Maybelline The Nudes Palette

With Kylie Jenner spawning a thousand 90s neutral lookalike tutorials and the UD Naked on its third iteration, it's about time drugstore brands hopped aboard the "nude" palette trend.

Maybelline is one of the first with their The Nudes palette.

Unfortunately, it doesn't set the bar all that high.

It looks cute and functional enough, with a practical plastic casing and what appears to be a good mix of mattes, satins, shimmers and metallics in shades ranging from light to dark, cool to warm. The layout is theoretically helpful as well, with three full quads laid out across the palette (or six sets of duos, if break them down further). If the formula was top-notch, this could indeed be a great all-around palette - though one point taken off for travel-considerations, due to the lack of mirror.

Formula is exactly where it stumbles: a mixed bag of some shades that have great pigment and creamy blendability, and others with poorer payoff and choppy application.

The best performers are, not surprisingly, the metallics. The middle "quad" is by the best formulated, with the bronze, gold and burgundy brown applying smoothly and with very good payoff. They blend without a hitch, and aren't prone to thinning out. (They're not UD comparable, but I have yet to meet a drugstore shadow that has that degree of intensity. For the standard I'm judging them on, they do very well.) The matte peach shade has softer pigmentation and tends to feel a little chalky, but as a brow bone colour or transition blender it's just fine. This is by far my favourite quad from the palette.

The satins and shimmers are a little behind the metallics, but not terribly so. They vary between having somewhat sheer to decent payoff, and are generally easy to blend, but they can tend to thin out when applied, leading to a soft, muddied look. (Though if you really prefer a next-to-bare eye look, that could work in your favour.) I'm a little puzzled why there are essentially three taupes in here, however, ranging from quite shimmery to almost matte. They look more distinct in the pan, but on the eye, I can barely tell them apart. I wish they had added something that leaned mauve, or a true warm medium brown, both of which would have added some more versatility.

The three matte shades - which are also the darkest - are the most troublesome. They have a dry consistency, and just don't apply or blend very well, creating a choppy appearance both in swatches and when applied. I had the best luck using them to intensify the outer corner of a look, or to add a bit of smokiness, especially overtop the metallics. I hate to say, they're exactly the kind of eyeshadow that gives drugstore eyeshadow a bad rap.

The colour that really stands out is the pale duochrome lustre from the top left corner. I had a hell of time capturing the colour shift, but the picture below is the closest, taken at a weird angle under incandescent light. It looks like a pale, slightly gold-toned cream when looked at straight on in the pan or when swatched, but it actually has this absolutely stunning pink shift at an angle. The texture is nothing to write home about - sort of a crumbly, flaky shimmer, not unlike MAC lustres - but the colour is lovely, either by itself as an inner corner highlight, or dabbed lightly over another shade.

In terms of lasting power, my experience was about average - six hours before I saw significant fading, but no creasing. With a primer, I got an extra couple of hours. The best performance overall - including intensity - was over a Color Tattoo base.

So would I buy this palette again? Probably not. It's a workable palette, but hardly a slam-dunk when almost half the shades are problematic in some way. The overall mix is also not as versatile as I'd like, despite those lovely metallics and the funky duochrome. Too many of the shades blend into one wash of taupe-beige for my preference.

That said, if you 1) really prefer a softer, natural eye look, 2) aren't looking for a ton of variety, but like the option of a metallic smoky and 3) have a limited budget, then this might be something to check out. (Though I'd probably steer you to the Coastal Scents Revealed palette first, or the trios from Wet'n'Wild.)

Here is an example of the very natural, truly nude look that comes from the less pigmented side of this palette. (I used the peach on the lid, a mix of the taupes in the crease and outer corner, a mix of the taupe shimmer and pink shimmer under the lower lashine, the dark brown as eyeliner and the duochrome shimmer very lightly as highlight.)

Availability: Most drugstores now, prices vary but the cheapest I saw were at Wal-Mart for about 10$, with Pharmaprix/Shoppers retailing them for 14-15$.

(I purchased this palette at Pharmaprix. Not sponsored, opinions are my own.)

Maybelline Bleached Neons Collection - Summer 2014

I'm going through a bit of a busy period at work, and trying to work on some blog posts when I can. In the meantime, I just wanted to get some pictures and swatches out for some of the items from the new Maybelline Bleached Neons Summer Collection, which is in drugstores now.

I have a feeling this will be one of those blink-and-you'll-curse-the-gods kind of collections. If you like something, I suggest getting it now, because with only a couple of each item on the displays...

I decided to skip the nail polishes (from what I've heard they have a tricky formula, which is not unusual for pastel-type shades), but they were quite pretty. I also passed on the Master Glaze bronzers - just not feeling shimmery bronzers at the moment.

