Showing posts with label Neutrals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neutrals. Show all posts

Aug 20, 2015

SWATCHES | Stila Cosmetics Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes - Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul

 
Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes


  

Eyes are the window to the body, mind, spirit and soul.
This year, Stila celebrates 20 years of infinite style. Create endless looks with our new Eyes Are The Window™ shadow palettes. Inspired by the spiritual notion that true beauty is revealed from within, each palette is curated with 12 luxurious eye shadows to illuminate your inner beauty. Encased in exquisite, jewelry-inspired compacts-a precious mix of rose, yellow and white golds-the shadows will inspire intrigue and delight.

 Each palette comes with a look book curated by Sarah Lucero, Stila’s Global Executive Director of Creative Artistry.


Size:  12 x 0.051 oz

Price: US $49.00


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The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes retail for $49 for 12 x 0.051 oz of product. Keep in mind that typical small eyeshadows on the market are 0.05 oz each - think MAC and Urban Decay eyeshadow pans.

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes fall middle of the road when it comes to price point and has a competitive price tag when compared to other mid-end makeup brands. They also contain the average amount of product for eyeshadow palettes with 12 eyeshadows at the same size as a full sized MAC or Urban Decay eyeshadow.

One thing to note, is that these palettes do not come with a bonus item such as an eyeshadow brush or deluxe primer sample, etc. Some more pricey palettes do include these add-ons which somewhat 'balance out' the price. There is, however, a look book in each box which shows a variety of inspired looks with guides on how to achieve each look from the shades in the palettes.



 


 
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are currently available for purchase in store and online at the following locations:



 
 
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes come in beautiful metallic rose and yellow gold themed hard plastic palettes. Each palette is color coded with a different shade of gold or rose gold lid which makes it easier to differentiate among the 4 palettes.

Mind - white gold
Body - rose gold
Soul - yellow gold
Spirit - pale rose gold

Inside each palette is a full sized mirror (in the lid) and the eyeshadows (in the base) are housed in a gold grid of 4 rows and 3 columns. The lid itself opens via a hinge which pivots at a 120º angle rather a full 180º. This comes in handy when you use the mirror in palettes for makeup application.

The eyeshadows are not individually labeled with names inside the palette. However, there is a label on the back with all the eyeshadow names in the grid layout. Be careful not to flip the names (I only mention this because I did)....the names read as if your were looking at the eyeshadows from the top rather than matching them from the bottom....that may not confuse anyone else but myself  :(

Another thing of note - the eyeshadow pans are embedded a bit deeper than the divider grid which actually helps to keep the extra powder from mixing into neighboring shades as you use the palette. Or maybe it's just me that can appreciate the separation? Yes? No? :)

While the palettes are gorgeous on display, they will hold on to fingerprints due to the metallic finish of the palettes. Some people may find this bothersome....but they are quite easy to wipe clean so I have no worries.

Oh yea....there's a clear protective plastic sheet inside each palette with a quote from a renaissance or modern scientist/engineer/philosopher/artist...'cause you know beauty and science and stuff  *wink*  ;)

Overall I think the jewel themed compacts were beautifully done and are solid without being bulky. There is a feel of luxury without the overly expensive price tag.




 
"Each palette inculdes 12 luxe eye shadows that range from calming, soft shades to smoky hues that can be mixed and matched and worn wet or dry."


COLORS/SHADES
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes come in 4 different color themes ranging from brights to neutrals. Overall the palettes tend to lean toward more wearable everyday shades rather than in your face brights.


Body: A colorful collection of 12 bright and neutral shades
Mind: A well-edited assortment of 12 matte eye shadows
Spirit: A stunning palette of 12 of Stila’s most iconic shades
Soul: A luxurious palette of 12 sumptuous, everyday eye shadows


TEXTURE & FINISH 
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes feature various finishes from matte to satin to frost and glittery shades. The Mind palette is, however, an ALL matte palette. 

PIGMENTATION 
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are overall nicely pigmented with/without a primer or eyeshadow base. The shimmer shades have the best color payoff with the matte/glitter hybrids being the least pigmented. We will talk more under the swatches.

