Sunday, April 17, 2011

Spotted: T3 & RUSK Hair Tools, Stila Cosmetics @ Winners

It's been awhile since I did a "Spotted" post but my recent sightings are too good to be kept a secret. The only issue is that there will be a lack of photos as I simnply did not take any.
Somehow, I memorized item names but not prices or vice versa. Luckily, I found some of the products online and there are links provided!

At several Winner's locations, I have spotted T3 hair tools and a very promising RUSK hair tool set. Unfortunately, I didn't take ANY on-the-go photos but I did search the items online for pictures.
Somehow, I'm very good at memorizing item names but not prices or vice versa...

First off, the T3 hair tools!
1) T3 Volumize Short Hair Styler - $39.99 or $49.99 (compared to $99 @ Sephora)
2) T3 Twirl 1.25" Curling Iron - $39.99 or $49.99 (compared to $99 @ Sephora)

But the best deal I found for "professional" hair styling tools is the:
3) RUSK W8LESS Hair Dryer & Iron Combo - $69.99 (compared to $165.95)
Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog reviewed the exact set here.
I couldn't help but pick a set for myself. The hair dryer isn't weightless but it's light enough for my tiny arms :T

Next, some makeup!
4) Stila Light Up The World Color Trend Eye Shadow Palette - $9.99
I Google'd this palette & saw no official word on it but it's one heck of a deal I suppose.
5) Stila Lip Glaze Trio - $9.99
6) Stila Lip Envy Lip Gloss Trio - $9.99

7) Seche Base/Vite/Clear/Recondition - $6.99 each (even cheaper than Sally's!)

That's all I found worth remembering. If any of these deals intrigue you, wander into the nearest Winner's and hunt for these gems. Good luck!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection - Review + Swatches

The Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection, better known as the 8-pan palettes, are not yet available in Canada. However, my boyfriend picked up all three palettes for me at his local Walgreens. There are perks to a long distance relationship after all!
Anyhow, this is just a little disclaimer. IF you're in Canada & you'd like to get your hands on the new Wet n Wild palettes, you won't be able to so don't run around looking for these just yet.

If you're note familiar with the Wet n Wild 8-pan palettes, they are a new addition to Wet n Wilds Color Icon line and are described as "eight dynamic, perfectly color-coordinated shades with high pigment and pearl for ultra-impact color. Shades can be used together or individually to create an endless variety of looks."
Each shade is labeled and indicates where they belong on the eyelids but you can apply them wherever you see fit! Every palette features two browbone, eyelid, crease, and definer shades. I've experienced crumbling or fall out with atleast one or two eyeshadows in every palette. The darker eyeshadows - crease or definer shades - apply very strongly so heavy-handed peeps, be careful!
All the swatches shown in this post start from the left side of the palette to the right side. Also, I used no base for my swatches so I'll leave it up to you to imagine how much more gorgeous these eyeshadows would be with a base OR applied wet ;)

Let's start with the Wet n Wild 8-pan palette in 736 Petal Pusher; a soft-focus, feminine palette. Petal Pusher is dominated by cool-toned shades, all of which contain a hint of shimmer or glitter or both. Thus, you won't find a single matte eyeshadow in this palette. The pigmentation in Petal Push is the least strong out of all three palettes. The lighter shades prove to be crumbly and powdery with undesirable fall out. Nevertheless, it's still very pretty and eye-catching:

SAM_0638 edit
SAM_0762 edit

Next we have 737 Blue Had Me At Hello. This is my favorite palette of the three; it's a blue-based palette that is mind-numbingly beautiful; I urge you to take a look at Christine's swatches here. You'll find her swatches are the best of the best :)
This palette contains one matte eyeshadow - definer on the left - and it's a black shade that degrades the integrity of the palette. The chalky formula applies unevenly and it's just blah!
Both browbone and eyelid shades have a silver-y frost to it which is great for bright eye looks. The right side Definer shade is quite special as it has a silver glitter . Of course, the blue's are the most important shades and they are undoubtedly the best of the palette. The teal-blue is mesmerizing:


SAM_0630 edit
SAM_0741 edit
SAM_0739 edit
SAM_0743 edit
SAM_0746 edit

Lastly, 738 Comfort Zone melts my heart with a pretty pick of rich earth tone shades, completely foolproof and the most wearable palette of the three. Mostly, I'd like to share a real Too Faced Label Whore eyeshadow dupe that is present in Comfort Zone. On the right column we have a definer shade that is similar but not identical to the supposed dupe in the Wet n Wild Night Elf palette. (Read about my older comparison here.) Before I compare the old dupe to the new dupe, take a look at the whole palette:

SAM_0644 edit
SAM_0723 edit
SAM_0724 edit
SAM_0722 edit
SAM_0718 edit

Now, for the real Too Faced Label Whore Dupe!
I did a detail post before comparing the supposed Too Faced Label Whore dupe in the Wet n Wild Night Elf palette. If you recall, the Night Elf e/s is not a dupe. Fortunately, I found the real dupe in Comfort Zone; the bottom right side 'Definer' shade is a perfect copy of Label
Whore.
From L-to-R:
Night Elf, Label Whore, Comfort Zone
Dupe

Unless my eyes are tricking me, I think we have a real winner here!

Overall, I highly recommend the Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection(s) - it's simply a must try. Although some shades need to be reformulated (mattes, mostly), you definitely won't find eyeshadow palettes as unique or affordable as these at the drugstore, I guarantee you. If you have the capability of picking them up, do it without hesitation or you'll regret it!