The rest of the collection is right in my wheelhouse, however.

Maybelline Bleached Neons Summer 2014 Collection

I have a couple of these Master Glaze sticks, and while I'm not uniformly impressed by all of them, I think they're generally fun. A really easy, dab-and-go formula.

This one is in the shade Enchanting Apricot, which is a pink-toned peach with A LOT of shimmer. Really too much to wear during the day, and almost too much for a highlighter. On the plus side, it does apply more sheerly, so if you were inclined to wear it lightly over a less...rambunctious blush, you could.

Maybelline Bleached Neons Master Glaze in Enchanting Apricot

Maybelline Bleached Neons Master Glaze in Enchanting Apricot

The Color Elixir Lip Colors that are included in this line-up are gorgeous, bloom-evoking shades. If you've tried the formula, these are again no surprise: moderate pigment, a cushy, slightly thick, buttery texture that is nevertheless not tacky, and a particular vanilla-floral scent that is make-or-break for a lot of people. (I happen to like it.)

The three I chose were I'm Blushing, a milky baby pink that looks best layered over a nude lipstick, Radiant Raspberry, a medium, vibrant rose, and Glowing Garnet, which is nothing like the name implies; it's a neutral, muted pink.

Maybelline Bleached Neons Color Elixirs in I'm Blushing, Radiant Rasberry, Glowing Garnet 

Top to bottom: Maybelline Bleached Neons
Color Elixirs in I'm Blushing, Radiant Rasberry, Glowing Garnet

This collection also introduces the Master Drama Chromatics eye pencils. (Which I believe are remaining as part of the regular offerings.) I've never tried the original version, so I can't say how these compare performance wise. On my lower lash line, I got about 7 hours of wear before I noticed some fading and thinning, though it stayed put without smudging. 

From what I saw, there were four different colours, and I chose the one that felt the most summery - the vibrant, peacock-y Blast of Blue. They all have a strongly metallic finish, and an intensely creamy consistency that applies with great payoff and without a hint of drag. 

Maybelline Master Drama Chromatics Eye Liner in Blast of Blue

 Of course, I had to get the Color Tattoos. Maybelline really hit gold with their original formula for this range, and I'm glad they're continuing to bring out new and limited shades with each season (though these can be hit or miss).

Both Sunwashed Sky and Shimmering Sea are pure Pisces bait - intensely shimmery shades of blue with a beautiful duochrome effect.

Sunwashed Sky is a pale blue with an icy violet duochrome. It is the more shimmery and sheer of the two, and the one that loses most of the dual-toned effect once applied on the eye - looking more silvery blue than anything else. I also found this one creased a bit on me after a few hours.

Shimmering Sea, on the other hand, has a distinct aqua/gold duochrome that stays visible once applied. And it is FANTASTIC. This is the kind of shade that is perfect for lazy summer nights - slapped on quickly, with a bit of shimmer brown in the lash line, and out the door you go. It's also a great option for brown eyes like mine, that otherwise tend to look beady with overtly pastel shades.

Maybelline Bleached Neons Color Tattoos in Sunwashed Sky and Shimmering Sea

Maybelline Bleached Neons Color Tattoos in Sunwashed Sky and Shimmering Sea 

Maybelline Bleached Neons Color Tattoos in Sunwashed Sky and Shimmering Sea,
and Master Drama Chromatics in Blast of Blue (in sunlight)

Maybelline Bleached Neons Color Tattoos in Sunwashed Sky and Shimmering Sea,
and Master Drama Chromatics in Blast of Blue 

Availability: At SDM/Pharmaprix, Jean Coutu and Wal-Mart, prices vary by location and promotions.

Have you guys seen these displays yet? Are you getting anything, or are you waiting for the fall collections? (And I cannot believe I just said that.)

(I purchased all these items.)

Maybelline Fall 2013 Collection Eyestudio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow Palettes - Desert Fantasy and Violet Femmes

I really loved last year's Maybelline Fall collection, so when I saw the new one out while travelling in the States (weeks ahead of its release here in Canada), I had to grab a couple of the Eyestudio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow palettes right away. (The other two palettes have just started popping up in some drugstores here, and I have a feeling I'll be picking them up as well. I have yet to see these two in particular at stores in the area.)

I started off with Desert Fantasy and Violet Femmes:

Left: Desert Fantasy
Right: Violet Femmes

If you've used the Lancome Color Design palettes, you'll find that these have a very comparable texture and finish range. They have a very silky, creamy feel when you rub your finger over them, and a very fine texture, which makes them easy to blend - almost too easy, so it's best to use a gentle brush and/or hand if you prefer blown-out edges. Even when over-blended, the shades resist looking too muddy because of their shimmer and vivid colours.

