Deborah Lippmann - Today Was A Fairy Tale - Swatches and Happily Ever After...

Today Was a Fairy Tale - 4 coats.

Deborah Lippmann does it again.  Her chunky glitters just fill me with so much happiness.  I love them especially in jelly bases.  Do you think Deborah Lippmann is a lacquer fairy godmother?

Today Was a Fairy Tale is a grey blue jelly base with cool silver glitter in three sizes. This polish contains Virgin Diamond Powder.  I am not entirely sure what that means, but doesn't it sound like something straight out of Disney? 

I needed 4 coats for total nail coverage, but I thought it was ok with 3 (see below).  I liked it the most over another base color.  I paired it with Rescue Beauty Lounge's Stormy. 

Make a wish with this starlight blue.   Three coats.

 
 I wish for more Deborah Lippmanns!

 
1 coat over Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy.

I wish I may, I wish I might... have more Deborah Lippmanns tonight.   

Today Was a Fair Tale, $20 at www.deborahlippmann.com

Chanel SOHO de Chanel Palette - Highlighting Powder and Blush - Rename Chanel Soso Palette

 
Soho de Chanel

Soho de Chanel is a part of the Soho Story collection, to celebrate the re-opening of Chanel's Soho store in NYC.  This highlighting powder and blush come in a classic Chanel black compact with angled brush on the side.
I feel so "meh" about this compact.  So "meh" in fact that this post has been sitting as a draft for a couple weeks.  I am all for special pressed patterns and limited edition products, but something about this palette feels so mediocre.  The saving grace is that it is pigmented where it needs to be and subtle where it needs to be.  Mixed together it's a very pretty blush.  But how many pretty blushes do we own?  I wanted wow factor, and this just didn't deliver.

Limited Edition, $65. Available at Chanel.com.

The compact with angled brush.


I just don't get a Soho or NYC vibe from this design.  What about you?


Swatched individually.

 
Mixed it's still pretty pigmented.
But worth $65?  I don't think so, ho.

BB Couture - Two Gorgeous Greens - Bonnie and Redwood Forest

Bonnie and Redwood Forest

Bottle shots.  
Similar base colors but variations in glitter.

Beautiful Bonnie! 

Isn't this gorgeous?  There is so much light coming from within the polish.  Bonnie is an emerald green jelly with mini glowing jade green glitter.  This polish is one of those rare colors that feels lit from within. Bonnie is from the Infamous Lovers - The Ladies collection.

Bonnie and Clyde, the movie, is just a stunning.  Faye Dunaway is just perfection in that movie.  Her hair, the costumes, her cheekbones are all perfect.   Not that this polish is really reminescent of any of that, but I have the same feeling of enthusiasm about it.  The hue, the glitter, the glow against my skin... everything about it is just breathtaking.

Bonnie with brighter artificial light.  Is it driving you jelly?!


Bottle shot of Bonnie.


Redwood Forest from Vampy Varnish collection

Redwood Forest is from the Vampy Varnish collection (A collection where I seriously cherish each and every polish).  If you are looking for more of a shade that's a jelly with a twist, then this is for you.  Redwood Forest is thinner in formula. 

 
 Redwood Forest

Redwood Forest bottle shot.  Notice how fine the glitter is.

Both of these colors are a deep hunter green jelly base.  You may say that they are too close to own both, but I'm greedy and like having both. 

The glitter in Bonnie is larger than Redwood Forest but I would still consider it to be micro in size.  It jumps out from the base color more and gives the polish more depth.  This applied better for me. It feels like Bonnie is the 2.0 of Redwood Forest.

Bonnie and Redwood Forest are available at OverallBeauty.com

Ring Ring! 212-SEPHORA - Limited Edition Nail Color from Sephora by OPI

212 SEPHORA by Sephora by OPI

Here is another polish from Sephora by OPI's Holiday Gem Collection.  212 SEPHORA is actually a re-release (not sure of the name of the collection but it came out in summer 2009).  I regretted not picking it up back then, and as you can imagine, I was more than thrilled to see it back.

