Review: Le Metier De Beaute True Eyeshadow Color in Bordeaux

I must admit that my favorite high-end brand of all time is Le Metier de Beaute.  I was initally introduced to this brand by CafeMakeup and The Beauty Look Book after reading their amazing review on their famous Kaleidoscopes.  I couldn't help myself and decided to jump head first into the brand, trusting these reviews, and boy... am I sure glad I did! Words cannot express how much I love this brand and the products that they produce!

I decided to pick up some of their single eyeshadows because I was impressed with the quality in the Kaleidoscopes.  The first eyeshadow that I bought was Bordeaux.  When I had swatched all the eyeshadow colors in the store, I initially wanted Corinthian and Jojo, but they were not in stock at the time.  So, I went to my third choice and I haven't regretted the decision since.  

In terms of the formula, the eyeshadow is buttery smooth -- perhaps not as smooth as a Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow, but soft nonetheless.  It blends well with other eyeshadows and deposits a punch of color with each touch.  Sometimes I find that when the eyeshadow formula is too smooth, it can appear chalky or even unpleasantly powdery.  This is definitely not the case with this eyeshadow.

Bordeaux is a shimmery burnt reddish brown color.  Although I don't have any swatch comparison pictures for you today, its color reminds me most of Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Ebloui except with less sparkles.  

I love using this as a contour color in the crease or even a wash of color over the eyelids.  It is very versatile.  Perhaps the only con I can think of is the price point ($30.00), but I believe if you find a color that you know you will wear on a daily basis, then it is well worth the investment. 

Expect more Le Metier de Beaute reviews to come! What are your thoughts on the brand or the eyeshadow? Leave your thoughts in the comment section! Have a nice day! :) 

Review: Dior 5-Colour Designer All-in-One Artistry Palette in Green Design

Hello everyone!


I got the Dior 5-Colour Designer All-in-One Artistry Palette in Green Design a while back, but never had the opportunity to use it.  Since the mint color seems to be all the rage this summer, I thought this would be a good opportunity to put this palette to use! 

The palette includes four eyeshadow colors: forest green, sheer glittering mint, sea foam green, shimmering ivory, and an eyeliner in matte dark green cream color.  


The texture of the eyeshadows are soft, but not too soft enough to be too powdery.  However, the pigmentation is severely lacking in these shadows.  I wanted to use the ivory and mint color, but found that they appeared too alike on the eye.  The dark green cream color was hard and was difficult to apply as an eyeliner without dragging it along my eyelid.  Overall, I am disappointed in this palette and the quality does not justify its price.  

Review: theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 2 Eyeshadow Palette

Hello! 

Continuing with the Shady Lady eyeshadow palette reviews, here is Vol. 2! Like the previous eyeshadow palette, Shady Lady Vol. 1, the eyeshadow formula is velvety smooth and blends like a dream.  The only problem with this eyeshadow formula is that it is not as pigmented as it could be.  I find that it is very important to use an eyeshadow primer underneath to enhance the color.  Other than that, this is a very versatile palette with neutral and colorful shadows that I like to use when traveling.  

The packaging itself is made of cardboard and I find that it can be easily dented and damaged, especially during travel.  Luckily, it is very lightweight and easy to add to any makeup bag.  There is a large mirror that is useful for on the go application or touch ups.  

From Left to Right: 

Caught in the Act Courtney (shimmery medium brown with gold sparkles) 

Feisty Felicia (matte brownish grey) 

Insane Jane (satin taupe with a hint of purple undertones) 

Bossy Bobbi (satin cornflower blue) 

Makeout Mary (satin light mossy green) 

Just This Once Jamie (light satin purple with a hint of pink) 

Mischievous Marissa (shimmering light copper rose gold) 

Tempting Tara (satin pearl white) 

Devilish Danielle (shimmering gold beige) 

Overall, there is a wide variety of colors in this palette that make it a very go-to palette for me! 

Monthly Favorites: June 2012

Hi everyone! 


I was rummaging through my makeup to see what I have been using the most this month and this is what I found: 

It was more difficult than I thought to narrow it down to just these products, but these are products that I have used every day for the past month! 


1. Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX: This is my favorite sleeping mask -- it absorbs into my skin and leaves it feeling very smooth and hydrated when I wake up in the morning.  


2. Melvita Orange Blossom Extraordinary Water: I use this in the morning and night after I wash and cleanse my face.  It makes my skin supple and fresh before I apply my moisturizer.  


3. YSL Teint Resist Long Wear Endless Comfort Transfer Resistant Foundation with SPF 10: I have been using this during the summer months because it is one of the foundations that doesn't feel like it's slipping off of my face in the summer heat.  It is transfer resistant and provides me with light to medium coverage.  I am currently in the shade 07 Pink Beige. 


4. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30: I've been using this religiously for the past four years and I will continue to repurchase it for a long time! It has SPF and I use it on sunny and cloudy days.  I use this every morning before foundation and found that it does not contribute to a white cast in photography.  


5. Murad Acne Spot Treatment: After testing different acne spot treatments (such as Kate Somerville, Peter Thomas Roth, etc.), this is the most effective treatment for me.  Ever have that feeling when a pimple is just forming and it's beginning to hurt? I usually place a dab of this onto the spot before bed and when I wake up, it is quickly reduced in size and hurts much less.  It prevents the pimple from reaching a point where it can create any acne scarring.  Love love love this! 


6. NARS Blush in Deep Throat: I have been using this blush mainly because it's the one that has been the most accessible, but I must admit I've grown to love it again.  Even though the wear time doesn't last past 6 hours, I still love the peachy pink color for the summer time.  


