MAC Pedro Lourenco Collection: Nude Palette Review + Swatches

Hey there!

So, I recently purchased the Pedro Lourenco nude palette. I hadn't done so earlier because it's sold out online so had lost hope. However, on a whim, I popped into MAC after work to find that they had this lovely palette in stock!!!!

Here's what it looks like:

Swatches:

Colours left to right: Pink Sands, All That Glitters, Rosé Cloud, Sable

 (No primer used)

(Over primer)

I am seriously impressed with this palette, all the shades glide on so smoothly, and are true to their MAC description. My favourite shade has to be Rosé Cloud - I use it EVERYDAY. I use it to contour my nose, cheekbones, and eyes - it's just the perfect colour to contour with. I know I said the Sharon Osbourne was my go to palette, but I am afraid this Nude palette beats it by a long shot. I've never been so impressed by a palette before, and the fact it is so compact and has a chic design just makes it all the more better!

I would recommend this to anyone that loves their nudes!


Sin

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REVLON COLORBURST™ MATTE BALM Review + Swatches

So, I gave into the marketing and purchased a couple of shades of the Revlon matte balms!

Swatches:

1. Striking

 2. Audacious

When you first put this balm on it glides on and feels velvety. The down side is that it majorly emphasises dryness and is DRYING throughout the day. I wore this lip balm to work, and it was fine when freshly applied, however a few hours later there were MAJOR flakes on my lips (which does not usually happen, and I just had to remove it all together.

I have worn many matte lipsticks which are not drying at all (e.g. MAC), so it is not because of its finish - which by the way it is not. I think the drying of the lips may be caused by the menthol/spearmint the product seems to contain. This is a debatable point, however, I am of the school of thought that menthol/spearmint is drying to the lips, and I avoid it at all costs.

In addition to this, it applies patchy. I had to apply the balm with a lip brush, and even then the way it applied was less than perfect. I find the combination of matte + sheer so unworkable, and an outright fail in my eyes. 

Overall: FAIL!!! Would NOT recommend.

Sin

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Paul & Joe Beaute Haul, Review, Swatches 2013-2014

Hello!

I recently went on a Paul & Joe shopping splurge online, and have decided to put these cute Parisian goodies to the test...

So without further ado, let's get straight into these product reviews and swatches! 

NAIL POLISHES - ICE CREAM PARLOUR SUMMER 2014 COLLECTION

 (Left: 21 Blanket, Right: 22 Siamese)

Here are swatches of both with one coat of nail varnish:

And now with two coats:

I think the formula of both these nail varnishes are just so creamy and opaque, and last really well! The packaging is so luxurious, and it definitely is worth the £12.00 price mark. Also, whilst the nail varnish is drying it does have a perfume scent to it, making it all the more luxe ;)

I have to say my favourite shade is 21 Blanket, but overall they're both beautiful and I definitely recommend these nail varnishes! You honestly can't go wrong.

TRIPLE CHEEK COLOUR - ICE CREAM PARLOUR SUMMER 2014 COLLECTION

 (Shade: 002 Orange Sorbet)

I could not resist this little guy, it's just so cute! I really do think Paul & Joe went a good direction with this summer's collection - cute and vibrant.

Now this product is a cream blush, and yes, unfortunately, when you swirl your finger in the product you swirl all the colours together too...BUT it's okay!! Because it creates the most beautiful soft peach colour:

(Flash)

(No flash)

I applied two layers in the straight swatch and the blended swatch, and the blush is so creamy yet stable. It's definitely not one of those cream blushers which would just SWEEP AWAY your base (foundation/concealer). It is best applied with your middle and ring finger in a tapping motion, building the colour up with thin layers. 

I'm always pleased with Paul & Joe cream blushers, they just look like they are a part of your skin, they're just so seamless and blend in so effortlessly. It really is worth the price mark, and on top of that, you get a product which you can decorate your vanity with!

