Sephora Lipservice Deluxe Sampler - Swatches & Review

I bought the Sephora Lipservice Deluxe Sampler over the holiday break for myself.  I think this set is hit or miss on most of the shades.  Swatches first:

0.12 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Crystal (Clear)

0.086 oz NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday (vibrant pink sheen, frosty looking)

0.8 oz Tarte Vitamin Infused Lipstick in Hatha (shimmering berry rose)

0.14 oz CARGO Plantlove Botanical Lipstick in Muir Woods (sheer spiced mauve)

0.04 oz Laura Mercier Lip Coulour-Crème in Pink Champagne (cool rose)

0.02 oz Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Radiant Rosy 14

0.06 oz Korres Guava Lipstick in Wine Red (burgundy wine)

0.05 oz DuWop Private Red

As you can see, most of the shades of lipstick are nude and neutral colored.  I think that these colors are nice but I wish there could have been more variety in a kit like this.  I liked the deeper reds and more vibrant colors a lot more than I liked the neutral colors.  I felt that not only was the application better on the deeper colors but that they were also more moisturizing, lasted longer, etc.

The two lipsticks that I am least impressed with are the CARGO one and the NARS lip pencil.  The CARGO lipstick feels really dry on my lips and is hard to apply.  The NARS lip pencil applies very lightly and with a frosty finish.  I want it to be more true to color than the light, frosty look that happens when I put it on my lips.

Mainly, I bought this kit for the DuWop 'Private Red' lipstick sample.  One tube of that lipstick costs nearly as much as this whole sampler set cost me!  So, it was great to be able to try it.  Overall, I am impressed with DuWop and their lipstick.  It applies a rich, deep red to my lips and I feel it works well with my skintone.  I am not sure if I believe it changes color depending on your own chemistry but everyone can believe what they want to.  I have yet to determine if I would ever by the full-size version of this.

Overall, definitely get this kit if you want to try a variety of brands and are a wearer of neutral colors (with some space for some pops of red every now and then).  It is definitely worth the money and you get some full-sized and some deluxe-sized samples of products.  I know it sells out fast so if you are even thinking about it, definitely go for it when you see it!

If you have any questions about this sampler set, please let me know!

Lime Crime Lipsticks, 'D'Lilac' & 'My Beautiful Rocket' Swatches & Review

I got my package of two lipsticks that I ordered from Lime Crime Makeup yesterday!  I preordered these and they arrived just in time to be used for Halloween and also for all of the upcoming festivities that I have!

As you can see the packing is super cute, holographic unicorns on each tube of lipstick make for a 'gleeful' time when re-applying.  Doe Deere is a strong believer that when you apply lipstick, it should be an artful process, not something that should be done hidden in the depths of a bathroom.  I definitely would not be ashamed to take of this lipstick and apply it in front of everyone, what a conversation starter it would be!

Above: This is what D'Lilac looks like on my lips.  I have really been in love with lilac colors as of late, I think it exudes a sort of Cyberpunk sort of look and I am really smitten with this lipstick.  In fact, I am wearing it today to work!  I love the way it mutes out the natural color of lips and really speaks for itself!

Above: This is what My Beautiful Rocket looks like on my lips.  A beautiful, pure orange without any red undertones.  Exactly what I have been looking for in an orange lipstick!

I would definitely recommend applying these lipsticks with a lipbrush for precise application or I would advise applying slowly to make sure you get a nice crisp line (especially on the lower lip).

Pros - a multitude of colors you won't find any where else, lasts on the lips for quite awhile before reapplying is needed, fast shipping/packaged well, pure glee every time you put it on!

Cons - kind of expensive ($16 for one lipstick), a bit dry when you first put it on (I would apply a bit of chapstick/Carmex to prep the lips before applying), bright colors make for a statement so try to apply it as best as you can (watch for messiness!).

Overall, I have to say that I am in love with Lime Crime Makeup and what Doe Deere has to offer.  She gives you a multitude of colors (both with these new lipsticks and the existing eyeshadows that are sold) that you cannot find anywhere else.  I am impressed with Doe Deere's ability to be both inspiring as well as a teacher through her work with her cosmetics line and I am sure she will continue to revolutionize what it means to wear makeup and how you make a statement with it!  If anything, I would buy one color just to be part of the experience!  I am sure at some point in the future, I will be buying myself another color from the site!

Check out the lipstick shades that are offered by Lime Crime Makeup by clicking here!

Lime Crime 'Enchant' & 'Fairy Wings' Swatches & Review

Here are swatches of Lime Crime Magic Dusts, 'Enchant' and 'Fairy Dust.'

These are swatched over Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

Pros - You can see that 'Enchant' is a kind of grayish, dusky green color, it's good for a smoky eye look that is slightly out of the ordinary. I especially like it applied wet.

'Fairy Wings' was really hard to photograph (I apologize), it has sparks of violet and looks beautiful layered over another color (like layered over black). Since I think it's more appropriate as a layering color or a sheer wash on it's own, I would never apply it wet but I thought you guys might like to see that. I also like to use it as a highlight to my brow and cheekbone.

These shadows last a long time (product & wear-wise) so they are well worth the investment and would be especially for colors that you can't find anywhere else!

Cons - The one thing I do not like about these shadows is the container, they spill easily and do not seal tightly, causing me to get violet sparkles all over my bathroom, makeup case, etc. I find it annoying and I am tempted to transfer them into better containers.

I am definitely going to check out more Lime Crime shadows in the future, Doe Deere just revamped the website and they are now offering double the amount of product for the same price! I am for sure going to get some of the brighter pigments in the future.

Go to Lime Crime Makeup to see more color options and to buy a few for yourself!

Does anyone else have these shadows (or other Lime Crime products)? How do you like them?

"Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II" Swatches & Review

I just got the new 'Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II' eyeshadow palette in the mail yesterday. I couldn't wait to share it with you all! It is available on Urban Decay's website right now as well as other sites like Sephora.

All swatches seen below are over 'Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner,' which I received a sample tube of at Sephora! (See product info on Sephora).

As you can see, these eyeshadows are pigmented and lovely as usual. The ones with asterisks next to them are new shades that are currently only available in this palette. The colors range from subdued to sparkly and bold. I think this is an excellent palette that can suit both day and nighttime wear.

Here are swatches of what each of the eyeliner's look like that come with this palette. I swatched them both with and without primer, just as an experiment. I actually think they are just a tad more vibrant without primer and I like them better that way.


You can see in this picture that this palette has a pull out drawer which reveals the eyeshadows, eyeliners and makeup primer. There is also a mirror which stays shut with a hidden magnetic closure and a little book of 'inspiration' is hidden beneath the two doors with the peacock feather print on them. I personally don't think the mirror is necessary but I know there are people out there that appreciate that feature.

Pros - affordable (when you do the math, this equals $3/eyeshadow, not even counting the primer & eyeliners), good pigmentation, sturdy construction (I feel like I could carry it around & it wouldn't break), good size pans of eyeshadow, good range of glitter and matte eyeshadows, suitable colors for both day and night, will last a long time.

Cons- the drawer that pulls the eyeshadows out can get annoying and stuck-feeling, I wish it opened like a compact instead.

I really like this palette and I can't wait to show you guys some looks that I do with it! Soon to come!

What do you guys think of this palette as well as Urban Decay's other Holiday releases?