EOTD - Sultry Blue (and some brown) + Revisit: Sephora Color Play Palette

I used to rock blue eyeshadow allll the time when I was younger and just getting into makeup. Why? Idk. This was from 5 or so years ago.... my eyebrows looked a lot nicer back then :P (MAC Electric Eel, if you're wondering... sold it 'cause I got bored with it...)

Anywho...Did this look yesterday because I was bored.
The pictures of it were rather vibrant on-camera,
but this is how they looked once transferred to my computer:

DARK DARK DARK.

After color correcting.
Does not do ANY justice to how it looked IRL :(

Lenses are Geo Twins - Honey
Lashes are Red Cherry #46


Rimmel Exaggerate to tightline, line waterline, & lashline
L'Oreal Lineur Intense (black mica) to line lashline & wing outer corner

Shades B2, B5, C5, E2, B6, E6, F6 from Sephora Color Play Palette
(refer to image in sidebar & eye diagram for placement)

Yellow gold shade from Maybelline Eyestudio Give Me Gold Palette
Metallic blue eyeliner from Sephora Collector's Edition Palette

Revisit: The Sephora Color Play Palette

I did a review with swatches here.

Originally, I had stated that they eyeshadows are rather pigmented; the last 3 shades in each column usually being the most pigmented.

HOWEVER... I don't know if these shadows just get crappy over time or what... but the dark navy blue and black shades that I used in this look were SO SHEER that the minute I put some on and went to grab the next color, the shadow was already fading. No matter how much color I piled on, it would fade really quickly. Boo. However, the other shades (highlights) are still good and show up well. The brighter blue shades lasted a bit longer than the dark shades, but still faded rather fast.

I'll admit... I am too lazy to do primers... it would probably make a big diff, but still.. I remember the shadows being a lot more pigmented when I first got it (I don't use this palette very often). But for only $22, I guess it was still worth it. Now I have to start going through my Collector's Edition Palette!

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Brush set reviews: Shu Uemura, EcoTools, & I ♥ Sephora

Hello loves & new followers! I've been putting off these reviews for quite some time now, and I figure it's time I share my thoughts on three different brush sets I've collected over the past year (sorry some brushes are dirty, I use them a lot!). This is a long, wordy post, but thorough and detailed, if you want to know more about these brush sets!

Shu Uemura Compact Brush Set

Price: $55 (I got mine from the shu uemura website, but it's the same price from Sephora)

What it is: A set of four compact-size expert brushes.

What it does: This compact brush set contains four expert brushes presented in an ultra-sleek case, and is conveniently portable to ensure holiday glamour anywhere you are. Made with the finest hair quality including goat and sable, these brush bristles dispense the perfect amount of color to your eyes, cheeks, or lips to enable a professional, fail-proof makeup technique.

What else you need to know: This limited-edition set includes a Blush Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Lip and Eye Liner Brush, and a Concealer and Foundation Brush.

The case is quite sleek. Very nice and portable, with a magnetic closure. It's easy to clean. The brushes are, well, compact! I actually prefer shorter brush handles because I don't like using long brushes because they tap against my mirror when I'm using them. No fallout.

The blush brush was my biggest disappointment with this set. While it feels super soft on my hand, it's nowhere near as soft on the face. While it's not terribly uncomfortable, I still wish it was A LOT softer. It is not too firm, but still picks up product well. However when you use it, it splays out quite a bit. In this sense, it is better for lightly dusting on powder.

Overall: It's okay.

The eyeshadow brush is luxuriously soft and smooth. It picks up and deposits product very well. No complaints here.

Overall: Love it!

The concealer/"foundation" brush is definitely not something I would use for foundation. It is way too small! However it is an EXCELLENT concealer brush. It is also luxuriously soft and smooth, but firm. I have only used it with powder products (don't want to yuck it up with creamy concealer XD) and it picks up and deposits product very well, without leaving a streaks.

Overall: Love it!

The lip/eyeliner brush is again, also extremely soft and silky smooth, but firm. I have not used it with any product yet, as I don't use lip brushes, and haven't really had a need for a very tiny eyeliner brush.

Overall: Indifferent.

EcoTools 6 Piece Bamboo Brush Set

Price: $12.99 from drugstore.com

What they say:
• 5 high-quality brushes inside a natural cotton & hemp case
• Soft cruelty-free bristles
• Natural & recycled materials

This earth-friendly brush set is packed with the 5 high-quality brushes you need to look beautiful. And, it shows respect for the planet:

• Bamboo handle has a low impact on the earth’s resources as it is a highly sustainable plant.
• Synthetic taklon bristles are 100% cruelty free.
• Sleek ferrule is made from recycled aluminum.
• Cosmetic case is made from natural cotton and hemp.

The brushroll is eco-friendly (: While cute and all, I don't use it, as I use all these brushes on a daily basis. You have to tie it closed. The brushes are just the right length too, not too long. No fallout.


The blush brush is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the Shu blush brush. While it's not exactly cut in the most attractive shape, it works! This brush is EXTREMELY soft, smooth, and feels silky on my skin. It picks up and deposits product very well! No complaints here, and I use this brush daily!

Overall: Love it!

The eyeshadow brush is also a VERY good brush, I'd say on par with the Shu eyeshadow brush. It is super super soft and smooth and picks up and deposits product extremely well. This is my everyday go-to eyeshadow brush!

Overall: Love it!

The concealer brush is extremely soft like the rest, but I find the brush head a little too large to be precise and not firm enough for my liking to apply my NYX jar concealer with. I find it works better with powder products, but I still prefer the Shu concealer brush over this one. However my HG concealer brush is still ELF's concealer brush from their Studio line.

Overall: It's okay.

The angled eyeliner brush (not pictured) was also soft and firm, but like the blush brush, not cut in the most precise way. I never used it because I don't really use brushes to line my eyes, so I put it up for sale. I don't doubt that it is most likely a nice brush though!

Overall: Indifferent.

The brow brush/comb is what you'd expect any eyebrow brush/comb combo to be like. It does the job! I actually do use it every day to brush through my brows after filling them in, even though I have many spoolies lying around :P

Overall: Indifferent.

I ♥ Sephora Brush Set

Price: $29 from Sephora

What it is: A portable set of top-quality brushes.

What it does: Made with the same peak standards as Sephora's Platinum Brush Line, these essential beauty tools are perfect for creating your signature look, at home or on the go! These makeup-artist-tested brushes deliver built-to-last durability, and just as beautiful as they are functional.

The case is sleek, and it's nice that it's a hard case with a magnetic closure. The brushes are suuuper cute and candy apple red. They also are embossed with the brush names; very nice touch. I had fallen in love with this brush set when I saw it in a magazine, but I am not so impressed with it now that I bought it.

The powder brush has gone unused. Mostly because I don't use brushes like that anyway, AND it feels similar to the Shu blush brush, except it is not too soft on my hand either. It is on the slightly coarse/prickly side.

Overall: Pass on it.

The eyeshadow brush is soft, but lacking. It is relatively firm, but does NOT pick up and deposit product anywhere near as well as the Shu and EcoTools eyeshadow brushes. I have to load the brush multiple times to get the amount of product I want. It is more on the fluffly side so it's better for blending... but I still don't find myself reaching for it too often. Not impressed.

Overall: Pass on it.

The smudge brush is also soft to the touch, but extremely firm! Not in a good way for me! I understand it is suppose to be a "smudge" brush but I was hoping it would be like a smaller version of my ELF eyeshadow brush because they're shaped the same way, so I could use it like a shadow brush as well, but it is WAY too firm for my liking. It also does not pick up and deposit product too well. So I have to keep rubbing it in the shadow and then it deposits way too much product, way too heavily in a small, concentrated area. And when I try to use it for smudging, it does not blend shadows very well and just makes it look harsh. This was a disappointment.

Overall: Pass on it.

The lip brush is soft, but it also goes unused, as I don't use lip brushes.

Overall: Indifferent.

The bent eyeliner brush is soft and feels a bit flimsy at first, but it actually did the job very well when I tested it out. I have only used it with powder, as I don't own any gel liner, but it can create a nice fine line. No real complaints here.

Overall: Getting to love it!

Congrats to you if you've read this far! :P
I hope this post was helpful for anyone interested in these brushes!

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Sephora FACE Very Sexy Nourishing Lip Balm review

Sephora FACE Very Sexy Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 15

It's in a relatively large pot, will last a long time. Looks pretty and pink.