Paul & Joe Cheek Color I - Spring Carousel Creation 2013 Collection 

(Shade:  02 Re Belle)

The case used is listed as the Paul & Joe Compact Case, and in the description it states it is meant for the eyeshadows. However, the size of the eyeshadows and blushers is the same, so these can also be used for blushers. And besides, who could resist that adorably kitsch kitten print?!

Here are my swatches for 02 Re Belle:

(Swatches of both shades mixed together)

(Swatches of both shades, then separate swatches of the darker and lighter shade)

(First layer of the blush)

  (Layered up, excuse the acne :S)

 So, initially I was really excited about this blusher, I chose a pale shade because I wanted a discreet flush to the cheeks. However, it just did not apply nicely, perhaps it was the wrong shade! But when I build it up it just looked too much like I brushed on pink/silvery metallic glitter on my cheeks. I think this could look great on someone who is fairer than I (cool toned) with, obviously, clear skin. 

The blusher did contain pretty large glitter particles for a brand with a high price tag to it. I also found the formula to be quite powdery. Also, after 7 hours of wear, the blush had COMPLETELY disappeared. Overall, I am not a huge fan of this blusher - it's a shame because that kitty case is too cute!

EYE GLOSS & LIP GLOSS DUO: SUMMER CREATION BEACH BABY 2013

 Eye Gloss

Lip Gloss

(Shade: 003 Monaco)

This has to be the most disappointing product out of the bunch! In the photo above, it was such a task to apply this eye gloss, I had to use about 3 layers. On top of that, I just felt the glitter particles used in this eye gloss could have been more refined, and the formula of the "gloss" could be altered to that the glitter particles do not travel all the way down to your chin!! 

In order to make the look "workable", I layered over MAC's Embark to tone down the glitter party on my eyes, but the eye gloss got flaky and just irritated my eyes. And yes I was using an extremely soft fluffy brush.

I initially bought this product because it seemed luck such a handy, quick tool to have. Pop it in your bag for when you didn't have time to add a little something extra in the morning. However, it was just so disappointing. And whilst the lipgloss is hydrating, it's just clear. Just clear. 

For £28.00 I would expect more from a product. I would expect any quirks to be ironed out, for it to be a possible staple product. However, I think in this case you are purely paying for a gimmicky product.

 Paul & Joe do great products, but in this case, it's just a complete fail product.

 
CAT BLUSHER STICK - SPRING 2012 COLLECTION

 

(Shade: Catfight)

To redeem this blog post, I have included the first ever Paul & Joe product I ever purchased. A product which got me hooked on the brand!

This is probably the most travel friendly cream blusher that I own, and to make it better, it is in the form of a stylish cat! What more could you want?

As I mentioned before, Paul & Joe's cream blushers are flawless, you can apply this onto your face straight from the stick (gently) and it will not budge your base, and again, blends so seamlessly. This has to be my staple shade, orange toned blushers complement my skin tone so well. And to make things better it smells of orange blossom!!

OVERALL

Overall, I am pleased with the products I purchased, and recommend all of them apart from the dreaded Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss duo haha! 

I hope you found that helpful!

Let me know your experiences with Paul & Joe make up products.

Sin


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MAC Sharon Osbourne Collection: Duchess Palette Review + Swatches

Now, I was SUPER excited for the new Kelly/Sharon Osbourne MAC collection! As most of you may know, products on the MAC website sell out within eyelash flutter. Therefore, I went onto www.selfridges.co.uk to purchase mine, even though they do not tend to carry the whole collection, you at least have the CHANCE to purchase limited collections, without paying extortionate amounts on eBay. That being said, if anyone has found other ways to purchase MAC collections, then please let me know!

Now, here is the photo of the glorious duchess palette:

Colours: Sweet eyes (top left), Sexy Eyes (top right), Femme Fatale (bottom left), Embark (bottom right).