Which palette piqued your interest?

Until next time!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Hoarders: Bronzer Edition

The Hoarders series was created so that I'd post more often and give some insight as to how massive my make-up collection is. Like many other things, I've neglected this series in favor of other posts.
Fortunately, I've finally found the time (and inspiration) to update the series. Today, I'll be showcasing my bronzer stash which I find shockingly small. Take a look:



I own a total of 9 bronzers. Drugstore brands - E.L.F., JANE Cosmetics, N.Y.C. Cosmetics, Physicians Formula, Prestige and, Wet n Wild - dominate the stash with a count of 7. Thus, Benefit and Korres count as the last two. N.Y.C. Matte Bronzer in Sunny was the first bronzer I ever tried and to this day, it's the most used. It's a foolproof bronzer that doesn't break the bank. Who wouldn't appreciate a matte, never orange-y/muddy bronzer? The Physicians Formula Bronze Gems come in second but they aren't very pigmented but that also means I can never overdo the "healthy glow" look. It's a perfect face powder for the winter, when I'm much lighter too.
I don't appreciate shimmer in my bronzers so I hardly use the Wet n Wild, Prestige, or JANE bronzers. My preferences may change when I develop better application skills.


Overall, I don't think my bronzer stash is too out of control. What do you think?
If you'd like any swatches, ask in the comments below!

Friday, April 8, 2011

I've Got Mail - Birthday Goodies!

The SO is the worst at keeping secrets and surprises from me.
This year, we agreed not to celebrate my birthday with presents. Instead, we're pooling our money to reunite again! But when the SO found out he was hired for a new job, around the time of my birthday, he went behind my back and got a bunch of goodies for me.
The package came at the worst of time because I've been too busy to play with the goods. Now that school is almost over, I can and I can blog about it too :)

Aside from the very sweet birthday card (not shown), this is what I got:



A delightful mix of drugstore &  Sephora/Ulta goodies!
I personally asked for the Physicians Formula and Wet n Wild make-up after I had discovered he was sending a package out. Yes, I can buy the PF items here but there was an extraordinary sale at CVS that I couldn't turn down. And since the Wet n Wild 8-pans won't be available in Canada soon enough, I also asked the SO to track down all three palettes. I just had to have them!
The Benefit, TokiDoki and, Urban Decay is the SO's doing. He knows that the Urban Decay Naked Palette is rarely available in stores for me so he went ahead & picked one up at Ulta. He also ordered the Benefit To Go set (been wanting this for ages but it's online only) & a set of brushes on Sephora.

Besides saying "thank you" and "I love you" - for the SO of course - I have nothing let to say. I really want to try the Naked palette now so I'll end the post here. Don't worry, I'll blog again soon and it'll be better post!

Love Always,
Ashley (> 3 <)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Annabelle Cosmetics Eyeshadow Collection + Overview

If you don't already know, Annabelle Cosmetics is a Canadian-operated, drugstore make-up brand. The quality of the make-up can be compared to medium or high-end brands but is sold at a much friendlier price. The brand excels at producing new collections every season with products that that fit the latest trends.
 
My Annabelle collection is made up of mostly limited edition items and all were purchased during extraordinary sales. Admittedly, I now own 19 different Annabelle Cosmetic's Mono Eyeshadows; 10 are limited edition, 7 are permanent, and 2 are discontinued shades.
I also own two limited edition palettes from the 2010 Insomnia collection and two limited edition eyeshadow pencils from the recent 2011 Spring launch. If it isn't obvious, I have a thing for limited edition products...

Overall:
Permanent or not, most Annabelle Mono Eyeshadows are great - soft, pigmented, easy to blend. Some but not all need a bit of work and by work I mean it might be necessary to layer some shades. I'd appreciate it if Annabelle Cosmetics to reformulated the matte eyeshadows as they are quite chalky when applied dry. Also, I mostly experience fall-out with limited edition shades and rarely with the permanent shades. Regardless of fall-out, I love Annabelle Mono Eyeshadows and you'll know why when you see the swatches below.
As always, all shades are from left to right. All of the swatches are without a primer and I've *asterisked* the ones I dislike; click to the enlarge photos:
Permanent

Ebony*, Gold Digger, Metallic Meltdown, Bronzed Idol, Divine Diva*, Rainforest, Fantasy

Painted Love, Summer 2010, Hype Fall 2010 Collection
Helium, Pinked, Nymphet, Toxic Garden / Revolve and Jazzberry

DayDream, Spring 2011 Collection

Rêverie, Airhead, Dollywood* (LE) / Tutu (LE), Buff Naked and So Foxy (Discontinued).


Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencils
- Limited Edition

MokaMirage, Melonade, Grapefull, BluBomb, Absinthe Minded

Insomnia, Winter 2010 Collection - Limited Edition
Multi-Dome Eyeshadow Palette in: Disturbia and Insomnia


So what do you think of Annabelle Cosmetics? Have you tried Annabelle Cosmetics before?

Sneak Peak:
One lucky Make Up Kismet follower will have a chance to win 4 Annabelle Mono Eyeshadows along with other items during a not so spontaneous giveaway. Stay tuned!

Love,
Ashley.

Disclosure

Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.

All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.

Photos on this blog are either from Google, other Bloggers or, my own. I try to depict all products as accurately as possible. I may edit photos for this purpose.



 

Blog Template by YummyLolly.com