What I like most about these is that gorgeous shimmer, which remains visible once applied. Applied wet, that sparkle is amplified dramatically, taking on an almost metallic, wet-look sheen. The colour intensity is equally augmented, though to be honest I found these went on just fine when applied dry. Wear is good too, plugging through close to 10 hours with no creasing and minimal fading when I wore them over my usual primer. Without a primer, I had closer to 6 hours of good wear before I noticed some patchiness around my inner corner.

The payoff on these is generally good to great - the only problematic shade is the black in the Desert Fantasy palette. It has a drier texture that is more sheer than I'd like, but it works to create depth and some smokiness. The golden-peach shade and the olive both have some duochrome that isn't obvious, but that adds nice dimensionality to the look. 

The Violet Femmes palette (awesome name, by the way) works for both a more subtle look if you limit yourself to the lighter shades, or something more dramatic. The pale pink is a terrific highlighter, and the purple is gorgeous, though it goes on a little more muted than it appears in the pan and in the swatch. The taupe-mauve and the eggplant on the end are both slightly sheerer when worn dry. I love the taupe-mauve for its "everyday" quality. It's really a no-fuss option for when you want something subtle but brightening.

I like these. A lot, actually. The colours are beautiful, they work together really well, and I like that they can be used wet or dry for variable intensity. If you don't want to splurge on the Lancome palettes, I think these are great options. The biggest differences for me between the two are that the Maybelline palettes have a slightly thinner texture, which can have an impact on blendability and wear.

Availability: Limited release, available at now or shortly at drugstores locations. I've spotted them at Maxi so far. Price is 10.99$ CAD, 9.99$ USD.

Pros: Beautiful colours that can be used for both subtle and dramatic effect. Generally good payoff, especially when used wet. Consistent shimmer from pan to eye. Silky texture, easy to apply and blend together and out.

Cons: Can sheer out easily. Matte black shade is drier with poorer payoff. Overall lack of good matte shades limits their versatility somewhat.

(I purchased these items. This post is not sponsored or compensated. Opinions are my own.)

Cheapies and Freebies - A Roundup Haul

Since I blew most of my seasonal budget on The Makeup Show, I've been trying to stay thrifty with my makeup spending in the last month. I did manage a small haul by taking advantage of GWP offers, Optimum points and some drugstore deals.

This is just a quick pull from my Instagram featuring some of these finds, more in-depth reviews (or at least swatches) forthcoming.

From my local Jean Coutu drugstore, I picked up these Jumbo Glossy Balms from Marcelle. They were discounted 50% off from 12.49$, so 6.25$ each. A little bit less than comparable stick glosses from Cover Girl and Revlon at full price, and I'd been eyeballing that display for weeks.

Also from that same Jean Coutu, I noticed a limited edition nail polish display from Maybelline. Half of the polishes were this polka dot type texture, and the other half were holos. (HOLOS, people. Though  they looked almost like a cross between duo chromes and holos.)

These weren't on sale, but at 3.49$, it was a nice option to temporarily curb my lemming for the Illamasqua speckled polishes. Because I desperately want nails that look like bird eggshells.

And from my local Pharmaprix drugstore, I hauled these goodies - for free, y'all. God bless their Optimum Points program, especially the Beauty Bonus Splurge days. I turned in my points for some lemmings  and impulse try-outs. I saw Caroline from beautymouth.com ardently recommending the Hydraluron Moisture Booster (which is like a super shot of hyaluronic acid to put under moisturizer), so when I spotted it I almost squealed. And I had to try some Shiseido after watching Dick Page's inspiring seminar.  So 90 000 points later, I had me some hooch!

The other day I received an email from Sephora, informing me that as a VIB I could get a free, full-size Bare Minerals duo (The Perfect Storm) with a 35$ purchase. Faster than you can "lunch break" I dashed across the street. I've been wanting to try the Bare Minerals concealer (especially since I'm on a concealer kick with the non-sleep I've been getting), and this gorgeous hot pink (what else??) lipstick also sucked me in.

The duo itself is very nice, with a satin-finish white and a grey-taupe matte, both pigmented like crazy, so it was 30 minutes and 50 bucks well spent. If you can't get to a store, use code VIBREADY to add the duo to your cart.

And also at Sephora, I raided the Charlotte Ronson end cap over the past month to get ALL THE PALETTES, as the whole line is now discounted. (These went from 26$ to 18$, though a few of them were 10-15$. Those the SA actually had to look for in the back, since they weren't even on display any more.)