Very very smooth; jelly type of lip balm.

Goes on clear more than anything.





























Here's what it looks like applied. And now for the full review:

Product description: What it is: A nourishing lip balm with a pearlescent sheen.What it does: Sephora Brand Very Sexy Nourishing Lip Balm is a delightfully good-for-you mix of shea butter and vitamins glistening with a pearl shine effect. Dab it on to fortify and beautify your pout. The balm makes an excellent lipstick base.

Ingredients: Active sunscreens - Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (3%), Avobenzone (2%), and Octocrylene (2%). Sorry, I threw away the box with the rest of the ingredients on it :(

Pros: smooth texture, high shine, moisturizing, long lasting, spf 15, not exactly sticky, somewhat nourishing.

Cons: perfumey smell, no pearlescent shimmer, somewhat "tacky" feel.

What I thought about it: The worst thing about this is the smell. It just smells way too perfumey lol. And that's saying something, as I usually can stand scented products. Other than that, I like that this gloss is very smooth to apply and does seem to be moisturizing. It lasts all day and gives A LOT of shine. It's not exactly sticky but it does feel a bit "tacky" (most likely due to the spf). Your hair will get stuck in it. Also, there is no pearlescent shimmer. This is more of just a clear, jelly type gloss. I said it's somewhat nourishing because my lips have been dry and chapping for awhile now and it did seem to make them softer and smoother, but oddly still kind of dry at the same time. However, I would still use this just because it seemed to help a bit. It's in a relatively large pot so it'll last a long time too. I'm not sure about using this as a lipstick base though, since I used my own Burt's Bees lip balm as a base before applying this. Overall, it wasn't a total bust but I'm not exactly satisfied with it either. I wish it had that pearelscent color that it appears like in the jar.

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Sephora makeup remover & toner review

So I figured it's about time that I do my review on the toner and makeup remover that I bought from sephora.

SEPHORA BRAND FACE SOOTHING TONER

Product Description: What it is: An alcohol-free toner for dry skin. What it is formulated to do: Completes makeup removal, in addition to toning and softening the skin, leaving it clean, velvety soft, supple, and radiant. What else you need to know: Tested under dermatological control.

Active ingredients:

-Litchi Extract: Antioxidant with hydrating, softening, and antiaging properties.
-Peach Extract: Refreshing, softening, and anti-irritation properties.
-Pro-vitamin B5 : Nourishing, softening, and anti-inflammatory.
-Glycerin: Moisturizing agent; helps prevent skin dryness.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Parfum (Fragrance), Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Buteth-3, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Triethanolamine, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Tributyl Citrate, CI 17200 (Red 33), CI 42090 (Blue 1).

Pros: big bottle, lots of product for only $4, nice, light smell, it's PINK :D, instantly softens and smooths skin, doesn't leave it feeling tight.

Cons: none.

What I thought about it: at first, I was a little wary that this toner would add unnecessary moisture to my skin since it is formulated for dry skin. But, I was pleased with the results of using this toner. It made my skin nice and soft without leaving that "tight" feeling you usually get after using toner. However, I guess I really wouldn't know whether or not this would make my skin oily after continuous use (I don't use it regularly, only when I feel like it :P). It doesn't have any strong alcohol scent, it's light and fresh scented. Plus, there's so much, so it'll last a looong time. It's effective at moisturizing, smoothing, and softening, as well as removing leftover traces of makeup after regular cleansing. I would definitely buy this again since it's so cheap and such good quality.

SEPHORA FACE PURIFYING MAKEUP REMOVER

Product Description: What it is: A non-oily, alcohol-free makeup remover for face and eyes. What it is formulated to do: Cleanses, removes makeup, and gently purifies the skin. What else you need to know: Non comedogenic. Tested under dermatological control.

Active Ingredients:

-Cornflower Water: Softening, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties.
-Zinc: Sebum-regulating properties.
-Pro-Vitamin B5: Nourishing, softening, and anti-inflammatory.

Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Centaurea Cyanus (Flower) Water, Zinc Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben.

Pros: effectively removes makeup, only $2.50, not oily

← Cons: the bottle is not as big as advertised! Has a VERY LIGHT chemical smell that stays on your fingers (wash it off!)

