Smashbox Rapture Eye Shadow And Brush Set

If you are a fan of Smashbox eyeshadows, have I got a goodie for you. Continuing on with some of the best picks of holiday collections, let me present Smashbox's Rapture Eye Shadow and Brush Set. This 10 piece collection includes 8 eyeshadow duos (16 shades total) and two full size eyeshadow brushes (a shadow brush and a definer brush) is just one of many from the Smashbox Rapture Holiday 2008 line. The 16 shades included in this kit are stunning. Covering the entire color spectrum, you get shades of brown, cream, gold, purple, green blue, silver, black, white, and pink. You so know where I'm going next, don't you??? Imagine how many different types of smokey eyes you can create with this kit!!! I especially love the inclusion of the silvers and whites. I love creating a frosty kind of smokey eye for the holiday season (think elegant frosted, not 1980s frosted).

This kit consists of so much eyeshadow that it will definately carry you through the holiday season and beyond. With the wide range of colors contained in it, you can go right into the Spring season with these shades.

When I first saw a picture for this product, I assumed that given all that is included the price would be near $100. Considering that single eyeshadow pots are priced at $16 a piece and you are getting two full size brushes I thought that was a fair price. I almost hit the floor when I saw that this kit is amazingly priced at $59!!! It has a $185 value.

As of right now, I only see this kit available at Smashbox.com. If you're thinking about getting this, I recommend waiting until Tuesday or Thursday and getting your Let's Do Lunch Tuesday or Thursday freebie with your purchase. You also get FREE SHIPPING on every order at Smashbox. Sephora has some of the other Rapture Holiday 2008 pieces (which I will definately talk about in future posts), but does not have the Eye Shadow and Brush set. If this changes, I will post it. Happy Shopping!

Smashbox Wicked Lovely Collection

The "Goth" look continues to be featured in many new fall collections. The latest collection from Smashbox, Wicked Lovely, looks like it should be featured on the shelves of Hot Topic. While the collection seems to be all about a smokey eye, the lack of lip color options turns me off. You have your choice of a very light lip or a very dark lip.

Wicked Lovely is sort of a unique line. The concept features 2 different looks: a "Wicked" look is more sexy and sultry, while a "Lovely" look is more feminine and soft. I personally think this concept fails. While there are plenty of options for the Wicked look, I think there is a lack of options for the Lovely side. To pull of the Lovely look, you simply down play the eye.

The Wicked Lovely Lip Glosses are my least favorite items in the collection. You have your choice of three shades: Coy (a sheer nude), Sultry (a sheer black cherry), and Sweet (a sheer apricot). When I tried on Coy and Sweet, I really didn't see much of a difference other than the fact that Coy seemed to have a little more shimmer to it. I thought that both shades were kind of boring and weren't anything new and exciting.

Sultry, on the other hand, seems very new, but not very exciting. As I looked in the mirror I was horrified at what I saw. The dark black cherry shade was very overpowering. I looked like I was getting dressed up for Halloween. I've heard other people talk about how much they like this shade and how it will work for everyone, including those with fair skin tones. I have no idea how that is even possible. Really, I don't understand why they are offering a dark lip gloss when everyone knows that when you play up your eyes you should definately understate your lips. Maybe it's supposed to be for the Lovely look since the eyes are down played in that look, but I really don't think anyone who is trying to achieve a soft feminine look would want these Elvira like lips.

I will say that these glosses to pack alot of shine, so that's a plus. I did not, however, like the packaging. The little leather tassles on the top of the tubes reminded me of some type of S&M club.

I really liked the Wicked Lovely Blush Rush in Charm. The soft warm pink shade is a perfect fall shade. It has a dusty look to it. Subtle enough in color to work with the dark eyes of the collection, but noticable enough that you won't wonder, "where is my blush?" I also love the packaging of this product. There is a swivel mirror attached to it so you can bring it with you on the go without having to tote around a mirror compact.

