to check out the Bobbi Brown Metallics eyeshadow trios today. I went to the standalone Bobbi Brown store at Midvalley Megamall. I was quite excited for this collection to come out so it was great to finally be able to see it in person.

First of all, I’d say that the trios are a good size this time. They are quite large and a nice size in nice packaging. The metal edge surrounding the eyeshadows correspond to the colours in the trio just as you see in the picture above. Its a slim compact and very useful. However, unlike previous Bobbi Brown collections, this one has no brush included. I found it strange because Bobbi Brown usually tries to make things as user-friendly as possible.

In pan, the eyeshadows look soft and shimmery and well, metallic. However, the texture of the eyeshadows were not as soft as they look. The middle colour of the green trio in particular must have been touched a lot because a hard surface had formed which made it hard to get colour on the fingers. It made me wonder if it would get like that after a few uses.

As Cass has said, the colours don’t show up nearly as true to the pan. If they did, it would have been awesome. But what you get is a slightly more muted version of the colour in the pan.

Midnight Metallics
My favourite of the lot. The dark blue is dark enough while the silver and white makes a good contrast. The middle silver is “Rockstar” but quite different from the original Diamond Dust Rockstar which I love.

Forest Metallics
I love green shadow but this was a mess. It was dark and on small lids, if you try to get the middle vibrant green to show, you won’t be able to. Its a very dark trio. I smudged the middle green on my hand and got mud. You really need to dig in to get it to show up the vibrant green in pan.

Burnt Sugar Metallics
Blah. I don’t know anyone who’d bother. Its just 3 light shades with not much definition in between. If you like neutral tones yes, maybe it works for you but if you already have a ton of neutral tones, skip it.

Velvet Plum Metallics
Don’t let the picture fool you. This is no plum. It was a taupe trio. I rather liked this one because the dark shade was sufficiently dark to be a contrast shade and the light shades worked together. If I did not already own a whole host of taupe shades, I would get this one.

The Sales Assistant told me something strange though. She said that the colours were designed to work individually. I gave her a strange look and said “But that defeats the purpose of having a trio right?” She did not reply. Don’t you agree though?

To be fair, each colour is very pigmented which is good. But if you aren’t very good with doing eye makeup, you may find it too easy to make mistakes because the dark colours are very dark while light colours are light. If you are looking for high shimmer or a metallic tone, then you will be disappointed because there is a rather matt look about them once applied.

However, if you are looking for a smokey eye look, I’d recommend the Forest Metallics. I think it will be awesome for a smokey eye. The Midnight Metallics too will work very nicely for anyone who wants a lovely silvery-blue eye. If you prefer something for everyday, then look at the Velvet Plum Metallics or Burnt Sugar Metallics.

Each trio retails at RM150 and are limited edition so its while stocks last. These are gorgeous quality eyeshadows but I’d recommend you take a look at them first before buying, to see which suits you and your needs best.

I’m sorry Bobbi – I really wanted to love this one.

Why do you need so many blushes?

Paris B 7 Comments

Reader Entwined posed a question to me in my review of NARS blushes below.

if you don’t mind me asking, why does one need so many variants of blusher? I’m still a newbie at this whole make-up scene, so i’m genuinely curious! isn’t one that suits your skin colour and give you a natural look enough?

Well Entwined, my simple answer is:

“Yes, you are absolutely correct. One blush that suits your skin colour and makes you look natural could be all that you need.”

However, much depends on whether you always use one particular look when doing your makeup. I like to play with colours and sometimes, I do overall warm tones and sometimes, I do cool tones. I found that some colours of blushes worked better with certain combinations than others.

For example, if I do green eyeshadow, I find that a peach or peach pink blush goes better on an overall look. A straight pink, whilst looking cute may not go as well with the green. However, when I do blue or grey/silver eyeshadow, I like using pink on the cheeks as this brings out the overall colour for a more pulled together look.

blush

I also found that different blush colours help me achieve different looks on a day to day basis. Having a variety of colours helps me do this.

On some days, I might want stronger coloured cheeks with muted eyes and lips. On days like this, I use NARS Taos (brick red). I use it very very lightly and end up with cheeks that looked barely flushed red. I always seem to get compliments when I use this.

