November 30, 2014

Anatomy of the perfect eyeshadow palette: LORACs' Pro Palette and Pro Palette 2

November 30, 2014/ Nicole McIntyre

LORACs' Pro Eyeshadow Palettes - the original (bottom) and No. 2 (top)

In an effort to avoid beating a dead horse I'll skip reviewing LORAC's Pro Palettes and instead go into the composition of these palettes and why they're selling like hotcakes.

Let's start with the V's: Value, Variety & Vanity

Value - The price point comes in at $42 USD for sixteen shades. The pans while petite in size certainly pack a Hawaiian punch when it comes to colour payoff and overall performance.

Variety - Two different formulas split across sixteen shades (eight mattes and eight shimmery) -- think neutrals, jewel tones, light and dark. Everyday, nighttime and everything else in between.

Vanity - LORAC makes your eyes look gooood.

As for the rest..

Packaging - slim, sleek, compact, complete with a magnetic closure and built-in mirror. LORAC also throws in a sample sized Behind the Scenes Eye Primer in lieu of a chintzy brush, I'm looking at you Urban Decay.

Usability - I'm no makeup artist, but the quality of these eyeshadows makes buffing and shading fun. LORAC put a huge amount of thought into the shade selection; you can wear them separately, but why would you? The magic lies in the blending and the mixing of the shades. Feel free to jump the barrier and use both palettes, make all thirty-two shades mingle like nobody's business.

Swatches - you know I couldn't skip this part, swatching for me is the best bit!

Pro Palette swatches from left to right starting with the top row: White, Cream, Taupe, Light Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso and Black

Pro Palette swatches from left to right starting on the top row: Nude, Champagne, Gold, Light Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple and Slate

Pro Palette 2 swatches from left to right starting on the top row: Buff, Light Brown, Cool Gray, Plum, Navy, Charcoal, Black, Snow, Beige, Rose, Mocha, Chrome, Silver, Jade and Cocoa.

Permutation - I stink at math, so please forgive me for not knowing the actual number of looks you're able to create with either of these palettes. However, please believe me when I tell you you'll hit the pan on most of these shades in an effort to get there!

Looks - here are three different looks I created for your viewing pleasure.

In look #1 I used six shades from the original Pro Palette

In look #2 I used five shades from the Pro Palette 2

Here's a breakdown of look 3 using both Pro Palettes:

Base > Nude
Contour > Cocoa
Centre of the lid > Gold
Inner corners > Snow
Lower lash line > Chrome

Why LORAC, what makes these palettes winners?

Availability - Buy 'em online or in-store at Ulta, Kohl's or you can hit up Amazon, buy a couple of palettes and stalk the Mega Pro Palette while you're at it. LORAC even has their own handy dandy online retail store. Btw, LORAC will be selling both palettes at a discounted rate (25% off) on Cyber Monday, 1st December for 24-hours.

Deserted on an island test - Passed. The four other items I'd have on me would be a comb, EOS' mint lip balm, sunscreen and a memory foam pillow. Scott, fret not. You'd be by my side with your own accoutrements.

What other people are saying...

Audrey, SF - Ulta review:

"This palette is amazing. The colors are all so pigmented, and it offers a wide variety of mattes, shimmers, neutrals, and even a few colors (Garnet, Deep Purple, etc.). The shadows are buildable, blendable, and buttery (hello alliteration) and can create such a wide variety of looks you really don't need anything else. I was even in a situation once where I had 2 Naked Palettes and a Pro Palette at my disposal, and I still used mostly Pro."

Bohdaciousfaces, Indiana - Ulta review:

"I was nervous to spend this much money on one single palette, but honestly this palette has all the neutral shades you'll need in one place. The fact that I can make multiple complete looks with one palette sells itself for me. The actual product is very great quality too and I reach for my Lorac pro daily unless I'm doing an extra special look that day. The only bad thing I have to say is the packaging gets so dirty looking with the shadow kinda smearing all over. I'm an OC cleaner and the smeared packaging just irks me. But I can live past that. Overall it's a must have in any makeup collection."

Quinn O, Memphis - Kohl's review

"I love this eyeshadow. I was iffy at first because I wanted to get either the this or the Naked palettes but decided to go with this one first due to the number of matte colors. As soon as I got the palette I did a matte eye looking using the champagne color and I fell in love. Must have palette for anyone, beginners or pros."
Highlights: great mattes, pigmented, price for number of shadows

Take it from me or any one of these lovely reviewers.

August 21, 2014

Eyes to mesmerize: NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

August 21, 2014/ Nicole McIntyre

When we last visited these I was in the midst of testing -- I really wanted to see where the sparkle filled road would take me. And you're not imagining things, Desdemona crossed the Pacific late last week with other bits and bobs from Sephora :)

In short, these eyeshadows are shimmery, sparkly and for some, might even ignite bokeh magic. Be sure to get past the Creme Brûlée-like exterior in order to capitalise on these pigmented sparkle bombs. NARS newest formula is a massive improvement as some of his older eye palettes and eyeshadow singles left a lot to be desired; pretty in the pan, but impossible to work with. Then along came Kauai, which whet my appetite while I waited for the next course to arrive.

Here's a recap of six of the twelve shades, starting with the swatches.

NARS Dual Intensity swatches (dry on the left and wet on the right for each shade) from left to right: Europa, Himalia, Dione, Callisto and Phoebe

Late arrival: Swatches of Desdemona dry (left) and wet (right)

Europa in the pan seemed like it was filled with endless possibilities, but I think I had my blinders on when I selected this particular shade and I might even blame it on my excitement at the beauty counter. Europa is the base of the pyramid, a supporting player that looks more intense when applied wet.