What I thought about it: I was disappointed that the bottle is nowhere near as big as it appears in the picture on Sephora's website, but it's no biggie. I usually use my own cosmetic wipes (will review soon) so I gave this to my mom to try out. I did try it though, and I'd have to say this is probably the best m/u remover I've used so far (I haven't tried that many lol). It is not oily at all and removes all traces of makeup perfectly. It says "no rinse" but I'd cleanse after anyway. It doesn't leave skin tight, dry, or oily either. The only downside is that there is a light chemical scent to it that lingers on your finger unless you wash it off (found that out last night lol). It's not that big of a deal, but I figure some people wouldn't like that. However, for only $2.50, it's definitely worth it.

And here's the other samples I ordered, figured I'd get some Dior Shine and Giorgio Armani Addiction for the hubby (not pictured). And I also got some samples of Laura Mercier skin care Face Polish and Korres Sugar Crystal Cream that I'll try out and review sometime soon.

Sephora Color Play palette review & swatches

M = Matte, S = Shimmer, F = Frost, H = Highlight

(It was hella cold tonight, so I have goosebumps :P)

The greens had the most variety of shades imo and was the most pigmented.

Nice rich browns & cranberry colors.
But the two highlight colors were very similar.

More browns with mauve tones.
The 2 highlights and matte shade on the right were very similar.

The purple shades were also quite pigmented with lots of variety.
However, the middle shimmer and end highlight were very similar.

Pretty blue shades. The two matte colors on the left were very similar.

A variety of shades here. Lots of neutral gray and bluish tones.
I was pleased with the white... it's very matte and shows up well.

On to the lipgloss! Cool tones (nothing I would use, personally :P)

Warm/neutral tones. The three in the middle were very similar.

The bronzer was a little dark for me, I probably won't use it much. I labeled in the picture that the shimmery pink was more of a highlight color; it's actually very nice and subtle. The shade to the left of that was VERY sheer and the one next to it was VERY pigmented. Neither really match my skin tone, but they still are pretty.

The size relative to my hand

INGREDIENTS

Eyeshadows:
Talc, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Stearate, Hydrogenated Polysiobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate May Contain: Titamium Dioxide (CI 77891), Black Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Yellow Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarine (CI 77007), Chromium Oxide Green (CI 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140).

Lipgloss:
Polybutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bees Wax (Cera Alba), Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Microcrystalline Wax, Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera)Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate May Contain: Titamium Dioxide (CI 77891), Black Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Yellow Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Mica (CI 77019).

Blush:
Talc, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Stearate, Hydrogenated Polysiobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate May Contain: Titamium Dioxide (CI 77891), Black Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Yellow Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140).

Bronzer:
Talc, Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polysiobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate May Contain: Titamium Dioxide (CI 77891), Black Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Yellow Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarine (CI 77007), Chromium Oxide Green (CI 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140).

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Overall, I'm really happy with this palette. Although the shadows are not as pigmented as let's say... MAC; they are still pretty colorful and show up well, which is good since I'm partial to more sheer shadows and I doubt I'll be using blues and greens every day. This is just fun to play with. In general, the last three shades in each column were the most pigmented and showed up quite bold. I'd compare them to Urban Decay's matte eyeshadows, except not as smooth. The highlight colors in the top of the columns and other lighter shades tended to be very sheer and very similar to one another, as well as a bit frosty (I don't really use much frost/shimmer). The lighter shades (not highlights) were on par with NYX e/s pigmentation... which is pretty good. If used with a primer, the colors are much brighter and more vibrant, so even the sheer colors can be put to use.

I thought the lipglosses would be rock-hard but they were actually smooth and creamy. I didn't apply any to my lips so I'm not sure if they dry them out or not (I'm assuming they do). The lipglosses are somewhat sticky, but not too bad. I'm not a fan of the reds/pinks, but the neutral shades are nice.

The only complaints I have are that when I received this and opened the palette, it had a really strong perfume-y smell (don't know how to describe it better) that lasted for a few days. This wasn't that bad though. Also, the shadows, blushes, and bronzer are all very powdery, so the palette gets messy easily; but this is nothing that isn't cleaned easily; and lastly, there are no names or numbers of the shades incase you wanted to buy them inidivually. However, for only $22, this is definitely a steal and then some; especially for 36 eyeshadows and 12 lipglosses of good quality.