On other days, I may want something that is just barely there. I may then use NARS Orgasm or Torrid. If I’m feeling flirty, I do something pink like NARS Desire. It gives me cute kawaii anime cheeks. I have learnt though that straight cool pink isn’t for me as I look weird in them. So, NARS Angelika and Chanel Turbulent aren’t so suitable for my skintone.

The other variation in blushes is texture. Some of my blushes have shimmer while others are matt, again to achieve different looks. Some people have a variation because they use a darker shade to contour and sculpt their cheeks to give the illusion of high cheekbones.

The final reason why I have so many colours and variations of blushes is simply because I like it. I suppose I could be deemed a blush addict but I’m trying to curb it now by weeding my collection of duplicate shades and colours. Some have been given away to better homes where I know they will be more appreciated. 😉

In summary, I would actually suggest that everyone should have at least 2 blushes. One warmer toned and one cooler toned. Warm tones usually have hints of peach or brown in them and cool tones usually have hints of pink or plum. Most people can handle a modicum of warm or cool tones and its a matter of finding a shade that works. Shimmer is optional as some people don’t like having shimmer on their faces.

I on the other hand, love my blushes so I suppose I’m not really the best person to ask why I have so many blushes! 🙂 I hope I answered your question, Entwined!

Lace me up!

Paris B 2 Comments

Styleweek Lace 8-9 copy

Lace gives the perception of luxury and adds an old-fashioned air to clothes in particular. Good hand made lace can be very expensive but is oh so exquisite. Failing that, machine-made lace will do too.

I love lace on evening gowns or for some everyday wear. A lace camisole under a serious work suit adds a flirty twist to an otherwise masculine looking outfit. Being a woman in a corporate environment does not mean you have to dress like the men! So, I’m on the lookout for some nice lace tops or skirts. As I said before, they are hard to come by.

Most of the time, lace is the domain of the bedroom. Just go to the lingerie department and you’ll know what I mean. Sheer lace teddies and nightgowns dominate as to flirty sexy lace bras. But it doesn’t have to all be naughty.

As Life & Style shows, if you can’t wear lace on clothes, then wear them on other accessories. A lace headband, or lace clutch or even lace on the shoes. I’ve seen a lace covered shoe once. It looked luxurious but I wasn’t sure just how practical it was, especially for someone like me who tends to scratch my leather shoes a lot. The lace would probably tear and I’d have an mangy looking pair of shoes in no time at all. However, I can do the clutch. I’ve been hunting high and low for a clutch – yes still!

Review: Makeup: Benefit Cosmetics Georgia powder blush

Paris B 8 Comments

Update: I believe Georgia has been discontinued, much to my dismay!

I’d go so far as to stick my head out and say that Benefit Cosmetics has 3 iconic products that people either love or hate. They are Dandelion, Georgia and Benetint.I was planning to review both Dandelion and Georgia together as they fall in the same category, but its not happening. So, you get to read my review on Georgia instead. I’ll do Dandelion when it gets to me.

Georgia is marketed as an all over face brightening powder and not a blush. However, I won’t personally recommend that you use it all over your face because although the colour is subtle, there is a peach tone to it.

The colour is very very light but that is the attraction because although it is so light, it does impart a peach tint to the skin that somehow makes you seem to glow with health. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but every time I use this blush, I get friends telling me that I’m looking exceptionally good that day. When I look in the mirror too, I see a faint peach flush on the cheeks that looks very natural.

There is minimal shimmer and it doesn’t show up much on the skin. Don’t even bother to try it on the back of your hands. You’ll be very disappointed because you won’t see anything. However, on the cheeks, its a different story. It goes on very sheer and light so don’t expect to see color straight off. I initially thought it was quite a disappointment as it did not show up, until I had people telling me that I was looking radiant.

However, since its peach toned, I don’t think it’ll suit those of cooler skin tones. Warm skintones will benefit from this powder (no pun intended!) as will those with fair skin tones. If you have darker skin tone, I’m not sure if the radiance will show up too because this powder is very light.

There is a peachy smell which doesn’t bother me and goes away after application. If you are sensitive to smells then maybe watch out for this one. It isn’t strong, but I know of people who hate it nevertheless.

This powder/blush retails at Benefit Cosmetics counters at RM129. If you can get it in the USA or on www.benefitcosmetics.com its $28.

Pros: Light, brightening qualities

Cons: Light, fragranced, expensive

[rating:4/5]

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