212 SEPHORA is a dark smoky brown/black mixed with glitter and flakies.  It reminds me of Tiger's Eye.  This was extremely hard to photograph.  The application also took two tries to get it to look decent enough to photograph.  (I confess this isn't the polish's fault!  I am just not the best at lacquer application.)  With three coats and two coats top coat, I was able to get a smooth enough surface.  The durability and wear was excellent.  No chippage for 3 days, and very minimal tippage.

I actually dialed (212) SEP-HORA (212-737-4672), and the number goes to the Times Square store.  I was almost slightly disappointed.  I was picturing something like Kramer from Seinfeld pretending to be MoviePhone (lol!).  If you don't know what I'm referring to, click here.

Bottle shot.
See the flakie goodness?!

Did You Bring It?! Nicole by OPI - Bring On The Tinsel

Did you bring it?  Oh it's been broughten!
Nicole by OPI Bring on the Tinsel.


 
 This reminds me of classic Christmas lights!

After being so impressed by the Burlesques collection glitters from OPI, I thought I would give Bring on the Tinsel from their Nicole by OPI line a try.  I have always steered away from this brand, mostly because of their bottle and price, but this shade really caught my eye.  Bring on the Tinsel is a fine glitter composed of silver, gold, red, green and BLUE glitter.  I love that it has blue in it.  In a season overwhelmed with red/green/red/gold/silver/red/silver/green combinations, it was refreshing to see some blue thrown into the mix.  This reminds me of classic primary Christmas lights, that have blue!

Three coats and you had full glitter application.  I wanted to try it as a glitter top coat, but I was disappointed with the result.  On top of China Glaze Frosty, Bring on the Tinsel sunk into the base color.  It looked like a cake with sprinkles sinking into the warming frosting.  Not a look I'm going for.  I may have to try it other colors because I do like the overall effect.


 
1 coat on top of China Glaze Frosty.
I didn't LOVE how this turned out.  I do like it in theory, but the actual application is what I don't like.  I don't like how the glitter has melted into base color and how it looks like the white is eating the glitter.  I would rather find a base color where it sits on top vs. sinks in.  Does anyone know why this happens?  I know there are many of you more versed than me on these issues!

Nicole by OPI is available at Target stores.

Do you like the blue too?  What color Christmas lights do you prefer?

Savvy by Femme Couture - Sally Beauty - Holiday Cheer Collection - Red Caviar and Ruby Slippers

Savvy by Femme Couture at Sally Beauty.
Holiday Cheer Display.

Red Caviar and Ruby Slippers.

I do like the heft of these bottles.

I actually found most of the display to be a little bit of a snoozer.


Red Caviar

Blackened shimmering red, almost black purple.  Nothing exciting or extraordinary.  I actually loved the way it looked in the bottle.  The color seemed to have depth with violet shimmer catching the light at times.  But applied on the nail, the color was just very flat.  Pretty disappointing actually.


 
Ruby Slippers
Again, how many times have we seen the red with red microglitter.  This is more creme than jelly (unlike China Glaze Ruby Pumps).  The application was bumpy, and even with two coats of top coat, I still wasn't 100% satisfied with the smoothness.  The shade of red is a little deeper, more blood than primary, but it's not really original enough to warrant a scouting trip.

Overall, for $4.29 each plus being exclusive to Sally Beauty, I have yet to find anything from this line so extraordinary that requires a special trip to Sally's.  The quality is mediocre, average at best.  The one positive I can say is that these polishes are very pigmented (a lot of staining... maybe that's not so positive).  

There have been so many amazing holiday offerings this season.  I would not spend time paying much attention to Savvy by Femme Couture.  

Do you have Savvy polishes you love?  What other Ruby Pumps/Sippers/Shoes polishes do you love?

Savvy by Femme Couture is available at Sally Beauty.

Perplexing... Paradoxical.... Revlon Perplex vs. Chanel Paradoxal

 
Revlon Perplex

Revlon Perplex is a muted grey purple with violet iridescence.  Many bloggers have already done side by side comparisons with this and Chanel's Paradoxal. 

