Marc Jacobs Gel Crayons~ Swatches and First Impression

If you haven't heard there is a new brand out at Sephora by Marc Jacobs. I am unsure about the animal-testing status of the company. I'm going to try and find out more and will update here when I do. I haven't purchased anything from the line, I'd like to say (and I won't until I can determine the animal-testing status) I merely swatched the products in store.

These gel pencils are supposed to be an innovative for their use of a gel texture. I'm sure I've seen something similar before but I can't remember from where. First though here are the swatches.

T-B: Th(Ink), Intro(Vert), N(Ice), Ro(Cocoa), Jazz(Berry), Blacquer

T-B: Th(Ink), Intro(Vert), N(Ice), Ro(Cocoa), Jazz(Berry), Blacquer

The best shade by far was Blacquer- super opaque, super gel-cream texture, really really easy to apply- it just glides on. Ro(Cocoa) comes in second place just a tad behind Blacquer with the same texture and almost as good of pigmentation. It is a lovely satin shade of medium-dark brown.

Unfortunately the good dies off a bit after those two. Of the rest Th(Ink) an indigo shade (a dark blue with purple undertones, think blueberries) is the next best. This however doesn't have the same texture as the other two instead being much drier and lacking the 'gel' cream. You can build up the pigmentation with this until you get the desired result and a couple passes gets rid of any patchiness. N(Ice) and Intro(Vert) are about tied in terms pigmentation. Kind of patchy also and needing multiple passes. Also dry in texture in comparison with the first two shades. These two are also the sparkliest of the selection. Intro(Vert) is a kelly green and N(Ice) is a glittery silver. Finally Jazz(Berry) the most interesting colour in the line and the worst performer. Swatched so so patchy and seriously took way too much work to get the swatch I did. And if you look at the top picture you can still see the patchiness. Very disappointing, especially as the colour is so nice- berry with a burgundy metallic.

One thing I will say about these though is that they are really hard to get off! I seriously scrubbed at these swatches with a cotton round soaked with makeup remover and they barely budged. I still have remnants on my wrist where I couldn't get these all off!

Anyone seen the Marc Jacobs Beauty line yet? Does anyone know their animal testing status? What do you think of these liners?

Nars Fall 2011 Overview

Images from Nars website

Nars has released yet another colour packed collection for fall! Currently only available on the Nars website I'm sure it'll show up on the Sephora one soon. Anyways here is an overview for you, enjoy!

All Images from Nars Website

Madison Ave (Image from NARS site)

"Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner takes liner to the next level. Rich, creamy color that glides on smoothly with a completely budgeproof finish. Incomparable 12-hour wear with no smearing and no caking. Deeply dramatic shades named for the most iconic streets in the world." Nars goes on to clain that the liners are long-wearing, are intensely coloured and include built in sharpeners.

There are 9 shades of pencil in this release of the Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner pencils and some really lovely colours have been included! I'm really excited about this one because if they last as long as they say I may have to get the nude one and the grey one for my waterline. Having a twist up mechanism makes me really happy too! Plus I love that the names of the shades are all named after famous roads in major cities, such a neat idea (and way classier than sex names). If you're interested Karla Sugar's Swatches are up for the majority of these shades. I must say they are looking pretty nice so far! They are $23 CND and only available through the Nars site to my knowledge.

• Madison Ave: Matte steel Grey
• Abbey Road: Shimmery bright turquoise Blue
• Bourbon Street: Shimmery dark royal Purple
• Rue Bonaparte: Matte Nude
• Rue de Rivoli: Olive Green shimmer
• Rue Saint-Honore: Shimmery deep Navy
• Santa Monica Blvd: Matte White
• Via Appia: Shimmery warm chocolate Brown
• Via Vento: Matte Black

Oasis Lip Gloss

Next we've got the lippies. There are five lip products in this fall release ranging from nude to plum. Nothing too out there but lovely shades none the less. Here they are with descriptions.

• Oasis Lip Gloss: Sparkling Pink Champagne ($28 CND)
• Pago Pago Sheer Lipstick: Shimmering Pink ($30 CND)
• Mascate Pure Matte Lipstick: Bold Red ($30 CND)
• Montego Bay Pure Matte Lipstick: Rose Pink ($30 CND)
• Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil: Deep Aubergine ($30 CND)

Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Mascate Pure Matte Lipstick

Montego Bay Pure Matte Lipstick

Pago Pago Sheer Lipstick

And last but certainly not least is the three eyeshadow sets. One single, a duo and a trio of shades.