The collection also features 2 Wicked Lovely Eye Shadow Duo: Sexy/Demure (shimmering charcoal/shimmering peach) and Sinful/Pure (shimmering dark brown/shimmering ivory). While both of these are very pretty duos, I personally think that they are very similar. It would be a waste of money to get both duos when they look so much alike. I would think that since they are going for the two distinct looks they would have made at least one duo have a softer dark shade. Like possibly a light gray or even a light brown.

The line also features a Wicked Lovely Cream Liner Trio And Loose Shimmer set. Is it just me or does anyone else think that Smashbox needs to offer some new shades of cream liner. 2 years ago in their Holiday collection they had some very unique cream liners in shades of white and silver. Ever since then it seems that every kit or collection that comes with cream liners features shades of black, brown, and blue. This collection is no exception. The unique aspect of this product is the attached loose shimmer. I really like this idea. However, I will be passing on this item because I have quite a few Smashbox Cream Liners in the shades offered.

So there you are. Some of the highlights of Smashbox's new Wicked Lovely collection. The products are all limited editions.

MAC Electro Flash Collection

MAC Cosmetics has been busy, creating a couple of new lines for all of us beauty addicts. My favorite? Definately Electro Flash! Obviously, the pièce de résistance of the Electro Flash Collection are the Mineralized Eye Shadow Duos. Available in 9 different duos, these shadows are packed full of pigment and shimmer. I know that some of you are turned off by shimmery eye shadows, but I do not fit into that category. One side of the duo is a swirl of complimenting colors that blend together perfectly and just look amazing on any eyelid. The other side has a single shade that is complimenting to the swirl side. The mono-shade is a great liner shadow and can be used to create a gorgeous smokey eye. I really love that MAC is releasing duos again because it is so much easier to only have to tote one shadow along instead of 2 or 3. I've already picked up Polar Opposites (Dirty Purple with silver, indigo and pink veining/True silver mono), Odd Couple (Shade description: Warm gold with lavender and bronze veining/Purple mono), and Hot Contrast (Dirty red with silver and black veining/Black mono). Let me just tell you, Hot Contrast is an absolute must for anyone who likes to do a smokey eye.

In addition to the MES Duos, Electro Flash also contains 4 new Lip Glass shades (Cultureclash Frosty clear baby pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost), Major Minor Frosty mid-tone beige with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost), Sonic Vibe Frosty mid-tone pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost), and Li’ Hot Pepper Frosty burnt red with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost))and 4 new Lipstick shades (Vanity’s Child Sheer pale beige with pearl (Lustre), Fast Thrill Frosty clean mid-tone pink with pearl (Frost), Mellow Mood Glossy mid-tone dirty pink with pearl (Lustre), Dangerously Hot Creamy deep brown red (Amplified)). Nothing too new and exciting. Some very nice shades, but I think I would rather pick up more MES Duos!

I should also make one more comment. For anyone who hasn't used mineral eye shadows yet, be warned that they can be messy. The more you use them, the better you get at controling their messiness. But believe me, they are so beautiful that it's worth putting up with the messiness!

The new Electro Flash Collection is currently available on MACCosmetics.com as well as Macys.com. Macys is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on any $50 MAC Cosmetics purchase. Use coupon / promo code ELECTRO to take advantage of this offer. It's also available at some MAC Cosmetics counters and should be available everywhere later this week. Happy Shopping!

Dior 1-Couleur Powder Mono Eyeshadow

According to the media, metallics are all the rage right now. They're popping up everywhere; on celebrities, on the runways, on cover models, and so on. Good thing for me that I have always loved metallics. In fact, one of my first posts was on the foiling shades of Bare Escentuals. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw the new Dior 1-Couleur Powder Mono Eyeshadow at Sephora last week. Every shade is packed full of rich pigment and metallic shimmer. I selected Icy White (a shimmering white) and Silver Dust (a shimmering gun metal grey). Absolutely stunning. The smokey eyes I create with these eyeshadows are the best I have every seen. The shadows go on so smoothly that it feels, and looks, like I am applying a cream shadow. The color and intensity last all day. It offers the perfect amount of shimmer without looking like you spilled a container of glitter on yourself. And the range of colors that Dior offers in this line. The full spectrum of the rainbow is represented. This is definately a must have product for your Spring make-up bag.