In the haste of traveling, I didn't have time to dig out my Paradoxal bottle to do a side by side swatch, but from looking at the bottles, Paradoxal seems to have slightly more pink iridescence.  Perplex is a little more purple with less shimmer.  But would the average person be able to see a difference, probably not.  The real question is would you know? 

I wore this over Thanksgiving weekend, and I was quite impressed with the durability.  Four days with very minimal tippage (this is with packing, unpacking and general traveling roughness).  I liked the application, and for a fifth of the price of the Chanel... why wouldn't you get this?


 
Chanel Paradoxal on the Index and Middle.
Castledew 9289 (a Korean brand) on Ring and Pinkie.
This photo is in sunlight.

Perplex came with its own display, but it's unclear whether it will be readily available in coming months and part of Revlon's permanent nail color offerings.  I bought it at my local CVS for $4.99.

Do dupes just make you lust further for the more expensive version?  Or are you happy to save some $ when possible?

Hey so... What's Your Point-Settia? from Sephora by OPI - Holiday 2010

 
Sephora by OPI - What's Your Point-settia?   

 Here is another limited edition nail polish from Sephora by OPI's Holiday Gem Collection. What's Your Point-settia is a juicy cranberry red with gold and red duochrome shimmer.  Sephora's site describes it as an opaque metallic burgundy, but I found the formula rather thin.  This shade could definitely be worn after the holidays, but if you want something more festive, I would try Merry Me! also from this collection.  Click here to see swatches.

This was 2 coats, but I think 3 would be better.


Pretty in the bottle.

What's Your Point-settia is available Sephora, $9.

Which do you prefer What's Your Point-settia or Merry Me?  Do you still think Sephora by OPI is too expensive?

200 Follower Nars Vintage Nail Polish Giveaway! Zulu, Full Metal Jacket and Midnight Express!

Win Nars Zulu, Full Metal Jacket and Midnight Express!

Thank you everyone for helping us reach this amazing milestone so quickly!

Doing this is really a dream come true for me.  Blogging and sharing this with you brings me so much happiness and pleasure.  I hope that reading this blog will bring even a fraction of that joy to you.

To thank you, current followers and soon to be followers, here is a giveaway for you!  Three amazing Nars Vintage Nail Polishes in Zulu (yes, ZULU!), Full Metal Jacket and Midnight Express can be yours (value $48).

Fill out the form below! Giveaway ends December 10th, 2010 11:59pm PST.  Once the winner is selected, they will have 72 hours to claim their prize!

OPI Burlesque - Part 2 - Glitters! 4 Application Styles and Color Pairings

Happy Thanksgiving everyone in the US!  On a personal note, this is the first year in many where we aren't hosting T-Day.  I am missing the smells, the prep and the food.  One tradition that we will probably be keeping this year though is the Thanksgiving Day movie.  No decisions yet on what we are going to see, but I thought I would take today to go over the glitters from OPI's Holiday Collection Burlesque, polishes inspired by the movie starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.

I reviewed a few polishes from this collection earlier, but here are all the glitters from the collection together.  The glitters weren't created to correspond with other colors in the collection, so I thought I would "style" them with other shades in my collection.  I also decided to show the glitters in 4 applications:

All Polishes Are Applied As Follows:
Index: 2 coats base + 2 coats glitter
Middle: 3 coats glitter
Ring: 2 coats base + 1 coat glitter
Pinkie: 1 coat glitter

Simmer & Shimmer with Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in  Gray by Gray

Simmer & Shimmer is contains a majority of bright sapphire blue mixed with yellow, pink, silver.

Simmer & Shimmer

Show It and Glow It! with OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender.

 Show It and Glow It! with OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender.

Show It and Glow It! - a bright violet glitter with some silver, blue, pink particles.
This combination is so pretty and girly!  I love it.

Sparkle-licious with OPI Funky Donkey from the Shrek Collection.
Many of these glitters look really cute with Shrek colors!

Are you a Viking or Lakers fan?  Are you going to Mardi Gras?  You need this polish.
 
 Sparkle-licious is a mix of gold, violet and blue glitters.

Bring on the Bling with Fiercely Fiona.
This is one of my favorite combos!

Bring on the Bling - Warm gold with particles of silver, pink, green, blue.  

I love this combination.  I would wear this pairing in the application style that's shown on the ring finger.  I love how it makes Fiercely Fiona so much more festive.


Another Shrek combination!
Glow Up Already! with OPI Who the Shrek Are You?

Glow Up Already! - A bright gold mixed with particles of red, blue, yellow and silver glitter.
Click on any photo to enlarge.

Glow Up Already! 

Extra-va-vaganza! with The Show Must Go On!
This is the only one that I paired with another Burlesque polish.  These two seemed to compliment each other without overpowering one another.

Extra-va-vaganza! with The Show Must Go On!

Extra-va-vaganza! with The Show Must Go On!
Strawberry Shortcake went to Vegas.
Overall, this collection is just plain fun.  As shown, they are great for spicing up other colors, or for a really blingbling look you can wear them alone.  The glitter density allows for 3 coats for a completely covered nail.  I'm not sure if Burlesque will make the cut to be our T-Day movie this year, but Burlesque polishes I will definitely be wearing this season.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving?  Do you and your family have any traditions?  Anyone going to see a movie?? or Burlesque?

Benefit Triple the Glossy! Swatches and Review - Holiday Gift Guide

$18, an Ulta exclusive (a $54 dollar value)

Continuing with our Holiday Gift Guide Series (see the tab up top!), we're taking a look at Triple the Glossy! set by Benefit.  A set of three full sized lipglosses priced at $18 (the price of 1!), an Ulta Exclusive.  I love Benefit's blushes, creaseless cream eyeshadows, so I thought I would give this a try.  The value was definitely an incentive; it's like buy 1 get TWO free.

I picked up two different versions of the kit to test the range of colors and applications.  I believe that there were three different varieties, but I cannot confirm that on Ulta's site.


 I picked up two of these packs.
I plan to break these up and give away to friends!

Both had easy to wear shades.
Doe-foot applicator.

Kit 1: contained left to right: Fresh Squeezed, Almost Famous, Friends in High Places



Fresh Squeezed: a soft, pearly pink

Almost Famous: a sheer golden nude bronze


Friends in High Places: soft dusty shimmery rose


The texture of these were more balm than gloss.   There is a high shine finish, but the product doesn't have a gooey, tacky, sticky texture like MAC Lipglass.  These lipglosses felt more like Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Colors, which are stick form.  Those who hate sticky glosses like Lancome Juicy Tubes might find these as a nice alternative.


These colors aren't super pigmented, but I don't think that it's their intention.  These glosses are just a yours-lips-but-better type of thing.
All very wearable for most skintones.


 The second kit:  Kiss You, Zone Out, Who Are You Wearing?

These kits are perfect for giving as a gift, splitting up for stocking stuffers or keeping one for yourself and giving the others away.

 Kiss you: soft shimmering fuchsia with micro gold shimmer

 Zone Out: extremely sheer beige gold gloss. 
This one would be great on top of holiday reds!

 Who Are You Wearing? A bright party pink, very sheer, just adds a little juiciness to your lips.



 This set was much more sheer, with less shimmer, than the other kit.  These colors would probably suit someone who wanted to use them on top of lipstick or by themselves more as a balm.

The texture of these is brilliant.  You have to try them on.


To Review: 
Pros: GREAT value!  $18 for 3 glosses (3 for the price of 1) not bad!  Easy for breaking up and distributing as gifts or trying several colors of this range.  Soft, smooth, non-sticky, moisturizing texture.  Very wearable colors.
Cons: Not for those who want extreme color payoff.  Avoid if you don't like their "apricot-lychee" scent (I didn't mind).
Overall Rating: A

One Lovely Blog Award - Thank You Leslie and My Nominations


Being a new author to the blogging community, it's just been a really wonderful and welcoming experience.

Leslie from Girly's Beauty nominated me, 15 bloggers total, for this lovely award, and I wanted to thank her so much!!!  I'm ashamed to say that it took me a while to post and forward this nomination to other people, not for the lack of great bloggers out there, but because of the difficult task of deciding on who!