APPLICATION & WEAR 
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are nice palettes with good color payoff and are blendable without being overly patchy. I did not have issues with fading or creasing when I used these palettes.

The glitter shades will undoubtedly have fall out so be careful when using these shades. The matte shades can be on the drier side so they do kick up some powder and can cause fall out as well.

The shimmer shades are the best performers and they are really creamy with excellent pigmentation. They are not highly frosted shades which is a plus for all ages, skin tones and tastes.

We will talk more under the swatches.





 
The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are some great palettes that don't get enough recognition. But alas in the ADHD world that is makeup what can we do? They are nicely pigmented and easy to work with. And they come in a good selection of wearable shades with a decent price point. I enjoy them a lot and I do recommend them....except maybe the Body palette. 



Have you tried these palettes?  Interested?


 




Dec 2, 2014

REVIEW & SWATCHES | tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette

 


Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette 

An all matte palette with 12 exclusive eyeshadows inspired by real tartelettes just like you.

Product Performance: tarte is introducing an all matte eyeshadow palette featuring 12 never-before-seen shades to inspire, celebrate and empower real women to take on the day with confidence. The name says it all – this sleek, statement palette is all about the tartelette and features tarte’s signature Amazonian clay-infused, longwear eyeshadow in rich matte shades that are as beautifully diverse as the brand’s loyal fans:

  • free spirit (cream)
  • force of nature (nude)
  • dreamer (warm brown) 
  • multi-tasker (chocolate)
  • caregiver (pale pink) 
  • natural beauty (mauve) 
  • best friend (mulberry) 
  • bombshell (dark plum) 
  • super mom (ivory) 
  • wanderer (light brown) 
  • power player (taupe) 
  • fashionista (black)
  
 


Powered By:  
  • Amazonian clay: nature’s most perfect ingredient for better, longer, truer wear
  • vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and antioxidant
  • mineral pigments: soothe and soften skin 

 



Price: $44.00
Size: 1.50g / 0.053oz x 12 shadows

Launches January 2015 (Early access was offered through 11/21)







 

The tarte Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette will retail for $44.00 for 1.50g / 0.053oz x 12 (total 0.636 oz) of eyeshadows. 
 
The eyeshadows are the same size as the typical small eyeshadows on the market - think MAC and Urban Decay single eyeshadows. That means your are paying approximately $3.66 per eyeshadow.
While neutrals are not new for tarte, this is their first venture into the all matte, all neutral theme. Similar palettes on the market are:
  •   Stila Eyes Are the Window™ Shadow Palettes which retail for $49 for 0.051 oz x 12 of eyeshadows
  • Urban Decay Naked Palettes (1, 2 & 3) which retail for $54 for 0.05 oz x 12 of eyeshadows
  • Lorac Pro Palette which retails for $42 for 0.02 oz x 16 (total 0.32 oz) eyeshadows 
  • It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette which retails for $42 for 0.028 oz x 14 + 0.064 oz x 1 (total 0.456 oz) of eyeshadows
As you can see, even though the tarte Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette costs $2 more than the cheaper palettes, it stills boasts a better value with more product overall almost 50% more than Lorac and 30% more than It Cosmetics). Since this is a palette filled with neutrals and one you should get lots of use out of (versus a colorful palette) then the size of the eyeshadows plays a major part in the overall value.

The Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette comes in at a great price point in the saturated neutral palette market and has the product size (read value) to back it up!


 

 
The Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette will be available for purchase online at tarte cosmetics as well as online at Sephora and Ulta starting January 2015 for the Spring 2015 makeup season. You will also find these in store at most Sephora and Ulta locations near you once the palette is officially launched. 

The palette was made available in limited quantities for 5 days through November 21 for tarte subscribers - which is how I got my hands on it! Of course anyone else will now have to wait for the official launch to grab it (or get it through slimey eBay scalpers).



 
 
The Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette comes packaged in a shiny gold and purple hard plastic palette with a snap-fit tab closure. The front of the palette is decorated in a brilliant purple with the Tartelette product name and tarte logo in gold lettering. Of course, although the shiny gold design is very pretty to look at initially, it is a magnet for fingerprints and smudges which in the end leave the palette looking dirty and grimey! Arrrghhhh.....when will we get scotch guard for makeup packaging?!