Not to be confused with Dione, colour-wise, Himalia is an excellent multi-tasker. Equal parts brown and beige, Himalia adds depth without closing your eyes in.

Dione is a cool, taupe-y beige with glints of silver, which are further enhanced just by adding water. Think wet, shiny sand.

The apple of my eye. Callisto is an icy pink that immediately perks your eyes up without having to catch a few Zzz's.

I can't really disagree with Nars' bang on description of Pheobe, a deep shimmering amethyst that's waiting to dazzle your eyes.

Desdemona isn't tragic like her namesake, this rich burgundy is bold and makes no apologies. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Expect warm embers, not flickering flames.

Here are two different looks I put together for you to mull over.

This soft look is coupled with glowing skin, pink cheeks and neutral lips.

Colours used: Himalia, Dione and Callisto and a hint of Phoebe.

Another look, cuz I'm so proud of my blending

Neutral skin and lips to maintain focus on my hazel eyes.

Colours used: a matte taupe and vanilla from Bobbi Browns' Bobbi & Katie Palette, Desdemona, Callisto and Phoebe.

Tip: Temper the shimmer by using a matte eyeshadow as your base and work from there.

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are like miniature Energizer Bunnies and will easily multiply if you're not careful at the cash register. Kindly pair these with an eye primer and you'll most certainly be set for the evening.

Want a tutorial, just say. I'd be happy to throw one together.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow:

$38.00 AUS / $29.00 USD - I bought five colours prior to Mecca's price decrease and paid $45.00 AUS per compact. Call it karma for my impatience.

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

10 out of 10 bags — LOVE.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

On my 'to buy' list: Cassiopeia, Lysithea, Subra and maybe even Sycorax.

August 09, 2014

Picking the best flavours: NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

August 09, 2014/ Nicole McIntyre

At first touch I was skeptical. The pan felt dry, too dry.

My hopes were dashed, so I walked away empty-handed. Then I thought about the reviews, the rave ones, "...felt like a dream." "So blend-able." "From meh, to wow." These aren't actual statements, but I think you might be picking up what I'm laying down here.

So I went back, had a chat with a sweet gal from Mecca first thing last Saturday morning and dug my grubby paws into the sample pans. Side note: I have no qualms about poking and prodding the display models, especially when the sales girl was doing the same exact thing only moments before.

Then I swayed from side to side, weighing my options, wondering which ones I was willing to wait for and eventually settled on not one, not two, but five shades -- so much for that first taste just a few days before.

NARS Dual Intensity eyeshadows from left to right: Phoebe, Europa, Dione, Callisto and Himalia

Because it's practically Saturday night, let's get a little drunk on these. Shall we?

Despite being slightly tipsy, I can still decipher the commonality. *hiccup*

icy
shimmering
metallic
textural

Each of the twelve shades are like a layer cake or an onion in their own right, but man, they really open up -- make certain to pair them accordingly.

If you love a blingtastic eye look, then you've come to the right place. I'm still testing, layering, playing, painting and tasting -- should be ripe for a proper review come next Saturday ;)

Pricing: $45 AUS / $29 USD

Cheers to the rest of your weekend!

*raises glass*

July 06, 2014

Eyes to mesmerize: Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Vendome

July 06, 2014/ Nicole McIntyre

In my lifetime I'll probably never be able to afford Chanel's Tweed Jacket, so I bought the next best thing -- an eyeshadow quad from the Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect range. The reformulated eyeshadow drew its inspiration from the individual threads and fibres used to create the iconic tweed jacket.

Each palette features two contrasting shades, one to highlight and one to intensify; in Tisse Vendome's case: salmon, golden brown, warm vanilla and deep taupe. The new spherical formulation aids with application in terms of blending, colour intensity and finish.

Side by side comparison: the new slurry-like formula vs. the current baked formula

Close up of one of the shades from the Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette

Close up of one of the shades from the Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow Palette

The preexisting formula is much dryer in appearance and often leaves a powdery finish, whereas the new finish looks and feels silkier and luminous. In order to get properly acquainted with the Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette I sat down with Chanel Makeup Artist Dayna for a quick tutorial.

Here are her top tips:

Prep and prime the eye area prior to applying eyeshadow.
Dab or tap your eyeshadow on in order to build up the colour's intensity.
Toss the applicators provided with the palette, Dayna believes these are useless.
Don't press down too hard on the eyeshadow or it will crumble when too much pressure is applied.

Tisse Vendome swatches on closer inspection

Because I'm on a tighter than usual budget I could only justify splashing out on Tisse Vendome, the rest of the items used to recreate Dayna's look are from my own arsenal.

Wearing all four shades from the Tisse Vendome palette

In no particular order here's a list of the other products I used on my eyes:

Tarina Tarantino's Eye Dream Hyperliner in Amethyst Android in lieu of Chanel's Long Lasting Eyeliner in Violine
Clinique's Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx
Chanel's New Moon applied along my lower lash line
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Ro(Cocoa) to tight line. Tight lining gives the appearance of having fuller lashes.

You're now probably wondering how well Tisse Vendome performed? Only ok, certainly not wonderful enough to warrant the nutso price tag. Don't get me wrong the colours lasted, but they didn't stay put -- the creasing was bananas. That said, I might skip my usual eye primer and try another approach.

The saga continues..

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow: