Eye Shadow

Review and Swatches: The Tokidoki Hercolino Cromatico Eyeshadow Palette

September 2, 2011

Sometimes you just have to unleash your inner child and when it comes to makeup, Tokidoki is just the brand to do it. I saw Hercolino aka Little Hercules at Sephora and he is part of Tokidoki’s latest cosmetic confection, The Hercolino Cromatico Palette. This dual-door designed palette opens up to six powder eyeshadows infused with vitamins and Japanese rice lipids. Fancy.

The colors in this Tokidoki palette are:

Profumo (matte dusty rose)

Elettica (sparkling gray green)

Ippo (dark purple)

Lion Pappa (pearlized bronze)

Patatino (cream)

Hercolino (pearlized chocolate brown)

Out of the six shades, Hercolino is my favorite, I love the deep shimmery chocolate color. So pretty. I’ve used tokidoki before and their eyeshadows apply smoothly and appear sheer at first but the colors are very buildable. Personally I prefer a more sheer look but if I want to play my eyes up a bit more at least I have some options. Lion Pappa is my second favorite shade from this palette, it’s the perfect highlighter and a great option to pair with Hercolino.

Tokidoki always has detailed eye-catching artwork, I can appreciate that. It’s kind of like scribbling in your notebook during high school, only prettier. In the middle of the palette there is a small key chain fob of Hercolino (Little Hercules) adorned with crown with the tokidoki heart and crossbones. The palette also comes housed inside a plastic pouch that can double as an extra makeup bag if you decide not to store your palette in it. These extra’s alone make this already affordable palette well worth the purchase.

Overall this was one of my favorite palettes, it’s a great value and lots of fun. What is your favorite color from this palette?

Tokidoki Royal Pride Hercolino Palette, $28

Spring has sprung with the Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom collection

May 2, 2011

Swatches of Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom

With the Summer “Bronzing” season upon us, it’s time to switch up our makeup palette. We all know that looking healthy is great but tanning, not so much. Well that’s why makeup was invented to subtly highlight and add to our own beauty. Well this season Elizabeth Arden brings sophistication to the Spring season with their new limited edition Bronze in Bloom collection. Looking at the collection unboxed, there is a fun and whimsical approach to the packaging.

Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom

The Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad is available in two Spring appropriate quartets: Golden Lilac and Blue Breeze. The shades in the Golden Lilac palette range from pale lilac to deep gray. The Blue Breeze palette offers petal perfect hues of blue.

Elizabeth Arden Golden Lilac Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad

Elizabeth Arden Blue Breeze Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad

This Spring season is all about an orange or coral hued lip for the Spring. Elizabeth Arden’s High Shine Lip Gloss interprets this trend in a barely there shade, Tropicoral. The formula gives just a subtle hint of color with a brilliant shine.

Elizabeth Arden High Shine lip gloss #20 Tropicoral

The Blue Sky and Black Violet Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil colors are a welcome change from a basic black kohl eyeliner. This pencil has the eyeliner on one end and a smudge tip on the opposite end to create a smoky eye look. These pencils have excellent staying power without a lot of additional prep. I tend to stay away from kohl liners because they can smudge quite a bit but these liners look great after hours of wear.

Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil Swatches

The star of the collection is the Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder. The Bronzing Powder allows for the gradual release of the appropriate amount of product and less mess. It’s also all all over type of powder that can be used on your cheeks and well as your decolletage. The formula has sea water, aloe, Vitamin A, C and E but it does not contain any talc or added fragrance. The most notable feature is that there is not a lot of glitter added so the color is a bit more natural.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder

Nothing says fresh like sun-kissed coral, the Pure Finish Mineral Cheekcolor adds just the right amount of warmth for a healthy looking glow. This powder is so incredibly light that even if you are heavy-handed in your makeup application you just can’t get this wrong. The mini compact comes with it own angled mini kabuki brush which gives a surprisingly good application. I usually forgo using the provided makeup applicators that come with new products and use my own however in this case the brush is perfect.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Cheekcolor Sunkissed Coral

As the weather gets warmer, I look forward to the subtle beauty of Spring and my makeup routine is no different. What new makeup have you added to your beauty repertoire?

Disclosure: The products featured in this review were provided for editorial consideration. Receipt of this product did not guarantee review and all opinions are my own.

Guerlain gives good packaging: Summer 2011 Collection

April 22, 2011

Guerlain is known for giving some of the best cosmetic packaging on the market and their Summer 2011 collection is no different. Each piece is a miniature work of art with artistically conceived makeup on the inside. Each collection has products that stand out to me. For the Summer 2011 collection it’s the ribbon detailing on the Khol Kajal liner and the Incan qompi pattern that appears woven into the Terre Indigo eyeshadow. Guerlains’ artistry truly amazes me every time. Let’s take a closer look at the new collection:

Ombre Fusion Cream Eyeshadow – This formula offers the richness of a crème shadow combined with the softness of a powder formula. What’s different about these eyeshadows you ask. Well they were created especially for the Summer season. Yes ladies these eyeshadows are heat-resistant and created to stay put for hours. They’re available in three shades: Rose, Bronze, Taupe

Rose

Guerlain Spring 2011 Eyeshadow bronze

Guerlain Spring 2011 Eyeshadow taupe

Terra Inca Star Powder is a highlighter and bronzer all in one. The combination of the highlighting golden beige and the copper-tinted pink bronzer has a pearl like finish to keep you looking luminescent on those hot summer nights. This powder gives your skin a healthy iridescent glow which is a nice alternative to baking in the suns’ harmful rays.

Guerlain Spring 2011 Terrainca Poudre

Terre Indigo 4-Shade Eyeshadow – Out of the entire collection this is my must have item. Guerlain translates the colorful tribal patterns seen on the runways and reinterprets the trend by creating an interlacing pattern into a single eyeshadow palette. The vibrant orange, intense blue, deep brown, chocolate-brown and gold can be used separately or together.

Spring 2011 Guerlain makeup fard terrainca

Terracotta Gloss – These neon sheer shades are free of sparkles and are packed with pigments. Many glosses rely on tiny sparkles to give the glosses extra shine but this forumla does not, which is a plus for me. The new shades are trend on featuring three shades in Orange, Rose and Rouge.

Guerlain gloss terra inca orange

Guerlain gloss terra inca rose

Guerlain gloss terra inca rouge

Khol Kajal – the cult favorite eyeliner returns with its ultra-pigmented formula. This is not your typical pencil eyeliner, dressed in an iridescent tube adorned with orange and brown satin makes it a beautiful addition to your vanity or makeup bag.

Guerlain Spring 2011 Kohl liner

The collection will be available May 1st at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and at Bergdorf Goodman. Which product is your favorite?

Shopped: Dior Holiday Deluxe Travel Palette

November 22, 2010

For the 2010 holiday season Dior brings ups their holiday palette featuring 10 products in a sexy red patent cannage case. This palette is as stylish as it is functional. This gorgeous palette zips shut protecting your precious cosmetics. I love it because it offers a great range of products for creating an amazing look while on the go.

This set contains:

5 eyeshadow in shades 034, 836, 044, 526, 944 and 059
DiorBlush in Glowing Color
DiorSkin Forever Compact Extreme-Wear Makeup
DiorShow Extase Mascara in Black
Dior Addict Ultra-gloss Flash
1 x mini blush brush
2 x eyeshadow double-ended applicators

2010 Dior Holiday Palette Swatches — Eyeshadow Swatches

This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the lady in your life but hurry up and grab one because they’re a limited edition commodity!

Dior Holiday Palette, $75

Clarins Holiday 2010 Colour: Barocco

November 9, 2010

For the 2010 holiday season, Clarins delivers a beautiful and sophisticated limited edition collection called Barocco.

Clarins Barocco Collection is inspired by the dramatic, daring and sensual style of the baroque period. From luxurious draperies to emblematic scrolls, rich golds and striking musical harmonies – this time in history was one of excess, glamour and mystery. The new collection from Clarins introduces four limited edition pieces that celebrate every woman and her unique beauty.

Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder for Face and Décolleté

Clarins Barocco Collection will be available at select department stores and fine specialty stores nationwide beginning November 2010.