Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Duochrome Pigment Review

 Today I bring to you the Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Duochrome Pigment

I used lune+aster Dawn to Dusk Gel Eyeliner in Black  for the black base and Sephora Collection Let It Snow Colorful Shadow & Liner for the white, the far right is this swatched wet

Availability: This is exclusive to makeupgeek.com. It retails at $5.99 for 3g (0.1 oz.). 

Would I buy this again? Yes!
Notes: I've been low-key checking Makeup Geek out for AGES and they've been on my wish list for ages too, I decided to finally give in and give them a try. I am very happy with the quality of these shadows - they're all highly pigmented. smooth and easy to blend.

Sugar Rush is described as a translucent base with icy blue and purple reflects, I'd describe this as a translucent white snow base with teal and lilac reflects, the lilac here is super subtle.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I bought this myself. 

Illamasqua Alluvium Pure Pigment Review

 Today I bring to you the Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Alluvium.

I used lune+aster Dawn to Dusk Gel Eyeliner in Black  for the black base and Sephora Collection Let It Snow Colorful Shadow & Liner for the white, the far right is swatched wet

Availability: This is exclusive to illamasqua.com where it retails at 17.50 pounds sterling (approximately $22) for 1.3 g.

Would I buy this again? I want to say yes.
Notes: This shade is a beautiful metallic navy with golden micro-glitter; this shade reminds me of a night sky and is so beautiful but unfortunately, in practice, I find that the micro-glitter doesn't really show up. You may need to apply this over a sticky glitter base/primer to get the best results in terms of the micro-glitter showing up.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Sugarpill Ghosted Loose Eyeshadow Review

 Today I bring to you the Sugarpill Loose Eyeshadow in Ghosted.

I used Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil in Legend  for the black base and Sephora Collection Let It Snow Colorful Shadow & Liner for the white, the far right is this swatched wet

Availability: This is exclusive to sugarpill.com where it retails at $14 for 3g.

Would I buy this again? I'm not sure.
Notes: This shade is described as a ghostly iridescent white with violet color shift and a luminous blend of transparent red and pink sparkles! I'd say it's a white base with a pinkish-purple pearl along with white and pink micro-glitter chunks.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

July 2020 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm a month late with these but alas, better late than never, huh? Arrivals feature items I bought this month that are joining my collection; a haul if you will. Without further ado.

1.  Duane Reade Mini Haul: So frankly we went into Duane Reade because my coworker wanted to get some inexpensive bath bombs and I suggested that as being a good place to look. Well, somehow I then ended up thinking "oh I need body lotion" and then I smelled the RAW SUGAR stuff and I needed that too - it smells absolutely delicious! Anyway here's what I got:
Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion
Soap & Glory  Magnificoco Drop in the Lotion Body Lotion
RAW SUGAR Lemon Sugar Body Wash
RAW SUGAR Lemon Sugar Hand Wash

2. Trader Joe's Candle Tin Trio - Strawberry Basil, Watermelon Mint, and Pineapple Cilantro: This trio sounded like the candles would smell delicious so I decided to just go for it.

3. Trader Joe's Mango Tangerine Scented Candle: This is a repeat buy - this candle just smells absolutely delicious so I decided to pick it up.

4. Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner: I really like this eyeliner and find that it gives me really good control, pigmentation, and makes doing cat-eyes a breeze.

5. Physicians Formula Rose All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray: Truth be told I had no intention of purchasing this item but because there was some sort of coupon being offered at CVS if you spent a certain amount on Physicians Formula I decided to just go for this.

6. Makeup Geek Galore: Now that I've tried, and fallen in love with, Makeup Geek, I decided to pick up a few more things. I got the following:
Mother Nurture Mini Palette
Ocean Eyes Mini Palette
Olive You Mini Palette (I had every intention to get this from the get-go, it was just sold out)
Sugar Rush Duochrome Pigment
Elegant Full False Eyelashes 
Fearless Full False Eyelashes
Graceful Full False Eyelashes

7. Orly Mini-Haul: I'll be honest, because I had either given away or discarded older nail polishes I felt that I could go out and get some, so I placed this order on Orly's website. I got:
Bonder Base Coat
In A Snap Top Coat
Kiss The Bride
Crawford's Wine
It's Up to Blue