7. Le Metier de Beaute Eyeshadow Palette in Bora Bora: I received this as a gift with purchase from Neiman Marcus when I bought the On the Coast Kaleidoscope.  Initially, I didn't think I would like it based on the colors, but I absolutely love this palette for an everyday look.  It adds subtle color and depth to my eyes and I've already tried to find the same colors or dupes in the Le Metier de Beaute permanent makeup line to purchase once I use up this palette! 


8. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara Waterproof: My friend introduced me to this  and I must say that this is a very good mascara, almost as good as a high-end mascara! It is very waterproof and does not budge unless I remove it with a makeup remover.  It does not budge at all and makes my lashes look longer and thicker.  It is not a very dramatic look, but very appropriate for the daytime.  

Review: L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows

I have had these for a while now and thought that it would be a good idea to do a review on them, especially since new colors have been released in the newest L'Oreal collection.  :)

These L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows hit stores at approximately the same time as the Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Shadows. They are very different in the fact that these are much like pressed eye shadows.  It comes in a plastic pot with a lid to hold the packed shadow in place.  The texture is silky and buttery smooth.  It is also extremely pigmented - one swipe of the product and you'll be set with a nice wash of color on the eyelids.  I haven't tested it to see whether it stays up to 24 hours like it claims, but the color does last for me throughout a normal 9 to 5 work day with a primer underneath.

From L to R: 

892 Amber Rush 

890 Bronzed Taupe 

333 Golden Sage

I personally like using the Amber Rush and Bronzed Taupe together or individually as a single wash of color over the lids - especially if I am in a rush.  I like pairing the Golden Jade with other colors for a more polished look.  While the Golden Jade is not an everyday color, I do love that it makes my brown eyes pop.  

These have been likened to Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow and I can understand why.  However, I do believe that while they are similar, they are still very different.  I own a couple of both and while the texture of both are very smooth, the color options are very different.  Most of the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows are complex and multidimensional.  They are unique in that you can see a mixture of different colors to form one complete color.  In comparison, the L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows are simple and yield one shade of color.  

It ultimately depends on how much you are willing to spend and what your taste preference is.  If you prefer a more multidimensional and unique color and are willing to spend the money, head on over to an Armani beauty counter and pick up one of the Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows.  If you are looking for a simple everyday color, definitely give these L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows a try! 

Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme

I picked these up last year at my local CCO and have been using them on and off throughout the year.  Instead of paying the regular price ($18.50), I picked these up for only $13.00.  However, I would consider paying full price for these if a particular color came out that I knew I could see myself wearing often.  

These ShadowCremes come in a glass jar and contains 0.17 oz/5g of product.  The packaging most resembles YSL's creme eyeliner jar, except larger.  The only issue that I have with the packaging, as I do with all jars, is that you have to make sure you close them tightly to prevent drying out the product.  The three I currently own are: 

02 Silver Leaf 

04 Antique Gold 

12 Silver Star 

These ShadowCremes can be applied both for a sheer wash of color or it can be built up to be worn as an opaque color.  With the Silver Leaf, I like applying it sheerly on the lid and topping it with MAC's classic Satin Taupe.  The contrast of the eyeshadow with and without the ShadowCreme adds a bit of dimension to the eye look, but keeping it simple when I'm in a rush to make it out the door! Antique Gold is beautiful in its own way and this is one that I like to wear as an opaque color, also when I'm pressed for time.  Lastly, Silver Star is one that I use as a base for when I need my eyeshadows to stand out a bit more than usual.  It's not one that I reach for often, to be honest, but I am still glad to have it.  Another thing to note: these ShadowCremes will not budge once they are applied.  I have gone a full 9-5 day with it on without a primer and saw minimal fading.  Overall, I think that these are simple can-do-no-wrong shadows that can achieve a polished look in a small amount of time.  

Hope you're all having a wonderful day and thank you for taking the time to read this! :) 

Review: theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 1 Eyeshadow Palette

I recently took advantage of theBalm's Memorial Day sale with a buy one get two free deal.  If you bought theBalm's Shady Lady Vol. 1 eyeshadow palette ($39.50 for 0.60 oz), then you received both the Shady Lady Vol. 2 and Shady Lady Vol. 3 eyeshadow palette for free! I have been wanting to try them out since reading Temptalia's rave review and figured this would be a great opportunity to do so! 

The palette contains nine eyeshadows: 

Caught in the Act Courtney (shimmering dark brown with golden sparkles)

Shameless Shana (satin medium tan with red undertones)

Luscious Lani (shimmering light pink champagne)

Jealous Jordana (satin dark emerald forest green)

Risque Renee (dark matte blue with blue sparkles)

Curvy Cami (shimmering fuschia purple with gold sparkles)

Jet-setting Jennifer (shimmering light gold champagne)

All About Alex (satin grey khaki green)

Easy Wheezie (satin blue grey)

The palette itself is made of cardboard, containing nine eyeshadows.  It is very lightweight and easy to travel with; however, I find that the cardboard is not very durable and can create dents in the eyeshadow.  The eyeshadow's formula is very pigmented when swatched with a primer.  However, its pigmentation without a primer is a little problematic and less pigmented than what I expected. It glides on the eye smoothly and blends with other shadows without much effort.  Initially, I was afraid Caught in the Act Courtney would be a fallout nightmare, but I was surprised to see that like the other shadows in the palette, it only had minimal fallout.   Curvy Cami was slightly difficult to work with and had a harder texture compared to the other shadows.  Overall, this palette has a variety of colors to choose from and proves to be very versatile.  I highly recommend you check these out!