I wanted to mention these beautiful bloggers for the work they do.  They inspire me, and I love seeing what they have on their minds day to day.  There are many other people out there that post insightful, funny, wonderful things, but I was limited to 15, so here goes!

Also Known As... 
Black nail polish and lipgloss
Bright Lights, Big Color
Chloe's Nails
CucumPear
The Fancy Face
For the Love of Nails
Imperfectly Painted
Nouveau Cheap
Pink Sith
Polish Insomniac 
Scandalously Polished
Sparkled Beauty
Squovalicious
TesJ0e's Blog

Giorgio Armani Beauty - Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow - Holiday 2010

 Eyes to Kill eyeshadow in #15 (left) and #16 (right).

Here are two new eyeshadows which are a part of Giorgio Armani Beauty's Gold Rush Holiday Collection.  Not only are they new shades, but these are completely new formula's to Giorgio Armani's repertoire of gorgeous makeup products (Face Fabric foundation is my go-to-tube for when I need a quickie look).  The website writes that the formula is composed of "an unprecedented association between binder elements and pearls that creates an exceptional luminosity depth and intensity of the eye color." 

I found the texture to be similar to Bare Escentuals' Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow (see my review here).  It had that spongy, slightly wet to powder feel.  But there was definitely more pigmentation and better buildability than the Buxom, which is saying a lot considering that those were pretty pigmented.  Perhaps it's because the Giorgio Armani boasts about a high-resistance bi-polymer or the association between binder elements and pearls that creates an exceptional luminosity depth and intensity.  Whatever it may be, these eyeshadows do "kill."  Only negative is that they kill the wallet too.  $32 per eyeshadow is steep!

Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow #15 and#16 are a part of the Gold Rush Holiday Collection.  $32 each and available in three shades at http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com


 
Eyes to Kill - 4g 0.14oz each.


 #15 and #16.
A third shade #13 is also available (not purchased) which is a black.



 Keep a lid on those Eyes to Kill.




 #15 - A pewter and copper gold.  Looks more copper in the pot with flecks of black.  See the swatch below.



 #16 - Silver flecked with black.  Pretty in the pot, but straight up silver swatched.



 Swatched dry with finger.

 #16 applied wet on the left (with brush and MAC Mixing Medium), dry on the right.

  #15 applied wet on the left (with brush and MAC Mixing Medium), dry on the right.

What do you think of these shadows?  Are you interested in trying this texture?  Is $32 too much for an eyeshadow even if it is long-wearing?

Sally Hansen nailgrowth Miracle Nail Color - Gentle Blossom and Forbidden Fudge

 Meet Sally Hansen's latest product - nailgrowth Miracle.
This is Gentle Blossom.

The display

Sally Hansen introduces nailgrowth Miracle, a serum that promises 59% longer nails (*from their pamphlet it says "based on a fixed point nail measurement in two weeks.").  In addition to a nail serum, a nail color range supplements this new line.  I recently spotted this display at my local drugstore and decided to try a few of the shades.  

The two that caught my eye were Gentle Blossom, a soft sea foam blue green with a pearlescent shimmer finish, and Forbidden Fudge, an unfortunately named golden dark reddened brown with golden shimmer.


 Forbidden Fudge
 Aside from the moniker, there is nothing crappy about this color.  A rich beautiful dark warm brown with red tones and golden shimmer.  I found the formula to be thin, but not runny.  This was two coats.

 Gentle Blossom

This one was incredibly sheer when applied.  This was three coats to get complete opacity.  Overall, very pretty.  The brush applicator is similar to the one on the Complete Salon Manicure series.

Sally Hansen Gentle Blossom vs. Milani Dressmaker.
Not a dupe for Chanel Jade, but still pretty!

I have only worn these for swatching and can't testify to the nail growth properties, but Sally Hansen  does make claims that with this Advanced Peptide Technology should support rapid natural nail growth without brittleness.  The nail color contains Biotin, Keratin and vitamins.  There are 24 shades to pick from.