I opted for the Mrs O's palette, because these colours are my perfect eyeshadow colours, completely suiting my complexion and style. If you go for more cool toned/floral colours, Kelly's palette would be right up your alley!

Here are the swatches of each eyeshadow without primer applied with a flat eyeshadow brush from Too Faced Cosmetics:

(Left to right: Sweet Eyes, Sexy Eyes, Femme Fatale, Embark)

Here are the swatches of each eyeshadow applied over an MUA primer applied with a flat eyeshadow brush from Too Faced Cosmetics:

(Left to right: Sweet Eyes, Sexy Eyes, Femme Fatale, Embark)

Sweet Eyes:

Sweet Eyes, without a primer is a really subtle highlighter shade, but personally I would only use this with a primer, because it simply does not show up strong enough on its own. For my skin complexion (which is more yellowy in person) this peachy highlighter shade is perfect for me, and it does suit a wide variety of people. 

MAC describes Sweet Eyes as a 'light golden nude', with a veluxe pearl finish. It definitely has a veluxe pearl finish, and whilst "nude" may be quite a subjective shade to some, I personally use nude to refer to a shade which is more on the beige neutral spectrum. I would personally describe Sweet Eyes as a nude peach. 

Sexy Eyes:


Sexy Eyes looks great with or without a primer, but in general, I recommend using a primer with eyeshadows simply because you get the full potential and vibrancy from your eyeshadows. It's got a lovely, creamy texture to it, with minimum fall out. Usually the problem with creamy and soft eyeshadows is that they have tremendous fallout, but this is not the case at all with any of these eyeshadows.

MAC describes Sexy Eyes as a 'soft warm bronze' with a veluxe pearl finish. Again, I would not refer to this colour as a bronze, but it's definitely a true copper shade, with a lovely veluxe pearl finish. Coppers look great on almost everyone, but really make your eyes go POP if you have blue/green eyes. Overall, it's a fantastic eyeshadow.


Femme Fatale:

Femme Fatale is a strong eyeshadow, fantastic formula, and just applies so effortlessly. MAC describes this shade as a 'Golden Brown' with a satin finish. And it is exactly that! It has very finely milled gold glitter pigments which are applied and dispersed evenly with the brown pigments, and just look so incredibly beautiful when applies on the eyelids. Even though it is not matte, if you were to go for a bronze smoky eye (which is what I always do) this could be used as a transitioning shade if you go for the super blended look.

Embark:

Embark definitely needs a primer, without it can apply pretty streaky, as you can see in the photos, but works great as a soft liner, or even a transitioning shade. If you're lucky enough to have your hair match this shade, you could definitely double it up as an eyebrow powder!

MAC described Embark as a 'dark reddish brown' with a matte finish. I would have to agree, it matches up precisely to its description and it definitely ties in with the other colours.

OVERALL,



I found that all the shades applied so smoothly, and when tried out a few eyeshadow looks, they blended beautifully together with my Real Techniques and EcoTools eyeshadow brushes. Therefore, overall I am immensely pleased with this palette, it adds another dimension to the bronzy/neutral look. This would definitely be my overnight/travel palette, it's just so incredibly easy to conjure up both daytime and evening eyeshadow looks with it, as well as (highlighting colour) being easily used as a face highlighter.


If you are also a neutrals queen, like me, then I definitely urge you to at least swatch this palette at your local MAC - I doubt you will be dissappointed!

And that's all from me, folks!

Sin 

x




(**all my photos are unedited, only cropped**)

Introduction to my blog!

Hey there!

I'm Sin Arlow, an aspiring make up artist, and self-proclaimed beauty addict. My friends have been pushing me to create a blog due to the high volume of make up I purchase!!! I know, I am a mad woman haha!

So feel free to follow my endeavors, and hopefully we can all obsess over our beauty addictions together. Don't worry. I'm here for you.

So yeah! If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me via the blog or my email: sinarlow@gmail.com

See ya!

x