8. Sugarpill Mini Haul: Sugarpill was having some sort of sale and I got a little happy, not gonna lie. I picked up the following:
Capsule Collection C1/C2 Bundle
High Tea Bundle

9. Sephora Haul: So I swear my coworker and I went into Sephora just to look around and as it turns out, we entered the danger zone because I dropped a fair amount of cash there - I mean the Anastasia lashes were on sale, Sol Janiero has an EDP now - I had to have it! The Violet Voss palette has been making googly eyes at me on Instagram... Alas:
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 EDP
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash in Dreamy
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash in Gorgina x2
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash in Domina
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash in So Hollywood
Nest Fragrances Black Tulip Rollerball (this reminds me of Bath & Body Works's Midnight Pomegranate scent)
Violet Voss Sakura Blossom Palette

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above.

June 2020 Departures

Ok folksickles. Departure blogs will contain items that aren't empties but that are going to be given away for one reason or another. I'm working hard to curate my makeup collection and want it to include only the products that I think truly work well, that I reach for often and do what they're supposed to do.

1. Urban Decay Naked Honey Palette: Folks don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with this palette and I don't dislike it, I just have dupes for the shades here in my collection and I feel like passing it along to a friend who'd get more use out if it is a wise move.

2. Chaos Makeup Loose Pigment in Junebug (no photo included because I gave it away before I got a chance to photograph it). So due to me purchasing this in both pressed and loose I decided to pass along the loose version because I just see myself reaching for the pressed, I just usually prefer to use pressed shadows because they're less messy.

3. Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Color Stick in Amethyst: There's nothing inherently wrong with this product - it goes on nicely, is smooth, pigmented, and stays put. That said, I simply don't like the color - it's too red for my complexion when I try to use it as an eyeliner and I feel like it makes my eyes look bloodshot and tired. In addition to that, I typically don't use much plummy brown shades on my lid so to have this around as a base or to wear alone... I just don't like the color of it on me. Due to that I'll be passing it along.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything myself with the exception of the Laura Mercier product.

June 2020 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! Arrivals feature items I bought this month that are joining my collection; a haul if you will. Without further ado.

not the Duo, lol

1.  The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: I was SO SAD when I ran out of this and didn't replenish right away because I have other skin oils but... my skin hasn't been happy and I just know that, out of any other face oil I've used, squalane is by far the one that agrees with my skin most - it makes my skin silky soft and reduces inflammation, helping me look less red.

2. Chaos Makeup June Bug Pressed and Loose Pigment: Now this wasn't intentional, I decided to treat myself to their multi-chromes and I went on the website saying I could have any that caught my eye, which I did. Not until I got my shipment confirmation - nearly a month after placing the original order - did I notice I ordered the same color in two forms, so I'll be giving one away.

3. Tocca Gia Ea de Parfum: So in my original review for this, I said I'd love to buy it and I love the way it smelled so when I was ordering my squalane at Sephora - because they had free shipping - and I noticed that this was available as a 100-point gift I jumped on it right away.

4. Nail Polish Remover: I ran out of my acetone so I decided to pick these up:
beauty 360 Original Nail Polish Remover (the kind you dip your fingers in)
beauty 360 Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

5. Makeup Geek Galore: I've wanted to try out Makeup Geek for AGES now and since I ran out of lashes I decided now was as good a time as any to give some of their stuff a try. I got the following:
Orange Crush Mini Palette
Stormy Mini Palette
Elegant Full False Eyelashes 
Fearless Full False Eyelashes
Graceful Full False Eyelashes

6. Eminence Organics: This brand's Youtube randomly popped up when I was searching for help with sebaceous filaments and while I don't remember these particular products being suggested for the issue of having sebaceous filaments I decided to pick up the following because I was running low on toner and exfoliant regardless. While they're not inexpensive, I would say the price point of the product is pretty on-par with similar items in department stores.
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant with Lactic Acid
Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist
Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream (sample, not photographed because I gave it away)

7. Trader Joe's Watermelon Facial Mist: Friends, I haven't been at Trader Joe's since March so when I saw this in the beauty section - and if you don't know, watermelon is my second favorite fruit - I jumped on it because I figured, well, for $4 if it's no good that's not me spending $40 on a toner product. I did give it a little test when I brought it home and so far it's great - it smells like dunking your face into a juicy watermelon! Yum!

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the Tocca and Eminence Organics sample, which came as a  gift-with-purchase.

Incendio Beauty Divination and Butter Mellow Enchanted Pigments Review

Today I bring to you the Incendio Beauty Enchanted Pigments in Divination and Butter Mellow.

Availability: Unfortunately, Incendio Beauty is no longer in business.

Would I buy these again? Yes!
Notes: Well it's a sad thing that Incendio is being closed out as you all know I quite enjoyed the brand and liked being able to support a friend's brand. If any are you readers are interested in personalized makeup or beauty lessons feel free to hit up Donna at @donnadelia on Instagram.

I used Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil in Legend for the black base and Sephora Collection Let It Snow Colorful Shadow & Liner for the white, the far right is this swatched wet

Divination is described as a purple/blue duo-chrome pigment; I'd say it's a fair, fleshy nude-tone with a violet pearl. This shade is gorgeous and especially awesome as a cheek highlight. 

I used Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil in Legend for the black base and Sephora Collection Let It Snow Colorful Shadow & Liner for the white, the far right is this swatched wet

Butter Mellow is described as a glowing, sunny shade; I'd say it's a buttery gold with golden micro-glitter. It's very pretty and sparkly! I think this would be a pretty cheek highlight on someone with a medium or deep skin-tone.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased these myself. 

Sugarpill Hug Life Loose Eyeshadow Review

 Today I bring to you the Sugarpill Loose Eyeshadow in Hug Life.

I used Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil in Legend  for the black base and Sephora Collection Let It Snow Colorful Shadow & Liner for the white, the far right is this swatched wet

Availability: This appears to be discontinued.

Would I buy this again? I'm not sure.
Notes: This shade is described as a vibrant seafoam turquoise with green and gold undertones. I'd say it's a metallic greenish seafoam shade with a golden pearl. When I saw this on sale at Ricky's I had to have it because it's such a pretty mermaid color.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Arrivals - September 2019

Ok folksickles! Arrivals feature items I bought this month that are joining my collection; a haul if you will. Without further ado.

1. Moira Beauty Sweet Paradise Destiny Eye & Face Palette: This had such incredible pigmentation when I swatched it that I needed to pick it up.

2. ColourpPop Yes, Please! Shadow Palette: I wasn't going to get this palette until I swatched it - the colors are so warm and beautiful - I think it's a beautiful transition from summer to fall palette. Not that I'd only use it exclusively during that time. Which I will follow up with ColourPop Galore because that's what I spent my birthday money on:
Lilac You A Lot Palette
Baby Got Peach Palette
She's a Rainbow Palette
So Jaded Palette
Hallucinogenius Jelly Much Shadow
Just Your Voice Jelly Much Shadow
Varsity Blues Ultra Metallic Lip (they sent this as a gift for late shipping)

3. Lashes Galore: I don't know why I WENT IN when it comes to lashes but I did so here we go -
Andrea 36
Ardell Demi Wispies in Plum
Ardell 115
Ardell Flawless Tapered Luxe Lashes in 803
Boldface Muse Lashes in Thrill Seeker
Eylure x Jasmine Brown in Jaybee (I had these last year and LOVED them)
Eylure Luxe Silk in Marquise
Ooh La Lash 310
Red Cherry Simone
Red Cherry Zoey
Misc Lashes in 101 (these are from Naime's if that helps)

4. Smith's Tropical Ambrosia Balm with Coconut and Mango: This smells heavily of coconut and is nicely hydrating while remaining lightweight. I bought this because I thought I had lost the brambleberry one lol.

5. Callas Eyelash Adhesive: My friend insisted that this is the best brush-on because you don't have to wait for it to get tacky. I'll see lol. It was fairly inexpensive too.

6. NYX Faux Whites in Baby Powder and Mint Cream: I've been meaning to get these for a while now - they're both off-white so I thought they'd be great for brightening the waterline without being as stark as a white.

7. Inglot Pure Pigment Eyeshadow in 22 and 114: With 22 in particular it was always sold out so I'm glad to have gotten my hands on it - 114 is your typical mermaid color so it should surprise no one that I got it.

8. ColourPop Ultra Blotted Lip in Doozy: This is such a beautiful warm terracotta red tone that I think would be a great everyday shade for the fall.

9. Tarte Shape Tape in Fair Beige: This has gotten so much hype within the beauty community but also from my friends so I decided to pick it up and give it a go.

10. Winky Lux Liquid Lipstick in Shortcake: I've been meaning to try Winky Lux for a while now and while I intended to start with their foundation this just captured my heart - another terracotta red but a bit heavier on the red and more pigmented versus the ColourPop.

11. Smith's Brambleberry Rose Lip Balm: This stuff is SO GOOD - it smells incredible and makes your lips feel silky. By far my favorite Smith's flavor.

12. Makeup Mitty: Ok so I purchased this thinking it was like the Makeup Eraser and I see that it instructs you to use makeup remover with it which has me concerned. Hopefully it works on its own as well.

13. Gifts:
Sephora Skincare Birthday Gift:
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser 

The girl at Nigel's HOOKED. IT. UP. with the samples:
Klorane Anti-Pollution detox Shampoo with Aquatic Mint
Klorane Ultra Nourishing Body Lotion
Eua Thermale Avene Skin Recovery Cream
BIODERMA Sebium Shine-Control Moisturizer
BIODERMA Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution

Birthday gifts from my lovely wife:
ColourPop Blue Moon Palette
ColourPop Strawberry Shake Palette
Juvia's Place Warrior III Palette

Cinema Secrets hooked me up with:
LIPSMART Powerful Hydration for Dry Lips

14. Sugarpill Galore: It's been so long since I purchased anything from Sugarpill that I went a bit ham
Fun Size Palette
Sub-Zero Liquid Lip Color
Truth or Dare Liquid Lip Color
Hijinx Liquid Lip Color
Vertigo Liquid Lip Color
Doll Up Liquid Lip Color
Pillow Fight Liquid Lip Color
Nectar Pretty Poison Lip Color
Petrol Pretty Poison Lip Color

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the items in the gifts section.

Arrivals - August 2019

Ok folksickles! Arrivals feature items I bought this month that are joining my collection; a haul if you will. Without further ado.

1. ColourPop Galore: This is a continuation of the haul that started last month - I mean technically I ordered everything in July but this happened to arrive in August
Boombayah Glitter
Ripple Super Shock Shadow
Orange You Glad? Palette

2. Incendio Beauty Butter Mellow and Divination Enchanted Pigments: I mean when I saw Donna was coming out with these two I just had to have them and I CANNOT WAIT to throw Divination on as a highlight.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above.

Incendio Beauty Fairy Lights Enchanted Pigment Review

Today I'll be reviewing the Incendio Beauty Enchanted Pigment in Fairy Lights

Availability: Unfortunately Incendio is no longer in business.
Would I buy this again? Probably. 

Notes: Given that this is a loose pigment you can use it as a face highlighter, eyeshadow/highlighter around the eyes, mixed in with foundations to give them glow, mixed in with moisturizer to create a cream highlight, mixed in or patted on top of lip products... the options are limitless. This has a soft, buttery texture and blends easily.

This is described as being packed with teal, gold, and green glitters. I'd say this is a white base with a greenish-teal and pewter (golden-silver) glitter through it. I'm a mermaid and I know Donna gave this to me to throw on my entire face... I mean cheekbones... I mean, she's a fairy, I'm a mermaid... we magical creatures gotta stick together. All that silliness aside, I am really becoming fond of green-ish duo-chrome highlighters in particular and am really happy to have a more teal, mermaid-esque option in my arsenal. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: This was a holiday gift. :D

Chaos Makeup Blends Supernova Review

Today I'll be reviewing the Chaos Makeup Blends in Supernova

From left: black base, dry, white base, wet

Availability:  It appears that this shade has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again? Not sure.

Notes: Given that this is a loose pigment you can use it as either an eyeshadow or blush, depending on your skin-tone, preferences and its color.

I'd describe this color as a pearlescent plum shade with a slight teal-blue duochrome and loads of teal-blue micro-glitter.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: This was provided as a free gift-with-purchase. I am under no obligation to mention it on this here blog.