What do you think of this line?  Do you have a better name for the polish now called "Forbidden Fudge"?

FingerPaints - Winter Dreams Collection - Holiday 2010

 Merry Mittens, Winter Wishes, Holly Good Time.
FingerPaints selection from Winter Dreams Collection.

 Merry Mittens, Winter Wishes, Holly Good Time bottle shots.

More holiday collections!  Here is a sampling of colors from FingerPaints' Winter Dreams collection.  The three colors that I picked up from my local Sally's Beaut Supply were Merry Mittens, Winter Wishes and Holly Good Time.  See my swatches and reviews below.  I was surprised as to which one was my favorite.

 Merry Mittens

Merry Mittens is a cool, frosty poinsettia red with red, gold and silver glitter. From the bottle, I really thought I was going to like this color.  It was unusual enough to have both silver and gold in a red base.  But boy, on the nail this was just a mess.  Above is a photo without topcoat.  Notice how bumpy and uneven the application is on the nail?  The finish was slightly matte, somewhat satin (if you don't mind all the tiny pockets of bumps).  Admittedly, I am no pro when it comes to nail polish application, but as someone who does their nails 5x+ a week, I had a lot of trouble getting a smooth application with this.  The polish itself was thick and goopy.  I also think that the base shade of red just really didn't compliment the glitters.  The glitters were too warm toned while the base was really cool. 

There are tons of really nice variations on a red this season (e.g. China Glaze Sugar Plums), and this was just not a winner for me. 

 Merry Mittens with 2 coats top coat.
 Still not smooth enough.

 Winter Wishes without top coat.
I am just not a fan of this texture.  It's kind of matte but has a slight satin finish.  The part that bothers me is that it remains chunky and not smooth.   I really wanted to LOVE this.  Winter Wishes is a champagne warm frosty white with micro gold and silver glitter.  Again, gorgeous color concept, but hideous execution.  The quality of the polish just plain stunk.

Even with top coat added, you still get a sense of the texture, which to me is undesired.
Dear Santa, please bring me this color in a GOOD formula.  
I've been good this year.

 Holly Good Time
Pumpkin clear base with rust orange, red, gold glitter.  

The first time I saw this in the bottle, I was really unsure about it.  I that it looked like a Thanksgiving Day pageant gone to Vegas.  But on, I felt completely differently about it.  It wasn't gaudy, like cornucopia barf but it was rather glowy and festive.  The application was excellent.  Two coats and almost opaque.  This was my favorite pick of the three.

Holly Good Time.
My surprise favorite of the bunch. :)

 Merry Mittens with Holly Good Time.
This doesn't really work for me.   What do you think?
I kind of hate this, but I did wear this to see the new Harry Potter movie.

 Merry Mittens with Holly Good Time.
Not a match made in FingerPaints heaven.
What do you think of these colors?  Are you sick of these "surprise I'm matte" formulations?  Would you wear Holly Good Time this Thanksgiving?  I think I will.

NARS Holiday 2010 - Bad Influence and Pokerface - Swatches

Bad Influence and Pokerface

Meet the two limited edition polishes from Nars 2010 Holiday collection. Bad Influence is a mushroom taupe creme.  Pokerface is a soft Easter purple lilac with mini-micro silver shimmer.  Both had excellent pigmentation and application. I was really impressed by both of these after my let down with MAC's Style Clan.  These aren't really typical holiday colors, but they are complimentary to the Holiday collection eyeshadows that I swatched here.

Bad Influence and Pokerface retail for $16 each.
Sephora, Narscosmetics.com


Bad Influence
I liked this so much more than MAC's Style Clan. 
See the review for Style Clan here.


Am I bluffin'?  Pokerface.
I love how the shimmer gives this color more depth than just a basic creme.

Can you read my Pokerface?

What do you think of these colors?  Do you like them even though they aren't typical holiday?  

120 Eyeshadow Palette - Beauties Factory - Swatches and Review - Holiday Gift Guide

120 eyeshadows?  Do you think you can use them all?