Delphes Trio

Outremer Single

Grand Palais Duo

• Outremer Eyeshadow Single: Bright True Blue, $26 CND
• Grand Palais Eyeshadow Duo: Silver Shimmery Taupe and Satin Dusty Rose, $38 CND
• Delphes Eyeshadow Trio: Sparkling Sheer Peach, Matte Dove Grey, Frosted Sage, $55 CND (Limited Edition)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencil~ Swatches and First Impression

I don't know if you've heard but Urban Decay recently released their new Cream Eyeshadow Pencil products called 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils, after their famous 24/7 pencil liners. Like the liners these are super pigmented, creamy, soft, lovely eyeshadow pencils. Unfortunately you have to sharpen them, they don't turn up via a mechanism at the bottom (they should!) but I got a chance to swatch them and they were as great as expected from Urban Decay, super fun colours in vivid hues and awesome rich pigmentation. Here are the swatches!

All 12 shades!

There are twelve awesome shades some with slight duochrome, some almost matte, some with glitter and all great pigmentation! Plus if you like glitter I think this would be the way to go as you don't have to worry about glitter fallout with the creamy shadow base holding it.

Top L-R: Clash, Clinic
Bottom L-R: Narc, Midnight Cowboy

Clash- Bright Turquoise with Silver Sparkle

Clinic- Emerald Green with Silver Sparkle

Narc- Mossy Green

Midnight Cowboy- Beige with Silver Sparkle

Top L-R: Rehab, Mercury
Middle L-R: Wasteland, Barracuda
Bottom L-R: Clash, Clinic

Rehab- Taupe

Mercury- Gunmetal (Grey)

Wasteland- Dark Brown

Barracuda- Black with Silver Sparkle

Top L-R: Sin, Lit
Middle L-R: Delinquent, Morphine
Bottom: Rehab, Mercury

Sin- (Pink) Champagne

Lit- Golden Bronze

Delinquent- Dark Purple with Bright Purple Sparkle

Morphine- Light Purple with Pale Blue Shift

So what do you think? I love the look of these and just from swatching I can tell you these take scrubbing and make-up remover to get off! I'm especially interested in Clinic, Delinquent, Mercury (nicer in real life than in my photos!), Morphine and Sin. What about you, which ones do you like the look of? They retail for $20 USD.

Urban Decay Palettes Released!

Urban Decay has released their three new palettes on their website (Here!) They are $34 USD each and all come with 6 shadows, one mini primer potion, and one travel size 24/7 liner. Here's what Urban Decay says:

"We like to describe everything we create as being feminine, a little dangerous, and a lot of fun. These eyeshadow palettes speak to your inner mojo. Filled with six handpicked eyeshadows, Eyeshadow Primer Potion and 24/7 Eye Pencil, they coax your personality into doing all the talking. How do you roll? 

Our Feminine Palette is for those who cultivate a more "feminine" personality. These sultry shadows suit your legendary wiles perfectly. We’ve added Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, a matte, nude shade, and our award-winning black eyeliner, Zero. Behold endless possibilities at your graceful fingertips.

Try as you might… your friends say you’re rooted on the wild side. Our Dangerous Palette holds six intense, bewitching shadows to help your inner “Femme Nikita” come out kicking. Feed your dangerous desires with Greed, our gilded Eyeshadow Primer Potion and a naughty purple eye pencil to complete the Set.

You tend to tip the scales toward "fun" don’t you? Our Technicolor Fun Palette makes you the hit of any party (as if you need the help). This bright case hosts six shadows with twittering personality, a sassy eye pencil and our must-have Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Please, entertain us!

Fill Weight: Eyeshadows: 6 x 0.9 g e 6 x 0.03 US oz; Eyeshadow Primer Potion: 3.7ml e 0.13 US fl oz; 24/7 Eye Pencil: 0.8g e 0.03 US oz "

Now onto the pictures of the palettes and the shades in each!

The Feminine palette includes shadows in (L-R, Top row then bottom row): Stray Dog, SWF, Midnight Cowboy, Aquarius, Darkhorse, Ecstasy. The liner is in Zero (black) and the primer potion is Eden a matte yellow-beige.

Next up is the Dangerous palette. The shades (L-R top row then bottom) are: Haight, Mildew, Virgin, Oilslick, Rockstar, Gunmetal. The 24/7 pencil shade is a dark plummy purple in Rockstar and the primer potion is Greed, a shimmery gold.

Last but not least is the Fun palette. In this bright palette there is another black liner only this one, Oil Slick has a twist of silver sparkles in it! The shades (L-R, top row then bottom) are: Woodstock, Baked, Uzi, Sin, Flipside and Psychedelic Sister. It also has the original primer potion as part of the set. 

I think the pictures of the shades are very true to life (from seeing the other shades in store before) if that is of any help. What does everyone think, are you going to get feminine, dangerous or fun?

Urban Decay New Palettes!

The Dangerous Palette- Urban Decay Facebook Page

Urban Decay is releasing 3 new palettes soon, The Dangerous Palette (with an awesome snake on the front), The Fun Palette and The Feminine Palette. Here are some of the sneak peak pictures Urban Decay just released!