So all in all, not a bad month for me in terms of getting the most out of my beauty dollar!

What about you guys? Did you come across any great savings or deals? Or conversely, did you haul big?

Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow - Barely Branded, Inked in Pink, Gold Rush

When the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows came out, I joined the beauty stampede without hesitation. Over the past year or so, I've acquired most of the regular line-up as well as several from limited collections, and I have yet to be disappointed. (I wisely passed on the purple shade that almost everyone was disenchanted with. What would I do without my fellow bloggers steering me right, I ask you??)

When I saw these Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadows, I knew I had to grab a few.

Barely Branded is very similar to Barely Beige, so if you have that one you probably don't need to rush out for this one. 

Both Barely Branded and Inked in Pink have a high amount of shimmer, apply very smoothly and with great pigmentation. They can also be sheered out easily, and that is actually how I prefer to wear them. Dabbed softly on the lid, they give a glowy finish that is gorgeous by itself (sort of half angel/half surfer girl) and great as a base. When you apply a shadow with a less shimmery finish overtop, it gives an interesting dimensionality to the whole eye look.

I find the texture of these to be a slicker than that of my other Color Tattoos, and the resultant slip makes them a touch more vulnerable to moving about when worn alone. With either a primer underneath or with a shadow on top, the wear is extended to 10 hours with no problems. 

Gold Rush is definitely the odd one out. It's not just metallic - it has a gritty texture, as if filled with chunky glitter. Unlike any other Color Tattoos I own, it's a little difficult to apply as it tends to sort of roll up on itself when you try to blend it or get it more opaque. When worn all over the lid, it moves and creases within a few hours, and sheds some glitter fall-out. If you dab it lightly just in the centre of the lid or in the inner corner, it provides some nice glitz. 

left to right: Inked in Pink, Barely Branded, Gold Rush.

Availability: Most drugstores like Pharmaprix and Jean Coutu, though some of the displays are selling out of certain shades. Also available online at Ulta. Price ranges from 6.99$ USD to 9-10$ CAD. (I bought these on sale at 6.99$ CAD.)

Pros: Inked in Pink and Barely Branded have blendable, sheerable textures and lovely shimmer, and good wear that can be extended. Can also be used as bases to multi-dimensional effect under powder eyeshadow.

Cons:  The texture on Gold Rush makes layering and blending tricky, and the glitter fallout discourages full-on application.

(I purchased these from Jean Coutu.)

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

I like cream blush generally. Applied with the right tools and technique, I think it tends to look more natural and seamless than powder blush. I admit that I bought these new Dream Bouncy Blushes because their peculiar texture fascinated me - I wasn't really expecting them to be any good, as I haven't exactly been blown away by Maybelline in the past.

Hot Tamale and Peach Satin

And the texture IS weird. They're like a really solid, smooth-topped mousse, almost like...flan? Or maybe firm marshmallows? Yeah, I don't know how to describe it. When I press firmly, a slight indentation is made, and the product sort of pooches out around it, the way a waterbed would if you sat on one side. But it also sort of comes back into shape, albeit slowly. Not quite a 'bounce'. I haven't tried using a brush with these yet - with a finger, I had to swipe a few times to pick up enough product for application.

That said, these are very nice blushes - depending on the shade. I picked what looked to be an intense color, and then something a bit more neutral to test out the pigmentation and overall quality. These swatches are what the color looks like after a few swipes.

Hot Tamale and Peach Satin

Hot Tamale and Peach Satin

I do think that the lighter colors are probably going to be invisible on all but the fairest skin tones. I really had to layer Peach Satin for it to show on my cheeks, but Hot Tamale, despite the whoa-baby shade in the pan, created a gorgeously rosy, flushed look when applied. Definitely my favorite of the two.

Cream blushes can be tricky to use, but because these go on so light, it's hard to make a mistake right off the bat. They feel incredibly lightweight, almost like a liquid blush, and dry down immediately. (If you've stayed away from cream blush due to oily skin, these might be worth a try.) They have no discernible texture, so they look seamless on the skin, which is ideal for creating a no-makeup makeup look. The wear on these is not quite as good as most cream blushes I've tried, though they will last through an average work day.

I love the soft sheen. They don't have obvious shine or shimmer, but they do give off a glow that is quite flattering.

Availability: Pretty much every drugstore, Walmart. Price varies, but generally between 6-9$ CAD.

Pros: Great for creating a natural blush look, seamlessly blend with the skin, relatively easy to use, lovely sheen.

Cons: Pigmentation on some of these will definitely be a problem.

(I purchased these from Pharpmaprix/SDM.)