The lid features a full-sized mirror and is hinged so it stays locked (can't be moved) at a 120°angle position. This may be handy for those of you who like to use the mirror in a palette during your eyeshadow/makeup application and need the lid to in place. 

I personally prefer a lid to lay flat and find the locked position a bit awkward for filming videos and taking photos. Of course this won't matter to the everyday consumer - but I thought I would mention that.

Inside the eyeshadows are embedded to the glossy gold slots which are highly reflective and the eyeshadow names are printed below each eyeshadow in purple text. This is a major change for tarte since typically they use transparent inserts with the names printed on instead of printed on the actual palettes themselves.

In this age of over-sharing and blogging/vlogging, the eyeshadow names are very handy when describing what you used in a look. Plus it's always great to put a name to an eyeshadow rather than a number or even worse - the dreaded blank. 

The packaging is sleek and pretty and is definitely a step up from tarte's usual cardboard packaging and flimsy inserts. It is thin and easy to store which is a bonus! Also, it is sturdy and secure which makes it great for traveling and touting around in a makeup bag. The closure holds up to tousling and even the accidental fall from (my) clumsy hands.








 
"This sleek, statement palette is all about the tartelette and features tarte’s signature Amazonian clay-infused, longwear eyeshadow in rich matte shades that are as beautifully diverse as the brand’s loyal fans"

COLORS/SHADES
The Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette features 12 neutral shades organized in cool, warm and neutral tone categories - 3 rows of 4 shades in each category. The colors range from light, medium to darker hues. 

It is the great assortment of neutral tones that will suit every skin tone and various looks. The eyeshadows can also be mixed to create the perfect shade to go with any look. The deeper shades are also versatile since you can use them for filling in eyebrows!

TEXTURE & FINISH 
The eyeshadows in this palette are matte in finish with a smooth creamy finish. Typically matte eyeshadows have a powdery texture by virtue of being just that - matte. However, what I find key is how the powders bind together and blend on the skin. These eyeshadows applied evenly and smoothly without being patchy and creating too much fall out. They also blend very well with each other and other eyeshadows without losing their intensity - another issue with mattes.

PIGMENTATION 
The Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette has great pigmentation and color payoff - even the lightest shades. It is very impressive to have great pigmentation with light shades especially with a matte finish. Again, they blend nicely without the need to keep building up color to get great color payoff.

APPLICATION & WEAR 

The eyeshadows apply nicely and stay creamy without much fallout. There is some loose powder but it is minimal especially with an eyeshadow primer. I didn't see any fading of the colors through 8 hours of wear.  

They blend evenly without getting patchy or blotchy and build color well. I found these really easy to work with - another typical matte failure - and they work well with other eyeshadows as well. 

One thing to note is that these can tend to go a bit darker with moisture (oils in the skin, moist primers, etc)  so I prefer to use them with a dry primer. But this also means you can apply these with a damp brush (I dampen my brush after picking up eyeshadow to avoid damaging the eyeshadow with water) and use them as an eyeliner.


 


The Tartelette Amazonian clay matte Palette is a great addition to the neutral eyeshadow palette market. In fact this is perhaps the best neutral palette to complement your collection. If you loves or neutral looks then this is a must have. These are amazing eyeshadows to use for highlighting, blending and adding depth to any look. You can also use these as liners and for your eyebrows. I recommend picking this up once it launches!



Grade: A

Did you pick this palette up?  Are you Interested?



















free spirit (cream) - light yellow toned cream
force of nature (nude) - light peachy nude
dreamer (warm brown) - medium warm toned brown
multi-tasker (chocolate) - deep espresso brown










caregiver (pale pink) - light pale pink
natural beauty (mauve) - mid-tone mauve-y nude
best friend (mulberry) - medium purple brown
bombshell (dark plum) - deep rich berry purple










 
super mom (ivory) - light vanilla ivory
wanderer (light brown) - light caramel nude
power player (taupe) - medium gray-toned brown
fashionista (black) - dark sooty black



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