The Dangerous Palette- Urban Decay Facebook page (Hint: look in the mirror)

First up is The Dangerous Palette that has six shades and a liner. I don't have the names yet but the shades are a turquoise shimmer, a mossy green shimmer, a matte beige, a shimmery gunmetal grey, shimmery dark plum and a black. NOTE that the finishes are my best guesses so they may be different than what I've stated here and in the rest of the palettes!

The Fun Palette- from Urban Decay Facebook

The Fun Palette- Urban Decay Facebook

Even less information available about this one, though the skulls, chains and strawberries pattern on the packaging is one I've never seen anything remotely like before. Inside in the same set up as The Dangerous Palette with 6 shadows and a pencil liner is a shimmery strawberry pink, a midtone brown shimmer (possibly Smog) and a glittery silver white (possibly Uzi). No clue for the other shades though, sorry!

The Feminine Palette- Urban Decay Facebook

Last but not least is the Feminine palette starring purples, silvers and feathers.

The Feminine Palette- Urban Decay Facebook

Included in this palette is the neutral midtone brown shimmer Stray Dog, the light pink shimmer SWF, the beige-pink shimmery glitter shade Midnight Cowboy, light shimmery Turquoise Aquarius, dark shimmery brown Darkhorse and shimmery purple with a subtle pink reflect Ecstasy. Also included is the Zero 24/7 pencil liner (black).

What do you think? Any of these strike your fancy? I personally love the themes and details on them, even the fun palette though it's not to my taste.

Lorac Spring Releases!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to quickly say thank-you to all of my followers! I recently passed 50 which is huge for me so thank-you to everyone!
To the more interesting things! Lorac has just released a bunch of awesome looking things for Spring and the above palette is one of them! The Multiplex 3D eyeshadow palette is a really great looking palette filled with duochrome eyeshadows (and one with holographic glitter)! I love duochrome shadows, they happen to be my favourite and they always look great on as it always looks like you've done more work applying eyeshadow colours than you actually have. The palette is limited edition and has a faux-animal skin cover to it in blue. The six colours shown are a gold with a pink reflect, Amber-Bronze with a gold reflect, a Mac Club dupe (Red-Brown with green reflect), Silver with white reflect, Royal blue with electric blue reflect, and a Midnight black with holographic glitter. Doesn't that sound lovely even if most of us already own one of the many multitudes of Club that all the brands seem to have come out with? According to Sephora it is worth $108 USD but as always the palette is significantly less at $38 USD. Looks like a great palette to be used all year round to me as there are shades there that can work in multiple seasons.


They've also released a new shade of the Multiplex 3D lipglosses in this set of two. I love the three shades of this that I have as they smell good, are really unique shade-wise and are non-sticky! The new shade is a bubblegum pink with 3D glitter (never seen 3D glitter but it sounds interesting) called 4D and 3D the rose-bronze shade that also has 3D glitter. The set costs $28 USD are the two glosses are full size which is a good deal if you like both colours are normally the glosses cost $22 USD each.


This is a product of which I've not seen anything similar to before. Called 3D liquid lustre Lorac states this is a "shimmering top coat for the eyes or cheeks". Not too sure how you'd go about using it but it sure looks opalescent! It's supposed to be safe for contact wearers as well and is actually a liquid. Sephora goes onto say that it's a "long lasting liquid shimmer [that] can be applied over eyeshadow or worn alone on eyes or cheeks for prismatic, three dimensional sparkle and shine." It's sparked my interest enough to want to check it out at least! The vial contains 0.17 oz and costs $16 USD, it's also only available in the shade shown.


Also for eyes is a new mascara called Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing and Thickening Mascara. Only in black though so I'm not sure how that is supposed to be 'Multiplex'. They state it's smudge-resistant and build-able as well as being nourishing to the lashes while still providing "Maximum coverage and length". The packaging has holographic lettering on it which you can't see in the above photo unfortunately so it at least looks glitzy! It holds 0.43 oz and costs $22 USD.


Sephora also says this Waterproof 3-in-1 Eyeliner Pencil is new as well. It comes with a smudger, a sharpener and it's retractable all while being toted to have an intense creamy application. Like all twist ups though it only holds 0.02 oz of product and still costs $18 USD. It does come in three colours though Aubergine (royal purple), Chocolate (Brown) and Ultra Black.

Though not new, has anyone tried the Lorac Creamy Brow pencil?


I want to try it (they have an Auburn shade!) as my current brow pencil reacts badly with my skin, but I don't know too much about it. Sephora doesn't have much of a description. Any comments good or bad on it? (Other than the insane $19 USD price tag?) Any other brow products in Auburn to try?

What do you think of Lorac's new offerings?