120 Palette by Beauties Factory



It's raining and cold here today in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I thought it would be fun to brighten up this dreary weather with some super bright colors.  Beauties Factory 120 Palette is a double-decker eyeshadow kit in a kalidescope of shades.  There are several versions of this palette available on Ebay from Beauties Factory and other sellers, but I have had good experience with Beauties Factory's customer service and their shipping was speedy.  Considering its price and the upcoming holiday season, I thought it would be a good time to review for our Holiday Gift Guide.

120 Palette - Colour Version #2 is $24.99 on Beauties Factory's site.

This set contains:
120 eyeshadows, in both shimmer and matte.

 The kit comes with two trays. 
The are not extremely durable, so this may not travel well.

 You may recognize this palette from YouTube.
Many YouTube Channel hosts use this palette to create a myriad of looks.


 Click to enlarge any photo.


 I love these neutrals.  
Version #2 comes with two blacks. 

 The pans are about the size of a dime.
Some may think that's small, but how much yellow eyeshadow will you use?





 Among all the brights, there are the basics like matte white and black.





Okay now you've seen the product.  
But what does this look like swatched? 


 An array of colors from Beauties Factory's 120 Palette.


But how does the 120 Palette compare to other high-end eyeshadows?

Inglot Freedom System Palette I made with bright colors.

I consider Inglot eyeshadows to have excellent texture and color payoff (the A grade stuff).  See my review of the Freedom System for more details (here).  I wanted to see how 120 Palette stood against my beloved Inglot and other high-end brands.

 Inglot on the left, Beauties Factory 120 Palette on the right.

Notice the smoother application on the Inglot.  The colors that I will be comparing aren't exact dupes, but I wanted to show similar colors and seeing them side by side to show 1. color payoff/pigmentation 2. texture.  BF 120 Palette had hits and misses on pigmentation and color payoff.  The textures didn't really compare with the smooth, silky quality of Inglot, but I don't think that it was exactly awful.  Look below to see what I mean.

Inglot, 120, Inglot, 120.
The red is on par with Inglot as far as color payoff, but the blue is not nearly as pigmented.  You can see that the red from the 120 Palette has a grainier, more brittle texture than the Inglot and that the blue from the 120 Palette is smooth but not pigmented.  However, it seems that there are more hits than misses in the BF 120 Palette.  See below.

 
Inglot, 120, Inglot, 120.
The yellow and aqua blue are very close swatched.  However, touching them, the Inglot is superior in feel, but if you are only using this palette for occasional makeup (like going out, trying out a wild look or just experimenting), then it should be a good choice. 

Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Shag (swatched largely on the left) and three BF 120 swatches on the right.  

Again the Urban Decay won out in texture and pigmentation, but the 120 Palette offerings weren't bad.  I think that someone who wants to have a variety of colors on hand would really love having this palette.



Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Shag


MAC Carbon vs. Beauties Factory 120 Palette's black
Again the 120 Palette was not as pigmented and in this case not as buildable. 

To Review:
Pros:  Lots of colors in one place.  Slim packaging (though not sturdy).  Great for variety in color (wild brights, basics, everydays) and finishes (matte and shimmers). Affordable.
Cons: Flimsy packaging.  Eyeshadows are very delicate and may not travel well.  Some colors do not have good color payoff.  
Overall Rating: B

MAC Style Clan from A Tartan Tale - Holiday 2010

 MAC's Style Clan

Seriously, this feels like Christmas morning when you KNOW that your parents definitely got you that BUM Equipment sweashirt that all your other girlfriends are sporting.... and you end up with a sweater with reindeer on it.

Style Clan, one of the limited edition polishes from MAC's A Tartan Tale Holiday 2010 collection, feels that that kind of disappointment. 

In the bottle, this looks like an awesome mushroom taupe, and it's loaded with BRIGHT and very pronounced copper glitter.

On the nail, glitter translation fail.  It barely surfaces over the creme base.  Click on the photos to enlarge, and even then you may still have a hard time seeing the glitter.



Do you like this color?  Would you have wanted to see more of the glitter or do you prefer this subtle execution?

Style Clan is available at MAC counters nation-wide and on MAC's site.